Author's Note: No copyright infringement intended! I have no money to sue me for anyway. Honestly. None. Just ask Benicio Sanchez over at AmericanExpress.
Loralei was not the type of girl to be nervous. She had always prided herself on being a steady individual. After all, she would not be a good Auror without having some courage. Especially now, in these rough times.
Dumbledore was now calling on her for help. She was going to be a part of the Order now, part of the resistance. She didn't have time to be afraid. She didn't even have time to think.
"Loralei?" Nymphadora Tonks waved her hand in front of her friends face in order to break her out of her trance like state.
Loralei nearly jumped out from behind her desk. She never let her guard down at work and was surprised to find herself daydreaming. "Sorry Tonks," She smiled up at her pink haired comrade. "What can I do for you?"
"It's time to go," Tonks lowered her voice. "We have plans?" She looked around the desks at the other Aurors and various employees of the Ministry.
It was no secret that the two women were good friends, both being the same age and with similar interests but in this tumultuous time it wasn't smart to appear to be to close with anyone outside of work. People would begin to get the wrong idea.
Loralei nodded and began to gather up her things. She was fairly new to the Ministry, having only moved to London less than a month ago, but she had assimilated very well with the help of Tonks. She even dressed like an Englishwoman now- or so she thought. In reality, she stuck out very much.
Loralei's beauty was not something that was ignorable. Her dark hair fell gracefully in waves around her shoulders; her skin almost sparkled with just a hint of color and her figure bordered on perfection. Women in the Ministry often were less than nice to her because of her attractiveness but the men were more than willing to accommodate her.
Loralei finished gathering her things and the two women made their way out of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Between Tonk's hair and Loralei's appearance, they created much attention. Various coworkers bid them goodbye and both women returned their sentiments politely with forced smiles.
"You know Tonks," Loralei whispered, "In America we don't smile half as much as you English people do."
Tonks laughed, "It is a gift to be able to paint emotions on your face and leave them there no matter how you feel."
It was Loralei's turn to laugh, "Yes. I'm not sure how I ever got along without it!"
Their genuine smiles did not last long however as they came face to face with Rufus Scrimgeour, the head of the Auror Office. Neither of them really disliked their boss but they both thought that there was something not quite right about him. Sure he was nice, probably too nice for an Auror and he seemed only to be nice for show.
"Nymphadora." He nodded his head at Tonks and she fought back the urge to wince at the sound of her first name. "Loralei," He grinned trying not to stare blatantly at her chest. She was certainly the most gorgeous Auror he had ever seen.
Loralei and Tonks plastered the smiles on once again and both responded with a "Scrimgeour."
The man lowered his tawny head and looked Loralei in the eye, "Please, call me Rufus. What plans do you ladies have tonight?"
"Just dinner. With some friends," Tonks answered but it didn't seem that the man was listening. He just stared at Loralei. "Speaking of dinner, we have to get going Scrimgeour," She said knowing that the invitation for first name basis was meant for Loralei.
"Yeah, we don't want to be late," Loralei explained. "See you tomorrow. Rufus." It almost pained her to say his name as the two walked away.
Rufus Scrimgeour turned to see them go, "See you tomorrow," He called out.
Once they were out of earshot, Tonks began to laugh uncontrollably and although Loralei was mortified, she couldn't help but join in. After some more small interruptions, the two finally reached the Sixth floor.
"What is the address again?" Loralei asked feeling herself become nervous for the second time in one day.
"Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place." Tonks repeated as she motioned for Loralei to go first.
Loralei took a deep breath and threw the power at her feet as she repeated the address. She felt the familiar sensation of being transported and after what seemed like a long time, she landed in the fireplace of an extremely regal looking room.
There was velvet on the walls and on the furniture. Moving portraits covered the walls and as she walked across the wood floor to get a closer look she felt someone else arrive in the fireplace. She turned around and saw Tonks clumsily step out from the brick.
"This place looks like a museum," Loralei remarked.
"Yeah, it might as well be." Tonks looked around then back to her friend and smiled. "Come on, let's go meet the Order."
Note: You like? Promise that it will get MUCH better. Loralei and Sirius meet in the next chapter and sparks fly. Review with all you got. I can take it.