Making an impression. (Thyme, Gobien)

[Lana Jacoby]

Rain pattered down relentlessly, mercilessly turning the pathways leading to the small wizarding village to quagmires, mud mingling with the pouring water to cascade down off the steep rise leading to the castle itself. The hour was not late, rathermore it was the height of the day, midday when hottest; yet the weather paid no heed to what it should do; only what it wanted.

The streets of hogsmeade were eerily quiet, other than the dull droning of the rain glancing off the slate roofs. An aged, decrepit warlock tottered along the street crooked wand held aloft and creating an invisible barrier from which the rain slipped off. A loud crack wrought the air, contrasting completely with the dull pattering of the steady downpour. The apparated witch was draped in a long and heavy travelling cloaked. It was thick with dirt around the hem though the quality of the garment was still clearly visible. Hood pulled up over her glistening wet hair her etched beautiful face was shadowed; only her piercingly dark eyes particularly striking. As she glared around with narrowed eyes to see if anyone had spotted her arrival, she saw only the ancient warlock stumbling away in the squelching mud.

Moving swiftly off in the opposite direction she lifted the hem of her long jet black robes, looking with obvious distaste at the filthy street. Stalking along Lana Jacoby kept her eyes lowered and fixed to the ground. Murmuring under her breath she quietly counted the houses she passed, at the thirteenth she stopped. Knowing that casting a look up and down the street would only draw unwanted attention, Lana stalked to the front door of the house, rapping loudly with a flick hand, casting a non verbal spell to bound upon the door and alert its occupants. Nothing happened for a few moments, no sounds could be heard from within, until a doubtlessly heavy bar was drawn aside; and the door swung open, squealing upon its hinges.

A heavy set man glared out cursing under his breath as he recognised the witch stood serenely before him. “Miss…”
“Silence,” Lana spoke coldly waving her to prevent him letting slip her name to all those within earshot. An evil smirk alighted upon the graceful features of Lana as she glided inside, the grim faced man bowed low at her entry, gesturing for her to continue deeper into the house. Stepping inside she looked around disdainfully at the ramshackle building; it was in a state of obvious disrepair, the wallpaper peeled away and she could see signs of rot and numerous leaks. The stone flagons beneath her feet were ancient and incredibly grimy; clearly the owner of the house cared for little for appearances. Waiting impatiently as the man locked and bolted the door with a number of whispered spells, he turned visibly shocked that she had remained glaring around at her surroundings.

“Miss Jacoby,” he murmured clearing his throat, “a pleasure, a real honour.”
“Clearly,” replied Lana crisply with obvious disdain for his stalling, looking with contempt upon the burly man she waited patiently for him to lead her onwards.
“P…please this way,” He spoke softly presumably not wishing to anger her by any means. Guiding Jacoby down the cramped hallway he opened the door to a sitting, holding it open for her. As Jacoby sidled past a small hint of a smile played across her lips; this would be entertaining.

[Jake Gobien]

Strict time keeping had been instilled in Gobien from a very young age; rarely was he ever late for anything of remote importance, he arrived punctual if not early; first impressions and creating a lasting impression was always critical. So it was that Gobien had been shown into the old decrepit building; the first shelter from the elements he'd had for a while. The muscular man who'd unlocked the door to the old spy, had been the usual type; strong and silent, he guessed confounded many times by Imperius curses. The witch he was to meet was known for her fell deeds with the Imperius curse, she would have been infamous for it, only few people knew the sole Jacoby daughter was behind such crimes; Gobien knew from his years as spy for the ministry, receiving rather dubious intelligence that she'd rescued her eldest brother from Azkaban itself. It was mere rumour he supposed, yet rumour enough for him to be wary of her.

Having taken the most comfortable looking armchair the ancient place had to offer, he now lazed happily upon it, twirling his wand around always alert and wary, though he seemed completely at ease; supremely confident and relaxed on the surface, yet doubt gnawed at him, he couldn't afford to trust anybody and was naturally prepared to make good his escape if strictly necessary.

Waiting patiently for a good twenty minutes he glanced at his watch; her time keeping was quite atrocious to his mind; seven minutes late already. The sole other occupant of the room stood in the doorway to the kitchen, his wand drawn and held ready at his side, he seemed acutely nervous and had shifty eyes that flickered constantly between Gobien and the window; with heavy drapes drawn to shut out all light. The entire room was in semi-darkness, giving it an eery quality. As a knock came at the front door, Gobien watched the eyes of the nervous fellow snap to attention as a shiver seemingly went down his spine, he heard the man audibly gulp, and raised his own eyebrows fractionally; the man seemed frightened out of his wits and was therefore useless.

Hearing hushed voices from the hall Gobien shifted his nonchalent gaze towards the door as it was pushed open to reveal the heavily cloaked Jacoby. Smirking Gobien rose slowly and swept an elegant leg; "do come in Jacoby," he offered audaciously, as it was she who had invited him here for the meeting. Falling back into his chair Gobien and swinging his legs over the arm he settled himself comfortably asking, "in good health I presume?"

[Lana Jacoby]

Stepping into the shadowy room, she felt the chill, it was just like home, other than the smug man lolling lazily upon a chair; she couldn't abide laziness. Her face betrayed no emotion as she moved swiftly into the room, acknowledging his bow with a slight inclination of the head. Ignoring the rise he intended to get out of her, Lana shifted her undivided attention to the shifty eyed, hook nosed man who snivelled away in the doorway. Emerald green eyes boring into the man, he averted his dim brown ones, staring blankly at his feet.

"You may leave us now," she said cooly. Without a word the man's eyes flickered from side to side as he moved to slip past her.
"Not that way," she uttered in an icy tone, "guard the back door."
"Y..yes m'am," he murmured as he fled the room through to the kitchen, banging the door behind him in his haste to leave the terrible pair together.

"As well as can be expected, under the circumstances." She answered conjuring up a fluffy white cushion which she placed lightly upon a rickety old chair that she viewed with a look of purest disdain; it wasn't nearly so battered as the couch which dwarfed the already quite small room. Lowering herself gently onto the chair, quite sure it would carry her weight, she turned her attention to Gobien; assessing him cooly, looking him up and down. Taking careful note that he already held his wand at the ready she commented in a patronising tone, "not scared are we Gobien?"

Her thin lips creased into a smile as she came to the point "Now, you wanted to join us?"

[Jake Gobien]

Watching with mild interest as the nervy man fled from the room; clearly very glad that he no longer had to stand guard over Gobien, he settled his steely gaze upon Jacoby once more, seeing her look him up and down Gobien grinned; "do you like what you see?" He asked jokingly.

"What circumstances are those?" He enquired in a bored tone, as if he didn't care whether she answered him or not; in reality he wished to wheedle out any information possible from her, keeping her talking would be vital, he yearned to know more about her, a dangerous woman needed tabs keeping on her.

"Scared? Hardly," he scoffed, "what is there to be scared of here? I'm simply naturally cautious, the life I've led has forced me to it." He explained in dulcet tones, he knew very little about the cold hearted woman before him; the Jacoby's were well known for their strict pure-blood ways and upholding such faith in their pureness of blood, but she had seemingly kept her head down over the years, there had been rumours of her mutilating muggle corpses once, yet she'd somehow escaped those allegations. Other than that she'd seemingly only been at the Ministry, not an unworthy career, yet somehow given her surname he guessed she wanted much more than that.

"Did I?" He asked mildly, "I believe I requested more information, you invited me here, not on false pretences I hope?"

[Lana Jacoby]

Rolling her eyes and sighing lightly as Gobien fulfilled the rumours of his countless jokes and witticisms that were completely unnecessary; she nonetheless admired his self-confidence nearing on arrogance. Of course he was nothing compared to herself.
"Should I?" She breathed the question, disregarding his physical form. "Haven't you heard Gobien? Oh tut tut, I was told you kept yourself up to date with all current affairs, I'm disappointed. Did no informant of yours describe what befell me? Really I'm quite astounded." She spoke patronisingly each sentence carefully chosen to batter down Gobien's defences.

"Yes your life has been a sad story hasn't it?" She said now quite sincerly in a kind tone, wishing to completely unnerve Gobien; keeping him guessing and on his toes would be imperative to controlling him efficiently. "Life's been cruel to you, quite unfair, yet remarkably you've striven through and arrived here largely unscathed, for that I commend you, even for your tall tales that you've conjured up. Surrounded in mystery aren't you?" Coaxed Lana a pretty smile filling her face, and radiating her icy beauty.

"Certainly not," she answered with a hurt look, "would I ever deceive you?" She asked mock innocently. Continuing crisply in a business like manner she stated "regardless, you're here, I'm here, how we came here isn't of consequence. Now Gobien where have you been living these past few years?" She asked shrewdly believing she knew the answer already. "I only ask because I can offer you security and safety, you won't have to look over your shoulder any more. Wouldn't you like that? An easier life?" She asked whilst rocking back on her chair.

[Herbert Thyme]

“Let me enter you stupid man, my presence is requested.”

Herbert Thyme stood on the door step of the house peering in through a small crack in the door which the old man had slightly open. The man was trying to close the door but Thyme has his foot in the way, a cruel sneer on his lips. This fool should not be acting in such a way, he was trying Thyme’s patients dramatically. After he continued to try and close the door Thyme smoothly reached into his robes pocket and with a fluid movement and a flash of light the man was lying on the floor.

With his gloved hand Thyme pushed open the old door stepped inside the ancient house. It was almost as disgusting as the man who lived in it. With a wrinkled nose Thyme gave anther movement of his wand and the door slammed shut behind him. Duct fell from the ceiling, clearly unable to withstand the vibrations of the door being closed in such an aggressive way. Determined not to touch anything in the house in case he caught a some sort of disease, Thyme made his way along the dark corridor to the room where the voices where coming from. With yet another wand movement the door flew open to reveal to figures, Jacoby and Gobien.

“Good afternoon to the both of you. Can we please make this quick I have to get back to the ministry by the evening.”

Pulling off his gloves to reveal his pale hands Thyme gently placed them on the arm of the closest chair before spinning around to face Gobien. A look of pure disgust filled the mans face, he really could not comprehend why they even needed to be in contact with scum like this man, however he was continually reassured that he would be of some use. Thyme knew he had entered while Jacoby had been questioning but he really did not care as long as this took less then an hour he would be satisfied.

[Jake Gobien]

Drawing a ragged breath Gobien began his defence, he'd known the damned woman would give him a grilling as thorough and degrading he'd expected from a person with such a foul reputation, yet to change and alter so dramatically, one time seemingly kind, another completely scathing; that he couldn't have guessed.

"Most find me more than amiable yes," he smirked believing self-assurance was necessary with such people he found himself pressed to deal with. "Nothing so drastic I wager, or else I would have known," he countered self-doubt creeping slightly into his voice; were his informants really telling him the whole truth, every minute detail that he required, often he'd had doubts concerning their facts and figures, the idle gossip they picked up upon, yet most he trusted completely; he'd need to really question them harder to ensure he was given all details he required; dealing with such people was risky, he needed all the help he could get.

Unnerved slightly by her sudden change of attitude regarding his past, he decided it was impossible to believe a word the woman said, everything had to be taken and analysed carefully before he could believe it as simple truth. "No disrespect meant, but I believe you know little of my life, only what papers have written of me," she couldn't possibly know; he was certain. "Indeed I am, as are you though, we're both far more mysterious and complex than one would first thing."

Listening as Lana declared arrogantly that she coudl solve his troubles he smirked and raised his eyebrows questionningly; she was far too sketchy on the details, yet he half-wanted an easier life, he'd striven for it before but had found himself discontented with a simple life; he revelled in danger and deemed it necessary to topple the evil dictatorship that threatened the magical world. "Of course you would, I'm more than happy to deceive you in any way I can." He stated truthfully with a wry grin.

"Oh here and there you know, under that bush, beneath that tree." He didn't want to give away anything of consequence, as she could easily use it against him. About to declare that an easier life wouldn't interest him in the slightest he was waylaid on hearing a disturbance at the door, staying relaxed in his chair his eyes lazily drifted to the door, and the man who entered. Recognition was instantaneous, but he didn't let it show.

"Mr Thyme how good of you to join us." He stated with a mocking smile, "though really Jacoby is more than capable of dealing with me herself," he inclined his head towards her, compliments always helped. He knew for a fact that the two were as thick as theives, he needed to drive a wedge between them; sooner rather than later.

"Busy at the Ministry are you?" Gobien asked goadingly with a roll of his eyes. With the pair of them ganging together against him Gobien felt just a little outnumbered, but he was still confident he could escape unscathed if strcitly necessary, he had many tricks up his sleeve.

[Herbert Thyme]

Thyme looked at the man, he could not believe he even had the courage to talk to him in such away. Herbert Thyme was not a man to be messed with and people who stood against him more then often found it would be there last act on this earth. As the sound of the rain hammering down on the old roof grew louder Thyme made no effort to seem affronted by what this thief had said.

“Oh I have no doubt that Jacoby has the skill to question you and get all the needed information, but I enjoy watching people squirm, especially scum like you. So I advice you do everything she wants, otherwise you will end up a lifeless lump ready to become worm meat. Or even better I could collect the bounty that is for your head and make myself even richer.”

Thyme broke out into a rather snobbish laugh thinking about all the money he could possibly gain for the capture of this man. Once Jacoby had had her way with him and got all the information they needed for their master he could cart this piece of dirt to the ministry and become a hero, maybe even a promotion.

Stopping himself from laughing anymore Thyme walked over to the chair were he had laid his gloves and sat down upon it. He kept his back straight and his head held high, but his sleek wand in his hand pointing at Gobien. Then in a calm yet commanding voice Thyme looked over at Jacoby.

“Please Miss Jacoby do continue.”

[Lana Jacoby]

Lana was clearly winning, and when she was winning Lana loved the game, the genuine smile radiated as she smirked at Gobien's discomfort; he was fighting his own corner well, but resistance was futile, she was far too strong, and he far too weak. Clearly he was dodging about the subject of his whereabouts the last few years, she was about to press the matter further by demanding viciously that he spill the beans when she heard a knock at the front door. Lana's eyes gleamed as she heard the unmistakeable undertones of Thyme; the man was resourceful to say the least; and cruel, she loved a cruel, mean hearted man; ruthlessness helped and he had that down to a tea. She firmly believed he'd betray his entire family if the price was right. Lana herself held some loyalty to her family, so long as they continued to be useful and proud purebloods, there really were so few of them left.

As Thyme entered the room she beamed up at him, "afternoon Herb, don't worry this shouldn't take long," she inclined her head in his direction then turned upon Gobien once more, only she was beaten to it by the delgihtful insults thrown by Thyme. Giggling like a schoolgirl as she breathed excitedly she added, "ah Herb, you've such a way with words."

"Why thankyou Thyme," returning to a business like manner she stated, "we need to know everything Gobien, everything that you know, it's imperative we find out, to destroy the Ministry once and for all." She lied expertly, her eyes shimmering with a faked gusto and determination to topple them. Really she cared only for herself, her aims and she would do anything in her power to complete them.

"Now you're a clever man," she admitted, "hard and tough too, so it'd take too long to torture the information out of you," she meant it as a compliment yet the threat was as clear as day. "I respect you, so simply do what I ask and we won't make this hard." Licking her lips in feverish anticipation she drew her wand slowly from her inside robe pocket, her features breaking into a crazy lopsided smirk. Fondling her wand between her long nailed fingers Lana feverishly stroked it. "Just give me an excuse Gobien, please?" She threatened half putting on an act to scare him, but partly yearning to torture the information out of him, cracking a tough man would be a challenge, and one she would gladly accept.

"So," she continued in dulcet tones placing her wand lightly upon the table she rested her elbow upon. "What do you know about the item of power the Ministry are scouring the land for?"

[Jake Gobien]

Eyes drifting nonchalently from one fiend to the other he feigned complete relaxation and calm; inside his mind was ticking over furiously; working at maximum efficiency, what could he tell them that would quench their thirst for knowlegde enough but not give too much away?

"Whyever am I scum?" He chirped with a dangerous gleam to his eyes; under no circumstances would he be taken easily; taken inevitably if a fight was to ensue; yet not easily. "Have you never wondered why there's such a price upon my head? Resourcefulness and knowledge are powerful weapons." I've a few more besides, perhaps more subtle though.

As Jacoby was allowed to take control of the enquiries Gobien shifted his focus to her; though his senses were atuned to any movement Thyme would make. "The question is why do you want to destroy the Ministry? To meet your own ends I'd wager a fair amount on, yet we can undoubtedly still be useful to one another; even with seperate agendas.

Underlying threats behind her words were crystal clear, Gobien's eyes flickered warily between the pauir, his muscles visibly tensing and smile slipping. Vivid memories of a past torture flashed before his eyes; the pain had been exquisite; something he dearly wished never to endure again. He'd promised himself then; he'd never let others undergo the terror, and that included himself. With a sickening feeling he realised with certainty that he would inevitably kill if necessary; he wouldn't and metally couldn't endure that again.

His quick mind and mouth would have to save the day; if possible. "I know a little about the item," he confirmed with a shaky nod. "I will tell you all you need to know without being put under duress, the Ministry are currently focusing their search in the grounds of Hogwarts; namely the Forest and surrounding mountain sides; clearly thus far they've not come close to it; or else we'd all know about it. They've redoubled their efforts by bringing in much more manpower to broaden the search and deter any competition; I believe Ministry officials are told to arrest any in their way; no questions asked." Looking keenly at Lana, Gobien asked pointedly; "is that all?"