"So, really, where did your name come from?"

"Oh, just an old name, I suppose. It was my grandfather's, on my mother's side."

"Neat-o. My mom named me after a famous singer's Hawaiian name. Creepy, huh?"

"Well, certainly something my parents never would have done."

"Why not?"

"They were very strict people. I don't think they listened to music at all."

"Oh… well, my parents are crazy, so…"

"Really?"
"No, not literally, smart ass."

Severus smiled again. This girl was suddenly a lot more bearable in front of a warm fire and cup of hot chocolate. He normally didn't like the taste, but she had no tea and it felt good to have something hot in his stomach. Wikeni had also set out cookies and mini sandwiches, but only the sweets had been touched.

"So where are you from, Severus?"

"Somewhere far from here, almost an eight-hour flight… er, drive."

"Wow. What made you come here?"

"Business."

"What kind of business?"

"Work related."

"Ah."

There was a slight pause in which Wikeni poked the now dying fire and Severus finished his chocolate. He sat his mug down on the table in front of him, only to look back and find Wikeni staring intently at him. Severus decided to find something else to talk about.

"So, are you American?" At this she smiled. Good.

"Yeah, I'm from New Jersey, a small state on the East Coast. Could you tell?"

"Yes, it's quite obvious here in Britain," he teased.

"Well, some people pick up the accent here," she said. "Ooh, actually, I've been dying to know…"

Severus became nervous again.

"…Do I have an accent to you?"

"What?"

"Does it sound like I've got an 'American' accent?"

"Heavens, no. You have no accent at all… which, actually, I suppose is one in itself…"

"Great. I've always wondered that, you know, like British accent, Australian accent, German accent… I couldn't ever figure out if Americans had one or not."

"Well, I suppose the answer is no."

She focused intently on him again. Severus tried to look away, but he could still feel her stare upon him.

"Can I ask you something?"

Severus suddenly reached for his wand. Was it poking out?

"You may."

Severus's heart sped up in his chest. He hadn't really worked memory charms in quite a while, would he still be able to if this girl knew his secret?

"How old are you?" Severus suddenly laughed. "What?"

"I thought you were going to ask something very personal."

"Oh, I thought it was."

"Not quite."

"Oh." She looked away from him.

"I'm thirty-five. January 9th."

"Oh, okay."

Suddenly Severus could see a sad look in her eye.

"What?"

"I'm only twenty-five."

"So? What does that mean?"

"Nothing, I guess."

Yet Severus could see something in her face, something she was not telling him. Why was she upset about their age difference? She couldn't be… interested in him…?

Certainly not, he thought. I'm too old.

But suddenly it hit him. I'm too old, he thought. She is upset because she cannot date me because I am too old.

"Am I too old?"

"No! No, no, no, no, no, no, no. Of course not. It's just that… well, I thought you were younger."

"It's not holding you back from anything, is it?" he hinted.

"Nothing much."

"I see."

There was an awkward pause.

"Well, I'd better get to bed," she yawned. "You should, too, if you have that big business meeting tomorrow."

"Yes."

"Well, goodnight, Severus."

"Goodnight, Wikeni."

And with that, she shut the door and left Severus alone in the dark with his thoughts.