Chapter 8
Like is said, the room was nice, but not overly nice. The precious couple arrived with no hitches and I was just scooping out the bathroom when I heard a knock at the door.
It was Mr. Lawrence with my instructions.
"I know that you will be relieved to hear that everything is going according to plan. The Anthony-Lopez's have "checked in" and are leaving the complex via the underground garage. Mrs. Lopez has instructed that you are to stay in the hotel for one hour before taking the designated car from the garage and exiting the building. Then you are on your own for the rest of the day, just be sure to be back in the hotel by midnight tonight. We have ideas of where the cameras and press will be looking, so be on your guard. In dealing with the press, just smile and nod. Don't answer any questions, but don't be standoff-ish. It's important that you understand, the press, especially in England, can be very invasive and rude. Do NOT do anything that would paint Mrs. Lopez in a bad light. No matter what the press does or says, please don't fight back. It's an awful situation, but it is what it is."
I felt I had to jump in
"So are these wanks allowed to scream anything at me? They can't touch me, can they?"
"No, they can't touch you, but yes they can say what they will. They can also get their cameras inches from your face. Do not swat them away. Try to outrun them. This evening if you go out, don't draw attention to yourself. I must also ask that you not bring any companions up to the room with you. We don't want to create rumors of problems with this relationship…."
Just then the phone rang. Mr. Lawrence stepped to the other side of the room to take the call. I was checking out the sheets (they didn't look all THAT splendid for the price) when Mr. Lawrence returned.
"Um, Ms. Konks? Remember when I said that thing about the companion. Scratch that. I just got off the phone with Mrs. Lopez. Due to personal reasons, she wants you to find yourself an attractive man and pal around with him at a club tonight. I will get back with you on the time you are to arrive and what you should wear. On the subject of clothes, Mrs. Lopez has a list of things that you are to pick up at Harrods. Before they close tonight, I would suggest you pick yourself out something to club in."
Great. Dancing. Just what I needed. A showcase of my clumsiness before all wizard and muggle kind to see. I can imagine the headlines.
"HER LOVE DON'T COST A THING, NEITHER DO HER DANCE STEPS"
"J-LO'S 'ROCKS' SEEM TO BE IN HER FEET"
"NO WONDER PUFFY DUMPED HER.."
No thank you.
"Mr. Lawrence, is it absolutely necessary that I go to a club tonight. I don't really have anyone that I can take.."
"Well, that has been arranged as well. You've heard of Adrian Brody, correct?"
O shi…
"He is in London and we believe that it would be beneficial for both parties for you to be seen getting, how shall I say this, amorous with each other? I'm not saying sex, but it couldn't hurt…"
WHAT!
"If he was seen leaving this hotel at an unusually early hour in the morning, I can only think of good things that could come of it. An attractive girl like you should have no problem winning over Mr. Brody."
NO!
"What you do with him on your own time is your business, however, rumor has it that Mr. Brody has quite the prowess. You know what they say about guys with big noses…"
I was done with this conversation.
"Thank you Mr. Lawrence. THANK YOU SO MUCH! I'll just take what I need from you and you can be on your way…"
He handed me a duffle bag and quickly left, making a phone call to which I can only assume was Mr. Brody's publicist. I heard "Oh, this should get us those roles that we need for sure" before I slammed the door shut. This was outrageous! I have to give the impression of becoming involved with Mr. Brody, who I can only assume is Snape cleaned up, for the benefit of the press? I am not a show pony! I'm an Auror and a member of an elite fighting unit that has the charge of keeping the world safe! I have far too much to do today that be bothered with this nonsense. If I get the answers to the questions that I have in time, then I'll run to Harrods and buy clothes. If not, o well, I have other things to do…
I pulled out the car keys.
That's right, I have other things to do. Like cruise around town in a mini with the speakers full blast singing at the top of my lungs. In fact, I can cruise on over to the Ministry and find out what they know about Skeeter. Then I can cruise over to Grimmald place and meet with Albus about tonights little party. I hope that they have several healers on hand when Albus tells Snape the news. He'll probably faint. Either that or try to claw his way out of the house with his bare hands.
Yes, I would pay money to see that.
First things first, to the Mini and to the Ministry.
I parked several blocks over. Its not the best neighborhood, plus I didn't want to advertise the fact that I had a car and was working on the side for extra money. I apporated to the back door and slipped in basically unseen. I had morphed back into "work Tonks" and had managed to avoid the press by taking some side streets and hiding behind a well-placed lorry. I had gotten lucky with that, plus the fact that I changed the color of the Mini, from green to purple. I was loving this car. I was loving this stereo.
So far things were looking good.
I slid into the office that I shared with four other Aurors. Kings, Plant, Smithwick and Jessvinder were good mates to have on the force. They would always back me up, plus the fact that Jessvinder did double duty in the Office of Mysteries. She always had the latest info. I was hoping that she had something on Skeeter.
"Hey Jess, I need to ask a favor"
Jess looked up from her paper work
"Sure, what's up?"
"What is Skeeter doing with herself these days? I haven't seen her writing much for the Quibbler"
Jess gave me a strange look.
"Its funny you should mention Skeeter. I just heard from and "unknown source" that Skeeter is doing freelance work on the side for an American wizard magazine. I don't know the name, but it is basically fish wrap. Talks about wizard and muggle celebrities and how the intermingle. Of course, the Quibbler is not happy about it, but she has taken some time off, as they say, from credible journalism. I think that she is in England scoping out celebrities as they travel around Europe. Why would you ask that, Tonks? Have you seen her around? Is she causing trouble again?"
Jess peered at me. I don't know if she was trying the Legimens training that we had been given as Aurors on me, but I wasn't going to take a chance. She was one of the best Legimmens that we had on staff, and could probe your brain faster and slicker than anyone on the team.
"Uh, no Jess. Just that a friend mentioned her. Just wanted to give her the heads up. See you round, yea?"
Jess kept looking at me strangely
"Sure, Tonks. Let me ask you something? Have you been working out?"
Uhhh
"No more than usual, why?"
"You just seem more…toned. O well, its probably my imagination…"
With that she turned back to her work.
Crap, I had forgotten to change my bottom back to normal.
Need to do that on the way to Grimmald Place.
