Phoebe smiles warily as she and Benjy Fenwick stand in front of Madeye and Dumbledore.
She hadn't seen James since the meeting a few days prior. She couldn't think about him now. She had a job to do.
"Remember," Dumbledore says quietly. "If it starts to go south get out of there. Use your patronus if you need help."
She nods once, steeling herself as she grasps Benjy's hand. Moments later they land in Knockturn alley with a distinct 'pop.'
Phoebe swallows down the bile that threatens to rise, looking up at the man standing next to her. He was charming, cute. But he didn't have glasses and messy brown hair.
"Don't worry, Pheebs," He says gruffly, winking down at her.
"I'll be just outside. The first sign of trouble and we're getting the hell out of here."
She smiles sincerely, feeling much more relaxed at the sight of his confident smile. She pulls her hood tighter around her head and takes a deep breath before scurrying into the shop in front of her.
It looks much like it did last time. There's grotesque masks and weird candles and every weapon under the sun. Daggers, big spiky orbs attached to chains, a long thin sword with curious inscriptions. There's rust and shine and so much dust it nearly makes her sneeze.
She's again overwhelmed by the darkness that fills the room like a cloud, the aura significantly unsettling. She shuffled past a large armoire, stopping for a moment to study it.
"That's a vanishing cabinet," A croaky voice says from behind her.
Phoebe turns and smiles faintly. Her mother would be proud of the stoic face she's wearing now.
"Mr. Burke," She says softly, her eyes meeting his unsettling blue ones. He smiles, a look of recognition passing over his face at the sight of her.
"My dear Veela. Come back for some more assistance?"
Phoebe blinks at him slowly, consciously turning on her charm just enough to keep his attention polite and welcoming.
"Just dropping by," Phoebe says warmly, trying not to gag when she reaches out and touches his arm. His smile grows wider and he nods eagerly, saying dreamily,
"Another extension charm? Or perhaps an opal necklace? It would look stunning on you!"
His grin shows his broken and yellowing teeth. Phoebe shakes her head and says soothingly,
"Non Merci, Monsieur. I'm just wandering the shops. I heard that your son was rather charming and am embarrassed to say I was hoping to see him."
It's a bold claim, a big lie that the rest of her mission hinges upon. She holds her breath as his eyes widen and he says slowly,
"Herbert? You were looking for Herbert?"
Phoebe clenches her fists in her pockets, her right hand gripping her wand painfully tight as she waits.
"That's brilliant!"
She can breathe. She forces a coy grin, explaining bashfully,
"I-I don't know. I just reckon with all of this stuff going on, that a man like Herbert is on the right side of things. I know you would never let your son stray from your beliefs."
Mr. Burke clasps his hands together, going to respond to Phoebe when a tinkling bell gathers his attention. He looks over Phoebe's head and says excitedly,
"Lucius, what a surprise!"
Phoebe's blood freezes and the hair at the back of her neck stands on end. This was not part of the plan.
"Mr. Burke," A pompous voice sounds from the direction of the door. Phoebe keeps her eyes forward, her face down. She continues with her charm on Mr. Burke, knowing if she lifts it now she is as good as dead.
"Come in, come in," Burke gestures wildly, waving the wizard closer. "Meet my darling Veela."
Lucius Malfoy comes to stand next to Phoebe, saying sternly,
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss..."
Phoebe swallows roughly, lifting her head to meet his gaze evenly. If anyone was the poster child for Slytherin, it was him. Bloodlines so pure the mere thought of a muggle would tarnish the rest of his day. His white hair falls just below his shoulders and his ring adorned hand clutches his gaudy cane. She can tell he thinks she's beneath him. Technically she was, her place on a list of beings at the ministry. The Malfoys practically wrote that list. He narrows his snake like eyes as she says softly,
"Apolline. Apolline Cadieux."
It was the name she had used months ago to purchase the bag with the extension charm, a combination of familial and friends first and surnames.
She takes another risk and tries something she hasn't done before, attempting to use her charm to calm Lucius as well.
The creases of his eyes fade slightly and the firm line of his mouth softens. He looks momentarily confused but his next words aren't nearly as arrogant,
"Oh. It's lovely to meet you. Are you sure we haven't met before?"
Phoebe giggles like she's love sick and says quickly,
"No, I think I would remember that."
Lucius grins, looking surprisingly less intimidating. The gears in her head turn rapidly and she considers something big...what if she could find out about Herbert and a way into Malfoy manor?
Mr. Burke speaks up quickly, eyes darting back and forth between Lucius and Phoebe,
"Lucius, I was just about to invite Apolline to the White Wyvern. She's been wanting to meet Herbert."
Lucius wrinkles his nose at the sound of the tavern, barely glancing at the man before asking rather scornfully,
"What's a thing like you wanting from Herbert Burke?"
Phoebe freezes, thinking that her chance is ruined. That her charm is no longer working on the death eater and he's coming to realize that he's talking to someone without the pure wizarding blood he finds to be so precious.
"You're far too pretty for someone like him."
She's ready to throw up from the roller coaster of emotions churning in her stomach. Mr. Burke scowls at his words while Phoebe laughs softly and says coyly,
"I figure I should give everyone a chance, Mr. Malfoy."
Lucius smiles smugly and extends his hand, saying lowly,
"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to accompany you and Mr. Burke to the Wyvern then."
Plastering a fake smile to her face, she gently takes his hand and nods, winking at Mr. Burke before saying,
"Come on, gentlemen."
Lucius and Mr. Burke smile widely at the Veela, too dazed to quite grasp the potential ramifications of what they were doing.
The three walk out of the shop, the two dark wizards chatting aimlessly as they guide her along.
Phoebe slides her eyes to a mess of broken crates stacked high in the alley way. She gives a subtle shake of her head before facing forwards and laughing girlishly at something Mr. Burke says.
Benjy Fenwick stares in awe from his hiding place behind the crates as the Veela and her death eaters walk down the road towards the pub.
YOU ARE READING
The Stag and The Harpy | James Potter
Fanfiction"Potter," Phoebe says curtly. James frowns and says harshly, willing the odd feeling he has to go away, "Griffin, all of that stuff still doesn't make you pretty." She scoffs and narrows her eyes, "I could say the same about you. What's that in you...
