ain't no rest for the wicked

“I don’t skip every meeting. Just most meetings.” He smiled in thanks to the bartender and took his drink. “I appreciate that, Runcorn, but I hate to say this pretty face didn’t miss you lot,” he teased with a smirk

“Eh, it’s not that great. It was just business stuff with my dad, but it kept my step-mum from forcing family time, I guess.” He turned to him. “So have I missed anything at these meetings or are we all just pretending we’re doing things?”

“Well, I notice when you’re not at the meetings.” Elliott said, placing a hand on his chest, “Then there are only two handsome men to stare at, I need my third.” He smirked, “Now you’re breaking my heart, Krum.”

“If you’re about to tell tell me you’re the latest owl they’ve sent to remind me how I’m slacking, I will Unforgivable you,” he said, though there was really no heat behind his words because he knew Elliot wouldn’t. He shrugged a shoulder, making a move to scoot down a bit so he could sit. “I’ve been in Bulgaria - why did I miss something?”

He held his hands up in his own defense as he took a seat, “Hey, this is personal business, not business business. I don’t care if you skip every meeting, but there might be people that do care. I’m just looking out for a friend.” He grinned, thanking the bartender when he brought them their drinks. “Not really, but we’ve missed your pretty face.” He winked, “Bulgaria... you know I’ve actually never been.”

Antoni hummed again, leaning back in his seat, “Probably for the best, to be fair.” He replied, eyes fixed on Elliot instead of on the building they were supposed to be watching. “Well like you said…who knows how long this could take.” Toni mused, still grinning at the man. “But we probably should just stay focused.” He wrinkled up his nose at the task, laughing lightly.

Elliott fixed his sight on the area just outside of the building they were staking out but was brought out of his half-concentrated state by Antoni’s comment. He raised an eyebrow and grinned, meeting the other’s eyes. “Uh-huh, who knows... Maybe we could pass the time by-” He was cut off when he saw movement from the other side. His expression and tone shifted, “That’s him.”

“We all have our opinions.” Anotni replied coolly, which was his way of saying Elliot was wrong. “Since when does boss man know anything we don’t tell him? If you want to get wasted, nothings stopping you.” He shrugged slightly, a smirk coming to his lips, “A little fun never hurt anybody.” He mused, “Though maybe you’re right, we do have to keep you looking all rugged and menacing.”

Elliott nodded and decided not to challenge the other further. It was apparent Antoni thought he’d won, and Elliott didn’t mind letting him think so. He smirked, “A fair point, but I don’t want to get wasted on the job.” In truth, Elliott was just complaining, he had no intention of becoming sloppy. He returned to smirk, “Uh huh.” He straightened up slightly in his seat, returning his attention to keep an eye out.  “There’s always after.”

Antoni hummed quietly, shrugging as he took a sip from a ridiculously over-sized can of Redbull. “Then` you should of brought something stronger than coffee.” He joked, “We wait until we have confirmation hes with the crimson allies. If you go over there with figurative guns blazing, he could get away and we won’t have a confirmed source for information. Knowledge is power, you know.”

He shook his head lightly, bringing the cup up to his lips. “Power is power.” Elliott murmured into his coffee cup before taking a sip. He sighed and put it back down. “I don’t think the boss man would love me being intoxicated on this job.” He tilted his head and looked at Antoni and smirked. “And probably neither would you. I know I’m a fun drunk, but I think it might take away from the intimidation factor, don’t you think?”

He took them with ease. “No problem. Unless you’re just doing this to put me to work.” Phoenix smirked and walked with him. “So – am I allowed to ask what’s in here?”

Elliott smirked as he handed some of the items to Phoenix, “I’ll never tell.” He shrugged, “You’re allowed to ask, yes, and I hardly care if you’re allowed to know. They’re cursed muggle items, some stuff another department found in muggle London. I am supposed to expose of them as soon as possible, but I thought it might be interesting to check them out first.”

“Are you sure you don’t need help with that?” he question. “Because I’m not sure, but it looks like you do.”

“I definitely do,” Elliott said, never one to turn down help from his handsome friend. He smiled and handed a few bagged items to Phoenix, “I would use magic to carry these, but they’ve got a nasty enchantment on ‘em that I don’t want to mess with.”

“It’s the holidays. You can’t just tell people you’re stressed.” She teased before grinning. “You? A well behaved Hogwarts lad? Now that just doesn’t seem true. You seem the type that would’ve given all your professors and professors’ aides hell.”

He rolled his eyes playfully, “You’re right, how selfish of me to feel stress during the holidays.” He raised an eyebrow, “Are you calling me a liar? I didn’t get detention not even once. My parents wouldn’t allow such nonsense.” He winked, “Now, all that means is I never got caught doing mischievous things...”

“I think it’s the holidays that brings it out in most. Although some people’s are certainly insane year round.” She nodded along. “I think you’re about half right. He misses his brother most of all during this time. From what I’ve heard, he was quite the photographer. I think I’ll hold off on the howler although you may find yourself with one if you find it so funny.” She mused with a waggle of her brows to lighten the mood.

“Yes, so much pressure to see everyone, get presents for all your family members, spend quality time... and people call me a scrooge when I mention that the holidays stress me out.” He tilted his head and smirked, “It would be the first time I’ve ever got one. I was a well behaved Hogwarts lad.”

“Aw, poor little Elliott,” she mused with a grin. “Seriously, cheer up. It’s the holidays, we have no time for your hot guy brooding, okay?”

He frowned at Kennedy almost pathetically, “What, is your family all perfect during the holidays? I can’t be the only one who can’t stand the constant bickering.”

“It isn’t truly the holidays without your parents driving you crazy. Dad keeps owling me asking when I’ll be home… it’s been just about every day this December and no matter how many times I tell him when I’m coming… he just keeps asking.”

“You have no idea. Or maybe you do. Is everyone’s family so insane?” He shook his head, sipping his drink, “Sounds like your dad might be hitting the eggnog a little hard. Maybe sending him a howler announcing your itinerary might help drive it into his memory. Regardless, it would be funny.”

Madeline nodded, staying close to Elliot as they headed towards the shadier part of Diagon Alley. “Wonderful, hope it all doesn’t take too long, maybe I’ll have time for dinner with my sister.” She commented, mostly to herself. “That meeting? Do you have more than one, then?”

Elliott smiled, “I’m a popular man, Rosier. As I said, it should only take a moment. If you must know, I’m picking up a set of particular old scrolls I’ve been really dying to get my hands on.” He nodded, “And yes, you should have plenty of time for that.”

Madeline was actually glad to see Elliot, since hanging around any bars alone was a little unnerving for her, even a less-intimidating place like the Leaky “Hello.” She gave him a cheery smile, “No, I’m just fine, we can head out. So, what errands do you have today?”

He nodded, understanding no wanting to hang around the place. “Let’s get going.” He said, returning the smile. “I have a few orders to pick up in Knockturn Alley, and I planned to meet someone at the White Wyvern. That meeting should only take a moment.”