But the counter-witch brought her tea to my table and fled before I could do a thing about it. The American woman sniffed at her cup briefly before picking it up. I doubt she realised she'd done so, though, because rather than drink, she continued in her raving. "They're just lucky I learned to fly on Ecto-2. That broom of Ray's handles like a pregnant whale-"
I brought both my hands down on the table. "MADAM," I barked; it was enough. Her mouth clapped shut with a nearly audible click, a gratifying sound if I do say so. "I know neither you nor your employer. Neither do I care. You are intruding upon my privacy-"
"Privacy? It's a public place-"
"Indeed. This tea-shop is a public place. There are, however, other seats available." I waved a hand at the environs. "As a matter of fact, the vast majority of this place is currently open to whosoever chooses to sit here. You, however, have intruded upon my seating area. Either remove yourself at once or present a compelling reason why I should not remove you instead."
If it were possible to cast Incendio without the use of a wand, I dare say my hair would have caught on fire under her glare. "Well, excuse me for wanting to vent," she answered, her manicured nails drumming against the surface of the table like the talons of an angry hawk. "Dr. Spengler nearly got his head blown off, but I suppose that wouldn't be of interest to ya." She started to rise.
"Wait." I don't believe I've moved so fast since the last time Nymphadora Tonks passed through my classroom; my hand clamped down on her wrist before she could go any further. "Did you say Spengler?"
"Yeah." She nodded, that ridiculously stiff hair of hers bobbing with the force of it.
"Not, perchance, Egon Spengler? Of Durmstrang?"
"Well, I dunno about any Durmstrang, but that's his name-"
I let go of her wrist. I fear my grip had been strong enough to leave a bit of a mark. As she started to rub at it, I fell back just a touch in my own chair. "I. . . apologise," I said, the words coming reluctantly. "It appears we have a mutual acquaintance. Please- sit, miss. . .?"
Comment part 2
I brought both my hands down on the table. "MADAM," I barked; it was enough. Her mouth clapped shut with a nearly audible click, a gratifying sound if I do say so. "I know neither you nor your employer. Neither do I care. You are intruding upon my privacy-"
"Privacy? It's a public place-"
"Indeed. This tea-shop is a public place. There are, however, other seats available." I waved a hand at the environs. "As a matter of fact, the vast majority of this place is currently open to whosoever chooses to sit here. You, however, have intruded upon my seating area. Either remove yourself at once or present a compelling reason why I should not remove you instead."
If it were possible to cast Incendio without the use of a wand, I dare say my hair would have caught on fire under her glare. "Well, excuse me for wanting to vent," she answered, her manicured nails drumming against the surface of the table like the talons of an angry hawk. "Dr. Spengler nearly got his head blown off, but I suppose that wouldn't be of interest to ya." She started to rise.
"Wait." I don't believe I've moved so fast since the last time Nymphadora Tonks passed through my classroom; my hand clamped down on her wrist before she could go any further. "Did you say Spengler?"
"Yeah." She nodded, that ridiculously stiff hair of hers bobbing with the force of it.
"Not, perchance, Egon Spengler? Of Durmstrang?"
"Well, I dunno about any Durmstrang, but that's his name-"
I let go of her wrist. I fear my grip had been strong enough to leave a bit of a mark. As she started to rub at it, I fell back just a touch in my own chair. "I. . . apologise," I said, the words coming reluctantly. "It appears we have a mutual acquaintance. Please- sit, miss. . .?"
"Melnitz," she said sourly. "Janine Melnitz."
"Ah." I nodded. "Severus Snape."