cemeteries of london | elaine

[asher rowan burke]

Victorian ghosts pray

For their curses to be broken

Summer 2024
Elaine Lyra Dupree

”She is weak.” Asher stared into the flames of the crackling fireplace. His hands rested neatly on the small of his back, his posture as rigid as ever. He’d been tasked with training a recruit in Occlumency, but she wasn’t even a new recruit. The issue had been Hogwarts jurisdiction, and now that the girl was free, Elaine could do what she wished with her. But, Asher had to ask why? As of a half-hour ago he’d left the girl a bubbling mess on the floor. She couldn’t control her emotions. Asher replayed the images in his head of what he’d seen so far. Family, siblings—lots of siblings. Happy memories and clear attachments. The things that would bring her down.

”Why do you need her?” Asher asked finally after a moment, turning away from the fireplace and to look at Elaine. She was young, far younger than Asher in years, but there was something unique about her mind and vision. When Ivy had brought this whole cause to his attention, he’d only hesitated on account of his already illegal activities. Still, nobody looked at the Department of Mysteries with suspicion and only intrigue—an easy cover for him and his life. ”What do you have on her?” The majority of followers he had encountered were there with absolute willingness, but Diana was different. She clearly did not want to be here and yet, here she was.

template by vee

[Elaine Lyra Dupree]

Elaine sat in a winged armchair, holding a glass of red wine. Asher was a respected Pureblood member of the Burke family, and his sister had been one of the teachers Elaine actually liked at Hogwarts. She had inserted a mole over a year ago at the Ministry, but she couldn’t let him rise too far for fear of being found out. So Asher was a marvellous addition to the Purifiers. She had a feeling he thought her young, but he hadn’t outright questioned her moves and judgement so far. Except for Diana. Elaine was not surprised at Asher’s declaration that the girl was weak. Elaine had seen it for herself when they dueled for Diana’s fate. But, the girl had made an Unbreakable Vow, and after what happened to Ethan, had been too terrified to try and find a way to undo her Vow. Yes, Diana did not follow her out of loyalty, or shared beliefs, but she would follow orders, unless she wanted to cut her life short by a few decades.

“I have need of many people, regardless of their worth or capabilities,” Elaine told him smoothly, taking a sip from her glass. She smiled at him, though her eyes flashed a warning sign for Asher not to push her too far. “Let us just say that she has an obedience to me that would rival a house elf. Even moreso, since sometimes house elves find it in themselves to disobey their masters. Diana would never disobey me,” she explained. She knew Asher knew all about Unbreakable Vows, but she did not go around telling people that was why Diana was in her employ. Better for those to assume, but never know for certain exactly what she was capable of.

asher rowan burke

[asher rowan burke]

Victorian ghosts pray

For their curses to be broken

Summer 2024
Elaine Lyra Dupree

It was not Asher’s place to question Elaine’s motive or means. So far, she hadn’t shown him any reason to doubt her, and truthfully the cause was more important to him than anything else. He was sure Ivy had bet on that when approaching him. Even if she was closer to Hazel, Ivy knew Asher well. Plus, he was connected in the illegal world, and he was in the Ministry. Asher always made a point to make himself useful. It had become quickly clear that the Bainbridge girl was a metamorphmagus, which was useful, and most of their members were encouraged to study Occlumency as a means of protection.

Asher was more than willing to train them. It helped him know who was weak and who was strong. Motives became clear when he could peer into their mind. ”Her attachments are going to be her downfall.” Asher warned. ”Her sisters…but I’m sure you knew that already?” Despite being conscious of her youth, he did often forget that many of their younger recruits were from Elaine’s days at Hogwarts. His assumption was that Diana’s family somehow played into this, but he didn’t question it further after her assurance that she would not be an issue. Asher trusted Elaine. If she said that Diana would be a good soldier, he would train her to tame her weaknesses.

But now, for a change of topic, he thought about his meetings that week with Minister Granger and the Department Heads. ”The Minister is concerned.” Asher looked at the fire again. ”She is trying to hide it but is falling.” Asher turned and looked back at Elaine. ”Potter’s disappearance is causing quite the stir. Do we have anybody close to him?” The Minister had quite a lot on her plate with the aftermath of the Triwizard Tournament and now the Boy Who Lived and his vanishing act. But perhaps it is something they could use to their advantage.

template by vee

[Elaine Lyra Dupree]

Elaine clucked her tongue at Asher. “Ah but sisters can also be a reason for her to stay loyal, should anything happen to them of course,” she reminded him with a smirk. A family that large, well, accidents did tend to happen. “If she wants to protect her family, Occlumency is her best chance, and she knows that. Of course, I could probably break any barrier she try to put up, but others may not,” she added with a small shrug. Elaine had begun to study the difficult skills of Occlumency, and more importantly Legilimency, ever since she’d gotten her hands on a book in her fathers private library at the tender age of twelve.

She leaned forward, listening intently as Asher began his report on his meeting with Granger last week. “Mudbloods are always too emotional,” she said dismissively. Look at Elaine, her best friends were in the wind all the time and she wasn’t concerned about them. Potter had proven many times that he was perfectly capable of taking care of himself. “Potter hasn’t had much attention lately, he probably misses the spotlight. He’ll show up again soon, mark my words,” she predicted. When Asher asked if they had anyone close, she just smiled. “Quite close, you could say family even,” she said with a light laugh. Ondina Weasley would be perfect for this. “What else did she say?” she asked, wanting to know more of the meetings contents.

asher rowan burke

[asher rowan burke]

Victorian ghosts pray

For their curses to be broken

Summer 2024
Elaine Lyra Dupree

Asher’s moved to look at Elaine again when she spoke of sisters. Fortunately, he was on the same page as Hazel and Ivy, which meant they were not a threat nor a problem for one another. But just as they had been raised, he never doubted their loyalty, and they never doubted his. But in the case of Diana Bainbridge, they were a target and an easy one to help control her. It was a shame she was so weak, and Asher was grateful he didn’t have weights of that magnitude bringing him down. Asher merely nodded. ”I’ll push her.” He spoke. ”Perhaps seeing what could happen will motivate her.” The gift of Legilimency would be useful in breaking the girl into submission.

Elaine appeared interested in what he had to say, and he recalled the meetings and the distracted look in the Minister’s eyes. Doubt appeared where there was usually her unwavering confidence. Asher frowned slightly at the thought—Potter and a publicity stunt. But to what end and risking destabilizing a leader of the Wizarding World, there had to be more at play here. ”Hm…I would hope not. It’s a welcome change to see Granger unsettled, for once.” She was as weak as the rest of the Department Heads. Just another example of how attachments made one weak. But he just bout fully turned to look at Elaine when she responded—he’d never imagined they had someone that close. His blue eyes were bright with curiosity.

”Who?” It had never bothered him that the Purifiers were quite scattered as a group. In fact, it was safer that way for their operations, but someone close to the Potters had to be close to Elaine. ”Nothing on Potter—but she’s distracted.” The events after the Tournament were still fresh and preparations for the American students to study at Hogwarts. So much international movement, surely Granger would mess up something with all these distractions?

template by vee