#skeeterbeatle

“What do you mean there were arrests?”  Severus raised an eyebrow, Evan smirking at him from across the counter he was leaning lazily against.  The Death Eaters had been laying low for a bit, choosing to gather intellegence instead of rushing into action.  The news that a Death Eater had been arrested was startling.  Was there a mole in their midst?  

“Apparently Vinny got caught snooping around where he shouldn’t with some reporter.  Skeeter or something?  They were being held at the ministry.  Sera came to bust Vin out of the clink, but she left his bird on the side in Ministry custody.” Evan smirked as a chuckle escaped his lips.  “Claims they were on some sort of recon mission but the Dark Lord hadn’t sent him on anything.”  

So Vincent was the other Death Eater that Rita knew.  After she had seen his mark and hadn’t reacted with much surprise, Severus figured Rita was friends with another Death Eater.  Since the two of them generally just spent time the two of them, he hadn’t realized who else she was friends with.  It hadn’t organically come up in conversation and honestly Severus didn’t care.  He was a bit disappointed that Rita was friends with Crabbe, however.  It must be because she was obviously so intellectually superior it was good for her ego.  

“Great.  If the old man sees the shop closed early, he’ll dock my pay.” Severus rolled his eyes and strode over to the door, flipping the sign and turning off the lights with a wave of his wand.  

“How many times have I told you, Sev, talking about money only reminds the rest of us how poor you are.  Why are you closing the shop anyway? Vincent’s already out from the ministry, probably having makeup sex with Sera as we speak.”  

“Ugh.  I do not need the mental image of the Crabbe’s having sex, Evan.  Merlin help us if those to manage to procreate.”  Severus opened the register, pulling out a handful of galleons (an advance on his next few paychecks, of course) and slipping them in his pocket.  “I’m going to spring the reporter out of the Ministry.  I’ve been building a relationship with her as a source of information.  Now that Vincent’s probably burned that bridge, someone needs eyes and ears in the media.”  Severus opened the door, gesturing a rather annoyed Evan out of the shop, locking everything, and turning on the spot to apparate outside of the ministry.

----

“Well if it isn’t the illustrious Severus Snape.  Wasn’t quite expecting you to be here.  How was I so lucky to have the Potions Master personally come and bail me out?”  Severus kept his arms crossed, but he couldn’t help the smirk that played across his face.  Even having spent the last few hours in Ministry custody, she couldn’t resist poking fun at him.  He was pretty 

“Someone had to, or you’d probably rot in here for months.  At least until someone realized they needed the paparazzi to cover the next gala.  Ms. Paddon doesn’t look nearly as nice in a gown.”  

“Why Sev, I’d almost think you were flirting with me.”  

“Oh, don’t worry.” Severus rolled his eyes.  “I don’t like to associate with criminals.”  The two exchanged a knowing look, the Ministry guard busy with the paperwork for Rita’s release.  She cracked a small smile and Severus suppressed a chuckle.  After almost 30 minutes of waiting around, the two of them were finally ushered out of the ministry building and out onto the streets.  

“You’re in my custody so don’t go skipping town, Skeeter.”  

“Wouldn’t dream of it.  We’ve got a potions class tomorrow, Potions Master.”  She turned to walk down one of the side streets, yelling over her shoulder.  “I’ll be there 6:00 sharp.”  Severus rolled his eyes again, shaking his head.  

“What, I talk about taking you for a walk by the Thames, at night, and you don’t think that’s romantic? I mean, just because there’s a dead body involved....” Moody grinned.

Moody looked down at the blonde as she looked away from him and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. A smirk spread across his face and warmth spread through his body. “Who says I don’t have anyone?” he asked, pretending to be offended. 

She looked up at him, ready to retort--or apologize and hurry away--but he stopped her by placing a hand on her arm, gently. 

Lucinda didn’t believe in fate, of course she didn’t. But it was not coincidence that she had been out of the house when her parents had been taken. They had planned this. They wanted to make a statement. 

Lucinda turned on the reporter, a furious glint in her eye, a slightly manic smile on her lips, 

“Oh Ms. Skeeter, this was no coincidence. Nor was it fate. It was planned. Just like whatever happens next is going to be.” 

18. Hold hands with anyone this week?

”My wife and I aren’t exactly big on hand holding.”

39. Do you make wishes at 11:11?

“If I remember correctly, this interview was supposed to be about me and my accomplishments, not the stupidity of making wishes on things.”

46. What were you doing at midnight last night?

“I can’t remember what I had for breakfast this morning, how do you expect me to remember that? Probably in bed with my beautiful wife.”

29. Were your last three kisses from the same person?