The Hufflepuff

Seven

On Monday morning, after staying curled up in the warm dormitory as long as they could, Eleanor and Susan made their way sleepily into the common room, a commotion in the corner of the common room catching their attention and they push their way through the crowd as Eleanor spots a new official-looking notice pinned to the board.

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.

"Someone must have gone to Umbridge after the meeting at the Hogs Head," Susan says to Eleanor as they search the room for Cynthia.

"Nevermind that, what about the Hufflepost? And Quidditch? There's a chance teams won't be allowed to re-form!" Announces a panicked Cynthia from behind the two, clearly already having seen the notice.

"Well let's go to breakfast and we'll have to find the others and let them know that we'll see Umbridge about getting the Hufflepost approved. You should speak to the Hufflepuff captain about quidditch too Cyn." Eleanor says, staying as calm as she could at the thought of losing the newspaper they had only just begun.

"Do you think we should go ask Harry and the others about what's going to happen with the meetings?" Susan whispers as Ernie and Hannah make their way to the Gryffindor table.

But before they can Hermione begins to shoo the others away silently, clearly alarmed at the thought of a large crowd gathering.

"Best not," Cynthia replies.

Snatching only a few pieces of toast, Eleanor and Cynthia leave Susan to find the other members of the newspaper while they speak to Umbridge, the Hufflepuff quidditch captain - Summerby, tagging along, relieved to have others with him to speak with Umbridge.

They find her, sitting rather smugly in her office enjoying a cup of tea.

"Can I help you?" She asks as the three of them stand awkwardly in front of her desk.

"Uh, yes Professor," Begins the quidditch captain, "We wanted to speak to you about reforming the Hufflepuff quidditch team-"

"And the student newspaper," Cynthia interrupts, earning herself a jab in the ribs from a nervous Eleanor.

"Ah yes, well, I think we can arrange that for the Quidditch team. I don't believe any of your members have had any major disciplinary issues. As for the newspaper, I don't know if it is entirely appropriate-"

"We don't write anything bad. It's mainly just news about the different clubs, upcoming school dates, advice columns and the like. Please Professor," Eleanor pleads, "If it would help, we could run copies past you first for approval."

This last part was very satisfactory for Umbridge who, with her toady grin, agrees and then allows them on their way to their first class for the day.

"For her approval?" Cynthia hisses at an ecstatic Eleanor, not sharing her same excitement for the continuance of a paper that she wouldn't have freedom with.

"Yes. For her approval, you and Susan will have to work on strengthening those concealment charms so that Umbridge can't undo them and see all the unapproved stories you write. Especially if we're going to be posting news about the meetings."