Harry Potter And The Tiger's Eyes

Author’s Notes: Okay so I've been borrowing from the fifth and sixth books pretty heavily and adding my own little twists to them. From here on out the rest of the story is more of the same.

Things at school continued along fairly normally until the week before the first Quidditch match of the season. As everyone was sitting at their table eating breakfast before heading off to their classes, Hermione received her copy of the Daily Prophet and nearly choked on her toast.

She spread the paper out allowing everyone to read what was on the front page.

MINISTRY SEEKS EDUCATIONAL REFORM. DOLORES UMBRIDGE APPOINTED FIRST-EVER "HIGH INQUISITOR"

"You've got to be kidding me." Harry remarks.

"In a surprising move last night the Ministry of Magic passed new legislation giving itself an unprecedented level of control at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This is not the first time in recent weeks that Minister Fudge has used laws to effect 'improvements' at the Wizarding school. As recently as August 30th Educational Decree Twenty-two was passed, to ensure that, in the event of the current Headmaster is unable to provide a candidate for a teaching post, the Ministry could select an appropriate person.

"That explains how we got stuck with her," Hunter growled as he continues to read.

"Professor Umbridge has been an immediate success," Ministry spokesman, Percy Weasley said. "She has totally revolutionizing the teaching of Defense Against the Dark Arts and provides the Ministry with on-site feed back about what is really happening at Hogwarts."

"It is this with this last function that the Ministry has now formalized with the passing of Educational Decree Twenty-three, which creates the new position of Hogwarts High Inquisitor. The High Inquisitor will have the power to inspect her fellow educators and make sure that they are coming up to scratch.

"In addition to the creation of the position of High Inquisitor, Educational Decree Twenty-three gives the High Inquisitor certain powers to 'aid' in carrying out the task assigned to her. Such as no Student Organization, Society, Team, Group, or Club may exist without the knowledge and approval of the High Inquisitor. Also The High Inquisitor will henceforth have supreme authority over all punishments, sanction and removal of privileges pertaining to the students of Hogwarts, and the power to alter such punishments, sections and removals of privileges as may have been ordered by other staff members."

Hunter can't stop himself from laughing as he finishes reading the newspaper. "Things just got a whole lot more interesting."

They discovered later that day that Quidditch Teams had been included in the Decree but with a bit of sweet talking from the other Professors all the House Teams had been allowed to reform in time for the first match tomorrow. Lion's Pride was also included on the list but Hunter paid it no attention and told the others they were still playing at the party after the game.

The next morning they sat down at breakfast and chatted for a while before the team had to leave to get ready for the game. Hunter kissed Katie as she and the others left. He had already made arrangements with Dobby and a few of the other House Elves to set up for the party tonight and had snuck off to find a secluded spot from which to watch the game.

Hunter watched quietly as the teams took the field. Due to Draco's "disappearance" at the end of last year, Blaise Zabini was the new Slytherin Captain and Seeker. As the game progressed Hunter saw it quickly digress into a melee. The Slytherins received more penalties then they even attempted goals and he found himself growling every time they attacked another of his friends.

At the end of the match Gryffindor had won the game 350 to 0 and Hunter was about to turn around and head back to the castle when he heard Zabini begin to talk to Harry. As Hunter watched he saw Harry getting angry and knew that he was about to do something stupid. Hunter quickly left his hiding spot and rushed over to intervene.

"Hey Harry," Hunter called out as he approached the others. "Great game. Sorry but I had to watch at least one match, right?"

Harry turned away from Zabini and looked at Hunter. "Yeah sure no problem."

"Get lost you filthy half-breed," Zabini says glaring at Hunter. "And take that blood traitor whore of yours with you."

Hunter places a restraining hand on Harry's shoulder. "Chill bro," he says. He watches as Harry's anger slowly fades. "You really don't want to continue that train of thought." Hunter cautions as he and Harry begin to walk away.

"Fuck you," Zabini yells. Those were the last words he says before his world goes dark.

By the time the teachers arrive Hunter was congratulating the others on a great game while Zabini snored loudly on the ground.

"Mr. Catiar," Professor McGonagall asks as she and other teachers approach the friends. “What happened to Mr. Zabini?"

Hunter turns around and looks down at the sleeping Slytherin. "Not sure," he answers. "He was talking to Harry when I came up on them. Then Harry and I turned to leave and he just kind of fell asleep."

"Is this true Mr. Potter?" Professor Umbridge demands.

"Yeah it was the weirdest thing," Harry began. "One minute he was insulting and taunting us and the next he's laid down and went to sleep."

Professor McGonagall revives Zabini and asks the Slytherin Captain what happened. His story matches what Hunter and Harry had already told the Professors. He was talking with the Gryffindors and when they turned to leave he just went to sleep.

Umbridge enraged everyone when she tried to give Hunter detention and ban Harry from playing Quidditch for assaulting Zabini but reluctantly gave up the idea when it was made abundantly clear that there was no proof of any attack. Even Zabini hated to admit that from all appearances the two boys had nothing to do with his going to sleep.

Later that night after the rest of the House had gone to bed Hunter admitted to the others had he had used wandless magic to place a sleeping charm on Zabini. "The guy was being an asshole and it was either that or rip his head off."

The next morning at breakfast Hermione is reading the Daily Prophet when a story in the back catches her attention. "I had completely forgotten about the Election this year." She says causing everyone to look up from their meals.

"I thought Elections were held in November." Hunter says putting down his cereal.

"For most of the Muggle world they are but for the Wizard world they're in May." She reminds him.

"So who's running?" Katie asks.

"Fudge of course," Ron groans.

"Him," Hermione begins, "Alastar McGriff, and Penelope Lutrox."

"Rigged," Hunter comments as he goes back to eating his meal. "Throwing a couple of poor fools with no chance of winning just gives the appearance of fairness."

"Yeah," Hermione admits sadly. "And there's only a couple days left to register for the election."

"Wait a minute," Hunter blurts out. "You mean there's still time to get a candidate on the ballot?"

"Registration ends 6pm Tuesday." Hermione tells him. "Why?"

Hunter laughs as he gets up. "This is just too perfect." He grabs Katie's arm and pulls her up from the table. "Come on we've got work to do." He heads towards the door but stops and looks back to the others. "You guys coming or not?" Their breakfast lays forgotten on the table as they race towards the Room of Requirements.