brick & mortar

I wouldn’t put it past them. In either case. You don’t get any leeway being his son? We do. We’re in the Being Division of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. I suppose it’s the sort of thing most humans just ignore. I mean, it is for the goblins.

Less, frankly. Well it’s certainly not as though I’ve had to go in in need of some goblin liasoning, not being one myself. It’s good to know they’ve got a place to go to if they need it, in any case. Makes sense to have one considering they run our entire banking system.

Why would you risk the integrity of a slice of cake by shoving it in a bag?

There’s no need for that sort of look, Deering.

Of course you can. But anyway, they’re not dyeing the raspberries. They’re dyeing the food and adding bitter raspberry flavoring. Duh. 

You make the whole process sound so appealing.

I’ll say, people don’t always make the cut. So, okay. You’re pulling my leg, right? About never riding in a car? You’ve surely ridden in a car before, right? Right?

Not a once. Nothing with wheels, not even a tricycle.

Straight to business, aren’t you?

I’m imagining it could take awhile.

The context is a petition for higher wages for the goblins working in the wine-making industry, so unless they somehow use pickaxes in that, then it doesn’t make a lot of sense. Er, yeah, it’s my job actually. Translating. Goblin Liaison Office.

Maybe they’ve threatened their bosses who are underpaying them with a pickax? Or the boss is threatening to give them the ax? My dad’s threatened me with that a few times when I’ve showed up properly late to work. He says I’ve not got the excuse anymore. I didn’t know we had one. You don’t hear about it much, do you?

Charming. I picked it out myself.

Think that’s one of the things about being an adult, isn’t it? Having to pick out your own clothes.

Bingley doesn’t get along with other creatures who have four legs or less.

Including people?

I don’t need alcohol to take advantage of you.

I’m not that easy.

How do you think I can make that statement?

Good to know you think your brother’s Quidditch playing is laughable.

Your mother doesn’t count.

My mother only calls me funny is a disdainful sort of way.

I swear I just had it in here. Hold on, hold on, hold on.

I’ve a feeling it’s not actually in there at all. You’ve brought me here under false pretenses.

I don’t think it’d be in Herbology anyway. It’s more of… agriculture? I never gave much thought to blue raspberries until now. They’re not a real thing, are they? Only just a lie to use blue food coloring in drinks and sweets. I feel betrayed. 

They have to be real. You can’t dye a raspberry.

Make mine; I’ll make yours. Let’s see who does better for the other one.

As long as you promise not to use it as an excuse to get me drunk.

Regular funny guy, ain’t you?

It’s what most people tell me at least.