My Umbridge fic.
Umbridge, gen, all the usual disclaimers apply - I don't own these characters and am not making money from this.
Favorite Things
It was only natural in the course of a long life that one would acquire a few possessions. Even for a woman of modest means, thought Dolores, it was only natural to want one's things nearby, to serve as a comfort through the long nights.
Tonight was a very long December night indeed, and her room was not as weathertight as it could have been. Drafts flickered the candles, alternately dimming and brightening the room. It was good to have a comfortable sweater to wear and the old multicolored granny-square afghan to cover her feet as the night wore on. Even though it was past midnight, sleep was elusive.
Years ago, her first love had done her chart as a favor, the knowledge brought back from his Divination class. The chart indicated that since she wasn’t then permitted to go out and see the world as she would have liked, she might be gifted with the ability to bring the world to her. I've certainly done that, she thought. And so much more besides.
As she thought of him, the black kitten in the portrait on the wall above her fireplace rolled over and began to tug at the bow around its neck. Dolores smiled at him. The kitten occupied a prominent place on her wall, as Tobias had once occupied an important place in her heart. But he had shown signs of restlessness, of wanting to leave. "And we can't have that, can we, Toby?" she cooed to the kitten. "That wouldn't have done at all. This way you’re safe with me. Isn't it ever so much nicer this way?"
Toby continued tugging at the bow. The other kittens in the portraits looked on with unreadable expressions as Dolores continued musing, staring into the flames crackling in the hearth. Her mother would have never believed it possible that Dolores could have risen so far in the world, an unimaginable distance from the tiny cottage where she was born. It had been so beautiful, so quiet and peaceful. Their home had been a refuge away from all the turmoil, the wretched monstrosities that threatened their way of life - werewolves, giants, vampires, part-humans, filth of all kinds. But her mother had never realized that it was temporary. The world was not going to let them keep their oasis forever. Something had to be done.
"And now I’m doing it, Mother," she said, in the tone of one expanding upon a long-entrenched position in an ongoing argument, as she settled the old afghan more lightly upon her feet. "You will thank me one day. You’ll understand what I’ve done for you and you’ll be glad of it. I’ve grown old trying to make the world safe for you, and I’ve kept you safe with me in the meantime, and you’ll be grateful someday."
A stirring at her feet told her that Mother still had an opinion about the subject, even after all these years. She tucked the corners of the afghan firmly underneath the ottoman and sighed, looking around the room at the kittens, the bisque cherubs, the mechanical birds and all the other possessions in the room that were absolutely hers.
"Someday you’ll understand," she told them. "I’m only doing this because I love you."
Favorite Things
It was only natural in the course of a long life that one would acquire a few possessions. Even for a woman of modest means, thought Dolores, it was only natural to want one's things nearby, to serve as a comfort through the long nights.
Tonight was a very long December night indeed, and her room was not as weathertight as it could have been. Drafts flickered the candles, alternately dimming and brightening the room. It was good to have a comfortable sweater to wear and the old multicolored granny-square afghan to cover her feet as the night wore on. Even though it was past midnight, sleep was elusive.
Years ago, her first love had done her chart as a favor, the knowledge brought back from his Divination class. The chart indicated that since she wasn’t then permitted to go out and see the world as she would have liked, she might be gifted with the ability to bring the world to her. I've certainly done that, she thought. And so much more besides.
As she thought of him, the black kitten in the portrait on the wall above her fireplace rolled over and began to tug at the bow around its neck. Dolores smiled at him. The kitten occupied a prominent place on her wall, as Tobias had once occupied an important place in her heart. But he had shown signs of restlessness, of wanting to leave. "And we can't have that, can we, Toby?" she cooed to the kitten. "That wouldn't have done at all. This way you’re safe with me. Isn't it ever so much nicer this way?"
Toby continued tugging at the bow. The other kittens in the portraits looked on with unreadable expressions as Dolores continued musing, staring into the flames crackling in the hearth. Her mother would have never believed it possible that Dolores could have risen so far in the world, an unimaginable distance from the tiny cottage where she was born. It had been so beautiful, so quiet and peaceful. Their home had been a refuge away from all the turmoil, the wretched monstrosities that threatened their way of life - werewolves, giants, vampires, part-humans, filth of all kinds. But her mother had never realized that it was temporary. The world was not going to let them keep their oasis forever. Something had to be done.
"And now I’m doing it, Mother," she said, in the tone of one expanding upon a long-entrenched position in an ongoing argument, as she settled the old afghan more lightly upon her feet. "You will thank me one day. You’ll understand what I’ve done for you and you’ll be glad of it. I’ve grown old trying to make the world safe for you, and I’ve kept you safe with me in the meantime, and you’ll be grateful someday."
A stirring at her feet told her that Mother still had an opinion about the subject, even after all these years. She tucked the corners of the afghan firmly underneath the ottoman and sighed, looking around the room at the kittens, the bisque cherubs, the mechanical birds and all the other possessions in the room that were absolutely hers.
"Someday you’ll understand," she told them. "I’m only doing this because I love you."