Umbridge slowly stood up, dragging herself through both physical and mental pain.
When she found she could move, her first reaction was to escape, so she Apparated.
Huh?
She tried again, but it still didn't work.
"Don't waste your time trying. Anti-Apparition charms have been cast here. You didn't think you could get away, did you, Umbridge?"
A soft chuckle sounded, and Umbridge looked over to find Tom sitting at a dining table not far away, watching her as if she were an amusing toy.
"Since Umbridge is awake, why don't you join me for dinner?"
Just as Umbridge was about to say something, a wand was pressed against her back. She believed that if she showed any sign of refusal, the next second she might become another victim of Crucio.
As a fish on the chopping block, Umbridge, once again under duress, sat opposite Tom, with a person dressed as a Death Eater standing respectfully behind her, ready to serve her with a wand at any moment.
Umbridge was trembling all over. Was this a dinner invitation, or her last meal?
Tom looked at Umbridge's nervous and frightened expression and said with a smile, "Relax, Umbridge, I don't intend to do anything malicious to you today."
'No malice? Do you know how many outrageous things you've done to me these past few days, you bastard!!!'
Umbridge cursed inwardly, but seeing the Death Eater eyeing her menacingly, she didn't have the courage to speak it aloud.
"You must be cursing me in your heart, thinking what I've done to you these past few days is outrageous, aren't you?"
Tom's words sent a shiver through Umbridge's heart, as if her thoughts had been completely seen through.
"Heh heh, Umbridge, why don't you think carefully, have I really gone too far? If I had, you would have already been sent away by Crucio, then burned clean by Fiendfyre, and all traces of your existence in this world would have been wiped clean. Believe me, with the power of Professor Dumbledore and the Death Eaters, we are capable of doing that."
"And now, you've only been imprisoned for a few days, suffered a little Crucio, and some insignificant Dark Arts, and now you can still sit here properly, instead of becoming a madman or an idiot. What are you dissatisfied with? Oh, by the way, to cure your 'not entirely human' creature phobia, I even specifically took you to the Centaur tribe. It seems you didn't like it much. No problem, next time how about we try a Giant? Believe me, your condition will definitely be cured."
Did he even hear what he was saying? Umbridge listened to Tom utter the most ruthless words in a smiling tone, and she was on the verge of tears, feeling her tormented body and spirit begin to ache faintly again.
"Alright, Umbridge, let's eat first."
As his words fell, a luxurious feast made from expensive ingredients appeared on the empty table, even including her favorite sweet sherry.
Umbridge, who had only been fed dry bread and water for the past few days, involuntarily swallowed, and her stomach rumbled unconsciously. But after glancing at Tom, she hesitated again; this setup really seemed like a last supper.
However, Tom paid no attention to her, and began to enjoy the delicious food by himself.
The feast before her, which even her salary could hardly afford, was an irresistible temptation for her in her current state.
Umbridge hesitated for a long time before finally starting to devour the food without restraint, deciding that even if she were to die, she would die well-fed.
After eating and drinking her fill, Umbridge resignedly awaited Tom's pronouncement of her final fate.
But Tom said nothing to her, only motioned for his subordinates to bring a pile of items before her.
Exquisite jewelry, limited edition handbags, high-end custom clothing—all in her favorite pink girlish style, and even including her beloved 'Playful Kittens' decorative plates.
"Do you like them?" Tom asked with a smile.
"These are all for me?" Umbridge looked at Tom in disbelief. What was he up to now?
"All of this comes from the grace of Professor Dumbledore. It can be given to you, or not. It all depends on what you can give back."
"And there's more."
As Tom's words fell, a person bearing a seven-tenths resemblance to Fudge walked in.
"Do you want to trample him underfoot, ascend to the pinnacle of power in the magic world, and realize your ambitions?"
"And Professor Dumbledore is the one who can help you achieve everything. He can bestow upon you the position of Minister for Magic, and even the pure-blood status you crave."
Tom's seductive words whispered in Umbridge's ear. She felt her eyelids gradually grow heavy, slowly falling into a beautiful dream.
In her dream, her ambitions were realized. She became the Minister for Magic, and she herself transformed into a member of the Selwyn family, enjoying a luxurious life every day. Her former superior, Fudge, became her dog, trampled underfoot, summoned and dismissed at her whim.
She became a being second only to one in the magic world.
Just as Umbridge was reveling in the pleasure brought by this power, she found the beautiful dream gradually slipping away from her.
"No, don't..."
Umbridge woke with a start, only to find herself suspended back in that dilapidated room.
"You're awake. Did you enjoy today's banquet?"
Hearing the Death Eater's words, Umbridge felt like she was going mad. Were Tom's dinner invitation and the dream she just had real?
Unfortunately, before she could figure it out, she heard the person in front of her continue: "However, the pleasant time has passed. We'll need to work together more in the coming days."
"Crucio!"
Unprepared, Umbridge was hit by another Crucio without warning. The disparity between dream and reality made this time particularly difficult to bear, and she almost completely broke down.
A new round of 'care' began again.
And this time, Umbridge only lasted less than a day before crying for her parents and begging to see Tom.
"So, Umbridge, what do you have to say to me this time?"
Tom asked, looking at Umbridge, who was slumped on the ground.
"I am willing. I am willing to offer everything to Master Dumbledore."
As Umbridge spoke these words, the longing in her eyes to escape her current situation, and her ambition for the dream Tom had painted, were impossible to hide.
Since she couldn't resist Dumbledore and his Death Eaters, and all her secrets were exposed to them, then she would join them and offer everything to Dumbledore.
After being 'cared for' by Tom for so many days, stripped of everything by Tom, and immersed in the future Tom had painted for her, Umbridge finally understood this truth.
"Very good. If that's the case, then you will be under my jurisdiction from now on."
Tom was very satisfied with Umbridge's choice.
"Next, let me take you to meet your new master—the great Professor Dumbledore."