A lucky escape for you young man

[ocularlunacy.livejournal.com]

*His new eye swivels in excitement, darting back and forth from taking in the lonely house before him and the back of Moody's skull. Apparation, it seems, is yet another thing easier to do with two eyes of the natural sort, and not with this bright blue, overeager replacement. Moody looks a little grotesque with his face stretched to accommodate it's new feature, but the eye accents his scowl perfectly.

These kinds of calls have been a source of great grumbling on his part since his first year on the squad, and so many years later he finds he resents the need for Aurors to personally respond to all threats even more idiotic than ever before. In light of the impossible nature of their jobs in these times, wasting even a part of an afternoon to find out if Xenophilius Lovegood poses any real threat - to give him a measly look-around and a warning - is about enough to send Moody to Scrimgeour to complain. If he didn't have the brains to keep quiet, that is.

When a terrible thing is said, or printed, the Ministry doesn't respond with raised eyebrows but with formal investigations - either toward the accused, or the accuser. If Lovegood is right, and Alice Longbottom has become corrupt in her work, Moody will eat his new eye and let it twirl around in his stomach instead of his head. Just because Crouch has taken a liking to her doesn't make her shine any less brightly in the workplace, or in the Order. However, if this strange man in his strange house knows anything Moody doesn't, as much as he is loathe to admit it, it should be no one's responsibility but his to find out.*

Come on, Black. It's a warning, it'll take all of five minutes - less, if he's not as level-headed as Alice seems to think.

Comments

[fleasaremurder.livejournal.com]

*The new eye is creepy. There's no denying that. But that's not why Sirius looks less than thrilled to be on this little hill today. He's met Xeno--just the once, mind, but Remus speaks well of him and Sirius himself gave over a quote or two for the werewolf volume of the Quibbler. That's what made the screed against Alice so shocking--Sirius has thought Xeno was good people, on the right side, and this? Although, of course, there was that incident with that suspect Sirius had in custody, and Alice's knife. Who's to say what side of things they're on.*

So are you hoping to take him in, or is this just a sit-down-shut-up-or-else housecall?

[ocularlunacy.livejournal.com]

Unless he has something to hide, no reason to take him in. May be an order but this is for Alice, she'd be thorough for any of us.

*Moody hikes up toward the house, Sirius just a step behind him, and his eye eyes a floating plum through the side of his head. Moody shakes his head before giving a professional hammer on the door - he is not accustomed to seeing like a chameleon.*

Xenophilius Lovegood?

[fleasaremurder.livejournal.com]

*Sirius frees his wand, but he still looks unconvinced that this visit is a good idea. Still, it can't hurt to add a voice he recognizes to the milieu, and if Xeno is focusing his anger on Sirius, he probably won't give Moody any reason to take him down. If Xeno reveals that Sirius was his source for the werewolf issue--well, Sirius will deal with that if it happens.*

Xeno, we're just here to talk.

[mindtheplums.livejournal.com]

*He does recognize Sirius' voice, and that's why there's no shotgun, no wand drawn, as Xeno opens the door; Sirius is a good enough sort for an Auror--lives with Remus and is a source himself besides, a source inside the Ministry, and that certainly must take some stones. Still, Xeno opens the door only as much as the chain on it will allow and peers harassedly through the opening, taking in not only Sirius but the grizzled man with him.*

. . .About?

[fleasaremurder.livejournal.com]

*Sirius snorts.*

What the fuck do you think. Ministry's pissed.

[mindtheplums.livejournal.com]

The Ministry can sit and spin, Black. Who's the mad-eye?

[fleasaremurder.livejournal.com]

*Sirius inclines is head toward Moody.*

Alastor Moody. He's an Auror. They pulled both of us just to issue you a warning. And if that isn't warning in and of itself I don't know what is.

[mindtheplums.livejournal.com]

Consider it issued.

*The rest is unsaid, but his stubborn face through the little opening is clear: and piss off.*

[fleasaremurder.livejournal.com]

Are you trying to get yourself killed? Is that what this is about? Suicide by Ministry or Death Eater werewolf or whomever the hell you decide to piss off next?

[mindtheplums.livejournal.com]

You're an awfully good guesser.

[fleasaremurder.livejournal.com]

You wanted to be taken seriously, well, you're being taken seriously now. There are consequences to that. You're just lucky it's us, if it were anyone else they'd have kicked in your door by now.

[mindtheplums.livejournal.com]

Thanks for coming.

Mind the plums.

*The door slams.*