Rowling continued, noting the woman’s "pronounced taste for twee accessories", including "a tiny little plastic bow slide, pale lemon in colour", which the novelist felt was more "appropriate to a girl of three".

Dolores Umbridge first appears in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the fifth book in the series, where we meet her as Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic, before she takes over teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts and later appoints herself as headmaster of the school in Professor Dumbledore's absence.

Today's new release from Rowling also discloses for the first time that Umbridge is a half-blood, the daughter of a wizard and a Muggle (non-magical person), where in the books Umbridge boasts about her 'pure-blood' credentials.

The essay about Dolores Umbridge is just one entry in over 5,500 words of new writing by J.K. Rowling posted on Pottermore at Halloween to mark the launch of an interactive version of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on the website.

Other entries include a look at the magical and mysterious creatures Thestrals, the dark history of the wizarding prison Azkaban, thought on the character Sybil Trelawney, details of all who have held the position of Minister for Magic and an introduction to the ancient wizarding practice of Naming Seers.

J.K. Rowling reveals the real-life inspiration behind Dolores Umbridge in new Harry Potter story