𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 / 𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐋𝐄𝐃 ,

Isaac’s tension slightly eased when she tucked her wand away. Oh. A shipment? Her visit was about his cousin then. Isaac supposed that that was completely plausible. “My cousin?” he asked, still a little bit confused. “Why not go to him then? What are you bothering me for?” He noted how Adinah eyed her surroundings. Was it just her curiosity or was she looking for a possible quick exit? Or worse, was she casing his place for a future attack later on?  Isaac silently cursed himself. He shouldn’t have let her in. Her answer to his question was barely enough to snap him back to the present. “Well, you’re shite out of luck, Rosmerta. My cousin hasn’t reached out to me recently either. I have no idea why a shipment hasn’t come in.”

adinah.

“   I’d hardly waste time here if I had another means of contacting the prick.   ”   Useless or holding out?   Adinah has had her fair share of untrustworthy partners,   but she’d never taken Buchanan for a cheat or a coward.   Regardless,   she’s not interested in hanging around to chew the fat with his cousin.   “   Shit out of luck,   ”   she grumbles,   and it’s clear she isn’t happy with this turn of events.   A foot taps absentmindedly.   It wasn’t exactly friendly work they were involved in   -   if the idiot managed to land himself in some trouble,   Adinah would prefer to be aware of any potential fall back.   “   When’d you last hear from him?    ”

“I’m not sure if I do,” he shrugged, “False flattery has never been my style.” Because, Evan too, couldn’t let anything go without getting a word. Especially not when it came to her. It was obvious that Rosmerta wasn’t exactly thrilled about his visits but then, she didn’t seem fully opposed to it either. So perhaps, in a way, she enjoyed their back and forth just as much as he did. Evan always had liked getting in the way of people who so clearly disliked him; it had its own thrill. He tipped his head slightly at her toast but downs most of the drink in one go anyway. 

Evan had to laugh, a short, humorless sound. “Well the death of a child hardly does favors for the DMLE,” he said, “Oh, I am very good at my job.” Both of his jobs as it turned out. “I can’t imagine you’re thrilled about Aurors stopping by here.” He added as if that was why she had a problem with him. 

adinah.

The death of a child.   Not even Adinah is heartless enough to be disaffected by the statement.   Not when it was less an accidental death and more a very intentional murder   -   or so she’d heard.   But then,   she wasn’t exactly interested in being involved beyond the whispers.   “   It must be difficult for you,   ”   She muses,   sarcasm dripping in her tone.   “   Having to remain so stoic about it all.   ”   She’s filling his glass again as she speaks,   not quite as full as before.   “   Don’t worry Rosier,   you don’t have to keep up that brave face with me.   ”   His question causes a quirk of the brow,   and eyes raise to meet his.   “   Why would I be anything but thrilled?   Aurors pay like anyone else   -   usually more if they've had a successful week.   ”   He’s not wrong of course,   but as long as they keep their noses in their drinks and not on her,   Adinah can play along.   “   Really it’s just your company I can’t stand.   ”

“Not this time. Just a request to spend some time with an old friend.” For all they were prone to blunt honesty, they weren’t often quite so open with their feelings. But somewhere along the lines they’d developed a bond with the witch and they were grateful for it, it seemed only fair that they admit to it every now and again. The fondness was fleeting though and soon a smirk tugged at the corner of their lips. “I’m glad to hear it. I’d hate to put you in handcuffs.” Shifting slightly on their stool, their head shook as lips curled up into a smile knowing full well that Adinah was determined to get them to loosen up a little bit. But their stance on alcohol was unlikely to ever really alter, despite her best efforts. “A butterbeer is fine. But you’ll be the first to know if I ever want anything stronger.”

adinah.

“   Friend?   ”   She teases,   looking altogether displeased at the term.   “   Mentor,   teacher,   spiritual guide...   that might be a bit closer to the mark.   ”   Despite having asked if Dorcas was tempted by the various spirits that lined the bar before them,   Adinah was already setting to work on filling a mug of their drink of choice before they were able to reply.   She was never the optimistic type   -   and while it was true that it would not hurt Dorcas to loosen up every so often,   she’d long given up on the idea that it would happen in her life - time.    “   That was a test of course.   ”   She slides the full mug across the bar,   smirking all the while.   “   Congrats,   you passed.   ”   

alastor knew there were rats in the dmle –– just like there were rats in the order. he didn’t know their names or their faces, but he knew they existed. and while he might have suspected this place of far more than just serving diabetes in a cup to unsavoury figures that just happened to be passing by, did he care? not really. he’d never cared for smuggling or illegal trades or white collar crime, that wasn’t his department. but he also knew someone like adinah didn’t pack a pub full of people without knowing far too much. “ i’ll have some gillywater instead. ” having a regular drink was exactly how he’d end up poisoned one of these days. so he levelled her with a look, somewhere between curious and incurious. “ anyone i’d know? ” alastor glanced over his shoulder before turning back to her. “ seems like the whole wizarding world’s stuffed in here today. ”

adinah.

“   Ah yes,   gillywater.   Our most sought after refreshment.   ”   And the tone she adopts is just dry enough to sound serious to the untrained ear.   She humors him,   though,   procuring a glass and a pitcher.   “   Well that depends entirely on who you know,   ”   she replies with a noncommittal shrug,   not quite fond of the curiosity in his tone,   but not exactly eager to pick up the defensive either.   He has never given her a reason to,   at least.   And then,   as he glances back,   she quirks an amused brow at the somewhat conspiratorial nature of his observation.   “   There’s a special today,   ”   she states plainly,   a smile on her lips as if that’s all the explanation he would need.   “   The people love our mulled mead.   I’ll be glad to serve you some once you’ve finished off that gillywater of yours,   you can see what all the fuss is about.   ”

“Oh, no need to flatter yourself, Adinah,” he scoffs, “Its the end of a long day and I wanted a drink.” Though he would be lying if he said he didn’t enjoy her obvious resentment for him. At least, Adinah wasn’t a push over and as frustrating as it could be; he wasn’t exactly involved in the Three Broomsticks part of the operation, so in a way, Evan could respect it. He had always liked a challenge. He shrugged in reply, “There’s always someone or something people are afraid to lose. Most people just don’t have what it takes to make the right attack.” But as was obvious after recent events, the Death Eaters were above nothing. He raised his glass for a toast, “To resilience.” 

adinah.

She doesn’t take the slightest offense to his words,   as she’s sure he doesn’t hers.   But she isn’t going to let a single thing he says go un-contended either.   It’s not her nature.   “   It’s important to flatter yourself from time to time.   I’m sure you know all about that.   ”   Conversation with Evan Rosier always proves to be challenging if nothing else.   Words are dripping with sarcasm as she reaches for her own glass.   She eyes him speculatively as he speaks,   a flash of interest,   gone in an instant.   Raising her own glass only half-heartedly,   she smiles,   not bothering to take a sip.   “   To having what it takes.   ”

Only after he drinks does she set her glass down again.   “   I imagine the office has been busy lately.   Catch any bad guys?   ”

For a quick second, Isaac dared to peek his head out of the doorframe to check the hallway. It was empty except for her. For now at least. He took a step back and returned his gaze to the woman. Using her appearance would definitely be an odd choice if they were trying to get his defenses down. Maybe she was Adinah. “I’m not,” was his only answer to her question. “There’ll only be trouble if you start one,” he warned. Seeing that she hasn’t attacked yet and that she wasn’t going away, he finally caved in. Reluctantly, Isaac stepped back to give way to her. He put his wand down but he did not tuck it away. Especially with her own wand out in the open. Isaac will not be caught off guard, once again. “You haven’t answered my question, what do you want?”

ariadne.

“   Relax big man,   ”   the trepidation that might have lingered in her tone before switches to that of amusement.   As he offers entry Adinah tucks her wand fully away,   raising up her hands as if to reassure him that she really does mean no harm.   “   I wanted my shipment to come in when it was scheduled.   ”   She enters,   “   But your cousin didn’t come through as expected.   ”   She studies the flat for a moment before turning around again to face him,   stuffing her hands in her pockets and standing expectantly.   Adinah could spare a moment to question his caution,   or ask why he’d been so on edge.   But the fact of the matter is she doesn’t care about much else than her missing supplier.   “   Can’t reach him and you’re the next best thing.   Believe me Buchanan,   this isn’t how I’d like to spend my day either.   ”

Rosmerta. His brain finally connected the voice he heard to a name. And then to a face. Right. Adinah ran The Three Broomsticks. That and something completely illegal. Which made her the perfect person to contact when it came to smuggling. Isaac remembered that his cousin does business with her. Was he the reason then that she came to his door? Without dropping his wand, Isaac inched towards the door to peep through the hole. All while his wand pointed at the door at all times. Confirming that it was indeed Adinah, Isaac stepped back and reluctantly opened the door. He saw her wand out which caused Isaac to point his wand at her again. “What do you want?” he asked demandingly. ”How do I know it’s you?”

adinah.

Eye shoots to his wand,   and though she tenses,   she maintains a level tone.   Her own wand was a precaution at the hesitancy she could hear from within the flat,   and Adinah sees now that it was not an entirely unwarranted one.   “   You can’t replicate this face,   Buchanan.   ”   Well you could,   but she had a feeling if someone went to the lengths of poly-juicing her,   Isaac Buchanan’s door would hardly be their first stop.   Her wand his still in her hands,   though by no means pointed at the boy in front of her.   In fact,   her grip loosens.   “   Expecting someone else?  Sorry to disappoint.   ”   In a show of good faith,   she tucks the wand back in its place,   though her gaze remains on him.   “   Put the wand away and let me in.   I don’t think either of us want trouble.   ”

–––– in conversation with @whiskeyrid ; the three broomsticks. 

he visited hogsmeade more often in his forties than he ever had when he was still a student ; he had always chosen to have the slytherin common room to himself instead. whether that was to study or not was his own goddamn business. but nowadays, the sticks was neutral territory in a place that really didn’t deserve one anymore. but the sticks also had enough rumours thrown around about it in the auror office, maybe a little too many even. “ rosmerta, ” alastor said in lieu of a proper greeting the second he saw adinah, something close to a smile almost on his face. or maybe it was just practised ease. maybe it was a trick of the light. “ busy day? ”

adinah.

If she could go every day for the rest of her life without seeing another member of the dmle in her establishment,   Adinah would not complain.   Sure she had her share of connections within the organization   (   and they were proving fruitful,   considering no one had come to give her trouble.   )   But Moody seemed different.   “   Alastor,   ”   she returns his greeting in kind,   not bothering with the formality of last names.   The man was here often enough,   and she was far from the formal sort.   At his question,   eyes skim the pub that is filled to the brim,   taking stock of each and every head before meeting his gaze again.   “   One could say so.   ”   It’s with a sort of easy amusement that the words roll off her tongue,   replaced by a question.   “   Will it be the regular today?   ”

Ever since Isaac got attacked, his house no longer felt safe. He didn’t feel like the option was moving was any safer. He might as well assume that the Death Eaters have eyes on him at all times. One particular Death Eater close to Isaac surely would. Neither was living back with his dad an option. They haven’t harassed him so far and Isaac would very much prefer if things remained that way. So instead, he learned every protective spell by the book. The door could no longer be blasted from its hinges. Apparating and disapparating were now impossible inside his flat. Isaac didn’t even sleep a wink in his own flat until he saw to that. But even with all of that, Isaac was barely at ease. 

Isaac almost jumped out of his skin when he heard the rapid knocking. He wasn’t expecting anyone today. Not that he’d ever invite someone to his home again. So his thought immediately went to the possibility that the men who attacked him have returned. Even if the voice through the door sounded female and vaguely familiar, but Isaac could never be too sure. The wizard tried to control his breathing as he brought his wand out. “Who are you?! What do you want?” he shouted from the other side, still refusing to open the door.

adinah.

She’s about to knock again,   running thin on patience and eager to get this whole ordeal over with.   But the voice that calls back is fearful,   and it stops her mid - movement.   There’s a reason she doesn’t make house calls.   A moment of silence passes,   her own hand reaching idly for her wand out of sheer caution.   A glance over her shoulder,   then back to the door.   Nervous people make her nervous.   Not fearful necessarily,   or anxious,   but agitated.   Twitchy.   “   Rosmerta,   ”   she calls back,   the frustration at having to wait outside is clear in her tone.   “   We have some business to discuss,   ”   she adds,   shifting the weight from one foot to another.   “   And that would be a helluva lot easier if you’d open the damn door.   ”

They had never been good with having free time when their whole life had been one constant goal for as long as they could remember. It wasn’t so much that they craved company, not when they were so content in their own, more that they hated feeling as though they were wiling away hours - wasting time. So instead an impromptu trip out had been taken, greeting the witch in kind. “Rosmerta.” A shake of their head was give. “Not this time-” Brow rose in almost playful challenge. “- should I be?”  Smile tugged at their lips, fondness colouring both their expression and words. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

adinah.

“   Well that depends.   You got a warrant?   ”   She teases back,   though everything about her demeanor suggests she is serious.   Adinah breaks the facade only moments later though,   matching the others grin.   “   I’ve been a good girl,   Meadowes.   Keeping my nose clean and the like.   ”   She’d always been fond of Dorcas,   thought it was good that Marlene had a friend like them to keep her straight   -   or at least try to,   that is.   Even if she did want to shake some fun into them from time to time,   remind them that they were still young,   after all.   “   Glad to see you’re affording yourself a break.   Butter beer for old time’s sake?   Or can I tempt you with something a little stronger?   ”   The last part is said with a quirk in her brow,   not expecting the younger wix to bite.

There are few reasons for him to visit the Three Broomsticks. Usually, it is at the behest of another – an invitation he accepts with a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes and that immediately falls out of sight. But tonight is not usually. It had been over a month since he’d last seen the pub’s proprietor and, at work, he found his thoughts drifting to her. When he arrived, it was less busy then he expected. He takes a booth and a drink he does, considering whether this was a foolish endeavor or not. Before he can decide, she spots him. “I suppose I have to sometime,” he said, with the barest hint of a grin. “Would you have anything better to offer me than this”–he paused, motioning to his drink–“swill if I sat there?”

adinah.

“   If I gave a damn about your opinion,   that might hurt my feelings.   ”   Eyes narrow as if in a show of annoyance   -   but when its coupled with the upward turn of her lips,   it holds no real weight.   Adinah is used to Rodolphus’ insufferable attitude,   having been subjected to his company for much of her young life.   She takes him at face value.   Something about the clash of their two worlds has bloomed into an interesting friendship.   “   First you hide from me,   then you insult my wares.   Now you’re asking for preferential treatment.   ”   Of course she has her own reserves on hand,   and there are other choice liquors available in the pub,   but few of her patrons have such expensive taste as Rodolphus Lestrange.   With a shrug,   she gestures toward the bar.   “   After you,   my liege.   ”

“   What’s on the menu tonight?   Death,   destruction?   ”   It’s a slow night,   she could use a good distraction.   Adinah has always been intrigued by the art of divination,   even if her inner cynic is inclined to take it all with more than a grain of salt.   She refills the other’s glass wordlessly,   leaning on the bar.    “   As long as it doesn’t involve the intrusion of a tall handsome stranger,   I’m open to speculation.   ”   Or at the very least,   a good story to pass the time.

“   If it isn’t my favorite reporter,   was wondering when I'd see your face again.   ”   A lie,   evidenced in the flatness of her voice.   But to be fair,   she’s not really a fan of the press lurking around the pub in any capacity.   Eyes linger on the note pad that is sitting atop the bar before rising up again,   brow quirked.   “   Slow week?   ”   Her dislike of the girl's curious nature is all the more reason to give Skeeter her undivided attention when she wanders in,   which explains why Adinah's bothering to make conversation at all.

“   Meadowes.   ”   Adinah is all too familiar with the person who has just taken seat at the bar,   but she speaks their name as if it’s been years since she last saw them.   “   Mckinnon’s not around.   Guess that means you’re here to book me?   ”   Dorcas might be young,   but Adinah has always known they’d go places.   Doesn’t mean she can’t have a bit of fun when the other wanders in from time to time   -   after all,   it's not often that the witch meets someone with such a profound moral compass.   She has to remind them that they're always gonna be a little kid to her somehow,   right?   “   Guess I should warn you that I won’t go quietly.   ”

“Knew you would have missed me, Rosmerta.” He replied with a shrug, “I would have come sooner but I’m sure you can guess how occupied I have been,” Evan was used to people not liking him; it didn’t truly matter to him. Rosmerta’s apparent annoyance for him was little more than a source of a dry sort of amusement. “Oh, I agree,” he smirked, “War is one way to expose weakness, isn’t it? I suppose everyone has a breaking point-” his said pointedly. “Whiskey. You should join me.” 

adinah.

“   Oh now,   wouldn’t go so far as to say that.   ”   A patronizing tut-tut of her tongue,   she moves to grab the bottle in question,   making a show of topping off the other patrons before returning to him.   “   Hope you didn’t take time out of your schedule on my account,   ”   she fills his glass slightly over - full,   as is her custom,   doing the same for the extra one she’s produced for herself.   Even Rosier wasn’t exempt to her hospitality   -   all things considered.   “   Well let’s not get ahead of ourselves.   ”   Words are light but the undertones are clear,   she quirks a brow dismissively,   leaning on the bar.   “   People can be surprisingly resilient.   ”