Dolores Umbridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dolores Umbridge |
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| Harry Potter character | |
Imelda Staunton as Dolores Umbridge in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
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| First appearance | Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2003) |
| Last appearance | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007) |
| Created by | J. K. Rowling |
| Portrayed by | Imelda Staunton |
| House | Slytherin |
| Information | |
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Dolores Jane Umbridge is a character from the Harry Potter books by J. K. Rowling. She is a main villain in the fifth book, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. The Ministry of Magic sent her to Hogwarts to control Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore. They were telling everyone that Lord Voldemort had returned.
At Hogwarts, Umbridge gained a lot of power. She became the "High Inquisitor" to try and take over the school. Even though she was the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, she refused to teach any real magic. This led students to form Dumbledore's Army to learn how to defend themselves. Umbridge is often described as looking like a toad, with a wide mouth and a big bow.
Many people see Umbridge as one of the most disliked villains in the Harry Potter series. Actress Imelda Staunton played her in the movies Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1. J.K. Rowling has said that Umbridge was inspired by a teacher she once had.
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Who is Dolores Umbridge?
Dolores Jane Umbridge was born to a wizard father and a Muggle mother. She also had a younger brother who was a Squib, meaning he couldn't do magic. Her father taught her to dislike her mother and brother because they weren't fully magical.
She was sorted into Slytherin House at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She didn't enjoy her time there because she never got any important roles. After school, Umbridge got powerful jobs in the Ministry of Magic. She worked in the Improper Use of Magic Office.
Later, Umbridge became a Senior Undersecretary to the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge. She used her power to act on her dislike of half-magical beings. For example, she created new laws that made it very hard for Remus Lupin to find a job.
Her Early Actions Against Harry
When rumors spread about Lord Voldemort's return, Minister Fudge became very worried. Umbridge tried to get Harry Potter expelled from Hogwarts. She sent two Dementors to attack Harry and his cousin Dudley Dursley in Little Whinging. Harry used magic to save them, which was against the rules outside of school.
During Harry's trial, Umbridge tried to make him look bad. She wanted to prove he used magic without a good reason. But Harry explained he only used a Patronus Charm because the Dementors were attacking. In the end, Harry was found innocent, even though Umbridge and Fudge voted against him.
Taking Over Hogwarts
After the trial, the Ministry of Magic sent Umbridge to Hogwarts. She became the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. The Ministry wanted her to watch Albus Dumbledore and the students. Fudge worried that Dumbledore was trying to take his job as Minister.
Umbridge saw this as a chance to gain power at Hogwarts. She had always wanted more authority during her own school days.
Becoming a Teacher
Umbridge made a bad first impression at the Start-of-Term Feast. She rudely interrupted Dumbledore and spoke to the students as if they were little children. She refused to teach any practical magic, only theory. This was a problem because Voldemort was believed to be back, and students needed to learn how to defend themselves.
Harry, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and other students openly disagreed with Umbridge. Harry had seen Voldemort return and witnessed Cedric Diggory's death. His constant arguments led to a detention with Umbridge. She made him write "I Must Not Tell Lies" with a special quill that carved the words into his hand.
Umbridge used her power to become the Hogwarts "High Inquisitor." This let her check on, bother, or fire any teacher she didn't like. She often argued with Professor Minerva McGonagall. Umbridge also banned all student groups, including Quidditch teams.
Fighting Back: Dumbledore's Army
In protest, Harry, Ron, and Hermione secretly formed Dumbledore's Army. This group taught students how to use defensive spells in a practical way. They met in the Room of Requirement, a hidden room at Hogwarts.
After Harry gave an interview about Voldemort's return, Umbridge banned the magazine. She also tried to fire Divination Professor Sybill Trelawney. Dumbledore stopped her and then purposely hired a centaur named Firenze as the new Divination Professor. Dumbledore knew Umbridge disliked half-magical beings.
Umbridge Becomes Headmistress
A student named Marietta Edgecombe eventually told Umbridge about Dumbledore's Army. Umbridge tried to get Harry expelled. But Dumbledore took the blame for the group and left Hogwarts to avoid arrest. Umbridge then made herself the new Headmistress. She also created the Inquisitorial Squad, made up of Slytherin students like Draco Malfoy.
Even though Dumbledore's Army was caught, the rebellion against Umbridge continued. Fred and George Weasley led many pranks. Before Umbridge could catch them, they flew away from Hogwarts. They asked Peeves the Poltergeist to keep bothering Umbridge. The castle itself seemed to know Umbridge wasn't the real Headmistress, as it wouldn't let her into the Headmaster's Tower.
Umbridge fired Professor Rubeus Hagrid because he was half-giant. When Professor McGonagall tried to help Hagrid, Umbridge and others attacked her, sending her to the hospital. Umbridge also stopped all messages to prevent Harry from contacting his godfather Sirius Black or the Order of the Phoenix. She even hurt Harry's owl, Hedwig.
Umbridge eventually caught Harry trying to use the Floo Network in her office. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville Longbottom, Ginny Weasley, and Luna Lovegood were rounded up. When Harry refused to give information, Umbridge called Professor Severus Snape for a truth potion called Veritaserum. Snape told her she had used it all up already. Umbridge then thought about using a forbidden curse on Harry.
Hermione tricked Umbridge into following her and Harry into the Forbidden Forest. They said they were looking for Dumbledore's "secret weapon." In the forest, Umbridge met a group of centaurs. She insulted them and attacked one. The centaurs chased her and almost harmed her. Dumbledore saved her by calming the centaurs, who respected him.
After Voldemort was seen at the Ministry of Magic, Dumbledore's power at Hogwarts was restored. Umbridge was fired. She tried to sneak out of the school, but Peeves the Poltergeist chased her out with McGonagall's cane. Students and teachers cheered as she left.
Back at the Ministry
After leaving Hogwarts, Umbridge returned to the Ministry. She became the Senior Undersecretary to the new Minister, Rufus Scrimgeour. She continued to bother Harry by telling the Minister that Harry wanted to become an Auror (a dark wizard catcher). Harry refused to trust the Ministry because Umbridge was never punished for her actions.
Umbridge was later seen at Dumbledore's funeral. She seemed scared when Firenze the centaur appeared, clearly remembering her bad experience with them.
When Voldemort took over the Ministry of Magic, Umbridge was put in charge of a group that registered and judged Muggle-born witches and wizards. She held unfair trials. Muggle-borns were accused of "stealing magic" and sent to Azkaban prison.
After Alastor Moody was killed, Umbridge got his magical prosthetic eye. She put it on her office door to scare Ministry workers, making them think she was always watching. Umbridge also got a locket from a thief named Mundungus Fletcher. This locket was actually Salazar Slytherin's and was one of Voldemort's Horcruxes (a piece of his soul). Umbridge's cruel nature actually made the Horcrux stronger.
During one of her trials, Umbridge was questioning Mary Cattermole. She claimed Mary's wand was stolen and that Mary wasn't a real witch. Harry, who was hidden, revealed himself and attacked Umbridge. Harry and Hermione took the locket from her to destroy Voldemort's Horcrux. Hermione left a fake locket behind so Umbridge wouldn't suspect anything.
After Harry defeated Voldemort, the Ministry was restored by the new Minister, Kingsley Shacklebolt. Umbridge was sent to life imprisonment in Azkaban. This was for her actions against Muggle-borns.
What Kind of Person Was She?
Umbridge is shown in the books as a cruel and mean woman. She represents the worst side of political power. She seemed to enjoy being cruel and was very corrupt. Harry himself told Sirius Black that Umbridge was bad enough to be a Death Eater, even though she wasn't one.
Umbridge was also very prejudiced. She disliked half-magical beings and Muggle-born witches and wizards. She fired Hagrid because he was half-giant. She also showed intolerance towards the centaur Firenze, even shouting insults at the centaurs in the Forbidden Forest. Umbridge believed in "pure-blood supremacy" (that only pure-blood wizards were good). She tried to hide that her mother was a Muggle and would often speak badly about her Muggle mother and Squib brother.
Umbridge was eventually sent to Azkaban for her actions against Muggle-borns during her time at the Ministry.
Images for kids
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A costume designed by Jany Temime and worn by Imelda Staunton while playing Dolores Umbridge.
