She was burning to ask about the ring that he kept trying to hide from here, but it wasn't her place to ask so she let it go. "Believe me this is not nearly far enough away from her." She told him, she didn't know if he really wanted to her about her mother.

"Um I have 11 sisters." she told him glancing back at her sisters that were watching her like a hawk, she turned back to Nathan, he was asking about her crazy home life. " I am not sure what happened to them. They were forced to live with muggles." She remembered the families that were torn apart, the children that would never get to see their parents. "And the Ministry kept pretty close tabs on the ones they could identify. They weren't allowed wands, some of them were locked up. Not even squibs were allowed to stay." she confessed. She hated having to explain any of these to anyone. She couldn't believe that she had bought into that garbage for so long and even helped carry out some of it.

She noticed that he slowed down near a red box with glass inserts. "Is this your house?" She asked clearly puzzled.

“11?! Bloody ‘ell, love. And I thought I had it bad with four brothers!” ...And a sister, but she had been too young to be too much bother. On the few occasions he had seen her recently, she had been very sweet – a tad judgmental, but mostly sweet. He followed Egypt’s eyes to where she was looking. The sisters were still busy watching the two. “Do you often talk to strange men you’ve just met in a park?” he teased, looking back at Egypt. “Your sister’s haven’t taken their eyes off us for a second.” He grinned and winked in their direction.

Her next words were somewhat sombre - she was obviously upset about the things that had gone on in her home country. “That’s terrible.” He shook his head slightly, “And what of the purebloods? Were you allowed outside the city walls at all?” He was keen to know what her own opinions were, but thought it rude to ask. But in a way, he also didn’t want to know – they were getting along just fine without Nathan ruining the conversation.

He burst out laughing as she asked if the phone box was his home. “You serious?” it appeared she was. “No, love. I may look a like a homeless bum, but I do not live in a telephone box.” He looked her in the eyes – she was clearly puzzled by this muggle contraption, “This” he gestured at the large red rectangular box. “is a muggle telephone box. You pick up the receiver.” He pointed inside, “Then you dial a number …and you can talk to other people through it.” It felt so strange having to explain how to use a telephone to a twenty-odd year old woman. He smiled kindly at her. “It’s also charmed to act as a secret entrance into the ministry. Here, let me show you.” He opened the door and motioned for her to go inside. “Your sisters will be alright without you in their sight for a few minutes, wont they?”

"Well if Africa a man's wealth is measure by how many children he has." She explained to him, she was glad he didn't ask about her name, that was a very confusing conversation to have.

She blushed at his question, this was actually the first time she had spoken to anyone let alone a man since she had been in London. "No I don't." She giggled. "But it would have seemed rude to let you walk away thinking we were laughing at you." She waved her hand in the direction of her sisters.

"Well there were some that did not want to stay in the city, and the Ministry let them go because that was the type of wizard they did not want to keep around anyways." She looked down at the ground she did not want to give him the wrong impression of who she was based on how she had to grow up.

She looked up when he laughed at her, she had no idea what he was talking about. She had never meet a muggle or used any of their things. She looked at the contraption with a critical eye. "Why do you use a number to talk to people, is that their name?" She asked looking at the thing in his hand wondering why someone would put themselves in a little box to talk to someone.

She looked back at her sister and gave them the ok. "I think they will be fine without me." She told him and stepped inside the machine.

Floyd strolled cautiously through the park. There were a few Muggles about, but he didn't see anyone that looked like Ministry. He found a secluded picnic table and crawled underneath. Using his knapsack as a pillow, he drifted off into an uneasy sleep.

Stealing a moment away from the watchful eye of their nanny, Bridgette and Lucille played on the plushie lawns of the park, chasing one another about. Their nanny had been expecting an important call from her son-in-law and was not hesitant to answer her telephone when it rang. Seeing their nanny busy herself with her call, Bridgette took the initiative to run off with her smaller sister following close behind. They two girls ducked behind an arboured sect of the park and amused themselves by hiding behind the trunks of the trees, laughing up a storm as they did so.

"I can still see you, Bug. You haven't got your whole body hidden. That branch is too small!", Bridgette semi-snapped in that bossy older sister way as she reached a hand out and grabbed at the small, very small tree with funny tied up roots or leaves. "That's not even a tree!", she exclaimed getting a better look at the Wizards' or Witchs' broom. "It's just a broom!". Bridgette tried to push it over, but to no avail.

Both girls took a step back and took another good look at the broom, which now they could see, did not touch the ground. Someone had left it suspended and blended amongst the trees.

Having a hard day at work,was always very tiring.Getting some air and having a bit of reflection time was the best thing;Laras mum told her.She always knew what was best for Lara,it was odd.She shrugged off an image of her mum telling her that she should be married soon,now that she had a job and a house.She sighed and hugged herself.It was warm and crisp outside,but it was still a little chilly.She strolled through the park.

Floyd was tired of hiding in the park and he really wanted a hot meal....he wanted it bad enough to risk going to the Raven's Claw....so off he went...looking over his shouder every few steps.

Egypt wrapped herself up tightly as walked across the park. Her feet were killing her from walking up and down the Ministry all day long. They had brought in three different criminals, and they were starting their trials soon. The crisp British weather was getting to her, she didn't know how long her hair could stay straight.

She picked up the pace, Nathan had wanted to meet her in the park, and she was so excited about it she could hardly concentrate on her work. She noticed the park was full of muggles and their dogs, and she wanted to be alone with Nathan. She wanted the freedom to say anything to him without feeling foolish.

She found a hard park bench in a cove a trees. Now this bench just won't do. She cautiously pulled out her wand and pointed it at the bench, it dissolved into a cushy sofa with throw pillows. She sent up a red orb above the trees to let Nathan know where she was.

She sat down and was prepared to wait all night for him so show.

Nathan sauntered casually into the park with his hands in his jeans pockets. He glanced around at the muggles going about their business - out walking their dogs and the odd couple out for a stroll, after a busy day at work.

He looked around for Egypt, thinking about the moment they had shared in the break room today. They had arranged to meet here, but there was no sign of her. He was beginning to think that she had decided not to meet him when a red orb hovering above some trees caught his eye. He glanced around briefly, it seemed the muggles were unable to see it, blissfully unaware of its existence. He set off in that direction.

When he got into the clearing, he smiled broadly at the beautiful woman and what she had done for him. He sat down next to her on the sofa and put he arm around her, kissing her forehead gently. “Well this was unexpected.” He said, “I must admit, I like your style, love.” he smirked mischievously. "How was the rest of your day?"

She was sitting there watching a couple walking their dog. They were holding hands, and looking at each other like they were the only two people in the world. They seemed to happy and wrapped up in their world and each other, that it made her heart ache. She smirked, she remember a muggle saying that her dad told her, "it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all." It now made more sense to her than ever before, and it brought Nathan thundering back into her head.

She saw him walking up and it made her smile, he had a handsome quietness about him that didn't seem pretentious or forced. He looked tired and concerned was etched across Egypt's face. She was surprised at his forwardness, and he seemed relaxed when they were alone together.

She closed her eyes and accepted his kiss, loving the sweetness of a forehead kiss.

"Well there are just things that a girl just has to have, and a pleasant place to park her tired feet is always nice." She commented with a smirk.

"It was kind of busy, we got in a few cases today. Well not cases yet, they are still being questioned and evidence is being compiled, but we are doing research." She told him not wanting to talk about work at all, but just wanting to talk to Nathan about them, or if they could ever be an "us"

She looked at the ground, "It was hard to think about work with you on my mind." She said softly, even thought she had opened up to him she was finding this hard to do, but easy to fall into. She was falling hard and fast for him, and she wanted to know if he felt the same way as she did.

"Do you know what you do to me?" She asked him looking up into his eyes.

“Is there something wrong?” he asked her, noting the look of worry on her face. He mirrored her expression as he studied her. “You know you can tell me anything, right?” he said gently and caressed her arm. It was true – he would never judge her. The things she had told him about her family didn’t phase him in the slightest – all that was important, was Egypt and who she was as an individual.

“It’s those bloody heals you women insist on wearing.” he teased. “But it makes a pleasant change from those hard benches.” He shifted his position slightly to get more comfortable. Egypt seemed different somehow– more confident, but still the quiet girl he was well and truly falling for.

He nodded, “Yeah, one chap we brought in is still being questioned – he’s refusing to talk.” He shook his head at the thought of poor old Mr Flooing and his break down in the Raven’s Claw… and then his odd silence in the detention room. He wanted to ask Egypt to make sure the courts went easy on him, but knew he that this was completely against the rules. If found out, Nate, and even worse, Egypt, would be in serious trouble for such a breach. Besides, who wanted to talk about work - they were finished for the day. Best leave work and work and enjoy the time when you weren't there.

“Oh really?” he replied to her next words and hugged her closer to him, enjoying the closeness and the warmth she provided. He had spent the rest of his own day feeling an emptiness that he couldn’t shake off. And for once, it wasn’t the need for a drink - it was Egypt – the mesmerising woman who had stopped to talk to him in this very park.

He was taken aback by her next question and wasn’t sure she meant it in the way it sounded. He looked into her eyes not sure how to respond to such a foward question - if indeed, it was how he interpreted it. “What do you mean?” he asked finally.

"Its just that you look so tired and worried, and I can't help but worry about you." She said sheepishly. She was never good at hiding her emotions, and thats what frustrated her mother the most. The rest of her sisters were masters at the art of deception, but not Egypt, she always gave away her true, it was written all over her face. Even in the short time that she had known him she was pained when he looked hurt.

"Oh you men love our heels as much as we do." She said playfully nudging him with her elbow and giving him a wink. "And a nice comfy sofa is always a pleasant change to a stone bench." she looked back over at the lovey dovey couple with the dog who were sitting in the grass now and reading to each other from a book as the dog played wit a chew toy.

"I know its awful." She wanted to say more, but she was tired of work and this was the first time since they meet that they had spent some time with each other and she didn't want to waste it or spoil it with work.

She loved being close to him, she found a nook in his arm and settled into to it like it had been made especially for her. Even through her traveling cloak she could feel her body heat up instantly when their bodies touched.

"You make me feel high, like I am on a strange drug, when I am around you my head gets all fuzzy, my heart is pumping so hard I feel like it is trying to break free from my chest. And the only thing I can think about is you." She told him looking into his eyes, she wondered if she should keep going

"I have never felt like this." She took a deep breath to slow her heart down so she could get the last words out of her mouth.

"I have never been in love."

“Oh don’t worry about me.” Nathan replied and shook his head slightly, “This is completely self inflicted I assure you.” he smiled sheepishly in the same way as Egypt. A few too many to drink last night; plus Nate wasn’t exactly the greatest sleeper in the world either. Even when exhausted he would only ever sleep for a few hours. He kissed the top of her head, her hair smelled sweet, he closed his eyes and lingered there for a moment.

“Well I can’t deny that.” He chuckled and glanced down at her feet. Even in heals, Egypt was still small - small but perfectly formed ...in every single way. “I don’t know how you walk in those things.” He commented looking back at her face and following her eyes to the couple reading to each other. They seemed so content, unaware of anything else around them. All they needed was each other. He smiled as he watched them.

He loved it when she settled into his arm like that – like they were made for each other. He looked down at her and stroked her arm softly before resting his head against hers. He could hear her soft breathing and the beating of her heart – it was almost therapeutic to him. He closed his eyes; he could have stayed like this for an eternity.

The moment was broken as she began to speak. He opened his eyes and moved away slightly so that he could look into her eyes. He was a little embarrassed by her words; Nate not being the most articulate person in the world when it came to his feelings. If a subject was serious, he would normally make a joke of it – a defence mechanism he used to help him cope. But this was far too serious for that. “I understand.” he said softly and kissed the top of her head again. He did – he felt the same way, but his brain would not allow the words to form and leave his mouth.

Her next words came as a bit of a shock, however. He tried his best to hide his sudden anxiety, but he was aware that his body had become a little tense. He loved being with this woman more than anything… but to confess her love after only such a short time of knowing him was a little worrying. He gulped and allowed his eyes to rest on the couple sitting on the grass. “I… I don’t know what to say, Egypt.” He looked back at her, hoping he hadn’t just ruined everything. He knew he was falling for her hook, line and sinker, but to utter that four letter word so early and easily in their relationship was impossible for him.

"That just means you need someone to take care of you," She said playfully. "Men never stop to take care of themselves."

She lifted up her left foot and looked down at her red heels, "Oh this takes a lot of practice." she giggled.

She didn't know what to say, she couldn't hide how she felt, and his silence said all that she didn't needed to hear. This was just something to pass the time for him, she was a layover while he waited for someone else. He dad always told her to be true to her heart and it would never steer her wrong, well she was starting to believe that was a load of crap.

She felt defeated, her first time down lovers lane and she was left by the side of the road. She felt him tense up, and she knew it was not going to end the way she had been imagining all day while at work. She moved away from Nathan, she needed to distance herself mentally and physically from him.

"I understand," She told him her voice shaking, she didn't know how long she could keep the tears back. "You don't feel the same way." She tried to look into his eyes, but she couldn't do it. "I'm sorry I put you in this position, forgive me it was stupid of me."

She looked around the park the couple was gone, and it was time for her to go. She didn't know how many more mistakes she could make in one day, she stood up and readjusted her traveling cloak.

"I ..uh..well Mr. Greenwood, it was a very loverly evening. I am so sorry." She told him, "Please forgive me." Even if he didn't want to be with her, she couldn't stand it if he hated her.

Nathan chuckled lightly, “Are you offering, love?” he teased.. She was right though, he didn’t look after himself properly – he had rather a self destructive personality but just being with Egypt helped him to relax. He felt like a different person when he was around her.

As she moved away, he removed his arm from around her shoulder and sighed inwardly, sitting forward and studying something on the lawn in front of him. He couldn’t believe it – this wasn’t how it was supposed to turn out, “You understand?” he asked quietly, raising his eyebrows. “No.. you don't. Y-you don’t know how I feel.” he started hesitantly. “I like you, Egypt – a lot. But you have to understand, we barely know each other.” he shook his head, this was all coming out wrong.

As she stood up to leave, he felt winded – like someone had punched him in the stomach, “Egypt.” He said, standing up to join her. “Look at me, please, love.” He moved round so he was in front of her, trying to get her to look at him, almost subconsciously blocking her path. He took her hand, she now felt so cold to the touch. “When I’m with you, I forget everything else in the world – it’s like, as long as you’re there, everything’s fine.” He words sounded so stupid to him, but it was the truth. He sighed and shook his head again, “You have to just… just give these things time.”

He winced as she called him ‘Mr Greenwood’ - it hurt so much. This woman who was wrapped comfotably in his arms a minute ago, and now she was being so… formal. “Egypt, please. … I don’t want you to go.” It was his turn to feel defeated. How stupid could he be – this woman who bared her soul to him and his response was silence - he froze. He didn’t deserve to have such a woman – to call her ‘his own.’ “Maybe it would be best if I just went.” He muttered. The damage had already been done.

"Only if you are accepting my help." She told him reaching up to his face and pushing back his hair behind his ear. He seemed like he wanted to hide himself from the world.

He didn't understand where she was coming from, she looked up at him. "I know we don't know each other." She said the tears falling down her face. He was starting to leave, she didn't want him to go. She knew he wanted to be with her as badly as she wanted to be with him. His head was making all the decisions and not letting him just fall. "In my homeland, God make a soul. He takes such care with it, he makes it perfect. Then he tears it in two and puts one half in a man and puts one half in a woman. Then he places the man and the woman on earth, and they spend their lives searching for the other half of their soul."

"Please don't go," She couldn't let him walk out of her life, she moved around and stood in front of him. She looked up into his eyes and looked at him for a good minute. She took his hand and placed it over her heart, his hand was made for her body. "This is right." She said simply. "I have spent my whole life searching for you." She said softly. "I never took a boyfriend, I never took a lover."

"Does love need time?" She stood up on her tip toes, and kissed him long and softly on the lips, she wrapped her arms around his body and pulled him in close.

"Just let me in Nathan." She said pulling back to look at him.

Dora took her dog for a walk in the park. It was a beautiful day and she was in an excellent mood. After jogging with her dog for a while, Dora sat on a bench and began to read a magazine.
She liked going in this park because it made her forget all the problems.

As he started to leave, he didn’t expect her to follow, to try and stop him; because he’d hurt her again - that was twice in a day, quite a record. How many more times could they do this? And how many more times could she cope with it? He didn’t deserve her love.

He stopped as she began to speak but didn’t turn around. He listened to her sweet voice, like music to his ears. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath as he listened to her words, he could feel his eyes begin to sting. She had touched a nerve – that was how he felt; like his soul was not complete. How could she know? How could she know to use those exact words? Because she was the missing half of his soul? His soul-mate. Egypt made him complete. Without her he was nothing.

He opened his eyes as she moved to stand in front of him. He studied her face, taking in its beauty as well as every flaw, every imperfection – that little mole above her eye that he loved so much. To him she was perfect in every way. That angelic face that haunted his every thought. He made himself look into her eyes. He felt the electricity from her as she placed his hand on her heart, feeling the steady beat and knowing that their hearts beat as one.

He leant in as she kissed him. No matter how hard he tried, he knew he could never resist this woman. She had a power over him that he knew he could never break free from. He returned the kiss, with a more passionate one, pulling her closer to him, feeling the warmth of her body pressed against his own. And in that moment, everything was forgotten. Everything was fine. He didn’t want it to stop – as she pulled away he was jarred back into reality. His hand went to her hair, pushing it back from her face. “This is right.” He said softly, echoing her words. “I need you, Egypt.” He looked into her eyes and swallowed hard, “I-I love you.”

she stood and watched him. She could see the internal struggle that was going on inside his head. He wanted to love her, he wanted to be free to love her, but something was holding him back. She silently pleaded for him to let himself go. She closed her eyes as he touched her face. He had finally just let himself fall, and she was happy. He had been hurt in his life, and she wanted to take his pain away.

"I need you and I love you too." She told him looking in his eyes and smiling. His face seemed to have new light, the stress and worry melted off his face and he looked like the young man that he was. "You don't have to be scared of this. Scared of me." She whispered laying her head on his chest. Her ear was right over his heart. Night had fallen, and they were cloaked in darkness, she pulled out her wand and sent up small twinkling lights, it bathed them in a soft shimmering glow. This moment in time was the one moment she didn't want to end, it was so perfect and so right, she was in the presence of the other half of her soul. Nothing else in the world mattered, not her mother, not her sisters. All that mattered was that she was in Nathan's arms and he was in her heart.

She knew that they would have to break apart and go home, she was dreading this more than using that new charm her sister had invented for self hair removal.

They just clicked, and it felt so good.


occ: this was the hardest post

That was it. He had given his heart away – for the first time since Claire had left him, he was able to move on without feeling torn or guilty. “I’m not.” He replied, “Not now.” He felt a calmness wash over him with Egypt there in his arms. As she lay her head against his chest he reached up and stroked her hair tenderly. He smiled as she sent up the twinkling lights. Such a small gesture – but so perfect. He kept his eyes on them for a couple of minutes, watching them dance above them, before kissing the top of her head and resting his against hers.

After a while, he eventually pulled away from her, taking both her hands and looking into her eyes, “You took a big risk coming here. I’m so glad you did.” If Nathan believed in fate, then that’s what had brought them together. That Egypt had come to Britain. That her sisters had laughed at his expense. That she had chased after him to apologise for them. That he took the time to stop and talk to her despite being late back to work… the list went on and on. “You have my heart.” He said gently. “I would do anything for you.” He didn’t want to leave her, but knew that time was coming. He also knew that as soon as they were apart he would sicken until he saw her again. “How are you getting home?” He asked, still holding her hands. The streets of London were not a safe place to be alone at night.


ooc: Sorry... this one was pretty hard too.

She always hated how short she was, even in heels. Only Tommy was shorter than she was and she was always towered over by her older sisters, but now she saw that her height made her the prefect fit for Nathan, who was not a very tall man.

"You took a big risk Nathan, " she told him, she saw how hard it was for him to let go. She reached up and undid the necklace that was around her neck underneath her traveling cloak. It was a silver chain with a small charm dangling from it. It was a small key with a emerald inlay. Her name was etched on the back of the charm.

She looked at it for a minute before speaking. "The day me and my sisters were born my father presented this to us. He said it was because we all had the keys to his heart." She leaned up on her tip toes and reached behind Nathan's neck and fastened the necklace around his neck. "So I am giving this to you." She looked at him to make sure he understood her gift. "Now you have my heart as well."


She knew it was about time for them to leave, and she didn't want it to happen. She didn't want to go home to her empty flat, with no one there but her and her muggle television.

"Usually apparition, I don't really know my way around London," She told him, feeling embarrassed that she had been in London for 6 months and didn't know how to get anywhere. Well if she couldn't get there by floo powder or by appariting she didn't go. "I live somewhere around here. I've never walked there." She smiled sheepishly, she didn't even know the address of her flat. she was actually scared to venture out into the muggle world alone, and her sisters weren't much help in that department.

Nate watched her unhook the chain and hold it in her hand for a moment before reaching up and putting it around his own neck. He was about to protest, say he couldn’t accept such a gift, but realised the symbolism behind it. She would be offended if he refused it. “Thank you” He smiled and kissed her lightly on the lips. “I have nothing physical to give you.” He shook his head slightly, “But please know, if you ever need me, I’ll be there no matter what.”

He chuckled at her words, “Well we’ll have to chance that then won’t we?” he grinned, remembering having a similar conversation with one of the women from the minister’s office who hadn’t spent much time in the muggle world either. “A guided tour at the weekend perhaps?” he asked raising his eyebrows. Egypt didn’t really seem to know where she lived. “You need a hand getting there?” he asked. “Or…” he said, looking down at his feet. “You could always come back to mine.” He looked up at her and smiled sheepishly, “For coffee of course” he added for safe measure. “Or I have firewhiskey.” A boyish smirk now curling up the corners of his mouth.

"I didn't give that to you expecting anything in return Nathan, you have already given me the most precious thing in the world." She told him smiling up at him.

"Um well if you want to walk I'm sorry I don't know how to get there. I am not very good with muggle things." she admitting looking around the park not even knowing where to begin looking for her home. It was big enough to spot once you were on the right street, but she didn't know where the street was.

"Yes, I think a tour is in order." she declared finally, she couldn't be afraid of the muggle world anymore.

Egypt being as straight laced as she was had never drank before, but her sisters had all tried Firewhiskey and India seemed they only one to like it.

"Coffee will be fine for me thanks." She had started to blush at his invitation back to his place. She was not experienced in those matters, but the prospect of a night cap eased her tension slightly. She knew Nathan was more experienced in the physical department as he seemed to have had his heart broken, but still that aspect of being with someone physically scared Egypt a little.

"If you don't mind a side along apparition we can go to my home. I have a lovely bottle of a Ghana liquor." She told him, "Or we can have some Arabian coffee, because really this British coffee is what we give to babies in my country."

Kahylee walked outside and felt comfortable. She sat on a bench and watched the sky. She yawned and opend her book and began reading.

He smiled and nodded. He didn’t have much he could give her anyway. Money was a struggle for Nate, living on a lowish salary in central London. He just hoped she wouldn’t suddenly have a change of heart when she found this out... although he suspected she already knew.

He smirked and raised an eyebrow at her next words, “Do you even know what street you live in?” How in merlin’s beard was she even coping at all in the muggle world? “Why exactly did you decide to live among muggles” he asked. It seemed odd to him that she had chosen such a life given her upbringing - no contact with half bloods or muggleborns, let alone muggles and their odd inventions. At least Nate had had mates to help him with the muggle way of life.

“Good. This weekend – it’s a date then.” he grinned at these words - their first proper date. “You’ll have to dress like a muggle, mind you.” He pointed out. He was very interested to see what she looked like in muggle attire. If he was honest, he preferred muggle clothes, especially on a woman.

He nodded, “Of course. I’ll probably join you.” He replied as she said she would like coffee only. Noticing her blush at his invitation back to his place, he put his arms around her to reassure her. “For coffee.” he said again, trying to make it quite clear that he had no other intentions. He just wanted to spend more time with Egypt. Hell, he would stay in the park all night, but it was no place for a lady to be at this time of night.

“I would love to.” He replied to her invitation to go back to hers instead - Ghana liquor sounded rather tempting. But he still needed to get his apparition licence, he thought he’d keep that information to himself. He didn't want Egypt to think he was even stupider than he seemed at time. He chuckled at her comment about British coffee, “You're right. You can show me how to make a proper cup.” He linked arms with her, getting ready to apparate.