RP: Maybe a new ally, maybe a new master, maybe...

[anon_walden]

Date: June 12th 2003
Characters: the Entity and Macnair
Location: dungeons of the mansion
Status: Private
Summary: Macnair finally get a visit from the Entity.
Complete: Incomplete.

Comments

[anon_astoria]

While Astoria had been working some more on her paint job in her loft, she had received a message from Weaver. Apparently, her report and her presence was required at the mansion. She didn't really want to risk being late, even if he hadn't set a time, so she simply dropped her paint brush into the can and got up. Quickly changing into a clean shirt and pair of jeans, she grabbed her report on Voldemort's hand off the bedside table and headed for the door, calling out "Back later" to Blaise.

She Apparated to the mansion gates and quickly made her way towards the entrance. Some lad answered the door, but he didn't say anything to her, simply nodded and gestured her to follow him. The report clutched against her chest, she followed him to the lower areas of the mansion. Astoria had no real idea where she was going, but she could only hope there wasn't too many paint streaks in her hair as she'd been painting all day.

The man, she assumed he was one of Weaver's apprentices, came to a halt near a door and gestured for her to wait. So she just did, looking around the dark dungeon hallway. Astoria couldn't help but wonder what she was doing here, but she guessed her curiosity would soon be satisfied.

[the_anon_entity]

"Welcome, Ms. Greengrass." The Entity smiled, though it didn't deign it important enough to turn around and face her. "Don't dawdle. I don't have all day to stand here waiting for you." It gestured toward Astoria for her to enter, not wanting to stretch out this meeting for too long. The Entity didn't know how well these two would work together but this relationship was vital if it was going to rid itself of the nuisance that was Voldemort's Hand.

"Make yourself comfortable." It gestured once more and three chairs and a table appeared before a tea service settled upon the surface. The Entity moved over toward it and then sat before either of them. It began to serve itself, taking a cup and saucer, then pouring some tea, letting it steam for a moment before adding two lumps of sugar. Afterward, it picked up a spoon and began to stir its drink before it said, "You two sit down and introduce yourselves, so we can discuss what is going to happen now."

[anon_astoria]

At Weaver's gesture, Astoria entered the dungeon cell, the report still in her arms. She looked over at the man Weaver had been talking to. It didn't take long for her to recognise him. Walden Macnair, known Death Eater - dead Death Eater, she corrected herself - and former employee at the Ministry of Magic. Of course, his face was only familiar from photographs she had seen in the Daily Prophet. She didn't exactly feel at ease with him present, but she refrained from showing it. Instead, her gaze swept back to Weaver and walked over to the chairs as Weaver had already sat himself down.

Astoria guessed he would be the one escorting her, as she had been called to the mansion with her finished report. Placing the report on the table, she poured herself a cup of tea, her eyes drifting back to where Macnair was still standing. "I know him." She simply said. "Walden Macnair."

[anon_walden]

Macnair didn't move to sit down at first. His eyes swept over the girl quickly. Ms. Greengrass she was called. "Hello," he said in a curt crisp voice. She knew him; he didn't know her. It wasn't a good sign if you asked him.

He looked at Weaver, realized he hadn't even followed the simple instruction to sit down. He rushed to the seat, sat down, and looked at Weaver, awaiting an explanation of what she was going here and what he was going to do. Getting out of the town and being corporeal was more than appealing - it was dream come true. But he dreaded the idea of being on a leash while he was out there. The idea made him almost sick. Lord Voldemort didn't care what the Death Eaters had did as long as they followed through with their assignments and tasks.

With his back straight at attention, he eyed Weaver. "Now, what can I help Ms. Greengrass with?" he asked in a calm voice. It surprised him there was no lust or attraction the girl. He didn't linger either, so he wasn't tempted to do wrong. He was focused on showing his utmost loyalty to Weaver. He would prove himself, if Weaver would prove himself to be worthy of Macnair's loyalty in return.

[the_anon_entity]

"Introduce yourself Ms. Greengrass. It's the polite thing to do." The Entity smiled, letting his eyes meet hers and seeing the discomfort there. It was interesting that she would know Macnair but the Entity understood that the man's reputation proceeded him and as crass and bullish as he was, it understood that she would be able to glean information about him quite easily.

This wasn't going to make things easier in attempting to get these two to work together but it might help Macnair to infiltrate the Hand since he was a well-known follower of Voldemort. It was a confounding situation but it needed this mission completed and it reassured Ms. Greengrass. "Your mission will be complete when you point him in the right direction. That is all you have to do. Everything else will involve him. If need be I can have your moves shadowed by some of my operatives to ensure your safety." The Entity slowly turned its head then and let its gaze meet Macnair's while it continued. "Also, certain precautions have been taken with Walden so that he will stay focused on the mission at hand." It paused and then smiled at the man. "He needs to prove himself in order to maintain what little freedom he has."

[anon_astoria]

Astoria paused in stirring her tea, putting the cup down on the saucer then turned to face Macnair. "Astoria Greengrass." She introduced herself in a cool tone, masking any discomfort that might be showing in her voice or body language.

Macnair's reputation was not one to be forgotten and if she had to be the one to point him into the direction of Voldemort's Hand, she better not show herself as weak and uncomfortable in his presence. This man was a criminal and even if Weaver promised no harm would come to her, it didn't mean Astoria had to be reckless and take unnecessary risks. "No, I think that will not be necessary." She looked at Weaver, then picked up her cup of tea again. "I think I can manage." Taking a sip of her tea, she wondered what kind of precautions had to be taken with Macnair exactly. Judging from his reputation, it was probably important for the mission at hand.

[anon_walden]

Macnair didn't glare. It took all his focus to make sure that he kept his face as blank as he could. It was hard considering. Those "precautions" that Weaver was talking about was clearly his new impotent state. It wasn’t humbling anymore. It was downright aggravating.

His eyes went straight to Astoria Greengrass. He took in her tone and body language, but it gave nothing away. It was blank and hard. If the girl was feeling any discomfort or hesitance at this meeting and the new circumstances Weaver was saying, she didn’t show in the slightest. In fact, she looked disinterested and bored. How could she be bored? It was ludicrous, but Macnair knew his eyes weren’t deceiving him when he heard her speak.

With her still demeanor, Macnair could actually see himself not minding her company. She certainly wasn’t his type if he could still act on lust, but she wasn’t ugly either. She was just… cold. Macnair didn’t like cold women - never did. Maybe Weaver knew this, but he doubted it. Weaver wouldn’t make things easier for Macnair. He just wouldn’t. He’d try to make things more difficult, like any good leader, so Macnair could prove his loyalty once and for all. Well, Macnair was up to the task no matter what was about ready to happen.

In a polite voice, that made Macnair’s insides icy with its unfamiliar sound, he asked, “May I ask what I’ll exactly be doing to help Ms. Greengrass here?”

[the_anon_entity]

"You will be infiltrating and finding out information on a group of subversives in the Wizarding world named Voldemort's Hand and I want to see them brought down for reasons you do not need to know." It didn't want to go into a lengthy explanation of its reasoning because it didn't feel that it had to explain itself to its inferiors and it definitely deigned that these two were among the rabble that it didn't want to deal with on a daily basis. "You're assignment will be to infiltrate the group and provide me with information on its power structure and their location."

"A dossier has been prepared." The Entity flicked its hand into the air and a several bound pieces of parchment appeared. It thought that it admired Astoria's courage and nodded toward her as it handed one folder to her and then to Macnair. "My operatives have gathered information." It nodded toward Astoria. "Along with what Ms. Greengrass has provided has given us a picture of what we are looking at." The Entity took a sip of its tea, then smiled. "Your job will be to fill in the missing pieces, Macnair, so these people can be dealt with properly."

[anon_astoria]

She didn't really like the way Macnair looked her over, but nothing showed on her face. Forcing herself to stay calm, she managed to look bored with him, with her sitting here in general. A man like Macnair was dangerous enough if you'd let him see your fear and discomfort. Astoria wasn't really willing to take that risk, not even with Weaver took certain precautions with Macnair.

Astoria didn't say anything while Weaver addressed Macnair. Weaver had already filled her in on the assignment so his brief explanation wasn't anything new to her. Instead, she leaned back in her chair, the cup in her hands as she listened to him speak.

[the_anon_entity]

The Entity had grown tired of the not so subtle looks that Macnair and Astoria were giving one another and while it wanted to growl for them to stop, it didn't want to waste the effort. Instead, it sipped its tea and watched the silent interaction between the two of them while wondering how well these two would work together.

But it would not brook failure and it was sure the both of them understood this fully. Therefore, they would figure this situation out and find a way to cooperate or it would find consequences that would be appropriate for the both of them. It could only think of one way to compel these two to begin to work together and after it put its tea cup down, it stood and said, "I think we have an understanding of what is going on here and what I require." It took Astoria's hand and kissed it before it looked over at Macnair. "I'll be leaving now. You will need to come up with a plan, then present it to me. I expect something on my desk in two days. Then you will leave within two weeks to complete your assignment." It dropped Astoria's hand and then smiled at her before it walked out of the cell while it said, "Have a good day and I trust you'll give this job your utmost consideration. After all, you don't want to let me down."

[anon_walden]

Weaver's sudden departure didn't surprise Macnair. He was used to the man coming and going rapidly. It was just part of what made Weaver powerful. No one’s time was as valuable as his. No mattered as much as he did. Not even his prisoner or Astoria it seemed. That was just fine with Macnair.

Voldemort’s Hand? That didn’t ring any bell for Macnair, but he had been dead since the end of the war (or was it before? How long did the war actually last?) . He didn’t think that the Dark Lord would have allowed a form called Voldemort’s Hand if he was alive. It would see it as disgraceful, tasteless, and a group just trying to gain acknowledgement from his proud, well-known name. It was the perfect name for a group now. Macnair had to give the members credit for their ingenuity. But it wouldn’t last long.

Macnair was supposed to infiltrate the group, which in the end meant help destroy it. Macnair loved destroying things. He looked at Astoria as Weaver left.

“Well, where and when do we start?” he asked simply. He was itching to get out of the cell - even if it meant going somewhere with this girl.

[anon_astoria]

Astoria watched Weaver leave before she turned her attention back to Macnair. She was not going to let the Death Eater intimidate her, so instead of answering immediately, she gave his cell a bored look.

"I suppose we start as soon as possible." She gave a vague gesture with her hand. "The sooner this assignment is over, the better." Standing up, she placed the cup back on the table and crossed her arms in front of her chest, one of her fingers tapping against her chin in thought. "My best guess is to go to the Deirdra." She slowly said. "That's where one of them used to work, so maybe it might be easier to get in contact with the Hand there."

[anon_walden]

Macnair was slightly annoyed by her demeanor. It was casual and even bored. It was insufferable that she didn't act even a bit intimidated by him. What was her problem? She knew his name, but she didn't seem to understand who he was or what he was capable of. Her lack of knowledge would make her easy to manipulate though.

"Well, since I'm stuck in here, when and where we start is up to you. I'm, you can say, at your disposal," he said evenly, not letting his annoyance at her ignorance show. Best behavior, he reminded himself. Anything he said or did could easily be reported back to Weaver and have dire consquences. He may have been a Death Eater and be a follower, he was not an idiot.

[anon_astoria]

On the contrary, Astoria was not ignorant about Macnair at all. She knew as much as normal people knew about Macnair's previous actions and behaviour while the man had still been alive. The only difference was that Astoria had no real reason to be concerned because Weaver had told her no harm would come to her. Maybe it was naive to believe that, but she did anyway. And if Macnair would try something, she would still have her wand to defend herself.

The war was over, children were no longer children and things had pretty much changed a little since Macnair died. "Good." She coldly said, a smirk crossing her lips. "I'll come get you when you're needed then." Macnair knew his place, especially when it came to Weaver. Astoria could see that and she was not afraid to use that against him, should it come that far.

Turning on her heel, she stalked towards the door, the dossier on the Hand tucked under her arm. "Until next time." She curtly said without looking over her shoulder. Astoria hit the door once with her hand, before she was let out.