A/N - Hello again! The next full chapter is almost done and should be up later today, or at the very latest tomorrow morning. So don't worry, this isn't all you get. I try not to ever post an interlude without a big chapter nearby.
I would like to thank all of the wonderful people who reviewed the last chapter, especially those who took the time to write more than a few words. It's so rewarding to read comments or questions, and I enjoy responding to those. But I am also grateful to everyone who reads at all, because even if you don't review, I know you're out there, and that is really exciting.
This interlude is a little different from the others because I think it's pretty clear who's talking. I thought that might be more interesting for everyone, to get some sort of idea of what's going on elsewhere.
Also, the poll is still open on my profile page. Voting is good. All the cool kids do it. :-)
Onward!
Interlude
"What are you doing here?"
"Technically, I'm just in the floo. I'm not really there at all."
"Your head is here. That still counts. What do you want?"
"I want to talk."
"Well, I don't - hang on a sec. What, Mum? No, it's not the Minister. Can you make it quick? It's lunch soon."
"Look, I just wanted to see how… how everyone's doing."
"Seriously, you just wanted to see how everyone's doing?"
"Yes. It's hardly a complicated concept."
"Umm, well, we're here. We still eat lunch. Happy?"
"But I also need to talk to someone. Really talk. The Professor said–"
"Oh, so you didn't floo to see how we are. You flooed because the Professor is trying to talk to us? Merlin, stop making excuses."
"I did floo to see how you are."
"Either you're here or you're not. If you want to talk to us, then talk to us. Don't just use your errands as an excuse to check up on us."
"I wasn't checking up on you."
"I don't know what to think about you, you know? It's like you're two people at the same time, and I never know who I'm talking to."
"It's just me."
"Right. Whatever. Lunch is on the table, and I have to go."