Sarafina Weasley: Book 5

High Inquisitor

Sarafina's POV

I was patrolling again after reading Percy's letter. As one of the prefects became sick and needed someone to the take over. And I just wanted some alone time, when I was pulled into a broom closet and kissed senseless. "That had better be you Draco" I say annoyed pulling away.

"Who else?" he asks and I could just imagine the cheeky smirk on his face. "I haven't seen you lately and you ditched our date" he says pouting.

"Draco, I'm really busy with the new job, studying and quidditch. I wanted to go on our date, but there have been so many complaints recently. Mainly about Umbridge and her way of teaching" I state.

"I agree she's not the best teacher, but your loyalty should be to the school and ministry" he states.

"You sound like Percy" I grumble annoyed. "I'm the only student keeping students from leaving Hogwarts. I am loyal to this school, but I'll never be loyal to the ministry or Umbridge. You know what Harry says is true" I say gently.

"Yes, but I'm trying to forget it while at school. I wanted to focus on us, quidditch and studying" he states. "Look things are about to change here and I don't want that to affect us. Please promise not to get on Umbridge's bad side?" he asks.

"Ok, and I promise the next Hogsmeade trip. I'm all yours" I tell him.

"Good, because I have an amazing date planned for us" he states. He kisses me one last time before we went our separate ways. I finished my patrol before going to bed.

(Next morning)

"In a surprise move last night the Ministry of Magic passed new legislation giving itself an unprecedented level of control at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The Minister for Magic has been growing uneasy about goings-on at Hogwarts for some time said Junior Assistant to the Minister for Magic Percy Weasley. He is now responding to concerns voiced by anxious parents, who feel the school may be moving in a direction they do not approve.

This is not the first time in recent weeks Fudge has used new laws to effect improvements at the wizarding school. As recently as 30 August, Educational Degree twenty threewas passed, to ensure that, in the event of the current Headmaster being unable to provide a candidate for a teaching post, the Ministry should select an appropriate person" I read aloud. Hermione then continues to read the article.

'That's how Dolores Umbridge came to be appointed to the teaching staff at Hogwarts,' said Weasley last night. 'Dumbledore couldn't find anyone, so the Minister put in Umbridge and of course, she's been an immediate success, totally revolutionising the teaching of and providing the Minister with on-the-ground feedback about what's really happening at Hogwarts.'

It is this last function that the Ministry has now formalised with the passing of Educational Decree Number Twenty-Three, which creates the new position of 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 Defense Against the Dark Arts post, and we are delighted to say that she has accepted'" she reads.

"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 that Dumbledore is being subjected to fair and objective evaluation' said 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 will be 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 hiring 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 not longer up to the task of managing the prestigious school of Hogwarts.

'I think the appointment of the Inquisitor is a first step toward ensuring that Hogwarts has a headmaster in whom we can all repose 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.'

(For a full account of Madam Marchbanks' alleged links to subversive goblin groups, turn to page 17)" Hermione and I finish reading it together. I just leave the hall and head to my first lesson. No doubt I'll be receiving many complaints today and I just want some peace before then.

A/N

Picture above of Education Degree Number Twenty Three and video above of some of the article.