"Finally!" Exclaimed Meredith. Threw her arms around her father's shoulders. Tiptoe. Very happy to see him. "Why were you in the village so early?" She had run into him at the Zonko protest. The protest she was definitely nothing to do with. She had not stepped foot in Zonko's today. No. Definitely not. But her father had been outside. Helping the Peppers.

"I decided to make a visit before we met." Said Sandy. "I thought you would be busy with your friends. Shopping. Doing whatever teenage witches do in Hogsmeade." Apart from snogging wizards. She might be growing up but she was too young to snog wizards. Sandy had been one of those teenage wizards once!

"We could have..." Said Meredith. Then stopped. No. She was grown up around her father. She did not want to sound like a needy little girl. Wanting time with her father. Who she did not live with. "Never mind. Lucky you were passing by the Peppers huh?"

Sandy shrugged. "Well I could hardly walk by for something so simple. My friend Octavius' daughter. Twisted ankle. Trainee healer fare." It really had been nothing at all. It was habit. Magic cost him nearly nothing.

"Quite!" Agreed Meredith. "Well just us now. Catch me up on your brush with death!" After they chose their tea blend. Then they could start their tea. Meredith had skipped lunch to have space. She had looked forward to this all week.

"Meredith, Mr Misslethorpe." Meredith jumped. Looked up.
"Professor Singh!" Exclaimed Meredith. Taken by surprise. Why was her Transfiguration teacher interrupting tea with her father? This was unexpected. "Have you met my dad?" Sandy put down the menu. Smoothed his napkin on his lap. Held out his hand to shake. "Well met." Professor Singh bowed.

"Sorry to interrupt but all students must be back at the castle." He put his hands behind his back.
"Curfew is not until later I understood?" Asked Healer Misslethorpe. It had not been this early when he was a student. Meredith did not say this time would be a problem. She was an older student. Why would she need to go back to school at half past four on a Saturday afternoon?
"We have just sat down Professor." Said Meredith. Appealing. "I have not seen my dad since Christmas."

Professor Singh nodded. Polite. But firm. "I sympathize but there has been an incident."
"What sort of incident?" Asked Meredith. Surprised.
"Students were injured."
"Do they require healing?" Interrupted Sandy. Moving to leave the table immediately. To go help.
"No. But thank you." Said Professor Singh. "We need everyone back to the castle." Said again.

Meredith and her father looked at each other. Disappointed.
"Can I not I bring her? I am her father."
"I really must ask you return now." Said Professor Singh. He would give them space to say their goodbyes. "I must get on with finding others." The Professor left. Meredith's mouth turned down. This was not fair!

"Choose your tea darling." Sandy said. Meredith perked up. She liked her father when he was a Slytherin. He had picked up his menu. "I will apparate you to the gates and they can deal with me."
"Love you." Said Meredith. Smirking.