Halfway through Harry Potter 5 - I hate Umbridge *spoilers*

I'm a little past the point where Umbridge banned Harry and the Weasleys from Quidditch, so don't reveal anything beyond that point.

I have never detested a fictional character so much in my life. If she's not a secret Death Eater, I'll be very surprised.

I sincerely hope she ends up tortured by an unremovable Cruciatus curse.

And Fudge, he's either a Death Eater, or supremely selfish. Either way, I've got no use for him, and hope he ends the book as a pile of dragon shit.

n/t

really really hate her later. You'll love Hermione's quick thinking, too.

Only halfway.

But if nothing bad happens to either Umbridge or Fudge by the end of the book, I am going to have to send her a photograph of a slimey fish, and ask her to slap herself with it.

needs villains.

However, she is is irritatingly vile. It's a little one-dimensional, like Snape and Harry's mutual antipathy.

they're not a good villian IMO. I want villans to disgust me. JMO.

It's just that none of the HP villians rubbed me the wrong way like she does. I'm not sure why; Harry's faced worse than her, and the Dursleys are no prizes themselves.

It's just that none of the HP villains rubbed me the wrong way like she does. I'm not sure why; Harry's faced worse than her, and the Dursleys are no prizes themselves.

later. As far as her being a death eater, there are some bad people who aren't - but I won't give it away. Guess she just adds to the story for me, so to each his own.

to a considerable degree. An excellent way to get a disgusting villain.

And don't worry -- Umbridge has a very bad time of it later on in the book. One can only wish it were possible for some equally nice things to happen to Ashcroft...

See also MarianJack's post 14, below.

The creation of Umbridge seems even more brilliant to me. There's a squad that Umbridge creates that brings things close to home. :-(

Dolores Umbridge I agree is quite detestable. When I was at about that same point in the book as you are, I almost quit reading because she was getting to be so vile.

and mean. Others are boring or frauds? That's been the theme of all the books so far. The only really nice teacher is Hagrid. Even he has his goofy moments.

Isn't that how kids see their teachers most of the time? Think back. I guess that's why Harry Potter books are such a hit.

The ending isn't really an ending to this book. I kept wanting more.

McGonagall is strict, but they learn from her. Snape is capriciously mean, but competent, and his field is one that is very useful; I'd certainly have tried to handle him differently as Harry.

Sure, I had my share of bad teachers when I was younger. When I was in third grade, I had one who clearly disliked me, and made no attempt to hide it. Very Snape-like, she'd punish me when I reacted to getting kicked in the shins by the girl who sat across from me. I know she saw the kick, but it was when I yelped that she had me stand in the corner. She never made any other student but me wear a dunce cap. She really seemed to like to humiliate me, and seemed to look forward to every opportunity to do so.

But the overwhelming majority of teachers I respected, and found very engaging, especially in high school and later.

you see a lighter side to McGonagall later in the book. Can't say more...

My wife & I were amazed at how much Fudge's Ministry of magic reminded us of this bush administration. Umbridge would be a good rumsfeld or cheyney.

I came out of this book liking McGonnagall more than I ever did. She's tough, but absolutely fair and just. She must be a Democrat.

It's too close to home.