Chapter 7
Lucifer was far from naive and knew that holding off Umbridge the way he had had an expiry date.
She had already abolished all student groups of three or more members, effectively banning most gatherings.
Harry gave an interview about Lord Voldemort to The Quibbler, which resulted in the magazine being banned too. Lucifer pretended he didn't notice the influx of Witch Weeklys in the hands of those who would never have such a thing otherwise.
The list of idiotic rules got longer by the day. The other teachers were quite willing to encourage a stance against Umbridge. Minerva had taken to advising the poltergeist, and Flitwick was handing out passes to the restricted section like candy.
Lucifer advised on several Weasley products that found their way around the castle. He did make a note to drop by Ragnok again to help their initiative. He was also quite proud of how his students had taken to loopholes.
All teachers were being evaluated, and Lucifer doubted that any of theirs would go better than his had, considering the woman didn't stick around for very long. He assumed that she was still reeling from his little display. The High-Inquisitor hadn't been sleeping well since, and word around the castle was that she had tried to nick some Dreamless Sleep from the Hospital Wing stores.
Albus had been blocking Umbridge as much as he could, so Lucifer knew it was only a matter of time before he wasn't around.
There were rumours of a student-led defence class, so Lucifer asked one day after class, "What's this about a defence club?"
Harry froze, looking like a deer caught in headlights, as he shared a frantic glance with Ron and Hermione.
"Am I slacking in my teaching?" Lucifer drawled
"No. Not that. It's just, I mean if you taught us actual defence you'd get in trouble with Umbridge," That was Hermione's justification for their organisation
"Child. I am more than capable of handling Dolores."
"Maybe, but we need you here. We can't risk that. The DA is a good way to teach the others and keep you out of it," Harry seemed determined about that particular course of action.
"DA?" Lucifer asked, finally
"Dumbledore's Army. It's what the Ministry fears most, after all." Ron announced with a slight blush
"Good catch," Lucifer said after a pause, "If you run into trouble, give me a heads up before you do anything,"
The Trio nodded and left the classroom, just in time for Harry to be pulled aside and herded to Dumbledore's office by Umbridge. Lucifer followed in time to see Dumbledore looking up, smiling. "Dumbledore's Army, Cornelius," said Dumbledore as he waved the list of names before Fudge's face. "Not Potter's Army. Dumbledore's Army."
"But-but-" Understanding blazed suddenly across Fudge's face and Lucifer's too. Fudge took a horrified step backward, yelped, and jumped out of the fire again. "You?" he whispered, stamping again on his smoldering cloak.
Lucifer prepared to intervene to prevent the Headmaster from being imprisoned, but it appeared he didn't have to. There was an influx of activity, and Albus Dumbledore left Hogwarts with the Ministry unaware of his plans.
Hogwarts was now Umbridge's, yet the repulsive toad couldn't gain access to the Headmaster's office, and that had Lucifer cheering for the magic of Hogwarts.
Harry later requested to use the Floo connected to his room since Umbridge had been avoiding him, and Lucifer agreed. He hadn't intended to spy on the boy but found Sirius Black's head in his fireplace. It was enlightening, and so Lucifer made his acquaintance.
Lucifer hadn't had many opinions about Houses, but the Inquisitorial Squad had him furious at the snakes. Snakes were an animal closely linked to him over time and to see their members behaving in the manner they did was foul.
The Weasley Twins' display of magic before they left the castle had Lucifer in stitches. Peeves appeared to take their suggestions to heart and became more of a menace to Dolores. He needed to talk to the goblins regarding those two.
Lucifer didn't have any examinations assigned to his class, so he did allow revision in his lessons. Their final exam, History of Magic, was taking place that afternoon.
Harry hit the ground during this exam and awoke, still yelling, his scar on fire, as the Great Hall erupted all around him. Harry made excuses and then ran up the marble staircase toward the hospital wing, hurtling along the corridors and bursting through the double doors like a hurricane, searching for Professor McGonagall. The devastating news that the professor had been sent to St. Mungos had the panic expanding inside him like poison gas so that his head swam and he could not think.
Ron and Hermione, said a voice in his head. They fought and squabbled, but eventually, Harry agreed to confirm if Sirius was actually at Headquarters before he rushed off to save him. Their plans didn't go very well, and Harry was thrown away from Umbridge and slammed into the desk. Now he could see Hermione pinned against the wall by Millicent Bulstrode. Malfoy was leaning on the windowsill, smirking as he threw Harry's wand into the air one-handed and then caught it again.
There was a commotion outside, and several large Slytherins entered, each gripping Ron, Luna, and -to Harry's bewilderment-Neville, who was trapped in a stranglehold by Crabbe and looked in imminent danger of suffocation. Harry looked around and realised with a jolt of hope that Ginny hadn't been caught. He hoped she could get help.
Ginny ran as fast as she could toward Professor Morningstar's office and pounded on the door. Lucifer answered, bewildered. He dismissed Ginny after hearing her rushed explanation, insisting that she go to the common room where she would be safe. He assured her he would make sure everyone else made it out unscathed.
He did stop to make himself entirely invisible before he slipped into Umbridge's office behind Snape. He heard her need for Veritaserum and rolled his eyes. Good thing his power was built-in. Umbridge ordered the Slytherins to take their captives to Filch while she handled Potter alone.
Lucifer intended to stun Umbridge, untie Harry and hear him out. That plan went out the window when Umbridge yelled Crucio, and a guttural, painful roar was drawn from Harry's throat. The scream rang in Lucifer's ears and stole every rational thought he had in mind.
Umbridge's wand snapped, and the force swirled around the room. Lucifer appeared, eyes blazing.
He grabbed Umbridge by the throat and slammed her into the wall, leaving a distinct crack in the stone. There were other cracks that he really hoped were her bones. His skin gave way to the red scarring of his Devil face. Umbridge's eyes widened, and she struggled to get free. Lucifer didn't allow it.
"Look." His voice was harsh, "When you die, Dolores, and I promise it won't be today, this is what you'll face for eternity."
He squeezed. "You'll remember me. For every second on this Earth, you'll fear what's coming. And you won't escape it. I'll be waiting for your soul."
And then he let go, letting Umbridge crumple to the ground. His skin knit itself together again as he moved toward Harry. The youngster was still bound, glasses tossed to the side and in an awkward position.
With a wave of his hand, the bindings fell away. Lucifer slipped the glasses back onto his head and helped him up.
In between gasps, Harry told Lucifer about the vision of Voldemort torturing Sirius, how Hermione had convinced him to double-check and how he couldn't get a hold of his godfather. Lucifer listened.
Finally, he asked Harry what he needed to calm down. The answer was Sirius, so Lucifer nodded. He carried the lad back to his rooms which he then locked down, not trusting Umbridge or her sycophants.