WHO: Joseph Bell & Dolores Umbridge. WHAT: Joe happens to have Cupid Latte from Starbeaks... WHEN: 14 February, morning. WHERE: Dolores' office. WARNINGS: None.
Dolores’ office had turned into her home for the moment as she had nowhere else to go for the time being. Her cats were prowling around her office keeping her company, which she did appreciate. But even though she didn’t go home often and was there to sleep mainly she still missed the place to return home to. Dolores kept her office organized as best she could and the makeshift living area of course hidden by magic because that wouldn’t be professional.
“Mr. Bell!” Dolores called from her office at such a pitch that her cat hopped from its place on her desk with disdain and go spy on someone. Dolores thought she should have brought the cats before this.
Joe cringed only slightly at being called, but he slowly rose to his feet, grabbing his drink from Starbeaks — a delightful seasonal drink called Cupid Latte — and made his way to his temporary assignment's room. "Ms. Umbridge," he greeted her, with the calm and serenity he didn't know he could possess on day 6 of this assignment. He smiled at her, before taking a sip from his drink — the confidence boost promised by Starbucks felt immediate, though he knew that was just bullshit. Even potions couldn't work that fast.
But still, he almost felt like he was looking at Dolores Umbridge in a new light. "And how are you on this very fine morning?" he asked her, his smile now turning into a toothy grin, as he took a few steps forward. Joe took one more sip and felt himself beaming once again. (He made a mental note to give great reviews about this drink as soon as he could.)
Dolores watched the door ready to call again if required, though it would appear it would not as Mr. Bell arrived in her office with a coffee cup in hand. “And you didn’t ask if I wanted anything from the cafe?” Dolores said with a bit of a tease to be honest as that was nothing to do with what she had called him for. Joe, however, turned colour slightly on the cheeks, for a moment looking like he was embarrassed that he hadn't thought to get her anything.
She was about to start to say something when he asked her how she was? “I am as well as could be expected,” she said shuffling papers on her desk collecting them. Dolores needed him to courier some report around to their respective locations. Sure she could send them via interoffice memo, but this was more fun.
“I would…” though the toothy grin she was met with caused her to miss a beat or two as she spoke. Why was he all smiles at her? What had he done? Her eyes darted to her tea cup and then back to him. “Like you to deliver some reports.”
Joe promptly nodded, and took another sip from his latte, feeling a little giddy all of a sudden. He drew in a long breath, before he strode forward to Umbridge's — nay, Dolores' — desk, his free hand reaching over to gather some of the papers. "I can absolutely do that for you," he stated, once again grinning at her.
He didn't know what it was about her today that made him especially drawn, but he was starting to appreciate that perhaps Dolores just needed a good companion in her life. And perhaps, Joseph Bell could fit in that role.
"Who should I deliver the reports to?" he asked, his hand accidentally brushing against hers.
He seemed positively giddy to be her errand boy today and that was enough to give anyone pause, particularly Dolores Umbridge. Did he do something to her as a prank? Did she have quill ink all over her face. Dolores’ hand went up to her face, pausing at her cheek, she would have to check once he left.
As he reached for papers he brushed against her other hand, she did not think much of it but it did cause her to hesitate, accidental touching was not high on the list of things that happened to Dolores. Most people didn’t reach for the work they waited to be handed it. “They are labelled accordingly.” she stumbled through it but picked up a bit of confidence as she finished with “The Minister, Mr. Yaxley, some of the Wizengamot members on staff.”
Dolores still suspicious of his giddiness, his eagerness to please. It was as if he had begun to enjoy her company which was cause for alarm bells.
Joe turned to her and smiled again, before giving her a firm nod. "Anything for you, Ms. Umbridge." He looked positively radiant and affectionate, with a burning desire to please this woman in front of him. With another sip of the coffee, the radiance seemed to increase as rapidly.
"Is there anything else you'd like me to do?" he asked, his tone now dropping from utter excitement to something a bit more akin to being suave.
Anything else? He was actually looking for something more to do? Dolores looked at the young lad curiously. “I’m sure there is always I can find for you to do.” She felt put on the spot and that was unusual. “After you deliver the reports I could do with some lunch.” Dolores was feeling a bit peckish.
Joe nodded, picking up the folders with his free hand. "I can absolutely do that for you," he stated, smiling once again. "I'll make sure to pick out the most exquisite lunch for you." A beat later, he added: "But who would look after you while I'm gone?" he frowned, as though this was a truly mind-boggling concept that he hadn't ever considered before. "I don't think I should be too far from you, Ms. —," he sipped his coffee. "Dolores." The coffee acted like liquid courage and Joe suddenly felt confident about everything. "Not when you've been a victim recently, especially!"
Exquisite lunch? He had to be pulling her leg. Did someone pay him to start acting like he enjoyed this assignment? Dolores was about to say something more when he mentioned he shouldn’t be far from her. “No, I suppose you’re right. We don’t want anymore attacks on the Senior Under Secretary to the Minister. Or the Head of the Commission. Next they will be going for the Minister himself. “I’m sure we could find someone else to do the errands?” Dolores was pleased he was taking her safety so seriously.
"I'll put only the worthy people in charge of your lunch," Joe remarked. He took a brief step back, downing a few gulps of the latte, before he grinned once again.
As much as it pained him to do, Joe took several long strides towards the door, and looked back at her when he reached the doorway. "I'll be right back." He winked at her, paired with a goofy grin, and took off to the DMLE, so he could find someone to run her errands.