The scene shifted abruptly, throwing Dolores Umbridge into her past. She was now in a dimly lit room that transformed into a cold, sterile office at Hogwarts. The Judge's voice echoed with an ancient authority as he directed her to observe a specific memory.
The memory depicted the year 1995. Dolores Umbridge, dressed in her distinctive pink attire, was seen entering Hogwarts as the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, a position she had acquired under the terms of Educational Decree Number Twenty-Two.
The decree had been enacted by the Ministry of Magic without Albus Dumbledore's consent, fueled by the Ministry's unfounded fears of Dumbledore's intentions. The Minister was paranoid that Dumbledore might be using the students to undermine his position and challenge the Ministry.
Umbridge's demeanor was one of smug satisfaction as she took up her new role. Her arrival was not welcomed by the students, and her methods quickly became apparent. Dolores's first interaction with Harry Potter illustrated her cruelty and disdain for those who defied her authority.
"No, not with your quill," Umbridge said with a tight-lipped smile. "You're going to be using a rather special one of mine. Here you are. I want you to write, 'I must not tell lies.'"
Harry, confused and defiant, asked, "How many times?"
Umbridge's smile widened maliciously. "Oh, as long as it takes for the message to sink in."
The memory shifted, showing Umbridge's blatant disregard for effective education. She admitted to Harry that she wasn't fond of children, even expressing outright hatred for them.
Her teaching methods were as ineffective as her attitude was hostile. She focused solely on basic defensive theory, deliberately avoiding real spells that could prepare her students for the dangers of the outside world. The Ministry's goal was clear: to prevent Dumbledore from forming a wizard army of students that could challenge their authority.
Dolores's ineptitude as an educator was evident. Lacking any teaching background and struggling to maintain her students' attention, she opted to have them read from the book during class while she sat behind her desk, offering no engagement or support. Her refusal to address questions or foster any meaningful learning environment was a testament to her incompetence.
The Judge's voice resonated with a solemn tone. "You sought to control Hogwarts not through education but through oppression. Your placement there was a strategic move to limit the students' knowledge and thwart Dumbledore's influence. Your disdain for effective teaching and your contempt for the students underscored your willingness to sacrifice their education for your ambition."
As Dolores was forced to witness her past actions, her frustration and denial were palpable. "I was simply following orders and upholding the Ministry's regulations," she retorted, her voice strained. "My methods were designed to maintain order and ensure the students were not misled by false promises of rebellion."
The Judge's gaze was unwavering. "You chose to ignore the welfare of the students and the integrity of education in favor of your advancement and the Ministry's control. Your actions were driven by a personal ambition that allowed no room for compassion or genuine concern for the well-being of children."
Umbridge's lack of respect for the school and its inhabitants became apparent as she continued her reign. Her incompetence as a teacher was evident; her methods were ineffective, and her disdain for the students was palpable. Her actions, sanctioned by the Ministry through various Educational Decrees, were met with widespread contempt from students and staff alike.
Her disregard extended to Professor Filius Flitwick, whom she measured with a tape measure, an act of clear disrespect that deeply offended the cheerful professor.
Despite the Ministry's backing, students often found ways to circumvent or mock the Decrees, treating them as a joke rather than a legitimate authority. Umbridge's attempts to exert control were met with resistance. She tried to dismiss Sybill Trelawney, the Professor of Divination but was thwarted by Albus Dumbledore, who used his authority as Headmaster to keep Trelawney at Hogwarts.
The Judge's tone grew stern. "Your attempts to undermine the integrity of Hogwarts were met with resistance. Even when you sought to remove Trelawney, Dumbledore's intervention prevented your machinations. Your authority was limited and challenged by those who opposed your methods."
The memory then shifted to Umbridge's reaction to Dumbledore's appointment of Firenze, a centaur, as the new Professor of Divination. Her face contorted with horror at the thought of a "filthy half-breed" being given a position of power.
Umbridge's voice, dripping with disdain, was captured in the memory. "A centaur? How could they allow such a creature to teach at Hogwarts? It's an abomination, a filthy half-breed!"
The Judge's voice cut through her outrage. "Your contempt for those you deemed inferior was a defining characteristic of your tenure. Your prejudices extended even to the magical creatures, as seen in your reaction to Firenze. Your inability to accept diversity and your obsession with authority only further isolated you."
Dolores's face flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment as she struggled to defend her actions. "I was only upholding standards and ensuring the integrity of the institution. My decisions were made with the best interests of Hogwarts in mind, not personal prejudice."
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
The Judge remained unmoved. "Your actions spoke louder than your intentions. You prioritized control and conformity over understanding and respect. Your legacy is marred by your inability to embrace the diverse nature of the magical world and your relentless pursuit of power."
As the memories faded, Dolores Umbridge was left to confront the full scope of her actions, her anger and defensiveness battling with the harsh reality of her own choices.
The Judge's voice resonated with a weight of authority as the scene shifted once more. Dolores Umbridge found herself thrust into the midst of her tumultuous time at Hogwarts.
"Headmistress Umbridge," the Judge intoned, "relive the moments of your reign at Hogwarts, where your policies sparked a firestorm of fireworks and pranks."
The memory unfolded. Dolores Umbridge stood before the assembled students in the Great Hall, her eyes flashing with cold authority.
"Students of Hogwarts," she began with a saccharine smile, "Under Educational Decree Number Twenty-Eight, I am now your new Headmistress. I expect strict adherence to the new rules. Any misbehavior will be met with the utmost severity."
Murmurs of discontent rippled through the hall. The students' faces showed a mix of defiance and anger. As Umbridge departed, the memory shifted to Professor Minerva McGonagall, who had always been stern but was now seen in a new light.
"Professor McGonagall," Umbridge said dismissively, "I trust you will keep Peeves in check?"
McGonagall's eyes narrowed. "Peeves, you say? I think he might be more... creative with his antics than usual."
The scene changed to Peeves causing chaos in the corridors, his usual tricks amplified by the support from McGonagall.
"We'll see how you like this, dear Headmistress," Peeves cackled as he conjured a shower of colorful streamers in the hallway.
Umbridge's frustration mounted. "Get that poltergeist under control!" she snapped at Argus Filch, who was only too eager to assist.
Filch's face lit up with malicious glee. "Yes, Madam Umbridge. I'll make sure he gets the message."
The memory shifted again, showing Umbridge standing before Rubeus Hagrid.
In the cold light of her office, Dolores Umbridge stood with a hard expression. Before her, Rubeus Hagrid—Hogwarts' beloved gamekeeper—faced her with a mixture of confusion and fury. Umbridge's voice was icy, devoid of sympathy.
"Hagrid," she declared sharply, "you are dismissed from your position. Your half-giant heritage makes you unfit for Hogwarts."
Hagrid's face flushed red with a combination of anger and hurt. "You don't have the right to do this, Umbridge!" he bellowed, his voice echoing off the walls. The weight of his words hung heavy in the air.
Without acknowledging his protests, five Ministry officials advanced, their wands drawn. They began to forcibly escort Hagrid from the grounds, their movements rough and unsympathetic. The struggle was intense. Hagrid, despite his sheer size and strength, found himself overwhelmed by the coordinated effort of the officials.
Professor Minerva McGonagall, witnessing the injustice, rushed forward to intervene. Her wand was raised, casting stunning hexes in a desperate attempt to halt the removal. However, the hexes found their mark only sporadically, as Hagrid's half-giant constitution made him somewhat resistant to magic. McGonagall herself was hit by stray hexes, her face contorted in pain as she was knocked to the ground.
"Stop this at once!" she shouted, her voice wavering with pain but resolute. The commotion created a chaotic symphony of shouts and spells, the air thick with tension.
"COWARDS!" Hagrid roared, his voice booming over the clamor, carrying up to the top of the castle's towers. The sound reverberated through the night, causing several lights to flicker back on inside Hogwarts.
Amid the chaos, Hermione Granger gasped as Hagrid, wielding his immense strength, swung his arms with formidable force. His attackers were flung aside, collapsing in unconscious heaps. Hagrid was briefly doubled over, and Hermione's heart sank as she thought he might have been struck down by a spell. But moments later, Hagrid straightened, revealing Fang, his loyal dog, draped over his shoulders like a sack.
"Get him, get him!" Umbridge screeched, her voice trembling with frustration. Her remaining supporters hesitated, clearly reluctant to approach Hagrid's powerful form. One of them tripped over a fallen comrade and crashed to the ground.
With a final roar, Hagrid turned and began to run, Fang still clinging to him. Umbridge, her face a mask of fury, cast one last stunning spell, but it missed its mark. Hagrid, sprinting toward the distant gates, vanished into the darkness beyond, his figure slowly disappearing from view.
The scene faded as the Judge's voice cut through the silence. "Dolores Umbridge, your actions in this instance were driven by prejudice and cruelty, masking as administrative decisions. The damage you inflicted went beyond mere policy enforcement; it was a deliberate act of persecution against someone who had always been a part of the Hogwarts family."
The memory shifted again, bringing into focus Dolores Umbridge's intrusive methods. She was depicted in her office, her hands moving swiftly through a pile of students' letters with a fierce determination in her eyes.
"You're not getting away with anything," Umbridge muttered under her breath, her voice low and resolute as she intercepted Harry Potter's owl, Hedwig. Her fingers deftly pried open the letter from the owl's talons, her gaze scanning the contents with ruthless efficiency.
The scene shifted to reveal Hedwig later, her feathers ruffled and her demeanor subdued. Hermione Granger, observing the injured owl, looked deeply troubled.
"The owl was likely attacked by Umbridge," Hermione speculated, her voice heavy with concern and suspicion. "Professor Grubbly-Plank mentioned the possibility of a Thestral, but given the current conditions of Hogwarts, it seems more possible that Umbridge was the one who is reading your letters."
The memories faded, leaving Dolores Umbridge in the courtroom, her face set in a mask of defiance. As the echoes of the Judge's voice reverberated through the chamber, she attempted to justify her actions, her tone a mixture of indignation and desperation.
Umbridge's face flushed with indignation as she attempted to defend herself. "Sirius Black was a dangerous criminal!" she exclaimed, her voice rising in defensiveness. "I was merely ensuring that he could not use Hogwarts as a means to communicate with his allies."
The Judge's tone remained stern, though it carried a trace of pity. "Dolores, your attempts to justify your actions through the lens of security do not erase the cruelty and abuse of power that marked your tenure. Your decisions were driven more by personal vendettas and a hunger for control than by genuine concern for the safety of the wizarding world."
Umbridge's eyes narrowed, her anger palpable. "You don't understand!" she snapped. "I did what was necessary to maintain order and protect the Ministry's interests!"
The Judge shook his head, his expression one of deep disappointment. "No, Dolores. Your actions were a reflection of your flaws and prejudices. The suffering you inflicted upon others was a direct result of your misuse of power. The laws and ethical standards you disregarded were meant to prevent exactly this kind of abuse."
Umbridge's face hardened, but the Judge's words echoed in the chamber, underscoring the depth of her failings and the extent of her misdeeds.