The Inquisitorial Squad

The Inquisitorial Squad was a group of students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry formed by Professor Dolores Umbridge during the 1995-1996 school year. Operating under the direct authority of Umbridge in her role as Hogwarts High Inquisitor, the squad's primary purpose was to enforce her strict regulations, suppress dissent, and undermine the authority of both Albus Dumbledore and the student-led organization Dumbledore's Army. Membership was composed almost exclusively of Slytherin students who enjoyed the power and privilege the position afforded them.

The Inquisitorial Squad was established by Dolores Umbridge shortly after she was granted sweeping powers over Hogwarts by the Ministry of Magic through Educational Decree Number Twenty-Four. This decree allowed her to form a group of students who would act as her personal spies and enforcers, reporting directly to her and bypassing the traditional authority of the school's prefects and Heads of House. Throughout the school year, members of the squad patrolled the corridors, intimidated other students, and eagerly exercised their newfound power to dock House Points, a privilege they often used against Gryffindor students, particularly Harry Potter and his friends. Their leader, Draco Malfoy, took special pleasure in using his authority over prefects like Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. The squad's most significant achievement was the successful capture of Dumbledore's Army. Acting on a tip from the unwilling informant Marietta Edgecombe, the squad, led by Draco Malfoy, ambushed the D.A. during a meeting in the Room of Requirement. They managed to capture Harry Potter and presented him to Umbridge, which directly led to Albus Dumbledore taking the blame for the illegal organization and his subsequent flight from Hogwarts. Later in the year, members of the squad were instrumental in capturing Harry and his friends when they attempted to use the Floo Network in Umbridge's office to contact Sirius Black. The squad, including Malfoy, Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, and Millicent Bulstrode, physically restrained the members of Dumbledore's Army. However, the D.A. members managed to fight back and escape, with Ginny Weasley notably hitting Malfoy with a powerful Bat-Bogey Hex. The Inquisitorial Squad was effectively dissolved at the end of the school year following the Battle of the Department of Mysteries and the removal of Dolores Umbridge from her post at Hogwarts. With their source of power gone, the members lost all their special privileges.

The Inquisitorial Squad did not have a uniform, but its members were distinguished by a small, silver pin in the shape of the letter 'I' which they wore on their robes. The defining “personality” of the squad was one of arrogance, smugness, and a thirst for power. Members were typically bullies who enjoyed the ability to lord their authority over their peers, including older students and prefects. They were sycophantic towards Dolores Umbridge and shared her prejudice against Harry Potter and her disdain for Albus Dumbledore's authority. Known members and supporters included:

• Draco Malfoy (de facto leader)
• Vincent Crabbe
• Gregory Goyle
• Pansy Parkinson
• Millicent Bulstrode
• Warrington
• Montague
• Argus Filch (eager supporter)

The power of the Inquisitorial Squad was not derived from any exceptional magical skill, but from the authority bestowed upon them by Dolores Umbridge. Their primary abilities were disciplinary and regulatory.

• Docking House Points: Squad members were given the authority to take House Points away from any student, including prefects. This was a significant power, as previously only teachers and prefects held this right.
• Enforcement and Patrol: They were tasked with patrolling school corridors to enforce Umbridge's many Educational Decrees.
• Confiscation and Inspection: They had the authority to inspect and potentially confiscate items, such as incoming and outgoing owl post.

• Inquisitorial Squad Badge: A small, silver pin badge shaped like a cursive 'I'. This object was the sole signifier of membership and the symbol of the authority granted to them by the High Inquisitor.

• Dolores Umbridge: The squad was fiercely loyal to Umbridge, who was their creator and the source of their power. They acted as her eyes and ears within the student body.
• Dumbledore's Army: The D.A. was the Inquisitorial Squad's primary adversary. The two groups represented the opposing factions within Hogwarts during that year, culminating in the squad's successful raid on the D.A.'s secret meeting place.
• Hogwarts Staff and Prefects: The squad's existence undermined the authority of other staff members and the school's own prefect system. Professors like Minerva McGonagall treated the squad and its members with open contempt, at one point encouraging Peeves the poltergeist to disrupt Montague's patrol.
• General Student Body: Most students feared and loathed the Inquisitorial Squad, viewing them as little more than sanctioned bullies and spies.

The term “Inquisitorial” is derived from “inquisitor,” a person who conducts an inquisition—an official investigation characterized by intense and often harsh questioning. The name evokes historical inquisitions, such as the Spanish Inquisition, which were known for their ruthless persecution of heresy and dissent. This reflects Dolores Umbridge's methods of rooting out and punishing anyone who defied the Ministry of Magic's official narrative, particularly the denial of Lord Voldemort's return.

In the film adaptation of *Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix*, the Inquisitorial Squad is prominently featured. They are shown patrolling the corridors and playing a key role in the dramatic scene where they break through the wall of the Room of Requirement to capture Dumbledore's Army. (film)