The cold afternoon wind in London seemed to have been dispelled somewhat by that long, warm kiss. The blush on Hermione's cheeks had not yet fully faded, like clouds kissed by the evening glow. She nestled tightly against Lynn, her fingers intertwined with his, while the faint glow of the Starlight Bracelet flickered between their wrists like the resonance of silent heartbeats. The cold metallic smell of the Ministry of Magic and its oppressive sense of scrutiny had been completely left behind, replaced by the bustle of the streets and the reassuring warmth passing between their palms.
"Psychological reassurance... remarkably effective," Lynn said in a low voice with an almost imperceptible smile, his gaze falling on Hermione's slightly mussed hair. That unruly curl had stubbornly sprung up again. "Supervisor."
Hermione's ears burned. She deliberately cleared her throat, trying to reclaim a little of her "supervisor's" dignity, but the amusement and attachment in her eyes could not be hidden. "Ahem... given the... potential harm involved in the assessment process just now, the supervisor believes that immediate implementation of this clause is both necessary and effective. Further details will be... added as appropriate depending on circumstances." She spoke with utmost seriousness, but her finger secretly tickled his palm.
The smile in Lynn's eyes deepened. He did not expose her feigned composure and merely tightened his grip on her hand. "Understood." He gave a brief reply, glancing toward the inconspicuous black door of The Leaky Cauldron at the street corner. "Psychological reassurance requires energy replenishment. Shall we stock up first?"
Hermione immediately nodded, and her stomach gave a timely little growl, making her blush even harder. She had been under intense mental strain at the Ministry of Magic, and only now that she had relaxed did she realize how hungry she was.
***