Being a pickpocket is the only way to survive. I live in a boarding house with 46 other women. I'm not exactly poor, and neither are the others, we just aren't earning an honest income in the eyes of the ministry. By this I mean we are thieves, pickpockets, informants or dealers of illicit artifacts. We aren't evil by any means, nor poor or stupid. Most of us graduated with high OWLS and once belonged to pure families. The boarding house is perched on the top of The Hissing Cat Pub. Dozens of people stand and sit in the warmth of the bar as an icy wind sweeps across the lane. The scent of lamb stew and rich cocoa linger under my nose enticing me downstairs. I sat at the top of the stairs, pulling on an extra pair of socks in an attempt to warm my numb toes. The pub was busier than I had originally imagined and I had to fight through the crowd of patrons to make it towards the exit. Inhaling deeply one last time, my taste buds watering. I would love to be able to sit down to a warm bowl of bubbling stew but I could not afford such luxuries as I have rent to pay. Pulling my jacket over my shoulders I pushed open the large double doors as a burly man tries to enter and almost lands me on my arse. "What a wanker," I muttered as I again began fighting the crowd of oncoming patrons. "Oi Ainsley," Pheonix leaned out her bedroom window and hollered to the shivering girl standing on the footpath, "I'll give you 10 galleons if ya steal this one snatcher's ring". I tightened my scarf around my neck and narrowed my gaze on her, "Which snatcher?". "That one." Before I could even turn to follow her pointed finger a strong hand shoved me to the ground, the figure walking past me, almost crushing my hand under their boot. I rolled in the snow and stood, dusting grey sludge from my pants, "That's no way to treat a lady ya knob." I pulled a sour face and turned to face him. The man turned on his heal, mousy hair falling free of the loosely tied, faded ribbon. I noticed the prominent ring on his finger as he shortened the space between us. "Hollowsloft doesn't need anymore punks running around stealing our well earned money". Snatchers came and went on occasion and commandeered a significant percentage of our earnings. Not that many people would stand up to them, it was all part of the distraction. The ring was made of gold, enough to make a hefty profit, a pickpocket can spot the most valuable item on a target without a second glance. "Girly you might want to stand down before you get hurt," his voice was full of malice. All the while his hand snaked it's way to tug softly on a lock of my hair, the antler of his ring graving my cheek lightly. My hand wrapped around his and I lowered my voice, "Please refrain from touching me snatcher". His hand pulled back to fiddle with the knotted scarf around his neck. "Oh, and what if I want to touch you?" "Too bad." I snapped my teeth at him and ducked past him, leaving a puzzled looking snatcher standing alone. My feet moved quickly to dash up the stairs before he had the chance to compose himself. I clutched at the ring tightly, the sharp metal cutting into my hand, "HEY PHEONIX," I yelled, "YOU OWE ME 10 GALLEONS".