(Dungeons) Action Wanted

[Nymphadora Tonks]

'Alohomora! Alohomora! Alohomora!'

Door after door flew open, banging on the stone walls in quick succession, the booming racket echoing off along the dungeons and up spiraling staircases as Tonks marched along, wand poised lazily in one hand, briefly glancing into each suspicious classroom as she passed it.

Subtle, love.

Coming to an abrupt halt and whipping her long robes out of the way as she placed her hands on her hips, Tonks cast a furtive eye up and down the dungeon corridor, her jaw jutting out in annoyance. Only heavy, unsettling silence returned her frosty glare, and she realised with a heavy heart that she had at least seven more hours of this unfathomable boredom before Holmes came and relieved her of her shift. Tonks had come to Hogwarts expecting to deal with unmentionable chaos, but all she had found so far was... nothing. Absolutely nothing.

She hadn't left London for this, surely?

'Where's the action?!' She shouted out, titling her head to one side as she listened to several echoing agreements float off out of reach...

[michael123]

Mike had been sat in his office doing his usual markings of papers and what not, muttering the odd, Dreadful, Inadequet, Appaling as his students seemed to fail considerably on his homework. Indeed, it became frustrating for him and he often found himself wondering why he had even come back to teach such rabble.

He heard, unmistakeably, the banging of the doors against the stone walls in one after the other. What in the name... Mike asked himself as he stood up and went to the door. It was on the same floor as him and the racket was horrendous. If this was a student playing around he would give them so much detention their grandkids would still be doing it.

Heading to the out into the dungeon corridors he saw a woman stood there, definatly not a student. Though he would have thought an adult would have had more sense. Clearly, in this case, sense was lost upon her. Michaels long black robes billowed around him as he walked over to the woman with strangely coloured hair. "The action i think you will find, sleep in their beds" Michael said from behind her meaning the students. "Though i am curious to know what exactly is causing you to make such racket down here in the dungeons at this ungodly hour whilst i am still trying to work!" he said, his voice low, but full of cruelness.

[Jac Shaw]

Jac was running through the Dungeons. She had just been to the Kitchens and suddenly realised how late it was. She had started out strolling back to the Gryffindor tower but when she heard the all mighty banging of doors, she panicked and began to run. In her panicked state her hair change to a pale grey and her eyes, a pale green.

She had been caught. Three years she hadn't been caught and now that the year was almost over she was. Panic. She ran around a corner, around another and then ran into something. Jac flew back onto the floor, landing sharply on her rear. Her hair flashed and angry red and she looked up to see she had run into a person, a lady person. Her hair turned an embarrassed maroon as she sat on the floor, rubbing her sore parts.

"Sorry," she said, "about the run-in." She looked up at the lady and noticed, with a heavy sigh, she was not alone. The always cheerful Prof Vance was with her. "Evening, Prof," Jac greeted as she always did. She grinned at the two and felt foolish sitting on the floor and being out of bed and being caught in the act of it too.

[michael123]

Michael was plainly waiting to see what she would say. He knew who she was, having been told about Auror prescense and had a vivid description laid bare to him about Nymphadora Tonks he had also heard she hated being called by her first name and Michael's only reaction was to do what others did not like. "Are you going to blindly stand there?Or answer my question?"

Again silence fell between the two of them, and Mike could swear he could hear the sound of, footfall? And by the sounds of it it was panicked and running very fast. Heading straight in their direction. He watched as someone came hurtling into the auror. He recognised the voice instantly, "Miss Biggerstall, what are you doing out of your common room at this time of the night? You know full well your breaking curfew" he scolded, heading over to her and pulling her to her feet. In a strange way, he liked Jac due to her knowledge in most things, though this just made him more nasty to her because he knew this girl could go far. "What, on earth are you running from?"

[Nymphadora Tonks]

Tonks whirled around with her wand raised as a voice, low and cold, emerged from the darkness behind her. 'Wotcher.' She said, rather deflated, as she realised, with a mixture of embarrassment and disappointment, that her stalker wasn't a rogue intending to show her a good time. 'Sorry about that, professor. I wasn't aware anyone stayed down here this time of night. Your quarters are two floors up, are they not?' She replied, tucking her wand into the front of her belt, although she left he hand gripping the handle. 'Well, there's no need to be rud - Ow!'

Before the man could reply a blur of black and red came zooming out of nowhere, the young girl's face a mask of shock as - to Tonks's pleasure - her hair turned an energetic red. 'I think we're the ones who are supposed to be angry at you, sweetheart.' Tonks informed her with a triumphant smirk as she placed a hand on the girl's shoulder, ensuring she couldn't run off again.

'Course, always a pleasure to meet another one.' She grinned devilishly, a flash of lightening white pacing through her own hair as she eyed the girl playfully. 'I'm sure you know what time it is. Ten points from Gryffindor I'm afraid.' She said apologetically, casting the professor a small, dismissive glance as she did.

Whether he approved of ministry officials reprimanding students of not was a matter for another time.

[Jac Shaw]

Jac sighed and took the professor's hand. She pulled and was standing and dusting herself off while listening to the professor. "Yes, Prof," she said, "sorry Prof." Jac stuck a thumb behind her and said to the professor, "Peeves, little menace." She rolled her now dark eyes and smiled at the professor.

She shook her hair out of her face and glanced at the lady. Jac felt her hand on her shoulder but didn't flinch. She frowned for a moment when she called her another one but then grinned stupidly as the white streaked through her hair. "Blimey," Jac said, grinning. She held out a hand and said, "Jac Biggerstall, pleasure to meet you."

She groaned and her shoulders sank. "You don't have to take points," she stammered, "I'd rather had detention." She spoke before she thought and clapped her hands to her mouth. Sighing she dropped her hands. Her red hair turned it's usual black and hung short around her face. "I'm sorry about running into you," she said again, "I wasn't expecting someone to be standing in the middle of the corridor."

[michael123]

"Its fine" He said somewhat sharply, as he pulled Jack to her feet. "Yes, my quarters are two floors up, my class however is on this floor where i do like to work. Of course, it was Michael's custom to be rude, its when he wasnt being rude or mean you had to watch him in case he did something rather stupid.

Michael looked into the direction of where she was pointing and could hear the unmistakeable cackle of one Peeves. "Curse that ghost" Michael muttered, always finding that ghost just a bit too much. It was indeed a menace, that could cause anyone to run unless they wanted help with trouble of course.

"You can have both Jac, if you really wish to." he said with a smirk, and added in an undertone to her, "win those points back" Because although she was a ministry official and although she could indeed take points. Michael was just stubborn enough no to like it. Though Michael looked at her, "You shouldnt have been running in the corridors in the first place, do you realise just how many rules you have broken in such a short space of time?"

[Nymphadora Tonks]

Tonks laughed as she shook Jac's hand. 'I don't think you get a choice, love. It would defeat the object of a punishment, you'd think.'

Tonks followed Michael's gaze to where Peeve's irritating voice was drifting from, and she couldn't help but smile, remembering the days when that old poltergeist had been her partner it crime (it had been a love-hate relationship). She also remembered that he'd been the reason she'd got caught half the time. Tonks looked at Jac pityingly. She's still out of bed after hours! barked the less-than-welcome adult in her.

'Hmmm... taking points would get you into trouble with your house mates I suppose... but perhaps that would encourage you to sleep when you're supposed to!' Tonks eyed her in mock-sternness before giving a wry grin. 'Alright, keep your points. But detention tomorrow night I think - see how you cope with two nights without sleep.' There was a bright flash of purple light and a noise like something being singed, and a quill and notepad appeared in Tonk's hand.

'Thursday... eleven... o'clock.... the... entrance hall.' She said slowly as she scribbled it down, ripping it off. 'Be there. You might learn something.' She winked, handing it to Jac.

She looked sharply at the professor now. 'Course, it's entirely up to the professor here if he wants to punish you further - perhaps detention and points?' She suggested, her eyes swiveling between the two.

[Jac Shaw]

Jac was absolutely mortified to hear the professor said both but Jac furiously shook her head, frowning hard. Her hair grew a little longer, for it was a tad shorter then she was used to and liked, and she looked pleadingly at the professor. "Oh no professor," she said, "Miss, neither would be preferable but here I am just a bystander awaiting punishment and I'd rather not say much more on the subject for fear of ..." She trailed off as she realised she was thinking aloud.

She shook her hair out of her face and stood a little taller, her shoulders back. "If you believe that detention and taking house points are necessary, you should do just that," she looked to the professor and knew he was not one to be trifled with. She enjoyed Potions classes, naturally, and she knew that this professor was not the kind who would find her wooden leg joke funny. So she bit her lip and looked placidly at the Ministry officer.

She took the parchment from her and looked at it. "Eleven o'clock," she said, trying to hide the disappointed sigh in her throat. "Very well." She looked up at the lady and nodded. "Is there anything I should bring? Food, potion, sneakoscope?" Jac was genuinely disappointed with getting detention but she could tell this lady too was not to be crossed. And when she spoke to the professor, Jac too looked at him, hopefulness glittering in her eyes.

[Fitz Hargreaves]

Even in such a busy place as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry gossip was hard to come by, even for one so talented at finding information as Fitz was. He couldn't afford to put much faith in idle rumour nor gossip, he had more important matters to focus upon, but to retain his invaluable image of a nosy reporter willing to write about literally anything he did have to keep his wits about him; digging dirt was necessary, but Fitz also loved it. Though his tasks for the Red Rose League came paramount and were indeed sacrosanct it was impossible to keep such a level of concentration required each and every day to achieve their means. So it was that he wandered the corridors aimlessly, yet with a clear purpose in mind; to seek out reliable sources whom upon which the Red Rose League could one day come to trust.

He was failing that aim miserably, guilt plagued him whenever he began persuading a student around to their aims; subtly of course and with great patience, yet he couldn't draw them into it, they were young and carefree and shouldn't have to shoulder such burdens, truly he himself sometimes wished he was free from responsibility. And so it was that he'd returned to his chambers to complete a rough draft of his latest article on illegal artefacts, such as the stunted toad and warflebart that kept creeping into black markets. In that too he hadn't succeeded, finding he had too little information upon the topic and was really making it all up, there was no real change there then.

But now he had decided he needed some fresh air; the likely place to get that was outside with a cool breeze ruffling his robes, and being able to gaze upon the stars and see the shining moonlight; only ministry officials were about; upon patrol always guarding the boundaries, pouncing upon any that came their way. He absolutely couldn't draw such attention to himself so he'd chosen the dungeons as the perfect place to stroll and ponder his article; clearly fate drew him downwards, not quite to hell itself but far enough, on hearing noises he just couldn't help but investigate, his curiousity was unsatiable, so it was that Fitz arrived upon the scene a smirk upon his face as his sharp eyes drew in every detail; especially Tonks, the teacher he knew not, though had a number of files upon him detailing his short fuse and temper, the student was a bookworm and good friends with his niece, and so to a journalist, secretly seeking to bring about the destruction of the Ministry, the talented young Auror was the most interesting; especially given their history together...

Being rather vain and wishing to enter in style Fitz kept to the shadows as he approached; doubtless the experienced Auror would recognise his presence, but he still wished to try, just as Jac posed her question he moved out slowly from the shadows talking in a cool voice; "I'd take a book if I were you Biggerstall sneakoscopes are likely to be outlawed soon anyway." He explained darting a look at the student and teacher of the establishment, but mainly keeping his eyes fixed upon the Ministry Official.

With a cold expression he glowered at Tonks a moment, then broke the defeaning silence by dropping the act and embracing her in a warm and affectionate hug, not just to embarrass her, but also out pure happiness, he hadn't seen her in what felt like an age, releasing her from his passionate embrace he cried heartily, "Ah Tonks my dear, not hasseling this poor poor student are you? That's really not your style; the Magical Law Enforcement Squad are usually the ones to harangue pupils, not Aurors, and especially not you."

Not giving a second thought to the two others he continued happily, "so how have you been? Our correspondance has been somewhat lacking iof late." But noticing the professor's glower out of the corner of his eye he swept a bow apologising most profusely "oh I beg your pardon, Fitz Hargreaves a pleasure." Shaking the man's hand warmly he lightly kissed the students commenting, "my cousin has told some rather remarkable stories about you."

[Jac Shaw]

The Ministry lady had no chance to answer her question for a man joined them. Jac jumped and squeaked, raising a hand to her mouth out of embarrassment for having made such a sound. Her hair instantly turned a shocking shade of pink due to her shock but she quickly regained her composure and turned it to it's normal black.

Gaping slightly at the man who had just joined the throng, Jac frowned and looked from the professor the ministry lady. She did not understand what he meant by sneakoscopes being outlawed and it made no sense to her, which was a new experience for Jac. "A book?" she repeated slowly, thoughtfully, "of course, and self inking quill, to make notes. That would be a given, Sir." She looked at the man, still frowning through emerald green eyes.

Then Jac took a step back as she was taken aback by the man's sudden friendliness with the ministry lady he called Tonks. Jac frowned but now she was trying to figured out why the man had acted so. Was it to embarrass Tonks? Perhaps. But to what purpose. Was it to pass her a secret note? But why? All questions she came up with were only answered by more questions and Jac did not like it.

Still frowning, she watched the man carefully. He knew her name, she shockingly realised, as he addressed Prof Vance. Fitz Hargreaves? Jac thought, niece? She studied the floor thoughtfully for a moment, then looked up at the man. "Hargreaves?" she repeated, "that makes you Soph's uncle, right? Blimey, she never told me her uncle was here, at Hogwarts." Jac stole a look at Tonks, then took a step closer. "Why would you be here, Mr Hargreaves? Soph would have mentioned her uncle coming to visit her so I take it it's not her you've come to see."

[michael123]

Michael looked at the ministry woman, she had her own right, he supposed to make Jac sit detention, after all, she was the one that ran into her. Though taking points too, that was just pushing it a bit, even for Michael. "No, i think a detention will be sufficiant" He glared down at Jac, for in no way was he being nice to her.

Michael was about to turn and walk away, leaving Jac and the woman to discuss whatever was necessary to her detention when another appeared in the group. Michael was slightly taken aback at the apparent friendliness towards, what he grasped, was called Tonks. What a strange name he thought to himself, though he figured it could not be her real one.

He was even more taken aback that people from the ministry were allowed to roam freely in the corridors of the school. He had no love, nor tolerance for them. He did not like the way they operated, but he had a nagging suspicion that the guy was not from the ministry, but from someplace else. However Mike could not place his finger on where. "Sneakoscopes are not a dangerous item, so why should they be banned?" he questioned, his tone low and cold.

Mike did not much like his hand being, well, snatched away from his side to shake someone elses hand. It was not in his nature to do such things, but before he could draw it back, the man had aready let go. What is it with these people and weird names? he thought to himself as he folded his arms once more to make sure his hands were not snatched again. "Michael Vance" He added, namely ignoring the statement about his cousin, for he had no interest.

[Nymphadora Tonks]

‘Oh, don’t worry about any equipment. Just dress warm and definitely remember your wand.’ Tonks smile graciously, secrecy twinkling in her dark eyes. ‘It won’t be what you – ‘

Fitz appeared on the scene, prising himself from the shadows with a lofty simper. Eyes skimming Professor Vance and Jac, Tonks was about to reply with an equally barbed wisecrack – as he’d triumphed in embarrassing her slightly - when the reporter launched a surprise attack and hugged her. ‘Yes, hello, Fitz.’ She said, smirking and rolling her eyes.

Fitz was well known to always have an exaggerated zapper hidden up his sleeve in preperation for an unsuspecting Ministry employee - often forgetting his newspaper wouldn't run without them - but Tonks was one of the few who had learned to listen to him with tongue in cheek. He often ended up believing his own sensationalism and the best thing to do was just smile and nod politely, or risk getting into a test of wills over who could defend their beliefs with the most pigheadedness.

Tonks patted his back in mock half-heartedness before finally pulling away and grinning, her face bright with fondness. ‘And Professor Vance is absolutely right - sneakscopes are a law abider’s best friend, Fitz Hargreaves. I’d advise Jac to always carry one!’ She quipped sagely.

Tonks stood aside a bit to allow Fitz to finally notice them properly and introduce himself. She grimaced however when he ceased Professor Vance’s personal space a little too unexpectedly. So far Tonks had got the impression the professor wasn’t one for unearned familiarity, and his posture became slightly taunt in trying to hide his displeasure.

‘Well, Jac, that’s because your friend’s uncle isn’t actually supposed to be at Hogwarts.’ She said, now sticking Fitz with a light sternness. ‘He’s supposed to be keeping his nose out of Ministry business – like he hasn’t been, oh, that expression doesn’t suit you, Fitz – and updating the public on cauldron price rises like a good reporter.’ She added patronisingly, resisting the urge to stick out her tongue at him.

[Jac Shaw]

Jac chanced another glance around the odd assembly of people. Tonks, she could see, knew Fitz and perhaps was not overjoyed to see him, but for what reason Jac could only guess; Vance had a particularly nasty grimace on his unhappy face, like he had eaten rotten pumpkin pasties, and he seemed edgy and disgruntled by the new addition. Jac grinned to herself when she quickly looked back to Sophie's uncle but Tonks beat him to the answer.

Jac listened intently. She usually did when she was curious. A reported under the Ministry's thumb, must work of The Daily Prophet, she concluded, crossing her arms. She looked Tonks full on now and was about to ask why the Ministry felt it necessary to keep such a heavy hand on The Daily Prophet but she thought better of it. She closed her mouth and looked back to Hargreaves. She gave a smile. "Should I tell Soph you're here?" she asked, testing the water, "I'm sure she would be interested that her uncle is in Hogwarts and hasn't had the courtesy to visit her."

[Fitz Hargreaves]

"Indeed," exclaimed Fitz joyously rustling Jac's hair in a jesting but nonetheless affectionate manner, "you're a sharp one, being her uncle doesn't make me old though." He remarked having always found it annoying that people joked he was old when he mentioned he was an uncle; though some women found it cute the way he explained how often he'd helped his dearest and most beloved niece, looked after her time and time again; mainly white lies of course, but he did share happy times with Soph, whom he found quite amiable; she was a Hargreaves afterall, and that meant sharp and witty; just like him.

Pretending to ignore Tonks' quips he retorted, "I'm afraid duty brings me here, loyalty to my followers, meaning readers, they want the news and the big exciting news is right here at Hogwarts, Soph tends to understand my call to duty, except when I miss her birthday, she gets irrate at that." He commented with a grin, completely oblivious to the Professor's discomfort and probably detestation of him. Though he'd have to check his records for a Vance, the name didn't ring a bell immediately, but he could have files upon him nonetheless; tucked away in a darkened corner, a recess of his mind.

As everyone looked aghast as Fitz let slip a distant rumour he commented with hands raised in a defensive manner, "only a rumour people, only a rumour, I know they're useful, but the Ministry hates students having any sort anti-dark magic device, no matter how little linked and how useful they are." He stated with hands upon hips as he glowered jestingly at Tonks. "Oh and I am a good reporter," he countered as that comment had stuck obscurely in his mind, "my ratings are evidence for that," and the dirt I could dig on any of you here present. he thought snidely with a faint smile.

"I shall visit dearest Soph if I have the time Jac, but you can send her my love," he said sincerly sorely wishing he could just have a nice long chat with his niece, he missed times when he could just relax, and not look over his shoulder, or keep going constantly; non-stop.

"Do Professors and Ministry workers simply guard corridors all day?" He enquired with a look of innocence, betrayed completely by the evil gleam in his eye.