Here we go

[Jake Gobien]

Jake Gobien kept to the shadows as much as humanely possible, he would have dearly loved to stride down this street like he owned it, but that would have been far too conspicuous and would have drawn unnecessary and unwanted attention to himself. He had slowly become stronger at the art of not being seen, it was by no means perfected, but he knew that he had to look as if he didn't care of being in plain sight, but still not draw too much attention. He was dressed simply, some would say in a rustic way, with heavy trenchcoat unbuttoned to the elements, yet capable of shileding him from all manner of weather when called upon.

Few people really saw him, most saw straight through him as he was shabbily dressed and unshaven, something he dearly wished to rectify soon, shaving with the aid of a knife and a puddle for a mirror was no easy task and he sported many small cuts. A nice warm bed in 'The Three Broomsticks' was just the ticket, yet he couldn't risk it, ministry spies were plentiful here, for now the damned forest would have to be his home. But first he needed supplies and that was why he now moved swiftly down the street dodging the growing throng of people. The hour was growing late indeed, the morning would soon be over, he had to achieve his restocking of his diminished supplies quickly.

[Elijah Ellerby]

Elijah strode from the Three Broomsticks with his hands shoved deep in his pockets, his eyes cast to the ground and his brow furrowed in deep thought. Visits to Aurelié were always enlightening and enjoyable, but recently their social time had been nothing but bogged down with the ever growing complications that were slipping into the League's business. The Minister of Enlightenment, although she was not aware of all her enemies, certainly knew they were out there somewhere - and she knew how to create hassle for them.

Tired, stressed and thoroughly depressed Elijah rounded the Hog's Head into one of the narrow, dingy snickets that harboured some of the backages to the quaint little shops that most people were instantly drawn to upon entering the village.

Of course, Elijah had been unable to fully appreciate a single trip in since McNevin's warning that more Ministry spies had been planted as living bugs about the place. Of course, sometimes Elijah wondered if McNevin wasn't just trying to scare him or test him in some way that he wouldn't do with the others... was it because he was young? An idiot? 'Bloody McNevin!' Elijah swore gruffly as he twist sharply round another bend, plowing into a darkly dressed man pressed against the wall...

[Jake Gobien]

Gobien had no time to dart aside of the youth coming careering around the corner, trust the youth of today to be in such a rush. Taking the collision head on Gobien cursed gruffly, he had hoped to remain unseen, but to become an inanimate object for this youth to try pushing past was not aprt of the bargain.

"Watch it lad," he cried rubbing his broad shoulder in feigned distress, he didn't want to seem as hard as the nails he truly was. The blow from the rather slight lad hadn't been the worse knock he had, or would ever suffer.

"McNiven?" He growled before he could stop himself, he knew that name, and it wasn't deep within a memory from long ago, no it was a close and vivid memory more like a dream than reality, which although cruel and harsh had been nothing compared to the horrors he had witnessed alongside McNiven, if indeed it was the same one, but muttering an execration along with it, made it very likely indeed.

Gobien could tell within an instant that the boy, no rather a young man, as he could read from his deep eyes, was used to a good life, clean shaven and well fed he was. In truth wasn't that what Jake himself had taken for granted years ago? There was something in the youth's eyes, his face was somewhat drawn and pale, possibly due to abnormal stress levels with an upcoming exam; too many late nights up revising. Those had been the days, far simpler in a way than his now.

"No harm done lad," he muttered clapping a hand upon his shoulders and willing him to forget his exclamation of McNiven. What an accursed name, and quite unique, doubtless it was him, always he had been able to worm himself into many places, seemingly at once.

"Forget it," he stated firmly believing he would soon apologise if Gobien didn't forstall him. Gobien smiled wanely with little warmth and went to pass the youth, so much more fortunate than himself...perhaps.

[Elijah Ellerby]

'Ow!' Elijah was just about ready to start mouthing off at the man who had - in his eyes - just got in his way when McNevin's name was echoed back to him in a low, questioning growl. Elijah's head swam as a torrent of possible scenarios rushed into his mind- had he just uttered the name of the Red Rose League's leader to a Ministry spy? Of all the people milling about through Hogsmede today, had Elijah honestly just given himself - and inevitably the League - away to the worst possible person in the world?

No, what the hell have I done? It's obvious I'm a student - he'll have me arrested! Elijah began to breath heavily, undaring to cast his eyes into the other wizard's, too afraid that he might give away everything without even opening his mouth...

For a moment the man seemed to simply move out of Elijah's way, as if allowing him to pass, but Elijah knew that it must have been a trick. He would either be attacked from behind or followed if he didn't act now. Gritting his teeth, Elijah reached into his robes and tore out his wand, spinning around to aim it at the man. He opened his mouth, sucking in a lung full of air, preparing to shout the only spell that would work - a memory charm.

[Jake Gobien]

As Gobien brushed past the lad he felt a change in him, one veering towards hostility most actutely. His senses had been tuned towards such actions over years of experience, the boy's breathing became much heavier within moments, he wouldn't be surprised if sweat had broken out across his brow. But he had only moments to act, the lad reached inside a robe pocket, presumably for his wand, thankfully Gobien had kept his eyes and ears alert so now he had chance to react, time had slowed for him as he span on his heel ducking as a spell was fired off, without time to get his own wand, he instead grappled with the youth, knocking the wand from his grasp and shoving him bodily against the wall, he brought a choking arm up to his throat whilst the other harshly yanked his wand arm up behind his back in a pinning maneuver.
All this took a matter of seconds due to Jake Gobien's fighting prowess.

"What are you trying to do?" He asked gruffly breathing harder as adrenaline pumped through his body. He felt unsure of how to react, why the lad had reacted so violently he couldn't tell, but he was much warier of him now.

"Is it because I know of him?"

[Elijah Ellerby]

Elijah cried out in surprise. He had anticipated that the man would move to attack as soon as he saw Elijah's wand, but the Gryffindor had done no more than half-utter the incantation before the man slammed into him. How was he so fast, and why had he not drawn his wand on Elijah like Ministry officials usually did when defending themselves? This wasn't Auror procedure! Winded and confused, Elijah was too distracted to do anything but go limp and allowed his body to be thrown against the wall, an arm coiled around his neck, suffocating him, and his arm twisted behind his back so harshly he feared it might dislocate.

'I don't know anything - I only heard his name in passing! He's a swine! A traitor of the Ministry and the wizarding world! I hate him is all!' Elijah wheezed unconvincingly, his thespian skills somewhat diminished in his current state. He sounded more like a simpering, pleading fool than an innocent passerby... well, attacking a Ministry member and not keeping up his cover had obviously given him away.

The man was twice the size of Elijah and doubly skilled in physical fighting it seemed - how was Elijah supposed to get himself out of this one with his wand no where to be seen? 'I don't know anything!' He insisted, kicking his foot backwards and sighing in relief as he felt it connect with the man's private property, suddenly able to shake him off in his injured condition.

Stumbling away, coughing and choking, Elijah looked around in search of his wand. He quickly spotted it grasped in the hand that wasn't nursing the man's family jewels, and Elijah dived for it, whipping it out of his grasp and pointing it straight at his head. 'Who are you?!' He demanded at the top of his voice, shaking from head to foot.

[Jake Gobien]

Gobien had underestimated the lad, in hindsight perhaps he should simply have knocked him senseless with a heavy blow to the chops, yes that wouldn't have drawn attention at all? But now the situation was far worse and more deadly, he had lost the element of surprise and was nursing an incredibly painful area.
"Cheap shot," he groaned realising too late the boy was acting brilliantly and wasn't in complete desperation. The boy was even armed again and much warier than before. This just wasn't Gobien's day.

Stumbling away from the lad he half thought of making a break for it, but even if he was a lousy shot one spell could easily hit him by accident, and with Gobien's dreadful luck this day; it was bound to be the case.

Gobien weighed up his options, wrestle with the lad once more; so long as he disarmed him Jake would definitely have the upper hand, but again he feared more the boy injuring somebody by accident due to pure nerves and adrenaline than skill; negotiation was the way to win.

Slowly stepping backwards, inch by painful inch, Gobien raised his hands peacefully but purposefully didn't respond to the lad's grilling.
"You're very on edge about that name aren't you lad?" He stated quietly and rhetorically; wishing to goad the boy. Already like crows to a carcass people had stopped in the street to gawp, whilst others fled in blind panic, they knew the devastation a wizard's duel could cause.

"What did ye attack me fer?" He asked indignantly to all within earshot, wishing the two beefy fellows who had arrived to see what the trouble was, to side with him, clearly the boy had seemed the agressor to any passerby. One plucked up the courage to try and dismiss the issue by simply yelling unhelpfully
"calm it down lads."
Rolling his eyes Gobien warily watched the boy then quick as a flash he ducked, sweeping the legs from under the youth, with a swift slicing kick. Immediately Gobien darted down the nearest alley he had been sizing up pushing past the accumlated crowd who hopefully blocked any shots to be fired his way.

Though he knew he could beat the boy in a fight he couldn't draw the attention of the Ministry, and so without regret or shame he fled down the alley, leaping overturned bins and fallen crates and keeping as small a target as humanely possible; he knew the lad would follow.

[Elijah Ellerby]

Elijah's eyes buldged in surprise as his legs were pulled out from underneath him, sending him down hard, the cold ground happy to oblige in only abusing his shoulder further. The man was already up on his feet but instead of attacking Elijah and arresting him - as he was supposed to do surly - he turned on his heel and fled, darting swiftly into an alley that Elijah knew to lead to the Shrieking Shack.

To passersby it must've seemed like Elijah had been let off and was free to get away - but the Gryffindor knew better. Whoever that man was, he was going for backup. Why he hadn't simply summoned the other agents with a patronus was a mystery to Elijah, but since when had he ever been an Auror? He didn't have a clue what that man was thinking, but it was definitely a threat.

'Wait, please, let me apologies!' Elijah called earnstly as he dragged himself to his feet, doing his best to regain his usual polite demeanor. He swore gruffly as the man's footsteps continued to fade, and with the only dreg of energy he had left in him, Elijah raced along after him, wand concealed under his robes. He can't let him get away! If he figures out who I am before I can alter his memory, the League is doomed! Elijah scolded himself mentally. His best hope was to send out a distress flare in the form of his own patronus back to Aurelié, but no doubt a glowing white bloodhound bounding through the streets of Hogsmede would draw attention.

Rounding into the new street Elijah caught sight of the man clambering up a set of worn stone steps carved clumsily into the side of the bank. No one else was anywhere near him, and Elijah realised if he judged his timing correctly, he could land on him without getting tangle in anyone else's limbs. Closing his eyes and stepping forward, Elijah apparated...

[Jake Gobien]

Gobien kept up a quick pace knowing spells could erupt over his head at any moment, most would simply miss and fly past if he was a poor shot, but one lucky spell was sure to bring him down, even as the quick, darting target that he was. Yet this lad wasn't firing off spells aimlessly, he must have some sort of trick up his sleeve, but what? Why was he so desperate to catch Gobien too? Then it hit him like lightening, he was an apprentice, perhaps even to a member of the Magical Law Enforcement squad. His regalia wasn't particularly the usual Ministry uniform, but he could easily be undercover.

Thoughts of how to loose the lad flooded into his mind, each more outrageous and daring as the last. The Shrieking Shack lay this way he knew, but what use was that? He couldn't hide easily there, no the forest itself would be his sanctuary once again. Darting up some crudely formed stone steps to make good his escape he slowed to check if the his stalker still followed then collided head on with the falling lad. The impact sent them both crashing head over heels down the worn steps, they would have bruises aplenty from the boys daring tactic; of course he'd apparated, a luxury Gobien could little afford as the Ministry could easily trace it.

Landing awkwardly atop of the dazed lad, Gobien immediately seized the advantage, using his girth to keep the lad pinned he grappled for the wand...

[Elijah Ellerby]

Elijah's not-so-brilliant idea of apparating onto his chosen target backfired as he landed awkwardly, once again winding himself and being first to hit the ground. Although the man was already half-falling, he took the opportunity to land heavily on Elijah, grabbing both his wrists and pinning one while he tried to force Elijah to relinquish his grip on his wand in the other, squeezing his wrist so tightly he feared it might break. What was wrong with this man? Why hadn't he drawn his own wand on Elijah yet? He seemed to be trying his hardest to relieve Elijah of his the manual way - but why? Since when did Aurors waste time and energy like this? Unless, of course, he wasn't an Auror...

'Aaaah!' Elijah cried out, no longer able to take the man's crushing vice of a grip of his wrist. Letting his hand go limp, his wand slipped from his fingers and into the man's. The Gryffindor was nearly positive that the man had fractured some bone in his arm, but he pulled his fingers into a tight fist nonetheless, sharply jabbing it up into the man's defenseless face. Without time to grab his wand, Elijah kicked the man off him, forcing him to land on his back.

The status quo had now changed as Elijah leaped on top of him, his wrist held close to his body, shaking uncontrollably in it's pain. 'If you're not Ministry then who are you?! And how do you know McNevin?!'

[Jake Gobien]

His perseverance had paid dividends, now he had the lad unarmed, but by no means defenceless, as he learnt when a fist connected painfully with his cheek. With a burning, searing pain in his cheek Gobien grimaced as he flung the lad's wand away, but then the boy kicked out pushing Jake onto his back. Unresisting now as the young man lept upon him Gobien unexpectedly laughed, even to himself it was unexpected.
"Thank God fer that, I didn't fancy having no memory, you're just too trigger happy." damn people in training though admittedly seasoned veterans would have jinxed him first, then asked questions later. Now was the time for a quick breather, then he'd haul the lad off him and continue his escape; if all went as planned.

Bringing a hand to his cheek he added in a more serious and sharp tone;
"I'm no bloody Ministry pawn as you well know." He thought a moment wondering whether to drop McNiven in it too, no, no matter what their differences he had been a decent man overall.

"Never heard of him, now would you kindly get off me?" He asked smirking slightly, even in dire situations he found the humour in them. He stopped to assess the situation more fully, to continue the fight or the interogation, he didn't know if the boy had called for back-up but surely the fight would have been reported quickly. He had little time.
"Arrest me then," he ordered smirking still "do your job properly lad." He had to find a way out, and quickly befor all hell broke loose once again.

[Elijah Ellerby]

'Arrest you...?' Elijah mouthed, his furious frown relaxing to be replaced by a puzzled grimace. The tiny cogs of his mind slowed down to their normal pace, and going through several shamefully obvious realizations all at once, the Gryffindor knew he'd made a rather rash assumption. This man wasn't Ministry - he thought Elijah was. But if neither of them were on the side of the law, why were they both fighting? Of course, the prominent question still remained: how did he know McNevin's name?

Relaxing his grip on the man's robes, Elijah carefully slipped off of him and took several large steps back, standing his ground at a safe distance. It had occurred to him that this was simply a trick to make Elijah calm down, but there was always a chance it wasn't, and that was what the Gryffindor was hoping. 'I'm not ministry.' Elijah informed him, thoroughly out of breath. 'And if you're not, how do you know McNevin?'

Elijah knew he was being dangerously liberal with his questions, but in his current position he could easily just hex the man if he tried anything... well, he could've done if his wand wasn't lying next to him on the floor. Damn.

[Jake Gobien]

Slowly rising to his feet as the lad backpedalled quickly, though fortunately for Gobien, actually away from his wand. Gobien couldn't help but laugh softly, especially when the lad divulged that he wasn't in fact part of the Ministry at all; how ironic. Though evidently he could be lying through his teeth, Gobien couldn't help but believe him somehow, he had a growing feeling that the lad actually was being truthful and sincere. Due to the fact that he looked quite annoyed on finding his wand wasn't by his foot. He seemed to rathermore wear his emotions upon his sleeve than be a good actor than Gobien had first feared.

Still though the lad was young he be going through his training even now, and be simply an exceptional student; he had to remain wary of him; at all costs, and also not slip his old friend into trouble either.

Now was the time to come clean; though Gobien had once been a different persona each week for his profession, he now prefered to simply be himself and let that take him into trouble if necessary.
"He's an aquaintance of mine...no more of an old colleague and trusted advisor. Clearly you know of him too," though I doubt as well as I do.

"We're calling it a truce then?" He asked with a smirk, "you're a damn good street fighter, the low blow was uncalled for though, you could have thrown me over your shoulder. Try that...next time." He laughed good naturedly, nmow he wasn't fighting for survival and wasn't in plain view where Ministry officials could come raining down upon him he felt ever so slightly more at ease, at least much more open to conversation, strangely not so much interrogation though.

"You may as well know my name then, it's Gobby, tell McNiven that, see if he remembers me at all." Gobien smirked, "now may I be on my way? Or have you more pressing questions? That I may not answer truthfully."

[Elijah Ellerby]

Gobby...? Elijah raised one eyebrow, taken back by such an unimpressive name. He sounded like a house elf more than anything else. However, it seemed to suit his out spoken nature.

'Wait - how do you know McNevin then? Not that I know him myself, but how do you...?' Elijah stopped, sighing heavily. He was an exhuasted and angry mess and he was doing himself little favours in being so fragmented. Gobby had given him a good scare - one that he had obviously needed to revive his survival instincts - but now it was time to get some straight answers.

'My name is Eli.' He informed Gobby calmly after a few moments, choosing also to use his abbreviated name for security's sake. 'I'm a student at Hogwarts... now what made you think I was Minstry?'

[Jake Gobien]

Was it time to come clean with this youth? Gobien didn't think it wise; yet. He had learnt over the years to trust very few people, in fact he barely trusted himself, but he was a particularly untrsustworthy person, mainly when it came to flirting, as it happened without thinking, whosoever came his way. He really didn't notice nor care.

But Gobien felt himself inclined to trust Eli as he dubbed himself; just not quite yet; Ministry spies were everywhere and could be anyone.
"Let's get this straight, we both know him and neither of us is willing to divulge how, but you're a student you say," a likely story, any apprentice could pretend that, especially when they weren't even shaving yet.

"I'm still not sure you're not Ministry, I'm afraid, but we'll just have to live with that, I'll tell you anyway, because if you're ministry or not you should know if you've kept your ears and eyes open. I'm on the run, and before you ask, I didn't do anything bad at all, just crossed paths with the wrong Minister of Enlightenment." His voice soured and he felt inclined to spit, whenever he thought of her he became nauseous. Ears pricked Jake was the first to hear the approaching footfalls, "into the shadows quick," he ordered admiring Eli's swiftness. Drawing his wand Gobien motioned Eli to fallback; but would the footsteps continue to come their way?