SCARLETT: THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX

Chapter 11: The 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."

"They can't do this." I said shortly after reading it. "She can't do this." I clipped the article back onto the board. "This can't be happening."

"Well, that means she's inspecting all the teachers." said Hermione.

"She might be accessing Trewlawney. I have her next." I said.

*
When we stepped into the Divination classroom after class, I saw Umbridge in her bright pink cardigan and bow sitting in the corner of the room. Professor Trelawney was standing in another corner looking terrified and shaky because of her appearance. Now I understood that I wasn't  the only one thinking that her job was in jeopardy.

"Good afternoon class," Trelawney said. "Today we are going to continue studying our dreams."

Neville and I turned to one another and grimaced. As much as we hated this class, we knew that we were going to have to pretend to love it if there was any chance of sparing her job. Of course, that was going to be very difficult considering we both always thought of the class as a joke.

"So...did you have any dreams recently?" I asked Neville.

"Er...there was one about..." he said trying to think of one. "Oh! There was one that I had about flying on a broomstick. I kept falling off like I did before and everyone kept laughing."

"Well that's miserable," I said.

"What about you?" he asked trying to change the subject.