Umbridge's knock had been fairly polite, but once she entered, she became somewhat less so.
"Professor Snape, this environment—" She covered her nose as she approached the workbench piled high with potion ingredients. "You must be having a hard time living here, aren't you?"
Snape wore a cold expression and said nothing.
All these years, the Bat Cave had always looked like this. What was wrong with a dark, damp environment?
Umbridge paid no attention to his attitude. She casually picked up a jar of viscous liquid so purple it was nearly black from the workbench. "Professor Snape, what is this?"
"Concentrated Acromantula Venom."
"What?" she shrieked, flinging the entire jar into the air.
Snape hurriedly drew his wand and cast a spell. Fortunately, he had reacted quickly, or a week's work would have gone to waste.
He clutched the jar tightly, then glared at Umbridge after confirming it had not broken.
Yet she showed not the slightest guilt. She even frowned.
"Professor Snape, Acromantula venom is a dangerous substance subject to strict controls. May I ask whether you reported it to the Ministry of Magic before beginning the concentration process?"
A Potions master of his standing needed to report handling a few dangerous materials?
Snape's expression turned even colder. "No."
"Oh, my—" Umbridge widened her eyes theatrically. "That is a violation of regulations, Professor Snape. How terribly careless of you."
This counted as a violation? Then what about those little workshops outside?
Snape's thin lips trembled slightly. "I did not know it had to be reported in advance."
Umbridge flashed a broad smile. "That's all right. You know now."
She strolled over to several old wooden cabinets occupying an entire wall and casually pulled open one of the doors.
It was crammed full of magical materials, and several items