The Forgotten Twin

Chapter 23

— BY ORDER OF —

The Ministry of Magic

Dolores Jane Umbridge (High Inquisitor) has replaced Albus Dumbledore as Head of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The above is in accordance with Educational Decree Number Twenty-eight.

Signed:

Cornelius Oswald Fudge

MINISTER OF MAGIC

The notices had gone up all over the school overnight, and everyone knew generally what had happened, despite the rumors.

Dumbledore had fought off two Aurors, the High Inquisitor, the Minister of Magic, and his Junior Assistant to escape. No matter where Delilah went within the castle next day, the sole topic of conversation was Dumbledore's flight, and though the details changed with each retelling (Harry overheard one second-year girl assuring another that Fudge was now lying in St. Mungo's with a pumpkin for a head), it was surprising how similar each story was. Everybody seemed aware, for instance, that Harry and Marietta were the only students to have witnessed the scene in Dumbledore's office, and as Marietta was now in the hospital wing, Harry got besieged with requests to give a firsthand account wherever he went. Even in Potions people were staring at Harry more than usual, though not in a good way.

To top it all off, Delilah got a letter at breakfast. That alone would have been unusual, but what made it truly shocking was that it was from Umbridge.

If you are receiving this, then you are a trusted ally to the Ministry and shall meet in the High Inquisitor's office as soon as you get this to be informed of a delightful opportunity.

Delilah turned to Draco.

"Did you-?" She motioned to the letter. He nodded.

"Do you know-?"

"What the 'opportunity' is? No. We should go, see what's so important that we need to go asap."

Delilah nodded and they headed up to Umbridge's office. Once there, she was surprised to see Goyle and Pansy waiting outside the door, sitting on the floor. They sat a few feet away from them.

"Did you guys get a letter?" Goyle asked, holding up his own.

Draco nodded.

"Oh, of course the Prefects got them," Pansy snorted.

"Where is she?" said Delilah

"She's talking to Crabbe, she wanted to talk privately to each of us," Goyle explained.

The door opened and Crabbe came out. Delilah looked for any changes, but he looked normal. The only difference she could see was a small badge on his robes.

He whispered something to Goyle, then left. Goyle headed into Umbridge's office. When he returned he too wore the badge, but wouldn't answer any questions, only telling Pansy that it was her turn before leaving. When Pansy came back, the shiny badge was on her robes as well. She told Draco to head in and walked away.

He glanced at Delilah and went inside.

Somehow his turn seemed to take longer than the others. When the door reopened, she shot to her feet. He too had the badge. He motioned towards the door.

"It's your turn. I'll meet you in class, good luck."

Delilah nodded, studying him. Something seemed off, but she couldn't place what.

She headed into Umbridge's office. It was an overwhelming, bright pink room, with all the normal equipment and... cat plates on the wall? Was Umbridge that obsessed with cats?