Weeping Phoenix

[Mafelda Hundar]

She walked into the Hog's Head with an unusually vengeful air about her. The often calm, cold, and calculating woman... was becoming unnerved. She slammed a pair of gleaming sickles on the counter and rasped at the barkeep, "A weeping phoenix, keep them coming and there might be a gold piece in it for you."
The grumpy old man behind the counter muttered something under his breath, but made sure her order was filled quickly. The clear drink held two glowing globs that looked like they might be the gunk from inside a lava lamp; one was gold and the other red. She downed the drink in one swallow and was glad to find another awaiting her when she slammed the empty glass back down on the counter.
"Good man," she said with a wink at the barkeeper before heading over to a secluded corner of the bar.

She slowly sipped the spicy-sweet beverage and pondered the unusual events over the past several months.
"I'm not wrong... I am never wrong... they're just too sneaky. No! Not too sneaky. Not for me... I'll find them," she muttered to herself, inhaling deeply as she leaned her chair back against the wall, staring up at the dingy, stained ceiling of the decrepit old, ill-managed building. "Yes, I'll find them alright. If they're going to be sneaky, I'll just have to be sneakier," she closed her eyes and took another sip of her drink before hearing the bar door creak open on its rusty hinges. Her chair immedeatly slammed down on all four legs as she stared at the newcomer to the ratty inn...

[Fitz Hargreaves]

Sweet refreshing air was at a luxury in hogsmeade; especially nearer 'The Three Broomsticks' with generally stank to high heaven, surprisingly due to his profession and general appearance, Fitz actually wasn't a heavy drinker at all, from time to time he'd enjoy the odd glass of wine with a meal, or stiff whiskey on a particularly trying day, but generally he rarely drank prefering to keep his wits entirely about him. Not only due to his writing to maintain his complete and utter focus, but also his other passion, his hidden side devoted to the Red Rose League.

So it was with a grim look and upturned nose that was quite acute to the distasteful smell of booze, that he entered the old pub, truly it wasn't half as bad as 'The Hogs Head' where he would never be seen, but it was still bad enough. Yet it was an invaluable meeting place, rarely would people be overly suspicious of his meeting with practically anyone in the pub. But one barmaid held his particular attention, and being able to see her was vital; yet they couldn't be seen together too often.

So with dour look Fitz strode purposefully into the pub to meet his informant who claimed she had a really juicy piece of gossip, Fitz would be the judge of that. Yet immediately on entry his eyes were drawn by a particular witch, if he wasn't mistaken she was actually the Head of the Animagus Division, and he should know seeing as it was his job to know everything. Smiling pleasantly he acted casual and proceeded to order a drink at the bar, he had caught a snippet of her ramblings and dearly hoped she would continue...

[Mafelda Hundar]

A smirk graced the womans icy features as she recognized the Daily Prophet reporter. From his articles it seemed he loathed the students of Hogwarts as much as she, but even though the Ministry had its hand in the well known wizard newspaper, she was wary to trust him. She'd heard that he had been seen speaking to some... less than reputable members of society, and being that he was a journalist, everything was scandal.

She watched him closely, 'Just coming in for a drink, hm?' she thought viciously. Nothing was ever that simple when it came to people in the media. He was looking for a story, and it couldn't be a complete coincidence that they both happened to be there. Perhaps it was stress-induced paranoia, but something gave her the idea that she ought to put on a show...

"Wretched mongrels..." she continued ranting in a tight-lipped seething manner, doing her best to make it look like she was already in a drunken, half-crazed stuper. "Well they can all go sleep with the squid for all I care! ...It's depic- defic- despicable! That's what it is! Sickening. All those Gryffindors... who'd have thought they'd be the ones to cause trouble... Not me, that's for sure. Whod've thoguht they'd be sma-hic-smart enough to figure out such intricate magic... I've just got to find out their names... Well, at least I've got the ring leaders name..." she cackled, "Yes, I'll snatch her up... I'll make her talk... Yes, Sophie Hargreaves is mine... and maybe I'll catch some dirt on that journalist brother of hers, too, while I'm at it..." She coughed a couple of times, then pulled a book out of her trench coat pocket, and resumed her regular old, calm and collected demeanor; as if she hadn't just gone on a senseless tyrade.

[Fitz Hargreaves]

Receiving his drink of simple tonic water, Fitz heartily thanked the aged barman, whilst listening intently to Hundar's continued ramblings. He feigned complete disinterest gazing into his drink with a far off look in his eye, taking the odd sip every now and then, giving a fleeting look about the room as any person would, but in reality his entire body was in tune with what she murmered to herself. He was well versed at acting and so nobody would really notice; not even Hundar herself if he did his job properly, and if she really were drunk as a skunk, which Fitz found quite hard to believe. Especially when she commented upon Gryffindors, musing over why she was here in hogsmeade he felt it safe to assume that she had business up at Hogwarts, she wasn't the type to track criminals like Locksley of course. He'd heard scant rumours of underage Animagi at Hogwarts, he'd believed them simple rumour, but her appearance gave weight to the argument that Hogwarts really was a haven for some shifty goings on.

At first he took it for granted that she was simply talking aloud without realising, but she was the head of her division, he should have known she was putting on an act, much like he himself was. It became imminently clear when she dubbed his own cousin the ringleader; the mastermind persuading others to rulebreak too. Fitz really wouldn't put it past his talented but somewhat mischeveous cousin, who was much like himself in that manner, but her plan of fooling him was foiled when he himself was mentioned. He needed no more evidence, clearly she had taken note of his entrance and was hoping he would be listening in on her little speech; especially for him. Brow furrowing slightly he pondered a moment upon the best course of action; jumping up and protesting his innocence would not only make him seem guilty, but would also show he had been eavesdropping, so he tossed that foolish notion aside.

Then it came to him, her act could be easily used against her, a grin of glee appeared momentarily, quickly replaced by a look of boredom so she wouldn't notice, with her eagle eyes. Slipping a notebook from his inside robe pocket he began to write the preliminary notes for his latest article

Head of the Animagi Division drowning her sorrows in drunken revelry.

Mafelda Hundar's record has been tarnished as of late with her apparent incompetence; bringing in far beneath the monthly average of illegal Animagi, even though national statistics show a steady increase in illegal activities, especially involving transformation of any kind. Her competency and effectiveness has been questioned for some time now, some believe she was the wrong candidate in the first place, rathermore prefering an elderly patient warlock, than a fiesty ambitious young witch, baying for blood. She has put forward a number of controversial laws over the years, which have curiously been ratified.
Par contre none can really doubt the overall efficiency of the Improper Use of Magic Department, Hundar has doubtlessly contributed to this, whipping her troops into action, training is more rigorous but results just don't seem to be forthcoming to her Division. There are even rumours of it's merging with the Office for the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects, supposedly to cut down on the number of staff required.

Chuckling to himself Fitz finished his scrawl but realised he hadn't kept an ear pressed to hear more of Hundar's mutterings, what was she up to now? He wondered realising he would soon find out as he peered nonchantly over his shoulder as if he didn't have a care in the world.

[Mafelda Hundar]

She smiled to herself as she watched the reporter hunch over his drink, and probably a writing pad if his shoulder movement was anything to go by. She tilted her head slightly when she caught the backwards glance over his shoulder as she peered above her book. After a mooment or two more of feigning her enthrallment with 'Theories of Transubstantial Transfiguration', she spoke, but she didn't lift her eyes from the page, "Shall we stop this silly little charade and converse like the civil members of society we claim to be, Fitzy?" she asked, finally looking up as she finished her drink.

As the bar tender came over with another she shook her head, "No, that's quite alright. Tea will be fine," she looked over at the reporter and then whispered, "But if you'll put a mild sleeping draught in his next drink, I'd be most obliged?" she shook the barkeeps hand, palming him a galleon as he went, then went back to reading her book, 'Damn, could this thing get any more boring?! Honestly, you'd think they'd update these ridiculous textbooks once in a while. Pah, I'll have to fish my way into the Restricted Section to get a worthwhile read around these parts I suppose. Transubstantial Transfigurations... if there's a book with a more redundant title I for one would like to hear it.' she grimaced at the book before placing it back in her pocket.

[Fitz Hargreaves]

Fitz wondered if he could just get away with feigning deafness; so as not to engage in a conversation with her at all. But of course he didn't want to appear rude, and you never knew, perhaps he'd find out something useful? With a smirk he pocketed his notebook knowing people were always more willing to divulge anything when he wasn't writing studious notes. His memory would have to suffice.

"Who me?" He cried incredulously turning around in mock shock. Peering over towards Hundar he raised his hands, "I say, Mafelda Hundar, what a pleasure I didn't see you tucked away in a darkened corner." Bounding from his chair, tonic water still in hand he met the innkeeper halfway and whispered "whatever she's slipped me leave it, I'll not bother drinking anyway," I'll never trust anybody really Beaming pleasantly at Hundar he scanned the room fervently, fewer people were about now, they could talk more or less in private, with far fewer eavesdroppers, but still enough witnesses to prevent her doing anything to harsh, or so he hoped.

On arriving at her table he smirked, lowering his voice he agreed, "that sounds like a capital idea." Sliding into his seat he set down his glass, clasping his hands before him in a prayer like fashion.

"I'm always civil," he commented with a hurt look, "now down to business, why are you here?" He demanded; believing he already knew the answer.

[Mafelda Hundar]

"Don't play the fool, Hargreaves. It does not suit you. I may be a secluded sort but I'm certainly not daft enough to believe that you of all people would not notice the head of a branch of the Ministries security force idling about in a shifty bar, hm?" she raised a slender eyebrow at him. "Although if I were you, I might be cautious about printing such things, not for fear of why I'm here, but for who else may be here. You know, the sorts in this pub tend to be a bit... terretorial. They do not want people nosing around their frequented edifice. As you know I would only be more than obliged to let my fellow barmates here, know who's to blame for crowding their.. erm, sanctuary, as it were. Many people out and about these days don't want to be bothered by media you know; digs up dirty secrets and such. Terrible business you've gotten yourself into, but who am I to judge?" she put on her sweetest smile as the bar tender returned with her tea.

"Yes, thank you sir," she said with a nod. She swirled the dark liquid around in its cup before continuing the conversation, "Civility means different thigns to different people, Mr. Hargreaves. Especially in these foreboding days. As long as you don't pull something inevitably stupid, I'll not create trouble for you. At least... not any more than usual," she smiled and sipped her tea as he posed his next blunt question. She gently set the beverage down and crossed her hands in her lap, "Why, Fitzy! You're a reporter, are you not? Aren't you supposed to be perceptive then? So it ought to be quite plain and obvious to you that I am simply a hard-working witch taking a well deserved recreational break from my stressful line of duty. Being as civil as you are, you wouldn't try to accuse me of anything else, would you?"

[Fitz Hargreaves]

Smirking as he settled back into his chair lazily, his face a mask of indifference Fitz exclaimed "I'm terribly glad you think so highly of me Miss Hundar, there are those amongst the media who deem you rather rude, I can't see what they mean." He mocked with a fleeting grin. With a bored expression clouding his features as she prattled on about people's detestation of the media he sipped nonchalently at his drink, savouring the cool texture.

"Oh pish tosh," he cried, "I simply tell people the truth, sometimes it just isn't what they want to hear, without media the public would be completely in the dark," he explained cooly formulating a reasonable argument to defend his beloved profession. "Be as prejudicial as you wish Mafelda, I know you only envy my position, what with the terrible weight of respnsibility upon your shoulders, I do wonder how you cope. Whereas I just write down what I see, and elaborate of course, there's far more to reporting than meets the eye I can tell you." He smirked knowing she cared little for his point of view.

Chuckling as Mafelda tried to beat him at his own game of words, the witty reporter retorted swiftly, "indeed you raise a valid argument, yet civility is instilled from birth, we all know how to be civil, only people don't wish to be civil. We could argue about that all day long, yet I deem we both have better things to do. What do you think I'll do Mafelda? Pull the wool over your eyes?" I've already done that. He thought with a faint smile. Looking innocently at the striking woman across the table he refrained from pulling puppy eyes, tears shimmering would always work, yet he didn't think it necessary, and neither did he want to insult her intelligence, as she was without doubt a remarkable woman. How else could she have reached the pinnacle she perched precariously upon today?

"Oh no my dear, I don't make accusations," he implored shooting her a hurt look, "I simply point out pure simple fact," he stated with a grin. "Your arrival at Hogwarts is no mere coincidence, you're after Animagi of course, that is what your job entails is it not? But why at Hogwarts eh? Are there underage Animagi?" He gasped exaggeratedly "now how awful would that be? Underage witches and wizards cavorting around, but able to change their form too, no wonder you've been sent to track them down." Smirking Fitz added almost as an afterthought "how's that for perceptive and confusing eh?" Fitz had her precisely where he wanted her, a time where she couldn't know what to make of him.

[Mafelda Hundar]

She wasn't exactly sure how to respond to his first comment, so she instead chose to simply ignore it. Usually she would have been more on point, but the latest months had worn on her--both physically and mentally. Not to mention her emotional flares. She took deep, slow breaths to try and keep herself focused.

"Pish tosh, indeed..." she took another slow sip of her tea, watching him curiously over the brim of her cup, "Mr. Hargreaves, as much as playing at stupidity does not suit you, using childish come backs to try and cover your inadequecies is not flattering you either," she would have said more, but her companion seemed to be enjoying the sound of his own voice so much, she hated to interrupt him.

She smiled softly, "Oh, civility is still debatable. What's civil to a person coming from a wealthy and priviledged background might still seem crude and reprehensible to a person who was born into a lower class, abusive environment. Civility is instilled at birth, it's a matter of who instills what and how. But I agree quite heartily, we both have better things to do than debate the actions of mankind."

"I'll tell you this, Fitzy. If you forget about whatever little story you've got tucked away in your jacket pocket about my lovely little show here..." she said, pointedly lowering her voice and leaning forward as she continued speaking, "I'll give you the big scoop on why the Ministry has really put so much interest into Hogwarts." She leaned back in her chair and eyed the reporter with mild interest as she pulled an emerald flask from her hip and poured a shimmering silver liquid into her teacup. She couldn't be sure how Fitz Hargreaves would react to her offer. He might only be interested in smearing the reputations of Ministry Officials; in fact she knew for a fact that bad-mouthing people was one of his specialties. But he also seemed like the type to be sickeningly interested in the truth behind his own rumours. This might in fact be a worthwhile trade of information to him... but she couldn't be sure.