No turning back (Open; Death intended)

[Nicholas McNiven]

It was a cold March afternoon, the sun was low in the sky and was shinning brightly into Nicholas eyes. He was not amused that he was out in broad day light and walking freely into the grounds of Hogwarts. The ministry had blocked his passage that led into the forest and was now having to take an even riskier route to the meeting point inside the forest.
Tugging his collar of his coat higher and hiding most of his face with his scarf Nicholas walked into the castle grounds at a fast pace and began to head off to the forest. He was suddenly aware of many pairs of eyes that could spy him through a window or even walk into his path. It was a risk that was worth taking though, Elijah had found some vital information in the Red Rose Leagues fight against the ministry and Nicholas knew there was no time to delay.

When he entered the boundaries of the forest he reached into his pocket and wrapped his hand around his wand. The forest was not a safe place, not even for a wizard like Nicholas and just breathing in its damp, thick air made him nervous. As he slowly walked further in his eyes darted form one side to the other looking out for any danger. The odd movement out of the corner of his gave him something to ponder on but the journey was uneventful as he reached the destination point, and as he expected he was the first to arrive.

[Thom Moen]

Thom sniffed heavily, trying to combat his dreadful cold as he paced slowly along the perimeter of the forest. His hand was wrapped limply around his wand in his pocket, although he was so used to having to be on alert all the time, he quite simply wasn't anymore. A dragon could have stormed past him now and he'd probably just wish it good day! Uriel had been under an impossible amount of pressure lately, the respond from other ministry's towards Marvello's reforms and new ideas not entirely agreed with, and Uriel had been the one taking the beating for it.

The Ministry was in chaos. New departments had been created, others broken down, important jobs lost, trivial jobs created... it was madness! Although up until recently Thom hadn't been very aware of much going on outside himself, he had at least knew Marvello to be a fair person.

Fed up and angry, Uriel and Thom had come back to Britain to see the Minister of Magic, but under strange circumstances Uriel had been called up to Hogwarts was a top secret briefing which Thom had been shunned from. What on earth was going on around here?

A painful, chesty cough suddenly attacked Thom, and he bent over slightly as he nearly choked his lungs up, hands on knees as he suffered. 'Bloody job!' He shouted, realising that he wouldn't be under such pressure, and definitely not marching around outside on cold nights, if he were anything but Uriel's lag dog...

[Quinn Locksley]

It was a chilly late afternoon when Quinn was perched herself in a high window earlier that afternoon, attempting to get a bit warmer. She also needed time to think, think about the going-ons in the Ministry and her stand on the matter but all such thoughts left her when she saw the movement in the grounds.

Exhilarated by the promise of excitement, Quinn leapt to her feet and flew down the many stairs of the castle and out the front door. By this time, whoever had been there had disappeared and, looking around, into the forest was the most likely. She smirked slightly and headed towards the ominous mass. "Into the belly of the beast," she mused softly to herself.

Quinn entered the forest without slowing her pace and continued into the underbrush. The air was close, damp and clammy. The dim light was hurting her eyes. She closed them tight, rubbed them then opened them wide to help her eyes adjust to the lack of light. It was in this new sight that she saw Uriel's apprentice, Mr Moen. This brought a bone chillingly sadistic grimace to her face. She walked up behind him briskly and clapped a hand on his back, "got a bit of a sniffle there, do you?" She laughed, mirthlessly, "how unfortunate."

[Thom Moen]

Thom yelped as someone slapped his back hard, and he shot up straight, spinning around with his hand on his heart. 'You scared the hell out of me!' He practically screeched, his sore chest heaving in fright. It was of course Quinn who had decided to spook him out of his wits, and he shot her a moody glare before coughing some more, moving to lean against a tree. 'Merlin, you Magical Law Enforcement lot need to learn some social skills - do you EVER stop bloody well stalking people? Does it just become habit as you stay in the job or something?' He growled.Reaffirming his grip on his wand, Thom began to stalk along again.

Although he was red in the face and clearly annoyed, Thom was still slightly appreciative of some company at last... even if it was the jaded Quinn who intimidated him half to death. Shooting her an anxious look over his shoulder, he tried to show some masculinity and walked a little faster into the trees. 'Well keep up, Locksley. You'll probably get lost without me.' He rolled his eyes dramatically.

As he forced his attention back on his surroundings like he should have been doing all along, his eyes immediately set upon a hooded figure standing a few metres up ahead, looking off toward the school. All the colour drained from Thom's face, and he stopped dead, signaling with his arm for Quinn to do the same.

Of course, being Thom, he had absolutely no idea what he was doing. What was he actually supposed to do now? Confront? Hide? Call for backup? Attack? Merlin, why hadn't he listened to Uriel more?! Panic had washed over him now, and with Quinn standing behind him he felt pressured to act, and so did the only thing he knew how to do: start mouthing off.

'You there! Hands in the air where I can see them!' He bellowed, whipping out his wand and striding forward purposefully.

[Nicholas McNiven]

Nicholas was used to waiting for the others to arrive, they seemed to have no sense of time keeping and he decide that next Christmas he would buy them all pocket watches. Stifling a yawn Nicholas was brought back to his senses again by the sound of someone coughing in the distance, quickly followed by raised voices. Someone was on his trail, pulling out his wand Nicholas stood waiting. In his mind their was no point running away, he had his own pride to think of and their really was no one that could actually harm him. Not in this god forsaken place.

He soon became aware that the man chasing him was nothing more then a young wizard, one who seemed to have the inability to grow stubble. But he had an air about him that suggested he was not a student, maybe it was arrogance or confidence Nicholas had not decided yet. But in the want to avoid a fight he did what he ordered, slowly raising his hands, making sure his wand was still clutched tightly in them. Behind the young man he noticed another women, this one was much older and possibly more dangerous, she he would have to watch.

“Is this going to take all day? I have business to attend to?”

Nicholas Scottish accent rang out around the forest, not once did it waver or give any sign that he was not meant to be here. He had done this some many times that it had become almost routine, all he needed to do was remain clam and not do any thing rash or stupid that would blow his cover and most of all tell the truth. [/size]

[Saul-in-darn Niña]

Watchful...watchful always omniscient, it was impossible to know what an enemy would do, one had to be ready, prepared for all, had paranoia gripped taken its icy grip?


A gentle breeze picked up ruffling the cloaks of the assembled, a confrontation was it? Flimsy wands were drawn and voices echoed, orders were issued, commands accepted. But no these weren't the days gone by, ranks upon ranks of warlocks had once fought upon vast plains, giants tossing their mighty rocks, war had ravaged the world all so long ago, was it a dim memory? Or perhaps maybe a dream of his imagining?


They beckoned the spirit, their voices sparked a curiousity but more importantly they were ecnroaching into territory not their own, so many stumbled into this vastness, believing themselves immortal, that nothing could defeat them, how wrong they were.


Silently watching ready to pounce when a prime opportunity presented itself, a stiffening chilling breeze floated, sightless eyes viewed the spectacle.

The young apprentice faced a challenge, his naivety would hinder, he had only a dim enthusiasm yet the two elders had an arrogance born by years of service, would it be their undoing? Who knew what fate awaited them all? Forsight only predicted bloodshed.

[Gregory Greenwich]

Greg had been taught to shadow his tutor, not by herself as she seemingly despised his very existence; especially when something went wrong, which was inevitably due to Greg's incompetence. Try as he might he just wasn't quite cut out for being a Hit Warlock, none could really argue that he didn't work hard and try his very utmost, it was simply his nervousness that was his undoing. When faced with not even a particularly difficult situation he quickly unravelled and his stutter soon became prominent, how was he supposed to communicate efficiently when he stuttered so?

In effect the case appeared hopeless even now he was stumbling along trying to catch up with his esteemed mentor, she did love to leave him in the lurch, he believed it was simply a test of his metal when in fact she probably was just sick of him.

Oh lord she's gone into the forest quaked Gregory, his knees immediately beginning to knock together in fright. Slowly he tried out a new breathing technique to calm his nerves, and to his ecstatic surprise it did work, if only he could concentrate solely upon breathing he would be fine. His breathing now regulated and his heart pumping less, he wrapped himself snuggly into the heavy cloak he wore; given to him by his mum who of course didn't want him to catch a cold.

Into the forest he went, and curiously excitement rather than fear coursed throughout his viens. Being a competent tracker Greg easily picked up the tracks of not one but three seperate people's shoes making evident marks; there was an old fashioned shoe imprint, clear cut and crisp, quite probably a heavy shoe, perhaps even with a sparkling buckle upon. Those were the oldest he thought, then two followed close on each others heels, and what heels, yes the last was definitely Locksley's he'd seen them many a time when bowing his head and receiving harsh comments. The middle pair were expensive new shoes he thought, yes he remembered clearly now, a new aquaintance of his, quite possibly the best friend he had here at hogwarts, leastways one who could sympathise with his circumstances, Thom Moen, yes those were his marks.

Greg really was a master at his art, though he would never admit it, now it was a simple matter of following them. Keeping low to the ground and looking up every few seconds to check the way ahead, he made quick progress across the rugged ground and there in a clearing ahead were those he stalked to coin a word Locksley loved so.

Quickly and relatively silently Greg stole up behind them, wishing to prove what little skill he had at stealth. Instinctively he knew Locksley would want him to take the lead and command the situation immediately. Regulating his breathing once more he in turn came forward from the dim shadows, slipping his wand from his robe pocket he stood shoulder to shoulder with Thom, admiring the booming voice he had used.

"I..It will take as long as she..I mean we want it to." He smiled gingerly feeling quite proud of himself, usuaully he would have stuttered far worse.
"Wh..what business have you t..t..to at..attend t..to th..then?" He asked floundered over the 't's that he always had such difficulty with. Amazingly though his wand hand didn't shake, Locksley's lessons had paid off, so long as he didn't actually have to initiate any spells he would be fine, this gentleman wouldn't cause much trouble, he seemed like a decent chap.

[Quinn Locksley]

Quinn enjoyed seeing Mr Moen get a fright, it left her with a wicked grimace etched onto her hard face. How she enjoyed what she did! Knitting the fingers of her hands together behind her back, she merely followed, her curiosity of what Moen was doing in the forest compelled her forwards.

Quinn was in a surprisingly genial mood, after her scare of Moen, and was pleasant enough to oblige and follow when bid. She was not the type to blindly follow however she was more then satisfied with keeping people on their toes and go against the stereotype that had been formed around her. These were her own doing and it served its purpose, as many things about her did and gave her to opportunity to go against the grain every once in a while.

Soon they came across another, a man, suspicious and guarded. Still in her willing mood, Quinn moved behind Moen when she was signalled to and watched him confront the other man. She looked from the stranger to the apprentice and nodded ever so slightly. She might have said she was impressed but it was too leisurely and flaccid for her liking, she would have stupefied the man already.

She looked around at the sceptical before her and grinned, bemused by it. The stranger was most cooperative and this made Quinn suspicious, why would he be so submissive? What is wrong with everyone tonight? A breezed swept through their gathering; it lifted her heavy cloak and chilled her to the bone. She held it down and looked around, spotting a familiar person heading their way.

She faced forwards, sighing heavily and pretending she had not noticed him coming. Greenwich joined Moen in the confrontation of the stranger. Almost impressed, Quinn made a, "hmm," sound in the back of her throat. He could do the stance fair enough but as soon as he opened his mouth all that went to hell. He stuttered all over the place! Inside Quinn sighed heavily, disappointed, and would have reprimanded him for his shortcomings, however this stranger was still an inequality and could not be trusted until he had proven himself. She hoped he wouldn't.

[Thom Moen]

Thom grumbled inappreciatively under his breath as Gregory suddenly appeared at his side, full of courage but stuttering like there was no tomorrow as usual. Although Gregory was a very good friend, Thom half-despised anyone that was even remotely close to his own age in any sort of well-paid Ministry position, and a stab of jealously filled him as he was once again reminded that he was no where near as skilled as Gregory - something he would never admit. Jutting his bottom jaw out a little, he shot Gregory a arrogant glare that said plainly, I can handle this on my own, thank you very much.

Childishly, Thom took another step forward so as to once again be the one at the forefront of the confrontation - it was his physical examination for his application to the Auror office in two weeks, and taking down a loiterer on Hogwarts' grounds would definitely look favourable. No way were Gregory or Quinn going to steal his thunder! 'Less of the back chat, Brave Heart,or you'll be waking up without a jaw!' He growled, jabbing his wand, signaling for the stranger to put his weapon down. 'State your name and business now!' He commanded.

To his utter fury, all the man seemed to do was smile politely, although Thom could see the hint of mockery in it. Why does everyone have this reaction when I try and impose any sort authority?! Thom thought moodily as he stormed forward carelessly, stabbing his wand into the side of the man's neck. Thom had come to like the feeling of being in control, and this tramp wasn't going to make him look like a fool in front of Quinn and Gregory. 'Do - as - I - say.' He whispered dangerously, his eyes full of rage.

[Nicholas McNiven]

Nicholas kept his hands in the air and looked from ministry official to ministry official. They seemed to be drawn to him like a bunch of seagulls to a dead fish, but he would put up a fight. They all seemed to want to order him around, but it was only the two males that stepped forward. The first had a terrible stutter, for a while Nicholas thought it was his teeth were chattering until he realised it was speech impediment.

“I am here…”

His attempt to give them his reasoning to be in the forest failed miserably, the younger looking of the group seemed to want to take control, and asked the same question however he did not stutter and was more aggressive with his demands. Nicholas had met too many of these types before and knew that he would get no where in life with an attitude like that. However he was at the disadvantage and it was in his best interest to do what he was told.
Slowly Nicholas lowered his wand, never taking his eyes off the boy. Then as if talking to a wild beast Nicholas calmly and with out raising his voice told the lad what he wanted to hear.

“My name is Nicholas McNiven and I am here to met with a student here in the forest. We have some documents to exchange. He gives me his homework and in return I asses it and complete the work for him.”

There was no lie in Nicholas words, he just bended the truth to make it seem more innocent then it was. He hoped that the ministry members would understand but the young boy seemed more content to poke him with his wand. Starting to get angry Nicholas quickly reached up twisted the boys arm so the wand was no longer pointing at his neck.

“Don’t do that to me wee laddie. Otherwise you will wish you were never born.”

[Quinn Locksley]

Quinn had been amused by Moen's controlling behaviour, hiding a snide giggle when the boy jabbed his wand into the man's neck. But her bemusement vanished when the man grabbed Moen's arm and twisted it. Quickly, in one flowing movement, she pulled her wand out and stood in front of the man, her wand now in his face.

"And you'll not lay a hand on a ministry official unless unduly threatened," she barked. She had stolen Moen's thunder, she knew she would have to at some stage, and that made it all the more sweeter. "Unhand him, Mr McNiven." She fixed her eyes on his and retrieved his wand, sticking it away in her robes.

It was only then that she realised she had put herself in the same danger as Moen had and took a few steps back. She looked around as she did so, to make it look as thought that was her purpose, and asked, "and what is the name of this student you are waiting for?" Now, actually looking around, she took in the vastness and the blackness of the forest around them. They were so vulnerable to attack and Quinn did not like it.

[Fitz Hargreaves]

Glaring at his old fob watch Fitz made his way quickly down to the forest, he really needed to isntall some sort of alarm system upon it as he only ended up forgetting of very important meetings indeed. It was outrageous that he would arrive so late; he had so wanted to rub McNiven's face in it, as he knew to McNiven he would always be on probation; never fully trusted.

Accordingly Ellerby had some rather important news for them, and wanted to divulge it to the leader of the League first, which of course had disgruntled Fitz no end. Having to wait a few moments to slip past the damned Ministry guards; something he wasn't used to at all, he was big and brass when strolling about, unless adopting a persona of course. But being Kieran the assistant caretaker had become rather irksome, and why was he only an assistant anyway?

Strolling into the forest without fear, as he himself had spread many of the rumours about it, Fitz slipped past the boundary moving swiftly towards his destination. Only he then proceeded to get very lost, digging the scrawled map drawn hurriedly by Elijah out of his pocket he searched in vain for some landmark that could direct him. Scuffing his formerly pristeen shoes in the muck Fitz's look of pure distaste was evident.

But luck was with Fitz he happened across the gathering barely wasting anymore time at all. Puzzled by the proceedings he was about to slowly process the information and come up with a decent plan, when one of the no less than three ministry officials turned around.
Drat, I'll have to play it by ear now.
"Good evening lady and gentleman, what's this I see, a poor man being harangued by three Ministry officials, three, it's quite unbelievable, where's my notebook when I need it?" He trilled strolling over to the group with a beaming smile; this was going to make a wonderful story; he could really get at the Ministry for it.

"It's quite outrageous, nobody can have a peaceful stroll in the lovely woods without being pounced upon by bloodthirsty savages. Its a disgrace, preposterous, will you kindly leave the gentleman alone?" He asked being slowly silenced by the scowls directed his way.

[Quinn Locksley]

Quinn heard someone in her alert state and turned, body and wand to face another man. He was cocky, she noted, and despised him for it. Her heated gaze bore into him as he fumbled for what he called a note book. "Oy!" she barked, "raise your hands."

She glared at him as he spoke again. "You, sir are the outrage!" she spat, quickly looking to the other two. How can he put me in the same group as these two? she growled to herself, shooting all a heated glare. Their hearts were in the wrong places and their minds had clearly left them. They were going into battle unprepared and stupid idiots! The lot of them!

Turning back to the ignorant fool who had interrupted the interrogation, Quinn said, "interfering with federal business is a felony. I could arrest you where you stand. However," she put her wand in her other hand, turning her body to face the others, "if you think that we are the 'bloodthirsty savages', you are sorely mistaken. Do you remember nothing of coming into this forest as a child, Fitz? That rogue quintaped nearly tore you to pieces."

Though the light was dim, Quinn recognised her school acquaintance. "Lucky for you, Dia and I found you before you were that creature’s breakfast. And lucky for it, Dia was able to get it back to the Isle of Drear." She did not let old memories deter her from her business; she kept her wand to him, her body facing the group. "Now," she said with a finally air, "what are you doing here? Also have notes to complete for a student?" She drew the last word out, unbelieving that running into the two men at the same place was a coincidence.

[Fitz Hargreaves]

Fitz grumbled under his breath, he should have known Quinn would still treat him precisely the same as she had always done if not worse; it really was quite unfair her being "Hit witch" had clearly inflated her head to an enormous size, whilst he was just a humble writer making his way ever so slowly in the world.

"I will not have my arms over my head like an ape thankyou very much," he said indignantly letting them hang loose rather than risk trying to reach his notebook; he'd simply have to rely on brilliant memory alone to write this story it seemed.

"Me?" He gasped pretending to be quite put out. "An outrage, I merely came for a stroll down in the woods, adn what do my delicate ears detect, but that young vagabound bawling at his poor defenceless man." He stated indicating the oppressor; Moen he believed his name was, and the clear victim; McNiven, who he sorely hoped would show much appreciation for his coming to assist.

Fitz to his horror gaped as Quinn retold the tale of his being taken by that dreadful quintaped, though he would always claim that the situation had been entirely under control. Fitz pouted shamefully; he'd perfected it oveer years and loved to use it on purpose; this time his lips just slid into the pout. His eyes narrowing to slits and a boyish expression, or nearly a girlish expression was evident upon his features, "I would have escaped, it was you who knocked me senseless in the first place, cus I was trying to escape the reak of your perfume, you were crazy about that boy." He said snidely until it dawned upon him just how childishly he had reacted; he'd fallen right into her hands and reacted just the way she had planned, the devious little...urchin he thought angrily.

Struggling to rid himself of a sulky expression he murmered, "yeah, err thanks for that, saving me." He knew he hadn't thanked them at the time, though he really had been eternally grateful, only he as far too proud to have admitted it then. But Fitz could easily swallow his pride now; especially as her wand was still pointed ominously in his direction; he wasn't even the chief offender here.

Yet now Fitz had to put his mind to task; to think up a decent story to not only clear his name; but McNiven's too. only it wasn't forthcoming.
Ah I can at least save Elijah who should by rights already be here; lets hope he doesn't turn up anytime soon. If it gets ugly I'm sure he'll be alright in a fight though. Putting on an act he rounded upon McNiven hands on hips and spoke in a lecturing tone, giving him a subtle wink;
"McNiven why do you insist on calling me a student? Just because I'm a writer doesn't mean you can degrade me so."

Turning back to Quinn he saw his weak attempt had clearly failed by the eyebrows rasied dubiously to the heavens. Time to try a different tact.
"Curious you should mention that quintaped my dear Quinn, it just shows how dangerous the forest really is, perhaps we should leave it? Right now." He coaxed "Rumour has it the forest has only grown darker since our glorious days here. So why don't we scarper now eh?" He knew he was clucthing at straws, but his methods could work, given just an ounce of luck; so long as Quinn wasn't too infuriated with his inane nonstop babble; they would be just fine.

[Quinn Locksley]

Fitz refused to raise his hands and Quinn narrowed her eyes. "Disobeying a direct order is a criminal offence, Hargreaves," she said proudly, darkly, "so you shall do as you are bid or face to consequences." She knew that nothing she could say would deter Fitz from his mischievous reasons for being in the forest this night but by law she had] to inform him of that before she could get to the consequences, the fun stuff.

He did seem determined to get his feet knocked out from under him. His impertinent manner showed this as clear as day light. "You never were much judge of character," she said curly, "any fool, even these two, could see he's faaar from helpless." He was beginning to cause a problem, this nosy reporter and she had to find a way of getting rid of him as soon as she could, without killing him, of course.

However, his reaction to the story of the quintaped was beautiful. He pouted and began to sulk. It's like I never left, she mused, smirking at the pathetic man. He tried to move the spotlight back onto herself by shifting the focus but she could tell, it was rash and uncontrolled. Perhaps he'll see now that this is no place for children, she thought rather doubtfully. She did hope he wouldn't, she hadn't had a good torturing in months.

A change? Sudden, instant, and a new man stood in front of them all. He confidently strode to McNiven. Quinn stood forward, and bellowed, "step back, Hargreaves." But allowed it when Fitz identified himself as the student. She raised her eyebrows, how terrible you were at lying and that doesn't seem to have changed either. Change seemed to be on her mind a great deal lately, being at her old school, seeing old ... acquaintances.

Then Fitz wanted them all to leave. What are you playing at? she wondered. "Not a chance, Hargreaves," she said, "I've always been able to handle the forest. You on the other hand are welcome to run away and curl up into a crying, moaning heap like you always did. You leave, and leave quickly." She narrowed her eyes again, studying him hard, hoping against hope that he would stay.