Previously on Making The First Move: Chapter 35
Be that as it may. Lee had stimulated something inside her. Something she hadn't even felt with Michael. With Michael, she'd only known how to give him what he needed. The fact of it was she didn't know if she'd ever had an orgasm. Michael had, but she didn't know if she had.
With two quick movements. Millie threw aside her pajamas and slipped into bed naked. Lying on her back with knees bent, Millie slipped two fingers inside herself. Using the liquid that had formed in her pink honey pot, Millie began to manipulate the most sensitive spot on her body until she felt what amounted to an intense explosion of pleasure which resonated throughout her lower body.
Small gasps of pleasure slipped out of Millie's mouth as she laid there recovering from an absolutely amazing orgasm of her own making.
/*/
At his flat, Lee was sitting on the couch staring at the wall thinking about the chestnut haired witch with the voice. She was different from most others. No sly innuendo. No brushing and touching. Definitely rubbish at flirting. Which Lee found intoxicating in and of itself.
"Interesting." He mumbled to himself. "For not being a blonde."
Being fairly popular and well liked in addition to being co-proprietor of a wildly successful shop, witches often came at him from left, right and center vying for his attention. However, this was the first time Lee actually hoped a witch would turn up at the Saturday Quidditch game…wearing red and gold.
/
Making The First Move: Chapter 36
Hermione and Severus didn't get anything moved Friday night. By the time they were finally through making use of their nakedness, it was 1:30. All they could do was settle in for the night.
/**/
Saturday morning was a different story. Even though Hermione got a little grumpy when Severus reminded her of all they had to do that day. He still managed to pull her out of bed before 10:00.
Leaving Hermione to shower and get herself together for the day, Severus went to the study to check on their reservations in Bali. The information packet clearly stated the reservations could only be cancelled up to sixty days before the arrival date. He and Hermione were good. They were canceling six months before time. The problem would come when he tried to reschedule for December which was only a month away. But he would try.
Severus completed the cancellation form then completed a new request form selecting 12/5/05 through 12/10/05 with the same choices and amenities as the original reservation.
Hermione had a very basic Owl set up on the side of her cottage which could be accessed by either raising the window in the study and calling the bird or walking around the side of the cottage. There was much to do. Severus raised the window and was surprised to have a well trained owl appear without being called. This bird had to be a very recent acquisition as Hermione's last owl was a lazy lout that had to be cajoled into taking a letter. Severus attached the envelope to the owl's leg and it was gone in seconds.
One thing done, thought Severus walking back to the bedroom only to find Hermione asleep sitting on the side of the bed. He couldn't help but laugh. Not wanting to startle her, Severus softly called her name.
"Hermione love."
Nothing.
Grinning now, he called a little louder. "Hermione. You need to wake up and shower. If we want to get anything done, we need to get started."
Hermione remained sleeping and even began to make little snoring noises. Severus realized he could stand there all day calling her or take some preemptive measures. Walking over to the bed, he gently laid Hermione down, pulled the blanket up around her and kissed the top of her head. It was now established that he would have to find the wedding planner's information to get things straightened out.
Back to the study he went. Hermione was very neat, so it wasn't hard to find the folder clearly marked, Debra Randall, Wedding Planner. "My precise witch," mumbled Severus pulling the pieces of parchment from the folder. Hermione had been right. Three of four bridesmaids had their dresses. The fourth, Ginny Weasley had only just sent in her measurements, so her dress was in the process of being made. Severus silently thanked Debra Randall for using magical links to keep the bride-to-be updated on the progress of her wedding plans. That was how he knew that three bridesmaids had their dresses. This might be easier than he thought. Hopefully, it wouldn't be much trouble changing a date.
Severus pulled out a copy of Hermione's original request and simply used his wand to change dates. Place of ceremony, time of ceremony and Officiant remained the same. Severus had all the information ready to send when he was hit with another thought. The cottage was practically sold. How the hell could they have their wedding in someone else's back yard? He had jumped the gun. So to speak.
Then he was scrambling and mumbling. The cottage could not be sold until after the wedding. This problem could be easily solved. He and Hermione had an appointment on Monday morning to see James. He would have to amend details for the sale of the cottage at that time. Throwing the quill down on the desk, Severus rubbed his eyes. Moving the wedding date was more complicated than he first thought.
Then he remembered the gardeners had to be notified. Although notifying the gardeners and landscapers was an easy thing, Severus was aggravated that he was remembering items one at a time. Determined not to piecemeal anything else. Severus picked up the quill and made notations of every large and small thing that needed to be adjusted.
After another hour, he had everything under control. Letters with requests for adjustments had gone out to the Honorable Elder Officiant Caleb Bronte, Debra Randall, Magical Gardening & Landscaping, Fantasy Catering and Magical Essence Photographers.
Severus was exhausted even though he hadn't left his chair until time to call the owl. He did notice that the formerly well mannered owl was pacing back and forth as though he was in a panic. Severus calmed him with a bit of biscuit he summoned from the kitchen before assuring the bird he would only be sending two letters at a time. The bird obviously still felt annoyed as he gave Severus a hard nip on the finger.
"Ow. You bloody, little shite." Severus called after the owl while bringing the throbbing finger to his mouth. "You still have to come back."
"Who are you shouting at?" Asked Hermione who was staring at him from the doorway. Noticing the disarray on her desk, Hermione apologized for sleeping in, promising to get right to what needed to be done.
"It's all been done." Severus replied still a little aggravated with the owl. "I was just sending out the second bit when your cannibal of an owl bit me."
Hermione tried to smother a laugh. "Sorry love. He's new. Even though he is properly trained, he becomes highly strung when approached by a stranger."
"Really?" Severus grunted. "And how many strangers has he met? He's just an evil, little shite that I will pluck and cook if he bites me again. Now. There are a few things we need to discuss."
Hermione walked across the room and laid her head against Severus' back. "We can have a discussion later. Shouldn't we be packing up?"
"That's what we need to discuss love." Severus answered turning so he was holding her in his arms. "Let's get you some breakfast. Make that lunch. Then we'll talk about my small faux pas."
Hermione let Severus lead her to the kitchen and place her in a chair. "Just what does your small faux pas have to do with us moving my things to Spinner's End? Would you please just heat up my Chinese rice. I'll have that. I'm starving."
Severus stopped what he was doing to stare at Hermione. "You want Chinese rice after all the Chinese you consumed last night?"
"I do. Is that a problem? What did you have in mind?"
Severus paused before answering, feeling as though he was about to cross into the, I'll hex your arse, zone. "No love. No problem at all. It's just that you hardly ever eat lunch, but when you do. It's something light."
"Well sweet man of mine. Today I want reheated Chinese rice. And some noodles if there are any left."
Severus raised his eyebrows behind Hermione's back, but calmly went about getting his fiancee exactly what she wanted. Chinese rice with a side of noodles.
While Hermione ate, which in this case was a synonym for wolfed down, Severus explained everything. Then waited for Hermione's response.
Hermione finished chewing what was in her mouth and took a drink of apple juice as well before answering. "Well, that could have been a bugger, but from your serene attitude. I assume you have it all straightened out or have a plan to straighten it out. I think I just heard Fluffy land. You might want to get the rest of your letters into the mail. A hint love. Call him Fluffy when you speak to him. He likes that and will remain calm. I'm sorry."
Severus rose from the chair. "You are correct. I do have a plan and I'll remember to call the owl Fluffy. What, may I ask, are you sorry about?"
Hermione glanced at him to see if he was being dense, but found no sign of deception. I'm sorry about you missing your regular appointment at Anthony's Barbering because of me for the second weekend in a row."
"I'm becoming feeble-minded. I hadn't even thought of Anthony's. Now that you've reminded me. Once I get all the letters out, I believe I will stop by for a late appointment."
"No worries love. You get dressed and go. I'll see that the letters are sent. A small favor please. I know all is well at the shop, but if you could just pop in to check on Noah and my Silver Book. I'd be ever so grateful."
"I'll just leave the mailings to you and be on my way to Anthony's. I'll check on Noah as well." He said leaning down to kiss Hermione on the lips. "I'll be back shortly."
Hermione sent off the mailings, used the loo then made her way back to bed.
/*/
After the shop closed for business on Saturday, Ethan hurried home to shower, change and meet Julian at the Quidditch pitch next to the Burrow.
Ethan and Julian didn't flaunt their relationship. There wasn't any need. They were comfortable with each other and their relationship. Julian never missed a Quidditch Saturday. If he could help it.
A few of the players knew of Ethan's predilection for men, but totally overlooked it because he was a demon Quidditch Keeper.
Percy Weasley was one of the wizards who knew about Ethan and Julian and tried to exploit the men. However, at the second ever Quidditch match when Percy smugly called Ethan a disgusting name. Ethan had knocked Percy on his arse shouting that he didn't take shite from anyone. Even on their own Quidditch field.
No one went to Percy's defense. He was only a lowly scorekeeper whereas Ethan had proven himself quite capable the previous week. Besides, no one really liked Percy anyway.
Flying away on his broom, George called back to Percy that not everyone would overlook his garbage mouth. From that day, Percy kept his nose in his own business and his mouth shut around Ethan.
/*/
The game always started at 2:00 sharp. If a wizard wanted a spot on the team, he or she would get there before time. Selecting the teams had become fairly routine. The strongest players like Harry, Ron, Ginny, George, Angelina, Ethan and Randy usually played the same spots every game. However, the game was all about sportsmanship, so from time to time, players rotated themselves to other spots on the team giving the not so strong players a chance to embarrass themselves.
The usual make up of the teams was;
Harry Seeker, Ethan Keeper, Angelina Chaser, Lee Beater, Dean Chaser, anon chaser
Randy Seeker, Ron Keeper, Ginny Chaser, George Beater, Terry Chaser, anon chaser
From time to time, some of the MLE boys stopped by to play and were relegated to either beater or chaser spots. The teams weren't full teams, but the game was only for a bit of fun, so it didn't matter.
This Saturday was no different. At 2:00 pm, the players took their spots and the game began. The play was fast and furious with Ethan out saving Ron two to one, but with Lee beating the hell out of George instead of the intended Bludgers. All in good fun though.
Randy caught the Snitch forty five minutes in to win the game, but Harry and his team had led the scoring right up until the end.
As the winning team flew their laps around the pitch, Randy shouted at Lee. "How's that arse cousin?"
Lee sat straight up on his broom waving his arms. "Just a fluke cousin. Harry needs to see about getting new glasses."
The entire pitch along with the spectators chuckled, guffawed and grinned at Lee's hilarious excuse. The teams shook hands and beat each other on the backs before heading over to food tables the lovely Quidditch groupies set up for every game.
Lee was laughing and joking along with everyone else. But even with two blonde witches circling him. He was surreptitiously scanning the makeshift bleachers for the witch with the chestnut hair. Lee was disappointed not to see Millie in the stands. He had felt sure she would turn up. However, instead of her absence turning him off. It only served to increase his interest.
After surveying the stands, Lee turned back to smile at the two witches on either side of him. Nothing happening today ladies he thought. I have my eye somewhere else.
The two witches moved even closer when Lee smiled, but he stepped from between them mumbling he needed to talk to Randy.
/*/
It had taken Millie quite a while to fall asleep. After the fabulous orgasm she subconsciously connected to her introduction to Lee, she had lain awake trying to figure out what was going on, then remained awake trying to decide if she would attend the Quidditch game. The figuring and deciding kept Millie awake until after 5:00 am.
The decision on whether or not to attend the Quidditch match was taken out of her hands. She had slept in. Not just an ordinary sleep in, but an extraordinarily long sleep in. It was after 2:00 pm when she woke on Saturday.
Would she have gone to the game? Probably not, but the answer wasn't important now. The game was probably half over. That was that.
After showering, Millie decided to get dressed and visit some shops in Diagon Alley. Perhaps she'd look for a few new outfits, a few new books then get an order of takeaway.
Millie's errands took her several hours. It was around 6:00 when she returned home to find an owl anxiously waiting for someone to relieve him of his delivery.
Another Owl, Millie thought laying the envelope on the table while she put away her purchases and laid the takeaway on the kitchen table. After removing her jumper and tossing it aside, Millie picked up the envelope thinking Michael had changed his mind about seeing her again. So, it was a very surprised witch who unfolded the parchment to find a few sentences scrawled across the page.
Chestnut,
Stood me up did you? And there was me thinking you are a nice girl. I guess wearing red and gold was a bit of a turn off.
In case you're wondering. I arm twisted Randy into giving me your personal information.
Lee
Millie almost missed the chair she was laughing so hard. She continued to laugh as she sat at the table rereading the message.
In between laughs, Millie chastised herself for thinking everything still revolved around Michael. Why would Michael send her a message? He was done with her. Then she thought about it. How could he be done with her if they never really started?
Then Millie reread Lee's message one more time before setting it aside to eat her meal. Suddenly, the ordinary, complete pot roast, takeaway dinner tasted like the most expensive meal on the menu.
Dare I hope, Millie thought between chews. Dare I hope Lee is interested and not just trying to string me along. After finishing most of the meal, Millie set it aside to summon quill and parchment. She hadn't ever flirted with a wizard until the previous evening. Now she would try to flirt on parchment. What could it hurt? The best part was she wouldn't be staring Lee in the face.
Millie took quill in hand. Here goes nothing.
Dear Borderline Lunatic;
I believe I've received this message in error. It is obviously meant for some other nice girl who fancies following behind an outrageous wizard while all decked out in hideous, mismatched colors. From an Auror's point of view, the colors alone are grounds for arrest.
Millie,
also known as,
Complete Stranger Before Last Night.
Millie laughed as she read over her witty reply. If this was flirting, she liked it. After a quick trip downstairs to the main floor of her building to send off the letter, Millie returned to the kitchen to finish her meal.
/*/
Hermione woke around 5:30 to find Severus hadn't returned. With leisure time on her hands, she decided to have a nice soak taking along her new book, What To Expect During Your Pregnancy.
Although Hermione was well read on many things. Pregnancy was not one of them. She knew the basics. Like, sex without precautions tended to cause pregnancy, it takes nine months for a baby to be born and the stomach swells to what looks like unmanageable proportions. Everything else was something to be learned.
Slipping into the hot water, Hermione spelled the book to remain at eye level and automatically turn the page when she spoke the word Turn. The first chapter was enlightening. She might have more of an appetite during her first trimester.
Hermione had to turn back the pages to be sure she understood trimesters. She had understood perfectly about trimesters and also now understood why she was feeling hungry so often. The book cautioned against eating too much of the wrong foods in order to prevent excessive weight gain.
Chapter three explained she might start getting morning sickness anytime from the middle of the first trimester (exactly where she was at the moment) forward cautioning that morning sickness was really a misnomer as it could appear at any time during the day or night. The book also offered remedies if morning sickness became too pronounced. Hermione made mental notes. Many of the remedies were right up her alley. Ginger tea, red-raspberry leaf tea along with flat (not bubbly) ginger ale. If those remedies didn't work, there were plenty more suggestions.
/*/
Hermione was about to start another chapter when Severus stuck his head in the door. "Hello love. Glad to see you up and about."
Whether it was the massive amount of Chinese food she had consumed before lying down, or a subliminal message received from the information in the book. Either way, a bout of nausea came over Hermione so quickly she couldn't even make it to the toilet. She had jumped up, but the vomit came spewing out spreading what looked like bits of a Chinese food feast across the bath water.
Severus stood momentarily frozen before making the wrong statement. "This must be the start of what is called morning sickness."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "This is not the time to regale me with your knowledge Severus." She threatened between dry heaves. "It is time for you to help me out of this bloody, vomit filled tub."
Grabbing Hermione by the arm, Severus pulled his wand to first cast a cleansing spell over her then a very loud and firm Evanesco to vanish everything in the tub including the water. With the tub clean, Severus turned on the shower to help Hermione clean herself and her hair. Summoning a towel, Severus wrapped it around Hermione who suddenly pulled away and dropped to her knees in front of the toilet to vomit yet again.
"I'll be fine Sev. Just leave me. I don't want you standing there watching me vomit."
Then Severus said absolutely the right thing. "You didn't get pregnant by yourself. I'm amazed you'd think I'd let you go through this alone. We'll get through it together." He remarked, using a bit of wand magic to pull her hair away from her face into a bun.
Severus did step out of the bathroom, but not because he was sickened. He stepped out to get the sickness remedies he'd read about, ready for Hermione. By the time Hermione wobbled out of the loo, Severus had a tray set with ginger tea, a few ginger candies and a wrist band that supposedly prevented nausea.
"This might not be the time to mention this Hermione, but I think you should cut down on Chinese food. Not stop eating it altogether, but consume it in moderation. Otherwise, our child will come out speaking Mandarin."
Hermione gave Severus a look, but also let out a cautious giggle.
/*/
Even though Severus had pulled back the covers so Hermione could get back into bed, she sat in the bedside chair. "Thank you love, but I'm going to sit up. I've been in bed most of the day. Thank you as well for the remedy tray. I'm hoping we'll be able to forego all of this though." She said waving her hand at the tray. "There must be a salve or something that can be rubbed onto the skin that will alleviate nausea. If not, we'll invent one."
"Uh huh," remarked Severus with a wide grin. "We'll do what no other wizard has managed to do in hundreds of years. We'll be famous. For now, may we use what is at hand?"
"We do not have a choice," sighed Hermione resting her head against the wall. "I'll be the talk of not only S L&G, but London as well. Here comes Hermione Granger. Be careful or she'll vomit all over you."
"Snape." Severus remarked quietly. "Here comes Hermione Snape. Be careful or she'll vomit all over you."
"Thank you Mr. forward thinking git." She snorted in amusement. "My married name will definitely prevent me from sharing my previously digested dinner with colleagues and strangers."
/*/
For the time being, Hermione's stomach remained stable enough for her and Severus to discuss what she had read. They both came away from the conversation hoping it was the information in chapter three that caused the vomiting and not the real start of morning sickness.
That hope diminished after Hermione asked Severus to let her smell his newly applied Anthony's scent and immediately had to run back to the toilet. "No!" She wailed from the loo. "My favorite man scent is now making me nauseous. This will be an exceedingly long pregnancy."
Dammit, thought Severus as he prepared to shower. How will I keep my witch now?
After his shower, Severus made sure Hermione was comfortably settled back in the chair before sharing the results of the rest of his time away. "As you might suspect, Noah was fine. Your ingenious idea to use Muggle video equipment as a way to review The Silver Book works quite well. Noah didn't make it apparent, but I believe he was annoyed by his superior interrupting his viewing time. The man is as obsessed with The Book as you are."
Hermione nodded her head in agreement. Noah's intense interest in The Silver Book was only second to hers.
Severus handed Hermione a glass of ginger ale before continuing to share his day. "David has returned from the field. By the time I arrived, he had already completed his walkthrough of Florae and was deep into rearranging his entire premises. I like what he is doing. David also mentioned he plans to address the problem with his Silky Wormwood Powder straightaway. I imagine he might work on Sunday as well. So there you have my day."
Hermione stood up. "I'm feeling better Sev." She admitted while summoning her book, What To Expect During Your Pregnancy. "I'm going to the study to read for a bit. Why don't you visit Lucius? You have something to discuss with him, no? Don't worry about me love. Pregnant women get sick all the time. I'll be fine."
"Alright my love. I believe I will stop in at the Manor and perhaps pick up a game of chess at the club. If you need me, I'll only be at the other end of my Wonder Wizard Communications Watch. Summon me."
Hermione took the book to the study settling in for some serious reading time even as her mind was grasping and rapidly discarding ideas for some kind of external relief for morning sickness.
/*/
The time was rapidly approaching for Allen to pick up Valera. Although her parents knew all about Magic, their daughter being a witch. He was very careful to present himself in such a way that wouldn't raise alarms in the mostly Muggle neighborhood.
Aaron and Valerie Williams were very welcoming. Allen sat there comfortably listening to the pair as they gushed over their daughter who had forgone Uni to open the first pet rescue in Wizarding London and from there taken over the decimated Pet Menagerie after the war. Allen learned a ton about the witch he was taking to the cinema in the short thirty minutes he spent with the Williams.
When Aaron and Valerie learned Allen was taking their daughter to the cinema to see an adventure movie. They had broken out in wide smiles with Aaron remarking Valera would love him forever. Aaron only realized how his comment must have sounded when Valera stepped into the room and noticed the bright red blush on Allen's face.
"Dad! Please contain your exuberance over the fact your daughter is going to see an adventure movie. Allen will think I never get out of the house."
Allen stood when Valera held out her hand. Thanking her parents for the lovely conversation, he let Valera guide him to the front door.
"Have fun you two. You'll have to tell us all about the movie."
"Dad! Will you stop acting as though I've never been on a date in my life. It's embarrassing. Come on Allen." She said opening the door. "Let's go before my father decides to discuss how long it took me to get potty trained."
Allen couldn't help himself. What began as a small noise in his throat soon became a loud laugh. "They love you is all. I was very comfortable holding a conversation with them. At no time, did I feel as though they were studying me to see if a tail or elf ears popped out. They were quite friendly. I was very glad to hear you like animals more than you like men."
"Oh, for heavens sake. I'm going to give my dad a telling off when I get home. He does not know when to stop." Valera huffed almost dragging Allen along.
"Stop." He said pulling her up short. "Your parents are charming. I, for one, am glad you prefer animals over men. It means I must be special. I like that."
Valera let go of Allen's hand and took his arm as she inquired if he thought she was being less than truthful when she said he was delightful.
"Of course I didn't think you were being less than truthful. It's just I've never had that particular adjective applied to me in the past. Since you are here, on my arm, and still smiling. You might just make a total believer of me. Shall we Apparate separately or together?"
"Together." They both said at the same time.
/*/
Randy had stopped in at WWW on his way to the club for a few games of chess to rake Lee over the coals for losing yet another match. Lee and Verity were helping customers when Randy walked in, so he stood off to the side looking over the thoroughly enhanced Patented Daydream Charms.
"In the market for some lively dreams then cousin?" Asked Lee who had stealthily come up behind Randy. "Perhaps you might set your sights on a real witch who will cause you to have some very vivid dreams."
"Funny you should be trying to take the mickey out of me when I'm here for the exact same purpose. I'd be drunk on my arse if you ever made good on your promise of buying a round anytime your team lost. Maybe you should get some moves other than trying to kill George."
Lee grinned at his cousin. "Jealous much? You're just angry that being a Seeker, even a winning Seeker, allows you no time for fun. Nose to the Snitch and all that."
Randy waved at Verity who had finished waiting on the last customer. She gave a little wave back.
"How come you haven't tried to date Verity?" Randy asked in a low voice. "She's a good looking, blonde witch?"
Raising his eyebrows, Lee pointedly asked if Randy was trying to muck about in his business. Randy replied he didn't know there was any business for him to get into.
Shrugging, Lee tapped his finger to the side of his nose.
Randy changed the subject by asking about his interaction with Millie. "What was all that with Millie last night?"
"Even though my business is none of yours. I'll tell you. I'm interested, if that's alright with you."
"Bull shite!" Randy remarked softly. "She's not a blonde. She's pretty, but not your kind of pretty. Anyway, she just got pretty. She used to be…."
Lee frowned as he held up a hand for Randy to stop talking. "Are you really standing there telling tales out of school about one of your colleagues? I looked through Ron's Hogwarts sixth year, end-of-term book. I know what she used to be and how she used to look. It intrigues me even more that she changed everything about herself to get to where she is. Is this where you tell me about Michael Corner? Don't bother. Corner was a bloody lout who fooled a great many witches."
"I might have revealed a little too much about Millie," acknowledged Randy. "But she's my colleague and good friend. Do not fuck around and mess her about. She deserves something good after putting up with Michael."
"Oh! Suddenly Mr. big, fucking mouth is worried about his colleague. Just shut the fuck up and give me her information."
Verity looked away from the shelf she was rearranging. "Are you two arguing? You know George doesn't like bad karma in the store Lee."
"We aren't arguing Verity. You know me better than that." Lee replied with his eyes still on his cousin.
"I will not give out Millie's personal information."
"Yes you will Randy. If I wasn't interested, I wouldn't ask. There are plenty of blondes who would be glad to rub up against me, if that's all I wanted. Now give me the bloody information or I will make it my business to mention to Severus Snape how looking at Hermione makes your dick hard."
"Merlin Lee!" Randy gasped looking around to see if Verity had heard. "I told you that in confidence."
"And I will keep your confidence. If you give me Millie's address. I promise not to approach her in person until she invites me."
Randy thought it over. He wasn't afraid of any wizard, but he didn't want to willingly piss off Severus Snape. "Alright." He said pulling out his Auror notepad and jotting down Millie's address. "If you mess her around, I'll never forgive you."
"I don't plan on messing her around. I will remain a gentleman at all times. But who knows. She already turned me down once. She may not even want to be bothered."
This statement surprised Randy. "When did Millie turn you down? You only just met her last night."
"I invited her to come cheer me on at the Quidditch game, but she didn't show."
Randy just shook his head. His cousin was a menace. He hoped he hadn't done Millie a disservice by giving out her information. If he had, Randy hoped Millie never found out it was him. "Now that you have what you want." He huffed at Lee. "I'll be on my way. Stop by the club after you close up. You owe me a drink or three and a game of chess."
"No promises cousin. George may want to meet when he and Angelina get back. I'll definitely see you tomorrow at your mum's. Have a good night."
"Alright. I'll speak to you tomorrow. Baked macaroni and cheese. Don't be late."
/*/
Thirty seconds after the door closed behind Randy, Lee had quill and parchment in hand writing a note to Chestnut. Twenty seconds after reading the note over for the third time to insure he would get maximum laughs from his message, Lee called one of the WWW Owls and tied the message to its leg. "Go quickly." He whispered to the owl. "Do not hang around for an answer. She'll need time to digest the message."
"Are you talking to owls again Lee?" Verity challenged from the other side of the room. "George says that makes you look crazy and there's only room enough for one crazy wizard in this shop."
Lee shook his head. He wasn't angry with Verity for regurgitating things she overheard and repeated, but he was annoyed. "I'm well aware of what George thinks about me talking to the owls, so stay in your place. Questioning my every move or action does not sit well with me."
Being a bit on the slow side, Verity looked to her left then to her right before replying to Lee. "I am in my place, so don't you be short with me."
Lee snapped right back to his normally genial self. "I would never be short with you gorgeous. I'll try harder to contain my craziness. Is there anything I can help you with?"
Verity smiled shaking her head no just as the chime over the door announced new customers. "I'm fine Lee. You'll have to excuse me. I have customers."
Thirty minutes later, Lee was gazing at the Patented Daydream Charms wondering if he could skive off for a bit to enjoy a quick daydream about a certain witch. But there wasn't time for him to try anything. A standard, loudly squawking, business owl had appeared with a message.
Grabbing the envelope from the owl, Lee started grinning even before he opened the message. It was from Millie. Lee knew Millie would hit him back with something as funny as what he'd sent. And he was right.
Lee laughed so loud that Verity took a minute from her customer to roll her eyes at him.
Still laughing, Lee raised his hand in surrender at Verity. "I need to go to the back for a bit. Be back shortly."
Once in the back, Lee cast a silencing charm so he could laugh as loudly as he wanted. Speaking to the air around him, Lee confirmed his decision. "Yup. I'm interested."