Hermione rubbed her chin.
"She must have written something in her monthly exam report that convinced Fudge this high-pressure management system was effective. Now, with Fudge's backing, she's extending rules aimed at a minority to everyone."
"Classic boiling the frog."
Harry spoke quietly.
Ron looked at him.
"Who taught you that expression?"
"The professor."
Click. Click. Click.
Pink low heels struck the flagstones with a rhythm as regular as a metronome.
Umbridge emerged from around the corner.
A pink cardigan, a cat-faced brooch, and a fresh stack of pink parchment in her hand.
When she saw the students gathered around the noticeboard, a sweet smile spread across her face.
"Good morning, students."
No one responded.
Umbridge did not mind in the slightest.
She walked up to the noticeboard, took an iron nail and a small hammer from her pocket, and nailed the fresh stack of parchment beside the old regulations.
"These are this week's supplementary rules,"
she said, turning to face everyone.
"They include spacing standards for corridor marching formations, requirements for carrying textbooks, and-"
"Madam Deputy Director," Hermione spoke up.
Umbridge looked at her.
"Miss Granger?"
"What is the legal basis for these regulations?"
Umbridge's smile did not change.
"Educational Decree Number Twenty-Two, clause seven, article three: 'The High Inquisitor has the authority to propose regulatory recommendations concerning the daily management of Hogwarts, which shall take immediate effect upon approval by the Academic Affairs Office.'"
"Upon approval by the Academic Affairs Office?" Hermione pressed. "Has Director Black approved them?"
The corner of Umbridge's eye twitched.
"Director Black is currently away from school."
"Then who approved them?"
"I did."
Umbridge spoke.
"As Academic Affairs Office Deputy Director, I have the authority to sign daily management regulations during the director's absence. This is explicitly stipulated in chapter eleven, section four of