Who: Harry & Eddie When: 10 December, afternoon Where: Muggle London, a Muggle pub Rating: G What: information passed, promises made
Collar pulled high and tight against the lower half of his face, Eddie held a small book in a gloved hand, the other shoved deep into his coat pocket and curled around his wand there. He leaned against the stone wall between shopfronts just outside the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron in Muggle London, waiting for Harry.
Harry picked up his pace as he neared the Leaky Cauldron's creaky sign, the Muggles around him not paying any attention to the teenage boy hurrying along beside them. He spotted Eddie and adjusting the strap of the bag slung over his shoulder he came to a standstill and said, "Eddie."
Eddie snapped the book closed with a grin, depositing the tome in his opposite pocket. "We meet again. Buy me a drink?" He turned left and began walking down the street, the slightest of gestures inducing Harry to follow. "I'll buy you the pub if you've got good news for me." Harry replied with an answering grin as he started to walk.
Laughing, Eddie's eyes searched the shop fronts, looking for the place he'd visited once before on an afternoon free of the Wizarding world. "I'd drink a pub under profit in a month's time, though I appreciate the offer." Spotting the place a moment after, Eddie hastened to get out of the cold, descending the steps to the basement level pub two at a time. "The Crux and Crown, suited to neither."
Harry snorted laughter at that and followed him down the steps. It was good to be indoors again and he pulled off his gloves and shoved them into a pocket before looking around to see what sort of place Eddie brought him to.
The proprietors of the pub had thought it amusing to pepper the walls with portraits of English royalty, and Queen Elizabeth, at various stages of her reign, peeked out over tables and dim lamps. For company she had several Popes,looking considerably more grim. Eddie gave a curt nod to the man behind the bar and manuvered through the tables to one in a far corner. He sat down, removing his hands from his pockets but pulling his wand and slipping it deftly into his sleeve.
"Interesting place." he muttered, amusement clearly visible on his face. Harry slipped into the seat opposite Eddie, stowing his bag on the table right by his elbow before folding his arms and leaning back in his chair. "Thanks for meeting me again."
Smile rueful, Eddie relaxed against the chair back, crossing his arms over his chest. "I'll offer thanks of my own when there's money in all the right pockets." He eyed Harry, skepticism expertly masked. "Aberforth won't come cheaply."
"Aberforth?" Harry spluttered, but regained his composure just as quickly as he lost it. He smiled and said, "There'll be money in all the pockets that need it. I don't mind paying - as long as I get what I'm looking for."
"Which I'm certain he has." Eddie nodded gravely, voice quieting as someone came near to get their drinks.
"You're certain?" Harry asked and leaned forward, for the moment paying no mind to anyone around them. He relaxed then and quirked an eyebrow at Eddie, "What'll you have?" If it was up to him he would simply have waved the man hovering near their table away, impatient to hear what Eddie's got to tell him.
"Scotch." Eddie kept his eyes to the table, speaking again only after they were alone. "I've not a doubt. We have... mutual acquaintances, and reliable sources when it comes to what's valuable and who has their hands on it."
"You said he won't come cheaply - how much?" Harry asked, his eyes intent on Eddie's face.
Eddie considered a moment, and when their drinks arrived, he pulled the napkin from underneath of his and a fountain pen from his pocket, scrawling a sum in his uneven hand.
"That much?" Harry asked, still leaning forward and staring at the napkin. A low whistle escaped him as he sat back in his chair, and not waiting for an answer, he went on, "And when does he want it?"
"The question is, mate, when do you want your property returned?"
"Yesterday." he replied with a grin.
"Well, then," Eddie continued, leaning forward and clasping his hands on the table. "When you get that money to me, I'll see it safely to Aberforth, and the return product to you. Quite simple, really."
"I'll get the money, but with the way things are going at Gringotts ... let's say I'll have it by the weekend. How should I get it to you when I've got it? It's not something I'd want to owl to you."
"Gringotts? Send it by Bill Weasley, if you like, he ought to have a drink with me in Hogsmeade, anyhow." Eddie turned his glass in his hands. "You're friends with his brother, right? Should work out."
"That'll work out nicely." Harry said with a nod, "Thanks, again." He looked around the pub for a moment before looking back to Eddie, "What made you change your mind?"
Smile spreading and secretive, Eddie shrugged. "Curiosity." His eyes were blank, and it was unclear whether he spoke truth or no.
"I see." came the reply, "Let's drink to curiosity then."
Raising his glass, Eddie grinned, face immutable once more. "To curiosity."