Harry Potter and the Hogwarts Awakening

Chapter 1

Hello, readers!  This story is a remake of "Headmaster Harry Potter" by Mage Myrddin, written with permission. I plan on making this a prequel to another series. This story is also on FanFiction. I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

Chapter 1 - Cruciatus

Harry Potter writhed in agony as the Cruciatus Curse coursed through his system. His teeth clenched, and the only rational thought in his head was that he could not scream. He'd been fighting a battle of wills with Umbridge since the blood quill started, and he wasn't going to lose now.

He, Ron, Hermione, Neville, Ginny and Luna were being held in Umbridge's office after having been caught trying to use the Floo to contact Sirius. After the vision he'd had - in which Voldemort was torturing his godfather in the Department of Mysteries - he was all for charging in and saving him. But Hermione had pointed out that it could be a trap, and insisted that they verify that Sirius was indeed really captured.

Umbridge had unfortunately caught onto their plans before they could even use the Floo, let alone have a conversation with his godfather. Which is why he was here, mentally screaming in agony as Umbridge used an Unforgivable on him. The Unforgivables granted a person a one-way ticket to Azkaban, even the Minister of Magic wasn't allowed to use them. Had she lost her mind? The unrelenting agony finally stopped, and Harry was able to breathe again. His muscles trembled in relief and his mind filled with fog as he tried to comprehend what was happening.

Harry heard books clattering to the floor and then felt gentle hands on his face as someone tried to make him wake up. "Mr Potter, can you hear me?"

Professor McGonagall. She must have walked in, surprised Umbridge into stopping the curse, and immediately went to him. From the worry in her voice, Harry could tell that he was obviously in need of medical help. He could barely feel the pain of his injuries, his nerves still being numb from being subjected to Umbridge's wrath. Harry felt a rush of warmth for his head of house, quickly followed with worry. She had her back to Umbridge.

Harry opened his eyes with difficulty - he was having trouble staying conscious - and mumbled hoarsely, "Professor, behind you."

Professor McGonagall's eyes widened and she spun around. Umbridge's Expelliarmus was quickly parried to the side, and then the two teachers launched into a duel. Harry and the others watched, dumbfounded, as McGonagall sent Stunners and other nameless spells at her opponent. Umbridge snarled and ducked the spells, dancing around them and sending a fireball which McGonagall extinguished with a flick of her wand. Waving her hands in a circle, McGonagall conjured a flock of crows that zoomed like missiles at Umbridge's head. Umbridge let out a small 'eep' and leaped to the side. She then spun her wand around and let loose a wave of sound, catching McGonagall off-guard. As the Deputy Headmistress recovered, Umbridge managed to Disarm her. The duel was over.

Harry's eyes darted around the office, searching for something, anything, that would help him. His friends were lying against the wall, bound and Stunned. Looking away, his eyes fell on a tattered old hat, stuffed into the top corner of a shelf, out of immediate sight. The words from his first day at Hogwarts rang in his ears. "And Slytherin would help you on the way to greatness, no doubt about that."

It was obvious. If he couldn't get out by force ... he'd have to be cunning instead. In the back of his mind, a plan began to form.

Umbridge turned her wand on him and cast the Cruciatus Curse again. It ended after a moment, and Harry panted in exhaustion, sweat dripping into his eyes.