Dolores Umbridge was arguably the most evil character in the Harry Potter series, sometimes more so than Lord Voldemort, mainly Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix. This is due to her abuse of power during her time at Hogwarts and preventing students from using magic in the classroom and imposing outdated school rules.
She was also later reviled due to her Death Eater-like mentality and hatred for Muggles and so-called 'inferior' Magical and Non-Magical beings. These are some of Umbridge's most horrific moments during the later half of the Harry Potter books and films. Her behavior still makes audiences angry and hateful of such a villainous woman.
9 The Infamous "Hem hem!"
This was Umbridge's signature vocal expression that she makes to get the attention of others, much to their annoyance. It was the type of noise that would suddenly appear when characters were least expecting it, and therefore it either startled them or was incredibly grating to hear.
As a part of her characterization, Umbridge uses plenty of vocal interjections such as "hem hem," "tut tut" and fake coughs. These were typically used to establish authority and dominance over whoever she is speaking with, and most other characters did not like her as a result.
8 The Alleged Attack On Hedwig
In the books, it is revealed that Hedwig has been injured as Harry discovers a wound on her. Hermione concludes that she was perhaps injured due to Umbridge trying to read Harry's mail and taking control of the Owlery. Despite no proof ever being concluded in the books, it is an easy theory for Potter fans to belief because of Umbridge's disregard for most magical creatures.
Attacking an innocent animal, or organizing the attack, further proves the cruelty of Umbridge. This, along with attempting to kill a Centaur and being cruel to Hagrid, proves her hatred further of those that she did not deem as "pure".
7 She Prevents The Use Of Magic During School Lessons
When Umbridge first arrives as a teacher at Hogwarts and begins to interfere with all aspects of education and curriculum. This includes forbidding the practice of magic during her Defence Against the Dark Arts lessons, prompting students to loudly question why they are not being allowed to defend themselves.
As a result of this decision, Harry and his classmates felt unsafe and unable to protect themselves as well as they could. This ultimately caused tension between them and the students who did not believe Voldemort had returned.
6 Attempted Sacking Of Professor Trelawney
In a cruel twist during The Order of the Phoenix, Umbridge tries to remove Professor Trelawney as a Hogwarts teacher, causing a fierce altercation with Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall. Trelawney was a kind and gentle character that Harry Potter fans loved and so for Umbridge to try to force her out of her home was a source of much anger.
Whilst the entire student body watched this scene unfold, it causes Dumbledore to quickly anger. It is when those at Hogwarts get the sense that Umbridge was slowly taking power over the school and indeed over Dumbledore himself.
5 Exposing Dumbledore's Army
Umbridge cruelly tricking Cho Chang with a truth serum into revealing the location of DA meetings towards the climax of The Order of the Phoenix book and film was evil beyond measure. Not only because it resulted in her breaking into The Room of Requirement, but also because it causes everybody to turn against Cho Chang.
To continue the injustice, this event is also the catalyst for Dumbledore to hastily depart Hogwarts and Umbridge being appointed Headteacher of the school. Plenty more insane rules and regulations were created by her as a result.
4 Replacing Herself As Headmistress Of Hogwarts
When Umbridge becomes head of Hogwarts effectively by force, it shows how quickly a person can cultivate and come to power. In the wake of political corruption and cruel government practices, she basically gets to do whatever she wants at the school.
Her position as Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic gave her massive insight and responsibility, allowing her to successfully do as she pleased. Her appointment as Headteacher was by her own decree, and she used it to inflict misery on the entire faculty and student body proving her intentions were always evil.
3 Controlling The Dementors Against Harry
In addition to all of her criminal activities, it is also revealed that the Dementors are under the control of Umbridge herself. It comes to light that she was the one to set the Dementor on Harry and his cousin Dudley, resulting in Harry's near-expulsion from Hogwarts.
These strange on-goings are explained when it is revealed that the Ministry of Magic have been controlling the Dementors for a while. Part of this reveal is that Umbridge can produce a corporeal Patronus (a patronus that also conjures a spirit animal) and so it is obvious that she, along with other ministers, are able to use them to their advantage.
2 Torturing Muggle-borns And Sending Them To Azkaban
One of these advantages for Umbridge may be to do with her sending Muggle-borns to the sole Wizarding World prison Azkaban. From the offset, she was clearly a very prejudiced person, but these events truly exposed to evil discrimination that she inflicted upon those in the Wizarding World that she did not deem to be "Pure" of blood.
She was heavily involved in the interrogation, torture and racist actions against Muggle-born people and not everybody survived this torture as a result. It is canon that Umbridge was eventually imprisoned in Azkaban herself after the fall of Voldemort because of these heinous crimes.
1 Torturing And Drugging Students During Detention
In addition to her racism against Muggle-borns and appetite for torture, her completely unethical politics and personality is further demonstrated by her justifying the torture of children, mainly Hogwarts students. Most significantly, she forces students to use a quill during detention that painfully imprints what they are writing on their hand.
The sadistic joy that she revels in by causing physical pain to Hogwarts students further proves how cruel and despicable Umbridge truly is. She absolutely represents the worst of political authority behind a sickening image of girlishness and kittens.