Encounters
The rain thundered down as spring persisted over the greyness of London. Ginny was feeling a little woozy from her Apparition into the SMS grounds, flanked by Boggs, Shreck and Mrs. Riven.
The SMS buildings seemed old and somewhat arcane next to the overlooking office blocks, but Ginny supposed that the muggles of London would still not notice the odd goings on here.
"You'll need to change into muggle clothes for the next week. We've a tailor here who will find you something nice to wear." said Mr Boggs to Ginny. Mr Shreck led the tearful Mrs Riven away. Boggs noticed Ginny's curiosity. "They're off to see Mr Riven. He's been roaming the streets again, looking into the conflux there."
"Whats a conflux?" asked Ginny, noticing that the rain was not making them wet here.
"Oh, its a pocket of rough magic. Sort of messes up any spells to find stuff." said Boggs.
"Pockets of magic?"
"Like the one that keeps our little offices hidden from scrunity. Come on."
Ginny was a bit disappointed with her initial task. Apparently, as someone who knew Penny, she could use one of the row of crystal balls to help trace her. Initially, Ginny was amazed how she could hold onto the crystal ball and 'travel' around the streets of London like a ghost. After three hours though, she yawned and realised that it was quite tedious.
Ginny watched the muggles working and talking and smiling and holding hands. She could not hear their voices unless she really concentrated on them. By far the most interesting thing she found was a large building with aisles and aisles of 'elec-tronic' goods. Things moved, made sounds, talked and dazzled Ginny.
"Fascinating what the muggles have come up with, isn't it?" said a familiar and warm voice by her ear. It was her father. Spinning around, she hugged him and smiled.
"Boggs told me you were up looking for Penny. Your mum would love to see you whilst you're here, so I've told her to lay on a big meal for when we get back. What do you say to that eh?"
Ginny beamed "That'll be great! Oh, it's been horrible at Hogworts over Christmas."
At home once more, Ginny and her parents chatted about everything, asking after Ron, Fred and George, although avoiding mentioning Harry and Hermione for some reason. Ginny was glad to be here regardless; things at school were getting a bit hectic.
Penny smiled at the young man dishing up her bowl of rice and bread. The young Krisna volunteer had been the only friendly face wearing anything resembling a robe since she had left Hogworts. A friend on the street had advised her to try and get into some sort of hostel, for being young and female, she would have a good chance of help. Her first meeting with the social worker passing through there had gone great, but somehow Penny felt as if she had had enough and had come here to have a think; Draco was not really worth it, and now she just wanted to go home again she realised.
As she sat down, a robed figure sat opposite her. Penny had learned not to look into the eyes of strangers too often in this brutal place, so kept her head down and started to eat. Her mind tried to think of other things, like tomorrow, this cafe did it's weekly special of pizza, which was a treat she looked forward to.
"You seem lost child." whispered a voice from across her table.
Penny kept on eating. The food here was basic, but the fresh vegetables and those spices really made it quite nice. The people never asked for money and the atmosphere was tranquil.
"You will come with me child." hissed the voice again.
Penny picked up her bowl and span around in her chair. "Okay", she thought, "another psycho trying to get into my knickers. Time to go join some friendly faces." A table behind her currently had one vacancy amoungst five solemn individuals. She joined them and nothing was said.
"I will wait for you child" whispered a voice by her ear. She glanced fearfully at the others eating around her, but gained no sympathy. She eat slowly and shaking. Waiting until a nearby couple were about to leave, Penny stood up and turned around.
No one unusal or suspicious seemed to be waiting there for her. To be on the safe side, she left closely behind the couple until once more she was hidden in the shadows as night fell on London.
The rain thundered down as spring persisted over the greyness of London. Ginny was feeling a little woozy from her Apparition into the SMS grounds, flanked by Boggs, Shreck and Mrs. Riven.
The SMS buildings seemed old and somewhat arcane next to the overlooking office blocks, but Ginny supposed that the muggles of London would still not notice the odd goings on here.
"You'll need to change into muggle clothes for the next week. We've a tailor here who will find you something nice to wear." said Mr Boggs to Ginny. Mr Shreck led the tearful Mrs Riven away. Boggs noticed Ginny's curiosity. "They're off to see Mr Riven. He's been roaming the streets again, looking into the conflux there."
"Whats a conflux?" asked Ginny, noticing that the rain was not making them wet here.
"Oh, its a pocket of rough magic. Sort of messes up any spells to find stuff." said Boggs.
"Pockets of magic?"
"Like the one that keeps our little offices hidden from scrunity. Come on."
Ginny was a bit disappointed with her initial task. Apparently, as someone who knew Penny, she could use one of the row of crystal balls to help trace her. Initially, Ginny was amazed how she could hold onto the crystal ball and 'travel' around the streets of London like a ghost. After three hours though, she yawned and realised that it was quite tedious.
Ginny watched the muggles working and talking and smiling and holding hands. She could not hear their voices unless she really concentrated on them. By far the most interesting thing she found was a large building with aisles and aisles of 'elec-tronic' goods. Things moved, made sounds, talked and dazzled Ginny.
"Fascinating what the muggles have come up with, isn't it?" said a familiar and warm voice by her ear. It was her father. Spinning around, she hugged him and smiled.
"Boggs told me you were up looking for Penny. Your mum would love to see you whilst you're here, so I've told her to lay on a big meal for when we get back. What do you say to that eh?"
Ginny beamed "That'll be great! Oh, it's been horrible at Hogworts over Christmas."
At home once more, Ginny and her parents chatted about everything, asking after Ron, Fred and George, although avoiding mentioning Harry and Hermione for some reason. Ginny was glad to be here regardless; things at school were getting a bit hectic.
Penny smiled at the young man dishing up her bowl of rice and bread. The young Krisna volunteer had been the only friendly face wearing anything resembling a robe since she had left Hogworts. A friend on the street had advised her to try and get into some sort of hostel, for being young and female, she would have a good chance of help. Her first meeting with the social worker passing through there had gone great, but somehow Penny felt as if she had had enough and had come here to have a think; Draco was not really worth it, and now she just wanted to go home again she realised.
As she sat down, a robed figure sat opposite her. Penny had learned not to look into the eyes of strangers too often in this brutal place, so kept her head down and started to eat. Her mind tried to think of other things, like tomorrow, this cafe did it's weekly special of pizza, which was a treat she looked forward to.
"You seem lost child." whispered a voice from across her table.
Penny kept on eating. The food here was basic, but the fresh vegetables and those spices really made it quite nice. The people never asked for money and the atmosphere was tranquil.
"You will come with me child." hissed the voice again.
Penny picked up her bowl and span around in her chair. "Okay", she thought, "another psycho trying to get into my knickers. Time to go join some friendly faces." A table behind her currently had one vacancy amoungst five solemn individuals. She joined them and nothing was said.
"I will wait for you child" whispered a voice by her ear. She glanced fearfully at the others eating around her, but gained no sympathy. She eat slowly and shaking. Waiting until a nearby couple were about to leave, Penny stood up and turned around.
No one unusal or suspicious seemed to be waiting there for her. To be on the safe side, she left closely behind the couple until once more she was hidden in the shadows as night fell on London.