The Coffeehouse

"Oh, thank you so much!" Khaat smiled. "I havent gone out in a long time. And I am positive Rob will love it. You'll have to stop over and meet all the kids I have living at my place in Hogsmeade. You'll get along really well with Gar. Gar is a 15 year old wizard who dropped out of Hogwarts, and actually, he is one heck of a good street performer. He's got a heart of gold, and he does some really great wizarding acrobatics. He would appreciate another performer to talk to. Are you into homecooked meals? I love to cook. I make either a really great steak, or an even better pot roast. And the kids swear by my quadruple chocolate brownies with homemade ice cream. I'd love to have you join us."

"I couldn't intrude" Dane said shaking his head. "I'd probably be too much fun for you guys anyway" he said grinning. He waved his hand and made a toothpick appear in his mouth. "Sorry I've still got some lunch in my teeth" he said. As he pulled the toothpick out a bunch of flowers was in his hand where the toothpick had been. "For the lovely lady" he said handing them to her.

Khaat felt herself blush a bit, unintentionally. "Why, Dane. Thank you. They're beautiful." It made her smile. "Can I ask you something? What is a really great guy like you doing with a job as an auror? I have nothing against aurors. Some of my very best friends are aurors, and I have massive respect for them. But somehow, you seem like you would be happier in a job that is a bit more, I don't know, upbeat, maybe? Not so cloak and and dagger? You have such a gift for bringing a bit of light and hope into sometimes what seems like a very dark world by bringing a laugh and a smile. And, as far as I am concerned, that is worth more than anything else in the world. Is being an auror something you truly enjoy? Aside from entertaining, is being an auror what you want to do for the rest of your career?"

Dane sighed and looked at Khaat. "Khaat, you know me. All through Hogwarts I kept making people laugh. Bringing joy to class, making the world a little less gloomy." he said. He took a deep sigh, "Then, I heard about Voldemort coming back and the death of Potter. I realized that the world didn't need my happiness, it needed my skill." he said. "I do enjoy my comic career but being an Auror is my life. I love the rush and the joy of rescuing people and keeping in touch" he said smiling at the thought. "Then when my dad died, I just kinda gave up on being happy all the time...and well, I died pretty much for a year. That's how I got so well known in the ministry. I attacked with brute force and always won...." he said. "Then my mom passed just a few months ago...that knocked a few gears into place. I finally realized the world needed me...as an Auror and Comedian"

"I get it," She nodded. "When my Uncle Remus died, I thought I had too. I went into hibernation for a long, long time, feeling guilty about how if I had been there, maybe I could have helped protect him. It took me years to see that even if I had been there, I could not have protected him. But I think its part of what drives me now to want to eliminate anything that has to do with the dark arts. Remus taught me to be a warrior against that. I guess you and I do have some things in common even still, don't we?" She waved the waitress over for a refill on her french roast.

"Yes, a few things in common...." he said looking out the window. "I miss my mother also...she passed only a few months ago" he said. He remembered his mother, witty, smart, beautiful even in her old age, and most of all funny...

"Some pain just never seems to go away, " Khaat nodded. "I'm sorry you lost your mom. That's one of those irreplaceable losses that can stick with you for a long time. Remus's death still drives me. Although, I do have to say, I do want my life to be driven now by Rob and my baby more than Remus--at least for now. I have no idea how successful I'll be at that, but I do want to try. I don't ever want to give him a reason to want to leave me and my child alone. Oh, listen to me, feeling insecure about this whole new mom thing! Sorry about that. I've counseled a lot of pregnant women, and here I am doing the same drama stuff they do." She laughed. "I hereby refuse to be a drama queen over my pregnancy! I solemnly do swear!"

"At least your not up to no good" Dane said grinning. He had heard about the mauraders and who they where. "I wanted kids...a son or a daughter....but no luck. I've been too focused on my work" he said sadly

Khaat smiled at his joke, and then said, "I know how you feel. I had totally given up on having a family. And then I adopted Miseria, and took in a bunch of homeless teens, and now this. I'm going to have one of my own. You know, Dane, its never too late. I'm finding that out. Don't ever give up. You deserve to be happy."

He smiled at her, his teeth..for an auror they were actually White and straight. "Thanks Khaat, you better be good to that family" he said. "Don't ever forget, You only live life once, so don't ever screw it up" he laughed. He emphasized on the don't and tried to make it sounds very put. Almost as if it was to be shouted at someone...