Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Chapter 43 – The Hogwarts High Inquisitor
For the first time Harry dreaded going back to Hogwarts. Voldemort was back, and that alone was bad enough, but he also now had to deal with Fudge's attack dog, Dolores Jane Umbridge. He knew the woman to be a piece of work, if he was to put it nicely, but having met her as he accompanied Sirius to his first Wizengamot meeting – on which he could now take up his family's ancestral seat having been emancipated last year – Harry wasn't sure how to describe her beyond a rabid toad who had an obsession with the colour pink. Sirius told him that the running explanation within the Ministry for her obsession was that she hoped it would make her more likeable. She failed utterly though, if this was indeed the reason, for no bright colour, or really anything, could make her even look likeable. Umbridge had stood next to Fudge that day with beady, cruel eyes and a self-important smile, as the Minister asked him his thoughts on Dumbledore's recent interview for the Prophet in which he claimed that Voldemort was back. If it was a trick to try and get Harry to put his name down with the Headmaster's it was pathetic. Harry merely reiterated his stance that he didn't believe the dark lord to be dead, though said he had no proof of him having actually returned yet. Umbridge had joined the conversation then and asked what proof he had that Voldemort wasn't dead, and why he thought he, a mere child, knew better than the Ministry. She had not liked his response.
"And what proof, Madam Undersecretary, does the Ministry have that he is truly gone? All anyone really knows of that night was that he disappeared after trying to kill me. There was no body, and no one still alive who was witness to the event. Except for myself, of course, and I admit my memory a bit fuzzy as I'd only been a year old at the time." Her smile disappeared. "And I will thank you, Madam, not to address me so informally. Regardless of my age, I am lord of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Potter, and you will address me as such. After all, it is the Ministry's own serious error and lack of attention to the very rules they were enforcing that made it possible for the Goblet of Fire to emancipate me." His tone made it clear that the next slight, even one as innocuous as addressing him informally, would be taken as a purposeful insult against him and his house. It went without saying that his wife was included in that and Umbridge was backed into a corner and had no choice but to stand down, while Sirius stood by proudly, trying not to laugh as Harry handled the toad. The look in Umbridge's eyes, however, is what had him dreading this year.
As a means of trying to control and discredit Dumbledore, and him if he ever publically agreed with the Headmaster's claim, Dolores Umbridge had been appointed as the Hogwart's High Inquisitor. It was a new position Fudge had created under the guise of the standards at Hogwarts having fallen considerably. As High Inquisitor, Umbridge not only had the power to evaluate and replace the teachers, but to enforce school rules; no doubt she'd be there ready to pounce if he stepped even one toe out of line. Sirius was happier than ever that Remus would be at the school with them. He'd been dreading this year just as much as Harry and if it weren't for Remus' presence Harry would have gotten a dog over the summer that he couldn't possibly leave behind, his new status as a noble lord giving him the right to have any pet he wanted so long as it didn't pose a danger to anyone. Sometimes these old and rarely used by-laws the purebloods had forced through over the years came in handy.
-H/G-
Boarding the Hogwarts Express that year felt like bars closing in on them. The only upside was that Hermione and Ron had been made Gryffindor Prefects. Both tried to down play it, but Harry and Ginny knew how important this was to both of them, Hermione as she'd practically been working for it her whole life, and Ron, shocked as he was, couldn't believe McGonagall had this much faith and trust in him. Harry and Ginny were both very happy for their friends and sent them on their way to the prefects meeting in the first car with smiles. It was the last time they smiled that day. When they entered the great hall for the start of term feast, the tension was overwhelming and there was little doubt that the pink toad sitting at the staff table was the reason. The feast began and the students ate as they always did, quickly and in huge quantities as if they hadn't been fed in days, before Dumbledore stood to make his speech. He had just introduced Madam Umbridge, explaining to the students why she was there, as if they didn't already know, when something happened that never had before: someone interrupted Dumbledore's speech. The Headmaster seemed quite surprised himself as Umbridge stood up to address the school, ignorant of the pursed lipped glare McGonagall was shooting at her; no student would dare cross the Deputy Headmistress when she had that particular look on her face. Conceding gallantly to the interruption that was clearly going to take place whether he liked it or not, Dumbledore stood aside so Umbridge could speak.
"Thank you, Headmaster, for those kind words of welcome." She began. "And how lovely to see all your bright, happy faces smiling up at me." She would have been hard pressed to find one smile among the students whose scowls would make even Snape proud. "I'm sure we're all going to be very good friends."
"That's likely." Fred and George muttered sarcastically while several other students openly scoffed or rolled their eyes.
"The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. Although each Headmaster has brought something new to this historic school," She looked to Dumbledore with barely concealed disapproval. "Progress for the sake of progress must be discouraged. Let us preserve what must be preserved, perfect what can be perfected, and prune practices that ought to be prohibited." With what could only be described as a bow, Umbridge returned to her seat to the most hesitant applause in the school's history.
"Thank you, Madam Umbridge," Said Dumbledore as he re-took his place at the podium. "That really was most illuminating."
"Illuminating?" Ron scoffed. "What a load of rubbish."
"It may be rubbish, Ron, but Dumbledore's right, it was illuminating." Said Ginny.
"It means the Ministry is interfering at Hogwarts." Harry agreed.
"But we knew that already." Said Ron.
"Yes, but this isn't just an interference to try and quiet Dumbledore about You-Know-Who." Hermione explained. "It's something more, something bigger than stopping a panic as Fudge claims."
"But what?" Ron asked the key question.
-H/G-
Over the next few weeks Umbridge merely observed the goings on in the castle, much to the shock of many, though not Harry and Ginny. They and their friends knew she was observing to determine where the power lay within the school and how to use it to her best advantage. She was learning how the students and staff interacted with each other, learning which teachers were feared, respected and closest to Dumbledore; which students were respected amongst their peers, which would be near impossible to influence and which could be easily intimidated. So far she had given no one anything to complain about or that Harry needed to deal with; an eventually he and Ginny had prepared for the moment they heard Umbridge would be at the school. They knew why she was really there, or thought they had a good idea at any rate, and so weren't surprised when in the second week of October she was there when they walked into their first period transfiguration class. Knowing she must be here to evaluate McGonagall, they tried not to smile too broadly. This was McGonagall, after all; it could only end one way. Sure enough when their head of house entered the classroom, barking at them to take their seats and be quiet they could see the thin line of her lips that never boded well for the one who had earned her ire. McGonagall didn't even acknowledge Umbridge, who was sitting off to the side with a clipboard in hand, and immediately started on the lesson. The High Inquisitor did not like being ignored though, so the professor had barely told them what today's lesson was about before she was interrupted.
"Hem hem." McGonagall stiffened, hearing the same girlish cough that had interrupted the Headmaster at the start of term feast. Still, she turned around to face the pink toad with a raised eyebrow. "I was just wondering, Professor, if you had gotten my message with the date and time of your fifth year inspection?" Umbridge had decided that she needed to sit in on one of every class for each year so as to get a fuller idea of how the children were being taught at each level of their education.
"Obviously, or I would be asking why you are in my classroom." She turned back to the students. "Now, mammal transfiguration is probably the hardest form of transfiguration that you will see on you O.W.L.s. Can anyone tell me why?" Hermione's hand was the first to shoot up. "Yes, Miss Black?"
"Hem hem."
"I wonder," Said McGonagall in the most badly restrained tone of fury they had ever heard from her. "How you expect to gain an idea of my usual teaching methods if you continue to interrupt me, Dolores? You see, I do not usually allow people to speak whilst I am speaking." Umbridge looked like she'd been slapped in the face and looks of glee were exchanged amongst the students. McGonagall waited, continuing to stare the toad down until she re-took her seat. Trying to gain a modicum of control back, Umbridge deliberately took out her quill and began writing furiously on her clipboard. If she had thought this would intimidate the transfiguration professor she was sadly mistaken; McGonagall looked supremely unconcerned as she again turned back to the class. "Yes, Miss Black?"
"Mammal transfiguration is more difficult because their brains are much more fully developed." Hermione recited. "Like humans, they don't just have needs, but also have wants, they form attachments that can last a lifetime and their thought process is more complex. Because of this they are more resistant to magic and will actively fight against the transfiguration. This can prove fatal for the animal if the witch or wizard is not proficient enough to both properly cast the spell and add just enough extra power to their casting to overrule the animal's own will."
"Good. Five points to Gryffindor." The rest of the lesson continued on this way and there were no more interruptions. Umbridge showed up at two more of their classes that week, Care of Magical Creatures, which seemed to go well as she liked Professor Grubbly-Plank who was filling in for Hagrid while he was away parlaying with the giants; a task Dumbledore had set him according to Snape. The third class Umbridge attended that week was Defence Against the Dark Arts and it was this one that had them the most worried. It was no secret that Umbridge hated half-breeds like Remus, and while they weren't worried about Remus' teaching, they knew this inspection would be about far more than just that.
"Good morning class." Remus greeted as he came in from his office. "As you can see we have a visitor today. Madam Umbridge is here in her capacity as High Inquisitor and will be observing today's lesson." Harry sighed deeply; Remus was far too kind. "Now, today we will be learning about counter spells, particularly those that will be useful in aiding your comrades should they ever in incapacitated in a fight."
"Hem hem." The only thing that surprised Harry was that the interruption had taken this long in coming. Unlike McGonagall, Remus didn't snap at Umbridge, but rather smiled quite genially as he turned to face her.
"Yes, Madam Umbridge? Do you have a question about the lesson?"
"More than just a question, Professor." She said with a sickly sweet smile. "I must say that I am quite concerned that you think it necessary to teach children how to fight!" Harry narrowed his eyes furiously and would have jumped up if not for Ginny's death grip. Luckily though, Remus was far from unarmed.
"I am surprised to hear you say so, madam." He replied just as genially as before. "As you are no doubt aware as High Inquisitor, the fifth year curriculum has such counter spells as a requirement." Umbridge flushed, having clearly not known this.
"Yes, well, you seem very content with this new curriculum and one must wonder why you are so happy to adhere to it when the old curriculum, written by noble pureblood lords with vast amounts of knowledge was perfectly structured." Harry didn't even try to jump up this time, he could see the amusement in Remus' eyes as they almost twinkled like Dumbledore's.
"It is my job, madam, to teach the curriculum, regardless about my feelings on it. If you are truly concerned I suggest you speak with the school governors. It is they, after all, who have seen fit to continue the current curriculum, which if I am not mistaken was last updated in 1796."Again Umbridge flushed and shot daggers at the few students who sniggered out loud.
"Rest assured, I will be speaking with both the school governors and the Minister regarding this." She conveniently ignored that point about it not being a new curriculum at all, which had been half of her argument. "I find it abhorrent and unbelievable that school children are being taught to fight. And frankly I am astounded that you do not. It is your duty as a professor of this school to bring to attention anything that may harm the students, and the fact that you haven't makes one wonder whether you are fit to even be a teacher." Ginny's death grip returned.
"As I said, madam, it is my job to teach what the school governors have decided should be taught, and I have no concerns about teaching my students to defend themselves. After all this is Defence Against the Dark Arts."
"An unnecessary class if ever there was one!" Umbridge snapped. "Teaching children to fight…who would attack children?" Harry openly scoffed at the obvious attempt to get him to speak up about Voldemort.
"I do not know, madam, I know only that fights do happen and that this lesson is a requirement of their education." Those who knew Remus could hear the hint of frustration that entered his voice. "Now, may I continue with my lesson? I fear if we continue on like this the entire period will pass without you being able to fulfill your purpose here." Most reluctantly Umbridge sat back down and didn't interrupt the lesson again. She did, however, get up and ask the students questions about Professor Lupin once they got up to practice the spells they'd just been taught. Harry was keeping an eagle eye on her as she did and breathed a sigh of relief when the first Slytherin she approached was Draco. While he said nothing particularly flattering about Remus, he did say he was a competent teacher and that the students had learned a lot from him. This set the precedent for how the rest of Slytherin house would answer her; the very wealthy and influential Draco Malfoy had spoken and none of them were stupid enough to disagree with him. As the class came to an end, Umbridge was standing off to the side again, silently fuming at not having gotten anything damning on Remus. Harry decided then that it was time to approach her.
"Madam Umbridge." He greeted, secretly pleased when she stiffened at his arrival.
"Lord Potter." She greeted stiffly in return. The two hadn't directly spoken with each other since their meeting over the summer, so it was understandable that she was a bit concerned why he was speaking with her now.
"I wish to offer you a piece of advice, madam: know the limits of your power." Umbridge turned furious eyes on him but Harry wasn't done. "Remus Lupin is a member of my house, as well as a member of House Black, and your attack on him earlier did not go unnoticed. You may have the power to sack Remus, but only if you can prove he is an incompetent teacher, and that proof had better be airtight for it will be intensely scrutinized by the governors, of which Lord Black is one. Your attack on him earlier had nothing to do with his teaching methods, we are well aware of your prejudices, madam, and I urge you not to let them interfere again lest you overstep the limits of your power and insult my house, or House Black. As you are well aware, we do not take kindly to such insult, and by the very laws you yourself have lobbied for, not even Minister Fudge can protect you should you go too far and insult a noble and ancient house." Wisely Umbridge made no comment, nor accused him of threatening her, and so after a moment Harry bid her goodbye and left.
While Umbridge was clearly not happy, Harry's warning seemed to have worked for Remus wasn't sacked. He was, however, put on probation – Umbridge having only cited possible inappropriate teaching methods as the reason – and she became a usual visitor to their classes. Harry was angry that she had even gone this far, but as she had not quite overstepped there was nothing he could do. He knew, of course, why she'd done this. It was both an attempt to show him that she held the power between them, and also to give her just cause to sack Remus later on if she was lucky and managed to somehow convince Fudge to grant her more power. Harry wasn't worried about this though. Even if Fudge did grant her extra powers within the school the fact remained that both he and Sirius could demand a duel to the death against anyone who threatened or insulted their houses. This was an old law that Dumbledore had tried to repeal some years ago. However, he'd been unsuccessful, and in large part thanks to Umbridge herself who had frightened the lords of old houses by asking that if this right was taken from them, then what would be next? To change this law it would have to go through the Wizengamot, which was highly unlikely after her scare tactic, and so Umbridge was reigned in, to a certain extent, unless she wanted to face two powerful wizards in a duel. Odds she clearly didn't like.
The first teacher to truly get sacked was Professor Trelawney, the Divination teacher. Neither Harry nor any of his friends had ever actually met her, having heard her class was a joke they had elected not to take it when given the choice in their third year. Although he felt sorry for her losing her job, Harry found he couldn't really fault Umbridge when Fred and George, who had taken her class, confirmed that all of Umbridge's claims about incompetency were true. Dumbledore, on the other hand, was of an entirely different mind and stepped in to keep Trelawney at Hogwarts, even though he couldn't save her job. He then infuriated Umbridge more by appointing Firenze, a centaur, as the new divination professor. The High Inquisitor currently only had the power to appoint teachers if the Headmaster was unable to, something she had clearly counted on; Harry was glad they dodged the bullet of an Umbridge approved teacher.
"Why would he let her stay in the castle though?" Ron asked.
"Not just stay, Ron. He didn't simply say yes when she asked, he actively kept her here." Hermione found it strange too.
"It is a bit odd." Harry agreed. It would be several months before they would discover why.
A/N - Yeah Umbridge is here. She really is a piece of work and possibly worse than Voldemort in my opinion so ain't nothing good going to happen to her.
Review please!
