River stepped out of Hyacinth Elixirs with a smile, smoothing out her robes as she let out a rather deep breath. That...had gone better than she had hoped. A lot better. That job was as good as hers, she figured, and as such, she deserved a celebratory drink, maybe some lunch along with it. But, after making it back out to the street, she had to pause, brown eyes widening slightly. Of all people, she hadn't been expecting to see him here. It was a surprise, though not a bad one.


"...Greg?" she asked after the moment's pause, her surprise evident as she voiced the first question to pop into her mind. Her head was tilted slightly, brown curls brushing her shoulder. "When did you get back? I had thought you were still in Seattle...."

Greg stopped short as not to knock her down. It wasn't until he took a good look that he realized just where he knew the pretty brunette from. "River?"

The young woman merely smiled, nodding. "That's right. It's good to see you again...how have you been?"

Greg shook his head. he hadn't expected to run into her again, but his memory of the time they had spent together was enough to let this play out and see where it may lead. "I've been good. You? I didn't think you were coming back."

"My little brother asked me to come back to visit and then he wanted me to stay a few days later, so here I am. Other than that, though, I've been fine," she answered with a bit of a chuckle. "I didn't think you were returning either, so what brings you back to this part of the world?"

"It was time," he replied simply. "Visiting Snape?" he asked with a nod towards the shop.

River glanced back at the building before her smile widened a bit. "Interviewing for a job, actually. The Professor is looking for someone to run the front of store. I think it all went well enough, but we shall have to see." It was only then that she remembered what she had been planning to do only moments before running into Greg, and she glanced back at him curiously. "Are you heading somewhere at the moment...?"

Greg shook his head, he'd been heading in to talk to Snape and pick up hangover potions, but River was a smart and pretty girl. Old habits died hard, he realized when he held out his arm. He really had to get it through his head that his Pixie was strictly in the 'friends only' category. River was a reminder of all the reasons why that was. He'd liked talking to her, he remembered. "No place special."

"Then would you care to join me for a drink, maybe lunch?" she asked, taking his arm with hers. Her other hand pushed a few of her curls behind her ear before falling gently onto her other. "I had been planning on going on my own but would love some company..."

Greg led her towards a quiet little cafe, not wanting to face the disapproving stares that seemed to follow him everywhere. "It would be my pleasure to accompany you."

Although the cafe hadn't been her original destination, River thought it a bit more suitable for their drinks than the other restaurants in the area. It was rather nice, rather cozy. And for some reason, it reminded her of their last meeting place...

The thought of which just kept her smile on her face as they were seated in the back corner of the cafe. Less prying eyes and ears there.

"So, Greg...what have you been up to these past few months?" she asked curiously. "Did you keep to America the entire time?"

He shrugged. "For the most part. I have people there that I wanted to see. Did you make it to all the places you wanted to see?"

"For the most part," she shrugged in return. "There are a few left, but I am needed here for the time being. Are you planning on staying for long or will you be leaving soon?"

"I think I'll be staying," he said, hoping to play it off as if he hadn't completely decided yet.

River just smiled at him, taking him at his word. "I hope you do. It would be nice to see you more often, Greg..."

Greg smiled softly. "I concur. Now, shall I call a waiter over?"

She nodded, brown curls bouncing. "Please. And thank you."


[Summary: Greg and River nearly run into each other. Memories resurface over lunch.]