It has been so long and Demetra almost forgot! All this time spend far from home made her even almost forget about a very special person in her life - Edward Pratt! Her darling, sweet and always considerate colleague who never failed to put a smile on her face. She didn’t know how she managed to survive without him for more than two months! She was eager to hear what’s new in his life and his birthday was coming soon (dates were marked with bright pink ink on her office calendar), so she wanted to force him to go out and celebrate.

But it seemed like so much time passed and Demetra was more nervous than usually. She had to check her appearance in the mirror for more than five times to make sure she looks presentable enough. The fancy, formal black robes were nicely put together with a light, silky pink headband and make up of the same shade. Alright, presentable enough…hopefully!

She even had a present for him (not the official birthday present though); a beautiful dark green tie to match the man’s dreamy eyes. Demetra will have to think of a better and more elaborate present for his birthday though. The tie was packed with a pretty, pink decorative paper what coincidentally matched her headband. It was perfect! Nothing could possibly go wrong…not when all the colors were so coordinated.

Storming out of her office, she headed down the corridor towards his office (Actually, the poor man had a mere cubicle, maybe Demetra could pull some strings and get him a real office?), to the Auror headquarters. She didn’t want to disturb him in his work, but this meeting was inevitable. Of course, he wouldn’t mind Demetra’s disturbance, or at least she hoped so. He was always so dreadfully nice!

When she reached closer, she sort of snuck towards his cubicle, wanting to surprise him properly. “Eddie!” she sort of whispered, then smiled broadly. “Oh Edward! It’s been so long! I really missed you, darling!” She really wanted to hug him, but she contained herself, at least for now. 

As Eddie sat himself down at his small desk, he loosened his tie and shirt buttons to free his neck. He hated stuffy clothing but one had to be smart when out on duty. It was a pity he was back in the office now to the honest. And soon it would be more of a pity. But there were so many reports to start writing up and if he didn’t get that done by the end of the day, the poor man was not going to be going home.

He was finally getting to take Quincy out tonight. She’d been avoiding him again since the night she’d dropped the bombshell on him. How else was Eddie supposed to react when his ex-wife told him she was pregnant!? It was now necessary he made it up to her but he just had to think of how, now.  So he'd been chuffed when she finally replied to his letter of apology this morning

 Eddie picked up the cup of coffee from his desk and lifted it to his lips. The cold, strong liquid touched his tongue before Eddie spat it violently back into the cup. Disgusting. He’d forgotten it probably needed heating up. And just as he was about to do so with the tip of his wand, he heard footprints approach the claustrophobic cubicle.

“Oh Edward! It’s been so long! I really missed you, darling!”

The voice he recognised instantly. That was what made the auror freeze in his spell casting. That voice hadn’t graced the man’s ears in so long and he’d been somewhat pleased with this fact. But now it was back. The obsessive, but quite beautiful lawyer was back and his stomach took a lurch before he finally placed the coffee mug down and turned to face his obsessor. Or maybe she was just really nice? He never seemed to know.

“Demetra!” Eddie replied in mimicked cheeriness as a fake smile erupted in place of the frown. “Where on earth have ye’ been m’dear?” May as well act happy.

He was glad to see her! Demetra could tell by that really lovely, genuine and sincere smile on his charming face. How did she manage to survive without him for such a long time? Not only that, but she even stopped thinking about him after some time passed. It was unforgivable and it will certainly not happen again! Demetra was utterly sure Edward had a special place in his heart for her, just as she did for him. Of course, she wasn’t in love with him, per say…it was just so logical the two of them should be together. Demetra really failed to see the alternative.

“Where on earth have ye’ been m’dear?”


Oh! She nearly forgot the sound of his voice! It was perfect…that Northern accent was just too cute! However, she managed to answer his question without telling him how lovely he sounds again. “In Romania! I’m so sorry I didn’t write to you, I was dreadfully busy.” That was only partially true, but how could she admit to him that sending him a letter simply slipped her mind? She could have slapped herself for being so careless and inconsiderate. Poor Eddie was probably worried about her as well. She didn't look one bit guilty as she felt though, after all she could act perfectly when she needed.

Almost forgetting what she had for him, she took a deep breath and gave him the tie, neatly packed in a beautiful, silky pink wrapping. “This is just a little something for you, dear. I know your birthday is coming soon, so consider this as one of the many exciting presents you will receive from me.” Smiling broadly, with such pride as if she just won a case, Demetra was eager to see his reaction.

“Oh! Speaking of your birthday,” she mentioned suddenly, she didn’t want to forget about this very important event. “We need to think of an appropriate celebration. I mean, you can’t just do what you do on  a regular weekend, right? It needs to be special.” She could already see it. The pink decorations…the cake, the icing, pink champagne. It will be perfect!

“In Romania! I’m so sorry I didn’t write to you, I was dreadfully busy.”

Did Pratt look in the least bit bothered that the lawyer forgot to write to him? The man shrugged his shoulders before leaning back casually in the chair. “S’alright, love.” He began before running a hand through his messy hair. It needed cutting. Maybe before he went to see Quincy. He was actually going to make an effort tonight. The new suit needed ironing and his shoes a good polish, but he’d be good to go. One just hoped the woman wasn’t going to be too hormonal.

“I’ve been pretty busy myself.” He added, indicating the desk covered in parchments.

Then she handed him a pink package. Pink. For a fraction of a second Eddie pulled a face. He didn’t like pink. “Many?” Eddie grunted as he looked up at the lawyer. The scary slightly obsessive yet very attractive lawyer. She was just being nice wasn’t she? But he’d never in his life met someone THAT nice. Unless his kids wanted something that Mommy wouldn’t let them have. Apparently Daddy was a soft touch.

“Er...cheers.” Eddie muttered as he took the package off Crouch and placed it on his lap. Then he caught what she’d said at the end of his comment and his ears perked up slightly. “Excitin’?” No he shouldn’t even think that regarding a colleague. Even if she was obviously very up for it. He was seeing his ex-wife tonight!

“We need to think of an appropriate celebration. I mean, you can’t just do what you do on a regular weekend, right? It needs to be special.”

Eddie’s eyes widened. She seemed eager. What did he say to that. “I er...” He sat up slowly and lifted the package back up, putting it to his side on the desk. “Can I open this now? Or are ye gonna’ tell me off?”

Ah! It was all good…He didn’t seem angry at her for not sending any letters. Maybe he was slightly disappointed, but she couldn’t exactly tell. If he was, then he was good at hiding it. All in all, Demetra was relieved that he wasn’t bothered. The last thing she wanted to see was Eddie being sad because of something she failed to do.

As he indicated towards his really unorganized, messy desk, Demetra almost offered to help him with whatever he needed. But then she remembered how much work awaited her, now when she was finally back. Maybe she could send some of the interns from her office to help Eddie with the paperwork? Yes, she will do that later…She could bet he would definitely appreciate the surprise.

“Yes. Exciting,” she repeated clearly, with a big smile on her face. Why did he seem so reluctant? It was because they’ve been away for such a long period of time! She knew it…But it will all change soon, it just had to. “Whatever you want to do Eddie, I mean…it is your birthday, for crying out loud! You should do something completely outrageous.” Shrugging, she could think of many amazing things she would like for her own birthday. And Eddie was just so grumpy! He definitely needed some fun in his life.

“Can I open this now? Or are ye gonna’ tell me off?”

She laughed slightly and then nodded. “Of course you can open it, silly!” Demetra really hoped he will like the tie - it would look so dreamy, matching the lovely color of his eyes. “Oh I really hope you like it!” she exclaimed in her most fan-girly tone of voice yet.