August 26, 2026

Two days later Rose was back out in London. It took a hell of a time trying to convince her cousins she was well enough to head out since they could clearly tell she wasn't. Even sitting on a bench now, she felt tired still. She had lost a lot of blood and the effects were still lingering, but she wasn't letting a disastrous first attempt, cousins, or her tiredness keep her from continuing the search. Canwood's biography was in her lap and she was looking it over.

Randy Canwood

Age: 43

Birthday: October 1, 1985

Height: 5' 6"

Weight: 249 lbs

Physical Features: Bald, large stature, has a large iguana tattoo on his neck, long nose that has been broken multiple times, dark brown eyes, missing two fingers from his right hand, arms and hands are scarred.

Maritial Status: Single, has off and on girlfriend (name unknown) but she has been seen and identified as a woman with dirty blonde hair and a short stature

Family: 0- 5 children (gender and age unknown). Possibly has more, or less. Nothing confirmed. Multiple witnesses have identified different things. Doesn't live with them and has next to no contact with them, so nothing is for certain.

Rose looked up as four people passed her, observing that three were children and they were with their father who had a lot of brown hair and no large tattoo on his neck. She looked back down to where she left off reading.

Education: Dropped out of Hogwarts after 4th year

Jobs/Profession: worked as a security guard for a muggle bank firm immediately after his departure from Hogwarts, got involved with gang-related wizards and worked as a guard in three different countries across Europe for different groups. He is currently employed with the Snakebitten gang in London.

Home address: Not known, possibly lives and sleeps in the warehouses (by the Thames on Beacon Rd.) or an unknown building with members of the Snakebitten group. Most of his time is spent at the warehouses.

Previous address: Grew up at 95495 43rd Street in Brighton, no other addresses confirmed.

Been spotted at (more than once ): (MUGGLE - in London) Warehouses on Beacon Rd, Coffee for Kooks on Colyers, Vanelinski's Strip Mall on Perry Hill, Luminess Bank on Hillingdon St, Micheals All You Can Eat and it's a Sports Bar too on Flambamty Rd. (WIZARDING - in London) Knockturn Alley, Gringotts in Diagon Alley, the Leaky Faucet, the Pemty Tavern, Cornworlds Beer Cave.

Rose stopped reading and set her information down on her lap. There were only so many times she could look at the paper, only so many times she could read it. Re-reading wouldn't help her uncover anything she hadn't already found. She knew what Canwood looked like from his picture and she knew the places he was most likely to be around in London. However, it was way different to have the facts in front of her, and read them, than it was to actually go out to these places and find him.

She decided to try the café Coffee for Kooks first. There was no real reason, just that it was in a pretty public place and as it was a coffee shop Rose figured that it would be the safest place to start. She had managed to transfigure Canwood's information into a random muggle magazine so the information was hidden and only she could see it.

She really hoped Canwood would walk out of the café. There was so much sitting and staring involved with this new plan. She was an action person and she hated waiting around. Right now when she was feeling weak, it was fine. But even so she already wanted to be up and moving. Her nerves were a bit on the fritz.

Rose really wanted to end the contract within the first month, hell, if she could find him today that would be perfect, but realistically it probably wouldn't happen. Her goal was to be finished well before the 4 month mark and out of London as soon as she collected the money. She was secretly hoping that Canwood would have come out within ten minutes of sitting and waiting, and the whole nightmare would be over before it really started, but five hours later, there was still no sign of him.

Someone bald walked by her and Rose dropped her papers onto her lap in nervousness and zoned onto his face - but it wasn't Canwood, again.

Coffee for Kooks was busier than she previously expected and her eyes were constantly looking at the entrance. It catered a crowd that she knew some people would turn their noses up at. She was glad that she wore her clothes today, and not Molly's or Dominique's. Some of Lucy's would have been fine, but Lucy wasn't giving Rose free range in her closet anymore. Rose's clothes were well worn and fairly rugged so she didn't exactly stick out of the crowd here, but she knew if anyone were to pay close attention to her they would realize she was a bit out of place, looking like she came back from a wilderness expedition rather than dressed for day to day activities.

Five more people passed in front of her; none of them Canwood. The little boy had a very loud voice.

". . . but Mama, Daddy said I could. . ."

Rose groaned, fiddled with her bracelet, and leaned back against the bench.

There are so many people in the world, Rose thought, not for the first time. She felt she had a right to say that. How many countless people had she met travelling, how many more faces had she seen. Just from this morning she thought she had seen a few hundred people.

A small crowd of people, none of who she recognized walked by her. There has to be a better way to find this stupid guy. Why can't he just come walking in front of me?

If only it were that simple.

Go ask for help, Marta inputted.

You have to go searching. You go to him, don't let him come to you, Greg insisted.

Rose sighed and murmured to her voices, "easy for you to say, you're stuck in my mind. . ."

She flipped over the page of her 'magazine,' and looked down to pretend to read again as she waited for more people to exit the coffee shop or walk by.

Randy Canwood

Age: 43

Birthday: October 1, 1985

Height: 5' 6"

Weight: 212 lbs

Rose looked up briefly at the person passing and back down. It was a woman.

Randy Canwood

Age: 43

A crowd of people walked by, but again, no Canwood. When she had first arrived in the morning, she had braved the inside and bought a coffee. She had stayed inside for about an hour before she left the café to sit outside and have more freedom as it was quite stuffy in there. It was awkward sitting inside for her. Not too many people hung around to sit for hours and there weren't many tables and chairs for customers. When she left, she had chosen the bench across from the café so she could keep a close eye on the crowds, without being too obvious.

It was getting boring sitting outside though, after five hours. She wanted to go into the store again, but she wasn't sure if that would be suspicious or not. She also only had two pounds - enough for just one coffee and no lunch.

How long was too long to wait for someone to show up? Rose didn't even know how often Canwood stopped at this place. What if he only visited twice a month, or only in the evenings, or only the third Tuesday of every month? Rose wanted to go inside and ask one of the baristas if he came in regularly, but she didn't know if that would be weird. Would one of the workers even respond? Or would they report back to him if they were decent friends? Or if he was a regular? What if the baristas thought she was crazy and they had no clue what she was talking about? There were too many variables, and Rose just didn't know how to play the game.

My arse is getting sore, Rose thought, and then stood up and stretched.

This requires patience, you can't give up so quick on a location after only a few hours, Marta said.

A few hours! Pfff. I can't hang around here any longer. This is ridiculous! I've been here five hours, FIVE! I can't believe I've been here that long. If he hasn't shown up yet, he's not going to, reasoned Rose.

It's barely lunchtime and you've only been here since seven. You haven't even waited a full day to see, she responded back.

As I said before, you need to find him, not let him come to you, Greg said impatiently. You could be waiting here for hours - days even before this guy comes. . . Maybe he doesn't even use the front entrance? You have other locations you can check out too; this isn't the sole place you should focus on.

"Gah!" exclaimed Rose. I don't know what I'm going to do, but I need to leave this bench. Someone might get suspicious if I haven't moved since the morning and they've walked by a few times. All the faces are beginning to blur together anyways, I probably wouldn't even recognize him if he walked by.

Perhaps it was high time for that cheap coffee then. She could leave afterwards and go find lunch at the flat. She was trying to be careful about how she was spending her money; her pockets weren't very deep at all, and she absolutely refused to take money from her cousins. She would have to scout out a different place in the afternoon; it was too tempting to buy food and drinks when across from a café.

She picked up the 'magazine' and put it in her backpack. Inside was also the invisibility cloak, an extra pair of socks, a pair of sunglasses, and a water bottle. She slung her bag on her back.

Focused on the café, she took one step forward and felt someone run into her. The force she was hit at was surprising considering the persons small size. The girl fell into Rose and Rose almost fell down before she took a step back to steady herself. With slight fumbling around as the girl tried to get her footing, she finally pushed roughly off and stood back a few steps.

"I'm so sorry, are you alright?" Rose asked, straightening out her shirt sleeves. She didn't like it when the bracelet was exposed to the air.

All Rose could see when she looked down was black hair. The girl had to be at least a foot shorter than her, perhaps more. There was no response from the girl as she smoothed out her hair while looking at the ground. Then the girl's face turned towards Rose and she realized she knew whose face it was. Not knew knew, but she recognized it for being one of the triplets that she saw in in the lobby about a week ago while she was leaving and they were entering.

Rose and the girl looked at each other for a moment; Rose in shock, the other in smugness. Then the girls face turned into a sneer. Rose unintentionally zeroed in on the girls dark eyes, so dark they were almost black. Rose could barely distinguish the pupils. Those black eyes were very creepy; they looked bottomless.

"Fancy seeing you on this side of London," the girl said slyly. "You've certainly. . . stepped out of your safe territory."

Rose shifted uncomfortably under her gaze.

"I – ah – don't think it's any of your business where I go in London. I certainly don't know you well enough for you to say that to me."

The other girl's mouth slowly spread into a toothy smile. "Well I certainly know who you are, Rose Weasley. Watch your back in these streets; you never know who is watching, who is waiting, and who has a knife and is about to slit your throat, witch or not."

Don't show fear and stay still! Greg whispered to her as Rose was thinking about bolting.

She didn't bolt. Nonetheless Rose couldn't help her eyes widen at that statement. She never would have expected this tiny girl to say something like that. She didn't even know her! Was it a threat? A warning?

Without another word, the girl glided past and left Rose staring in her wake.

A pigeon squawking prompted Rose to turn away and focus back to her previous thoughts, but there was a dark current in them now. She looked around her a few times, suddenly paranoid that someone was there. She never previously paid attention to the man huddled against the wall, could he be dangerous? The two kids running around a tree while they were waiting for their mum to stop talking with someone, was it someone using polyjuice potion? She supposed everyone could be dangerous in their own way; but she really needed to calm down. It was the middle of the day; there were kids out playing, people working, and couples strolling; nothing to get freaked out about. This wasn't the middle of the night and she wasn't stalking around some warehouse where she didn't belong. Rose wasn't scared before the girl showed up, so she should have no reason to now. Really, no reason.

A coffee, I really need one now . . . And then I'm out of here.

Rose felt her pocket, to reassure her of which pocket her money was in before she entered the store. "What the. . ." she said, surprised that she felt nothing. She stuck her hand in her pocket to double-check, but it was empty. Maybe it was the other pocket. She checked, but there was no money in it either. She had already bought a coffee today, she knew she had change! She specifically remembered putting her money in her right pocket. Rose felt the rest of her pockets though, because she knew she had money with her; it had to be somewhere. She even looked in her backpack. She was still coming up with nothing. She flopped on the bench as she searched every nook and cranny again.

A sudden realization made her jump up and swear, it was only thoughts . . . but what – else – could – it – be! . . . When the black-haired triplet ran into her, Rose remembered how it took longer than necessary for them to separate. Following that line of thought. . . she must have been pickpocketed!

As soon as she thought that, Rose felt all her pockets again. There was no way the girl could have gotten into her pocket. Sure, her jeans were loose on her, but she should have felt it!

Rose groaned, frustrated when no money showed up again. That girl must have been very sneaky. Not that Rose really noticed when the girl had collided with her, but somewhere as she was picking herself up, she must have softly snuck a hand in and stole her money. But - the chances! She rechecked everything again, refusing to believe her money was stolen. How on Earth could it have been! It was only two pounds! Why? With nothing coming up, she finally accepted the fact of it: one of the triplets stole her money.

Greg interrupted her gloomy musings: You better go after her before she gets too far away, get your money back and show her that you're no one to be trifled with!

Of course Marta had to have her input that was completely opposite: she's dangerous, don't go near her.

I just want coffee, Rose said to them. Coffee!

Indecision plagued her for a moment. She walked ten metres in the direction the thief went, but there was no sign of her. I have one person to find, I don't want to add another. Besides it was only two pounds. They will be coming over in a few weeks anyways and I can worry about it then.

There was nothing left for her to do in the area. She would have to find coffee elsewhere, with lunch. It was a good time for a break and then she'd get back at it, perhaps somewhere else. She walked deep into the alley and checking to make sure the coast was clear she apparated away.

Unbeknownst to her, precisely three minutes after she was gone, Randy Canwood walked out of Coffee for Kooks carrying a bag of donuts and four coffees.

Molly was alone in the kitchen sitting at the table with her head in her hands when Rose returned. All traces of asking Molly about the triplets left when she noticed Molly was looking paler than usual.

"Hey, you okay?" Rose asked softly, stepping lightly into the kitchen in case Molly was sleeping.

Molly nodded into her hands. "Yeah I just have a headache. . . and I'm trying to think. Combination isn't work well."

"Alright, I'll be quiet," Rose said as she opened the fridge. "Are you working today?"

Molly lifted her head to look at Rose. "Yeah, I was at the Department of Mysteries this morning and probably going back there again in a bit."

"Seriously? That's very neat. What's it like there?"

Molly laughed under her breath. "Honestly? Very mysterious. And the lighting isn't good. We're only concentrated in one area and aren't allowed to wander around. They have some dangerous curses locked up that we're studying for the week. And then I'm back at Mungo's."

"Well, that part doesn't sound fun," said Rose when she sat down across from Molly.

"Yeah, but it's interesting. It's just that the atmosphere is so hush hush, and the air is. . . funny. I don't know how to describe it. No one feels healthy after we leave; everyone is quiet and very subdued. We are told it's the effects of the curses we are looking at. Apparently the longer we're exposed to them, the more risk we have of catching the curse and we're exposed to them for a few hours at a time. But we're protected against them," she said when Rose's eyebrows went sky-high, "we wear special clothes and perform lots of spells, before and after. I also have a potion I have to drink in the evenings."

"I'd hope!"

"Yes, it's important though, especially as a curses Healer. On a relatively same note, Rose, would you please let me look at your bracelet. The more I study curses, the better I am at identifying its properties. I might be able to tell you some of the properties of it if the . . er . . other people left something out. Or maybe I can do something to help! I just need ten minutes."

Rose protectively put her arm with the bracelet under the table and out of sight. Like hell she was going to let Molly look at it. "Molly I can't. This thing isn't normal, and I just know something bad will happen if anybody tries to spell it. I'll just find this guy, and it'll be good. Everything will be back to normal then I'll be out of your guys' hair –"

"What? Where are you going to go?" interrupted Molly.

"Er. . . well, haven't thought that far ahead yet; just somewhere away from London. After I take this guy to the headquarters I'll have enough money to go."

"Don't leave again. . . everyone misses you and you're gone so long with barely any contact."

"I just. . . I don't know how to explain it. Besides my family, I have no special ties to England. There's just – just bad memories. . . some people that just make staying hard. I feel – restless, I guess. Especially now. . ."

Molly sighed and put her head in her hands again, rubbing her temples. "Still. . . well I'm too exhausted to argue with you now. Next week I will be back to my old self."

"You can try Molly!"

Molly stood up abruptly. "Be prepared then because I will! I better be off. Don't go to the warehouses again without someone to watch your back, okay?"

Rose rolled her eyes. "Sure. . ."

"I'm serious. I will go to your mum and spill."

Rose hit her hand against her table in frustration. "Molly, I won't!" Of all her cousins, Molly was the only one she knew who would go to parents if she were worried about her well-being when specifically told not to. Why oh why did it have to be Molly who was home the day she got the letters!

As Molly grabbed a cup from the cupboard, she turned to Rose with a thoughtful look on her face.

"You know. . . I know someone who might be able to give you advice on tracking and finding people who don't want to be found. . ."

"Really. . .?" Rose said slowly, unsure of what to make of the expression decorating Molly's face.

"Yes. I'm sure he would be able to advise you and give you some pointers on this."

Rose thought about if for a moment, internally debating it. It was just too dangerous, and she didn't need anyone prying into her life and asking questions she didn't want to answer.

"Well, no. It's okay. Thanks though. I'll figure this out myself, I've figured everything else out myself."

Molly slammed the cup down on the counter. "Rose stop being so damn independent! It's okay to have help, it's okay to ask for help! You're being ridiculously obstinate. Just ask Scorpius for advice, you don't have to involve him in it, it's just advice!"

Was it getting hot in the room? Rose felt warm all of a sudden. "Malfoy," she said flatly. "Really?"

"Oh, bloody hell! I didn't quite mean to say his name. But Rose, seriously. This is dangerous what you're doing! You came home the other night half-dead; you lost so much blood! You're lucky you didn't get hypothermia or pneumonia or something else with the condition you were in. What if we weren't home? What if you didn't make it back to us in time? You can't keep taking all these risks. We all care about you and this is scaring us! Insanely scaring us! Can you imagine what Dom and Lucy feel like and they know nothing of what you're doing? You're getting involved in something so stupid and reckless and you need to get out of it. I don't know why you insist on continuing to do what these people say. . . But please, just ask Scorpius for advice. . . who knows – maybe he can help a tiny bit.

"Hmmm. Well, he has years and years of experience in the field, doesn't he? He's a top expert, high ranking Auror in the Auror Department? He's the best of the best, isn't he?" Rose shot back.

Molly sighed deeply and rubbed her temples again. "Alright no. I know he's practically new at it. I know. But it's better than nothing, and he's the only one I know besides your dad or uncle that could possibly offer some guidance. He lives with Al, he's easy to access, we're all going to the Burrow in a few days. Really, stop being so stubborn, swallow your freakin' pride and just – ask!"

Rose stared angrily down at her almost untouched food. She didn't want to ask.

"Promise me, okay. Just really, really think about it."

Molly was staring and waiting. Rose avoided her gaze and looked at the wall. Why did family have to care so much? When Rose reluctantly nodded, Molly left. Rose slowly hit her head against the table, again and again.

She left not too soon after Molly, visiting a few of the other frequent visits of Canwood. But after sitting all morning with nothing to come of it, she didn't want to sit at one place again for hours to see if he showed up. There were so many places on the list! How was she possibly going to find Canwood if she was sitting and staring at just one place. She needed five of her to do it, maybe even ten! Could she clone herself? It wasn't likely.

Rose calmed herself. It was only her second time out in the first week. She knew chances of her finding him immediately were slim. She knew it, but she still hoped something would have worked out for her. Why couldn't anything be easy in her life? Where did she get all the rotten luck from?

She wasn't quite at the conclusion yet, but she knew she was going to have to go snoop around the warehouses again. Most likely without Molly's consent.

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