Extraordinary (Sign it Series; BOOK 2)

Chapter 23

What the hell does Professor Toad think she's doing?

The Gryffindor first years were squished together, looking at Polly's copy of the Daily Prophet. The petite girl had her arms extended as far as she could, and all of them were attempting to read it.

"High Inquisitor?" read Euan aloud. "I've never heard of that."

"Why doesn't one person read it out loud, so we aren't crowding Polly." Allie suggested.

"I'll do it," Simon volunteered. Polly passed him the paper, and the other's rushed to sit down.

"MINISTRY SEEKS EDUCATIONAL REFORM

DOLORES UMBRIDGE APPOINTED FIRST-EVER "HIGH INQUISITOR"

"You know what needs Educational Reforms," Eve said, "Her own first class we had."

Maddy nodded, and touched her wrists subconsciously.

"Keep reading, Simon," Max replied.

"In a surprise move last night the Minister of Magic passed new legislation giving itself an unprecedented level of control at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

'The Minister has been growing uneasy about goings-on at Hogwarts for some for some time' said Junior Assistant to the Minister, Percy Weasley. 'He is now responding to concerns voiced by anxious parents who feel the school may be moving in a direction they do not approve.'"

Simon stopped, before looking at Maddy, "Percy's the brother we were forbidden to talk about over the summer?"

That's the one.

"This is not the first time in recent weeks Fudge has used new laws to effect improvements at the Wizarding school. As recently as August 30th Educational Decree Twenty-two was passed, to ensure that, in the event of the current headmaster being unable to provide a candidate for the teaching post, the Ministry should select an appropriate person.

'That's how Dolores Umbridge came to be appointed to the teaching staff at Hogwarts' said Weasley last night. 'Dumbledore couldn't find anyone, so the Minister put in Umbridge and of course, she's been an immediate success —'

There was a collective outroar among the eleven year olds.

I've learned nothing this entire year. They could've found someone suitable.

"Wasn't your father a Defence teacher, Maddy?" asked Polly.

Maddy nodded.

"But her father was a werewolf?" Euan pointed out.

"How's a half-toad any better?" Allie snapped.

"My brother always talked really great about Professor Lupin. He was upset to see him go." Polly said.

"Rose said something similar," Simon pointed out. "Let's finish the article, we still have classes to go to."

"— totally revolutionizing the teaching of Defence Against the Dark Arts and providing the Minister with on-the-ground feedback about what's really happening at Hogwarts.

It is this last function that the Ministry has now formalized with the passing of Educational Decree Twenty-three, which creates the new position of 'Hogwarts High Inquisitor'.

'This is an exciting new phase in the Minister's plan to get grips with what some are calling the "falling standards" at Hogwarts,' said Weasley. 'The Inquisitor will have powers to inspect her fellow educators and make sure that they are coming up to scratch. Professor Umbridge has been offered this position in addition to her own teaching post, and we are delighted to say that she has accepted.'