Word Count: 1,093

Letter: U

Character: Dolores Umbridge

Others I Considered: Ug the Unreliable

Why I Picked Dolores: No one knows much about Ug, and it wasn't enough to write a sufficient story.

Summary: Dolores watches in the classrooms of Professor Snape, Professor Sprout, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Flitwick.

Dolores had made a schedule and put it in the teacher's lounge on the bulletin board. During first block, she'd observe Minerva. During third block, she'd observe Pomona. During fifth block, it was Filius's turn. Severus was to be observed during seventh block.

Dolores made her way to Minerva McGonagall's classroom long before she needed to. She began to question her about her background at the school.

"How long have you been teaching here?"

"This is my thirty-ninth year," replied the professor monotonously.

"Thinking about retirement yet?"

"No."

Dolores considered this for a moment.

"So you're head of Gryffindor house?"

"Yes."

"And what do you think of the children in your house?"

"They're a fine group of students."

"Mr. Potter is in your house, is he not?"

"Yes, he is."

"Any thoughts on him?"

"He is just as fine as all of the other students. He's a brave child, really a true Gryffindor."

Minerva's students started crowding in and taking their seats, and she brushed passed Dolores to get to the front of her classroom.

"Today, class, we'll be working on self-transfigurations again. I want you all to work on the small things, maybe clipping your fingernails or changing the color of your eyebrow, and once you have the hang of that, try something a little bigger, like changing the size of your hand," she paused here to transfigure her hand from its normal size, to twice that, then to half of its original size, and back, "or changing the color of your hair. I'll be walking around to answer your questions as usual."

At that, a light murmuring began as the students partnered up and transfigured themselves, looking in the small mirrors on their desks to see if they ended up doing what they wanted. Minerva walked around, making sure that nothing completely un-correctable was done.

"Minerva?"

"Yes?"

"Would you like to finish your questions for the observation?"

"No." And she walked over and took the seat next to her.

"I noticed that you are quite good at Transfiguration. Has that always been your strong subject?"

"Yes. I remember being a young witch here at Hogwarts and loving Transfiguration, trying new and advanced things in the dorms by myself."

"Why do you like it?"

"I'm not so sure. I think because you can make new things out of old things, make old things out of new things, or take something completely opposite and turn it into what you want."

"Any other words you'd like to add?"

"Dolores, I do not intend on retiring any time soon. Nor do I have anything against Mr. Potter and his friends."

"Then it seems we stand on two opposite sides."

And with that, Dolores walked out and left Minerva to finish teaching her class.

When third period rolled around, Dolores made her way to Pomona's greenhouse rather early. She started observing right away.

"You teach Herbology here?"

"Yes."

"And you're head of Hufflepuff house?"

"Yes."

"Anything against any of the students in your house?"

"No. They're all great and loyal students and I think they'll become great witches and wizards later in their lives."

"Why do you like Herbology?"

"I think anyone can do it, and I don't think it's the most dangerous thing to learn either."

Pomona's students took their seats just then, and the professor stepped around Dolores to get to her chalkboard. Tapping it with her wand, she said, "We'll be taking our tests today. Everyone, notes and wands away, quills out." She passed out the tests and told the students that they had the whole period.

"Let's go outside," said Dolores, and Pomona cast a watch charm, which would tell her if anyone was noisy or cheating, around her classroom.

"Do you have anything against-"

"Dolores, I think that Harry Potter and his friends- I think that all of my students are wonderful. It seems that you and I view things from two different perspectives in this situation and I hope that this is an observation on my teaching, not an observation on my political standpoints."

"Of course, of course. Well then, I believe if you could give me a copy of your test then I'll be on my way."

Pomona accioed one and gave it to Dolores and they both went back to their rooms.

Twenty minutes before fifth period was to begin, Filius found himself being bombarded with questions from none other than Dolores Umbridge herself.

"You teach Charms?"

"Yes."

"And you're part-goblin?"

"Yes, and quite proud."

Dolores turned up her nose.

"What is your method of teaching?"

"I usually teach with rhymes, riddles, and catchy phrases to help the students remember more. I teach with hands on, allowing them to use the charms, after proper instruction, of course. I make sure they are saying the incantation correctly, then I teach them the wand movement, and then I let them try it."

"You seem quite organized."

"So I've been told."

"And you're head of Ravenclaw house?"

"Yes. It's a great house to be a part of. Such wise children."

"You also conduct the choir?"

"Yes. I have always had a love for music."

"Very well."

Dolores stayed the remainder of the class and found nothing unusual about Filius's teaching. She actually learned that she was doing something wrong, and that that was why her hovering charm never quite made it up the stairs. She left with the students, ignoring the professor when he said good-bye.

She waited until the middle of sixth block when she knocked on Severus's door in the dungeons.

"Enter."

"Hello."

"May I help you?"

"I am here to observe your class."

"Class has not begun."

She ignored his sadistic sarcasm and took a seat.

"Why potions?"

"It was the only vacant position."

"And you once applied for the Defense Against the Dark Arts position?"

"Yes."

"And you did not succeed?"

"…Obviously."

His students took their seats.

"You'll be making the Drought of the Living Dead. Do not drink it this time, Longbottom. The page number is on the board."

"So," started Dolores again, "You are also the head of Slytherin?"

"Yes."

"Anything you'd like to add?"

"No."

"Honestly?"

"Yes."

"You're on probation."

He raised his eyebrows. "For?"

"Being sarcastic with the Hogwarts High Inquisitor."

"You can't do that."

"Why not?"

"No one wants my position. No one else will teach the students potions."

"Then no one else will teach the students potions."

"As you wish."

And Snape walked into his office and send owls to all the other professors.

This has to end. Now.

~ S.S.