"Yes, well. Forgive me if I don't have too much pity for the gnome community. Right buggers at times," Kevin muttered. For all his exhortations that Hagrid should have known about these talking ferrets, Kevin found he was still more comfortable around "traditional" animals. Given a choice between a German shepherd and a grindylow...no contest.
He sipped some more of his coffee, which was threatening to reach a clammy temperature. Such was the problem with the single ice cube strategy: you've got to drink it quick or it'll be too effective.
"Not bad, not bad at all," he said of Oriel's career path. "Must be nice to have some free reign in your writing. I didn't have that at the MEN or at the Prophet," he added, with only a trace of bitterness. What Kevin wouldn't give to offer opinion on his coverage...