The Hogwarts High Inquisitor

The Daily Prophet announces Educational Decree Twenty-three: Dolores Umbridge is appointed Hogwarts High Inquisitor with authority to inspect teachers. Hermione reads the article aloud, citing Ministry overreach and support from figures like Percy Weasley and Lucius Malfoy. Ron anticipates Umbridge clashing with McGonagall, while classes proceed with heightened tension and harsh O.W.L.-standard marking from Snape.

Umbridge inspects Divination, pressing Trelawney to make a prediction and recording critical notes. In Defense Against the Dark Arts, Umbridge orders silent reading; when Hermione challenges Slinkhard’s views, Umbridge penalizes her. Harry retorts about Quirrell-Voldemort and receives another week of detentions with the blood quill.

Angelina publicly berates Harry for missing practices; McGonagall intervenes, warns Harry about his temper, and deducts points, which angers him. In Transfiguration, Umbridge repeatedly “hem-hems,” but McGonagall pointedly continues teaching advanced Vanishing and coolly dismisses the interruption, showcasing resistance to Umbridge’s authority.

Later, Umbridge inspects Care of Magical Creatures with Grubbly-Plank. She probes Hagrid’s absence and solicits negative accounts; Malfoy cites his hippogriff injury, prompting Harry to defend Hagrid and earn yet another detention. Umbridge departs, satisfied with Grubbly-Plank’s conventional syllabus.

After a painful detention, Harry returns to the common room, where Hermione treats his hand with murtlap essence. Discussing Umbridge’s useless Defense curriculum, Hermione proposes that students learn practical defense themselves, with Harry as teacher. Harry protests, calling his past victories luck, erupts over the reality of facing Voldemort, then calms when Hermione says his experience is exactly what they need. He agrees to think about leading the group as his scar prickles again that night.