[Puddifoots] Time for change

[Chloe Hargreaves]

Selecting Madam Puddifoots as the place to meet had been a simple decision, small, not a regular meeting place for the Ministry and she knew the owner. It was early morning, precisely 6 o'clock, before the Tea Shop would usually open for business, when Chloe knocked once upon the front door, immediately it swung open for her admittance. An old fashioned lantern thrust at her to illuminate her cold cheeks. As the lantern moved aside Chloe could see the old owner smiling now, but the creases of her frown of concentration and worry had been clear. "Come in Miss, quickly, you'll catch yer death of cold otherwise."

Stepping inside Chloe nodded curtly, "my thanks for using your establishment, you've always been good to our family."
Bustling about the old lady answered, "Ye can leave the manners outside fer once Miss, I've seen you let down by boys in here, stemmed yer floods of tears after a break-up." Chloe instantly blushed, something she very rarely did, the day came back like it was yesterday, and her eyes widened in shock, but how did she remember that?
"Your usual?"
"Yes please," she replied settling into the furthest corner from the windows, even though their curtains were still drawn she wouldn't take chances.

She'd arranged to meet with Locksley for they had much to discuss, Chloe would have to tread very carefully though, the Magical Law Enforcement Squad was about to begin an investigation into the Minister's latest policies, namely recruiting prisoners the department had imprisoned themselves, to track down and kill Rogues. The Head of the Department was taking a big risk, with this undercover operation, even hidden from the eyes and ears of most of the Squad. He'd chosen Chloe as his confidante, she was to act as if it was all her idea, it couldn't be traced back to him, that was imperative. So Chloe was putting out the feelers and seeing how others felt, her first real obstalce would be Locksley, persuading her would prove incredibly tricky. But if managed then all others would likely agree too, for Locksley was devout, carrying out orders to the letter with ruthless efficiency; that was her reputation at least.

Now Chloe would have to persuade Locksley the wisdom of their way, the investigation had to take place, even the government had to answer to the law.

A knock came at the door, presumably it was Locksley right on time. Punctual as ever. Setting down a teapot the old lady smiled at Chloe as she moved towards the door. Chloe's eyes narrowed suspiciously, nobody was beyond suspicion these days.

[Quinn Locksley]

It was still dark as Quinn stood outside the small tea shop, waiting in front of the closed door. The air was cold, her breath like smoke from her mouth as she looked over her shoulder. Always wary, always on the look out for any that might follow her. She knew that few for foolish enough to follow her but she knew some foolish people would, foolish people who had thought they had gotten rid of her. Looking over the empty street at her back, she knew they were out there and knew her vendetta would be settled, one way or the other.

Pulling her coat closer around her ears, Quinn turned back to the door as it was pulled open. A woman was standing before her and Quinn, for a moment, didn’t know what to say to her as she was a little confused. The woman, however, seemed to be expecting her and invited her in. Stepping in through the doorway, Quinn was greeted by warmth. Rubbing her hands together, Quinn looked around the small room and spotted her reason for being awake and in town at this early hour.

“Greenwich,” she said in a near friendly tone. It had been a while since she had seen the woman and, though Quinn would not admit it, it was good for Quinn to see her. Walking to where Chloe was sitting, Quinn began to unbutton her coat. She pulled out a seat and sat, leaning on an elbow and brushing her hair out of her face. She had not been able to tie her hair since the fire so it had been out of her control and everywhere. She didn’t mind much as she liked the change to short hair.

The woman who had let her in came over and offered her something to drink. “I’ll have some tea, thank you,” she said and watched the woman waddle off. Quickly turning her head to face Chloe, Quinn said softly, “you wanted to see me.” Quinn was straight to business, as she knew that their one-on-one time together would not be long and that was just how she was these days. She didn’t like monkeying around and wanted to do what she had to when she had to with no questions or regrets.

[Chloe Hargreaves]

Steely gaze fixed upon the entrance, Chloe held herself ready for action, senses alert and muscles tensed, ready at a moments notice to draw her wand in defence or attack equally. True she'd always been wary, always on the lookout for danger, but rarely had she been so tense with a very real threat from many, even the Ministry itself now.

As the door creaked open and Locksley entered seeking the warmth of the establishment, Chloe had seen Quinn rubs her hands together in such a way before, in glee for becoming the Hit Witch over Chloe; true Chloe had been furious at the time, and the bitterness hadn't been quashed completely but she respected Locksley admired her prowess and grim determination. Her little brother had his uses, he'd told Chloe a little about what had taken place when the Rogues had brutally attacked a Ministry held building and forcefully taken a hostage for interrogation, Locksley had been so very close to catching them, yet somehow they slipped away like smoke. It was imperative that they catch rather than kill, but sometimes it couldn't be avoided and they would rather die than be taken alive.

With a faint smile Chloe inclined her head; low to show respect to her superior. "Locksley," they'd known each other long enough to not rest on formalities and immediately get on with the matter at hand. The only problem was how to articulate her ideas to Locksley so she would believe the truth of them, Locksley had to see the truth of the matter; that the Head of the Ministry was corrupt and not fit to govern the people.

"Regarding a matter of great importance yes...I've known you long enough now to know you can...look outside of the box and are open to new ideas, not stuck with old ways, but using them when they are still suitable."
Chloe knew she was treading rather too carefully so with eyes fixed upon Locksley she came right out with it, "an inquisition into Marius Marvello's government is to be held, we need to determine whether he is fit to rule. Those are our orders." Studying Locksley's facial features and body language carefully Chloe maintained eye contact, her gaze unwavering and strong. She didn't know how Locksely would react to their orders, an enquiry into the Head of the Ministry had never been done before, but times were changing dramatically, the Magical Law Enforcement Squad had to move along with them.

[Quinn Locksley]

The tea came swiftly and Quinn gave the woman a jolted smile that quickly vanished. She poured herself a cup and cupped her hands under its frail china. It was instantly warm and warmed her cold hands. Since the attack, Quinn’s circulation had dwindled and she got colder more easily then she used to. She had told no one of this, of course, but her healer and she had threatened him with a painful and agonising session of torture if he told anyone, assuring him that death would not come for months. She had made the biggest blunder of her life; it was a wonder she wasn’t being subjected to an inquiry as they spoke.

But when Ms Greenwich spoke, Quinn listened, all ailments and pangs of pain forgotten. Her face was steely, ears and eyes concentrating on the woman across from her. She had been waiting for this to happen and she had often wondered what she would do when it did. Quinn sipped her tea and set the cup down. The questions she had to ask herself was if she was loyal to the Minister or if she was loyal to the people of the wizarding community. The answer to that not so simple question would tell her what she needed to do. But she did not know that answer. She had always followed orders and so followed the Minister but she knew the levels those above her were going through to get what they wanted. And Merlin alone knew what that was.

Quinn has broken eye contact with Chloe. She was no simply staring down and slightly to the right of the end of the table. She was simply staring, and thinking. Questions sprung to her mind as she ran what information she had gathered from Greenwich’s words. They washed around formulating some order but of little significance. She had to stop thinking and speak. Turning back to Greenwich, Quinn’s brown had a slight pinch and her dark eyes met Chloe’s once again.

“I don’t like you,” she began flatly, “and you don’t like me. This is no secret. But we have worked together much these past few years.” Quinn picked up her cup of tea and cupped it in her hands again before continuing. “We think alike, and our resolves are similar. Orders are orders and we follow them.” She sipped her tea and thought a moment longer. “Marvello won’t like it,” she said at length, “and he would not have ordered it. Who do these orders come from? If we are no longer answering to him I have a right to know.”

So this was her answer. Quinn knew of the corruption that infested the Ministry and she had always felt dirty because of it. In that brief moment of thought she had chosen the people over the man who was supposed to stand for everything that was ordered and not for the depravity that was being shown. After another moment, Quinn frowned harder. “Who’s carrying out the inquisition?”