A/N: Okay, I admit that I have totally failed in updating this in a timely manner. I really didn't mean to take a year's hiatus, but I got writers block in one story and then real life exploded. Such events include the birth of my niece and surgeries for three people in my family. Even still, I hadn't planned on taking so long in getting this chapter out. But, I come with presents!

I was not totally idle during this past year and I've got three stories to post. I'm already mostly through posting one of them, Apopalips, which you should check out if you like insane!Harry and don't mind a few crossovers. Rambling Through the Woods, a pure Harry Potter fic, will be posted after that.

Beyond that, I also bring Rebellion goodies. I've said several times that I'm going to rewrite Rebellion and it really needs it because I was not the best writer six years ago when I first started this story. That being said, I'm still focusing on finishing this story and continuing on to the sequel to Rebellion, so I will not drop everything to do this serious editing. I am also going to be posting the unedited chapters in a separate story, because I hate it when old stories disappear and I figured that I would keep it up some place so that anyone who likes the old version can still read it.

So, to recap, editing really won't change anything except to make the story better. In fact, you can even go back to the beginning and read the newly rewritten first chapter of Rebellion. Enjoy that chapter as well as this new one and I promise that I will not take another year to post the next chapter.

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On Monday they had their Potions O.W.L. Unlike Umbridge, Snape didn't bother to hang around while his fifth years tool the exams. Harry was kind of glad for that, though. He had promised Hermione that he would focus on his exams and it was hard to do that while acting insane to drive someone else insane. Of course, that didn't stop him from convincing the examiner that Snape sent Envis E. Bill in his stead, but that only took a minute of talking to thin air before starting his exams. Professor Bill attended both Harry's written and practical exams, though Harry was also sure to send him over to the doors when the exams started; Hermione would kill him if he failed because the examiners thought he was cheating.

All in all, Harry though that his potions exam went well, with his potion in the practical turning out nicely. Not having Snape looming over his shoulder definitely helped, though Harry had figured that out before the exams. Ever since he had begun his Rebellion, Snape alternately tried to intimidate him into behaving or stayed away from him to try to keep from catching the insanity or to keep from trying to kill harry. Harry wasn't sure about getting an O in Potions, but he was confident enough to go searching for Snape when he was done with exams.

Snape was still in class at that point, so Harry sat down opposite the door and started to wait. Pretty soon he was bored, so he set about transfiguring small pebbles into flamingo statues that he lined up to his side. Luckily for the dungeon, Harry didn't have to wait too long before the classroom door opened and Snape's current potions class streamed out. It happened to be the fourth year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, which meant that Luna joined Harry in sitting on the dungeon floor.

"Are we avoiding the spleen-diggers?" Luna asked as she started fiddling with the flamingos. "We used frogs' spleen in class today, so they have been crowding."

"I'm waiting for Snape," Harry replied.

"He's missed you recently," Luna said. "He took twenty points away from me today in class."

"Sounds like he's missing me, alright," Harry replied.

The potions class door opened once again and Snape emerged, scowling down at Harry and Luna. "What are you doing there, Potter?"

"Sitting on the floor," Harry said.

"Avoiding the Spleen-diggers," Luna said. She motioned to the ground next to them. "You're welcome to join us."

"No, I will not join you in sitting on the floor." Snape's scowl deepened. "Don't you two have a class to attend?"

"Duct tape 101 usually, but it's been cancelled," Harry said. "For some reason Dumbledore is on the run and can no longer teach it."

"The Headmaster does not teach any classes at all, let alone Duck Tape 101," Snape said. EH closed and locked his classroom door with a spell.

"I had my Potions O.W.L. today, Professor," Harry chirped as he bounded to his feet, leaving the flamingos where they were. "It reminded me of you and I swear that I could almost see your form hovering over us while we took it."

"If you took your Potions O.W.L. then what are you doing here for?" Snape asked.

"Are you sure you weren't astral projecting to spy on us taking our exams?" Harry asked.

"Why would I bother to spy on your O.W.L.s? Snape asked, raising an eyebrow in disbelief.

"Because you're worried that Neville is the next Potions Master," Harry said.

"Mister Longbottom is currently insane," Snape pointed out. He smirked at them. "I only expect to see one of you in my classroom next year."

"Because they wouldn't let me have a time turner," Harry said.

"What?" Snape asked.

"They wouldn't give me a time turner, so of course there would only be one of me in your class next year," Harry explained.

"I don't expect to see you at all, Potter," Snape said. "I was talking about your insane group of friends."

"Oh, you meant that you were planning on seeing Ron, right?" Harry nodded his head like it was a given fact.

"Why would Mister Weasley be in my sixth year class?" Snape asked.

"Because you expect Neville to be in it," Harry answered.

"Why don't you go annoy the werewolf instead of me?" Snape suggested when he couldn't take it anymore. He looked like he wanted to pinch the bridge of his nose to fight a headache.

"Because poking a werewolf with a stick on the full moon is a bad idea," Harry answered.

"It's not a full moon, Potter, so why don't you try it?" Snape gave them a sneer before sweeping away, almost quite literally. Somehow his robes had grown longer while they were talking and they were dragging on the floor behind him.

"I wonder if he'll trip," Luna mused.

"Let's go poke Remus with a stick," Harry said after a moment.

"Shall we get the others?" Luna suggested.

"We'll need sticks," Harry agreed.

The two of them made their way outside to the lake in order to find the perfect stick. The usual group of students was already lounging by the lake and some of them looked up when Harry and Luna approached.

"Potter, where did you wander off to?" Pansy asked when she finally caught sight of the two.

"To see Snape," Harry answered with a shrug.

"Snape missed Harry," Luna said. "I could tell all through our potions class."

"He's expecting to see you in class next year, Ron," Harry said.

"I don't want to take Potions anymore," Ron whined.

"Don't worry; this is all just a cover so that Snape doesn't try to stop Neville from becoming a Potions Master."

"A Potions Master?" Neville almost squeaked as he stared at Harry.

"Neville's horrid at Potions, mate," Ron reminded Harry.

"That's just what Snape wants you to think," Harry said as he clapped Neville on the shoulder. "You can do it, Neville. I believe in you."

"You know there's crazy and then there is crazy," Draco said to break the silence.

"Being around Slytherins so much again has gotten you snarky once more," Harry replied.

"I'm supposed to be snarky," Draco said. "Plus, Snape has started to monitor all of my food, so I've had to adjust my behavior a little."

"We're still taking the O.W.L.s so we should be serious," Hermione said. She was studying for the next exam already.

"I'll go get the Polyjuice potion," Harry volunteered.

"I didn't mean that literally," Hermione replied.

"So, if Weasley isn't taking Potions next year, then who is?" Pansy asked. "Neville?"

"Merlin, I hope not," Neville said.

"Nah, we'll send Hermione in his stead," Harry replied.

"She's already going to be attending class next year," Tracy said.

"You can't know that already," Hermione protested.

"We already know that you got an O, Hermione," Ron replied, waving a hand in dismissal.

"See, it's perfect," Harry started to explain. "He'll be so focused on the evil that is Hermione that he will forget to keep track of Neville."

"Why is Professor Snape keeping an eye on Neville when Neville isn't attending his class?" Pansy asked.

"Because Neville is going to secretly study potions in his spare time and learn more than he ever did in potions class," Harry answered. "You see, Snape's known since the beginning that Neville was a threat to his Youngest Potions Master title."

"You're incorrigible," Hermione told Harry.

"Why, thank you, Harry replied.

"I found some," Luna exclaimed.

"Found some what?" Ron lazily asked.

"Found some perfect sticks," Luna answered.

"Found some perfect sticks for what?" Ron asked.

"Found some perfect sticks for poking Professor Lupin," Luna answered. She handed Harry one of the sticks.

"What are you doing poking Professor Lupin for?" Ron asked.

"Snape told us to," Harry answered.

"Harry, you can't poke Professor Lupin with sticks," Hermione said.

"Why not?" Harry asked.

"Because it isn't nice," Hermione scolded.

"Okay, Luna and I are going to go be mean to Remus," Harry said.

"Harry," Hermione warned.

"Okay, Luna and I are going to go and see Remus with our sticks," Harry said. He held his stick up. "This does not mean that I am going to poke him with it."

"But it probably does," Luna said.

Harry glanced at Hermione's face and turned to Luna. "Run!" The two with sticks ran off towards the castle. The rest of the group just stared after them.

"Aren't you going to go after them?" Pansy asked after a minute.

"Remus can deal with Harry," Hermione said. She turned back to her book. "I want to finish this chapter before dinner."

"Do you think that I could be a Potions Master?" Neville asked.

Pansy eyed the Gryffindor who held the record of potions accidents and shrugged. "Why not?"

---

Harry and Luna ambushed Remus in the Entrance Hall, poking him in the back with their sticks. Remus froze, but turned around when they poked him again. He blinked in confusion and they took the time to poke him several times in the chest and once in the arms.

"What are you two doing?" Remus asked.

"Poking you with a perfect poking stick," Harry answered as he continued to poke Remus.

"Why are you poking me with perfect poking sticks?" Remus asked.

"Hermione says that we're mean," Harry said.

"Did you get in a fight with her?" Remus asked, wondering how their poking him with sticks would make it better.

"Nah, she just thinks that poking you with a perfect poking stick is mean," Harry answered.

"Well, I suppose that it's true," Remus mused. He was glad that Harry wasn't arguing with his friends, but still curious as to why two of his students were poking him.

"Shh," Harry scolded as he continued to poke Remus. "This is hard work that we're doing."

"I can see that," Remus said. And he could; Luna had a look of actual focus on her face, something that he had only seen on her face when she was writing an essay on Blithering Humdingers. Harry had a look of intense concentration and the tip of his tongue was sticking out.

Remus wasn't sure exactly why, but he stood still and allowed the two students to poke him with their perfect poking sticks. Then again, at least they weren't poking him too hard and it was fascinating to watch them poke him.

Voices filtered into the Entrance Hall as the doors to the Great Hall finally opened. The elder Examiners stepped out of the Great Hall, along with Umbridge, but Harry and Luna didn't stop poking Remus.

They all stared at the spectacle. "What are they doing?" Madam Marchbanks asked.

Remus cringed, remembering her tone from his own examinations, particularly when Sirius and James turned his hair purple right after their Divinations exam. "They're poking me with perfect poking sticks."

Madam Marchbanks blinked and turned towards Umbridge. "Can you tell me why two of your students are poking their Defense Professor?"

"You see, Mister Potter isn't really feeling well," Umbridge simpered. "We've been keeping it from the public, but he really belongs in St. Mungos."

"He's been remarkably well behaved during his exams. In fact, his work was exceptional," Professor Tofty said.

"Mister Potter, will you cease torturing your professor?" Madam Marchbanks said.

"Can't," Harry said as he continued to poke Remus with his perfect poking stick.

"And why not?" Madam Marchbanks asked.

"Because Professor Snape told us to do it," Harry answered, "and he's our Lord God and Master."

Remus choked at that, although Harry wasn't sure if it was because of laughter or because he was horrified by Harry's reply.

"Professor Snape told you to poke your professor with sticks?" Madam Marchbanks asked.

"Yes," Harry answered.

"Because he's your Lord God and Master?" Madam Marchbanks continued.

"Professor Umbridge has weeded out most of the Demigods," Harry said.

"Professor Snape is not a god, Mister Potter and I over rank him even if he was," Madam Marchbanks said. "So will you stop poking your professor?"

"Can I keep the stick?" Harry asked as he paused in the middle of poking Remus. "Because this really is the perfect poking stick."

"Fine, you may keep the stick," Madam Marchbanks said.

"Okay, then," Harry said as he stepped away from Remus.

Luna continued to poke Remus.

"Miss, why are you still poking your professor?" Madam Marchbanks asked when she noticed that Luna had not stopped. "I told you to stop."

"You told Harry to stop," Luna replied.

"Well, then will you stop poking your professor, Miss?" Madam Marchbanks trailed off, clearly expecting Luna to tell her who her name.

"Professor Umbridge should know my name," Luna said as she looked at the ceiling.

"Just tell the examiner your name," Umbridge told Luna.

"Dumbledore always knew everyone's names," Harry said. He sighed and shook his head. "Let's go see the Giant Squid, Luna."

"We can show him our perfect poking sticks," Luna said as she stopped poking Remus with the stick.

"What kind of school are you running?" Madam Marchbanks asked Umbridge as the two students skipped away. "Dumbledore never had any issues with disrespect like this."

Umbridge's reply was lost as the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw went back to their friends over by the lake.

"You went and poked Professor Lupin, didn't you?" Hermione asked without looking up from her book.

"Yep, he liked it," Harry replied.

"Professor Lupin said that he liked being poked by a stick?" Ron asked.

"Well, he didn't try to stop us," Harry said with a shrug.

"Then who did?" Pansy asked.

"The Examiners," Harry answered. He scratched the back of his neck and gave a sheepish smile. "I think the Rebellion is back on."

"The Rebellion?" Pansy asked, reminding the Rebellion that they weren't alone.

"It's a charity group," Harry said. "A nonprofit organization."

"Named the Rebellion?" Pansy asked, raising her eyebrow at Harry. "What is it, really?"

"It is a charity group, but it's made out of students," Harry explained. "Dedicated to driving professors Snape and Umbridge insane."

"Is that why you are so mental all the time?" Pansy asked.

"Who knows?" Harry shrugged.

"Harry, you said that you would hold off during O.W.L.s," Hermione said as she put her book aside.

"And when did we start actually trusting the Slytherins?" Ron asked as he bolted up.

"You've just noticed that?" Harry asked, amused by their reactions. "Pansy convinced you to dress like a girl and also got you to finally ask Hermione out on a date."

"Blimey." Ron shook his head as he realized how deep it was. "Seriously, how did that happen?"

"We really didn't interact with the Slytherins only because of the house rivalries and the fact that Malfoy was a brat," Hermione pointed out.

"But still, Slytherins." Ron threw his hands up in the air.

"In this war, we must use whatever weapon necessary in order to complete our goal," Harry informed Ron.

"First it was a charity and now it's a war?" Pansy muttered to the rest of the group.

"Speaking of this war," Hermione said. "Why aren't you focusing on your O.W.L.s?"

"Relax, Hermione," Harry said, being sure to stay out of her reach, just in case. "I just wanted the Examiners to see how Umbridge actually runs the school."

"With an iron fist that has no authority," Hermione replied. "But you should really study every two hours for an hour that you put into your little war."

"I bet I could take over the school," Harry mused.

"And what brought this on?" Hermione asked, raising her eyebrow at him.

"You called it a small war and you're right. It is a small war. If I was engaged in a larger war, I'd have to drive more than two professors insane," Harry said.

"And why aren't you?" Pansy asked. "You've never acted out in any of the other classes beyond Potions and Defense against the Dark Arts and you clearly could."

"Hermione would kill me if classes suffered if the professors couldn't teach because of me," Harry answered.

"And you weren't worried with Umbridge?" Pansy asked.

"It was Umbridge and I think her teaching skills actually got better because of me," Harry answered.

"She stopped giving detentions to anyone who raised their hand," Pansy admitted. "But what about Professor Snape?"

"Snape's teaching skills got worse," Harry acknowledged. He then shrugged. "But it wasn't like he was that great of a teacher to begin with."

"You were a Gryffindor," Pansy shot back.

"And a Potter," Harry said with a nod. "But did he give any Slytherins anything beyond points?"

"You may have something there," Pansy admitted after thinking for a moment. "But he's still our Head of House and he's good at that."

"That reminds me, we need to have a sleep over," Harry said.

"You have a death wish?" Pansy asked.

"A slight one, or else I would have never had set this Rebellion up in the first place," Harry said. "I would have thought that I had been expelled as soon as she could pin it on me, but I think I unhinged her before she could."

"You know, you almost sound sane," Pansy said.

"But the fact that I've just chained myself up while we spoke negates that fact," Harry replied as he held up his hands.

His hands were bound with a set of manacles and there was a long chain between them so that he could use his hands like he normally would. There was also another chain attached to the manacles that was perpendicular to the chain that bound his hands. He handed that chain over to Draco. "Umbridge made me into your slave as punishment for poking Remus."

"And I got away because Umbridge still doesn't remember my name," Luna cheered. "But Pansy and I can be friends."

"Willingly giving yourself to the Slytherins; you are insane," Pansy muttered.

"This way I can sleep over at your House and Draco will have to protect me," Harry cheered.

"Let's get to dinner, slave," Draco said as he stood up. He yanked at Harry's chain. "I'm hungry.

"Yes, Master," Harry said.

They went back to the castle with Draco and Harry leading the way. They garnered a lot of stares, but they ignored everything until they reached the Entrance Hall.

"What is going on here?" Madam Marchbanks asked as she caught sight of them while emerging from the dungeon stairs. "What are you up to now, Mister Potter?"

"Umbridge gave me to Master Malfoy as my punishment for poking a professor with a perfect poking stick," Harry said.

"Master Malfoy?" Madam Marchbanks asked, turning to Draco.

"I honestly think it's weird, Madam Marchbanks," Draco said. "But one does not argue with Professor Umbridge."

"Given this knowledge, I over rank Professor Umbridge, as well," Madam Marchbanks said. She tapped the chains that bound Harry and vanished them. "Consider your punishment to be to spend the rest of the evening studying for your next exam, Care of Magical Creatures, is it not?"

"Yes, ma'am," Harry said, giving her an innocent smile.

"Avoid Professor Umbridge for now; I need to make a fire call," Madam Marchbanks said. She reversed her direction, heading towards her quarters instead of into the Great Hall.

"Your plan is actually working?" Hermione asked as they watched the Examiner go on her way.

"Who would have thought?" Pansy agreed.

"And that is the power of the Rebellion," Harry said as he led them into the Great Hall for dinner. His impulsive plan had worked perfectly, but it had also backfired for him. Hermione enforced his study punishment and the Slytherins refused to let Harry sleep over in the Slytherin common room. Still, Umbridge's tower was beginning to fall.

*=* Chapter 38 - Perfect Poking Sticks *=*