Chapter Four
Trouble
"My dear, don't you think that instead of sitting around all day that you should find a job?" Questioned Morgana's father, in that sly tone that had goosebumps racing along her skin in trepidation. For nearly, two weeks she'd avoided her father's attempts to have lunch, while also dodging Madam Adkin's owls on wanting to see her to select her soon to be client's. Taking a sip of her hazelnut coffee that was still warm on her tongue, Morgana stared absently at the people walking down the cobbled streets and wondered if she'd lost her mind for finally accepting his lunch request. Or for sending off an owl early that morning to Madam Adkin's telling her she'd be at Eternal Night's before the brothel opened at nine tonight. Acting like a competent adult was exhausting. Of course, disappearing to the dragon sanctuary in Romania for the first week after the ball might have something to do with it. Hunting down a couple of black-market traders' and spilling their blood on the white, pristine snow might have added to her reluctance to meet anyone. Lucas McGannon, the head dragon-tamer and unofficial leader of the small little town, preferred to pretend that she brought the miscreants to the Romanian Auror's attention and handed them over. Poor bastard.
"Morgana? Are you paying attention young lady?" Snapped her father, taking another sip of her coffee, Morgana turned away from the window and placed her cup back onto the porcelain saucer to turn her attention back to her father. She knew how much it unnerved him to have her undivided attention from the way he casually brushed away invisible lint from his expensive black trousers. His brown hair was brushed neatly back, his eyes staring directly into hers momentarily before shifting to the side.
"I'm afraid not father. I never pay attention to you when you begin meddling. It'll only encourage the behavior." Brown eyes flashed in growing irritation with her, his thin lips pulling into a frown. If she annoyed him enough Morgana wondered if he'd just storm out of the small, bustling café and give her a few days to breath. She wasn't counting on it, sighing softly under her breath she settled more comfortably in the chair, her fingers tapping a slow rhythm on the arm rest. Her mind spinning back to the black market trader's she'd caught four days ago, their blood should have been buried by new layers of snow that had fallen sporadically these last few days, while their bodies had been fed to Ra. Tapping a finger, Morgana wondered if the blood stained ring she'd owled to the master of the miscreants would understand her warning, her patience's with the criminal was starting to fray at the seams. Dragon eggs were a commodity that wealthy men liked to possess to show off to their equally simple-minded circle, and when the small baby dragon inside the egg died after a few years, causing the egg to lose its shine and wild beauty they sold it again to someone who wished to use the baby dragon's parts. The very idea disgusted her.
"If not a job, you should consider the idea of marriage." Her fingers stilled at her father's comment, her gaze flicking towards the café entrance at a distinctive flash of white-blonde hair. Draco Malfoy, Blaise Zabini and a face that had once resembled an ogre in his teen years. Marcus Flint had aged surprisingly well, his grey eyes were studying the menu seriously, while listening to the last man that followed behind them. Theodore Nott Jr. had grown as well, not only into his looks, but confidence and power. Running her finger's lightly across the silver linked necklace, Morgana could consciously feel the absence of Noah's pendent, the heavy weight used to make her feel safe and cherished.
"You're turning twenty-three this year, Morgana. Don't you think you'll feel much more settled if you made a family of your own?" He asked, causing her painted red lips to twist in true annoyance and disgust.
"Family? What do you take me for my mother?" Snarled Morgana, her inner demon's raising their heads at his arrogance in believing that he knew what was good for her. Her chances of having any children had flown away when she'd traded her ability to give life to bring back Sirius Black and accidently James Potter, not that she had ever wanted kids. Not even as a child herself had she envisioned finding someone who would love her or having a child of her own, because she'd learned young what her mother hadn't. There was a taint in their bloodline that had always pushed her to test boundaries that would have the rest of the wizarding world condemning her. Her mother had been better at containing the call, but she'd succumbed once it'd become clear that the love of her life was not going to divorce his wife to marry her.
"Morgana." Murmured her father, anguish twisting his handsome features, before he gained control of his emotions and stared at her from behind the cold mask that had been his only expression, he'd graced her with during her childhood.
"I was very clear about what would happen if you meddled father. Would you like me to reiterate my point?" Her voice came out raspy, her agitation causing the voice spell to falter, swallowing the rage that was growing out of control, Morgana stood up causing the chair to scrape against the hardwood floor.
"Enough of this foolishness Morgana. You can't expect me to allow you to isolate yourself, do you? You're slipping daughter of mine…control yourself." Blinking at his whispered command, she uneasily glanced around the room noticing that everyone within the café was staring at them with a mixture of curiosity and concern. Of course, her father would be worried about his image, but what had the hair on her neck standing on end was the taste of iron in her mouth. Fuck. Nodding her head in her father's direction, Morgana stepped away from their table and holding her head high walked through the crowded room towards the door, swallowing the thick taste of blood. She'd always wondered what her limit of control was. Clearly, bringing two people back from the dead, to barely giving her body a chance a to recover to race around the cold mountains to find dragon egg thieves was pushing her body and if she was honest her mind to the brink. Stepping outside, Morgana moved quickly to the alleyway that led into the maze of streets that belonged to Knockturn Alley, blindly turning down alleyways until she was sure that she'd found a space no one occupied to lean over to spit out the blood that'd begun choking her.
"Sh-shit." Coughing up more blood than she thought possible, Morgana could feel herself becoming lightheaded, pulling her wand from underneath her long sleeved shirt, she pointed the tip at the pool of ruby liquid that could easily be used against her if found by the wrong type of person.
"Fiendfyre." Strong, powerful flames licked from the tip of her wand to shoot out and began burning her blood, the acrid scent filling the air had her nose twitching in distaste. It was only through grim determination and icy control that Morgana held the curse until the she was sure that she'd burned every drop of her blood from the cobbled street to murmur the charm that had the orange glow from the flames to pull back into the tip of her wand. Stumbling back when the last of the cursed flames disappeared, Morgana apparated home while her mind was still clear enough to do it without splinching herself.
…
"She's spiraling." Closing his eyes at his son's observation, Henry stared at the scorched cobbled stones that looked as if someone had attempted to melt the stones together and had given up at the last minute. For nearly, twenty years he had hoped that his daughter wouldn't heed the call of the darkness that called to every young witch or wizard in their youth like her grandfather before her. However, he had noticed her lack of social grace and inability to understand what was right and wrong. Layla had allowed Grindelwald to sink his hooks into her young mind and no matter how hard he had fought to keep them apart from one another after her death, he was very sure he hadn't succeeded. There was a madness he recognized in her eyes that resembled too closely to one of the darkest wizards of his time. The only difference was his daughter had been able to conceal the depth of her magical strength, intelligence, and cunning. Rubbing a hand across his chin, Henry wondered how blind he must have been to allow her to play him for a fool. Glancing at his oldest child, Dane had pulled out his wand to flick it lazily at where Morgana had stood to cast a curse that if done by a lesser witch would have killed her.
"Was it her?" Pushing the words from his lips, he watched Dane narrow his eyes at him briefly, before nodding. Pain splintered in his chest, at the realization that the person who'd pitted themselves against his operations for the last six years had been the one person he could never fight against. Morgana was the spitting image of her mother, a reminder of what he'd lost if he hadn't allowed ambition to cloud his purer desires.
"You know it was." Replied his son dryly, anger thrumming through his younger frame. His brown eyes glaring at him as if it was his fault that his baby sister had become what Henry had hoped Dane would become. Practical, intelligent, cunning, but most of all cold-blooded enough not to allow squeamishness and morality to interfere with business.
"How did you know?" Questioned Henry, his attention focused on Dane's smallest movement, his lips twisted into a grimace that seemed to draw the tension and anger from his body.
"The ring. The tracking spell that the Unspeakable found on it. I've only seen that type of intricate spell work once before." Growled his son through clenched teeth and kneeling thrust his wand into his boot, hiding the handle by covering it with his jeans. Waiting until he stood up, Henry motioned impatiently with his hand for him to explain.
"You've never visited the house you bought Layla when she discovered she was pregnant with Sky since her death have you? Granted I can count on one hand how many times I've been there, but this last time a week ago I went there to clear our misunderstandings…." Pausing Henry noticed his son was clenching his teeth hard enough to make his jaw standout, hurt mixed with frustration filling his brown eyes. Unlike, his sister Dane had gotten most of his looks from his side and not Serena. But underneath the skin he'd inherited his mother's soft heart. Both Serena and Dane would argue against his judgement of them both, considering their ambition could almost measure up to his. Except, both followed those desires to please the people they loved.
"The wards placed around the house are…how to describe them? Nonexistent? You can't feel them even when you pass through them. One minute there's a closed off property that looks overrun by weeds, flowers and the next there's an old, two-story house that appears as if it's seen better days. However, when I went to see her no matter how many times, I went into the yard past the wards I knew were there all I could see was the empty field." Admiration with just a flicker of fear filled Dane's voice, and why wouldn't it frighten him. Wards like that were used to protect Hogwarts from prying muggle eyes, at least a hundred witches and wizards had strengthened those spells thru the years to keep it so well guarded.
"Tried breaking them, but no matter what curse, spell or charm I threw at the wards it just absorbed the magic. So, I tried dismantling it the way grandpa taught me to build them, but the wards would shift unexpectedly making the pattern impossible to find." Rolling his shoulder's Dane kicked at the melted stone, his eyes roaming down the empty alley making sure they were still alone. He could have told his son to relax, that he'd placed a warning charm further down the alley to alert him if anyone decided to come down this gutter.
"You didn't fully pay attention to your grandfather when he was teaching you both. One of the first things he emphasized when building strong wards was to make them unpredictable. Otherwise, anyone could tear them down." Ignoring his disgruntled glare, Henry stepped back, his gaze moving over the soot and ash left behind the cursed fire, making sure that his daughter hadn't left it burning long enough to form an Ashwinder. It would be inconvenient if one had been created and allowed to lay its eggs within the close vicinity of Diagon Alley. Having Auror's sniffing around his daughter would be even worse than having that damn half-brother of Potter's believing he had a right to his daughter. It was becoming clear to him that he might have chosen the wrong child to take over his more…. profitable business though if discovered would have him sitting in Azkaban.
"As if you ever paid attention to grandpa Thomas' teachings yourself. What do you want to do?" It was a good question that he'd been asking himself since an owl had brought back the bloody ring of one of his traders. The person who had killed them had left enough emotional impressions on the object that the Unspeakable he paid to have a look at it had been able to describe in detail that the man had died violently.
"It would be best to give up on the Romanian Dragon Sanctuary, she's made her intentions clear and we can't afford to lose more men. Watch your sister closely Dane, I have a feeling with her spiraling she'll do something reckless enough to draw unwanted attention to herself." Nodding Dane apparated leaving Henry to stare absently at the alleyway, taking a deep breath his lips curled in disgust at the stench. However, his mind kept jumping to the night he and his son had discovered Morgana eight years earlier.
"Morgana is at Hogwarts we can't stay here doing nothing." Snarled Dane, his finger's curled into a fist to slam it in the wall of Henry's study angrily. Holding onto his own anger, Henry remained sitting behind his desk wondering if his daughter would be alive after this night. Her letters had grown sparser and more evasive this last year. Even before, he'd been forced to break the news that her grandfather, Gellert Grindelwald had been killed last month by who he was sure was the Dark Lord. She was slipping away from him, just as her mother had left him.
"We can't pick a side until it's clear who will win." Snapped Henry, growing frustrated at watching Dane's long legs pacing back and forth across his office. His usually cool-headed child always seemed to reach his breaking point whenever Morgana was involved. Despite, their age differences the two of them had bonded to one another in a way that he hadn't dared hope, much to Serena's dislike.
"We don't have to pick a side to go get Morgana. We can be in and out of the castle without anyone being the wiser." Pleaded Dane, but Henry simply shook his head unwilling to pick the wrong side. For the past year he had been careful to play an ally to both sides so that when it finally came to a head his family would be safe regardless of who won. If they rushed into the battle that he was sure was taking place at Hogwarts, they would be forced to pick a side and if it was the losing side they would be killed or worse sent to Azkaban.
"And if we're seen by one of the Order or a Death Eater? Playing sides only works so long as the other side isn't aware of its Dane. Morgana has a way of keeping herself low-key." Snorting at his words, Dane turned on his heel to stomp towards his desk and slam his palms onto the hard surface, scattering papers onto the floor, rage burning brightly in his brown eyes with flecks of gold around his iris'.
"I'm sure it hasn't escaped your notice father that she's caught the attention of several of your colleagues last summer. She resembles her mother too much if you catch my meaning." Staring into his son's handsome face, Henry wanted to reach across his desk and slap the angry smirk off his lips. Layla had been beautiful, catching the eye of many pureblooded aristo's when she came to visit her English family when she was younger. It was a chance meeting with Regina Adkin's when she was nineteen that had led her down the path of becoming a high-priced courtesan, much to her own mother's distaste. However, Layla had followed that path, because many people were frightened of who she might become if allowed to work in the government or if she followed her desire to study Defense Against the Dark Arts more deeply. He'd seen the way his colleagues had watched his daughter with that same mixture of fear and desire in their stares. Morgana had stayed close to him that day, her own eyes watching them angrily.
"If anything happens to Sky, it'll be your fault." Straightening Dane stalked towards the door and slammed it shut on his way out of the study. Sighing, Henry turned to stare out the window at the dark twilight sky. Stars glittered brightly above, while somewhere his own was probably fighting for her life. It wasn't until sky started to lighten and the sun broke across the horizon that Henry closed his eyes and apparated. Rushing across past the broken wards that had protected the castle, past the dead that stared sightlessly up at him. Keeping his head down, Henry moved quietly into the castle to find the staff of Hogwarts taking care of the student's that must have stayed to fight, while Auror's with men and women he'd suspected of being within the mysterious Order of the Phoenix took care of the dead. They'd spaced them out neatly into a row, he could hear the broken sobs of a man filling the Great Hall, with other sounds of grief underneath it all. A quick glance around into the hall, and he didn't see his daughter's unusual pale blue eyes in a face that was beginning to show signs of the beautiful woman she would become. However, he caught sight of a shadow moving just beyond a man he was sure was Kingsley Shacklebolt. The shadow paused at each of the still bodies that was covered to briefly look underneath to move on to the next one. Waiting within the shadows created by the unhinged door, Henry watched his cloaked son check everybody inside only to not find Morgana. Standing stiffly, he felt his heart beating an erratic rhythm in his chest, if she wasn't here was, she lying among the dead? Moving away from the doorway, he hurried back into the courtyard, his gaze searching the fallen, praying he didn't see his daughter among the fallen.
"She isn't here. I've searched the entire castle and found no trace of her." Whispered Dane quietly, while he stared down at the young woman lying on the ground, her throat torn out and her eyes open wide in fear that would forever mar her face. Was his daughter lying there somewhere with that same expression on her face?
"Father? I approached Professor Flitwick to find out if he saw her before the battle broke out…he didn't know who I was talking about." Pausing mid-step across the courtyard Henry turned to glance back at Dane to see the confusion and worry on his young face. Considering she was a Bloodburn, the granddaughter of Grindelwald, how could the Head of House Ravenclaw not know his daughter?
"Let's continue looking." Turning away from his son, he headed down towards the lake where he could see smoke coming from the small boat shed, pausing beside a large tree he'd sat under during his school days, he felt his gorge rise at the sight of flesh and dried blood sticking to the trunk with gleaming bits of bone. Moving past it, his skin tingling from the effects of Dark Magic that was slowly fading, could have been why none of the Auror's had found this spot that had become a grave.
"FATHER! OVER HERE!" Turning at the sound of Dane's shout further down, closer to the edge of the lake, he ran down the ridge nearly twisting his knee in the process to get there quickly only to find his baby girl lying on the dirty, wet ground. He could make out fresh bruises wrapped around her neck that he could make out thru the hacked off strands of her hair that held the distinct impression of fingerprints, rope burns reddened her wrists, but what shattered his heart was her clothes were torn baring bloody, broken, torn striped skin that scarred the entirety of her back. Rusty, red dried blood covered her from head to toe and for a moment he thought she was gone until a broken groan came from her still form. Kneeling he reached out a hand to touch her forearm, but when his skin touched hers, she let out a loud, broken scream, her entire body tensing underneath his touch, her fingers clawing at the ground, tearing her fingernails.
"No." Shaking his head to clear the memory of his daughter's fear, rage, desperation and next to her had been the pear wand she'd gotten from Diagon Alley when she was eleven lying beside her its wood having lost its soft color leaving it dull and lifeless. The wand choice had been a surprise to both him and Ollivander. Bringing to him a slice of hope that she wouldn't tamper with Dark Magic, that type of wand made it impossible and yet it had laid next to her shattered. Just as broken as his daughter had come back to him. Rubbing a tired hand across his forehead he wondered how much longer he would be able to hide his enterprise from Morgana, if his wayward daughter drew her attention much more to him, he wouldn't be able to keep the knowledge from her grasp. He would lose a massive amount of galleon's by losing Norwegian Ridgeback eggs, but he would be able to keep his daughter.
…
"Come on daddy, pwease! Just one box?" Pleaded Teddy, his small hands gripping a box of the skiving snack box in both hands, blue eyes staring up at Remus who stared at his son with a mix of amusement and concern. Probably, for whose food he'd sneak them into and after the twins had been generous enough to enlighten him on what they did, he wasn't looking forward to being on the receiving end again. In fact, James could feel his stomach lurch at the thought of swallowing a puking pastille that made it nearly impossible to eat the purple half to stop the incessant vomiting. At almost seven years old James wasn't sure the little wolf should be allowed to get them, but mostly because he feared for his health. It'd be another week before he could move into the new home, he'd chosen for both him and Sirius. His oldest friend spent most of his days outside of Grimmauld place and only returning at night to sleep, that is if he didn't stay with the twins or the older Weasley brothers. Having known how much he'd hated his family home neither he nor Harry minded, though he wished to help Sirius find a place he considered a home.
"You won't sneak them into anyone's food? Especially, Hermione's when she makes you do something you don't want to do?" Questioned Remus, causing Teddy's eyes to widen, his chubby face taking on an innocent expression. Even with those puppy dog eyes not aimed at him, James could feel his resolve waver, which meant that Remus' had probably gone out the door. Saying no to a child was always hard.
"I promise not to give any to 'Mione. Just you or the uncles." Grimacing at Teddy's words, James headed away from father and son, moving towards the back of the store where the twins had pulled Harry and Sirius off to look at a few new products they were working on. Apparently, Harry was a silent partner in their very successful joke shop, and though he had no say in what the twins worked on or sold, they still liked to hear his opinion. Placing a hand in his pocket, he touched the treat that he'd found lying around in the living room, he'd decided to play a little prank on Sirius. The bastard had enjoyed his first experience with the puking pastille far to cheerfully, he'd laughed his head off when one of the twins had handed him a bucket, instead of the purple part to stop the puking. Maybe he'd use one of those treats that Teddy was getting and sneak a few into Harry's dinner, it'd only be right to get both back. Walking down the aisles he dodged past boys and girls running around, laughter filling the store, he caught sight of Hermione surrounded by young girls who were throwing a dozen questions at her at once, much to her amusement.
"So that's why he hasn't been around?" Came Sirius' voice from inside the doorway the other's had disappeared into earlier, curious he stepped into the doorway to see the twins standing in front of two cauldron's stirring what was in them lightly, Harry stood on the opposite side of the table staring inside the largest cauldron curiously, Sirius and Charlie were inspecting a jar of what appeared to be purple goo. While Hermione was a good source of information on Harry's childhood, his school days, or about anything else he had questioned about, she didn't like to talk about her personal life.
"Yeah, even though they broke up amicably five years ago, he didn't exactly send a card of congratulations when he heard the two of us were engaged. Ron always had a problem with thinking past his emotions." Sighed Harry, looking up from the cauldron to inspect the jar Charlie held in front of him.
"Doesn't explain why he didn't come running when the Daily Prophet started spinning their stories about me and James." Sirius growled in annoyance, which meant they were talking about the youngest Weasley boy. According to the twins, their youngest brother and Harry had been the best of friends, but a couple of years ago they'd drifted apart. James was sure that it had something to do with Hermione.
"He's the Keeper of the Chudley Cannons and they spend a good portion of the late summer training, not allowed to leave the camp for anything." Laughed George, his blue eyes twinkling in amusement.
"And Ginny?" Asked Sirius causing the humor and smiles to disappear from the Weasley brothers and Harry's face in a rush. Curious he stepped further into the room, each of them glancing at him briefly, before Harry shrugged a shoulder and sighed.
"We didn't work out and unlike Ron and Hermione we didn't break up amicably." Murmured his son, green eyes staring at the wall absently. Charlie dropped the jar next to Fred's cauldron, each of them looking a bit uncomfortable.
"What happened?" Asked James, his own curiosity getting the better of him. He'd heard about the youngest Weasley and only daughter once before, but other than telling him that she no longer lived in London, Hermione hadn't mentioned more.
"We just had different opinions on how to live our lives. Becoming an Auror was something I'd thought about doing after everything had happened and to make sure that we caught all the Death Eaters and just live quietly. Ginny liked the spotlight, enjoyed being the talk of the town. When it became clear that I'd rather stay home, help Remus with Teddy, or spend my days off quietly with a few friends we spent all our time arguing. When I decided to quit being an Auror to take on the Qudditch teaching position at Hogwarts it all just came to head" Shrugging off his words, Harry moved towards the only chair in the room and sat down. Hearing his reasons, James wasn't quite sure how a relationship like that could get out of control but judging from the expressions on each of the Weasley men it was clear they'd sided with Harry.
"Since we're speaking of women, Charlie care to explain how you met Morgana Bloodburn?" Choking on the water he'd taken a sip of Charlie turned to look at Fred, who'd stopped stirring and began to bring the cauldron to a low heat. In the four weeks that Charlie had returned home, he'd never seen the older man appear so flustered or nervous. Judging from the considering expression that passed through George's darker blue eyes, he hadn't either.
"Don't know why you want to hear that boring story." Coughed Charlie, his eyes glancing around the room to see what James had noticed when he'd come in. His brothers, Sirius and Harry and successfully trapped the dragon-keeper in the room with them and since James was interested in the story as well, he didn't plan to let Charlie through the door.
"Boring? Anything with that type of woman is anything but boring." Chuckled George, the other man was the type to not let anything keep him down. With his hair slightly longer than his twins making it easier to tell them apart. Of course, the fact that George was missing part of his ear helped but having met the twins several times James had noticed smaller differences between the brothers.
"Type of woman?" Questioned Charlie, his attention focused on his hands. James found his discomfort a bit amusing.
"Beautiful, wealthy, probably has daddy issues." Commented Sirius, his gray eyes studying Charlie who glanced up and returned his stare.
"The only thing I'll say on this issue is we met in Romania several years ago." Running a hand through his shorn hair that his mother had cut again a few days earlier to even out the first cut. Scratching at his jaw, James could hear more in Charlie's tone than he was saying. He cared about the young woman.
"All work and no play big brother." Muttered Fred in annoyance.
"BOSS! YOU GUYS PLAN ON WORKING ANYTIME TODAY?" Shouted the twin's employee from the front of the store.
"I thought you told her not to shout from the other side of the store." Groaned George, dropping the stirring rod next to his cauldron to move around the table, he moved past James out into the main store.
"Doesn't mean she listens to me. Teenager's no respect." Gripped Fred, annoyance written all over his face. Studying the other man, James wondered if something was bothering him. He'd been moodier than usual the last three days, he'd even ditched his colorful clothing to wear jeans, a plain black shirt and black jacket over it. The dark color brought out the stronger reddish tone in his hair and darkened his cerulean eyes, but made him less…cheerful?
"You need to get laid little brother might help this grouchy attitude you've got going on. Should visit Eternal Nights or if you don't want to pay for it go to Flaming Phoenix tonight. According to Nott you're popular." Commented Charlie blandly before walking out of the room leaving James and Sirius with a snarling Fred. However, one of the names he'd mentioned rang a familiar bell in his head that he couldn't quite put a finger on why.
"Eternal Nights is still in business?" Questioned Sirius, his eyes lighting up, causing James to remember why Eternal Nights was familiar. The establishment had been the first of it's a kind among the wizarding world. Sure, whore houses had cropped up like bugs amongst the muggles, but never once had one been created to cater specifically to purebloods. Regina Adkins had gathered half-bloods, some muggleborns and rarely a pureblood witch that had been disgraced or disowned from her family.
"Yes, though from all account's it's not as it once was. Not to sound crass, but the owner has allowed her women to become spoiled bitches that are too soft." Hissed Fred, making James wonder if perhaps the establishment was what had caused Fred's foul mood. Scratching his head, he turned away and stepped out of the room, his curiosity quickly evaporating. Bought women had never been much interest to him. Besides, it was time to test out the new wand he'd gotten from Ollivander's.
…
"She did WHAT?" Shouted Regina, her patience disappearing causing Lola to shrink further away from her desk, slamming a hand on the maple wood of her desk in frustration Regina stood up and began to pace behind her desk. Lola Rosier had always been a jumpy woman even in her youth, considering Regina had pulled her out of a house that was falling to ruins due to her father's lack of business knowledge and overspending, he'd become even more abusive when his son and heir Evan had been killed by Alastor Moody during the first war. Regina was sure that if the deplorable man had kept his abuse solely on Lola, she wouldn't have been able to convince her to leave, but he'd turned his attention to her young son she'd had out of wedlock. Despite, being shy and nervous Lola had become a popular courtesan among a few of their pureblooded clients due to her own blood standing. Soft walnut brown hair fell to her shoulders in wavy curls highlighting her delicate features, her eyes were spaced a little far apart, but were a bright hazel that stood out. Despite, the crow feet's around her eyes and smile lines around her mouth Lola Rosier was still a pretty woman and because she'd become Horace Slughorn's sole courtesan Regina had decided to use her as a teacher amongst the new women. She was far more patient than Regina and answered even the most personal of questions to ensure that they were fully aware of what they were signing up for. However, in the last four years she'd started to notice the younger women had begun manipulating Lola and refusing rather indelicately the requests of their clients.
"Rose told Mr. Weasley that she refused his request because she didn't want to be his excuse to have an incestuous encounter with his brother." Lola responded calmly over Regina picking up the china vase sitting on her desk and throwing it against the wall. Ignoring the water trailing down the wall and the crumpled roses to focus on her breathing, Regina was surprised she wasn't seeing red. Fred Weasley is respectable, well-mannered and by all out account's a stand-up man. One not prone to fits of anger, but Rose might have just cost me another client, because of her narrow views.
"On your way out have Alex go to her room and take away every piece of expensive jewelry and clothing. Tell the other girl's if I hear of another compliant about one of them, then not only will I take back everything they've earned, but they'll find themselves on the street." Snarled Regina angrily, lifting a hand to rub her aching temples, she glanced out her window to notice the bright rays of sunlight were fading a bit.
"Get out. I have another meeting soon and hopefully she'll consider taking on Mr. Weasley as a client, and if she doesn't you can tell Rose to find other accommodations because she'll not be welcome here." Nodding her head, Lola moved towards the door and quietly let herself out. Pulling out her wand Regina quickly pieced together the vase, placing it back on her desk she tossed the broken roses away. After nearly two weeks of attempting to get Miss Bloodburn in to go over the list of clients that had responded back to her invitation the young woman had finally returned with a reply.
"It seems I've come at a bad time." Blinking at the nearly soundless comment, Regina noticed the young woman standing in her doorway didn't appear like the confident woman she'd met at her interview. Her dark hair was pulled into a ponytail, allowing Regina to notice the unhealthy pallor to her skin and shadows lurked just behind her light blue eyes. There was a fragility to her that had been absent.
"Not at all Miss Bloodburn please have a seat." Motioning towards the armchair in front of her desk, Regina didn't miss the cautious glance the younger woman took, her eyes searching for something that she must not have found, because she stepped inside, closing the door behind her. Taking her own seat Regina reached inside the bottom drawer of her desk to pull out a small black book she'd bought after the Memorial Ball. Pulling out a quill and ink bottle, Regina opened it to the first page.
"You were quite a hit at the ball. Several of the client's I notified responded with replies that night and others were a little more…slow and cautious in their replies." Of course, if what she was hearing about what Rose was saying to some of their client's it no longer surprised her as to why they'd grown tired of her excuses and were cautious about trusting her. Why, she hadn't been able to get Theodore Nott to interview Miss Bloodburn to allow her to become a member of his club, his reply had been riddled with annoyance. Damn Rose and her little followers. I have half a mind to throw her out on the streets right this minute. Now I'll have to find some other way to get the girl an interview. Especially, if she takes on one of the Lestrange brothers...
"I'm sorry it's taken me so long to respond to your owls. I've been out of the city." Sliding a hand along her skirt, Miss Bloodburn stared down at her hands, her fingers tapping nervously against her thigh.
"You're here now and we have a lot to discuss with very little time. I'll read you a list of names and you decide if you would like them as a client or not." Shuffling papers, Regina pulled out her own black book and opened it.
"First name is Draco Malfoy." Glancing up from her neat handwriting Regina noticed a flicker of interest return to her gaze. Without waiting for a reply Regina dipped the quill into the ink bottle and started writing down his name and adding what she knew of his preferences and dislikes according to what Lola had learned from the girls.
"Yes, and before you continue, I'd like to speed this along by telling you a few names myself." Shaking her head at the young woman's audacity, Regina motioned for her to continue talking.
"Rodolphus and Rabastan Lestrange, Lucius Malfoy, and Severus Snape." Tapping her quill on the parchment, Regina wondered how to tell her that Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Snape hadn't responded back to her. Considering both men had stopped coming to Eternal Night's the last six months, she had included them on her list, but judging from the silence they had most likely chosen to ignore her olive branch.
"I am afraid Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Snape didn't respond to the request and how are you aware that they are client's here?" A frown pulled at Miss Bloodburn's full lips, her blue eyes studying Regina intently, making Regina's skin prickle in unease at having her attention focused entirely on her. Until she glanced back at her hands thoughtfully.
"I do not mean to sound presumptuous Madam Adkin's, but I do not care if they responded or not. I am informing you that when they do and believe me, they will. You will send them to me." Her raspy tone barely rose, and for a moment Regina admired her arrogance. However, she couldn't let it continue.
"You are right they might reply, but they have not been here within months and whether or not they wish you to be their courtesan is up to them, not you. Now the Lestrange brothers are known for their dominant personalities and as such until you are familiar with them it would be wise not to meet them alone." Regina told her feeling some concern at not being able to provide a safe place for the young woman.
"There is a club called the Flaming Phoenix run by Theodore Nott Jr. that caters to those who crave darker pleasures, but I'm afraid I've sent too many girl's that did not meet his expectations and am unable to provide you an introduction." The words nearly choked her coming out to admit the mistake of allowing herself to overlook her younger women's insolent behavior.
"Then I will have to find a way to introduce myself. Do you have more names?" Scratching off the Lestrange brother's names in her book she turned the page in the black book and began writing what she knew about each of them in detail.
"Blaise Zabini?" Finishing off the page, Regina glanced towards Miss Bloodburn when she remained silent, her face had lost what little color she'd had when she'd come in and if Regina wasn't mistaken, she looked as if she was going to be ill.
"I'm afraid I will need to consider him a bit longer." Arching an eyebrow in surprise, Regina circled his name in her book and placed a question mark. Hadn't considered she'd turn him down. Regina thought with a bit of confusion. Zabini was from a pureblooded family, wealthy and worked for the Ministry as an Auror. Not to mention the man knew nearly every secret within the Ministry, he'd be a fountain of information.
"Tiberius Ogdan?" Regina asked, watching Miss Bloodburn grimace in disgust. The older man was a Wizengamot member and about ten years older than Henry but was virile not only physically but in appearance too. She'd been very cautious when choosing men that were in the members of the Wizengamot but appeared that she shouldn't have.
"If there are any more members of the Wizengamot on your list toss them out. Otherwise, I might lose my dinner." Growled Miss Bloodburn, anger giving her features some life.
"Very well. Then I have only one name left. Fred Weasley." Tapping her quill onto the paper, confusion had Miss Bloodburn's brows furrowing, while her eyes filled with interest.
"Which one is he?" Miss Bloodburn asked quietly, while shifting in her chair uneasily. Regina noticed the slight wince that had her own lips frowning. The other woman was acting oddly.
"One of the twins who owns the joke shop. I'm afraid one of my girls upset him greatly when he requested to have a third." Frustration filled her once more, nearly having her reaching for the vase again to throw it against the wall, but she held back the urge. Having Miss Bloodburn staring at her questioningly had Regina wondering if she would react the same way.
"The third was his brother George." Regina commented offhand and waited for her to scoff or placing judgement. Instead, laughter filled the quiet of her office.
"They are twins and as such probably share everything. Your girl's must be very innocent or very lewd to believe it to be anything else." Scratching Fred's name off her list Regina began writing it in the black book.
"Please inform Mr. Weasley that there must be a third in each of our encounter's. Whether or not it's his brother each time does not concern me." Pausing in her writing, Regina was tempted to ask why, but held back the question. While, she would be taking on a few of Regina's clients, the young woman did not actually work for her officially. Making a note next to his name in her own book, she finished up Fred Weasley's preferences before putting her quill down and blowing on the ink to dry it faster.
"When you have decided whether to take on Mr. Zabini as a client please owl me. I will send each of these men on owl in a few days with the address of your country home and from there you may begin correspondence to set about meetings to discuss what will be appropriate and what will not." Closing the book, Regina stood up from her desk, walking around it she held the book out to the young woman who'd turned her attention to the window.
"To help you learn about each man I've written down what I know of them in here." Regina told her trying to get her attention, but Miss Bloodburn stared off into the darkening night, standing up herself she ignored the book in Regina's hand and headed towards the door.
"Thank you, but I won't be needing it. I prefer to learn about my client's myself." Replied Miss Bloodburn softly, opening the door Regina watched her leave her office and wondered briefly if perhaps she'd made the correct decision. Is it due to old age that I keep questioning my decisions? Shaking her head, Regina threw the book onto her desk and rubbed at her head tiredly. The night's only begun.