Harry Potter and the Fortress of Darkness

Ch. 4 Hogwarts and the Big Change at the Ministry

"Well, here we are, Platform 9 and 3/4's!" said Arabella. She kissed Jess, Harry and Hermione each on the cheek.

"Have a good trip you three. Say Hi to everyone for me. We'll see you three soon," said Lupin as he, Tonks and Arabella waved them off on to the train.

"I wonder what he meant by that?" asked Hermione.

"Do you reckon he's got the DADA position again?" asked Harry.

"Mom wouldn't tell me anything," said Jess, her American accent kicking in again. She sighed. "I'm glad to be back. I spent way too much time in the states."

"Well, here's the compartment, Ron should be along shortly. We have a briefing and then we'll be back shortly after," said Hermione.

"Don't worry, I think I can keep myself entertained."

"We'll see ya in a few," said Harry. They walked off down the train and Jess pulled out a book and began to read. A few chapters into her book, the compartment opened.

"It's about time," she said, looking up into the eyes of Seamus, Ron, Dean Pavarti, and Ginny as they sat down, Seamus kissing Jess on the cheek. They introduced Jess to Pavarti.

"Nice to meet you Pavarti."

"Same to you," Pavarti replied. "My sister's with her Ravenclaw friends."

"Sorry, we couldn't find you in that mess so we had to wait until we got on the train," said Ron.

"That's okay, I kept myself entertained," said Jess. "Shouldn't you be in the prefect's meeting Ginny?"

"The meeting just ended. Harry and Hermione should be coming along any minute."

As soon as she said that, the door opened again and Hermione entered with Harry. Their robes were askew and their lips were matching in color.

"Oh lord, did you two have a snog session after we left?" asked Ginny. Harry and Hermione blushed as they sat next to Ron.

"Guilty," said Hermione and the girls giggled . The food trolley came by and everyone got something to eat. By the time they arrived at Hogwarts, Jess had fallen asleep.

"Jess, sweetie, wake up," said Seamus as he kissed her head. "We're here." Jess groaned and buried herself into his shoulder. He laughed as she mumbled, "No, five more minutes Mum."

He gently awoke her and they all piled out of the train.

"Hi Hagrid!" said Harry.

"Hello yeh lot," said Hagrid.

"Hagrid, this Jessica Black. She's just transferred here from America."

"You must be Sirius and Bella's daughter?" he asked and Jess nodded as they shook hands.

"Nice to meet you Hagrid," said Jess.

"You're father was a good man, shame he was framed. I knew he would never hurt Harry. He will be missed."

"It's okay, I never really got to see him much, ya know with the whole prison thing," said jess. "Although he did stop at my house once before I left for Salem."

"Well, you best be off and ride in the carriages. Professor McGonagall asked me to send you with the 7th years."

"Thanks Hagrid!" said Jess.

"Yeh Welcome! Firs' years! Firs' years this way please!"

The ride in the carriage wasn't too bad, and as they made their way up the steps to the great hall, Professor McGonagall stopped them.

"Ah, Miss Black, welcome to Hogwarts. You have been sorted into Gryffindor. We've made you a prefect, since Miss Granger and Mr. Potter are the heads and we did not find any other suitable candidates from Gryffindor Tower. And based upon your grades from Salem, you fit the job." She handed Jess a badge and her robes were magically changed to her colors.

"Welcome Miss Black and enjoy the feast."

"Thanks," said Jess. They entered the great hall and sat at the Gryffindor table and about five minutes later the first years were escorted into the room.

"Could they bloody hurry up?" asked Ron. "I'm starving!"

The sorting hat burst out into song and as soon as it was over, the first years were sorted. After Williams, Jonathon, was sorted in Gryffindor, Dumbledore spoke.

"First off, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher will be Prof. R.J. Lupin, who has kindly decided to take the position again."

The hall burst into a loud roar and several students cheered.

"Also, Arabella Figg will be our new Arithmacy teacher."

Jess groaned as she caught a glimpse of her mom sitting next to Lupin.

"And lastly, I'd like to welcome a new student who has transferred from Salem School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, one of our sister schools. Miss Black? Stand up, if you will?"

Jess rose from her seat and acknowledged herself before sitting down again.

"Jessica will be a Gryffindor, and is also a prefect. We welcome you and hope you make many friends here!" The hall applauded and Harry caught a glimpse of Malfoy looking extremely pissed off.

"Umm, Jess, did Malfoy know you were coming?"

"Drake? Nah, I wanted to piss him off," said Jess.

"Well, he sure seems pissed. Look at him."

Jess looked over in the direction of her cousin and smiled, giving him a wave and a smirk. The group laughed as Malfoy snarled and continued to eat.

As the feast ended, Jess, along with Harry and Hermione gathered the first years.

"Gryffindor first years, follow me and keep up please!" said Jess. They arrived at the portrait of the Fat lady and Harry stated the password.

"Frog Legs."

"Taste like chicken they do," said the Fat lady as she opened up.

"This is the common room. Girls dorms are up to your right and boys on the left. Everything is in your rooms. Goodnight."

The first years trotted up to bed and Harry and Hermione showed her to her dorm.

"Password dearie?' asked the portrait guarding her room.

"Padfoot and Moony," said Jess and the portrait sighed as she opened.

"Night guys, sleep tight!"

* * *

The next morning at breakfast, dozens of owls flew in with the morning paper. the hall was buzzing and several people became outraged at the front page

"NO WAY!!" said Ron. "My dad's been thrown out of office by Malfoy!"

"WHAT?!" cried everyone.

"Listen to this," said Ron.

Ron looked up enraged from the paper. He slammed his fist onto the table.

"This is bullshit! Complete bullshit!" roared Ron. "Most of the students here are mixed!"

"According to McGonagall, only 20% of Hogwarts is completely pureblood. Muggleborns, and half and half's complete the other 80 percent," said Jess.

"I can't believe this!" cried Hermione. She sobbed into Harry's arms and he held her. "And in my last year too!"

"It's okay Hermione, I won't let them take you," he said.

"My uncle has crossed the line. I'll bet he did something to the council. They would never stoop to his level. THIS. MEANS. WAR!" Jess banged her fist on the table. She stood up.

"WHO'S WITH ME?!" roared Jess. "Who's up to stopping these bastards from taking our rights away?! Muggleborns and mixers and purebloods who believe, we shall fight for our right to be free! No one has a right to tell us who to associate with! It's Voldemort's followers who control the Ministry now! I say we REBEL and MUTINY!!"

The hall (including the teachers) burst into cheers and as students were about to head up to their rooms to begin the fight, fifteen people entered the hall.

"We're from the Ministry of Magic!" cried a man. "Anyone who has Muggle blood in them is to come with us!"

"Over MY DEAD BODY!" cried Jess and she casted a spell on some raw eggs sitting in the middle of the table. The flung at the workers and soon everyone was throwing food at the workers.

"MUTINY!" cried Dean. The teachers exited out the back as the students threw Dungbombs and more at the workers. By the time everyone had made it outside, the workers had fled down the path towards the train station.

"RUN you little suckers! If you come back we will be ready for you! Bring it on!" cried a few. The students cheered, successful on their victory and Dumbledore silenced them all as the entered the hall again.

"Due to today's events, we will give you the next few days off to prepare against any more incidents with the Ministry. The members of the Order of the Phoenix, along with some trustworthy Aurors will be guarding parts all over the school. So enjoy these days off, and may the good side win!"