Delores Umbridge is--hem hem--a piece of work. While the HP universe has its share of classic megalomaniac characters Umbridge may take the cake for the most hated. I think it's at least in part because those of us from the upper Midwest see the absurd passive-aggressive complex she has. All of us know people like that: ones who smile and nod then secretly check a mental box to go behind your back and do exactly what they said they wouldn't, or people who say "interesting" or "I see" a lot.
Umbridge is that and more. She is the perfect face for the Ministry of Magic, as they seek to discredit and eventually remove Dumbledore from Hogwarts. Her pink cardigan, fake laugh, and snobbish attitude are downright infuriating. I'm getting upset right now just thinking about it. When Fred and George leave Hogwarts in a cascade of fireworks and magical mischief it was a moment worth celebrating. Somebody stuck it to her.
Then it got even better.
Order of the Phoenix features a moody Harry Potter facing off against a disbelieving student body, the lie-spouting Daily Prophet, and that thing in the pink up above. Umbridge goes as far as forcing Harry to carve "I must not tell lies" into the back of his hand--the scar a constant reminder of the torture she put him through.
So, when Harry and Hermione take Umbridge into the Forbidden Forest and she encounters the centaurs what can we do but cheer? In the movie, she begs Harry to tell the centaurs she means them no harm. "Sorry," said Harry, "I must not tell lies, remember?" It doesn't occur in the books, but which of us didn't want it to?
Rarely in the books do we celebrate a character's troubles--even in the case of Snape, Malfoy, or even Voldemort (remember, Harry gives him the chance to show remorse!). Yet, when it comes to Umbridge I am unapologetic. She deserves it. Perhaps it's just my opportunity to exorcise my passive-aggression, but I don't care.
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