Being a pickpocket is the only way to survive. I live in a boarding house with 46 other women. We aren't poor just not employed to the standards of the ministry. I mean theifs, pickpockets, Informats, dealers etc.

We aren't bad girls, we all graduated, most of us are half-blood if not pure.

The boarding house is on top of a pub. The Hissing Cat. Dozens of people stand and sit in the warmth of the bar as icy winds sweep across Spindle Lane. Some are eating hot stew, or drinking cocoa while a bunch of girls from upstairs are just standing about by the fire warming frozen limbs.

I on the other hands have rent to pay. I have a long day of work ahead of me.

I pull my cardigan over my shoulders before I walk out the double doors opening onto the street. A burly man pushes open both doors and knocks me back into a wall, "What a wanker." I mutter under my breath and push my body into the frigid wind.

"Oi Ainsley," Pheonix leaned out her bedroom window and hollered towards the street, "I'll give you 10 galleons if ya steal this one snatchers ring." My brow furrowed as I stared up at her.

I tightened my scarf around my neck and cranked my neck backwards, "What snatcher?"

"That one." A strong hand shoved me to the ground and I walked over me, nearly crushing my hand with his boot.

I rolled in the snow and stood, dusting white from my pants, "That's no way to treat a lady ya knob." A piercing glare reflected off the snow into my eyes, then I noticed his ring. His stag ring. The man turn on his heal, mousey hair falling free of a ribbon. I snorted quietly as he approached me, "Hollowsloft doesn't need anymore punks running around stealing our well earned money."

Snatchers came in every now and then and "Commondered" 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, solid gold, 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 hand reached up to pull at my thick curl, the antler of the ring brushed my cheek.

I grabbed his hand, "Please reframe from touching me."

My voice was a whisper and he pulled away and played with his scarf, "What if I want to,"

"Too bad." I smiled definantly and ducked back inside running up the stairs before the clash esculated. I clutched the ring in my hand, " HEY PHEONIX YOU OWN ME 10 GALLEONS!"