The start of a new era.

[Nicholas McNiven]

As yet another person entered the room Nicholas did not show his normal gesture of standing up. It did not help that the man who had just entered was Fitz. He was doing his normal method of greeting, never shutting up. Nicholas tried to block out the mans voice but the house above was so silent that it was all that he could hear. However the man soon stopped leaving the room silent for a while. He thought about how to answer the man and slowly turned to look at him.

“Yes that is your department really. I think maybe then you should keep your ears open while in the castle, and possibly your mouth shut.”

Turning away from the reporter Nicholas looked over at Elijah and gave a small smile. Her looked from Lance to the boy once more and thought he would step into answer his question.

“At the present moment in time Lance is the only one you can trust. But out of the members of staff and the pupils I do not know?”

Nicholas broke eyes contact with the rest of the people in the room. He hated not knowing what was happening. The thought that other people knew something he did not, always tortured him. Looking up from the table he hoped that someone, even Fitz could provide a little more knowledge.

[Fitz Hargreaves]

Fitz received his usual coldness from McNiven, the older wiser man seemingly distrusted him greatly, and with good reason he mused, but nonetheless he must learn to trust some people. The scathing comment of keeping his mouth shut glided across Fitz leaving him as before, he was often the source of contempt or rather was often criticised for his powers of speech. Allowing himself the luxury of a wider smile he looked upon Elijah with some interest, having just recently arrived at the school himself he wondered why he hadn't seen the latest recruit around. But then again he chided himself not being seen is perhaps a good ploy in his case.

Fitz was prepared to give the lad the benefit of the doubt, he believed his colleagues would already have given the youth a thorough going over. Smiling reassuringly at the lad thinking aye I've been in that position too mate, I can sympathise and being a reporter they probably gave me a much more thorough examination.

"Yes sir," he said saluting in a half serious, half mocking way. Pondering a moment upon McNiven's question of whom the Red Rose League could afford to trust he exclaimed "I dare say there are a few, I'm worming out the truthful ones as we speak," he declared confidently "thus far it's evident that many people are unsure, still on sat on the fence, rumours are abound, not thanks to me I know," looking at McNiven with a sheepish grin "people don't know what to believe, I wouldn't trust a single one yet," he grinned at Elijah "cept this lad of course."

Pacing around his companions more for his own peace of mind than to put them on edge and having more to report, he continued reeling off his information "I've to interview the students participating in the Quadwizard tournament weekly, I'll test their loyalties, they'd be incredibly influential including the Head Boy and Head Girl too, targetting such figureheads is my prime aim at present sir, we'll soon know much more I'm sure." Brimming with confidence he lounged lazily once more against the wall.

[Elijah Ellerby]

'Yes, I know you actually.' Elijah suddenly said as Fitz finished speaking. 'I know your niece, Sophie? She pointed out one of your articles on the underground vampire assassination societies. I didn't recognised you by face of course.' He continued to study Fitz for a moment, a small, inexplicable frown on his face.

Elijah placed his hands in his pockets, his heart skipping for a moment as his fingers did not immediately set upon his wand, quite forgetting that Nicholas still had it somewhere on his persons. He could not help but feel degraded for being the only one in the room denied his weapon, and he suddenly had the urged to leave the cellar room and catch the next fireplace back to Hogsmede.

Fitz continued to stare at Elijah with an expression he found just a little too patronising, and he quickly cleared his throat, turning to Mike, Nicholas and Aurélie. 'Am I allowed to know this location? I can't imagine it'd be wise to leave me without a way to contact you in emergencies.'

[michael]

<sub>Mike had to cover his mouth to hide the huge smirk on his lips when he saw the familiar look of complete horror on Aurélie’s face as Fitz once again insisted on attempting French. The reporter wasn’t everyone’s favourite person, but you couldn’t deny him as a highly useful ally and damn good writer (as long as the article wasn’t about you of course). Michael gave the other man a nod of welcome when his smirk finally subsided, before turning back to Nicholas who was eager to be updated on as much as possible.

“I wouldn't trust a single one yet”

‘There are a few Deitrich is keeping an eye on and therefore our most likely source of assistance.’ Mike added to Fitz’ comment. ‘There was that Addis bloke that created a bit of fuss when we first arrived, though he seems to have conveniently disappeared.’ He gave everyone a dark look, certain that the ministry would have had a bit of a hand in that. ‘She’s often mentioned the “troublesome ComC Professor” as well, so that’s another person to look into.’ He leant back in his chair, turning his attention back to Elijah. ‘Her biggest worry is students getting together to go against her though.’ The Auror stated, re-emphasising part of the Gryffindor’s important task ahead.

“Am I allowed to know this location? I can't imagine it'd be wise to leave me without a way to contact you in emergencies.”

There was a pause. The Red Rose League had remained undetected for months now, and that was due to it keeping secrecy as tight as possible. ‘I’ve been specifically ordered to stay at Hogwarts by the ministry. I’ll be staying as close as possible to make sure you don’t get into too much trouble. Find me if there is an emergency.'</sub>

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[Fitz Hargreaves]

Oblivious, or rather from necessity ignoring the groups mixed responses to his entrance, he smiled happily having learnt of a new lead from Lance, a man he deeply respected for his knowledge and felt obliged to use effectively to meet his own agendas, linked strongly with the Red Rose League itself of course. A man to be wary of for sure though, some would call him a Lance a traitor, to be despised most of all men, but Fitz knew him to be an amiable gentleman when called upon. So his relatively reliable sources told him.

His instrusion into his fellow league members files wasn't out of the ordinary, he looked in depth into most people he came across, rifling through whatever he could use against them. Aurélie especially had sparked an avid interest, he watched her career with utmost curiousity, certainly far stronger than the others; being the only female member of the group had it's advantages and he knew full well that she would use them wisely.

"Ah yes my cousin Sophie," you know her well he thought his eyes flashing dangerously a moment in the direction of Elijah. Thankfully for the boy he had heard only reasonable reports of his behaviour thus far, but he knew, oh yes he knew only too well the flirtation and intricacies, leastways throughout his own final years at Hogwarts.

His sharp eyes also picked up Elijah's discomfort, presumably from lack of defense upon his person, didn't he realise these people were some of the very best duellers around, especially Aurélie, now she packed a punch. Frowning at her openly showing his interest, he flexed his fingers easily resisting the urge to gawk too openly. If only she would seek out his true character, so cold thus far, yet enticing nonetheless, damn her french soul he thought irritably, leading me on a wild goose chase I warrant.

Whilst he openly showed his admiration for Aurélie giving her a dazzling smile he still listened to the wise Auror advice towards their newest recruit. Personnally he trusted the boy as the others had undoubtedly drove the fear of God into his heart, well he trusted him as much as he would ever really trust anybody in this world; very little indeed.

"Jones is an especially invaluable teacher to make firm contact with, she knows much more than she will ever let on I'd warrant my last penny upon it." He smirked thankfully I'm not quite at that stage...yet.

"Rousing pupil resistance will prove more difficult, I deem they're rather more interested in squabbling amongst themselves with foolish interhouse rivalries rife. I hear there are a number of student bodies beginning to take shape, it's quite imperative I believe that we make them flourish to cause disruption before the Ministry crushes all resistance. Children, no offence Elijah you're no child, are easily persuaded, take my latest article upon Vampires, they're terrified of them now, piece of cake. The Ministry are already cracking down upon them producing new laws and bringing officials in daily to enforce them rigidly, the nets are closing we need to slip in before we're stuck outside of Hogwarts entirely." Realising he had quite likely spoken out of place he smiled apologetically
"that's just my two penny's worth." He added with a final smirk before awaiting there mixed reactions.

[Elijah Ellerby]

Elijah stared at Michael for a moment, calculating. Even being around the castle full-time he had seen very little of the auror, and finding such an elusive man in such a labyrinth of a castle was going to be an assignment all by itself, but with a respective nodded of confirmation Elijah turned away from Michael, deciding it was probably best not to disagree.

The reporter was once again rambling in his, by now, familiar sunny tone. His hands jostled about as he spoke and Elijah got the impression he was a very talkative and animated person, although he wondered if Fitz did it on purpose for whatever effect. Needless to say his cheeriness and relentless manners probably got on some people's wicks - he could already see Aurélie fuming a little, one eyebrow raised nonchalantly.

'Jones?' Elijah caught a dreg of Fitz's monologue as he pulled himself from reflection. 'Yes, I've been to a few of her classes. I can get a little closer to her if it'd suit you.' Elijah offered to no one in particular, already vouching to go to her next lesson and devise a way to talk to her properly.

One thing Fitz said did particularly strike Elijah as coldly truthful: the nets are closing, we need to slip in before we're stuck outside of Hogwarts entirely. The metaphor had been perfectly visible in Elijah's head for weeks as he had watched security, suspicion and hostility within and around Hogwarts increase. It was becoming an impenetrable fortress, and although Elijah was well under their radar he could not help feel scared sometimes.

Realising he would probably be made to leave soon, Elijah searched his mind for anymore information he felt he needed. 'How much does the Minister of Enlightenment know about the Red Rose League? Does she have any names?' he asked. By now all the students knew her name, but to add to the drama and make her more formidable among the student body she had simply been dubbed by her bizarre ministry title. Elijah, of course, had been sucked into the trend.

[Marianne Crais]

Marianne was wary of the fact she was late. Michael had told her to be there a good fifteen minutes ago. She hated being late, a woman in her position did not get their job done by being late.

I'll just explain about the backlog in the floo system. She thought to herself.

Marianne could not past the fact that this 'Vital and important' resistance meeting was taking place in a dark, dingy hell hole of a place.

When Michael Lance aproached her after a session of court she first thought he might be reporter and did her very best to shoo him away politely. When he explained that he was in fact an Auror she remembered that he had given evidence in front of her once before.
Realising that Mr Lance was hoping for privacy Marianne invited him into her private chambers. It was surrounded by her many ancient books of law that she was introduced to an organisation that she felt compelled to aid in any way she could. This desire was multiplied tenfold when she heard the recent news about the Minister for Magic and the Deitrich Reforms.

Upon seeing the group of people she had come to meet she scanned the faces for the man whom she had to thank for changing her life so greatly.

[Fitz Hargreaves]

Suspiciously raising his eyebrows towards Elijah, just to keep him on edge Fitz slowly walked towards him looking him up and down with a calculating eye; Elijah struck Fitz as being very eager to please, unless he only wished to aid their cause? It was impossible to tell at such an early stage of his knowing him. Leastways Elijah had a confidence and surity necessary to help them. Being in his position Fitz would already have had tabs upon each and every teacher, but also key influential students too, Fitz believed Elijah would perhaps even better him for organisational skills.

"A capital idea," agreed Fitz clapping him upon the shoulder "it's of the utmost importance that we find the depth of her allegiances and the knowledge she wields, we'll leave that to you then Elijah," he smiled comfortingly his grin enligthening his face.

But then it came to his prying question one he knew nobody would wish to answer, especially as none knew the truth; it really was quite impossible to tell. Without looking at his companions as that would arouse further suspicion and show their uneasiness he answered smoothly in his facial expressions their usual exaggerated animation.
Without wishing to drag the others into his guesses he started;
"well, I believe she's unlikely to know names, otherwise they'd have been locked away a long, long time ago, with the key thrown away of course," he added with a delighted smirk. "The Enlightened Deitrich isn't one for subtleties usually, but one can never be too sure with that caniving carnivore." He spat his detestation of her quite clear.

"We've no real idea of knowing how much she does really know, she of course won't let on so we have to continue as usual hoping our efforts aren't known about or in vain." He finished with smile adding sarcastically
"its not like I've written slandering comments about her before," but who has the guts now? Not even me.

Having heard footsteps approaching the group halfway through his rambling speech he had ignored them recognising the tell-tale fall of her feet. Pointedly turning away he added in a loud voice audible to all
"she's got tabs on her mind you." His face darkened considerably he was imminently suspicious of the latest arrival, having been prosecuted by the very same woman, not once not twice but beyond the fingers he now clenched tightly. Crais was completely against journalism meaning the two of course didn't get along, one passionately utilising his reporting skills as job whilst the other despised such methods. The Daily Prophet had had many a run in with her.

"What's she doing here?" He demanded cooly trying to level his voice and become calm once again.

[Marianne Crais]

"She," Marianne began, "Was invited."

Taking a moment Marianne managed to draw the name of the man who had so rudely enquired about her. The sound of his voice made Marianne immediatly think of migrane headaches and a court room. The only times these two things could ever be united were if Marianne had partaken of a little to much Firewiskey and mistakenly slept in her undergarments in the courtroom; or if she were faced with a particularly dreadful, moaning, droaning defendant about whom she couldn't care less.

Seeing as the first of these had only happened once so far Marianne was tempted to believe the second explanation was the better. From this conclusion she could narrow down the petulant man's identity. Taking into accout his scruffy appearance and inquisitive eyes Marianne was able to pluck the name Fitz, - a decidedly made up name by her standards.

"Mr Fitz... isn't it?" Marianne asked. "I had hoped we'd never meet again; however as we are on what looks to be your territory (and thankfully not mine), I will asume our meeting again to be a blessing."[/color]

[Fitz Hargreaves]

Feigning interest in Crais' words of poison, she definitely knew how to formulate a punishing sentence, carefully designed to aggrevate him whilst maintaining others kindlier perceptions of her.
Wishing to maintain his flimsy advantage over Crais Fitz immediately went on the offensive
"Did I address you?" He asked patronisingly but he knew such aggression would only annoy his fellow League members so softened his tone and smiled more sweetly.

"Forgive my impudence," he said in sickly sweet tones with a wry smirk and flashing eyes. Fitz spat her term of address "your Honour" and continued in dulchet tones.
"How lovely to meet you again too, and what an unlikely coincidence, who'd have thought you'd worm your way into this organisation." He really did want to know how she had been enlisted, though of course you couldn't trust a journalist, he would never trust a judge either; especially this one.

"What brings you here?" He asked pointedly clearly aggrevated and in pure wonderment as to why she was here.

[Marianne Crais]

"Stangely enough, Mr Hargreaves, I was invited by Mr Lance."

Marianne was unsure if she should explain, she thought she was going to be expected - How odd that I'm not - she thought.

"He aproached me," Marianne decided to explain, albeit breifly, "He told me that a group of people who share the same sort of outlook on the Ministry met here and he invited me to come and talk with you all. he said that you all would be very interested in having a Wizengamot with you."

Marianne paused, her inner anger was begining to flurish "'With you...' I don't even know what that means... Who are you people... what do you do? Why do you do it? I am not used to being out of the loop. If I am not welcome here then tell me and I will leave, just don't leave me in the dark like this. I deserve a little more respect than that I hope!"[/font]

[Fitz Hargreaves]

Shooting a curious look to Lance pointedly asking with his bemused expression; why? Why bring this damned woman here? But even Fitz had to admit she had a good poitn of argument and really didn't deserve the treatment he so sorely wished to inflict upon her. Bodily flinging her into the very prison she had sent many a fiendish man or woman really wasn't far off the mark he abided her very presence simply due to her own clear hatred of the media, it really would be a sore point between them.

Fitz was a professional though, truthfully he knew precisely how to manage his emotions being a more than capable actor, having begrudgingly taken her poitns with curt nods he now raised his arms as if in defeat, he knew when to fight and when to conserve his energy for a far more feared foe.

"Turst Lance," he muttered with a wry chuckle darting another dubious glance his way, he only hoped the experienced Auror knew what he was letting them in for.

"A Wizengamot is of little consequence," he stated rather dismissively "You've talents we can utilise rather than mere status." Fitz was one to give credit where it was due and he had to admit other than her not unfounded distrust of journalists he had little else against her, perhaps a deeper look into her past was called for. With that encouraging thought he smiled once again, forever an optimist he decreed;

"Perhaps after all we will be glad to welcome you to our ranks." Gesticulating with his hands in his usual animated state he began utilisng his orational skills.

"We need all the help we can get with such a formidable foe against us, so I'll lay aside our differences for the greater goal of this organisation. That's the best apology you'll get I'm afraid." He added with a smirk and a wink.

"I think it's safe to say we're a group of determined individuals wishing to do what's right for society as a whole, there are no individual goals or wishes, so don't bring any baggage." He stated loving the control he was able to have over Crais as he knew the answers and hopefully she knew very little; of course he would always hold some vital bits of information from everyone, when he believed it necessary.

"Why do we fight against a tyrant? Who knows? Why on earth would we wish to topple a power hungry devil? Or thwart the evil acts of a most heinous government? The highest ones are corrupt and we all know it."

He looked around darkly keenly peircing the soul of each person present; would they stand together no matter what the odds? He believed so.

"The Ministry is becoming increasingly paranoid wishing to defend itself, any found against them are in deep deep trouble, makes you wonder why we're daring to stand up against them really." He chuckled believing he had successfully struck fear into his companions; they needed to be a close knit community knowing they could trust each other fully.

[Marianne Crais]

"If I might answer that question for you..." Marianne offered, "Although I am sure that you were hoping to provide me with the answer I know it just as well as you do..."

Marianne saw Fitz's impressive rhetoric as a challenge and used this opertunity to offer her own display of prowess. She needed him to know that although he may know more about the League and its activities she knew enough about the ministry to make his toes curl.

"We are willing to stand against against them because we know what they, if the problem is a 'they' and not a 'she', are willing to do in order th achieve their goals. We know, either first hand or via others, the evils of this new regime. We know of the steps she is trying to utilise in order to achieve her ghastly ends. You may not be aware that even know she is diminishing the roles of the courts and the Wizengamot. New departments are being created here, there and everywhere and there has never been a such a great number of Wizards using magic to control their peers."

Marianne paused, waiting to offer her final information.
"She wishes to create an army. I cannot let her. I will kill her myself before I let her do that."[/color]