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Post by lucifer on Feb 26, 2012 19:42:59 GMT -5
Lucifer sat back and watched the others interact, his black eyes glittering with mirth as he took in the interactions around him. He had always been a social creature, and such a thing was well-known, but today he was oddly content to just sit and watch, a wine glass balanced carefully in his slender fingers as a look of cat-like contentment spread over his face. This, while reminiscent of the students he taught on a regular basis, was so much better in that he didn't have to spend hours of his time grading papers, his hand cramping until he just wanted to spell everything to mark itself. If he thought he could do that, he would. Easily. It would save him the trouble of atrocious grammar and grievous wastes of his time.
A bunch of new faces swam in front of him, all young and eager, interacting easily with each other like well-oiled gears, slotting together and cranked until they fulfilled the one collective task of moving something forward, or getting something to function. Whatever the end, the means were the same, and it was highly amusing to say the least.
The professor looked up when a new girl entered the house, her voice loud and booming, trying its hardest to rise above the others in a way that made Lucifer's eyebrow raise, a dry chuckle coming from his throat. Really, this was just too amusing. Within three seconds he knew all he cared to know about her: pets, job occupation (as if being an Auror made her more commendable than the rest of them); everything.
Well, where was the mystery? Lucifer had always found the chasing, the pursuit, to be the most fulfilling part of social interaction. Never give everything away at first glance. It was one of the only things his brother had ever told him that really stuck.
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Post by tog on Feb 26, 2012 21:06:56 GMT -5
“Thank you Bay.” Nicholas smiled gratefully at Bay. “You’re seeing me on a good day.”
Bay smiled. "Well I'll be the judge of that." She said playfully, hinting at them hanging out in the future.
"Oh, it is definitely interesting at times." She smiled and squeezed his hand unconsciously. "But probably not as interesting as hunting down bad guys and being a detective of sorts."
With her free hand, Bay touched the place where her heart would be and jokingly frowned. "Process? I thought we were officially friends now. In fact, if I have your permission, I think I'll call you Nick." She scrunched her nose up with a smile. Nicholas pulled his hand out and placed it on top of hers, she felt the tips of her ears go pink. They were sitting close enough together that she comfortably kept her hand on the table under his.
Bay's eyes widened when Jenna began listing off all these detailed facts about Nick. She was shocked to say the least. She wasn't quite sure how to react, although it she was very entertained in the declaration that he liked suits, as he was wearing a very fine looking one.
She watched her best friend stand to go welcome the new comer. Harrison turned back to her and explained that the Death Eaters probably knew nothing about the plot against the Minister.
"Its funny how a child can give these powerful killers the slip."
Bay agreed, but shook her head. "They are exactly that- Children. They should not have to be dealing with this, and definitely not on their own." She turned to Nicholas. "It makes me sad that their childhoods have turned into this."
She laughed when Nicholas joked with Jenna about his now lack of privacy.
Nicholas turned to Bay, “Now that you know everything about me what do you want to talk about?”
Bay chuckled. "Tell me more about your pet." She smiled softly. "I have a German Shepard named Belle. She's a Muggle pet." She added afterward.
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Post by kat101 on Feb 26, 2012 23:19:40 GMT -5
Nicholas grinned when Bay hinted at them seeing each other in the future, “Yes, I hope you will be.” HE replied.
"Oh, it is definitely interesting at times." She smiled and squeezed his hand unconsciously. "But probably not as interesting as hunting down bad guys and being a detective of sorts." “Nothing is as interesting as hunting down bad guys, but it isn’t all that. I really don’t like surveillance.” Flynn rolled his eyes, “I’ve had to sit on my ass for hours at a time just watching a door for someone to exit a house. Painful business let me tell you…” “And we are friends, I’m just kidding around. And I guess you can call me Nick.” Nicholas smiled, people didn’t generally give him nicknames, “As long as it stays Nick and nothing else.” HE thought of all of the horrible possible names with a shudder before moving on. "It makes me sad that their childhoods have turned into this."
Flynn’s eyes darkened, “Me too… I hate it, the fact that they have been forced into hiding because you-know-who decided that Harry Potter needed to die makes me so angry.” HE growled in frustration, he wished he could do more to help the kids, they weren’t much younger than him, but the issue was still there that they were only just of age.
"Tell me more about your pet."
“Well, Jest is a grumpy young lady who hates everybody, sometimes even me.” Nicholas laughed, “She gave me this scar.” He held out his right hand to show a small white line on his thumb.
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Post by tog on Feb 27, 2012 2:11:15 GMT -5
“Yes, I hope you will be.” He replied.
"You know, I had plans to go see the Shrieking Shack on Sunday with my friend Darcy, but now she has a date. Maybe you'd rather come along?" She asked with a flush of embarrassment. Bay hadn't asked any non close guy friend to do anything, well, ever actually. She had married her first boyfriend, and so didn't have much experience asking guys to do anything. Date or no.
“Nothing is as interesting as hunting down bad guys, but it isn’t all that. I really don’t like surveillance.” Flynn rolled his eyes, “I’ve had to sit on my ass for hours at a time just watching a door for someone to exit a house. Painful business let me tell you…”
In a complete, but still joking, voice, Bay said, "Owl me next time and I would love to help out and keep you company."
Bay smiled a little in confusion at Nick's words. "What could I possibly change it to? I happen to love your name. Your whole name. Nicholas Flynn. It rolls of the tongue beautifully." She winked. "It sounds like a super secret spy name." She turned her hand around to grab his and put his other one on top, so she was holding his hand between both of hers. She leaned forward and looked into his eyes with faux seriousness.
"Nicholas Flynn, are you a secret agent?" She cracked, and a smile spread across her face.
Flynn’s eyes darkened, “Me too… I hate it, the fact that they have been forced into hiding because you-know-who decided that Harry Potter needed to die makes me so angry.”
It warmed her heart to see someone care so much, and her eyes softened. "I know." She said sadly. "I've thought about writing him a letter, telling him what I know, and what I learn at the meeting. Telling him his family and friends are okay. Maybe send him some news, or even some supplies." She shook her head and looked away. "But I fear it's too risky." She sincerely frowned, now withdrawing her hands from his to sneeze into the crook of her elbow.
"Sorry." She muttered, her cheeks reddening slightly.
“Well, Jest is a grumpy young lady who hates everybody, sometimes even me. She gave me this scar.”
Bay looked down at his thumb. "Awe, I'm sorry." She pushed her lip out sadly, but still with a smile. "I'll have to be careful around her. If I ever meet her," she added quickly.
"I have a German Shepard puppy names Belle. She is absolutely hyperactive! Like my roommate. But we both roll around in the floor with her."
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Post by kat101 on Feb 27, 2012 10:09:24 GMT -5
"You know, I had plans to go see the Shrieking Shack on Sunday with my friend Darcy, but now she has a date. Maybe you'd rather come along?"
Nicholas grinned as if he knew her inexperience, not that he was one to judge. Countless hours wasted working (wasted? Bah) or hanging out with the small group of friends he already had (and nobody else) stopped him from having much experience at all, other than the occasional drunken flirt with a girl or two at a bar. Flynn shook his head to get rid of fuzzies before looking up at her, “Sure! I’d love to come along, you can brag that you went on a perfectly good date yourself without her.”
"Owl me next time and I would love to help out and keep you company."
“Maybe I will.” Nicholas replied in a perfectly serious tone before catching himself and grinning.
“Nicholas Flynn, super secret spy… I’m not sure that is what my mom was going for when she named me.” Nicholas laughed, “Yes, I am a secret agent. That’s what Aurors are after all…” That last part was almost true, they did all of the things muggle spies did, but without being so secret to the world. Lots of people knew Flynn’s job.
His heart softened as he listened to Bay say how she wanted to tell the Potter kid about the meetings and stuff, he nodded along, agreeing with what she said. He stopped nodding when she sneezed, “Bless you.” He said automatically.
"I'll have to be careful around her. If I ever meet her,"
“Yes you will…” Nicholas trailed off as he heard about Belle the German Shepherd. “That sounds like a fun time,” Nicholas replied, “I’d love to meet her.”
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Post by tog on Feb 27, 2012 20:23:00 GMT -5
“Sure! I’d love to come along, you can brag that you went on a perfectly good date yourself without her.”
Bay laughed, and then paused. 'He said 'date,' surely he hadn't meant it like that, had he?' She chewed on the inside of her lower lip. "Would you rather spend the day in Diagon Alley?" She asked nervously. She would understand if he had plans.
“Maybe I will.” Bay's face split into a grin that mocked his. She liked his smile, it was something that seemed very foreign on his features, as if it didn't make itself known often. That would be a travesty. Nicholas had such a great smile. She definitely wanted to see it more often.
"That’s what Aurors are after all…”
She nodded her head. "Point conceded. Have you ever had to go undercover for anything?" She leaned forward in her chair anticipating his answer. She had wanted to be an Auror once, and for one reason or another, it simply hadn't worked that way.
“Yes you will…”
Inwardly, Bay was trying to decide if he was referring to her being careful, or her meeting him. She shook it off, not thinking much on it. She wasn't a person to get caught up in things so quickly. Yes, Nicholas seemed like a great guy, and she truly wanted to get to know him, and see his smile more, but she wouldn't put pressure on herself. The best she could do was be herself and let things fall as they may.
Bay already thought of him as a friend. She smiled softly and casually when he spoke of meeting Belle. "She really is a sweet dog." She looked around the room, wandering when things would stat, her eyes darting back to Nicholas a few times.
"What made you decide to be an Auror?"
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Post by kat101 on Feb 27, 2012 22:24:12 GMT -5
"Would you rather spend the day in Diagon Alley?"
Nicholas smiled, “I don’t think so, no. I like excitement and the Shrieking Shack will remind me of Hogwarts.” HE missed Hogwarts, even if the old school brought back some bad memories and tough times. The auror hoped that Bay’s nervousness wasn’t because of him; he’d hate to have caused any anxiety.
"Point conceded. Have you ever had to go undercover for anything?"
Flynn’s grin came back again, “Yes, actually. A few times. My favorite time though was when I had to pretend to be a very rich foreigner to infiltrate a possible foreign group of dark wizards, I got to dress up all nice and fake a French accent, they bought it. I was quite fortunate, the dark wizards were all drunk when I met them and believed that I was the one supplying money for everything they did, I had help from another Auror and soon enough the group was disbanded, all sent back to their country to be incarcerated.” He grinned at the memory, there had been a small celebration afterwards and a bit of a promotion to top it all off.
Nicholas was enjoying himself for the first time in months, he was too uptight in his job and having been busy for the past half a year he hadn’t had much free time to just enjoy himself, and Bay was a really nice person. He hoped that they could stay in touch.
"What made you decide to be an Auror?"
Flynn jerked out of his reverie, his smile dropping a bit at the memory as to why he had decided to become an Auror. Bay had asked though, and he would answer.
“ When I was 12 my parents were murdered by Death Eaters, I watched them die and walked away with severe injuries. “ Flynn’s hand reached towards his scarred shoulder unconsciously. “The memory was burned into my mind and I soon decided that if there were people capable of such cruelty out there I wanted to stop them. That was all it took really for me to become the best I could be.” He smiled, not wanting to be a downer. “I’m glad I made that decision in school, I’m proud to be an Auror.”
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Post by tog on Feb 27, 2012 23:24:01 GMT -5
Nicholas smiled, “I don’t think so, no. I like excitement and the Shrieking Shack will remind me of Hogwarts.”
That did it. It was all the reassurance Bay needed. She smiled wildly, not even bothering to hide her excitement and glee.
By the time Nicholas had finished his story, Bay was on the edge of her seat, wide eyed and smiling. "That must have been amazing!" She said in pure fascination. "I can't imagine the adrenaline rush! And the bravery and determination." She smiled at him in admiration. She shook her head with a lazy smile.
Nicholas was enjoying himself for the first time in months, he was too uptight in his job and having been busy for the past half a year he hadn’t had much free time to just enjoy himself, and Bay was a really nice person. He hoped that they could stay in touch.
Bay wasn't oblivious, and she certainly did not miss the ever so slight drop in his smile. She fought the initial reaction to let her own fall. She didn't want to show that she had noticed.
Her smile slowly but surely fell as Nicholas's past was revealed. Suddenly, Bay wished she had stopped smiling earlier. Now she felt a tad awkward. She sighed and took a deep breath, deciding to share a little of her own history.
"I was born in Russia. My family went on a vacation to London when I was seven. I don't remember much of the vacation at all." She put her tongue to her cheek as she recalled what she did remember. "We entered a convenience store, and while we were making out purchases a Muggle came it with a gun. My parents didn't know English that well. Not that it mattered, a man with a gun is sort of a Universal warning for danger. They were killed. And things were complicated between Britain and Russia, so I was put into the British foster care system. That's why I decided to get involved in the International Cooperation Department."
“I’m glad I made that decision in school, I’m proud to be an Auror.”
Bay smiled sincerely. "I'm sure your parents would be so beyond proud." She patted his upper arm. "I don't remember when I decided. The job just sort of fell into my lap. And I am grateful for it."
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Post by kat101 on Feb 28, 2012 0:11:40 GMT -5
"That must have been amazing!" She said in pure fascination. "I can't imagine the adrenaline rush! And the bravery and determination."
“It was pretty amazing, although there wasn’t much bravery… It was my first undercover operation and I nearly botched it. The only thing that kept me alive was the lucky fact the my intended targets were drunk.” Nicholas smiled modestly, “I had help too.”
When Flynn told his story he hadn’t intended to stop Bay from smiling, and her story was unexpected to say the least.
Nicholas listened carefully, an apologetic look upon his face. Their stories were strikingly similar in a few aspects. Both had lost their parents as children and, as a result, chosen their respective jobs. Nicholas wasn’t one to believe in fate, but at that moment he thought that they had found each other and become friends by something other than chance.
"I'm sure your parents would be so beyond proud." She patted his upper arm. "I don't remember when I decided. The job just sort of fell into my lap. And I am grateful for it."
“I hope so…” Flynn grinned, “Although I’m sure they would be telling me to enjoy myself more, they probably didn’t plan on me becoming a severe workaholic with no social life after their death.” Another smile, “But I’m sure that your parents are proud as well, it is a pretty important job you have there.”
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Post by tog on Feb 28, 2012 0:37:49 GMT -5
“It was pretty amazing, although there wasn’t much bravery… It was my first undercover operation and I nearly botched it. The only thing that kept me alive was the lucky fact the my intended targets were drunk.” Nicholas smiled modestly, “I had help too.”
Bay rolled her eyes dramatically and playfully. "You said you got a promotion afterwords? Obviously you did better then you give yourself credit for." She said with complete sincerity. Bay looked down at her empty glass before showing the lightest of frowns. She looked up and glanced around.
"Hold on just a quick second," She smiled at Nicholas before rising from her seat. She walked over to the sink to set her glass down, catching her reflection in the mirror. Her cheeks went bright red.
'You had to decide that today was a care free dress day didn't you?' She scolded herself, seeing Nicholas's handsome reflection in the window. She shook her head to herself.
'Of course Bay, you are sick, don't be stupid!' She continued to argue. She turned and returned to her seat.
"I hate making messes, so I always clean up after myself. I'm sure I will stay behind a bit to help clean up." Bay loved to volunteer, sick or not.
“I hope so…” Flynn grinned, “Although I’m sure they would be telling me to enjoy myself more, they probably didn’t plan on me becoming a severe workaholic with no social life after their death.”
"Well that must be why I have fallen into your lap," She blushed, "Metaphorically speaking of course. To pull you out of work and into social situations. I hope you don't mind." A smile slowly grew on her face again. "Because now, I don't think I could not be your friend." She joked.
Nicholas smile again, “But I’m sure that your parents are proud as well, it is a pretty important job you have there.”
Bay sighed, but smiled. "I hope so. They never knew I was a Witch obviously. I sort of wish they had known." She shrugged. "But I can't do anything about that now." She turned to him with a smile.
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Post by Molly Weasley on Feb 28, 2012 18:36:25 GMT -5
Molly was keeping very busy while everone was conversating, awaiting her husband to walk in through the door so they could have dinner and start the meeting. There were a few others that haven't showed up yet, so Molly wanted to give it a few minitues before she called everyone for dinner. The room was filling up with even a mouthwatering aroma when Molly opened up her oven door and took out the home-made loaf of bread...mmmm.
She went to the kitchen and made her way over to the table with her arms full of dishes. She moved around all the members to set the table, and then the door swung open. "Why, Hello everyone", Aurthur said as he stepped inside and took off his coat. Molly puts everything down in her hands and runs at him and gives him a big hug. "Now, why are you late...we have all been waiting", she asked him with concern. "Long day dear", was his reply. "Is dinner ready?" he asked her. "Yes, I was getting everything set. As Aurthur greeted all of his friends, Molly called to everyone that dinner was ready. Now they could finally talk about some idea's.
Molly brings out the roast pheasant, smashed potato's, veggies, gravy and home made bread. It looked amazing. Molly took her seat and started making Aurthurs plate. "SO!.." Aurthur said to his crew. "We are still missing a few people, but we have to get things in order as we are running out of time". he said as he grabbed a bun and buttered it. "These are extremly dark times as you all know, and we need to act fast.
"Lets hear all your idea's shall we?" he said as he turned to Molly as she loooked out at everyone and gave her caring smile.
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Post by fleurdelacour on Feb 28, 2012 18:52:49 GMT -5
The day went by like any other day,her working at the bank even though she wasn't supposed to.Cleaning the house when she got home. She had completely forgotten about the meeting until it was late. Checking the fridge she panicked.Her husband wasn't home so she couldn't get him ready and the owl was out god knows where so she left a note on the door after getting ready. Using the floopowder she said "The Burrow"Quite clearly. She and Bill had done this many times and so it wouldn't come as a surprise to Molly.
What reached her nose was a heavenly scent. Her tummy growled and she walked out of the fireplace. Dusting off the soot from her dress she walked over to the kitchen. Noticing others already arrived. Locating Molly she quickly walks up to her."Hi Mrs.Weasley..Need any help?"She asked as she hugged her.
"Bill is still at work and I'm not sure when he will make it"She added as she looked around the room. She felt pretty bad being late but she didn't know until 30 minutes ago that the meeting was tonight. Her rounded belly noticeable as she smiled at everyone.
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Post by kat101 on Feb 28, 2012 19:22:57 GMT -5
"You said you got a promotion afterwords? Obviously you did better then you give yourself credit for."
Nicholas shrugged, “Thank you!” he replied, beginning to grin some more. “The promotion was just from a level one to a level two Auror, although now I’m a bit higher ranked then that, almost a four.” He grinned fully now, “The highest you can go is a six and that is the big boss.”
Flynn sat quietly, waiting for Bay to come back. He watched her put her glass away and laughed as she admitted that she would probably be staying behind to help clean up. “I can stay as well, if more help is needed that is.” He offered as well, not sure why he was doing so but feeling that it was the right thing to do.
"Well that must be why I have fallen into your lap," She blushed, "Metaphorically speaking of course. To pull you out of work and into social situations. I hope you don't mind." A smile slowly grew on her face again. "Because now, I don't think I could not be your friend." She joked.
Flynn snorted with laughter, eyes ice blue twinkling, “Metaphorically.” He repeated, grinning, “Don’t worry, my mind will be thanking you later on when I get a good night’s sleep after a not-so-stressful way.” He reached out gripping Bay’s shoulder with his hand before leaning back, smiling lightly, “I don’t think I can not be your friend either.” He replied.
"I hope so. They never knew I was a Witch obviously. I sort of wish they had known." She shrugged. "But I can't do anything about that now."
“Yeah… Both my parents knew about me, they died when I was twelve so they had to, sending me off to school and all.” Nicholas shrugged, still smiling though.
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Post by nymphadoratonks on Feb 29, 2012 19:20:19 GMT -5
At this point, it was difficult to conceal that Tonks was very pregnant. Disguise had become difficult if not near impossible at this point due to that fact. Somewhere along the line of her second trimester it had become necessary to assume more… full figures as she continued to spy for the order due to her aptitude in disguise. In fact, moments before disaperting before the burrow, she resembled a quite obese young woman. Watching her return to her own appearance had been relieving. It was never easy to be somebody else. If today, despite her… disposition… she still fought bravely against Voldemort, it was so the child she now carried would live in a world where he could be himself, as he appeared in public, a thing she’d until recently taken for granted.
Tonks had refused to be in knowledge of her child’s gender. This would come as a wonderful surprise in only a few months. When times became too hard to bear, she simply closed her eyes and imagined holding a baby, her baby, against her, surrounded by her friends and her loving husband. Speculating on the characteristics of the new life within her never lost it’s fun. Would the child be as intelligent as it’s father? Would her son or daughter inherit her metamorphmagus qualities? Perhaps would the child be an auror, like herself?
Nearing the door to the Burrow, she wondered when it had become safe. Last time she’d been here, deatheaters had attacked after a warning from Kingsley’s patronus during the wedding. Since she’d spoken to her fellow order members had things suddenly become safer? Or did Voldemort simply no longer care? Things had not quieted down at Hogwarts, being that the vast majority of the professors were cruel deatheaters. She had to be excruciatingly careful now, since the slightest movement of the baby could cause her to lose concentration, her appearance slipping for a moment.
Stretching her back slightly, she knocked loudly on the door, stepping back. The sheer weight of her belly was starting to present itself as backaches and pains. It was surprising how easily she tired and how sore she felt. Of course, it was truly beautiful carrying such precious new life, yet it ached in so many ways. Perhaps due to the cold winter wind, the baby was restless, moving constantly as she waited, it seemed. With a particularly strong kick, her hair assumed a vivid turquoise colour before returning to it’s most common bubblegum pink hue.
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Post by tog on Feb 29, 2012 20:45:21 GMT -5
“Thank you!” Nicholas replied, beginning to grin some more. Bay really liked it when he smiled. It made things seem not so terribly gloomy.
"Wow," Bay said in reply to his explanation of ranks. "That is really good. How long have you been an Auror? You are at least halfway to head honcho." She chuckled. Her dry throat burned, but she ignored it, refusing to let it stop her from enjoying the conversation. This meeting had turned out so much better then she could expected.
“I can stay as well, if more help is needed that is.” Bay smiled softly at her new friend who offered to stay.
"That's very sweet of you." She patted his knee. "I'm sure Mrs. Weasley will appreciate the help."
“Metaphorically.” He repeated, grinning, “Don’t worry, my mind will be thanking you later on when I get a good night’s sleep after a not-so-stressful way.”
"Awe, well I am glad I can serve as a good stress reliever. You ever need me, let me know." Bay laughed. "I'll rest easier tonight knowing somewhere, someone is sleeping better because of me." She smiled in a playful manner.
Nicholas reached out gripping Bay’s shoulder with his hand before leaning back, smiling lightly, “I don’t think I can not be your friend either.” He replied.
Bay felt like glowing. There was nothing more rewarding then friendship, and she felt so pleased to have an additional person to make her life happy and complete. "Thank you." She said in a confident, but half shy whisper. She hadn't truly met someone knew in a while, and it made her happy. Learning about new people, and connecting to others was always fun. She couldn't help but hope that they would one day be very close. She didn't allow herself to elaborate on how close. Not yet at least.
“Yeah… Both my parents knew about me, they died when I was twelve so they had to, sending me off to school and all.” Nicholas shrugged, still smiling though.
"I can't imagine how my parents would have reacted." Bay snorted at the image. "I remember once when my parents were arguing, they rarely fought, about trying to find something. I was so distressed because I had never seen them argue, that I entered my room to find the object that had caused the discussion. They had, of course, thought I had taken it. I did too for awhile. There was no way of knowing how it had happened." She smiled at Nicholas.
After, well she wasn't sure how long, Arthur Weasley arrived. Bay smiled at him politely and dipped her head; she new him from the Ministry as well. Not soon after, the floo flared to life and Fleur Weasley entered. Bay made to look like she was following what they were saying, but she was really just waiting for the actual meeting to start. A knock came at the door, and Bay wondered if it would be the final arrival before the Order was called to...well- order.
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