Dolores Umbridge had barely taken office before she began using every trick at her disposal to gather allies and form factions, consolidating her power and position at Hogwarts. She knew perfectly well that she could never control Hogwarts alone. Filch, whom she had recruited earlier, had proven far less reliable than expected. She needed more helpers to share the pressure and, incidentally, create conflicts to divert the students' attention.
Thus, the Investigation Action Group was swiftly established through an Educational Decree. Umbridge intended to use those privileged positions to win over the influential Slytherin students. She knew that the descendants of pure-blood wizards loved such privileges.
With no one standing in her way, Umbridge directly appointed Malfoy and his gang as members of the Investigation Action Group, granting them its various powers and silver badges marked with an "I" as symbols of their status.
Just as Umbridge had wished, Hogwarts soon descended into chaos. Having gained power, the Slytherins became as arrogant and overbearing as expected, using the authority Umbridge had given them to ruthlessly suppress the other three Houses and successfully divert the students' attention.
There was no helping it. In only half a day, while the emeralds in the Slytherin hourglass remained unchanged, the gems in the Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff hourglasses had all dwindled sharply.
Students from the three Houses gritted their teeth as they glared at that arrogant lot, wishing they could pull out their wands and teach them an unforgettable lesson at once.
Faced with Malfoy's provocation, Harry ultimately held himself back and watched Malfoy's trio leave amid laughter with disgust.
"Damn it!"
Ron viciously kicked the wall, wishing he could kill them. It had been Malfoy's gang who had subdued Ginny.
"What the hell are Fred and George doing?"
"Calm down, Ron," Hermione reminded