☤ Pseudonym ☤

~Chapter Fourteen~

There was a strong sense of accomplishment amongst our little group for the rest of the weekend and we decided that Sunday was a good a day as any to finally catch up on our immense workload.

Hermione had of course already finished every assignment we had been set, so she decided to work on her knitting for S.P.E.W. The last burst of autumn sunshine still hung around so we lounged in the shade of a large beech tree by the edge of the lake. Dean also decided to join us which was nice as I did not see him a lot, with all the time I spent with the golden trio. 

My mind kept wandering to the handsome boy who I had spoken to the day before. I remembered spending quite a bit of time with him in third year. He was my first kiss and I had the biggest crush on him at the time. I kind of hoped that he might ask me out. I think I am starting to get over a Cedric. Well not really, but I think it's time to stop wallowing in my grief. 

We returned to the Gryffindor common room to find a small group of people crowding around the noticeboard. A new sign was printed in large black letters, it read:

BY ORDER OF THE HIGH INQUISITOR OF HOGWARTS

All student organisations, societies, teams, groups and clubs are henceforth disbanded.

An organisation, 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 organisation, 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 organisation, society, team, group or club that has not been approved by the High Inquisitor will be expelled.

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

Signed: Dolores Jane Umbridge, High Inquisitor

"Does this mean they're going to shut down the Gobstones Club?" I heard a second year whisper to his friend.

"I reckon you'll be OK with Gobstones," Ron said darkly, making the second-year jump. "I don't think we're going to be as lucky, though, do you?" he asked Harry as the second-years hurried away.

The afterglow of a good weekend evaporated and my insides pulsed with rage. It seemed I was not the only one. "This isn't a coincidence," Harry said, his hands forming fists. "She knows."

"She can't," said Ron 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 ..." I whispered to them. 

"Zacharias Smith!" said Ron at once, punching a fist into his hand. "Or--I thought that Michael Corner had a really shifty look, too--"

"What about Oliver Rivers, he was looking a bit suspicious." Harry replied. 

I frowned, "No it wouldn't have been him. He's a good guy. He wouldn't betray us like that." I defended him, though I am not sure why. 

"Why are you defending him so much?" Harry seethed. 

"No one betrayed us, alright?" Hermione piped up, drawing our attention.

"You're so naive," said Ron, "you think just because you're all honourable and trustworthy --"