𝐋𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐝 {𝐇. 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫}

76

"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 re-form 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."

Johnny, Theo and Blaise read the notice over the heads of some anxious-looking second-years.

"Does this mean they're going to shut down the Gobstones Club?" one of them asked his friend.

"I reckon you'll be OK with Gobstones," Theo said darkly, making the second-year jump. "I don't think we're going to be as lucky, though, do you?" he asked Johnny as the second-years hurried away.

Johnny was reading the notice through again. The happiness that had filled him since Saturday was gone. His insides were pulsing with rage.

"This isn't a coincidence," Johnny said, his hands forming fists. "She knows."

"She can't," said Blaise at once.

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

"Bet it was that bastard, Zacharias Smith!" said Theo at once, punching a fist into his hand. "Or--I thought that Michael Corner had a really shifty look, too-"

"I wonder if Hermione's seen this yet?" Johnny said. Johnny, Theo and Blaise exited the Slytherin Common Room and ran as fast they could up to the Great Hall. Hermione was there with Harry, Ron, Pansy, Mia and Daphne.

"Someone must have blabbed to her!" Johnny whispered angrily, taking the seat next to his girlfriend. Theo sat opposite them next to Daphne and Blaise sat opposite Harry.

"They can't have done," said Hermione in a low voice.

"You're so naive," said Ron, glaring at the six Slytherin's, "you think just because you're all honourable and trustworthy-"

"It wasn't the Slytherin's, Ron, I would've known, because I put a jinx on that piece of parchment we all signed," said Hermione grimly. "Believe me, if anyone's run off and told Umbridge, we'll know exactly who they are and they will really regret it."

"See, so fuck you, Weasley," Blaise said, flipping the redhead off.

"What'll happen to them?" said Johnny eagerly, resting his head on his palm, and gazing at Hermione.

"Well, put it this way," said Hermione, "it'll make Eloise Midgeon's acne look like a couple of cute freckles."

"You're brilliant," Johnny said in awe. Hermione giggled, a faint blush on her cheeks as she leaned into kiss him quickly.

The nine of them had barely started eating when Selena, Nick, Kieran, Summer and Amber descended upon them.

"Did you see it?" Selena asked

"D'you reckon she knows?" Nick asked

"What are we going to do?" Amber asked.

They were all looking at Harry and Johnny. The two boys glanced around to make sure there were no teachers near them. They then shared a looked and nodded.