The scene shifted again, revealing Dolores as a young intern in the Improper Use of Magic Office. Her eyes were cold and calculating, though she wore a façade of sweetness and amiability. This juxtaposition of her outward demeanor and inner ruthlessness was apparent even then. She was quick to seize opportunities, manipulating her way through the ranks with an unyielding ambition.

The Judge's voice resonated through the courtroom, underscoring the gravity of her actions. "Dolores Jane Umbridge, your rise within the Ministry of Magic was marked by a ruthless pursuit of power. Starting as an intern, you quickly ascended to the position of Head of the Improper Use of Magic Office before reaching the age of thirty. Your sweet demeanor was a mask that concealed your relentless drive and your willingness to take credit for others' achievements."

The scene played out in front of her, showing how she trampled over colleagues and appropriated their work, her actions steeped in deceit. The Judge continued, "Your ascent was not merely a result of merit, but a testament to your cunning and manipulative tactics. You tyrannized those below you, while simultaneously flattering those above you, ensuring that your rise was both swift and precarious."

The image of a young Dolores smirking at her colleagues shifted to her being questioned about her family. Whenever people inquired if she was related to the Umbridge who had once mopped floors in the Ministry, she would respond with a sickly sweet smile, masking her suppressed rage. "Oh, absolutely not!" she would exclaim with false cheerfulness. "My father was a distinguished member of the Wizengamot, not at all like that other Umbridge."

The Judge's voice took on a darker edge. "Such deceit was characteristic of your career. Nasty repercussions often followed those who questioned your fabricated heritage. Those who wished to stay in your favor learned quickly to feign belief in your false claims, thereby avoiding your wrath."

The scene shifted again to show Dolores's gradual transformation. She lied about her heritage, falsely claiming to be a pure-blood rather than a half-blood. Her rise to the position of Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic, and her place in the Wizengamot, was secured through calculated deceit and manipulation.

The Judge's tone grew somber. "Although You honored your promise of a small allowance to your estranged father. What is evident is that you sought to sever all ties with him to cultivate a more favorable image. Your father, Orford Umbridge, lost even the meager support he once received from you once you were arrested for your crimes associated with the Muggle-Born Registration Commission."

Her lips tightened into a thin line, and her cheeks flushed with a mixture of anger and embarrassment.

"Lost support?" she echoed, her voice quivering slightly despite her efforts to sound disdainful. "My father was a relic of a bygone era, someone who was of no consequence to me. The idea that I should have continued to support him, even with the small allowance, is absurd!"

Her eyes narrowed as she tried to regain control of her emotions. "You think I should be held accountable for his welfare? My father was never the esteemed figure I made him to be. His presence was a blemish on my record—a connection I was right to sever. I had to distance myself from him to advance and ensure my success!"

A hint of desperation crept into her voice as she continued, "And to imply that my career and reputation are tainted because of this? It's a cruel and unfair judgment. I worked hard to build my position from the ground up, and if that meant cutting ties with those who were a hindrance to my progress, then so be it."

Her eyes flashed with a mix of indignation and frustration. "I did what was necessary to secure my place and protect my image. If that displeases you, then I am prepared to stand by my decisions, no matter how harshly you may judge them."

Dolores's attempt to maintain her composure was evident, but the underlying tension in her voice betrayed the emotional impact of the Judge's words. She struggled to reconcile her need to justify her actions with the harsh reality of her past decisions.

The Judge's voice took on a note of quiet disapproval as he continued. "Throughout your career, Dolores, you sought to advance your status and secure your future by currying favor with various superiors. You pursued their affection, not out of genuine admiration or respect, but simply to elevate your position. Your desire was not for any particular individual, but rather for the power and security they represented as potential allies—or even as husbands. Yet despite your ambitions, those who came to know you found it difficult to genuinely like or respect you on a personal level."

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. "Even in moments of social indulgence, such as when you were intoxicated by a glass of sweet sherry, your candid views on the Muggles, Muggleborns, Half-Bloods, and Half-lings. your shocking suggestions about their treatment were revealed. These views, held behind closed doors, astonished even those with anti-Muggle ideologies. It was these unsavory revelations that ultimately hindered your attempts to find a powerful match, leaving you unmarried despite your relentless efforts."

Dolores's face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and anger. Her eyes darted around the ethereal courtroom, searching for a reprieve from the Judge's relentless scrutiny. Her fingers clenched tightly into fists at her sides, and she fought to maintain her composure.

"This is preposterous!" Dolores snapped, her voice edged with defensiveness. "You cannot expect me to apologize for wanting to secure my place in the world. If my efforts to build relationships were deemed inappropriate by others, it was their narrow-mindedness, not my actions, that was at fault."

She took a deep breath, attempting to steady her shaking voice. "And as for my views—everyone has private opinions, and if they happened to come out during moments of weakness, that hardly defines the entirety of my character. I was ambitious, yes, and perhaps my methods were unconventional, but they were in pursuit of a greater goal. I wanted to ensure my security and success, and if I was unable to find a powerful match, it was because others failed to appreciate the depth of my contributions."

Dolores's frustration was palpable as she continued, "I worked tirelessly to climb the ranks and make a name for myself. If my personal views or social strategies were misunderstood or misjudged, then that is a reflection of others' biases, not a fundamental flaw in my pursuit of success."

Her reaction was a tumultuous mix of defensiveness and unresolved anger, struggling to maintain her carefully constructed image while confronting the uncomfortable truths laid bare by the Judge.

As Dolores Umbridge continued to defy the Judge, her frustration palpable, the Judge's expression grew stern. "Your denial only serves to further illustrate your unwillingness to confront the truth of your actions," he said, his voice echoing with the weight of authority. "Look upon this memory, and see the lengths to which you went to secure your position and to silence those you deemed a threat."

With a flick of his hand, the scene shifted, and Dolores found herself once again thrust into the past, this time viewing a memory from 1995.

She saw herself, now the Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic, maneuvering with calculated precision. The dark, oppressive aura of the Ministry's inner offices seemed to shimmer with her ambition. Dolores was in her element, using Cornelius Fudge's growing paranoia and insecurities to her advantage. She was a master at exploiting the Minister's weaknesses, maneuvering herself into a position of even greater influence.

The memory shifted, revealing Dolores's frustration as she faced the Ministry's hesitance to deal with the rising threat of Harry Potter's revelations about Voldemort's return. The Ministry's strategy to discredit Harry through the press had failed to quell the public's concern, and Dolores's irritation was evident. She viewed the lack of decisive action as a personal affront to her authority and an obstacle to her plans.

Her face, now a mask of cold determination, revealed a new strategy. Dolores's eyes narrowed as she secretly ordered two Dementors to attack Harry. Her mind raced through the possible outcomes: if Harry were subjected to the Dementor's Kiss, it would rid her of him once and for all; if he managed to fend them off, she could tarnish his reputation and force his expulsion, painting him as a dangerous criminal. Either way, Dolores believed she would secure her position by demonstrating her ability to handle the situation decisively.

The scene zoomed in on her calculating expression as she prepared for the attack, the sinister intent clear in her eyes. The Judge's voice resonated again. "This memory reveals your willingness to resort to extreme measures to maintain your power and manipulate the situation to your advantage."

Dolores's face flushed with a mix of anger and denial. "This is a distortion! You're showing me out of context!" she protested, her voice rising. "I was merely acting in the interest of the Ministry, ensuring that order was maintained and threats were dealt with appropriately."

She took a deep breath, her hands gripping the sides of her robe as if trying to anchor herself. "I never intended harm beyond what was necessary for the greater good of maintaining order. Any actions I took were to protect the Ministry and uphold its authority."

The Judge's gaze remained unwavering. "The methods you employed and the lengths you went to in your attempts to neutralize Harry Potter reveals a fundamental disregard for morality and justice. Your actions were driven by personal ambition and a need for control, rather than a genuine concern for the welfare of the magical community."

Dolores's defiant stance faltered slightly as she faced the weight of her actions laid bare. The courtroom was filled with a tense silence as she grappled with the stark revelation of her own calculated cruelty.