A/N: Thank you who're reading this and reviewing. However, it is my pleasure to report that this chapter is solely the work of Jestana, as I stated in the preface. *grins* As such, all reviews will be forwarded to her. *salutes*

Acknowledgments:

Jestana: Get ready for the acclaim because you'll soon be getting it, since this is YOUR chapter I'm posting. *winks*

spoiledthoughts: I'm glad you love it so much. Rest assured there will indeed be more, particularly more tingles to come. *grin*

Liz O'Brien: Thank you! Fancy seeing another series of reviews from you! You're one of my best reviews, and one of Jestana's too! We loves you!

Hogwarts Duo: Thanks! There will indeed be more, so stay tuned!

Illusina: Here's an update and I hope you likes.

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Alastor studied the report in front of him, looking for any sort of hint as to who had killed Rory Flynn and why. Sighing, he set the report aside and rubbed his eyes. Dropping his hands, he looked at the picture on his desk and noticed with a pang the fact that his picture-self had turned back to the picture-Poppy, who was drawn in on herself and had her back to the picture-Alastor. Occasionally, the picture-Alastor would reach out to the picture-Poppy, but she shrugged him off each time. A lump beginning to form in his throat, he tore his gaze from the picture to see a familiar figure standing in the opening of his cubicle. "Hello, cloak."

"Hi, Min." He smiled faintly up at her. "You ready to go?"

She nodded, her expression sympathetic. "Yes, I am."

"Well, let's go." He rose and put his cloak on before offering his arm to Minerva.

She took it and they exited the Ministry in short order, ducking their heads against the February shower. Neither spoke until they they had reached Jennens' Cafe, checked for danger, and seated themselves in a corner booth wehre they could both remain watchful. After placing their orders, Minerva spoke, "Now, you said something about Albus wanting us to keep an eye on Fernside?"

"I told him about Poppy telling me that she only loves me as a friend," Alastor explained, noting Minerva's reaction to the news before adding. "That she actually loves someone else."

She shook her head. "I can't believe that."

"When I told Stew what Poppy had said, he told me she was lying," Alastor informed her with a shrug.

Minerva nodded. "I quite agree with him."

"Well, Loupe told Stew and I about a dream Fi had been having," Alastor told Minerva, worry for Poppy rising in him as he thought about the dream.

Minerva waited until their food had arrived and the waitress had gone before asking, "Fianna has been having another dream?"

"Yes," Alastor confirmed with a nod after checking his meal for poison. "Essentially, Poppy is walking through a fog and she is being pursued by a figure in a dark cloak."

Minerva remained quiet for a moment, as if waiting for Alastor to say more. When he didn't, she spoke up, "That is it?"

He nodded. "Yes, that's all of the dream."

"Would you say this figure is literal or figurative?" Minerva asked after thinking for a moment.

Alastor swallowed back the worry that gnawed at his insides. "Loupe, Stew, Albus, and I all agree that the figure is literal and that it's someone who knows her well enough to threaten at least myself, and maybe others she cares about."

"So, Albus would like us to keep an eye on Fernside to find out who this person is?" Minerva questioned, wanting to clarify most likely.

He nodded, his worry for Poppy taking his appetite from him. "Exactly."

"Well, how did you wish to handle this, Alastor?" Her voice was matter-of- fact.

He blinked startled. "No need to think it over?"

"None at all, Alastor," she rpelied shaking her head. "Poppy is my friend as well as yours. I am concerned for her as well."

He smiled, relieved. "Thank you, Minerva."

"Really, Alastor, you should know by now that there is no need to thank me," Minerva reminded him with a fond smile.

He chuckled. "Well, I was considering that we keep her house under surveillance from a distance."

"What do you mean by 'from a distance'?" Minerva frowned, looking puzzled.

He leaned forward in his seat, pushing his hardly-touched food to the side. "There is a way to charm objects to transmit pictures of what is going on in one spot to a receptacle of some sort, even if it is a considerable distance away. Kind of like those cameras Muggles use."

"Very well, how do you propose to set it up?" Minerva pushed her plate aside as well.

Alastor waited until the waitress had collected their plates before giving his reply, "Well, Poppy has been working the day shift lately, so I thought we could do it while she's at work."

"You mean now, don't you?" she asked with an amused smile.

Alastor smiled guiltily, feeling his face flush. "Well, yes."

"Very well, we haven't much time," Minerva slid gracefully out of the booth.

Alastor automatically stood as well. "You're serious, Min?"

"Of course I am, Alastor," she answered as he helped her into her cloak.

He slipped on his own cloak and tossed a few coins on the table to pay for their food. "Well, All right, then, let's go."

He offered his arm to Minerva and she took it. "Oh, Alastor?"

"Yes, Min?" he asked as he escorted her from the cafe.

She waited until they were outside before telling him, "Don't call me Min."