Written for the Character Appreciation Challenge (Dolores Umbridge) and the Ultimate Patronus Quest (toad: write about Dolores Umbridge)
Dolores enters the office, her sweetest smile on her face. "Excuse me, Professor Slughorn?" she calls clearing her throat.
Her professor barely glances up from the stack of essays he's scoring. "It is wise to schedule an appointment during my office hours, Miss Umbridge. It is quite unprofessional to appear unannounced unless there is an emergency."
Dolores scowls at the admonishment. She keeps her head high, refusing to let him see the way his words get under her skin. "Sorry about that," she says sweetly, sitting across from him. "It's just… Well, you see, I was curious to know if you've put much thought into who will our House's prefects next year. I feel that I have made excellent strides, and it would be an appropriate choice to choose me."
Slughorn sets his quill down, his weary eyes meeting hers. His lips purse as though he's just tasted something particularly sour. "May I be blunt with you, Dolores?"
Dolores nods eagerly. She leans forward, resting her palms on his desk. "Of course, sir."
She keeps her smile in place, prepared for his praise. After all, it's because of her constant steely supervision that her group finishes their work in such a timely manner. Such excellent marks, and she never even has to lift a quill. That's innovation. And the way she can keep the younger students in line, trembling with the utmost respect.
"You are quite literally the last person I would ever recommend for the position."
Dolores deflates at that. She leans back in her chair, her jaw slack as she tries to process his words. Surely he'll continue with something positive. Surely he knows that she is an excellent choice despite whatever personal dislike he feels for her.
"You are a bully. I've seen the way you manipulation your peers. You are all pink bows and sweet smiles on the outside, dear, but inside… Well, that's a different story entirely."
"Excuse me, Professor Slughorn, but I'm not sure that I follow you," she says, struggling to keep her tone level. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that I will not put you in a position over others. You are ambitious, my dear, but your ambition is ruthless. Anyone who puts you in a position of power ought to have their head thoroughly examined."
Dolores plasters a smile on her face so broad that it aches her jaw. "I… I see, sir," she says sweetly, trying to ignore the way her cheeks burn. "Well, if that's all…"
She climbs to her feet and starts for the door.
"One more thing, Dolores."
Grudgingly, she turns. "Yes?"
"Our House has a reputation. Some aspects of that reputation are wonderful, things to make you proud. Others… Well, you would do well to remember that it is in poor taste to fuel other aspects of our reputation."
"I'll keep that in mind," she says softly before exiting the office, her mind already pondering exactly how to make the vile man's life hell.