Curiosity

Sofie listened, finding he was finally acting a little more at ease, acting more like he was not terrified she was going to sell his secrets. She nodded, smiling a little to show him her appreciation for his being more frank, though her blue eyes still fixed seriously on his to ensure he did not think she took this conversation lightly.

"Well, I have been asking around- that's why I came to you, your name came up as a reliable employee- and I found out that the Minister has quite an extended family. I know politics- Bulgaria had trouble some time ago because the Minister's family was threatened. He ended up selling the Ministry off to save his wife. I'm just not sure I can risk it again."

The Minister of Bulgaria sounded like he really got caught with his pants down, having to sell out the Ministry like that. It was things like that that really made Danny appreciate the fact he was only a low level Auror, the responsibilities would be a pain in the ass if you ever got caught in a situation like that. "Sounds like he was in a serious jam there," he said, his head shaking left to right "so I can understand why you wouldn't want that to happen here."

"From what I know of Minister Lupin, it's a very...black or white area for me. I've never known the man personally, but I believe I have met him before. I had gone on holiday with some friends, and I believed he tagged along, although I don't know for certain as my memory is shot." He shifted a little in his seat "but from what I remember personally about him from others is that he's just a regular old man. Nice, yet strict, and usually makes the right choices. Nothing really interesting or controversial that most people would usually expect for someone in a high power position."

Sofie tried speaking less and planning more. Perhaps if she stopped trying to work the magic with her words and willed the information to come forward, she could see it more clearly when it presented itself. And it did- little openings appeared before her in Danny's words, little trickles of opportunity and chance.

Most people might have overlooked the detail she fixed on, but she thought there might be something interesting in it. Something that might give her a rare insight into the mind of the Prime Minister. "So, he tagged along for a holiday with friends? Isn't there quite an age gap between you and he? Who was it that could prompt him to be amongst people so far younger than himself?"

Danny interlocked his fingers together again and stated "Well, I used to be a very prominent figure in Hogwarts, I had many connections and many friends. Most of my old friends had known the Lupins, some of them already graduates, and began a vacation to...Austrailia, I believe it was. He invited them, as well as others for the short holiday, but, that was several years ago, and I can't exactly remember all the details however."

This seemed to be getting more personal, she seemed to be wanting to delve more and more into this supposed history. It made Danny wary, he wasn't sure he could trust this woman anymore, regardless of what she claimed her to had been in the past. "Ms. Elkin," he stated again, shifting himself once more to a more proper upright position "so is this some sort of official/unofficial interview?"

She was getting nothing from him. It was frustrating- back in Russia, one soft gaze could melt the hearts of men and loosen their tongues. People here were so caught up in their own self importance that no tugging at their heart could persuade them to help her out. She knew it was time to really work hard.

"Mr Thompson," she said. "May I be frank?" She paused, glancing around. She sighed. "Mr Thompson, my father is dead. I live with my mother, grandmother, aunt, and little sister. They are all soft, dependent. I am trying to clear a way for a life for them here, but with this illness and my distrust of government, I am not sure how to protect myself, especially since no one is willing to tell me what to worry about. If I knew this Minister was susceptible to bribes, I could counteract that trouble. If I knew he would run if one of his family members were hurt, I'd extend my protection to them. I seek to strengthen this land to save my family and give them shelter. I know I sound prying and nosy, but I am all my family has." All relating to her family was true. Though she might not be clearing a way for them here, she was certainly trying to secure their safety. Her father was dead, her family susceptible to harm. She had leaned forward, her face earnest and her hand had even caught his, her soft gaze holding his, imploring him to see her struggle.

Danny leaned back in his seat, his arms crossing over each other as he placed them against his chest. The story she told unnerved him in a sense of family, he knew how it was to try and protect those close to you, a very understandable motive to try and fight for a more peaceful home. Yet all Danny could do was sit there awkwardly for the moment, his mind not of sorrow but almost of guilt as he could not find the correct words to her situation. How anyone could've dealt with this could be inspiring, he certainly was not one to shed hopeful words towards a common stranger.

He let out a breath of air and closed his eyes for a moment, his uneasiness obvious to all. "Ms. Elkin," he said cautiously, almost as if he were trying to tiptoe over every word "I understand your want to make sure your family is alright, I would do the same thing as you if I were in your position. If I were you though, I would possibly leave England temporarily in order to avoid this sickness...I hear it is rampant. At any rate, if you are looking for more information about the Minister and what he does, I can not be of any help, I simply do not know the man close enough to provide the details that you want. All I know is that he's a Lupin and the Lupin's have a wide berth of people they know. That's all I can tell you really."

Sofie listened patiently, feeling as though, of all of the interviews she had conducted, this had been the least informative. She had some information, not much, and not nearly as much as she wanted, but she would not let her frustration and displeasure register on her face. He wrapped it up and she nodded.

She stood and held out a hand to him. "Thank you very much for your time Mr Thompson. I'm sure you're very busy. I appreciate what you could disclose and your advice."