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BY ORDER OF THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC
Dolores Jane Umbridge (High Inquisitor) has replaced Albus Dumbledore as Head of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The above is in accordance with Educational Decree Number Twenty-eight.
Signed: Cornelius Oswald Fudge, Minister for Magic.
Date: 5 December 1995
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This poster was displayed all around the school following the surrender of the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. On the front page of every newspaper was the image of Albus Dumbledore's arrest. It was such shocking news that it was shared all around the globe due to the fame of Dumbledore. All the students at Hogwarts seemed to be affected one way or another.
But among them, the most affected was, without question, Ron Weasley.
After all, both of his parents had been taken in for questioning by the Ministry. While Molly and Arthur Weasley had not been officially arrested, the gossip around Hogwarts was not something a child wished to hear about their mother and father.
Previously, there was the arrest of his best friend, Harry Potter, and now, along with Dumbledore, his parents were being targeted. Before even one problem had been solved, another arose.
The already disturbed Ron Weasley was now spending most of his time alone in his own thoughts.
Once, Hermione tried to comfort Ron, but it backfired.
Ron Weasley sat in the Gryffindor common room, staring blankly into the fire. Hermione couldn't bear to see him like this any longer and decided to approach him.
"Ron," she said gently, sitting down beside him and placing her hand on his arm. "We're going to figure this out. Your parents will be fine. The Ministry doesn't have any solid evidence against them."
Ron stiffened at her touch. He turned to her, his face red with rage, and snapped, "Shut up, Hermione! Just shut up! You don't know what you're talking about!"
Hermione was shocked by his friend's reaction. "I'm just trying to help."
"Help?" Ron's voice rose.
He had been holding those emotions for so long that they finally broke free. Sadly, the target was going to be none other than Hermione.
"How the bloody hell can you help, Hermione? My mum and dad were nearly arrested, Harry... don't even know if he is alive.... and Dumbledore's gone! Everything's falling apart, and you're sitting here acting like everything's going to be fine!"
"I'm not acting like everything's fine, Ron." Now it was her turn to raise the tone.
"But yelling at me isn't going to fix anything! You're not the only one who cares about Harry, your parents, or what's happening to the Order!"
Ron stood abruptly, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. "You don't get it, Hermione! You'll never get it! You've got your perfect little life, and your parents are safe in the Muggle world. They're not being hunted or interrogated or..."
Hermione stood as well, her own temper flaring. "How dare you! You think I don't care just because my parents aren't in the middle of this? I've risked everything for this fight, for Harry, for all of us! Don't you dare make it seem like I don't understand!"
Ron didn't respond. He stomped out of the common room, leaving Hermione standing there, tears dripping down her cheeks.
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Neville Longbottom walked back and forth on the seventh floor of Hogwarts. For Neville, the arrest of the headmaster affected him directly. Just last night, he had asked Albus Dumbledore to train him in dueling. The courage it took him even to take that first step towards the headmaster's door, and the conviction that Dumbledore would reject him. But he felt joy when Dumbledore not only accepted him but also gave him his very first lesson.
One lesson.
Neville clenched his fists as he walked, his frustration boiling over.
That was all he had before Dumbledore was arrested. Now he was left with nothing, no guidance, no mentor, and no idea what to do next.
He needed someone to teach him. Or at the very least, he needed a place where he could practice what little he had learned.
With that thought, Neville's pacing quickened.
He didn't even notice that his steps had taken on a rhythm, his mind too consumed by his inner turmoil. Back and forth he went, walking by the tapestry, featuring Barnabas the Barmy's attempt to train trolls as ballet dancers
His mind was filled with just one thing.
I need a place. I need to practice. I need help.
Suddenly, Neville heard a faint noise that caused him to stop in his tracks and break his train of thought. Just opposite the tapestry, there was an opening in the wall.
"What…?"
Neville glanced at each end of the corridor, making sure no one was present. Then he walked towards the opening. It was a door leading to a room inside.
This would be the moment Neville would discover the room of requirements.
...
.
.
While this was going on, the new Headmistress had just finished the makeover for the head office.
Unlike what should have happened, where Hogwarts itself did not allow Dolores Umbridge access to the Head Office after Dumbledore's suspension, all the different changes in the timeline had not caused this issue.
Inside, the office was a contrast from what it used to be.
The wall had been painted pink, and alongside the portraits of the previous headmasters, there were multiple images of cats hanging on the wall. The only thing that remained the same was the desk where the headmaster used to sit.
As she took her seat, Dolores could only remember the task Voldemort told her.
At first, when the Dark Lord told Dolores that he would make her the headmistress of Hogwarts in order to complete some task for him, she could not believe him.
Dumbledore's position as Headmaster of Hogwarts was almost untouchable. Although she hated this, she had to admit there was no one who could rival him.
So, how would Voldemort make this happen?
But once again, Voldemort had proven her wrong.
Now all she had to do was follow his orders, and after making sure that she worked diligently for a few days, she could execute the plan.
----------------------------------Author's note-----------------
From this chapter begins what I consider the new volume and, sadly, the last one. All the planning and preparation done by Voldemort are going to bear fruit soon.
I have already written down the main plots for this one, and I estimated around 40 chapters or a bit more. Personally, I feel like it's a bit rushed, and I'm trying my best to come up with new ideas and maybe improve the flow, but for now I'm a bit stuck.
Thanks a lot, everyone, for your constant comments and for reviewing the piece of work.
Hope you will enjoy this last volume.