---

Stepping out of Slugs & Jiggers, bag in hand; Dante made his way down the row of shops towards Pottage’s to pick up a special order that had arrived the day before.  It was a Saturday, which meant, much to his annoyance, Diagon Alley was quite crowded.  There were small children whose parents should have been keeping a better eye on them running around, a few of them nearly knocking into him.  Of course the moment they looked up and saw him towering over them the skittered quickly back in the direction they came, towards their ‘responsible’ adults.

It was Saturday, which meant that once he picked up what he had set out to purchase he could return to his flat and work on his personal projects without interruption.  He didn’t have to police any staff, and part of him was always relieved to have a few days where he didn’t have to breathe down the necks of an entire department.  After a while he grew weary of saying ‘get back to work.’

As he approached Pottage’s Cauldron Shop, he found himself almost colliding with someone who had stepped in his path to look in the window.  Stopping short, he gave a slightly impatient sigh at the person who was now planted firmly in his way completely unaware of his presence.  Sometimes he truly hated Saturdays.  If he could he would have remained in his flat instead of having to venture out on a day when Diagon Alley was notoriously busy.

“Excuse me,” he said, fighting the impatient tone that tried to creep into his works as he waited for the person to move so he could get by.

---

Note: Date Changed Agreed Upon by Both Parties

Outfit

Candice admittedly knew very little about potions or cauldrons or anything of the sort. Ever since school and her basic medical training, Candice had not even brewed a potion. It had come to her that perhaps that was a skill she shouldn't completely abandon. It had been one of the few things she had excelled at in Hogwarts. She had always likened it to cooking. Cooking was soothing to the young woman, and she thought that perhaps getting back into potions might be another way to soothe herself when she was upset. There were simple potons that could be made which were useful for every day, or she could make a few things to keep around in case she needed a pick me up or got sick. It was like keeping her medicine cabinet stocked, but more effective. Still, she wondered whether or not it was wise to keep a cauldron in her flat, considering she lived in Muggle London so that her mother (as much as she disliked her) could visit and bring her grandfather along.

At first, Candice did not hear anyone asking her to move. She had been stuck in her thoughts, and when it finally filtered down she blushed wildly. "Oh! I'm sorry!" she quipped, stepping out of the way only to catch sight of one of the men who worked at the Ministry of Magic.

Candy knew that a lot of the people at the Ministry of Magic were not particularly fond of her. Still, she had always assumed that was just within the walls of the building. Her sunny disposition and optimistic nature clashed with the generally somber workers she encountered on a daily basis. In fact, Candice had found that many of the criminals she had worked with were often more open to her and enjoyed her company more than any of the professionals. It was a hard life to live, but she shouldered it quite well (or so she thought). Often times when she ran into people she worked with outside of the walls of the Ministry, she tried to be nice and make conversation. She had found that had gotten along with Declan quite well, and often wondered where he had gotten to. Candice had not seen him around in quite some time. Still, there were some people she doubted that she would ever get along with, inside or outside of the ministry- people like Tamis Raynor.

Dante Ward, though, was a man she did not know well at all. She was much more acquainted with the magical law enforcement employees than she was with any others. "Mr. Ward! Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize I was in the way. You know how it is, sometimes you just get lost in your own thoughts!" she quipped with a sharp giggle. "It's nice to see you out and about! How are you?"

Sometimes he truly believed the universe was playing some sort of cosmic joke on him.  Candice Stevenson was one of those women he tended to avoid at all costs at work.  She was perky and sunny, a huge contrast to his own demeanor.  He didn't like answering questions about his past or feelings, so needless to say her chosen profession was not a positive in his mind.  Yet, he had been raised better then to be completely rude to an acquaintance so for now he was stuck outside the shop.

"Mr. Ward! Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize I was in the way. You know how it is, sometimes you just get lost in your own thoughts!"

He quirked an eyebrow as she...giggled, although he expression held no curiosity.  Next to her he thought he must look like the rain cloud of doom.  He had a certain reputation at work as well that he was quite sure she was aware of and a few people had made the mistake of suggesting he might benefit from her services.  He considered himself a fair boss, but he certainly had little patience for slacking off during work hours and that usually caused his Unspeakables to snap to attention when he entered a room.

"It's nice to see you out and about! How are you?"

"As well as can be expected," he said.  "Considering every child in Diagon Alley seemed to feel the need to cut me off."  As well as coworkers I'd be happier avoiding.  "And you, Miss Stevenson?"

Part of him was curious how it was she managed to keep that perkiness.  If he was right in his assumptions she spent most of her days talking to criminals, the dregs of society.  Not exactly light hearted work.  It was a wonder that smile of hers continued to be so bright day in and day out.

She wondered what he meant by "as can be expected", but resisted the urge to allow her job and her natural curiosity pry further. Mr. Ward's private life was private in public, after all. But at least he said it was well, and that things weren't going horribly. It was always so depressing to ask someone how they were, and then have them respond that things were not going so great. The part of Candice that wanted to help always took over then. "That's very nice to hear! Life is too short to spend it being anything short of well, after all."

His complaint about the children was a valid one. Candice had noticed how they were. Growing up with her grandparents in charge of her, she had learned to behave a bit better than most when in public. After going through the spectacle that was her mother, they had made sure to keep her on the right path so that she wouldn't end up in trouble. They had been very wary about sending her to Hogwarts because of it, but it had really done her a lot of good. It kept her out of her mom's way when her mom decided she wanted to come back and try to be a parent. Bitter? Yes. But healthily so, Candice reassured herself.

"I really do believe that some people should be forced to go through parenting classes before being allowed to have children," Candice offered. "So many people have horrible adult lives and are so emotionally and mentally stunted because of parents who had no clue what they were doing or just didn't care." She knew that personally. But at least her grandparents had been there to make up for it. That was more than a lot of children had. She saw a lack of proper parental structure in a lot of the criminals she worked with.

The question was then turned back on herself, and she smiled broadly, and made a strange, dismissive hand gesture. "Oh, you know! I'm good, as usual. It's been a very nice weekend. I've been thinking about getting a pet to keep me company in the flat. I just can't decide whether I want a kitten or a puppy. I might visit some shelters later after I leave Diagon." Naturally she had to get a pet appropriate for a muggle home.

"The shop caugt my eye. I was thinking about how I had neglected my potions since I finished all of my training. A good witch or wizard stays sharp in all of the important subjects, right?" Plus, it wasn't like she had much of a social life outside of work anyway. She didn't really go out, and the only time she spent with others was with her grandfather whenever she wanted to go and visit him. (Which was when her mother was away.) It would be a good way to fill in all of the alone time she seemed to always be having. "Besides, it's soothing. It's like cooking, but it doesn't make a girl fatter," she said with a friendly wink.

"I really do believe that some people should be forced to go through parenting classes before being allowed to have children.”

At least they could agree on something.  His father had done his best to raise two children alone, but after his mother’s death nothing had really been the same.  Part of him would always feel a little guilty for never trying form an true bond with his father as he got older.  Yet, it seemed all life had taught him was to care about someone would only mean they would eventually leave.  Whether it was their intent or not, case after case seemed to have proven his little theory to be true.

Thankfully she ceased her chatter on parents, answering his inquiry as to how she was doing.  Part of him wondered if she ever had a down moment.  The image of her with that smile cuddling up with kitten or puppy was nearly sickeningly sweet.  What was it about women and animals anyway?  Was it just some sort of temporary replacement for those who really wanted to settle down and have children?

Again the conversation changed to this shop and her potion brewing skills.  He gave a slight nod in agreement about staying sharp.  However her next statement made the wheels in his mind freeze, a reply completely escaping him.

"Besides, it's soothing. It's like cooking, but it doesn't make a girl fatter.”

His mind screamed, what is the right answer!?! as he struggled to say something.  He wasn’t a coddler, and he certainly didn’t have much experience with how to worm his way out of what he considered a delicate topic.  She wasn’t an unattractive woman, but he had a feeling her comment alluded to a problem she had with her appearance.  Any comment he made would most likely be wrong.  At least he could remark on potions and brewing and perhaps topics of weight and self perception would simply fade away.

“Potion brewing is a delicate process,” he said.  “It’s wise to practice it every now and again, even if you don’t have a need for it daily.”

Looking at the display he noted the usual overpriced cauldrons and supplies in the window and commented, “Of course proper tools are sometimes just as important.   If you go strictly by the window display you’d be spending twice what you need to and not really have the best quality supplies.”

Candice tilted her head when he commented on spending too much and still being without. She understood the need for a store to make a profit, but she also thought that honesty should be a part of any successful endeavor in the business world. The place would be a lot better if people were just honest. In fact, even criminals would be harder to find, because they'd run about trumpeting the truth. Maybe someone ought to drop some vertiaserum in the water supply? That would be a very effective method of catching people. Then again, the use of such a thing was closely regulated. And it did not do any good to force the truth out of people magically. People needed to be able to reveal it on their own in order for any healthy recoveries to be made.

"Is that so?" Candy asked. "Well, I admit I am not very versed in potions supplies. I would be the person who would buy the display and not even realize I was being duped! Then again, general consensus seems to be that I'm easily duped in everything. It's important, though, to be able to trust other people. Sometimes you misplace trust- naturally, it just happens sometimes." She shrugged, not even realizing that she was babbling on about something that others didn't really care to hear about. Candice was just a very open person, and always would be. If she preached it to the congregation, she shouldl ive it, too.

"I don't want to inconvenience you, Mr. Ward, but I don't suppose that you would mind helping me?" Candice dropped her gaze after requesting his assistance, and began to twist the fabric of her skirt between her fingers. "I know that you are likely very busy, but I would very much appreciate some advice. I don't want to go about this and buy all the wrong things only to get home and realize I haven't all the things I need..."

She turned back to the window, peering into the shop. In school she had used the standard potions kit, and after doing her training for her career she had used what was provided. She wasn't sure whether or not Dante would help her after she asked. What she knew of him was very little. All that Candice knew on the surface was his job, his appearance (which wasn't bad), and the fact he seemed to be a little uptight. But the vast majority of ministry workers were uptight, she had discovered. Candice wondered if they could even function without schedules and rules. She pondered whether or not it would be beneficial to the few she worked with to ask them to get rid of their routines for just one day. It wouldn't kill them, would it, to have some fun once in a while?

"What sorts of brewing would you suggest to be beneficial for keeping the skills honed?" Candice asked. It seemed that he might know some more about it than she did. Besides, she had learned that asking a person about things they might be interested in or requesting their assistance could make them feel better about themselves. This also might be a good way to get to know a little more about her coworker. Even though she wasn't on duty, she couldn't help but to do a little prodding into his personality.

Somehow Dante wasn’t terribly surprised that she wasn’t an avid potion brewer and that she was the trusting sort who would buy something simply because the store felt the need to put it in their display window.  While it wasn’t a complete fabrication that the advertised tools were of a good quality, it was just his experience one would be better with something a little less pricy.  The clerks inside had a job to do, to make money, and in doing that they often found ways to convince patrons they needed to spend more and buy more then was necessary.

It's important, though, to be able to trust other people.

Trust.  That was one of those things people tended to do far too easily, and if he had Candice pegged correctly she would be one of those people.  She was perky, and bright, but he had a feeling her perception of who deserved her trust was a bit off.  He preferred to have another earn his trust before simply giving them the benefit of the doubt.  Things tended to run more smoothly that way and gave him far fewer headaches.

"I don't want to inconvenience you, Mr. Ward, but I don't suppose that you would mind helping me?"

That was quite unexpected to him.  He was used to his workers who tended to seek out every other possible avenue of help before asking for his.  When it came to potions he tended to be more then willing to offer advice, although his notorious humorless way of approaching work usually didn’t give him many chances to do so.  Potions, in his mind were an art form and he would rather help then have someone do it completely wrong.

He looked at her as she continued, her fingers twisting the fabric of her skirt.  It gave the appearance that she was uncertain, perhaps figuring he would merely tell her no and go about his business.  She reminded him a bit of his little sister during the few years they had been at Hogwarts together, standing in the common room and asking for help on an assignment.  He had tended to keep her at an arms length, and any attempt at asking for help usually resulted in her approaching like he was some sort of untamed beast that would snap at any moment.

“Certainly,” he said, his voice a little quiet as he pushed the unwanted memory from his mind and looked back at the window.

"What sorts of brewing would you suggest to be beneficial for keeping the skills honed?"

“I tend to prefer those that might actually be practical if brewed correctly,” he told her.  “Antidotes and such.  If I can’t find a sensible use for a potion I usually don’t waste my time.  When was the last time you worked on your brewing?  If it was more recent I might recommend something like the Draught of Peace which is known to be on the tricky side.”

Candice watched him as he seemed to consider her request for help. He seemed to be a person who thought... all the time. He carefully considered everything before he spoke. Candy knew that wasn't a negative trait to have. She did the same thing, but only when in a professional setting. For the most part, other than that, Candice tended to just spill out whatever she was thinking without much consideration as to the consequences. Not a very good trait for a woman in her position to have.

Thoughts aside, she smiled at his agreement, and bounced a little. "Why thank you Mr. Ward! I really do appreciate you taking the time." It wasn't just a pleasantry, either. Candice did appreciate it, and would likely do something to remind him of it later- something like sending him a thank you card by owl later in the week. Making sure it arrived when he wasn't at work- naturally.

She nodded attentively as he began to speak. She agreed. She might as well be brewing something that would be useful after the fact. "Oh, yes, I would enjoy something that I could keep about in case I needed it. Oh? Last time? Why, I think it was quite some time ago- when I found I had a need for some potion or another. Usually I buy things or get them from a potions dealer if I have use for them..."

Candice tapped her chin and tried to think of precisely when it was she last brewed a potion. "I think it was, really, over six months ago. I messed it up quite horribly and it brewed a hole straight threw the bottom of my cauldron. I didn't dice something properly, or some such nonsense." She waved her hands dismissively. "It's all so very precise and sometimes I don't quite understand why. When you cook a dish, the slicing and dicing doesn't matter near as much. It's not a big deal if your pieces are a bit large or a bit small. It all ends up tasting just the same either way."

"So I take it you brew quite regularly?" she asked. "Is it a part of the job? I must say you Level Nine people are always so secretive about what goes on. It's hard to find out anything from anyone about what goes on up there. Oh, I understand that it is needed sometimes. But I've always been incredibly curious about what exactly all of you do. Everyone else's jobs are so much more clear cut and defined."

As she spoke Dante became aware of something extremely quickly, her perky, sunny attitude was not an act.  There was something too genuine about the way she thanked him and that gave him pause as she continued on.  He didn’t know the specifics of her daily schedule, but he was aware that the Ministry held group sessions for criminals out on parole.  It made him wonder for a moment how those meetings went given the fact that Candice was certainly not the sort one would expect to find handling criminals.  There was also a faint nagging worry that one day she would merely end up another statistic.

“My background is in potions and herbology,” he told her when she had finished speaking.

Potions were his passion and one of the few ways to truly get him talking.  He could manage to keep conversation to a minimum on almost any other subject, expect potions especially if they other person was lacking brewing experience.  It was one of those little weaknesses in his carefully built up armor that most people didn’t pick up on right away.

“Unfortunately now I don’t get to do as much brewing during regular office hours as I used too,” he said, avoiding Level Nine specifics.  “Paperwork tends to pile up if left unattended to for too long and I tend to have frequent interruptions.  Lately I’ve taken to brewing once the office has cleared out for the evening…there’s no one needing my immediate attention, no proverbial fires to put out.”  Of course on occasion those fires were of the real variety.

“Brewing is an art form,” he told her, trying not to launch into his usual speech but failing a bit as he motioned for her to start the short trip into the store.  “It takes concentration, precision, and sometimes a second watchful eye depending on your level of experience.  I’ve seen cauldron explosions cause quite a bit of damage thanks to one careless second.”  He spoke from honest experience, some of it his own.  Potion brewing could be dangerous if one was not careful.

Candice thought it odd that anyone would be doing recreational brewing during office hours. Then again, she didn't know what was normal or abnormal for his particular department. "Oh, yes, paperwork can be incredibly annoying. The level of paperwork I have to complete can be overwhelming, too." But Candice didn't have much a life outside of work, so her paperwork often went home with her. She wondered whether or not Dante was the sort to take his paperwork home with him, or if she was the only one who did things like that.

"Oh, really?" she asked. "Maybe I could come by sometime?" Candice asked, not realizing that it might sound a bit awkward. It wasn't as though Candy spent her time with anyone romantically, or would stop to think it might sound like she was hitting on a man that she barely knew that she just happened to work with. "Maybe we could brew something simple together? I would hate to explode a potion because I didn't have the proper supervision. It could be fun! If I'm going to be setting cauldrons on fire, it would be better to do it in a controlled environment than at my house where I'm quite certain most of my furniture and belongings would be quite flammable."

Candy stepped into the shop, and then stepped slightly to her left, allowing Dante the needed room to enter. She was going to allow him to guide her, and planned to listen attentively to whatever he had to say. "Do you ever cook?" she asked. "I know I mentioned it earlier. Sometimes it can be just as satisfying as brewing potions. Sometimes," she said, dropping her voice as though she was telling him a special secret, "if I am making soup, I pretend it's some dangerous, combustible potion. It's lots of fun! When I was a little girl, before I knew about Hogwarts, I did the same thing."

"Maybe if we ever get together to brew something I could bring some snacks! I can make a mean batch of cookies! Or anything else, really," Candice offered. It was good to reach out and make friends among her coworkers, right?

If he hadn’t just a moment ago come to the realization that Candice’s personality was not an act Dante might have thought her to be hitting on him.  The offer once again had him searching for the right answer, and this time it wasn’t simply to avoid saying something that would cause any awkwardness for the next several minutes while they were in the shop.

He had no delusions how it would be if he accepted and tried to help her with her brewing.  He could be overbearing and too caught up in his passion for brewing to be any sort of real company.  He hadn’t gone into teaching simply because he didn’t seem to think himself very good at it, seeing it as little more the babysitting.  Yet, the image of her attempting to brew anything alone and having it explode wasn’t a very comforting option to him either.  In fact it worried him more then he cared to admit even to himself.

“Given your last experience perhaps that might be wise,” he offered, as he stepped into the shop, stopping next to her, the image of exploding cauldron’s overriding the notion that their personalities would ultimately clash.

She was talking about cooking again and he raised an eyebrow at her admission.  He wasn’t particular used to genuineness from those he encountered.  On Level Nine nearly everyone was simply preoccupied with getting ahead and he, at least, usually viewed those who offered friendship and kindness with suspicion.  He still wasn’t unconvinced that the last person he helped with her brewing hadn’t done something to stab him in the back the first time he applied for the Department Head position.

Maybe if we ever get together to brew something I could bring some snacks! I can make a mean batch of cookies! Or anything else, really.

He couldn’t help the smirk that formed on his lips as he picked up a basked and led her over to one of the shelves.  It seemed accepting that she was simply the complete opposite of him was much simpler then being annoyed by her form of playful energy.  Apparently sincerity did exist, if one looked outside Level Nine.

“I will leave that up to you,” he told her, stopping before a row of cauldrons.  “Brewing is the closest thing I do to cooking.  Now, I would say let’s start with a suitable cauldron.  Something that can be used for nearly anything perhaps?”

Candice positively beamed when she realized that Dante was going to help her with her potions. It would be nice, to get to know some people she worked with outside of a strictly professional setting. Everyone seemed to be so wary of socializing with her, afraid that all she was going to do was file away information to use against them. Candice wasn't the sort to do that. But it seemed that she got much less friction when she wasn't dealing with the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.

"The help will be much appreciated. I still haven't figured out what I keep doing wrong when I try to brew things. I think perhaps I'm forgetting some important detail from school... I guess we will find out. You just let me know when a good time is for you, and I'll plan on it. I just need enough time to make sure I'm not busy and to cook us up a tasty snack. Of course, I'll be very careful not to get any crumbs mixed in with the potion. I have a feeling that could make it explode, and I would be incredibly embarassed if I caused something to explode on your watch."

"If you don't cook, however do you eat?" Candice asked. "Certainly you do not live off of simple meals. I know magic helps a lot, but real home cooking is definitely where it is at. I don't know your living situation, but I certainly hope you aren't the sort of man who lives off of frozen meals for one that pop into the microwave for a few moments before coming out soggy and tasteless. That is no way to survive! And take out is just... Well, it's not the same. I know a lot of people have house elves to do things like that for them. But I think everyone should know how to do it... Then again, I suppose I was raised in a muggle home which makes it an entirely different situation for me, doesn't it?"

Then he turned the attention to cauldrons, and Candice shrugged a bit at the slight question in his words. "I don't know much of anything about cauldrons. I always buy whatever I am told is required or that I need to buy. What sort of cauldrons are good for general brewing? And, I suppose, what cauldron is less likely to have its bottom melt and leak my poorly made potion all over the floor? Potion spills are so tricky to clean up, after all."

Dante wondered if she realized just how many times a month something experimental exploded within the Department of Mysteries.  While those brewing weren't truly under his watch every moment, they were his responsibility.  He tried not to think of the tally of injuries he felt like he could have somehow prevented had he been there.  At least with Stevenson he would be able to watch every move she made while brewing.

"I happen to enjoy take out," he said with a shrug, trying to quickly bring an end to the subject of his eating habits.

Somehow he would have to get used to her constant talking if he intended to actually assist her with her brewing and not bite her head off after five minutes.  Although, the more she talked the less he had to and the less he would have to reveal.  Her position was irrelevant to him, the less anyone knew of him personally the better off they all were.  It mean he didn't have to get caught up in those moments where people asked all of those questions he dreaded.

"I would recommend the standard pewter cauldron's for general purposes," he told her, pointing out shelves with cauldrons over various sizes.  "Personally I prefer the size three to the size two, it leaves a bit of extra room for larger batches of potions should you need it."  Picking one up he added with a slight smirk, "Pewter is also a bit less likely to melt, although you still have to be careful.  I've seen quite the mess left behind by someone who thought brewing during their lunch break was a good idea."

He considered that this whole thing might be a terrible idea, especially if she wandered up to the Department of Mysteries for brewing practice.  His office wasn't off limits to other Ministry workers, but certain areas were and there were certain dangers associated with the floor.  Yet, again that nagging voice telling him he would feel guilty if she landed herself in St. Mungo's for a brewing accident won the battle.

"Well, take out is good on occasion, but it's not something I think i could ever live off of. You must not have much experience with really good food. Didn't your parents or grandparents ever have dinners? Or was it just a holiday thing?" It wasn't her business, really, but Candice just couldn't fathom the idea of someone living off of take out. Food was just too amazing! Or, perhaps, her love affair with food had just existed for so long she could never live without it.

She nodded as he mentioned a pewter cauldron. She should have remembered that, really. Still, Candice couldn't foresee needing to brew anything large, but she supposed perhaps some potions just had to be brewed in bulk. Tampering with recipes could be dangerous. "Brewing during lunch?" she asked. "I thought potions took longer than that to brew. Rushing through it while trying to eat... Sounds like a bad idea. At least when I made my mistakes I was giving it my undivided attention!"

She inspected the cauldrons a little more closely, and then gave Dante an appreciative smile. "That's good to know. I'll come back for it. It looks a little cumbersome, so we can come back and grab one after you show me what else I'll need."

Peering up at Dante, instead of the cauldrons, Candice tilted her head with a curious expression. "So, with Halloween so close, do things get even more mysterious up there on level nine?" she asked. "It must be so much fun and so fascinating to have a job like that! I enjoy my job very much, working with people and with the criminals. They're not all so bad, you know. But I imagine it's much more exciting when you never know what is going to happen next. I know that you can't really talk about it much, but I would imagine things get pretty interesting. I think there is usually a rise in crime at Halloween, isn't there?"

"I'm looking forward to Halloween," Candice stated. "I got invited to a party, but I haven't decided if I'm going yet. Even if I don't go to that party, I'll probably go out. My birthday is on November first, so I consider Halloween festivities a part of my birthday. Especially since I've been old enough to go out on the town and have a blast."

The topic of family was not usually one of those things Dante cared to broach with people, and at the mention of family dinners he looked back to the cauldrons again.  Staying at Hogwarts during the holidays had given him an excuse to miss as many of those awkward occasions as possible, then of course after the end of the second warm family occasions had ceased completely.

“We had our share of dinners when I was a kid,” he said, his tone a bit noncommittal.

Feeling her eyes on him, he turned his head to look at her again as the conversation turned to Halloween and his own department.  Working on level nine tended to have its ups and downs much like any job, but it seemed along the way there had been fewer job related downs in his mind.  The known levels of confidentiality surrounding what he did usually made avoiding having to talk to too many people a bit easier as well.  However, it didn’t seem that would deter Stevenson.

“It does seem the perfect time of year for the unsavory types to cause a bit of extra trouble for the folks down in law enforcement,” he said, starting to lead her away from the cauldrons towards the other brewing supplies, switching the basket he had taken to his other hand.  To say much else would allude to the fact that not all of his contacts operated on the Ministry approved side of the law which might ultimately raise an eyebrow or two.  Halloween tended to be one of those times of years when there was a great deal more information to be found should it be required.

Looking at her as she talked about birthdays and parties he felt a bit old.  To him both events had been on the list with family holiday dinners, he preferred to avoid them completely.  He answered, “I’ve heard quite a bit of talk about a party or two from my employees.  You would probably enjoy yourself if you went.”

She would, he was quite sure he wouldn’t.  It seemed many of his Unspeakables were attending one party in particular and he was quite certain he too would end up there.  Alcohol didn’t usually mix with those who were supposed to be responsible for confidential information.  Staying clear away from large social gatherings, however, sounded much more appealing in his mind.