𝒽𝑒𝒶𝓇𝓉𝓁𝑒𝓈𝓈

It was far from often that she ever sought advice from anyone - why would she when the answers always seemed to come to her so easily? - but there was an odd occasion where she could set her pride aside and ask for a small bit of help. They might have been few and far between but if there was on thing that she was guaranteed to ignore her own insistence that she could do it her for, it was her family. With her brother’s birthday fast approaching she realised that she had yet to get him a gift. It was a rare slip up from her, likely only brought on by all the upheaval of the past weeks. It was understandable enough, she supposed, but it would beyond unacceptable in her eyes to miss giving her sibling a gift. 

The lack of time had meant that she hadn’t been able to plan and pick the perfect gift, which was how she had found herself at Borgin & Burke’s, winding her way through the shelves as she waits to see if inspiration will strike. Her gaze had been resting curiously upon one particular artefact when a familiar face approaches, winning a smile from her as he does. “What would you recommend for a Hit-Wizard? Nothing too lethal perhaps but something useful would be appreciated. Viktor tends to prefer a more practical gift.” 

@ofbvrke​

cadmus was bored out of his mind at the shop; it was a slow day and he even found the newest edition of the daily prophet more entertaining than rearranging the shelves or dealing with the few customers that came in and out. after all, that’s what tarquin and the other employees were for. the boy just felt like he wanted something a bit more exciting. he glanced up from the newspaper everytime he heard the door open though the last time, a certain someone caught his attention. if there was anything to give cadmus some motivation to get back to work, it was a pretty face.

“a hit-wizard?” cadmus repeated, raising an eyebrow at the girl and making a face before his lips spread into a small smile. “oh, right, your brother. i keep forgetting you’re the only cool dolohov. and the prettiest, might i add.” cadmus couldn’t help himself with adding that last bit as he began scanning through the shelves, searching for something that would be useful before taking out a few items. “this one obliterates everyone in a radius of six feet. this one makes others puke slugs.. though i don’t think your brother would appreciate it that much-- oh. and this rope’s good for restraining multiple targets at once.” cadmus explained, putting the objects aside and searching for something else, before turning to the girl. “though, do we need to be arming hit-wizards any more? i’d say just buy him a cake and call it a day.” 

Félix looked up warily at the person who approached him. He could never really make his mind up about Cadmus, ever since they were in Hogwarts. They ran in different circles with some of the other boy’s friends definitely not being ones to befriend a muggleborn like Félix. Still, sometimes Cadmus will have Félix wondering… “I wasn’t going to,” he replied, not at all surprised by the other boy’s arrogance. Félix brought his glass of water a little bit closer to him. “I don’t really drink.” It was a weird thing to say while being found at a bar but Félix wanted to distract himself and unfortunately, it was the only establishment he found open that late in the night.

“no? that’s a shame.” cadmus admitted while leaning back into his seat and taking a sip of his drink. perhaps it was quite a strange sight, the two of them sitting down at the same table. they didn’t have much in common back at hogwarts and most of the burke’s friends despised the other boy’s kind but cadmus simply didn’t care and couldn’t be bothered to. besides, he could use the company right now. “what’re you doing here then? sulking at a bar of all places?” cadmus asked, his tone light and not at all judgemental as he let out a laugh. “and i could at least get you a pumpkin juice. you’re drinking water and that’s a bit depressing.”

LOCATION:  leaky cauldron STATUS: open

She needed her head to stop spinning.  To stop the pounding, to stop focus on the pitiful looks.  To forget her father’s painful words, ‘It should’ve been you.’  Those …  those echoed.  Those brought the sting of tears her eyes.  Aleco would like to think he didn’t mean it, that he was speaking out of grief, but she knew the truth.  They’d trade her away any day if it meant Amycus was the one who’d come home.  Thus she’d needed to get out.  One fireplace journey whisked her away to the Leaky Cauldron.  Ignoring gazes that fell upon her as she marched her way up to the bar’s end, a chilled glare in darkened hues, “Move.” she demanded of a witch residing in her way.  Snapping her fingers for the bartender’s attention, she waited a mere beat before reaching over the bar herself for the neck of the first bottle lithe fingers could fully grasp around.  “Never mind, put it on my tab!”  Cap twisted off, tossed aimlessly aside, she shifted through the light crowd, taking the night’s first harsh swig.

people dying was such a strange concept to cadmus. it happened more and more frequently, but it didn’t affect him in any way, not really. it was just a part of life and he couldn’t care less for those people. why would he? he didn’t know them. but then came the news of amycus and cadmus didn’t know what to make of it. the boy was someone he called his best mate, someone he without a doubt cared about. it just didn’t seem real. he couldn’t quite grasp the concept of his friend being gone, so the only logical way to deal with this issue was to get shitfaced drunk until cadmus could feel something. without giving it much thought, he walked into the leaky cauldron, ordering drink after drink until he eventually settled for a bottle. the burke was someone who enjoyed the nightlife more than he should, but this wasn’t a celebration. for the first time ever, he’d be drinking alone. that was until he spotted a familiar face arriving at the bar - alecto. she didn’t look too well and understandably so. the girl was the one who amycus’ death would hit the hardest. cadmus grabbed the bottle of scotch he’d been nursing all night and followed the older carrow twin. “alecto.” he called out in an attempt to get her attention. what was he supposed to say in a moment like this? i’m so sorry for your loss. how cliché. cadmus burke wasn’t the most empathetic person you could meet or one who could offer you sympathy. but both of them had lost someone important, so perhaps he could offer some comfort. “you look like you could use a drinking buddy.”

who: open starter.

Returning from Venezuela had caused more grief than Mulciber originally believed. The news of the Potter’s son, mixed with the poor turn-out of the Easter festival, had people questioning his loyalty. Why, after all, had he been in Venezula when he should’ve been in London? Of course, no one but his father knew of his real absence. The department had sent a few of the more… pure-blooded members to go check on a certain secret situation out in South America. Mulci would be lying if he said he’d missed his home; he’d missed the beach and the way the waves sounded as they crashed. Now, though, he was back in London, and on his lunch break. As someone sat down near him in the restaurant, Mulciber raised a glass, trying to keep his eyes sparkling, inviting. After all, no one could know of the anxieties that ran through his brain. 

cadmus didn’t quite expect to run into mulciber during his lunch break, but the surprise was a welcome one nonetheless. he’d always respected the older male, even admired him during their hogwarts years. it’s safe to say that if it hadn’t been for douglas, cadmus wouldn’t have been as skilled in the dark arts as he is today. the burke grabbed his glass of gin, which was perhaps the only important part of his meal, and moved to mulciber’s table, who currently had his eyes on someone else sitting on the table nearby. “mulciber!” cadmus exclaimed as he made himself comfortable. “where have you been, mate? it’s been so awfully boring without you around.” he admitted and made sure to quiet down a bit for his next words. even the burke knew how to be careful sometimes. “and i’ve got to say, you missed quite the shit-show.”