Emmeline Vance, Tinworth personified (emmeline) wrote in thebreach, @ 2010-09-13 10:39:00 |
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After a truly lovely weekend in Majorca with Drusilla, Edward went into work on Monday in a rather good mood. He’d managed to surprise his wife and, if he didn’t miss his guess, please her with the trip. He hadn’t really wanted to come in today, to be perfectly honest. He didn’t think Drusilla had wanted him to, either. A leisurely day at home with his wife - well, another one - would have been quite relaxing. However, his meeting with Miss Vance was too interesting to miss. He didn’t know much beyond what Rookwood had told him, but he was intrigued by the secretive nature of her request - or what would be her request. He hadn’t looked into the numbers of recent captures that needed disposal, but he had no doubt that they’d have sufficient specimens to suit her for the moment, at least. But was that all she wanted? That was the question. As a Mudblood, one with views, he didn’t think she’d be truly trying to seduce him. And honestly, what sort of woman seduced a man by asking for brains? It was unheard of. But why else would she have approached him? There were others in his department who could have obtained the necessary parts. Yet she’d come to him. It was definitely going to be an interesting lunch meeting. Edward waited casually by the fountain, the sound of the water masking the murmurs of those who hurried to the outgoing Floos. He disliked travel by Floo, but there was no help for it. He did, however, refuse to eat in the Ministry cafeteria. They’d go to someplace in Diagon. He had a sensitive stomach and the swill they served here would only serve to upset him. Emmeline had dressed nicely, wanting to make a good impression. She had always had enough prejudice against her simply because she was a Muggleborn. She had started dressing smartly as soon as she began her job at the Ministry. And although Emmeline certainly wasn’t planning on seducing Edward -- the thought had never occurred to her -- she did know that gentlemen did appreciate a nice dress. Armed with her tiny notebook and a ballpoint pen, Emmeline left the basement and walked toward the atrium. Despite assuring Benjy that she wasn’t going to let herself get nervous about such close contact with someone who might be a Death Eater, she did feel the slightest bit queasy. She knew she couldn’t let her guard down. But she hoped that she had said the right things already, and hoped he took it for granted that a swotty, young Unspeakable wouldn’t be involved in vigilante activity. She saw him standing by the fountains, and walked forward. She smiled at him. “Hello, Mr. Avery,” she said. “I hope you had a nice weekend.” Edward turned, brows raised slightly at the truly lovely young woman who was smiling at him. A very pretty little thing, he noted, finding himself half-hoping that she did try to seduce him. It had been some time since he’d had a blond. Smartly dressed, too, he noted with appreciation. She wasn’t one of those types who insisted on wearing something wholly inappropriate for the workplace. More importantly, it revealed that she was a rather slender creature. If necessary, he felt entirely confident in his ability to handle anything she threw at him with his greater size and strength. He just had to keep his guard up, until he was sure of her. “Miss Vance, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person,” he said, holding out his hand to her. “And yes, I had a lovely time - Portkeyed to Majorca. It was a good holiday for us - it’s so difficult to get away together for some reason. But I’m quite sure you understand that. Do you and Mr. Vance get away often? If not, I do suggest it. It’s quite a nice change.” Emmeline gave him her hand. “It’s lovely to meet you as well,” she said. “Majorca must be lovely this time of year.” But when he asked her about a Mr. Vance, she looked flustered for a moment, surprised. “No,” she said quickly. “There is no Mr. Vance. I am quite unattached to anything other than my work,” she said. “And there are very few gentlemen who would like to compete with mysteries,” she said. “Because they cannot truly know their opponent.” She offered him another smile. Edward took her hand, bending over it, but not quite giving it the proper chaste kiss a European gentleman would. They were at work, after all, and if it got back to Drusilla, it’d undo all the good of this past weekend. He straightened and let her hand go, listening to her response. “Ah, well, then that would be their loss,” he told her, a perfectly correct smile on his lips. No Mr. Vance made things much easier, for him, at least. If, of course, that was the direction this was going to go. He was still unsure, but he was confident he’d know more by the end of the hour. “Now, I’ll admit I can’t stomach eating here, so I have made reservations at Le Secret de la Licorne. It’s really one of the few places in Diagon I feel is worth the effort.” She was a little surprised when he bowed over her hand, but she did not let it show. For a moment she thought he was going to kiss her hand, and was slightly relieved when he didn’t, because she wasn’t sure how she ought to have react, had he done so. She moved her hand to her side, taking all of this in stride. He did seem like a pleasant man. Perhaps we was not involved in the work of Death Eaters, after all. But his friendships suggested something else, and that was why Emmeline had decided to study the brains of various creatures. She had already gotten excited at the prospect over the weekend. While she and been busy looking over drawings of hag brains she had completely forgotten that the source of this question she wanted to answer had come out of trying to find a reason to meet with Mr. Avery in person. “That’s very kind of you to say,” Emmeline said. “Perhaps so, but I do not mind being so tied to my work.” And, after all, she wasn’t lying. She didn’t know if she and Benjy even had a name for what they were yet. And he had asked her to keep it private. She nodded when he mentioned the restaurant. “Yes,” she said. “It is a very nice place. I’ve been there a few times, although not very often.” She didn’t mention that she often preferred to go out in London to have fine dining. In fact, she rarely ate on Diagon Alley. But she had a feeling that Mr. Avery would not be very impressed by that information. “It’s a good thing the food is so delicious there. Because I am afraid I am going to be asking you a host of questions that might disturb your appetite,” she admitted with a sheepish smile. The men her age were clearly thick, if they weren’t trying to get on her good side and make her forget about work. Women weren’t designed to be alone for any length of time, that Edward could see. Still, what was someone else’s loss could very well be his gain. “I quite know the feeling. I felt married to my job on the Werewolf Capture Unit when I was younger.” As they made their way to outgoing Floos, he nodded. “I’m pleased that you like La Licorne. They have good food and exceptional service. And honestly, I have no problem answering questions. I’m a hunter, Miss Vance, and so am not terribly squeamish about most things,” he said. “Yes,” she said. “My mother assures me that I won’t always feel this way, but I don’t know.” She shrugged pleasantly, and walked alongside him. “I am very glad to hear that, Mr. Avery,” she said. “Do you find hunting very pleasant? I suppose you must, and I imagine that might have been what helped you enjoy your position on the Werewolf Capture Unit. I am very thankful for that Unit. It’s very terrible to hear about Fenrir Greyback’s pack growing. I am rather petrified at the idea of werewolves.” “If you don’t mind me saying, I agree with your mother. Though you’ve got plenty of time to decide your future - no sense in rushing things,” he said, smiling easily. “And I do enjoy hunting. I’ve hunted quite a few things in my time - I even safaried in Africa a time or two. Fascinating place.” Her comments about Greyback made his lip curl. He would never breathe a word of it to his lord, but he really disliked the beast. “In this we seem to find ourselves in agreement, Miss Vance. I have seen firsthand their capabilities, and they are truly not a threat to be ignored. My best advice is to have wards on your house and to use the Floo during the Full Moon. I insist my family takes those simple precautions, as do I.” Emmeline nodded as they neared an open floo chamber. “Yes,” she said. “That’s very smart. I always have wards on my flat, and I tend to check them again when the full moon is coming. I am not especially talented at wards, so I have a friend of mine go over them for me. It is unwise to leave things like that to chance, even in the city.” Since she was ahead of him, she smiled and nodded at him before she used the floo to get to the Leaky Cauldron. She stood to the side once she was there, and dusted herself and her dress off carefully. So far, everything was going well enough. She wondered if his looks would count as admiring. Perhaps that was one reason why someone could have followed her. Although Benjy would have been biased. He filed that bit away for future reference, if necessary. She lived in the city and did not do her own wards. It seemed odd that an Unspeakable should not be proficient at warding, but perhaps his thoughts on the group were wrong. They had always been rather mysterious. Come to that, he’d have to ask Rookwood how he was at warding. Perhaps it was a not a prerequisite for the position. “I am relieved to hear that, Miss Vance. I was going to suggest the name of a reputable warding company if you had not seen to it yourself,” he told her. He waited until she disappeared in the Floo before stepping in and following her. Emerging at the Leaky Cauldron, he stepped toward her and out of the way, shaking the soot from his robes. “Now,” he said, once they were on in Diagon itself. “Do I get to hear how I can be of service or will that have to wait until we are seated and have placed our orders. I am usually better mannered, but you have piqued my interest, my dear, and not much does that these days.” “I am very cautious,” Emmeline said. “I didn’t grow up having any reason to fear many of the magical creatures that other children are accustomed to or learn about just as I learned about giraffes or dolphins,” she smiled at him, her expression going a little vapid as a veritable parade of creatures she’d read about in book walked past her in her mind. “And of course, those I had learned about in my personal study of mythology were only a shade of the real thing. So I rely on the wisdom of others when necessary.” Once they were walking toward the restaurant, Emmeline nodded vigorously at him and opened up her notebook. “On the subject of magical creatures,” she said, “I am at the helm of an important project. I cannot say much about it, as you would assume, but I can say that it involves the study of brains. While we were able to procure pickled specimens from St. Mungo’s, we have not had any access to brains of humanoids with peculiar characteristics. For example, a man is born a man, and then attacked and made a werewolf. But what happens to his brain? I had also hoped to study the brains of hags, and perhaps vampires.” She paused, and uncapped her ballpoint pen. “I don’t know if you have access to them. But that is why I came to you, because out of everyone in your department, save the Head, I assumed that you would know things that others do not, and perhaps be able to provide some for the Ministry of Magic. My Head suggested that I go through you.” “I have already been researching,” she said, her eyes getting a bit rounder in her excitement. “I found some excellent diagrams, but they were over a hundred years old, and seemed completely biased, and so I really want to know if hags brains do shrink, and see if I can begin to understand the way the synap--” she broke off, and laughed nervously. “I’m sorry, I’m getting a bit over excited about the project.” Edward noticed the way her expression went a bit off and wondered at it a bit. What had caused that particular expression, he couldn’t help but wonder. “That’s quite wise. It seems you’ve fit in quite well with wizarding society, Miss Vance. My most sincere compliments.” He looked up to make sure she wasn’t about to walk into anything while she opened her notebook. She had some sort of quill in her hand and he stared a moment before he brought his attention back to her words. “Brains? Well, that’s hardly what I expected a lovely young woman such as yourself to say, but I can see where it would be fascinating,” he said, pretending to think about it a moment. “I will inquire around the office when we return. I haven’t heard of any captures recently - I trust you’d want a brain that was rather fresh? I know we’ve destroyed a hippogryff and a manticore this week - it has rather busy for us, I must admit - and we’ve done an exorcism on a particularly troublesome ghost, which I doubt will do you any good. I will ask about, though, gladly.” Her reason to go to him was quite plausible, and he didn’t think she was dissembling when she looked quite excited about the possibilities the brains held. He allowed himself to relax minutely. The possibility of seducing her had not yet been dismissed, though it was a bit disappointing to realize that she wanted him for brains, and not even his own. “And you have no need to apologize. It’s refreshing that you find your job so stimulating when so many in the Ministry do not.” “Oh, thank you,” she said, a bit surprised at his compliment. And she did smile, although her eyes were tilted down when he expressed his surprise that she would be interested in brains. “You’re very kind,” she said, “But I have always enjoyed understanding the way things work. And it’s incredible, really, when you see all of the connections and begin to understand the ways people can learn and--” she paused. “Sometimes it is very difficult to be an Unspeakable,” she said. “Especially when one is very interested in the subjects that they are working on. Usually it is easier for me because I simply do not speak of work. However, I find myself at in an awkward place with you, Mr. Avery,” she confessed. “Because I do not know when I ought to stop, and when I should continue. Do forgive me if I start and stop abruptly. It isn’t you, it’s me.” They were now at the door of the restaurant, and Emmeline stood back a little, hoping that Mr. Avery would open the door for her. She was finding that she enjoyed this conversation, and was wondering how she would be able to broach subjects and determine his loyalties. It would be difficult, especially considering that he might be making such a good impression on here for the sake of the Ministry. But she had a few questions starting to build up in her mind. Almost despite himself, Edward found that he was rather charmed by her naivete and excitement. It wasn’t something he saw often. “I imagine it must be difficult. If it helps any, I will swear myself to secrecy, only speaking of your request to my Head and yours - and possibly the Minister, if I’m asked. Regardless, I won’t hold your stopping and starting against you, and if it makes you feel better, we can set up a ward around our table so that others will not overhear.” Seeing that they were at the restaurant, Edward smoothly moved forward, pulling open the door for her and gesturing for her to precede him inside. He could see the maitre’d waiting and gave him a nod. “After you, my dear Miss Vance,” he said, smiling. “Thank you,” she said. “That would be very nice, in case I let something slip. I have always liked to be a truthful person, and I have had to learn that evading is not lying, it’s just something different.” She walked in the restaurant, moving to slip past him through the door, but her hips accidentally bumping into him as went past him. “Oh, excuse me,” she said, looking a little flustered. She looked forward, blinking, and feeling a little awkward as she moved to ward the booth. “I would be very indebted to you,” she said, some color still in her cheeks. “If you could put a ward up for us.” Edward smirked faintly at her back, noting the jostling of her hips against him as she walked in. An invitation or an accident? It remained to be seen, but this was turning out to be rather entertaining. “It’s quite alright, Miss Vance.” He nodded to the maitre’d, who knew better than to put them out in the middle of the restaurant, choosing, instead, a more secluded booth. “And I’d be happy to do so. In fact, I chose La Licorne because I often have meetings here and their booths are conducive to warding.” It didn’t take too long for her to sit, him following, and once Jacques had left them with the menus and a promise that Francois would be over presently, Edward took out his wand and cast a ward that, while simple, would be more than sufficient for their needs. “There, though we will have to take care about raising our voices too much, but I don’t think that will be a problem.” Emmeline still felt a little flustered, especially since he had just called her my dear Miss Vance. She set her notebook and pen on the table and took the menu. “Thank you very much,” she said. She let her eyes glance over the menu, her expression going a bit other-wordly for a moment as she considered all her choices. She was quiet while she looked, but then mentally made her decision and set the menu on the table. She tried to continue the conversation, moving on from her embarrassment and hoping that would help her forget it. “I don’t believe either of us are going to raise our voices,” she said. “After all, we have been able to converse even on topics where we find ourselves at odds in a perfectly reasonable manner.” She jotted down the notes about the likelihood of his ability to procure the brains. “And I find I am curious,” she said. “As to what you think should be done with Muggleborns. As someone who has not found it exactly simple to be a part of this world, I have heard many things people suggest ought to be done with people like me. I know you think that we should not be allowed to represent figures of the past, at least, in the case of Mr. Robinson. But I wonder if you might think that someone like myself should not be in my Department.” She twirled her pen in her hand. “There are people who have said so.” Edward had already decided on what he was going to eat, but he watched her carefully over the top of his menu. She seemed a bit daft when she looked like that, but that wasn’t the impression he got from her impassioned defense of Muggleborns, nor her employment in the Department of Mysteries. Perhaps it was an act? The thought didn’t set well with him, but he couldn’t dismiss it out of hand. It was possible she was just intent on lunch, he supposed. Her question - hardly what he was expecting - made him set aside the menu and look at her openly. “I believe that Muggleborns should make - and be helped to make - a transition to life in the wizarding world. It’s clear from your example, that many have a lot to contribute to the wizarding world, but there are still many who feel that they are more Muggle than wizard and act as such.” He shrugged and sighed a bit at that. He wasn’t entirely without feelings for Muggleborns, after all. If they integrated into society and didn’t make so many references and cling to their Muggle past, then he had little problem with them. “You seem like an eminently competent witch who has the proper respect for wizarding tradition, so I don’t see why you shouldn’t be in the Department. They’re quite lucky to have you, I think.” “I appreciate your kind words about me fitting into this world,” she said. “And I understand what you are saying. I feel that the problem generally stems from a lack of understanding, though. You seem so sure that I am able to contribute and integrate, and that I have a respect for wizarding tradition. But how do you even know that I do? I mean that you are so welcoming towards me, and yet you refused to give Mr. Robinson even a chance regarding his play.” She made sure that her body language was still soft and open. Indeed, Emmeline wasn’t feeling distressed or nervous over this lunchtime debate. It felt natural to her, like many of the ones she had had in the cafeteria. They paused their discussion then as Francois came to take their order, handing over their menus when they were through. Edward reached for his water glass and took a sip as he considered Emmeline’s words. “That’s true, I do not know about you, but I do believe in giving the benefit of the doubt. However, Mr. Robinson stated in the Prophet that he was going to return to the Muggle world when he was finished with his schooling, presumably because he was dissatisfied with the wizarding world. I find that rather insulting, considering the way that we embraced him when he came into it as an eleven year old. We provided food, shelter, education, and acceptance into one of the most exclusive cultures in the world, and he would turn his back on it.” The ungrateful wretch. “It begs the question of which culture - Muggle or wizarding - is truly his priority, which is where my objections stemmed from.” “I think you are being very hard on him,” said Emmeline. She had forgotten that he had said that, probably because she had understood it so well that she hadn’t given it a second thought. “You are right, we are given many opportunities. But you may not know that when we are introduced to the magical world that we do not really feel as though we have a choice. It is dangerous to be without magical schooling, and that is the only reason why my parents allowed me to come, although I was very interested in being educated at Hogwarts once I knew. But I have to disagree with you, Mr. Avery. I can understand Mr. Robinson’s reasoning for wanting to return to the Muggle world. I do not think that acceptance is something so freely given by the wizarding world as much as the food, shelter, and education at Hogwarts. Perhaps he had difficulty finding a suitable job because some did not want to hire Muggleborns. I have been very fortunate that the Head of my department appreciates my hard work. If for some reason I were to now be let go, I think I would find it extremely difficult to support myself, considering how people do not seem interested in hiring Muggleborns. “Indeed,” she said, “I may very soon even find myself without rights as a citizen of this world. I don’t think you can understand how difficult it is for all of us, who are waiting to hear whether or not that legislation has passed. It could very well ruin some of our lives.” She looked down at her notebook, the nerves she felt whenever she mentioned the legislation coming back. Edward, who was fairly certain there were too many half-bloods and Muggle lovers on the Wizengamot to pass the legislation, shook his head. It was a pity, he supposed, but he thought the Muggleborns would be more tractable with the appearance that they had the same rights as others. When one took something away from them, they were likely to either flee - which wouldn’t bother him much - or gather forces and protest, which could be problematic if their numbers were enough. The Order of the Phoenix was already there, so how much new support would they receive in such an event. Regardless, it would be easier - at least until the Dark Lord was able to have the Ministry in his fist - for the Muggleborns to at least think they had the same rights. “You’re correct, I do not know what it’s like to be a Muggleborn,” he said, silently add Thank God. “However, I truly don’t think the legislation has much chance of being passed. Regardless, there are, I’m sure, those who give preference to Muggleborns to counteract the Muggleborns Need Not Apply signs. And, I believe, when he was looking for a position, there were not many - if any - of those signs about. It was some time ago and they are rather new.” “Perhaps not,” she said. “But it still is in the Wizengamot, and it has not been overturned. And I think that the sentiments against Muggleborns are only growing. And certainly Mr. Robinson was struggling years ago, not right now -- at least, in a different sort of way. But it is not as though the sentiments against my kind are new.” She paused for a moment and looked up at him. “You are being very kind to me, despite knowing that I am a Muggleborn. I am sure you have a great deal of compassion.” Edward knew what she’d think if she knew about his participation in various things over the year, but he managed to smile, nonetheless. “Frankly, Miss Vance, you’re something of an oddity - though a good one, if I may say so. Few Muggleborns will discuss the matter calmly, without attacking the traditions of the wizarding world. It’s off-putting, which I believe hurts your cause.” It helped that she was quite beautiful, but he knew women didn’t appreciate that in situations such as this. He’d tried before and the outcome hadn’t been what he had hoped for. “Perhaps if more Muggleborns were like you, there would be less of a problem now.” Emmeline had been called an oddity many times before. She didn’t know if she was pleased or not that he was calling her one. She could tell he meant it as a compliment, but it still bothered her to be told that she didn’t quite fit in among Muggleborns, as well. Although she understood he was trying to say that she fit in among wizarding kind. So she gave him a weak smile. “Most Muggleborns I know are willing to discuss,” she said. “Although some of them do not simply because they do not want to reveal themselves for what they are, for fear of being treated wrongly. I know there are some that are very combative, but you are a hunter, Mr. Avery, and you know animals. I do not wish to call Muggleborns animals, and other wizards humans,” she said, her voice not as soft at that sentence, “But if another animal were to be chased down by a pack, and were to corner it in a wall, you know how it would respond.” The fact that she likened Muggleborns to animals - even if she denied it - made Edward a bit pleased. It seemed she knew her kind quite well. “Indeed, I can predict the response, but perhaps if more were willing to fully integrate with wizarding society, those who are so anti-Muggleborn would not be as fervent.” He had a feeling this would also be a topic on which they disagreed, but it was interesting, nonetheless, and it gave him insight into the Muggleborn mindset. Well, what there was of it, beyond mindless terror. Emmeline nodded as though in agreement with him, although she wasn’t. “Yes,” she said. “I think it would be better for everyone if we could all be more willing to get along and understand how others must feel.” Emmeline could see her notebook out of the corner of her eye. As the question formed in her mind, she wished she could use it to record the answer to whatever question he had. But she would have to simply study his face, his expressions, and any small nuances he gave. “And what do you think of the Death Eaters?” she asked. Edward was a bit surprised at the question - not many were willing to speak openly about them - and let his surprise show a bit. “I shouldn’t be surprised by your question, I suppose, but I am. There are not many willing to speak of them out in the open like this, not even behind a privacy charm,” he said, pausing as their meals were delivered. He picked up the thread of the conversation as he cut into his steak. “I do not condone violence, and they seem to be a very violent group,” he said, affecting a sniff of distaste. He paused to take a bite, making sure to finish his mouthful before he went on. It gave him a moment or two to plan his next words, which was useful since he was lying through his teeth. “I feel that they could better gain support for their cause without the violence, honestly.” “Sometimes I can be very blunt,” Emmeline admitted, trying to look a bit abashed and surprised at herself. “Things come into my head and I just speak them. I apologize if you find the subject distasteful. I think that not talking about them would make them even more fearful to me. From what I know, they would like to hunt me just as they hunt werewolves. Which is why I try to keep the wards strong on my apartment, even when it is not the full moon. “They do seem very violent,” she said. She paused to have a few bites of her pasta. “Do you think their cause has merit?” Miss Vance just became more and more interesting, Edward noted. This was hardly a topic he’d expect of a Muggleborn, much less one trying to seduce an older pureblood. Then again, perhaps she was trying to determine if he’d shag her. Regardless, he’d have to be quite careful with his answer. She was obviously curious about his thoughts and possibly his loyalties, the question was - as it had been all day - why? “I can’t say I know any more than you do about their beliefs. I read the news, of course, and know what has been published at the Prophet and in Warlock at War, but beyond that, I am as much in the dark as you are,” he said, taking a bite of tomato. “As for their cause, they seem to see a threat to wizarding society through the actions of Muggleborns. I do not agree with their methods in the least, but I have seen distinct changes in tradition and culture recently with so many Muggle influences and I am not particularly enamoured with those changes. Will they be able to stop these influences with their actions? I really can’t say.” He looked at her then, plunging on out of curiosity. “And I’ll turn the tables on you, Miss Vance. What do you think of their opposite number? This Order of the Phoenix?” Emmeline nodded seriously. “Yes,” she said. “That’s mostly what I know about them. I also read Warlock at War, because I find it interesting to know about differing views. I find it to be a very educational periodical.” Her face betrayed no surprise or concern when he asked her about the Order of the Phoenix. She had been expecting the question would come. “I think it would be best if the Ministry were handling everything,” she said. “I find it irresponsible for them to take so many matters in their own hands. Vigilantes do not have the right training to be attempting to fight against Dark Wizards, whether they be Death Eaters or anyone else. I can’t say that I think the Ministry is always doing everything it can, or managing itself the best it is able, but I know that there is much that I don’t understand about how they operate things. I really just wish everything could stop, and there wouldn’t be so much hate.” She found it difficult to believe that Mr. Avery was just in the dark as she ought to be. She wouldn’t say so, not to him, but if he was such good friends with Mr. Nott, who was their biggest suspect, she could only assume that his friend would know more. Especially one who did not seem overly fond toward Muggleborns, although he was being very friendly with her. Emmeline thought about that for a moment, pursing her lips, looking lost in thought. Sirius had said that most men would never have a problem speaking to a young girl, and she remembered Benjy’s awkwardness at hearing that. She wondered if perhaps Mr. Avery found her attractive. And if he did, what she ought to do with that information. “Do you need more wine?” she said politely, lifting her hand to bring the waiter to them. Edward returned her nod with one of his own. "It is quite educational, I agree, though I'm sure you could guess I support it from my own additions to the magazine," he said, not mentioning the fact that he knew Albion. “I feel the ability to speak one’s mind is one of the best traits of our society.” Her opinions on the Ministry handling things were not unexpected. "I, too, wish that the vigilantes would let things alone. From all accounts, they did seem to get in the way of the Aurors doing their job in that awful fight in Diagon Alley. There hasn’t been much said about them since, though, so perhaps they've learned their lesson once they were declared outlaws." That wasn't likely, but Edward said it anyway. They were a stubborn lot, though it’d be easiest if they were caught by the MLE. That, too, was unlikely. "I daresay they must dislike being lumped together with those Death Eaters, both being labeled a threat." Shaking his head, he sighed. "It's truly awful what the world has come to with open fighting in the streets, and with the Aurors unable to capture a member of either group. It certainly is worrisome." At her question of more wine, he shook his head. "No, thank you, but I do have to go back to work and my secretary will be most put out if she can't read my handwriting. It's a bit like chicken scratch to begin with, I'm afraid. Feel free to have another glass yourself, though." “I hope they have,” said Emmeline. “I find them to be mostly disconcerting. And unfortunately, because they say they are doing this for Muggleborns and the like, people sometimes assume that just because I am willing to admit my blood, or go to a sit in or speak up against injustices, that I must also be a vigilante.” She laughed softly. “It was a little amusing at first, but it has become more tiresome as years have gone on. I really can’t imagine anyone making a worse vigilante than I.” She said it like she meant it, and to a degree she did. She was not the Order’s strongest member. She could organize things and try to keep people up to date, she could be helpful in a meticulous sort of way. But in the end she was one of the last people they would want to call on for dueling dark wizards. And sometimes because of that she felt as though she was not such a good help. “Have you ever considered a dictaquill?” Emmeline asked, taking another sip of her wine. “Although I suppose if you had too much wine it wouldn’t be that much help to you,” she gave him a pleasant smile, feeling a little more relaxed and at ease now that she had been able to ask the important questions. His face and expression were tucked away in her memory, and she could now focus solely on being a pleasant companion for lunch. “I understand that, my dear, as I have been given the eye when I have spoken up about my beliefs. Simply because I have them doesn’t mean I am one of those violent Death Eaters. While I enjoy hunting, the idea of harming another wizard is one that is not appealing to me in the least.” And that came out like he truly meant it, as well. “There would be no point - I prefer to fight my battles by discussion, rather than by wand-point.” His lip curled a moment. “I find dictaquills can be inaccurate at the most inopportune times,” he said, shaking his head. She seemed more relaxed now - it seemed he had given her the proper answers. He’d have to think on which had been the answer to calm her. Giving her a smile, he went for another bite of steak. “I do hope you’re leaving room for dessert. They make a divine creme brulee.” |