Outfit

~12:45 pm

Claudia hoped this would work like a charm.  After her conversation with Cadeous at the coffee shop she had been trying to find a way to boost his confidence in himself a bit.  She had nearly given up completely when the perfect file happened to make its way to her desk.  A petty thief terrorizing Hogsmeade.  Reece Watson was not seen as a threat, merely a pick-pocket.

She had talked with Cadeous briefly the day before, letting the information slip.  He had questioned her about it briefly, and she convinced him that while the Ministry didn’t consider him a threat, she worried that with everyone focusing on the Kyle Gibson mess that he would continue to slip through the fingers.

It didn’t matter if anyone had been assigned to the case or not, she was sure no one was taking it too seriously at the moment.  Watson had a habit of striking at the peak hours.  Around one o’clock most Wizards would be leaving the various spots of Hogsmeade to return to work.  However, the Minister of Magic would just be arriving for a lunch meeting with Moira Randall.

Getting the lunch set up hadn’t taken much effort at all.  It had been a week since their last meeting, and it seemed like it fit the timing the two had fallen into.  With any luck, Watson would be here today, Cadeous would be looking for him on his day off, and Marcus would see the whole thing before Moira arrived at 1:15, the time she had given her to make sure the other woman wasn’t involved.

Positioning herself between the post office and a small building in the alley, Claudia had a clear shot of The Three Brooksticks, where Marcus would be waiting shortly for Moira.  In the alley way she stood in the shadows waiting and watching.

Current Apparel

Not only was Cadeous skilled in various forms of magic, but he had also perfected the art of apparation.  He had one of his many Hogwarts professors to thank for that.  Apparating from his bedroom in his apartment to Hogsmeade had taken about two seconds, give or take that number.  He quickly checked himself to make sure that he'd apparated correctly, and that he wasn't missing any body parts - which had happened to an unfortunate sixth year during his fifth year.  That seemed like a lifetime ago, when in reality, it was only eleven years.

It took him several moments to remember why he was here, in Hogsmeade.  His curiosity had apparently gotten the best of him.  Claudia had gotten ahold of his attention by saying that there was a petty thief on the lose in the village, and that he - or she - was being a plain nuisance.  He knew that he really didn't have any place to find out who and where this person was, but he didn't care.  He didn't think that the Minstry would have a problem with him helping them by - at the very least - keeping an eye out for this thief.

So, he proceeded to walk down the street, keeping a wary eye open for any suspicious activity.

Surveying the street, Claudia smirked when she saw Cadeous making his was through the town.  She certainly knew her friend well.  She didn’t like setting him up like this, but it had been for his own good.  To think of him not having any faith in himself to be a real part of the Wizarding world had bothered her more then she cared to admit.  She wanted to prove it to him in a way words alone could not.

She had positioned herself near some barrels that she could duck behind should he get nosey and explore the alleyway where she was watching.  She hoped she wouldn’t have to given her state of dress.  After all, she had been forced to give off the impression that this was a normal work day, which meant a dress and heels.

Looking around, she tried to see if Reece Watson anywhere on the street.  She had memorized his picture just incase, hoping spotting him might be easy.  Although if he knew the ministry had caught wind of his games he certainly would not be making this easy.

Her eyes fell back on Cadeous for a moment as she allowed herself to take in his appearance.  He was dressed in all black, a look she found attractive on any man.  She noticed for the first time that he moved with much more confidence then he had when they first met.  Of course, ten years would do that to a person as they matured from a teenager to an adult.  She wondered to herself why it was some girl hadn’t snatched him up yet.  However, she pushed the thought aside, reminding herself if that did happen their friendship might be forever changed.

As he drew closer to her hiding spot, she ducked down behind the barrel, hoping he didn’t get too close.

Debating whether or not to question the villagers, Cadeous proceeded down the street, completely unaware of Claudia's presence.  He had his hands in his pockets - his right one clenched around the handle of his wand, should this thief make his presence known - making his way past the very alley which Claudia was hiding in.  He didn't suspect any suspicious activity on this street.  He checked the alley, though, just to be on the safe side.  He didn't push nor look behind the barrels that stood in his way - and were hiding Claudia from his view - , so he proceeded down the sidewalk, keeping a wary eye open all the while.

He stood at the corner of the street now, stepping aside to let a group of young women pass him.  One of them, with blonde hair and bright blue eyes looked back at him after she'd passed, and gave him a bright - yet shy - smile.  He returned it, and was about to say something to her, but was cut off upon hearing a sudden scream nearby...

Claudia held her breath when Cadeous made his way past her current hiding place.  If he caught her there she was sure he would not be amused…especially when she learned she had used their friendship and a few white lies to get him there.  She was sure he would forgive her eventually; after all it was for his own good that she was doing this.  Of course, it would probably take a big helping of that old Italian guilt to convince him she was doing what was right for him.

When he continued down the sidewalk she breathed a sigh of relief, but stayed hidden for a moment incase he decided to come back.  She was trying to figure out a precise explanation for him.  Well Cadeous, I thought I’d stick my nose in where it really doesn’t belong instead of simply talking to Raynor and Belisario about you becoming an Auror.  I though hiding out in an alley to make sure you catch some idiot thief where my boss might see you would be so much better, was running through her mind, but just didn’t seem to cut it as an excuse.

“What have we here?” a voice whispered in her ear, the speaker’s breath tickling her skin.

She let you a scream of surprise as she jumped up and turned to face the speaker.  She knew his face from the all too familiar file at the Ministry that had brought her to Hogsmeade that day.  Reece Watson was nearly as tall as she was, standing almost six feet and was just inches away from her, blocking her escape, his smile causing her heart rate to quicken a bit as he looked her over.  She began to reach for her wand, but he caught her hand, holding her wrists as he pinned her to the wall behind her.

“Now don’t be like that love,” he said, his brown eyes level with her own.  “I don’t want to have to harm a lovely little thing like you.”

“Then let me go,” she said softly, very aware of the close proximately he was using to hold her in place.  “You are currently assaulting a Ministry official, Mr. Watson…not really typical for your sort of fun.”

Pushing his way through the crowd - and narrowly avoiding knocking over an aging witch in the process -, Cadeous heard screaming coming from a nearby alley.  It was cut short, which made him yank his wand out of his pocket and hold it in front of him as an act of self-defense.  Should he come across the woman's assailant, he'd be ready for him. 

He pushed past another couple of people, who were looking in the general direction of the alley with puzzled looks.   Nobody even tried to see what was happening, and as much as he wanted to blame them for doing nothing, he couldn't.  This was a peaceful village.  Those who resided here were not used to any sort of violence.  They were a peaceful folk, though that didn't stop him from pushing past another couple of people to finally reach the alley.

"Claudia!" he cried, training his wand on the man standing behind her.  Reece Watson.  The scum of the Earth.  He wanted to hex this man so badly, but knew that he'd prove to be of a sourceful lead if kept alive. 

"Who the Hell are you?" he seethed, keeping his wand trained on him.

"I could ask you the same thing," he replied, even though he knew very well who this man was.

"You'd best walk away before-"

"Expelliarmus!"

Shock was the only emotion present in Watson's voice as his wand flew out of his grasp.  He released Claudia to go and fetch it, a mistake that he'd quickly come to regret.

"Incarcerous!"

The look on the thief's face was one that Cadeous wouldn't soon forget.  It was a look of complete dumbfoundedness.  He scrambled to get out of the path of the spell, but couldn't in time. 

It struck him, and almost immediately, he was bound on the ground by a thick, tough rope that wrapped around his entire body.  Once he'd stopped struggling and lay still, his eyes bore into Cadeous's like daggers, who was just now slipping his wand back into his pocket.

He made his way over to Claudia and gently set his hand on her shoulder.

"Are you alright?"

Surprise and relief both flooded Claudia’s mind when she saw Cadeous, although she probably would have been able to handle the man on her own if he had not surprised her.  This was probably a prime example of why she usually sat at a desk and left law enforcement to the Aurors.   She could take care of herself in nearly any situation, but when sticking her nose where it clearly didn’t belong she usually found herself in some sort of trouble.

"Are you alright?"

It suddenly dawned on her that she had been caught in the middle of her set up, and an uncharacteristic blush crept across her cheeks.  She felt a bit like a naughty child who had been caught stealing from the cookie jar as he looked at her.  Part of her hoped he wouldn’t question why she was there…perhaps she could tell him the Minister had forgotten something at his desk and she had come to track him down since he would need it.  Although, knowing Cadeous he’d be able to tell she was lying.

“I’m fine,” she said.  “I’m certainly glad to see you.”

She looked over at Watson for a minute, giving him a small smirk as his eyes turned to her.  Honestly, the man should have backed off when she told him to.  She didn’t dwell on it for too long though as she turned her attention back to Cadeous, deciding to play innocent.

“What are you doing here anyway?”

“I’m fine,” she said.  “I’m certainly glad to see you.”

“As am I, Claudia,” he said.  “Lucky I found you when I did; God knows what he would have done to you if I hadn’t just down the street.”

”Oh, the things I would have-“

“Silencio,” he hissed through his teeth.  Watson fell silent, and despite his best efforts, couldn’t make a sound.  Satisfied, Cadeous slid his wand back into his pocket and dropped his hand back down to his side. 

“What should we do with him?” he asked, gesturing towards their captive.  Despite falling quiet due to the silencing charm, his lips were still forming words; words that, if one they looked closely enough, were quite obscene.

She knew she could have handled him.  However, this was about boosting Cadeous' confidence in himself and she could play the damsel this once.  Of course, if she had been left to get herself out of the situation it probably would have taken her longer and not been as neat and seemingly simple.  She had to admit she was a impressed.

"I know a few people back the Ministry who would be quite happy to question him," she said.  "But, you didn't answer my question, what are you doing here?"

She was buying time.  Marcus would be there any minute looking for Moira and the promised lunch meeting.  She also knew exactly what he was doing there.  It seemed an innocent enough question though, given the circumstances.  She hadn't been expecting to see him.

She was waiting for an answer when movement down the alleyway caught her eyes.

“My own curiosity led me here, I guess,” he replied.  “I figured, hell, I didn’t have anything better to do.  Plus, I’d be doing the people in this village a favor.  I doubt anyone around here’s seen a spot of violence in a long time.”

As much as he disliked bragging, there was no refuting the sense of pride that he felt after putting Watson out of action.  The man was a menace, but was no longer of any threat to the Wizarding or Worlds.  He was out-of-commission, so to speak, and the only good he’d do now was become a placeholder in one of the many cells in Azkaban.

Unbeknownst to him, yet another person was making his way towards them, moving silently as he proceeded towards them…  

Claudia felt her breath catch as another man came down the alley, wand drawn and pointed at them.  She had no idea who he was, but she reached for Cadeous’ arm as she tried to direct his attention to the other man.  No where in the reports did it say anything about a partner in crime so she had no idea who this man was or how dangerous he might be.

Releasing Cadeous’ arm, she started to reach for her wand.  She had long ago started finding ways to store it inside her jackets as most of her outfits didn’t allow for it to be kept elsewhere.  Finding it, she held it steady in her hand, waiting to see how this latest development would start to play out.

For the third time in what seems like forever Marcus checked his timepiece. "Still early..." Marcus said, tucking it back into his pocket. Marcus had asked his Aide, Claudia, to schedule him a tiny meeting outside of work. She was handy for many things, but Marcus respected her unbiased ability to be an outside perspective. Marcus was waist-deep in tasks, assignments, and general goings-on and didn't have the clarity to see when he could spare an opening to escape for a little R&R.

He was to meet Moira for another lunch date. Not that they were actually dating in the more intimate sense of the word, but Marcus figured that he might as well get on with it and ask Moira out on a traditional date. He liked her enough, and ever since his spat with Ana almost a month ago at Signature, he hasn't really cared for anything casual. Perhaps it had something to do with the gobs of work that got sent his way shortly after. Maybe it was the fact that he was ready for something of substance.

Marcus figured it was just him deciding to grow up and have something more mature.

He checked his timepiece again, and mumbled something off-hand about Alex giving him a hard time with the whole Moira thing. Actually, Alex had been giving Marcus a hard time about nearly everything these days. It was as if he could care less about his job anymore. Marcus could chalk it up to him being burned out and needing a break, but that's what Alex always does. Either way, it would have to be addressed soon, which meant that Marcus would have to be "The Boss" for Alex. Something he knows Alex won't respond to. At least, not in the most respectful way.

Marcus looked up at the sky. Not for any reason, merely to waste time. It was a nice day. Moira was set to be here at the Three Broomsticks shortly, but there was enough time to let his mind wander. He started his brain exercise, observing the world around him. He targeted a woman with a small child, not old enough to carry a wand. He studied the way she walked, her face, and body posture. He surmised a profile for the woman based on his findings, then moved onto the next person.

A man walked with what seemed like no purpose, with his hands in his pockets. He looked tense, despite his casual demeanor. The man turned into an alley, and took his hands out of his pockets, then looked to be walking with a sudden purpose right before moving behind a wall. Marcus took a step towards the alley the man ducked into, trying to catch a glimpse of the mystery man. His instincts told him to check it out, so Marcus walked cautiously towards the percieved action.

No words were needed to tell Cadeous that they were still in danger.  Claudia’s hand on his arm was the only sign he needed to tell him that.  His wand was in his hand, but he kept it by his side, hidden from the approaching man’s view.  He had his back to this imposing threat, and it wasn’t until the steady pace of his footsteps picked up when Cadeous finally turned around, raising his wand out in front of him.

”Stupe-“

“Protego!”

Cadeous’s simple - yet very effective - charm caught the stream of white light produced from the end of the thief’s wand dead-on.  It was deflected off of the summoned shield, its target now its caster. 

He didn’t have a chance. 

In less than five seconds, the man fell to the ground.  He didn’t move.  His wand had scattered across the alley, rolling into a dirty puddle.  For good measure, Cadeous also cast the ‘Incarcerous’ charm on him, so that now, there were two thieves bound with thick ropes, helpless and unarmed, lying on the ground in this near-abandoned alleyway. 

He’d have quite the story to tell to whomever came to take the two men off to Azkaban...

Claudia relaxed once the second man was bound and officially a non-threat.  Cadeous had been quicker and more efficient in dealing with them then she had anticipated, and she wondered if Marcus was even in the area yet waiting for Moira to arrive.  Perhaps if he wasn’t she would be able to describe the event in such a way to someone in the Auror’s office it wouldn’t matter.  She wouldn’t lie of course, but he had saved her and her gratitude could be played up a bit.

“I should probably alert the Aurors,” she told him, feeling slightly disappointed it had not been more of a show for the intended audience.  “Stay here with them, I’m going to use the Floo at the Three Broomsticks to alert them and I’ll be right back.”

Turning she started to move out of the alley.  She wasn’t paying attention as she tucked her wand back into her jacket.  If she had been, she certainly would have seen the familiar form heading towards the alley way as her path was about to collide with his.

Marcus followed behind the strange man from a careful distance. If he was up to no good, then the last thing Marcus wanted to do was startle him into action. He looked both ways before crossing into the alleyway. Not for his safety, but to make sure he didn't look suspicious to any onlookers.

The last thing he needed was a nosy reporter trying to find out what Marcus was doing. It seemed like everytime he turned a corner, he had someone asking him questions about his public and personal life. It was an unfortunate side-effect of being a public figure.

Luckily, Marcus didn't have to lift a finger. He turned into the alley to see the man already bound, next to yet another bound would-be criminal. Great, a vigilante... Marcus thought to himself. That is, until he saw his Aide Claudia standing comfortably beside the pseudo-crimefighter.

"Claudia, I suppose we'll talk about this later." Every instinct screamed at Marcus to unholster his wand. One look at the scenario, however, told him that it wasn't necessary. "Who are you sir, and why have these two been Incarcerated?" Marcus took a step further, letting him know that he demanded an answer.