Did he honestly suggest that she was threatening to throw a hissy and stomp off to the Minister of Magic? It was as if his words about trust were an effusive blanket that extended to everyone aside from here, which normally would bother the people-pleasing side of her. No time for people pleasing today.

"Sir, I might not be willing to jump feet first into this fight without understanding everything that's at stake, but you can trust that I won't betray your confidences. You said at the staff meeting that you put your faith in your department, but in my opinion, that means everyone is contributing toward the common enemy and that one person's word of caution carries as much weight as another's gusto. My experience dictates that you trust those you can, but that you never take for granted that allegiances change." Not that hers had, but if he continued to suggest it, she wouldn't try to change his mind.

Ben got a withering look for that. For one thing, the cult had never had Evander figured out, that was why they were so irked at him in general, because despite everything, they hadn't known who he was when he'd first run into them in his undercover days. For another thing,

"It is never a good thing to have your family threatened. Ever. " However, Ben was right about one thing. The next step in Evander's plan, he'd not shared with anyone. The cultists wouldn't know because there was nobody that D'Isigny or Gevrik -wherever that man was -could suck the knowledge out of.

Despite what they all seemed to think, Van never showed his whole hand.

He took the letter and avoided looking at it.


"No. You never do, but its sure as hell a quick way of finding out who runs off to tell momma when they hear something they don't like." Van held the letter out, for Cade to take and read if she wished to.

Still, the man was getting hold of himself once more. Van straightened.

He ignored Damien in the way that people do when they're entirely comfortable with their presence. Completely aware of, and yet unconcerned by him. Trusty part of the furniture, the D-Man was.

"Actually... I meant the letter specifically..." Ben said trying to make a recovery. "But, uh, no. This whole situation. Generally not a good thing." And the understatement of the century goes to the New Yorker, BENJAMIN CLARK AMSTEN!

Right.

Cade read the letter fully twice, once for the text and twice for the subtext, before she folded it precisely and handed it back. She was no nutty Gryffindor type to barrel into something that wasn't hers to fuss about, but it seemed this was everyone's problem. And what started as Van being threatened soon became a threat to all of them. Might as well nip it in the bud.

"I need time to arrange a place for my daughter. Hogwarts, if Casey will take her," her voice was quiet as she processed what needed to be done now that she had made up her mind. She went decisive and firm as she said, "My opinion is that you should set a date. They've drawn their line in the sand, and setting a date puts them on your timeline. You create some space to work within, and they think they have you off blustering in the corner. For what it's worth."

Damien looked at the woman and smiled slightly. Good woman, she was. "Van... what about Gem and the baby?" he asked quietly. Had he even told Van about the baby. It would be here sooner rather than later and truth be told he was a bit concerned.

"I can't protect them when I am not there... Although my place and her shop have been given every manner of protection I could think of, and we know that's saying something. I just wonder if there is somewhere you could think of that would be better suited for her while this... coup d'état is happening. I would never forgive myself if my own actions hurt her in any way," he continued. Yeah. He wouldn't be able to send her along to Hogwarts like Cadewyn could... but he would think of something.

"I have felt for a while now that it's only a matter of time before they try to start messing around with me," he said and gave Evander a look. A look that said we KNOW I try to step on their toes when I can. "But messing with me is one thing. Messing with those that I love..." he trailed off. Yes, that included Lovely Lily. He would snap that Gevrik's neck if he got half a chance.

Van nodded and actually cracked a smile. These people were going a long way towards calming him down. It was nice actually, to be able to rely on people.

He cleared his throat.

"You have some new employees due to come in soon. Most of them aren't due to begin work until December, but they'll be popping through the office and if they want to work, feel free to work 'em. The files are on your desk." It wasn't quite a dismissal, it was Van trying to get himself back on track.


He nodded in agreement but gave her a look. "Hogwarts has hardly proved itself to be a bastion of safety and defence, the cult has penetrated it in the past after all. Might be worth looking into other alternatives." He had a few, if she wanted to know.

Privately he wasn't sure that D'Isigny was fooled as he had been in the past, but he did agree with setting a date and creating a timeline.


"Tell as few people as possible. Increase patrols on the alley, see if Dacs has a few patrollers spare if you have nobody, or put your YATI on it. You have a new one, by the way."

Nod.

"So you see why it can't stay this way. Until the threat is gone, it will always be there."

He stretched and straightened to his full height.

"And as long as they think we're preoccupied by this apparition license business, we have a window. Gevrik isn't here, which can only mean D'Isigny doesn't think he needs him here right now." He grinned. "And, lets not forget that activity level 5 provide us with a bit of cover too."

That stupid old biddy and her strike. He made a mental note to send at least one person up there to keep an eye on old Gina. Evander wasn't under any illusions that the woman would be safe.

He tucked the letter away.

Back to business.

Damien nodded slowly. That would work for now. He might end up sending her somewhere if things got rough, but extra protection would suffice.

"I will personally patrol the alley a bit as well, but I will send the YATI's and as you suggested talk to Dacs," he said as he stood and winced as his back popped loudly. Heh. Old age.

He paused to listen to the rest of Evander's plan thing and then smirked a tad and snapped him a sarcastic salute. Heh. "Catch you later, Chief. Send Lily my love." Making a playful kissy face he then made his way out of the office and down the hall to catch up with Muriel.

"I'm not relying on Hogwarts to keep her safe. I'm relying on Casey. It isn't a perfect plan, and I'll keep an open mind for a better idea, but I'm tempted to go with someone I know would protect Carrigan with his life," Cade mused once Van fell silent again.

"I blend in pretty well, and my job gives me an excuse to go almost anywhere. Consider how you might use me." And now... was she dismissed?

"Always." It was a given, and Lilyan expected it now. And the D-Man could be a buttmonkey sometimes. It was testament to his improved mood that Van didn't chuck something after him or throw a friendly hex at Damien's retreating back.

Well what? He was a Slytherin, Van didn't mind employing dirty tactics when needed.



On Casey? She meant Tate, yes? The man who seemed to think telling the students 'Don't Die' every few years was enough to keep them safe? The man who had a chip on his shoulder about Aurors to the point where he had the knack of leaving it to the last possible second to call in help from MLE?

The man who actually allowed Gevrik an office right there in the school and still employed at least one professor with suspected ties to the cult of the questionable, yet business savvy variety?

"You do what you feel you have to do." Van was entirely dismissive of Gaellen Tate and any security measures that he supposedly employed.

"Noted." Paaaaaause. "Thank you for bringing the note."

"You're welcome," Cade responded in a clipped tone before departing from the office. She left the door open behind her in case any other interns hoped to wander through.

Touchy.

Just a bit.


That was one of the few employees Van wasn't 100 percent on loyalty. Not that he suspected her to be involved in the cult, just that this, all this, was just a job to her. Where possible he tried to hire people who couldn't see themselves doing anything else, and while Evander now understood something about choosing people first... his work would always be a priority. Always.

Once Cade had left, Van did too, locking and warding his office behind him.

Lily stopped at the door and stepped off to the side, allowing Van enough room to do his thing. Who knew how many different things he had set up around here? She certainly didn't know. But she did know that he was rather paranoid.

"I think by the time we get in there, your food will be cold." She teased. It wouldn't, she'd taken care of that. But still.

Hehe.

"Better cold food than dead fiancé, now wouldn't you say?" Van answered and opened the door, his wand remaining in his hand until he'd checked that his office had remained untouched.

He left his door open and sat in his desk chair, patting his knee for Lily to join him.

"I don't know, it depends on what kind of food." Van was silly and paranoid, though Lily knew that he had good reason to be. Even if she didn't know what those reasons were, exactly.

"I haven't been in here for a while." She commented, stepping up to the desk. She opened her package and set out the food she'd brought. Food, cutlery, drink. She'd come prepared, of course. Then, and only then, did she perch on his knee and sneak a quick kiss. Surely he could eat around her. "Almost makes me miss my Hogwarts days.

"Its the one thing I miss about you being at Hogwarts." He eyed the floo and then went right into eating; alternating a forkful with a gentle nuzzle of his future wife.

See, he could too be gentle.

Heh. She did miss Hogwarts a bit, but not being there was much better suited to her life. Lily lounged in her seat, which was actually her fiance (hehe), and let him eat. After a moment or two, she tilted her head in his direction, "You don't really think that someone is going to kill you, do you?"

FROWN.

"The few times I haven't thought someone was going to kill me, they tried." Van answered. "Why do you ask?"

He went back to eating. Lily was an AMAZING cook.

Lily shrugged, "You said it at the door and all." So, she'd been THINKING about it. Which was something she didn't like to do. She knew there were certain things about his job that were....

Well, things she didn't like to think about.

"I'm pretty attached to you, you know. Wouldn't want anything to happen to you." Like EVER.

He ate another few mouthfuls and switched to eating with just his fork, so he could wrap his other arm around her tighter.

"The feeling is mutual."

They would use her against him, he knew. Waiting for that to happen was a nightmare. He wasn't willing to wait any more. It was time for action now.

The line between the things that Van could not tell her, and the things he could was clearly drawn, and most of the time, she didn't matter. If it was something important enough, she'd thought he would tell her. She trusted him with more than just her own life, but also her son's too. "Stay safe." She nodded. She didn't really mind his wards and charms and things. Whatever it took. "Suppose it goes without saying, but I feel better actually saying it."

Lily just smiled and let him eat. For a moment, actually. Heh. "So, did you tell your parents?" She bumped his knee lightly. Huh? Huh?

"Say it as much as you like, dear Lily." Evander grinned at her and ate another forkful of food.

Oh.

Until she asked that.

"Ah... I haven't got around to it yet."

Lily couldn't help but laugh at that. "You need to tell them." She gave his arm a shove, "It's only going to be worse the longer you wait." Not that it was a bad thing to tell, "And your brother. I'll go with you, if you want."

"You'll redeem me in their eyes you know. My mother never really forgave me for choosing this career path. Or quidditch before that." She STILL worried and fussed over him, not that he saw her often. His father was proud of course, but not affectionate exactly. And his brother was... Roscoe.

He kissed his Lily.

"She'll want me to retire or something. Settle down and choose a not so dangerous career." Please. He wasn't old enough to retire. He was just getting started.

"Retire?" Lily paused and thought about that for a moment. She certainly wouldn't discourage THAT thought. But, he was far too young for that. So was she. "I like that idea." HMMMMM. "Let's retire to a villa in South France." Yeah.

"How about we have them over for dinner?" Roscoe was optional, since they'd HAD dinner with him before... it didn't go so well. Not his fault at all. "At my place, I'll cook."

Get back. Get there safely. Jaxton's eyes looked around his own flat hypocritically as if every shadow in the large living room was out to get him. Oh yes, he was a little screwed over now - but it wasn't something that couldn't be fixed. So he was a little more cautious and a lot more wary... that wasn't something that was new to an Auror... not at all.

Throwing a handfull of floo powder into his grate, he shouted out his destination at the Ministry, and stepped into the green smoking flames. He counted the amount of grates, and flung himself out at the appropriate time.

He didn't really expect Vander to recognise him. Not like this; not today. His normally suave and sophisticated suit and carefully trimmed goatee were replaced with scuffed and mud-splattered jeans, a rough, stained white t-shirt and a full beard. Even his hair needed a cut. Yes, Jaxton Tanner wasn't the same man he had been.

"Van..." He coughed, as he picked his tall, frame off of the floor from where he had landed in a messy heap. He gulped, and raised his cautious eyes to look at his Department Head. He didn't say anything, instead looking at him and... the woman in his lap. Could he talk in front of her? Was it safe? Was she to be trusted? He didn't know the answer to any of those questions, so instead he stayed quiet until Evander said something first.