A Badgers Love

Chapter 5

Everyone sat in stunned silence as Amelia Bones' words rang through their heads. She was there to arrest the current Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. It would seem that the curse had struck again.

"What foolishness are you talking about?" asked Umbridge, loosing some of the fake sweetness in her voice.

"I have received, and verified, allegations against you for the abuse and torture of a student," said Amelia. "Plus, the possession of a Ministry banned dark artifact."

Umbridge's gaze quickly scanned the Gryffindor table until she found who she was looking for. Harry Potter sat there with a slight grin on his face.

"This is preposterous," said Umbridge. "Whatever you heard is nothing more than the made up lies of a mentally deranged individual, and I will NOT allow you to sully my good name with these phony changes. When the Minister hears about this..."

Just then, another auror ran into the Great Hall and over to Amelia. He whispered into her ear as he handed her a seal plastic bag.

"Phony charges?" asked Amelia. "Then would you care to explain why this blood quill was found in your office?"

Everyone turned to look at Umbridge, making it look like they were watching a tennis match, following the ball back and forth.

"Obviously it was planted there," said Umbridge, speaking as thought the matter was closed.

"And the memories I personally viewed?" asked Amelia. "Those were planted as well? I have heard enough. Gentlemen, if you would please place Madam Umbridge under restraint, we can finish this discussion back at the Ministry."

The group of aurors approached the Head Table, wands in hand in case the witch tried anything.

"Excuse me," Dumbledore finally spoke out from his seat. "If I may say something?"

A flicker of hope sparked inside Umbridge as she hoped that the barmy old wizard was about to come to her defense.

"What is it Headmaster?" asked Amelia.

"It is just that Professor Umbridge has classes today," said Dumbledore. "With her taken away, there will be no one to teach the class. And as the recently passed Ministry law states, they must provide a proper instructor if I cannot find out in time. And dare say, I do not believe I will be able to find someone to teach the class before it starts in the next few minutes."

"That is true," said Amelia.

Umbridge smiled and stood up a little straighter, figuring she had just been let off the hook.

"Auror Shacklebolt," Amelia said, causing the tall, dark skinned wizard to look at her. "Until such a time that a replacement can be found, I am ordering you to take over the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher in accord with Ministry law."

"Yes ma'am," Kingsley said.

"Is that suitable with you Headmaster?" asked Amelia.

"Very," said Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling in merriment while all of the color drained from Umbridge's face, causing her pink sweater to stand out even more.

"This is ridiculous," spat Umbridge while Tonks bound her hands behind her back with a pair of Magic Repression handcuffs. "I am the Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic. I will have you all fired for this."

"Yeah, yeah," said Tonks as she rolled her eyes and escorted the woman from the Great Hall, listening to her rant as they went.

"YOU!" shouted Umbridge when they came to where Harry was sitting. "This is all your doing. I'll see you sent to Azkaban and kissed for this."