And just like that they were walking and talking with the broken jewellery box held tight in her grasp. Common sense should have told her to have them turn back, find something safer in Diagon Alley but as it stood, she had good company and this was too good to pass up.

Lex couldn't agree more. What did one really expect by putting a bunch of daredevils high off the ground? Knitting? Reading? She shook her head at the questions to follow. "We're reckless but we usually know what we're doing--'sides, the Healer would have strung us up by our ankles down in the dungeons if we went to her about injuries sustained from leaping through windows on the seventh floor." Tillstorm was fierce, injury was NOT an option. "And that was the beauty about our Common Room and our house; hardly anyone ever came to check on us. I was being quite literal when I said we did what we wanted. Our Head of House's office was all the way over at the Greenshouses. It's a wonder we didn't wreck the place entirely."

These days Gryffindor was under new management though. Airey...didn't let that many things slide, he was just around the corridor.

Lex actually had to laugh. Stable jobs and picket fences? What even? "You might say that...yeah. One of them insisted I move in with her to learn some responsibility. Something about not being so carefree now that I'm in the big world." But she rather liked being carefree and had the means to continue so... Her eyebrows rose at the mention of party planning (who knew you could go to University for that?) but it was the next thing Abbi said that got her and it took all her self control not to have her mouth hang open. "You've basically described the last 4 years of my life--especially the last one that just went." Surrounded by idiots and all her friends graduated and leaving her behind. That had been truly miserable.

Alexa came to a stop when they got into the shop. It was the first she'd actually come inside, despite having seen it before and it...looked very much like she imagined...Creepy. A door leading to the back caught her attention. "Bet that's where the real stuff goes down." She said with a nod in it's general direction.

Common sense was something Abigail had long forgone. Her older brothers were the ones with the common sense, and her father and her mother, so really there was no point in her having it too. Thus, there was nothing in the brunette’s head to remind her just how dangerous this could be.

Abbi laughed, not a chuckle of wry amusement, not a snicker at someone’s expanse, and not feminine giggle meant to entice or charm, but real, proper laughter that slipped unheeded past her lips. “Your Healer doesn’t sound like how I imagine she would, aren’t they supposed to have a bedside manner and be all sweet?” The healer at her old school had been a matronly woman with too many loose grey hairs, wrinkles around her eyes and was the kind to give out chocolate frogs to the sick. “Really? Seriously? Hogwarts sounds… Kind of like a death trap waiting to happen. Which I mean in the best way possible.” Abbi added with a nod of her head. Barely any supervision, a ridiculous amount of freedom and they lived in a castle? Yeah, Hogwarts sounded like the school Abigail had never known she wanted to go to.

She scoffed at Lex’s words. Thank Merlin the other girl seemed to hold the same distaste for the boring and the ordinary as Abbi did, otherwise this conversation would have been draining as all hell. “what’s wrong with being carefree and enjoying life? Aren’t you so done with dealing with people telling you how you’re supposed to live your life?” Nothing was worst in the American girl’s mind, well, aside from bad teeth and clingy, cuddly types of people and their…. Feelings. Shudder. “You have my deepest sympathy.” No way Abigail could have survived another year at her own uni, let alone four.

Creepy, dark, dingy… The shop was like something from a nightmare. Jonah would have hated it, absolutely loathed the place with a passion, the thought brought another smile to her face. Abbi followed her new friend’s line of sight. The door was so inconspicuous that it was suspicious. She had to agree. “Do you think… That maybe that’s the main entrance?”

Okay, it definitely wasn’t but they could certainly pretend to think so, yeah?

Korpsit had only just gotten done in the back room and was preparing to meet a trader at the other end of the alley but it wouldn't happen. Humans, witches in his shop. The goblin paused taking them both in and mentally assessing the situation. The one had something broken in her hands which meant business and unfortunately not two more he could add to his trade.

Could have made a pretty galleon off the brunette; many pretty galleons. The blonde he had seen before, sharing a drink with a certain other patron making it it a little more iffy.

"What do you want?" The creature asked, not bothering with the niceties to be found up in Diagon Alley. He didn't have time to dawdle.

Sophia entered the shop completed cloaked and hooded. She didn't need anyone seeing her and words getting out of her being spotted in KA. Dodging the creepy hands, she made her way to the counter and knocked it.

Come on now, she really didn't have all day and didn't plan on staying in this dump of a store any longer than she needed to.

Knocking on his freshly cleaned counter, that was how this one chose to irritate the goblin. He made his way into the main room without the slightest effort to put on a pleasant face. Humans, always feeling so entitled to everything. Bah.

"What's your business here?"

It was evident she did with a glance at her suit. Why they all found the need to play dress up while heading down here was beyond the creature.

Sophia glanced down at the hideous creature and turned up her nose. If he was going to be that devastating ugly maybe he should have a better attitude.

"My business is my own until directed to the right person for the job goblin." Her words came out in almost a sneer. The only goblins she could stand worked at Gringotts. She took out a pouch of galleons and tossed it about in her hand. Did he hear the sound of money? Did he like the sound of money?

"I need someone for a job...this job must not be tied back to me in any way, shape or form...otherwise it won't end well." For that person....

Just as all the others, thinking she was better than him and his services. Might be she should remember that she was still standing here, in his shop which meant she had a need for him and a better tone. The goblin scoffed at her and her little warning.

"We do things right, it's on you not to mess it up."

But they wouldn't talk business out here. He nodded toward the back room before hobbling their himself. The sooner he got this done was the sooner she could leave.

Right they did things right? Was she suppose to take his word for it? Never the less, she did not know where else to go and certainly couldn't trust any random person to not suddenly grow a conscience and flake out on her..

Too risky.

Sophia walked to the back room and sunk the money and her hands into her pocket where she firmly gripped her wand.

No way was she trusting these unsavory characters.

"Well?"

Korpsit folded his arms returning her stare with one of his own. "You tell me, you're the one who came here." Asking well as if she'd expected to come and at once be entertained.

"Mind reading isn't one of my many talents. If you don't say anything, I can't provide information, prices or advice." In the event she had forgotten that was how it went when one entered a shop down here. Stating your business was the first step to getting it taken care of.

"What can I do for you?"

"You could have swallowed all that drivel and got on with that question." She retorted. It was evident she was already quite annoyed with his attitude. So not here for you today Mr. Goblin.

"I need someone to kidnap a baby..a 2 year old and take her to me at an agreed at location. After two days you will meet me and return the child safely. I'll pay you half now and half when the job is complete."

It seemed she was another he would have to disregard the words of until she got to the point. Easily done. The Goblin leaned against the wall, waiting for her to get to the point of her visit. When she finally did, there was a long pause.

"Two year old...baby, then. That will cost you extra." Children were particularly difficult to transport, especially if she wanted this one to remain unharmed. They didn't do what they were told and cried when they shouldn't.

A few spells would fix that up. "That will be 600 galleons up front unless you want to take it up with the boss." Paying only half was an insult to his character. He may not have been the most pleasant but the goblin was serious about his work.

"When did you want this done?"

Sophia laughed dryly and looked at him. She was not going to pay all of 600 galleons..and up front to boot! for a kidnapping. No nope not over Merlin's very dead body.

"You're charging 600 galleons for a two year old child's kidnapping? You're a bunch of crooks." Well duh...that was obvious.

"I'm not taking up a bloody thing with your boss. 500 galleons and you get it done on Friday then drop her off Monday morning."

Oh she found it funny did she? A Haggler. One that couldn't afford the services she wanted. The goblin was use to such people, knew exactly how they got about galleons when they weren't the ones getting it done themselves.

"550 galleons. You want it dropped, drop it there." The creature was not dropping a whole 100 off the price. What did he look like? What did she think this place was?

"Friday can be arranged."

Sophia couldn't get out of this place quickly enough. It was just 600 galleons after all. Ugh..fine he could have the bloody money..not like it wasn't worth it. Once again the transfiguration professor reached into her pockets and counted out some galleons from the bag. He seemed fine with the arrangement of half now..since he didn't argue about it.

"Here is half of the money." Her grip however tightened around it it..."This cannot link back to me...otherwise I'll squeal like a stuck pig if they ask who did the job. That's a promise and not a threat."

She didn't listen very well, Korpsit saw that now and kept his arms folded. This was going to be even more painful than he thought. "I said, all the money upfront unless you want to have a talk with the boss." Just now, he said it. Whether she wanted to disregard it or not was her issue but he had a business to run and wouldn't find himself on the wrong end of the table between Peverell and Trevelyan.

"And squeal all you'd like." Because obviously she also didn't hear that they didn't mess up, they didn't make mistakes. "It won't go further than the man hired for the job." They chose their people very careful in Knockturn Alley.

There were ways to ensure he never spoke.

"I'm not talking to anyone else." Those big ears had to be good for something right? They did work yes? She pooled all the money together and threw it at him. "Fine I need this job done so i won't waste my time bartering with you over a few lousy galleon." It was clear he and the owners of this place were in need of it.

"Whatever. We'll see." She folded her arms and eyed him. "What next?"

That was more like it. The goblin collected the coins and pocketed them with immediacy. Things always went better when they remembered they were the ones in need of a service and therefore he was in no rush to be accommodating.

"Next you give me the location for the snatching and drop off then the location to return her. Time would be nice too."

Then he would have someone take care of the rest.

Sophia checked her watch. She knew her daughter's schedule like clockwork, which was really disappointing. She could admit now and fully that she was at fault for how Rhea turned out. Durmstrang should have been the school of choice for her...because maybe then she wouldn't be such easy pickings.

And that was why she needed to do this...she was saving her granddaughter from her mother's fate.

"This is the address for the drop off right here...and the time also." She said handing him a finely folded bit of parchment. "She is usually doing business in the afternoon..between 12-3 so you can execute during high traffic right?" She would hope so since they were charging so much.

Sophia checked her watch. She knew her daughter's schedule like clockwork, which was really disappointing. She could admit now and fully that she was at fault for how Rhea turned out. Durmstrang should have been the school of choice for her...because maybe then she wouldn't be such easy pickings.

And that was why she needed to do this...she was saving her granddaughter from her mother's fate.

"This is the address for the drop off right here...and the time also." She said handing him a finely folded bit of parchment. "She is usually doing business in the afternoon..between 12-3 so you can execute during high traffic right?" She would hope so since they were charging so much.

All Noelle remembered was being thrown at the witch and a knock to the back of her head. She couldn't remember anything else.

Her head hurt as she slowly came to. She groaned and lifted her head, slowly getting her where abouts. She had no idea where she was and the dimly lit room helped nothing. She blinked trying to focus her eyes and realized she was tied up.

No....

Noelle started struggling. She pulled against the ropes and tried to get out, but she was tied up well. She moved against them still though, not accepting defeat. She should have never come down to Knockturn Alley. She should have never agreed to going to find Sabbie's could be relative.

She felt like crying.

But she wouldn't.

But she had no idea on how to get out of this mess they were in.
And where were Sabbie and Hope?? She just remembered Hope being petrified. That was it. Sabbie had been in the grasps of that ugly goblin. Noelle blinked and saw shoes across the room. But that's all she could see.

Didn't anyone use better lights around here??

Sabbath had been bound tightly to the chair on the opposite side of the room to Noelle. His eyes already accustomed to the dim light, he watched her. He'd seen the cloaked woman give her a blow to the head earlier, so, it was with some relief that he saw Noelle start to stir and glance around gaining her bearings in the dingy room. "Nells!" he called as loudly as dared. He only wanted to gain her attention, not that of their captors.

He glanced around at the manky surrounds noticing the skeletal hands hanging from the ceiling holding various items in disrepair. Creepy! He was also feeling pretty guilty around about now. If he wanted to come to Knockturn Alley to meet the Gypsy Hag, he should have come alone, he reasoned. He should never have brought Noelle and Hope with him. Look at the mess he'd gotten them into.

Emma was leaned against the counter, looking from one child to the next. The little girl had finally come to and that was well and decent enough but if she knew what was good for her, she'd watch that mouth of hers. A little more applied pressure and she could ensure she never recovered from the next blackout.

"Korpsit, what's taking you so long?" She called to the goblin who'd gone to the store room in the back of the shop.

Her gaze shot quickly to the boy when he spoke. "Hush up or you'll lose the use of your tongue." A warning for them both though only one had spoken.

She would need to sit down in a bit, she'd already been on her feet too long today. "Who knows you're here?"

Struggling was doing no good besides making her wrists hurt. Noelle heard her name being called and tried to get her eyes to adjust faster to the dim light. She knew the voice. It was Sabbie. And that must be his feet over there.

And now there was another voice. That witch. Ahem. She was being nice when she thought that witch too. Because she was pretty sure that witch was the one that knocked her out cold. Noelle was definitely not a fan.

Noelle was still now. Her eyes had adjusted enough to see the witch. She kept her eyes narrowed at her as she threw her wand at their faces. She'd be a fool to talk back and make a scene when she was tied and without her wand. Not that her wand did much good when she couldn't use it outside of school.

Finally! Her eyes had adjusted enough to see Sabbie. She frowned when she saw the worry on his face. They would get out of this.... Somehow....

No answer? Typical.

Emma glanced once more between the two as if trying to tell them this was the last offer but with her patience wearing as thin as it was, the chance was quickly retracted. "Fine. Fine have it your way." The woman launched off the counter. "Korpsit, we're moving out." She called, heading for the girl again. Her gaze fell to the little girl as she approached. "If you know what's good you, you'll comply this time around." She warned before loosening the ropes.

The woman didn't give the girl a chance to do anything stupid, she merely hauled her up from the chair then petrified her as she'd done her friend. Across the room she repeated the same with the boy.

Emma levitated the one over to the other and applied another incarcerus to bind them together. "You know where to meet me." The two rose in the air as her wand dictated and she quickly made her exit. The goblin would grab what he needed and meet them there.

Noah didn't bother saying anything in reply to not being able to say what she wanted about Wyatt but only because she didn't want Becca to change her mind about coming. She DID see the way he stuck his tongue out at her but only briefly before she was weaving back through the crowds of Diagon Alley.

"I can show you around. It's kinda dark but that's okay because you're not scared." Right? RIGHT! Doooowwwnnn the stairs the little girl skipped, pulling her new company down with her. "And maybe you can meet Korpsit. He's not nice, not really but that's okay too!" Her words were hurried and excited as the pair descended into the dark, dimly lit streets. By now, Noah knew the alley like the back of her hand. She could walk the place in her sleep and knew the PERFECT place to go.

The scowls and general unpleasant features of some of the alley dwellers didn't bother her anymore. They were much like family to the little girl in some ways. Family she walked by without acknowledging.

"We're here!" She chimed loudly, releasing Becca's hand to shove the door open.

No Korpsit. Hmm. He must have been in the back with a customer--which meant he went back there and didn't find her and would likely go looking. Wasn't it amazing she wasn't lost but RIGHT HERE NOW?? Surely he wouldn't get mad about thaaaat. "There's all sorts of really neat things in here."