It was good to be back to normality in London, Lix thought to herself. She surveyed the busy drinks reception with interest. The stars had aligned, or fate had smiled, but her hospital shifts had allowed her a Saturday evening out with Eva. Not just a Saturday evening, but one at a charity do Eva had been invited to when she’d worked for the Minister. He’d told her to go in his place, being a busy man, and take someone with her if she pleased. Elixa was only too happy to help with the vacancy, even if Eva was not all that thrilled at filling in for him.

Elixa had chosen a dress Eva considered conservative and decent enough for their first proper public outing as a couple. Long enough to stop lecherous old wizards gawping, but not so Catholic as to lack a little pleasure to Kuester. The favourite boots were replaced with some modest, but tall heels, which were only comfortable due to some excellent charm work. Thank Merlin for witchcraft.

Tonight’s affair was a valentine themed drinks reception and dinner in aid of the charity Unlocking Charm which supported Ex-Azkaban inmates back into society. Something the Ministry had a pretty poor track record on, and that Eva had some experience on, though never discussed. The founders went out of their way to recruit from Ex-Azzies Anonymous and the sorts. It was admirable, but Lix had definitely looked twice at some of the shiftier event staff out of curiosity they were some of the benefactors.

The reception was decorated with the usual valentine symbolism plus plenty of lock and key symbols as a nod to the charity.
“This decoration is giving me all kinds of ideas,” Lix admitted in a low voice to Eva, as they moved from one group to another. “Better find some well to do sorts to have a networking conversation before I act on them.” She gave a generous sip of Prosecco and flashed her dark eyes at her girlfriend. “Everyone will want to get to know the better looking Head of Law Enforcement.”

 It had been a few months ago that Glass had received his invite to this event. He’d given the invite to her, suggesting she go in his stead. Then she’d left his office to take up her post as the Deputy Head of Magical Law Enforcement. He hadn’t mentioned retracting the invite, so Evangeline chose to do her duty. Because, well, who wouldn’t greatly oppose an evening of unlimited champagne and music? She’d even asked Elixa to join her, nervously proposing their first public outing as girlfriend and girlfriend.

The charity in question, was a controversial one, and one that left an unpleasant taste in Eva’s mouth. Technically, she herself was an ex-Azzie. She’d spent almost a year in an Azkaban cell during the war. The ancient runes on the back of her neck were a permanent reminder that Elixa had seen and never questioned. Lix knew the bare bones of a stay in Azkaban. Eva hadn't ever gone into detail.

Beside the Deputy Head of MLE, Elixa was looking as stunning as ever, if more conservative than usual. Eva had chosen a long and ornate cream coloured gown, leaving her shoulder length blond hair down and falling in neat waves. As Elixa leaned in to mutter in Eva’s ear, a shiver ran down her spine. It clearly didn’t matter on their location or the company, Elixa was always going to be Elixa. Eva grinned

“You are incorrigible.” she muttered in response, lifting her own flute slowly to her lips. “No quiet corners tonight.” A blond eyebrow was raised to accompany her playful smile. “Best behaviour.”

Healer Mordent let out a quiet whine, audible to her drinking companion.

“Only if you can handle my worst once we leave,” she purred, lips all mischief as she surveyed the other guests at the reception. They were all in loose groups and clusters, poised with half-drunk drinks in one hand as they made polite conversation. It was rather stifled at present, and Elixa itched to shake it up a little. But she was on her very best behaviour, which meant acting like she did at work, but with even more restrain. As being a healer, she could get away with being a little blunt and forthcoming with questions and observations. Last thing she wanted to do was embarrass Eva tonight.

“Who do you fancy schmoozing first?” She asked, becoming a little more practical. This was all about building bridges for Eva’s new job, if the evening were to be at all useful.

One wizard appeared to be making eye contact across the room. He had silver hair, small ears and a round face. Dressed in modern wizard dress robes, he seemed very at home at the event, necking one drink before scooping up another. “Someone’s making eyes at us.” Lix nodded to the wizard. “Shall we go over?”

Only if Eva could handle her worst… The lawyer felt the tiny hairs on the back of her neck stand to attention. That was what made this with Elixa so special. No wizard had ever made her feel quite so on edge. No wizard had ever been so unpredictable and fearless. It had to be time to bring this out into the open, didn’t it?

“Hmm…” Blue eyes scanned the room until they, too, fell of Darlus Scruffin as he stared in their direction. Almost instantaneously, Eva pulled her gaze back and, grabbing her girlfriend’s arm, spun her and Elixa around to face the opposite direction.

“Nope.” she replied before taking a larger than normal gulp of champagne. “That is the Daily Prophet’s deputy editor. Last time I met him, he presumed that I was Glass’ gold-digging arm candy wife.” It was laughable, yes, but it still made the witch’s skin crawl.

At once, they were facing the other way. Elixa’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.

“Nope. That is the Daily Prophet’s Deputy Editor.” Eva informed her, and filled her in on the unfortunate details of their last meeting.

“Damn, no wonder he’s the editor. Wouldn’t make a very observant reporter.” Lix chanced half a glance back over her shoulder. “What do you think he reckons we are? Friends? Colleagues? …Hookers? Fellow trophy wives….?” There was a dangerous glint in her dark eyes, a wish to conduct mischief.

“Want to play him?”

Despite the ostentatiousness of the Elixa’s suggestion, Evangeline grinned.
“As much as I would love to wind up a Daily Prophet employee,” she started to respond, linking arms with Elixa and guiding her in the other direction, “We are here as a stand in for the Minister of Magic. You know, my boss?” She frowned in thought. “Boss’ boss now, I guess.” It was odd. She’d not taken a demotion and yet there was now another party between herself and the Leader of Wizarding Britain. Elixa knew how important it was to keep her head down and behave with the knowledge she now had about Edwin Glass.

“After tonight, Lix, we are public knowledge.” Probably bigger for Eva than it was for Elixa. Eva took a sip of wine, glancing back to Scruffin. “I’d rather not play up the rumour that my girlfriend is a hooker, no?”

“Tsk, shame.” Lix replied, though she was being sarcastic. Witch Weekly had already done their bit in starting that rumour. Despite having the Editor as her patient in January, Lix had managed not to tear a piece off Gen Gamp. “We’re already public knowledge, gorgeous, you just mean out.” Lix’s preferences as to who and what she took to bed was not something she particularly enjoyed reported in the press. But it didn’t mean she minded people knowing. Perhaps she ought to be more out and open about it, but she suspected Eva wouldn’t feel comfortable if Lix was waving the rainbow flag at every opportunity. This world was new to her.

She looked back at the crowd, ignoring Scruffin, wondering who they were best to approach for a strategic conversation. Eva was Deputy Head of a Ministry department now. Surely people should be approaching her in floods? Hang on… even Scruffin was distracted. Rather than the previously warm thoughts, a cool feeling swept over Elixa as she caught sight of a late arrival.

“I thought you said we were here as a stand in?” She asked Eva, suspicious. “So what’s he doing here?”

“… you just mean out.” Elixa pointed out, causing Eva’s lips to press together. Yes, out. Out and obvious. While some relief was felt for finally ripping off the band aid and stepping out as a same sex couple, Eva was still anxious. She’d spent her entire life with one image that she’d tried to portray and now she was throwing that away to date a rather rebellious younger witch.

“Out.” The blond repeated, getting a feel for how it sounded on her tongue.

But Elixa was now distracted, and Eva followed her eye line to fall on a crowd surrounding the stocky balding 60-something-year-old. Her stomach sank. Eva and the Minister for Magic hadn’t spoken much since she’d moved down to Level 2. She’d rather attempted to avoid any real conversation since her visit to William Shufflebottom in Azkaban. Maybe he even knew about the visit. He’d certainly heard about her seeing Musgrave in the Ministry cells.

“I did.” The champagne glass in her hand was lifted and drained in one gulp before she took Elixa’s arm and directed her towards the bar. “He said he’d rather I come in his place. Not his cup of tea. I’ve not spoken to him in over a month.” Lix would know what that meant. “We could go. We should go.”

“We could go. We should go.”

Lix reached out a hand to Eva’s wrist, silently stopping her.

“What’s the worst that’ll happen?” She asked, turning her gaze from other guests greeting Edwin to her girlfriend. “We have an awkward conversation in public? Better here than in private. Witnesses.” Lix suggested, blissfully the novice at this sort of thing. She wasn’t party to what Evangeline and Harper had discussed in detail at new year, but she knew there was something definitely odd going on with her relative, who happened to be in charge of the magical population. Just a minor thing.

“Besides, I thought we were here to be out out. And you have to flaunt your new job.” Lix shrugged. “We’ll just do circles round him, see who he’s talking to. High-class stakeout, yeah?” She was unaware how ludicrous that sounded, but the truth was the party had only just begun and she wasn’t one for running away from the fun.

“He’ll have to decide which thing he’s going to comment on - your investigation or the fact I’m hanging off your arm.” She snickered, and grinned playfully.

"Minister!" Scruffin was amongst those who greeted Edwin as he arrived late to the event. Not unusual for Edwin to be running late. He was a busy man who had many calls on his attention. Someone quickly filled his left hand with the stem of a flute while his right remained engaged in shaking hands.

His late arrival had hopefully cut short the opportunity for less important contacts to try to make conversation. The other wizards in the group were keen to bend his ear and pitch their policy suggestions to him.

It took no time for Edwin to be swallowed, ignoring the two witches staring at him across the room. Whether Evangeline Kuester had decided to attend for him despite her change of role did not concern him. He had other motivations for attending. The world did not revolve around whatever Kuester was poking into, but he did hope she was enjoying being around those with similar life experiences.