Monday brought news that made Eric's pledge seem far harder than anticipated. Dolores Umbridge was now the school's High Inquisitor; set in charge of overseeing educational standards. "High Inquisitor? What kind of job is that?"

Naomi smartly responded. "It means that the school is about to undergo the Inquisition. You can expect torture, interrogation for the sake of intimidation, and burning at the stake." She then gave a slight smirk. "Look on the bright side. As long as she's trying to beat down all the teachers at Hogwarts, she won't have time to pursue you."

Her assessment proved true enough, for that week Eric found he could traverse the school unhindered again. This was a relief, as his meetings with Professor Frugilagus would be that much easier, and he didn't want complications. Fortunately, his childhood in the school proved invaluable in providing routes to and from the dungeons unseen by Caretaker or Prefect. Eric made a point of offering his fellow Advance Studies classmates their own route, so that at least they couldn't be made to betray one another.

Corvin Frugilagus was very happy to see his class. "With the new High Inquisitor, it would be quite understandable if you all decided not to take the risk. However, with such things going on, I hope you'll agree that actions such as ours are more important than ever."

With that he began to lead them in combative spell training. Eric very quickly realized why the sword practice with Sheena was so important. The thrust and countermove of offensive and defensive spells were, in essence, very similar to the strike and parry moves of swordplay. This was far better than any dark arts defense class he had taken before, for the spells he learned now were no longer the tickling, ridiculing spells that were the accepted norm. These spells sought to shield against magic itself, or to strike at an opponent with pounding force. These spells didn't pleasantly incapacitate – these spells injured.

There was no casting as such this day – Corvin was concerned about the noise arousing suspicion. Eric, however, noted that there was a passageway out to a clearing in the Forbidden Forest. They could practice spells there without fear of discovery. The professor agreed to investigate, and class was dismissed.

Eric, however, did not return to the school's upper floors. He cut over to his old workshop, where two golden snidgets were still nesting. He had spent several days over the weeks since he had returned preparing for this task. Before him were seven small stone sculptures of curious beasts. They would serve nicely.

Raising his wand and spiraling it through intricate patterns, he recited a final passage. "Saxi Sculptura – ad rem religare animare!" Sparkling light burst from his wand, spinning about the small statues. Within moments they began to move, then they all looked to him attentively. "You are my gargoyles; defenders of what little is mine. You are to guard this place such that none but I and those I bring may enter. You are to allow the small birds in that ledge to come and go, but any that is man or creature that would harm them is to be repelled. Do you understand your charge?" They all dutifully nodded. Then find posts that suit yourselves and take them."

The four smallest statues took positions around the opening the snidgets came and left by. Two larger dragon-like beasts took side positions by the door, while the last, most contemplative one simply sat himself on the workbench, watching the others. Whether he was the brains of the group or the laziest one, Eric would find out in time.

Everything seemed to be working fine, so Eric left his stone servants to their work. He could improve them over time; make them more intelligent, grant them greater abilities to judge a threat. For now it was enough that his storeroom was guarded. He had stowed his brooms and the Rukh wand in there, and he had no desire for Professor Umbridge to stumble across them. As long as she doesn't look, he might be able to come up with some kind of contingency in case she came across the room. For now, seven gargoyles – even small ones – are more than a match for any wizard. If she came across the room, she would have a real good reason to leave it alone.

As he left the storeroom, a thought came to him. Working his way through the service corridors, he eventually came out in the kitchen where, to his amusement, there was a clutch of house elves watching Willy prepare a stew for the evening. A number of them were completely aghast that he didn't follow an established recipe, but a few minutes of observation ( and a whiff of steam from the pot ) assured Eric that the results would be more than satisfactory.

"Master Eric – you've come to see Willy!" The elf pushed aside his fellows to charge his way across the kitchen. "Willy has been so worried, with that horrible fat woman here."

Eric patted his friend's head. "I've been worried about you too, but what are you doing here? I thought I told you to stay with the Peals."

Willy shook his head. "When Willy heard that the nasty Minister was here, Willy had to come to help. Mister Lymeon said I could come."

Eric sighed. "Well, if Mister Peal said you could, then I suppose it's all right. I take it you've been keeping out of sight?"

The elf nodded. "I've kept to the kitchen preparing meals. Everyone seems very happy with me here, and she takes no interest in the workings of the school; only the professors."

Eric nodded. "Well I tell you, my friend: expect things to get worse before they get better. You have the right idea staying down here – I only wish I could join you." The elf's beaming smile was enough to brighten this day. "Now, I came to warn you: I had to form guardians for my storeroom – Gargoyles." The elf's flinch confirmed Eric's suspicions. "Right; protective to the point of being downright nasty. You can't go in there without me, understand?"

"Oh, absolutely, young master. Only, how will Willy care for the birdies?"

Eric sighed – already there was something he didn't think of. "Well, I can alter the defense command to allow for you. Just give it a week or so for these enchantments to settle in, first. Ok?" Willy's enthusiastic nod eased his mind. "Thanks for reminding me. I have to get back upstairs; if she's looking for me, I'll already have been missed."

Fortunately for Eric, he didn't appear to be a priority for Dolores at this point. The Ministry Professor had been spending the week investigating teaching methods at the school by sitting in on classes and asking rather barbed questions. He had noted that a number of teachers ( particularly those the students liked ) were visibly shaken after her visits.