I watch the exchange between the shopkeeper and Bridget for a moment. For the slightest second she seems to want to say something, then simply tells me to follow her. I nod, and we step into the cold. Not that it bothers me, my wool robes keeps me plenty warm. Not to mention the Radiatus Fira spell, which keeps the wool robes nice and heated on the inside. Me being from the warmer regions of England I’m not terribly used to the cold weather that Hogwarts has been known to have.
 

Making our way to the Three Broomsticks, I welcomed the warm (and isolated) atmosphere, how easy it was to vanish at a table. There is a moment of silence between us, before she asks [i]“So...what were you doing in the bookstore anyway?”[/i] I think a moment before answering. Do I really want to be honest? Truth was, I was researching the Dark Mark, Death Eaters, and He Who Must not be Named. In fact, there was a book I’d seen last time I was there, [i]You Know Who and the Rise of the Death Eaters,[/i] by Edwin Irvistad. It was about the Dark Lord himself, Death Eater tactics, and some of the dark magic that they were known to have used in the past. I always suspected there was more to my parents death than a simple house fire. Fiend Fyre was there that day, I was sure of it. But I don’t know why. I suspect the Dark Lord’s minions, but again I don’t know why.  With the pause between her question and my answer getting lengthier, I finally decide to answer as truthfully as possible.

[b]“I’m researching dark wizards,”[/b] I finally reply, sighing bitterly. [b]“And their tactics.”[/b] I let my voice trail off, gazing deep into my butterbeer. I take a large gulp of the stuff, and slam the glass down on the table. [b]“I just [i]know[/i] there is something to it though!!!”[/b] I exclaim, mostly to myself even if it was damn near a shout. I blink, then turn towards Bridget. [b]“Sorry….hope I didn’t startle you…”[/b]