Shine

[Ellen Harper]

Today would be the day to spend in the sun, walking around and gaining a well thought out idea of what kind of walking program Ellen would use. She had neglected her exercise and it seemed as if the prospect of window shopping and perhaps a bit of real money in hand shopping, would be the only thing to get her out of the apartment. She was beginning to become lazy on her days and afternoons off, and it wouldn't do to gain those extra pounds back that she had so successfully been rid of two years ago.

The cobbled streets of the harbor annoyed her thinly covered feet, yet that would not deter her. Obsidian Harbor had fabulous shops, and their window displays were marvelous. Ellen stopped at one, smiling at the newest styles of witches robes that primarily targeted a younger wearer. She wouldn't buy that, but maybe something else....

 

[Brian Getathorn XIX]

Brian had to get away, his so called Mentor was a complete nightmare and so was her little lackey. Brian understood that Erica was giving him a lot of faith by partnering him up with what they both agreed was the worst reporter in the history of the Daily Prophet but even he had his limits. Brian had a lot on his mind and was still trying to sort some things out, he wished he had Z around to speak with but she seemed as lost in her own head as he was and it wouldn't be right to bring up Andromeda with her. Brian didn't understand where everything had turned so messed up and was starting to get tired of it all. He needed a break from everything that was wrong in his life and needed to find something good, something new.

Walking down the cobbled streets Brian kept his eyes on the ground not really paying attention to anything that was going on. It was perhaps this self involved thought that caused him to bump headfirst into someone causing him to stumble backwards. "I'm sorry!" Brian said trying to recover himself from such a stupid accident, Brian looked up at the woman trying to make sure that she was alright. "I'm sorry, I should watch where I'm going" Brian said wishing that it was simpler than that. Brian looked at her and at the window of the store that she had been looking into "um... I'm sure that would look good on you, if you were thinking about buying it" Brian said trying to say something nice to make amends for his own stupid clumsiness.

 

[Ellen Harper]

Ellen's slowly lifted up her hands and touched the cool and clear glass with the tips of her fingers. Her job at the Ministry would not pay enough if she continued to purchase clothes left and right. She would need to refrain, and instead gain a new and cheaper activity. Shopping was her therapy. Whenever something bad would happen to her, or to her family, Ellen would grab her pocket book and be on her way to the Makuto Mall in a heart beat. She basked in trying on clothing, and would place her attentions on the shopaholic tendencies rather than insult someone like she was prone to do when upset.

She was saved from pondering the subject any further when a young man suddenly bumped into her. "Excuse you." Ellen's sharp tongue spat out. Don't be too hard on him. She constantly tried to remind herself that the High School behaviors were over, and she was in the adult world now. "Well. Thanks. I'm actually trying to convince myself not to buy it, though." She crossed her arms, doing the typical body signal of hiding and protecting herself. "You're okay. It was only a small bump."

 

[Brian Getathorn XIX]

Brian had been a bit surprised at first by her snappish response but couldn't have been surprised since nobody liked being bumped into. This was especially true if one was in the middle of contemplating something as was the case in this situation. Brian noticed that she crossed her arms and squinted his eyes in response since he was a little confused by this behavior. "I'm not going to hurt you" Brian said with a smile hoping that he would be able to reassure her of this fact since he was after all pretty harmless. Brian removed his smile though as his mind, always giving him doubtful thoughts turned to his past and the way he treated the people in his life. Perhaps he wasn't that harmless considering he had a habit of hurting people he loved.

"I'm sorry anyways for bumping into you" Brian said as something began itching inside his brain, it was the guy part of him that was obviously telling him that this woman was attractive and therefore he should try to get to know her. It was what made most guy's stupid, including himself on many occasions. Brian pushed the thought out of his mind as Andromeda came back in, gloating that the girl he had rejected and now loved was no longer attainable. Brian began to chuckle slightly as he looked down at the ground and then back up at the woman "I've got a lot on my mind" Brian said trying to explain his apparent yet slight crack up. "Would you mind if I buy you a cup of coffee, to make amends?" Brian asked as his head wiped Andromeda from his mind. He had wanted something new and now something new was standing in front of him, he could really use a new friend at the moment.

 

[Ellen Harper]

Ellen removed her cross arms, and placed a small smile upon her carefully sculpted lips. "I know. Why ever would you believe I thought that?" Her arms felt awkward hanging down at her sides, so she placed them behind her back, gently fiddling with her nails. She liked the feel of this man for he seemed to be able to calm her a bit from acting incredibly nervous. In the past, her snotty attitude was the resort of nerves of conversing with other students, and it was difficult to put a stop to it, even after all these years. A part of her was still living in Hogwarts.

"No, you're fine, really. It was an accident, of course. An accident that isn't entirely unwelcome." Ellen shot him a heart warming smile. "I don't even know your name!" She was flattered that he would ask her to get a cup of coffee, yet she needed to know who exactly she was going with. "I'm Ellen, by the way. And you are?"

 

[Brian Getathorn XIX]

Brian laughed again "I'm sorry again, I get ahead of myself" Brian said as he looked up into her piercing eyes "My name is Brian" he said as he placed his hands in his pocket, he felt unusually nervous at the way her body moved. Like even when she wasn't trying to be guarded she still was, it wasn't something Brian had seen before in a woman. "I'm an intern at the Daily Prophet" Brian said not quite sure why he said that since it wasn't exactly something he could brag about. "I mean, I work for the Prophet and will be a reporter soon" Brian said trying and failing to recover from what he had just said. Brian pulled his hand from his pocket and brushed his hair with his hand trying to think of something better to say.

"There's a coffee shop over there that I hear is good" Brian said as he put his hand down and began walking towards the place he'd heard about. Upon walking up towards it he realized that it wasn't exactly a coffee shop, more like a coffee stand however there was a bench near it that people could sit down and drink in relative peace. Brian looked around and figured it was a nice enough day, he hoped that she wouldn't mind as he walked up and ordered his drink. "So... what brings you out today?" Brian asked, he never did like silence especially when he had been the one to ask her to drink a cup with him.

 

[Ellen Harper]

Ellen couldn't help but chuckle. She had a little thought that she was making Brain a little more than nervous. "I don't mean to come off as hostile. It's...been engraved in me since my school days. Some habits die hard." Brian did not seem put off by her behavior, which was why she immediately decided to join him for coffee. "So, I suppose you are coworkers with that Cynthia woman." He couldn't help that woman worked with him, but Ellen didn't particularly like her snooping into other peoples lives. It was also a sore spot for her, because a little while ago Cynthia wrote a particularly nasty piece on the Department of International Cooperation, and it didn't please anyone that worked in that wing. "It still sounds like an interesting career choice, don't get me wrong."

Ellen nodded, and followed him, stepping quickly across the street until they reached the little coffee stand. The sun was bright today, yet not so horribly, and many people sat on the benches enjoying a cup of coffee before they were scheduled to return to work. "I've never been to this stand before..." Perhaps she had missed it one of her many shopping trips. Most of the spending sprees did not include a meal. Ellen did like the quiet and welcoming feel to it, and when she ordered her drink she enjoyed chatting to the owner behind the counter. The drinks were made quickly, Ellen having chose a small caramel coldbrewed coffee, and she went to sit down. "I wanted to get a bit of sun and exercise. Why are you out?"

 

[Brian Getathorn XIX]

Brian sat down with his drink in hand, he listened as Ellen stated that she had wanted to get some sun and exercise and then asked the same question of him. "I've had a lot on my mind lately and needed to get out for a bit" Brian said thinking about it all. "I especially needed to get away from Vandervoort" Brian said realizing all to well that the only reason Cynthia did the things she did was because she enjoyed causing others misery and of course would do anything to be a celebrity. Despite the fact that everyone pretty much hated her, she did get what she wanted considering most of the people in the wizarding world knew her name and quite a bit feared to talk with her because they knew she would twist what they said in order to make some article.

"Honestly, I think she's a bit mental" Brian said taking another sip of coffee before he chuckled again at the thought of Cynthia sitting in some mental institution where she would be unable to cause anyone anymore pain. "So what about you?" Brian asked as he smiled and looked into her eyes "What is it that you do?" Brian asked, it wasn't everyday that he met new people even though that was supposed to be what his job entitled. He wanted to write articles about the good things that were happening in New Zealand and instead he was following a gossip queen, getting her whatever it was that she needed when he wasn't being ditched or made fun of. Brian couldn't wait for the day he would get his own desk and be able to put Cynthia out of his mind.

 

[Ellen Harper]

Ellen understood that all too well, although she really didn't have any serious real life problems hanging down on her at the moment. The last time something incredibly horrible happened was when her grandfather passed away the day before her little brothers birthday. She was very upset and although it was six years ago, the thought of his hand squeezing hers shortly before he passed was enough to reduce her to a deep melancholy. "Well, I hope the thoughts harboring in your mind aren't too bad." Ellen laughed when Brian commented about his need to get away from Vandervoort. "I'm sure everyone at the Prophet feels exactly the same."

Ellen nodded and took a quick sip of her frozen treat and allowed the flavor of caramel mixed with cold coffee to cool her tongue. This had to be one of her favorite drinks, and the little coffee stand that made it did a fantastic job. She made a mental note to tip them before she left, just to show gratitude for such a marvelous creation. "I work in the International Magical Office of Law. It's a department of the Department of International Magical Cooperation." Spitting that out almost made her tongue tied. "It's interesting, although not exactly exciting unless something huge has happened in the wizarding world."

 

[Brian Getathorn XIX]

Brian chuckled "Well that's the same with being a reporter" Brian said as he took another sip "If nothing's happening than people like Vandervoort are more than welcomed to write their garbage" Brian explained as he looked down at the ground "It's a little mad considering they're probably loads of stories out there that we don't ever get to hear about" Brian said as he continued staring at the stone almost willing it to do something exciting. "I joined the prophet hoping to be able to write about things that would inspire people, show the good that being done in the world" Brian said as he thought about once again Andromeda and how sure she had been that she was cursed and was without redemption.

Brian looked up at Ellen "it's good to talk to someone new" Brian said with a smile as he found himself looking into her eyes once more. "I was wondering" Brian said with a little thought in his voice "Maybe you'd like to join me for dinner sometime" Brian said as he looked down at his coffee. "I promise it'll actually be a restaurant and not a hot dog stand" Brian said with another chuckle. "Though the coffee is pretty good" Brian added as a sort've afterthought as he took another sip from it. He looked up at the owner who seemed to have been listening in on their conversation since he smiled before he turned and began helping someone else with their order.

 

[Ellen Harper]

"Then we both understand each other." Ellen could only wonder about the frustrations of attempting to find an acceptable story to put in the Prophet. Her job was a tad easier, seeing as there was always something to do even if nothing of interest was happening in the magical world. Helping other departments with paper work, cleaning up the office space, or doing a bit of traveling to research a new international law. The ban against magic carpets was one thing that was of particular interest to her, even though the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office had already laid a claim to that years ago. She couldn't understand why it was deemed a Muggle Object when a broomstick was nothing but a broom charmed to fly. "Perhaps you could do some research into a few laws you do not agree with and write a column on that if nothing else has happened lately." She would enjoy being a reporter, and would most likely write about things that interested her rather than what was currently going on in the world.

Ellen smiled and set her coffee down on the empty space beside her. It was halfway empty and she didn't feel like she could drink anymore, the sweetness having been incredibly strong for her taste buds. "Oh wow." She wanted to ask, Is this a date? but he wouldn't be asking her on a date so soon after they met...right? He was very handsome, and she did like his company but they hardly knew one another. "Of course, I'd really enjoy spending some more time with you." She felt a spark between the two, and even if his attentions were purely friendship based, she would go to dinner and have a great time. "Well...I don't mind where we go...even if it's a burger joint attached to an arcade."