Gregor Ramsley's was, all things considered, an ideal location to meet for lunch. Especially today, as Aisling had managed to obtain a small table with both a lovely view of the ocean from an enchanted window, and a view of the entrance. As was usual for such outings, she had dressed carefully[1], choosing a tasteful dark blue dress accented by silver jewelry. And she'd arrived just a touch too early. In response, she allowed herself to hope that Knox Greyfriar would not exacerbate that event through arriving a touch late.

Not that the restaurant was an unpleasant place to wait. The chairs were comfortable, the decorations tasteful and immaculate. Both the food and wine were pleasant as well, if unambitious at times. In other terms, a quite safe place to meet another for lunch.

For now, she was sipping at a glass of water that they had managed to chill to just the right temperature. The extra time allowed for a bit of space to contemplate the situation, at least. And it was complex enough, particularly given the arrests a few months back.

1.

Outfit

Knox was more nervous that he wanted to be, having been invited to luncheon by who else but Madam Aisling Knight.  Madam Knight for all the stars in the sky - the witch married to the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, Tarron Knight.  She was a very competent witch, influential, and, thankfully known for being gracious.  She'd been more helpful than he would have expected last year as he'd transitioned into his new post on the Wizengamot.

Still, he wanted to impress.  In most circles, Knox was the senior.  But at this luncheon he felt like a lad in the Deputy Headmaster's office again. 

Ramsley's, though.  That was nice.  A restaurant run by a tempestuous genius, something new all the time, classic and innovative at the same time.  He dressed for the occasion in rich brown robes and a rust-colored vest.  He'd combed down his sideburns and the whiskers along his jaw - all streaked with grey this last year.  Apparated to the neighborhood at the precise hour and quickly he was guided to their table where Madam Knight was already there.

He smiled.  "Madam Knight, no, please,  don't get up.  It's good to see you again." 

As he sat down, a carafe merrily levitated and poured him some water, tinkling with ice.  He had to admit, he wasn't exactly sure what to discuss with Madam Knight.  He'd only personally spoken with Tarron Knight a few times briefly, although they'd sat in the same courtroom many times now.  Madam Knight surely occupied herself with more than her husband's business, but their shared context was the Wizengamot, so perhaps it was her intent.

"I have to admit, I was surprised to get your invitation," he said.  "I'm not the most senior Elder nor the most popular at the moment."  Knox's standing in the Wizengamot had become precarious and controversial straight away when only a few months after his appointment, he'd gone and been mauled by a werewolf.  His left arm still bore the deep red scars what would never quite heal.

Aisling had, upon seeing him,  already started to her feet. But at Knox's words she settled gracefully back into her seat with a smile. This was a luncheon she had been looking forward to, mostly because of the company and potential conversation. Though of course the fact that it was occurring outside the Ministry added an additional appeal. "Please, do call me Aisling. And it is my pleasure."

A pair of  crisp black and white menus followed the water over to the table, then flitted into place. Aisling glanced at it for a moment before looking back up. "I must apologize for the invitation being unclear. It was my hope to arrange it so as to commemorate your being with the Wizengamot for a year. And then I found my time occupied by matters of Accidents and Catastrophes." It felt all too often that she possessed two careers, each of which could consume every spare fragment of her time given the chance. An old vein of exhaustion, hidden behind many more pleasant truths.

The window rippled, shifting to a view of a small pond surrounded by little white flowers.

Knox laid a hand to his forehead and a grin broke out across his face.  "A year!" he said, perhaps a little too loudly for the venue.  Then, with his voice lowered again he leaned forward slightly to say, "I can't believe so much time has passed.  Yes, indeed, it is a moment to mark.  To mark indeed with..."

He took out his reading glasses and slipped them on his nose.  He skimmed the menu...

"With a whole artichoke braised in garlic and butter...!"  Knox was, and strange enough to many people, a long-time vegetarian.  Being a werewolf didn't make it any easier what with yearnings to maw down a whole rabbit striking him at odd times.  But the savory, sour vegetable drenched in butter and garlic? Nothing sounded better as a way to begin a lunchtime out.

"And tea please.  Green if you have it, shame on you if you don't," he told the wonderfully stealthy waitstaff waiting nearby.

"Accidents and Catastrophes, indeed," he remarked hoping to bring the conversation back round.  "I imagine you've had your hands full with... Merlin, it's been a busy autumn, hasn't it?  The murder at the Tower, at Westminster, and well, Halloween would always be mad, wouldn't it."  He didn't envy Madam Knight - Aisling's - department.  Cleaning up not only after criminals but Level Two and Level Four.  Transportation and Mysteries occasionally, certainly.

"I'll have the house salad, and my usual tea." Aisling could hear the scratching of a quill against paper as the order was  taken down. The house salad, though it could be more accurately referred to as the whatever strange combination of ingredients which were in favor and in season salad, somehow still managed to be consistently delicious.

Knox seemed uninclined to discuss the Wizengamot too much for the moment, understandably. And Aisling's work, well, there was enough amusement in some of it to make it useful "Far too many other incidents as well. I've been working with the new Muggle Affairs Office as well. A bit of an adjustment, but they've been pleasant enough. Facing down wild stuffed animals together and so forth."  She allowed herself a self-deprecating smile. "And here I had thought that I might possess some spare time once my daughters were off to school. Rather silly of me."

Her eyes followed the menus as they slid to the side, awaiting when they might be needed for another course. "Though perhaps it is best that way. Prevents me from spending too much time on theories."  Her writings on Divination, analysis, and probabilities currently involved a few scribbled sheets stuffed into a half-crushed box somewhere at home. Though the box might have become completely crushed, given how long it had been in there.

"Oh, how old are your daughters?"  Knox asked, genuinely interested.  He knew of other Knights - Callum and Blake - but they weren't Aisling and Tarron's.  Another branch of the Knight family, no doubt.  If she had daughters they'd have to be recent additions to Hogwarts, as Knox was only entering his second year away from the magic school. 

He sat back in his chair and folded his hands on the white tablecloth, happy to have a relaxing lunch out.  Aisling Knight had the sort of glow that put people at ease, it seemed, and even though she was a woman to be much respected at the Ministry he no longer felt tense. 

"An empty nest, I'm told, is as much of a handful as a full one at first," he said, although he knew very little of it himself.  His marriage had not borne children before it ended, although in the last two years he'd found he had a son with a woman from ages ago.  It was a story out of a Wizarding Wireless drama, but Knox's small home was now accommodating his nearly grown son and his son's half-sister. 

"They just turned twelve two months ago. The prospect of their first year at Hogwarts had them so very excited over the summer." The topic of her daughters brought, as usual, a bit of a proud smile to her face. "I don't think the house had ever been so loud before."

She took a sip of her water. "It is an adjustment. Rowena writes every few weeks when she finds something interesting. Sophia is a bit more reliable. They both write more than can be expected. Which is to say, not nearly enough for my tastes." The window drew her attention for a moment before she turned back with a smile. "At least I remembered to renew the heating charms on the garden this year.  Still have a few roses."

The conversation appeared to be letting Aisling relax somewhat more. Admittedly, Knox was good company for such. That he seemed to have no indignation towards her continued existence was rather pleasant, especially given his various positions. "I will admit that I would enjoy some tales of Hogwarts, given the situation. My experiences there have become rather distant over the years." Her tone shifted a bit lighter, curious but not pressing.

"It's been hard to let go," admitted the former Headmaster.  Hogwarts had been his life nearly twelve years, and he'd left all very suddenly and not under pleasant circumstances.  It had been grating to see Analiza Snark of all people take his place.  A difficult adjustment indeed.  Hogwarts had been his sole purpose for so long.  He might have wanted to stay involved, but with Snark at the helm there hadn't been space for even interested observation.  Cold turkey, as they say. 

"But the Wizengamot has kept me busy," he said with a forced smile and change of posture.  "Although sometimes I don't know what I am better at - mediating between children or adults.  The trials of Hogwarts do seem small in comparison, very simple with the stakes being nothing more than a bad mark or a shed tear.  But the Wizengamot..." he chuckled, "I'm stepping into very big shoes here.  You think you must be ready when the gears turn and you find yourself invited, but..."

He shook his head thoughtfully, "I'm in it for life, I imagine.  That's how long it'll take to feel like I've seen what there is to see.  Is that typical, do you think? Or am I an old bear over thinking it?"

His artichoke came then, gleaming and green.  With a small two-pronged fork, Knox easily peeled off a thick triangular leaf.  Cooked to perfection.

"I think it is somewhat common," Aisling paused as her salad arrived. This time it was a mixture of contrasting greens topped with small berries, nuts, and a pale blue vinaigrette that smelled slightly of citrus. "Particularly given that you have not spent years dealing with the minutia of law."

She allowed herself a few moments to sample the salad before continuing. Gently speaking about the Wizengamot without saying too much was something she'd become rather practiced in. "And even then I've gotten the impression that there are always new cases with unforeseen twists coming up." Muggles with camera phones could complicate cleaning up incidents in particularly complex ways.

"Your over thinking matters, as you call it, should serve you in good stead in the Wizengamot. I will admit to finding it rather reassuring." With that and a pleasant smile, she turned back to her salad. There was something reassuring about that as well.

A few moments more and Knox was able to give his lunch order to the server - a vegetable stew with curry and lentils, garnished with glowing Lumos mushrooms grown right here in house.  And naturally it came with a slab of seventeen grain whole wheat bread.  The server was kind and refreshed their hot water, and again left them in peace to finish their first course.

"I hope so," he said.  She was far too kind, but she'd seen them come and she'd seen them go, he supposed.  "How does your husband handle it?" 

Perhaps the question over-reached their relationship, but Knox had never stood so much on polite boundaries. 

"I mean to say, does Tarron ever struggle with the changing times? Question what it is we're doing? The Statute of Secrecy is a great looming thing the more I look at it.  Everything is drawn to it, depends on it."

Aisling ordered ravioli of lobster for herself, which came with a small loaf of a light, crusty bread and was accented by a selection of fresh herbs. Eating at such a location still struck her as odd sometimes, no matter how often it happened, and no matter how capable she'd become at recognizing the various obscure ingredients within the menus.

"For Tarron, well, change has been part of our world since we were both in school. One grows somewhat used to it. However, it is not something he would ever wish to be hasty about." She looked to her wedding band as she spoke.

"And I think the Statute looms, as you say, particularly large over this month. To spend time with my family over the holidays always leaves it hanging over every conversation, reminding of just how unaware most of them remain." She paused to finish a bit more of her salad before the next course arrived, then continued. "Though I suppose it also displays how little I may understand of their lives as well."

"I know what you mean," Knox said as Aisling described the not-so-unusual situation of halfblood families reunioning with their muggle branches. 

"Had a mixed family myself.  A whole passel of muggle cousins in Birmingham.  As children they considered us a strange and rural behind on all the television shows and technical muggle gadgets they all had.  We quite resented not being able to lord our own inside knowledge over them.   As adults it's much easier for them to go their way and we to have gone ours.  We exchange cards over the holidays."

"You know," he said, thinking of something, "Did you see the article by Petrichor Tooly in the Lion's Head from a few months ago?"  He was referring to a well-regarded journal which published articles pertaining to Wizarding society and related issues.  "She was speaking about the Statute in terms of its benefit to muggle society.  I think the basics of what she was talking about would be familiar to all of us - that muggles wouldn't know what to do with magic if they had it -," a common belief held by many witches and wizards, and in-partial Knox himself, "but she had some interesting points to make about the real nuance of that idea.  That muggle society wouldn't just not integrate with the presence of magic, but that attempts to do so could cause massive rifts in structures and systems world-wide.  That at this point our two cultures have diverged so drastically that they've become irreconcilable."

He paused, very curious indeed what Aisling thought of such things.  He assumed she must be even better informed than he, considering her milieu, and that she'd have some interesting insight.

"Ah yes, the cards. I tend to do most of my writing during the rest of the year. The idea of adding such on to everything now becomes rather intimidating." The bowl of salad was empty, and so she set her fork down and took a sip of water to cleanse the taste in preparation for the next course.

"We still visit my family over the holidays, though. They're all muggles, but they're so pleased to see us. Especially my parents." If the rest of the Wizengamot hadn't yet told him of that particular fact, well, it was one of the sorts of things that always found a way to come up. And, to her surprise, it didn't always appear in a negative fashion.

And that article. Questions that could be much more volatile than they first appeared. If Tarron hadn't been...well, there were far worse things than having to be diplomatic with her words. "I read it, yes. Most interesting." A quiet pause to compose her thoughts. "And there's some truth to it, certainly. Magic and many muggle technologies do not coexist well. It disrupts their phones, their refrigerators, their lights, their hospital equipment. Not all of it, but so very much." Another pause, a tiny one for breath. "As fascinating as thoughts about it may be, it seems rather too volatile to attempt."

Knox tried to imagine Aisling and Tarron Knight gathered round the table at the in-laws for holiday, dressed down and donning muggle traditions; it was certainly humanized the political power couple.  Knox too had timed the end of his appetizer and their plates floated away on their own, back to the kitchen for a scrub.

He sat back, but had to raise a hand.  "Oh you misapprehend me, Madam.  I'm no radical calling for a reunion! Far from it.  I found the article had much more to say not about absolutes of muggle/magic reunion or our current separation, but rather some interesting ideas about why we do what we do and how it could inform policy.  Not to alter policy, but to truss it up and ensure it's serving our purposes. The why of our separation is nearly as important as if we are separated at all."

Knox couldn't tell, but he wondered if he'd introduced too much shoptalk to their casual luncheon conversation.

"I'm sorry - have I said something?"

Aisling offered a disarming smile, though it was slightly distracted as their next course flew over towards the table. "Oh, no. It's just not quite the angle I'd expected, though certainly an important one." The plates settled down with hardly a clank.

The main course was, on top of being as delicious as expected, the perfect pause for the conversation. She sampled a few of the ravioli, and dipped the light bread in a bit of excess sauce before continuing. "Even with how difficult the why of such situations can be to determine." 'Why' was a question she had, among others, answered quite often over the last few years. Such were the perils of young children.

"They've such impressive means of communication, for one. Instantaneous, potentially invasive, and such a complication for my work." She shook her head. "Perhaps it's because they lack apparation and floo networks. Conducting matters at a distance rather than in person." She then tipped her head thoughtfully, considering the topic further.