A/N: Okay, it is one week before finals, and I have two major tests tomorrow. However, it is wicked hot stuck up here in the dorm with about forty other girls, so I have decided to give up studying for the night, and I am finishing up this chappie. I'm trying to get as much posted before finals for those of you wishing me to continue this story. I can only say I wish I was as confident and enthusiastic about this as all of you who reviewed. THANKS! I WANT DUCKIE BOOTS!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything except for the plot and anything new introduced.

Chapter 3: The Visitation From Two Parties

Luna woke up, again all groggy-like. She wondered what the matter with her was. She gathered her essays that she had written last night, and placed them in the appropriate books. Stuffing them all into her sack, she crossed the room and opened the door to the dormitory. Making her way down to the Great Hall, she wondered if Malfoy was going to talk to her now, or after dinner or after supper. She knew it was to be one of the three.

Forgetting about the "perfect spot", she sat down at the Ravenclaw table. She looked across from her and saw a pimply-faced boy using a copy of The Daily Prophet as a coaster. "Excuse me," Luna inquired. "May I borrow that?" She pointed to the Daily Prophet.

"Sure, go ahead. I don't read them anymore." The boy set down his orange juice and started to get up from the table. "If you'll excuse me then."

"Er…right," said Luna, then looked back down at the paper. Luna Lovegood believed with all of her heart what Harry Potter had to say about the subject of He Who Must Not Be Named and him coming back and everything. Knowing what lies people were spreading around was also great fun to Luna, so she tried to keep up with the Daily Prophet as much as possible. When she scanned the front page, her mouth dropped open.

MINISTRY SEEKS EDUCATIONAL REFORM

DOLORES UMBRIDGE APPOINTED FIRST-EVER "HIGH INQUISITOR"

In a surprise move last night the Ministry of Magic passed new legislation giving itself an unprecedented level of control at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

"The Minister has been growing uneasy about goings-on at Hogwarts for some time," said Junior Assistant to the Minister Percy Weasley. "He is now responding to concerns voiced by anxious parents, who feel the school may be moving in a direction they do not approve."

This is not the first time in recent weeks Fudge has used new laws to effect improvements at the Wizarding school. AS recently as August 30th Education Decree Twenty-two was passed, to ensure that, in the event of the current headmaster being unable to provide a candidate for a teaching post, the Ministry should select an appropriate person.

"That's how Dolores Umbridge came to be appointed to the teaching staff at Hogwarts," said Weasley last night. "Dumbledore couldn't find anyone, so the Minister put in Umbridge and of course, she's been an immediate success, totally revolutionizing the teaching of Defense Against the Dark Arts and providing the Minister with on-the-ground feedback about what's really happening at Hogwarts."

It is the last function that the Minister has now formalized with the passing of Educational Decree Twenty-three, which creates the new position of "Hogwarts High Inquisitory."

"This is an exciting new phase in the Minister's plan to get to grips with what some are calling the 'falling standards' at Hogwarts," said Weasley. "The Inquisitor will have powers to inspect her fellow educators and make sure that they are up to scratch. Professor Umbridge has been offered this position in addition to her own teaching post, and we are delighted to say that she has accepted."

The Ministry's new moves have received enthusiastic support from parents of students at Hogwarts.

"I feel much easier in my mind now that I know that Dumbledore is being subjected to fair and objective evaluation," said Mr. Lucius Malfoy, 41, speaking from his Wiltshire mansion last night. "Many of us with our children's best interests at heart have been concerned about some of Dumbledore's eccentric decisions in the last few years and will be glad to know that the Ministry is keeping an eye on the situation."

Among those "eccentric decisions" are undoubtedly the controversial staff appointments previously described in this newspaper, which have included the hiring of werewolf Remus Lupin, half-giant Rubeus Hagrid, and delusional ex-Auror "Mad-Eye" Moody.

Rumors abound, of course, that Albus Dumbledore, once Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards and Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, is not longer up to the task of managing the prestigious school of Hogwarts.

"I think the appointment of the Inquisitor is a first step toward ensuring that Hogwarts has a headmaster in whom we can all repose confidence," said a Ministry insider last night.

Wizengamot elders Griselda Marchbanks and Tiberius Ogden have resigned in protest at the introduction of the post of Inquisitor to Hogwarts.

"Hogwarts is a school, not an outpost of Cornelius Fudge's office," said Madam Marchbanks. "This is a further disgusting attempt to discredit Albus Dumbledore." (For a full account of Madam Marchbanks' alleged links to subversive goblin groups, turn to page 17).

Luna was thunderstruck. Then she turned the page back again and searched out her favorite section. She stared at Malfoy's name. M-A-L-F-O-Y. It was perfect. Somehow, all the letters going together like that, mixed up evil, passion, hate, kindness…everything. It was all raveled into one name.

Something caught her eye in the sixth paragraph. Something about inspections. Dolores Umbridge would be inspecting classes. 'Well, that can't be too bad I suppose.' Luna thought. She usually kept her mouth shut during classes, knowing slightly better than opening it and embarrassing herself more than necessary.

Without thinking, she folded the Daily Prophet, shoved it into her sack, and was up and off, walking out of the Great Hall. Draco Malfoy, who had been watching her, followed. Crabbe, who had been watching Malfoy, followed as well.

"Ms. Lovegood, may I have a word?" Malfoy inquired after her. Luna had Herbology first, so she had been making her way out the front oak doors.

"Perhaps, Mr. Malfoy. How long will this word take?" Luna asked without turning around. A grin had spread across her lips, not wanting to go away.

"Oh, just a single moment. I wish only to give you a time and a place."

"Very well, Mr. Malfoy. Where and when?" The grin never left Luna's face.

"Tonight. 10:30, curfew to the common rooms time. In the abandoned classroom two hallways away from the library. It is near a portrait of an old woman making lace, and the statue of the angel."

"I'm sure I'll be able to find it. Thank-you very much Mr. Malfoy. I must be going. Perhaps I shall inquire as to why we're having this meeting later, shall I? Good day." With that last word, she stalked out the front doors.

Malfoy grinned. This was getting easier.

Crabbe, who had been watching from the Great Hall doors, made to move after Lovegood as soon as Malfoy had gone. He rushed out the front doors, trying desperately not to miss her. She was sitting on the front steps, writing in what appeared to be her diary.

"Good day miss," Crabbe said, his voice cracking.

"Good day," Lovegood answered, without looking up.

"Whatcha doin'?" Crabbe's manners had never been very good. He saw no need to exercise any restraint now.

"I am writing down the day's events. Why?" Lovegood still did not look up.

"Just curious. Was that Draco Malfoy you were just talking with?" he asked. Even though he knew that answer, being one of Draco's best friends, he still had to ask. He didn't want to lose two hundred galleons, so he had to do this right. Or at least as right as it could be for Goyle.

"Yes, it was. Why do you ask? Do you have something against him?" Now Lovegood looked up into the eyes of Crabbe. His squat face reminded Luna of a pumpkin. "Oh," her face fell. "I see. Crabbe, is it not?"

"Er…yeah. It is. How did you know?"

"I just know these things. I must be going Crabbe. It was nice speaking to you."

"Wait, Lovegood! I was wondering if we could chat again sometime? I really enjoy your thought process, and I was thinking about what views you might have about different things." Crabbe had used her own line against her. Perhaps it would work though. Lovegood was stupid and retarded enough to believe that kind of thing.

"Um…sure. Why not? I'll meet up with you later. For now I really must be going to class. Have a nice day." Luna put her book back into her bag, and made off to Herbology.

'Well, that was certainly interesting,' Luna thought. 'One of Malfoy's best friends coming up to talk to me, expressing interest. Doesn't he know that Malfoy wants to shag me bad? Why would he be stealing his best friend's girl? Ah, oh well. I suppose it couldn't hurt just talking to him somewhere public, like the library. Of course, getting caught in the library with that bloke would not be ideal. Maybe we can hide away in an unused section somewhere. Just as long as he doesn't try to put the moves on me, I think I will be quite alright.'

Inspections took place later that day. Luna was sleeping through a rather boring History of Magic class when she woke up to the soft sound of the door being quietly opened and then closed once again. She took her head off of her desk for a moment, wondering who could possibly be disturbing her nap when she sat up slightly straighter. Professor Umbridge had walked in.

Professor Binns stopped his incessant droning for a few moments, giving her a curt nod, and then continuing on in the same old fashion about how the goblins and giants got along. Luna glanced sideways, trying to see out of the corner of her eye what everyone else was staring at. Giving up, Luna turned and stared with the rest of the class. Only a select few continued taking notes on the subject.

Professor Umbridge was continuously clearing her throat. "Yes, Professor Umbridge? May I assist you in some way?" Binns inquired of her.

"Actually, yes," replied Professor Umbridge. "I was wondering if this is the way that you normally conduct class? With the students taking notes and you lecturing?"

"Yes, Professor Umbridge, that is correct. Do you know of any other way to teach History of Magic?"

"No, Professor. I was merely curious. Please continue. I do believe I will enjoy this lesson."

"Thank you Professor," and he continued with the lecture.

At the end of the class, Professor Umbridge was left dozing in her chair. Professor Binns wafted through the wall, and the students filed out of the classroom quietly so as to not wake her up.

A/N: Sorry I had to cut the chapter short at such an inconvenient time, but I have to go in like twenty minutes, and I really want to get another chappie up. So, I decided that this was as good a place to stop as any. Perhaps if I had continued on, I would have made it too long. Good night all!