Morning Chat (For Emma and Richard/Open to Adults)

Richard walked into the Inn, gazing around in awe. He had first intended to go to the Three Broomsticks, as usually, yet the crowdedness of the place made him change his mind. The place had went though an incredible transformation since the last time he had visited it. The once very dirty and dingy room, with bay windows so encrusted with filth that you could barely see through them, was now a warm and welcoming pub.

"If it isn't my friend Andrew Grecco." he greeted his colleague upon approaching the counter, vigorously shaking his hand. "Ladies, behold the man who put half of Azkaban behind bars." he added jokingly at a group of young women nearby. "So, what are you doing at Hogsmeade?" he inquired, taking a seat beside him. "Top secret ministry business?"

Richard almost choked on his Butterbeer upon hearing the name of Andrew's date. "Selene Vega?!" he repeated, staring sillily at his friend once he was able to speak again. "I just had an interview with her this morning. She's gorgeous!" he exclaimed with an admirative glance towards his friend. "When did you meet her? And how did you ever get her to accept going on a date with you? Love potion, was it?" he teased his coworker with a smile.

"Oh, Madam Puddifoot's is sure much better. If she were fourteen, that is." Richard laughed, hoping his friend wouldn't take his mocking seriously. "I'm sure she'll have a great time." he said more seriously, trying to reassure his friend. "Cheers to that!" he raised his cup of Butterbeer.

"We're publishing a special issue of the Prophet concerning the reopening of the school, so I thought our readers might be interested to meet the new generation of professors and students." Richard replied casually. Of course, he had used the opportunity to interrogate Selene Vega about her knowledge of the rumoured new threat that was rising from the shadows. He was eager to get Andrew's opinion on the matter as well, but this was not the place to discuss such sensible subjects.

"How is it I was not invited?" he exclaimed, pulling a face. "Well, you're lucky she met you first, otherwise I can assure you she wouldn't be able to resist my charms." he added with a satisfied smirk. "And for the record, I have never used Love Potion in my conquests. And I'm currently single, if you wish to know. For now, that is." he precised, then took another sip of Butterbeer.

"Actually, we had a new journalist at the Prophet. Thalia. Very nice girl. I showed her around, we even grabbed a drink on Diagon Alley. It was really going well, you know. She was even supposed to come with me today for the interviews. But just yesterday I learned that she had resigned." Leaning his mug, he drained it in one long gulp. "I guess she just couldn't handle my good looks and my impressive journalistic skills." he joked, forcing himself to smile.

"Just Selene and a few students." Richard replied. "I interviewed Rufford as well a few weeks ago. He's glad that they reopened the school, and wants everyone to know that it's safe now. After everything that's happened, I guess he just wants to convince people that the worst is behind us." Glancing around, he then lowered his voice. "But he also admitted something about a new threat. He insisted that they had it under control, but I'm not so sure."

"I guess that could have played a tiny part as well." he admitted with a grin, staring at his empty mug. He regretted having drunk it all so fast. "But she really seemed to like me. I guess I'll just have to steal Selene Vega away from you." he teased his colleague, beckoning the innkeeper to bring two more Butterbeers.