Ben Hunter had no idea why he was feeling nervous today, he had chatted with Millie only yesterday in class and had said good morning in passing to her at breakfast this very morning. That though was how he felt as he walked down the high street towards his home, perhaps it was just nervous anticipation of managing to steal some time with Millie on St. Valentines of all days. He wore neatly pressed trousers and wore one of his favourite waistcoats, goldenrod in colour with red stitching on the colours of his house.

Millie would be meeting him at Hunter's today, they had agreed she would pop in the back for reasons of discretion, but even now he wondered if that was too much, it was a pet shop, she had a pet, she could walk in the front door. Never mind, it was too late to second guess their little scheme. The door tinkled as he walked in and he saw his father stood behind the counter serving and old woman. Mrs Capaldi, small dog, big appetite if her remembered correctly. His father expected him, he had told dad that he and a couple of other seventh year boys were going to apparate to the lakes for a bite to eat and to climb some trees. Ben smiled and grabbed the two round paper bags of lunch that he had asked his mother to prepare. One saying "Little Charlie" the other saying "George" the name Ben had given them when they enquired.

Benedict also took it upon himself to quickly grab a few things from the shelf to bag up for Millie, well, technically for Houstonia, in order to seal the ruse for later. There was now footsteps coming down the side alley and Mr. Hunter looked up. "I'm going to close up for lunch before your friend gets here. Your mother finds out I met... George... and didnt give you the back of my hand for being a rake she'll have me sleeping in the shed." he laughed and walked out the front door, turning the sign around to "back shortly".

Millie came in and Benedict was sure all the animals seemed just a little happier. She looked lovely as always and Benedict moved to meet her. "I dont know, maybe I am just a little untoward " he laughed and placed his hand on her waist. Out of habit his gave a little look around and seeing nobody there he kissed her softly on her lips. "I'm glad you enjoyed that, I couldnt decide between that passage and one in Of Knights and Noblemen. But I thought you would prefer Wands." his fingers laced into hers and he smiled. They needed to be out of here before dad came back, he apparently knew what he was upto but wanted deniability. Ben had a plan and with his other hand he pulled out his wand.

"I've never apparated you before, Millie. Do you trust me?" Millie didnt say anything but the look in her eyes and the squeeze in her hand said that of course she did. Benedict breathed deeply, actually quite worried about messing this up, perhaps this was the nerves. His crackled and then with a noise like burning wood, the pet shop vanished and was replaced by the interior of a greenhouse, Mr. Pott's greenhouse to be exact and Benedict readied himself for Millie's reaction when her eyes and mind registered where they now were.