Glamour

Fight

"Why, I thought you might be grateful for a little extra authority." Harry would not have been surprised to see sparks fly from Professor McGonagall's nostrils.

"You thought wrong," she said, turning her back on Umbridge. "Now, you two had better listen closely. I do not care what provocation Malfoy came up with, I do not care if he insulted every family member you possess, your behaviour was disgusting and I am giving each of you a week's worth of detention! And if either of you ever..."

"Hem, hem."

Professor McGonagall closed her eyes as though praying for patience as she turned her face toward Professor Umbridge again.

"Yes?"

"I think they deserve rather more than detentions," said Umbridge, smiling still more broadly. Professor McGonagall's eyes flew open.

"But unfortunately," she said, with an attempt at a reciprocal smile that made her look as though she had lockjaw, "they reside in my house so it is my decision as to what they deserve, Dolores."

"Actually, Minerva," simpered Umbridge, "I think you'll find that what I think does count. Now, where is it? Cornelius just sent it..." she gave a little false laugh as she rummaged in her handbag, pulling out a piece of parchment that she unfurled with a smug flourish, clearing her throat fussily before starting to read what it said. "Hem, hem. 'Educational Decree Number Twenty-five.'"

"Not another one!" exclaimed Professor McGonagall violently.

"Well, yes," said Umbridge, still smiling. "As a matter of fact, Minerva, it was you who made me see that we needed further assistance. You remember how you overrode me, when I was unwilling to allow the Gryffindor Quidditch team to re-form? How you took the case to Dumbledore, who insisted that the team be allowed to play? Well now, I couldn't have that. I contacted the Minister at once, and he quite agreed with me that the High Inquisitor has to have the power to strip pupils of privileges, or she would have less authority than common teachers! You must see, don't you, Minerva, how right I was in attempting to stop the Gryffindor team re-forming? Dreadful tempers. Anyway, I was reading out our amendment... hem, hem... 'The High Inquisitor will henceforth have supreme authority over all punishments, sanctions, and removal of privileges pertaining to the students of Hogwarts, and the power to alter such punishments, sanctions, and removals of privileges as may have been ordered by other staff members. Signed, Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic, Order of Merlin First Class, etc., etc...'"

She rolled up the parchment and put it back into her handbag, still smiling. "So, I really think I will have to ban these two from playing Quidditch ever again," she said, looking from Harry to George and back again.

"Ban us?" Harry said, and his voice sounded strangely distant. "From playing... ever again?"

"Yes, Mr. Potter, I think a lifelong ban ought to do the trick," said Umbridge, her smile widening still further as she watched him struggle to comprehend what she had said. "You and Mr. Weasley here. And I think, to be safe, this young man's twin ought to be stopped too. If his teammates had not restrained him, I feel sure he would have attacked young Mr. Malfoy as well. I will want their broomsticks confiscated, of course; I shall keep them safely in my office, to make sure there is no infringement of my ban. Then a week of detention for the both of you to help you see the error of your ways. But I am not unreasonable, Professor McGonagall," she continued, turning back to Professor McGonagall who was now standing as still as though carved from ice, staring at her. "The rest of the team can continue playing for now, I saw no signs of violence from any of them. Well not yet at least. Good afternoon to you." She turned and strode out with a look of utmost satisfaction, leaving a horrified silence in her wake.