It had been a good month since that biting snuffbox, the Muggle auction house and the mess. He'd visited Morgana's shop a couple of times since, briefly, as she had received customers during his moment.

The last visit, a little before valentines day, he had been about to ask her, when two gentlemen from Gringotts had stepped in and asked if she was interested in bidding for items from a house clearance.

He'd stepped aside politely, profit of course, was important as the shop was Morgana's livelihood. Instead he had withdrawn one of his formal cards from his jacket, which was embellished with the Ministry department's branding and the details of his office for those he met in a professional capacity.

Upon the reverse, he had neatly inked with one of her quills from the counter, dinner? and a time and location.

Although the event on Valentines day had been of little success other than cramping the style of his newly recruited Muggle advisor, Jacoba, he had been glad, what with receiving Morgana's reply to the invitation.

The table in Gregor Ramsleys was not too close to the door, and overlooked a peacefully flowing lake with treetops that ripped in the wind above it, onwards to distant mountains. The restaurant was in London, but was decorated with enchanted windows that enveloped both art and realism in their beauty.

They would not be easily overheard, but there was enough hustle in the background noise to make conversation flow without feeling too bold over silence.

"I'm glad the offer was to your satisfaction," Edwin explained once the staff had settled them at the table, laid their napkins, and chilled water had appeared by itself with the menus and wine list.

"I couldn't help but feel, as I explained I think when I visited, that the auction house hadn't quite gone to plan. But, it's a little difficult to tell when you've only met someone in a single setting, as to what they like to do beyond it."

His eyes had admired her attire and he'd complimented her with gentle words that perhaps had edged upon the flair of Darian Morgan and his flamboyancy in his wish to please her.

He smiled again across the table, lost for a moment in marvelling at her.
"Have you been here before?"

The chink and clink of cutlery against ceramic punctuated Edwin's words, but she heard him just fine. She was subtly admiring the interior decor as he spoke. Such a classy place! Morgana had no love for secret clubs of the night, not when she could feel bold as brass doing her activities in the day and not shy away from people just in case they were Ministry officials in disguise shadowing her.

Though in this case, not the one in front of her. Morgana had missed her regular customer more than she would admit, and if anything she would gladly give up her life of being part of the underworld completely if she could find a reason, any reason, to return to normality with someone.

He'd been admiring of her since they had met. She could spot eyes from a mile off - and, on occasion, she'd enjoy, no, relish the attention. It was one of the few times she could believe in the beauty Mordecai had always said she had.

"No, which came as a surprise," she said quietly, her manicured - in preparation for this - hands resting on her lap. "It's a marvellous place. Thank you for inviting me here."

She smiled graciously before adding, "I don't think the auction house was a complete disaster. I've been to so many other auction houses in Europe to the point that I believed the England auctions were a little too...frumpy for my liking. I appreciate the time I had, it certainly debunked the generalisation. I might find time to go a little more frequently. It's not as if a shopkeeper like me is busy all the time."

She traced a finger on one of the menus a little absently. "So, what have you been up to of late? I was wondering when you'd make your usual visit to my shop, and then wondered some more when you didn't turn up. Ministry business keeping you on your toes? Or matters a little more personal?"

"Not at all," Edwin replied graciously at her thanks.

His eyes lit up her explanation of how she found the auction house visit, recalling her reaction as the cabinet had crashed apart to cause enough of a distraction for Edwin to seize a biting snuffbox which was on sale. It had been a new side, humoured perhaps, but a joy to see in the shopkeeper. Not only that, it had been a breath of fresh air to have seen her outside of her shop, to spend time, and daresay link arms with her. Edwin could manage to keep his eyes modest in the presence of Morgana, he would be as content to share coffee with her as to suggest they shared a bed.

She was busy all the time, but not so busy as she couldn't have dinner with one of her customers. Perhaps he'd become more than that - an acquaintance, bordering on friend? His eyes couldn't help but follow her beautifully manicured nails down the side of her menu, had he never appreciated them quite so much before now, or had she made an effort?

"Regrettably a little of both," the wizard began, and proceeded to explain a little of Octavius Pepper and their 'friendship' which had been at best, bristly, since the event. As he explained he took glances at the menu, trying to decide on a meal that would avoid mess, possible bad breath, bloating or strong smells.

"So it shot up into the sky above the village," he described, referring to his vehicle, which was not ordinarily able to lift all four wheels from the tarmac unless he had driven it so terribly it had overturned, "and the idiot hadn't turned it invisible." He shook his head at the situation, which now some time past felt less horrific, and almost comical, however much trouble it had caused him.

His recounting, which he was trying to keep light and without precise details so as not to bore poor Morgana before food had arrived, paused when the bread and oil arrived, and gentle enquiries were made about the menu, and further details of the specials were offered.

Left alone again, he continued with a smile creeping across his features,
"Anyhow, he came back, dear Aisling talked him down somewhat, but before long I had aurors, Improper Use and more in my living room, and we never did get to lunch. I'll be taking the car to Muggles next time it needs fixed, I tell you. Made myself work."

The Daily Prophet, and the wireless had both reported the story, and it had only been a matter of time before it had got out that Edwin owned the car. If anything, it had added to the story Octavius, or Monty as he was calling himself, was telling. The use of his middle name was to associate himself with his American alter-ego created from the time-turner accident, Monty Pepper owned the flying car company across the Atlantic, and it was his financial interest to have Britain permit them.

"I haven't dared drive it since to see if they managed to successfully remove the charms." He added in a low voice. "Oh, forgive me, I've rambled on far too long," the wine was pouring itself into Morgana's glass, "tell me of your world, the strange people you meet in your shop. What have I missed, other than your beautiful visage over the counter?"

Despite being interrupted briefly by the waiter, Edwin's retelling kept Morgana engaged. It sounded exciting to her, a side of the wizarding world that she had not explored since she was usually mostly busy with the thrills of negotiation. Odd how mundane excitement was now fascinating.

When Edwin mentioned Improper Use, however, her eyes flickered for a moment. She had not contacted Mordecai after the day they had met and spoken, on the basis that he would probably not want her turning up on the doorstep. She didn't even know where he lived.

"I did read about the story in the Prophet," she said smoothly, to cover up her brief moment of sadness. "Sounds like you had quite an ordeal. And oh, you hardly ramble, not when I have very little to speak of in my little world as a seller of strange knick-knacks from the other side of the coin."

She took a sip of the wine. It was exquisite, no less of what she had expected. "Very little has taken place in my store - well, very little of note. Christmas is about the only time I actually get many noteworthy customers. That was why I had enough time to wonder about you." She rested her chin on the back of her hand. "You've probably had a more interesting time than I had these past few months, by the sounds of it."

Morgana smiled. "I still have plenty of time these days. Perhaps I may head over to Europe to see what my contacts are. Winter offers a poor customer base; after all, people don't come to my shop to check out the merchandise when it's cold and windy."

Edwin inclined his head ever so slightly at her comment that she had been wondering about him. The comment had potential, and this was most pleasing to him. If women thought about him, it meant that he had made more than a passing impression. Perhaps this would be more than just a dinner date if he remained charming, polite and paid the bill.

"Perhaps," he agreed softly, "I apologise for being out of touch though, and in your thoughts."

He cradled his glass in his round hand and raised it to his lips as she explained. As he sipped, he closed his eyes ever so slightly in enjoyment of the wine and her voice.

"To warmer climes in Europe then?" He asked with genuine interest, replacing the glass on the tablecloth, eyes bright. "Southern Europe, the Mediterranean? Where takes your fancy?"

"Mm, warmer days in Europe. Spain, Italy, Greece...long warm days sunning myself on the beach like I did before." Morgana gently traced a finger around the rim of her wineglass absently; it was a habit she had picked up from her days of wandering about in high-class circles. "Blue waters, classic architecture, hours of immersion in history...I would rather not be caught up in the cold dreariness of a London winter."

She looked at him with a rueful smile on her face. "I'm a bit spoiled by Southern Europe, I will admit. I might drop by France to check on a Muggle collector's offer for an antique piece I've kept away for a while now, and perhaps hop into Romania for a short while on a look at a possible ancient relic that could be related to vampires - or could be a dinossaur fossil, the message I got was a little confusing - but it'll be sun, sand and sea for me for a while. Two weeks, three on the outside. I do have a business to take care of, and wizarding collectors might worry about not being able to keep in touch on my latest findings."

She leaned back in her seat and placed her hands in her lap. "It might sound interesting, especially to one such as you, but in reality it's a lot of talks and negotiations and haggling in a polite manner so as not to offend the other party but not to hurt your wallet either. I'd rather be taking my vacation than doing the talking, but you'd probably know it's always worth the time invested to keep up to date with contacts.

"But why am I telling you all this? You probably know it already." She laughed. "Sorry. People ask me a lot about my business practices, it comes on automatic."

Morgana's description of warmer days and sunbathing beside blue waters captured Edwin's imagination as she described it, and his eyes followed her fingers without realising his own expression was a mixture of jealousy for her opportunities to travel extensively through the year. With a Department to run, these were outside of his opportunities until he resigned or retired.

As her features lifted into a smile as she reflected on matters, his own followed her, and he mirrored her stance across the table.

"No, please, go on," Edwin explained, lifting his fingertips from the table between them to convey he had no issue with it. "I can very much sympathise with mixing business with moments you just want to be at leisure. With all the perks of life, I'm never entirely off duty in practice, though thankfully the years allow me to be off duty in mind when i'm away from the office." Phew, that was a minor crisis averted in insinuating he might be a bit of a workaholic that never switched off.

"You find yourself collecting artefacts from a very wide range of origins then?" He asked, "Never been tempted to specialise, or just not found the right market yet?"

For a moment she saw the jealousy on his face, and wondered if it was all right bringing up the topic of her rampant vacationing. But then again, he smiled when she did, and perhaps it was nothing at all then.

"Oh, I wish I could take a vacation off in mind," she said wistfully. "I have to be physically out on a holiday to rest properly. Many a night I have spent lying in bed awake wondering about how business negotiations would go for the next day, or if the prices I asked for are being rejected by the buyers or...you know, that sort of thing." She shrugged. "I don't know much about Departmental business, admittedly. To me, I think you have a much bigger burden than just money and snagging the best deal."

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a waiter approaching with dishes upon gloved hands, but she focused on what he'd just said. "I specialise in magical artefacts originating from Europe and the Mediterranean, though my knowledge can be extended if need be. With a trip to a library," she added. "Sometimes I may come across a cursed artefact as well - the sooner I find these, the better. Otherwise some poor Muggle collector will get their hands on them and then discover they've probably invited some old and really angry spirit into their living room."

Morgana took another, rather quick, sip of wine from her glass. "If they do pick it up before I do, I'll try negotiation. It doesn't usually work, though, since they can be so attached to these, bless their souls, so I might get a little light-f--"

She caught herself just as the waiter reached their table. "--heavy on the drinking and maybe a few...deceptive tricks." She sat back. "As a mere shopkeeper, I have fewer rules to obey." The coy smile that followed was partially out of teasing him with You'll never know what those tricks are and partially to pretend that she was being coy while telling herself off internally for nearly letting her secrets slip out.

Dinner was served with grace and looked fantastic. Gregor Ramsley's eccentric and rather clever dishes never failed to surprise as Edwin's dish rearranged itself into a face and explained an insightful piece about its origins before returning to something that looked safe enough to eat.

"Tricks? I don't think tricks are always a bad thing." He assured Morgana once they were left alone again. He gestured with both hands to his plate, "Muggles would consider magic to be tricks - because those of them who manage to mimic us are using just that."

Their glasses recharged, he raised his to her in a toast.
"To the finest artefact hunter of the modern wizarding world." He toasted with a grin, "thank you for agreeing to let me take you out to dinner, I do hope it is everything you hoped."

The eye contact lingered a moment longer than normal, and Edwin's ruddy complexion deepened for the time.

"And you're never a mere shopkeeper, Morgana. Mere shopkeepers don't leave me breathless on clapping eyes on them over their counter for the first time, all that while back."

Morgana had been slightly apprehensive over the restaurant's style of food presentation, but seeing her dish, which proceeded to dance gracefully about the plate before settling down in an organised and very neat arrangement.

She had lifted her glass when Edwin proclaimed his toast, and she nearly dropped the wineglass in surprise. For a moment she was genuinely speechless. In her entire experience of social mingling, she had had compliments sent her way, sometimes a little too exaggerated, but it was one of the rare times when the giver was actually going about it in genuine sincerity. And she couldn't recall the other times, well, not at the moment anyway.

An uncertain smile gradually curled her lips as she tried to gather her wits and muster a proper response, but nothing of her usual demeanour could come out. She was well aware that blood had rushed to her cheeks and no answer was coming to save her.

It took her a few minutes to realise she'd been gazing at the empty space on the table between their plates, still holding her glass. She lifted her head and lifted her glass a little higher, her face still warm.

"And to the finest dinner companion with a skill for giving some of the most flattering compliments a woman can possibly hear throughout her lifetime," she said, giving Edwin a brief but cheeky scrunch of her face. "One might think you have a motive for this, but I know better. And thank you for the compliments and the dinner, Edwin."

"A motive? Good grief, no other motive than to make you feel at ease." He smiled, cutlery now in hand.

"I do think a lot of you, Morgana, and you're worth every compliment." Edwin confessed, "I only hope you might feel the same, but if not, I would respect your opinion."

He was old enough in this game to know that being upfront about such things helped in the long run and saved a lot of time for them both. Edwin had been through too many dinners, too many dates and weeks of courting women in his lifetime without any success of ending his bachelor days.

The line delivered, he was almost fearful to look at her properly, part of him banking on her being more embarrassed to let him down now. The rest of him hoped the sincere and significant praise would have worked on convincing her further.

She was a little less surprised at Edwin's confession than she had expected herself to be. But in truth, she had spent enough time in the company of men to know who was being sincere and who wasn't, and Edwin had been sincere for every single time they had met.

And she had suspected that, eventually, Edwin would have had to say something about it. So in a way, she had been expecting some sort of confession soon enough.

This, however, did not lessen the impact of it. For someone who spent a lot of time not looking into a mirror more than she had to because of how self-conscious she felt about her appearance, the compliments Edwin had been gently fielding her way had had the effect of a warm flame to chocolate with regards to her conscience.

It was not often that a man would think of her that much in such a positive way. Or rather, it was something she'd never really entertained.

What would she have to reply with? He was looking expectant, perhaps even in trepidation. She would have to reply. To buy some time, she took another sip of her wine. Delicate as it was, it did not elevate her anxiety.

She was blushing. She knew that. Her cheeks were warm. Keep it gentle? Say what she felt? Pull it out?

The best way, probably, was to be truthful.

"I love that you've taken an interest in me more than just physically," she said, dropping her usual businessy shopkeeper attitude. "And don't get me wrong, I appreciate it. It's...I've never had anyone have that much interest in me before. Maybe I have, but not this way. Not as intimately," she lingered on that word, "as you've done."

She gently set the glass down and looked up at him. "For anyone else...I might have said that I might need to think it over a little more. But perhaps on this occasion, I think I'll have to just go with it and allow your charm into my life."

Morgana dropped her gaze after a second from his face to her hands, where she rubbed the knuckles of one with the fingertips of the other. She was nervous and had no idea what he'd respond to that. But she'd said what she wanted to say.

Having declared it up front to Morgana, Edwin found he was holding his breath when Morgana responded. So many times he'd been in this position, wondering if this time a witch would be interested in him past a week, a few months.

"… I've never had anyone hve that much interest in me before…" His heart felt for her, to not have been loved properly in all her life. How could such a wonderful woman have been so neglected for all these years?

"It is only what you deserve," the wizard explained, the statement on its own sounding a little out of kilter without reasoning, "it sounds like it has been a while since anyone showed you the attention you deserve."

He smiled sweetly,
"It would be my honour."

Morgana looked up without moving her head, and then lifted her head coolly despite the warmth in her cheeks. What could she do now?

She reached out and picked up her glass. There was a sweet, gentle little sound as it was lifted off the table, and glimmered in the lighting as it rose into the air in the gesture of a slightly cheeky toast.

"To spending time with you," she said.

Edwin reached for his own glass, a smile spreading across his face, so very glad this hadn't backfired, which had been his fear. All these years of wooing women, all these ladies - but it didn't make him sure ever - after all, he lived alone and had never married!

"To spending time together." He echoed, rosy red cheeks and all. He'd be sure to do well of Morgana, or rue his mistake.




End