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AS A DULL MARCH BLURRED INTO A SQUALLY APRIL, Este Black's life seemed to have become one long series of worries and problems again. The teachers persisted in reminding them, the O.W.L.s were drawing ever nearer. All the fifth years were suffering from stress to some degree, but Hannah Abbott became the first to receive a Calming Draught from Madam Pomfrey after she burst into tears during Herbology and sobbed that she was too stupid to take exams and wanted to leave school now. Este, that following day asked for a potion that would minimize her nosebleeds. But what went from bad to worse was when Este woke up one morning and found this, posted on the Slytherin notice boards.
— by order of —
The Ministry of Magic
Dolores Jane Umbridge (High Inquisitor) has replaced Albus Dumbledore as Head of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The above is in accordance with Educational Decree Number Twenty-eight.
Signed:
Cornelius Oswald Fudge, Minister of Magic
And before she went off to lessons, Draco had led her, Atlas, Mattheo, and a few more Slytherins to Umbridge's office. "Madam," Draco said politely, "I've brought you the people you requested."
"Wonderful, Draco," Umbridge said, in that sweet and girlish voice that made Este boil with anger. She made a round eyeing everyone and when she passed Este, she gave a slight hum. "I have handpicked you all to be made members of my Inquisitorial Squad." Umbridge went on to explain the duties of a member and the powers, before handing each of them a tiny silver pin. "Run along to classes now." The students nodded before hurriedly leaving Umbridge's office and heading to the Great Hall.
After their first lesson, Este, Mattheo, Atlas, and Draco were hanging around in the entrance hall, right behind the door with their group of friends when Ernie Macmillan, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and Harry Potter entered, coming back from Herbology.
"Oh, I expect she really fancied herself sitting up there in the Head's office," said Hermione viciously, as they walked up the stone steps into the entrance hall. "Lording it over all the other teachers, the stupid puffed-up, power-crazy old —"
"Now, do you really want to finish that sentence, Granger?" Draco had slid out from behind the door, followed by Crabbe and Goyle. His pale, pointed face was alight with malice. "Afraid I'm going to have to dock a few points from Gryffindor and Hufflepuff," he drawled.
"It's only teachers that can dock points from Houses, Malfoy," said Ernie at once.
