It was noon, and the pub was dead. The usual gaggle of simpering schoolgirls hanging around the bar were nowhere to be seen, and even the locals were taking a day off their usual pint. Vasily scrubbed down the bar with a heavy arm, rolled up sleeves revealing the criss-cross map of scars on his pale skin. Despite being the tender age of twenty, Vasily already looked battle-worn. Constant duels and brawls on the streets of Kiev had taken it's toll, and though devastatingly handsome, one always took caution when meeting the thug for the first time. The air of menace surrounding Vasily was inescapable.

It'd been some time since he'd seen Waker, and Vasily was certain that she'd come crawling back in no time. She'd sampled a whole experience - her little boyfriend was nothing in comparison. It wasn't as if he truly cared about her like the kid obviously did, she was another notch on the bedpost, but Vasily never came second best, and there was no way he was leaving Hogsmeade anytime soon. Even if she got back with her boyfriend, a sordid reminder of her little infidelity would always be just down the road, and that reminder would always be ready for a fight. Always.

He needed to visit another Hogwarts denzien soon enough, although this student was a little more special to Vasily - Demitria, his cousin. He'd been concerned for some time; some rumours had spread up, and Valentina, in an uncharacteristic action of concern, had notified Vasily that Taras may be showing up soon. And that, meant bad news. Until then, Vasily needed something to take his mind off things.

Melanthe was finding that she was spending more and more time in places like Hogsmead, Diagon and Knockturn. Gone were the days where she did business close to home. Venturing out to new populations of customers brought more excitement (and danger) to her life.

Today she was in search of one of her uncle Caspero's trusted colleagues from the past, Mr. Taras Strelnikov. Caspero had asked if Melanthe might seek him out and help the man get back on his feet following his stint in Azkaban and given the tangled web between their respective families, Melanthe had happily agreed. 

She was hoping she might find Taras and they could discuss business. And just catch up in general. The Strelnikovs were personally dear to her because of their connection to Ignan but also because Melanthe had gone to school with the children. They would all play together while their fathers plotted the downfall of the world. A villains daycare, if you will.

Stepping into The Three Broomsticks, Melanthe made her way to the bar and saw another familiar face. It was a little worn down, but she would still recognize it in any crowd.

“Vasily! Dobroho dnia, mij**.” she greeted him in his native Ukrainian tongue. She flashed him a smile that showed how fond she was of him. Then, not really caring that it might embarrass him in front of onlooking coworkers, Melanthe reached out to seize the young man's shirt front and pulled him closer. She planted a kiss first on one cheek and then on the other before returning a third kiss to the cheek she had started with and left the crimson mark of her lipstick for good measure.

“Jak sia majete?”**

---

** Good Day, my dear / How are you?

Vasily looked up: hearing the Ukrainian language was a rare treat these days. It was Melanthe Grumman, and a coy grin instantly appeared on his cruel, angular face. She'd been a family friend for years, with close connections to the Strelnikovs and the Storms, and he had an inkling that she knew exactly why he was here in Hogsmeade. At twenty three, the pureblooded beauty had always been queen of Durmstrang, and a figure of adoration for Valentina: exactly why such a promising, successful young witch was here in shitty old Scotland was beyond Vasily, however.

Feeling her strong grasp pull him forward for three heavenly kisses, Vasily felt neither shame nor embarrassment at the gesture. If anything, the brute was proud to have such a vixen pay public affection: he always did have a thing for older birds. Wiping the lipstick stain with the back of his hand, Vasily gave Melanthe a nod of acknowledgement, still grinning and returning her greeting in his native tongue.

"What do I owe the pleasure, Melanthe?" he asked, pouring two glasses of Ural Dragonbreath Vodka - on the house, of course. He'd been at the Three Broomsticks long enough now to take such liberties, and the landlady wouldn't give a flying Hippogriff if Vasily treated one of his own fellow Eastern Europeans to a homeland brew. "Hogsmeade is just a wonderful place to visit, wouldn't you agree?" The sarcasm in his voice was distinct, and Vasily continued to grin, glad none of the punters or employees could understand his language. "Whether it's the snivelling school kids or the drunken locals, it's all just perfect."

Vasily slid a glass over the bar to Melanthe as he sipped his own, the harsh liquid spreading over his tongue: any small reminder of the Ukraine, be it a drink or a familiar face, was always welcomed.

Melanthe settled into the bar stool and reached out to take hold of the glass of vodka that he poured for her.  She brought it to her lips and paused there as she inhaled and then sipped. After swallowing, she lowered the glass and listened as he spoke. Sidestepping his question of why she was there, she flashed him a a cool, dismissive look. “I cannot come and see how you are doing? Or even ask how Valentina is or Strellie?”

She laughed and shook her head. “Ahh, but you are right. I am here on business,” she told him, continuing to speak in Ukrainian, not wishing for anyone to overhear what she had to say to him. “I would only come here to be with certain people as you must know how much I love my beloved Russia.”

She smirked. “I would only come here to see you. Or Ignan. Or Strellie who is attending Hogwart's. Maybe Maeve if I liked her more,” Melanthe said, mentioning her blonde cousin with annoyance. “But no. I am here because my Uncle Caspero mentioned that I might be able to meet up with Taras.” Melanthe watched the young Ukranian and asked, “Have you seen him?”