Thank you for your patience. Now here is the story.
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Sophie hefted her bag higher on her shoulder as she looked up at the impressive building, it teemed with life, she nervously rechecked the address that was given to her over the phone. Mr. Andrew had sounded excited by her experience and credentials, Mr. Giles had been more reserved but had sounded just as interested as the younger sounding Mr. Andrew.
She took a calming breath before approaching the door. She walked into the lobby and all activity stopped. Everyone stared at her, and she almost turned around and fled under that scrutiny if a voice hadn't called out to her.
"Miss Guzman?" She turned around and spotted a young man in tweed.
"Yes?" He looked excited as he rushed forward to shake her hand and pull her towards the elevators.
"I was afraid you wouldn't come, but boy do we need you!"
"Uh…Shouldn't I be interviewed first?"
"Yeah, we're going to see Giles right now." He turned to the people in the lobby. "Go about your business…you saw nothing." They returned to the buzz of activity and Sophie turned a questioning eye to the young man. "Giles will explain. Going up!"
He pressed the button to start the elevator's ascent and made small talk until the doors dinged open again.
"This way. Giles is waiting for us." They pushed past a large set of doors, revealing a decent sized waiting area with a fair sized desk and high tech computer atop it, then the next set, revealing a luxurious office. An older man with graying hair and glasses sat behind the immense oak desk. He looked up from studying a manuscript when they entered.
"Miss Guzman?"
"Yes, Mr. Giles?" He smiled at her and gestured for her to be seated in one of the high backed leather chairs that were placed in front of the desk.
"Your application certainly stood out from the rest. I quite say that you may be over qualified for the position. But if you are willing…"
"Oh, I'm definitely willing."
"I took the liberty of contacting all of your references and your previous jobs and all spouted your glory, and inquired if you would return to them."
"Oh, wow." She stared at him wide eyed.
"Yes, quite. Now, what is your availability?"
"I'll work as often and as long as you want me to."
"Flexible, then. Excellent. Coffee addiction?"
"No, I prefer energy drinks like Red Bull. Or Green Tea."
He sighed and smiled at her. "Can you start today?"
"Absolutely." She beamed at him.
"I have absolutely no idea how to use computers, I have all these reports that need to be transcribed." He hefted a large stack into her lap, it went from her lap to her chin. "If you could get started right away? There's a computer in the anterior office for your use, as a matter of fact it's your office. It's fairly easy, according to the girls but I don't bloody know what they're talking about. If you have any questions ask Andrew." The young man bounced in happiness.
"He'll also be explaining what we do here."
"Uh, one question. In the lobby…"
"Yes, it's a security measure. Miss Guzman…do you believe in magic?" Sophie had to work hard to stifle a laugh.
"Um, if you mean making things float and the such kind of magic, then yes."
"Ah." He blinked and was flummoxed but recovered. "Yes, well…the people aren't really people, they're more what you call guards. If someone who isn't recognized either by sight or by aura enters, they stop all busy work and stare at the person. It discourages any unsavory people from entering unannounced or attacking us. Should the unknown persist then they take…extreme…measures."
"I must say Mr. Giles, that that is the most brilliant security system I ever heard of."
He blushed and stuttered as Andrew lead her out.
iiiiiiiiiiiiii "What do you mean 'she left'!"
"You didn't notice her up and leave? That was last week, Black. Not very observant, are you?"
Regulus slammed Severus up against the wall of the library in anger.
"Regulus!" Professor Dumbledore warned. "Abusing Severus will not help her return."
"No, but it will make me feel a hell of a lot better!"
"Put him down, Regulus."
Regulus obeyed with a growl, glaring murderously at the Potions Professor.
"It isn't my fault she left, it was your negligence that drove her off." Severus sneered as he straightened his robes.
"That is enough, Severus." Dumbledore admonished. "Regulus, we will do our best to find her, but under the current circumstances you must not be seen! Everyone thinks you are dead. Allow the Order to find her."
"She'll be in London. It's a big city, that's all she knows, how to live in the city. More likely you'll find her there." He ran his hand thru his hair in a gesture of frustration.
"How could I have been so blind?" He muttered as Dumbledore and Snape left.
"Oh, Sophie. I am so sorry!"
"You should be."
"Not now, Uncle Phin."
"That girl was a doll, trying her hardest to clean up this pigsty. Getting no recognition from you. Why, you haven't even spent a whole hour with her since you arrived!"
"Not NOW, Uncle Phin." The painting huffed.
"She shut your mother up, and we're ALL grateful for that." The other paintings agreed.
"What are you talking about?"
"She painted over your mother's face. Stopped her screaming."
"As much as I appreciate this bit of information, please, could you just….leave me alone?"
"Of course dear boy, wallow in your own suffering. You deserve it!" Uncle Phin hissed as he exited the frame of the picture, the other paintings made their own quiet exits as well.
"Bloody nosey relatives."
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So Ends Chapter 3
