Outside of Hogsmeade

"Yep, that's the guy," Pixie piped up. "Said he was after you next, bro, and that we should tell ya he was comin'. Course, me and Nix think it was a dumbass choice to let you know, but it's his funeral."

H... so the enemy finally has a name.


"If he knew so much, he has a strategy if he feels confident enough to tell others that. He wants me to find him."

"Crest, don't do anything rash," Phoenix said. She glanced between the three of them that were present, clearly concerned; while she had no doubt that they could all hold their own, she'd rather they didn't rush into anything.

"Obviously not. He has the advantage right now."

"Good." Satisfied, she relaxed. "We're sort of like sitting ducks right now. I can send Karen a message when we get back to the castle, but other than warning people, I don't know what else we can do."

"Remember what I said about spyin'?" Pixie raised her eyebrows. "Dude offered me a chance to get into whatever it is he's doin'." It'll give me an opportunity to check it out for myself, too.

He gave Pixie a suspicious glance. He, unlike his brother who held authority, wasn't the biggest believer in redemption for death eaters.

"Oh, don't give me that 'holier than thou' look," she growled. "In the grand scheme o' things, I'm neutral, I'm just helpin' out my family."

And that's what concerned him. Neutrals who couldn't pick a side were usually renegade factors he'd have to clear up later.

"Just don't be roped in..."

"Honey, I've been dragged in once, I ain't goin' back in for a second go. Hell, if ya want, you can comb my brain for any doubt every time I come back. It'll probably be best for all o' us if that's the case." Pixie was aware that there would always be a bit of temptation in her for the freedom of it again, but she definitely didn't think she would act on it.

"I'll have to take you up on that. This H is dangerous." If Crest flat out stated someone was trouble, you'd best believe it was true.

"If you think the bastard's tinkerin' with my head, go ahead and pull me outta there before it gets too bad." Pixie was certain on this. As intriguing as it was, she didn't want to be sucked in.

"Contact him again. Meet with him and see what you can discover." With that Crest turned his back and walked off.

"Would it EVER kill him to say please?" Artisan asked to the air once he had left.

"Probably." Pixie rolled her eyes, then stood up properly, making to leave as well. "I'll get goin'. It'll probably please him if I turn up this soon after."

"Be careful," Phoenix repeated.

"Sure thing." With a flash of a grin, Pixie headed back to the castle to borrow an owl.

"Well, guess that leaves us.. drinks?" He offered friendly.

She chuckled, putting her wand back in her pocket. "Sure."

"Oh thank god! Finally I found a drinking buddy in the family!" He opened up the door.

"I never get a chance to drink, these days. If you'd mentioned it earlier, we could've arranged something!" Phoenix bumped his shoulder with hers, chortling.

"Well you see... reason i didn't was you're a claw and they're all about responsibility and crap like that..."

She rolled her eyes. "Where's the fun in being responsible if you can't relax now and again? It'll get tiring if you try to be responsible all of the time."

"Tell Mr. Tall-Dark-And-Serious that.. did you know he stiffed his own bachelor party?" he threw up exasperated hands, "Can you even DO that?!"

She shook her head, smiling wryly. "You'd have thought it would be the one time he'd let loose a bit... What drink d'you want? I'll buy the first one."

"I'll just take me a firewhiskey..."

She bought a firewhiskey and a butterbeer, then turned with them both in hand to look for a table. "So, aside from creepy-ass stalkers following you around, what else have you been up to?"

"Well not too bad... except Crouch has been going more ape shit than usual..."

"How?" She cast a glance at him before sitting down and passing over his drink.