#advanced~study

Things got increasingly tricky when you were a death eater who didn’t particularly care about blood status.  Of course, due to the history of magic in their blood, Natalie supposed purebloods tended to be more powerful, but it wasn’t always the case.  There were wonderful muggle-borns like Dirk Creswell, who Natalie was happy to be reconnecting with, and Lily Evans.  

Lily and Natalie had forged a friendship back in Hogwarts when the ginger had been kind enough to tutor Natalie in potions.  It was the only subject she was in danger of getting a low mark on in fifth year, so Professor Slughorn had connected Natalie with Lily.  While things had started out as a business relationship, it quickly turned into a weekly study session where more talking and laughing happened than studying.  

Nowadays, it has become a bit of a trouble finding time to talk with Lily.  They both had jobs, responsibilities... at least Lily used to before all that... all that suffering that Natalie had a part in, however indirect...  And while Natalie was a Death Eater, she found it increasingly difficult to maintain her smile when she knew her actions while masked directly disagreed with their very existence.  When she saw the girl, however, just outside of Fortescues, she decided to take the opportunity to take a seat beside her, flopping her bag on the table.  

“What are we doing today, Miss Evans?” Natalie grinned, her eyes sparkling.  “Studying the success of the flavors of the ice cream?  Or perhaps their creaminess?”