Order of the Phoenix

[Nicci]

Lauren wrote:
Clarke started at Nell, eyebrows raised. "I'm already a member of the Order, actually. I've been training for years. And It wasn't my fault that I dropped my wand," she muttered suddenly. "Kevin should've noticed that brat crawling towards me. It was his job to baby sit, not mine." Then she looked back up again at them defiantly. "But the Order isnt't what I thought it would be. They're famous for doing the right thing, the good thing, but I don't see killing a seemingly innocent family as right or good."

Nicci wrote
Heath gently shook his head and reached for another biscuit. <The things they filled the minds of today’s youth with>. It was clear from her views of the Order why Sporus had quickly rejected her onto them, but with his colleague’s disapproval towards Clarke there wasn’t much he could do alone.

“If something posed a threat to others would it be so bad to find a way to remove the danger?” He spoke posing the question back to Clarke “If a farmer’s livelihood is in a flock of sheep is it wrong to kill the wolf that might have predatory intentions against them?”.

Heath smiled as he thought about the two sided question. This was like the Order, split with different views on the same question. He had faith in Clarke that she would logically think about her choice of answer before coming to a conclusion. Given his example the wolf symbolised the danger the King family posed on the magical community, it wasn’t widely broadcasted knowledge but it had serious potential. On one hand the choice to immediately eradicate went to Sporus, on the other Heath would have spent more time understanding the problem and may have protected his ‘flock’ better without assuming the worst from the dangerous source.

(I think my post makes sense..)

[Lauren]

Clarke stared at him. Grudgingly, she realised that what Heath had said did make sense: she'd want to kill the wolf that hunted the sheep. But, then again, the Kings hadn't been dangerous to anyone, even so much as stepped a toe out of line, for years. She shook her head, confused. This wasn't what she thought would happen, not at all.

She realised that Heath was still waiting for an answer. "You know what I'd do, I guess. I'd take out the 'wolf'." she told him.

[Nicci]

“And it is with that choice..” Heath began swirling the last of his coffee in the bottom of the cup “That we as individuals choose to pass the judgement on these seemingly dangerous individuals and draw the clear cut line about how we exert out powers over them.”

Leaning forward and placing the coffee cup on the table, Heath gave a quick side glance at Nell before returning his attention to Clarke. “I may be considered the old fool to Sporus but the more composed and logical side to the Order has served me well for years and I’m too set in my ways to suddenly jump at doing something differently, outright eradication of a target without giving it a second chance would only prove I deserved a first class ticket straight to the hell that is Azkaban.”

(Is this scene going ok? I still feel kinda in the dark..)

[Lauren]

(Nicci, I do too. My brain is refusing to tell me what it thought up in the first place ¬_¬ ))

---

Clarke watched Heath and listened to what he said. "Well... I don't consider you to be a fool. That's why I accepted your invitation to talk after what happened at the last mission. I guess the Order's just one of those things that you want to be involved with all your life, and then when you finally get what you want, it's nothing like you thought it would be." She sighed and took a drink of her coffee. She looked around at the other Order members seated at the table. "And it just doesn't feel right for Sporus to boss everyone else around and then not do anything himself." she added.

[Nicci]

Heath became silent, struck contemplating Clarke’s last words ‘and then when you finally get what you want, it's nothing like you thought it would be’. Too many years he had dedicatedly given to the order but for what? To live a life in everyday limbo waiting for a potential order, or when the day finally came a big enough dangerous cause was taken down could he redeem himself for making such terrible sacrifices?
Feeling the smoothness of the metal band around his 4th finger again as a reminder, Heath frowned but quickly tried to hide any obvious emotions.
“That’s just the way things have always been” he added, taking his sunglasses out of his top pocket with one hand and clutching them tightly.

[Nicci]

(Ok Getting the OoTP going again. So sorry it's long but I had a lot to cover, Tom, Chris and Lozzy you should all be able to jump in again now. I am really sorry if I've put anyone's characters out of character and I tried to keep Clarke's replies/reactions to the minimum. I hope you all enjoy)

The afternoon’s trek around Diagon Alley ‘baby sitting’ their newest recruit hadn’t been as bad as Heath had imagined. Having let Nell and Bill go back to their business after the interesting yet unsuccessful meeting in the coffee shop earlier that morning, Heath had escorted Clarke a few stops southbound on the Underground’s Northern Line to Leicester Square station to save the long walk if they had gone instead to Charring Cross. Even though he had spent most of his adult life surrounded by muggles, Diagon Alley was still a welcomed retreat away from his usual simple everyday world.

Having been ditched by Sporus, Heath wasn’t going to give up on Clarke as easily. Although she had a spunky attitude and a quick mouth, deep down she was an intelligent young woman who just wanted to find a true place in life. It disheartened him to hear how the Order had turned its back on a member, that wasn’t the way, definitely not what he stood for. His compassion was what had driven them down the cobbled road, passed the Quiddich supplies, the apothecary and the cauldron shop. Heath with his fatherly ways would ensure that Clarke bought everything she needed to continue her work and progress under his side of the order. The true Order of the Phoenix.

Heath’s mind drifted occasionally as they stopped for lunch outside the ice cream parlour, his thoughts were of Sporus, their supposed mission, the rest of the 'Anti Order'. Ever since his schoolboy rival had weaselled his way into power, abusing his position in the Ministry of Magic to achieve it, Heath had been against Sporus and now he was marked as a loner because of it. Across the small, white cast iron table he studied Clarke’s green eyes as she delightfully enjoyed the chilled scoops of raspberry ripple ice cream. In many ways this was like his first meeting with Nell, he remembered the day fondly although would never reveal such details to her about it. She had been one of the very few women that he had let into his life since the death of his late wife Evangeline.
Sipping his china cup of warm black coffee, Heath was contented dwelling on past thoughts about Nell, she was more to him then a trusted colleague but although they had a connection it was never jeopardised by hints of anything more. Nell was special; she had her own place in his heart that separated itself from anywhere a feeling for a female relation could lay. She was no sister, no cousin, no lover…just herself. He liked it that way.

Having turned his attention back to Clarke the pair discussed the boring but necessary details of the purpose of the trip. They’d visit the robe makers if she needed sensible work clothes, the owl emporium if she wished for her own messenger, even the backstreet of Nocturn Alley if there was a book or two that would be appropriate for her needs. Money wasn’t an issue for Heath, with little family or outside life apart from work; splashing out on things to help another was a satisfying treat in itself and one that Sporus would never do for his friends.

With the day planned around Clarke, Heath finished his coffee and the two of them continued on their way. He maintained his enthusiasm, even faced with the displeasure of facing the crowded shops but Clarke somehow just kept smiling like all her birthday’s had come at once.
He never once offered an unwelcomed comment or complaint, store after store they entered but he just held his head proudly as he carried the caged Snowy owl in one hand and several paper bags by the handle in the other. Her choice on a personal messenger was what he had hoped for, a fine strong female with sharp eyes, pristine plumage and a knack for hooting only when someone was staring at her too long. Like in many ways to her new owner who was staring through the window of a tiny jewellery store a few shops ahead.

As it was tradition of the person who paid for the owl to name it, Heath had decided on Athena for a fitting name. A mythical goddess of wisdom, battle strategy and heroic endeavour whose sacred animal was indeed an owl. Athena would make an excellent companion for Clarke and give her a few steps of independent responsibility. He himself had been bought an owl in a similar store many, many years before, as a young boy about to embark on a magical journey of adulthood at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Sadly it had passed away from old age in his later years working in the Ministry of Magic, even now he was on his 4th bird but they still were just as reliable as the one before and each loved to be needed.

Standing alongside Clarke, Heath stared at his aging reflection in the glass before smirking slightly. As the young woman beside him picked out and pointed at the things she liked, he found himself yet again admiring her taste. Nell had demanded a second reason to agree to Clarke joining their small team and for offering her palette of essential skills, but Heath knew this wasn’t going to be an easy task to win her favour. Maybe a peace offering followed by dinner at her favourite restaurant would give them a chance to meet halfway on the matter. Buying a woman anything always came with a risk, Nell alone doubled it to the point of being blatantly honest with her reactions, but he had to take that risk. For Clarke’s sake they needed her on their side, if not as a mentor as a confident female role model. He’d do whatever was necessary.

After he had purchased a small silver chain with a delicate feather pendant, Clarke led Heath around the crowded sweet shop and then lastly in the direction of Flourish and Blotts the bookshop. Letting Clarke disappear into the rows upon rows of the latest releases Heath had picked up a copy of the Daily Prophet and the latest edition of the popular Quidditch magazine. He knew Bill’s likes and hobbies; the magazine and a bulging bag of Pepper Imps in his pocket would quickly put him back into his friend's good books and there probably wouldn’t be much else to discuss. Bill was trustworthy, dependable and had good heart; an easy target for Sporus but he was quick to see through his leader's corrupt ideals. For that, Bill made the perfect ally.
Amused by his thought pun, Heath popped a fat, honey coloured toffee into his mouth and offered his payment to a woman only describable by her badge that read ‘Mindy’.

At quarter to four the pair left the Leaky Cauldron and briskly walked the twenty-minute journey down Charring Cross Road to avoid unnecessary attention with Athena on the underground. Rarely anyone in London saw an owl in the wild let alone caged on a train and Heath wasn’t prepared to stop and explain why. If they were lucky they would miss the rush of commuters and traffic on the main road and be back at the office before Sotheby and Sons closed for the evening at 5pm.

Sotheby and Sons was a small insurance company that occupied the ground and first floor of 13 Manette Street, whilst Heath described as ‘H. Berkeley, a few random letters, Private Practice Accountant’ on the gold plaque on the wall occupied the second and the small loft space.
Heath had braced himself for the barrage of questions that Clarke must have been thinking as they turned into the back road, but yet she said very little as they past the large muggle bookstore and approached the black and glass front of the ‘office’. What she had failed to realise what that the top floor space wasn’t just Heath’s place of work this was also his home.

Gesturing a good will wave to the workers of Sotheby and Sons through the window, Heath lead Clarke through the double set of doors and up a creaky set of wooden stairs to his office above. The simple residence on Manette Street was perfect for their operation, Nell, Bill and now Clarke could come and go as they pleased about London and would always have a safe place outside the Wizarding community should they need one for refuge.

“The place is open to you” Heath gestured cheerfully as he opened the door and stepped over some junk mail. “It’s not much, but it’s whatever you want it to be. The door is always open to true members of the Order. You can come and go as you please, I have no ground rules. I’m not your… father”.

Allowing Clarke time to adjust, he placed Athena’s cage on the coffee table and set her bags down on the floor close by. “Make yourself at home, I’ll be upstairs in my office if you need me”.

Leaving Clarke to go about her business, Heath headed up the metal spiral of stairs in the back corner of the open plan room and thrust open one of the top windows as he past. Dropping the boxed necklace, the magazine and the bag of sweets on his desk, he began to rummage through the bottom draw for some strong twine to start bounding the gifts.
With two parcels ready to go he grabbed the nearest writing instrument and scribbled “7:30pm. The usual. H x” on the necklace box before attaching them to the foot of his sleeping tawny owl that was huddled asleep on top of the filing cabinet.

“Two stops this time. I know it’s daytime but it’s urgent. You know where to find them” he spoke, like he regarded the owl as his personal assistant.
Opening a stiff eye, the large owl shuffled its feet with the new weight and clamped a claw around the rolled magazine before flapping its wings and taking flight off in the direction of the open window.
For now the problem with Nell and Bill was out of his hands, the best he could do was just wait and take a well earned rest in his black, leather chair. If he didn’t get their support then he’d have to either continue with things the way they were or face the problem of Sporus alone.

(This is now my ITM personal post record!!... 1738 words )

[Nicci]

(Whilst everyone is catching up I thought I'd expose a bit more background on Heath.)

Having been sat at his desk for nearly fifteen minutes contemplating in total silence, Heath gathered his thoughts together a pulled a closed paper file off the top of a large, neatly organised pile on his left hand side towards his body. His in-tray like the rest of his desk was neatly organised with items meticulously placed in their own specific homes. The pen pot held three biros: one blue, one black, one red, accompanied by a yellow wedge highlighter. Yellow. Only yellow. Any other stationery items were considered luxury and these were kept hidden in the small drawer beneath the leather-writing pad. Even when he was the only one to use his desk, things had a terrible habit of vanishing when he came to need them.

Spreading open the file for August’s tax returns for his latest client, a familiar photograph with worn edges slipped out from between the paper sheets and exposed itself on the dark wooden desktop. It wasn’t an enchanted picture, like the ones produced by magical cameras although as much as he wished it was the dark, blonde haired woman’s portrait never moved. She just constantly smiled.

“Evie” Heath exhaled heavily in a saddened whisper as he ran his finger over the matt finish of the glossy print “I guess I forgot to put you away last night huh…”

Falling silent apart from the everyday hubbub of busy London outside, the quiet office reflected Heath’s inner secretive emotions. Empty. Lonely. Grieving.
Evangeline, his dear love, still in her prime of life radiantly smiling back at him broke his heart every time he stared at her picture. It was her father who took the snapshot at their country home in South Gloucestershire a few weeks before his daughter’s unannounced marriage, although Evie was smiling then Heath could still see the underlying pain her parents caused her. It destroyed them to know she was marrying a wizard. A wizard wasn’t a real profession.

Taking the photo in hand, it pained him slightly to remember the things he had endured just to spend time with the person he loved and even after all the pain and suffering, she was only to be whisked away from him one dreadful April afternoon. Tucking the photograph in his inside jacket pocket, Heath didn’t have the heart to put it back in the drawer just at that minute. For a simple second he just wanted to relish her memory, to hear her voice echo in his mind, to see her face mouth the most joyous phrase they ever shared together in their short existence as a couple: the moment he found out he was going to be father.

As quick as the memory came reality jerked his eyes open. Back to the present, away from the past and Heath felt physically drained as he stared back down at the pages of typed numbers strewn open in front of him. The returns meant nothing. Nothing like what filled the scar left behind by that fateful date in 1996 (?). The blackest of days that only he and someone else out in the world still shared.

‘Tomorrow. Tomorrow I promise I’ll stop by. It’s been too long hasn’t it Evie. You’d only be scolding me’ Heath thought to himself as he loosened his tie and prepared to start work by reaching for a biro and a calculator. Whether Heath liked it or not he had his own agenda to follow, he had to carry on; prove his mistakes were worthwhile and be the dependable man he always wanted to be. If not now as a husband, but as a worthy leader of the Order of The Phoenix.

[Thomas]

Nell couldn't concentrate, that morning's meeting kept playing itself over in her mind. She was annoyed that Bill hadn't spoke up, she knew rightly that he felt the same way as she did.

She'd been right of course, Clarke had a defiant streak and still seemed convinced she had done nothing wrong, couple that with her inexperience and right now she was a liability, but having said that, although Clarke hadn't answered her question "what do you think you have to offer?" the answer had made itself very clear, she had a strong sense of justice and in doing what was right, this was a quality that was both something Nell cherished and was currently lacking in too many members of the order, a fact made even clearer now they had turned their back on their latest recruit and left her with Heath to pick up the pieces.

She was lucky, he had seen something in her and Nell knew he wouldn't give up on her. As Nell listened to her and Heath, her brazen attitude that had at first formed Nell's opinion had paled in significance, the abrupt ending to the meeting had left Nell with plenty to say, but it would have to wait for another time.

Sighing to herself she set her work aside, there was no use trying to give it her full attention right now, besides she had finished all the work that was necessary hours ago.
She checked her watch, it was nearly 7, she really ought to head home, but she had no urge to leave, Damien wasn't home and she couldn't face the quiet empty house.

Something tapped on the window and she turned, recognising the tawny owl she grinned and opened the window "Hey there fella, what's this you got for me? Heath trying to persuade me to change my mind right?" she said stroking the head of the beautiful owl, she'd been expecting a long letter pleading her to reconsider, but instead she saw the parcel, intrigued she read the note, "7:30 he doesn't give a girl much time" she said cheerfully as she opened the box, she gave a little gasp "It's beautiful" she whispered as she slipped open the clasp and moved to the mirror to try it on, she felt the silver detail in her fingers and sighed appreciatively. An irate hoot brought her back to earth "Whoops, sorry Charlie" she quickly fed him a few pellets, gave him a final stroke before he swooped off and hurriedly packed her things away.

[Nicci]

(So we are a few hours ahead of the Hogwarts page but it doesn't matter too much as they will catch up eventually).

Having kept immersed in the pile of tax returns, Heath had ploughed through enough to date back to June before realising that the light of the day had quickly escaped the room and surrounded him in total darkness apart from the warm glow of the desk lamp.
The place around him was quiet, unusually so even for the bar that had a function room over the alley almost next door. Suspicious but not unnerved, he carefully tidied his papers and stationery and concealed them away inside the desk. Magical charms alone would be enough to keep his possessions secure but the added golden lock always added an extra level of cognitive reassurance.

Standing from his chair and stretching his arms behind his head, Heath’s attention was drawn to the dusky view peaking through the opened window. Charlie hadn’t returned even at this hour, it was uncommon but not unheard of and he quickly dismissed the owl’s absence down to taking the opportunity for hunting. Nell and Bill would have got their messages, he was positive of it. Charlie wouldn’t have let him down.

Aware of the time, he motioned across the room and drew several of the metal clacking blinds keeping London out on the streets where it needed to stay. This was his space, his only space. For now the prospect of doing further work would have to wait until later, he still needed to change and travel the distance across the city even if Nell had declined the offer he still had to be there. Good food, good ambience was still a fantastic night out it just was made that much better by sharing it with good company. Nell was certainly the best choice of company even when business was or wasn’t involved.

Heading down the spiral staircase at dead on 19:03pm, Heath glanced around the quiet room in sign of Clarke. Empty, except for her belongings that still rested upturned on the coffee table. This was a clear sign to him that somewhere Clarke was settling in to her new surroundings, if not behind the new door that had suddenly appeared on the wall across the room but somewhere out in the busy world illuminated by bright street signs and accompanied by the urban melody of the traffic. Wherever she was, he instinctively hoped she was safe and would contact him if she found herself in danger. Even in these early days mutual trust was of the highest importance, he would put his life on the line for both Nell and Bill and now even Clarke. That’s what families to him did.

Taking a £10 note out of his wallet in his back pocket, he placed it down on the table as he passed across the room and headed out of the door. He felt slightly guilty for not inviting Clarke along to dinner but this wasn’t a company get together or a personal date, something that could possibly help Clarke’s future was something best disclosed when a certain desired outcome was achieved.

Closing the door behind him carefully, Heath descended the stairs alongside Sotheby and Sons and headed out into the night with the collar of his long jacket raised. No one would guess he was an undercover wizard in this simple outfit or by the fact that he was headed across Soho Square to the high street to catch an ordinary muggle bus.

Arriving at his destination by twenty five past the hour, Heath observed no sign of Nell waiting in the dark but wasn’t discouraged. He’d just have to stand outside inconspicuous and patient even if it took all night for her not to show. The simple pink carnation bloom tucked into his lapel button hole would be the only thing normal people would remember about him if they past outside that restaurant.

[Nicci]

Taking a sneaky side glance at the angled face of his watch on his wrist, Heath observed the passing minutes but gave little thought to be concerned about them. He was just curious, almost out of a force of habit whilst waiting for anything. Exhaling a short breath, he tucked his hands in his long jacket pocket to prevent himself appearing the least bit impatient and continued to wait.

Time continued to pass by like a normal steady stream of pedestrians on that street that night, but unlike the time the man in the long coat was still very much alone. Occasionally a police car or a single Decker bus would pass Heath’s location outside the restaurant but they’d never stop. This was hardly ever anyone’s final destination. Maybe this perception was why the black city taxi that ground to a halt a few feet away from his location quickly caught his attention.

The squeaky front break of the taxi was hardly audible to the normal common Londoner but was instantly drowned out by the slam of a wooden door and followed by the tottering steps of a pair of heels across the nearby pavement.

“About time” the foreign female voice scolded under her breath as she waddled under the weight of an awkwardly large package. It was likely from her ethnicity and accent that she could have originated from Asia but without knowing her personally Heath couldn’t racially assume anything definite. Not everyone in China Town was necessarily Chinese.

Seeing the woman clearly uncomfortable, Heath naturally stepped away from the front window of his intended meeting place with Nell and offered a kind hand to carry the package for the middle aged lady the short distance to the car.

*Flashback*
November that year had been one of the chilliest experienced at Hogwarts, the house elves had been on constant watch to keep every lit fire stoked and roaring to its fullest. This hadn’t stopped many of the female population though pulling out their house scarves and mittens early and wearing them every moment of the day around the castle.

Rubbing his rough hands together for warmth before jamming them into his robe pockets, Heath paced the length of the emptying third floor corridors on his way towards the library. This was his given patrol route for the week and whist his shiny ‘Head Boy’ badge was pinned to his lapel he was determined to take his upgraded responsibilities seriously.

Turning the corner he inspected thoroughly the last few lingering students hanging about in the hallway.
To his left the a pair of younger Hufflepuff’s who always found the time to smooch the faces off each other in public rather than in their own common room. Whatever the vibrant, confident red haired Marissa Roberts ever saw in the pathetic drip of a nerd Martin Summers he didn't know, maybe it was his magical creatures magnetism. Sniggering as he past Heath joked to himself that it wasn't likely.
To his right in the open doorway he gave a smooth, confident, silent smirk to a small first year Gryffindor. Would suck to be there house at the moment when they not only were bottom of the Quidditch inter house table but bottom in the house points as well. Yes!
Passing by still lavishing the glory of the first Quidditch match of the season where his best friend and Quidditch house captain now dubbed ‘Sporus’ (Sporky was too childish and rhymed with too many things) had smashed the Gryffs in a 200-0 epic victory, Heath hadn’t expected the 3rd door along the corridor to open and out walk another student weighed down with a tall pile of textbooks.

Stumbling accidently into the slim built female student with delicately styled hair, he sent the pile of books cascading to the floor with an unexpected clatter.

“I’m sorry” He began, enthusiastically apologising whilst thrusting his wavy mop of fallen hair out of his eyes “I should have been watching where I was going”.

Whilst not expecting the young woman to say anything, he swiftly gathered up three nearest books before observing their titles: Occulmency, Legilimancy... these weren’t on the usual curriculum reading lists, especially someone younger then he was. She must be smart.

“Here...” he finished, offering them out to her as she adjusted her glasses and stood up straight with her other collected belongings. “Again I am very sorry...May I offer to carry them for you?”

(I put Heath in Slytherin in the end, it works better alongside Sporky I wanted the pair of them to both have a strong role in Hogwarts and be seen as quite opposite equals just as they are in the future. I wanted Heath to have met Nell whatever house Tommy you decide to have her in, maybe we can do more flashbacks to expand all characters)

[Nicci]

Tiredness wasn’t the only thing weighing down on the lonely figure standing outside the small restaurant that passing night. Although he dared not stray far from the designated meeting place, he couldn’t let doubt take a full grip over his heart. Heath hadn’t needed to check his watch to know the hour, countless number of times the traffic light at the end of the street had changed from red to green and the orange glow from the street lamp above his head had created an elongated shadow twin on the pavement at his feet.

Sighing and raising a hand to his face, Heath obscured himself momentarily from the couple exiting from the open door. Their euphoric laughter blasted away the unusual city silence but soon enough died out as they stumbled out of earshot. However joyous they seemed he didn’t once envy them: her, in her gleaming necklace, fashionable handbag and matching shoes, him with a sleek hair cut, pinstripe suit and gleaming Rolex watch. The only thing missing from the scene was a top of the range brightly coloured sports car haphazardly parked on the kerb, but with the congestion charge and the amount of alcohol he gathered they had consumed it was quickly a dismissible possession. Whatever material things they owned, one day would be worthless. Money might make the world go round but it didn’t make anyone truly happy. Heath understood this well; nothing could ever bring his dear Evie back.

Turning his head back to face the road once more, deep in thought about the women in his own life, Heath was instantly shocked by the sudden feeling of tapping on his right shoulder. With his heart having leapt into his mouth he spun around quickly but was instantly surprised that the person behind him wasn’t who he had expected. Disheartened at first at the sight of the restaurant owner, Mr Cheung he met the gaze of the shorter man and prepared to listen to what he was about to say.

“We, closed now” Mr Cheung mumbled in broken English “I, very sorry”.
“Thank you” was all Heath found to reply to be polite as the man picked up his signboard and closed it together against his legs with a wooden clunk.

Assuming that was the end to their brief conversation, Heath was about to resume his position when the owner spoke and was suddenly standing close to his side again.
“She, no show? Hmmm… Not her fault I think. Use ears wisely before mouth” he finished leaving Heath stunned and partially mystified.

Contemplating if Nell had called the restaurant or if Mr Cheung had just presumed the situation, as they were regulars, Heath was none the wiser. However the owner came to know about the meeting, he was indeed correct with his choice of words: whatever reason Nell might give for not showing (if she gave one at all) Heath would instantly forgive her for it. He trusted her implicitly. He always had and always will. There was no denying that fact.

About to answer Mr Cheung with a simple ‘You’re right’, Heath found the owner to be nowhere in sight and even the door to the restaurant was now shut with it’s closed sign turned. The only thing that remained that wasn’t there before was a brightly foil wrapped fortune cookie tucked into his long coat pocket.
Not expecting the token gift, he took it into his hands and opened the packet carefully. Superstition, mumbo jumbo, harmless fun? Whatever the cookie’s message inside stated it would just be nothing, a simple note that someone made up? Wouldn’t it?
Extracting the thin strip of paper from it’s golden shell and holding it up to the dim light, Heath read the following phrase and it instantly confirmed his formulating plans.

“Sticks and stones are hard on bones Aimed with angry art, Words can sting like anything But silence breaks the heart.”

Taking a solid look at the face on his watch, Heath pulled up his coat collar and disappeared into the night. There would still be a few buses running at this hour but reliably finding one that took him where he wanted to go was slim..

“TAXI” he hollered, flagging his arm out straight in the adjacent street.

He had to believe Clarke would be fine alone and a few more hours he took away from the office wouldn’t hurt her first night in his side of the Order, his new business couldn’t wait until morning especially if it was connected somehow. Dropping into the back of the black cab he gave the capped muggle his chosen destination address… an address of a place he had been to many times but right now was deadly important – Nell’s house.

[Chris]

After leaving the meeting, Bill realized his mind was elsewhere for some reason. He would have been backing up Nell, since they share the same work-ethic, but he was merely physically there. The last Order mission was a bust, but they did accomplish what they wanted.

Whispering to himself, "I'll apologize to Nell for not backing her up in what she said, earlier today. Its not to say that I won't help Nell in her duties of training Clarke though." Then, Bill began to wonder why his mind was so all over the place this morning. Heading to Gringotts, he went to his office inside, hoping that he could bring his focus back. Allow him to focus.

Taking a few breaths in, and letting them out, Bill couldn't afford to be daydreaming when on the job, whether it be for the bank or for the Order. Perhaps, he should get to know Clarke better, and with a bit of guidance, she could develop into a better Order member.

[Thomas]

It was dark out by the time Nell stepped out onto the street below. She frowned, it was almost 7, she was going to be late, but he'd understand.

She hurried down a side street then caught herself, she didn't have to walk home, sure she had never quite got used to apparating, and preferred her feet to stay firmly on the ground, but it was a heck of a lot faster. She looked around, and found that the side street was deserted... perfect.

She breathed out, pictured her bedroom floor then immediately lurched forward as her body flew through space. Her stomach turned as she felt that horrible falling feeling.

And there she was back in her bedroom, the world still spinning slightly and at an angle. She turned on the lights, closed the curtains and picked out a suitable dress and set it on the bed, ready to to slip into next to her favourite floral clutch and headed for the shower.

She had just stepped out of the shower and wrapped herself in a sunny, orange towel when she heard the front door close.

"Damien? I'm heading away for dinner tonight with Heath. There is some Chili con carne in the fridge to heat up, and the tortillas are in the cupboard beside the Special K, OK?" She called out through the door... no reply, she rolled her eyes and continued to dry herself, he'd be fine it wasn't like she was going to be away for long.

She wiped the steamed up mirror with a towel, wiped her face and applied moisturiser, and a light layer of lip balm. Heath wouldn't have noticed, but she liked feeling fresh faced and alert, especially after spending so long on paperwork.

She frowned... something wasn't quite right, then gasped as she realised Damien wasn't coming home tonight. Someone was in their house. She went to grasp her wand, she always left it with her clothes, then realised with horror that she'd left it with her floral clutch.

Furious with herself for making such an elementary blunder, she quickly scuttled to the door and pressed her ear against it, barely noticing the condensation as she listened, trying to ignore her heart thumping.

She heard a cupboard close in the kitchen. She could make a dash for her bedroom, she silently turned the lock, still listening for any sound, when she heard heavy footsteps crashing up the stairs, screaming at herself for missing the opportunity, she clicked the lock and backed away. It wasn't Damien.

[Nicci]

(I'll post up a majority of the message post I wrote to you back in May Tom. I'll wait until you get the rest of your post going to write about approaching/entering the house as I don't know your plans for the house layout, where Nell is or really much about her relationship with Damien)

It had just gone thirty-eight minutes past ten according to the tiny digital clock on the dashboard as the black London cab eased its way to a halt at the very end of Campden Hill Gardens in the district of Kensington and Chelsea. As the capped driver mumbled and pressed a few buttons on his fare meter, the passenger in the back had already gathered himself together and was leaning forward intently to glance out of the windscreen at the looming three bedroom property ahead in the corner. Darkness. Oozing out from every window. Unnaturally worrying.

The taxi driver didn’t have to announce the cost of the fare before a crisp note and several coins were pushed into his grubby, rough hand and his passenger had escaped the confined space and leapt out onto the street.
Pleased with the tip, the cabby thought no more about the long cloaked man staring up at the white fronted property with its small flight of steps up to the door, he just drove off to his next destination, unaware that a magical related crime had taken place on the posh street that night.

Hearing the cab pull away and not stop, Heath stood dead still next to the lamppost assessing the situation at Nell’s house cautiously with his eyes before making his approach. He knew there was a possibility that he was overreacting; he had helped put the security charms on the house years ago to prevent muggles with bad intentions entering the property and everyone in their own right was allowed to go out on their own. So why was this situation any different?

Heavy with unease and concern he prepared himself to take the first step forward to answering his nagging brain but was quickly stopped by the feeling of his shoe sole sticking to the pavement slab in front of him. Of all the moments for chewing gum, Heath’s fears were confirmed in an instant as he effectively removed the fragrant cinnamon smelling mess off his shoe with a quick blast of an icy spell from his apple wood wand. Such a foul smelling thing that shrivelled away and became rock solid at a blast could only have come from the wizarding world, he had even seen displays of a new gum ‘Cinna-bom blast’ being sold in Diagon Alley that very afternoon but the more alerting problem was the small mound of discarded waste he had now spotted sitting on the lamppost at his shoulder level.

Gripping his wand firmly, a new wave of dread flashed down Heath’s body and erected every hair as it passed. The perpetrator who dropped their waste not only had committed a littering offence but in the few weeks possibly since the release of the gum had stood in his very spot many, many times staring up at Nell’s house and with the damp gum from his shoe….was he now too late?

(If it's still too imposing or you feel I'm treading on your toes again let me know and I can delete and amend parts)

[Thomas]

Her breathe caught in her chest as she heard him speak; she rushed to the door and pressed her ear against it and her heart sank as she realised that meant there was at least two - wait no at least three people in the house. They were looking for something... that much she was sure, but what could they want?

She heard another cupboard bang closed in the kitchen... clearly at least two of them were new to this 'stealth' notion. She smiled slightly as she heard the other one downstairs whisper furiously for them to 'shut the hell up' - they were in the dining room. At least now she knew what she was up against.

She bit her bottom lip as she considered making a wild dash for her wand, then decided against it. Sure they might be idiots... maybe even muggles but she couldn't take that risk. Without her wand she felt vulnerable, but she would have to make do.

Frowning in concentration as she tried to remember non-verbal shield charms she put her hands flat to the dripping door and quickly began to seal the entrance. It'd be safer to destroy the lock than to try to lock it with magic, they are sure to know hundreds of ways to break locking spells. She had started to melt the insides when something moved.