Narrator's POV

The rest of the summer flew by, Dumblecluck and his Order of the Charred Chicken kept quiet about Lord Voldemort's return, and soon Harry and Remus found themselves boarding the Hogwarts Express.

Sirius would miss his husband and godson, but would spend time with his cousins in the mean time.

The train arrived, First Years were sorted, the Welcome Feast was eaten, and students returned to their dorms.

During the feast, Dumbledore informed the students and staff that the Ministry sent Dolores Umbridge to observe the staff and make any changes she deemed appropriate.

***

The next day, the Slytherins and Gryffindors were in DADA with Remus when Umbridge arrived during her rounds —they had been seeing her in classes all day.

"Hello, class." Remus greeted, ignoring Umbridge

"Hello, Professor Black." The class replied

"Today, we will be learning about pixies since your professor in your Second Year didn't properly teach this." Remus explained, "Does anyone know that a Cornish Pixie is?"

Hermione shot her hand into the air, "A Pixie is a small, bright blue mischief-maker, and loves tricks and practical jokes. It is able to fly, and enjoys lifting people up by their ears and depositing them on the tops of trees and buildings, showing incredible strength for creatures of their size —as Lavender proved in class that day. Pixies can only communicate with other pixies; their voices are described as 'so shrill it was like listening to a lot of arguing budgies'. And they bear live young."

"Correct, Ms. Franqui, take five points for Slytherin." Remus replied

"Does anyone know what spell is used to remove the pixies?" Remus asked

Hermione' hand shot up, "Peskipiksi Pesternomi, sir."

"Correct, take five more points." Remus replied, "Everyone line up and we'll take a pixie on one at a time. So get out your wands and line up."

"Ahem." Umbridge interrupted, "Mr. Black, though that we agreed that you would reach Ministry-Approved curriculum."

"I am." Remus replied

"And the Ministry states that wands are not necessary during this class." Umbridge said

"How can the Ministry expect them to know these spells if they never practice?" Remus asked

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

"What use is that? If they're going to be attacked, it won't be in a controlled environment." Remus retorted

"Well now, your teaching in this subject has been rather disrupted and fragmented, hasn't it? 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 teaching defensive spells in a secure, risk-free way of learning. So either you will be teaching a carefully structured, theory-centred, Ministry-Approved course of defensive magic this year or you will be fired." Umbridge threatened

After a few moments, Umbridge said, "I do not wish to criticise the way things have been run in this school, but you are an extremely dangerous half-breed and obtaining a new job would be difficult for one of your kind, Mr. Black."

"And what good's theory going to be in the real world?" Ron said

"This is school, Mr. Weasley, not the real world." Umbridge replied

"So we're not supposed to be prepared for what's waiting for us out there?" Ron asked

"There is nothing waiting out there, Mr. Weasley." Umbridge replied

"Oh, yeah?" Ron sassed

"Who do you imagine wants to attack children like yourselves?" Umbridge asked

"Hmm, let's think ... Maybe ... Lord Voldemort?" Ron mocked

"Ten points from Gryffindor, Mr. Weasley." Umbridge snapped, "Now, let me make a few things quite plain: you have been told that a certain Dark wizard has returned from the dead-"

"He wasn't dead, but yeah, he's returned." Ron interrupted

"MR-WEASLEY-YOU-HAVE-ALREADY-LOST-YOUR-HOUSE-TEN-POINTS-DO-NIT-MAKE-MATTERS-WORST-FOR-YOURSELF! As I was saying, you have been informed that a certain Dark wizard is at large once again. This is a lie." Umbridge said

"It is not a lie! I saw him!" Ron whined

"And I made out with him." Harry thought

"Detention, Mr Weasley: tomorrow evening at five o'clock in 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 reborn Dark wizards, I would like to hear about it. I am here to help. I am your friend." Umbridge said, leaving the classroom

Once the door was closed and Umbridge's heels could no longer be heard, Remus continued his class.

***

As Harry and his friends left the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, Madam Umbridge walking up to them saying, "Mr. Potter, boys do not wear jewelry." as she unhooked the Slytherin Locket from Harry's neck and placed it around her own

The Diary Horcrux's words flashed in Harry's mind, "A horcrux can only be worn by the maker or the maker's soulmate without negative consequences."

"Madam," Harry warned "that's mine."

"Not anymore, I believe it flatters me more than it did you." Umbridge said, mockingly

Harry recomposed himself, he was using all of his willpower to not throw the Cruciatus Curse on her and take it back forcefully.

Harry looked to his left and saw his friends having the same issue.

"Madam, I ask you to reconsider." Harry said

"Go to you next class, Mr. Potter, before I deduct points for your behavior." Umbridge warned, smiling what she thought was a merciful smile

Harry grimaced as he and his friends walked away, once they were out of hearing range, Draco whispered, "I wouldn't want to be in her shoes once Harry tells the Dark Lord about this."

"The Dark Lord has not returned, Mr. Weasley, do not tell lies." Pansy said, mocking Umbridge's tone as the others -save Harry- laughed at the quip

Harry was too angry to laugh: Tom had entrusted him with that locket and Umbridge thinks she can waltz in and take it?

Forget the Dark Lord, Lady Mercy is what Umbridge should be fearing.

***

Dolores Umbridge felt the metal of the locket burn through her shirt and against her skin, yet whenever she checked there weren't any burns.

The Locket Horcrux was torturing her by playing with her mind: he didn't like being separated from Harry and his soul.

For Harry, the Horcrux would be a comforting item, shield Harry's mind from any unwanted intruders, and it would let its part-soul purr contently around his darling soulmate's neck.

But this bitch was not his Harry, so he couldn't give less of a damn.

This would be fun...