oh, the joy - Andrew

[hermione]

Hermione had about an hour to kill before going into work, and honestly she couldn't find a thing to do other than wonder around the cobblestone alley ways of Diagon Alley window shopping. She hadn't gone in any stores yet, but that didn't mean she wouldn't if she found something particularly interesting. She was already in uniform, a pencil shirt that was an inch below the knee with a button up white collar shirt tucked in respectively. Her shoes were an old pair but didn't have any holes or smell too horrible. Her hair was pulled back in a high pony tail, which let the chill of the November breeze send shivers down her spine.

Miss Granger stopped in front of a potion's shop, looking at the ingredients they had on sale. It reminded her of when she had been pack in Hogwarts, or on the run with Harry and Ron. Wrapping her arms around herself, she moved on and shoved such thoughts from her mind. Everything seemed to make her think of Harry lately, of how she lost her best friend. He was like a younger brother to her, someone who had accepted her in Hogwarts. Moving onto Magical Menagerie, Hermione smiled.

She knew Crookshanks was cuddled up in his favorite spot in her apartment. He really wasn't as bad as some people thought when you looked at him, but people took appearances into account and then it took a lot to change their mind once their first impression was in place. There were a few animals about, then some stacks of food. Hermione was surprised that the place had even stayed open after all this time. Turning around, she nearly bumped into someone else walking by. "Sorry." She murmured softly, taking a step back so she was no longer in his way.

[andrew lancaster gin]

Andrew had woken up in his bed looking out the window to notice the fields had been covered in snow. Sighing he pulled himself out of bed. The house was empty except for the few house elfs working in the kitchen and around the house. He also had a few outside tending to the horses. He rubbed the side of his head before walking to the bathroom taking care of some morning preperations for the day. He took a quick shower, and straightened his appearance with a nice green polo with a brown hide coat over it. A scarf wrapped around his neck and some green gloves as well. Completing it with a set of brown trouser. On his way to the fire pit he grabbed a small croissant with butter. After all he needed some breakfast.

He took a handful of flu powder and threw it in the fire. Causing it to glow green. Walking inside he spoke aloud. "Borgin and Burkes." It wasn't like he was going to be shopping there. He just knew that Borgin wouldn't give him lip about him popping up. Sighing he walked out into the dark shop. Nodding at the man as he walked out. He could hear him mumbling something under his breath.

Andrew himself had decided to surprise Morgan with a new pet. After all her last pet owl had been killed in an unfortunate airplane accident. He'd never buy an owl from the black market again. Heading towards Magical Menagerie he couldn't help but notice how cold it was. And one thing Andrew hated was the cold. Rubbing his head to get the snow out he opened the door and walked in. Looking at all the different types of animals he couldn't help but grin.

But what would Morgin like? He hadn't actually thought about it till now. A bat, or perhaps a toad. No she like things that were pretty and had color. But what kinda animal would that be? A cat could be, but that wasn't as useful as owls. Sighing he was rubbing his head when someone bumped into him. Sighing he turned as a females voice apologized. Looking down he noticed who it was. There was no mistaking who she was. She was on the kill on site list.

"No need miss Granger. I'd just be a bit more careful with who you bump into. Never know now adays." He said with a smile. "But where are my manners. My name if Eric Bowmen." Andrew said giving a fake name.

[hermione]

Hermione looked up at the face of the man she had almost bumped into. Dark. That was the first thought that went through her mind. She stared into his eyes and smiled wryly as he seemed to already know who she was. He didn't seem very dark at all, in fact he was a gentleman. That would be her first impression of this man, at least for now. "Nice to meet you, Eric Bowman." She said, and she almost introduced herself before she remembered he already knew who she was. "I would introduce myself, but it seems like you already know who I am."

It seemed like just because she was Harry Potter's friend, that she was both a celebrity and one of those most wanted people. Most wanted wasn't sexual, actually it was the counter part of passion. Murder, wrath. Both needed a great amount of emotion and could overwhelm a person. "I guess I should be a little more careful, though I have been doing my best to seem scarce." She doubted anyone would guess she was living in a shabby apartment building, or working as a waitress. Yet, it was the only job she could get, the only place she had been able to afford while looking for a job. "Going to buy an animal?" Hermione asked politely, noticing his direction.

[andrew lancaster gin]

He couldn't help but agree that he already knew who she was. Almost everyone did. It was this girls lucky day. At least he was in control right now. Not like the other times he would black out and find himself somewhere else. Some time's he wondered if it was just sleep walking or was their something wrong with him. He hoped it was the first. "Indeed you should. Coarse you have nothing to fear from me. I prefer to stay out of fighting matters. After all wouldn't want to scratch my face." He commented in a joking matter. Turning back towards the shelf's of animals he continued to entertain the idea of having a conversation with a wanted...well criminal in this new age.

"Indeed. Something for my niece. You see she just loves things that are graceful and beautiful. I just can't decide on what to get. Do you work here?" He asked looking towards her attire. After all it did look like a work uniform. Did she really have that bad of a fashion sense. He hoped not. Looking back he watched as a small lizard crawled up the side of his glass container. It was quite an interesting specimen.

[hermione]

Someone who was neutral, they could be just as dangerous if threatened. He preferred to stay out of the fight, so if Voldemort ever showed up on his doorstep and demanded for him to fight he might trade information instead of fighting. Though, she was certain that Voldemort would still make him fight after he got the information. She did laugh at his joke though, smiling a she responded. "I see, though when you get older you'll be fighting those wrinkles and laugh or frown lines." It wasn't nearly as funny as what he had said, but then Hermione was more technical and studious than funny. She just didn't seem to have the knack for it.

Something for his niece, Hermione smiled warmly. That was so sweat, she wondered if it was the niece's birthday or Eric just thought she needed a companion. "Uh, no I don't work here, but I am dressed for work. I have to be there in about..." Hermione looked at her muggle wristwatch."Fifty five minutes. I don't have anything else to do though, read through all my books and don't have the money for more. I bought my cat here though, they are good companions. Owls are good to talk to and deliver messages, though they tend to bite. " Hermione noticed his gaze on the lizard and her smile grew a bit. Guys always went for the reptiles or more disgusting creatures. Well, Hermione thought some of them were disgusting.

[andrew lancaster gin]

Indeed the lizard was quite fascinating. He enjoyed the more exotic animals then the usual cat, toad and owl. But she had already gotten a pet cat before school. But a messaging owl was still needed. Sighing he rubbed the back of his neck before looking over to her. "Indeed. She already has a cat, I just think she'd like something else to... besides its for her birthday. I wasn't able to come to it this year due to work." In all cases it was true. He had missed Morgans birthday due to a task set to him to complete. It sickened him.

Looking at the women in front of him. He couldn't help but think that perhaps, just maybe if he brought her in. He and his sister would be free to live a life with out murder, without death. To just tend to the family business and enjoy all the simple pleasures he held so dear. He placed his hands in his pockets. His hand holding onto his wands handle. Just a body bind.. that was all it would take. Then deliver her to the dark lord and he'd be free. That was all he needed.

But at the same time he couldn't do it. This girl...no this women was one of the last few who stood against the dark lord. Stood against the man he hated to follow. But did so cause he was to weak himself to protect the ones he love. But this girl... her and her friends, even without Potter was part of another little glimpse of hope. "Perhaps just an owl. That way we can send each other messages."

[hermione]

Hermione nodded and wondered what kind of cat the girl might have. Well, she supposed it also depended on what kind of companion the girl wanted. Of course, all this thinking didn't distract her from noticing his hand going into his pocket. Hermione let her foot slide just an inch if she had to run. Hermione hated this, but it might just be a habit to put his hands in his pockets. Yet, she was on edge from this war.

"Ah, an owl. I would look for a good tempered one then. Also one that's good with navigation. A friend of mine got an owl and the owl would take the letter and deliver it right back to him." Hermione smiled a bit, thinking of it. It annoyed it's owner half to death. "Snowy owls was a good companion for my best friend, and delivered to anywhere. " Hermione missed Hedwig, even if she had been Harry's owl. Harry loved the owl very much. Hermione knew sadness would be in her eyes, thinking about both Harry and Hedwig. It was pretty sad, that she hadn't gotten over it yet. That sometimes she cried herself to sleep. Yet still, she had to trudge forward.

[andrew lancaster gin]

Andrew watched as the girls foot moved. He could see the muscles tense at the thought of being attacked. He noticed all of the signs of one who was ready to run. One who wouldn't dare try to fight when other's lives were in danger. It warmed his heart a bit. Oh how he could see this girl being the next leader or at least pivotal part of the orders resistance. But this girl would have to learn to stand and fight, not just run.

He stood there a second before taking his hand out of his pocket he brought out a small purse of coins. Opening it he slowly acted like he was counting it. Pretending that he was a bit worried about not having enough money for the owl. But in all honesty could of bought the store clean out. Smiling a bit he looked up. "I agree. not to mention they do look quite pretty in the night."

[hermione]

Hermione felt like an idiot, she honestly did. Then again, she had a survival instinct inside her now. Well, it had always been there but it had been fully awakened because of this war. She relaxed, just a bit and watched him count his money. Well, this man was just wondering if he could really pay for his niece's birthday owl. "They are, the white feathers against the dark night." Hermione looked behind her at the door and moved out of his way. "Uh, was I in your way?" She asked, looking apologetic. This man really had been kind to her since she'd met him, and considering she was trying to find recruits for the Order maybe she could find a way to get this Eric Bowman into the Order of the Phoenix. "Do you mind if I tag along with you while your inside, I just have a cat. Now that I"m out of Hogwarts, I'll need some way of sending letters to my friends and well...since Harry was killed people don't even like me buying things from their stores. They'll give me false information and all that, so if I just tag along with you maybe they'll be honest." It was true, Hermione needed an owl. She just honestly wanted to buy it after she bought her new apartment, but if she could get a new recruit the money spent would be worth it.

[andrew lancaster gin]

He smiled at her at the thought of how the white feathers contrasted against the dark of night. He enjoyed this conversation, even in the chaos of this war, she still enjoyed the few simple beauties of life. "No you weren't in the way at all." He said with a small nod of his head. He truly hoped he would not be the one ordered to kill this women. Cause in all honesty, he might of not been able to do it. As she asked about tagging along and started to ramble about false information and such he laughed a bit.

"Of corse you can come along. I couldn't say no to a beautiful women like you." He said. He meant it. She was quite the looker, it was a shame she was a mudblood though. He would of rather enjoyed a women of her quality as a companion in life. "Shall we go and get us some owls?" he asked with a smile.

[hermione]

Hermione smiled back at him, glad not to have been in the way. She had often been in the way before, and didn't know it. She wondered if maybe he was just saying it to make her feel better though. He seemed like a gentleman, so maybe he was just being a gentleman about this. "Ah, I was hoping I wasn't. " She said, in mild relief. She really didn't like being a bother to anyone, unless they were absolutely wrong. Then, she was compelled not to let them suffer with that wrong idea stuck in their head. She certainly wouldn't like going around with false information inside her head. It was an injustice to knowledge.

Hermione expected a yes, but not the compliment he directed at her. "Uh, well thank you. Your very..handsome yourself." She felt awkward, she was dating Ron at the moment but she didn't want to be rude. That, and really if she went around pronouncing that Ron Weasley was her boy friend it would hurt him. He had been Harry Potter's best friend too, but at least he was a pureblood. Hermione needed to get back to reality though, so she smiled at him and nodded. "Indeed, let's go in."