June 29th, 1888 - Diagon Alley

Tuni had managed to work just a half a day but had chosen to stop by her rooms to get Eliza then head down to Diagon Alley. With the news of Quidditch being suspended just a few days prior, she'd wanted to get some cookies (again) to bring to Rufus. The last batch had been awfully crushed amidst her drunken antics. The thought of that evening colored her cheeks with a blush that she turned away from her maid so that it wouldn't be noticed. She'd hardly had a chance to see Rufus since them so it only made sense to bring something to him. He likely wasn't happy with the news.

They'd gone back to her now favorite bakery and picked up a few of the cookies and were headed on their way to Rufus's temporary home when she saw a gentleman that looked awfully familiar. He wasn't too far away from where they were, walking in their direction. As she drew nearer, she had a bit of an "ah-ha" moment when she realized why he looked familiar. He was Febs's auror!

"It's you!" she exclaimed, startling Eliza enough with her abrupt start that the other woman almost walked right into her. She looked him over, inspecting his face with some scrutiny. "Must not have seen her lately. There's no bruises on your face from her fist," she said after she'd finished her assessment, smirking all the while cause he surely didn't have a clue who she was even if she knew exactly who he was.

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The following 1 user Likes Fortuna Bixby's post:1 user Likes Fortuna Bixby's post
   February Umbridge

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Being in London was refreshing after spending the the last week in Hogsmeade, though not having Miss Lynch with him was enough to keep him on edge. He was less worried for his physical safety inside her home, but rather the situation as a whole in Hogsmeade; the worst news he could possibly hear was that the fog had some poisonous qualities and those stuck there for extended periods of time would soon be suffering health complications.

He'd gone to Diagon Alley to get to Knockturn Alley, specifically to speak to a previous convict about something confidential and related to the fog. The Minister had previously stated that he believed dark magic was involved; thus, he'd been tasked with figuring out if any formerly-convicted-but-later-released criminals were involved.

That was still on his agenda—except he was apparently going to deal with other matters while there.

The woman's face was entirely unfamiliar, as was her voice, but she seemed to know him, and her comments immediately hinted that she was speaking about his Febs.

"And you're supposed to be....?" he asked, albeit more defensively than he'd hoped to.

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The following 1 user Likes Edric Umbridge's post:1 user Likes Edric Umbridge's post
   February Umbridge

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— set by MJ! —

Tuni couldn't help but to smirk at him. She'd clearly caught him off guard and, much as she expected, he looked at her as if he didn't have a clue who she was. The thought made her almost giddy. It was almost more exciting than the night at the townhouse getting drunk on firewhiskey. Eliza stood behind her trying to figure out just what was going on but knew not to get involved.

"No one in particular," she said with a shrug, standing on her tiptoes to look at his face again, "Which eye was it? I really don't see much of a trace but I wouldn't put it past you to use some sort of cover up for it."

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The way she just outright flaunted her knowledge without giving him enough respect to reveal her identity was enough to shift his expression from one of confusion (and at the worst, frustration) to one of pure anger.

"I told her not to speak of anything," he hissed under his breath, leaning down ever-so-slightly so he could speak to the pesky woman. "If you're not going to cooperate, I can end things just as I began them." He hated gossip, and February had sworn she wouldn't gossip with others about him. He had a reputation—no, he had a job—to protect, and would not take dishonesty from the woman who had sworn she embodied loyalty.

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He could put on his angry face all he wanted. Tuni was not phased. Her brother was a giant with a temper. It would take a lot more than that to send her whimpering the way he likely wanted her to. She rolled her eyes at his hiss.

"A lot of talk for someone who was punched by a girl," she retorted, showing just how unafraid of him she was, "And it isn't gossip when it's been published in the Daily Prophet, Mr. Umbridge. Your face as been in it, like it or not. And you've been tied to her as well." She crossed her arms over her chest then, showing her own defiance.

"And before you go and ruin perhaps the best thing you could ever manage by jumping to stupid conclusions," she continued, not wanting to ruin anything for Febs when it was so evident how happy she was, "She told me about punching you long ago. Back when she really quite despised you and your presence. I can tell things have changed and she's happy even if we've only been able to talk through letters. Whatever secrets there are haven't been shared with me." Yet.

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Her blabbering was not enough to rid of the anger—and wasn't likely to at this point.

"I haven't known her for a length of time that could constitute as 'long ago'," he retorted quietly, not wishing to bring any attention. "And I suggest you keep your voice down; I don't want anyone like you spreading gossip." It was a very unfriendly tone, and one much unlike the way he spoke to Febs. Even then, many of their disagreements had been handled through writing, and he doubted she'd ever seen his true rage.

"I have and will jump to conclusions if you don't give me your name this instant. I won't be having silly schoolgirls wandering about with information about me without knowing who they are," he demanded, jaw tight and brows furrowed.

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Tuni's gaze narrowed on his and she took a step closer to him. She was not at all pleased with the way he was talking to her or the way he was acting. What did Febs even see in him? His first letters talking about him made far more sense than the way she spoke of him now. Not that she spoke much about him anymore. Of course, Tuni could read a bit between the lines but there was no way they could ever admit to things of a scandalous nature via owl. But..maybe things hadn't really gone to that point or maybe she was misunderstanding. But it wasn't like she'd been shouting it out to the whole world.

Regardless, she wasn't about to bow down to the man especially if he felt like he could threaten her. "Why would I give my name to a gentleman that thinks it's okay to threaten a silly schoolgirl?" she retorted, her own anger starting to flare, "And if you're that seriously concerned about me gossiping to others, you must have very little faith in her if you think she'd ever talk to a gossipy friend about anything."

In truth, she'd probably taken it a bit too far by approaching him. She certainly saw that now. But she'd never betray Febs by telling anyone else about the things she had been told. Tuni had been the center of gossip enough in her life whether it was directly about her or about her family so she never intended to put anyone close to her in that center.

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His face went red in anger. "I'm not threatening you," he hissed quietly, taking another step forward. Unlike Febs, she was much shorter and hopefully easier to intimidate—though her current attitude suggested otherwise. "I'm threatening to end what we—she and I—have." He was careful to keep his voice down, as unlike this woman, he cared about reputation and knew how to be discreet.

"And you obviously lack the sense not to speak to the gentleman himself, so why should I expect that you wouldn't speak to others?" he retorted, his brows shooting up on his forehead.

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Tuni had definitely taken it too far. She didn't want to risk ruining what Febs had found and clearly was happy with. His threat was one that struck true with her and she took a step back. No longer in his face, there was an obvious look of fear to flicker across her features before she took in a deep breath. She had a feeling she'd be hearing about it all later. She just hoped her friend could salvage what she had just about ruined.

"I'm sorry," she apologized simply though there was a sincerity there, "While I'm sure you don't or won't believe me, I've no intention of gossiping to anyone and I promise to leave you alone from this point forward." She hoped that would be enough to calm the man's anger but she doubted it.

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She'd backed off, giving Edric the satisfaction that he'd at the very least scared her into quieting down. It did not, however, quell the anger he felt towards her or the anxiety he felt towards the entire situation as a whole. While he'd not caught the eyes of any passersby, there was still that small chance that someone had been listening.

First and foremost, he needed to figure out who else Febs had blabbed to about their relationship—and then from there, decide whether it was a grave enough mistake on her part to completely rid himself of the woman he'd begun to care for. "It doesn't matter if I believe you or not," he said under his breath, rolling his eyes irritably.

"Just—go. Don't speak of this to anyone else."

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He had certainly frightened Tuni enough to backing down but only because he'd threatened whatever it was happening between him and Febby. She couldn't, no wouldn't, be the reason to ruin whatever happiness her friend had found. Especially if that happiness was anything like what she'd found with Rufus.

But with that fear came a flurry of anger within her, something she wouldn't lash out at him though. She was smarter than that, even if moments before she had been far from smart. With one last scathing look, she turned away and left with her maid in tow.

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