Old Alliances [Elaine or Desirae]

[Deleted]

Summer 2022

Ambrosia had just left the Ministry of Magic for a job interview, having just accepted a position in the Department of Mysteries. They'd said her.... experience was ideal for a recent vacancy they had. She'd known about the opening though, having played a small role in it's creation. The previous Unspeakable was older, near retirement age. Yes, he was still alive. And yes, he was still sound of mind. He'd simply decided to retire earlier then planned....

So, new job in hand, Ambrosia made her way to Knockturn Alley to meet an old acquaintance of hers. A few weeks ago she'd received an intriguing letter from them, and it was that letter that brought her back to England after so many years. It was strange, being back in London after so many years. She threw the hood of her cloak up, hiding her features except for the long black hair braided over one shoulder.

At last she reached her destination. A small, dark, and easily overlooked shop. She didn't enter though. Instead, she stopped, her hand a breath from the doorknob. "I can feel you watching me..." She finally said, looking no where in particular, but knowing that someone was watching her.


@crystal2
@desirae

[Deleted]

Elaine generally sent Desi to do this sort of thing, but today she decided to go on her own. Why? Because Ambrosia Hong was a whole different type of recruit. Recruiting her to the cause meant that things were getting real, and that idea excited Elaine to no end. She was in Diagon Alley, hoping the woman would come by after work. She was sure she would but then noticed where she was actual headed and followed her to Knockturn Ally. Good, that was the best place to have meetings of this nature.

She wasn't surprised that Ambrosia called her out. She stepped out from the shadows, lowering her own hood and lifting a hand to brush her curled hair out of her face. "Sorry for the intrusion, Miss Hong. I was hoping you could spare a minute?" she was classic, polite and proper in this introduction, as she often was. Elaine wasn't really the type to go around acting foolish and following silly impulses. No, she liked things planned, calculated and classy.

@ambrosia

[Deleted]

It was a girl.

Ambrosia was surprised, her eyebrows raising underneath her hood. Even more surprising was when the teenager called her by name. Slowly she raised her hands to flick her own hood back. She didn't recognize this girl, but the mannerisms, the quality of her cloak. This wasn't just some random teenager that had followed her. Her head slowly tilted to the side, her dark eyes focused on this girl, intrigued. "You know who I am." She finally deducted, not exactly meaning that this girl knew who Ambrosia was. No, this girl knew who the Hong family was. That wasn't common knowledge in England, which meant this was no ordinary teenager.

"I have a few minutes I could spare." She finally added, taking a step back from the store to fully face the girl. "And who might you be?"

@crystal2

[Deleted]

The woman was probably wondering why Elaine knew who she was, but that would come into light soon. As she lowered her hood, Elaine nodded. "I do. The Hong family is... well, I've done my research on people who could be useful to my cause," she spoke in an even tone, as if all of this was completely normal. Ambrosia took a step back to face her and asked who she was. Elaine gave a small bow of her head, "Elaine Dupree. Do you mind?" she gestured to the shop just across from where they were. It was a small tea shop of sorts, with it's Knockturn Alley flare of course.

If she was okay with it, Elaine would lead them to a small table already set aside and start her proposition there.If she didn't Elaine would simply nod and talk in the street. She knew their were spies around, sure, but there wasn't anyone nearby, but she would cast a mufflatio spell there just in case. "I'd like to discuss something- someone with you. Someone whose been giving me a bit of grief and I'd like to inquire if you'd be willing to use your skills to assist me in... dealing with him."

@crystal2

[Deleted]

Ambrosia was curious.

Who was this girl? To not only know Ambrosia's name, but about her family, and the fact that Ambrosia was even in the country. She was sure then that her acquaintance's letter had been about this girl. That this teenager and the cause she mentioned was what had convinced her to come back. "Dupree? Of course, our families have had dealings in the past..." She softly muttered, mostly to herself. She only nodded as the girl suggested they get off the street. Yes, probably a good idea, if Ambrosia's guess on what this was about was right.

Taking the seat across from Elaine, Ambrosia motioned for one of the servers and ordered a cup of green tea. Clasping her hands delicately in her lap, an eyebrow peaked as Elaine spoke once again. "That would depend on what you want done with this person. And the state you want them in when I'm done..." Her lips formed a small, impish smile. "And who is 'he'?" She asked. She hadn't decided yet if she'd help, of course, but her interest has been peaked.

@crystal2

[Deleted]

ELAINE:

Elaine nodded as Hong reacted to her surname, but didn't respond. She was just glad that the older woman know who she was at the drop of the name. That was one of the best things about being a pureblood, names meant something there. They were important. Like 'Hong'. They moved into the building and took seats at the designated table. As Ambrosia went on to ask what was to be done and who this little mission was for, Elaine sat up straight and let her wicked smile grow on her face. "Harry Potter," she said, not bothering to lower her voice. They were quite secluded in the little corner and the waitress knew not to bother them personally but to just send a drink magically across the room when it was asked for.

"If I am to break the community of muggle and muggle born supporters, I need to first start with their hero. That is my mission, you see," she explained, "not that it is probably of much importance to you- but taking down Harry Potter is the first step. For now only he and his wife need a little tweaking... the kids are good at screwing up their own lives without my help which is almost better," she chuckled. Then she leaned forward. "As for the state I need Potter in... death is not an option. I want to break his soul. Start with his heart, his mind and then work to his body. I need him to feel like he is losing everything one at a time..." she took a deep breath, leaning back a little as if to reign in the crazy. "Thoughts?"

@ambrosia

[Deleted]

Harry Potter

True surprise crossed Ambrosia's expression, both eyebrows raising and her eyes going a little wide. Was this girl, Elaine Dupree, serious? No, she was. Ambrosia could see it in her face. Slowly, surprise turned to a grin. This had just gotten very interesting. She didn't speak just yet though, instead letting the girl continue. With each word though, that grin only seemed to darken, turn more wicked, and there was a bone chilling spark in those black eyes of hers. In this day and age, there wasn't much call for skills like hers. Skills this Dupree girl was obviously aware of. That was one of the reason's she'd chosen the Department of Mysteries when applying for a job at the Ministry. At least there she'd have a little more lenience for experiments most deemed unethical. But it wouldn't be enough, she knew that.

The cup of green tea had appeared on the table between them, and Ambrosia took a long, thoughtful sip before speaking. "That is quite the dangerous, and interesting plan, Miss Dupree." She meticulously stated as she set the cup down and propped her elbows on the table. That smile and dark look in her eyes was still there. "There are many ways to break a person's spirit. I can think of a dozen already. But how far are you willing to go? Are you prepared to take on our world in such a way? And for the consequences that will inevitably follow?"

@crystal2

[Deleted]

Elaine waited as the name started to register and brew within Ambrosias mind. She saw the process on her face. The surprise, the grin. Elaine grinned along with her, pleased that the smile had in fact appeared. Elaine was incredibly patient as Ambrosia took the sip and kept her hands folded in her lap, not ordering her own drink just yet.

When Ambrosia spoke again, Elaine slowly reached forward to brush a small speck of dust off the table in front of her. "I am prepared, Miss Hong, for all the things coming. I don't fear Harry Potter, nor his friends. I have seen dark magic in my day, trust me, but I am almost of age and it's about time that I start changing the world for... the better, I guess." She let out another soft chuckle as she lifted her hand and a cup glided toward her.

"Is there anything I can do to prove that to you?"

@ambrosia

[Deleted]

Ambrosia's gaze turned cold, calculating, as Elaine spoke. The Hongs had played a vital war in many events in History, though never in Europe. Branching out to this area would be quite the achievement. Something that, in her family, she'd be forever known for. Forever remembered. It was something Ambrosia had always wanted, but could never quite grasp, until now. This was her chance.

"You should be afraid. Afraid of what will happen if you fail. Because that fear will drive you to succeed where others have not." She slowly stated. "This plan of yours, it won't happen immediately. It will require patience, and caution." Ambrosia had a wealth of knowledge and experience on such matters. Not her own, of course. But you see, her family kept a pensieve, with a vast collection of her ancestors memories. She'd seen empires fall from arrogance and over confidence. This girl though... Maybe she could succeed. She was young, with a spark that Ambrosia quite liked.

"Prove it?" She asked, thinking... Before finally coming to a decision. "Promise me that you will do everything in your power to see your plans through." This wasn't an ordinary promise she was asking for....

It was the unbreakable vow.

@crystal2

[Deleted]

As Ambrosia spoke of fear as though it was some sort of tool to be used, Elaine raised an eyebrow at her. She had never really thought about using it for herself. She had always used other peoples fears over her own and preferred to keep it that way. Still, the words she was saying were making an odd amount of sense and she knew that Ambrosia was a lot more experienced than she was and that she took take every word of advice she could get.

Elaine was good at being patient and nodded when Ambrosia warned her that this would be a part of the process. She nodded, "patience is a virtue I have always been blessed with," she said with a proud smile on her face. Plus, she almost liked it better than things happening to quickly and not being able to savor it.

So, Ambrosia was challenging her to an unbreakable vow, it seemed. Elaine had used those on others before, Ethan specifically, but never had taken one herself.

Always a first time for everything, right?

She reached her hand forward, "I can do that," her voice was low and confident. Stupid and naïve too.

@ambrosia

[Deleted]

In the Hong family, Unbreakable Vows were a part of every day life. Ambrosia herself had taken one as a child, that she would never develop feelings for anyone with impure blood. If Elaine was willing to take such a vow, for this cause she spoke of, then Ambrosia would assist her. She would offer all her own, and her family's, skills to this cause. And then the girl as reaching across the table agreeing to Ambrosia's request. She slowly smiled as she pulled out her wand. "One moment, let me get a volunteer to assist us." The vow required three people. The two making it, and a third to seal it. Motioning to the waitress, the girl slowly, cautiously came out.

"We require your assistance." She slowly, sweetly spoke, a strange and numbing tranquility in her voice as her wand slowly and gracefully moved through the air. This was a woman who's family excelled in one area of magic. The mind, and it's manipulation. If there was ever someone you didn't want in your head, it was her, because there was a chance you would never get it back. The girl's expression went deathly calm, all emotion and color draining from her face as she pulled out her own wand. "There we go. Are you ready Miss, Dupree?"

Ambrosia reached out with her free hand, her long delicate fingers closing around the teenagers wrist as the wand was raised above their joined hands.

"Elaine Dupree, will you do everything in your power to achieve all that we've spoke of today?"

@crystal2

[Deleted]

Elaine nodded, waiting for Ambrosia to get a ‘volunteer’. Hah, she was using the imperius curse on the waitress, it seemed. That was just classic. Elaines smirk grew on her face as the woman came forward. Or, perhaps, Ambrosia was using a little spell that she had created herself to control the woman, either way, Elaine was entranced and impressed at the womans ability. She was so distracted that she almost didn’t notice when Ambrosia asked if she was ready.

She nodded, reaching her own hand out.

Suddenly, she felt a strange lump in her throat. She looked up at her with wide eyes, her heart beating at about a thousand miles per minute.

Then, she was asked a question.

”Yeah,” it came out as a whisper and she forced her voice to cooperate the next time, ”Yes. I will do everything in my power to achieve all that we’ve spoke of today.”

@ambrosia

[Deleted]

A silver thread wrapped around their conjoined hands as Elaine made the vow. Ambrosia smiled. To be so willing to break an unbreakable vow with a Hong. Either thing girl was, brave or stupid. Either way, the woman liked her spirit and confidence. Would Elaine succeed? Ambrosia wasn’t sure. But she hadn’t made Elaine promise to succeed. She’d made her promise to do everything she could.

”Then I, Ambrosia Hong, vow to offer all the skills and knowledge I possess to assist you.” The woman hadn’t told Elaine she’d make a vow as well. But as she spoke another silver thread left the wand and coiled around their hands. It was a sign of her allegiance.

The server stepped back, removing her wand from their joined hands and Ambrosia slowly let go of Elaine’s hand, her gaze wandering to the server. The girl’s expression didn’t return to normal. And it looked like Ambrosia was contemplating if she should release her mind or not. ”I suppose you could be useful…” She finally muttered. She remained silent then, but her gaze turned intense. The girl went still before bowing slightly to the pair and scurrying off. ”Do you have any preference as to what I do to Potter? Or how quickly you’d like this done?”

@crystal2

[Deleted]

Elaine had seen the silver magical thread before, of course, but it still astounded her every time. Elaines eyes widened as Ambrosia made a vow as well. She liked the sound of it... a lot. She smiled now as the second silver thread appeared and then the vow was complete. The two sided vow. Elaine had never experienced or seen one of those before.

As the server stepped back, Elaine pulled her hand away and placed it in her lap. Elaine watched Ambrosia decide what to do with the server with a little smirk of pleasure. This woman was just her kind of witch. Elaine leaned forward as Ambrosia turned her attention back to her. "Awe, speed is not an issue. Honestly I want him to be in good enough mental condition that he understands what's happening around him. His wife, however..." she smirked, "I'd like him to lose her. But not by death, no. There must be another way to disconnect them? That's where I'd like to start. With Ginny."

@ambrosia

[Deleted]

Ambrosia smirked darkly, before taking a sip from her tea. ”Then I’ll take my sweet time.” She deduced. Now, what to do? She could think of several possibilities. And when she asked that she start with Ginny, that smirk only grew.

”Clever.” Yes, going after those around Harry first would be good. But this would be a much faster process. A clean break. But she didn’t want Ginny dead. Good, killing wasn’t her style. ”I’m sure I can think of something.” Already she was thinking. Physical damage was obviously out. She’d recover quickly, and it wouldn’t actually hinder the relationship with Potter. No, she wanted something to come between them. For one of them to pull away. Which meant a change in behavior. She needed to change Ginny Potter completely-

An idea struck, and that she slowly set the cup she’d been holding down. Running her fingers through her hair, she looked away from Elaine. ”And you have no objects to anything I come up with?”

@crystal2