the outsider | harry

[anastasia marie karkaroff]

What's your rush, now?

Everyone will have his day to die

February 13, 2026
HARRY JAMES POTTER

Pink. Ana detested the color. It was too bright, too happy, and yet it was that time of year again where she could not avoid it. Between the cherubs flying around the Ministry and her colleagues who had their desks overflowing with flowers that triggered many other’s allergies, and the hearts in the eyes of lovestruck teenagers—she could only roll her eyes at the ridiculous of it all. At least she would only have to suffer for a few more days. She had been asked if her distaste for the holiday was due to being alone, and to that, Ana only scoffed. It was silly to celebrate one’s affection for one another simply because the day on the calendar told one to do it. Plus, many of these couples wouldn’t last—they couldn’t handle the reality of commitment or even the real world.

Ana walked into the slightly busy pub. She wasn’t surprised as it was a Friday. However, her presence had been requested and she hadn’t been by since the last meeting where the end of Ouroborus and Heliopath had been announced. It had been a surprising day, seeing familiar and new faces. Ana’s only annoyance had been that she’d felt a bit exposed to “the other side”, as it were. She wasn’t used to receiving requests that weren’t some kind of order or direction from Cas. This one was from Harry, of all people. She hadn’t told Cas, to be quite honest, she was a bit annoyed with him. That day stuck out in her mind how individuals were acting and especially around one another. Ana sat at old wooden bar and waited patiently for a bartender to walk by. One did, and she ordered her usual glass of wine, something to sip on while she waited. So far, there wasn’t anyone else she recognized, at least until she saw the messy dark hair and bright green eyes walk toward her. 

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[HARRY JAMES POTTER]

After speaking with James, Harry had started making arrangements. He'd first met with Cas to figure out what the best course of action was with the dampener. Harry's brain still hurt at the very thought of the device, but Cas was more than capable of handling it. They'd hashed out details on how they could use the device to their advantage, plotting carefully the next steps. And now, the other piece to Harry's plan. The one he was much more hesitant and worried about.

Harry did not know Ana very well. She had joined the Order whilst Harry had been off the grid, though Cas assured him that she was completely trustworthy. That her loyalties lay first to her family, and by association with Harry and the Order. The Karkaroff name still held a certain amount of prestige, and the siblings ran within the upper echelon of pureblood society. As much as Harry regretted endangering his friends, he knew that they needed to start getting information and making moves. So Harry had reached out to the youngest Karkaroff and invited her to the Hounds and Harriers.

Ana was exceptionally on time, as Cas had told Harry to expect of her. Harry wasn't very familiar with her, but her similarities to Cas were already apparent. There was a certain intensity to the young brunette as she locked eyes with Harry and strode purposefully towards him, no hint of a smile on her lips. Harry tipped his head in greeting. "Hello, Ana. Hope you're well," said Harry cordially, leading her into his back office. He shot a meaningful look at Yas, his young bartender, and she nodded in understanding. He was not to be disturbed under any circumstances. Harry pulled out a chair for Ana and closed the door behind them, locking it magically before taking a seat himself.

Harry appraised the young witch, and hated himself for what he was about to ask her to do. But even the first moment he had laid eyes on her, Harry knew that Ana was perfect for the job and that she would be more than up for it. There was a moment of silence between them as Harry considered how to pose his request. Ana didn't seem like the sort of girl who would be interested in niceties. "If your brother weren't a factor, would you have joined our cause?" asked Harry at last.

anastasia marie karkaroff

[anastasia marie karkaroff]

What's your rush, now?

Everyone will have his day to die

February 13, 2026
HARRY JAMES POTTER

Harry Potter was a name known across all magical communities as far as Ana was concerned. This new structure that the reunified Order was operating under wasn’t one that Ana would have agreed to off the bat. She preferred something with a hierarchy since that allowed for accountability and Order, but she’d kept her opinions to herself discussing business with her brother. The benefit was that individual's experiences were taken into account, such as her brother’s for his work and knowledge from Curse Breaking and the shop, her own with Law Enforcement. To her surprise--Bianca’s as well. They had worked together on the Island, but she saw her colleague in a different light considering they’d been surprised to see one another in this Pub on that day. Harry had his experience in Law Enforcement, and of course, from when he was younger as a natural leader, people would naturally turn to him. ”Harry.” She responded shortly, still wary as she was of anyone—even Harry Potter.

By the time Ana had been recruited by Cas she’d only had a chance to interact with Ginny and James—especially since the latter worked at the Ministry as well. Although he was a lot of energy and talked too much for her liking and he had the confidence of a young man plus being the eldest Potter of her generation. It was enough to make her roll her eyes most of the time. Harry led her into an office. She presumed it was where he did most of his work and especially related to magic and now the Order. She took the seat that was offered to her. Her initial impression of Harry was that he looked bothered. He showed his emotions too easily in her mind, but then she just reminded herself that not everyone was like her and her older brothers. After a brief silence, he spoke up with a question. It was a good question, and she paused to consider her thoughts on the matter. She looked away, her face still stoic but she thought about her reasons aside from the obvious ones.

”Maybe not on my own.” She admitted. Her entire life, she knew she didn’t belong in the life and world her mother wished her to be in. Marry a pureblood heir of a respectable name as soon as she could and by her current age have at least one boy and one girl—if not two boys and a girl and attend extravagant parties and tea with other pureblood women and their mothers. ”But I never wanted the life I was born into. Nor do I subscribe to the belief that blood status is an indicator of any kind of superiority in any way.” Her best friend was muggle-born after all and a talented individual in her own right in her field as much as Ana was in dueling. She always figured that she might have fallen into this crowd befriending the right individuals, those she respected on their merit and skill versus anything as silly as a name. ”My brother has his reasons as much as I have mine.” They did what they did for the family and their name, but Ana wasn’t naïve enough to think that her and Cas had exactly all the same goals. Though why Harry was asking, she wasn’t sure. Cas had assured her that Harry trusted him fully.

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[HARRY JAMES POTTER]

Ana was wary of Harry, as Cas had warned him she would be. So he led her into his office without another word, and offered her a seat before appraising her. He knew that he would be asking so much of her, perhaps even too much. But it was a role someone had to take within the Order. They had to take decisive action and stop more attacks from happening, to stop Purifier recruitment and shut them down before they could grow too powerful. And for that to happen, they needed to know more. Harry knew that Elaine had a twisted mind, that she would be expecting these sorts of things, but Harry thought that perhaps Ana was in a position to assuage doubt. Especially considering her background, her status within the ministry and her brother's work.

The first thing Harry asked Ana was a test of sorts. Thankfully, her response was just as he expected. That if it hadn't been for Cas, she wouldn't have joined the Order. That would make her appeal to the Purifiers all the more realistic. Even as she explained that she wanted nothing to do with the life that she had been born into. But Harry happened to know that the Karkaroffs were excellent actors, and could meld in with society when needed. He nodded, pondering his next words. "That's completely understandable. Doesn't sound very appealing, those society parties and turning your nose up at people," said Harry with a half grin.

Ana's allegiance towards Cas rather than the order would be worked to their advantage. "I have an assignment for you. Ana, I think you could very possibly be the one person who may be able to end this," said Harry quietly, his green eyes piercing her own. "I need you to infiltrate the Purifiers. With your blood status and lack of allegiance to the Order itself, I think you would appeal to them greatly. Especially with those duelling talents I have heard so much about," said Harry. "And I know you are a skilled occlumens. I think... I know you can do this. If you think you are up for the task," said Harry, searching her face for any flicker of doubt at the monumental task he had set her.

anastasia marie karkaroff

[anastasia marie karkaroff]

What's your rush, now?

Everyone will have his day to die

February 13, 2026
HARRY JAMES POTTER

Ana was trying to analyze Harry’s aim. What was his goal here? What did he want from her and why? She ran through the same set of questions in her mind like a checklist when it came to her social interactions. Everybody had an agenda, everybody would eventually need something from you, and until you were able to ascertain their goals, you must protect yourself. It was how Ana made her way in the world, and it had served her well in her experience. Pureblood society had its advantages but only in connections and not in any other practical way. Ana’s work in Interpol had shown her that even the purest of blood could create the worst of monsters while those who only entered the magical world at age eleven could be the brightest of lights. It didn’t matter to Ana, but what was merit and ability, and above all was loyalty.

Finally, there it was—the goal, his agenda—an assignment. Naturally, Ana’s thoughts went to why Harry asked Ana instead of Cas, but then she just assumed that her brother was unaware of this plan and Ana had been selected. She didn’t answer right away. It was a heavy request and quite a lot to ask of a person. She knew he was right. However, her name and status, and connections were ideal for an assignment such as this. She paused. While her goal in life was to fulfill her own and her family’s agenda, she’d always figured herself the atypical example of a person trying to do good in the world. Her work with Interpol, for Ouroboros, was all for those goals and aligning herself with such a faction as the Purifiers had never crossed her mind. Her only reason to pause and to doubt was the danger of it all. It was more dangerous than anything in her life, perhaps even that island.

Ana’s expression didn’t change despite the thoughts in her head, but she still took another moment to think. If her brother had asked her, she wouldn’t have hesitated—much as she hadn’t when they’d stolen evidence out of the Ministry of Magic the previous year. From what Ana had heard about Harry from Cas, if he could infiltrate the Purifiers on his own, he would have, but a Potter would never be able to breach those walls. Finally, she looked back at Harry. ”My brother doesn’t know you’re asking me to do this, does he?” It was a hunch, but it also explained why he wasn’t present for this little meeting. She supposed the other alternative would be to ask Jasper or even Cas himself or just wait while another attack occurred. The latter thought weighed heavily on her. More lives lost was never an ideal answer. She may have been cold-hearted and an overall distant person, but even Ana didn’t want that result.

”I suppose I don’t have to tell you how dangerous and wreckless this idea is? What would happen if I were to be discovered or exposed?” She knew Harry likely didn’t need the reminder, but she was also thinking out loud to settle her own thoughts and her own doubts. Her instincts told her this was a difficult but straightforward path, her Occlumency abilities would be useful as well as her dueling and not to mention her Interpol connections. ”Who else would know?”

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[HARRY JAMES POTTER]

Ana surveyed Harry with a critical indifference. He knew she considered the monumental task that he asked of her, her expression stoic despite the war he was sure was going on in her head. On one hand, her agreement would mean a huge step forward for the Order to start being proactive rather than reactive. To keep the Purifiers from destroying as many lives as they had in the past, especially with their explosions. Her refusal would be understandable, to save her own skin. Not noble, but understandable. Not everyone had courage in the same measures as he did. Harry didn't want to ask this of anyone, to risk their life and more. But Ana was a skilled occlumens and dueller, and Harry knew that if anyone could do this right, it would be her. Cas had sung her praises for years before Harry even had met her.

"No. I thought it best not to inform him," said Harry wryly. He had considered asking Cas if this was the right choice, but Ana was a grown woman. She didn't need Cas hanging over her like an overgrown bat. She was capable of her own decision making - if she considered herself up for the task. "I believe the matter of your allegiance - more to your family than to the Order - will give you an edge. Beyond anyone else," he added after a moment. He sighed at her next observation. "I would do it myself if I could. But yes. It is incredibly dangerous. And precious few would know. Cas, if you decide to tell him. Perhaps Parvati, but the less who are in the know, the better. I want you to be safe, but barriers can be broken," said Harry slowly. "What do you think?"

anastasia marie karkaroff

[anastasia marie karkaroff]

What's your rush, now?

Everyone will have his day to die

February 13, 2026
HARRY JAMES POTTER

Everything that Ana did was always for the good of something. She trained to be a proper lady for the family and to create more Pureblood children. She worked hard at Durmstrang and now in her career because Cas said it would help the family’s reputation, restore what was lost in the previous war, and gain honor. She worked hard at the Ministry to put criminals away. At least her ministry work earned her a reputation and was only tied to her and not necessarily her name or brothers. Now Harry was asking her to do something for the Order, for good, which was hard to pass up. The idea that the Purifiers would kill more people or launch another attack as they had the day of the Quidditch match was a deep fear for Ana. Wasn’t it why she agreed to help her brother with Ouroboros tasks in the first place? Why she jeopardizing everything to steal that Magic Dampener from the Ministry?

It was also a brand new tactic, and at least Ana could appreciate its subversive nature. There would be careful planning and precision needed for this and not those impulsive and destructive leanings of the former Helipath group. Ana let Harry finish explaining as she tried to sift through the details in her mind. ”What leads do you have?” She asked. Outloud she had not formally accepted anything, but it didn’t stop her from wanting details. Did Harry know anyone that was a confirmed Purifier? Or were there suspicions? Technically any pureblood family might be under suspicion, but if herself, Cas, and Jasper had proved anything, it was that just a name could not be relied upon for that. Ana paused again. She supposed she would tell her brother if he tried to interfere because he was not in on the plan. Parvati was a friend. Ana thought about other Ministry employees in the Order. Naturally, she wasn’t keen on running into Claire every meeting she attended (or at least the ones where Claire wasn’t late). A name stuck out in her mind, and after their experience on the island, she knew it was the right choice.

”Rivera.” Ana spoke simply. ”She’s the Head of Law Enforcement now, she should know.” It was a working relationship she was still navigating, but she was someone that Ana respected, and while it had been a surprise for someone so young to head a department so large, Ana wasn’t complaining about the choice. Besides, Bianca was not her boss. Again, Ana paused a moment. If she refused, then Harry would have to find some other means to execute his plan, and quite frankly, Ana had a hard time trusting anyone else to do it right. She had the background, social training, ministry connections, Occlumency training, and Dueling proficiency behind her. ”My brother trusts you. And I trust my brother.” While she had grilled Leo the previous year despite her brother’s trust in him, the name Harry Potter was a different matter. ”Alright.” She spoke. There really wasn’t a better plan that wasn’t just a reaction to an event. This was the way. ”There will be questions—if I’m seen with people under suspicion. How will address them?” If Ana was successful in bringing back information, Order members might raise an eyebrow if Ana was seen with those they were watching.

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[HARRY JAMES POTTER]

Harry could appreciate that Ana wanted details. He wanted to give her as much as he possibly could, especially considering how much he was asking of her. And even if she turned down the proposition, she wouldn't know who he would ask next. If anyone at all... "Cas has a few leads, naturally. There's been some activity within Borgin and Burkes which have spurred his interest more than previously. And we're starting to learn more about illegal creature trade, and potential leads there. And then... well, there was a peculiar man who came into the pub the other week. He didn't drop his name. But something about him was extraordinarily off putting. I wonder if he will come back, but it's hard to gather information when the Purifiers know just who you are," said Harry with a grimace.

Ana decided that Bianca Rivera, a newer recruit from Heliopath, should be in the know. Harry was reluctant at first to involve more ministry workers - especially after last time. "Rivera? I don't know much of her. But she's got to be good if she's been the youngest Head of Law Enforcement in modern history," said Harry. "I'll have to speak with her more. She's an occlumens, isn't she. That should be good then..." said Harry. "If you need extra training in occlumency, we can arrange that."

To Harry's delight and surprise, Ana accepted. He said nothing for a moment, before nodding. "Thank you, Ana. Your work will move mountains," said Harry sincerely. Ana shot him a question which made complete sense - what would happen when she was seen with people under suspicion? "The rest of the Order should be occupied enough with other things to not be bothered. And if they have questions, they can come to me. We're not just attacking suspicious people left and right. I trust you, and the Order will trust me on this one. Or so I hope." It was the method Dumbledore had taken with Snape - and yet Harry was still somewhat wary. "Will you tell Cas, do you think?"

anastasia marie karkaroff

[anastasia marie karkaroff]

What's your rush, now?

Everyone will have his day to die

February 13, 2026
HARRY JAMES POTTER

Ana listened intently to what information Harry had. She didn’t get the sense that he was hiding anything or trying to hide anything either. This made her feel better about her decision, not that she had needed another reason. Ana was someone who pursued whatever goal she had in mind to the finish, no matter how long that took. Her career, for example, was a good showing of just that. However, hearing her brother’s name always piqued her interest, especially when it was information he had failed to share with her. Typical. Cas wouldn’t have liked it if Ana had kept her own secrets if it pertained to Order or Family business, but she didn’t react to that. And when it came to this clandestine activity she was being asked to participate in. She could appreciate Harry’s perspective. In fact, he had the opposite problem. He was associated with the notoriously good, while the name Karkaroff might have still left a bad taste in some people’s mouths.

She merely nodded in acknowledgment that she had heard him speak. She’d need to process it later and see what information she could find out at work as well. However, she raised her eyebrows at the suggestion of occlumency training. Such a statement would have resulted in words from Ana from just about anybody else, but she wasn’t about to challenge Harry Potter to a duel over it. ”She’s good at her job. I respect her.” Ana admitted she would go as far as to say she trusted her in a sense. Plus, having the head of the Law Enforcement department on their side was incredibly beneficial, just as having the Editor of the Daily Prophet in their ranks as well. Still, Ana couldn’t help but scoff at the training suggestion. ”Do you think I would consider agreeing to help you if I wasn’t already trained?” Ana asked, a challenge in her eyes. It might have benefited her not to be so snarky with Harry, but Cas had always been better at being polite.

There was a relief evident in Harry’s face when she formally agreed, though she hoped it had been implied with their previous discussion. ”Some of the Order that was in Ouroboros seemed to have an issue with my brother…” Ana trailed off, while many trusted Harry and held him in high regard she had heard the grumblings of those who hadn’t appreciated his little disappearing act. ”Well—the less that know, the better.” At least she hardly spoke to Teddy anymore. He’d been one to argue with Cas the most on occasion. And then it was Harry’s turn to ask her a question—and a good one. She paused, weighing the options in her mind. ”I will—in due time. He’s my family. He should know about this.” Not that he would get a say. Ana had made up her mind and had committed now. Nothing Cas would say would deter her. Plus, it was for the common good, right? And therefore, to the benefit of the family. ”Especially with this level of risk.” There was no point beating around the bush on that note, just as she was upfront of the risks at work as it needed to be communicated. ”I will also tell Astrid, she’s family as well. And what about connections with The Prophet?” Ana thought through where she would be exposed or where she could be. They needed to cover their bases.

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[HARRY JAMES POTTER]

With the grave path Harry was asking the youngest Karkaroff to follow, he thought candour was the best way forward. He laid out everything that he had considered, and the implications they would have on Ana. Cas had his uses in other manners, but Ana, who was a trained occlumens, and duelling master, Harry was sure she would be more than capable of handling herself. And if things went sour... well, they would get there. Harry trusted her as fully as he trusted Cas - though some would say that it was a mistake. To trust a Karkaroff was as bad as trusting a Black - but Sirius had disproven that decades ago. It was not what they were born, but what they grew to be that truly defined them.

Harry gave a wry chuckle. "Extra training, then," he clarified. He liked her attitude - and thought she would fit in more easily with the Purifiers than some of the other options. It wasn't that he didn't trust some of the other rather unsavoury members of the order, such as Jasper - it was that he knew Ana was better versed in subterfuge and secrecy, two skills that could potentially save her life. Finally, Ana agreed formally, and the deal was set. Something tightened in Harry's chest as he surveyed Ana, who was risking so much for him and the Order. To make a better life. To leave the world a better place than how they found it.

"Would it be a democratic society if there wasn't whispers of dissent?" asked Harry, arching a brow. He knew of those whispers - had been called out on them personally. He knew how much his own godson, Teddy, disliked Ana's brother. And he wasn't the only one. But Harry trusted Cas as Dumbledore had trusted Snape. "I'll remind everyone that we're on the same side," said Harry after a moment.

Chewing on the inside of his cheek, Harry thought over Ana's insistence at telling both Cas and Astrid. Not a single person had suspected Snape's involvement, beyond the fact that Dumbledore had trusted him. And Harry trusted Cas, and by extension Ana. He didn't know if it would be wise to share outside those immediately affected. "Do you... d'you think that's wise?" asked Harry slowly. "I also... have a separate task for Astrid. It would be best not to cross lines too much, especially... well, with all things considered. I know she's a muggleborn and your friend but perhaps... perhaps that will sway the purifiers further to your side? We have to make them believe that you want the same things as them," said Harry, as much as it pained him to voice these thoughts. "With the prophet, we have the Assistant Editor, Cade on our side. We know the news before it breaks - I will inform him not to publish any Order related news to keep you safe, at least for the moment. You'll be the first to know if that needs to change," Harry finished.

anastasia marie karkaroff