Harry Potter: Persona non Grata - Chapter 4
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Disclaimer: I do not own any franchises mentioned in this story. This is fan-based work of fiction.
Beta: Gerald_of_Revea
-Yu Narukami-
MINISTRY SEEKS EDUCATIONAL REFORM DOLORES UMBRIDGE APPOINTED FIRST-EVER “HIGH INQUISITOR”
In a surprise move last night, the Ministry of Magic passed new legislation giving itself an unprecedented level of control at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. ‘The Minister has been growing uneasy about goings-on at Hogwarts for some time,’ said Junior Assistant to the Minister, Percy Weasley. ‘He is now responding to concerns voiced by anxious parents, who feel the school may be moving in a direction they do not approve.’ “This is not the first time in recent weeks Fudge has used new laws to effect improvements at the Wizarding school. As recently as August 30th, Educational Decree Twenty-two was passed, establishing a liaison between the Ministry and Hogwarts to ensure communication between the two institutions remains fluid. This latest decree, number twenty-three, creates the brand-new position of Hogwarts High Inquisitor. 
The Inquisitor will have powers to inspect her fellow educators and make sure that they are coming up to scratch. Those that are not may be dismissed. Ms. Umbridge has been offered this position in addition to her own teaching post, and we are delighted to say that she has accepted.
‘I feel much easier in my mind now that I know that Dumbledore is being subjected to fair and objective evaluation,’ said Mr. Lucius Malfoy, 41, speaking from his Wiltshire mansion last night. ‘Many of us with our children’s best interests at heart have been concerned about some of Dumbledore’s eccentric decisions in the last few years and will be glad to know that the Ministry is keeping an eye on the situation.’ 
Among those ‘eccentric decisions’ are undoubtedly the controversial staff appointments previously described in this newspaper, which have included the hiring of werewolf Remus Lupin, half-giant Rubeus Hagrid, delusional ex-Auror ‘Mad-Eye’ Moody, and, most recently, Professor Narukami, who is refusing to teach the student body any of the relevant course material for Defense Against the Dark Arts. 
‘This was something that should have been done years ago,’ a concerned student said, who wished to remain anonymous. ‘Ever since Rosetta Potter (The Girl-Who-Survived) came to Hogwarts, things have gone from bad to worse, and Professor Narukami’s complete disregard for our education is just the final straw.’ 
“Are you happy with yourself?” Professor McGonagall snapped, slamming the paper on my desk.
“I’m not sure,” I frowned, which made her scowl deepen. “Look at this, ‘Professor’ Narukumi, they don’t even know my first name! And you would think if they were going to name disliked professors, Snape would be at the top of the list.”
“It’s not a thing to joke about! This new position puts your teaching post in jeopardy! Not only you, but all of the staff!”
“...Do you actually not think this was her goal from day one?” I raised an eyebrow, making her still. “Let’s look at the facts here. She was doing this from day one, going around and inspecting how the teachers taught their lessons. The only difference now is that she has a fancier title.”
“She didn’t have any power back then; now she has the ministry’s approval!”
“And I am confident that neither of us will lose our positions,” I answered truthfully, which made her stare at me for a moment, her eyes narrowing.
“You’re planning something.”
“Of course not,” I gave her a look of mock-offence. “The plan was finished 35 minutes ago. I just have to bring it into effect.”
“Then what is it?” she leaned in. “What entails this plan of yours?”
“That would be giving away the game too early,” I said aghast, which made her hackles rise.
“Then I am ordering you as Deputy Headmistress. What do you plan to do?”
“Oh come on, that’s cheating!” I sighed, but decided to give her an inch. “I plan on having a normal conversation with her.”
For a few seconds, she just stopped and stared at me before her lips thinned into a line. Taking a slow breath.
“A conversation,” she repeated, “You expect me to believe that your master strategy to save your post is polite discourse?”
“Well, I don’t know how ‘polite’ it will be. Perhaps how ‘polite’ you were during your lesson.
She looked stunned by that, her anger faltering for a moment before being briefly replaced by shame.
“Word gets around quickly, Minerva. I wouldn’t be throwing stones from my glass house if I were you. You also seem to be forgetting something. I’m not one of your students. I never was. I am your co-worker. And I don’t appreciate you coming into my office to shout about something you are equally guilty of.”
Her anger rose, her nostrils flaring before she took a calm and steadying breath.
"I am well aware that you are a member of staff, Professor Narukami," she said, her tone clipped. “It is that exact reason why I worry for you.”
“And I appreciate that. But we all have our secrets. Just let me talk to her. I know what I have to do here; you just have to trust me.”
It was a leap of faith for her. We’d barely known each other for longer than a week. Yet, as she held my gaze, the rigid tension in her shoulders slowly ebbed away, leaving a tired woman with too much on her plate.
"Just ensure that whatever it is you intend to say to that woman," McGonagall added quietly, "it does not give the Ministry the excuse they are looking for."
-Albus Dumbledore-
When Filch had let him know that the cabinet on the first floor had gone missing, he didn’t think too much of it. Children would be children, and it was not like it would leave the castle anytime soon. The way he saw it, it would turn up eventually, as all things do.
He didn’t think that Professor Narukami had taken a fancy to it.
“It’s a Vanishing Cabinet,” he explained, tapping on the wood. “The other leads to a shop called Borgin and Burkes in Knockturn Alley. As soon as I realized that, I broke the cabinet again so no one could get through.”
It was a surprising amount of trust to admit to him. Nonetheless, he appreciated it. However, that didn’t stop him from having questions. “Why did you return it to your office?”
“When I first fixed the cabinet, I didn’t realize at the time it was a Vanishing Cabinet. I only realized it was after I got a closer look at it. I thought its twin was somewhere in the castle. When I realized I was wrong, I brought it here in case anyone stumbled upon it.”
“And broke it again in case someone were to come in from the other side.”
“Exactly,” he nodded. “Now, the way I see it is either we keep this destroyed, keep it hidden away so no one can come through it, or buy the one at Knockturn Alley. What do you think?”
It was a true shame the Vanishing Cabinet had the reputation it did. It was made with good intentions: to escape danger and return when it passed. It was only after the likes of Death Eaters and other Dark Wizards started using them for raids and destruction that it got classified as a Dark Artefact.
And even now, while the cabinet can be used to escape danger, it poses too great a risk if others come from the other side. That is, if Professor Narukami was correct about its ability to pass through Hogwarts wards.
“I believe it is best it remains broken,” he decided. “I’ll take it out of the castle personally. Thank you, Professor Narukami. Every day, you prove to be an invaluable member of staff.”
-Yu Narukami-
“It’s just up ahead here.” I nodded forward, the girl skipping beside me, smiling dreamily. “Trust me, it’ll help.”
There are very few people who know of the Room of Requirement. I could only think of two wizards alive that knows of its existence. Dumbledore once found the room by accident when he was younger, but could never open it again. The other was Voldemort, who used the place to hide a certain Horcrux of his.
Of course, a few of the house elves also knew of its existence, calling it the Come-and-Go room. The Room of Requirement just has a much better ring to it.
As I walked down the hall, a ghost turned a corner, freezing for a moment upon seeing me. A moment later, she fled through the wall, making me blink.
"Oh, that was the Grey Lady," Luna said, her voice carrying its usual dreamy, sing-song quality. "She doesn't usually run away like that. I expect she was startled by your aura. You should really try wearing some mistletoe."
“It might be a bit more than that,” I muttered, shaking my head. I only realized then that that was the first time I’d seen a ghost. It seems like I didn’t make too good of an impression on them.
Turning the corner at the end of the hall, we arrived at the entrance to the room. The only thing we needed to do now was open it.
“This is the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy. I never took a shine to art myself, so I can’t appreciate it as much as I should, but that’s not why we are here. Just being here is the first step to unlocking one of Hogwarts secrets.”
“Like a passageway?” Luna asked excitedly, looking sad when I shook my head in the negative. 
“It’s better,” I replied, and her eyes lit up again. “This will lead us to a secret room in Hogwarts. But you must promise me that you’ll keep this a secret. You can only share this place with people you can trust.”
“Oh, you don’t have to worry about that professor; I don’t have many of those,” and as soon as I heard it, I winced.
In her year, the only one I saw that got along with her was Ginny, and it was good that they seemed like close friends.
“Well, from now on, you've got a friend in me, alright?” and she smiled warmly at me. “So to enter this room, you need to walk back and forth three times in front of this tapestry. In your mind, you need to have a need– A Requirement. You need to have this thought in mind while walking back and forth, and the room will reveal itself. However, your need must be within the castle itself. As tempting as it would be to ask for next week's exam questions, if the papers aren’t in the castle itself, they won’t magically show themselves.”
“And what is it I need?” she tilted her head slightly before pouting. “Are you saying I need friends?”
“I would be very happy if you made more friends,” I easily agreed. “But that’s not why I’m here, plus I’m not sure how the room will react if you were to try that,” I muttered, shaking my head. “No, I just want you to think something like, ‘I need to find my lost items,’ while walking back and forth. Can you do that for me?”
And so she did, though it was more correct to say she skipped back and forth between the large tapestry. It was bigger than I was, stretching from the ceiling to the floor and also a good ten feet wide as well.
The moment Luna finished her third pass, the solid stone wall opposite the tapestry began to ripple, morphing smoothly as a massive door materialized in its place. 
A small smile came onto my face as Luna examined the door with wide-eyed curiosity and eagerness. She opened the door.
“Oh,” she murmured, her lips parting in genuine delight before turning back to me. “I don't think the Nargles did this. They aren't nearly this tidy.”
I blinked at that, partially hiding my smile behind my mouth. She was right. I originally intended to have all her stuff waiting in my office after our next lesson, but there was more stuff than I thought.
It made my heart ache when I first saw them all: the copies of The Quibbler, the curious trinkets. What pissed me off the most was the blankets.
If someone steals a blanket, they are basically evil incarnate. Not even Voldemort stole blankets.
“How did you know about this place, professor?” she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her. “I thought you said you never went to Hogwarts.”
“I like to solve mysteries,” I freely admitted. “Put a puzzle in front of me, and my first instinct is to see how I can solve it. And Hogwarts is the biggest puzzle I have ever come across. The Room of Requirement is just one of them. You needed help, so I provided it. 
“Thank you, professor,” Luna smiled warmly, rushing me into a hug. “So if anything else goes missing, I can come here to find it?”
“You’re not wrong,” I said hesitantly, patting the girl on the back, “But this? This is a band-aid solution. It’s not going to end what’s happening.”
“The band-aid is important. It stops the bleeding so the wound can heal, even if it still stings underneath. If you don't cover it up, it will get worse. I think it’s very kind of the castle to act as a band-aid for me.” 
“And it will leave me worrying,” I sighed, my frustration getting the better of me.
The problem with Luna (if it is even a problem in the first place) is that she is non-confrontational. She hasn’t gotten into a single fight throughout her time at Hogwarts. And while that’s a good thing, I know if I were in her place, I wouldn’t have nearly the same amount of self-control. The shit that has been happening to her shouldn’t have started in the first place.
“Then I want you to make me a promise,” I decided, a blue tarot card appearing in my hand. “If you ever find yourself needing me for anything, crush this in your hands. It doesn’t matter if it’s a life-or-death situation, bullies, or even if you need some help with homework. I’ll be there, alright?”
I didn’t know whether or not I wanted her to use it. Honestly, I’d much prefer it if Potter came in and solo’d Ravenclaw House. Sadly, I can’t do that since I’m a teacher. 
‘That doesn’t mean I can’t tip the scales now and again,’ I mused, a thought coming to my head.
I had some work to do.
-Rosetta Potter-
“Good afternoon, Professor Narukami,” said Umbridge with a wide smile as he came out of his office. “You received my note, I trust? Giving the time and date of your inspection?”
“No.”
“Are you saying you didn’t receive my note? The one that is sitting on your desk?”
“No,” he repeated, and she felt the shit-eating grin coming to her face. “Would you like to reschedule?”
Ever since Umbridge became the ‘High Inquisitor,’ most of the teachers have been walking on eggshells around her. There are a few that haven’t, Professor McGonagall being chief among them.
But while most were either scared or angry, Professor Narukami was flippant. Now that she thought about it, she had never seen him angry in any of her classes. Even during his last confrontation with Umbridge, he seemed more exasperated than anything else.
“Then we’ll say it is a surprise inspection,” Umbridge smiled, making the professor nod.
“Alright, class! Since our last class, there have been some changes. Most notably, the Essential Defense Against the Dark Arts book has been banned.”
“Banned?” She raised her voice, her grin vanishing. “What do you mean 'banned’?”
“That’s a brilliant question, Ms. Potter. I know just the person we can ask for that. Ms. Umbridge! As the liaison between Hogwarts and the Ministry, would you be so kind as to answer Ms. Potter’s question?”
She turned to Umbridge, the woman smiling sweetly at her. “Very well, I will indulge you. But if any other student has a question, they must raise their hand. The Essential Defense Against the Dark Arts book is one that is tragically out of date. It teaches you to hurt. To harm. With books such as Defensive Magical Theory, you can learn all about defensive magic in a safe, risk-free environment.”
“What use is that?” she asked incredulously. “If we’re going to be attacked, it won’t be in a –”
“Students will raise their hand when they talk in my class!” she abruptly cut in, which made Professor Narukami clear his throat.
“My class,” he corrected, making Umbridge still for a moment. “But the point stands.”
“...It is the view of the Ministry that theoretical knowledge will be sufficient to get you through your examinations, which, after all, is what school is all about.”
She thrust her fist to ask another question, but Umbridge promptly turned away from her again. But now several other people had their hands up too.
From the bunch, she gestured to Hermione. “What about the practical bit in our Defense Against the Dark Arts O.W.L.? Aren’t we supposed to show that we can actually do the countercurses?”
“As long as you have studied the theory hard enough, there is no reason why you should not be able to perform the spells under carefully controlled examination conditions,” Umbridge said dismissively.
“Without ever practicing them before?” Hermione said incredulously. “So the first time we are expected to use the spells will be during our exam?” 
“Nope.”
As her classmates went into a back-and-forth with Umbridge, she forgot all about the young professor, now casually sitting in his armchair.
“If Ms. Umbridge were the Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher, that may have happened. Luckily, you have me as a teacher, and it would reflect rather poorly on me if you weren’t taught how to use the spells you are supposed to know.”
“Hem, hem.”
“10 points from Slytherin,” the professor sighed, “I thought we had been over this already. Please just speak to me as if you were a normal person.”
“100 points to Slytherin,” she smiled sweetly, outrage bubbling in her chest while the Slytherins smirked at each other. “And this isn’t something up for debate, professor. You won’t be teaching students how to use defensive spells. I would reconsider your stance if you wish to keep your position.”
“If you want that done, you’re going to have to make that a Decree. Now, we both know that will never happen, because as soon as it does, it will be all over the papers. I can imagine already, ‘Cornelius Fudge bans Defensive Magic!’ he snorted, making her pause.
Professor Narukami would have definitely been sorted into Slytherin. He is a snake through and through, but she was really starting to doubt the idea that he is a Death Eater. Yeah, he is a fucktard, and she won’t be forgiving him for what he did to Ron any time soon, but it actually seemed like he wanted to help in his own twisted way.
He wanted to teach anyway, which was better than what Umbitch wanted. “Why do you not want us to be prepared for what’s waiting out there?”
“Calm yourself, Ms. Potter,” Narukami warned, but the question actually helped Umbridge find her footing, completely ignoring the professor's previous point.
 “There is nothing waiting out there, Ms. Potter. Who do you imagine wants to attack children like yourselves?” Umbridge inquired in a horribly honeyed voice. 
“Hmm, let’s think …” she said in a mock thoughtful voice, “maybe Lord Voldemort?”
Ron gasped; Lavender Brown uttered a little scream; Neville slipped sideways off his stool. Umbridge, however, did not flinch. She was staring at Rosetta with a grimly satisfied expression on her face, and it was only then that she understood why the professor warned her.
She fell into a trap.
“Ten points from Gryffindor, Ms. Potter. Now, I understand you have been told that a certain Dark wizard has returned from the dead —”
“And whether or not all that is true doesn’t matter,” the professor cut in, shocking both of them. “Rosetta, detention,” and her indignation shot up.
“Detention?” Rosetta snapped, Umbridge’s face turning into one of delight as she stared at the professor in disbelief. “For what? Asking a question?”
“No, for causing a scene,” he corrected. “My class was supposed to start five minutes ago, and instead it’s been spent arguing. Now, Ms. Umbridge, mind if we have a quick word?”
Umbridge’s face settled into a look of sleek, toad-like satisfaction. "Of course, Professor Narukami," she purred, and bile started to rise in her throat. "A brief consultation is entirely appropriate given the... unfortunate theatricals we just witnessed."
-Yu Narukami-
Rosetta didn’t deserve the detention. In truth, she was the first student I have given one to so far. The issue is, if I wasn’t going to do it, Umbridge would, and that’s a much worse option.
Umbridge only gave the quill to a handful of students. Ones that thought it was better to keep quiet about it. I want Umbridge gone, but if even one student gets the quill treatment, it’s one too many. 
So, as I closed the door to my classroom, ignoring how the students immediately jumped into conversation, I turned to Umbridge, all pretense of civility dropping in an instant.
“Dolores, I consider myself a calm and reasonable person. Do you agree?”
The woman let out a small laugh, flitting her eyebrows.
"Oh, sweetheart, I think you believe you are."
“Close enough,” I muttered. “Then take what I say to heart. I know you like to keep secrets. Particularly about your family,” I noted, making her still. “Your father? Being a janitor is respectable enough. But what do you think will happen if the Ministry finds out about your mother and brother?”
For a brief moment, I watched her still, her cheeks losing their color, but I didn’t wait for a reaction.
“If you want to keep these facts a secret, you won’t bother me or my students again. Have a nice day.”
The ‘polite’ conversation lasted less than ten seconds. When I returned to my classroom, I briefly expected her to barge in, slamming the doors wide open. However, it was the last I heard from her for the rest of the day.
In fact, it was the last time anyone saw her for the rest of the day.
-Albus Dumbledore-
The truth. It is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution. He did not lie to Professor Narukami when he first showed him the cabinet. And at the time, he did believe that it should have remained shattered.
It was only after some quiet reflection that he realized its value. Not in terms of wealth, but in his more preferred currency, information.
Purchasing its twin would have been an exercise in foolishness. Not when it was exactly where it needed to be.
Borgin and Burkes has long been a favoured establishment for those with an affinity for the Dark Arts. He remembered a time long ago when even a young Tom Riddle was employed there. What few realized was that the space between two linked Vanishing Cabinets is not entirely silent; a patient ear can catch the echoes of conversations bleeding through from either side. 
And so, the Vanishing Cabinet was taken to 12 Grimmauld Place, where one Nymphadora Tonks has taken residence within, now able to hear all conversations within the store. It only takes one talkative Death Eater to unravel a dozen of Voldemort's best-kept secrets. And better yet, Nymphadora was completely safe.
If one did try to enter the Vanishing Cabinet in Borgin and Burkes, they wouldn’t be able to come to 12 Grimmauld Place, not while the location was under the Fidelius. 
Smiling lightly, he unwrapped a lemon drop, quietly indulging himself in a small reward for a most satisfactory piece of ingenuity. 
However, he did not have time to enjoy it. Green flames roared with life in his fireplace, the Head of Magical Law Enforcement stepping into his office, striding to his desk with urgency.
“You need to come with me,” Amelia Bones said, making him still. “There has been an attack in Diagon Alley. One of your staff is involved.”
A flicker of worry crossed his face. The only professor who visited the Alley today was the same one in his thoughts a few moments earlier.
“Is he harmed?” he asked softly, though a secondary, rather disquieting thought immediately followed the first. “How many have died, Amelia?”
“Zero,” she replied clipply, and his shoulders relaxed, the sudden tension leaving him.
“Then I must ask you to be entirely plain with me, Amelia. What did he do?” 
She took in a breath, like she couldn’t believe the words she was about to speak herself.
“When I say it was an attack, I don’t mean one caused by the Death Eaters. It was Dementors. Dementors attacked Diagon Alley. And your professor, he defeated them.”
“Professor Narukami knows the Patronus Charm?” he asked, surprise in his voice. Either way, he couldn’t be more thankful; he probably saved dozens of lives.
‘Has Tom gone on the offensive? Has he gotten their support already?’ he wondered, but he didn’t have time to think on that.
“No, Dumbledore,” he didn’t use the patronus,” she responded, her agitation clear. “It was something else. Something that I have never seen before– I didn’t even think what he did was possible,” she rambled, a rare hitch entering her tone, her usual composure breaking.
“What did he do?”
“Your professor didn’t just fight off the dementors in Diagon Alley.” Amelia took one more shaky breath, meeting his eyes.
“He killed them.”