Hermione untied the newspaper from Dryncorpse's leg and read the headline.
"The Truth Behind Slander and Rumors: Senior Inquisitor Umbridge's Journey of Struggle"
Ron glanced at Umbridge's portrait in the paper and made an exaggerated retching sound.
Suddenly, an unfamiliar owl landed before Harry. The letter read: 'Hogwarts, Harry Potter.' He frowned, opening it.
"Hey! This witch wrote saying she resubscribed to The Quibbler because of the 'Pink Lady' story. She says she believes me!" Harry said excitedly.
Wings fluttered as three more owls swooped down, jostling each other, trampling butter and knocking over pepper, each hoping their letter arrived first.
"Harry, do you mind if we..." Hermione asked tentatively.
"Course not, open them," Harry said, hastily moving the milk jug. Ron grabbed one randomly while Orli and Hermione each opened a letter.
"Mine's nothing special. This person seems conflicted—doesn't believe any Ministry official, but also doesn't believe You-Know-Who returned," Orli said, tossing it aside and cleaning the table's mess with magic.
"Mine says you and Dumbledore are conspirators, throwing mud at a 'helpless female investigator alone at Hogwarts,' saying you two are... never mind." Ron crumpled the letter into a ball.
"Oh, this person says you changed his mind! 'After reading The Quibbler, I realized The Prophet's previous coverage was unfair,'" Hermione said excitedly.
As they read, Harry's expression roller-coastered through emotions.
That morning, they trudged through mud to Herbology, robes whipping in wind. Rain hammered the greenhouse roof like hail, drowning out Professor Sprout's lecture. Care of Magical Creatures, originally outdoors, moved to a first-floor classroom.
Before noon, enormous notices plastered the school—bulletin boards, corridors, classrooms:
HOGWARTS SENIOR INQUISITOR DECREE
Any student found possessing The Quibbler magazine will be expelled immediately. Daily Prophet delivery changes from morning to noon daily, distributed after content verification.
Signed:Senior InquisitorDolores Jane Umbridge
Every time Orli saw these notices, her mood soared. Like posting giant Quibbler advertisements everywhere—every word revealing Umbridge's guilt and fear.
At lunch, though no magazine corners showed in the Great Hall, the entire school buzzed about the 'Pink Lady.' Even during bathroom breaks, people whispered in stalls. Umbridge still hadn't appeared. Taking advantage, they split up—notifying Ginny, Fred, and Ernie about tonight's eight-thirty group session. Afterward, they returned to their circles, spreading word of the gathering.
At seven-thirty, Orli, Harry, Hermione, and Ron left the Gryffindor common room. Harry clutched the Marauder's Map, nervously looking around.
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