Melanie Rosen: Year 5 (A Harry Potter Fanfiction)

Chapter 19 More Lies

Chapter 19

More Lies

While Uncle Richard was at work, Aunt Becky went to Black Manor to briefly meet with those apart of the order that did not work at the Ministry. She spelled our manor so no one could come in and gave me strict orders not to open the door for anyone. I knew during daytime hours, it would be difficult to catch Morgan alone in the Slytherin common room. Instead, I decided to use this time to spy on Umbridge.

I made sure to keep my head low. Fortunately she had placed one of her tables near the fireplace, keeping me out of direct view. I popped in and out for some time and Umbridge took no notice of my presence.

For a while she prattled about her office, straightening her cat portraits, and then brewing some tea. I saw her slip a vile in one teacup before placing it on the small table in front of her desk. I recalled having to serve detention with her in that very spot.

Umbridge sighed, muttering a soft 'hem hem,' and shook her head. She went back to her desk and grabbed a piece of parchment and a rather large quill, and placed it in front of the teacup. Moments later, there was a tap on the door. I sunk lower.

"Come in, dear," Umbridge beckoned.

The door opened and Lenora walked in.

"Please have a seat." Umbridge motioned to the desk.

Lenora glared at her as she sat down. "I didn't realize this was detention."

Umbridge smiled gently. "If you cooperate, dear, there will be no need for the quill."

This only made her chuckle. I could easily tell she had no intention of cooperation.

"Have some tea," Umbridge insisted, nodding towards the cup.

Lenora glanced at it and snorted. "Seriously? Do you think I'm that stupid?"

The professor sighed and shook her head. "Oh no, Miss Lane. I was merely hoping you'd opt for the simpler solution. After all, no one could blame you, if you had no choice but to tell the truth..."

"I don't care if people blame me," Lenora grumbled.

"Very well then," Umbridge said with a smile. "Let's begin. Do you know anything about a group that has been meeting in secret, involving Harry Potter and his friends?"

"I've already said, I don't hang out with them, so I wouldn't know," she gritted, folding her arms.

Umbridge raised her eyebrow. "Are you certain you want to stick with that answer? If you tell me the truth now, I'll waive the rest of your detentions with me and ensure you have no more trouble the rest of this school year."

"I am telling the truth," Lenora stated firmly.

"Hem hem..." Umbridge folded her hands on her desk and shook her head. "I don't believe you, Miss Lane. In fact, I think all the words you say are lies, and that's just what I want you to write for me, 'lies.'"

Lenora chuckled and glanced down at her quill. "That's it? Just one word this time."

Her eyes narrowed as she stated darkly, "Oh I think you'll find that will be more than enough, Miss Lane. I trust you noticed that is a different quill?"

My old friend merely rolled her eyes and picked up the quill. She held it with her left hand, which she normally writes with, but hesitated, looking between the quill and her other hand, which still appeared to bleed badly.

"I hope you know you will not be leaving my office until you write..." Umbridge prepped for her.

Lenora put the quill in her right hand and hovered it over the parchment. I could see her hand shaking. As she started to write, she immediately gasped out in pain. Larger quill meant the larger the cut. As the blood seeped out, I threw my hand over my mouth and ducked out of the fireplace so neither of them would see my reaction. I sat for my moment, my body frozen. My heart pounded so heavily, it felt as though it would punch it's way through my chest.