Why did Umbridge ban study groups?

[Avani]

Why did Umbridge pass a decree banning study groups the day after the meeting in the Hog's Head? Did she hear about the gathering? I thought she had no idea about it until Marietta told her. Maybe she was just taking a precaution in case the idea arose in the future? Just something I was wondering about.

[anilee]

Page 613 of Order of the Phoenix; she says that Willy Widdershins was at the Hog's Head and reported everything to her, so yes, Umbridge was aware of the meeting and what was said. She just couldn't prove - as Dumbledore points out in the same scene - that the Defence Against the Dark Arts group had been meeting regularly since that first meeting in the pub. She didn't know for sure that the DA had went beyond that first meeting until Marietta spoke up.

[Avani]

anilee wrote: "Page 613 of Order of the Phoenix; she says that Willy Widdershins was at the Hog's Head and reported everything to her, so yes, Umbridge was aware of the meeting and what was said. She just couldn'..."

Oh, okay, I recall the name Willy Widdershins now. Thank you!