Redamancy (d.m)

Chapter forty three-D.M

"You are not getting on a broom with that hand of yours" Angelina ordered the next day at quidditch practice
"I sure am" I said casually, swinging a leg over my firebolt and vigorously shaking my left hand in her face, "look-I'm all healed"

I soared high into the air before Angelina could protest, ignoring the jeers of Slytherins in the bleachers who were hoping to catch a glimpse of Ron's first practice as the new Gryffindor keeper.

"What's that Weasley riding?" Malfoy called loudly from the stands, and Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy shrieked with laughter, "Why would anyone put a flying charm on a moldy old log like that?"
"Okay everyone, we're going to start with some passes just to warm up, the whole team please-" Angelina was cut off by a shrill voice
"Hey Johnson, what's with the hairstyle, anyway?" Pansy yelled, "Why would anyone want to look like they've got worms coming out of her head?"
"You wanna see worms?" I said smiling, flying down to where she sat and pulling out my wand, "Vermiculus!"

Pansy cried out, her limbs flaying around as she steadily started to shrink out of her large robes, her skin starting to wrinkle and prune until she flopped around engulfed in a sea of black and green robes, now a measly pink worm. I grinned wickedly as I returned to practice, my teammates doubling over in laughter.

"Bloody hell Ron what're you doing?" I said reprovingly as I zoomed past him to Katie Bell, who had been hit by a quaffle Ron had sent hurtling into her nose, "Episky"

There was a sharp crack as the bones in Katie's nose magically rearranged themselves, and she smiled gratefully at me through a mouth of blood

"Thanks" she said, wiping her mouth with her quidditch robes
"No problem, why don't you get that cleaned up?" I said, ignoring the laughter coming from the Slytherins

MINISTRY SEEKS EDUCATIONAL REFORM
DOLORES UMBRIDGE APPOINTED FIRST EVER "HIGH INQUISITOR"
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 has been growing uneasy about going-ons at Hogwarts for some time' said junior assistant to the minister, 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 August 30th Educational Decree Twenty-two was 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.
'That's how Dolores Umbridge came to be appointed to the teaching staff at Hogwarts,' said Weasley last night. 'Dumbledore couldn't find any- one, so the Minister put in Umbridge and of course, she's been an immediate success

At this, I snorted into my morning pumpkin juice as Hermione read aloud the front page daily prophet article

"So now we know how we ended up with Umbridge" Hermione concluded, tossing aside the paper, "Fudge passed this educational decree and forced her on us! And now he's given her the power to inspect other teachers! I can't believe this, it's outrageous..."

Professor Umbridge was not present during History of Magic, nor Potions, in which i received my marked moonstone essay with a large black 'O' scribbled on the top right. I stared at the black ink in disbelief-Professor Snape awarding a gryffindor an 'Outstanding' was virtually unheard of. I leaned over to my right to see what grade Harry had gotten and raised my eyebrows. His parchment donned a spiky black 'D' for 'Dreadful', which sparked amusement not because I found joy in my friend's misfortune, but because I had let Harry copy his essay from mine.