So, once he heard the example Gavin would remark he could change his own questions and put them in that format but... He stared at the dark silhouette of the man with a cunning smile on his face which he doubted he'd spot in the dark. ''Come on.'' he said cheerfully finally starting to recover from his momentary tense mood. Finally and hopefully. ''I know you said it'd be simple but this is too simple and...boring.'' Definitely it was boring but he was right on the other side, since Ryan knew his he had every right to know his name. ''I'm Ryan Chambers anyway, no middle name or else, just Ryan Chambers. Middle names are cool though, if only i had one''

He laughed some and tapped on the number buttons trying to figure out how he could make this thing work again at the same time. Probably he was not going to manage it but who cared, he could use magic out here. Or call help by patronus. After taking a breath he turned to face the dark silhouette of the man again. ''Have you ever happened to think of the colour red? Directly or subliminally every shade of it makes a different sense in our minds just like the other colours, but red, in some cases, is a little bit different. It is said to make some people much more agressive than they usually are. A person spending much of his or her time in a red painted place acts more reactional than the one who inhabits a place with softer colours. On the other hand it is said that colour red can raise our body temperature, make us feel more energetic. So in shorter words, red makes us move..'' he laughed again ''Have spoken too much again sorry. But don't you think so?''

He kept his mouth shut at Ryan's reaction to his question, having a feeling that showing he was getting on his nerves would make the other man happy. He nodded simply in understand as he answered with his name, the former Gryffindor mentally writing it down for the future in case he had any reason...any reason at all to tell it to someone. Like identifying the body or telling Ryan's boss why he wouldn't be at work today or maybe the week.

Gavin couldn't help looking at the other man quizzically as he listened to Ryan go on and on about the color red of all things even though it was pretty certain he couldn't see him much less his expression. You think! he thought to himself ideas coming to mind of getting Ryan to shut up rather then getting out of the lift at the moment.

"I might..." he said, "if I had any idea at all of what exactly you are talking about," he added truthfully. He was sure there was some point in amongst all those words but the thoughts were pretty random.

''You might?'' Ryan replied, amused ''There's no reason to hesitate. You do or you do not. It's that simple, even simpler than your question.'' There was also a possiblity that he replied it that way to express that he could not care less about all those babbling about the colour red but Ryan specially chose the 'hesitate' word just to annoy him. There still stood a possiblity that he was really hesitating, too, a much more stronger possibility than the other.

''Whatever. There's no need to worry. You'r doing pretty good so far'' Surely enough he did. And the darkness contributed a lot to it for the blond man doubted that Gavin would let him have any eye contact then trying to block it he could ruin everything else like changing his tone and way of speaking unconsciously ''You have no idea because i have not come to the point yet. Just was asking for your idea on the topic. Now since you got it right we can get to the next level. I suppose you should not have any concentrating problem in the darkness'' he stopped for a moment to give the other man time to digest those words in his mind than went on ''Imagine three women. All are fond of the colour red. They are using the same colour to express themselves. The first woman polished her nails with red nail polish. The second is wearing a red lip colour. And the third have dyed her hair in red shades. Now visualise those women in your mind and tell me what do you think about their personalities. In detail.'' 'Let's see how far he can go'

Gavin listened as best he could to the situation Ryan presented to him, not sure of its purpose even as the other man explained what he wanted to do with the imformation. How should I know? he asked himself, his area of expertise in spells not the witchs and wizards casting them. Biting the inside of his cheek it took him a few moments to thik of his answers.

"Well with the first woman it doesn't really have to do with personality but could depend on what she is wearing, perhaps attempoting to match," he replied with a small outtake of breath before he continued, "Same could be said of the second unless she's just particular to the shade for its classic in nature."

"And the third..." Gavin started to say pausing because for one he wasn't sure of his answer and also because his mind seemed to have wandered all on its own to a particular redhead. But hers is natural I'm sure he thought to himself before breaking himself out of that mindset, thankful Ryan couldn't see his slight embarishment even if it did show on his skin. "The third woman could be adventurous....just trying a new color," he finally finished.

Ryan tapped on the numbers playfully as he listened to Gavin's statement on the three women. Was that it, seriously? Was that all he could say? 'Ah yes the image of quiet and cool boy, no wonder' with a last tap on the number six he turned to the man, could not help laughing some at his answers ''Sir Gawain and the Courtly Love Tradition... or should i say the Cowardly Love hidden behind the mask of chilvalry out of unattainable desire?'' He took a few steps towards the other man to see his expression better in the dark. ''Now either this is what you are or you hesitated to openly express your ideas because you do not trust me. There's more i can tell of course but it is unlikely that you'd take my advice about anything.''

He started to whistle a lively melody kept it for a moment and went on ''You sounded like the hilarious lot who think they have fallen in purest love, marry her at an early age, have kids out of mere enthusiasm and got bored of the life at his late middle ages. Late middle ages, i say, if lucky enough.'' It looked like he just asked the right question to Calla.

Gavin raised a slight eyebrow as Ryan laughed having a very good feeling his answers hadn't satisfied his unwanted companion. But he sure wasn't going to pour his heart and soul to a man he barely knew and had to reason to.

Relaxing his expression as the man turned he stared into the other man's eyes as he stepped purposely closer to him as if Ryan was trying to stare him down to break him. He took his chances and turned his face away to the side, still trying to think over his options and not chancing Ryan reading it in his eyes. Hearing the words as the man continued, Gavin was really begining to have enough of his rantings especially when they began to hint to more reference to Calla

"What would you know about what I have or havent done?" Gavin asked rhetorically before turning quickly around bringing his fisted hand with him to hit Ryan squarely in the face and backwards towards the other side of the life. "Leave your mindless psychological babble to those who actually ask you for it," he muttered, shaking his hand as it ached.

Ryan observed the man carefully but it was harder to get clues by body language or expressions because of the darkness and Gawain was also avoiding eye contact with him which made things harder. Was he aware of his capabilities or was that an unconscious precaution? He could not tell. However; despite the scarce visual information he could feel anger build up in the knight of King Arthur as he expected. Mental torture was one of the best ways to affect one's mind. Then, as the next step he could could play further maybe even make him confused about his emotions. He opened his mouth to answer his question about what Ryan would know about Sir Gawain more but closed it back quickly.

What was happening? He saw something fast coming towards him in the darkness and the blond man sensed the immediate danger ''No, no,no! Don't...'' However he was not as agile as he used to be as a younger Auror so before he could complete his words the hard punch hit his face giving him a severe pain on his nose which felt like it blasted and became wet and hot the last two things he felt before everything blacked out. Then falling backwards his body thudded on the cold floor of the lift.

Gavin almost didn't hear Ryan's protests as he hit the man, moving almost automatically. Concentrating on his own pain in his hand, he cringed as his companion fell to the floor with injuries looking far worse then the ache of his own. Great just great he thought to himself almost regretting his actions immediately. This is why talking is usually better.

Kneeling down beside Ryan he could see from the blood just barely visible that was starting to seep from his nose that he had definantly hit him badly. It was a good thing with his work with charms to at the very least stop the bleeding. Taking out his wand from his robe pocket he paused to remember the correct spell before applying it with a flick of his wand, cleaning the already spilled blood after he was done.

Sitting back on his knees, he looked around the lift they were trapped in even though it was no use, it was still as dark as it had been before. "Ok," he said out loud, "Got him to shut up...now I have to figure out how to get us both out of here." Or at least me and have someone else find him, he said adding the last part in his head to himself.

Trying to get to his feet he staggered as the lift suddenly moved, the lights flickering to the emergency level. “Funny,” he said out loud to the ceiling. “Couldn’t come back to life before I had to take drastic measures could you?” he asked the open space, thankful when they stopped once more and the door opened. Looking back at Ryan, he sighed realizing he couldn’t just leave him there. Just go and send help back, he thought to himself leaving the lift to do as he planned.

A WHILE LATER-


Dora whistled as she waited for the lift to open on Level Eight. SHe had just left from the cafeteria and was on her way back down to the Department of Mysteries. As the bell dinged and the doors opened she was hit with quite a shock.

Running into the lifts and letting the doors close behind her she hit the button for Level Nine and listened as the disembodied voice said Department of Mysteries.

Noticing the blood she knelt down and unholstered her wand. Hand shaking, afraid someone had killed him for some reason or another Dora muttered, "Rennverate". Now she waited for him to awaken so he could tell her what the hell had happened.

He was walking on a beach and though the weather was gloomy he felt quite exhilarated at the sight of the dark blue sea. He walked closer to the shore breathing the refreshing salty air in his lungs and watched the little circles of water appearing on the surface as it started to rain. A sudden lightning hit his eyes from the horizon distracting him so he turned around and saw a little cottage set on the soft sands just about a few meters away. Peacefully smiling to himself, th blond man slowly walked to the cottage and opened the slightly damp wooden door as he felt a warmness inside...

Then there was no cottage but darkness and severe pain on his nose, not to forget the headache and the coldness of the floor. The smell was not salty anymore instead he smelled something like sweet perfume and when he opened his eyes, he saw a blurred image of a woman looking at him. ''Persephone?'' he said quietly but regretted it immediately when his sight got back to normal and the so when the solid reality hit him recognising the woman. ''Sorry'' Ryan quickly apologised and straightened up some as he rubbed his nose to ease the pain ''Dora...What happened here?''

"Well, Ryan, I was about to ask the same of you. I found you knocked unconsious in the lifts and brought you to. Do you hurt anywhere? I know some great spells for aches and pains... Just tell me where you're hurt" Dora said as she began to survey her friend. "You have no clue who knocked you out?" she asked.

His blue eyes fixed on Dora's face as she spoke, Ryan was trying to figuring out the situation he was in adding the clues she provided and at the same time feeling an intense gratefulness that she ignored the name he pronounced. ''So, that explains everything'' he said standing up ''Coming to where hurts, feels like everwhere right now but mostly...Ow!...'' he winced immediately taking his hand off his nose ''Wrong touch. Just let's hope i'll live then. I don't think your husband will like it if you tried to heal my everwhere''

His nose ached again when he tried to smile so instead he preferred to answer her question thinking o ver, trying to remember what had happened. But it was all black, blank, empty as he frequently felt lately. ''I...i don't remember. No clue...yet. I can find clues.'' upon finishing his sentence he started to examine inside the lift closely and spoke to Dora as he did so ''What about Calla?'' the irony was already inside the question ''Maybe her fear inside finally has turned and become hatred. All she needs is emotional support for it'' he smelled the level number buttons and poked them. ''Nothing here...whatever. maybe she has found the necessary support so she can start hating me. What do you think?'' he turned to face Lady Druery ''Could that be?''. Thinking of his own question he took a deep breath ''Did you see anyone walking out this thing hands in pocket? How did it smell the first time you stepped inside? On what level was it? And...'' the blond man trailed off when he realised what he was doing again so he just silenced himself gazed down the floor ''Sorry. I don't want you to regret that you found me''

Dora eyed Ryan with worry as he went to sniffing things. Oh Merlin... he's lost it.

Taking out her wand Dora muttered a sing songy spell as she did a figure eight tyoe wand movement over Ryan's head. "There, that should fix your everywhere." Dora said with a chuckle.

She frowned as Ryan suggested Calla. "Ryan, get real. THere is no way Calla did this to you. It obviously wasn't done with magic and she hasn't the strength to knock you out with her bare hands." Dora pointed out.

Dora sighed and rocked back on her heels and stood her chubby little self up. Only 8 weeks pregnant and already she was getting a belly. That's what twins'll do, though.

"Dear, the lift was here when I found you, the only smell I smelt was maybe a trace of blood, but it's been cleaned up and there was no one leaving the area when I approached. Honey, I was an Auror too I think I would have noticed. There is no need to apologize either. I am here to help." she said in a soft, yet firm voice. Sticking out a hand she said, "Here, let me help you up."

''You know what...'' Ryan began with a huge smile when he felt the satisfying relief as his aches were like they had escaped from his body in a sudden once Dora casted her charm. ''...one this sounded and looked like it was some weird healing ritual, two there have been times that i was called a doctor, and now it seems odd because i don't know any healing charms though i am quite aware that my job was not about actually the body itself.'' Of course, it was unlikely that there could be charms to fix someone's soul or mental state. If only there were, nevertheless because he lately had started to get suspicious of himself. But there was nothing he could do. A psychologist seeing a psychologist would last forever plus it was never going to work on him since he knew how all the treatment sessions worked.

He snapped out of all those thoughts when Dora spoke again...of Calla ''Yes, you are right. Actually i remarked it to have some information on her current state of mind but unfortunaltey you did not fall for it''. Now what was with being too honest and him? Why was he focusing on such things while there had been a crime committed here?. Yes, knocking him out in a lift was a crime just like Calla's pushing him inside the fountain. He had tolerated Calla because he had a sympathy towards her which she ruined with her heartless behaviour which lacked even the slightest piece of emphaty. Quite unlike her friend Dora or maybe Dora could understand him because they shared something common, being ex Aurors as she had just mentioned, if that had any relation to it anyway. ''Thanks'' he murmured taking her hand to get on his feet ''What do you say to some coffee in the breakroom? I want to have some words with you. Not exatly about Calla. Don't misunderstand. It's just like you are the only one who would listen to me except Birce of course. But i suspect she is in love with me so i don't want to mess with her mind much.''

Dora laughed as Ryan commented on her healing charm. "An old family secret. What can I say?" she responded with a shrug.

She waited until Ryan was on his feet to respond again. "Well, yes I figured such a thing was what you were up to. Ryan, you have to be a bit more clever to fool me, dear." she said with a crooked smile.

"No coffee for me, twins on board and all, but a nice cuppa sounds divine. Level Nine then?" she said as she pressed the button and the disembodied female voice said Department of Mysteries

''A pureblood then, you are'' Ryan responded automatically which was typical for someone who experienced blood discrimination at his young age but for Ryan those reactions towards him being a muggle born was something to study concerning human behaviour than sad memories. ''The way how those families are rooted does always intrigue me. Admirable, really''

Then he smiled her back when she commented on his unsuccessful attemp for having information about Calla. ''Well...it looks like you're right. And i already promised that i would never try it hard on you if i ever turned out to be a little bit more clever. Remember?''. Later, at first he thought she was refusing his offer feeling a second of dissappointment which turned into a huge smile this time when he heard she was expecting twins. ''Twins!'' he exclaimed cheerfully ''That's great! Congratulations! You are definitely blessed and will make a wonderful mother'' For sure she'd be a good mother and not to mention that Silas was such a lucky man. He nodded to confirm Level Nine ''Cuppa then. Nice''

Dora laughed outright at Ryan then. "Actually I am half blood. But my pureblood side is descended directly from the House of Black. So, yesh me mum has taught me a lot of the old Black family secrets." she said. She immediately regretted disclosing that information, but did not let it show on her face.

"Yes, twins. I am coming along nicely, the Healer said I was 12 weeks now." she said with a huge grin on her face. "Thank you very much, Ryan. I will certainly try my hardest to be a great mother." she said.

THen the lift opened up on Level Nine...

ooc:going to post on Level Nine now

Antoni returned from the Leaky Cauldron and was on her way back to her office. She got on the lift with the other ministry workers with their various destinations. Even with the memos above their heads. It was always funny to see them.

Helena walked off to lifts hurriedly, only half waiting for Laura. She pressed the button and waited for the lift to arrive. Whilst she was waiting for the lift to get there, she leant against the wall and sighed, thinking about everything that Ryan had said. He'd made her so very angry, he had no right saying half of that.

Laura hurried after Helena and saw her waiting for her.Laura walked towards Helena and sighed.she placed her hand on her shoulder
Helena, you alright? she asked and then said
of course that's a stupid question.it shows on your face how terribly angry you are she said and shook her head
i am really sorry. she said looking at the older woman slightly worried

Helena looked at Laura and smiled sadly, "Ahh, don't you be sorry. It's not your fault he was like that." She sighed and watched the lift as it came down, then answered her first question, "Don't worry about me too much, Laura. Give me an hour or so and I'll be fine."

She stepped into the lift as the grates opened and motioned for Laura to do the same, "Thank you, Laura. For staying there in the cafeteria with me." She looked to the younger woman and smiled gratefully at her.

Laura smiled back
you are welcome Helena she said and stepped into the lift.
hm...Helena? she said as the gates of the lift closed
was your husband the reason why you were upset at the conference room earlier today she asked not knowing whether it was right time for her to ask about it or not.but then she wouldnt mind if Helena would tell her anything either.

Helena nodded, "Yes... This morning, He'd told me that he wasn't going to visit HIS family with me... And recently, we've just been talking less and less. He thinks that I've changed, since I started working at the Ministry. I talk about all of you on Level 5 too much. I think it made him jealous. Unwanted..." Helena sighed. "He has a lot of pride... I think that's what's done it, really." Talking about her relationship issues with someone who understood really made things seem better.

Laura just nodded
um Helena but i dont seem to understand this why would he feel jealous if you talked of us she said
is he a muggle? she asked
or worse a squib? because only those people will and might have problems if their spouses are witch and they come and work here in the ministry.

Helena smiled slightly, "No, he's a pure blood, like me. He's just... very over protective and has a big ego. I've spoken a lot about Jacob, probably a little more than I have you, Birce and Eteria." Helena looked at Laura, "He works in the French Ministry, but spends less time there than I do here. Think about what Ryan said before... the bit about "it doesn't mean he's cheating you." I think that Luc thinks that I have feelings for Jacob, which is a rediculous thought; but his ego won't believe me." Helena watched as the number fell, 8 ... 7 ... 6 ...