A/N: Wasn't sure anyone would like this odd idea, so I appreciate everyone who reviewed the last chapter. The story will have a slow start, but I hope you enjoy what I have planned.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. I write for my own amusement and the validation of your reviews.

Chapter 2

Housekeeping

Laura turned over on her side, staring out through the large bay window that sat across from her bed. It was still dark out, the sun yet to creep over the horizon, and the morning mist was thick in the surrounding trees. She wanted to close her eyes again, but knew she had to start moving or she'd fall back asleep.

This freaking sucks.

She remembered the first time she'd woken up in this bed. It had been the singular most confusing, disorienting day of her life. One moment she'd been in her own body, flicking through her phone, reading an email from her boss. The next she was tumbling to the ground, tangled in sweaty sheets and in the worst pain she'd ever felt. She had huddled on that floor, right next to that window, curling in on herself trying to make the hurt just stop.

It hadn't stopped, though, not for the next several hours.

Her breath hitched just thinking about it.

It had gone on for what felt like an eternity. It had felt like her soul was at war with her body, tearing at something deep, something ancient, something intangible.

Maybe it had been.

When the pain had finally receded, she felt something... off. Something warm and crisp nestled in her chest that hadn't been there before. It thrummed constantly, singing almost. It felt… alive.

She had figured out a while ago that it was probably magic.

With a tired sigh, she rolled out of the bed and wearily wiped the sleep from her eyes. Her fluttering nightgown swept the floor as she trudged over to the wardrobe that sat in the corner of the room.

She tugged open the heavy door and sifted through it impatiently. Steering away from the pink that dominated most of the hangers, she pulled out a long black dress- one that Dolores had saved ostensibly for funerals- and put one of the nicer green fitted robes over top.

She made her way over to the kitchen. In the time she'd been here, there had always been enough to provide a dwindling plate of food on the breakfast table under the window. Today there was next to nothing.

Am I totally out of food? Laura wondered dejectedly as she riffled through the cabinets for something to eat. There was very little left, even under the preservation charms that she could feel radiating coolness from the shelves. She withdrew a heel of bread and made a half-sandwich with the last remnants of cheese from the cupboard.

Laura ruminated on this concerning thought as she nibbled on her sad little sandwich, wishing there was some coffee left but knowing there was not. She would MAKE time after work today to go to the store. A muggle store, preferably. She knew better how those worked, even so far removed from her own time.

Or, at, least, she hoped she did.

She didn't have long to focus on her thoughts, though, and soon stood from the table with a regretful sigh.

She'd figure it out eventually. Probably.

She walked out into her parlor and plopped down into a lacy chair, ignoring the noise it made as it creaked in protest. The pink decor leered at her and she glared back, hating every part of it, wishing intently that she could tear it all down and start over.

She fully intended to, but first, there were other things to do.

Her gaze fell on the stack of letters sitting on her coffee table, and she let out a low sigh as she unfolded the first crisp white envelope.

Inside was a short missive, and a small flier. She peered at the letter and began to read, hoping it would help calm her nerves before she had to leave for work. It was dated the 8th of May, 1987.

Mme Umbridge,

I am writing in response to your inquiry about your Ancestry Registry report. The report you received was indeed correct and fully accurate, though we understand your concerns.

An annotated copy of the Umbridge-Cracknell family tree is attached below. I have also included a mail-in voucher for 40% off a self-updating family tapestry if you are so inclined.

Thank you,

Mme Blusblotz

Laura took the attached report and flipped through it. There were small changes from the original document she recognized from Dolores' memories, but overall it remained the same.

Some months ago, Dolores had paid for an expensive search into her bloodline and had been greatly disappointed by the results. She was still the daughter of a wizard and a muggle woman, and neither side had notable ties to prominent families. She'd mailed back to demand that the company double-check, and this was the result.

Honestly, Laura thought it served her right. The last thing Dolores needed was to be some secret pureblood or lost heiress.

She shivered just thinking about it.

The family tapestry was an interesting idea, though. Laura had vague recollections of something similar in one of her books, hanging on the wall of a grody old estate. Maybe it would be nice to have something like that. Dolores certainly would have hated it, what with her "disappointing" family tree, and that was as good a reason as any to embrace it.

Laura retrieved a quill and a sheet of paper to write a quick response to send alongside her coupon. That done, she flipped through the rest of her mail, grateful for the distraction.

There were her Gringotts statements; her personal savings were listed alongside the Umbridge family's main account. The family vault had been wrestled loose from Dolores's father soon after she'd forced him to retire. It was quite modest- which irked Dolores- but Laura thought it would be a good starting fund for some investments. She'd be carefully deliberating what to do with the ill-gained money hoarded away in her own vault. Money was money, and she still needed it at the end of the day. But with the memories of how Dolores had acquired it, it felt disgusting to have in her possession.

Just another thing to deal with. Add it to the list…

Setting those aside, she ripped up a few letters that were blatant attempts at bribery. Those had increased tenfold from her memories since she became the head of the office. It was sickening how many upstanding members of society had misused magic so grievously, and needed bribes to cover it up. She wanted nothing to do with it.

She supposed it was a good thing Dolores covered her tracks so expertly. There would likely be little to no blackmail available to discredit her at the moment- or at least, that was what Dolores had believed.

She'd have to be as prepared as possible, just in case.

She vanished the torn letters and stood wearily. It was time to leave for work. The rest of her to-do list would have to wait till after she got off.