Padfoot and his Pup

12. | Scars- Part Two

Sirius stepped out of the fireplace and into Dumbledore's ornate office. He knew that all professors stayed behind during the vacations which is why he knew that the ugly toad would be here too.

He'd already told Dumbledore that he'd be paying him a visit, the purpose of which he was yet to reveal.

"Dumbledore," he greeted, his voice frosty. That alone was enough a hint for the old man. While it was Umbitch who had directly punished Harry, Dumbledore wasn't off the hook either. It was his responsibility to keep an eye on the professors and the students. He was currently doing a downright shoddy job.

"Sirius, please sit. What can I do for you?" Sirius sat down in the stuffed chair and regarded the old man with steady eyes. "Yes. There are a couple of things that you can do for me."

"You can start by telling me why you've been doing a piss poor job at protecting your students." Dumbledore looked like he had choked on one of his lemon drops.

"My boy, I don't quite und—"

"It's your job to keep an eye on the students and the professors. A lot has been going on right under your nose. You've been blissfully ignorant to everything that's happened in the past few months. Like I said, you have been doing a rather pathetic job keeping an eye on the professors, particularly the new Professor Toad."

There were few people who could give Albus Dumbledore such a tongue lashing. Sirius Black was one of them. From amongst the Marauders, Sirius had always been the most outspoken one. He didn't hesitate to put people in their place, no matter who they were.

"Professor Umbridge? Is something wrong? Did she do something, my boy?"

Sirius pretended to think. "Now what could she have possibly done? I don't know, Dumbledore, can one consider student abuse as malpractice?"

The twinkle disappeared from the old man's eyes. "Abuse? What did she do?"

Sirius' eyes darkened with a rage that made even Dumbledore flinch. In that moment, the old man was forcefully reminded of Orion Black, easily one of the most formidable men he had encountered. "That bloody bitch tortured my godson for the better part of three months. He has the scars to prove it."

"I am sorry to hear this, Sirius. But, I must ask; why didn't Harry tell me?" Sirius narrowed his eyes at the old man, resisting the urge to over turn his desk and thrash his office. "Are you seriously asking me that? He's tried so many times to try and approach you, to talk. But you, Dumbledore, seemed hell bent on avoiding him. Umbridge is guilty, there's no doubt about that. But you, Albus, are not without blame either."

Dumbledore did looked sorrowful but Sirius felt no sympathy towards the old man. He should have looked out for Harry. "I am truly sorry, Sirius. My actions have caused great harm to young Harry and for that, I apologise wholeheartedly."

Sirius wasn't satisfied. "Your apology will do little to change what's already happened. My godson is the one who suffered."

"I know, Sirius. No one regrets this more than I. I give you my word that I'll speak to Professor Umbridge and the minister regarding this."

"That's not necessary. I've already made arrangements for both of them. Before that, if you don't mind, I'd like to have a word with Professor Umbridge." It wasn't a request. The old man knew it. "Of course, Sirius."

Sirius stood and nodded at Dumbledore. "Then I suppose that'll be all. Good day, Albus."

Sirius swiftly left the office and went straight to the Defence quarters.

*******

Dolores Umbridge was having a wonderful Christmas holiday. Majority of the brats had gone home for the month, leaving the castle in peace. She had been sent by the minister to squash all rumours about the Dark Lord's return and liked to think that she'd done a fairly good job.