With a few passes over the fabric, his wand steamed out the last of the wrinkles from his red work robes, leaving the fabric crisp, clean and ready for Monday.  With a gentle tug, the muggle sports blazer slipped free from its hanger and Chris slipped it over his shoulders before hanging the robes in its place.  Chris paused in front of the tall mirrors in the men's restroom, giving his appearance a careful once over. 

He played the part of muggle well.  From the modest jean suit to the carefully concealed wand to the humble flat above a delicatessen Chris had started letting a couple weeks before he'd taken his position as a nameless gopher in the Ministry.  He had assumed the role man respected halfbloods did - working in the wizarding world and living in the muggle world. 

He evened owned a television.

Satisfied with his appearance, Chris slipped out of the men's room, joining the flow of stiffs on their way out of the building for the weekend.  He nodded his farewells to several coworkers, thanked the Ministry Psychiatrist once more for meeting with him earlier that week and flushed his way through the worker's entrance to the streets of London.  Chris settled into a brisk pace as he turned the corner towards his flat, pausing only briefly to buy an evening paper off the corner stand. 

He could only hope this massive degradation would be worth it - Cinaed was certain it would, somehow.  Which was obvious; the man wasn't about to ask a friend to assume the role of Ministry stiff by day and muggle by night for the fun of it.  But, the man was certain the Ministry would interpret it as him embracing his mother's muggle heritage.  They seemed to like such things.  Movement caught Chris' eye and he glanced sideways as he paid the man for the paper.  A block or so down, Chris was certain he spotted a familiar face though, from what he could tell, she hadn't noticed him. 

Perhaps it was wishful thinking but lingering to find out wasn't high on Chris' to do list.  Tucking the newspaper under his arm, he turned and started at a brisker pace towards his flat.

Outfit

Liadán was not a fan of Muggle London. In her mind it was spelled with capital letters, because it was an entirely separate entity from Magical London. Still, it was somewhat impossible to entirely avoid Muggle London if she had to be in England because of business. She did business with some people who lived in Muggle London, and lots of the places she ordered feed from were muggle businesses. As such she had been forced to deal with the loathsome race against her will. Disgusting.

Finally she was done with her dealings, and was heading toward the Leaky Cauldron to pop into Diagon Alley for a few moments. As she made her way carefully up the street, wishing she had opted for more comfortable heels instead of stylish ones, Liadán paused momentarily as she watched a man who was buying a paper. He looked incredibly familiar…

Which was because it was someone she knew. Liadán was positive that it was a certain Christian Colburn. Mr. Colburn had been a “friend” in school. He had tutored her and they had gotten along quite well, and although she had admittedly always enjoyed his company very much, she couldn’t be seen as too close to him because of his (quite sadly) inferior blood line. She had seen Christian now and again while doing business with Mr. Tawse. However, for a short while now he had been avoiding her.

It was important for Liadán to figure out exactly why. She also wanted to know why he was wearing muggle clothing and buying a muggle newspaper. Had he gone to living life in this dreary world when he had a perfect little niche in the magical world? Whatever could possess him to do such a thing? And to think, Liadán had great hopes while she was in Hogwarts that he might be able to redeem himself, inferior breeding aside. If he proved her wrong she would be quite upset. Liadán did not like being wrong. At all. She frowned slightly at the thought.

Deciding that perhaps it was time for her to confront him without the wizard onlookers, Liadán marched right up to him as he continued on his way after buying a paper. “Mr. Colburn?” she inquired in a not so friendly tone. “Fancy running into you in Muggle London. Is there were you run off to every time you slink away whenever I happen to arrive? Genius idea, really,” Liadán commented in an uncharacteristically bitter tone. “One would assume I avoid the place as one would avoid the plague. Unfortunately for you I do some minimal business in the muggle areas of the world, much to my own distaste.”

Ahh - bloody hell.

A quick glance behind him had confirmed that Liadán had noticed, recognized and taken an interest in Christian.  How unfortunate.  On so many levels - none of them being anything against Lia, personally.  He didn't need the complication of explaining what he was up to and he didn't, exactly, enjoy the prospects of getting caught in his embarrassing and compromising muggle-like state.  While Liadán had been careful to keep her name clean, Chris would prefer to avoid anything that might blow his cover.  The last thing he wanted was to march into work on Monday to find himself dragged off to a questioning or inquiry.   

All of which were, purely, business reasons - none of it was personal.  In fact, quite to the contrary, he'd always found himself intrigued and impressed by his former classmate.   She was strikingly beautiful with an impressively pure heritage.  He'd always considered it an undeniable privilege to be considered amongst her friends during their Hogwarts days.  For the likes of him, it was like a grade pony getting to hang out in the company a regal steeds. 

They'd gone their separate ways shortly after school but, in the last few years, his associations with Cinaed Tawse had granted Chris with the privilege of crossing paths with Ms. Ó Móráin once more.  Until his recent assignment required him to disassociate with many of Cinaed's colleagues.   

Chris' pace quickened and his mind raced through his options.  This was all about the end goal, right?  He had to remind himself of that.  And, yes, choosing to reside in Muggle London, he hoped, would limit the number of situations he faced like this.  He was merely a block away from his flat when Liadán caught up with him.  "I'm sorry.  You must have me mistaken for someone else," he replied, tersely, without looking at Liadán.  He kept the same hasty pace, his hand fishing in his pocket for his keys.  "I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about.  If you'll excuse me."  He'd reached his door and quickly slipped the key in the lock. 

He glanced at Lia over his shoulder as he pushed the door open.  "I'm sorry for the confusion," he offered vaguely.  He stepped inside, intent upon closing the door behind him before he turned back towards her.  "I hope you find who you're looking for.  But, I'm sure if you go yelling muggle louder, you might find them."  He hissed the last sentence, hoping, though not exactly expecting her to get the message and go away.

She was downright shocked when he said she was mistaken, and continued on his way. He didn’t have the common decency to stop when he was trying to be rid of her. Liadán did not intend to let him off so easily. She might be wearing impossibly high heels, but she was not going to let them slow her down as her petite figure followed him down the street. He would certainly regret making her chase him through Muggle London she decided as her extremely expensive shoes stepped in a very questionable puddle.

To say that Liadán was perturbed by his dismissive behavior would be an understatement. To say that she was furious that he would treat her in such a way after she had given him such high praises in their school days and even afterward would be more on the mark. Still, even “furious” seemed to not be the appropriate word for the anger she felt. Liadán knew that she was not mistaken. It only solidified her idea that she had done something to offend him, why else would he be avoiding her in such a way?

Her mouth went flat, and a stormy expression clouded her face as he inserted his key into his lock and stepped inside. “If you shut that door in my face,” she told him calmly, without any trace of the anger that displayed on her face, “I will curse you to death. Then I will shrink your head and display it in my home as a piece of exotic art. Making tsantsas is not a difficult process by any means.” Then she gave him a pleasant smile. Liadán was not certain that she could actually kill him and got through the head shrinking process, but she it was a very accurate reflection to how she felt.

“In case you have forgotten, Mr. Colburn, I can be quite the force to be reckoned with. And before you ask- yes, that is a threat.” Liadán crossed her arms over her chest, and quirked a challenging brow at him. “Alternatively, you could invite me inside and we could discuss this like calm, civilized individuals. That is, of course, assuming you have not lost your civility since we were in school together. I should hate to think all those praises I sang of you during those days have not come back to haunt me. I do not like being proven wrong, Mr. Colburn. It vexes me greatly, and I don’t find vexation to be a flattering look for me.”

Her speech concluded, Liadán offered Christian a pleasant and charming smile. “Would you really leave an old friend on your stoop after she chased you across filthy streets in shoes as uncomfortable as mine?” she finally added, hoping to perhaps gain some pity from him. “I did traipse through a questionable liquid earlier. There are not many people I would take that risk for.”


((Tsantsa is the native name for a shrunken head.))

His hand on the edge of the door, staring at Liadán.  "I have no doubts you would," Chris hushed at Lia.  Not for a second did he doubt any of her threats.  She was the type who'd be willing and there was no question in Christian Colburn's mind that she had the ability.  And, she was close to following through on her threat, if the anger simmering behind her eyes was any indication.  And, he wasn't about to curse her first - even if it was for his own defense.  In addition to his own well-hidden intrigue in the woman, no matter how things might look in the immediate moment, they were on the same side. 

Chris sighed, closing his eyes against the building frustration, his knuckles shining white as he clutched the open door.  "Whatever your thinking, your mistaken, Liadán," Chris told her quietly.  "But ... just - fine."  He swung the door open and gestured her inside, finally conceding.  The sooner she was no longer standing, storming on his doorstep, the better. 

With a click, Chris slid the deadbolt into place and turned to climb the stairs to the upstairs flat.  He unlocked the interior door and held it open for Lia before stepping in behind her.  The flat was meticulously clean with very few extraneous items.  Every surface was clean, every item had its place.  Only a few scattered remotes and the few dishes in the draining tray seemed out of place though - to some extent, they were in their place.  Leftovers from the three nights ago when having muggle neighbors over had made cleaning dishes magically a non-option.  Chris had decided to leave the dishes there for the effect. 

"What's there to discuss?" he asked as he quickly gathered the stray remotes and stashed them inside the entertainment center.  The doors were half-closed when Chris paused and turned back to Lia.  He'd always appreciated those praises - had always taken them strongly to heart.  It wasn't easy to hear her questioning them.  "Things aren't what they seem," he said, simply.  "And, it's nothing personal - I'm steering clear of all of Tawse's mutual acquaintances."  It was a necessary evil. 

Liadán was unsurprised when he finally conceded. She stepped daintily inside, and let her eyes scan the room. Even her critical eye was pleased. Well, as pleased as it could be in such an obviously muggle home. What was he doing in their world, really? It made no sense! Although Christian was not a pureblood, Liadán had always thought of him as “one of her own”. He had always carried himself with pride and dignity.

Without waiting for him to offer a seat, Liadán settled herself into his couch until she was quite comfortable, resting her bag on the floor next to her feet. “Apparently I was not mistaken in my thoughts,” she said when he claimed to be steering clear of anyone acquainted with Tawse. “I was under the assumption you were avoiding me, and apparently you are, for what I must confess to be a reason I find entirely ridiculous. I do business with the man. I sell him ingredients. I do not go out for drinks with the man or anything of the sort. Our relationship is purely professional.”

“And I happen to think that there is quite a bit to discuss. I was very offended at how you just treated me. I have never mistreated you in such a way, have I Christian?” she asked, tilting her head at him. “How would you feel if I pretended not to know who you were in public, hm? I am quite certain you would be just as infuriated. Although, I have to admit…”

Liadán trailed off momentarily, as she considered whether or not she ought to take the dig at him. She decided after his recent actions that she would. “That it would be much more acceptable for me to ignore you. It’s not as though anyone truly cares about your reputation or who you associate with. For me, on the other hand, it is an entirely different story.” She narrowed her gaze at him then. Liadán did not like bringing up Christian’s inferior blood line for multiple reasons, but if she was going to do it, she had damned well make it believable.

“Do tell me, Christian, what would make you treat old friends in such a manner? I hope for your sake that if you choose to lie to me that your story is very plausible. If you choose to tell the truth, then I hope that your reasoning placates me better than your begrudging hospitality.” Then she gave him an expectant look. If he knew what was good for him, the man would start talking soon, and he would make a good show of it. To be honest, the last thing that the young woman wanted to do was hurt the man. Still, a threat was a threat. If she did make good on it and went on her (not so) merry way, then he would never believe another threat to pass her lips.

Once the door had been closed and locked behind him, there was a distinct and obvious shift in Chris' demeanor.  The cold, detached tension fell from his shoulders just as quickly as the sports blazer fell from his shoulders.  Despite what one might expect from the avoidance Chris had shown down on the street, he wasn't intimidated by or concerned about being around Liadán.   He hung the blazer up in the closet by the door as he shook his head. 

"I told you, it's nothing personal.  I'm not, exactly, avoiding you.  I'm avoiding Cinaed."  With a couple of tugs, he freed the tails of his shirt from his belt as he stepped behind the counter of the kitchen in the corner of the living room.  "Which means, I'm avoiding things associated with Cinaed."  For reasons Chris wasn't sure he could share.  Though...  It there was a possible ally, it was, the woman sitting primly on his couch.  Shaking his head, Chris pulled a pair of glasses from a cupboard and tugged his wand out of his pocket. 

I do not go out for drinks with the man or anything of the sort.
He paused, his wand hovering by the cork and he stole a quick glance across the room towards Liadán.  A smirk played at the corner of one side of his mouth and he shook his head before, with a flick of his wand, decorking the bottle.  "You can never tell with him," Chris pointed out.  He poured a healthy measure of wine in both glasses and offered one to Lia before returning to the kitchen nook. 

"No, you haven't mistreated me," Chistian insisted.  "Really.  I'd rather not show up to work on Monday to a nice little interrogation."  Then, she had to bring up his blood status.  Chris' eyes narrowed and he scowled across at Lia.  So, at least, that answered one thing.  She was still a purist.  And, she chose to do business with Cinaed - who always spoke well of her.  He decided to take a leap of faith.   

There was bitterness in Chris' voice as he turned to fish in the refrigerator.  "Cinaed asked me to apply at the Ministry and sever all ties with him.  I've got an interview with Tamis Raynor in a few weeks at the Auror office and I'm sure she'll be conducting a thorough background check.  Like I said, it's nothing personal.  It's just business." 

"Christian, do you doubt that I would come out squeaky clean on that background check if she chose to dig at me? My family might have a poor reputation, but I have worked very hard to clean up the business. We do absolutely nothing illegal these days. In fact, I do my very best to remain in the good graces of the ministry. Every now and again they like to come poke around to make sure there are no more muggles being killed in the magical wards around my property and that there are no more dragons being bred. I live life on the straight and narrow, it makes things so much easier!"

"The fact that I choose to do business with Mr. Tawse is no more than that. He needs certain ingredients I can supply him. Supply and demand is a very simple thing. Besides, he's being watched much more closely than I am. If there were illegal things going on at that little pub of his he would have been sniffed out and shipped off again already, don't you think?"

She gave him a slight appreciative smile when he handed her a glass of wine. Liadán swirled the wine in the glass and took a small sip before piping up again. She ever was the loquacious one if she got started. "As amicable as he can be during our business transactions, Mr. Tawse is not my type." What was her type? Intelligent men who knew how to keep their noses out of trouble with the proper pedigree and family wealth to boot. Those who did not fit her criteria caught her attention once in a while, but she was forced to ignore the feelings. Liadán took great pride in her family name and their bloodline, and was not going to be the one to sully it. Besides, what would people say? It would certainly be a hot piece of gossip and as much as she enjoyed gossip, it would not be so enjoyable if the gossip was about herself.

That it had been Cináed who asked him to apply at the ministry and take such drastic measures surprised Liadán. Not only did it surprise her, but it most definitely made her curious as to what the man was planning. Christian had always been a good little lapdog from what she could remember. He was the sort that would do what he could to brush elbows with the elite, and for some reason the elite had no problem with it. Christian was a well mannered man who knew his place, and Liadán was certain that helped him out quite a deal. It was a pity, really, that his bloodline was so damaged. She had a feeling, though, that he would marry well enough if he tried. There had to be some pureblooded woman who would be won over by his positive attributes and say dash it all to her purity and have him.

"Although I know now that you meant no harm, that you were simply following orders like a good man ought to, I still cannot help but to take it personally. I suppose now I understand how all of the people felt that I dismissed when I made over our family company. I got rid of everyone and started from the ground up to turn our image around and run the place so it would be squeaky clean. Still, I cannot see how your fraternizing with me could be misconstrued as worthy of investigation. I've always been extremely cooperative with the Ministry and have a couple of casual friends who work there. I even go to benefits that they host on occasion. I'm certainly not a person that they would take much interest in."

Liadán took another sip of wine and peered around the room. "I am glad to know that this isn't your choice, though. You always did have more sense than to embrace your muggle heritage, I was afraid that something drastic had happened to change that. Promise me, darling, after all of this business he has cooked up is said and done you are going to come to your senses and live your life properly again?"

Christian used the excuse of retrieving some cheese and fruit from the refrigerator as an excuse to give her question some thought before answering.  She was already offended; he didn't want to make matters worse.  The glass of wine in one hand, the plate of food in the other, Chris settled himself in a seat before, finally, offering an answer.  "To be honest, we don't really know what they'll dig at.  We are assuming they'll look at everything.  And, anything might make them suspicious." 

Chris cradled the goblet of the glass between her hands.  "For getting a low-life grunt job at the Ministry, it probably mattered less but - with the Auror office, I suspect they will turn over any rock or question anyone I've talked to."  Especially given Cinaed's current plans.  "I don't know if you're aware, but the Head of the Auror office has a rather critical perspective of Cinaed.  I admit I don't know what degree of associations with him they'd question."  Yes, her associations with the man might be purely business but - with the rate things were going, that might be enough for the Ministry to accept him as an Auror trainee. 

What she said was true - Cinaed was being watched very closely.  But, that meant the Ministry was probably well aware of most of his business associates.  The unknown factor was to what degree the Ministry would care.  "We're leaving as little room for error as possible."  With a careful nod - he added with a grin, "and there's a fair bit more going on in that pub than the Ministry's aware of.  I'm sure he's made you aware of it." 

Chris grinned in amusement at Lia, an eyebrow lifting, before chuckling slightly.  "A woman not being his type rarely stopped him before.  But, let me guess - your type is a bit more clean ... shaven." Yes ... both clean and shaven.  It was easy to pinpoint what about Cinaed would make him less likely to be her type - what would constitute her type was harder to identify.  She was picky - that much Chris had gathered.  "Cinaed has mentioned ... your high standards on a few occasions."  Chris knew her standards outstripped him - and had every right to.  But, he was curious what kind of fellow would live up to them.

"I don't know," Chris admitted, truthfully.  "I suppose it depends on how long I'm intended to be in this position.  Probably until the job's done - whatever that job is.  But, I promise you, it's for the better.  If it helps the cause, in the end, it's worth it."

"Oh, I'm not saying he hasn't tried. He can be quite charming when he's at his best, regardless of whether or not I'd normally be attracted to such a man. Between you and I, I happen to be quite envious of his hair, though I've never been a fan of long hair on a man. But yes, clean shaven does tend to be more along the lines. No doubt he mentioned my standards because I never reciprocated any interest. Though I can be a bit cruel at times, I do my best not to lead anyone on. It can be a dangerous game to play with the wrong people, something many of my peers seem to misunderstand. You should see how some girls behave at the parties I attend... They will latch onto any man for a bit of attention or to gain something they want. Pathetic, really. A woman should be capable to make her own life worth something and the man should be a consolation prize."

Oh, Lia didn't entirely mean all of that. It was important to have a man who could support you. But considering her current position in life it was going to be quite difficult. She made a good amount of money with her business, and had inherited a large amount as well. As it stood she just going to have to find a man who wouldn't use her for her money, or find one who had more than herself. The business was already going to pass on to a child with a different last name. She was going to set up some sort of legal documents that won't allow the name to change... "I've yet to find someone who perfectly matches all of the criteria I have established, though. So perhaps my standards are too high. Still, I'm young, I've plenty of time to find an appropriate match and pop out an heir. I'm aging very well thus far, so I'm fairly certain I will manage to maintain my beauty for much longer than others my age."

Vanity was definitely one of Liadán's biggest flaws. Anyone who knew her also knew that she thought very highly of herself. Liadán had a style that was flattering to her short stature and thin body. Her hair was something many envied, and she was pretty. That was the problem, Liadán knew that she was pretty. There was something oddly annoying about any person who knew that they were attractive. Not that she cared. Liadán had no shortage of admirers. Even if she knew that she never was going to have any of them, it was very satisfying to be wanted. Not to mention turning down men that other women would kill to have.

"Well, I am well aware you'll be stuck in whatever position you've been assigned until whatever he is up to is over. I'm talking about when it is over and the job is completed. Of course, maybe by then you'll have developed an attachment to the muggle way of life and want to stay here. I have to admit if that is the case, I'm quite certain I won't be visiting very often. Maybe you'll even marry a muggle. One of those big, piggish ones." It was a vicious sort of teasing. A teasing that came from jealousy, though Liadán would rather die than admit to it, and hopefully Christian would not deduce the fact. She often wished he had a better pedigree. Christian was a very nice young man, and truth be told she had always been quite fond of him. It was her fondness which had caused her to be so offended at his brutish behavior after all.

"So, are you going to keep being so cryptic?" she asked, quirking a brown and leaning forward a bit. "Or are you going to tell me exactly what the two of you are up to? I really hate having to actually ask. You should know my curiosity is eating me alive, Christian. I would think you would have enlightened my by now. Or perhaps you just enjoy watching me squirm? I can't say I blame you if you do. It's not often a person finds me squirming."

Chris chuckled slightly, shaking his head.  Charm seemed to be something Cinaed had a knack for - much to Mannie's frustration.  Not that Cinaed's personal success with the opposite sex really had any baring on Mannie's ability to succeed.  The two men were, simply, batting in different fields altogether.  If one could say Mannie was batting in any field in the first place.  To the old Death Eater's credit, he didn't look too bad for one who'd spent almost a quarter century in Azkaban - but it was still comparatively speaking.  "You confess to being cruel?" Chris couldn't help asking with an amused grin.  He wasn't sure 'cruel' was a term he'd heard Cinaed use for it - he'd used a variety of other ones himself.  "These parties of yours sound entertaining at least."  And, likely, not the type he'd be invited to under normal circumstances. 

"You have no reason not to be picky," Chris admitted.  And, it was the truth not a simply flattery.  She was an attractive, successful, well-bred and talented witch.  She was powerful enough on her own - "compromising will just hold you back." 

Chris' eyes narrowed slightly at Lia's teasing, and he lifted the wine glass to take a slow sip.  After several moments of silence, Chris shook his head.  "I'm holding out for a squib," he said, in a flat, deadpan voice.  His expression remained flat through another sip of wine before, finally, one corner of his mouth twitching up in a patient and perturbed grin.  "I'm sure you have no trouble remembering I grew up in a rather muggle-tainted home.  I think if I managed to survive that, this little bit should be no problem."  Though, to some extent, her point was a valid one - it was a perplexing situation.  "But, you should know by now I won't soil my family's name any further.  I don't know if I'll be lucky enough to improve it - or if I should just let the soiled line end with me.  Who knows."  Cinaed had voiced his opinion on the matter many times before, but Chris still wasn't sure. 

"I love watching you squirm," he admitted.  Teasing one who was, likely, always just going to be a friend was relatively amusing.  Chris set the glass of wine on the side table and pushed himself to his feet.  From a pile of mail, he pulled out a copy of the Daily Prophet and opened it to the picture of the WBA's insignia branded in the back of the mudblood's hand.  He handed the paper to Liadán before sitting back down.  "The Wizarding Blood Alliance.  It started out as a group of old, defeated Death Eaters, all griping with each other, but in the last little bit it has become more organized.  More - involved.  Cinaed has gotten very motivated lately and, since my record's rather clean, he talked me into trying to get inside the Ministry.  He's skeptical I'll make it past the screening, but I figured I'd try to make it into the Auror office."  He put a slice of cheese on a cracker and ate it.  "So, you can stop squirming."

"A squib?" she said with a cringe. "Disgusting. I know you better than that, though. And I'm quite certain you will be able to improve it!" Liadán did something rare then. She smiled, sweetly. It was genuine and soft, the sort of smile reserved for usage once, perhaps twice a year. "You have many wonderful qualities, Christian. You are intelligent and hard working. You possess impeccable manners and you fit in quite well among the elite. Most people would never guess your bloodline in most circumstances, you conduct yourself- minus this whole stunt, naturally- the way a man ought to." He wasn't bad looking, either, Liadán thought. She wasn't going to tell him that, though. "I might have to make it my personal mission to find you the perfect little wife. I'm certain I could. The meek, quiet type that doesn't get much attention at my little soirees. Yes, that would be perfect!"

She had to fight the urge to make an ugly face at him when he said he liked to watch her squirm. It wouldn't be very lady-like or attractive. She wanted to, though. Liadán wanted to screw up her face like a child would and stick out her tongue at him. She wasn't accustomed to people doing things to watch her squirm. It was above her. And he was beneath her. So how dare he?! It was a fleeting moment of anger, though, replaced by curiosity as he dropped the Daily Prophet into her hands.

"Wizarding Blood Alliance?" Liadán repeated, focusing her gaze on the article. Old death eaters griping with one another? She remembered when she was younger and heard about them. A part of Liadán had always been envious of those men and women who had been able to fight for their cause. Now if you even whispered about something dark the Ministry would be banging on your door for an investigation. She remembered how hard it had been to try to clean up her own image so they would mostly let her run her business in peace. There were still routine inspections now and again, but they were becoming much less common. "I've never heard of such a thing as a Wizarding Blood Alliance."

"So what is it exactly?" she asked, dropping the prophet onto the table. "A terrorist group or something? If you're involved with a terrorist organization then I know that the ministry is going to discover it. Although I don't see exactly how beneficial you working as an auror and posing as a muggle would be for him. Perhaps I'm short sighted. They could easily turn you into a double agent or something of that nature. Or he could have turned an auror into a double agent for him. There are some very crooked people who run our world." There was something about this that Liadán did not like though she could not put her finger on it. She knew that Christian was a good little lap dog, and that he would do as he was told to serve some greater good or to keep in good with the people he wanted to be. That wasn't a terrible trait if it wasn't abused. Liadán wasn't sure how she felt about Mr. Tawse abusing that trait. Oh, she had made use of it in school but had never done anything which could really get him into trouble.

That was what it was. Liadán did not want to see him getting into serious trouble over this. "Just be careful, Christian. This has the potential to be a very volatile situation if you so much as put one toe out of line. Honestly, I don't like it. It leaves a sour taste in my mouth." It was a shame, too, that she couldn't just step in and put a stop to it. Oh, she and Christian were not particularly close and had not been since school. Still, she had some fondness for him left over and did want to see him get into a trouble he couldn't handle because he was following orders. "Although, I suppose at this point there is no way to bow out gracefully, is there? And we must always conduct ourselves with grace."

She rested her glass on the table next to the paper and leaned back a bit, carefully studying him. If he wanted to do this, there was no way around it. Still, it was surprising to hear that Christian was involved with such a group. Even further, that such a group would allow him to be given his own sullied line. "As much as I am for preserving bloodlines, and everyone knows that I vehemently support it, there is such a thing as taking things too far. I just hope that you recognize this, Christian, and that you know when it's time quit if this gets to be too much to handle. I am not particularly intimate with Mr. Tawse nor am I aware as to how far he would go to accomplish whatever plans he has, but he could see you as expendable. Sometimes it does not pay to be the expendable pawn."

Chris laughed, good-naturedly, as Lia gringed.  Of course, she knew him better than that - otherwise, he wouldn't have dared making such a joke.  If there was any risk of her, actually, taking him seriously, he wouldn't have made the joke.  Laughing away the notion of settling for a squib was easy - much easier than the topic of improving the bloodlines or letting it die with him.  It was almost as daunting a topic as it was whenever his mother broached it when he was home.  Of course, he couldn't explain to her the real reason for his hesitancy to settle down.  He usually tried to simply explain that he hadn't met the right woman and left it at that. 

"We'll see," he offered, Lia, vaguely at first.  "The meek and quiet type?" he repeated, lifting an eyebrow.  "Is that the type of wife you think I need?"  Lia was hardly meek and quiet - she was impressive, strong and more than willing to beat down the door of a bloke that was trying to avoid her.  "I'd be curious to see what you came up with, though.  Cinaed thinks a nice little proper partner would improve my image at the Ministry.  And, Merlin knows, a little companionship couldn't hurt." 

Chris shook his head.  "I'm not surprised," he admitted.  Until now, only those that were introduced to the WBA by an existing member were aware of its existence.  "The WBA has been underground.  The majority of its members are ex-Azzies, like Cinaed.  So, getting caught doing this kind of thing would land them back in Azkaban for good.  So, they've been careful about who they let know about it."  Indeed, with some of them, the carefulness was near paranoia.  With good reason - there were enough of them that remembered well enough what it was like to be locked in that place.  Many of them even remembered the days when dementors infested the place.  Chris had never experienced the oppression of the dementors.  But, between Mannie and Cinaed, he'd heard enough stories. 

"I'm not posing as a muggle," Chris offered with a slight sigh.  He skipped over her warning - he was well aware that there was a likelihood the Ministry might discover his involvement with the WBA.  Especially after the group became more public.  But, Cinaed was convinced this was the best way Chris could do his part - with his background and upbringing, as well as his clean record - if there was anyone that could get into the Auror office, he was amongst them.  "I'm equally embracing the muggle half and wizarding halves of my heritage.  It's the type of thing the Ministry appreciates.  Gives a good impression.  Minimizes the uncomfortable questions." 

"They could turn me into a double agent.  But, it's not likely.  And, goodness knows, I wouldn't want to feel the man's wrath if I did."  An eyebrow arched in Liadán's direction and a smirk played on Chris' lips.  Was Liadán Ó Móráin worrying herself over him?  If he was a man to blush more often, color might have risen in his cheeks.  But, alas, he wasn't the blushing type.  Instead, he shook his head slightly, chuckling to himself.  "Don't worry yourself, Lia.  I know how to play the game the Ministry's expecting.  And, other than the occasional brief meeting with Cinaed, I've severed all ties with the WBA.  And, those associated with it.  Hence my previous discretion.  I am sorry for that."   

There was, likely, a short period of time left in which Chris could back out.  And, he could probably sabotage himself discretely enough to be denied a place in the Auror's office.  However, he had no intentions of denying himself the appointment.  He planned on seeing this through. 

Again, Lia was worrying.  It was, strangely, touching.  Chris smiled, warmly at Lia before fixing himself a cracker with some cheese on it.  "This caring side of you is quite touching, my dear," he offered Lia.  "But, you're worrying too much.  It'll be fine.  I'm about as well prepared for this as any of us can be.  I went to a muggle school before Hogwarts.  My grades were quite good at Hogwarts.  I doubt Cinaed sees me as expendable.  But, I'm quite touched by the concern - if I didn't know better, I'd think you cared."