Follow the Reaper (Open)

[Orion Rhys Brystan]

The air hung heavy upon the earth, mist crawling upon the slick cobblestones like snakes, twisting and writhing in the night. No matter the season, death clung to the dreary walls as rancid as rotting blood. Knockturn Alley was a dark blight upon the hidden network of winding magical corridors within the heart of London. Perverse creatures roamed its shadows in a harsh mockery of human life, snapping and snarling viciously at those who dared pass through the gates to darkness. The steady tread of firm, confident footsteps upon the cobblestone paths sent the warped organisms skittering for the blessed comfort of the shadows. A dark figure strode past the oddly cowering vermin, ink black wizarding robes moving as if alive in the still air, creating the illusion that the figure was floating across the land.

A brief glint of moonlight escaped the muggy night clouds, revealing a pair of ice cold navy blue eyes set in handsome features. The Atrox Legion Commander's expression was one of demented pleasure, lips twisted into a smirk as he casually strode through the alley. Despite the normality he presented to the world, Orion's soul was shattered by an intense rage and hatred that made the icy calm he presented that much more disturbing. The doors to the small pub located deep within the recesses of Knockturn flew open as he approached with a thunderous bang. The scattered handful of patrons within drew away in terror as their searching gazes fell upon his visage. Orion made his way to a back corner without bothering to glance at the shaking bodies within the pub. The server hurried over, bowing and scraping in a desperate effort to avoid bloodshed as he scurried to fetch Orion's drink.

The server's efforts went unnoticed by the brooding Commander as he extracted a cigarette from the pack in his pocket. Smoke curled steadily in crawling tendrils toward the ceiling, pooling in a misty haze as it expanded across the wooden beams. The cigarette was held between two fingers with careless ease, casually tapping off ash into the onyx ashtray that rested upon the wooden table. The glow at the end flared in his cold eyes as he drew upon the cigarette. Within moments the server placed an exquisite glass filled with a rich amber liquid. Long fingers coiled almost delicately around the heavy glass, lifting it from the table to his lips with a satisfied exhale. The burning bite slide pleasantly down his throat, calming the simmering desire to spill blood until the world cried with it.

The beverage was none of the typical choices even forgoing his favorite fire whiskey in favor of an expensive Irish whiskey that put the stereotypical wizarding blend to shame. The rich taste and exquisite burn was rapidly degrading into a numbing buzz that left his cold blue eyes hovering on the glazed side of inebriated as he drained glass after glass with no thought to the money slipping down his throat like water. Taking a long drag from the cigarette, Orion let the smoke escape slowly as he shifted farther back into his dark corner. The habit was not one he indulged in often, usually partaking in a cigar or two during parties as etiquette would dictate. The simplicity of a cigarette seemed to suit the evening, along with the basic desire to get good and well plastered. Plus, he found himself desiring the habitual calming routine of smoking more of late than normal.

His glass was nearing empty once again, indicating that it would soon be time to draw enough attention to himself to get another refill brought to him. Though, he was considering switching to just fire whiskey in an attempt to make the evening last longer. Despite his high tolerance for his cultured taste of the ancient Irish whiskey, even he was not immune to its effects. Orion was far from the young teen he had once been when drinking to excess was nearly a weekly ritual, but the alluring call of the freedom in drink was too difficult to resist. Draining the last vestiges of his glass, he leaned forward into the dim firelight to wave the empty glass at the bartender. Perhaps after one more glass he would switch, but then again, probably not.

[Madison Paige]

Madison was feeling rather depressed. Usually she relished in her personal victory over those lesser than herself but for some reason, she was feeling not victorious but rather lonely. She had spent years steeling herself from the opinions of others and their own personal ambitions. Whenever she reflected on her earlier years, especially in Hogwarts, she regarded them as years wasted on failure. Having spent years pleasing others, her father, grandfather and especially her peers, she had received nothing in return. Always she had placed second to those that had stepped over her, always a prefect, never a Head Girl, those others using her as a stone to proceed forward, leaving her behind in their wake of success. But eventually that had stopped. By time she left Hogwarts, she had wised up.

No longer was she a side-kick, someones assistant. She chose then and there to make a name for herself and never let anyone take advantage of her again. Madison came out of school a hardened and bitter woman, something no one in school would have ever expected of the helpful girl that she once was. It was these hurtful experiences which enabled to witch to never revert back to that place where she was ranked second. She progressed through the ministry with ease, using her earlier connections to her advantage although she never forgave those who used her, gaining prestige and status as one of the youngest Head of Departments the ministry had ever seen, not to mention one of the most effective and efficient. Usually this change brought her immense satisfaction, but sometimes she felt that this was not enough. Sometimes she craved more.

Madison had some amount of confidence in school, but she had a tendency to let herself be overlooked by those she was close to. Although she was popular in her own right, Madison spent a good deal her time in school working to maintain her stance as right-hand man to those who ran the show. Because of this, she gained status by association from those viewing from the outside and was formidable in her relationships. However, she fully understood that she was on the outside of the inside and that although she was a useful prop to those powerful people, she was just that to them: a prop. After leaving school, the witch began to resent the way that she allowed herself to be treated and the people she allowed to treat her suchlike, realizing finally that she did not have to take the nonsense of others, that she was in many ways better than they were while still maintaining the appearance of subservience required for advancement in the inner social circles.

Hating herself for feeling miserable and giving her would be oppressors’ power; she decided to do something about it. Thinking to herself, she immediately was relieved when she decided to go out. Get dressed up, go somewhere that nobody would know her. Not as the nerdy and helpful girl that she was, nor the impressive, powerful, and imposing witch she had become. Avoiding the usual hangouts where those who knew her spent their lonely nights, Madison went somewhere different. Somewhere threating and nothing like the bubbly places she spent most of her weekends. Winding up in Knockturn Alley, she was not frightened in the least. She was confident in her own powers and her easy ability to subdue any person who would attempt to harass her regardless of the less then spotless reputation of the pub. She walked in cockily, enjoying the confused looks that she gained as she stepped calmly to the bar, not heeding any rude cat calls or whistles. Even if anyone she used to know recognized her, it would be a shock to them to see her as she was now: confident and sure of herself in her own right.

[Orion Rhys Brystan]

At first, the appearance of another patron to the pub did nothing to draw Orion's attention. Most who ventured in were little more than dreary vestiges found at the bottom of the barrel, skittering about as if they could somehow continue to cling to their pathetic existences. However, the litany of cat calls and muttered comments were enough to peek his inebriated interest. Lifting his gaze from the fresh glass that had appeared before him, Orion found his eyes drawn immediately to the nearby bar. A dark haired woman proved to be the source of the calamity, her adult features more refined than they had been in childhood, an air of confidence elegantly draped around her. Still, no matter how much she had changed since the long days of Hogwarts, Orion would probably always recognize his once fellow prefect. His eyebrow quirked upward slightly, a smirk tugging at his features as he studied the changes in the once soft Slytherin.

Taking a deep swig of his beverage, he rose from his corner with both drink and cigarette in hand. Those few who had dared edge closer to the attractive woman immediately fell back at the approach of the Legion Commander. Both a figure of public interest and chilling mystery, there were few who did not know who he was and fear that knowledge. It had its benefits and its downside, but for the most part, Orion enjoyed the well deserved terror his presence sparked in the unworthy. Sliding his glass onto the counter beside Madison, he casually leaned against the bar with a confident ease that belied the danger held within his frame. "Well, look who is." His smirk deepened, handsome features eased into a rather pleasant expression. "Been a long time, Paige. I've heard you have been making something of a name for yourself since Hogwarts."

While Madison had never been the most ambitious of the pureblood women in his year, she certainly had that spark that had caught his attention and made Slytherin the perfect house for her. Unbeknownst to most, Orion kept tabs on many of his housemates, especially those that had any sign of potential within them. Some had proven to be horrible disappointments barely deserving of life. Madison Paige had fortunately not been among those tragic few. While she had not joined the Legion as he believed all with any sort of self respect should, her position of power within the ministry was nothing to be ignored or belittled. In some ways, he respected her rise more than he did those who used the backing of the Legion to propel them forward in their chosen field. Madison had proven all on her own exactly what she was made of and who she was.

Gone was the little girl who had allowed others to stand all over her and now an exquisite woman of prestige stood before him. Still, he hoped to someday woo her into the ranks of the chosen ones. The Legion needed people exactly like her, those willing to do the work required of them, those whose purity meant the world to them. The fact that she was a Department Head at the Ministry of Magic only made her all that more attractive of a prospective Legionnaire. There was much they could do together even if she did not seek official attachment to the organization, but that wasn't going to stop him from trying to persuade her. The Legion was well respected and sought to hold complete membership of all purebloods no matter their chosen career. Required service was based upon one's position in the world and usefulness as well as the immediate threat to purity.

Taking a swallow of his drink, Orion let his gaze drag along her frame before lifting his gaze to meet her eyes. "Have you given any thought as to what course you will take now that you have your own Department?" There was no point in dancing around what he wanted to know with more idle pleasantries. Orion was essentially a military man, dedicated to a fight against impurity, not a diplomat despite his rearing as the future Lord of his family. He could be charming and subtle if he wanted, but he found he got what he wanted just fine by being direct and often threatening. If Madison had any sort of brain she would know exactly what he wanted to hear, whether or not she would was another matter to be dealt with at that time.

[Madison Paige]

Madison looked up in surprise when suddenly the last few stragglers attempting to vie for her attention just slinked off to wherever they had came from. Her first reaction was relief. She had not come to this place to be harassed by low-lifes such as the creatures who called themselves men. She laughed just thinking about how little any of them must know about being a man, about having any sense of honor and chivalry. However, her relive at relative peace was short lived as she realized there must be a reason for the sudden loss of interest. Her previous attempts at subtle removal had been largely unsuccessful and she had to admit that those annoying beings were at least persistent.

Glancing causally over to see what the new fuss was about she barely suppressed a small surprised gasp. Madison had not seen Orion Brystan since she had left Hogwarts other then a few random occasions or parties of the well off and well known. She smirked in response to his features subconsciously, not meaning to but the man had an irresistible pull to him, something not even she could resist even after all of these years. "A long time indeed. And I've heard the same about you. Whispers in dark corridors and all of that. I have even heard that some are afraid to even look at you for fear that your awesome might will turn them into some sort of sniveling creature." She laughed as another interested patron inching nearer shrank back at her words to the formidable man in front of her.

She studied him openly, not as intimated by the man before her as others seemed to be. He was as handsome as she remembered him from her school days. Although she would have never admitted it on fear of mocking and humiliation from her peers, as a girl she had somewhat of a crush on the powerful boy, finding his confidence and awareness quite attractive. However that time was over and although she still found him physically appealing, there was an aspect of danger and a slightly threatening aura that wrapped about him like a cloak. She had heard rumors that he was the man behind the blood supremacy movement and from her Hogwarts days, she knew that he was not a man to mess with unless you had no sense of self preservation, a trait that ran through the Paige line like their very magical blood.

At the present he didn't seem like much of a threat to her, and she let her slight frame relax a little as she watched him watch her, not even attempting to disguise her amusement. It was evident that he had a good amount to drink but it was also clear that he was still in complete control of himself. She laughed at his assessment of her and took a swig of her own drink as he did his own. "My department? I haven't spoken to you since we were 17 years old and that is what you have to say to me?" Madison was slightly surprised that she felt secure enough to tease the man and quickly reconciled, her tone much more serious, her green eyes meeting his blue ones. "I plan to run my department the way it should be run." She knew that this was not much of an answer but the politician in her recognized that it would suffice.

Madison studied him again before continuing, this time questioning him rather than being questioned. "How have you spent your time since we parted? Other than the rumors, I have heard little about you. I assume you have kept a relatively low profile. Although I am sure that means you are up to something massive and altogether impressive." Her voice was soft in the crowded building, especially compared to the other patrons full on too much drink and having too much fun making fools out of themselves. The witch still was not completely sure why she had decided to venture to this part of town, but she was certain that it must've been in the design. It was not everyday that one ran into one of the most powerful men of the Wizarding Community in a shady bar after all.

[Orion Rhys Brystan]

Orion's smirk deepened, cold blue eyes shifting over to glare menacingly at the nearest patron. The unfortunate soul practically squeaked in fear, scrabbling away from the pair with eyes wide in terror. Chuckling darkly under his breath, Orion grinned disarmingly at the beautiful woman before him. Raising his glass in a mocking toast, he took a swallow. "It would appear that they have every right to be concerned." The buzz of alcohol tingling delightfully within his mind was bringing out his more playful side, returning her studying gaze with one of his own. The years had been good to her, and there was little he enjoyed more than drinking in the sight of an attractive pureblood. All one had to do was open their eyes to see the result of good breeding and pure magical genetics; superiority was constantly on display for any able to see. He surprised himself when another chuckle made its way from his throat, nodding in acceptance of her diplomatic answer.

"I would expect nothing less from one of your principles. If you prefer, we could start with mundane greetings about the weather and our social lives. Though I never did peg you as the sort for idle pleasantries, and frankly the weather is rarely as interesting as many seem able to make it at parties." He teased back, taking a drag on his cigarette. Allowing the smoke to escape slowly, he set his glass down on the bar and toyed with its smooth surface idly. His gaze slowly rolled from the glass before him over to Madison's features, studying her from the corner of his eye. "Rumors often have a way of revealing the truth in most respects." He replied, a cold smirk tugging at his lips. At least rumors in his case tended to be true, given the more horrific the tale the more likely it was to be fact. "Unfortunately, times being what they are, it has been necessary to keep the actions of the Legion under wraps. There are those who would seek to undermine our efforts if they could."

Anger tinged his words, hatred flaring in his icy blue eyes at the thought of traitors who would try to destroy their world for the sake of inferior creatures. The fire in the pubs cozy fireplace jumped and flickered viciously in response to his anger, licking hungrily about its confines in search of something to destroy. Turning to face Madison straight on, he leveled her with a serious expression. "There will be war, soon if I have anything to say about it. The time of bowing and scraping to the muggle hordes is at an end." His voice was low, pitched so that only she could hear but not losing any of its deep power. Orion was no fool, he had seen the mistakes of others over the course of history, studied their failures so as to be able to avoid their mistakes. Overconfidence and an inability to take small threats seriously almost always led to the eventual downfall of the rightful rulers.

It was only a twist of fortune that had enabled Grindelwald to avoid making the same fateful errors. How different things might have been if the old man had hesitated in destroying his enemy and friend all those years ago. Some might view it as a weakness to admit the whispered gathering of resistance were a true threat. But to Orion, only by recognizing the danger and destroying it before it could grow powerful could he ensure his people were not cast back into hiding while the impure ruled the world. Thus, he needed everyone he could get in the ranks of the Legion so that when the time came, they would not be caught unprepared. Madison could be a very useful ally, her position in the Ministry essential. "When the pieces fall, where will you stand Madison? The Legion has need of your particular skills." He stepped closer to her, closing the small space between them as he murmured softly, his breath ghosting along her neck. "I have need of you."