Chapter 129: Marietta Edgecombe, Professional Informant
Umbridge looked at Malfoy with an expression of doting approval. "Mmm, Mr. Malfoy, you're as talented as your father. Placing you as the leader of the Inquisitorial Squad was absolutely the right choice."
Malfoy preened under the praise, barely able to contain his smugness.
"Now then, dear Mr. Malfoy," Umbridge said, giving what she thought was a sweet smile. "Who exactly is organizing this illegal society you mentioned?"
Malfoy's face twitched slightly as he tried to maintain an air of elegant composure.
"If I'm not mistaken, it would be the two students you hate most: Harry Potter and Elian Throne."
Harry Potter and Elian Throne?
At the mention of those two names, Umbridge's smile bloomed like a flower in full sun—wide, eager, and deeply unpleasant.
"Oh, that's wonderful, Malfoy!" she said, unable to contain her excitement. "If you're right about this, I'll be sure to praise you personally to Minister Fudge. So what are we waiting for? Tell me everything!"
Malfoy's mouth twisted into a smirk. "Goyle and Crabbe are bringing a Ravenclaw student here right now. She'll tell you everything you need to know."
"Who is she?" Umbridge demanded.
"Marietta Edgecombe," Malfoy said confidently. "She's the daughter of Mrs. Edgecombe from the Floo Network Authority in the Department of Magical Transportation."
Umbridge's eyes lit up with recognition and satisfaction. "Oh, I know Mrs. Edgecombe! As expected from a Ministry employee's daughter—she clearly has the right ideas about proper authority."
Soon enough, Goyle and Crabbe entered Umbridge's office, escorting a blonde girl who looked deeply uncomfortable.
Marietta Edgecombe's guilt was written all over her face. She kept shifting from foot to foot, unable to meet anyone's eyes, her hands twisting nervously in front of her.
"Oh, you poor dear, don't be nervous," Umbridge cooed, her voice dripping with false sweetness. She handed Marietta a cup of hot tea. "I know your mother. She's an employee I greatly admire."
Malfoy had expected Umbridge to be impatient, to immediately start interrogating the girl.
Instead, she was taking her time, playing the role of kind, understanding authority figure.
Clever, Malfoy thought grudgingly.
Marietta looked flustered by the unexpected kindness, unsure whether to sit or stand. Goyle and Crabbe covered their mouths to hide their snickering at her awkwardness.
"Please, sit down," Umbridge said, her voice syrupy. "Finish your tea. There's no need to be nervous at all."
She was trying very hard to appear kind, but her eyes were gleaming with predatory excitement.
It was all an act, of course.
Umbridge knew exactly what she was doing. If this matter was handled properly, Harry Potter would be expelled—which was precisely what Minister Fudge wanted most. And expelling Harry would be a devastating blow to Dumbledore.
After all, everyone knew how important Harry Potter was to the Headmaster.
"I—I know about an illegal student organization," Marietta began, her words coming out in stuttering bursts. "The organizers are... are fifth-year Gryffindor student Harry Potter and first-year student Elian Throne. Along with... with dozens of other students."
She spoke intermittently, looking nervously from side to side as if afraid someone might overhear.
"Mmm, yes, dear Marietta," Umbridge purred, leaning forward eagerly. "Can you tell me more? Where do you meet? What do you do at these meetings? When is the next one scheduled?"
Her face was flushed with barely contained excitement.
And Elian Throne too? Umbridge thought gleefully. Even better! This time I can expel not just Harry Potter, but that infuriating Throne boy as well!
It was the best news she'd heard in over six months.
"They're—they're learning magic," Marietta said, her voice trembling. "Learning spells. They said you won't teach us anything useful in your classes. Harry and Elian are the teachers. One teaches us spells, and the other teaches us... fighting."
Pffft—
Goyle and Crabbe let out inappropriate snorts of laughter.
Both Malfoy and Umbridge turned to glare at them, and they immediately fell silent.
Umbridge, her dignity slightly ruffled, pressed on. "You mean Harry and Elian are forming a student army, correct?"
"No! Professor Umbridge, I didn't mean—I only said they were learning spells and fighting!" Marietta's voice rose in panic, her hands waving frantically. "I didn't say army!"
She was visibly terrified by Umbridge's word choice. The implications of "army" were far more serious than simple unauthorized study sessions.
But Umbridge wasn't about to let her backtrack.
"Oh, no need to worry, my dear," she said smoothly. "You can rest assured that no one will give you any trouble. I will personally ensure you're protected. You can speak freely about what you know."
Marietta looked desperately at Malfoy, as if hoping he might intervene or offer some guidance. But Malfoy was pointedly looking elsewhere, clearly washing his hands of any responsibility for her.
All his earlier promises of support had evaporated like morning mist.
"I—I don't know when the next meeting is," Marietta admitted, pulling something from her pocket. "We have to wait for notification. There's a special contact method. This will tell us when there's going to be a meeting."
She held up a fake Galleon, its edges stamped with numbers that would change to indicate meeting times.
Umbridge took it and examined it closely, then suddenly laughed. "How ingenious! Using enchanted coins to notify everyone. No wonder Draco and his team couldn't find any evidence. There was no evidence to find—no notes, no messages, no schedules. Just these clever little coins."
Malfoy snatched the fake Galleon from Marietta's hand and studied it with barely concealed frustration.
That's why he'd never been able to catch them in the act. They weren't being told about meetings through any traditional means. These enchanted coins allowed them to coordinate without leaving any trail.
"Can you notify us before the next meeting?" Umbridge asked, taking Marietta's hand in what was meant to be a reassuring gesture. "Don't worry—I promise no one will embarrass you or cause you any trouble. You understand that I represent the Ministry of Magic itself."
Marietta nodded nervously, promising to inform Malfoy the moment her coin changed to indicate the next D.A. meeting.
"Today is a beautiful day," Umbridge said after dismissing the students. She sat back in her chair, sipping her tea with barely concealed glee. The smile at the corners of her eyes couldn't be hidden.
She was already looking forward to the next D.A. meeting.
Finally, she thought with satisfaction. Finally, the Ministry is gaining the upper hand. Professor Dumbledore is going to feel real pain this time.
No one knew about Marietta's betrayal.
Not even her best friend, Cho Chang, had discovered it. Cho only noticed that Marietta seemed distracted lately, always avoiding her and acting strangely.
Two more quiet days passed.
On the third day, Hagrid finally found Elian and told him it was time—they would set out for the northern Giant Mountains that very night.
And on that same day, Harry organized another D.A. meeting.
The timing couldn't have been worse.
Or perhaps, depending on one's perspective, it couldn't have been more perfect.
Two storms were about to collide.
(End of Chapter)
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