It wasn't often that Tracey was impressed by the esthetics's of a building, she lived at one of the most beautiful homes in Britain after all, but Glenlivet Stables was breathtaking. When she arrived there that morning there was fog still rolling over the pastures and as she and the Stable's Director Robert Biltmore walked through the property she'd tried to keep her mind on the fact that she really didn't have the time to be a patron of such a vast and important organization. Glenlivet was not only known throughout the wizarding world as the main suppliers of barley-bred horse flesh, but in the Muggle world it made fantastic Scotch Whiskey. They should have asked Pansy, she thought with a grin as she looked over the proposal.

Blitmore wanted her to lend her name to the stables. To offer incentive for young wizarding children to visit and take lessons. To pay tuitions and lend support. Merlin knew she had the money, and by bringing her up to Scotland he'd hoped to have her fall in love with the place. His plan was sound, and she found herself ready to agree to anything if it meant that she'd get to spend time there. It was peaceful and calming and despite the happiness she felt at having Val home, Tracey had an odd feeling that she would need a place like this where she could hide from the world.

The meeting lasted all morning and into the early afternoon. Tracey promised to have her solicitor look over the papers and smiled politely when Biltmore introduced her to the entire staff, making sure she knew she was welcome any time to ride the horses or to stay at the club house. She didn't ever expect to take him up on the offer, but it was lovely nonetheless.

Apparating to Diagon Alley soon after the meeting ended, Tracey headed toward her favourite coffee shop for one of her new obsessions, a Raspberry Mocha Frappuccino. She sat down at a table near the window and flipped through the papers that Biltmore had handed her. Making a resolve to tell Therien that she was indeed interested in finalizing her patronage, Tracey blew on her cup and took a look around the small shop over the rim.

Near the cash register, two surly-looking witches argued over who was paying for tea. A young couple were casually flirting with each other in the back corner. Near the door, an elderly gentleman was sipping tea while reading the Daily Prophet. And a pretty little witch stepped into the cafe moments later.

River had been in the mood for coffee since yesterday, after she had met up with Greg, and neither she nor her House Elves could fix it to how she had wanted it. Which is why she found herself taking to Diagon Alley and entering the first coffee shop she could find. As the door swung closed behind her, she headed straight for the register, not bothering to glance around the room.

It really was more of a craving than a mood.

Once Tracey saw the witch in the full light of the cafe, she recognized her at once and couldn't help but smile to herself. Little River Montgomery had grown up. At school she'd been a quiet but pleasant girl who Tracey had allowed into her dorm room during girls' nights to dish about clothes and gossip and, of course, since Pansy had been involved, wizards and which wizards were 'shaggable' and which were clearly not. Catching the girl's eye as she turned around, Tracey smiled and waved her over.

"River? You're a sight for sore eyes. I was afraid I'd be all by my lonesome this afternoon. You'll join me, yeah?" It was rare that Tracey allowed others to see her so open. Usually in public she was The Ice Queen. Too wealthy and self important to permit a slip to the facade. But this was Little River... and Tracey was genuinely pleased to have bumped into her.

The feeling was mutual. The older girl had always had River's admiration, even back during their school days, and it hadn't faded in the years since they'd seen each other. River's smile was bright as she moved to join her, steaming cup in hand, and she sat down carefully in the seat across from her.

"Hello, Tracey, it's good to see you again. How have you been?" she asked, still smiling widely.

"I've been very well. Happily doing nothing substantial really since school. You?" Tracey asked. She was grateful that she wouldn't get a shocked look from her fellow Slytherin. It was very tiresome when you told people you were independently wealthy and didn't have to really do anything when they looked at you with wide eyes, or worse, pity. Tracey knew she filled her time as usefully as she could under the circumstances, and she was grateful for the few people she surrounded herself with who could relate.

River had to stifle a giggle at that. She should have been expecting an answer of that sort, but something about the casual way it was said amused her greatly. And it took her a moment to respond because of those giggles.

"I've been traveling the world, only just returned. Simon wanted me home and all. I've been looking for a job lately, though, and applied at Professor Snape's apothecary yesterday. That's really all the interesting going ons in my life." That wasn't exactly true, but she hadn't seen Tracey in ages and didn't want to start on anything heavy just yet. It could all wait, there wasn't anything that needed to be shared at that moment...

"So, have I missed anything interesting while I was gone? Care to catch me up on the latest gossip?"

Not able to catch her laugh in time, Tracey covered her mouth with her hand. Just like old times. "Gossip? No, nothing much, sadly. You did hear about Blaise and that Muggle girl? She was wretched and as much as I love him, it was hard to be in the same room with her without wanting to hex her." Tracey took another sip before going on. "You knew Draco was home, yeah? He's been out gallivanting as well, when he should have been home with us. It wasn't just him who suffered in the war." Her voice was turning slightly bitter when thinking of all the grief Draco's leaving had caused she and her friends, Blaise in particular. But then she remembered to whom she was speaking and her voice lifted again. "I'm so glad Simon beckoned you home. It will be wonderful having a friend around who isn't always on the prowl for men every time we go out. You're looking for a job, you said? And you thought about Professor Snape, really? I wasn't aware that Potions were your passion."

The younger girl listened intently. She hadn't heard much of any of this, save for the rumor that Draco had returned home, and it almost made her wish she had come back sooner, that she hadn't missed it all. There was nothing she could do to change that, though, and she allowed herself only a moment of regret before smiling at Tracey again.

"They're not, but after three days of searching for a job, working under our old Head of House seemed a terrific change of pace. He did have an advert out in the Prophet, so it wasn't as if I deliberately sought him out to request a job." Another giggle at the mere idea. "It is good to be back, though...There are far too many Hufflepuffs in the world, I missed all the snakes here at home."

"Too true." Tracey nodded her agreement with that statement. It seemed the world insisted on making her change, but by all that was holy she wasn't going to. The people she cared about surrounded her, and while she was lonely, she was certainly happier now that she had been recently. Val was home with her. Her tightly knit group of friends that she had clung to so tightly in school were settling back into their rightful place. Things were as they should be right now, and meeting River here only reaffirmed that. "So, are you madly in love with the idea of working for Snape, or would you rather work with someone more fun? I said I didn't work, and I don't, but I do plan things for people... parties, weddings, you know... things, and I could use some help. I hadn't really been looking for an assistant, but if you'd rather spend other people's money and wear pretty party dresses all the time you could certainly come work with me."

Quite honestly, the idea of working with Tracey was much more appealing than working for Snape ever would be, but as much as she'd love to, she couldn't accept right then. She sighed, her smile dropping a little. "I'll have to get back to you on that one, Trace. I'd love to help you, I really would...but I only had my interview yesterday and I don't want to leave him without an employee if he does hire me."

The smile quirked back up again a second later. "But if he doesn't, I hope you'll keep that spot of assistant open for me. I'll be rather disappointed if it goes to someone else..."

Tracey was still smiling as she nodded. Merlin, she thought. I haven't smiled this much in ages. "No, no. Like I said, I'm not really looking for an assistant, but having one would certainly make things easier. And it's not like I've been taking the salary that the Ministry offers to me. I've been giving it all away anyway, so I might as well allow them to pay you to have fun. That's what us Slytherin girls do best." Turning around to get her bag off the back of her chair, she stood and smiled again. "But let me know what Snape says, yes? I'd love to have you. It's quite busy around this season, what with Halloween and Christmas and all sorts of Autumn weddings, but picking out colour schemes and sampling cake recipes must be done, and at least when they're done by us they are done with style and taste. Owl me, all right? I'm living at home at Whittom Park."

River nodded in return, brown curls bouncing. "I'll owl you as soon as I find out from Professor Snape. And perhaps we can do lunch some time either way? We have a bit to catch up on, I think." Not to mention that River had missed Tracey and wanted to see her again soon...

"Wonderful. I can't wait to hear from you. I'll let Pansy know I saw you as well. Perhaps you can join us on one of our girls' nights. It's still as fun as ever to see how much Pansy will drink before becoming prone to karaoke." Walking toward the door, Tracey turned and give the girl a small wave before stepping out of the coffee shop.

What a great day, she thought. Val was home. River had come back into her life. Perhaps things were on the way up. Maybe she could finally come out of this gloom that had been clouding her life as of late. Stepping out into the sunshine, Tracey actually felt good for the first time in a while. She was still smiling when she Apparated home to Whittom Park.


(Summary: Tracey and River catch up over Frappuccinos and a job is offered.)