Later that same day, as Ginny and Hermione were walking back to the office after a meeting with a department, they both got the sensation that they were being watched. Both took careful note of their surroundings, but there was no clue to be seen anywhere. They both found it quite creepy, and hurried their pace until they made it safely back to the Minister's Office. They went straight to Rufas.
"This time we both felt it!" Hermione said. "Someone is obviously watching us, but from somewhere we cannot see them."
Rufas looked at Ginny who shook her head in the affirmative.
"This is indeed strange!" Rufas said. "And you two are not the only ones who have been falling victim to this! I felt it myself earlier today when I was on my way to meet with Moody. Harry and Ron both said they felt it, as did Neville and Tonks. Some of the Wizengamot members have also reported feeling watched to me as well."
"Ah," Hermione said. "Umbridge approached us again as well, but not while we were eating with the group we sat with today. It was after were were leaving that she came up to us. She said she wants to meet with me and that it is ministry business, but more on the personal side of it. She didn't look too pleased when I told her Ginny would be with me if I was able to come. Do you think she could have something to do with this spying that's going on?"
"Really?" Rufas asked. "She wants to meet with you on a personal level! Hummmm, that sounds a bit strange, even for Delores, but I doubt it has anything to do with the spying. She is being rather pushy about it, however, and I must caution you to be somewhat careful. She seems to have taken a liking to you for some reason, and knowing she is somewhat unstable disturbs me. It is up to you if you go, and I would encourage you to at least try to find out what it is she wants from you. Ginny, of course, will go with you. And Ginny, do NOT accept anything to eat or drink from Delores! I don't know why this thought just hit me, but I felt I must say it, alright?"
"Certainly sir," Ginny said. "I will be very careful!"
"I have arranged a meeting for all of us with Moody and Remus about this spying situation," Rufas said. "It will be first think tomorrow morning. You are both expected to be here in this office at 9 a.m., alright?"
"We'll be here," Hermione and Ginny chimed together as they left to get ready to meet Ron and Harry and head home for the day.
Later that evening, Hermione and Ron discussed what was going on with Ginny and Harry, whom they invited for dinner.
"So Rufas thinks that Umbridge is not a part of this spying, correct?" Harry said, scowling after Ginny and Hermione told him about her request to meet.
"Well, he did warn Ginny not to accept food or drink from her when and if we go," Hermione said. "He said she was unstable, but he didn't seem to think she was behind the feelings of being watched. He called it spying, which it probably is although no one has seen anything, just felt it. But I don't know! I do know that I don't trust Umbridge at all!"
"I heard she has no friends now, and that could cause her instability," Ron said. "Maybe she really does want Hermione for a friend or something."
"Ha!" Ginny said "The only thing that frog has ever really wanted was power! Remember how she was at Hogwarts! Power hungry! And I don't think that has changed one bit! I think she would do anything to get some of that power back, don't you Harry?"
"Yes, I think she would!" Harry said. "She hated Hermione, especially after she led her into the arms of the Centaurs who took her captive when she verbally and physically attacked them! So why would she want to be her friend now?"
"Oh, I don't think she wants to be my friend at all!" Hermione stated emphatically. "She wants something from me, probably information about what's going on someplace, like the Wizengamot meetings or something."
I definately agree," Harry said. "But you both will need to be on your gaurd. You must tell us exactly when you will be meeting with her, alright?"
"We will," Hermione said. "Ginny and I are disussing how we should go about finding out what it is she really wants without her catching on to what we are doing."
"Good," Harry said. "And you both will find out about the ideas we have all had about how to find out who has been watching us in the morning."