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The new decree has gone up all over the school overnight, but it does not explain how every single person within the castle seems to know that Dumbledore had overcome two Aurors, the High Inquisitor, the Minister of Magic, and his Junior Assistant to escape. No matter where I go within the castle the following day, the sole topic of conversation is Dumbledore's flight.
"She's officially taken over the whole school," I say on the way back from Herbology after Harry has just told our story to Hannah, Ernie, and Justin. "If this wasn't a prison before, it's about to become one."
"Dumbledore will be back before long," Ernie says confidently. "They couldn't keep him away in our second year and they won't be able to this time."
"The Fat Friar told me–" Justin says, lowering his voice significantly. "That Umbridge tried to get back into Dumbledore's office last night after they'd searched the castle and grounds for him. She couldn't get past the gargoyle. The office has sealed itself against her."
"Apparently she had a right little tantrum," Ernie adds with a satisfied smirk.
"She probably really fancied herself sitting up there," Hannah snorts as we walk up the stone steps into the entrance hall. "Thank Merlin she couldn't get in or else it'd look like someone threw up pink cotton candy in there."
"Now, do you really want to finish that sentence, Granger?"
Malfoy slides out from behind the door, followed by Crabbe and Goyle. His pale, pointed face is alight with malice.
"I'm afraid I'm going to have to dock a few points from Gryffindor and Hufflepuff," he drawls.
"Wow, someone thinks he holds that power now that he's prefect," I snort. "What a big boy, Malfoy."
"Only teachers can dock points from Houses, Malfoy," says Ernie.
"Yeah, we're prefects too, remember?" Ron snarls.
"I know prefects can't dock points, Adair, Weasel King," Malfoy sneers; Crabbe and Goyle snigger. "But members of the Inquisitorial Squad–"
"The what?" Hermione says sharply.
"The Inquisitorial Squad, Granger," Malfoy answers, pointing towards a tiny silver 'I' on his robes just beneath his prefect's badge. "A select group of students who are supportive of the Ministry of Magic, handpicked by Professor Umbridge."
"Oh," I let out a derisive scoff. "I thought the 'I' stood for idiots. I thought you were trying to tell all of us something we already knew."
Malfoy shoots me a sharp glare.
"Anyways, members of the Inquisitorial Squad do have the power to dock points," he continues on. "So, Adair, I'll have ten from you for being rude to me. Macmillan, five for contradicting me... five, Potter, just because I don't like you... Weasley, your shirt's untucked, so another five for that... Oh yeah, I forgot, you're a Mudblood, Granger, so ten for that!"
