Between the Cracks (Reck/open)

[Eden Fletcher]

It was nearly late afternoon and the magical village was at it's peak as shoppers and residents rushed about finishing business before darkness fell. Only fools were out at night. A little girl with pale unruly waves followed the crowds from one shop to the next. At first glance, many people assumed she was walking behind her parents or someone who was in charge of her. Eden Fletcher had mastered the art of blending in. A sweet, innocent smile brightened her slightly chubby face. She had discovered that walking just behind someone eliminated the dreadful question of where her parents were. Shopkeepers were weary of pretty little girls alone, and doubly more when she mentioned that her parents were in heaven, or hell. She wasn't entirely sure as she had only been a baby when they died and thus did not know whether they were good heavenly people or those destined to roam the fires of hell. Emery tried to spin everything into a positive so he was an unreliable source.

A little over four feet, the skinny soon to be second year was often mistaken to be several years younger. A few people who were terrible with ages and heights often mistook her for a tall seven year old. Insulting. Not everyone with blonde girls was an amazon child. Eden would most likely never be tall but she could dream. Then again, except for magic, she was a late bloomer. Hopefully. Her biggest fear was that she'd be four six forever. A midget for life. She'd do anything to be past the midget height. She was not part goblin and while much prettier, her nose was quite small, her vertical challenge might be tribute to being part goblin.

A large friendly looking building caught Eden's roving eye. Three Broomsticks. She had sneaked into the place with Max a month or so ago to plot match making schemes. It was a good place to explore. Decision made, Eden entered the pub and stood by a large decoration of some sort. Without her partner in crime, life at Godricks hallow had been mellow. Eden needed some spice, some adventure. Max was at his mother's in muggle London for the time being and she was stuck trying to dodge her grandmother and her little circle of ladies. Learning how to properly brew and pour tea was not on her summer to do list. Nor was having to sit or stand still for hours as old ladies critiqued her appearance and manners.

Finding a stash of flood powder had been a stroke of luck. Without telling anyone where she was going exactly, Eden had dashed into the kitchen and before anyone could say Qudditch she had thrown a pinch of powder in the ever burning fire and was in Hogsmeade. If she was found missing she could always claim a vision had taken hold of her. It was a lie, her seer magic had been dormant of late. Not entirely, but it had lessened in intensity after the last flare up. It seemed that she was gaining a bit of control over it.

Half hidden by the wooden plant thingy, Eden watched. Most of the people in the tavern were adults, it being almost dinner time. Children weren't allowed in the bar area after a certain hour. Which made Eden want to stay all the more. She needed a better hiding place if she was to find out what occurred after hours. But where to hide? The barrows looked promising but there was no telling which, if any, were empty and she'd be caught if someone glanced behind them. It would also be hard to get behind the counter unseen. Blue eyes searched for a tiny space where she could squeeze into. Her vision lit upon a stair case. At first she hadn't noticed the little space between the bottom step and the floor. Her second look showed her that the paneling on the last step was loose, creating the perfect slit to see through. She strolled over there,acting like a chaperoned child searching for the bath room as she made her way to the stairs. With a galnce to made sure no one was looking, she dashed around the stairs and then slid between crates and other storage containers and under the stairs. It seemed that the stairs were a common place to store things. Carefully, Eden wriggled her way under the stairs, so her eyes peered out from the last step. It would take more than a quick glance to spot her.

Eden grinned at her cleverness.

[Reckony Pike]

"Last call for lunch service!" Reckony Pike's voice boomed across the lower level of the Three Broomsticks, causing a momentary lull in the dozens of conversations that filled the popular pub. The end of lunch service signalled families to carry on with the errands of the day: dinner service and night-cap hour were restricted to witches and wizards who were of age and it was a policy that was strictly enforced, under threat of Ministry penalty (and possibly closure).

In truth, Reckony was fond of the evening age-requirement. He had been in the business long enough to know that dusk brought out a certain clientele. Bets were made, dares were taken, and more often than not, someone went home a little worse for wear. It wasn't a place for the little ones. Hell, it wasn't a place for Reckony.

A collection of nods from his servers told the barkeep that the Three Broomsticks was now an adults only establishment. Booths and bathrooms had been checked for stragglers and lunch-time kegs and bottles were hauled off for new batches of the latest and greatest in hops, mead, and spirits. The lights were dimmed, the candle lanterns were lit and an extra timber or two was added to the fireplace. Finally Reckony placed a sign in the window that read, No Minors.

Somewhere across the pub, a large warlock with whom Pike was friendly stood on his table and spun a yarn about a ghostly horseman.

Reckony cocked a grin.

"Don't mean to spoil the ending, friends, but it turns out he's headless. Next!"

The warlock made a face then went off on a tale about two Muggles on a date, a hook-handed murderer, and the sound of scratching along the side of their muggle vehicle.

Pike went to grab his bar towel and noticed instantly that it was soiled. A keg leak earlier in the day meant that he had used the last of his in-service towels and he'd need to raid the laundry before business picked up.

"Keely, love, have you seen the linens?"

"I placed the sack beneath the stairs, Reck."

"Ta, love."

The barkeep made for the stairs and stopped just short of the bottom step. His boot inched beneath the wood, but disappeared as he began looking through a heap of wine crates and boxes for a familiar blue bag.

[Curse Kameren]

"Accio linens."

The blue bag whizzed past Reckony to stop conveniently at Curse Kameren's dirty old sneakers, where the wizard was leaning against the wall behind the barkeep. The professor smirked smartly as he crossed his arms. "You know, Reckony, there's this wonderful thing in our world called 'magic'..." He leaned down and grabbed a bar towel for his friend, handing it to him before placing the bag in plain sight behind the wine crates. A muggle gun gleamed at his hip in the candlelight of the pub, his only defense if the demons outside turned up. That was his reason for being out tonight; Hogsmeade was one of the few cities not being watched over by the aurors, so Curse was ready to volunteer. The town outside Hogwarts had become something of a second home to both Curse and his son, and Curse was mightily protective over things he'd come to like.

"Where are we meeting? I don't have long, I left Max with Madame Puddifoot and she cracks open the liquor cabinet at ten." Curse pulled a cigarette out of his pocket and lit it eagerly; since school went out, Curse was with Max constantly. He refused to smoke around his son, so any moment he had the chance to, he took. He had never realized how addicted to them he was before, now his dependence was annoying him.

Curse glanced out the window as he blew smoke towards the ceiling, his emerald eyes watching as the sun went down. Hopefully the demons would be quiet tonight; the magicians of Hogsmeade needed to plan their retaliation in peace.

[Reckony Pike]

"Accio Linens."

The source of the voice was lost on Reckony as a royal blue bag whizzed past his left cheek and gave him a close shave. The barkeep spun around to follow the offending laundry but eased slightly when his close friend and confidant, Curse Kameren, appeared in the vicinity. Curse tossed him a towel and he caught it out of the air with one hand.

"Why thank you, Wyatt. Nice piece. Are we to expect your horse tonight too?" Reckony gave the muggle contraption sitting on the Potions Master's hip a respectful nod. Now there was something he hadn't seen in a few years. A gun. A rather shiny one to boot. "If you shoot my bar, I will hog-tie you to the trough and feed you to the werewolves. No offence to our young Mr. O'Faerlun, of course."

"You know, Reckony, there's this wonderful thing in our world called 'magic'..."

"I needed the exercise." The barkeep watched in rapped curiosity as his lanky tower of a friend started to light a cigarette. In the past few visits, Curse had shown a greater interest in the habitual fire sticks and Reckony wondered whether his establishment did something to inspire this latest trend. Perhaps he shouldn't have offered Curse that cigar. "My good man, you are becoming a chimney. Max will smell it a mile away, he'll get upset and Lucy will bite you. Here," Reck snatched the cigarette from Curse's mouth and extinguished it upon the ground, grabbing a smallish object from his chest pocket and shoving it in his friend's open trap. "Chew this peppermint-scented twig." Reck slapped the man's cheek and used the fresh bar towel to polish the last of the tankards. He addressed Curse's questions in a whisper.

"We're heading upstairs. Any moment now. I thought I might call upon you to spell the doors and windows, I mean it's quiet and intimate but you never know whether someone's lurking beneath the stairs, if you get my drift. Most of this lot here is harmless. It's those we can't see that I worry about. Maebh's closed up shop and should be along in a moment. Theo's recruited Ralin and Siara Brightweather. Words gone out but I'm not entirely certain how many we'll get. The demons seemed to dwindle our numbers. Have you had any luck?"

[Curse Kameren]

"Why thank you, Wyatt. Nice piece. Are we to expect your horse tonight too?" Curse shot Reckony a puzzled look, before a glance down at his gun had him understand. Ah, American + gun = cowboy = Wyatt Earp. Got it. In reality, Curse always had the gun on him when he was out at night since Alex's attack. He had recently been warned for carrying a concealed weapon, however, so now he had to wear it. He wasn't particularly happy with it either, but at least most of Reckony's patrons wouldn't understand what it was. "If you shoot my bar, I will hog-tie you to the trough and feed you to the werewolves. No offence to our young Mr. O'Faerlun, of course."

Curse took out a cigarette, lighting it quickly as he smirked at his friend. "I solemnly promise not to waste any bullets on your fine establishment, Reck. And as far as the hog-tying: I'd like to see you try." He took a puff of his cigarette, chuckling smoke as he glanced out the window at the setting sun.

"My good man, you are becoming a chimney. Max will smell it a mile away, he'll get upset and Lucy will bite you. Here," Curse scowled as Reckony snatched the cigarette from his lips and extinguished it; he didn't get the chance to often lately. Smoking was one of the few vices he had left; he had been doing it since he was a teenager. He didn't go out with women any longer, he didn't experiment with potions, he hardly drank, couldn't he have just this one addiction in peace? Apparently not.

"Chew this peppermint-scented twig."

Curse spat out the rubbish Reckony gave him before it even hit his tongue. He had tried quitting once, with the gums and the meetings with their 'positive reinforcement'. It was Hell. "Reck, I've always been a chimney. Let a dying man have his only vice." His voice was playful, but there was an undertone of seriousness. Curse had long since realized that if he wanted people to stop badgering him on smoking, bring up the fact that he was dying. Really, playing that card in any situation often came out as a victory. Besides his family, obviously. They were already sick of it.

"We're heading upstairs. Any moment now. I thought I might call upon you to spell the doors and windows... Maebh's closed up shop and should be along in a moment. Theo's recruited Ralin and Siara Brightweather. Words gone out but I'm not entirely certain how many we'll get. The demons seemed to dwindle our numbers. Have you had any luck?"

"Not really, most of my contacts are aurors. They're already out defending the Ministry from the damned things. I asked Arianna, but I'm fairly sure she's still busy with Echo." Dark emerald eyes climbed towards the ceiling as Curse began muttering an incantation under his breath. A soft, light smoke started to permeate the stairs, climbing upwards and engulfing the upstairs room. "That should do it for a simple meeting like this. Once the smoke clears the room should be protected."

[Theo Bowre]

A sudden round of applause erupted from the pub, causing Keely to shoot Reckony a warning glare. The comfortable murmur of the Three Broomstick's patrons quickly turned to sarcasm and fire; boisterous cat-calls were accented with quips and digs and from the centre of the heated melee, a red-faced Theo emerged and looked for cover. Keely pointed him towards the stairs and the flying instructor blew her a kiss of thanks.

"Nice vork against zee Fahzerland, son!"
"Yeah, you'll get 'em in overtime!"
"Loved you as a lawn ornament!"
"You think you're in pain now, Boon, wait until Friday! Lions eat Dragons as appies."

Theo was letting the slights slide off his back; he should have known better than to step inside the den of England's fiercest supporters but tonight's visit wasn't about him or Quidditch or competition. Tonight was about protecting the good village of Hogsmeade, and Theo only hoped he'd have the chance to do so before he was killed. The beater was half-way to the stairs when he caught sight of a poster over the bar. Amongst the mountains of England paraphernalia, Reckony had the heart to include one little piece of Wales as a small tribute to his less than successful friend. Someone had drawn crosses over Theo's eyes and his head caught between the jaws of a lion.

Reckony's burly form loomed on the horizon, as did the slender tower of a giant-hearted Potions Master that Theo was all too glad to see. He rushed the last few steps to the sanctity of the stoop and placed himself between the stairs and his mates. There was safety in numbers. Theo was about to tell Curse how great it was to see him and Reckony about his luck in gaining the support of Siara Brightweather and Ralin O'Faerlun when he spotted the soft haze of smoke seeping from the second floor.

"Is the pub on fire?"

[Ralin O'Faerlun]

"Is the pub on fire?"

"It wasn't me, I swear!"

Ralin O'Faerlun popped up behind Theo's shoulder, winking at Reckony. "Speaking of which, I found these awesome enchanted fireworks imported from China, I've started fiddlin' with 'em, we'll see if we can make one that'll advertise th' Broomsticks' finest hops, eh?"

He was wearing a thick dark green cloak over his jeans and t-shirt, loving the 'cloak and dagger' nature of the meeting. Well, he assumed it was all secretive. Plus there was a chill in the air. Hopefully not demons, and not a full moon either.

The Irish young man had gotten word of a meeting of something Reckony had spoken of a couple weeks back, some organization designed to protect Hogsmeade. Ralin was all over that like a house elf on socks.

Ever since graduating Hogwarts, he was adrift, and needed more of a purpose. He missed the DA, but this Black Watch could be the answer. Plus, it could be a way of using his new werewolf side for a better purpose than just chasing beams of moonlight and hiding from the world on full moon times.

"So, we meetin' upstairs?"

A few more jibes at Theo floated to the back of the establishment.

"We'll send you a helmet for the next match!"
"I know a warlock with a cushion spell!"

Ralin turned and shot emerald daggers at the group from his eyes. "Go an' boil yer heads! Or do I 'ave to come over there an' teach ye some manners?"

He waved his wand at the poster and the lion turned into a fluffy kitten with big eyes. "Sorry Dash," Ralin muttered under his breath, chuckling. His big brother would get a kick out of the imagery, actually.

[Siara Brightweather]

The door to the pub opened again, this time admitting a tall woman wearing a deep purple cloak over stylish jeans, boots, and a black high-neck sweater. Her fine-boned face was set in a calm, confident expression, but the strange thing about her was her short, spiky silver hair and eyes like a hawk.

Her golden gaze flicked over the assorted patrons busy with their drinks and friends, finally resting on the small group in the back. Walking across the floor to the back, the woman thought back to how she had heard of this meeting of the Black Watch in the first place. A woman in the Ministry, Arianna Blackthorn, had heard of Siara's appointment to be Headmistress, and had recommended that she show up on a certain night at the Three Broomsticks and that she should speak to a man named Reckony Pike, the bar's owner, and the leader of the Black Watch. Siara was very interested, because she felt that as the new leader of Hogwarts, she should become very acquainted with the goings ons in Hogsmeade, and also, if they would accept her, become a member of the Watch and extend its protection to the school as well.

A slow but genuine smile appeared on her face as she came to the group. "I'm looking for Reckony Pike," Tawny eyes rested on each individual until she came to the man with the apron and rag in his hands. The way his attention encompassed both the group and the people in the pub, the way his posture showed his complete ease and familiarity with being behind the counter of the bar, she surmised that he was the man she was looking for.

"Would you be him?" Siara's voice was only loud enough for the people in front of her to hear, so she held out a hand. "I'm Siara Brightweather, I was told that there was a meeting upstairs that I'd be interested in joining. I'm the new Headmistress of Hogwarts, do you mind if I join you?"

[Curse Kameren]

"Is the pub on fire?"

"It wasn't me, I swear!"

"That's me," Curse raised his hand like he was in school, smiling crookedly in greeting to his two friends. "It's just a spell, no fire. It'll be gone in a moment." The Potions Master glanced apologetically at Theo as the pub's patrons shouted at him; Curse didn't know the first thing about quidditch, so there was little he could do to alleviate his friend's pain. Ralin was on it though, thankfully. Thank Merlin someone else knew about the sport. The only thing Curse could use a broom for was sweeping.

"I'm looking for Reckony Pike," Tawny eyes rested on each individual until she came to the man with the apron and rag in his hands. The way his attention encompassed both the group and the people in the pub, the way his posture showed his complete ease and familiarity with being behind the counter of the bar, she surmised that he was the man she was looking for.

"Would you be him? I'm Siara Brightweather, I was told that there was a meeting upstairs that I'd be interested in joining. I'm the new Headmistress of Hogwarts, do you mind if I join you?"

Curse's emerald eyes fell on the newcomer, who he couldn't quite recognize. He knew Reckony had said this was Siara Brightweather, and though Curse had done research on the woman when he heard she was taking the helm at Hogwarts, he had yet to actually meet the Headmistress in person. This was good, maybe he could make a good impression on the witch; the old Headmaster hadn't been fond of Curse. He was glad to meet her before the new year started, and even more glad to have her fighting for their little group. From what he'd read, she would be a good asset.

He smiled warmly, nodding at her in greeting. The ex-auror glanced up as the smoke from his spell started to clear upstairs. He checked his watch. It wouldn't be long until he got a call from Max, he was sure. "I don't have very much longer. Shall we?" He started up the stairs, leaning against the opposite wall when he got up into the room.

[Reckony Pike]

((Playing both Reck and Theo in this post for efficiency.))

"Siara, Ralin, good to see you. And thank you." Reckony extended a hand, giving both the new Headmistress and his little Irish friend a hearty handshake. He believed that a firm handshake spoke the measure of a man...or woman...and he wanted to know their mettle before things began to settle upstairs. If they couldn't shake and mean it, there'd be a definite problem.

"I don't have very much longer. Shall we?"

Reckony took his friend's cue and stood by the newel post, waiting for the assembled group as they proceeded upstairs. It was a fine regiment, the barkeep thought to himself. Small but spirited, and yet still missing an integral part. Reckony looked over his shoulder, hoping to see sign of Maebh Breandan. The Black Watch could use her agility; he sent out a secret prayer and gave instructions to Keely to send the woman to the second floor should she arrive.

Pike bounded up the stairs, catching the tail end of the fellowship and his friend, Theo Bowre. He looped his arm across his mate's shoulder and whispered in his ear.

"This was the woman you spoke to, is it not?"

"I swear. I remember it word for word. Same with Ralin."

Reckony placed the back of his hand against Bowre's forehead.

"Reckony, I'm not concussed."

"No, but I'd like you to stay over tonight nonetheless. A good friend knows when things are tough. You brought your arsenal?" Theo opened the pack he was carrying to reveal his beater bat and a duo of newly-polished bludgers. The barkeep whistled once he saw them. "Hot damn those are beautiful! Nimbus?"

"Only the best. I 'borrowed' them from the school. Hell of a way to make an impression on the new Headmistress."

"Right, you're on security detail. No one in or out unless they've been previously approved by me." Reckony left Theo by the door and ran inside, offering seats to the guests and placing a tray of refreshments in the centre of the room. It was a cozy atmosphere, with large, jewel-toned pillows and lanterns from Istanbul. Bookcases accented each wall with antique, leather-bound volumes and the scent of cedar filled the air. When he was not managing the Three Broomsticks, this was Reckony Pike's home. He had tried to clean before their arrival.

"Welcome to my humble abode. My house is your house so please help yourself to anything you need. I thought that maybe, for the purposes of our activities, we could use this as home base. I'd like to extend my thanks to Curse for the veil. We'll need to be vigilant. No word of our meetings or errands beyond this space. Now, seeing as though we have a new friend in our midst, I thought it'd be prudent for a round of introductions. My name is Reckony Pike. I am co-owner and manager of the Three Broomsticks. I've been with the Black Watch since my arrival in Hogsmeade and have helped the group deal with everything from Dementors to escaped fugitives to juvenile delinquents. Most recently, I was part of the group that dealt with the demons. I'll be the first to admit that I'm terrible with magic. I'm no squib, but I'm not a Curse Kameren either. I have a way with Muggle things and can offer the safety of the bar and some creative thinking."

"The young pup standing guard outside the door is Theodore Bowre. I've called upon Theo on numerous occasions to help with our cause. He's been our muscle and is good for tactical transport; he's also your flying instructor, Ms. Brightweather. There's another reason I've asked Theo to stand outside but we'll get to that later."

Reckony looked to his right, hoping the next guest would introduce themselves.

[Ralin O'Faerlun]

Ralin couldn't help but stare at the hawk-eyed woman as she announced she was the new Headmistress of Hogwarts. Ralin hadn't been terribly familiar with the old Headmaster. Actually, for the past long while, practically since Albus Dumbledore was killed during the Second War (although McGonagall had done a good job), the position of Headmaster had been largely passed around every few years. No Headmaster lasted very long, they tended to retire or step down quickly. The leadership of the school was a demanding job, and certainly not for everyone. Ralin couldn't help but wonder if this woman would last any longer.

When they all assembled upstairs and Reckony began introductions, Ralin waved his hand and grinned. Most of them he knew.

"I'm Ralin O'Faerlun, sometime reporter for th' Daily Prophet, an' I'll be Theo's teaching assistant at Hogwarts. Oh..." For a moment Ralin hesitated. But he was among friends here, and his furry alter-ego could be of great use to the Watch.

Shrugging apologetically, the young man spoke again carefully. "I'm also a werewolf, so...er, I figured I could be useful in that way too."

[Echo Ashaelyr]

She'd had enough.

Echo was bored stiff, Arianna was gone for the night, and there was nothing to do but read books or lie in bed with sleep dancing tauntingly out of reach.

But tonight something else was on her mind. She'd heard Curse and Arianna talking about something called the 'Black Watch' in Hogsmeade, and from what she gathered, they could use someone with Echo's expertise. Besides, she felt she owed a debt to Curse and his friends for their aid they'd generously given her.

So that was why Echo was creeping along corridors, swathed in her black, light-leeching cloak with the hood pulled low. Getting out of the Ministry wasn't too hard. After all, most people were concerned with break-ins, not breaking out. Besides, she'd be back in the morning.

Once she'd made her exit by way of a floo fireplace in an auxiliary office on the 8th level, Echo stepped out into the streets of Hogsmeade, feeling naked without her sword. The steel weapon might be old and battered, but it was one of the only solid and unchanging things in her life. Except she'd lost it when Daksmer had disarmed her in the pub.

Echo made her way carefully to the Three Broomsticks, avoiding anyone out on the streets.

-----------------------------------------------

Making her way up the stairs, Echo was confronted with a closed door, and a man who looked like he meant business with a bludger bat.

Pushing back the hood of her cloak to reveal her scarred face, the woman's serious, calm eyes sought the man's gaze.

"Look, I know you have no reason to trust me, but I'm Curse and Arianna's friend. I think I can help you and your friends...if you'll give me a chance to speak to them?" She waited, making no move that would alarm the man or put him on the defensive.

[Curse Kameren]

Curse stayed quiet as everyone filed into the room and introductions began, his emerald eyes downcast toward the floor and his arms folded over his chest. He listened carefully to each introduction, though he knew everyone besides Siara already. The professor was thinking like his old auror-self; when whoever was speaking mentioned their strengths or weaknesses, he thought about how they would be most useful to the group as a whole. They would need to have Watch members out each night, most likely, and working in groups of at least two for safety. Figuring out whose abilities worked best with whose was simple planning, and it would keep them safe if they ever ran into another night like the one that had brought them together in the first place.

Curse looked up when the room fell silent after Ralin finished, wondering what was stalling the conversation. Oh, it was his turn. "Oh, sorry. I'm Curse Kameren, Hogwarts Potions Master and retired Head Auror. I'm here to help." The professor's emerald green eyes darted around at each person as he spoke before looking down again. His eyes lingered on the door, where he heard voices coming from behind it. He sounded distracted, still lost in his thoughts. He didn't want to expand much further on his qualifications for the Black Watch; if they'd lived in the UK for the last eight years and paid any attention to the news, they would know about him. Anything beyond what he said just felt like bragging.

[Theo Bowre]

The soft patter of footsteps could be heard coming up the stairs and Theo arched his head to see a hooded figure approaching. Great. They probably hadn't even started their tea and already there was an inquisitive sort wanting a peek. The beater took a moment to regard the thin frame and hoped he was dealing with someone, or something, gentle. Mind you, the last time he saw a skinny witch half of Hogsmeade burned down.

"Good evening," he acknowledged with little emotion.

The hood of the cloak was pulled back by a narrow hand, revealing the scarred face of a young woman. Theo was less captured by the marks than he was by the woman's eyes; they held the depth of tragedy, the wisdom of experience, and the fire of determination. Either the Black Watch was very lucky or he was in a heap of trouble.

"Look, I know you have no reason to trust me, but I'm Curse and Arianna's friend. I think I can help you and your friends...if you'll give me a chance to speak to them?"

"And what makes you think Curse and Arianna are here this evening, Miss..."

[Echo Ashaelyr]

"Ashaelyr...I'm Echo Ashaelyr," she held out her left hand. Her right she kept deep in her cloak pocket. The long sleeves of her black sweater covered the infection up to her hand, but besides the silver band, Arianna hadn't gotten Echo another glove to cover it yet.

"Curse and Arianna are helping me out of some...trouble with the Ministry. I overheard them talking about this meeting. I know at least Curse was planning on coming." The lean woman studied the man. He had a calm, but determined energy about him, a sturdy feeling, despite the fading bruise on his face. If she was a normal witch, she would've recognized him as a pro-Quidditch player.

But Echo's life was as far from normal as possible.

"I'll be frank with you, shall I?" She held out her wand to him, hilt-first. "Here, first take this if it'll make you feel better. I'm a demon hunter by trade. And you've had trouble with demons, so I hear. That's what this meeting is about, isn't it? And I...owe these people, all of them, for standing up for me several days ago in the pub downstairs."

There was something to the people of Curse's inner circle, something she hadn't encountered before. Heart.

"That's something not many people would do for me." Echo said bluntly. "So if you're anything like them, if you're friends with them, I consider myself in your debt too. And I can't leave a place without settling debts. I may be running out of time to settle it, too."

Something darkened in her eyes. Either the ministry would have its way and lock her up for a very long time, or worse. She didn't hold out too much hope of being a free woman for long. Unless she started running now. But she was in debt to this group, and her spirit was something no darkness could corrupt, so she would stay.

Echo shrugged, arching an eyebrow at him. "There you have it, can I go in now?"