~6pm

Carrying a box, Moira exited onto the streets of Diagon Alley, glad to have found at least one of the shops she was looking for.  Nothing had really changed in the seven years she had been gone, but her memory was a little fuzzy as the actual locations of the familiar shops.  She needed some new wardrobe pieces for work, and she had heard there was a new book on healing available that she was anxious to find.

Scanning in both directions she tried to remember exactly where Madam Malkin’s was.  The shop had been her favorite at one time, and she felt frustration wash over her as she tried to remember which direction would take her to the shop.  It was nearing dinner time and she was also sure her blood sugar was dropping from the hunger, making her that much more irritated with the situation.  She wondered if perhaps she should abandon her quest to seek food at the Leaky Cauldron or the Café.

“For goodness sakes girl,” she mumbled under her breath with a sigh, unaware anyone was near enough to hear, “it hasn’t been that long since you were last here!”

Alex found himself walking in the oh so popular Diagon Alley.  He found it rather sarcastic as most of the people were on their way home or just grabbing some food to take home to their families.  Unless you were like Alex who ate alone every single night.  Which also involved a number of consumed firewhiskey bottles as well.  Yes, the Department Head of Magical Law Enforcement wasn't much of a family man.  Hard to be when his wife had been dead for 14 years and he had a horrid relationship with his daughter.  Yeah, that meant he pretty much only had dinner alone, or maybe on occasion a friend from work. 

So he wasn't really expecting anything spectacular when he went out tonight.  He just walked along not paying much attention to anything.  Usually at this time he would just be getting in to his office and working on the loads of paperwork of the day.  But his daily routine had been different after Kingstreet was released.  Now he was just like everyone else.  It somewhat irritated him, but he felt it necessary to limit any opportunities for Kingstreet to get some sort of revenge against him.  If she was planning any against him that is.  But it was just wishful thinking on Alex's part thinking that the witch might be trying to live peacefully and actually follow  the conditions of her parole. 

"Keep dreaming, Alex," he muttered to himself.

“For goodness sakes girl, it hasn’t been that long since you were last here!”

Alex looked over to see a woman who by the sound of it was rather irritated.  And judging by her word choice, at herself.  Of course, he could have kept going and towards dinner, but that just wouldn't be like Alex.

"Excuse me,"  Alex approached and tapped her shoulder but prepared for any natural reflex this woman might have had.  He remembered coming up behind Tamis once and ending up with a elbow in the face.  And as funny as that was, it wasn't something he cared to repeat.  "Having some problems finding something?  I can help, I know this place like the back of my hand.  Actually I'm not sure if that would be the right phrase, cause I typically wear gloves."

He laughed at his own horrible joke.  Got any other brilliant comments genius? He chastised himself in his head as he held a smile waiting for a reply.

Moira jumped slightly at a touch on her shoulder, followed by an unfamiliar voice.  Turning to face the speaker, curious as to who might be stopping to help her.  She felt her cheeks burn a bit with embarrassment at having been caught berating herself on the street.

It wasn’t something she made a habit out of, since usually talking to oneself in public was seen as a sign of insanity.  She certainly hoped whoever this man was that he wasn’t questioning the competency of a strange witch standing in the middle of a somewhat busy street, talking to herself.

She laughed slightly at his attempt at a joke, suddenly finding herself a bit curious.  He seemed nice enough, having stopped to help her when he could have easily wandered on by.  She was certain he would have better things to do then watch her struggle to regain her bearings, yet he had been nice enough to stop.

“I…Well, it seems after seven years I’ve managed to lose track of where exactly Madam Malkin’s is located,” she told him, shaking her head a bit.

During the summer months of her time at Hogwarts she had visited the shop nearly every weekend.  She felt another wave of irritation pass over her as she wondered why she could not seem to find her way in the very town she had grown up in.  The healer in her told her it was her once again it was dinner time and she had not eaten since breakfast.

“I think perhaps a change of plans may be in order for me though,” she added.  “I think the hour and a lack of dinner is affecting my ability to think properly.”

Life was funny in a lot of ways.  You could never tell what it would throw at you, no matter how good you were or even if you were a seer.  And he had known a couple that even said that there were things they couldn't see.  But then again that was a tricky subject all in itself.  Still he was amused by reading the emotions that played on this woman's face.  Plus he couldn't help if his legelimency gave him that much more of an edge when it came to reading people.  Not that it was quite fair.  Then again that was why occulumens existed.  Though it was a hard magic to master.  Hell, it took Alex 14 years to do so.

“I…Well, it seems after seven years I’ve managed to lose track of where exactly Madam Malkin’s is located,”

He nearly laughed, but he knew how disoriented he had been after being at the IRA conflict for the years he had been and he had nearly forgotten the layout to everything when he finally came back.  Then again most of the Wizarding community had slowly changed...what with Voldemort rising up again. 

“I think the hour and a lack of dinner is affecting my ability to think properly.”

Alex did laugh this time.  "If that's the case I know a place that isn't too far outside of Diagon Alley.  My own tavern in fact.  It's called the Burning Pot.  If you are interested.  Oh, I'm Alexander Belisario, pleasure to meet you, Miss..."

"Moira Randall," she said, completing the statement for him.  "And it's a pleasure to meet you as well, Alexander."

She felt herself looking for an excuse to turn him down, the recently acquired self doubt she now so often experienced threatening to rear its ugly head in the middle of a perfectly pleasant conversation.  She reminded herself he had done nothing but try to help her.  It would be rude to turn down such a polite offer.

“The Burning Pot sounds lovely,” she added after a moment, allowing herself a bit of a real smile.

Her mother had complained that she needed to get out more when she had returned to London and not even bothered to contact her old friends.  She didn’t want to be questioned on her time in the States.  They all knew she had gone there, and they would certainly expect stories.  Dinner and a conversation with a complete stranger who knew nothing of her past would be refreshing.

Moria Randall, he felt as if he had heard the name before, but wasn’t sure if it was of anything he should give thought to or not.  He, of course, could do a little investigating if he wanted to find out.  But there was a much more practical way to find something about someone, and that was just to get to know them.

“The Burning Pot sounds lovely.”

It was rare that Alex would ever make an acquaintance so suddenly and then have dinner plans in less than 2.5 minutes but that was exactly what had just happened.  Well not precisely but close enough.  And why should he be worried anyway?  It wasn’t like this was the sort of thing he ended up doing every day anyway.  Not like he went to dinner with a different woman every other night like Marcus did on occasion.  Though he noticed that even Marcus had stopped doing that…as much as he used to at any rate. 

Obviously Moria was much younger than Alex was, as he was 42, but treating a young lady out to dinner in what was obviously a homecoming week was more than innocent enough, but he would wait to comment on that when they arrived at their destination.

“If you’d follow me, it isn’t far.  Actually it be quicker if we apparate.  If you don’t mind doing a side-along apparation it’ll be much faster,” he offered a smile and extended his hand to her.  “But I am a stranger, it might be more comfortable for us to walk.  Though I think as Head of Magical Law Enforcement there isn’t any more safer hands to apparate with,” he laughed amused at himself.  Then again she might not have known that.  “Left out that bit of information didn’t I?  I apologize, its been a long day.”

The Head of  Magical Law Enforcement...Moira pondered that for a brief moment.  He was certainly someone who was good to know, she had to admit.  As a healer in America there were times she had found herself working very closely with Salem Peak's version of his department.  Certainly they would have met eventually through work.

"That's alright," she said with a small smirk.  "We have only just met.  I'm sure I would have gotten the truth from you over dinner."

He was right, there probably was no one safer then him, but she didn't put blind faith in anyone.   She tried not to think how this would look to the outsiders around them.  He was certainly older then her, although she wasn't sure how large the age gap actually was in reality.  He was also probably fairly well known to some based on his title.  To have dinner with a virtual stranger one whim was certainly not her usual style, but she told herself again she did need to get out more.

She slipped her hand into his, her smirk giving was to a true smile.  She was somewhat surprised at her boldness given the recent past, but felt a little more like her old self again as she rested her hand on his and asked, "Shall we?"

"We have only just met.  I'm sure I would have gotten the truth from you over dinner."

"Yeah, true," he chuckled a bit looking at her for a moment.  It was entertaining in a way how there still short encounter was going.  But dinner would be a start, he would still have to show her the location of Madame Malkins after it was over.  So he would get to know her a bit more.

"Shall we?"

Seeing her smile made him feel relieved that he wasn't too over bearing.  A lot of people in positions of power had a tendency to come off that way.  Alex never thought himself as better than anyone.  He was a humble man for the most part and never cared to show off.  Perhaps why a lot of people weren't convinced he was the best for his position.

Her hand in his he then apparated the both of them and they reappeared in a different alley.  He never had gotten used to apparation as it was a rather unpleasant sensation to begin with.  But it certainly beat walking at times.  This time it was more that there was a woman hungry, and hell even Alex was craving some food.  He led her out of the alley and into the tavern that had the name Burning Pot over the door.

"Ah, I think Elaine is working tonight.  We'll take the booth in the back.  Its typically reserved for me anyway," Alex led Moira through a somewhat busy Burning Pot.  Guess it wasn't that bad for just after 6pm.  He offered her to sit first in the booth.  "Ladies first."

Alex caught that the waitress Elaine was quickly heading over to him.  Of course, Elaine hugged Alex as soon as she was able.

"Alex, I thought you were coming in earlier today," Elaine said wondering.

"Yeah well I got caught up on some paperwork at my other job.  Now be a dear and grab some menu's would you?  We're quite hungry," Alex said as Elaine finally noticed he was with someone.

"Oh yes boss!" Elaine smiled big and ran off to grab some menus.  Alex turned back and sat at the booth across from Moira.

"You'll have to excuse Elaine.  She's quite the innocent girl...and a airhead.  Something that usually doesn't mix well working at a tavern," Alex laughed. 

(Feel free to write Elaine in your post)

Moira felt the familiar sensation of apparation and a moment later found herself in a new alleyway.  The usual dizziness passed quickly, to her immense relief.  The last thing she wanted was to be stumbling like a drunken idiot in front of him.  It was fine on a rare occasion she was with someone she knew well, but not in front of a new acquaintance.

She followed him into the tavern and to the back where an empty booth seemed to be waiting for them.  Seating herself, she was about to say a polite thank you when another woman came up to them an wrapped Alex, as the other woman had referred to him, in a hug.  Moira couldn't help raising an eyebrow in amusement as he sent her off to find menus.

Moira was about to inquire as to how he had come to own the Burning Pot, but Elaine returned a moment with the menus.  Turning to Moira she asked for a drink order.  Moira hesitated for a moment, but ordered her usual drink of choice when she was out, a glass of fire whiskey.  The other women flitted off again, and she assumed she knew Alex's usual drink.

"She seems lovely," she said, turning her attention back to him.

Elaine couldn't have been much younger then her.  She wondered what, if anything, separated her from having the title of 'girl' in his mind.  Perhaps it was the air of innocence she had never really had about her.  Her mother had always said she was more like an adult then most 'grown ups.'

"You know, one can tell a lot about someone by how their employees act around them," she continued, her smile genuine.  "Although I must say I'm impressed anyone can balance owning a tavern with the duties of a regular position."

"You know, one can tell a lot about someone by how their employees act around them," she continued, her smile genuine.  "Although I must say I'm impressed anyone can balance owning a tavern with the duties of a regular position."

"Mostly I don't really do anything here," he said almost dismissive of her compliment.  Maybe it was because he didn't really feel deserving of anything involving him getting praise, but he was always like that.  "I'm owner by name only, and as long as Frank keeps the buisness going and successful and serves me my favorite drink and chili cheese fries...well that's all I care about."

He remembered when he had first gotten the buisness off the ground and had actually handed it over to Frank to manage when he had been assigned a mission with Marcus that made them both leave London for quite a while.  Frank had done such a good job that Alex had never taken the position back and in fact liked the way things were now.  He doubt he'd be able to manage and be Head of Magical Law Enforcement at the same time without having some sort of mental disorder appear.

Alex did manage to keep the riff raff with a few displays that had saved Elaine a couple times.  Which was why she had grown attached to him.  Any boss that pays you and stands up for you, is rare from what he had experienced in his life.

"So Moira, what brings you back to London?  And so close to Remembering day as well..." Alex smiled as he took a drink from his glass.

(sorry for my lack of reply...)

((Hey there stranger...No Problem))

Moira noted how he deflected the praise.  The sign of humility, a trait she admired.  It was not always easy to be so in this world.  After he answered the conversation took it's natural turn of events, to her.  It was inevitable, and she knew she could answer without giving too much information.  All he needed was the basics.

"The timing is purely a coincidence," she said with a sad smile as she took a sip of her own drink, the familiar warmth filling.  She didn't grimace at the slight burning, having long been numb to the sensation.

The day was a celebration of sorts, but for any who had actually lived through it, there were other emotions that came into play as well.  It seemed like forever ago and yesterday at the same time.  She would never forget the day she heard the news from her parents.  The joy she felt at knowing it was over, and the sadness for those who had been lost.

"I've been in America studying healing," she told him.  "My family is here, and London has always been my home.  A position opened up in St. Mungo's and I jumped at the chance to come home.  I've been out of touch with this part of our world for so long."

"I've been in America studying healing," she told him.  "My family is here, and London has always been my home.  A position opened up in St. Mungo's and I jumped at the chance to come home.  I've been out of touch with this part of our world for so long."

"America huh?" Alex laughed more to himself.  It was funny to him only that all through his career, he often forgot on how big the wizarding community was.  A lot of times he thought the only problems there were was the ones happening here.  However, they had help during the Voldemort 2nd Rise, from various other parts of the world.  Though a lot of it small, all of it had helped in the end.  "I apologize, my whole life has been here in London, other than a few of my assignments I had early in my career, I sometimes forget there is a world beyond this.  Silly I know."

Just then Elaine appeared with menu's for them.  Alex gave her a smile and a nod.

"Just let me know when your ready, 'kay?" Elaine smiled back and left.

"Our menu is pretty robust so there should be just about everything for whatever mood your in.  Personally, I just come for the chili cheese fries," he laughed a bit.  "To be honest I only opened it so I could have my own place that had reliable chili cheese fries and good beer and whiskey."

He switched back to the topic again.  "America huh?  I heard some of their healers are considered the best in the world.  Some of them have even come here when we have a rare magical disease, but that hasn't happened in quite a long time.  But it isn't like I keep myself up to date on these sorts of subjects."

"Our menu is pretty robust so there should be just about everything for whatever mood your in.  Personally, I just come for the chili cheese fries.  To be honest I only opened it so I could have my own place that had reliable chili cheese fries and good beer and whiskey."

"All of my favorite things!" Moira said with a laugh.

All her weaknesses, is what she meant.  To be fair, it had become a way to drown her sorrows, but there was no need to go into that.  A good plate of 'comfort food' and a glass of whiskey seemed to cure whatever ailed her most nights.  She didn't think any more of it though as he continued.

"America huh?  I heard some of their healers are considered the best in the world.  Some of them have even come here when we have a rare magical disease, but that hasn't happened in quite a long time.  But it isn't like I keep myself up to date on these sorts of subjects."

There had been many times indeed her coworkers had traveled to London to assist on a case.  She had often been a source of information for those who were traveling, telling them all the best places to go when not working on the case.  It had always amused her to hear their studies when they returned.  A good reminder of home.

"St. Dymphna's is considered the second best in the world after our own St. Mungo's," she told him, her tone sincere without any sense of bragging.  "I was extremely lucky to study there and be taken on as a staff member.  But, it's good to be home."

She took a moment to look over the menu, telling herself to be sensible and to order something healthy.  She was a healer after all, she should set a good example with her own nutrition.  However, the allure of cheesy, greasy,  chili cheese fries was too good to pass up.

"You know, I do believe I will take the recommendation of the owner tonight," she said with a slight smirk, setting the menu aside.  "Tell me a bit about your work.  I'm sure it is much more interesting then the life of a healer."

She was deflecting attention a bit.  They had safely discusses a bit about America, and she was ready to move on to a new topic.

Alex never really had to look at the menu, considering he was the one that had made the majority of it.  And slowly over the years of operation had added some of the local favorites as well as a few other styles.  Over all it wasn't a typical menu that was found at a Tavern, but that was how Alex enjoyed it.  He could never stand for such a bland selection.  But that was probably also what made the Burning Pot such a success.

"You know, I do believe I will take the recommendation of the owner tonight," she said with a slight smirk, setting the menu aside.  "Tell me a bit about your work.  I'm sure it is much more interesting then the life of a healer."

"Yes well its not glamorous. And certainly can be overly complicated..." Alex said thinking about the whole thing with Kingstreet, and how he had to play that whole scenario.  There was just a little bit of manipulation and minor acting on his part.  It was incredibly taxing on him, simply because he had always hated the political game.  Unfortunately he was really good at it.  And as much as he couldn't stand it some times, he never turned away from something he was good at.  "Lately its just all preparations for Remembering day and its events.  Planning Security and what not.  Though most of that is left to the Head of Auror's...I have to flatten out the other details.  Well as much as I can."

Elaine came back, "Decide what you wanted?"

"Just give me the usual," Alex smiled and nodded, and I believe Moria here, will be having the same thing." 

She nodded," Alright, two chili cheese fries coming up."  Elaine walked back off.

"I find it rather comforting here...especially after a incredibly long day at work.  Especially when our dear Minister of Magic is going detail crazy on Remembering day..."  Alex sighed.

Moira took a sip of her drink as he spoke, listening as he seemed to downplay things a bit, a trait she was more then familiar with.  She nodded slightly at his mention of Remembering Day.  It was natural all at the Ministry would be working hard on the planning and execution of the event.  The tenth anniversary was just around the corner and very important day for all.  The ensure everything went smoothly and safely would surely take the cooperation of the entire staff.

When Elaine came back, she merely nodded in agreement at the order, watching the other woman wander off again for a moment.  As she turned her attention back to Alex a familiar title caught her attention.  and she could help quirking an eyebrow slightly.  It was natural the two should know each other, but she had not known who Marcus was after their "run in" a few days earlier and she certainly was unsure how close he was to the man sitting across from her.

"I'm sure it must be an extremely stressful time for everyone," she said.  "I can't imagine all the planning that must go into an event of this magnitude, nor the man power required to make sure it goes off without a hitch.  It's such a big anniversary...It's hard to believe sometimes it's been ten years."

As she spoke she hoped she was steering the conversation back to safer territory.  She couldn't tell from Alex's statement what sort of working relationship he had was Marcus.  After reading the article about him the other day she didn't want Alex to think she was just another woman who enjoyed throwing herself at men in positions of power.  That was certainly the furthest thing from the truth.