Everyone’s favorite Hogwarts headmistress to hate, Dolores Umbridge, is getting her own backstory exclusively on the Harry Potter interactive expanded universe site Pottermore.com. J.K. Rowling gave some details on the 1,700 word piece through a press release on Pottermore, only available to those with a free account on the site. Aside from just being the backstory of the vicious Umbridge, the story will also include Rowling’s own thoughts on the character and how she came to be.
Played by Imelda Staunton in the films, Dolores Umbridge’s character in the Potter universe is nothing short of terrifying. If it weren’t for that certain dark wizard who I dare not say on this blog, she would be the most ruthless character in the series. It’s also worth noting that, besides Voldermort, Umbridge is the only one to leave a physical scar on Harry throughout his time in Hogwarts. As Entertainment Weekly pointed out:
As Pottermore itself wrote, “Umbridge is not only one of the most malicious Potter characters—she is the only person other than Lord Voldemort to leave a permanent physical scar on Harry.” Umbridge scarred Harry with a Blood Quill, an object of dark magic that uses the blood of its user as ink.
The witch and dedicated Muggle-hater was last seen in the films being carried away by a group of Centaurs – who should be heralded as national heroes.
Dark characters almost always make fascinating backstories, so this should be a treat for fans of Harry Potter when the piece is released on Pottermore October 31st (that’s Halloween for your non-calendar havin’ folks). Assuming of course that Rowling doesn’t do something crazy like needlessly split the prequel into three different works, include a borderline racist cartoon rabbit, explain magic away as magical garbage in your blood or something, and essentially kill everything interesting about that villain. But that would be silly.
[button type=”link” link=”http://shelf-life.ew.com/2014/10/24/jk-rowling-harry-potter-umbridge-pottermore/” variation=”btn-danger” target=”blank”]Source: Entertainment Weekly[/button]Last Updated on November 28, 2018.
