𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐥𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 | √

⎡87⎦

Harry and I walked through halls, trying to find Umbridge's office. We passed a pamphlet station, where people were working almost like zombies, swishing their wand to make the paper move onto another's desk. Swish, swish, swish, swish. It was never ending.

"Runcorn," a man said as he passed. It was Pius. He had a trail of men following behind him.

That's when I noticed it. Behind us was a door that had a plaque saying,

DOLORES UMBRIDGE

SENIOR UNDERSECRETARY

TO THE MINISTER

I tugged Harry's sleeve, and he looked at the door. But right under that plaque was a moving eyeball. It looked exactly like Moody's. Wait, it was Moody's eye! And under the eye was another plaque that said,

HEAD OF THE MUGGLE-BORN

REGISTRATION COMMISION

I looked back at the dozens of pamphlet-makers: though they were intent upon their work, I could hardly suppose that they would not notice if the door of an empty office opened in front of them. Harry must've thought the same thing as he withdrew an object with little-waving legs and a rubber-bulbed horn for a body from an inner pocket.

The Decoy Detonator scuttled on the ground, multiplying as it went. It went through the legs of the witches and wizards at their desks. A few moments later, during which Harry and I crept towards the door, there came a loud bang, and lots of smoke billowed from all over the room. Pamphlets flew everywhere as everyone ran around. I turned the doorknob, stepped into Umbridge's office, and closed the door after Harry.

I felt like I had stepped back in time. The room was exactly like Umbridge's office at Hogwarts: Lace draperies, doilies, and dried flowers covered every available surface. The walls bore the same ornamental plates, each featuring a highly colored, beribboned kitten, gamboling and frisking with sickening cuteness. The desk was covered with a flouncy, flowered cloth.

Whipping out his wand, Harry said "Accio Locket."

Nothing happened, but I'm sure both he and I had not expected it to; no doubt Umbridge knew all about protective charms and spells. I hurried behind her desk, which had a wanted poster of Harry on it, and began pulling open the drawers. I saw quills, notebooks, and Spellotape; but no sign of a locket.

I pulled out one drawer; it had a bunch of letters and telegrams. I closed it again and opened another one. It had books in it. The titles read: "Mudbloods; How to Spot" Them and another said, "When Muggles Attack".

I reached for the central drawer and yanked it open, pulling out its contents. I pulled out folders, each labeled with a name. However, the file on top stopped me from my search: Mr. Weasley's file.

ARTHUR WEASLEY

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BLOOD STATUS: Pureblood, but with unacceptable pro- Muggle leanings. Known member of the Order of the Phoenix.

FAMILY: Wife (pureblood), seven children, two youngest at Hogwarts. N.B.: Youngest son currently not at Hogwarts, Ministry inspectors have confirmed.

SECURITY STATUS: TRACKED. All movements are being monitored. Strong likelihood Undesirable No. 1 will contact (has stayed with Weasley family previously)