Xavier's day had been ruined bright and early. He had been slightly disturbed the day before when word had gotten around that there had been a werewolf attack. Of course Xavier was unaware that his uncle had been the one to instigate it. He wasn't sure whether he wished there had been more carnage or not. A part of him, the side he kept under lock and key when at Hogwarts had wished that the three students that had snuck out had been torn to pieces. It would have been nice to get rid of useless blood infiltrators like Schlagenweit and Blake. Although he supposed it would be a shame to have spilt Dark's pure blood but then again the girl was a certifiably insane shape shifter, her uses were already limited.

Xavier had been able to get over his anger and disappointment but there was a small bit of it lingering under the surface when he had awoken that morning. Breakfast had tasted bland and he wasn't exactly looking forward to his days worth of classes even if they were easy ones. The true fly in his ointment had come along with the that morning issue of the Daily Prophet. There were three things that had hit home with Xavier in the main article - Two Arrested For Knockturn Explosion. The first being that the explosion that had occurred outside his uncles pub - the only real place Xavier considered home - was now being confirmed as a magical reaction from cured Runespoor Venom. Xavier wasn't an idiot, he knew what the stuff was and how badly the Ministry was cracking down on it. The last thing he needed was for his uncle to get thrown into Azkaban for being tied into the whole mess. he had hadn't heard from his uncle in a while and had been scouring the pages of the Prophet daily for any sign of an arrest.

The second and third thing that was ticking him off was the fact that they had arrested people for the explosion and though he was grateful his uncle wasn't being mentioned Xavier personally knew those that had been arrested. Nathan Briggs was Daz' husband. Xavier liked Daz, she was a woman with many uses and his uncle seemed to think so too. Xavier thought it was such a waste for a woman like that to be married to a man like Briggs but it wasn't his place to say.

The other man to be arrested was Rafe Sellaphix. Xavier had met Mr Sellaphix several times during the summers he spent in Knockturn. Whether it was tracking down ingredients that were needed for the bar or just wasting time perusing the man's selection Xavier knew who he was and further more considered the man's son a friend. Figaro may be a Hufflepuff but he had a good head on his shoulders, even if no one else could see it. The two boys had known each other since they started at Hogwarts the same year but it wasn't until Xavier started spending his summers in Knockturn that the two really got to know each other. For the time being he couldn't concern himself with how his uncle was faring through this ordeal. The only thing he could do was find out how Figaro was taking it all.

Xavier attended his classes like usual but wasn't as social as he normally would have been. None of his friends bothered him about it though. They followed the Prophet, they knew what was going on. They also knew it was best not to pry on the rare occasions that Xavier got quiet. He put the word out that he was looking for Figaro but it wasn't until the school day was over and dinner had been consumed that Xavier was able to send a message to his friend himself.

He stood against a tree outside the lake watching the finally streams of daylight disappear. He hoped Figaro would come meet him. It may be rare but Xavier was genuinely worried about the boy. He was normally a hot head that didn't really think about his actions to much. He didn't perform well in class and had a habit of running his mouth when he should know better, There was no telling what this kind of mood would do for a kid like that.

"Sod off!" Figaro shouted back as he skulked down the hill.  A couple of kids from Ravenclaw had been hampering him all day.  Figaro had barely made it through school that day.  He'd had an owl from his mum arrive at breakfast with the paper.  He'd been called for a meeting with his Head of House right off in the morning to 'see how he was coping' and if he 'needed anything'.  Figaro had remained alternately sullen and artificially friendly all day, but the comments were beginning to chafe.

And then the news that their old Headmaster was at St. Mungo's after a werewolf attack had everyone tense. 

It was a miracle he hadn't gone off on someone, starting a fight or using language that would make Peeves cringe.  People had been trying to have a word with him all day.  It wasn't until all the classes were over that he sought out Xavier, who'd been looking for him.

Figaro had, more or less, grown up with Xavier.  They got on well, both of them coerced into servitude during the summer months for their patriarchal units.  xavier was daring and funny and about three times Figaro's size - a good mate to have on your side.  Although he was really really tense sometimes and Figaro had always been kind of surprised he hadn't cracked, because that would have been an apocalypse.

He recognized Xavier's obvious silohuette against a tree lakeside, and Figaro trudged down the hill to meet him.

"Alright, Xavier?" he greeted.  "Crap day, yeah?  If I hear another word about my dad..." 

He just sort of trailed off.  What really troubled Figaro is that he couldn't feel sure that his dad hadn't done what they said he did.  So the threat that it might be months before he saw him again were real.  The risk that his dad might be locked up for years and years was a real possibility.

"I just can't believe it," he said lamely.  "Want to be home and help my mum, but she wrote to say I should stay at school.  That everything was alright with Frank and the shop.  She's lying."

He sat on the cold ground across from Xavier and crossed his arms against the cold wet breeze.  "Your uncle get any heat about the explosion? I heard it was near his tavern."

Figaro only knew two things about Xavier's uncle.  1. He was very scarey. And 2. He was forbidden by his dad to go anywhere near the Black Chimaera.
 

 

Xavier hadn't bothered to paste on a fake smile when Figaro finally arrived. He felt he owed Fig more than that. True he wanted to know how the other young man was dealing with this whole ruddy situation but he wasn't about to give him false greetings of sympathy or hollow reassurances. Xavier knew full well what it was like to lose a father and he also knew the stigma everyone else seemed to place on those that were sent to Azkaban. Xavier's Father had disappeared without a trace, his Grandfather had died in Azkaban and his uncle had spent most of Xavier's life within those lifeless walls. Xavier wasn't about to insult Figaro's intelligence by telling him everything was going to be okay. So instead he simply nodded in response to the other man's greetings.

Xavier listened to Figaro's explanation and disbelief. He searched the man's voice for any sign of deterioration. He needed to make sure that Figaro wasn't going to snap. As much as the kid looked like he needed a good fight Xavier knew he wasn't the strongest kid in school. He felt obligated to keep an eye on Figaro, make sure he didn't end up in the hospital wing for doing something stupid. To be honest Xavier couldn't fault him for wanting to punch every sodding idiot that make a remark about his father but he needed to make sure that Figaro wasn't going to mess with the wrong person. If anything he'd offer the smaller boy to take it out on him, at least Xavier knew he could take it.

Xavier was chewing on a long piece of grass, wishing he was allowed to bring a pipe or even cigarettes to school, "I don't know." He answered honestly once again feeling as if he owed Figaro his true feelings, "I haven't been able to get in contact with Uncle Cin. I'm not sure if anything happened with him or not." Although the situation might call for panic Xavier's voice was calm and collected as usual and given the situation and subject it made him sound almost dead, without any emotion towards a situation that could very possibly rock his family and life as he knew it.

He tossed the piece of grass aside and turned his cool blue eyes unto Figaro, "Does yer mom think he did it? Is it possible Briggs got him blamed fer somethin' he didn' do?" To his credit if Rafe Sellaphix was dealing in illegal goods and running a side business within the black market he had done very well to keep it quiet. Xavier wouldn't put it past Briggs to have pulled his employer into something dangerous and illegal like this. Briggs was the kind of skittish creature that would pull as many people down with him if it meant a shortened sentence for himself.

He crossed the space between them and gently put his hand on Figaro's shoulder, "Ye need anythin'?" Xavier asked sincerely knowing full well that Figaro would be able to see it as such. Even though he was this charming playboy type guy to the rest of the school, Xavier could be a true friend when you've gained enough of his trust and Figaro was one of those rare people that Xavier considered a true friend and not just a pawn in his master plan.

Figaro sat quiet after he'd finished, not responding to Xavier's conjectures about if his mom knew more than she was telling, or if his dad's employee Nate Briggs been the only one responsible.  He'd been asking himself the same things all day.  As far as he knew, his parents ran the shop together.  And his dad talked about work all the time in front of him and his brother.  He'd always wanted them both to know everything about the business.  And he had no idea about Mr Briggs.  Nate wasn't at all friendly to him or Xavier and whenever Fig was helping in the shop, Nate had done his best to give all the crap chores to Figaro.  He thought he was so smart, what was he doing at a job a twelve-year-old could handle? But Figaro had never pegged him as a criminal who'd get arrested by Aurors.

Figaro couldn't even visualize what that looked like: Aurors coming to his house. Asking for his dad. And them Apparating away, leaving his mum and brother Frank just standing there.

For a few moments, Figaro was occupied with his own questions.  Then Xavier had finished talking and put his hand on Figaro's shoulder.

Figaro looked up at his mate with look that said, 'are you winding me up?' Figaro knew he wasn't teasing, though.  Xavier's family was completely torn open and filled with nastiness.  He was sympathetic.  He knew what was up.  So he didn't punch Xavier in the arm that hard.

"Gettoff!" he said with a weak grin.  "What I need is for everyone to shut their ruddy mouths.  I don't know anything more than anyone else."

Figaro felt like everyone was watching him very closely, waiting for him to do or say something.  Like he was going to clear up the whoel story somehow.  Or crack open and cry or something like that.  Usually very pleased to be the center of attention, Figaro now wanted them all to leave him alone.

Xavier let out a soft chuckle as Figaro punched him in the arm. He backed away from the other man and rubbed his arm pretending as though Fig had truly hurt him. Now that he was certain Figaro wasn't going to snap or melt into a whimpering pile of crap he felt it necessary to adopt his usual persona, the one that everyone else at school was used to seeing. His face changed, a wide smile curving his lips showing off perfectly straight white teeth and his dusty blue eyes glowed with a hint of mischief. He was still rubbing his arm trying to cheer Fig up some, "Hey that 'urt."

Xavier's smile didn't falter and his posture didn't change much. He went back to leaning against the tree he had perched against earlier but his eyes, the windows of the soul, darkened. He fixed his gaze on Figaro and despite his smile he spoke with all seriousness, "Say the word Fig." The sentence was short simple and right to the point. There was no need to waste his breath in explaining what he meant. Figaro had known Xavier long enough to understand the implication of that statement. Although no one had ever seen Xavier do anything outright bad it was known that you didn't really want to mess with him, whether it was the implication that came with his family connections or the fact that once Xavier set his sights on something nothing would stop him from obtaining it.

If Figaro wanted people to stop, wanted everyone to leave him alone and not bring it up anymore, Xavier was the man to get it done. No one would know why or truly understand what had started it but if Figaro gave him permission Xavier could make sure that by the end of the week almost the entirety of the school would know that it was a taboo subject, they would fear asking the questions that burned their tongues. It would be untraceable and almost everyone would have a different reason why they should be afraid to approach the subject. That was the beauty of manipulating a social structure such as the one in a school like this. The way gossip spread like wildfire it was easy enough to get the word out. All Figaro had to do was let Xavier know he wanted it and it would get done.

Still sitting in the cold wet grass with his arms crossed, Figaro watched Xavier.  Like Devlin, Xavier Tawse was one of his friends he had trouble reading sometimes.  It was likely Figaro's lack of sophistication, but guile escaped his notice, somehow.  It was perhaps that Hufflepuff in him that tried to see the best in people, ignoring darker things.  So that's why he had friends like Sasha schlagenwiet, and friends like Xavier Tawse who terrorized people like Sasha Schlagenwiet.

A long silence sat between them, as Figaro processed Xavier's simple offer.

Say the word.

It was steeped in threatening nuances.  It reeked of a carte blanche to do whatever was necessary.  Figaro felt stepped on, crapped on, and embarrassed.  Worse than when Atticus slug-hexed him the first week of classes. Worse than when Devlin made him call things off with Fauna.  Worse than all of that.  He was humiliated and shamed.  And it made him feel exposed and angry. 

Xavier was strong.  He was one of the strongest kids in school, even bigger than some of the seventh years.  Even George Carter who'd repeated a year and was fully eighteen.  And he had something scary inside him.  Figaro didn't see it much, and it was never directed at him.  But Figaro heard things around this school and he'd heard some things about Xavier.  Happen Xavier did what Figaro thought he was going to do, Figaro wouldn't be bothered again.

But at what cost? As angry as Figaro was, he wasn't sure he wanted the responsibility of turning Xavier loose.  He looked down at the grass.  He was being paranoid. 

When he looked up again, his face was flat with disaffect. 

"Yeah."  He swallowed hard.  "Do it." 

Once again Xavier's smile widened and his whole demeanor altered. It had happened so quickly, the darkness in his eyes melting away to a brightness and cheer. Xavier's smile was once again ear to ear contradicting the situation he found himself in. There was a possibility that his uncle, his mentor the only man in his life that gave two shits about him was currently on his way back to Azkaban and that his one true home, The Black Chimera could be gone forever. Xavier no longer showed any sign of weakness or worry. Far as he was concerned the matter was done with. The change in him had been so sudden it was easy to assume the darkness had never been there at all, then again that's how it always was with Xavier, he had almost perfect control over his emotions and the growing monster within him that hardly anyone could truly tell whether it was actually there or not.

His eyes brightened even more when Figaro gave him permission. He could see the hesitation in his friends eyes. Fig was a good kid, Xavier knew that, it was why he wanted to do what he could to help him out. As soon as he left Xavier would get started on his work and make sure no one bothered him about the issue any longer. He knew Figaro was probably worried about the implications of what Xavier was about to do. He understood the hesitation his friend was exhibiting, was it really in his best interest to turn to Xavier on this one? What would people say about him afterwards? Would it put him on some sort of blacklist having his father arrested and then turning to a Tawse to keep it quiet? Whatever his hesitations had been he decided on letting Xavier get the job done. That was good enough for him, as long as Fig consented to it there wasn't a single thing that would hold Xavier back whatever the consequences may be.

Xavier simply nodded in response and then it was gone. It was as if those few words had never been passed between them. That was the beauty of what Xavier could do. It wasn't often that others came to him to get things done but if the plan was to succeed Xavier had to act as if nothing had conspired in the first place and Xavier was a brilliant actor.

He hung his shoulders a bit chewing on one of his normally well manicured fingernails. To turn the mood in the atmosphere around them Xavier had to turn to a subject he really had no interest in although his features would suggest otherwise. He knew the subject was likely to make Figaro feel worse but at least it would distract him from how he was feeling about his father, "So what thee 'ell happened wit that Blake girl? Thought ye'd be snoggin her like mad by now."

Figaro felt a little sick seeing how excited Xaiver looked, how big he was smiling.  He liked Xavier a great deal.  And other than completely unmatched wrestling matches wherein Figaro had to shout 'uncle' before Xavier choked him out, Xavier'd never done anything mean to Figaro.  And when they play-fought, Figaro was totally complicent.  And some days, Xavier had actually let Fig win.  But even so, Figaro wasn't sure what he'd do.  On the other hand, once Figaro got to thinking about how terrible his day had been, and all the nasty things people had been saying, he realized how nice it would be to have it all go away.  To get some peace and quiet and not feel so attacked again.

He got up off the ground and jumped to grab onto a low branch.  He hung there a moment and answered Xavier. He'd wanted to ask just what Xaiver would do, but was somewhat relieved when he changed the subject.

Fauna Blake had asked him to the dance on Sunday.  He wasn't sure how people had heard about it already though.  It hadn't been twenty more minutes before Devlin Matthews had turned it all up on its end.

"Not gonna happen," he said, hanging from the branch.  He seemed to be agitated about this topic as well.  He'd never really had a crush on Fauna before, but once he was presented with the possibility to go out with a pretty nice girl in the seventh year, it was an idea he had been keen on.  It had stung to get taken down a peg.

"Apparently, she'd meant to go with that arsehole Dev Matthews the whole time.   So I figure I'll just go with some mates like I wanted to from the start."

He pulled his feet up and hooked them over the branch, and hanging from all fours he raised an eyebrow accusingly at Xavier.

"You're not getting a date, are you?"

Something stirred inside Xavier that he quickly pushed down. He was inexplicably angry with Blake. How dare she play around with Figaro like that. What the hell was that lousy little mudblood doing leaving Figaro for an idiot like Devlin Matthews? He had half a mind to finish off what that ruddy werewolf had started but he let it go. As angry as he was it wasn't going to do him any good to let Figaro see that anger, see him explode. If Xavier was to complete his education he had to make sure he didn't to anything to compromise himself. His expression didn't falter other than a slight look of disappointment for Fig's situation.

When he was asked if he was going with a date he burst into laughter, a deep throated genuine laughter. A guy like Xavier didn't have to go looking for a date, there had been girls throwing themselves at him since the school year started. However Xavier wasn't interested, it wasn't that he wasn't flattered, he was. He was able to judge his popularity based on how many girls were fawning over him. For the time being however teenaged romances were only going to slow him down. He couldn't risk the chance of being compromised by 'falling in love' he needed to keep his eyes on the prize. The only time he gave into a girl was when he needed her for other purposes and since the Halloween Ball was strictly a social event it actually did him better to show up unaccompanied. It gave him the air of availability and left him open to talked to and dance with whomever he desired.

"No no no, Merlin no." He coughed a little bit clearing out the last bits of laughter, "Nah this bird's flying free ye know? Leavin meself open fer somethin' better ta come along." He gave Fig a wink enjoying watching him swing around in the tree, in so many ways Figaro was still so innocent, he supposed it was that innocent quality that caused Xavier's protective instincts to act up whenever Fig got into trouble.

"Ye wearing a costume?" Xavier contemplated climbing up into the tree with him but hesitated, "I'm stuck between spartan warrior, centaur or werewolf, meself."

Figaro smiled and shook his head.  Xavier couldn't be bothered to pay attention to any one girl for very long.  And yet they all still loved him.  Figaro didn't really get just who Xavier was waiting for.  There were plenty of girls at Hogwarts who were smart, well fit, and everything.  Whatever he was waiting for, Figaro would have to see that - probably had wings and could slice bread.

When talk turned to costumes, Figaro had grown bold and was now hanging by his knees, legs crossed over the branch.  Figaro had been about to comment on his own plans of not really having any plans yet when he realized what Xavier just said.

"A werewolf? Are you mad?"  He had to be joking.  No one was that off to come dressed as  a werewolf.

"Or don't you remember what happend not two nights ago, eh? Professor Greyfriar and some students got attack! He's still in hospital.  Dressing up like a werewolf's bad form, mate."

Even Figaro knew that.  From upside down, his disapproval was plain on his face.  Did Xavier think it was funny or something?  Olivia Foley had been kicked out of school a few months ago - his good friend and housemate - for being a werewolf.  And the students had all banded together to try and stop it.  But now, some other werewolf had been lose two night ago and Professor Greyfriar might not even survive, from what people were saying. 

"You're winding me up, aren't you?

Xavier let loose another deep throated laugh. Although this one wasn't actually genuine it sounded no different than the last. His smile was still there but that small hint of danger had creeped back into his eyes. To be honest Xavier thought it would be rather fitting to show up as a werewolf. The whole theme of the night was supposed to a night in an enchanted forrest. Whenever Xavier thought of the forrest he thought of all the dark and despicable creatures that made such places their home. Xavier had wanted to yell at him for saying he was in bad form but when it came down to it he supposed the other man was right. Even if he felt it was appropriate it wasn't likely that anyone else did. Especially with the attack on Greyfriar and the rest being so fresh in their minds. He didn't even think he'd be able to convince people that he had done it in support of S.A.W.S, especially since he didn't actively belong to that group.

"Calm down Fig I'm jus feckin wit ye. Ye really think I'd be crazy enuff ta go as a werewolf?" He smiled again and gave Fig a wink. He had turned his body to look fully onto Figaro's swinging form. He rarely made mistakes and he was thankful that when he did make them he was quick on his feet and able to cover up any blunder he may have made. Though he didn't see this as a mistake per se it was clear in the other man's expression that he would see it as much if Xavier had told him the truth.

"I guess I'm gonna hafta brush up me transfig skills if I wanna pull off a centaur though." He touched his hand to his chin and stroked it slightly. He thought about the many spells he'd have to perform to transform the bottom half of his body into that of a horse. He wondered if he'd be breaking any school rules doing so. It would definitely cause a lot of turned heads if he walked into the Great Hall as a perfectly formed centaur and for Xavier it would have to be perfect, he wouldn't settle for anything less.

"Ye didn' tell me what yer goin as."

Figaro took the branch in his hands again, righted himself and allowed himself to fall to his feet.  He shook his head.

His expression was lighter but he was still a bit startled that Xav would joke about werewolves, now of all times.  "You're mad..." he mumbled, sheaking his head, with a half-smile. 

Madder still that he was going to try for a centaur.  A much better idea than a werewolf, but well harder.  The Minister of Magic would send Figaro a birthday present before Figaro'd ever have enough Transfig under his belt to manage a centaur costume.  However, Xavier was a better hand at it.  Might have a chance.

Figaro shrugged when Xavier again pressed for his idea.

"Haven't thought on costumes much," he said honestly. "Might've tried to match Fauna, but since that's off I'm back at square one.  Oh hey," he said suddenly brightening, "Hey, figure me and Sasha'll both get stuck without dates.  You should come with us.  It'll be fun.  Three Owl Standard's the band - they haven't got any good slow songs anyway."

It would have been really excellent to have gone to the dance like a normal person, with a date and everything, but Figaro wasn't entirely dreading another year of going with his mates.  It was more relaxed, and by the end most couples had gone back to hanging out with their usual friends anyway.  So what if he missed out on the classic twitterpation? They could dance around and shout to Three Owl Standard, then stay out late, maybe try and sneak to Hogsmeade.

Having well practiced control over his emotions and facial features Xavier held back his need to roll his eyes at Figaro's excitement for the Ball's main form of entertainment. It wasn't that Three Owl Standard was a bad band, Xavier found their music decent enough, they had good lyrics and knew how to play their instruments. No, Xavier's dislike for the band lay in the fact that most if not all of the members it was comprised of were muggle borns. Lousy blood infiltrators swooning today's youth, making them all think that it's okay to be muggle born, that you can have a perfectly normal and even successful life living in a world you don't belong in. It made Xavier sick and he was definitely not looking forward to having throngs of screaming girls throwing themselves at such trash.

"That sounds great mate." Another practiced response. Xavier really did enjoy the company of Figaro and was glad to have him as one of his true friends but Sasha was another story. The German twit was just another blood infiltrator and for some reason girls were crazy for him. Xavier had broken his hand on a stone wall when he found out about Sasha and Neely's relationship for the first time. It wasn't right that a beautiful intelligent pureblood Slytherin be wasting her time on with someone so beneath her.

"I might be a lil late if I go through wit thee Centaur thing though." He let out a long sigh and smiled at his friend, "Who needs girls anyway. We can dance wit those we want to an won't hafta listen to them bitch fer thee rest of the night when were done wit 'em." He gave Figaro a wink making it clear what he thought of women and their best uses.

Figaro laughed, but this time it was he who was faking it.  He wasn't entirely comfortable with Xavier's overtly sexualized view of girls.  Figaro wasn't as mature as Xavier, so maybe that's what Figaro was missing.  But sometimes Xavier seemed so predatory about what other boys Fig's age treated more casually.  It was Figaro's horny against Xavier's ... lusty.  It put Fig off. 

But it was true - the night would be a ruckus if it was just the lads.  The thought seemed to cheer up Figaro, anyhow.  He took his wand out, and looked up the lawns towards the castle. 

Seeing no one, Figaro set a little fire in the grass and then rubbed it out with his foot.  As he did so, he got a somewhat determined look on his face.

"I want to go to London," he declared.  He hadn't really even thought the idea through, but of all the people he knew, Xavier was the only one who would back him up and knew how to make it happen.  Sasha and any of the other Hufflepuff wouldn't help him do it, even if they could, and well - he wasn't currently on the best of terms with Devlin.

"Sneak out.  I don't want anyone to know.  Not going to see my folks or anything.  I want to get into the shop and see if what everyone's saying is true.  I don't know.  Poke about.  I never saw anything in the apothecary that shouldn't've been there.  Nothing was hidden, nothing locked away.  It was all legit.  If there's more there I want to know about it.  If my folks have been hiding stuff from me, I ... well I want to find out.  No adults. No bullshitting, y'know?"

"Thinking I might try and Floo."  He looked over at Xavier, checking to see if he thought it was a good idea, checking to see if Xavier would back him.

Fig was feeling so tugged around.  He had to sort things out on his own.

This time Xavier didn't hide the smirk that came to his lips. He knew that Figaro didn't think of girls the way he did, that they were decent distractions when needed but not really worth anything in the long run. Some were useful there was no doubt about it. For now he had no need to give into any carnal purposes but they could be good tools for getting messages moved around and keeping others informed. Indeed, all Xavier had to do was whisper something even remotely intriguing into little Ayla Collins' ear and by the end of the day the whole school would know about it. Women did have their uses.

His cool grey eyes danced in the firelight and was somewhat disappointed when Figaro snuffed it out. Part of him wished that he had kept it going, the warmth would have been nice and there was something about fire that completely entranced Xavier, he found his thoughts clearer and more organized while he watched the flames dance.

He looked back up at Figaro when he made his proposal. Without a second thought Xavier was behind him and it was already clear that those twisted gears in his head were working over time figuring out exactly how he could get Figaro and possibly himself safely into Knockturn alley and back out again after having searched Sellaphix' Apothecary all without getting caught.

"Ye have every right to Fig, ye know that." He took in another deep breath, "If ye need help gettin' it done or a mate along fer thee ride, ye know I've got yer back."