Too bad that Umbridge will never talk about this with Snape, *he* could give them tons of dirt on Dumbledore, and on the wonderfulness of Muggles. Plus, he would be able to inform them about the tragic disability that nice Mr. Lupin has (and which he himself is not explaining yet).

But she won't, since he doesn't have any power, only useful information.

I wonder if Dumbledore is threatening to reveal that he nearly murdered Snape? But of course, who would care about that? We know Albus sure didn't, either at the time or later. He could get himself in trouble by revealing he had a werewolf at the school with inadequate security in the first place.

But Dolores is actually raising Harry better with Sirius around than if he wasn't. She has to adjust her own style of control to work around Sirius, and that means she has to be more reasonable than otherwise. And it's good for Sirius-he can't spoil Harry entirely, as he would if he were in complete control, and then we'd have another James.

Dumbledore must be thinking of Snape, who had to protect people who tried to murder him on occasion (but Albus is pants at protecting anyone, as we have seen). Why would Albus want Harry to be so beat down that he'd be willing to die the way Snape did in canon?

Well, we all learned that in DH, didn't we.

But Harry got to learn what being treated well was like, and Snape never did.

I am delighted how Dolores is raising Harry.

And I am even more delighted how Harry is raising *her*.

Bene Factum

Remus really doesn't have any good arguments in favor of the Dursleys, does he? Also, he's very careful not to mention what James Potter was really like so far (I suspect that Albus learned how James Potter could have been a leader but was too busy being a jerk and alienating anyone outside his circle by the way he treated others. Sadly, Remus could have been honest about James to bolster his argument about Harry growing up outside the Wizarding world, but Remus isn't always very good at honesty).

Also, it's really clear that Dolores is right about the Dursleys being very good at convincing Harry that maybe the purebloods aren't quite so wrong after all.

I love Harry's aim-but he needs to extend that to all abused children, because people like Snape aren't technically Muggleborn, but suffered badly in the Muggle world anyway. And there are pureblood children that are abused, too. I suspect that once Harry learns how to spot the signs, he will learn that blood doesn't stop a kid from being abused.

Brilliant. I do wish however there was chronological markers in this story. Or perhaps to move the plot along a bit, if Harry matured physically, rather than just mentally? He can't be 7 years old forever.

Lockhart was a great laugh! I adored the way Umbridge in his place. And I adore how Harry is manipulating Dolores, and she really hasn't noticed it-yet.

Now, will Remus tell *all* the truth about himself? Of course not.

I really like the way Harry handles Dumbledore. It's absolutely wonderful

Just Started Reading This. I have never seen this kind of plot before. This should be interesting

I think i should probably confess that i've been going through stories for the past one week. I've always been a huge! fan. hahaha

Yes, Dolores has the clearest proof who is in charge. It's certainly not Narcissa or Sirius. She still think it's her...oops.

Harry is his own person, and people who say bad things about the Muggleborn will not make any headway with him. It's just as well that Dolores will never be stupid enough to be one of them.

And Harry being himself means that Dolores will be the one who will bend, eventually, though she won't think of it that way.

Oh, yes, she doesn't understand that Harry is changing her as much as she is changing him.

At least not yet.

And as long as he's defying Sirius, Dolores is ok with that, though Harry is using both of them against each other. Very sweetly, though, and so far neither one notices it.

I feel that Dolores and Sirius will have a lovely conference on exactly what to do about the Muggle situation (that could almost be a song).

I love watching Dumbledore dig his own grave. The Wizengamot is not amused.

Oh, and Harry is learning how to work Dolores. One small step at a time.

Wow, I’m terrified

Excellent chapter. Sirius is a complication, but one that could work well to keep Harry safer and keep a benign face to the world. Umbridge by herself might turn Harry a bit on the robotic side, but learning charm and being boyish in the way people generally like will make people happier with the surface that they see.

Of course, there will be fireworks. We are talking Sirius Black here. And he's clearly unhappy that he hasn't had yet another chance to murder Snivellus.

But Umbridge is ok with letting Snape be the goat-why should she be any different from the rest of the Wizarding world? (You would think that as a Slytherin herself she would know Snape a bit more than she would ever tell Sirius and have her own opinions on the Jolly Marauders, even though she would be some years ahead, but oh well).

And I do love how she plays to Narcissa's desire to condescend to people.