SuperPotterLock - The Order of the Phoenix

Educational Decree Number Twenty-Four

Dean was preoccupied by thoughts of his encounter with a Demon for much of the weekend, but, as always, Cas found a way to focus his attention. The last burst of autumn sunshine persisted, so they sat outside with their homework, instead of hunching over a table in the library. Cas brought his cauldron with him and coaxed Dean into teaching him some more, but found he still had a block about some ingredients, and the fire. Dean gently helped him move past his frustration and he completed his first fifth-year potion almost perfectly. His smile at his success was enough to put Dean in a good mood for the rest of the day, and he went to bed on Sunday night feeling upbeat and ready to help Harry teach.

Dean was up early on Monday morning, and was the first to see the large sign affixed to the Gryffindor noticeboard, covering everything else on it. It was printed in large black letters and there was an official seal at the bottom beside a neat and curly signature. Dean squinted at it, reading it slowly.

BY ORDER OF THE HIGH INQUISITOR OF HOGWARTS

All student organisations, societies, teams, groups and clubs are henceforth disbanded.

An organisation, society, team, group or club is hereby defined as a regular meeting of three or more students.

Permission to reform may be sought from the High Inquisitor (Professor Umbridge).

No student organisation, society, team, group or club may exist without the knowledge and approval of the High Inquisitor.

Any student found to have formed, or to belong to, an organisation, society, team, group or club that has not been approved by the High Inquisitor will be expelled.

The above is in accordance with Educational Decree Number Twenty-four.

Signed: Dolores Jane Umbridge, High Inquisitor

In the time it took for Dean to read it, others began to notice it too, as they emerged from their dormitories.

'Does this mean they're going to shut down the Gobstones Club?' an anxious second-year said next to Dean.

'I reckon you'll be all right with Gobstones,' Ron said behind them, making them both jump. 'I don't reckon we'll be so lucky,' he said to Harry and Dean, as the second-year hurried away.

'This can't be a coincidence,' Harry said, clenching his fists. 'She knows.'

'She can't,' Ron said at once.

'There were people listening in that pub. And let's face it, we don't know how many people who turned up we can trust... any of them could have run off and told Umbridge...'

'Zacharias Smith!' said Ron. 'Or - I thought that Michael Corner had a really shifty look, too-'

Dean rolled his eyes. 'Please, you're only saying that 'cause he's going out with your sister.'

'That's totally not-'

'I wonder if Hermione's seen this yet,' Harry interrupted, looking around at the girls' dormitories.

'Let's go and tell her,' said Ron.

'Oh, I wouldn't do that,' Dean said, but Ron was already bounding towards the spiral staircase.

He was on the sixth stair when there was a loud, wailing klaxon-like sound and the steps melted together to make a long, smooth stone slide. There was a brief moment when Ron tried to keep running, arms working like windmills, then he toppled over backwards and slid back down, landing at Harry's feet.