This is how Change Starts
CHAPTER 4
August 10th 1998
Watching the Daily Prophet closely each day seemed to be the new theme of August. Each day there seemed to be some large news front page of the paper. Whether it was trial results, new announcements from the ministry or news about the reconstruction efforts at Hogwarts, it was always something. Today was no different.
TOGETHER WITH HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC MAKES THE FOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENT
All students who have attended Hogwarts over the last three years have faced insurmountable odds in regards to properly completing their education. Following the return of Voldemort in 1995, and the unfortunate stances of the ministry at the time, policies were put in place at the ministry and at Hogwarts that were inappropriate and unconstitutional. Although those policies were ignored during the 1996-1997 school year, many were used during this previous school year to punish and restrict our students.
Today, together the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry headmistress Minerva Mcgonagall, and Minister of Magic Kingsley Shacklebolt, are proud to announce the repeal of every Educational Decree issued during the 1995-1996, and 1997-1998 school years. Not only does this include all educational decrees, but also any personal punishments that were handed out as "international bans".
AIso, the Ministry of Magic would like to use this article to announce the . capture and arrest of Dolores Jane Umbridge. (The Daily Prophet will have a separate feature on this portion of the announcement on Page 2)
We hope that by righting the wrongs of the past and moving forward in a progressive manner that we can create a better magical world for all magical beings.
Hermione read through the headline and was thankful there was far less to - be surprised about with this headline than others. She continued with her morning tea and flipped to page 2, to learn more about the arrest of Umbridge.
Delores Jane Umbridge Arrested
Delores Jane Umbridge, the former Senior Under-Secretary to the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, former "High Inquisitor" and Defense Against the Dark Arts "Professor" at Hogwarts and up until May of this year, the head of the Muggle Born Registration Commission, has been arrested. Those who had to spend time in her presence, described her as an awful, racist human being, and according to one unnamed individual we interviewed, "a complete and utter cunt of a witch, who comes second to only Voldemort in the level of terror she inflicted on this young generation of witches and wizards."
At this time the Daily Prophet can exclusively report now, where, and what Umbridge was arrested for, along with some backstory on where she's been since the day Harry Potter killed Voldemort far the second time.
This reporter has learned that once Umbridge heard of the results of the battle at Hogwarts she immediately fled the ministry, and many had also speculated she had also left the country. She was in fact found, in a cave in the English countryside, on August 8th, where she had been trying to live since the Battle at Hogwarts. She was found emaciated, dirty and delusional. Screaming about her need to have order, and fighting Aurors in the process.
She is currently charged with multiple counts of treason, torture, misuse of a government office, murder and hate crimes. The ministry expects to find further wrongdoings as they continue to investigate Umbridge's career. At this time, the
charges listed only cover 1995-1998. Readers, if you have any information which could aid the Auror's investigation, it is requested you file a report with the Auror office.
Hermione started howling with laughter as she finished the article, thankful she could hear everyone making their way downstairs.
"What are you going on about Mione?" Ron asked as he descended the stairs behind Harry and Ginny.
"Just this series of articles in the Daily Prophet. Let me summarize: One, all Educational Decrees from the Umbridge Era and Carrows Ena have been completely repealed. Two, any international bans issued at Hogwarts as punishment are also repealed."
"Harry, this means you don't have to worry about that dumb Quidditch Ban from Umbitch in fifth year." Ginny exclaimed.
"Hermione, that doesn't seem like anything worth getting all that excited about." Ron said.
"Oh, I'm not done yet, there's more." Hermione said excitedly. Clearing her voice she continued. "Also, the Ministry of Magic would like to announce the capture and arrest of Delores Jane Umbridge." She quoted. "There's also a second article. I'll let you all read it when you have a moment but thought you would find this part hilarious: according to one unnamed individual we interviewed, "a complete and utter cunt of a witch, who comes second to only Voldemort in the level of terror she inflicted on this young generation of witches and wizards.""
"Seamus" Harry, Ron and Ginny said together laughing hysterically. "He always did hate her with every fiber of his being." Harry added.
"I wonder if Kingsley would be willing to share the photos of the arrest with us?" Ron quipped.
The inhabitants of the burrow took a moment to read the articles in the paper. Ron, who hated reading, was laughing with all his might when he read the part where Umbridge was going on about needing order. "Oh she will have order in prison all right." He said in jest.
"That's it, I'm owling Kingsley. We have plenty of evidence to give to the Aurors about Umbitchces actions in fifth year, plus I want to ask about those photos." Harry said, running off to find parchment and a quill.
Molly and Arthur had been observing this whole ordeal with confusion and a little mischief in their eyes. Arthur, as the new head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement (DMLE) had known about the arrest long before it was in the paper. He was happy to see the children taking interest in the legal side of things without the need for his encouragement. Molly on the other hand, had stepped away from everyone's excitement over the morning paper and started on breakfast.
By the time breakfast was ready everything seemed to have settled down. All inhabitants of the Burrow had made their way to the kitchen table to enjoy a full English breakfast. Thankfully, everyone was able to enjoy their breakfast without any further distractions. It was as Ginny and Hermione were helping clean up that a large Ministry owl arrived. Arthur, expecting the letter to be early work communication, approached the owl but promptly noticed it was addressed to Harry, Hermione and Ron.
From the office of The Minister of Magic:
To:
Hermione Granger
Harry Potter
Ronald Weasley
The Burrow
Ottery St. Catchpole
Devon, England
"Harry, Ron, Hermione, this one's for you. It's from Kingsley." Arthur called.
Hermione was the first to the letter, which she opened and read aloud:
Harry, Hermione, and Ron,
I hope this letter finds you well. By now, I'm sure you have read the information about Delores Umbridge in the Daily Prophet. I would like the three of you to sit as witnesses to her crimes during her trial. Also Harry, in response to your letter, I've attached some photos for your viewing pleasure.
This letter actually has little to do with the Umbridge situation and far more to do with what the three of you did for the Wizarding World. It has already been announced that the three of you would be awarded with the Order of Merlin, first class, but we've yet to discuss what goes into that. There is also a formal ceremony that needs to be held.
In addition to the above, word has gotten out in the upper most echelons of the muggle, or not so muggle as I've recently learned, government about the actions you have taken to save the Wizarding World. There are a few very important individuals that would like to meet you. There is also some discussion about awards being given on their end as well.
Please come by my office today, promptly at noon and I'll discuss everything I've mentioned above with you. I'll also make sure you're set up with the Auror office to give statements about Umbridge.
Respectfully,
Kingsley Shacklebolt
Hermione started to internally panic before turning back to Harry and Ron. Upper echelons of the muggle government could me two things. One, The Cabinet of the UK knew of magic and who they were, or two, the high ranking members of the Royal Family knew of magic and who they were. To her both were bad options, as none of her friends in the Wizarding World knew of her life in the muggle world.
In the case of option one, her Grandfather was the leader of the House of Lords and therefore, a member of Cabinet, plus she had met many of the other MP's in cabinet many times. That would mean facing her grandfather, in addition to her friends. In the case of option two, she was of noble birth, therefore part of a social circle that crossed paths with the Royal Family consistently, and everyone knew everyone. Beyond that her mum was close friends with the Princess Royal, and Hermione very good friends with her children Peter and Zara. Hermione felt as though her two worlds were about to collide, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.