Emma Potter; Going to War

22: Meeting at Midnight

I felt happier for the rest of the weekend than I had done all term. Zoe and Nicholas spent much of Sunday catching up with all their homework again, and although this could hardly be called fun, the last burst of autumn sunshine persisted, so rather than sitting hunched over tables in the common room, they took their work outside and lounged in the shade of a large beech tree on the edge of the lake. I, who of course was up to date with all my work,brought a book and joined them, Draco got his broom polishing kit out. 

The knowledge that we were doing something to resist Umbridge and the Ministry, and that I was a key part of the rebellion, gave me a feeling of immense satisfaction. I kept reliving Saturday's meeting in us mind: all those people, coming to  me to learn Defense Against the Dark Arts . . . and the looks on their faces as they had heard some of the things we had done. The knowledge that all  those people did not think me a lying weirdo, but someone to be admired, buoyed me up so much that I was still cheerful on Monday morning, despite the imminent prospect of most of my least favorite classes.

A large sign had been affixed to the Slytherin notice board, so large that it covered everything else on there — the lists of secondhand spell books for sale, the regular reminders of school rules from Argus Filch, the Quidditch team training schedule, the offers to barter certain Chocolate Frog cards for others, the dates of the Hogsmeade weekends, and the lost and-found notices. The new sign was printed in large black letters and there was a highly official-looking seal at the bottom beside a neat and curly signature.  

-----BY ORDER OF------

THE HIGH INQUISITOR OF HOGWARTS

All Student Organizations, Societies, Teams, Groups, and Clubs are henceforth disbanded.

 An Organization, 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 Organization, 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 Organization, Society, Team, Group, or Club that has notbeen approved by the High Inquisitor will be expelled.The above is in accordance with Educational Decree Number Twenty-four. 

Signed:  

Doleres Jane Umbridge

HIGH INQUISITOR

Me and my friends read the notice over the heads of some anxious looking second years."Does this mean they're going to shut down the Gobstones Club?"one of them asked his friend. 

"I reckon you'll be okay with Gobstones," Ryan said darkly, making the second year jump. 

"I don't think we're going to be as lucky,though, do you?" he asked me as the second years hurried away. 

I was reading the notice through again. The happiness that had filled me since Saturday was gone. My insides were pulsing with rage. 

"This isn't a coincidence," Zoe said, her hands forming fists. "She knows." 

"She can't," said Astoria at once. 

"There were people listening in that pub. And let's face it, we don't know how many of the people who turned up we can trust. . . . Any of them could have run off and told Umbridge. . . ." 

"Yes" said Zoe thoughtfully "we did go back the next day. . .He's right, Ems. She could know."

No, they couldn't. . .