(Forest) Time stands still

[Chloe Hargreaves]

Dark eyes swept along, taking in all around her, they peered beneath her hooded cloak as the pouring rain continued its relentless fall. A thin smile crept across her lips as she imagined her fellows being soaked too, it would be far, far worse for the Rogues deep within the forest as the water would turn the muddy ground into a quagmire. Her face grew stony and impassive as a hooded figure ran past, nodding his head her way; a Ministry official thankful for having just finished his rounds.

Turning Chloe looked back up at the castle, watching the man stumble back,a s the ground became slick beneath his feet; the grass flattened by countless patrols pacing back and forth. Chloe just stood still, feet planted, surveying now the pair of officials who stood on the boundary of the forest, their wands lit their faces shone up as they peered in, fearful of the rumoured creatures that lurked there. The rain fell harder, turning to a downpour, she continually stood immobile as the moon momentarily pierced the darkened heavens above, her features seemed etched in stone as she looked down coldly upon her colleagues, as they huddled together, holding their wands aloft; prime targets they were. If the Rogues led an assault now they'd be massacred, she'd have to continue her crash course training for her squad when the sun's rays touched the skies once again.

For each member of the Magical Law Enforcement Squad had recently been ordered to teach the influx of ill-trained raw recruits, some had barely finished school, and others were simple thugs, hired for their muscle, she'd even heard old prisoners loyal to the Ministry were likely to be released on temporary bail to track down the Rogues, if they were successful in trapping a Rogue their sentence would then be reduced, it seemed folly to Chloe, a high risk 'solution' which would likely fail anyway.

Next thing muggles would be drafted in, she really wouldn't be surprised now, her superiors seemed to be growing increasingly desperate to locate, and if necessary slaughter the Rogues, let alone the Red Rose League who were still in hiding. She had to wonder how long the Ministry could continue to support the guards at Hogwarts, they needed constant supplies of food and water, which was costly in the long-run. The Ministry would likely run out of funds before all their enemies were to lay down arms.

Hiding her irritation at the current predicament, Chloe moved her frozen limbs and went to join the men huddled by the boundary to the forest. "Evenin' marm," they called, tilting their hats her way.
"Anything to report?" She enquired as a matter of routine, not really expecting a decent reply.
"Well nows you mention it miss, there is," the man fumbled with his gloves, clearing his throat, "a strange light in the forest, distant like, we was wondering if we should investigate?" His companion tried too late to shove his elbow into his fellows ribs to keep him quiet.
Smiling Chloe answered quietly, "no I'll check it out. Stay here." She commanded walking briskly back up the lawns to gather a squad to take in with her to investigate; Ministry protocal these days. As she ascended the rise an explosion erupted behind her, tossing the slender woman forward into the dirt. Immediately she rolled onto her front firing off the warning sparks. Hastily backing away back up the lawns she saw the two men prone before her; seemingly unconcious. As officials boots tramped behind her she gestured for them to follow, then with eyes and ears open she descended to the forest boundary...

[Cattrim Rallon]

So a frontal assault was called for eh? Then why oh why was he picked for it? To prove his worth he'd been given the assignment of creating a diversion thankfully. Sure he was up for a fight, but it had to be swinging for his advantage, and charging at people screaming wasn't his style, actually he'd done it plenty of times, but no against a line of men ready and waiting for him, no, that was just plain suicide.

So somebody else was leading that contingent of Rogues, whilst he was having to go solo, kinda how he liked it unless he had a decent team he could trust with him. Thus far he definitely couldn't trust these Rogues as they simply didn't trust him.

Setting a spell to keep a little light flaring had been easy enough, and it had worked a charm, as the officials had stared right at it, losing their night vision, and puzzling over it for far too long. That had given Catt the opportunity to creep up on them, then set his little explosive bomb, of sorts. It was no ordinary bomb though, it wouldn't quite kill the men in a catastrophic explosion, no way, that used up too much power, or magic he wasn't strong enough at. Instead it sent plenty of sparks, and a big enough shockwave to send people flying rather than dying.

Creeping close enough, he set the timer then crawled backwards as fast as he could. Grinning as the makeshift bomb worked its magic Cattrim jumped to his feet, a gun in one hand and wand in the other. Taking up position behind a tree he waited with baited breath for his quarry to be drawn in. Peering about he saw the injured officials lying in the dust, their wands still keeping light flickering about. Then he saw the witch, probably the one in command arrive.

His mouth fell open working silently, her, gorram it, what's she doin' 'ere? It figured as she was Ministry, but alst he'd heard from his sources she was off after the Red Rose League, not patrolling the forest; this wasn't supposed to happen. Raising his eyes to the heavens, he swore under his breath, then peered around once more, seeing her features again made his stomach turn. Damn women and their ways, he thought exasperatedly. As she stooped to check her fallen companions and her back-up arrived he moved, walking out and opening fire.

An official took a bullet to the shoulder and was tossed back by the force of it, Catt ducked the return fire as he took out her other companion with a well placed "stupefy." With narrowed eyes he backed away firing a disarming spell her way...

[Chloe Hargreaves]

Stepping cautiously, nearly gliding down, Chloe cast a quick glance about, but worried for the fate of her men she stooped by one, putting cool fingers to his neck to check his pulse; still barely ticking, too faint. Glaring she stood as two of her fellows joined her, about to issue orders to levitate her fallen comrades she was cut all too short, when tall, long haired Zack in his trim suits suddenly cried aloud, stumbling backwards clutching his bleeding shoulder. Instinctively ducking she rolled forward scanning the horizon for their assailant, beside her Paul returned fire but wasn't quick enough to find cover as he was the next to fall; slumping to the ground, knocked clean out. Jumping up and aiming for where she believed their assailant was attacking from she quickly flicked aside the disarming spell flung her way; going easy on a lady was it? A chivalrous attacker? How...quaint. "Incarcerous," she fired her spell with eerie accuracy...

[Cattrim Rallon]

Adrenaline coursing through his veins this was when Catt felt most alive; curiously when he was near to death, on the knife edge itself. Nearly laughing as he removed the officials as a threat his features grew grim when he rounded upon Chloe, dear Chloe, could he really deal with her like he had them others? Even if he could bring himself too she was his equal if not better in duelling; that's why he had to be clever and crafty in order to survive. He wouldn't turn his unprotected back upon her as he tried to make a hasty retreat.

Her spell flew with unnerving accuracy his way, the ropes began their binding his gun fell from his fingers as they bit into his arms, he held on grimly to his wand uttering the counter-jinx as quickly as he could. But his legs had already given way. Falling to the ground he slashed at his bounds with a cutting spell, careful not to slice his own skin.

Rolling the inevitable spell to fly his way again he lunged for his gun, pocketing it immediately, there was no-way that he'd elave it behind, but he couldn't use it on her either. Maybe that second longer there would cost him dearly, but he wasn't thinking, he was just reacting as fast as he could. Diving for the cover of the nearest tree, he stood with his back against it, trying to figure a way out, meanwhile he let his mouth do the talking.
"Chloe Greenwich, ain't this a surprise, and not a particular pleasant one." He smirked she'd likely recognise his voice, if not immediately then she would after this statement,
"d'you remember the last time we were here? A better circumstance then, for sure." Would his mouth really get him out of trouble, he found that pretty hard to believe.

Moving out from behind the tree he kept his wand behind his back and smiled, "did ye miss me?" He asked his eyes keenly fixed upon her wand, if she made a move he'd have to act lightning fast; very hard to do.

[Chloe Hargreaves]

Now when Chloe had finally become a member of the Magical Law Enforcement, after years of work towards this goal so so yearned to achieve, she had allowed herself to smile; a dazzling smile that could melt the hearts of many around her, simply because it was so rare. Those who know Chloe know she hides her emotions, for fear of being hurt more than anything. She barricades herself behind walls of impenetrable steel, locking her heart away from reach. Until one man had strolled into her life, that's when everything had changed; for the better she'd thought. Her icy cold exterior melted along with her heart in a sense, for ambition had near swallowed her whole, until the sun's dazzling rays dispersed the clouds, and she had known what she'd truly wanted all along, not a job but appreciation from another human being, in short love.

That had been only the beginning of her newfound happiness, she'd thought, until things inexorably began to roll downhill once more. It had been a whirlwind of emotions, even know she couldn't tell you how it had happened, what took place first, all she knows is that things went wrong fast. That's all she'd tell you, nothing more, nothing less, the rest she keeps close to her heart. She does know what happened, but as a way of denial she won't tell a soul.

Her job had been an escape from the hurt, done by herself as much as he, then in a twist of fate the job had led her to this man; Cattrim Rallon. It hadn't been love at first sight, nothing like a fairytale, in fact his first impression had been dismal, but then he hadn't been trying to win her over, like others had tried and soon given up. He had barely been aware of her existance, but slowly she had been drawn to his rugged charm and he to her quick tongue and fiery eyes that lit up at his approach. Had he just been something to get over her real lover? Or had he been much more?

She didn't know herself, but here he was again, all of a sudden; it seemed to be his way. She'd seen him for a month, until she'd found out how deep his smuggling ran, then of course she'd been forced to chase him down, luckily for him his informants had gotten wind of her inevitable betrayal, and he'd had the wits to scarper quickly. She'd been glad, as she'd hadn't wanted to bring him in, in the end he was a decent man, but deep down she knew she would have done it, and here was her opportunity again as her eyes caught with his only for the briefest moment, she knew; her lips parted, eyes widening in shock. But then he was in cover, shaking her head in denial she was forced to believe the truth of it when his accented voice rang out. "No," she breathed softly, stepping backwards in shock as he recalled the last time they had been here, as if it were yesterday.

Then he had the gaul to step out, towards her, she froze, her reflexes screaming to jinx him, her hand involuntarily moved, but her mouth moved silently as she bit her lip anxiously. He always had this effect upon her, and it infuriated one as calm and controlled as she; becoming a like a giddy schoolgirl in his presence; losing control. "It can't be," she murmured, taking a step backwards, her wand still poised towards him; Catt.

Licking her lips nervously she gawped at him, her gaze appraising as she looked him up and down; still the same then. Casting a quick glance behind her she saw her companions in various states of awareness, nobody else was coming yet though. She would never have taken her eyes of him, she shouldn't have, she'd been taught to always keep her eyes fixed upon her advesary; but she couldn't. "What are you doing here?" She asked in wonderment, her eyes now back upon him, eying his broad chest with the smallest hint of a smirk passing her pristeen lips, but then her eyes got caught by his penetrating gaze, it felt like he undressed her in his mindseye and she shuddered involuntarily, nearly smoothing her clothes as she forced herself to take control. Lowering her wand with an effort she raised her arm again suddenly, realising with her duelling skills she kept some control, he had to fear her prowess didn't he?

"You shouldn't be here, you shouldn't have come," Chloe's voice was soft, in complete denial still as she took yet another step back, her body now pressed against a tree. "Get away, quick," she near pleaded, wishing he wouldn't look at her like that. "You have to get out of here." Gulping she looked up at him with pleading eyes, casting one last glance back.

[Cattrim Rallon]

How was it that she always managed to surprise him? Fortunatley just this once it was a pleasant surprise, one for her too he hoped. Though the shock seemed to be the major influence on her at the minute. Somehow he'd expected a slap, in love it seemed to be the only thing he got a lot of. The amount of times his red cheek had stung, wasn't funny, but then they were in fights and brawls of his own starting too. By all rights he should have been furious at her, for trying to bring him to what she believed was justice, but he'd known from the moment he'd met her that the job sadly came first. Sure he'd had a good grumble on the run, but he was used to being chased from time to time, it kept him on his toes, he always kept his pursuers second guessing anyway, and the adrenaline could rarely be topped.

Except by charged moments like these.

Her complete shock, and sheer denial made him smile, hadn't she guessed they'd bump into each other again? He knew they would as fate hadn't nearly finished with either of them. Their paths lay entwined no matter how hard they struggled against it, trying to make their own path leading away. He just followed the path when it suited and dealt with what he came across as best he could. Just as he was handling this situation.

Keen eyes catching hers in a gaze that held her fast, a small smile flickered across his features, as they momentarily brightened at her pure, unfeignable shock. He couldn't help but notice that even the way she held herself changed quite utterly on recognising him, he didn't usually have that affect on women, just occasionaly. Seeing her nervousness and the way she looked at him, he couldn't helpbut let his eyes go wandering too, but they snapped back up to her startling eyes before they reached her feet. At her statement of it couldn't be him he smiled, and took a step closer to her, pocketing his wand, though he kept glancing occasionaly at her wavering arm, with her that weapon deadly in her elegant hand.

"It's a free world ain't it?" He answered her denial smoothly, taking another cautious step towards her, he needed to get that wand away from her; somehow. Watching with slight amusement as her hand nearly strayed to straighten her clothes, as she had used to do, her half thought she'd curl a lock of hair between her fingers, but she seemed near intensely to keep her arms steady. Though he guessed chills were shivering down her spine, like they were down his. Bringing his hands up slowly, he spoke softly, "ain't no need to jinx me, you've already cast your spell one me." Catt's hand hovered near her wand arm, but she moved it lightning fast making him recoil slighty in surprise. "I've always been spellbound by you," he whispered quite truthfully.

"I had to," he replied tilting his head fractionally to look deep into her eyes, into her very soul. With her back now against the tree, Catt's eyes shimmered with passion as he took one last step towards Chloe. "It's too late now," he couldn't escape her charms so easily, even now he was enraptured, first his thoughts had been of disarming her, now they went far beyond that. His right hand moved slowly up to her neck, hovering near, whilst his left reached out towards her wand arm, now pressed against the tree. Eyes soft, they softened his features too as he looked at her, lost in her grace and beauty. "No," he whispered, leaning in closer, as her eyes widened in shock when they came back to rest on him, he pressed his lips against hers softly, his right hand caressing her neck coaxingly, while his left clasped with her fingers, slowly prying her wand loose. Mouth moving fractionately away he spoke quietly, in utter disbelief, "I don't believe I still love you," he shook his head wryly, cool hand still placed loosely around her neck, caressing it softly.