The Girl Who Lied || Draco Malfoy

Why Tell The Truth When You Can Learn How To Lie

((A/N: this is where I started naming my chapter titles like Fall Out Boy songs just for funsies))

February 28, 1996

Hyacinth arrived at her detention five minutes early, waiting outside for the clock to strike seven. She was still sweaty from the long Quidditch practice earlier that afternoon. The full moon was also not until tomorrow, which presented a silver lining – Hyacinth couldn't imagine how awful having moon-symptoms would be while also in detention.

"Miss Potter," Umbridge said, opening her office door. "You may come in."

Hyacinth entered the room, which looked like someone had vomited pink everywhere, as Umbridge closed the door firmly behind her.

"Come have a seat, Miss Potter." Hyacinth followed Umbridge to her desk hesitantly, hoping her untrusting body language came across as meekness to Umbridge. Her goal was to appear as innocent and non-threatening as possible after Harry's outbursts; it worked for months now and she wasn't going to change her approach because of a detention. She promised Remus she would lie low and she was delivering. "Tea?"

Hyacinth nodded politely, taking the cup of tea. Umbridge watched her intensely as Hyacinth grasped the cup, which raised hair on the back of her neck. Something was wrong. Don't drink it. She held the cup up to her lips and pretended to sip, her brain running miles a minute. It looked and smelled only like earl grey. What poisons were scentless and colorless?

"Why is your brother spreading lies, Miss Potter?" Umbridge asked her directly like it was an integration. Hyacinth blinked at the bluntness.

"I... I don't understand, Professor," Hyacinth lied in a noncommittal way. She couldn't claim that Harry was telling the truth in fear of looking insane and getting Umbridge's or the Prophet's or the Slytherin's wrath. But she couldn't imply Harry was lying and give Umbridge some sort of 'proof' against her brother. It was an impossible question with too many consequences.

"Hem. Have more tea, Miss Potter."

Hyacinth nodded, putting the cup up to her lips and pretending to take another small sip. "Mmm, earl grey is my favorite. It's quite hot."

"I have read the heinous interview that your brother gave. Did Headmaster Dumbledore tell you or Mister Potter to lie about that night, Miss Potter?"

"I'm not sure, Professor," Hyacinth said. The professor looked at her with an eyebrow raised – Hyacinth needed to say more. "Madam Pomfrey believes my head injury, as well as the trauma of the night, caused memory loss." Partially true, and Madam Pomfrey wouldn't dare give over personal student medical records, so Umbridge wouldn't know either way. "I do not remember what happened."

Umbridge's eyes narrowed at her, not falling for her bullshit. Umbridge glanced into her cup, still full to the brim. "You've barely touched your tea. Is earl grey not your favorite, like you said, Miss Potter?"

"It's too hot, Professor," Hyacinth grounded out, trying not to let her smile falter.

Umbridge narrowed her gaze before letting out a small sigh "Very well. Today your detention will be lines, Miss Potter. Maybe afterwards, once your tea has cooled and you're willing to drink, we can continue our conversation. Surely you are capable of such. You're quite a social girl, if I recall? I overheard you were dating Mister Nott; that is a high standing for someone of your station."

Hyacinth gritted her teeth. "Of course, Professor."

With a squish of Umbridge's wand, a quill and parchment replaced her tea. "Today I'd like you to write 'I must speak the truth.' Mister Potter wrote 'I must not tell lies' the past week, as well as September, so the theme will become something of a Potter motto."