Author's note: This is just a short fic I wrote for the 30minutefics LJ community (yes, I'm on there. Same name). I didn't think Umbridge had been tortured quite enough in Deathly Hallows...
It was good to be back.
The Ministry looked different from the last time Dolores Umbridge had seen it. Gone was the magnificent Magic is Might statue that Umbridge herself had helped design. In its place was an obelisk, like a Muggle war memorial, detailing the names of all those who had perished in the struggle against Voldemort, along with those (Umbridge noted in disgust) who had been killed escaping legitimate Ministry officials due to their flagrant violation of laws against Muggle-borns.
Umbridge, too, had changed a lot over the years. Since the defeat of Voldemort, eight years previously, she had been in Azkaban for her cruelty, her crimes against Muggle-borns. All she had left in the world were the lilac robes and matching lilac cardigan she was currently wearing. The clothes she had worn into Azkaban. They were shabby now, as was her hair, which she had attempted to curl with her wand.
A young wizard arrived to show her to the Wizard Resources department. As the door opened, Umbridge gave a start. The officer was none other than Percy Weasley, a young man who had served her faithfully so many years ago.
"Percy!" she cried, "it's so lovely to see a familar face. I'm so glad you got this valuable promotion."
Percy made no sign that he recognised Umbridge, or had heard her familiar greeting. He gestured to the wooden stool across from his desk.
"So, Madam Umbridge," he began, shuffling pages, "what led you to apply for the position?"
"I felt like I ought to return to the Ministry. It is, after all, where I belong." She let out a laugh. Umbridge was convinced that her laugh sounded sweet and would win Percy over. However, to her interviewer it sounded false and forced.
"Certainly, certainly," Percy looked up properly for the first time, inspected Umbridge's appearance through his horn-rimmed glasses.
He frowned. "Do you, Madam Umbridge, consider this outfit suitable for an interview?"
"I-" another high pitched laugh, like a small glass breaking, "I have fallen on hard times, Percy. Naturally, I should replace this outfit-"
"You may call me Mr Weasley," Percy replied coldly. "Now, let's see. You certainly are a well-qualified witch. High positions in the Ministry, a teaching post at Hogwarts. Excellent, excellent." Umbridge's heart gave a leap. He was going to employ her! Dolores Umbridge would once again be walking the corridors of the Ministry!
"-are you listening to a word I say, Madam Umbridge?" Percy had snapped her from her reverie. "I asked you, what you went to Azkaban for."
"Loyalty to the Ministry!" Umbridge replied defiantly.
Percy shook his head sadly. "Madam Umbridge, I granted this interview to see if you had changed, if you had realised the mistakes the Ministry had made, as I did. But I do not see a drop of remorse for what you have done. Therefore, I must say that your application for the position of toilet cleaner has been unsuccessful."