Over use...fair enough, but it didn't make Ryoma not want to kick the ruddy fireplaces any less. They were a hassle and people who didn't know how to floo properly like little rugrats and people under the age of twenty were always tracking soot and grime everywhere. It made it very difficult for him to clean.

"That one," he grunted, pointing towards number 8. "That is the one that burbs black smoke whenever someone floos through it."

As we enter the room we see the man and he is wanting to rent a room for 1 person. Then after he is done with that he walks into the bar and sits down to wait for his mead to come out. Then we look to our left to see 2 fireplaces not one has a single log in it. Then out of no where a person walks out. Then we both remeber that it must be the floo network. After the person steps out the ashes disappear. The owners must have put a cleaning spell on it. So then we decide to rent a room, and get 2 butter beers and 2 fish and chips.

Benjy just nodded to answer Elizabeth's question. Then he took a step closer to her, placed and arm around her back and steered her into the Leaky and over to the secluded corner near the floos. Once there, he performed a spell so that nobody would be able to overhear what they were saying.

"Okay... you can talk now... nobody other than me will hear." He said, trying to make her feel a bit more comfortable. "So what is it you wanted to tell me?" The redhead asked, looking into her eyes with a serious yet compassionate face.

She glanced around once then looked at Benjy, "My father is back... he is trying to get my sister, mother and my memory erased... He is an evil and scary man..." She had worry and fear written across her face, "He tried to get rid of Jack...well he still is trying to get rid of him..." Tears started to appear and threaten to escape down her cheeks.

Benjy looked intently into Elizabeth's face as she started to explain what was happening. He didn't bother interrupt because he could tell that this was important and possibly dangerous. Only once she had finished did he say or do anything. "Elizabeth.... I will do anything I possibly can to make sure that he doesn't get either of you. I promise." He said simply, looking into her eyes.

Elizabeth looked up at Benjy and made eye contact. She calmed slightly, "Sorry... I shouldnt have told you anything... Please dont tell anyone at the ministry." She begged him.

Benjy only slightly relaxed when he noticed that Elizabeth seemed more calm. However, her next words made him tense again. "No... Elizabeth... This is probably the best thing you could do for yourself and your family. I won't tell the ministry under one condition." He paused for a second. "I want you to promise me that you'll let me, not me and the ministry but just me, help you and your family." If she agreed to that he would be satisfied. If not, then he would have to report it to his boss and the rest of the MLEs.

Elizabeth sighed but nodded, "Yeah... only you though." She glanced down at the floor. She paced a little. "What are we going to do, Benjy?" She looked up at him and frowned. She rubbed her arms, tugging on her cloak.

Benjy's face no longer resembled a smile but a serious face as Elizabeth answered him. "... I... I know that you don't want any ministry help... so I won't tell them and I won't force you to allow anyone else to help.... but I would feel safer if you let me get a buddy of mine to help me help you. I won't force you... it's your decision...but I would feel better if I had someone to help me out.." He paused for a second, looking into her eyes somewhat pleadingly. He knew exactly who he would ask...and who would help him but he would only ask them if Elizabeth consented to it.

As for her second comment... Benjy didn't really know. "Is your father just going after you, your husband, your sister, and your mother? Or is he going after Taylor and your other children as well?" That would be a crucial part to Benjy's decision on how to react to the situation.

Elizabeth looked at him, "Who is your friend? Jack, Puck, Sage, Chels, Mother and I have been trying to fight him but he keeps winning..." There was sorrow in her eyes, "It isnt safe for Taylor, Max, and Damon yet alone Lucas and Alice." She sighed, "Taylor, Damon and Lori were kidnapped last term... Puck and Jack managed to get them back..." Tears were starting to form. "Why would a father do this to his children?"

Benjy blushed slightly when Elizabeth asked him who his friend was. He was kinda worried that she wouldn't like who he would choose to assist him, though it was worth a shot. "I was thinking Sky... I would trust her with my life." He stopped there since he didn't want to disclose something important about Sky and himself.

As Elizabeth continued, the redhead had a hard time looking at her as he could see the sadness in her face. It was devastating. Somehow, he pulled himself together enough to watch her face. "I'm so, so sorry...." He trailed off, almost starting to cry himself. "I have no idea what would posses a guy to go against his own family." He said, reaching out and gently wiping a tear off of Elizabeth's cheek. "I will tell you this though. As long as the kids are at Hogwarts, they won't be hurt. When they come home, they can stay in my loft if you'd like. In fact, in the meantime, why don't you take your family and stay in my loft... It's unplottable." That would make them safe.

Elizabeth saw the blush and couldnt help herself, "Oooo is this friend more than a friend?" She chuckled and smiled. "If you trust her with your life then perhaps she will be good..." She sighed a little then looked at him as he wiped a tear off her face. "I apperciate your offer, Benjy but my husband bought a house somewhere and safe locked it up so we have a safe haven."

Benjy didn't know how to react when Elizabeth teased him about Sky. He really wasn't sure how Sky felt about him. He did nod, however, when Elizabeth told him that she would be good. He knew that she would be good. When she turned down his offer to stay in his loft, Benjy smiled a little bit. "As long as you feel safe. But just remember you can come stay in my house any time." Benjy said as he looked Elizabeth straight in the eyes. Even if she wanted to stay with her husband but wanted the children with Benjy, he would be fine with that.

"I feel like my family is safe at the moment but the very second I dont, then I will send them to you." She kissed his cheek, "Thank you, Benjy. You are a great friend. I am sorry I pulled you into this mess." She frowned and looked down before looking back up at him. Elizabeth hugged him, "You dont know how much this means to me."

Benjy grinned as he listened to Elizabeth talk. It was good that she felt safe. He would have been worried if she didn't feel her family was safe. "Excellent. Send me an owl if you need anything else. And don't worry about dragging me in. It's my job." He smirked slightly before returning the hug. "I should get going though... I only have so long for lunch." He said smirking. He knew that he was on vacation from the ministry but that didn't mean he stopped working.

Elizabeth nodded, "Okay, will do." She smiled and alughed at his smirk. She shooked her head and looked up at him, "Workaholic." She kissed his cheek in a family way, "But that is good in your line of work... most the time. Promise me, you wont overwork yourself, please?" Concern for him was in her eyes.

Walking out of the fire place, Zach looked around, wondering if he knew anybody in here. He had been away for far too long from the assignment he received and had never seen anybody since.

He inhaled and proceeded to walk towards the bar. He needs a drink. Its very unlike him to do that in this hour but he needed to calm his nerves. I wonder if him being on leave for quite sometime will still merit him being an Advisor to the Ministry of Magic? or will he need to re-apply for a different position, which he always find annoying. Especially the wait, yes, the wait is always the one that kills him.

Looking back at the things that he had been through including the researches and the fruits that resulted in the said "studies" he sure can think of a better way to get himself a leverage for a better job.

He was about to head to the bar but stopped himself and redirected his steps towards the doorway leading to Diagon Alley. He needs to visit the Ministry.

Lewis stood there in the fireplace all dirty. But once he stepped out he was suddenly clean of the ashes. He grinned. This was his first time travelling by Floo Network. It felt weird , but funny at the same time. He took another step forward , and tripped over his own feet. How embarrassing...He looked around to see if anyone saw him...

Taylor glanced down as a young boy feel practically tripped at her feet. "You ok, kid?" Tay looked at him. He must be a klutz to trip over his own feet... She glanced around for the boy's parents, "Um, kid... where is your parents? You dont look old enough to be alone here..." Taylor crossed her arms as she watched the floo network, waiting on someone to come.

"Emm...I'm fine" said Lewis , and he stood up. He blushed. Lewis was surprised she wasn't laughing at him. He looked at the fireplace. His mother was supposed to come straight after him. But it seemed she wasn't here. He looked at the girl."Well , my mother is meant to go straight after me..."He felt more embarrassed. Maybe she got lost...

Tay nodded, "Hmm k... good that a parent is coming. Are you in school yet?" Obviously, he was a wizard since... well, he was in Diagon Alley... and that he flooed there. Taylor looked at him, thinking about how he was either a[s]n ickle[s] firstie or not started yet. Tay was going to miss going to Hogwarts... She had one more year. This would be her last summer before graduating and she wasn't off to France with her family. Nope, she was home alone because she has an internship. She was interning at the Daily Prophet.

"Well , not yet ," he explained. "I'm going into first year after the summer is over." Lewis couldn't wait to go to Hogwards. He heard all kind of stories about Hogwarts and that it is a very good place.He couldn't wait to do all kinds of magic and all those crazy subjects like Charms or Transfiguration.

"Oh , umm...my name is Lewis Hart."he announced to the girl."And your name is...?"

Taylor glanced at him and tried not to wrinkle her nose. Great an ickle firstie... She raised an eyebrow and looked at him, "Nice to meet you, Lewis... I am Taylor McIntyre... 7th year Ravenclaw and intern at the Daily Prophet." Yep, she wasnt gonna let him call her by her nickname and he better not try it since it is only for her friends or older people... but not too old because then she prefer her first name or Miss. McIntyre, depending on whom it was... though her mom could call her Tay. She straighten her emerald green cloak and tighten her ponytail so that her blonde curls would not fall out. Her eyes sparkled, reflecting the lights above.

Wow...She was in 7th year and Lewis was only going into his first year. He felt silly."Nice to meet you too..." he said. "Is Hogwarts good?"he asked cheerfully. He just couldn't wait to start his term.

Taylor tapped her French manicured nails against her arm as she watched the fireplaces before looking at the little firstie. "Still talking, ickle?" Tay raised an eyebrow, "Most firsties would shut up when they meet a seventh year." She sighed, "But you have guts it seems..." She nodded to answer his question, "Yes, Hogwarts is good... though last year wasnt..." She trailed off then smirked at the thought of trying to scare him since last year was a bit scary but decided not to... well unless he asked that is... then that would be his own fault and she would tell him about the dreadful year.