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Tweak says, "the trash heap has spoken "

Marietta Edgecombe (ex_edged72) wrote in strugglewithin,
@ 2008-11-01 18:27:00

Entry tags:

*complete, alicia spinnet, august 1997, marietta edgecombe

Date: August 1st, 1997
Characters: Marietta Edgecombe and Alicia Spinnet
Location: Random Deli, London
Status: Public
Summary: Marietta is the H.B.I.L (Head Bitch In London) but she is also a bit nutso.
Completion: Complete

Madame Umbridge had insisted that Marietta go grab them both something to eat and bring it back. She felt a bit like a child being kept away from all the action. She didn’t much appreciate it but she knew when to bite her tongue and when to do as told. She accepted that her role as of the moment was the keep her mouth shut and do as she was told. Sometimes she didn’t think it was enough. She didn’t trust her fate to some washed up, middle aged spinster with a fondness of the colour pink and ceramic things. Yes, she could stomach working for her and had a strange sympathy for her but that didn’t mean she wanted to be her or thought she was always correct. One day, Marietta would have her job and do it twenty times better than she could ever dream to do it. For now she’d continue to brown nose and do as told even if it did piss her off.

There was Padrig to take into consideration though. What if Umbridge fucked everything up and something happened to him? Marietta always had to read the fine print in what she was writing. She was always looking over her shoulder to protect him (and anyone else that mattered to her which didn’t account for that many people). Things were always precarious between them but that didn’t mean she’d allow something to happen to him. Hopefully this new minister would be worthwhile. Marietta did know there were a few changes set to occur that being one of the first. Scrimgeour was a fool anyways. They could do better. She didn’t honestly care how they got him to step down. She might have had something to say if she knew how they were doing it though. In this case, ignorance was a good thing.

“Two bags of low-fat crisps … er, make that one bag … the other can just be regular crisps and two sandwiches. One will be roast beef on rye with no condiments and the other will be turkey on white with the crusts cut off. Dijon Mustard and some lettuce. No tomato. I’ll be needing a scolding hot earl grey tea and a water as well… ,” Marietta ordered of a meek looking male in a corner deli. It was muggle operated but it was close to the Ministry and they normally made decent enough food. She didn’t even had to say it was to go. They knew her face well enough to know they better get it right and it better be easy for her to carry or else. She preferred to pass on the order and not have to say much else. They had better not make her wait for long either. She took a seat at a table and waited for her number to be called to pick it up.

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unspun
2008-11-01 08:54 pm UTC (link)

Alicia had been at the Ministry that morning to renew her travel papers for the next year. The witch behind the desk had disappeared for quite some time and she'd had to fill out the forms in triplicate and then answer a second set of questions from an odd looking wizard in dark robes before her travel access was granted. She hadn't remembered it being that difficult last time.

When she was done she was starving, so she popped into a little Muggle deli for something to eat. She loved these kinds of places and had an especial fondness for sandwiches made with salty corned beef with sauerkraut and cheese.

The line wasn't too long, and after she'd placed her order, she munched on the pickle she'd bought from the large jar on the counter while she waited for it to be made up. There was a familiar looking girl with curly hair and, after a moment, Alicia recognized her.

Edgecombe. Snitch extraordinaire.

She thought about pretending she hadn't seen the other witch but then decided it would be much more entertaining to say hello.

"Edgecombe," she said, leaning on the counter next to her. "They working you on Saturdays?"

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ex_edged72
2008-11-01 09:01 pm UTC (link)

Marietta looked up and crinkled her nose.

“I thought I smelled something,” she murmured as if she were trying to say it under her breathe but it was audible enough that it could have been heard. She didn’t even try to hide her distaste for the Gryffindor. She never had been a big fan of that group.

Following the whole DA incident, she’d been the target of a number of pranks coming from the dreadful Weasley twins. Spinnet was obviously accountable for the actions of those she surrounded herself with.

“If you must know, I’m deeply concerned about my job and I’m happy to come in and assist without being asked to come in,” she told the brunette. It wasn’t terribly far fetched to believe she enjoyed going in. What was she going to do? Stay at home and fight with Padrig or not fight and feel guilty about it lately? Besides it wasn’t every Saturday.

“… And what brings you into this fine dining establishment?”

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unspun
2008-11-01 09:12 pm UTC (link)

Alicia's eyebrow went up as Edgecombe flat out insulted her. Exactly what could be expected from someone like that. Nasty, viperous little twat.

"It's probably the pickles," she said dryly, taking another large bite and crunching loudly and on purpose.

"Glad to hear our Ministry employees are so dedicated," she added, tapping her fingers on the counter and hoping the service was quick.

At Marietta's next comment, she looked over at her, not bothering to hide her expression. "I thought I'd come in and see if they were interested in subscribing to Witch Weekly," she said. "But instead I just decided to order lunch."

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ex_edged72
2008-11-01 09:22 pm UTC (link)

Did that tart have any manners? Just hearing her eat much less watch it was enough to turn Marietta's stomach off eating. It was obnoxious. Marietta always had preferred quiet, thoughtful people to uncouth bitches like that.

"I'd say it's the half-breed. Were you raised by werewolves or something?" she asked cattily. "It's called eating quietly and with your mouth closed. Maybe you should try it sometime."

Yup, she called it like it was. She used to try to at least be nice to people's faces but that died out years ago. If people couldn't play nice with her then fuck it.

"Lucky them," Marietta sneered narrowing her eyes. Merlin, did they have to slaughter the animals to make the sandwiches? What was taking them so long?

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unspun
2008-11-01 09:31 pm UTC (link)

The girl obviously had no sense of humour, which wasn't surprising judging from the size of the stick up her arse. Then again, she had dated Cadwallader, she probably liked that kind of thing. The two of them had always given Alicia the creeps a bit, Cadwallader had this way of looking at you like he was seeing right through you, and the way that he silently followed Edgecombe was enough to make you think inferi! and run away screaming.

"Maybe I will," she said cheerfully taking another bite of pickle. "But not today, guess you're just lucky too."

A fat man in front of them picked up his enormous order and she took a sip of the Orangina she'd bought to go with her food.

"How's Cho? I haven't seen her in a while." She'd always gotten along well enough with the Ravenclaw seeker, although why the other girl was friends with Marietta, she had no idea.

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ex_edged72
2008-11-01 09:39 pm UTC (link)

“I’m always had a charmed life I suppose,” she said curling her long fingers around her water bottle and opening the lid to have a sip. She always ate with manners. There was a proper way for everything. She told herself to focus on the water and not the annoying company. Why the hell were other people being served before her? Madame Umbridge would not be pleased.

Bringing up Cho had the effect of making Marietta feel just the slightest bit guilty. She hadn’t been the best at writing Cho or even asking if she was okay lately. Maybe it was because she was certain Cho would have some amazing thing to write about like some great new romance or something fun happening at work. Cho Chang had always had the golden touch in Marietta’s eyes. She’d always been a bit jealous of living in the shadow of it all.

Maybe that was a great part of the reason she cared so much about Padrig. He had never seen her as Cho’s best friend. She was something of herself. When she was around him, she wasn’t in anyone’s shadow. Not her mother’s nor Cho’s.

“She’s fine,” she lied never the less making mental note to send an owl soon. Did Spinnet have to go and make small talk with her? “I’ll be sure to mention you asked about her. I’m certain she’ll be thrilled.”

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unspun
2008-11-01 09:48 pm UTC (link)

"Do that. Tell her we'll have to go shopping again." Alicia looked over the counter at the boy making the sandwiches and gave him a smile. Maybe he'd take pity on her and give her the order so she could get the hell out of here.

Last time she'd seen Cho they'd run into each other at a shoe store. There were few things Alicia liked more than shoes. Well, sandwiches were close, like now when she was hungry.

She had finished her pickle and she wiped her fingers on a napkin before balling it up and making a perfect shot into the rubbish bin.

"So, you're still dating... what was his name? Prig?"

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ex_edged72
2008-11-01 09:57 pm UTC (link)

Marietta took that as a bit of a blow. She hadn’t exactly expressed how much she detested certain groups of people to Cho. She knew it wouldn’t have done her any good. It mildly disappointed her to know that Cho had gone show shopping with Alicia Spinnet. Was she being replaced? She tried to not let the fact it bothered her show.

It didn’t help when her next question had to do with Padrig. She took another sip of her drink just to buy herself another second to mull over how to answer this.

“We’re living together,” she said instead of a yes or no, putting on her best self-assured voice. It wasn’t a lie and it was far less complicated than the truth anyways. She didn’t want Spinnet to get any ideas. First she’d steal her best friend and then Pig. That wouldn’t fucking fly with Marietta at all. "Did you want an invite to the wedding?" she added with a smirk despite the fact there wasn't even an engagement.

She didn’t return the gesture and ask about Spinnet. Frankly, she didn’t care. She did care about her food. She could have made her own damn meal at home and brought Umbridge back a fancy meal in the time they were taking.

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unspun
2008-11-01 10:06 pm UTC (link)

Creepy or not, she felt very sorry for anyone living with Marietta Edgecombe. No wonder the bloke was so quiet all the time.

"How nice for you," was all she said.

The last person before them was given the brown bag of food and she was practically straining from wanting to reach across and take it and just leave.

I'd much rather burn in hell was the answer she thought to Marietta's question, but instead she turned slightly and smiled sweetly. "Thanks but, I really wouldn't want to intrude on your big day. I imagine it's been a long time coming." And she's rather eat live acromantula babies.

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ex_edged72
2008-11-01 10:20 pm UTC (link)

Long time coming reminded her of what was happening at work. She might have actually glowed at the prospect of the Scrimgeour walking away from his office and someone new and better for the Ministry walking in. Even Alicia Spinnet could not destroy her happiness over that. She was supposed to be acting happy about Padrig though. She had to temper herself.

“I’m sure Padrig will be heartbroken,” she said with a crinkle of her nose and a look that said she was being more than sarcastic. “You could say I was having a good week until you walked in – I guess you I can’t blame them. Some people will serve anyone – even people who follow Potter blindly.”

And that was something Marietta would never do. She might be a bit of a blood purist but Ministry came before everything else. Potter was an abomination. He defined everything she stood for. Those who followed him could rot for all she cared. She was certain she finally saw her order so she stood and reached for it.

“—Well have fun with whatever it is your doing. Some people have Ministries to run and idiots to keep in line,” she said putting the bags in her arms, cursing when she tried to get the drinks and bags and Umbridge’s hot tea spilled on her. She had to bite her lip not to curse. Her flesh was burning.

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unspun
2008-11-01 10:27 pm UTC (link)

Alicia watched as Marietta ranted and then somehow managed to spill hot tea on herself, feeling an almost uncharitable urge to laugh. No. She felt sorry for the girl in a way, for being obviously so unhappy and bitter.

Harry had been right. Harry was right. And this sneaky little bint deserved every bit of tea spilled on her.

"Yeah," she said, taking her own order and then snatching a couple of napkins from a dispenser and shoving them at the other witch. "Some people will. Better get that tea out, it will stain."

And then she turned and walked away.

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ex_edged72
2008-11-01 10:42 pm UTC (link)

Stain! Did she really just say it would stain!?

Marietta was always a bit anal about keeping herself clean. She was known for being overly concerned about a little dirt and grime. She couldn't stand it. She'd wash her sheets on a daily basis if Padrig would let her get away with it.

The idea of a stain forced her to take the food with her into the muggle restroom, setting it down on one sink and she scrambled to scrub at the next. She wasn't going to leave until she was sure it wouldn't be there.

Umbridge would just have to believe it took that long to get the food.

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