Where has the fire gone? (Theodora)

[Gregory Greenwich]

Usually a young man would be overjoyed at such an experience, she was afterall a beautiful young lady; in fact the most wondrous woman he had ever set his eyes upon, but Greg was completely panic stricken, literally falling back out of the doorway as he let out a very loud shriek, far surpassing, in pitch and volume Theodora's own. In fact the pitch was so high and so long that his ears rang, it clearly wasn't designed for human hearing. Somehow managing to stay upon his feet he bustled her bodily into the room, half fearing she would flaunt her nakedness to the entire pub, in doing so he jostled her inside giving a strangled yelp on realising he had not only now seen her unclothed, but touched her unclothed too.

"Cover yourself up woman!" Greg cried hoarsely as he slammed the door shut with as much force as he could muster and fell back upon it feeling incredibly weak at the knees. Eyes wide he stared open mouthed at her in disbelief, he couldn't believe it had happened. Visibly jumping a mile as she scolded him he garbled inaudibly his face clearly wreathed in absolute panic and shock, turning a deathly white he stumbled around his breathing growing incredibly heavy and laboured. Mind going into overdrive he turned around to apologise and was blinded once more, letting out another shrill girly shriek he slammed his head painfully against the door trying in vain to apologise but finding it impossible to get his words out.

[Theodora Holmes]

'Oy, hand offs!' She yelped as she felt his hand slide against her for a moment. Shocked at the prospect that he may have actually done so on purpose she quickly rushed over to the bed and violently pulled the bottom sheet off the mattress. Theodora wrapped herself in it from head to foot, making sure that anything from the chin down was completely concealed and shapeless.

Oh Merlin, oh Merlin, oh Merlin!

'What's the point of knocking if you're just going to walk straight in?!' She squealed furiously as she marched up to him. He continued to be drawn between gawking at her and covering his eyes, and with an impatient growl Theodora grabbed hold of his shoulder, spinning him around the face her. 'Get a grip, Gregory!' She slapped him round the face sharply, wincing as she realised how much it must have hurt.

Did he see Daniel?! she suddenly thought, the colour draining from her face. Gregory was very in favour of keeping to the book and would undoubtedly feel as though it was his duty to report her for unprofessional conduct with one of the Hogwarts professors she was supposed to be spying on, and she nervously regain her composure, trying to lower her voice.

'Gregory, who did you see on your way here...?' She tried to appear casual, but fear was contorting her face so much it looked as though she might cry...

[Gregory Greenwich]

Fear constricting his throat, Greg screwed his eyes tight shut, and was quite glad he did when a ringing began in his ears and his cheek burnt a bright red from a very hard and vicious slap across the chops. Stumbling aside tears immediately sprang to his firmly closed eyes. Being quite used to slaps and kicks from his mentor whenever he did the slightest thing wrong, the actual physical pain hurt only a little, it was more so Theodora, quite frankly his best friend, actually needing to slap him. Greg therefore cried out more in anguish than real pain, holding his own hands limp at his sides, fearing that knowing his luck they would doubtless brush up against something they shouldn't no matter what he did.

Letting out a small sob Greg's throat contorted as he gulped down sweet refreshing air, half thinking it might be his last if he said or did the wrong thing. Only he was completely speechless and his attempts to talk failed miserably after several attempts.

Remaining silent, except for his ragged breathing of course, Greg believed she may have calmed down a little, or at least covered herself up. Risking a peek he squinted at her, trying to ask if it was safe? Realising it was futile until he calmed himself down, he began to regulate his breathing and counted slowly to five. As a strange question was posed his way his brow creased in confusion as he gradually opened his bleary eyes. Clearing his throat he realised that happily enough he'd regained the power of speech.

"Err," pondering a moment he recalled vividly all who he had seen enroute.
"Only Peter the barman...a little old lady with a squint sat in a corner as she usually does, an aged warlock with a limp, a couple of Ravenclaw Seventh years, I believe, grabbing a bite of breakfast...oh and Professor Hubbles...why?" He asked hesitantly fearing another slap if he hadn't supplied the right answer.

Quivering ever so slightly from the wrath of his beloved friend, he quickly stumbled over to his bed, collapsing upon it with a sigh, having known that his poor legs wouldn't have held him up for much longer. Eagle eyes peering about the room, more so trying fervently not to look anywhere near Theodora he lowered his eyes to the floor and spotted a silk material poking out from beneath his bed, curious he reached out to put it away back into his trunk...

[Theodora Holmes]

For a moment Theodora's stomach squirmed as Gregory confirmed her fears: he had seen Daniel. However, he also listed several other observations and he didn't seem concerned or suspicious by Daniel's appearance in Hogsmede when he should have been in a lesson. Maybe if she was lucky Gregory would forget about him entirely.

Gregory shuffled over to his bed as if he were suffering from shell shock. Theodora reluctantly followed him at a distance, standing next to him awkwardly. 'Come on, Gregory. Haven't you seen a girl naked before? What did you see exactly...? Ugh, never mind...' She shook her head in annoyance, knowing it would do him no favours to even ask.

Gregory suddenly had something in his hands, lifting it up as if to inspect it. For several seconds it didn't register with Theodora, but it suddenly came to light that the silky strip of material was in fact Daniel's missing tie.

Her mind exploded with a thousand embarrassing scenarios that could now occur, Gregory's awkward questions bombarding her like a small migraine. 'IT'S NOT WHAT YOU THINK!' She shrieked before her logical side could think of anything else, but the moment she snatched it from his grip it became apparent by his expression that he hadn't actually been thinking anything at all.

The two of them stared at each other in complete silence, Theodora's face glowing slightly red.

[Gregory Greenwich]

The material of the tie was strong and durable, a very well made one; silky smooth in fact, Greg couldn't quite remember the last time he had worn it, though he guessed his parents had lovingly selected it for him, the yellow did in fact compliment his eyes rather nicely and went very well indeed with his earthy brown robes, his favourites.

Rolling his eyes in exasperation he looked at dearest Dora with a quizzical expression as if to say yeah right in a very sarcastic manner. "Well.." he started but quickly clammed up when she decided not to press the matter, for which he thanked his lucky stars most fervently.

Feeling the texture, it was suddenly torn from his grasp with feverish fingers, looking up in amazement Greg again quickly averted his eyes feeling his cheeks brigthen once more, he feared he'd never quite look at Dora in the same light again. She let out a shriek of very strange words, brow creasing in concentration his mouth worked slowly as he gradually reasoned it out, even with his sheltered life he knew what she'd meant.

Clearing his throat loudly he looked up at Theodora with bleary eyes, "what am I supposed to think?" He asked feeling suspicion grow, he was only doing what he was taught to do as he analysed the contents and state of the room. Ever so slowly it clicked into place, the cogs of his mind working could be visibly seen, and the recognition slowly dawning was plain. Gasping his mouth fell open, "you don't usually sleep n..n..n..na," he found it completely impossible to spit out, "you know what I mean," he garbled hurriedly. "You didn't?" He cried incredulously, but on seeing the look on her face he cried out again, "you did? Oh no, Dora." He whined mouth still hanging ajar.

[Theodora Holmes]

Theodora bit her lip in shame, groaning in frustration as she turned her back on Gregory, unable to face his disbelieving and somewhat horrified stare. Her head lolled forward onto her chest and she muttered meekly, 'Yes, I did.'

Nice one, Holmes. Next time you decide to bring someone home, remember that you actually have a roommate!

The woman was searching for something to say to Gregory. An explanation, an excuse... something to make her sleazy act have some justification. So far the only thing that was comforting her was that fact that Gregory hadn't yet figured out it was his bed on which the offense in question had been committed (first time round, at least). She realised that no reason she could offer would serve as a satisfying explanation... except one.

'But!' She spun round now, a fierce strength suddenly igniting in her eye. It was fake, of course, but perhaps it would add some conviction. 'I did what I had to do.' She strode to the window, gazing out across the rooftops with a deep frown as she pretended to reminisce. 'It's all part of the job, Gregory! The ministry is what's important in the end, and I got the information that was needed. Don't look at me like that, Gregory - it had to be done!' She glowered at him convincingly, shaking her head in mock disappointment.

Pleeeeease fall for it!

[Gregory Greenwich]

Flopping back onto his bed, he bounced upon it several times to dampen his nerves, which were incredibly on edge. The bed was very springy indeed and Greg always enjoyed a good bounce upon it to calm his nerves; finding the easy rythm and faint squeezing noise really quite soothing.

"You did?" He repeated bluntly once more as if he needed to be told countless times over before he would ever believe. "I can't believe it," he muttered sagging upon his bed. Bringing his head into his hands he stared glumly and dumbly at Theodora his eyes still wide in shock, as he listened to her almost feasible excuse.

Slowly his mind worked over things, and as usual it came to the wrong conclusion as he demanded forcefully "why the hell did you need to s..s..sl..p with Peter? What information do we need on him?"
Continuing to think things over he spoke his thoughts aloud, "It would have been far easier to simply flirt with him at the bar." Then like a large cog finally turning all the way arounnd, it fitted into place, a possible truth filtering into his starved mind.

"It was with Hub.." He cried as a hand was clamped forcefully overly his mouth to cease the very loud exclamation. Eyes wide in fright and shock he continued to carry on mumbling away though what he tried to yell out was quite inaudible.

[Theodora Holmes]

As Gregory briefly looked away, shaking his head to obviously rid himself of the apparently dreadful mental images of Theodora and Daniel, she gave a quick role of her eyes. 'It's not that horrifying, Gregory!' She retorted, slightly offended.

It suddenly occurred to her that she would now have to present Gregory with a reason for her supposedly extreme measures, and she went slightly pale, wondering what could be so important that she would have to resort to such drastic measures.

'He was a tough nut to crack I'll have you know.' She began, shuffling over to the wardrobe and grabbing some clothes that were throw loosely in the bottom. Casting Gregory a churlish glance and gesturing for him to turn away, Theodora promptly started tugging her robes on. 'I actually think what I've found out could be a turning point, you know. Of course I'd much rather discuss it with Locksley first! Top secret and all that - they might want to deal with Dani - I mean Hubbles, too...' She quickly added, realising such an excuse would bide her some time.

Spotting a stocking wrapped around the bed post, Theodora hopped over, accidentally falling flat on her face.

Gregory was now looking at her again, his face still a mask of despair. 'Well I didn't enjoy it if that's what you're thinking!' she snapped, blushing.

[Gregory Greenwich]

A frown creasing the young brow of Greg he gulped rather loudly, feeling completely out of place in such a bizarre circumstance; to him leastways. He was completely unsure of how to react, his best friend had slept with another man, in this very room; and she claimed it was for the job? It was crazy, Greg was utterly befuddled by it, he didn't know whether he slighly respected her for her honesty and determination to get a job done by any means necessary and by the shortest route, or complete horror that she was so very unfeeling and monstrous. Though he'd lived a very sheltedered life indeed, he still found it hard to imagine that Theodora could do such a thing, didn't people consumate a relationship only when they loved each other?

Greg was thoroughly confused and his naive view of the world was being sorely challenged.

"It is to me," he countered "you know how innocent I am," he whiningly explaining wishing to remain truthful and entirely open with Dora, she was the one person he felt comfortable talking to; except when she was naked before him of course.

Greg's eyes bulged as she claimed Hubbles was a tough nut to crack, "s..s..sl, you know whatting with a man is no way to get answers and find things out," he exclaimed quite outraged "you wouldn't do that to me if I didn't divulge or my secrets to you," he reasoned, "would you?" He Squealed now quite aghast, looking her up and down in disgust eyes threatening to pop from their sockets, she immediately seemed a changed woman, capable of anything. Of course his mother had told him all women were evil and he should steer well clear of any relationships, he hadn't realised the irony of her claims, and she ahd indeed heavily influenced his views of women, so naturally he brought prejudices whenever meeting one, it was in his nature to be incredibly nervous around anyone, but woman especially were quite frankly terrifying to Greg. Now even dearest Dora seemed a devil in disguise such a beautiful body he thought fleetingly, finding it incredibly strange that he thought such a thing.

"I don't think I want to know what happened," he cried indignantly, hurt that she wouldn't tell him first; the vital information she had retreived, during her torture.

Due to his complete distress the usually sharp Greg miserably failed to notice her grave error, and so fell for her lies hook, line and sinker.
"Well of course you wouldn't enjoy it, it's horrible." That's what his parents had told him at least, how young and naive he was...