Over the next few days, Jon's life at Hogwarts remained remarkably quiet.
A History of Magic, Astronomy, and Ancient Runes—these classes proceeded much like in previous years, save for a few minor changes among his classmates.
However, during Potions class, Jon kept his guard up. His new partner was Tiffany Selwyn, while Astoria was now paired with Madeline Yaxley.
Jon behaved like any ordinary Slytherin student—perhaps even slightly better than most. Since he was one of Snape's own, Professor Severus Snape didn't give him too hard a time.
Jon's main concern was that performing too well might arouse suspicion from Snape, the veteran double agent. After all, Snape wasn't a man easily deceived.
His first week back at Hogwarts was coming to an end.
On one hand, he had been getting along well with his classmates; on the other, he had earned Astoria's forgiveness. The only thing Jon found puzzling was that Dumbledore still hadn't contacted him.
He had assumed that on the very night of the Sorting Ceremony, he would be summoned to the Headmaster's Office to receive a mission.
Still, perhaps that was for the best—at least he wouldn't risk getting into unnecessary trouble. If he had the choice, Jon would prefer that Dumbledore didn't summon him for the entire term.
That way, he could focus on maintaining his new identity as Christopher Patrick.
...
On Sunday evening, when Jon opened The Daily Prophet, his eyes were immediately drawn to the bold headline on the front page.
The first thing he saw was a photograph of Dolores Umbridge—the pink-faced old toad smiling sweetly and nodding to those around her.
The headline read:
"Ministry Seeks Educational Reform—Dolores Umbridge Appointed Hogwarts' First High Inquisitor."
The article below continued:
"Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge has expressed grave concern over the current state of Hogwarts and growing unease.
Given the increasingly senile Headmaster Albus Dumbledore's recent string of blunders, many Ministry officials and parents believe the school is heading toward disaster.
Just one week ago, on August 30th, the Ministry passed Educational Decree Number Twenty-Two, ensuring that should a vacancy arise at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the Ministry retains the authority to recommend a suitable candidate.
As a result, Madam Dolores Umbridge was recommended as Hogwarts' new Care of Magical Creatures instructor.
This beautiful and conscientious teacher, having held the position for only one week, has already earned the support of many parents.
She has also promptly provided the Minister with reports on the situation at Hogwarts, which, it turns out, is far worse than previously believed.
At 9:00 a.m. GMT this morning, Educational Decree Number Twenty-Three was passed and officially enacted, establishing the new position of High Inquisitor at Hogwarts.
The High Inquisitor will be authorized to inspect her fellow staff members to ensure they meet Ministry standards. Professor Umbridge has been granted this position alongside her teaching duties, and we are pleased to report that she has accepted it gladly."
The Ministry's new measures received enthusiastic support from many Hogwarts parents.
"Knowing that Hogwarts will finally get back on track brings me great relief," said Mr. Lucius Malfoy, age forty-one, from his Wiltshire estate last night. "Many of us who care deeply about our children's education have long been troubled by Dumbledore's eccentric decisions. It's reassuring to see the Ministry paying such close attention to the matter."
Rumors also circulated that Albus Dumbledore—once President of the International Confederation of Wizards and Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot—was no longer capable of managing the renowned school.
Some Ministry officials even proposed appointing the beloved Professor Dolores Umbridge as the new Headmistress of Hogwarts.
That proposal, however, was rejected due to fierce opposition from Wizengamot elders Griselda Marchbanks and Tiberius Ogden.
...
Putting down The Daily Prophet, Jon fell into brief contemplation.
It seemed everything was returning to its original course. Umbridge would indeed become Hogwarts' High Inquisitor, just as in the original timeline—even if she now taught Care of Magical Creatures instead of Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Still, it had little to do with him. He wasn't foolish enough to openly challenge Umbridge.
Dumbledore wasn't either. No matter how much trouble Umbridge caused within the school, he never took her seriously, much less provoked her.
After all, Voldemort and the Death Eaters were the real enemies. The Ministry's people were merely misguided bystanders.
That was why Dumbledore had always chosen to yield—to avoid direct conflict with the Ministry and prevent unnecessary losses.
The truth would surface eventually, and when it did, both Fudge and Umbridge would face judgment.
With that thought, Jon tossed The Daily Prophet into the fireplace, watching Umbridge's ridiculous smile curl and blacken in the flames.
"What are you burning?" Tiffany Selwyn entered the Slytherin common room just then and came over to the hearth.
"Nothing much!" Jon said with a smile. "Just a newspaper I'd finished reading. Mostly for—"
His words trailed off as his expression changed.
Jon drew his wand and flicked it lightly. The flames in the fireplace surged upward, twisting into the shape of a giant fiery serpent. It circled the common room several times, earning a round of applause.
"Beautiful!" Selwyn exclaimed, clapping her hands.
"Not bad!" Jon said modestly, looking a bit embarrassed. He quickly stood up and left the Slytherin common room.
Meanwhile, the newspaper in the fireplace had burned completely to ash.
The fiery serpent followed him out of the common room.
...
The dungeons were silent now, cloaked in night.
The fire serpent gradually dimmed, then transformed into a large crimson bird.
"What are you doing here!" Jon hissed under his breath, his tone low and angry.
Seeing Fawkes appear in the fireplace had nearly given him a heart attack. Thankfully, no one else had been nearby, and Selwyn hadn't noticed the creature in the flames.
If any of the Slytherin students had seen a Phoenix hanging around him, no amount of diving into the Black Lake could have cleared his name.