Izzy was doing her morning walk when she heard the cries of Professor Trelawney echoing through the hallways. Her steps quickened, and she made her way toward the source of the commotion. The scene that greeted her in the Entrance Hall was one of chaos and distress.
Professor Trelawney stood near the grand staircase, her face streaked with tears, and her voice rising in desperate pleas. Surrounding her were her belongings, haphazardly strewn about as if they had been unceremoniously thrown from her quarters. Dolores Umbridge stood nearby, her expression one of cold satisfaction.
"You have been dismissed, Sybill," Umbridge's voice was sharp and unforgiving. "Pack your things and leave the castle at once."
Students and teachers alike had gathered, whispering and casting worried glances at the spectacle. Izzy pushed through the crowd, her eyes narrowing as she approached Umbridge.
"What's going on here?" Izzy demanded, her voice cutting through the murmurs.
Umbridge turned her gaze to Izzy, her smile tight and condescending. "Miss Black, this is none of your concern. Professor Trelawney is being removed from her post for failing to meet the required standards set by the Ministry."
Izzy's eyes flashed with anger. "You can't just throw her out like this. She's a member of the Hogwarts staff, and she deserves to be treated with respect."
Trelawney sobbed harder, clutching a sherry bottle with trembling hands. "Please, Dolores, I've given my life to this school."
Before Umbridge could retort, Professor Dumbledore appeared, his presence commanding immediate attention. He walked over to Trelawney, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Sybill, you will not be leaving Hogwarts. You are and always will be welcome here."
Turning to Umbridge, Dumbledore's eyes hardened. "As High Inquisitor, you have the power to sack teachers, but you do not have the authority to remove them from the castle. Professor Trelawney will remain in the castle."
Umbridge's smile faltered for a moment before she regained her composure. "Very well, Headmaster, but she is no longer a teacher at this school."
Dumbledore gave a curt nod. "So be it. But Sybill will remain here, under my protection."
Izzy felt a surge of relief and admiration for Dumbledore's firm stance. As the crowd began to disperse, she approached Trelawney and offered her a supportive smile. "Professor, if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
Trelawney looked at Izzy with watery eyes, her voice shaking. "Thank you, my dear. You are very kind."
Izzy nodded, feeling a sense of resolve solidify within her. Umbridge's tyranny had gone too far, and she knew that she needed to continue fighting back, not just for herself, but for everyone at Hogwarts. As she walked away from the scene, her mind was already racing with plans to undermine Umbridge's authority and protect her friends and professors from her oppressive rule.
Izzy returned to her dormitory, her mind abuzz with the morning's events. The incident with Trelawney had solidified her resolve to act against Umbridge's tyranny. She needed to leverage the full weight and influence of the House of Black to support Dumbledore and push back against the oppressive measures imposed by the Ministry.
She sat down at her desk, took out a piece of parchment, and began to write a letter to Sirius. She detailed the incident with Trelawney, the increasing number of detentions that were essentially tortures, and the overall deteriorating situation at Hogwarts under Umbridge's regime.
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Dear Sirius,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to you with a matter of urgency. The situation at Hogwarts has become dire. Dolores Umbridge is wielding her power with malicious intent, and her latest act was an attempt to evict Professor Trelawney from the castle. Dumbledore intervened, but it's clear that Umbridge is not backing down.
I believe we need to take a more active stance. As the head of the House of Black, I am asking you and Kreacher to offer your support to Dumbledore in any way possible. Your influence and resources could be crucial in countering Umbridge's actions and protecting the students and staff of Hogwarts.
Please assist him in any way you see fit. Your presence and support could make a significant difference.
Stay safe and vigilant.
Best, Izzy
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She sealed the letter with the Black family crest and called Kreacher. The house-elf appeared with a pop, bowing low.
"Kreacher, I need you to deliver this letter to Sirius immediately," Izzy instructed. "Also, be ready to assist him and Dumbledore in any way possible."
Kreacher took the letter, his eyes gleaming with a mix of loyalty and determination. "Yes, Mistress. Kreacher will see to it."
With Kreacher gone, Izzy felt a renewed sense of purpose. She knew that with Sirius and the support of the House of Black, they could apply significant pressure on the Ministry and Umbridge.
Over the next few days, she continued to gather evidence of Umbridge's abuses, documenting everything meticulously. She encouraged other students to come forward with their stories and began to compile a dossier that she hoped would be damning enough to force a change.
Izzy also made it a point to subtly spread the word among her fellow students about the importance of standing together. She reminded them of the values of courage and unity that had always been the hallmark of Hogwarts.
The school's atmosphere was tense, but there was also an undercurrent of resistance growing. Izzy could feel it in the way students whispered to each other, shared glances of defiance, and stood a little taller in the face of Umbridge's tyranny. She knew that change was coming, and she was determined to be at the forefront of that movement.
The days passed in a blur of activity and growing tension. Izzy's efforts to document Umbridge's abuses were paying off, as more students came forward to share their experiences. The dossier she compiled was thick with testimonies, photographs of her own scarred hand, and other evidence of the injustices being perpetrated at Hogwarts. With the information sent to Sirius and the support he could muster, the pressure on the Ministry was beginning to rise.
One evening, as Izzy was finishing her rounds of the castle, she spotted an owl flying towards her with a letter. Recognizing the Black family crest on the envelope, she quickly opened it and read the contents:
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Dear Izzy,
I've received your letter and the dossier. We've begun to mobilize support within the Order of the Phoenix and are working on bringing this to the attention of key figures within the Ministry. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed. We will do everything in our power to support you and Dumbledore.
Stay strong and keep us updated.
Best, Sirius
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Izzy felt a surge of relief and determination. She knew that with the backing of Sirius and the Order, they had a real chance of turning the tide against Umbridge and the corrupt influences within the Ministry.
The following day, she walked through the corridors with a renewed sense of purpose. She knew that each piece of evidence she gathered, every student she encouraged to stand up, was a step closer to reclaiming the school from Umbridge's grip.
As she entered the Great Hall for breakfast, she noticed that the atmosphere had shifted. The usual chatter was subdued, replaced by an undercurrent of tension and anticipation. She took her seat at the Slytherin table, scanning the room for familiar faces.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione were huddled together at the Gryffindor table, their expressions serious. Luna sat quietly at the Ravenclaw table, her eyes meeting Izzy's with a look of quiet support. The twins were conspicuously absent, likely off planning their next act of rebellion against Umbridge.
The doors to the Great Hall burst open, and a flurry of owls swooped in, delivering the morning post. Izzy watched as the students eagerly opened their letters and newspapers. A ripple of excitement and shock spread through the hall as they read the latest edition of the Daily Prophet.
Izzy unfolded her copy, her eyes widening as she saw the headline:
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MINISTRY UNDER FIRE: HOGWARTS IN CRISIS
Reports of abuses at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry have surfaced, with detailed testimonies from students accusing the current Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Dolores Umbridge, of using dark and cruel methods of discipline. The allegations, supported by evidence provided by the House of Black, have sparked an urgent investigation into the Ministry's role in appointing and supporting Umbridge.
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A murmur of conversation filled the hall as students exchanged looks of disbelief and hope. Izzy felt a sense of vindication. The pressure on the Ministry was mounting, and it was only a matter of time before action was taken.
As the day went on, the atmosphere at Hogwarts grew more charged. Umbridge's presence seemed even more oppressive, her gaze sharp and suspicious. But Izzy knew that they had the upper hand now. The weight of public opinion and the evidence against Umbridge were formidable tools in their fight.
During lunch, Izzy spotted Dumbledore at the head table, his eyes meeting hers with a look of approval. She nodded subtly, knowing that their combined efforts were starting to bear fruit.
That evening, as she prepared for bed, Izzy reflected on the day's events. The battle was far from over, but they had made significant progress. She knew that the coming weeks would be crucial, and she was determined to see it through to the end.