|
Post by Madame Marauder on Feb 5, 2006 19:50:57 GMT -5
It was now nine-ten and no one had shown up. Deanna began to panic. Surely Lance and Sophie hadn't forgotten! A silvery hawk zipped past Deanna's ear and hovered by her side. Deanna knew it to be a message from the Order. McGonagall had been informed about the plan of action, so the patronus could mean only one thing: Lance was in trouble. There was only one thing Deanna could do to find out. She had to follow the patronus. Who knew how far Lance lived from Hogsmeade?
Deanna dashed into the nearest broom shop and sidled over to the man working the counter.
"S'cuse me sir, but do you rent out broomsticks?" she asked sweetly.
The man nodded and replied, "We have a special on Nimbus 2001's if you'd like to take a look at them."
"Are they for rental?" Deanna pressed; the man nodded.
Deanna grabbed a likely looking broomstick and tossed a bag of coins onto the counter.
"This should cover it- if not, I live in the village and will pay in full," Deanna said, though she knew the gold inside would more than cover her expenses.
The patronus remained outside the shop. Deanna mounted the broom and the patronus took off. She followed it up into the sky. She'd been a chaser while at Hogwarts, but it had been years since she had flown. However, this was no pleasure flight. A sense of urgency permeated from the hawk-like patronus.
In a few short minutes, they were hovering over what looked like hundreds of apartments. The patronus took a sudden, lurching dive through a window and Deanna followed in suit. After a rough landing, she dismounted and followed the patronus into the living room. Immeadiately the patronus disappeared. Deanna gasped in suprise.
Lance looked thoroughly exhausted and furious, as though he had just been in a furious duel of sorts. His apartment was singed as though someone had set fire to it.
"Well," Deanna said, looking around. "Good morning, Lance. Looks like you've had either a rough night or a really interesting morning."
She smiled but Lance continued to glare.
"You double crossed me!" he shouted.
Deanna's smile faded and was replaced by confusion.
"What? Why would I do that?" she asked earnestly. "I've been waiting for you and Sophie at the Hogs Head and no one showed up. I thought maybe you'd double crossed me! But then your patronus found me and I followed it. What happened with you?"
Deanna was now suspicious, Lance had been delayed and no one had met her at the pub. All evidence pointed at Sophie, or an eavesdropping patron at the Hogshead.
|
|
|
Post by meganlupin on Feb 5, 2006 21:24:30 GMT -5
Dana watched from her corner as the silver hawk flew by Deanna. She recognized the Patronus immediately, and knew that its presence only meant one thing:
The contact had sent someone after Lance, and they had failed.
She swore under her breath and for a moment, she was tempted to just reveal herself right now, and hopefully take Deanna by surprise. But that thought left immediately as soon as it appeared. Her cover wasn't yet blown, and it wouldn't do to do anything so foolish as attack in the open.
Dana watched as Deanna left the establishment, heading towards a broom shop and leaving within a few minutes with a Nimbus 2001 clutched in her hand. She watched as the other woman mounted the broom and set off after the hawk.
She's going to Lance, Dana thought. And as Deanna went out of sight, Dana Apparated to the one place that she knew the contact would be.
----------
The room was dark, and only a dying fire was behind the fireplace's grate. Coldness also seeped through her blood from a combination of the temperature in the room, as well as the Dementor that was floating right down the hall.
Dana purposefully strolled forward towards a desk that sat in the shadows of the room. There was only one figure in this room besides her, and he sat back in the black leather chair, his face hidden in the thick shadows.
"Your agents failed," said Dana, her eyes glaring at the figure seated behind the desk. His eyes glinted out from the shadows as he focussed his gaze at her. She wasn't afraid, though; she never had been, and she'd been doing this for almost two years.
Besides, he still needed her. He would never get the secrets of the Auror Department and the information about the murder of Emily if it wasn't for her.
"I know," he responded, his voice soft, though it was still loud and clear enough for her to hear. "They have already been suitably dealt with, Ms. Walsh. . . .
"But you, Dana, have not been found out yet," he whispered, slowly rising from his chair to come closer to her. She remained exactly where she was, not altering her gaze at all; she just kept her eyes focussed forward. "Why are you here, telling me something that I already know, when you should be following Lance and Deanna?"
"I was not aware of your knowledge," she responded, "and Sophie has still not shown up at the Hog's Head."
The tall figure nodded. "Go and follow Lance and Deanna, as I have told you to do. Otherwise, you know who will pay for failure."
Dana's eyes hardened; her anger at the figure (the emotion seeping through her for many reasons), was growing ever stronger and becoming nearly impossible to rein in.
"Fine," she hissed before turning abruptly and leaving the room.
Once she was clear of the house, she Apparated immediately to the street where she knew Lance lived, just in time to see Deanna soar through an open window.
|
|
|
Post by Madame Marauder on Feb 5, 2006 21:42:40 GMT -5
"Lance, why don't we go back to the Hog's Head," Deanna whispered, barely audiable. "If Ms. McKinsley set us up, she or an accomplice of hers will be at the Hog's Head."
Lance nodded. Deanna grabbed her rental broom and they apparated back to Hogsmeade to head Sophie off. If she was behind everything, they would find out. When they were in front of the Hogs Head, Deanna turned around and began to walk off.
"I'll be back. A friend of mine owes me a favor... If Miss Mckinsley did in fact rat us out, we'll know in three seconds," she called over her shoulder.
Deanna ducked into the local apocathary: Beaker and Bloodwart's. Her friend Victoria Bloodwart was the owner's daughter and owed Deanna a favor.
"Victoria?" she called. "You there?"
A girl with a cloud of curly black hair popped up from under the counter, beaming.
"Deanna! What can I do you for?" Victoria asked.
"Veritserum, I know you have a supply and it's urgent," Deanna said softly.
"Urgent, eh?" Victoia said, twisting a black lock around her finger. "It's in the back... I'll just dash and get it... How much d'ya need?"
"A vial... Not too large or conspicuous. I need it pronto," Deanna said, slapping her hand on the counter for emphasis.
"Then stop keepin' me!" Victoria called as she disapppeared into the back room. She returned quickly with a small vial of clear liquid.
Deanna fished around in her cowl for change, but Victoria thrust the bottle into her hands.
"Just take it and don't get caught spiking someone's drink, and we'll call it even. My dad's printed the store logo on all the caps and if you're caught... We don't want the legal blame," Victoria said softly. "Go on, get outta here before my dad comes 'round."
Deanna thanked her friend and dashed out of the store to find Lance still waiting by the Hog's Head.
"Got what I needed. Three drops and we'll know if Sophie betrayed either of us," Deanna said smugly.
Lance snorted, "Provided she shows up."
Deanna cast him a withering glance.
"Lance, if Sophie does show, should we take things to my house? It'd be easier to slip veritaserum into someone's drink without people around," Deanna asked. "You know, what if I get caught? Besides, my house is on the outskirts of the village- not a far walk or ride."
|
|
|
Post by avenger on Feb 6, 2006 17:36:50 GMT -5
Yes, but I have a better idea. The bar man is... a freind. you might know him as ABoroth DUmbledore. Anyway, if we give him the virtusirim, he should have no probolem putting it in her drink. Then wel wiil know..." But even though Lance said it, he thought something else, And if his hand should...slip... over your drink too, then we will know hwo the real double crosser is...
|
|
|
Post by Madame Marauder on Feb 6, 2006 17:43:50 GMT -5
Deanna frowned. Lance didn't seem to be saying all he thought.
"I really should be suspicious of you," she said coldly. "I really should be. But for some reason... I'm not."
Her expression softened as she waited for Lance to say something. But he didn't. Deanna's fleeting face of trust flickered away and was replaced with the frown.
"I really should be," she added coldly, before flouncing into the bar, Veritaserum in hand.
Deanna marched up to Aberforth, the barman and handed him the veritaserum.
"A man and a young woman will be joining me shortly. Put some of this in all three drinks," Deanna whispered. "McGonagall wants us all questioned."
It was a good lie. Aberforth knew Deanna worked for the Order, for they had been passing information back-and-forth for several months. But, now things would be fair. Deanna wanted to find out who the double-crosser was, as much as Lance. And didn't find it fair that Sophie would be the only one questioned.
Aberforth agreed and Deanna returned to Lance.
"Okay Mister Suspicion. Aberforth will be questioning Sophie. He'll put it in her drink, are you happy now?" she asked, arms folded defiantly.
|
|
|
Post by avenger on Feb 6, 2006 20:33:19 GMT -5
"cours I am, toots. No need to get so angry about it!" said Lance in a joking voice. "I need to go use the little warlocks room. If you would excuse me. Lance got up and walked towards the bathroom. Once he was inside, he locked the door and pulle dout his wand. "expecto partonum," he whispered, and his hawk flew with a message to Aberoth A few seconds later it came back, with a silvery skunk fast on its tail. The skunk crouched infront of Lance, opened it mouth, and said in Aberoths voice. "She said to put it in all three glasses mate. I am sorry, but I allredy spicked the beer's. I will switch yours though. Just make sure that she really is a suspect before you go asking her." the skunk vanished. If he did not think she was a suspect before, Lance did now... Why had she spicked his beer? He washed his hands to give it the appearance that he had gone to the toilet, than he walked back out and sat down at the table. Just than, the young bar maid walked over with there drinks. "Hey there, Lance." she said in a flirrty voice, "Who is this?"
"A freind..." said Lance.
"Well, here are your beers," she said, giving them both a beer. "I will leav this one here, for when your freind comes, K?"
"No problem toots" said Lance, "hey, dont laugh at me!" he said to Deanna, "At least I have a social life! no drink your beer." he said, taking a sip of his. she took a sip of hers too.
"so, when did you join the orader?" asked Lance.
|
|
|
Post by sophiemckinsley on Feb 6, 2006 23:20:25 GMT -5
Sophie walked out of the pub and to her flat. When she got there she changed into dry clothes and fixed her hair. She preformed a quick Impervius spell, but grabbed an umbrella just in case, just before Apparating to Hogwarts front gate. She walked up to the castle and straight to McGonagall. She entered the room and was immediately greeted by her old Professor.
“I thought I’d be seeing you soon. After Emily vanished it was only a matter of time. So how much do you know?” McGonagall always had a way of putting things in a way that wouldn’t hurt her.
“I know she’s dead, found near Knockturn Alley with the dark mark on her face. I know her parents were once death eaters and that they are suspected, along with their old friends, of being apart of the death. I also know that they probably suspect Eddie and me of being involved.”
“So, you found Lance and Deanna. They probably met in the Hogs Head, not a wise choice but that can’t be changed now. They probably want you to go along.”
“Yes, they said they’ll have to wipe my memory.”
“Well, I’m not sure about that, but for as little as they know about you probably a good measure of carefulness. Tell them to be careful. Death eaters weren’t the only enemies of the Van Dreperon family. You better get going it’s getting late. Your going to make a fine Auror, if you ever get the courage to apply.” She smiled softly after finishing, then added, seeing the fearful look on Sophie’s face, “And don’t worry, they are both in the Order so you’ll be safe.”
Sophie gave one last look at McGonagall and walked out the door. She walked back down to the entrance hall. Then as she was walking through an old hall, she was grabbed and slung against the wall.
“What do you know?” said the man holding her against the wall.
“What are you talking about?”
“What do you know?” he repeated, moving his hand to a choke hold on her neck.
“Nothing,” she yelled.
He hit her across the face with the hand not holding her neck. Then punched her in the stomach with the same hand. He leaned his head forward, so that his face fell into the light.
“Do you remember me, Sophie? Now tell me what you know.” She did recognize his face, it was a Eddie’s friend from Quidditch, Jason. He came with his brother who was Eddies age when they played Quidditch in a field near Hogsmeade.
“I don’t know anything,” she reiterated. This time Jason pulled out his wand and used a spell that knocked her out. She didn’t even hear the incantation before falling to the floor.
The sun was shining brightly in the sky. She lifted her head only to realize she was lying in a field, the same field that those boys used to play Quidditch in. She looked at her watch. “Nine o‘clock, I’m late,” she exclaimed seeing the time.
She looked down at her robes. They were torn and soaked with mud. She Apparated home where she saw the total damaged in the mirror. There was a cut down her cheek and she had a black eye, but they giant bruise around her neck topped the cake. She cleaned up her face as much as she could, cleaned her hair, and changed her clothes. ‘Nine twenty, they are going to be so mad,’ she thought. She took one last disgusted look at herself in the mirror and Apparated to the front door of the Hogs Head. She entered the pub to find Lance and Deanna talking to a bar maid. The bar made left leaving an extra drink, they were still expecting her. Deanna turned to Lance and said something Sophie couldn’t decipher. Sophie walked to the table and sat down. “Sorry, I’m late,” she apologized.
(sorry it's so long, i was behind)
|
|
|
Post by avenger on Feb 7, 2006 16:00:41 GMT -5
"No problem," said Lance. He dicided it would be best not to tell her he was attacked... hopefully deanna would get the idea. "Have a drink," he said. Soffee took a sip of the beer. "SO what did you do when you got home last night?" asked Lnace.
|
|
|
Post by sophiemckinsley on Feb 7, 2006 16:50:46 GMT -5
As Sophie took a sip of Butterbeer, she felt the warming qualities of the drink creep through her. It made her feel better, especially after last night. Lance asked her what she had done the night before. She really though it strange that neither of them had asked her about her bruises and cuts. She couldn't tell if it was out of kind ignorance or blatant apathy. "I went home, fixed myself up, then went up to school to talk to McGonagall," she said, the words rolling off her tongue strangely easy. She took another drink of Butterbeer, waiting for one of the others to continue.
|
|
|
Post by avenger on Feb 7, 2006 17:03:31 GMT -5
"So, McGonagle got angry and beat you up then?" Asked Lance in a mock casual tone.
|
|
|
Post by sophiemckinsley on Feb 7, 2006 17:17:59 GMT -5
"No," Sophie said, laughing, " she guessed i had found both of you, and that we were in the Hogs Head. She also surmised that you had asked me to accompany you. When I told her that you said you might have to modify my memory, she said that was very precautious for how much you know about me, but she wasn't sure if it would be absolutely necessary." The words coming from Sophie's mouth almost felt like they were coming from someone else, they were so involuntary. "She gave me a message for you. She said, 'Tell them to be careful. Death eaters weren’t the only enemies of the Van Dreperon family.' That was about it," she finished bluntly, almost automated. "I feel funny," she told them, "How about you, how was your night?" She was trying to change the subject before her mouth led her into the rest of her night. She mustn't let it, she had to concentrate.
|
|
|
Post by Madame Marauder on Feb 7, 2006 17:27:51 GMT -5
Deanna shrugged nochalantly.
"Lance had an interesting morning... But now's not the time," she said, smirking. "So, Sophie, who do you work for?"
|
|
|
Post by sophiemckinsley on Feb 7, 2006 18:48:43 GMT -5
"I work for Zonko, at the joke shop. I'm not sure, but I think the manager is Jeff. Kind of silly of me not to know, but he's usually out of the shop looking for new products. The in-store manger is Daniel, though. He's quiet nice. Cute butt." Sophie flushed when she heard the words come out, she hadn't meant to say it, but she couldn't deny it was true. She dared to continue on, "Excuse me, I don't know what's wrong." She giggled a little, and took a giant swig of Butterbeer.
|
|
|
Post by Madame Marauder on Feb 7, 2006 18:52:26 GMT -5
"Would you ever betray Lance and me? Do you know who we work for?" Deanna pressed, a triumphant gleam in her eye.
|
|
|
Post by sophiemckinsley on Feb 7, 2006 19:03:51 GMT -5
"No," Sophie said. She was a little shocked to her the surety in her voice, but knew it was true. Even though she had just met them, she knew she couldn't betray them. She was very loyal, and stayed true to her word. Smiling confidently at the new thought in her head she continued, "You work for the Order. McGonagall told me last night to reassure me that I would be safe." Sophie finished looking from one to the other and reached for more Butterbeer only to realize she had finished the glass already. She motioned for the barmaid, then turned back to her companions.
|
|