[Hogsmeade] Self imprisonment

[Nicholas McNiven]

It is sad but true that even a wanted man such as Nicholas McNiven needed to get out and eat at some point. He had half hoped that the Ministry would have wanted to cover up the small mishap in the forest during the summer, but as he past the notice board in the small village he noticed a poster appealing for witness to the murder. Although lucky no names had been mentioned.
So this mere thought had put McNiven in a better mood that he would be able to walk down the street without the fear of being noticed. And his stomach was thankful of that. He was fed up of having to eat cold food sitting in his office in the HQ. He could not understand why his leader wanted him to stay hidden, the letter he had received was very basic and short.

Breathing in deeply McNiven let the fresh air fill his lungs, it was as if he had served time in Azkaban and not seen the sky in such a long time. It did not fill him with joy, very little did make this cold hearted man smile, well maybe seeing another in pain who truly deserved it would be enough to make him crack a smile.
As one foot was placed in front of another McNiven made his way up the street he saw movement out the corner of his eyes. Carefully he placed his hand inside his pocket and wrapped his long figures around his wand handle. He was taking no chances.

[Jake Gobien]

Scouting from left to right, Gobien's eagle eyes scanned the surroundings; and found no immediate threat. The streets were generally quiet at this time; dead even, the perfect chance to engage his plan. Stepping out from under the eaves of the forest Gobien's grim features changed from darkness to light and a small smile appeared; he was going to enjoy this. Creeping forward he set off quickly for the path leading to hogsmeade, his intent was to seem a normal villager just strolling back along the road after an errand at hogwarts. So as his boots crunched the dirt he moved confidantly forward whilst his eyes roved all over, checking that his men were in position.

Glancing at his watch Gobien smirked; nearly time, he quickened his pace as he stole down an alley to see if Rick had arrived yet. Walking past a small house he saw a large china cat perched in the window, that was the signal, turning down the next alley towards the high street again Gobien took out his wand playing it idly between his fingers as he passed a stooped witch going his way. "Hold the alley." He whispered on passing barely moving his mouth to give the order.

Hiding in the shadows looking out over the main street across to the objective, a larger establishment known to be catering for a number of ministry officials, but then movement caught his eye, an old face immediately recognised, his eyes narrowed seeing passersby block McNiven's vision to him thankfully, but not for long. Seizing the opportuniy Gobien moved lightening fast, grabbing McNiven by the arm twisting agressively to release his wand, "stay still old friend, just walk with me." He spoke hurriedly knowing the ministry members could easily look their way out of a window. "get out of here now, you're in the thick of something you shouldn't be." The plan couldn't wait for a second longer, he tried to brush past McNiven knowing his colleagues would soon begin their assault on the building, speed was of the essence...

Gobien only hoped McNiven wouldn't get in their way.

[Nicholas McNiven]

At first McNiven thought he was imagining it all as he heard and saw nothing else, or so he thought. He has not even taken another step forward after this thought when he felt a hand grasp his arm and before he could fight back he was being pulled around and was now face to face with Jake Gobien. Had it been anyone else McNiven would have protest and then hexed the buggers, but Gobien only acted this way if something was wrong.
With a creased brow he looked and listened to what his old partner had to say, not questioning anything, he knew how Gobiens mind worked even after all these years and he did not want to get in the way.

But as he tried to brush past McNiven knew he could not let him get away that easily. He was up to something and old habits died hard, even if they had such and ending as theirs did. So instead of being abandoned and let Gobien have all the fun it was McNiven’s turn to take hold of Jake’s arm.

“What can I do to help?”

McNiven’s normal slick Scottish ascent had a hint of excitement; it wavered slightly as a smile crept across his stubble covered square jaw. Now McNiven was never one to be driven by emotion or passion, but the thought of action and being able to fight along side with his old friend again was too much of an opportunity to pass. They would continue on as if the past 12 years had never happened.

[Jake Gobien]

Several figures stepped out from concealed positions at once, a curly haired young man and a fiesty red haired slip of a girl masquerading as a couple walking hand in hand suddenly drew wands and ran forward. A burly, broken nosed man pushing a cart along trundled it along gathering speed and sending it hurtling into the door smashing it down and rolling over the hearth into the large man on guard duty there. A scuffle could be visibly heard from the the backyard as that doorway caved in a small white haired witch diving inside.

But Gobien was missing the action; usually he led from the front yet a strong arm held him back momentarily, "nothing Nick the plan is already set," but the iron grip didn't relax so Gobien smirked as he added, "keep civilians and other ministry officials away whilst we do our dirty work." Breaking free of the hold Gobien darted forward as the handsome lad who had acted as one of the couple stumbled back out of the door clutching his side desperately and yelling out in pain. "Healer," cried Gobien as he headed for the entrance hall. The hunched witch from the alley way lept over to the injured young man, little more than a boy, but desperate times called for desperate measures, she showed surprising agility as she set the boy gently down and stemmed the flowing blood from a a spell tearing at his stomach.
"It hurts," he cried out eyes unfocusing and pain excruiating.

Vaulting over the cart Gobien joined the fiesty red head as she beat back a surprised official who barely had chance to exchange a quill for a wand. As a spell knocked the man unconcious and sprawled him upon the stairwell, the broken nosed man joined them with a leering grin at the red head.
"George stop staring at her lovely breasts and clear the living room," ordered Gobien signalling for the smirking red hed to join him.
"Up we go Fiona," he ordered curtly, taking the stairs two at a time as he ascended skywards. She followed close on his heels as they attacked the landing, dodging a hastily fired spell that shattered a part of the old bannister. Ducking Gobien rolled towards the bathroom at the top, as Fiona kept up covering fire.
"Reducto," shrieked a man at the top of his lungs shattering the door that Gobien had hastily closed. As shards shoved him to the ground his wand flew from his grazed fingers. Winded Gobien rolled onto his front with a grunt, hearing a shriek his eyes widened as he saw Fiona fly back down the stairwell; it looked like the attack wasn't going as planned.

Summoning his strength he quickly arose and lept from the bathroom kicking the one haplass man down the stairs, who was foolishly checking for his victim, and then barreled into the other fellow, grappling for posession of his wand...

[Nicholas McNiven]

All around them people were coming to life, moving in towards one particular house. And all this McNiven knew was Gobiens doing. But his excitement was cut short when he was told to protect the civilians. In disgust that he would suggest such a job McNiven let go and watched him run off towards the shambles that was clearly his plan. The shouts and cries that came from there showed that someone was already injured and within minutes more bangs showed that fights were happening throughout the whole house.

Putting his hand into his pocket McNiven carefully drew his wand from his pocket and began to walk towards the house, looking around taking in every detail, the style of windows, the height from the top floor to the bottom, anything that might help him in escape. Walking slowly past the wounded boy McNiven gave a small side ways glance before seeing Gobien disappearing at the top of the stairs. And it seemed a good job McNiven was never one to follow orders as almost as soon as he approached the stair well a red haired girl came flying towards him. Placing his wand in-between his teeth McNiven stretched out his arms ready to catch the girl.

It was clear there was some force behind the attack because as soon as the girl reached him he was soon taken back, the air was pushed out of his lungs and they piled into the far wall. With a slight groan he slid out from underneath her and helped her get into a comfortable position. Her face was pale due to shock and McNiven knew she would be no more use.

Running up the stairs McNiven saw Gobien again, but he was running in the opposite direction, and not seeing his old partner there kicked a ministry official towards him. Reaching out for the old fashioned banister McNiven pushed himself up in the air, making sure there was enough room for the tumbling man to go by.
But as soon as that first obstacle was out of his way McNiven continued to run up the stairs looking for Jake. A stray jinx came flaying towards him, but it was easy enough to deflect back and send the caster flying backwards. It was then he saw Gobien fighting with another one over a wand. Rolling his eyes McNiven ran over to his friend’s side, fist clenched and pulling his arm backwards he flew a punch straight for the side of he others mans face. A crunching noise rang out, and blood flew out of his mouth. The ministry member soon gave up possession of his wand as he started to spit out his teeth howling in pain.

“I think you need my help in here more, your wee friends do not seem up for the job.”

[Jake Gobien]

About to resort to biting or headbutting the stubborn man, who's fingers had a vice like grip he couldn't break, he was thankfully saved the trouble as a fist connected heavily, and no doubt painfully due to the man's screams, with the man's cheek.

Gobien smirked, exhilarated at the fight, he'd recognise that curled fist anywhere though, it had knocked many a man down and caused many an injury. He'd also recognise those "dulcet" tones, the barking laugh and lilting scottish accent.

"Don't tell them I said so, but beggars can't be choosers," he agreed "but you've broken his jaw so we can't use him," he cuffed the man with a swift chop to the neck, laughing as the man's tongue lolled out as he lost conciousness. Quickly straightening Gobien ran back for his wand, seeing the toilet water was dirty he spat then flushed and rejoined McNiven, "can't stand uncleanliness you know," he joked knowing the irony of the state he was in.

Signalling for McNiven to join him Gobien crept along the landing cautiously, heading for the final room, wand poised he grinned at Nick then kicked fiercely standing back up against the wall for his friend to get a clear shot at the numerous occupants, who immediately began firing at will.

[Gregory Greenwich]

There were reports of a rucous, as Greg was clocking off for the day, and about to collapse onto his bed for a well deserved rest shouts had been heard and a man had barged into the Three Broomstick crying blue murder. Greg had been stumbling up the stairs gingerly carrying a steaming bowl of warm soup when the cry had gone up. In his shock, and just a little excitement, he dropped his bowl with a yell staring down dumbstruck at the pubs drunken occupants, who looked up at him expectantly. "Clear it up," he squeaked an order, trying to impose his frail will on the situation as he hurtled down the stairs and out, with both cheers and jeers following him.

Heading off at a quick trot his mind reeled with endless possibilities as to what the upset was all about, it didn't enter in that he was about to meet dangerous and desperate criminals; as he would call them. Onlookers would usually group around a brawl; blocking his view and an entrance to go sort it out, but here onlookers fled helter skelter in all directions that led away from the house where the battle for supremacy raged. Gasping in shock Greg stared dumbstruck at once pristeen windows that were now shattered and the broken in door. Seeing a young man, his age in fact, prone and bleeding upon the ground, looked after by a little old lady he gaped as the spell from her wand connected not with the intended target; himself he realised with a sickening feeling, but a passerby he was fleeing the scene and now fell with agonizing writhing of pain to the ground, then lay motionless and still.

Body wanting to simply stop and stare his brain kicked in with his vigorous training tacking absolute control. He rolled quickly, but with no grace whatsoever, as another spell was aimed his way. Taking his wand from his pocket he shouted "expelliarmus," towards the little lady, confidant for once that it would hit its mark, as he'd trained long and hard now. But the little witch ducked and fled towards the house at a fast run. Sending sparks to set her robes alight Greg quickly began to follow, little realising the old dry timbers could quite easily catch aflame...

[Nicholas McNiven]

McNiven laughed along with his colleague, it was the first laugh to slip out of his lips in years. It felt strange and un-natural but as they continued to walk down the corridor, feet in time their coats billowing behind them and the sound of their laughter mixing together to form a sound that made McNiven think about the past. Something he did not do very often.
With his wand at the ready McNiven let Gobien take out the last in tacked door, it had always been one of his favourite things to do and McNiven was always happy to stand back and watch.

He had slowly worked out what they were doing here; the hint that Gobien had dropt was enough to tell him that they were not here to kill, but to capture. With a cloud of smoke the door fell down and reviled three rather frightened looking ministry officials. When fainted on the spot at the mere sight of they and the other two held out their wands with shaking hands. Slowly stepping forward with a narrow stare and a sneer upon his face McNiven pointed his wand at the two men that were standing and with a small flick of his wand ropes flew from the end and started to wrap themselves tightly around them.

“See Jake where would you be without…”

McNiven did not get any further, the official who he had suspected of fainting was smarter then he looked and McNiven has never been able to live down the shame since of falling for the fainting trick. The wizard had sent a spell straight towards him and caught off guard McNiven went flying backwards into the wall.
Not being as young as he once was McNiven was not able to spring back up on his feet and fight back. Instead he was slightly dazed by the whole thing and with blurry eyes looked around the room to see Gobien sending a spell at the man. Slowly getting to his feet McNiven brushed down the dust and splinters of wood off his coat and walked over towards the fallen man, giving him a rather swift kick in the head. No one made a fool of Nicholas McNiven and got away with it, and after ever showing some form of weakness he would always have to prove himself, to show he still was tough.

The sound of fighting seemed to have died down outside, in away proving that the job had been successful. Peering out of the window McNiven saw a small crowd of people gathering around outside, which would defiantly make their escape difficult particularly with hostages. Turning back around to Gobien with a weary smile and decide it best to explain his plan.

“Ok Jake this is what we will do. You decide which one of these people you want to question and then wipe the minds of the others. I will go threw the house clearing the minds of everyone else and clearing the way. I think we have a little welcome party at the front so I say we go out the back door.”

Walking closer to his old partner a small smile spread across McNiven’s face as the closest thing to a mischievous glint he would ever get. McNiven did not stop until he was only inches away from Gobiens face and then he leaned in and kissed him. Square on the lips, the distinct tastes of alcohol present on the others lips. Gently McNiven pulled away and ruffled up the other man’s hair laughing, before walking out of the door, wand drawn ready to wipe the minds of anyone he came up to.

“It is good to have you back Gobien!”

[Quinn Locksley]

Quinn cursed silently as she could as someone ran into her. “Oy!” she demanded as the wizard didn’t even stop to apologise; he just kept running. Quinn whirled around and glared a hole into the back of his head but soon, she noticed others were running too, seeing them in her peripheral vision. Slowly, calmly, she turned on the spot and looked to where a crowd of people were gathering while still others fled. She narrowed her eyes, glaring at the group of people. What did they think they were doing, ruining a crime scene as it no doubt was?

Quinn pulled out her wand out as she began to make her way towards the group, pushing running people out of her way. She had no time to make arrests and she knew she should call for back up but there was no time for it; the perpetrators of this heinous crime could be gone before any back up came. Never the less, she knew that she should at least make some attempt for back up so she stood in the middle of the street and shot red sparks into the air. This was the normal signal for any ministry official and any that saw it would more then likely come.

“Everybody, move!” Quinn called as she came to the group. The people parted like the Red Sea and Quinn quickly past through. She stopped in the door way and gazed in, unsure of who was inside. Her gaze trailed the broken window and then the splintered door that lay on the floor. A large pool of blood lay next to her. Quinn crouched down and stuck a finger in it. “Still warm,” she mumbled to herself, “whose ever this is, they’re long gone by now.” With a heavy sigh, Quinn stood up and took a step towards the door, then another so she was in the door frame and she leaned her head into the mangled room to see who was there.

She could see no one that could help her; all ministry officials that had been stationed here under cover had been neutralised and many wounded. She thought for a moment that this must have been an inside leak, the fact that this was a ministry hide-out, but then she remembered the hurried way the ministry was recruiting and not bothering to train these recruits properly, it was more likely that an enemy merely observed some lackey’s mistake and took advantage of it.

Shaking her head, Quinn walked into the room and noticed a face she did not know: a red-head who seemed injured or was she unconscious? Quinn moved to her and saw she was simply staring at the ceiling. “Incarcerous,” Quinn said, her wand aimed at the witch, and ropes shot from the tip of her long wand and wrapped themselves tightly around the red-head. “Obscuro.” A blind fold wrapped itself around her head but she didn’t seem to notice; she didn’t flinch or move at all. That sure was some stunning spell, Quinn thought.

There were loud guffaws from up the flight of stairs to Quinn’s left and her head immediately snapped in that direction. Wand at the ready, Quinn quietly made her way up the stairs. Constant vigilance, she thought, her eyes surveying everything that they could, taking in every detail. When she reached the top of the stairs she saw a terrifying sight that made her blood boil: a one Mister Gobien with the recently met McNiven. She hadn’t and would never forget what McNiven had done and she would make him pay, painfully.

Wand held high in front of her, Quinn said coldly, “well well well, what have we here? Two notorious, infamous, smelly, murderous sons of …” Quinn caught herself and glared at the two men. “I see you have met my men,” she said, waving an absent hand in the air, “and I see too that you have trashed my house. Tsk tsk. You could have just knocked.” Quinn took a small step forward and, looking from man to man, said, “now the only question that remains is, why?” She didn’t expect an answer but she needed to bide her time for back up to get to her so that she would have someone to testify that if either or both men died, it was in self defence.

[Jake Gobien]

With McNiven taking the lead into the shattered room, Gobien swiftly followed wand pointed threateningly at the occupants, where seconds before a joyful smile had filled his face it was now a mask of pure fury to strike fear into the ministry. His bright eyes now seemingly hard and cold as they narrowed.

Clearly the room had once been a bedroom, formerly holding a four poster bed even, but now two single beds stood against one wall with bedside cabinets between them; in a typical hotel manner. A small writing desk had been knocked over in their haste, seemingly put up as an obstacle, but the men lacked the will to fight completely; truly the Ministry was picking anyone off the streets; one even fainted in fear as Gobien ran past to check the way out of the window, immediately espying a small threat coming their way in the form of a young lad attacking their medic, but he'd wrongfully assessed the threats within the room itself as the prone man suddenly lept into action, luckily their own wits were still quick and as the first spell connected with McNiven, Gobien immediately fired one of his own at the offender. His aim was, thankfully, true and the man crumpled to the floor; unconcious.

Glaring at the other two officials, who hadn't dare moved even though their line of escape had been clear, Gobien smirked at McNiven as he arose, "rather you than me mate, that spell packed a punch by the looks."

Listening carefully to McNiven's plan he nodded in agreement as his gaze flickered between checking outside the broken panes of the window and making sure the men didn't pluck up their courage and make a bid to escape. "Yes sir," he grinned snapping a smart salute to show he agreed completely with McNiven's orders, just like the old days.

As a flicker of motion caught Gobien's eye outside he failed to notice McNiven's approach until lips connected. Flabbergasted Gobien's eyes nearly fell from their sockets as he gaped and pulled away. "Woah," he breathed, "what did I do to deserve that?" Feeling even more exhilartated than only adrenaline would give him happiness coursed through Gobien as he remembered the good times they’d shared. Grin widening he added "is it me, or is it pretty hot in here?" But then the realisation of his other shock from the window hit home again. "Locksley's here," he cursed mind ticking over quickly for a way out. Rushing over to one of the skulking men who cowered he punched him flat in the face to knock the wimp flat, then grabbed the other, "you're coming with us, do anything stupid and you're a dead man." With a large hand clapped on the man’s shoulder Gobien shoved him towards the door, but all too soon found it was blocked by Quinn, eyes narrowing to slits Gobien still smirked, this time he wouldn’t make a mistake, especially as he had McNiven at his side.

“Why not is the question?” Retorted Gobien with a nod to McNiven “expelliarmus” he cried knowing Quinn would likely deflect, but also that McNiven would begin his assault too, he dragged the unprotesting ministry official in front of him to absorb any blows, but the man he held with an iron grip twisted loose stamping cruelly, but cleverly, upon Gobien’s foot. Instead of grappling for control of Gobien’s wand the man fled for his own, whereas Gobien’s attention focused purely upon Quinn still as he said calmly with gleaming eyes, “reducto” to clear away his path...

[Nicholas McNiven]

McNiven’s approach to life always changed when Gobien was thrown into the picture. He was the closest thing he had to a friend, although McNiven hated that word, he hated relationships. The love for another was a weakness in his eyes, a weakness he loved to exploit in his enemies, a weakness he did not want to posses. But Jake Gobien was such a man to possibly create such a weakness, his cruel intensions and harsh methods forced McNiven to respect him, but also he was one person that McNiven felt at ease with, unlike the person he had now set eyes upon.

The last time McNiven had seen Locksley he had just murdered a young ministry worker and she was bleeding and weak. This time however she seemed stronger and there was a fire in her eyes to strike revenge for the boy and McNiven knew he was going to pay for it. Grinding his teeth together McNiven’s eyes narrows on Locksley and blocked out everything else around him, even the sound of Gobien. He knew that Locksley and Jake had their past, he was apart of it, but Locksley and McNiven had unfinished business to deal with, he did not have the chance to finish her off in the forest and now seemed the perfect opportunity.

Seeing that Gobien had cast a spell in the direction of Locksley he knew it was his time to strike, to give Gobien time to get away and to make sure that his friends plan was not a complete failure. Tightening his grip around his wand McNiven pointed it at Locksley and with a small vicious grin.

“Locksley, Locksley, Locksley. We do have a habit of bumping into one another at the most inconvenient of times. But it looks like this time neither of us have a band of complete morons to hinder our little duel.”

With a quick sideways glance at Gobien to make sure he was moving McNiven took a step closer to Locksley, his heart was slowly beginning to beat faster as the adrenaline began to creep into his veins, the smell of burning wood filled the air and sent his mind flashing back to the forest, to his last kill. His blood lust flared up and a glint flashed across his eyes. Locksley was the ministry representative in front of him and the ministry was something McNiven wanted to destroy. She was just a part of the jigsaw, all be it a large part and to bringing down her would cause chaos.

But instead of striking McNiven waited, he stuck to his own personal morals, and all though it took ever ounce of good in his body to do it McNiven did not strike first. You never cast a spell on a female unless provoked, and even if the witch in front of him was as far from female as you could go without being called a man, McNiven just stood still. The black smoke from the smouldering fire slowly starting to rise through the floorboards, the glow of the heat of the fire started to warm up the cold floor of the house causing McNiven to break into a light sweat.

[Quinn Locksley]

Gobien open his mouth and all that tumbled clumsily out was drivel. Quinn expected such tripe to come from one as air-headed and incompetent as Gobien and she was certain that when they were on better terms she had many times told him so though that would have been many years ago now and no use living in the past. Looking forward, Quinn was not looking at the inconsequential Gobien but at the loathsome McNiven.

It was quite ironic coming across these two together and it was clear that they had a past together. Quinn made a mental note to add that to their files next time she was at Head Quarters but for now she would have to concentrate for McNiven was a slippery serpent. She would need to be like a hawk, watchful for the slightest sign of movement or threat though any movement from these two men was a constant threat, even their breath.

Unexpectedly, a spell was shot at Quinn and she was almost surprised that it came from Gobien. Not having enough time to counter the spell as the distance between them was too small. Quinn pressed herself against the wall and held her breath as the spell flew past her. She leaned harder against the wall and it broke under her weight. She didn't fall through the hole though, she instantly shifted her weight onto her toes as the wall gave way and heaved herself into a standing position, once again facing the two men.

"Nice try, Jakkie-boy!" Quinn sneered. McNiven was speaking to her now and she slowly shifted her gaze, gripping her wand tighter. If anything happened now, she would be ready. This time, no fall ups. " 'Tis very inconvenient, McNiven," Quinn spat, "I was just on my way to get some lunch but you've spoiled all my plans. How sad." So... Quinn thought, he wants to duel. Can I trust him not to cheat? She chuckled to herself and highly doubted it.

Chancing a quick glance over her shoulder, Quinn saw that there wasn't much corridor to manoeuvre in as it was narrow and the stairs came quickly from where she was standing. Smoke could be smelled now and this worried Quinn but she didn't show it. She faced McNiven again with a stony face and clenched jaw. She knew that as much as she would love to kill this man, torturing him and extracting information would be so much more satisfying. This posed a problem for Quinn as she knew he had no qualms with killing her. Never the less that would not hinder her attack.

"Waddiwasi," Quinn said clearly, pointing her wand at the wall just to McNiven's left. A large chunk of the unstable wall ripped itself out and flung itself with great force at McNiven. Waddiwasi, Quinn repeated in her head, pointing her wand at the opposite wall and another large chunk of it flew at McNiven, striking him hard. More and more chunks of wall flew at McNiven. She could carry on doing this for as long as there was wall standing but McNiven surely couldn't handle the bombardment for that long.

[Nicholas McNiven]

Much as he expected Quinn held her composure, his hint of a challenge did not faze her and more importantly she had the stance hinting that she was willing to accept his challenge. For a while it seemed that she was not going to do anything, her narrow gaze looked straight through him. But then it moved, to the left of him and it was soon followed by the low tones of her hunting voice, as she cased a spell McNiven had not heard in a very long time.
His mouth dropt open slightly and with the sound of the walls being ripped out of its position McNiven turned his head. With wide eyes he tried to raise his wand to defend himself from the on coming rubble, but there was no time, the corridor was so thin that the wall was upon him before he knew it.

The impact was hard and pain shot through McNiven’s body. The rubble hit every part of him and with every brick that hit his head he could feel the skin break and the slow trickle of warm blood roll down the side of his face. With one particularly heavy impact he lost his balance and fell on the floor, but he did not close his eyes he kept them fixed upon Quinn. Dust filled the thin corridor mixing with the black smoke and as more rubble fell down upon him McNiven was soon finding it hard to breath. He had no air left in his lungs; he wanted to scream with pain as a rather large section of wall landed hard upon his left arm and accompanied with it was a rather loud snap.

The sound of walls being ripped out soon died down and the last few sounds of the rubble hitting the ground ended. With a small groan and a cough McNiven closed his hand around his wand and wincing in pain he moved his broken arm and with one quick flick all the rubble vanished. (Some poor muggle needed up with an unexpected pile of rubble crash through there greenhouse.)
McNiven lay on the floor for a second, taking the opportunity to breath in the smoky air and let his body cry out in pain before he pushed these weaknesses to one side and acted like he should when fighting the ministry. With one last breath McNiven pushed himself up with one arm and tried to prevent the look of pain from spreading across his face as he slowly rose from the mist.

“You will have to try harder then that Locksley. I am made of stronger stuff then the rest of these rouge wizards.”

Gingerly stepping forward McNiven moved closer and closer to Quinn, his lungs screamed for fresh air, for any air but he was determined to keep his breathing steady. Once he was a satisfactory distance from the witch he kicked a small shard of rubble that had not been taken away to one side and look directly at Quinn. A small smile spread across the dirt and blood covered square jaw of McNiven and slowly with his unbroken arm he raised his wand and pointed it directly at Locksley’s chest. But his mind went blank, the pain was blocking everything out and he knew that whatever he did Quinn would deflect.

“Sect….”

Instead of finishing the spell McNiven bent the rules of duelling and resorted to physical violence. As he had been talking his arm had slowly been moving up toward her head and much to his own surprise McNiven gave up with magic and thumped Locksley square in the nose. The mere process of stretching out and even the impact of fist to face forced McNiven to scream as he threw the punch. A mixture of pain and frustration combined.

[Quinn Locksley]

Quinn’s resources were running thin, that is to say that there was little wall left on either side of McNiven for Quinn to lump on top of the groaning man. The witch was certain it was painful but McNiven did not give her the satisfaction of the merest hint of a scream. He merely lay on the ground, bricks toppling onto him, staring at Quinn. It was almost unnerving, except for the almost overwhelming urge Quinn had to simply kill him and be done with it. The head of her department obviously would not be happy with that so Quinn resisted and sated that need with an equally satisfying pummelling him with brick, rot and dust.

Eventually, there was no more wall to dump harshly onto McNiven and she was forced to take a step back. The dust was suffocating. A pleasured smirk stretched Quinn’s pale cheeks as she realised that McNiven must not be able to breath. How wonderful! Quinn thought, her sadistic tendencies leaking out of her controlled grasp. What an annoyance! Quinn rolled her eyes in exasperation as the rubble disappeared. Slowly McNiven stood up and for a moment Quinn thought she saw him favouring an arm. Was it broken? He walked towards her and Quinn met his gaze, angrily and defiant. She had to give it to him that he knew how to get up after being knocked down,

“Stronger stuff?” she repeated in a sing-song tone, “oh please! It’s clearly not strong enough if it took a measly wall to break some of you.” She purposefully looked at the broken arm to let him know she knew it was so. How amusing that he had been the cause of her injury and now she was the cause of his, Quinn mused to herself while still fixing McNiven was a glare. A sudden movement alerted Quinn to McNiven’s flying foot but it was not going for her. She realised too late that he was kicking grit at her. Quinn instinctively closed her eyes and mouth and tried to cover her face with her hands, all to no avail. The grit stung her cheeks and eyelids, and got into her mouth. She quickly spat it out, very unladylike but Quinn didn’t care.

She was rubbing her face, her eyes, her tongue when she caught sight of McNiven through a crack between her fingers. His wand was raised directly at her chest. Immediately Quinn stopped waving her hand about her face and slowly lowered them, her glower daring him to fire upon her. Go on, she whispered in her head, go on. Try it. Make my day. McNiven’s mouth opened to say something but he seemed to stop himself halfway through the incantation. Quinn let out a bark. “Ha! You’re weak, McNiven, and nothing you-” She was cut off by an almighty cry that echoed down the small hallway and a fist connecting sharply with her nose.

Quinn stumbled backwards, bent over double and her hands were cupped under her oozing nose. Blood tricked thick and warm in her mouth and Quinn spat on the ground letting the blood in her hands fall there too. With her wand hand, Quinn lightly felt her nose. “Broken,” she groaned. “You broke my nose!” Quinn straightened up, the blood from her nose poring down over her mouth. “That wasn’t very nice but if this is the way you want to do it, so be it.” Quinn widened her legs and put her fists up, standing ready for another assault but she didn’t fancy letting McNiven get another shot in inch ways. So she stepped forward, letting her weight rest on one foot, while the other swung high and fast for McNiven’s ribs.

[Nicholas McNiven]

There was such a sense of satisfaction when McNiven saw Locksley scream out in pain. There was no other way for him to describe it, McNiven hated many people but there was something about that hate he felt for Quinn Locksley that just made things that little bit more pleasant, despite the fact his whole body was crying out in agony. He had not expected on getting himself into a fight when he first wondered in to Hogsmeade, but then a lot of things had happened in recent months that he did not expect or plan.

Locksley seemed to be getting herself back together again, she was threatening him yet again and instead of it striking fear into McNiven he could not help but give a small laugh. But maybe this was wrong of him, showing a sign of weakness being arrogant and letting his guard down simply meant Locksley could have a cheap, al be it painful shot at him.
Her foot went straight into his side and as this happened McNiven cried out although it was not very loud as the small amount of air he had in his lungs were kicked out. Stumbling backwards McNiven lost his balance on the rumble that lined the corridor floor and before he knew it he was on his back spluttering as he could feel the pressure of a broken rib pushing down upon his lung.

He was getting to old for this, it was one thing keeping your body in shape so you could run a long distance, but it was another being able to find the strength to allow yourself to be put through such pain. And as he lay on the floor for a brief moment he wished for Locksley to end it all, so he would feel no more pain…but then that would mean she would win and he could not give her that satisfaction.
Clenching his square jaw McNiven dug deep and searched for the will to carry on, the desire to see Locksley on her back, the light draining from her eyes and to see her breath her last breath. It was that hatred that drove him, that hatred that got him back on his feet, helped him draw that first rattling breath, to take those steps towards Locksley that soon broke into a run, the want to tackle her to the ground and hold his wand to her neck.

With a glint in his eye, a grimace of pain on his blood stained face McNiven reached his target and with out slowing down ran straight into her dragging them both to the rubble covered corridor floor.