Room of Requirement

She smirked "you're good.. better than i originally estimated."

"yeah I know!" I say smugly. "So, who is it?"

"who do you think?" She looked at him curiously wondering what he knew.

"Well... given your lack of answer, general agreement about DE between us, I would have to say a high level DE. And given there's one here who would be most intrigued by being able to break into... my home."

"One Mr. Crouch Junior the IV, am I correct?"

She grinned "brilliant deduction..you are indeed correct."

I take a bow, "Yes yes... I know, I'm brilliant."

"But all praise aside, and I can't believe I said that, what did he want your services for?"

She giggled a little when he bowed and smirked "what kind of secret would it be if I divulge it to you."

"A secret that could potentially save a great deal of lives..."

She opened her mouth as though to say something and then stopped thinking quietly for a moment "I haven't agreed to anything ..and I probably won't.."

"You understand, Crouch doesn't take well to rejection. Even if you hide, he'll find you or your brother."

"I can provide you both with protection but I need to know the details." All playfulness was gone, replaced with the seriousness and devotion to justice one would come to expect from a Strayer.

She laid her hand against one of the mirrors touching her fingertips to her reflection " I'm not intimidated by Crouch at all, but I don't want anything to happen to Joey.." She bit her lip trying to think of a solution.

I think long and hard, eventually an idea comes to mind.

"If I gave you a listening device, would you wear it?"

she smiled brightly turning back to face him "I could do that. wouldn't be the first time that's for sure."

"Okay if you help us find out what his plan is, I assure you that you and Joey shall be protected. Hell I might be able to wipe your slate clean if all works well."

"eh I'm not worried about a clean slate.. just my brother's well being.. besides I don't mind playing spy for a bit."

"Thank you for this... Hopefully we hear something good. Like about my brother."

curiosity filled her eyes "what happened to your brother?"

"I'm surprised you didn't see it on the Daily Prophet. He apparently was planning a coup on the ministry." I say solemnly. "But I think Crouch is involved or at least knows something."

"that is quite intruding.. I'll see what I can find out though. It shouldn't be too hard, I have skills he wishes to use so i'll simply use them against him."

"Thank you VERY much, you have no clue how much this means to everyone."

She smiled brilliantly "It's no problem really.. besides you're helping me as well."

"Besides, whatever Crouch promised you, he wouldn't deliever."

I mockingly whisper to her like it was a grand secret, "he doesn't exactly work on the honor system."

"I know how guys like Crouch work.. he's simply a bully that's gained power through fear.. I didn't except anything I just enjoy the challenge."

"You know, Tophers helped good people with his skills. Maybe you can too!"

She smirked "I just do what I enjoy. If it helps someone then helps them.. I don't usually go out of my way to help others though."