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(Anthony) Major Development
Author: Beck
Date: 01-18-10 08:48
In addition to lists of names, photographs had started to litter Anthony's desk in the Auror Office. He and Desi had gone out together and sometimes independently to speak with some of the wizards they couldn't identify solely by name. Where able, they took photographs of the individuals in question, which they showed to Mrs. Davies to see if any were the strange visitor she'd seen ask after Bill Weasley some weeks prior to his disappearance. So far, she'd identified none as that particular wizard.
Anthony sifted through some of the unidentified names on his many lists to select several to visit before the end of the day. As he did, his finger fell on a particular name and lingered there. For some reason, he felt like there was something he had overlooked. Without removing his finger from the name, Anthony used his other hand to sort through the seemingly unorganized scattering of parchment on his desk. He found the page he wanted and skimmed it quickly.
It was yet another list of names, but with the exception of one, none had come from the scolls taken from Gringotts. They were known and potential enemies of Bill Weasley, from petty to serious. Anthony passed over names like Lysander Stratford and Khalid Adallah and landed on one Whelan Wardle, who Bill had effectively sent to prison last summer. He looked at the name on the other list, Ezikial Wardle. Anthony had few notes next to Ezikial's name, since he was one of the wizards Anthony hadn't yet interviewed or researched thoroughly. That was all about to change.
He got up, bringing both parchment pieces with him. He headed over to the Records Division and spoke to one of the archivists. Because it was Saturday, the office wasn't busy and the archivist could work on Anthony's request immediately. He didn't have to wait long to get results. Did it mean something significant for the case that Ezikial and Whelan were brothers? Anthony headed back to his desk, his head spinning with possibilities.
When he got there, Desi raced over to him, clutching a piece of parchment in his hand.
"We have a ransom note," she announced, handing the letter to him.
Finally, after all these weeks, Bill's kidnapping had been confirmed. His captors, still unidentified in the note, wanted money sent to a dropoff point by sunset that very same day. If the money didn't arrive and didn't arrive in full, there would be severe consequences for the victim.
Anthony looked up at Desi. "We need to get a team together for the dropoff, and we need to figure out where this note came from."
Desi snatched the note back. "I'm on it."
As she hurried away to make arrangements, Anthony called out, "I'm going to step out really quickly to check something out. I'll be right back."
He wanted to pay Ezikial a quick visit, so that if anything, he could put a face to the name and have Mrs. Davies confirm whether he was their man or not.
Visiting
Author: Plum
Date: 01-18-10 17:56
Three year old Alex tugs insistently on his sister's hand. "Pum, lolly?"
"Yes, we'll get your lollipop after we're done here," Plum says, stopping to bend at the knee in front of the child. Alex had been asking for a lollipop all morning after being promised one only for Plum to realize they were out of the candy at the flat. "We have to visit Dad and then we will go get you a lolly. If you are very good we'll go do something fun for you but if you don't behave, we will go home after we get your lolly."
If Alex does act up, Plum hates the idea of giving him the candy anyway but at the same time, she did promise him hours ago and he's been very patient waiting to be able to get one. He'd done his version of straightening his room, eaten all his breakfast without prompting, hadn't squirmed overly much when Plum washed his face and hands, nor had he pouted longer than a minute or two when Anthony told Alex he couldn't play with him this morning because of having a work shift. When he'd come asking for the lolly, something he doesn't do that often, Plum had said yes, thinking that they had some stashed in a kitchen drawer. Alex has asked a few times since then with Plum promising that as soon as this one errand was done, they'd go buy Alex a lollipop.
Alex gives Plum a very serious frown. "I be good," he solomnly intones.
Plum smiles, "Then let's go see, Dad."
Standing up she guides Alex away from the Floo they'd arrive by. Walking the all too familiar route to the ward Evan is on, Plum can't help but wonder for about the millionth time if seeing Evan is confusing for Alex. He's gotten to where he sometimes calls Anthony Daddy. Does he understand that this Dad they are going to visit is his father even though Evan's not been a dad to Alex for fully two-thirds of his life?
Plum sighs softly as she opens the door to the ward and ushers Alex inside. She wouldn't have brought him today if not for the fact that the last several visits she's made were without him and that Evan has asked the past three times for her to bring Alex to see him. Maybe she does need to bring Alex more often. Maybe if the child is confused about the whole Evan-Dad-Daddy issue she's been a contributing factor by making most of these visits solo even after Evan began improving.
Why did she have to end up with such a dysfunctional father? Working hard not to frown angrily and start this visit off with her resentment towards Evan being apparent even to Alex, Plum pastes a big smile on her face and with forced cheeriness says, "Here we are, Alex." Grabbing the bedside chair to pull it closer to the bed, she hoists her brother into it. Then stating the obvious, she says, "Hi, Dad. Here's Alex for a visit just as you asked."
Quiet Discussion over Lunch
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 01-19-10 15:58
She laced her fingers through Jim's as they headed down High Street - they both didn't want to be cooped up in the house for the duration of the day, and neither felt like actually preparing a meal - so they were going out for a late lunch.
"As for work it's going well enough. I've been doing a lot of testimony translations for one of the lawyers lately. Some depositions, and the like, so that has been keeping me busy." She said, leaning into him as they walked. Perhaps this was what Brett had meant that she find someone her own age - however, there was still the issue of him still being in school due to his blood-status when the world went all pear-shaped thanks to the former Mister of Magic.
"Classes at St. Emry's are going well. This term ends in March, so then I'll have some time at work." She closed her eyes a few moments, before they stopped just off to the side of main traffic to debate on where they wanted to eat.
"So, where do you want to get food?" Jim asked, there were a variety of places that they could eat however, he would leave the choice up to her.
"How hungry are you?" She asked him, knowing he probably hadn't eaten since breakfast - aside from the couple of biscuits they'd had at the house while listening to the new Weird Sister's album.
"Starving actually, now that you mention it." He said with a grin, sliding his arms around her and pulling her close to him. "What about you?"
"Famished. I'm thinking the Crown & Cauldron, because we can get enough to ensure that we are full." She said, leaning into him.
"That sounds like a plan. Let's go." They headed down the road toward the Imperial Crown & Cauldron and slipped inside. There was already a gathering of people - students coming into the village from the castle now that things had finished with the lesson. Though several remained back at the castle for the flying/quidditch workshop.
They found a quiet booth and slipped within, Orei sitting next to him so she could cuddle up with him while they ate. They hadn't been able to spend Valentine's Day together - so they were doing it now.
They ordered when a waitress came over, and fell back into quiet conversation. Talking about all sorts of things - including the Valentine's Day dance and other things that had happened over the last couple of weeks. Parents day and such.
Conversation then turned toward the future. "What are you going to do after Hogwarts?" She inquired, picking at her meal a moment.
"I haven't decided yet. I was thinking a term or two at St. Emry's see about what I want to do once I'm done here." He said, shifting, sipping from his butterbeer and casting a glance in her direction.
"Sounds like a plan. You going to stay with your parents or...?" She left the question unfinished - she knew the relationship was somewhat still "new" because they only got breaks and Hogsmeade weekends together as of right now.
"I'm not sure yet. I eventually want to get maybe a flat in Diagon Alley, or find something here to rent. I've some galleon saved up to spend, or may end up with a muggle flat in London. I've not decided really." He said, pressing a chaste kiss to her cheek, before turning his attention back to his lunch.
"Okay." She said, what more could she say? She didn't want to push him - didn't want to ruin what they had by suggesting something that he couldn't do.
They fell into other conversation - what kinds of classes he could take at St. Emry's - what each school at St. Emry's offered and the like.
(Anthony) Lying and Spying
Author: Beck
Date: 01-19-10 18:18
On an ordinary country street in Warwick stood a well-kept, stone house. It sat on a large piece of property, which primarily consisted of lawn that stretched well beyond the home. It was as green as springtime and likely only so because of magic. A few other homes dotted the landscape, all likewise situated on green expanses of land. This was a wizarding street in a wholly Muggle city.
Anthony stepped onto the front porch and raised his hand to knock on the door. Before his knuckles could make contact with the red paint, the door swung open and revealed a tall and imposing figure.
"Yes?" asked the wizard gruffly, after giving Anthony a quick, scrutinizing glance.
"Hi, is this the home of Ezikial Wardle?"
"Who's asking?"
Anthony held up his Ministry identification badge. "My name is Anthony Beck. I'm an auror with the Ministry of Magic. I just have a couple of quick questions. I promise I won't take up much of your time. Five minutes, tops."
Anthony thought for sure the man would slam the door in his face or spend a few obvious moments in deliberation, but he did neither. He seemed to visibly relax and asked, "Do you want to come in?"
If Ezikial Wardle really had something to do with Bill Weasley's disappearance, based on revenge for what had happened to his brother Whelan, than Anthony knew he shouldn't go inside the house without someone to back him up. He really wanted to take a look inside, though.
He realized that he was spending too long deliberating and started shaking his head. "Thanks, but it's all right. I'm actually in a hurry." Which wasn't a lie.
Anthony realized he'd never gotten confirmation that he was speaking to the right man. "You are Ezikial Wardle, aren't you?"
"I am. What's this about Mr... Beck, was it?"
"Yes, that's right. Do you do business at Gringotts Bank in Hogsmeade?"
"I don't have a vault there, no. I go to Diagon Alley for my banking needs."
"So you've never been to the bank in Hogsmeade?"
Ezikial thought about it for a moment. "No, can't say that I have."
Anthony took the lie in stride. "Thanks, those are the only questions I have. I appreciate your time."
Ezikial nodded. "Sure, but why exactly did you need to talk to me about this?"
Anthony had already thought of a plausible answer, should Ezikial think to inquire about his visit. "I'm following up on an incident that happened at the bank, and a very confused witness submitted your name. Obviously, he remembered wrong. Thanks again."
"Sure."
Ezikial waited a moment and then closed the door. Anthony turned and walked off the porch. He headed down the front walk, where it ended at the street. Anthony knew that Ezikial was probably watching him from the window, so he disapparated on the spot as if he were returning to the office. Instead, he reappeared some distance down the street, where a hedgerow ran up the side of the Wardle property. Anthony moved swiftly along the trimmed bushes, keeping low to avoid detection since it was possible Ezikial had heard the loud noise Anthony's second apparition had made.
Every once in a while, Anthony peeked out to look at the house. It wasn't particularly large, though it was probably roomier than it looked (an advantage of being a wizarding home). It had a back porch that was substantially larger than the front, on which were cast-iron garden chairs and a matching table. The yard behind the house was short and vibrantly green.
Anthony gazed out beyond the house, where there was a smaller structure that didn't look as well tended as the main one, but it wasn't in disrepair by any means. He crept closer, still moving along the hedgerow. He paused immediately when he heard the back door of the main house click open. Footsteps moved across the grass, and then the door of the smaller house opened. Anthony waited for it to shut before lifting his head ever so slightly.
He saw Ezikial through the uncovered window. Another man was there, too, one Anthony had never seen before. They moved out of sight and emerged several long minutes later with a third man. This man had bright red hair, two black eyes, and cuts and bruises all over his face.
They hauled Bill away from view, but to where, Anthony didn't know. A few minutes later, they had him by the arms again and dragged him back to wherever they had gotten him from. A moment after that, Anthony saw Ezikial confer with the other man, and then both exited the small house. Anthony stayed hidden behind the hedge until he knew both had gone into the main house. Then, he disapparated.
With quick and careful planning, Anthony and other aurors could rescue Bill before tonight's scheduled ransom drop and make a couple of arrests in the process.
Snack At Burger Wizard
Author: Christopher Chant
Date: 01-19-10 18:37
"I thought you guys were just getting a snack," Cat says with a smirk as she reaches the table at Burger Wizard where Christopher, Hadrian, Hunter, Daniel, and Alastor are sitting.
Her friend Biance snorts, "I've seen this lot eat. That is a snack."
Christopher looks at the small mountain of food piled on the table, reaching for one of the cheeseburgers. "Either of you want anything? The chips are really good."
"No thanks, but I am going to get a milkshake I think," Cat says.
"Are the chips hot?" Bianca asks, sitting down in the space they'd just created for Cat and her.
"Piping," Daniel replies, holding one of the boxes of crispy fried potatoes out to her.
Christopher shakes a packet, "We've got vinegar if you like."
"This is great, thanks."
Alastor, who in Christopher's opinion has been a prat more often than not for a long while now, asks in an almost confrontational tone, "Are we still doing another game of paint ball after this?"
"Yeah, don't see why not," Hadrian answers.
Alastor sort of grunts in reply, prompting the rest of them to all ask, "What?" at roughly the same time.
"Was just thinking maybe a change to Wizard laser tag is in order."
Hunter says with humor, "That's only because you've been on the losing paint ball team each time."
"Not my fault certain people are bloody awful at the game," Alastor says with no trace of amusement at all.
Christopher points out, "We changed up teams each time."
"So?"
"So that means you're saying we're all bad at paint ball," Daniel says.
"Well, yeah," Alastor says with a shrug.
"Maybe it's not us who are bad at it," Hadrian states, saying what Christopher is thinking.
Alastor's face darkens. "I'm damn good at paint ball and any other game I play."
"We're just wanting to have some fun. We aren't looking for a fight," Christopher tells him.
Daniel then says, "If you don't like how we play, cousin, then go find others."
"Maybe I will," Alastor snarls, glaring at them all.
He shoves his chair back, grabs up his food and stalks off. Cat returns just then, a milkshake clutched in one hand. She looks from them to Alastor and back again, asking as she sits, "What did I miss?"
Hunter shrugs, "Nothing much," while Christopher replies, "Tell you later," before asking all of them of an upcoming Quidditch match, "How do you think Ravenclaw will do against Slytherin?"