Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

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Chapter 17: Education Decree Number Twenty-Four

Umbridge decrees that all clubs, teams, societies and gatherings of three or more students are disbanded. Permission is needed to reform any must come from Umbridge herself. This includes Quidditch teams and Umbridge is trying to prevent the Gryffindor team from re-forming although she lets the Slytherins start practice again immediately.

Ron suspects that Umbridge introduced the decree because somebody blabbed about the Defense group. However, Hermione says that is impossible because she jinxed the list of names so that if anybody on the list told anybody else, they would come out with an obvious rash on their face.

Harry’s owl Hedwig arrives injured. She is carrying a message from Sirius that says they should talk through the fireplace again that night.

Umbridge sits in on Snape’s Potions class. She seems particularly interested that Snape has been continually rejected for the position as Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.

Professor Trelawney is in a bad mood in Divination because has been put on probation by Umbridge.

Fred and George have perfected their Skiving Snackbox and are in one corner of the common room eating one half, vomiting and then eating the other half to stop.

When Sirius appears in the fireplace, he knows about the secret Defense class because Mundungus Fletcher was in the Hog’s Head disguised as an old witch. Mrs Weasley advises them not to continue with the class but Sirius encourages them. Suddenly Umbridge’s hand appears in the fireplace searching around. Sirius disappears just in time.