The remainder of the weekend passed quite leisurely for Jon.
The last brilliant rays of autumn sunshine still bathed the entire campus. Jon enjoyed sitting beneath a willow tree by the lake with a book, basking in the warmth of the sun while reading.
It was a pity Astoria couldn't join him... She was constantly surrounded by a chattering group of girls, so even when their paths crossed, the two could only exchange a brief glance.
Jon found himself in a similar situation. The Knights of Walpurgis were now exceptionally friendly toward him—so much so that his popularity in the Slytherin common room had grown even more than before.
Additionally, he hadn't found an opportunity to contact Dumbledore. Across the entire eighth floor, one could spot the kittens caught by the portraits of former headmasters—the same ones Jon had seen in the Headmaster's Office earlier.
That could only mean Umbridge's spies were everywhere. Going directly to the Headmaster's Office would be like walking straight into her trap.
Owls were no help either, as every letter was now being checked by Umbridge—especially letters addressed to Dumbledore.
Polyjuice Potion was a possible solution, but Jon had neither a suitable candidate nor a guarantee that the stone gargoyle would even let him through. He had to give up on that plan.
Besides, with how well-informed Dumbledore was, he likely already knew about the organization operating within his own school... He simply didn't care.
So Jon decided to wait until Dumbledore sent Fawkes to find him again—he could mention it then.
...
However, on Monday morning, as Jon was about to head to the Great Hall for breakfast, he noticed a large crowd gathered near the notice board by the main entrance.
Students were pointing and whispering, clearly discussing something.
A new notice had been posted in bold black letters, with an official-looking seal beneath it and a neat cursive signature beside it. The text read:
"By order of the Hogwarts High Inquisitor, all student organizations, associations, teams, and clubs are hereby dissolved. For the purposes of this order, organizations, associations, teams, and clubs are defined as regular gatherings of three or more students. Requests for reestablishment may be submitted to the High Inquisitor (Professor Umbridge). No student organization, society, team, or club may exist without the High Inquisitor's approval.
Students found forming or participating in any organization, society, team, or club without the High Inquisitor's approval shall be expelled immediately.
The above regulations comply with Educational Decree No. 24.
Hogwarts High Inquisitor: Dolores Jane Umbridge"
Jon spotted the same group he'd seen leaving the Hog's Head that day—led by Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. They were huddled together, talking in low, angry voices. Both Harry and Ron looked furious.
So... the "Dumbledore's Army (DA)" opposing Umbridge had been formed after all?
Jon mused silently.
It seemed that their secret gathering in Hogsmeade had been discovered by Umbridge's spies, which must have prompted this new decree.
...
During breakfast, the atmosphere in the Great Hall was noticeably tense.
Students from all four houses were enthusiastically discussing the new announcement on the notice board and the so-called "Educational Decree Number Twenty-Four."
Its implications were far-reaching—because of it, nearly every club, group, and team in the school would have to reorganize.
A few minutes later, Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson approached Jon, both looking uneasy.
"Chris, did you see that notice?" Malfoy asked nervously.
"Why did the Ministry suddenly issue that announcement right after you joined the Knights of Walpurgis?" Pansy Parkinson demanded, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. "Nothing like this has ever happened before."
"Don't panic," Jon said calmly, lowering his voice. "This has nothing to do with us."
"How can you be sure?" Pansy hissed. If not for the risk of being overheard, she might have shouted.
"Hmph." Jon let out a short, cold snort. "If the Ministry truly knew the Dark Lord had returned—knew we'd formed an organization like this inside the school—do you think they'd just issue some silly notice?"
That silenced Pansy for a moment.
He had a point. If the Ministry really knew Voldemort was back, they wouldn't bother with decrees—Aurors would already be here making arrests.
"Then why?" Malfoy frowned, thoughtful but confused.
"That day at the Hog's Head—didn't we see a group of people as we were leaving?" Jon prompted quietly.
"That's right..." Malfoy's eyes brightened. "Potter, Weasley—"
"And that Mudblood Granger!" Pansy added sharply. "And a bunch of Gryffindors!"
"If I'm not mistaken, there were also Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws," Jon said smoothly. "At least thirty people. You don't think thirty students gathered in a place like the Hog's Head just to have drinks, do you?"
"They're planning to rebel against Umbridge?" Malfoy asked, eyes wide. "And someone among them tipped her off?"
"Yes, that's my guess." Jon nodded, then added with a hint of mystery, "I even caught a glimpse of it in the fog of the crystal ball... a small sign of it."
Even Pansy looked thoughtful now.
"Actually, this could be an opportunity for us," Jon said seriously.
Malfoy and Pansy both froze, unsure what he meant.
"'No student organization, association, team, or club may exist without the approval of the High Inquisitor,'" Jon quoted the decree. "Doesn't that mean... with the High Inquisitor's approval, we could exist openly?"
"But..." Malfoy and Pansy exchanged uneasy glances. "That's risky. What if the Ministry finds out?"
"Impossible." Jon smiled and shook his head. "We can come up with a perfectly legitimate excuse. We could even extend an olive branch to Umbridge."
"What do you mean?" Pansy asked, frowning in confusion.
Jon's smile widened. "Now that a secret organization opposing her has appeared in the school... I'd say Professor Umbridge could really use a little help from her students."