"So that's all it took for them to work for Arthur Melvin? The mysterious stranger routine?" Hermione asked incredulously.
"Correction: that's all it took for Christine to work for Arthur Melvin, and all that was needed. The rest… well, the rest just followed."
"What do you mean?"
The old man clasped his hands. "Tell me, why did you follow the boy who lived?"
"He's a friend. I'd do anything for him." Understanding came across Hermione's eyes. She said in a contemplative tone, "Friendship. So Miss Augustyn and Mr. Calder decided to fight out of friendship."
"But you still have a question, yes?"
"Alexei Volkov," she immediately jumped at the chance. "I've heard of the Volkov family before. Old Pureblood family, rich, used to be very influential in the Ministry. Why would their son Alexei join a movement like this?"
Her companion chuckled. "One thing you should've realized from your experience is this: not all Pureblood nobles are short-minded blood supremacists and not all certainly saw the Dark Lord's 'revolution' as in their best interest. Alexei Volkov was one such person."
"Chin up, Lex. Remember, impressions are everything." Alexei fidgeted impatiently in his newly pressed school uniform. He may view himself as a scheming manipulator, but he's also a thirteen-year-old boy. The speaker, Mr. Volkov Sr., sat across from his only child inside the family's horse-drawn carriage. Like most other wizarding properties, it had some quirky enchantments woven into its construction. For one thing, it's bigger on the inside, resembling more of a modestly sized cottage, complete with several compartments for sitting and sleeping while keeping the form of a carriage on the outside. It was in this sitting room that Alexei and his father had been talking. The horses also didn't seem to notice the weight all that additional mass should impart. Although the Volkovs usually restrained from using such antiquated (not to mention blatantly magical) method of transportation to avoid the inquisitive eyes of the Muggles, they had more liberty in backwater communities heavily populated by wizards.
The village of Tinworth was one such location. Located near the shores of Cornwall, the community largely took care of themselves. Large congregation of magical families lived in secret side-by-side with the Muggle population, who for the most part was either completely oblivious to their existence or otherwise strangely tolerant to the weirdness that seemed to keep happening around them. Being far enough away from any large population centers, Tinworth maintained a quaint, if picturesque, look. A horse-drawn carriage would not be a strange sight in these parts.
Suddenly Alexei's seat lurched forward, signifying that they had stopped. Wizards may be able to do a lot with their extended spaces, but apparently eliminating inertia wasn't one of them. The older Volkov stood up and ordered his son to wait for him in his seat. He then opened the door and stepped outside. Alexei heard voices, conversations, probably the usual pleasantries.
When Volkov Sr. returned into the sitting room, he was accompanied by a couple and a girl who looked to be their daughter.
Alexei stood up and acted the part he had been assigned, "Good morning. My name is Alexei Volkov, son of Sergei Volkov. It is a pleasure to have your acquaintance." He offered his hand to the other man.
The guest laughed but took his hand anyway. "Oh, no need to be so formal. I am Janak Augustyn and this is my wife Cecile and my daughter Mischa. The later gave him a small, awkward curtsy.
"Thank you so much for picking us up at our home, Mr. Volkov. With the incident in Diagon Alley we fear for our daughter's safety."
Mischa fidgeted but said nothing.
"Of course. It is my pleasure to help," said Sergei. "But please, sit. I wish to discuss some matter of importance with you, as I am sure you can understand." He turned to his son. "Lex, entertain dear Mischa in the meanwhile, if you please."
Alexei extended his arm formally towards Mischa and said, "Would you like to accompany me into the antechamber?"
"Of course." Something about her demeanor stroke Alexei as odd. Mischa was a graceful and sweet girl, somebody who seemed capable of acts of great love. She was fetching, there's no doubt about that, and whatever hesitation he might have felt about this arrangement soon disappeared. Yet something about that demure behavior seemed unnatural, much like his own behavior at the moment.
They stepped into a much smaller room with two benches situated opposite one another, each could be extended into a makeshift bed. Alexei motioned Mischa to take a seat. As the later complied, he spoke up, "I have to apologize for my parents' actions. I find this rather distasteful."
"I beg your pardon?"
"You. Me. This upcoming business merger is so important to my family that they are willing to involve us." His words were blunt, matter-of-fact.
Mischa laughed nervously. "My parents also wish me to 'charm that Volkov boy' for the good of the family. I just… I can't believe this. I'm almost glad that I've failed."
"You misunderstood," Alexei quickly interjected. "I think you are very attractive and only a fool would not try to woo you. It is my parents' view which disturbs me."
Mischa blushed profusely, but she inquired further, "What do you mean?"
It's Alexei's turn to turn red. "I misspoke… it's nothing of your concern."
She obviously did not buy it, but he was glad that she didn't choose to pursue it further. "So now what?" she asked.
"Well, My interest in you is completely real. I still wish that we can… continue to meet, regardless of the results of this merger."
"That's quite an unorthodox way of asking someone out. Where are the roses and the love poetry."
"Er… that is, I am unused to this. Perhaps I made a mistake and shouldn't…"
Even Mischa had to admit that the boy looked quite cute when he stammered like that. So the cold and stoic Alexei Volkov can be shaken after all. "No no no," she said, "I was just joking. It's… wow, I've never been in a relationship before too. I suppose we can give it a chance, though."
"Great!" Alexei looked surprised by his own outburst. "Ahem. I meant, I am glad."
"I am too," Mischa responded.
So far, exactly as planned.
I think my friend had a vehicle like this. Not wait, he had an Oldsmobile.