Umbridge's office smelled cloyingly of floral tea.
The pink desk lamp was lit, and the cats on the plates tilted their heads as they watched their owner.
Umbridge sat behind her desk, holding a parchment letter in both hands, her lips trembling.
The letter bore the Minister for Magic's golden wax seal, and Fudge's handwriting was rounded and warm.
"Dear Dolores,
"The theoretical education reforms you have introduced at Hogwarts are among the most pioneering initiatives in the Ministry of Magic's educational history.
"I have approved a quarter-page feature in next Wednesday's education supplement of the Daily Prophet to report on your outstanding contributions."
"Please enclose a recent photograph of yourself, along with no more than three hundred words reflecting on your reforms."
"Yours faithfully, Cornelius Fudge."
Umbridge read the letter three times.
With each reading, the corners of her mouth curved a little higher.
She set down the letter, took a small round mirror from her drawer, and studied her face.
She raised her chin and pressed her lips into a dignified curve.
No, too serious.
She tried another angle, revealing a row of even teeth.
Too forced.
She took a deep breath and arranged her features into an expression both kindly and imposing.
"That's the one."
She nodded at her reflection.
Then she picked up her quill and began drafting her three-hundred-word reflection on a fresh sheet of pink stationery.
"Since I presided over the review and approval of the 'Hogwarts Defense Against Dark Magic-Magic Science Series' textbooks, students throughout the school have shown a significant improvement in both theoretical knowledge and examination performance-"
She paused, crossed out "significant," and replaced it with "epoch-making."
"-an epoch-making improvement. These textbooks represent not merely an update to teaching content, but a solemn declaration of the Ministry of Magic's educational sovereignty