The High Inquisitor

Disclaimer: Rowling owns Hp, not me.

The next morning, Kitty exclaimed in surprise as she read the Daily Prophet. She flattened the newspaper to reveal a large photograph of Dolores Umbridge, smiling widely and blinking slowly at them from beneath the headline: MINISTRY SEEKS EDUCATIONAL REFORM -DOLORES UMBRIDGE APPOINTED FIRST EVER HIGH INQUISITOR. Kitty read aloud to Vandyll, Dennis and Luna:

'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 of." '

'This is not the first time in recent weeks that the Minister, Cornelius Fudge, has used new laws to effect improvements at the wizarding school. As recently as 30th August, Educational Decree Number 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 revolutionising the teaching of Defence Against the Dark Arts and providing the Minister with on-the-ground feedback about what's really happening at Hogwarts. It is this last function that the Ministry has now formalised with the passing of Educational Decree Number Twenty-three, which creates the new position of Hogwarts High Inquisitor." '

' "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 coming 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 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 are 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 employment of werewolf Remus Lupin, half-giant Rubeus Hagrid and delusional ex-Auror, "Mad-Eye" Moody.

'Rumours abound, of course, that Albus Dumbledore, once Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards and Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, is no longer up to the task of managing the prestigious school of Hogwarts.

'"I think the appointment of the Inquisitor is a first step towards ensuring that Hogwarts has a headmaster in whom we can all repose our 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's alleged links to subversive goblin groups, turn to page seventeen.)'

'What do you think Snape's going to say if she turns up to inspect his class,' said Vandyll grinning.

'Come on,' said Kitty to Luna and Dennis, 'We have Transfiguration right now. Maybe Umbridge is inspecting Mcgonagall. We don't want to be late.'

But Umbridge was not inspecting Mcgonagall, it turned out. Kitty waited for the class to end quickly and waved her wand idly, turning her rabbit into fluffy slippers for the seventh time.

The next class was potions. Vandyll, Luna and Kitty arrived early and took front seats. Umbridge was already sitting there. When Professor Snape entered, Umbridge cleared her throat loudly, 'Hem, hem.'

Snape looked at her. 'You got my message,' said Umbridge, 'that I would be inspecting your class?' Snape nodded stiffly.

'Please continue,' said Umbridge sweetly.

Professor Snape turned to the class. 'You will be brewing an Oculus Potion, the instructions can be found on page 238 of your books. Get started.'

Kitty was adding ground unicorn horn to her potion when she heard Umbridge ask her, 'Do you understand what Professor Snape explains about the subject.'

'He explains very well. I've never had a problem in his assignments,' she said stoutly.

'What is the Oculus Potion used for?' asked Professor Umbridge.

'It improves eyesight and counteracts the effect of the Conjunctivitis Curse,' said Kitty confidently.

Umbridge nodded curtly and moved to Luna, 'What other potions you have learnt to brew so far in your second year?'

'The Befuddlement Draught, the Regerminating Potion, the Volubilis Potion, and the Pepperup Potion,' said Luna.

Umbridge continued to stroll through the classroom for the rest of the lesson. 'How long have you been teaching here?' Kitty heard her ask Snape.

'Fourteen years.'

'You applied first for the Defence Against the Dark Arts post, I believe?' Professor Umbridge asked Snape.

'Yes,' said Snape quietly.

'But you were unsuccessful?'

Snape's lip curled. 'Obviously.'

Professor Umbridge scribbled on her clipboard. 'And you have applied regularly for the Defence Against the Dark Arts post since you first joined the school, I believe?'

'Yes,' said Snape quietly, barely moving his lips. He looked very angry.

'Do you have any idea why Dumbledore has consistently refused to appoint you?' asked Umbridge.

'I suggest you ask him,' said Snape jerkily.

'Oh, I shall,' said Professor Umbridge, with a sweet smile.

'I think it's because Professor Snape is a wonderful Potions teacher and Professor Dumbledore has never been able to find a Potions Master as accomplished as him,' said Kitty loudly.

'Ten points from Ravenclaw, for speaking out of turn,' said Umbridge, looking at Kitty with a triumphant expression.

'Twenty points to Ravenclaw for successfully brewing the Oculus Potion,' said Snape immediately, walking up to Kitty. Umbridge glared at him.

Bending down as if to inspect Kitty's potion, Professor Snape muttered to her, 'Don't!'

At lunch, Kitty told Harry, Ron and Hermione about the Potions lesson. 'She's got a point,' said Ron, when Kitty told them that Umbridge had asked Snape why Dumbledore had not given him the DADA job.

Kitty frowned at him and said, 'Well, if Dumbledore would have appointed Snape as the DADA teacher, then we would not have had to put up with Umbridge.'

'We had an inspected lesson too,' said Hermione, 'Umbridge inspected Mcgonagall today and Trelawney.' Hermione briefly related what had happened in each class.

'Oh and listen to what Hermione and Ron have come up with,' said Harry, 'they reckon that I, of all people can teach them Defence against the Dark Arts.' Harry looked exasperated.

'That's not a bad idea…' said Kitty thinking. Harry groaned.

'So, tomorrow we are meeting in the Hog's Head to decide all about it,' said Hermione, 'Is there anyone you'd like to invite?'

'Well, Luna, Dennis and Vandyll will want to come, other than that, I don't think any other second year will want to join. But the others aren't allowed in Hogsmeade. How will they meet us?'

'Well, for tomorrow, you can vouch for them,' said Hermione, 'just ask them once, and ask them not to go shouting about it.'

'Why?' asked Ron.

'Because Umbridge might not be very happy if she knew what we're doing,' said Kitty. Hermione nodded.

'Okay then, see you tomorrow in Hog's Head,' said Kitty getting up to go to the Ravenclaw table. She could not wait for the next day.

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