Hissing Castles and Pink Toads
Set in year five, when Umbridge is still a member of staff.
A sequel to my story, The Castle That Purred. I strongly reccomend reading that first if you can.
Please leave your logic and sanity at the door on your way in. ;)
Prologue
The plump toadlike woman, who resembled a particularly unpleasant and frightening aunt, stared in disbelief at Albus Dumbledore as he stood further down the passage seemingly engrossed in conversation with himself. Her mousy eyebrows shot upwards as Dumbledore stroked the castle walls fondly, and began to murmur what sounded like endearments to it. Umbridge's eyes glinted, if the old fool really was going crazy then he could be got rid of, and she could take over.
"Ahem ahem ..." Umbridge cleared her throat in what she considered a ladylike manner as she stepped towards the Headmaster. "If I may interrupt your conversation with yourself Headmaster ... You are feeling quite all right are you not ?" She asked in fake concern.
At once there was a hissing noise from nearby, it sounded rather like the noise an angry cat makes. As soon as he heard it a mildy concerned expression flitted across Albus' face, as he rested a hand gently against the ancient stone wall. "There ... there ..." He murmured almost inaudibly.
"I beg your pardon ?" Umbridge said, then before Albus could answer she continued, "Really this is a most dreadfully drafty old castle ... why one can positively hear the wind hissing along the passages. It ought to be demolished !"
At Umbridge's words the hissing grew even louder, sounding positively threatening. Unnoticed by Umbridge a large stone block right above her head began to ease it's way out of the wall, just as it was about to drop on to her head Albus happened to glance upwards. "Don't you dare !" He commanded, as his bright blue eyes flashed dangerously. Unwillingly the block eased it's way back into the wall, and the hissing noise grew a little quieter.
"Really Dumbledore there is no reason to speak to me like that !" Umbridge snapped affronted, her beady eyes glinting angrily. "I have a very great deal of power at the ministry you know and if I want this horrid old castle demolished ..."
"I am afraid I am most terribly busy my dear Dolores." Albus said courteously, "I really must be going ..." Albus turned and strode off rapidly down the passage, only pausing to pat the castle fondly and murmur entreatingly, "Be good ... no dropping bricks on her ..."
"Well really ! How rude !" Umbridge snorted, she was getting thouroughly sick of Dumbledore constantly vanishing whenever she wished to talk to him. "His manners are as appalling as the rest of the staff !" With her squat nose stuck in the air she stormed down the passage trying desperately to ignore the loud growling noise which was following her. "Dreadful draughy old place ..." She complained to herself.
Author's Notes
This is just a very short prologue to try and set up or explain what happens later. If you are confused please do read the castle that purred, and then hopefully things should become a little clearer. For those of you too lazy or busy to do that ;) then the idea behind this story is that Hogwarts castle is alive in a way, and it is very fond of Albus, who talks to it and strokes it often. In the Castle that Purred, it would respond to Albus by purring like a cat, and Minerva thought it was Albus playing a joke on her. The castle does not like Umbridge at all, clearly a very sensible castle. ;)
Please review, even if it's only a couple of words, it doesn't take much effort and gives writers a lot of pleasure and encouragement. It's often hard to get enthusiasm to continue a story where not many people bother to review. Thanks.