When Nova went to her dorm, Lavender and Parvati didn't even speak to her, not that she minded. What made Nova upset were the glances they were giving her. She didn't have the best relationship with the girls, but it still made her heart clench. 

The following morning, Nova and Hermione joined the boys. Nova noted the swirling fire in Harry's eyes. He was upset, but his anger seemed more than it normally was. It could just be his hormones, but with Harry, nothing was so simple. 

She wouldn't lie, Harry's anger was starting to worry her. He was acting irrationally. He has been snippy, and he has been shouting more. 

But she reminded herself that it was Harry. The boy that would sneak down to the kitchens with her at two in the morning because she wanted ice cream. The boy that somehow knew what she needed in the exact moment. The boy that jump through hoops when she was on her period, especially when they were horrific and not one of the calmer ones. 

"What's wrong?" Hermione asked Harry as the two walked down the stairs. "You look- oh for heaven's sake!"

Nova, Ron, and Harry turned to the board where a new page had been posted. 

GALLONS OF GALLEONS!

Pocket money failing to keep pace with your outgoings? 

Like to earn a little extra gold? 

Contact Fred and George Weasley, Gryffindor common room, for simple, part-time, virtually painless jobs 

(WE REGRET THAT ALL WORK IS UNDERTAKEN AT APPLICANT'S OWN RISK)

"They are the limit," said Hermione grimly, taking down the sign, which Fred and George had pinned up over a poster giving the date of the first Hogsmeade weekend in October. "We'll have to talk to them, Ron." 

Ron looked positively alarmed."Why?" 

"Because we're prefects!" said Hermione, as they climbed out through the portrait hole. "It's up to us to stop this kind of thing!"

Ron said nothing; Harry could tell from his glum expression that the prospect of stopping Fred and George from doing exactly what they liked was not one that he found inviting. 

"Anyway, what's up, Harry?" Nova continued, as they walked down a flight of stairs lined with portraits of old witches and wizards, all of whom ignored them, being engrossed in their own conversation."You look really angry about something." 

"Seamus reckons Harry's lying about You-Know-Who," said Ron.

"Yes, Lavender thinks so as well," Hermione said gloomily. 

"Been having a nice little chat with her about whether or not I'm a lying, attention-seeking prat, have you?" Harry said loudly. 

"No," Hermione responded calmly, "I told her to keep her big fat mouth shut about you, actually. And it would be quite nice if you stopped jumping down Ron's and my throats, Harry, because if you haven't noticed, we're on your side."

"Sorry," Harry murmured. 

"Harry, I need to speak with you," Nova said both forcefully and suddenly. "You two go ahead, we'll catch up."

Ron and Hermione seemed reluctant but went anyway. 

Nova dragged Harry off to the side of the corridor. Now, they were out of the way and students could see if they were up to anything or not. So they could see they weren't conspiring against the Ministry. 

Nova, for once, wore the correct uniform. Instead of neglecting a black cardigan, Nova wore it proudly. Her red Gryffindor tie was tied around her throat perfectly, not too tight but not too loose. She wore a grey pleated skirt over black leggings. Her Gryffindor cloak could be found in the bag that hung on her shoulder. Her silver bracelet with the charm of a black dragon and purple eyes (which represented Nyx and was a gift from her fathers) rested on her left wrist. Harry also knew under the collar of her shirt, her golden locket laid at the base of her throat. She wore heeled combat boots that made her four inches taller. 

"What?" Harry asked. He sounded irritated and refused to meet Nova's honey eyes. 

"1, drop the attitude. 2, look me in the eyes. 3, your tie needs to be fixed," Nova instructed. Her caramel hair rested around her head in perfect beach waves, framing her face. 

Harry wore the typical clothes of a Gryffindor, he always had. His hair hopelessly messy and his green eyes had fire stirring behind them. Nova noted how they looked like the flames of floo travel. 

"You're wearing your uniform," Harry stated. 

"Good job, Sherlock," Nova rolled her eyes. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

Nova flicked Harry in the nose. 

"Don't lie to me. I'm not stupid. I know something's wrong." Nova stated stubbornly. Harry's eyes still looked past Nova. "I can see it in your eyes."

This statement and this statement alone, caused his gaze to finally meet Nova's eyes.  

Harry didn't answer, ignoring her question.

"Har," Nova said softly. "Don't block me out now. We're in this together, we always have been. We're a team." Nova paused, studying his face. "Ron and Hermione stand beside you wholeheartedly."

"The whole bloody world hates me, Nova," Harry groaned. "How can I be alright?"

"By sticking by your friends. By ignoring the negativity. By allowing the ones you love to help you." Nova stated in a strong voice. "I will not let you push me away out of anger. No matter how hard you try, Har, I'm not leaving. So don't try your 'leave me alone I'm angry' shit."

"Why can't you just leave it alone?" Harry groaned in irritation. 

"Because you are my best friend. Your problems automatically are my problems." Nova crossed her arms. "Besides, I know what it's like for the whole world to turn their back on you. I was thirteen when I was considered dangerous because my father decided to skip happily out of prison. Everyone discarded me." 

Nova reached forward to fix Harry's tie. 

"Now," Nova's hands moved with accuracy to redo the mess Harry called his tie. "You're going to stop being a prat to Ron and Hermione. They, much like myself, fought to tell you everything we know about what was happening. They've been with us, with you, through everything."

"They weren't there in the graveyard or in the chamber. You guys weren't there when I faced Voldemort when we were eleven." Harry tried to reason. 

"Sorry Ron and I were a bit preoccupied trying to stay alive after being launched by a giant chess board in first year and you sent Hermione back to us after she solved the riddle," Nova pursed her lips. "Hermione figured out what creature was attacking students minutes before she herself was attacked. Ron was separated from us in the Chamber. They were with us when my father attacked us. Last year, they helped us prepare. Don't forget who let you practice jinxes and hexes on him so you can get through the task. Don't forget who helped you solve the riddle. Don't forget who has been by your side through everything, Potter." 

Nova paused, starring into his eyes. 

"It doesn't matter who left us. It doesn't matter who turned their back on us. It doesn't matter who left you for dead. In the end, it matters who stuck with you. Who supported you. Who helped you." Nova said. "It doesn't matter if they weren't physically there. Mentally, they there. The only people that should matter are those that show you that you are worth something to them. The only people who matter are those who support you."

All of Harry's initial anger faded as Nova interlocked her pinky finger with his. His green eyes flickered down to their fingers then back to her face. 

"I'm not sure about everyone else, but I know I'll be there by your side," Nova said with a faint smile. "I know Hermione and Ron will be there too. Hermione devising plans we always seem to mess up. Ron coming in the clutch. Ginny firing hexes. Fred and George laughing at something. My dads. Mister and Misses Weasley."

"How do you always know what to do? What to say?" Harry asked. 

"Because I know you," Nova smirked. "There's also the fact I'm bloody awesome."

Harry smiled. 

"Now, my pancakes are getting cold," Nova said before pulling Harry down the corridor. 

They found Hermione and Ron sitting side by side at the Gryffindor table and sat across from them. 

"What took so long?" Ron asked, raising a suggestive brow. 

"Get your head out of the gutter, Ronald," Nova said, cutting her pancakes. "I had to show Harry something and we ran into Peeves."

"Was it your human anatomy?" Ron smirked. Harry turned bright red, and Hermione sniggered. 

Nova threw a pancake, hitting him in the face. 

"Alright! Eesh!" Ron said as he pulled the pancake off his face. "Now I syrup all over my face!"

"It's still edible," Nova shrugged. "Maybe have Hermione lick it off."

"How did I get dragged into this?" Hermione began turning a bright red. 

"That's unsanitary," Timmy announced as he sat next to Nova, glaring at Harry. 

"That's-" Ron began, but Nova kicked his shin. "Ow!"

"You're right, Timster. That's unsanitary," Nova agreed, trying to keep Timmy innocent or at least oblivious to what Nova was hinting towards. "Bad, Ronald. Don't do that."

"D'you know what you want to do after Hogwarts?" Harry asked, changing the conversation.

"Not really," said Ron slowly. "Except . . . well . . ." 

He looked rather sheepish.

 "What?" Harry urged him. 

"Well, it'd be cool to be an Auror," said Ron in an offhand voice. 

"Yeah, it would," said Harry fervently. 

"But they're, like, the elite," said Ron. "You've got to be really good."

"What's your point, Ron?" Nova asked, raising a brow. "You'd make a really good Auror."

"Right-er-thanks," Ron stammered turning bright red."What about you, Hermione?" 

"I don't know," said Hermione. "I think I'd really like to do something worthwhile." 

"An Auror's worthwhile!" said Harry. 

"Yes, it is, but it's not the only worthwhile thing," said Hermione thoughtfully. "I mean, if I could take S.P.E.W. further . . ."

Ron and Harry refused to look at each other. 

"I personally wouldn't mind becoming a chaser for a while," Nova pondered. "Then after a few years, I'd become an Auror. Who knows, maybe I'll become Head Auror, breaking gender norms."

"How much thought have you put into this?" Ron asked her. 

"There's also the fact I would occasionally visit Charlie in Romania to help with dragons and visit Nyx." Nova continued, ignoring Ron. 

"What about all your work with reforming laws?" Hermione asked Nova. 

"Well, I'd have to do something when I'm alone in my room feeling lonely." Nova shrugged. "I'd work on them."

"Isn't that what you did all summer?" Ron asked. 

"How far have you gotten?" Harry asked.

"Well, I finished decoding what the laws mean. I broke down all laws regarding werewolves and house elves. I'm in the middle of researching more about them. I figured with the school library, I'd have a better chance of finding information." Nova explained. As she continued, it was a whisper only her friends could hear. "I'm also trying to build an argument on making sure every criminal has a trial, like my Da didn't. But in Harry's case, it wouldn't be a whole criminal trial, because that's unnecessary. And with my Da, let's be honest, the truth would've come out had Fudge not been an arrogant fucking prick."

"You're gonna change the world, Nova Lupin-Black," Harry stated. 

"So I've been told," Nova grinned as she entered the History of Magic Classroom. 

***

While Harry, Ron, and Hermione headed to the Great Hall (which Harry would eventually leave to Hermione and Ron's bickering), Nova was in the library researching werewolves. 

"Wassup, Noxxy?" Theo grinned as he plopped himself next to Nova. 

"Stop calling me that! I sound like a stripper!" Nova groaned. 

"I still have no idea what the fuzz a stripper is," Blaise stated innocently as he sat on the other side of Nova. 

Nova patted his shoulder. 

"It's probably for the best," Nova said sincerely. 

"Anyways . . ." Theo began. "You wanted to see us."

"I figured it out," Nova stated, digging through her bag for her lilac purple binder. Operation Peter Pan was across the front. 

"Figured what out?" Blaise asked. 

"A way out for you two," Nova said, flipping through the pages. 

"No," Theo said. 

"What do you mean 'no'?"

"I mean no as in I'm not going through with it," Theo stated. 

"Why not?" Nova asked frowning. 

"It's too dangerous," Theo hissed. 

"And?" Nova asked. "I already spoke with the manipulative bastard-"

"Who?" Blaise asked. 

"Dumbledore," Nova answered. "I joined the resistance . . .which no one, especially Harry, can know about. I practically demanded he get you two out, Dray too if he stops being an arse."

"You did that?" Theo asked, shocked. "Why? We're just some Slytherins."

"Just because you're Slytherins doesn't make you unworthy of love," Nova shrugged. "Besides, what is it we always say?"

"'In a group of three friends, always two of them team up and insult the other,'?" Blaise asked. 

"No. The other thing," Nova rolled her eyes. 

"'We're stuck with each other when we're old and senile,'?" Theo asked. 

"No. The other other thing."

"'Your pizza is my pizza'?" Blaise asked. 

"No. The other other other thing," Nova groaned. 

"'Fuck the Inter-House rivalry, the Three Musketeers said 'no''?" Theo raised a brow. 

"Close, but still no. The other other other other thing."

"Can't you just tell us?" Blaise groaned. 

"Yeah, this game is killing the remaining brain cells Crabbe didn't," Theo whined. 

"Quit your whining," Nova said. "It's 'no musketeer left behind'." 

"We've never said that," Blaise stated bluntly. 

"Well, I just did so it's a thing now," Nova shrugged. 

"Aright Hybird-House, what ya got?" Theo asked, taking her notes. 

"Hands to yourself, Theodore," Nova grinned. "I'd rather not have cement on my notes."

"That was one time!" Theo groaned. 

"One time is enough," Blaise laughed.

"It's not my fault the cement was still wet!"

"You're the idiot that still stuck his hands to it!" Nova laughed. 

"You dared me to!"

"That's your excuse?" Blaise rolled his eyes. 

The two Slytherins and Gryffindor sat in the library for the remainder of lunch chatting and devising an escape plan. 

Nova is going to save them from their fate. She refuses to give up. 

***

Nova met up with Ron, Hermione, and Harry on their way to Defense Against the Dark Arts. Hermione had been coming from Arithmancy and the boys from Divination. Nova opted out for taking another class. She didn't need the added stress to her life. 

"D'you realize how much homework we've got already? Binns set us a foot-and-a-half-long essay on giant wars, Snape wants a foot on the use of moonstones, and now we've got a month's dream diary from Trelawney! Fred and George weren't wrong about O.W.L. year, were they? That Umbridge woman had better not give us any. . . ." Ron groaned. 

When the Quartet arrived in the classroom, Umbridge was at her desk dressed in a fluffy pink cardigan. 

"Is it bad I wanna slap her like an annoying fly?" Nova asked her friends quietly. 

Ron and Harry sniggered as Hermione smacked the back of Nova's head. 

"That's child abuse!" Nova groaned as she sat beside Hermione. 

The class remained quiet. Not a single soul dared to speak, even Nova. 

"Well, good afternoon!" she said when finally the whole class had sat down. 

There was a mumble of Goodmorning" from the class. This appeared to not have satisfied the Ministry hag for she asked corrected them. 

"Tut, tut," said Professor Umbridge. "That won't do, now, will it? I should like you, please, to reply 'Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge.' One more time, please. Good afternoon, class!" 

"Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge," they chanted back at her. 

And the Minister is worried about Dumbledore creating a cult, Nova thought to herself bitterly. 

"There, now," said Professor Umbridge sweetly. "That wasn't too difficult, was it? Wands away and quills out, please." 

Everyone exchanged gloomy looks at the thought of a lecture. 

Umbridge pulled her own (rather short) wand from, you guessed it, a pink handbag. She tapped her wand to the chalkboard, causing words to magically write themselves. 

Siriusly, does this lady not know of any other color? Nova thought exasperatedly. 

Defense Against the Dark Arts

A Return to Basic Principles.

"Well now, your teaching in this subject has been rather disrupted and fragmented, hasn't it?" stated Professor Umbridge, turning to face the class with her hands clasped neatly in front of her. "The constant changing of teachers, many of whom do not seem to have followed any Ministry-approved curriculum, has unfortunately resulted in your being far below the standard we would expect to see in your O.W.L. year."

Nova sincerely hoped she hadn't been referring to her father, the most capable person she can think of, as a horrible teacher. He was perhaps the best professor she has ever had, after Minnie of course. 

"Uh oh," Dorcus voice everyone's concerns. 

"The top is about to blow," Regulus stressed. 

"Any guess on how long it takes baby Moonfoot to snap?" Lily smirked. 

"No! You win every time!" James groaned. 

"Yeah! It's no fair!" Marlene agreed. 

"You will be pleased to know, however, that these problems are now to be rectified. We will be following a carefully structured, theory centered, Ministry-approved course of defensive magic this year. Copy down the following, please." The pink toad continued. 

With another tap of her wand, the words upon the board changed. 

Course aims: 

1.Understanding the principles underlying defensive magic. 

2.Learning to recognize situations in which defensive magic can legally be used. 

3.Placing the use of defensive magic in a context for practical use. 

"Has everybody got a copy of Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard?" Umbridge's voice rang out into the classroom. Nova, who read the book, opposed everything it said. 

There was a murmur of responses. This, of course, did not please the pink puffball. 

"I think we'll try that again," said Professor Umbridge. "When I ask you a question, I should like you to reply 'Yes, Professor Umbridge,' or 'No, Professor Umbridge.' So, has everyone got a copy of Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard?" 

"Yes, Professor Umbridge," rang through the room. 

"Good," said Professor Umbridge. "I should like you to turn to page five and read chapter one, 'Basics for Beginners.' There will be no need to talk." 

Nova didn't even bother getting her book out. She simply sat there. Deciding to annoy Umbridge, Nova propped her feet on her desk. Next to her, Hermione had her hand raised, deliberately refusing to read. 

Much of the class watched them. Nova, they expected to rebel, not Hermione. 

"Miss Black," Umbridge's high pitched voice came. "Feet off the desk. Why aren't you reading?"

"Professor Umbridge, it would appear Hermione and I have already read the book several times over the summer," Nova replied in a calm and sweet voice. 

"Feet off the desk, Miss Black," Umbridge said, her sickly sweet voice shaking slightly. "And reread the book."

"That seems counterproductive," Nova shrugged. Hermione's hand was still in the air. "If I have already read the textbook, why should I reread it unless there is work assigned to it." Nova paused, taking her feet off the desk. "It's Lupin-Black, and I have a small tip."

"What is your suggestion?" the professor asked. 

"My Pa, a very capable teacher, always called upon a student when they had a question instead of starring straight through them," Nova said innocently. She knew the mention of her werewolf father would strike a nerve with her teacher. It's the whole point. "Seeing as the student next to me has their hand raised, she might have a question that the rest of the class would also like to know."

Umbridge turned to Hermione, beckoning her to speak. 

"I've got a query about your course aims," said Hermione. 

Professor Umbridge raised her eyebrows."And your name is — ?" 

"Hermione Granger," said Hermione. 

"Well, Miss Granger, I think the course aims are perfectly clear if you read them through carefully," said Professor Umbridge in a voice of determined sweetness. 

"Well, I don't," said Hermione bluntly. "There's nothing written up there about using defensive spells."

"Using defensive spells?" Professor Umbridge repeated with a little laugh. "Why, I can't imagine any situation arising in my classroom that would require you to use a defensive spell, Miss Granger. You surely aren't expecting to be attacked during class?"

"We're not going to use magic?" Ron asked rather loudly, making sure Umbridge heard him.

"Students raise their hands when they wish to speak in my class, Mr. — ?" 

"Weasley," said Ron, thrusting his hand into the air. 

"You will not be using defensive spells in my class," Umbridge repeated. 

"Then why the bloody hell are we even in this class?" Nova exclaimed. "I may need to brush up on my vocabulary skills but I specifically remember the course name being 'Defense Against the Dark Arts'. It is to my understanding 'Dark Arts' referred to magical curses. How are we supposed to defend ourselves against curses if we are to use magic? Throwing a bloody rock at the evil-doers?"

"Miss Black," Umbridge repeated. "Please read your textbook."

"It's Lupin-Black," Nova corrected. "But since you asked nicely, I'll do as instructed."

Nova did not read the book. She simply glared at Umbridge. 

The rest of the class seemingly abandoned their books. 

Both Harry and Hermione raised their hands. Umbridge's eyes lingered on Harry before turning to Hermione. 

"Yes, Miss Granger?"

"As Nova said, surely the whole point of Defense Against the Dark Arts is to practice defensive spells?" Hermione inquired.

"Are you a Ministry-trained educational expert, Miss Granger?" asked Professor Umbridge in her falsely sweet voice. 

"Are you?" Nova asked loudly but was ignored. 

"No, but —" 

"Well then, I'm afraid you are not qualified to decide what the 'whole point' of any class is. Wizards much older and cleverer than you have devised our new program of study. You will be learning about defensive spells in a secure, risk-free way —" 

"What use is that?" said Harry loudly. "If we're going to be attacked it won't be in a —" 

"Hand, Mr. Potter!" sang Professor Umbridge. 

Harry thrust his fist in the air. Professor Umbridge promptly turned away from him again, but now several other people had their hands up too. 

"And your name is?" Professor Umbridge said to Dean. 

"Dean Thomas." 

"Well, Mr. Thomas?" 

"Well, it's like Harry said, isn't it?" said Dean. "If we're going to be attacked, it won't be risk-free —" 

"I repeat," said Professor Umbridge, smiling in a very irritating fashion at Dean, "do you expect to be attacked during my classes?" 

"No, but —" 

"I dunno, sir," Nova began sassily. "First year, Mr. Turban Man had a man on the back of his fucking skull. Second year, we had a fraud as a teacher that tried to erase the memories of three students within this classroom. Fourth year, we had a bloody Death Eater as a teacher. I say the chances are likely."

Professor Umbridge talked over them. 

"I do not wish to criticize the way things have been run in this school," she said, an unconvincing smile stretching her wide mouth, "but you have been exposed to some very irresponsible wizards in this class, very irresponsible indeed — not to mention," she gave a nasty little laugh, "extremely dangerous half-breeds." 

"You fucking bitch!" James seethed. 

Nova stood up, clamming her hand on the table. Anger radiated off of her in waves. Many were rather startled by her action. Nobody other than Hermione notice her eyes began to glow, as well as her hand having a slight amber glow.

"If you mean Professor Lupin," piped up Dean Thomas angrily, "he was the best we ever —" 

"Hand, Mr. Thomas! Sit down, Miss Black! As I was saying — you have been introduced to spells that have been complex, inappropriate to your age group, and potentially lethal. You have been frightened into believing that you are likely to meet Dark attacks every other day —" 

"No we haven't," Hermione said, "we just —" 

"Your hand is not up, Miss Granger!"

Hermione put up her hand; Professor Umbridge turned away from her. 

"It is my understanding that my predecessor not only performed illegal curses in front of you, he actually performed them on you —" 

"Well, he turned out to be a maniac, didn't he?" said Dean Thomas hotly. "Mind you, we still learned loads —" 

"Your hand is not up, Mr. Thomas!" trilled Professor Umbridge."Now, it is the view of the Ministry that a theoretical knowledge will be more than sufficient to get you through your examination, which, after all, is what school is all about. And your name is?" she added, staring at Parvati, whose hand had just shot up.

"Parvati Patil, and isn't there a practical bit in our Defense Against the Dark Arts O.W.L.? Aren't we supposed to show that we can actually do the countercurses and things?" 

"As long as you have studied the theory hard enough, there is no reason why you should not be able to perform the spells under carefully controlled examination conditions," said Professor Umbridge dismissively. 

"Without ever practicing them before?" said Parvati incredulously."Are you telling us that the first time we'll get to do the spells will be during our exam?" 

"I repeat, as long as you have studied the theory hard enough —" 

"And what good's theory going to be in the real world?" said Harry loudly, his fist in the air again. Professor Umbridge looked up. 

"This is school, Mr. Potter, not the real world," she said softly. "So we're not supposed to be prepared for what's waiting out there?" 

She gave him a sickly smile.

"There is nothing waiting out there, Mr. Potter." 

"Dementors. Dark Wizards. Rapists. Pedophiles. Psychopaths." Nova began to list off. Everyone turned to her. "Pure-blood supremacists. Dictators. Sociopaths. Child abusers. Serial Killers. Bears. Pythons. Lions. Racists. Homophobics. Transphobics. You. There are a ton of things out there. You cannot guarantee the safety of everyone. It's best to educate and allow students to practice magic in a school of  . . .I dunno . . .Magic!"

Umbridge chose to ignore Nova yet again. 

"Oh yeah?" said Harry. Nova could see the unsettling fire behind his eyes begin to ignite. 

"Who do you imagine wants to attack children like yourselves?" inquired Professor Umbridge in a horribly honeyed voice. 

"Hmm, let's think . . ." said Harry in a mock thoughtful voice, "maybe Lord Voldemort?" 

Ron gasped; Lavender Brown uttered a little scream; Neville slipped sideways off his stool. Professor Umbridge, however, did not flinch. She was staring at Harry with a grimly satisfied expression on her face. 

"Ten points from Gryffindor, Mr. Potter."

Everyone's eyes were either on Harry or Umbridge. 

"Now, let me make a few things quite plain." she continued "You have been told that a certain Dark wizard has returned from the dead —" 

"He wasn't dead," said Harry angrily, "but yeah, he's returned!" 

"Mr.-Potter-you-have-already-lost-your-House-ten-points-do-not-make-matters-worse-for-yourself," said Professor Umbridge in one breath without looking at him. "As I was saying, you have been informed that a certain Dark wizard is at large once again. This is a lie." 

"It is NOT a lie!" said Harry. "I saw him, I fought him! Nova nearly died! He nearly killed her too!" 

"Detention, Mr. Potter!" said Professor Umbridge triumphantly."Tomorrow evening. Five o'clock. My office. I repeat, this is a lie. the Ministry of Magic guarantees that you are not in danger from any dark wizard. If you are still worried, by all means, come and see me outside class hours. If someone is alarming you with fibs about rebornDark wizards, I would like to hear about it. I am here to help. I am your friend. And now, you will kindly continue your reading. Page five, 'Basics for Beginners.' "

 Professor Umbridge sat down behind her desk again. Harry, however, stood up. Everyone was staring at him; Seamus looked half-scared, half-fascinated. 

"Harry, no!" Hermione whispered in a warning voice, tugging at his sleeve, but Harry jerked his arm out of her reach. 

"So, according to you, Cedric Diggory dropped dead of his own accord, did he?" Harry asked, his voice shaking.

There was an intake of breath from everyone in the room. No one ever spoke of the night Cedric died. Nova's heart clenched at the thought. 

"Cedric Diggory's death was a tragic accident," she said coldly. 

"So it was similar to your birth?" Nova asked. 

Umbridge's spun around to face her. 

"Miss Black-"

"Lupin-Black!" Nova hissed. "His death was not just a tragic accident! He was murdered!" 

Nova was fuming. Harry noted her hands were terminating a slight glow. No one else noticed.  

"Let me tell ya a little story, Umbitch," Nova growled. "That night I was in the maze, I was attacked by a man I idolized, Mad-Eye Moody. Come to find out, it wasn't even him. I was transported to a graveyard. A servant of Voldemort came and gave me a paralytic. I couldn't move. I was stuck on the cold ground. Hopeless and alone. When Harry and Ced appeared,  I couldn't warn them, to run because my lips would not move."

"MISS BLACK!"

"LUPIN-BLACK!" Nova yelled. "They had their wands ready. A cold hard voice hissed words I will never forget, 'Kill the spare'. The servant killed Cedric. I heard his body hit the ground!"

"MISS BLACK!" 

"NO!" Nova yelled. The class was shocked as tears began to form in her eyes. Many began to question what the profit was saying. "Then, Voldemort came back! He nearly killed me! He used the cruciatus curse on Harry! Barty Crouch Junior, who had been posing as Mad-Eye through polyjuice potion, confessed. He said Voldemort was back in front of three grown arse and reliable adults! What did the Minister do?"

"Do not speak of him like that!" 

"He doesn't want to shag you! Move the fuck on!" Nova yelled. "The Minister, without consideration, gave him the Dementor's kiss, rendering him unable to answer questions! Even then, he refused to ask the three adults that were there when Crouch confessed under Veriserum!" 

"Miss Black!"

"Lupin-Black!" Nova growled dangerously. "THEN! All you people do is cover things up! There is nothing but mistakes at the Ministry! My sperm donor, Sirius Black, has yet to be caught! But let's not worry about that! Let's worry about trashing two fifteen-year-olds! Let's make them feel like they're worthless!"

"Spawn of half breeds are worthless vermin!" Umbridge hissed. 

"LET ME AT THE BITCH!" Regulus was yelling, getting his wand. 

No one tried to stop him. They were too busy shaking with their own fury. 

There was a collective gasp of shock around the room. 

"Then I'm vermin!" Nova growled. "But my Pa will always be twice the human you will ever be! Even on the nights he transforms, which mind you, is not his fault. He didn't ask to be bitten at the age of four!"

"Miss Black-"

"Lupin-Black."

"You have just lost your house fifty-five points, and detention with me tonight at seven o'clock!" Umbridge screeched. 

"Oh joy!" Nova said sarcastically before turning towards Seamus. "Hey, Shay, tell me when we get a real professor to teach the subject and not this bitch. Until then, I will not be attending this class. I can spend my time teaching myself and working on laws to rebuild the corrupted Ministry."

Nova stormed out of the classroom, making her way towards Minnie's office. The sound of her high-heeled boots could be heard down the corridor as she strutted her way to see her favorite teacher. 

Without knocking, Nova threw the door open and plopped herself into the chair in front of Minnie's desk. 

"Sure! Come in! Have a seat, Miss Lupin-Black!" Minnie muttered sarcastically. 

"You may or may not get an angry letter from Umbitch," Nova said as she crossed her arms and legs. 

"What did you-" 

A knock sounded at the door. 

"Look! My letter is here!" Nova said sarcastically. "Oh joy!"

"Come in!" Minerva called. 

Harry walked in. He was clearly angry, but not as angry as Nova was. 

"Umbridge sent me here with a note," Harry said. 

"Professor Umbridge, Potter," Minnie corrected. 

"Until I see a PHD, I will not address her as such, nor will I be attending her class," Nova said hotly. 

Minerva read the paper. 

"Well?" said Professor McGonagall, rounding on Harry. "Is this true?" 

"Is what true?" he asked, rather more aggressively than he had intended. "Professor?" he added in an attempt to sound more polite. 

"Is it true that you shouted at Professor Umbridge?" 

"Yes," said Harry. 

"You called her a liar?" 

"Yes." 

"You told her He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is back?" 

"Yes."Professor McGonagall sat down behind her desk, frowning at Harry. Then she said, "Have a biscuit, Potter." 

"Have — what?" 

"Have a biscuit," she repeated impatiently, indicating a tartan tin of cookies lying on top of one of the piles of papers on her desk. "And sit down."

Nova reached for one, but Minnie slapped her hand away. 

"I will deal with you in a moment." She said sharply. "Until then, no biscuits."

"But, Minnie!" Nova whined. "That's why I came here!"

Minerva ignored her. 

"Potter, you need to be careful."

Harry swallowed his mouthful of Ginger Newt and stared at her. Her tone of voice was not at all what he was used to; it was not brisk, crisp, and stern; it was low and anxious and somehow much more human than usual. 

"Misbehavior in Dolores Umbridge's class could cost you much more than House points and a detention." 

"What do you — ?" 

"Potter, use your common sense," snapped Professor McGonagall, with an abrupt return to her usual manner. "You know where she comes from, you must know to whom she is reporting."

The bell rang for the end of the lesson. 

Overhead and all around came the elephantine sounds of hundreds of students on the move."It says here she's given you detention every evening this week, starting tomorrow," Professor McGonagall said, looking down at Umbridge's note again. 

"Every evening this week!" Harry repeated, horrified. "But, Professor, couldn't you — ?" 

"No, I couldn't," said Professor McGonagall flatly. 

"But —" 

"She is your teacher and has every right to give you detention. You will go to her room at five o'clock tomorrow for the first one. Just remember: Tread carefully around Dolores Umbridge." 

"But I was telling the truth!" said Harry, outraged. "Voldemort'sback, you know he is, Professor Dumbledore knows he is —" 

"For heaven's sake, Potter!" said Professor McGonagall, straightening her glasses angrily (she had winced horribly when he had used Voldemort's name). "Do you really think this is about truth or lies? It's about keeping your head down and your temper under control!"She stood up, nostrils wide and mouth very thin, and he stood too. 

"Have another biscuit," she said irritably, thrusting the tin at him. 

"No, thanks," said Harry coldly. 

"I'll have one," Nova piped up but was ignored.

"Don't be ridiculous," she snapped. He took one. 

"Thanks," he said grudgingly. 

"Didn't you listen to Dolores Umbridge's speech at the start-of-term feast, Potter?" 

"Yeah," said Harry. "Yeah . . . she said . . . progress will be prohibited or . . . well, it meant that . . . that the Ministry of Magic is trying to interfere at Hogwarts."

Professor McGonagall eyed him for a moment, then sniffed, walked around her desk, and held open the door for him. 

"Well, I'm glad you listen to Hermione Granger at any rate," she said, pointing him out of her office. She turned to Nova. "Now what could have possibly done?"

"It is a multiple-choice answer," Nova responded, swallowing her biscuit. "Chose which one you like best."

Author's Note:

Next chapter...is...a bit interesting.