Triumvirate

The first time in this place, I was invisible, hiding under a table.

*smiles to yet another well wisher, shaking his head* Almost wish I could get away with that again. Still, I suppose with everything leading up to where we stand now, a little bit of spotlight isn't going to kill me. Then I can go back to being good and bloody obscure again. Perhaps do a little bit of Dynomite fishing.

*grins, sipping his pint*

Long Lost Auror Found

In an amazing turn of events, our intrepid reporter has learned more of the defeat of You-Know-Who and his Death Eaters. According to well placed sources within the Ministry, Rodolphus Lestrange, Death Eater and right hand to You-Know-Who, was defeated by none other than hero of the first war and former Auror Caradoc Dearborn. Mr. Dearborn disappeared 20 years ago...

-Continued on page 3

*Apparates to a nearby alley, his deep blue cloak covering his face*

Fear has held me far too long. *strides to the main thoroughfare* Yet now, I play victim to these violent tremors in my mid-section.

*smiles and grips the bouquet of flowers tightly*

I have missed the butterflies that come with being near her.

*looks down at the mendhi on her hands*

They said this was the only way for me to save him. They asked if we loved each other, if we wanted to spend our lives together. I said yes. They said that my planet Jupiter would provide me courage to face life's sufferings ahead. I am a Gryffindor, I am not afraid.

So why do I feel like I'm making the biggest mistake of my life? *watches as her 'stand-in' parents pray for successful completion of the ceremony, and then leave her to go to Draco* *surrounded by relatives and cousins of the Patil twins, she's carried to the mandap*

Having gained certain contacts over the past year is finally beginning to reap some rewards. How disappointed you would be, Voldemort. Some of your followers have gotten positively loose-lipped now that you aren't around to protect them.

*rubs his elbow, checking to make sure the bleeding has stopped before he heals the cut, not wanting Snape to see it*

I hope Kingsley and Tonks are able to keep this one quiet and out of the papers like I asked...

( I solemnly swear... )

*walking along a wooded trail*

It won't be that much longer now. *glances over to Mandy and smiles* I wonder if she's as scared as I am? At least the house is dealt with. Thank goodness for having a large, extended family to call on. *furrows his brow* Now, to finalize a place over there. With all the papers I've been signing, we must have one in there someplace.

*pulls a leaf and twig off a low hanging branch*
*makes the leaf spin around by rolling the twig between his fingers*

Is it foolish that, even though I could feasibly come back anytime, I'm already missing this place? I mean there were times growing up when I wanted to be on the other side of the world from here, but now that so much has happened...or not happened here...

*tilts his head* Do we have an really big boxes? *grins*

*gazes out of a hotel window, an untouched glass of wine in hand*

( An end to what I thought I wanted; a beginning to something else )

*rushes to the greenhouses*

( private thoughts )

*stops, looking around* What are you doing?

No, I am not staying to do "just one more!" It's past Midnight! Humans need to sleep!

*glares as the goblin gibbers at him and points to a pile of artefacts then crosses his arms, glaring right back*

*looks mock-surprised* Oh, you'll fire me, huh? *shrugs, summons an empty box and starts putting personal items in it* How about I quit first?

*sees the goblin turn pale and wave his arms in the air, begging him to stay* That's what I thought. They don't have anyone better for this kind of work. and they've made me stay late all week! I know these artefacts are for an important patron, but enough is enough!

That's better. And don't expect to see me again until Monday afternoon. *walks to door, ignores his boss's weak demands that he be in on time* I've worked overtime all week. I'll see you Monday afternoon!

I'd be useless Monday morning anyway, if Sirius' party is as big as I think it's going to be. *leaves building, Apparates*

*walks through the room, flicks wand to bring chairs up to rest on the tables and straighten them into more orderly positions* It's always busy on Fridays but that was the biggest lunch crowd we've had in months. The weather is beautiful and everyone's in a good mood, wants to be out having a good time.

It's going to be crazy in here on Sunday. *sends a charm around the room to gather discarded serviettes and general debris from the floor, banishes resulting pile into the bin* It shouldn't be anything less. We need to get together and celebrate what Harry did, officially.

We still have to keep the Order under wraps, but there's no reason we can't secretly be behind a good party. *wanders over to the bar, gathers some glasses from the top and takes them to the sink behind the counter* I'm looking forward to it. Everyone keeps saying that we can finally get on with our lives.

*leans both hands on the bar and looks down at the inventory sheet left on the counter, tamping down the slightly guilty, restless feeling he can't seem to shake* I need a kick-start, or something.

*hears the door open, doesn't look up* Sorry, we're not open yet.