Yes yes I know. It's infuriatingly short. But bare with me, I'll make it up to you with the next chapter. Really. Don't give me that look!

* blinks * whee! I only need one more review and then I'll have 60 reviews! Fweeb! * Likes new word 'Fweeb' *

~

Severus' velvet voice continued with the secret tale, shadowed eyes off in another world. His words were soft and low, toned and captivating.

Harry stared at his teacup with distant eyes as the tale knitted together in his mind, forcing images to play themselves out in his minds' eye.

A woman, small and delicate with innocent green eyes and a splash of freckles approached a large hotel calmly. Her red curls bounced with each step and she shyly thanked the man who opened the door for her. Flashing a smile at the man who stood, ready to deal with his next customer, she stated her name and waited as he checked his list.

"Ah, yes, Evans." He handed her two keys and a few pamphlets containing visitor information.

Picking up her bag she checked the number and headed for the elevator. Inside her spacious room she carefully put her clothes in the closet and re-sizing her briefcase she opened up a few Ministry document. Ordering a cup of orange juice, she never drank coffee, she ran over the statements and various pieces of parchment.

Hopefully with this final business trip the matter would be over and done with. The minister had been putting pressure on her department for this particular trial and with all the havoc surrounding this 'Dark Lord'; her nerves were certainly being tested.

Several hours later, her paperwork finished she stood and stretched, checking the clock.

"Oh fudge" she muttered, she had better get down stairs before the kitchen closed. Licking her lips she checked her reflection in the mirror and cringed. Thank goodness everyone she knew was in Kent, preparing for the trial.

Changing into a pair of muggle jeans and tea shirt, compete with sweatshirt wrapped around her waist she left in search for food.

Luckily the kitchens weren't closed and with a steaming plate of shrimp and codfish she chanced to glance up and meet the black gaze of someone familiar.

~

Gee, I wonder who in the ghastly gouls she is staring at? * attempts to look like Legolas in one of his more brilliant shots, then studiously ducks every flying object that is directed at her head * Whee! That was fun!

The author would like to portray how much she appreciates your reviews, encouragment, and all that nonsense. She even might be driven to give a hug. Lucky for you though, she isn't a hugging type of person!

Thanks to:

Jaximillion

Anora

Hermionegreen – who consequently has not stopped reading, as have many of you which astounds me to no end *continues, baffled *

Molly Morrison- thanks for pointing my error! I have no knowledge of anything magical (except for banshee branch and wailing weed for some odd ball reason)

Ennui deMorte- what DOES your handel mean? It intrigues me…* mystified look *

Serpent of Light- I'm glad everyone else liked the last chapter, cause I don't. it wasn't put together right in my opinion * shrug * oh well, I'll get over it

Well I've been cooped up for a hefty three week so I had to do SOMETHING. So since I was getting e-mails demanding another chapter I decided, oh well. If you can't beat 'em off with a stick, Join 'em!

Well the quote goes something like that, anyway.

* Stalks away, robes billowing *