"Have you all heard?" Seamus, the Demolition Prodigy who had successfully advanced to fifth year, shouted.
"Umbridge went storming off to the Headmaster's Office to see Headmaster Dumbledore with that line of words on her face."
"That happened half an hour ago. Your news is out of date, Seamus," another young wizard said loudly. "Etel from Ravenclaw saw Umbridge leave the Castle."
"So did she go to Dumbledore to resign because she was embarrassed? Does that mean we're getting a new Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts? Even Professor Snape would be better than Umbridge."
The young witch's words drew nods of agreement from several young wizards. Although Snape was equally unpopular, full of venom, and particularly hostile toward Gryffindor, he was not actually unbearable as long as they behaved themselves.
At least he was much better than Umbridge, who insisted on acting like a young girl despite her age.
Similar exchanges took place in the other three houses. Even some Slytherins expressed delight at Umbridge's departure.
That showed just how unpopular Umbridge had made herself in such a short time.
But the young wizards' happiness lasted only a short while, not even as long as the interval between two Defense Against the Dark Arts lessons.
What was coming would come.
News that Umbridge had been appointed Hogwarts High Inquisitor by the Ministry of Magic immediately spread through the Castle.
This was a very new term. Students with family members working at the Ministry of Magic stated explicitly that this was the first time they had heard of the position.
Inquisitor did not sound like a particularly friendly word.
And indeed, it was not.
"I have orders from the Ministry of Magic, and I have informed Dumbledore. I do not need a password. I may freely enter any room