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"Cousin"
Author: Eoghan
Date: 09-06-19 20:01
Eoghan holds his wand slightly aloft, peering into a deeply shadowed recess. Though there is lighting all along the corridor, this time of evening there are gloomy spots. Not being all that familiar with Hogwarts he periodically stops to check a map he'd been given for his first patrol shift of the school. Shaking his head he folds the map and, with a sigh, shoves it into a pocket. Whoever made the map seems to have been only slightly more familiar with the castle's layout than he is.
Reaching the end of the corridor segment, Eoghan randomly turns left at the intersection, stopping short when he nearly collides with a young girl. "Sorry," he says, reaching out in case she needs steadying.
A slight tilt of her head, she flashes a smile that to Eoghan has a slyness about it. "I know who you are."
He knows who she is as well but thinking her comment has to do with him being an auror she probably saw earlier in the Great Hall when most students were sitting for dinner he says in return, "My patrol shift covers this area of the castle."
"No, I mean I know who you are. You've been to the manor a few times."
"Malfoy Manor, yes, but I don't remember seeing you though I know you're Carina. I'm Eoghan Riordin."
Her eyes dart around as if checking for others. Leaning in closer, voice dropping she conspiratorially whispers, "But born Hyperion. See, I do know. Don't worry, I won't tell. I know it's a big secret. We're family and family protects each other."
Surprised that Carina does in fact know far more than he had thought Eoghan grapples for how to best reply. He becomes even more nonplussed when she dismissively waves her hand while matter-o- factly stating, "I know we aren't blood family. You're Draco's cousin through his mother and Auntie. He and I are brother and sister through Dad; but, he is my blood and you are his. That's why Auntie is Auntie even though she's not really. So, family."
Carina smiles again but this time it's eleven year old girl sweet. "My mum was Cecily. This is her."
She shoves an open locket up for Eoghan to see. He obligingly takes it, holding his lighted wand close to get a good look. "She was very pretty. Now that I've seen her picture I have to say I think you favor her more than you do Lucius."
"Thank you, I think so too." She looks pleased. "Do you have any brothers and sisters?"
"Five. Two brothers and three sisters."
"That's a lot. I wish I'd had at least one. I mean other than Draco. He's older so closer to my age. Less boring."
"Definitely less boring at my house growing up," Eoghan gives a small laugh.
Carina looks over her shoulder at the hallway behind her. "You're going that way? There's not much there. I was exploring."
"I should still check it out. You know, to be thorough on the job. Not to run you off but shouldn't you be getting to your house soon?"
Her smile turns to a frown as she nods and Eoghan would swear there was the tiniest of eye rolls. "Yes, but I'd rather be exploring."
"Term's only just begun. You have lots of time ahead of you for that."
Carina levels Eoghan with a look and says in a serious tone and turn of phrase that puts him in mind of someone far older than eleven, "I've been told I'm not one for being patient but I truly do have great restraint."
Eoghan can't help but smile. "I'm sure you are capable of whatever you put your mind to."
Still coming across as overly mature for her age she gravely agrees, "Yes, though it is rather trying. Well, goodnight. I hope we might speak again. Maybe you could show me pictures of your brothers and sisters. So pleased to meet you."
"A pleasure to meet you too, Carina. Goodnight."
Eoghan watches Carina's small form melt into the shadows of the hallway. When he moves in the opposite direction he can't help but wonder if he should be worried about that one and what she knows of his birthright.
In Hogsmeade
Author: Isolde
Date: 09-07-19 18:07
Isolde pushed Alexis' pram out of the stadium and called out to Gio, who was lagging behind. The trio had just stopped by to watch the Hogsmeade Humbatas practice for a little while. Gio didn't have the longest attention span in the world, and at eight months, Alexis wasn't interested in Quidditch yet at all.
"Gio," Isolde called again. "We're going to meet Daddy for lunch."
"Daddy there," Gio said, pointing a small finger behind him.
"Yes, Daddy's getting cleaned up after practice. He's got to shower and dress and then he'll meet us at the restaurant. Don't you want to save him a good seat at the table?"
"Okay. Come on."
He walked past his mother and the stroller, leading the way even though he didn't know where to go. As he happened to be heading in the right direction of the Crown & Cauldron, Isolde let him lead on.
They hadn't gotten far when they were suddenly intercepted by Rita Skeeter.
"Mrs. Fine, a word!"
Isolde narrowed her eyes and kept walking. Gio looked only briefly at the reporter. He saw a twig on the road and picked it up, then dragged it behind him as he walked.
Isolde tried to think about some sort of Quidditch related scandal that Skeeter might have heard about, but nothing came to mind.
"What do you think about your cousin's involvement in the Death Eater recruitment program at Hogwarts?"
Well, that was unexpected. "If you're talking about Azaelia, you're information is dead wrong," Isolde retorted.
"Your ex-cousin-in-law, then? A Death Eater spouse at Hogwarts under the nose of the Headmistress? How many students do you think Robert Blackheart corrupted over the years?"
"I wouldn't know," Isolde replied.
"Would you have been susceptible during your time at Hogwarts?"
Isolde shot the reporter a dark look and remarked, "You must be desperate for a story if you're harassing someone who hasn't been a student at Hogwarts in fourteen years. What's the matter? Can't get on the premises without getting thrown out or arrested for trespassing? Why don't you do yourself a favor and chase down some other story someplace else. Gio, we're at the restaurant. Drop the stick."
Gio did not drop the stick, but he turned toward the restaurant door, which swung open with the hostess smiling at them welcomingly.
Rita Skeeter left without another comment, and Isolde ushered Gio into the restaurant and carefully maneuvered the pram inside as well. She told the hostess that Py would be joining them shortly and was quickly seated.
Isolde put Gio in a booster seat. He still had the stick in his hand and set it carefully on the table next to his fork and spoon.
While Isolde perused the menu, she thought about Rita Skeeter's last question. Would she have been susceptible to joining the Death Eaters as a student at Hogwarts? The answer was yes. After all, she, Py, Azaelia, and Alexis had spent many a Hogsmeade trip in the secret room at Twice Told Tales reading about the dark arts.
She supposed it lucky that there hadn't been a student Death Eater program then, or she might be in prison, on the run, or dead instead of living her best life. Isolde might agree with some of their ideals even now, but she would never, ever consider joining or offering any kind of support. Perhaps she had grown up, or maybe she was simply putting her family first. Either way, she was glad not to be directly affected by the latest scandal in the wizarding world.
Formal Apology
Author: Jet
Date: 09-07-19 20:45
Checking his watch Jet thinks if his lunch date doesn't show up soon they'll have to get takeaway and hope to find time to eat at their respective desks back at the Ministry. Jet had finally take up Matthew Fyde's suggestion and asked out Betty, the petite redhead with the education department. Though the relationship isn't anywhere near what someone might consider "going steady" they do see each other with somewhat regularity. Movement out of the corner of his eye has him thinking Betty has arrived but the person approaching is a blonde witch of average height.
She stops just behind one of the empty chairs at the table and Jet is expecting to be told that Betty is running late but the woman, her lips contorting oddly as if she's considering whether to smile at him or not, says with a trace of hesitation, "Mr. Obsidian? I'm Clytemnestra Jones. With the revamped and reorganized Cymdeithas y Sarff."
At the words Cymdeithas y Sarff, in one abrupt motion, Jet pushes back from the table and stands. "I'm not interested."
She holds up a hand, palm facing him, in a placating gesture. "Please, give me just a moment."
"I want nothing to do with...," unable to bring himself to say the name without sounding strangled from anger he settles on, "that group."
"Perfectly understandable after what you were put through."
He looks past her, searching for an all too familiar face. "Emerson not with you? That's a shock."
"Emerson has nothing to do with why I am here. Hummm, that's not quite right. She and her parents and those who had knowledge of their actions are actually why I am here. Though wholly inadequate, you are owed an official apology."
Jet's eyes widen and his eyebrows go up in surprise. He can't keep the skepticism from his voice when he responds. "Oh? Really? What's the catch?"
"I'm sorry, I don't know what you mean by a catch."
"I get an apology but the group wants me to prove I don't have more information about its beloved Salazar Slytherin. Or, Emerson's parents' estate is suing me for monies spent for giving me room and board."
"Your sarcasm is also understandable. There is no catch, Mr. Obsidian." Clytemnestra Jones holds an envelope out to him. "The formal apology and a voucher to redeem at Gringotts for a monetary compensation for the suffering you experienced at the hands of misguided Cymdeithas y Sarff members. We had thought to hold a press conference but Emerson informed us you would not care for, in her words, such a hullabaloo."
"For once, she's right about something."
She continues holding the envelope out to him, politely smiling but when he doesn't reach for it the smile turns awkward. "I assure you there is no catch, no trick. The envelope and its contents aren't hexed or cursed. Please accept." She gives the envelope a tiny waggle. When he still does not reach for it she inquires, "Shall I place it on the table then?"
Jet takes a deep breath, shakes his head, extends a hand. Once the transfer has been made Clytemnestra Jones continues standing there, the awkwardness replaced by an expectant expression. Jet looks down at the envelope then back to the witch. He isn't sure if his oh, what the hell headshake is actual physical or merely mental.
Another deep breath and he pulls out the folded parchment of the formal apology, smooths it out on the table, and does a quick scan of it. The apology fills the page. A lot of wording just to say hey, sorry you were kidnapped and tortured.
Refolding it he neither looks at the woman standing there nor says anything. After returning the parchment to the envelope he pulls out the Gringotts voucher, basically the equivalent of a Muggle cashier's cheque. Stunned at the figure he looks at it again. Blinks. Read it a third time. Looks to Clytemnestra Jones then back to the voucher.
At least finding his voice he looks to her again and says in disbelief, "This is a joke, right? Cymdeithas y Sarff is having me on."
"I assure you, Mr. Obsidian, Cymdeithas y Sarff is quite serious and the voucher legitimate."
"It's eight figures." He drops back into his chair, staring at the voucher, half expecting a spell erase most of the zeros.
"Yes. Hardly adequate really when one considers your experience but it is the best we can do without entirely bankrupting the organization, in turn preventing Cymdeithas y Sarff from becoming the beneficent organization it was historically meant to be. I do hope the amount will suffice."
When Jet says nothing in response her awkward smile reappears. "I should be getting along. Good day, Mr. Obsidian."
When Betty arrives two or three minutes later, Jet has returned the voucher to the envelope but has since been staring at the envelope. Rising to greet Betty he decides he should keep what just occurred to himself until he's certain the voucher and apology are real and that there isn't anything more to either.
(Aleydis) Wedding Plans
Author: Griet
Date: 09-08-19 07:49
Aleydis said goodbye to her co-workers at E.L.M. and Wizards Undertakers & Embalmers and exited the building. She was always extra alert when she was in Knockturn Alley, sometimes even going so far as to clutch her wand in her pocket as she moved between the mortuary and the steps leading up to Diagon Alley.
Lately, she noticed more law enforcement types patrolling the area. She wasn't sure if it had anything to do with what happened at Hogwarts, particularly since students never came to Knockturn Alley to conduct back-to-school shopping. Maybe just the knowledge that the Death Eaters were active again had law enforcement proactively patrolling areas known to attract dark wizards.
Aleydis swiftly crossed to Diagon Alley and then proceeded in the direction of The Leaky Cauldron. She would normally still be at work at this time of day, but she had taken the afternoon off to take care of some business at the pub.
Not quite one year ago, Basil had asked her to marry him. After many months of simply enjoying their engagement and not giving their actual wedding much thought, the two had finally decided to buckle down and make plans. They both had the same idea for their big day: something simple, small, and a great deal of fun.
They ended up asking if they could get married and celebrate their reception at The Leaky Cauldron. They weren't sure if it would be possible, given how the pub was a popular entryway for getting to and from Diagon Alley. The events coordinator there, former Hogwarts student Charity Douglas, told them it was indeed possible, especially since the date they had in mind wasn't on the weekend or the beginning of the week, which tended to be busier than the tail end.
Aleydis and Basil had selected the anniversary of their engagement as their wedding date. October 17, 2013 was a Thursday, and their plan was to get married in the evening when their family members and closest friends got off work. Charity even reserved a block of rooms for any guests who wanted to stay the night.
Aleydis arrived at The Leaky Cauldron and joined Charity at the table she was already sitting at. Charity had a binder with already agreed upon things for the wedding and reception and a second binder with items they hadn't yet discussed.
"Hi," Aleydis greeted. "It always smells so good in here."
"Is that because you're always hungry when you come here, or because the smells at work aren't so pleasant?" Charity asked after saying hello to Aleydis.
Aleydis wrinkled her nose, not wanting to think about the smells at work. "Probably a bit of both. Thanks," she added to a barmaid, who dropped off an ice cold bottle of butterbeer at the table. Charity was already drinking one.
"How's the house-hunting going?"
"Slow," Aleydis replied, taking a sip of her butterbeer. "We hope to have something, at least a flat, by the time we get married. I don't think it would be much fun to be newlyweds living together under his parents' roof or mine!"
"I should think not!" Charity replied, laughing. "I wanted to go over a timeline with you of set up and take down, and then we can cover some of the things we haven't yet discussed, like decorations."
"Sure," Aleydis said. She bent her head closer to look at Charity's notes, listened attentively, and gave her opinion when asked. In just six short weeks, she would become Mrs. Basil Wynbourne.
London Eye (Mason)
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 09-09-19 19:39
Peak tourist season in Muggle London tends to run from May to mid-September. As a result, though the London Eye isn't hugely crowded and the wait wasn't that bad there are enough people that the capsule Flora and Mason are in has sixteen people. The capsule holds something like twenty-four or twenty-five if Mason remembers correctly. As the last of the sixteen boards Flora taps a brochure she'd picked up. "As much as I love coming here I think we should get the annual membership."
Mason takes the brochure from her and reads the blip of information she's pointed out. "Yeah, that would save us some money." He grins at her. "I'd have more to spend on gifts for you."
She playfully pokes him in the side. "And here I thought I was being subtle."
As the Eye slowly rotates the capsule upward Flora and Mason stand side by side, arms around each other's waists, watching their favorite scenic view as the giant wheel inches them higher and higher. Around them tourists snap photos and take video. Leaning even more against Mason, Flora grumbles, "I so do not want to go to work this afternoon. I'd rather skive off and spend the entire day with you."
"I'd love to spend the day with you but if you skip, that leaves you with only one sick day left. What if you need more than one before the year is out?"
"If only I'd not had that horrid cold." She lowers her voice so no one else can hear, "Healers have potions that regrow bone in a day but can't get rid of a cold in that time or less?"
"So be the apothecary who hits on the right potion combination."
"Yes, so easy for a new apothecary to do. Though, you know, I should consult with Majandra. With her knowledge of potions maybe we could stumble into something that would make a dent in a cold."
They stop talking of healers and potions when a woman with a digital camera presses in close. They move down enough to give her room to take photos and only then does she look away from her camera and the view and truly see them. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to crowd you."
"It's all right," Flora says. "I was lost in the view my first time on the Eye so I understand."
This leads to Flora pointing out some of the landmarks visible from that spot in the capsule and then moving with the woman to point out other sites. As they talk, Mason takes a longer look at Flora's brochure. Something had caught his eye earlier. Proposal Capsule and now he also sees Wedding Capsule.
Smiling at the idea he's now had, Mason carefully folds the brochure and puts it into a pocket then goes to join Flora in pointing out sites to not only the woman who'd crowded them but to a few tourists on the Eye for the first time.
Dinner with the Girls
Author: Mildred
Date: 09-10-19 10:52
"We should do this more often. It reminds me of our meals at Hogwarts," Queenie said.
Mildred, Queenie, Amelia and Melpomene had agreed to have dinner together at the Leaky Cauldron. It had been a long time since the four friends had been together. Melpomene had been in bad terms with Mildred due to her liaison with Jasper Pole. Queenie was finally able to convince her to make peace with Mildred, informing Melpomene that Mildred had not been with Jasper since he got married. Amelia was working at an inn in Yorkshire, so her schedule was a little bit different from her friends who were studying at St. Emrys, but she had taken the afternoon off just to be with them.
"I wish we could go back..." Melpomene said, her voice charged with nostalgia.
"I don't want to go back. Not with the way things are now," Amelia said. She told them about the extra security measures at Hogwarts, and the presence of Aurors everywhere.
"I know. I spoke with Achilles the other day. He said his brother Hercules has written home complaining that things have changed," Mildred added. She thought about her cousin Chloe. When she heard the news about a possible Death Eater recruitment at Hogwarts she was relieved that her cousin was a half-blood witch who had grown up completely unaware of magic until she turned eleven. They would probably never try to recruit her, if in fact such recruitment existed.
"My siblings say the same thing. My mother is freaking out, especially with Alcmene."
"Wait, isn't Alcmene your oldest sister?" Mildred asked.
"Yes. But she has moved in with her boyfriend who happened to share the dormitory with Madoc McGonagall, Malden McGonagall's brother. And his twin sister was a Slytherin."
"So?" Melpomene wondered.
"She sees connections everywhere, and is afraid her boyfriend will corrupt her or something. My mother can be a bit paranoid. Edgar is harmless."
"Speaking of boyfriends...you have something to tell us don't you?" Queenie challenged. Amelia shook her head but without much conviction.
"Come on Amelia! The three of us are single and lonely. We want to hear about your new boyfriend!"Mildred insisted.
Unfortunately Amelia remained quite vague. She just said he had been a Hufflepuff while at Hogwarts, and that he was a few years older than her. She explained they were taking things slowly. The other three girls were a bit frustrated because she didn't provide more information. Queenie teased and implied that maybe Amelia was actually sleeping with her boss, who they knew was older and a former Hufflepuff student. Melpomene expressed her horror and condemned such a thing right away. She shot a glance at Mildred, obviously still not fully forgiving her for her affair with Jasper Pole, while he was engaged. Mildred opted to ignore her. She did not regret her liaison with Jasper at all.
The conversation shifted back to Hogwarts and the Death Eaters. Melpomene confessed she had been practicing defensive spells just in case she would be attacked. She was a Muggleborn and she was concerned about being a possible target. A somber mood started to take over the table, until Queenie decided they should stop being worried.
"It's Friday! We are young and beautiful, so let's enjoy life. What do you say if we go out to dance?"
Amelia agreed right away. Mildred and Melpomene hesitated. They were the shy ones of the group. It took a small push from the other girls but they all finally agreed to go out after dinner.
(Anthony) Surprises at St. Mungo's
Author: Beck
Date: 09-10-19 18:49
Anthony spent much of the day patrolling Hogwarts. His shift ran through dinner in the Great Hall, which had his mouth watering. After all these years, he could still remember how delicious the food tasted. And this wasn't even a feast!
Alex kindly offered to fix him a plate and save him a seat at the Hufflepuff table, but Anthony reluctantly declined. His eyes roved the four long tables to see if he noticed anything out of the ordinary, but no huddled groups or furtive looks stood out in a suspicious way.
Anthony said goodbye to Alex when the latter departed the Great Hall. After his replacement arrived, Anthony decided to wander into Hogsmeade for a quick bite. He ended up getting take-away from Brews and Stews, which he brought with him to St. Mungo's.
Anthony hadn't made it in to see Alanna in two days and felt guilty for not being able to squeeze in even in a brief visit. Yesterday, had turned out to be a long day at work, thanks to a breaking developing involving Charlotte Matthews. She was successfully extradited to Australia, but while being escorted to court from the holding cell at the Ministry of Magic, followers of Kilgore swooped in and rescued her. The raid had resulted in many injuries and one casualty. Unfortunately, all of the dark wizards escaped.
Anthony had yet to tell Ariella the news, but he planned on doing so tomorrow since he had a free day. He could have waited to see Alanna till then, too, but his time at Hogwarts and the reason behind his being there had him thinking about her all day.
By the time he arrived at the hospital, visiting hours were ending. All of the nurses knew the Becks by now and tended to look the other way regarding the rules, but Anthony noticed a panicked look pass between two of the nurses when he strode toward their station. One, in fact, sprang up from her chair and came around the desk to meet him.
"I'm so sorry, but it's not a good time for you to visit just now," she started, going so far to hold up her hands as if she wanted to push against his chest but refraining from actually touching him, which wasn't easy, because he continued to walk towards her.
Anthony misunderstood completely. "What's wrong with Alanna?" He dropped his dinner and stepped around the nurse, hurrying towards Alanna's room. He opened the door, expecting to find healers and nurses fighting to keep his sister alive, but what he found instead was Jared.
Jared was in the middle of reading a book aloud to Alanna. He stopped abruptly and stood up when Anthony gaped at him.
Finally Anthony managed, "What are you doing here?"
The nurse who had tried to stop him answered in a meek voice, "He's come everyday, several times a day ever since she arrived."
Anthony and Jared stared at each other. It was then that Anthony saw the book in Jared's hand. It was Hufflepuff Heroine, a book in AJ Hundle's student sleuth series and with Alanna as the main character.
"You're reading to her?" he asked in disbelief.
"Yeah… I know she's read it, but it's a good book and it's about her."
Anthony was still stunned to see Jared at his sister's bedside. "Don't you hate her?" he asked, sure he knew the answer but feeling doubt all the same.
"No, never," Jared said, and Anthony could tell he meant it. "I was angry, but I'd take it all back to have her wake up again."
"You've really been here everyday?"
Jared nodded. "We read the newspaper, letters, books… I tell her how it's going at work, what she's missed. Congratulations, by the way."
"Thanks." Anthony fumbled in his wallet for a picture of Theresa. He located it and showed it to Jared before putting the wallet back in his pocket.
There was an awkward silence and then Anthony held out his hand. Jared set the book on the bedside table and shook Anthony's hand. Anthony then pulled Jared into a big hug.
"Thanks for being there for her," Anthony said.
Before Jared could reply, they both heard movement from the bed, followed by a sigh.
Other Than Brotherly
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 09-10-19 20:25
Monday and Tuesday Viktor met with a few students to coordinate helping with the Athletics Club booth on Club Day and he double checked with those coming to Hogwarts on the 14th for Quidditch trials. He'd also supervised a steady stream of students getting in time at the pitch in preparation for those trials, the majority of whom needed to use a school broom. Until the trials, brooms and practice balls will be used so much that daily equipment checks are part of Viktor's schedule.
Wednesday, Viktor met his first class of the new term, the third and fourth years and Thursday was the upper years. He's starting all the classes out again this year on non-magical obstacle courses. He is, thinking, however, that for the upper years he might throw in a few magical obstacles as the month progresses.
Friday morning started out with the first flying lesson for the first years. He began by introducing himself to the gathered Gryffindors and Slytherins in case any of them had been so overwhelmed at the feast Sunday that professor names were forgotten and for anyone who isn't a Quidditch fan. "Hello, I am Viktor Krum. I'm the flying instructor as well as the Athletics & Fitness professor, and Quidditch coach."
There was a mix of those who know the basics of flying and those who've never been on a spelled broom before. Viktor paired some of the more adept students with the novices then spent the remainder of the lesson observing everyone and offering advice and tips. When the lesson ended, he had a fifteen minute gap before the start of the lesson for the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, nodding at the handful who'd assembled during the last portion of the previous class.
After the Hufflepuff-Ravenclaw lesson ended Viktor was surprised to find Theodosia waiting. He greeted her as he began gathering broomsticks, sending them off to the broom storage locker. "Hi, I wasn't expecting you. Is everything all right?"
"Hi, yes, fine. I came to see if you wanted to get lunch but just then remembered you have a class at 1:15. It goes to 2:45, right? A little too late for a late lunch."
"Come eat in the Great Hall with me."
Theodosia had nodded and they fell into step together. Dosie asking, "How did it go?"
"Well overall. Some know how to fly already but have room for improvement. A few had trouble but once over their fears should be at least adequate."
Dosie stopped walking. "I can't stop thinking about how I should have at least one child who'd soon be old enough for school, be it Hogwarts or elsewhere."
"You've had two graduate."
"True, but as they are my brother and sister, it's not quite the same. I'm 36, Viktor. As the saying goes, my biological clock is ticking."
"I understand in a way but I suspect it's not the same for men as it is for women. You do still have time to have a child. You could even get married first though these days there's not as much of an expectation of marriage before children."
"I'm no longer seeing anyone. The thought of starting over with someone new and wondering if it will work out well enough to take the next step spooks me."
"I've had a rocky path when it comes to relationships so I..." he shrugged.
"I do have someone in mind but he doesn't see me in that light."
"You know this to be fact?"
"From things said in the past, yes."
"No chance he might have changed his mind."
"I don't know but I'm hoping to find out."
With that, Theodosia stepped in close to Viktor and grabbed the front of his robes, pulling him closer, one of her hands moving behind his head. The move is so unexpected Viktor offers little resistance at first and then he doesn't really want to but when she ends the kiss Viktor stepped back. "This, uh, isn't the best place," he'd hoarsely stammered.
Noting a handful of students who'd stopped to goggle and giggle, Dosie looked embarrassed. "You're right. Sorry! Um, you know, maybe lunch isn't a good idea."
"No, stay. We can take lunch in my office and talk. Or meet me after my class."
"All right."
With little left to say just then she'd hurried off. When time for the Fitness & Athletics class arrived, Viktor had to use all his energy to remain focused on the students and their first F&A lesson, wondering when exactly he starting feeling something other than brotherly towards Theodosia.