Harry Potter And The Tiger's Eyes

The next morning they all awoke to an expected yet still pleasant scene in the common room. The notices had indeed gone up banning all students from possessing flyers about the election that were not Ministry approved. Hunter smiled happily as he saw the reaction this received from his house, especially since he had Dobby and the other House Elves place one of their flyers on everyone's nightstand last night. Now those that would have normally thrown them away found themselves reading the contraband diligently and even agreeing with several key issues.

By the end of breakfast everyone was talking pointedly about the flyers and the issues in them. Umbridge would be extremely hard pressed to find them since every flyer in the school was specially enchanted to be undetectable by their owners.

During Care for Magical Creatures Hunter received a summons to the Head Master's office. As he reached the top of the stairs his ears picked up an all too familiar cough and he had to take a moment to compose himself before entering. "Ah Mr. Catiar," Dumbledore greeted him. "Please join us."

Sure enough Professor Umbridge is there, along with a man Hunter recognizes as the current Minister. Fudge. Hunter corrects himself mentally. Hunter leans against the wall as he examines the Ministry Officials carefully. His nose tells him that there are two others hiding in the room.

"Tell your watch dogs to either show themselves or get out." Hunter growls at the Minister as he crosses his arms over his chest.

The Minister is noticeably shaken as he stutters slightly. "I... I don't know what you're talking about young man."

Hunter holds out his arm as two wands sail across the room and into his hand. "You should know by now Minister," he begins as he pockets the wands. "I'm not as dumb you may hope." As the two Aurors remove their cloaks Hunter watches them closely

"How did you know" Professor Dumbledore asks with a twinkle in his eye.

"The one by the door forgot to bathe this morning and his partner reeks of cheap booze from the night before." Hunter answers recrossing his arms.

"You filthy..." Professor Umbridge begins

"You would be advised not to finish that thought." Hunter warns her as he stands up to his fill height. "Unless you want the prejudice and racism the Ministry is teaching the students at Hogwarts brought into the election."

"So you admit that you're the one that smuggled the illegal contraband into school." She says trumphantly.

"No," Hunter replies leaning back against the wall. "I admit I helped make the flyers and asked the House Elves to pass them last night."

"That sounds like a confession to me," Fudge interrupts smugly.

"Not at all," Hunter replies. "At the time they were made and passed out they were not considered contraband. I checked with the House Elves this morning and they said the notices went up around four this morning and the last flyer was passed out before eleven last night." he grins as he watches the defeat on their faces. "So you see, I've done nothing wrong."

"What about the illegal club you and your friends are in?" Umbridge accused. "Educational Decree Twenty-three clearly states that..."

"No Student Organization, Society, Team, Group, or Club may exist without the knowledge and approval of the High Inquisitor." Hunter finishes for her. "Under Hogwarts charter a Student Organization, Society, Team, Group, or Club is defined as the gathering of three or more students on school grounds for enrichment or tutorial purposes. We don't fall under restrictions of the Decree since we are currently only performing off school grounds and haven't had a practice since the Decree was announced."

"You're group is still involved with organizing the other students against the Ministry." Fudge insists.

"On the contrary," Hunter laughs. "We're just encouraging those students of legal age to exercise their right to vote in the coming election."

"But you admit that you are organizing on school grounds," Umbridge almost shouts. "In direct violation of the Ministry's Decree."

"Actually," Dumbledore integrated. "Mr. Catiar and his friends were asked by Mr. Weasley to meet him and his campaign advisors for their assistance. They were in fact off school grounds at the time the flyers were created and are currently helping Mr. Weasley as Campaign Volunteers. Before you ask they have already received my permission to join Mr. Weasley at his Headquarters on the weekends that they are not performing. Since Hogwarts as always supported its students taking an active interest in their communities I fully support them so long as they confine their activities to the weekend and maintain their studies during the rest of week."

"So you are also conspiring against me." Fudge accuses the Headmaster. "You're having them steal the Minister job from me so they can give it to you."

"You're out of your mind." Hunter says. “Mr. Weasley is running against you, not Professor Dumbledore.“ He ignores the Minister for a moment as he looks at the Headmaster. "We'll be by after breakfast Saturday to leave for the fundraiser."

"No you won't." Umbridge yells. "You will not be attending any such function. As High Inquisitor I..."

"Have no authority in this matter." Dumbledore reminds her. "As I have already stated, they have my permission to leave school and help with Arthur's campaign on the weekends."

"We'll just see about that." Fudge threatened.

Hunter's laughter causes them all to watch him as he tries to regain enough composure to speak. "Do that and see how many more votes you lose." He lifts his sunglasses as he wipes the tears from his eyes as he continues to chuckle. "I'd love to see the looks on the parents faces when word gets out that the Minister himself forbids their sons and daughters from taking an active role in their own futures. I can just see the story now." He uncrosses his arms as he mimics reading a newspaper. "In a surprising move last night the Minister of Magic passed Educational Decree Twenty-five forbidding all Hogwart students, even those of legal voting age from taking any part in the current Election. When questioned about the Decree the Minister stated that Professor Dumbledore was using the students of the school to conspire against him and that he would not allow them to force him out of office.

"The parents of students of legal age called the Decree insane and condemned the Minister for his paranoid views. One parent was quoted as saying 'My daughter is a bright girl with a good head on her shoulders. She was excited about being able to vote for the first time in this election and until now we had considered voting for the current Minister. But giving this fascist, dictator like action we will be voting for Arthur Weasley instead. At least he's not trying to force our children to stay at home for the rest of their lives.'"

"You little piece of...," Fudge roars as he lunges for Hunter wrapping his hands around the student’s throat. As he squeezes he is suddenly forced backwards causing him to fall to the ground. His grip is broken as he finds himself now pinned beneath a full-grown tiger.

The tiger growls down at the man below him as the Headmaster rises from his seat. "Mr. Catiar, kindly allow the Minister to get up." The tiger looks up at Professor Umbridge and roars before walking away from the Minister and towards the far wall. The tiger begins transform as Hunter once again resumes his previous appearance. Leaning against the wall he pulls a cigerett out of his pocket and lights it. This is the first smoke he's had since the start of the campaign and even he had begun to think that he might actually quit. Now he found himself needing the distraction to help reign in his anger. Hunter's voice is full of venom as he speaks. "If you try to interfere with us again I'll have you arrested for attempted murder." He puts his cigerett out with the bottom of his boot as he walks towards the door. "Remember I have one year to file charges and enough witnesses to put your ass in prison. Stay out of our business or try winning the election behind bars." As he walks out the door he drops the Aurors’ wands in the trash before continuing down the stairs.

That evening Hunter tells the others about what happened in Dumbledore's office and about his threat to Fudge. He is still visibly upset as he smokes another cigerett while listening to them discussing the coming concert.

"I still say we should play something patriotic and political." Hermione contributes.

"I would except all the patriotic songs I know are American," Hunter reminds them. "I doubt God Bless the USA would go over too well."