Nudge Ⅱ

Seeing that Euphemia is still not convinced, Mrs. Pettigrew says, "The brother of an old school friend recently joined the A.P.D. officer." She paused slightly with an uncertain look. "He was only the tiniest bit crooked for a time," before her face brightens up again. "However, he went straight after he had his son, Agnus. A sweet, plump, little lad."

"Oh dear, I went off-topic," Mrs. Pettigrew chuckled. "As I was saying, Gittins though a tiny bit crooked is still a good man at heart. I'm sure he'd be absolutely delighted to introduce you to the A.P.D."

"Gittins," Euphemia narrowed her eyes into slits. "Not a pudgy wizard with a bowler hat and a beard?"

"Ah, so you've met?" Mrs. Pettigrew murmured in genuine surprise.

"Oh, we've met," Euphemia darkly answered causing Mrs. Pettigrew to curiously lean in awaiting a response. Yet the younger pureblood witch did not speak further on the subject.

Instead, Euphemia firmly took a large bit of the delicious cherry pie. As much as she disliked admitting it, she could find no fault with the perfectly baked pie. Her fourth cousin truly was a superb craftsman in the kitchen. A genuine talent in its own right.

"Ah, in that case, maybe, he is not a good option," Mrs. Pettigrew tactfully said, before furrowing her brow in thought. "Well, I suppose in that case, Daffodil or her brothers will just have to do."

With a firm purpose in mind, Mrs. Pettigrew rises and hurries to the coat hanger for her robes. "Come along, dear, we mustn't tarry!"

Reluctantly Euphemia put on a rather patched, mended cloak and followed after her fourth cousin. Her cousin side apparated them to a measly shack on the edge of London. She sniffed and raised her nose in the air at the sight. The two of them wadded through the muddy path up to the crooked, worn door.

Mrs. Pettigrew doesn't even have time to knock when the door opens to reveal a large brawny wizard with a large forehead. "Daffodil's out," Hyde grunted.

"Oh, that is just fine and dandy," Mrs. Pettigrew beamed. "This here is my fourth cousin, Euphemia. I was just looking for you and your brother, Hyde. I was hoping that you might be willing to introduce her to the A.P.D. or if not another fine job. She's quite talented you see, but she's going through a bit of a rough patch and needs a tidbit of help."

The creaky of the floor is heard as a beady-eyed, beefy wizard loomed over his brother. "Hello Mrs. Pettigrew, the balm that you made for Ma's bad joints have eased most of her pain."

"Why thank you kindly, Floyd," Mrs. Pettigrew smiled at the praise. "But truly, I would very much appreciate this favor, boys."

Floyd's beady eyes study the dour-faced witch. The witch was thick-waisted with pasty skin and coiled blond hair. Although her cobalt-colored eyes did nothing to hide a streak of cruelty. "I'll see what can be done, Ma'am," Floyd pensively murmured.

"Why thank you!" Mrs. Pettigrew said with a smile. "I'll see myself off," before pausing to turn at her fourth cousin. "I will see you at home, Euphemia," before making her way down the muddy path before apperating back to the Pettigrew cottage.

Euphemia Rowle proudly drew herself up to her full height and folded her arms over her chest. "You may have fooled my naïve cousin, but I recognize the lot of you. You're Sanderson's watchdogs."

Hyde moves forward in threat but is firmly held in place by Floyd grabbing his shoulder. "Aye, and you're the traitor Rowle's daughter."

Euphemia stiffens at being insulted to her face. Holding back a snarl, she twists her lips in displeasure. "In that case, you now that I can offer Sanderson, what no one else can."

"Very well, we'll take you to see the boss," Floyd murmured causing Hyde to gawk in utter shock.

"But Floyd!" Hyde protested furrowing his large forehead in confusion. "She's jus' a pureblood witch!"

"We'll let the boss be the judge of that," Floyd responded. His beady eyes cunningly gleamed. Either way, it always served to take care of loose ends.

The two large wizards pull on their cloaks, before lumbering out into the mud. Hyde reluctantly grasps the pureblood witch by the wrist before side apperating her to London. Euphemia wrenches her wrist out of the filthy brute's grasp the moment they land.

Cradling her wrist, Euphemia scowls at the two wizards, before taking in her surroundings. The streets were clean in a nicer part of London. There was a well-kept front garden leading into the establishment with elegant, cursive golden letters carved on the front door, "The Shaded Lantern."

The oak-colored door soundlessly opened leading into an elegant gentlemen's club. In the main parlor, the waiter moves around serving fine drinks in a crystal glass with a silver rimmed bottom to reveal any poisoning attempts. The wizards lazily chat and drink in comfortable armchairs. Further down the hall, there is an open bar along with a smoking room.

There is even a large game hall filled with various gambling tables including a muggle billiards and a dart board. At this hour, the gaming room is full of wizards enjoying a rousing game or two. The nearest adjacent table to the door is a group of wizards playing poker with an enchanted poker deck that dealt itself.

Past the gaming hall, there is an elegantly lit dining hall for those wishing to discuss business. Smaller doorways line the hall as private and secure conference rooms. Up the stairs lead to dozens of bedrooms for the guests to rest or even reserve for pleasure. There were strict rules and regulations regarding the request for pleasure services. The bedrooms need to be reserved 24 hours in advance and paid for to ensure that an herb or flower from Madam Zenaries Emporium of Fine Delicacies, Treats and the Exotic would be readily available to fulfill the gentlemen club member's baser needs.

The two burly forms of Hyde and Floyd march even past a library and another parlor that overlooked the gardens in the back. Past the servant quarters in a cozy, dark corner of the club, there is a lone study. The study is decorated in warm earth tone colors with a large window that overlooks, a well-kept garden.

Sitting in a cozy armchair, Sanderson sits engrossed in one of the greatest muggle detectives, Hercule Poirot. Needless to say, many of the wizards of the wizarding world had fallen in love with the fictional character and greatly admired the muggle detective. The muggle writer Agatha Christie truly is one of the greatest writers of all time!