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Tara led him out of the lobby and up through the phone booth. She stood uncertainly in the bright, hot sunlight, squinting at it as if it were totally unfamiliar to her. Finally, she moved forward and turned the corner, almost immediately turning into a darkened doorway. "I told you it was just around the corner," she said pleasently, before pushing open the door. The bell above the door clinked dismally and a man scowled at them from where he was wiping glasses from behind the counter. Tara scowled daintily back at him before leading Snape to a booth in the back corner. "He'll pretend to be disgruntled about having to serve food at this time of day, but really he's all noise." She opened the menu and studied it carefully. |
The sun was quite bright but, Snpe resisted the temptation to shield his eyes. Before he knew it, she was ushering him inside a darkly lit pub which reminded him of the Hog's Head; right down to the barman. He followed her to a table in the corner and instinctively took the side which faced the door and the rest of bar. He wasn't sure what kinds of things they served in a muggle bar, not having the slightest interest in muggle studies; as a student nor an adult. "What do you recommend?" he asked. |
Harry immediately regretted telling Mrs. Weasley because now he had himself stuck. He couldn't say anything to back out of it, nor could he answer her question, he couldn't bring himself to do it. He thought for a few seconds then decided on, "I don't love Elizabeth." It was the truth, of course, well, he thought. He couldn't bring himself to comment on anything else Mrs. Weasley had said. |
Finally after days in the tomb and fixing the spells Guin decided it was time to go home. Their were some stuff left to be done but Guin was sure the others could take care of it without her help, at least she hoped. Packed and ready to go, Guin had said goodbye to all her newly made friends and only waited for Bill to hurry up and take her back. She missed home now more then she had thought to convince herself but it was true. "Guin!" Yelled someone from in front. Finally in view she noticed the voice was from Bill himself finally. "Bill!" Guin yelled back as she walked up to him. He was talking to some of the local wizards in egyptian and when she was in view he said goodbye and walked up. Bill smiled as he walked up to Guin and was finally rid of these wizards who seemed to bug him every moment. "Ready? Good we should go to the apparating site now. We'll be home before you know it." He added in a bigger smile. Off they went and soon Guin would be home. What was going on anyways? |
"Oh, the shepherd's pie is excellent here," Tara said consideringly. "I've also had some of the steak and kidney pie. Get a cup of coffee to drink, although I don't need the caffeine at this point in my day, so I'll have a glass of water." She thought for a moment longer. "And we'll have pie as well." The barkeeper approached to get their order, scowling darkly. "You know that scowl doesn't work on me, and I don't think it'll work on Professor Snape, either," Tara replied without even glancing up from her menu. "He's much better at scowling than you are. I've heard some first years even wet themselves." She proceeded to order as if her stride had not even been broken. Molly nodded at Harry's words. Who was she to argue with him? She had always loved Arthur, even when they were young and still at Hogwarts, but sometimes things didn't work that same way. Molly recalled Ginny's infatuation with Harry when the girl was 11, and she hoped that when all this played itself out, Ginny wasn't going to be the one left to pick up all the pieces. "And you told Elizabeth this, I assume?" Molly asked Harry. "How'd she take it?" |
"Well, she didn't like it..." Harry said, "In fact, I'm not even sure where she went, she started crying and made a scene in front of Florean Fortescue's." He shook his head, as if wanting to banish the thought from his head. It wasn't very fun. Women were such... women. That was the only word to describe them as a whole. Unpredictable, dramatic, annoying... he could go on and on. |
Before Guin knew it they apparated right in front of the Weasleys Burrow. She followed Bill and walked inside and noticed Bills mother Molly along with Harry. Bill went up to his mother and hugged her as he shaked Harry's hand, they seemed as if she had interupted a conversation but Bill didn't seem to notice. Walking up to Molly and Harry Guin reached her hand out, "Nice to meet you I'm Guinevere Woods." She told Molly with a smile and turned to Harry, "Well it's been a while, hello." |
Molly wanted to comment on Harry's insensitivity to Elizabeth's feelings. She loved Harry, but he was being completely thick if he thought Elizabeth would react in any way other than tears and possible anger to being dumped this close to the wedding. Instead, she was interrupted by the sound of someone apparating in, followed closely by Bill and an attractive young woman walking into the kitchen. "Its nice to meet you," she replied to the woman, who seemed to have eyes only for Harry at the moment. Molly was content to give Bill a look that said quite clearly, "Where have you been hiding this girl and why don't I have grandchildren yet?" |
Harry smiled at Guin and tried to be positive about females for the moment. He greeted Bill quickly, then turned back to Guin. "How have you been since Hogwarts?" He asked, recalling their school days. They had been friends and if he remembered, she had been somewhat of a flirt. |
Guin smiled at Harry, "Me? I've been great! Just basking in the hot Egyptian sun really." She added with a small laugh. "How have you been? I've heard some rumors going around..." Guin teased as she looked back at Bill. Harry looked a bit down at the moment and she really didn't know why, she didn't know anything anymore really. Bill looked at his mother and before he knew it he saw her look and almost died laughing but kept it in. He walked up to Molly and whispered, "Sorry to disappoint you mother but were not together." He smiled and hugged her again, "It's good to be home again. |
Molly took in Bill's words and scowled at him good-naturedly. "Well, why not?" she replied a bit too loudly. "You aren't getting any younger, William, and neither am I. If you aren't careful, one of your brothers will get married and have children first, and then he'll be my favorite." She held him in her embrace. He was her first-born, and he lived the farthest away. It was good to have him home. "I'm glad you're here, Bill. I hope you can stay for a while." |
Harry mumbled something about rumors and when it was clear no one had heard what he said, he said more clearly, "Rumors, what rumors?" He asked. He figured, of course, that they were talking about the wedding, but if at all possible, he would like to avoid having to explain the situation to anyone else, especially a girl he hadn't seen for a year and didn't know too well anyway and Ginny's older brother. |
"Well hasn't someone beaten me already mother?" Bill said in a happy tone. "Don't worry mother, when I find someone you'll be sure to know." He kissed her on the forehead and walked to Guin and Harry now. "Hey Harry! Hows the wedding plans been going? Aww don't be shy I heard all about you getting married. "Come on Harry...." Guin was about to continue when Bill came closer and started asking about the wedding a bit more clearer and she almost laughed. Looking at Harry after Bill said that he didn't look to thrilled, but Guin was curious and wanted to know. |
Harry knew it was coming, just wasn't prepared with anything. After thought, he decided and said, "Actually, the wedding's off." He prayed that Mrs. Weasley wouldn't mention anything he had told her within the past ten minutes. Bill could easily paralyze Harry or worse. |
Snape sneered at Sinistra at her comments concerning his scowling. It seemed that neither he nor the bartended were impressed with her remarks as they exchanged a knowing glance. "I'll have the shepherd's pie and a coffee," he said, handing the man his unopened menu. He sat back as the man left them alone and surveyed the small pub. It was remarkably similar to the Hog's Head, htough a bit cleaner and without the dodgey wizard clintelle. "How long have you been coming here?" he asked, attempting to make friendly conversation. |
Tara looked at him consideringly for several long moments. It seemed like an innocent question but it gave a considerable time line of her activities. She only ate here when she brought her work to the Ministry, and she only brought her work to the Ministry since she had started working quietly for Dumbledore's Order. She was an unofficial part of that organization, and she really had no idea who was a part of it other than Kingsley, although she of course had her suspicions. "About a year," Tara replied finally. "At first they acted a bit dodgy about my robes, but I think several of the Ministry workers eat here as well. They don't even seem to notice now. The food isn't wonderful but its filling and... Ah, here it is now." The bartender plunked the plates down in front of them and wandered off. |
Snape looked down at the rather mixed up looking entree he was just served and picked up his fork. He poked at the food a bit with his fork before taking up a forkful and studying the combination of meat, potato, corn, and gravy. He watched the steam rise up and finally, after blowing on it a bit, stuck the fork in his mouth and tasted this new dish. It was rather good. So, she'd been coming here for about a year. He tried to think of a reason she would have started coming here a year ago and assumed it must have something to do with the war, though he hadn't heard anything from either side about Sinistra. Perhaps he was looking too far into it. |
Elizabeth walked down Diagon Alley, feeling the tears start to abate. She stepped inside the ladies bathroom next to Gringotts and tidied up her ruined makeup and messy hair. She then sat down on a chair in the bathroom and felt decidely alone. She couldn't face going back to the Burrow just yet, and yet she didn't want to wander around alone. She thought this was as good a time as any to go and tell Jessica that she didn't need her wedding dress after all. |
Snape seemed to be mulling over her answer, or perhaps he was mulling over the food on his plate. He seemed to be enjoying it, but Snape enjoying anything was completely unfamiliar to Tara, so she really couldn't be sure. Instead, she ignored him, poking at her food and taking a few small bites. She didn't sleep well on a full stomach and tended to stick with light meals at this time of day. Sipping her water, Tara watched Snape sip his coffee. Her mouth watered at the smell of it. She was definitely a coffee person, but the caffeine caused havoc in her sleeping. She had only started drinking it a year ago when she started eating here, but she seriously considered having the house elves look into making the Muggle drink for her. "How do you like your coffee, Professor Snape?" |
He was brought out of his thoughts by Sinistra questioning him again. Placing the cup back on the saucer he thought a bit more before answering. "A little bitter, but quite good, actually," he admitted. "Do you have any plans this summer?" |
She handed him the sugar and cream without a word and gestured towards the steaming cup of coffee. "Plans? I'm on vacation. All I have are plans right now, although I do hope to get more research done before my annual trip to Italy in August." She broke off a piece of the pie and chewed it slowly. "Yes, they have excellent pie here. What about you? What are your summer plans?" She pushed the pie towards him as an offering. |
Snape accepted the offering of pie. Italy? Well, he supposed he should ansewr her query before asking her about Italy. "I'll be staying at the school, as ever," he replied, taking a bite of pie before continuing and adding cream and sugar to the coffee. "What do you do in Italy, if I may ask?" |
Ron opened the shoppe door, waving to Seamus, who was sitting on the counter arranging his desk. He said, “See you tomorrow, Seamus. I hope your daughter will heal soon.” Seamus responded by smiling and a nod. Ron bid him goodbye and left the shoppe. Ron, feeling a little bit tired and hungry, went inside Diagon Alley to eat something first before going to the Burrow. |
Guin could see Bill was shocked and well, she was to. "Oh..." she said as she looked at Molly. Harry didn't look like he felt like talking about it so Guin thought about changing the subject as she looked at Bill then Mrs.Weasley, "Umm...have any good home cooked meals around?" She asked trying to smile. Bill looked at Harry and then at Guin as she asked for food. Him and Bill needed to talk because the last time they had spoken he had been in love or something. |
Tara looked right at Snape to gauge his reaction as she answered. "I have a house. I live like a Muggle for a week each summer. Its very relaxing, and I don't have to think about work or the students or anything but the sun and the stars and the waves on the beach." It was a bit of an idealistic answer, but she felt the need to be honest with Snape about her little house. She wondered if he could possibly understand having that escape, or if an answer like that would seem ridiculous to him. Molly took pity on poor Guin, who was suddenly thrust in quite a strange and awkward situation. "Of course, dear, we have more food than you could want. You'll have a little meat on your bones in no time at all. I hope you're staying here. It'll be nice to have a girl staying around now that Ginny lives in town and... well, I don't suppose Elizabeth will want to stay here anymore." |
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