As Friday afternoons were open time for him, he decided to visit Professor Trelawney. Like the other teachers, she had been quite shaken this last week by Dolores' visit. This troubled Eric especially; for unlike his peers, he was extremely fond of the professor. Sybill Trelawney may not have been the world's most competent prognosticator ( indeed, she wasn't much of a prognosticator at all ), but to one who actually had a second sight of a sort, she was a more than capable tutor and a good friend.

Unfortunately, she was exactly in the state he anticipated. "Oh, Eric: it was awful! She knows, she knows I'm a fraud!" She slumped down into a pillowed chair and began to sob.

"Um, Professor? Everybody knows you're a fraud; you admitted as much yourself." He poured her some tea before sitting down in front of her.

She smiled slightly. "It must be nice not to understand. She's going to force Dumbledore to fire me. Even if the Headmaster refused, she has the Ministry behind her. There's no way that I'll be able to stay without demonstrating some ability."

Eric began to stammer. "But – it's like you said; it's not what you can do, it's what you can teach. Watch!" He drew out a new crystal ball and set it before him. With the slightest effort, images began to form. "There's Hermoine Granger – she's at her SPEW business again. You'd think with as smart as she is, she could take a hint!" He closed his eyes, then focused again. "Now we have the curmudgeonly Mr. Filch, fussing at the house-elves while they try to clean the main hall."

Sybill smiled. "You really shouldn't talk about our caretaker that way, especially in front of a teacher." Her smile, however, demonstrated how happy she was that he felt close enough to her to be informal.

Eric squinted again. "There she is – the dire bat of the hour!" Dolores Umbridge sat plumply in his vision. "Writing a letter... no doubt to her real boss. Let's see:

To Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic

Greetings sir!

It is as you indicated – the school is overrun with incompetent teachers. So far,

of all the instructors I've spoken with, only Professor Severus Snape has offered

both the co-operation and the competence that we require. Most of the other

instructors are either too incapable or too loyal to the headmaster to be of

service. The caretaker, however, appears eager to assist me in my efforts to

bring order to the school. I would consider putting him in charge of discipline,

if I didn't feel his inability to use magic would jeopardize my authority.

Regarding your request, I am making a point to single out Harry Potter and his

friends. They have continued to live up to their past errors, and have failed to

learn from early attempts to discipline them. I regret to inform you that your

desire to reform Mister Potter, thereby ending his disruptive activities will prove

unattainable. I will, however, continue in my efforts so long as you wish me to.

Professor Dumbledore remains inaccessible. As he is the Headmaster, he knows

the particular ways through the school that I, to date, do not. I am certain that you

are correct in suggesting that he is planning to foster civil unrest, but I have not

been able to obtain any clues regarding it's nature. I will advise when this

changes.

Finally, I request your permission to seek just cause to formally expel Eric Sable.

He is a disruptive influence, and his continued presence at Hogwarts will only

encourage others to challenge my authority. He must be put aside to discourage

others from following his example.

I look forward to your reply, and remain in your service.

Dolores Umbridge, Deputy Minister and High Inquisitor

Eric backed away from the vision, letting it fade. "Well, it seems that instructors aren't the only ones on the High Inquisitor's hit list. She's after me, too!"

Professor Trelawney turned to him. "That's foolishness! Whatever for?"

He smiled. "I'm 'a disruptive influence', and apparently a threat to her authority."

She set her hand lightly on his shoulder. "Dear boy, what are you going to do?"

Sighing a bit, he reassured her. "The only thing I can do – stay out of sight and out of trouble. She may be able to throw her ... well, extremely massive weight around; but it'll be a plague of trouble if she expels a student without cause. I'll just have to make sure she doesn't find one."

The professor took him by the shoulders. "No Eric; we'll make sure she doesn't find a reason. You have a tendency to take on a great deal by yourself, but there's no reason for you to face this alone when there's so many of us who want to help you."