Anne's Day Out
The Liberi were always on the lookout for new talent. They had information on almost every useful witch or wizard on the Isle, but their reach extended much further. This one, Anne Perks came from a well-known and respected pure-blood family. It just so happened that she was a potions mistress looking for work.
Reed was certain he’d get a reward for bringing her into the fold. Someone with her talents and political leanings would be very valuable for the cause. And, very valuable for him. Ever since he’d lost Daphne Greengrass to her new husband and child, he had been working hard to reinstate in reputation. Just because the Greengrass bint had traded sides didn’t mean he wasn’t still good at his job.
Acquisiton was difficult. It took finesse. Charm. Reed had that in spades.
“Ms. Perks?” He’d been following her for some time but had waited until she’d been on a rather busy street to approach her. There was no need to scare her off by getting her attention in the dark of a Knockturn alley. “Do you have a moment?”
Anne turned around at the Ms. Perks. She wasn’t aware of anybody who should be able to recognize her after such an extended absence. She’d been window shopping, since being in the manor for days on end was starting to make her very stir crazy.
She took in the person who she thought was adressing her. “I suppose that depends on who is asking.” She then frowned. He had spoken to her as if her name was a given, but she did not recognize him at all. “I have a moment for the right person. My time is valuable.”
“Of that I have no doubt. In fact, I am sincerely hoping that this conversation can be made very valuable, for both of us. Perhaps these words would be better shared where they can’t be overheard by those we might consider without value?” It was a little heavy handed, but if she truly held the convictions of her family - at least, her grandparents - she would understand.
Anne raised a single eyebrow, a bad habit she’d picked up in her last two years at Hogwarts. Looking around, she nodded once. “I suppose. I do hope you make good on your promise.” She waived her hand, allowing this stranger to take the lead to wherever he felt would be an appropriate place to hold a conversation. ‘Any conversation that has to take place in secret is bound to be interesting, at least.’
Glad that she’d accepted, Reed turned and led her toward a small pub just off the main road. It wasn’t anything spectacular, but that was its draw. It would be easy to cast any charm to keep their dealings private, not that anyone would want to listen to them; this pub was known by those who wanted to make sure little ears didn’t overhear.
Once they were settled in a booth, the barmaid had been told not to return to the table unless summoned, and a charm made sure their words were secure, Reed gave his companion a large smile. “We were happy to hear that you’ve returned home, Ms. Perks.”
Anne nodded at the security precautions. This would be an interesting conv/ersation, indeed.
“I am happy to be home, although if you know so much about me you must know why I returned home, at least one of the reasons anyway.” Anne paused. “I would like the benefit of knowing to whom I am speaking. A last name, at least.” Anne raised an eyebrow. A wizard he might be, but that spoke nothing of his lineage, and she could manage polite conversation with a muggleborn, but wanted to know that fact before making any promises of future conversations or dealings.
“My name is Reed. My grandfather was a Macnair. My family shares the loyalty your grandparents share. Myself, and others like me, are working towards preserving our race instead of diluting it. We wished to see if you, perhaps, were determined to do anything to make sure that the practices and traditions of old are not lost in the adulteration currently taking place.”
Anne recognized the name Macnair at once. She was familiar with several through her grandparents, not that her parents let her associate much with them while she lived with her parents. She relaxed slightly, knowing that at least she would not be wasting her time, and she might achieve a goal or two of hers by the time the conversation was over. When he got to the part about doing anything, she resisted the urge to raise an eyebrow. But this was politics as usual, and she could handle that.
“As you have pointed out, I am only recently returning home from an extended period of time abroad, so my knowledge of the details is incredibly rusty. You have me at a disadvantage, sir.” Anne began carefully. She wanted in, for sure. She got the feeling that this Reed person had not randomly run into her in the street, and that she even drew that much attention for her beliefs made her proud. “But also, you must know that I have always been a supporter of the cause of preserving our race, much like my grandparents before me.”
Anne thought about her next words carefully. How deep did she want to get in? She knew next to nothing about this Reed character, and probably should take the time to check out the veracity of his claim to the Macnair line before agreeing to do long-term business with him. But hesitation could also be a disadvantage with an opportunity like this.
“I am willing to do a great many things, sir, to ensure that our traditions are upheld.” Anne concluded.
“That makes me a very happy man,” Reed said, relaxing slightly. He sat back, stretching his arm along the back of the booth. “I represent a very influential group of people. You may not have heard our name, but you will have recognized our work if you’ve kept your eyes on the papers. We are willing to do anything, anything, to make sure those who are unfit to hold power in this world gather any. We do this through a varied number of ways, but one of those ways include a skill you’re rather adept at.”
Anne nodded. She was decently familiar with some of the dealings that had gone on in England while she had been away. So this was it. A recruitment attempt, of some sort. She always imagined that recruitment of this type would have been much more dramatic, but Reed didn’t seem the type to enjoy dramatics. “I suppose you are referring to my skills as a Potions Mistress?”
She was hardly surprised, after all, that the group had known of her Potions skills. It was probably what got them paying attention to her to begin with. She wasn’t even surprised at the depth of knowledge the group had on her. They probably had a folio full of potential members and how they could be beneficial to the cause.
“You’re a bright one,” he said with a wink. She was much easier to deal with than Greengrass. He didn’t feel like crucio’ing this one any time she opened her mouth. “We’ve a wide net when it comes to what potions are being brewed, and by who. We’ve recently decided to take a very hands-on approach to what’s being distributed and to who. If you’re interested in helping the cause, we could always use help perfecting certain parts of the product.”
Anne nodded once. Of course she would have to prove herself to Reed or anybody else. It seemed like a very complex and organized group. Still, she was a little wary about jumping in with both feet until she figured out what it was she was jumping into. Perhaps she’d brew a few potions, no skin off her back, and reserve the decision to get fully involved for when she found out what ‘fully involved’ meant.
“I could brew a few potions for you, certainly.” Anne smirked. “But I would need to know a little bit more about the group before I make any other decisions. Insurance. I don’t fancy getting burned because I got involved with something or someone without knowing what I was getting myself into.” Anne leaned back in the booth slightly, keeping her posture straight but relaxing a little bit more. Now that she knew what the business was about, she couldn’t wait to hear more.
“Obviously we’d want to verify that your potions prowess is as good as we’ve heard. We only accept the best and most loyal. Consider it a type of probation. If my superiors in the group find you worth what I think you are, then we’ll iron out the details.”
Reed slid from the booth. He could tell from the look on Anne’s face that she’d expected a little more information. In the Liberi, information was power. Information was a type of currency and Reed didn’t want to bet on a bad venture. He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and held it out to her. “These are the ingredients and the instructions. You have until Thursday. It’ll be your responsibility to get the illegal parts. If you can finish all three potions exactly, you might have a chance”
Anne took the proffered paper, not surprised that no further information was given. She raised an eyebrow at some of the ingredients, having a pretty good idea that their inclusion in a potion meant for human consumption could never be good. But then again, she wasn’t drinking it.
“Thursday. How should I get them to you? I’ve only just met you. I don’t fancy handing out my floo address that easily.” Acquiring the ingredients would not be difficult, nor would brewing the actual potion. She had done more complicated things than this in the past few years. So she was not concerned about her brewing skills being inadequate, only that she would not make a good enough impression on the ‘group’.
“Like I said, I’ll be in touch.” Reed raised both eyebrows at her before giving a large smile. He loved his job. Sticking his hands in his pockets, he made his way out of the pub, a new string in his step. If all went according to plan, the Mother would be very happy with him.
Anne watched as Reed departed the pub before looking back down at the piece of paper. So this was it. Sink or swim. She’d always wanted to get more involved in British pureblood politics, and this Reed had handed her a golden opportunity. She owed it to herself to at least see to making these first potions.
Anne smiled a bit. Interesting indeed!
Just then a long buried memory flashed across her mind. Her sister. Anne sighed and put the paper away in a deep pocket. She was doing the right thing. Anne rose from her seat and left the pub, leaving behind a galleon at the table to make up for not ordering anything. She would arrive, and she would finally find a place, a group to belong to without worrying that her parents would spoil it. Grandfather would be so proud of her, not six months back and she was already getting invitations to join the old crowd. Anne smiled a bit brighter at that thought.
Summary:
Anne goes out shopping and ends up running into somebody interesting.
Reed was certain he’d get a reward for bringing her into the fold. Someone with her talents and political leanings would be very valuable for the cause. And, very valuable for him. Ever since he’d lost Daphne Greengrass to her new husband and child, he had been working hard to reinstate in reputation. Just because the Greengrass bint had traded sides didn’t mean he wasn’t still good at his job.
Acquisiton was difficult. It took finesse. Charm. Reed had that in spades.
“Ms. Perks?” He’d been following her for some time but had waited until she’d been on a rather busy street to approach her. There was no need to scare her off by getting her attention in the dark of a Knockturn alley. “Do you have a moment?”
Anne turned around at the Ms. Perks. She wasn’t aware of anybody who should be able to recognize her after such an extended absence. She’d been window shopping, since being in the manor for days on end was starting to make her very stir crazy.
She took in the person who she thought was adressing her. “I suppose that depends on who is asking.” She then frowned. He had spoken to her as if her name was a given, but she did not recognize him at all. “I have a moment for the right person. My time is valuable.”
“Of that I have no doubt. In fact, I am sincerely hoping that this conversation can be made very valuable, for both of us. Perhaps these words would be better shared where they can’t be overheard by those we might consider without value?” It was a little heavy handed, but if she truly held the convictions of her family - at least, her grandparents - she would understand.
Anne raised a single eyebrow, a bad habit she’d picked up in her last two years at Hogwarts. Looking around, she nodded once. “I suppose. I do hope you make good on your promise.” She waived her hand, allowing this stranger to take the lead to wherever he felt would be an appropriate place to hold a conversation. ‘Any conversation that has to take place in secret is bound to be interesting, at least.’
Glad that she’d accepted, Reed turned and led her toward a small pub just off the main road. It wasn’t anything spectacular, but that was its draw. It would be easy to cast any charm to keep their dealings private, not that anyone would want to listen to them; this pub was known by those who wanted to make sure little ears didn’t overhear.
Once they were settled in a booth, the barmaid had been told not to return to the table unless summoned, and a charm made sure their words were secure, Reed gave his companion a large smile. “We were happy to hear that you’ve returned home, Ms. Perks.”
Anne nodded at the security precautions. This would be an interesting conv/ersation, indeed.
“I am happy to be home, although if you know so much about me you must know why I returned home, at least one of the reasons anyway.” Anne paused. “I would like the benefit of knowing to whom I am speaking. A last name, at least.” Anne raised an eyebrow. A wizard he might be, but that spoke nothing of his lineage, and she could manage polite conversation with a muggleborn, but wanted to know that fact before making any promises of future conversations or dealings.
“My name is Reed. My grandfather was a Macnair. My family shares the loyalty your grandparents share. Myself, and others like me, are working towards preserving our race instead of diluting it. We wished to see if you, perhaps, were determined to do anything to make sure that the practices and traditions of old are not lost in the adulteration currently taking place.”
Anne recognized the name Macnair at once. She was familiar with several through her grandparents, not that her parents let her associate much with them while she lived with her parents. She relaxed slightly, knowing that at least she would not be wasting her time, and she might achieve a goal or two of hers by the time the conversation was over. When he got to the part about doing anything, she resisted the urge to raise an eyebrow. But this was politics as usual, and she could handle that.
“As you have pointed out, I am only recently returning home from an extended period of time abroad, so my knowledge of the details is incredibly rusty. You have me at a disadvantage, sir.” Anne began carefully. She wanted in, for sure. She got the feeling that this Reed person had not randomly run into her in the street, and that she even drew that much attention for her beliefs made her proud. “But also, you must know that I have always been a supporter of the cause of preserving our race, much like my grandparents before me.”
Anne thought about her next words carefully. How deep did she want to get in? She knew next to nothing about this Reed character, and probably should take the time to check out the veracity of his claim to the Macnair line before agreeing to do long-term business with him. But hesitation could also be a disadvantage with an opportunity like this.
“I am willing to do a great many things, sir, to ensure that our traditions are upheld.” Anne concluded.
“That makes me a very happy man,” Reed said, relaxing slightly. He sat back, stretching his arm along the back of the booth. “I represent a very influential group of people. You may not have heard our name, but you will have recognized our work if you’ve kept your eyes on the papers. We are willing to do anything, anything, to make sure those who are unfit to hold power in this world gather any. We do this through a varied number of ways, but one of those ways include a skill you’re rather adept at.”
Anne nodded. She was decently familiar with some of the dealings that had gone on in England while she had been away. So this was it. A recruitment attempt, of some sort. She always imagined that recruitment of this type would have been much more dramatic, but Reed didn’t seem the type to enjoy dramatics. “I suppose you are referring to my skills as a Potions Mistress?”
She was hardly surprised, after all, that the group had known of her Potions skills. It was probably what got them paying attention to her to begin with. She wasn’t even surprised at the depth of knowledge the group had on her. They probably had a folio full of potential members and how they could be beneficial to the cause.
“You’re a bright one,” he said with a wink. She was much easier to deal with than Greengrass. He didn’t feel like crucio’ing this one any time she opened her mouth. “We’ve a wide net when it comes to what potions are being brewed, and by who. We’ve recently decided to take a very hands-on approach to what’s being distributed and to who. If you’re interested in helping the cause, we could always use help perfecting certain parts of the product.”
Anne nodded once. Of course she would have to prove herself to Reed or anybody else. It seemed like a very complex and organized group. Still, she was a little wary about jumping in with both feet until she figured out what it was she was jumping into. Perhaps she’d brew a few potions, no skin off her back, and reserve the decision to get fully involved for when she found out what ‘fully involved’ meant.
“I could brew a few potions for you, certainly.” Anne smirked. “But I would need to know a little bit more about the group before I make any other decisions. Insurance. I don’t fancy getting burned because I got involved with something or someone without knowing what I was getting myself into.” Anne leaned back in the booth slightly, keeping her posture straight but relaxing a little bit more. Now that she knew what the business was about, she couldn’t wait to hear more.
“Obviously we’d want to verify that your potions prowess is as good as we’ve heard. We only accept the best and most loyal. Consider it a type of probation. If my superiors in the group find you worth what I think you are, then we’ll iron out the details.”
Reed slid from the booth. He could tell from the look on Anne’s face that she’d expected a little more information. In the Liberi, information was power. Information was a type of currency and Reed didn’t want to bet on a bad venture. He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and held it out to her. “These are the ingredients and the instructions. You have until Thursday. It’ll be your responsibility to get the illegal parts. If you can finish all three potions exactly, you might have a chance”
Anne took the proffered paper, not surprised that no further information was given. She raised an eyebrow at some of the ingredients, having a pretty good idea that their inclusion in a potion meant for human consumption could never be good. But then again, she wasn’t drinking it.
“Thursday. How should I get them to you? I’ve only just met you. I don’t fancy handing out my floo address that easily.” Acquiring the ingredients would not be difficult, nor would brewing the actual potion. She had done more complicated things than this in the past few years. So she was not concerned about her brewing skills being inadequate, only that she would not make a good enough impression on the ‘group’.
“Like I said, I’ll be in touch.” Reed raised both eyebrows at her before giving a large smile. He loved his job. Sticking his hands in his pockets, he made his way out of the pub, a new string in his step. If all went according to plan, the Mother would be very happy with him.
Anne watched as Reed departed the pub before looking back down at the piece of paper. So this was it. Sink or swim. She’d always wanted to get more involved in British pureblood politics, and this Reed had handed her a golden opportunity. She owed it to herself to at least see to making these first potions.
Anne smiled a bit. Interesting indeed!
Just then a long buried memory flashed across her mind. Her sister. Anne sighed and put the paper away in a deep pocket. She was doing the right thing. Anne rose from her seat and left the pub, leaving behind a galleon at the table to make up for not ordering anything. She would arrive, and she would finally find a place, a group to belong to without worrying that her parents would spoil it. Grandfather would be so proud of her, not six months back and she was already getting invitations to join the old crowd. Anne smiled a bit brighter at that thought.
Summary:
Anne goes out shopping and ends up running into somebody interesting.