Chapter 12

Lavender wasn't sure what she would find when she walked into her uncle's office. She was still thinking about what Harry had said to her. He seemed to believe in Graham and Harry Potter was the most honest wizard Lavender knew and he was an excellent judge of character. He was also the most ego-less wizard she'd ever known. Harry's decisions were based on careful thought and not what others would think about him. He never took a poll for popular opinion; he did the right thing.

Ephraim was sitting at his desk talking to one of his tenants when she walked in. He glanced at the enormous wall clock and nodded dismissively at Lavender without missing a beat. Lavender smiled to herself as she sat down at her own desk and began opening the stack of letters before her. Well, she thought, looks like everything's back to normal.

It was as if nothing had happened the day before. Ephraim was back to his cranky self and after an anxious half hour where Lavender was waiting for him to speak to her, she began her normal routine.

At ten o'clock, Lavender looked up at the sound of the bell at the door. She looked with surprise at the enormous bouquet of purple flowers before her. The delivery man from Lassiter's Rosies and Bowsies smiled at her, holding out the bouquet.

"Lavender Brown?" he asked pleasantly.

Lavender blushed and stood up quickly. "Yes?"

"Delivery for you, ma'am," he said politely, tipping his hat.

"I wonder who would send me flowers?" she asked rhetorically. She took the beautiful bouquet and quickly opened the attached card. The note was hand written in smudged letter that simply read, "Your friendship means the world to me. Sincerely."

She blushed again and smiled. The card wasn't signed and she had no idea who would be sending her flowers. The first name that popped in her head was quickly dismissed. Why on earth would Ron Weasley send her flowers? More than likely, her secret admirer must be Graham. Of course it was he. She imagined that he would be trying to get on her good side.

Ephraim looked up from his messy desk. "Did you rent the upstairs?"

Lavender quickly put the card in her pocket and nodded. "Um, yes, Uncle. That's the flat I rented to, uh…"

"Who?" he asked impatiently.

"Graham Bishop," she said.

She watched as all the color drained from Ephraim's from his face. "Oh," he said finally. "Well, that's fine."

"I didn't collect a deposit," she told him, figuring this was the best time to mention that fact.

She watched as her uncle's face went from palest white to deepest red. He didn't say anything for the longest time as he gripped the edges of his desk fighting for control, his hands shaking. "Did you charge him rent?" he asked.

"Of course I did. He paid first and last months' rent."

Ephraim nodded. "Fine, fine." He cleared his throat. "What about the other one on Jester?"

"Not yet."

"I'm losing money, Lavender," he said.

"Yes, sir. Sorry. It's advertised."

That seemed to satisfy him for the moment and they slipped into their usual comfortable silence. They worked until lunch and Ephraim told her he was going back to his place and take a nap. He told her to go ahead and lock up at closing time; he probably wouldn't be back.

The rest of the afternoon went smoothly. Several wizards called about the rentals and she made appointments for the next day. By the end of the day she was tired and wanted nothing more than to go home and take a bath. She grabbed her flowers and locked up.

She was thinking about what she was going to have for dinner as she hit the hallway to her home when she saw Graham who was either leaving or entering his flat.

"Those are beautiful flowers," he said abruptly. "You have a secret admirer?"

"Thank you." She inhaled the sweet fragrance. "Apparently I do."

"Oh. Lucky bastard." He smiled wanly and closed his front door and turned toward the hall. She watched as he walked toward the stairs.

"Wait, Graham," she said. He stopped and turned around. "I thought you'd sent me the flowers."

He looked at her and then looked down at the floor. "No," he said quietly. "I didn't. Have a nice evening."

"Oh! Well, thank you. You, too."

Frankly, Lavender didn't know what else to say. Graham looked like someone had just killed his kitten. She wanted to reassure him, but she had no idea how to do that.

"Graham, wait!" she said running after him. "I'm about to make dinner. Would you like to join me?"

He looked at her for the longest time and she was beginning to feel uncomfortable. Finally he smiled and shook his head. "I have to work. Another time?"

"The invitation's always open," she said hopefully.

"Good to know. Thanks. Who do you think gave you the flowers?"

She shrugged. "Maybe Ron? I really don't have a clue."

He nodded slightly and resumed walking down the hall. She watched him disappear down the stairs and then she went into her apartment.

Half an hour later there was a soft knock on her door. Thinking it was Graham, she flung open the door with his name on her lips. "Oh!" she said pursing her lips together. "I thought…Ron! Come in!"