Quote:

Originally Posted by wormtail32

"Well Since I Am New I Decided To Take a Tour using me' spare Time,and i Walked Past The Meeting Room and He Was Half way Through That Avada Kedavra Cursey Thingy majigger,So i Stunned him,put him in ropes and put him under me' invisebilety cloak." Then he took the cloak off a stunned walden macnair.

Nicoli frowned deeply. In front of him was what appeared to be a dummy. "Nice trick, kid." he said somewhat annoyed and turned back to more important things.

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanaSnape

Gonoph looked at Nicoli as he appraised him. He sat back, holding his head high and offered him a cool smile. We're all friends here-- or could be. You've got the wrong guy. He thought these emotions toward Nicoli, hoping to convince him of his innocence merely by the power of influential thought. It couldn't hurt.

Nice try, old man. If he was in fact innocent, he'd most likely be angry now. Not confident.

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanaSnape

Earl Grey or Peppermint? In a paper cup, no less. Gah. Now Gonoph knew he was in jail. Heathens.

He glanced at the cup and the first thing that ran through his head was one word:Veritaerum. He pushed the cup away. "No, thank you. I'll wait until I leave this place. Which should be soon, I daresay. I'm personal friends with the minister of magic, having helped him with a balding spot some years ago. He'll be quite distressed to hear of your treatment of me, I assure you." A small lie in a good cause... He'd met the minister once, at a fundraiser, but their conversation consisted of a shaking of hands, nothing more. But perhaps that would make them a little easier on him, or let him go earlier. It was worth a try...

Nicoli chuckled slightly as he took a seat opposite Gonoph. He was trying everything wasn't he? Another telling sign. "So? Who was the poor old croaker you stole the hair from?" he said hoping the question would catch him off guard. There was that twinkle in his eyes!


occ: Sorry it took me so long to reply. I had to work something out first

Aaron took the seat next to Nicoli and with a flick of his wand parchment and self inking quill appeared so he could take notes

"Hair? Stolen hair? I assure you I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about. Obviously a man in my position, with my luxurious mane..." he tossed his glossy black hair loftily, "is in no need of stealing hair from anyone. All I know is, I was in the loo at that horrid establishment when an old man ran in and disapperated, and the next thing I knew I was being accosted by all of you and attacked!"

Gonoph gave the man with the parchment and quill a haughty glare. "I assure you there will be no further deposition to record... I've told you all I know. I don't even know the old codger's name." Dammit... Gonoph hoped they didn't take that to mean that he'd stolen the hair and polyjuiced the old man, or else he'd be here all day. Watch what you say, Corsair... he told himself.

Quote:

Originally Posted by beautifulmine

Aaron took the seat next to Nicoli and with a flick of his wand parchment and self inking quill appeared so he could take notes

Nicoli hoped this experience would keep Aaron on his toes. Nothing should surprise him after this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanaSnape

"Hair? Stolen hair? I assure you I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about. Obviously a man in my position, with my luxurious mane..." he tossed his glossy black hair loftily, "is in no need of stealing hair from anyone. All I know is, I was in the loo at that horrid establishment when an old man ran in and disapperated, and the next thing I knew I was being accosted by all of you and attacked!"



Gonoph gave the man with the parchment and quill a haughty glare. "I assure you there will be no further deposition to record... I've told you all I know. I don't even know the old codger's name." Dammit... Gonoph hoped they didn't take that to mean that he'd stolen the hair and polyjuiced the old man, or else he'd be here all day. Watch what you say, Corsair... he told himself.

Nicoli chuckled slightly as the old-young man tossed his head. "You've got an air of a wealthy man," Nicoli said changing course quickly. "So, I wonder...why would you be hiding in a dingy bathroom at the back of a pub?" Perhaps he should play along for a moment...yes? "So, did you hear this old man disapperate? I could have sworn all I heard was your breathing."

Nicoli was sure there was something else...oh. Right. "Where's Chris? I think he's the one who got us some evidence, we might need it now..." Nicoli gazed at the old-young man. What he'd said sounded like he was with the 'old codger' awhile before he'd gone on his gold spree. "I apologize, my manners run away with me sometimes. May I have the honor of knowing you name? I am Nicoli Vanhatck."

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Let's see how the rich man would take to the formal talk.

Lorraine wasn't exactly sure what to expect from this guy. Sure she had dealt with loony characters in the past, sometimes even dangerous. But this was different. Illegal floo powder? She kind of wanted to experiment with that stuff. Stepping into the small, poorly decorated room, it was clear that a male ran this department. If it was her, she'd have flowers on the wall for the criminals to appreciate. Yup. But it wasn't her.

Looking around, her green eyes searched for signs of the criminal. "Mr Flooing?" she called out, hoping not to startle him. Spotting a familiar looking male there, who she recognized vaguely as one of the division heads on this floor she stopped him. "Excuse me, sir, but is Mr Flooing available for questioning?"

"I am a wealthy man. And I was not, as you say, hiding." Gonoph said with a bit of a disdainful sneer. Inwardly, he relaxed a little. The hit wizards were buying his story... so far. Choose your words carefully, Gonoph; you might just get out of this! "I went into the loo as I was feeling ill. The conditions of the facilities were hardly on par with what I'm used to... But I had ingested something that did not agree with me earlier in the day... The pub was, unfortunately, the nearest available facility. Desperate times call for desperate measures, after all." He said with a slight shrug, hoping that his story rang true. After all, it happens to everyone now and again... right?

"I was washing up after being sick when the man entered. He ran into a stall and I heard a popping sound when you all burst in." Inwardly, he cursed his own inability to disapparate. It couldn't be helped; he had a phobia of splinching.

"Certainly. I am Gonoph Corsair... Perhaps you recognize me? I'm rather famous for my hair care product line...?" He looked hopefully at the wizard; perhaps he would be impressed by celebrity and more willing to let him go. "I assure you; I am a victim of circumstance. I was merely in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanaSnape

"I am a wealthy man. And I was not, as you say, hiding." Gonoph said with a bit of a disdainful sneer. Inwardly, he relaxed a little. The hit wizards were buying his story... so far. Choose your words carefully, Gonoph; you might just get out of this! "I went into the loo as I was feeling ill. The conditions of the facilities were hardly on par with what I'm used to... But I had ingested something that did not agree with me earlier in the day... The pub was, unfortunately, the nearest available facility. Desperate times call for desperate measures, after all." He said with a slight shrug, hoping that his story rang true. After all, it happens to everyone now and again... right?

"I was washing up after being sick when the man entered. He ran into a stall and I heard a popping sound when you all burst in." Inwardly, he cursed his own inability to disapparate. It couldn't be helped; he had a phobia of splinching.



"Certainly. I am Gonoph Corsair... Perhaps you recognize me? I'm rather famous for my hair care product line...?" He looked hopefully at the wizard; perhaps he would be impressed by celebrity and more willing to let him go. "I assure you; I am a victim of circumstance. I was merely in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Nicoli watched Gonoph's eyes carefully. There seemed to be a sense of reservation, carefully thought out speech. All of which was uncommon for someone with nothing to hide. "Gonoph Corsair? I believe I do recognize you. It was somewhat unfortunate, what happened," Nicoli said tactfully. If he said it outright the man may shut him out completely. He didn't want him to be offended after all. "Perhaps if you had widened the product line? Introduce something a little different? You do have talent Mr. Corsair..." A talented thief as well.

He was already planning his next move, a quick recap of his side of the facts should do it. Maybe focusing on what he'd seen in Gonoph's demeanor...

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhoenixRising

Lorraine wasn't exactly sure what to expect from this guy. Sure she had dealt with loony characters in the past, sometimes even dangerous. But this was different. Illegal floo powder? She kind of wanted to experiment with that stuff. Stepping into the small, poorly decorated room, it was clear that a male ran this department. If it was her, she'd have flowers on the wall for the criminals to appreciate. Yup. But it wasn't her.

Looking around, her green eyes searched for signs of the criminal. "Mr Flooing?" she called out, hoping not to startle him. Spotting a familiar looking male there, who she recognized vaguely as one of the division heads on this floor she stopped him. "Excuse me, sir, but is Mr Flooing available for questioning?"

Nicoli twisted round in the chair he was seated. Was he never going to get through this questioning? He regarded the woman carefully before asking lightly, "You're from Magical Transportation?" If not, there was no way he was going to let her talk to him at all. It didn't seem as if she was wearing a level badge, which was odd of her at the very least.

"He is in custody at the moment," he said hoping not to let on too much more than he should. "However, he may be available if you are indeed involved in this matter." Perhaps he was in a snappy mood, a little ticked off that Gonoph wouldn't get the gist. But be that at it may, he needed to make himself clear.

Lorraine noted that the man before her seemed annoyed by her presence and the fact that he didn't recognize her was entirely surprising. "I'm only the Department Head of Magical Transportation," she told him, getting annoyed herself by how slow this was taking. She simply wanted to get this over with; that was all.

"Custody, eh?" she repeated to be sure she had heard correctly. "May be available? What is that supposed to mean? Either he is or he isn't, but I suggest that you make sure it is the foremost."

"We have a new line coming out- reformulated so that it won't cause any, er, unfortunate side effects." Like turning the consumers bald, pink-haired or into pgymy puffs. Yeah. "We've got full backing and things are going quite well- every business hits a bump in the road occassionally; the Sleek and Shine line was ours. Corsair's hair products will rule the market, watch and see." He smiled confidently as he lied. Truth was, he hadn't spent an ounce of energy on business recovery; he was too busy cutting hair at the salon and then using the cuttings for his little nighttime polyjuice theft missions. Being on the wrong side of the law was exhausting, really. And it made a person jumpy, so he found sleeping had become a challenge. But all that will change... just get through this interrogation and you're in the clear. Do this right and they'll never consider you a suspect again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanaSnape

"We have a new line coming out- reformulated so that it won't cause any, er, unfortunate side effects." Like turning the consumers bald, pink-haired or into pgymy puffs. Yeah. "We've got full backing and things are going quite well- every business hits a bump in the road occassionally; the Sleek and Shine line was ours. Corsair's hair products will rule the market, watch and see." He smiled confidently as he lied. Truth was, he hadn't spent an ounce of energy on business recovery; he was too busy cutting hair at the salon and then using the cuttings for his little nighttime polyjuice theft missions. Being on the wrong side of the law was exhausting, really. And it made a person jumpy, so he found sleeping had become a challenge. But all that will change... just get through this interrogation and you're in the clear. Do this right and they'll never consider you a suspect again.

Nicoli regarded Gonoph carefully, he was lying through his teeth. "I see," he said playing along. He needed to get Gonoph to slip, so he could put him behind bars for good. He was a tough cookie. Maybe a little help was in order. But which direction should the conversation go in? "What backing would that be? Care to share what the new formulae or potion works?" he asked. Maybe careful questioning will have him run out of clever things to say. Then again he just wants to get out, so the longer he kept him in here...

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhoenixRising

Lorraine noted that the man before her seemed annoyed by her presence and the fact that he didn't recognize her was entirely surprising. "I'm only the Department Head of Magical Transportation," she told him, getting annoyed herself by how slow this was taking. She simply wanted to get this over with; that was all.

"Custody, eh?" she repeated to be sure she had heard correctly. "May be available? What is that supposed to mean? Either he is or he isn't, but I suggest that you make sure it is the foremost."

Nicoli seemed to have offended her, which was something he'd never set out to do. "I apologize, though it's no excuse for my behavior, stress does get to me," he said once she had finished, now using his calm tone. Stress really was getting to him to forget someone as important as she was...to think he'd just used such a tone with her!

"I must warn you Floyd Flooing is rather unstable so it maybe necessary to use a wand on him..." Nicoli stood up excusing himself from Gonoph and slid open a wooden room divider. After muttering some word or another, a small door opened and he disappeared into its depths. Flooing may need to be taken to another detention room.

Floyd heard that he was to questioned again. Maybe this time he could get Adeline's things from his knapsack....he was lost without them.

Gonoph smiled enigmatically. "Ah, ah, ah..." he said, shaking his head. "A magician never reveals his secrets. The source of our backing is a well guarded secret... and the new formula is top secret as well. Suffice it to say that your hair--" He looked at Nicoli's hair with a pitying look "could be as beautiful as mine with a little help from our new potion." He shook his glossy, curly mane. Keep him talking about the hair tonic business and away from the thefts. That's the spirit. You're as good as free. He thought, relaxing. "You probably over-wash yours, and I don't know what you're using on it but it looks like it's a product with too much citrus. It's stripping the moisture from your follicles. I can't tell you the restoratives in our potion, of course. But I will say, however, that your friend with the jellied cabbage is on to something, if you want shiny, bouncy hair--" Damn. Damn, damn, damn. He did not just say that. He hoped the officer wouldn't realize his mistake.


Gonoph relaxed as Nicoli stood and excused himself. Maybe the mention of jellied cabbage had been missed by the officer. One could hope...

An involuntary smile curled around Lorraine's lips as the man apologized and blamed stress. "Perhaps a soothing cup of tea should you nicely in stressful times such as these, then," she suggested, trying to maintain as casual tone as possible.

"Unstable? I think I could handle it." She told him, following him to where he opened the door for where Flooing was kept. A slight trickle of fear was felt up her spine, but for some reason, she felt more confident and alert than she should have been. "Thank you, sir. After this ordeal is sorted, I will Mr Wordsmith know of your cooperation." She smiled, much more relaxed than a moment go, and disappeared into the depths where Flooing was held.



"Mr Flooing?" she called out, once within his detention room and sure that she was alone. The fear was oddly dissipating the closer she became to him. "If it is alright with you, then I would like to have a word with you. Lorraine Brothmeister, Department Head of Magical Transportation." she tacked on an introduction, figuring it would sound more professional. And now, she waited...

'What do you want? I told the others everything. They wouldn't even let me have my sweet Adeline's things.' Floyd said the a sob.

Lorraine wasn't sure if this was an act or something to get sympathy, but for some strange reason she felt sorry for the sobbing older gentleman before her. But as she was always told, she needed to be strong and confident, to get involved but not. She gulped as she looked into his sorrowful eyes. "Just wanted to know more about this floo powder of yours. It is quite the impressive potion mix. You created it on your own, I understand?"

'Huh? Floo powder..oh yes, I remember. I sell Floo Powder. Now where did I put that knapsack.' Floyd looks around in a daze. 'Now where did I put it...pretty lady want some, doesn't she....maybe its...no...can't...' and Floyds head drops as he falls asleep.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhoenixRising

An involuntary smile curled around Lorraine's lips as the man apologized and blamed stress. "Perhaps a soothing cup of tea should you nicely in stressful times such as these, then," she suggested, trying to maintain as casual tone as possible.

"Unstable? I think I could handle it." She told him, following him to where he opened the door for where Flooing was kept. A slight trickle of fear was felt up her spine, but for some reason, she felt more confident and alert than she should have been. "Thank you, sir. After this ordeal is sorted, I will Mr Wordsmith know of your cooperation." She smiled, much more relaxed than a moment go, and disappeared into the depths where Flooing was held.




"Mr Flooing?" she called out, once within his detention room and sure that she was alone. The fear was oddly dissipating the closer she became to him. "If it is alright with you, then I would like to have a word with you. Lorraine Brothmeister, Department Head of Magical Transportation." she tacked on an introduction, figuring it would sound more professional. And now, she waited...

Quote:

Originally Posted by tljunkin

'Huh? Floo powder..oh yes, I remember. I sell Floo Powder. Now where did I put that knapsack.' Floyd looks around in a daze. 'Now where did I put it...pretty lady want some, doesn't she....maybe its...no...can't...' and Floyds head drops as he falls asleep.

"I'll remember that," Nicoli said in regards to the tea. He wouldn't have time, of course, but it was worth remembering. Mr.Wordsmith knew full well of his cooperation. If he hadn't been cooperating all this time, he'd have packed his bags and gone. But no. He was here and busting his back for it.

Nicoli left the cells to the sound of Flooing's murmmerings and the woman's much more settled voice which no doubt will soon become frustrated.

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanaSnape

Gonoph smiled enigmatically. "Ah, ah, ah..." he said, shaking his head. "A magician never reveals his secrets. The source of our backing is a well guarded secret... and the new formula is top secret as well. Suffice it to say that your hair--" He looked at Nicoli's hair with a pitying look "could be as beautiful as mine with a little help from our new potion." He shook his glossy, curly mane. Keep him talking about the hair tonic business and away from the thefts. That's the spirit. You're as good as free. He thought, relaxing. "You probably over-wash yours, and I don't know what you're using on it but it looks like it's a product with too much citrus. It's stripping the moisture from your follicles. I can't tell you the restoratives in our potion, of course. But I will say, however, that your friend with the jellied cabbage is on to something, if you want shiny, bouncy hair--" Damn. Damn, damn, damn. He did not just say that. He hoped the officer wouldn't realize his mistake.




Gonoph relaxed as Nicoli stood and excused himself. Maybe the mention of jellied cabbage had been missed by the officer. One could hope...

Nicoli returned to the table and smiled at Gonoph. "Now where were we?" he asked. His eyes glittered slightly, "Oh yes, I think you just gave yourself away dear boy." Gonoph must have thought he didn't hear him, but on the contrary, he was more sure now, after his little stop, that he'd mentioned jellied cabbage. "I'm afraid I'd left my jellied cabbage in the store," he said glaring at Gonoph. Though he was kind enough to have given himself away, there was no reason to attack his hair. He'd thought it good enough this morning. By now, maybe not.

Lorraine tried to find some humor or reasoning to the man's scatteredness, but the most logical thing that she could justify was that he'd probably been badgered to the tee enough by the law enforcement team. She shook her head, "No Mr Flooing, I don't want some..." she started, but stopped as he fell asleep. Oh great; now what was she supposed to do?

Eying a chair in the corner of the cell, she walked over to pick it up and carried it to where Flooing was resting. Only logical thing: wait for him to wake up. Sitting down, she began to flip through some paperwork while she waited for him to awake...

Gonoph was starting to sweat. "Jellied...? You mentioned jellied cabbage rolls to one of your officers, just a few moments ago. I don't know what else you're talking about." He fidgeted nervously before containing his behavior. He had to remain calm or he was sunk.

"Nonsense," Nicoli replied coldly, "I simply mentioned evidence, not jellied cabbage rolls. I daresay you gave yourself away." Nicoli fixed Gonoph with a contemptuous glare. "Shame," he kicked out his legs, "You were doing so well." Thank goodness. Nicoli would have given up had the man not caved. Now, at least he had some evidence, in the hands of a witness and in writing to back him up. Not as complicated as an MLES mission at all.

Gonoph's face drained of colour. "I... I don't know what you're talking about. I just-- I heard you say..." He couldn't think clearly, as he was suddenly overcome with terror. He closed his eyes for a long period, fighting back the urge to cry. There was no clear way out of this... It was over.

He sighed, and placed his elbows on the table in front of him, his head in his hands. Finally, he looked up at Nicoli. Perhaps there could be mercy. "Please... You have to understand. I lost everything. Everything. I'd invested my family fortune in my products, and they failed. I failed. My wife-- my Johanna--" His voice broke as he thought of the beautiful love of his life. "She left. She's not suited to the life of a poor, ordinary barber; she likes the best of everything. I thought if maybe... if there were some way I could win back my fortune, my good name--my business-- she'd come back. Every day, I went to work cutting hair, puzzling over how to do it. Every day I swept up the hair clippings, and one day..." He sighed. "Well, I always was pretty good at potions. And it occurred to me... In the hair clippings, I had a great resource for Polyjuice potion. So I came up with a plan. I'd polyjuice myself, and... well... "

He looked at Nicoli, imploring him. His eyes filled with tears. "I never hurt anybody. I never took everything, either... Just a little and only from shops that were thriving and could afford the loss." His voice dropped to a low whisper as he started to cry. "Please... I can't go to Azkaban. I can't. I only wanted my love back."

Aaron watched the exchange between Nicoli and the suspect is silence, he was learning so much he could hardly keep his excitement to himself! And then Gonoph confessed! Nicoli was good at this "There is no such thing as a victimless crime." Aaron whispered to Gonoph

Gonoph Corsair glared at Aaron. "Do you think I don't know that? But what of me; I am a victim, too! When Sleekeazy's started to catch wind of my potions, they increased their advertisements and lowered their prices and ran me out of business. Then, my own potion failed me; people started turning purple and their hair started falling out or they grew feathers instead, all kinds of things... I think it was being tampered with. But I lost... everything. And then I even lost her. I wasn't going to do it forever, just until I got enough to woo her back and then I would reformulate, and try again!" he sobbed, his hands covering his face in shame.

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanaSnape

He sighed, and placed his elbows on the table in front of him, his head in his hands. Finally, he looked up at Nicoli. Perhaps there could be mercy. "Please... You have to understand. I lost everything. Everything. I'd invested my family fortune in my products, and they failed. I failed. My wife-- my Johanna--" His voice broke as he thought of the beautiful love of his life. "She left. She's not suited to the life of a poor, ordinary barber; she likes the best of everything. I thought if maybe... if there were some way I could win back my fortune, my good name--my business-- she'd come back. Every day, I went to work cutting hair, puzzling over how to do it. Every day I swept up the hair clippings, and one day..." He sighed. "Well, I always was pretty good at potions. And it occurred to me... In the hair clippings, I had a great resource for Polyjuice potion. So I came up with a plan. I'd polyjuice myself, and... well... "

He looked at Nicoli, imploring him. His eyes filled with tears. "I never hurt anybody. I never took everything, either... Just a little and only from shops that were thriving and could afford the loss." His voice dropped to a low whisper as he started to cry. "Please... I can't go to Azkaban. I can't. I only wanted my love back."

Nicoli contemplated the man before him carefully. "You seemed to have loved you wife...unendingly. Though, however, it seems as though she doesn't return the favour." It was almost heartless, but the truth had to be spoken to him, otherwise he would continue pinning hopelessly.

"I commend you for attempting, for a short time at least to go it the honest way," he continued quietly, "Stealing never quiet makes that level of honesty, does it?" He paused, stealing himself, "I'm sorry, truly. But, you are guilty. There is no doubt about that. The Wizengamort are the ones who will decide your punishment."

Quote:

Originally Posted by beautifulmine

Aaron watched the exchange between Nicoli and the suspect is silence, he was learning so much he could hardly keep his excitement to himself! And then Gonoph confessed! Nicoli was good at this "There is no such thing as a victimless crime." Aaron whispered to Gonoph

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanaSnape

Gonoph Corsair glared at Aaron. "Do you think I don't know that? But what of me; I am a victim, too! When Sleekeazy's started to catch wind of my potions, they increased their advertisements and lowered their prices and ran me out of business. Then, my own potion failed me; people started turning purple and their hair started falling out or they grew feathers instead, all kinds of things... I think it was being tampered with. But I lost... everything. And then I even lost her. I wasn't going to do it forever, just until I got enough to woo her back and then I would reformulate, and try again!" he sobbed, his hands covering his face in shame.

Nicoli's eyes widened, "Tampered with? Are completely sure that it was not the potion, or the potion maker's error? Is there anyone who could possibly do that?" This was Gonoph's way out, wasn't it? Well, it might be. "Would you be able to give us hard information?"

Ouch. That hurt, and badly. Gonoph winced.

"I'm certain it was tampered with - absolutely certain. In an effort to ruin me. A conspiracy, set up by the potion makers, in conjunction with the goblins and trolls who wanted to steal my gold to turn it into the elixir of life! But they'll never suceed... no... no bank for me... " His eyes took on a wild look as lunacy crept into them. "I've hidden it where they will never, ever find it. No one will! And one day I'll clear my name! Then I'll dig up my treasure and take my beloved Johanna away from all this... we'll start anew... I swear it!" he pounded a fist on the table vehemently. Yes. There would be a new life. There was hope; he could cling to it. He could believe.