Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

You'll Lie and I'll Believe	By : EloiseAtThePlaza Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female Views: 8401 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns all Harry Potter characters, locations, aspects, etc. I do not make money from this fanfic.

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He took a deep breath, squared his shoulders, and knocked on the door. He loathed this place. He loathed the door. He loathed the plaque: Dolores Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister. As much as he enjoying snatching, this part always gave him reservations about his career choice. Reporting to her, in her pink office, with all of that damn kitten décor! He inwardly shuddered.

Leave it to Umbridge to spoil Scabior's day. He wanted to devote all of his time to hunting Cora. If Umbridge assigned him a snatching case, it would be days before he could resume his new "project", or so he liked to call it.

"Come in!" a high-pitched voice pronounced. Scabior's stomach churned. He plastered on a polite smile and slowly opened the door.

Dolores Umbridge looked up stirring her tea and gave him a huge, toady grin. She was wearing an obnoxiously large bow in her short hair. "Mr. Scabior! I've been expecting you. Come in, come in!"

He spent his time closing the door, wary of approaching the short, homely witch. Umbridge always rubbed him in the wrong way. He had a sneaking suspicion that she was attracted to him, which made him feel all the more uncomfortable. He was usually flattered by the female attention he received, but Umbridge…she was another story. He couldn't complain, though. His position of Head Snatcher was secure as long as he remained in her good graces. Sucking up to the nasty old hag was the price to pay.

"Afternoon, ma'am. I got your owl this morning," he began, inching forward to her desk. She was gazing up at him adoringly, her stubby hands folded beneath her double chin.

"Oh, yes. I have a few unregistered Muggle-borns that are due for a hearing. Please have a seat and I'll debrief you," she chirped, lightly patting her thin lips with a lace handkerchief.

Scabior moved to sit down in the velvet chair facing Umbridge's desk, trying to avoid her gaze by glancing about the room. He jumped up when an ear-piercing screech resounded from the chair's cushion. A white Persian cat was glaring up him, its tail flicking in obvious annoyance. It gave a warning hiss.

"Er…the chair appears to be occupied," Scabior stated, not quite sure of what to do with himself.

"Bartholomew? He's perfectly harmless. You can pick him up and place him on the floor. I'm sure he won't mind."

Perfectly harmless? The feline looked as if it wanted to claw his eyeballs out!

Scabior cautiously held out a hand for the cat to sniff. "Nice Bartholomew," he murmured. The cat growled low in its throat. "I'm going to pick you up now," Scabior warned, reaching down to grab the cat.

Bartholomew leapt from the seat and flew at Scabior, his sharp claws sinking into his leather jacket. Scabior cried out as the cat gave him a painful scratch across the cheek.

"A little 'elp!" he yelled, attempting to pry Bartholomew from his waistcoat. The feline was hissing and spitting, trying to have a go at Scabior's face once more.

"Bartholomew, you naughty boy! We do not treat guests in this manner," Umbridge cooed, rising from her desk.

The cat was now twisting in his grasp and attempting to gnaw his gloved hand. He quickly handed the animal to Umbridge. Bartholomew immediately stopped his temper tantrum and started to purr as she scratched his furry little ears.

"Oh dear, let me help you clean your face up," Umbridge offered, advancing on him.

"No need, ma'am, I'm fine. 'onestly, I am. It's just a scratch."

Scabior sat down in the chair, fuming. He gingerly touched his bloody cheek. He would have loved nothing better than to punt the ruddy animal across the room. Merlin, how he hated cats! He was clueless as to why they despised him so much. To make matters worse, he was allergic. His eyes were already beginning to water. His nose twitched and he let out a loud, violent sneeze.

Umbridge resumed her seat behind the desk, Bartholomew settling comfortably into her lap. He glared at Scabior and gave one last hiss of triumph. Scabior was sorely tempted to take his boot off and chuck it at the evil feline. Umbridge rifled through her papers, oblivious to the silent battle occurring between her cat and the Snatcher.

"Now, where were we? Oh yes, the Muggle-borns. There are two sisters that are particularly troublesome, Alice and Alexandra Winthrop. They're both wanted for questioning. Alexandra is a Hogwarts student and has fled the school with a traveling companion. The other sister is older and lives in London. I want you to track them down and bring the girls to the ministry. Here are their files," Umbridge added, reaching across her desk to hand Scabior two manila folders.

He took the files and rifled through the first one, stopping to study a picture of the youngest girl, Alexandra. A boy had his arm around her. They both looked embarrassed by the photographer's attempt to capture a candid shot. The two were obviously boyfriend and girlfriend, experiencing the new and exciting sensations of "puppy love".

Although the photograph was black and white, the boy looked extremely familiar. His hair was a dark shade of blonde. He sported a prominent set of cheekbones. If Scabior didn't know any better, the teenager was a younger, male version of – wait a second…

He read the caption underneath the photo: Alexandra Winthrop, 13, with Duncan Potage, 14.

"This is the girl's traveling companion?" Scabior inquired innocently, holding up the photograph for Umbridge to see.

"Yes. Both have run away from Hogwarts. Duncan Potage isn't a Muggle-born but I want the young couple to serve as an example. As you're well aware, Hogwarts students are under the impression that it is acceptable to leave school grounds during the year. Some are upset with the new teaching methods and reformations within the school. Spoiled, whiny children, if you ask me."

"Yeah," Scabior muttered absentmindedly, staring at the photograph.

He couldn't believe the irony of the situation. Snatching Cora's younger brother? His head was spinning due to a combination of cat dander and excitement. He would be able to pry valuable information from the boy. Information about Cora's friends, the places she visited, and the restaurants she frequented. The young boy could also serve as blackmail. Would Cora come out of hiding and face him if she knew her younger brother was being held hostage?

"I'll round up the other Snatchers and get started right away, ma'am. You'll 'ave the girls within the week," he promised, closing the manila folders and standing up from his seat.

Umbridge beamed. "I knew I could count on you. Who knows? If the snatch goes well, perhaps Yaxley will alter his opinion of you," she mused, taking another sip from her teacup.

Was she mental? Yaxley hated him. After the slip-up at Malfoy Manor, Scabior couldn't seem to do anything right in the Death Eater's eyes. Umbridge was a stupid cow if she thought Yaxley would pat him on the back after snatching two insignificant Muggle-borns.

"One can 'ope," Scabior replied wryly, giving Umbridge a slight bow before heading toward the door. "'Ave a nice day, ma'am," he added, remembering his manners.

Umbridge giggled and gave him another wide, amphibian smile. "Thank you, Mr. Scabior. I know you won't disappoint me," she tittered, batting her eyelashes.

He bared his teeth in what he hoped resembled a smile before escaping her office.

Cora spared one final glance around her bedroom. The room seemed empty now, although she'd tried to pack as light as possible. She was used to leaving her home every September for Hogwarts, but this was different. She had no idea of whether she'd ever return. The prospect of never seeing her parents or Duncan again was distressing, but she was out of options.

She grabbed hold of her duffle bag and closed her eyes, preparing to Apparate. Her best friend Alice had a small, one-bedroom apartment in London. She'd sent Alice a letter earlier today but she had yet to receive a reply. She wasn't concerned, though. This was common behavior for Alice. She was a peculiar and absent-minded witch. Weeks would often pass before she even noticed a growing pile of mail on her window ledge.

The apartment was an ideal place to camp out, at least until Cora found a residence of her own. Neither of her parents knew the location of Alice's flat. They would try to look for her, but to no avail. She would stay with Alice until her parents gave up their search.

She wiped her wet eyes on the sleeve of her jumper before apparating with a pop, leaving her family and previous life behind in Winchester.

A/N: Hello! I'm so sorry it's been awhile. I'm finally done with exams and my sophomore year of college- yay! Now I'm home for winter break, which means frequent updates!

As always, reviews are welcome. Have a great day xx

Chapter title is from "I Got My Eye On You" by Nari & Milani
- 6
- 7
- 8
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You'll Lie and I'll Believe