Fletcher Inc.

She could tell when she was being buttered up but that didn’t make the compliments any less effectual. In fact, she was almost impressed at his dedication to whatever was about to happen. Clearly, he’d put a lot of thought into it. 

His experience had her relaxing her shoulders. The way he talked about Holly piqued her interest enough that when the words 'bend’ and 'rule’ drifted between them, she didn’t automatically laugh in his face. She did, however, cross her arms over her chest and slow her pace. “What rules are you wanting to bend? There’s no way you can brighten up her life without risking consequences?" 

He watched her carefully, feeling self-satisfied when she began to lower her shoulders.  He’d known Bones for a while, at least from a distance.  She seemed nice enough, but she was going to be a friendless stick-in-the-mud if she didn’t learn to loosen up some.  If Mundungus Fletcher knew how to do one thing (other than quickly move illegal goods), it was how to let loose.  He leaned toward her, conspiratorially.  

“I’m sure I could, but the point o’ it all is the grand gesture.”  He smiled softly, his eyes looking out into some fantasy in his mind.  “That’s what they do in all them books, aint it?  To prove their love they risk their ‘onor for the bird?”  Mundungus dug in his pocket, pulling out a small charm on a necklace.  It was a bunny rabbit with wings, leaping upward as if to take off flying.  “I bought this.  Completely above-board, from an ‘onest to goodness jeweler.  Paid money for it ‘n everything.”  He held it gingerly in his hand, slightly crumpling Amelia’s notes in the process.  The young boy looked up at her with determination.  

“I want you to ‘elp me put it in the ‘ufflepuff common room for ‘er.  But I gotta be the one to do it, so I put it in just the right place.  I made a little hide-and-seek ‘unt-and-find for Cotton, I mean ‘Olly.  And I need to put it in just the right place.”  

     Furrowing her brows, she stared across at Mundungus, realizing that perhaps he was risking a lot more than she had recognized before. Though, if anyone accused him of stealing the trinket, she was more than willing to vouch for the fact that he hadn’t. Still, it wasn’t always as simple as that, and she knew it. If her parents got involved, they would likely try and have him punished regardless. “Well, if it’s too much trouble for you, you can always opt out,” she commented, smiling across at him. “But I appreciate everything you’re risking for this. I know you don’t have to do it. You could have told me to sod off, but you’re not like that, are you? I’m getting the feeling you like the risk.”

     As he explained how everything worked, Emmeline considered just how far he was willing to go to make a few galleons, finding the idea outrageous herself. Though, was she really any better? She was the one asking him to take a chance, after all, in an attempt to garner some coin, hoping that she could pay her way out of the situation she was born into. “Alright, fair enough. Though, I hope you don’t think this is about to scare me off. I’m not afraid of the black market, your shady partners, or the dark side of things, Dung. Some things are worth taking a risk for. If you’re willing to take it with me, help teach me how this all works, then I’d be incredibly grateful. I just need to know I can get out. You get that, don’t you?” She questioned, her gaze lingering on his features.

     Letting out a laugh, she shook her head at his tough guy act, tilting her head to the side. “I don’t believe for one second you’d be the type to take anyone out. Even someone who was a jerk to you,” she commented, poking him in the shoulder. “I’m not worried about what you might ask me to do, Dung. What’s the worst it could possibly be? You ask me to protect you? To steal something? It’s not like you’re going to ask me to hide a dead body,” she said, pausing for a moment. “Right?” She asked jokingly, a laugh falling from her lips once more. 

"Nah, it's no more trouble than I woulda gotten up to on my own, I just wanted to make sure you understood the risk I was undertakin' for ya. It ain't a trip to 'Oneydukes, it's dealin' on the black market."  He leaned forward, eyeing her carefully.  She didn't have the air about her of someone who would get involved with things for greedy reasons.  She was trying to change her lot in life, and isn't that what Mundungus himself was doing?  Using whatever avenues he could to help his father and mother some small way?  Sure, there was quite a bit of personal profit he kept aside, but were their motives, deep down, much different?  

"Alright, I ain't never done this before, Robin, but I'm willing to offer somethin' to ya.  If you really wanna lear, really wanna figure out 'ow this works, I'd be willin' to take you along next weekend at 'Ogsmede.  That's when I'll set up a meeting with my contacts outside o' the castle.  That's when the deal will go down."  He grinned, his voice growing a bit louder.  "Now, you can't go makin' deals without me, I'm sure you're a quick study."  He winked at her. "But I'm your dark dealings manager, right?  I always get a cut."  He leaned back.  "I don't make this offer to just anyone... I ain't made it to anyone at all, to be 'onest.  But somethin' about you makes me feel like you got some smarts about you."  

Dung shook his head, his hands waving away her thoughts quickly.  "No no, I got one rule and that's nothin' that will land me in Azkaban.  I'm a cheeky bugger but I ain't completely stupid."

A huff passed her lips when she felt the parchment slip from between her fingers, indignation written on her features. She found herself moving along down the hallway at his past, eyes on her notes but her mind going to work to focus on what he was saying. She had agreed to help, after all… Or at least to listen to the request, if nothing else came of it. 

Plus, she had to get those notes back. 

His thick accent set a frown on her face as she tried to keep up with his word-per-second marathon speech of jumbled sentences that all amounted to the same thing, and yet seemed to never reach his end. “While I appreciate that you seem to be a fan,” she started after he finally seemed to stop for air, “you still haven’t actually told me what you need me to do." 

It made her apprehensive that her housemate was involved but she gave a short nod. "Well, I do know her, yes.” She was also hesitant to claim any friendship that hadn’t been carefully established. “I get the sense you might like her,” she added thoughtfully, a wistful curl to her lips now. 

Blimey, Bones was brilliant.  He looked down at her notes, almost a foreign language.  He shook his head, attention now back on Bones.  "Right.  I'm gettin' to that.  I just want to be sure you know 'ow much I appreciate you and your intelligence and insight and general fantastic way o' goin' 'bout the castle, is all." 

At mention of Garcia, Dung's face brightened even more.  "I do 'appen to think 'Olly is quite the nice bird, which actually brings me to my issue.  You see, things 'ave been a bit wonky lately, what with all the goings on and fear.  I want to do something nice for 'er, and I 'ave a bit of a plan, but I need you to 'elp me."  He stopped abruptly, turning to face Amelia.  He spoke again, his voice low.  " 'Ow keen are you on bendin' rules a bit, just on be'alf of bright'ning up the life o' a girl who deserves the world?"  

She couldn’t help but smile up at him when he reassured her that he was safe and didn’t get himself into trouble while on the train, or at least not any trouble when it came to the body. Some people might wonder why on earth would she be worrying about him of all people, sure they shared one good snog but was that enough to justify her worry? Well maybe not, but Holly did know that there was something more to him that made her heart flutter even if she got too shy or awkward to say anything about it.

Holly couldn’t help letting out a soft chuckle as they pulled away, both from trying to think about what kind of tricks he had been pulling as well as coming to the realization that both of their clothes were covered with vinegar now. It burned her nose when she tried to breathe in but it was a small price to pay to have him standing there in her arms with a big smile on his face. It was already enough to make her cheeks burn from blushing. “Good, good. I’m really glad that you’re fine. Though those little tricks do sound a little worrisome. What kind of tricks were you pulling?”

Holly tilted her head to the side, a little curious about what it was that he meant. “Things? What things?” she asked pretty oblivious to what he was referring to. “You know, I was actually on my way to Gryffindor Tower to go find you too because I wanted to see you…If that’s sorta what you mean by things?”

Dung looked down at Holly's clothes, eyes growing wide as he realized he had left her covered in vinegar too.  "Aw, I'm sorry Cotton, I got so excited at seein' ya, I forgot I got all soaked.  Your 'ouse password is pretty intricate, you know."  He smiled apologetically.  "I'd try'n dry you off but I left my wand at the common room and I 'ave no idea what charm to use."  He frowned, looking down as he stepped back from her.  He realized now how crazy it was.  They barely knew each other, but with everything going on, how could he not throw himself towards her the moment he knew she was alright?  

"Oh, no mean tricks, promise."  He grinned, pulling parchment out of the pocket of his trousers.  "Just makin' sure you got away with murder, whether you did it or not."  His eyes grew wide, and his voice came out in an even more garbled mush than usual. 

"NotthatIthinkyou'dmurdernoone,IjustthoughtincaseDumblesmadeitsoyouwwasthemurdereryou'dgetawaywithit."  He laughed awkwardly, unfolding the intricate document he had forged.  "This was what I showed Baby Black, what she shared with the train to make sure you was innocent.  Don't tell 'er but I forged it, wrote it all on some spare parchment I found in one 'o the compartments.  I fancy myself quite the 'andwriting forger, when I need to be."  He grinned, hoping she would be impressed with his talents and care for her, even in a silly school game.  

"Things..." He looked down at the ground, suddenly fascinated with the way the vinegar was mixing with the dust and grime of the dungeon floor.  He thought for a moment he had overestimated what their few conversations had meant, but then she admitted that she had been on her way to see him, and his heart soared.  His head shot up, and he smiled brighter than he had in months.  "You mean you was comin' to see me?  I mean, that is sorta... the things I was meanin'..."  He sighed, looking around.  "You wanna walk someplace, maybe... chat a bit... if you 'ave other people to check on I understand I'm sure I ain't the only one you gotta look up on.  You prob'ly got loads o' friends, but I'd greatly love if you and I... got to talkin' a bit to work out those... things."

It was the last name that caught her attention, pulling Amelia’s feet to a halt and her nose out of her notes. Her eyes swept around the hall, falling on Mundungus only as a last resort when she realized he was headed right for her. With a sigh, her arm fell to her side, studying forgotten as she mentally prepared herself for what was going to happen next. 

It wasn’t that she was adverse to talk to another student but Dung’s reputation for trouble preceded him, especially in prefect circles. 

Looking down at the watch strapped to her wrist, she shook her head. “I have thirty minutes left before I need to be in Charms. What can I do for you?” It was perhaps a dangerous question but she’d given him the benefit of the doubt. Once.

"Perfect, that's all the time I need.  We can even walk and talk."  Dung plucked the notes out of her hand, a sure way to make sure the studious girl stuck with him until he was done talking.  He glanced at the notes before turning to continue walking down the hallway.  Mundungus needed her help, and making her late to class would not convince her to bend her strict moral compass to his favor.  

"I 'ave a plan, you see, and I really need the 'elp of someone resourceful and smart, like you.  I know we ain't talked much, but you 'ave this air o' 'aving it all together, you know?  Like you know 'ow to get stuff done and you 'ave confidence about it.  I admire that, I do!  I mean, I 'ave my own brand o' confidence when it comes to certain ventures, but not when it comes to book smarts, you know?"  He lightly tapped his temple.  

"Got a lot of street sense, but not a lot of book smarts, I 'ave.  But sometimes my brain gets to spinnin' and I come up with the greatest of ideas and I can't quite figure out 'ow to make it work out."  Mundungus paused, turning his head to look at Amelia.  "You're friends with Garcia, yeah?  Bright personality, beautiful face, arguably one o' the best people in the universe?"  

He’d had his eye on Amelia for a while, and she was quite perplexing to him. Sure, she was bent on success. So was Vanity, but she knew how to relax and have fun. From what he’s seen, Bones didn’t know that, not at all. She needed someone to help loosen her up, and he needed someone with insider knowledge that she just so happened to have. He finally caught up with her, a broad smile on her face.

“You goin’ someplace, or can you spare a few seconds for a boy in need of ‘elp. I promise I’ll make it quick if you gotta be to another class.”

     Leaning in close to Dung, she waiting on the edge of her seat for some kind of explanation, her brows raised expectantly. When nothing came, she furrowed her brows, shrugging a shoulder, deciding that pressing wasn’t exactly worth it. It wasn’t like it bothered her all that much. She could live with anything he decided to call her, so long as it wasn’t rude or uncalled for.

     Laughing at his words, she pressed a hand over her mouth, trying to contain it, not wanting it to seem like she was laughing at him. She wasn’t, it was merely the idea that he felt that what they were doing was dark. “Well, I doubt you selling my necklace will get us into that much trouble. Sure, maybe my parents might be annoyed if they find out, but I don’t think it’s an artifact that is going to get anyone killed. At least, I hope not,” she muttered, glancing doubtfully at the gem now that she thought about it. Her mother did have a tendency to be extreme sometimes.

     “Right, right, of course, educational. Not at all because you want to have the upper hand,” Emmeline joked, letting out a soft laugh, unable to get mad at him for taking advantage of a hypothetical situation. As far as she could tell, Mundungus was far from stupid and not about to enter into anything like an Unbreakable Vow lightly. He seemed to value his life far more than that, his survival instinct kicking in at every turn.

     Smiling to herself, she pulled out of the hug, looking into his face. “I have a feeling that you’re not as bad a guy as everyone makes you out to be. But then, you’re not stealing my things. I’ll get back to you if that ever does happen,” she joked, shaking her head. “I’m just grateful that you’re willing to do this. If you ever need help with something in return, just know that you’re always welcome to come to me.”

Mundungus frowned, crossing his arms in front of him as she laughed.  Of course a proper pureblood who didn't have to go and risk her neck didn't see the danger of what they were doing, but she didn't have the possible fall-out to deal with.  "Look, Robin, it ain't about the item in question.  It's the fact that a pretty valuable object, from the looks of it, is in the 'ands of a 'alfblood urchin with no access to such baubles in 'is own right.  I'm riskin' a lot more than you would think tryin'a get this pretty piece moved, thank you very much."  He smirked, the serious expression breaking on his face.  

"It's something a pretty pureblood with a good name wouldn't understand.  It may not be dark in terms o' illegal magic, but I'm playin' with partners on the black market, love.  There's no tellin' what the selling of that bauble might lead to.  And I certainly ain't payin' any taxes on it, or gettin' proper paperwork to be a dealer of any sort, so If I'm caught, I'm liable to get kicked outta school.  I'm risking quite a bit for you, love."  He paused, giving her a wink. "Well, and for me, too.  It's just not above board is all, and if you're operatin' in the shadows, even if they ain't the dark shadows, ya gotta be careful 'bout 'ow you do things and who you trust."  He nodded.  If she was going to break away from her parents, she would need to understand what it was like to skirt around the laws and rules.  

"Oi, who says I'm a bad bloke, hmm?  Gimmie their name's I'll show 'em who's bad."  He put up his fists, circling them like a boxer, the grin still firmly planted on his face.  He let out a chuckle, waving his hands as he grinned.  "I'm just kidding with ya, Robin.  I'm alrigh' if you give me a chance.  Don't know if you'll feel the same way when I cash in that offer for 'elp, though."  Mundungus was smiling, but there was a twinkle in his eye.  Chances were, when he did 'cash in' on his favor it wouldn't be that bad for the girl, but you never could tell what Fletcher might get himself into.  

Holly had been feeling scared and anxious all night long after they were rescued off of the train. There was a young girl who lost her life because of this war and it was hard to think that everything was going to be okay. She had so many muggleborn friends what would she do if one of them ended up being next? This wasn’t something she wanted to think about but it invaded all of her happy thoughts and that was truly terrifying.

Not only was she worried about her muggleborn classmates during this time but she was also thinking about Mundungus because even though she had desperately wanted to find him that night, she hadn’t gotten the chance to make sure he was alright. She planned on heading to the Gryffindor Tower and hoping that someone would let her in to go see him but it turned out that he had already beaten her to the punch. One of her fellow Prefects had entered the common room while she was on her way to leave and told her there was a Gryffindor boy waiting for her out in the corridor. She picked up her pace and ran for the exit as quickly as she could so that she could see him.

It was almost instantly after she stepped out of the common room that his arms wrapped around her and it caught her off guard for a second, especially seeing as he was still wet with vinegar from attempting to enter the common room. Holly returned the hug nonetheless letting out a sigh of relief that he was here. “Thank god you’re here! I was so scared and worried I hadn’t been able to find you during that whole mess! Are you okay? Please tell me you’re okay.”

There was a moment, just as his vinegar- soaked arms curled around the girl, that he wondered if he was being too forward, too much.  They hadn't known each other that long, after all.  At least not any deeper than knowing who each other was vaguely.  Even still, they had had only two deep conversations, one of those while they had each been under the polyjuice potion. Mundungus realized he could have easily gotten carried away, and Holly wouldn't reciprocate the same sort of feelings.  Who was he to think that she had even thought of him at all in the ordeal.  Surely she had plenty of friends she could be worrying about besides him.  

That was why his heart filled with even more relief and joy at the sound of Cotton's sigh.  It was perhaps the happiest sound in his recent memory, a small indication that some part of her had been worried about him too.  She rambled on about being worried and he couldn't help the broad smile that covered his face.  He rubbed his hand up and down her back, reassuring her and glad to have her in his arms.  

"I'm fine, I'm fine.  You know me, during the train I 'ad my own little tricks I was playin' on everyone."  He pulled away from her, a hand lightly moving a strand of hair from her face.  Even when she was worried, she was gorgeous.  "When it all went sour I tried to find you but they rushed us to our common rooms... I s'pose it was for the best but I 'ad to come see you as soon as they let us out.  I 'ope I'm not assuming nothin' about... things."  

Emma sighed. The child in front of her acted as though being jinxed in response to his personality was a good thing, something to be proud of. Emma, of course, knew better. She was a respectable young lady, a proper witch, and she didn’t have time for this. “You’ve yet to be jinxed by me, Mundungus, I would not recommend it.” She insisted coolly. She watched as he pulled the book out and started turning pages. She wondered what it was, was he about to ask her for coursework assistance? She wasn’t a good choice for that. There were proper tutors who’d actually give him the time of day. “Then don’t use the word family, understood?” 

Her suspicions only increased when he mentioned family trees. She pressed her lips into a thin line, straightening her back as she regarded him with a quizzical glance. “It’s not a bedtime story, Mundungus, I wouldn’t expect you to understand. As for Lucius, how dare you speak about him with such a tone. He’s the heir to the Malfoy family, may as well refer to it as a Dynasty, and to know ones family history is important. It’s nothing to be ashamed about or mocked.” She pointed out. “Though to answer your question, of course. I know what my family tree looks like. Why?” She asked, her voice lower at that. She didn’t want to draw attention to them.

“Do not call me love. Be on with whatever it is you’re trying to stir up. I’m a very busy lady, and I haven’t got all day.” She added, but her stomach sunk. He was up to something, and that was a decidedly bad way for Mundungus to be, especially when the words family tree and pureblood were paired together with the halfblood across from her.

She knew his name.  It was the truest sign, destiny that even though they hadn't interacted, they were family.  Mundungus could not have wiped the grin off his face if he had tried. He waved away her talk of jinxes, confident now that the urge to hex would melt away once she understood the bond the two of them shared.  She looked at him, a questioning expression on her face as she rattled on about pureblood nonsense... though now that he was a connected member of the pureblood elite, maybe he better start learning how to act.  He sat straighter, his nose now visible beyond the old tome.  Grinning, he flipped it around, keeping his thumb over one name in particular.

“Would you do me a favor.  I’m int’rested in this family tree in particular.  I believe it’s yours?  Could you just verify it’s as accurate as you can attest to, lo---” He cut himself off, grinning.  “Sorry, it’s sorta my thing, calling all the birds ‘love’ and all the blokes ‘mate’.  But I’ll do my best to refrain, s’long as we remain cordial and whatnot.  I ‘ave a sneaking suspicion that I might ‘ave a new name for you soon, Miss Vanity.”  

But then Dung wasn’t very bright, nor was he intellectually resourceful to use his talents for good. The only thing that had come close was forging the document to clear Holly’s name in the game, something even a sworn enemy couldn’t find faulty.

Holly was what occupied his mind as well. They had been shoved into common rooms, not allowed to leave until the next day and Dung had headed straight for the dungeons near the kitchens. He’d heard that the hufflepuff common room was by a bunch of barrels, and if you tapped on them they would open, so he did just that.

What he did not know was that there was a particular way one had to tap on the barrels, and if wrongly tapped, the barrels would instead cover the would-be intruder in vinegar.

That was how he found himself face to face with a puff prefect, begging for them to tell Holly that he wanted to see her and was waiting outside in the hall. He honestly had no idea what he would say, and when he saw the girl emerge he did the first things his instinct told him. Completely forgetting the vinegar that was still dripping off of his soaked jumper, he leapt forward at the sight of his Cotton and enveloped her in a tight hug without a word.  

Emma still did not lift her eyes from what she was working on until she heard the decidedly obnoxious sound of the chair scraping against the floor. Her unwelcome company settled across from her. She inhaled through her nose, exhaling slowly the same way before lifting her eyes. Mundungus Fletcher. He’d already made a name for himself as an annoying little first year. What could he possibly want with the likes of her? 

Yet he was bursting from the seams. It was evident in the grin across his lips, the open posture he met her with. Emma wanted to crush it. To make him disappear as quickly as he’d arrived, for surely she had no business speaking to someone like him. But she couldn’t because he was saying atrocities that made no sense in her mind.

Family? What, in Merlin’s name, was the boy talking about? She narrowed her eyes, her head tilting slightly as she observed him. She straightened her posture after a moment, lifting her chin as her hands rested on her coursebook. “Yes, I’m Emma Vanity.” She answered first, her voice cool, distant. “Though I encourage you to take two steps back. Did you just refer to us as family, Mundungus? I assure you, that is a ridiculous accusation.

“And if you give me some sappy nonsense about being a Hogwarts family, I’ll lift a wand to you here and now. I trust you’ve been jinxed before, Mr. Fletcher?” She questioned, her eyes still narrowed in suspicion and distrust as she regarded him. 

She was annoyed, but Mundungus didn't mind.  People usually started out looking annoyed when he was about, but they came around eventually.  And he had every faith that Emma would have to.  They were related, after all.  By blood.  And that was the important part.  Now he just had to make her see it, so when he began toting about that he was connected to the Vanity clan, when people questioned her about it she wouldn't be able to fully deny it.  He pulled the book over to him, already flipping to page 329.  

"Oh, I been jinxed before, figure I'll be jinxed again.  Nature of my personality, you see."  He looked up at her grinning again before turning his attention back down to his book.  He moved the pages gingerly, the aged parchment inside yellowed with the passing of time.  "And I don't mean all that sweet 'Ogwarts family school unity and pride bollocks.  No one but the puff girls believes that junk."  He found the page, turning to it and holding the book up so Emma couldn't yet see the page.  His eyes barely poked over the large tome, alight with mischief and vindication.  

Emma looked up. Well. That had been a blissful few days without Mundungus driving her up the wall. Still, she couldn’t help the twitch of her lips. He assumed she was already working on figuring it out, which was of course the true. It was flattering, honestly.

“Not yet, Mundie, I’ve been working on it though, not to worry.” She set her quill down, reaching for a small sandwich instead. She was hungry, and she wasn’t going to solve anything on an empty stomach. “I’ve been working on familiarizing myself with the train, and with what we know thus far. The suspects, witnesses, reporters. I cannot believe Dumbledore was stupid enough to make Roddy a reporter. Not that he isn’t intelligent and capable of getting answers, but if Dumby thinks he’ll take this seriously, well, he’d have better luck making Snape a mistress.”

She eyed him, in a good mood with the mystery game, and decided to play nice. “What about you Mundie? What are you intending to do? Going to play along?” She asked.

Dung grinned at the use of her pet name, pulling a plate close to him as he eyed her notes.  It made him all warm and fuzzy inside to hear her call him Mundie, she only did that when she was in a particularly good mood around her.  “Mmmmm yeah, witnesses, suspects, right.  It’s a shame F.P. isn’t gonna take it seriously.  I could really use a good reporter on my side and no way I’m going to Baby Black.”  Dung’s eyes darkened for a moment before lighting up at the sight of all the sandwiches, grabbing three to place on his plate.  

“You know, I’m sure Monkey would make a fine lover, if you gave him the chance, thought I don’t s’pose ‘e’d give anyone the chance ‘imself.  Seems like the keep-my-distance type, yeah?”  He grinned, taking a bite of sandwich before continuing.  “I think I’ll prob’ly poke around.  Try ‘n find some sorta clue that I can use to my advantage.  Maybe I’ll try and solve it, maybe I’ll just look for opportunities for my advantage.  You know me, I’m always thinkin’.”  

     Raising a brow, Rabastan stared at the younger boy as he pushed a bag of goods into his hand. No doubt contraband, knowing the other’s reputation. Pushing it back into Mundungus’ hands, he rolled his eyes. “I don’t want to be stuck on this damn train with everyone I can’t stand,” he retorted, narrowing his eyes at him. “I don’t care what I would or wouldn’t be doing right now. It’s preferable to what I am doing, that’s for sure.” Glancing over his shoulder, he scowled as a gaggle of first years squawked and giggled as they passed by in a hurry. 

     Setting his jaw, he rubbed at the back of his neck, trying to ease the tension in his shoulders. “I’m fine. Though I wouldn’t mind being the second murder victim at this point. Would it end this stupid game? I find it amazing that anyone thinks this is a good idea. I believe Dumbledore has well and truly lost his marbles.” 

     Leaning a shoulder against the wall, he sized up the boy in front of him, unwilling to admit that when he heard the words baby black, he’d immediately thought of Regulus. “Have you got something against Narcissa?”

“Wait, so you’re telling me you’d rather be in the middle of a lecture from bloody Binns than on this train with free booze and food?”  Dung gave him an incredulous look, shaking his head.  “You’re a strange one, aren’t you?  Didn’t really take you for the academic type, but to each ‘is own I s’pose.”  He popped another whizzbee in his mouth, watching him rub at his neck.  Merlin, the bloke needed to loosen up.  

“Oh good ole Dumbles lost ‘is marbles a long time ago, mate.  I mean this ‘ole year ‘as been a bit of a mess, innit?”  He shrugged, counting off the events on his fingers.  “You got that bird that went missing, you got that party that went outta control, you got the blokes as birds and the birds as blokes, and now this?  And at two school-sanctioned event we ‘ave ‘ad unlimited booze, with countless underage wizards?  I mean I ain’t complaining, but it’s definitely weird.”  

Dung’s eye shot over to Rab, guaging his reaction at his off-color comment about Narcissa.  He forgot that the Lestranges and the blacks were family, more of that purebood stuff that didn’t entirely make sense to him.  He shrugged sheepishly.  “I mean, we don’t get along much, do we?  Baby Black and I.  Don’t have much against the rest of them, though, they’re alright.”  

She rolled her eyes at Fletchers analysis of the role she was playing along with her own personality. Unfortunately for her, he did know her and that she wasn’t one that enjoyed being upstaged especially in a situation like this. This was something she could easily show off just how clever she was if she played right and having someone take that from her would certainly be frustrating, and Mundungus knowing that about her was just as frustrating. ❝We agreed on five minutes I’m really hoping you are going to be getting to the point some time soon.❞ She told him, tapping on her wrist as if she had a watch counting down the seconds.

❝I’ll promise as long as this isn’t some stupid joke because you can go to Rod for those. He’s already not taking this very seriously with all the absurd things he’s sent out.❞

"I'm getting to the point, calm your bloody tits."  Dung narrowed his eyes as he sighed heavily, trying to reign himself in.  Getting Narcissa riled up would not do to help Holly.  "Sorry, I'm just... it's been a big shock, this 'ole thing.  A murder in our very midst."  He grinned, shaking off the frustration he held for the girl.  He needed her.  "Look, I came to you because I knew, despite our 'istory, you were more trustworthy with this kinda thing.  I want this to get out to everyone because I 'ave it on good authority that it's true."  Dung checked over his shoulder to make sure that the door was securely shut, then reached into the pocket of his suit, pulling out a piece of parchment.  

"I found this contract 'ere on the train, in the car that the banker started out in."  He passed it to Narcissa, gingerly.  It was an elegantly written documenting detailing payments that were to be made between the Bank, Party A, and the benefactor, Party B.  The document spelled out how often payments were to be made and spelled out the interest for the amount.  The document was signed and dated that very day.  "I think, if I understand all this fancy financial language, that the wife was planning on paying the bank on be'alf of 'er lover."  Dung, did, in fact understand the document quite perfectly, since he had forged the whole thing.  

Most people knew Dung had a talent for thievery, but that wasn't the only skill he had picked up in the darker dealings of the wizarding world.  He had also developed a skill for forging notes, imitating the handwriting or font of something if he had an example to look at for long enough.  He had taken the menus from the dining car and recreated the script in order to create the body of the document, using language he had picked up in his dealings.  He watched Narcissa expectantly, ready to gauge her reaction for if he should continue with his 'theory' on the 'evidence'.