Between the Devil and the Deep Sea [High Table]

[Celina Jedynak]

Celina had continued to stare at Brady fiercely as she repeated in her head her hurtful words. What kind of man could he be? Did he not think before speaking? Even if it hadn't been her brother, one would think that he would have enough sense not to antagonize someone so determined and set on a goal. Anyone who was as determined as the Deva seemed to be to help her generation toward a brighter future would not allow those who could not see get in their way. It was people like Brady that her brother had said they were fighting against. Those who had everything and had gotten everything without barely working for it. And yet, he wasn't the only one who was out to do the same.

A few seats down, Celina heard a slight hiss from someone. She dared not look away from Brady as the tears of hate and anger still trickled down her face, but as she listened closer she recognized the voice. Drew Thornton was telling her yet again to do something. If it didn't make sense, she probably wouldn't have complied, but being that he was still her house Prefect, and what Celina thought was her friend, she slowly sat back down, taking her death glares away from Brady, trying not to sob and give all of what Alfonz had left away. He hadn't responded, and maybe...just maybe no one else would make the connection that it was in fact him. Without a reaction, Alfonz could claim that it wasn't him, he wasn't the one Brady assumed was the Deva.

It was like the papers said, Brady was mad and insane. Out for blood. Out for pure blood after what had happened to him in the last war. Celina could piece it together something great to start spreading around....something amazing. But as she sat there, she shook her head. She could only now hope for the best, and hope that no one saw her, heard Drew, understood Brady, or remembered the name....Jedynak.

[Tamis Raynor]

Rowan wood, seven and a half inches, with a rare centaur hair core; versatile and rigid. Good for general spellwork. It was the only barrier that now separate Tamis Raynor from Robert Shaw, her fingers loosely cupped around the tip while his hand clasped firmly around the handle. Only once in her life had she felt more vulnerable and the circumstances had figuratively not been much different than this one. Breathing slowed to a rhythmic meditation as bodies moved into her peripheral vision, as she wondered if her next was about to be her last. She focused on Shaw’s face, not allowing the bubble of fear swelling inside her to rise to the surface.

The shock, however, when Devin Brady came to her shoulder was harder to mask. Two faceless men also pressed in, as well as an equally anonymous woman, and a fourth party too obscure to make out in the corner of her eye. Vulnerability became an understatement for a woman crowded in by much taller and armed bodies as she hung onto the business end of her own wand. The situation intensified drastically with conversation. While the display of camaraderie from Brady was flattering -- even touching -- Tamis knew with sinking conviction that he may have just jeopardized her entire operation.

It was too much to hope that he could still his tongue. Raynor had almost wed a Gryffindor alumnus and then married a man that was as good as one. Their nature dictated brashness. But for once, she wished the man would have used his head instead of his ego. And, if Shaw’s comments said anything, the Transfiguration Professor was as equally helpless unless he started a brawl. Getting them both hexed was not going to help the students.

“Brady,” she whispered in a hissed warning without taking her eyes off Shaw. No heroics. Dear Merlin, she would curse the man herself if Robert did not have control of her wand and hate herself for it later. But the Deva continued to rein the man in and Brady continued to chomp on his bit in defiance.

“Ah Mr. Jedynak, the one and only quidditch player, have you learned something about respect? Or is this a guessing game? And Mr. Schmidt, why don't you do as master says and train that wand somewhere else, I'd hate for you to be punished.”

That twitched the right corner of Raynor’s lips. Two very familiar names attached to the unidentified faces around her, though doubt trickled in at the first one. Celina Jedynak was a member of the Deputy’s house, she did not know her well, but Raynor at least knew the generals about her Ravenclaws. Very sweet girl. It was hard to believe she would have Deva connections and in a stare-down with Shaw, her back to the student population, Raynor could not see the tears trickling down the Fifth Year’s face. But Schmidt? Tamis had been an Auror during the Second War, she knew that name. Why Shaw would associate with such a man was still a matter of much debate.

"Your pride is bleeding all over my floor Tamis and it's making quite the mess..."

And it had far more gushing to do before the night was over. The unasked question spoke volumes; why are you here?. But, it was with a small measure of satisfaction that she avoided answering her once-friend’s curiosity.

“My floors have seen worse, Robert. Though I would think my pride would be the least of your concerns, or do you always allow such disorder among your ranks?”

Her heart pounded in contrast to her controlled and smooth breathing, gaze still locked on the man, completely aware of the wand still held between them. The situation had escalated, and Raynor believed, almost out of Shaw’s control. The question remaining was, what was he going to do about it? Tamis was almost fearful of the answer.

[Sienna London]

From Brady's response, Sienna appreciated his sharp tongue for pointing out rather useless points. She knew who she was to the Deva, and she knew of her own identity in general. The woman wasn't some scum found on the streets. She was a member in this playing game, yes, but she had worked hard and long for it, too much work to be passed off as a pawn. However, she would just let him believe what he would like to believe. Brady did not need to know of her occupation at St. Mungos, nor did he have the right to.

For his comment though, he earned a twitch in her face before letting some of her laughter erupt again. It looks as though he really got his quips in for the organization, especially giving Schmidt a reason to react. Yet she was still dandy in her words, commencing her usual contrast of her thorny words and her melodic voice. "Believe what you would like, my dear. Continue to think that this is a child's game-- it makes the bleeding less severe."

She stood back up from leaning on the table, not only because it was a bothersome position, but because she found her visual interest in one particular head poking up in the sea where there were surely many whispering and looking. Her barren face found its direction to the Ravenclaw boy. She had seen him time and time again, especially since he was constantly by one of the Gryffindor's side where Sienna had taken the intial station of observance. In her sick mind she sought pride in him, as if she had taken care of him and now he was off and back to his own world. Of course she felt bad for the torture he had to endure! Why wouldn't she? It ached in her heart that it wasn't worse.

And now he was right there, putting up with quelling his own batch of comrades. If Drew attempted to look at her again, he would surely see her making a gesture of endearment: she put her hand to where her mouth was, and unfolded her hand from the palm. As if she had blown him a kiss. "From one Ravenclaw to another..." she murmured.

[Robert Shaw]

Jednyak, Brady, Schmidt, Raynor,wand, London, hismelf. It was becoming far too crowded and much too high voltage for his liking and it needed to be diffused quickly but methodically. Gray eyes met gray, and continued to flick among those of the group that they could reach. Schmidt and Brady were the problem, but how in the name of Merlin did he quell two boiling, A-type, testosterone and stress driven personalities that were within spitting distance of eachother's mouths?

Silently Robert's right hand withdrew the wand from the woman's hand and pocketed it while his left calmly drew his own from within. “My floors have seen worse, Robert. Though I would think my pride would be the least of your concerns, or do you always allow such disorder among your ranks?” The words didn't cut, the words didn't even scratch at his mind, no instead they fed him the answer. Schmidt was far beyond rational verbal reprimand to comprehend any order of withdrawl. He was out for blood, out for pain, and while at present he seemed like nothing less than a savage beast there was little music Robert could play.

"It is nothing more than a gentleman's quarrel Tamis, let them solve it with a gentleman's solution." He paused, a smirk of satsfaction pasted across his lips. "Mr. Schmidt. Give Mr. Brady a wand and settle this little disagreement as quickly as you please." Another pause. "Just make sure the wand isn't his." They duel, the winner wins and the loser loses and while Schmidt had little at stake sparing his pride, Brady had much more to continue to fear for.

"Stunners are to be your maximum force if you please gentlemen, it's not merely the aurors who wish to avoid a blood-bath." Robert was strangely calm when you considered the melee of words and unseen glares flashing around him. The students had begun to take interest, perhaps once Brady's condition was suffecient enough to go to Mungos tney would see who the true victor of this war was to be. Perhaps they would see that the times had changed and they needed to do nothing more than adapt accordingly...

to adapt to purity

[lizareese]

The seeming studpidity of the man who had called out two of the Deva was being noticed, but it took quite observance still to take it all in. From a table of students not far away, arose a young girl, she seemed to have taken what was said, whether it be the calling out of a name, or something more, quite personally. Her eyes seemed trained on the man, as though if she were a hunting dog searching for a prized animal it would not easily give up a search on. The fierceness in her eyes was quite interesting as well, but she re-took her seat, and not long after having just stood. It was almost a pity she didn't say something, merely so Elizabeth could see how Shaw reacted, if he were to, though he seemed rather preoccupied with other dealings laid out in front of him.

The wand was still attached to the woman's hand, she hadn't let go, but she was willing to relinquish such a treasure, so willingly? Or her actions made it seem such a way, whether her mind was reeling with thoughts, it was not for the German to take note of, the only one she cared to analyze quite so carefully was the one who had invited her on the excursion.

The conversation between Shaw and this newcomer was the most interesting of those that reached her ears. The cackling laughter from the other woman who she could not remember the name of was an unpleasant sound, and she could not find what was so hilarious in the situation that this woman obviously did. Her words were fell said, fed, no doubt, from the man she herself found to be of a nature lower than the others standing around, but was it really that funny? Pehaps she had not understood the interpretations she had made of the English words into her native language to be the same, but it did not really matter. Her laughter was to remain silent, her words, all vocals were to remain shut down as much as possible.

But the other words being passed she found to be more than intriguing. Not only for the sole purpose of a form of entertainment, but for her own purpose in understanding Shaw. But his next actions were not something she had in the least expected. Allow a duel to take place, when they were in the middle of something so important? Was he really willing to risk allowing this man to hold a wand when he could very well turn it away from Schmidt onto any of them at any point and time? To risk the safety of the children by allowing spells to be shot between the two, at a rate in which she doubted either would think of possible severe consequences?

Did Shaw really believe he could control either of them by requesting they use stunning spells only? What was he thinking to believe it was possible that they would truthfully follow through with such a thing?

True, he was compassionate enough to allow the man to have a wand, she was sure any other would have demanded someone take care of him and have it done with, but even then, he didn't want the man to have his own wand. Reasonable enough, it truly was.

Many comments were being bitten back as it was, this was not the time nor the place to voice concerns when she knew well many of the reasons some members were there that day, and she was there out of curiosity.

[Devin Brady]

Brady would have laughed if the situation wasn't so serious. It was obvious that without his wand, he would be handicaped to an enormous extent. And there was again no doubt that his foe wouldn't even think twice about crossing the limit of a stunning spell. In all reality though, he had no real choice, Schimdt was just being given free reign to beat him. Yet with all the unseen advantages, Devin saw only one... he wouldn't fight back. He would take the wand throw it to the floor, let them humiliate him, but he wouldn't fight back. He had already drawn his lines in defense, and that was what he had planned, but the man before him loved chaous, and him fighting back would only add to it.

He looked around the room, quickly, eyes catching with Celina's only mominatrily. This time however, he felt no guilt, he brother had choosen his side. Finally his eyes caught on the small Slytherin boy that had been there when Raynor had been in trouble. And for some reason there was a sense in him that he had a wand. He thought about it, but choose not to take it instead, he looked at Shaw, and looked at Schmidt. "I won't duel him."

Those would be the only words spoken. Why should he throw himself into brick wall, he was no moron, he knew what would come of it. He would try and fire a spell, that would be blocked without a second thought. Every spell he fired, one three times stronger would be fired back. No he wouldn't agree to such terms, let them torture him. Not even death worried him. Schimdt would have no quams about his death, but Shaw wouldn't allow it, he was too worried about avoiding a blood bath for that. He stood looking at the men, his eyes looking as if he were in another world.

[Artemis Tayern]

Art watched the scene and knew that Brady didn't need a wand... He already had one, Art had brushed against him once dropping his wand into Brady's pocket. He knew for a fact that Brady could do better with his wand than Arty could. Brady Locked Art's glance and Art nodded ever so slightly just half an inch, as if he was confirming Brady's silent suspicion. Then he heard Brady's reply and he frowned slightly knowing that this would get ugly and quick.

[alfonztytusjedynak]

I won't duel him.

What a shame... Alfonz thought to himself as Brady's arrogance only prevailed again. He thought he could do better without being the hero this time? Or was it because the audience was his own peers instead of people who didn't know him like in Diagon Alley. The man was a coward. And Alfonz shook his head in disgust. Brady obviously didn't see how showing off his talents here would help him get anywhere. The last time, it obviously ended him up at the school...uneasily near Celina. Alfonz's skin crawled at that, and his anger started to boil. He calmed himself, however, for it wasn't worth doing anything about now.

Alfonz kept his position and said nothing. If by chance the slim realization that this distraction would draw his name out of the Deva equation, the better. Alfonz Jedynak would disappear and hopefully, his name wouldn't be as tarnished as it could be from Brady's hollers. He'd have his moment with Brady, but Alfonz knew that this nor any time during this escapade was the right time. Not when so much was at stake...and not now as Brady's foolish ignorance had led him to yell out Alfonz's name. So, foolish...but Alfonz knew that what Brady deserved would come to him soon enough.

Alfonz looked at Schmidt and from under the mask he smirked. Alfonz couldn't tell, however, if it was more because he knew that the idiot of a man was going to get his duel with Brady whether he liked it or not. Or, if in fact Alfonz was delighted in the fact that Brady would have to show off the side of him he played in Diagon. Alfonz only wondered if the old man was getting any weaker. Crossing his arms, Alfonz just waited and watched.

[Hiro McVeil]

It had been nearly two days since the start of attack. Though most of the older students knew to keep a face on for the benefit of the younger students it was draining. After almost two days of peace less sleep and keeping a fake smile on it was becoming obvious that the glint of hope was fading. If the ministry had known about this someone would have been sent in even if it was just to talk. Disappear hung in the air like a a heavy fog. There was a darkness that took more and more of the school students, moral had dropped so much in less than two days.

That was until a familiar voice joined the disappear cloud. It seemed like forever before Hiro remembered what hope had felt like. Was she the negotiator? Or was she here to personally put a stop to this madness? Either way she was a beckon in this horror. Professor Raynor was here as a new spark of hope.

[Apollo Schmidt]

If Apollo had been a child then he would have doe away with the mask, done away with formality and pranced in circles, it was Christmas come early… Apollo wanted to duel a Ministry lapdog, just so he could prove that though the Dark Lord’s power was broken by the Potter brat his followers were graced by the Dark Lord’s blessing. Apollo smiled under the mask his cheekbones rising visibly to the public in front of him. His right hand reached into his overcoat and pulled out a wand, He knew he was not in possession of Brady’s wand, he hadn’t taken it, and he wasn’t sure where it went. He pulled out a rather stubby thick wand and shifted it to his wand arm so he held his own worn wand and the stubby one in his left. Right handed he somewhat clumsily undid the string of black buttons on his overcoat and he shed it straight to the ground. He was aware that most of the staff’s wands were in the pockets of the robes but they wouldn’t be able to get them if they tried their hardest.

With his overcoat shed Apollo was finally revealed more to the public, the tops of his arms were a dark tan but as Apollo’s wand arm rose to throw a wand at Brady his mark was shown to the public. The once vivid green tattoo was blemished, faded, and blurred worse than it had been faded between the fall and the rising of the Dark Lord. It was so badly faded and blurred most of the staff who only sat a few short feet way would have problems distinguishing what shape it actually was.

"I won't duel him." The lap dog told Shaw

Apollo threw the stubby wand at the ex-auror with more force than what was needed.

“You will Duel me even if I must resort to something… Unpleasant.” He told Brady as he slowly sidestepped crossing his feet in a slow menacing manner, after all he had to get Shaw out from behind the target no? Apollo’s wand was trained on his target and he was ready to curse the man into oblivion, Stunners… bah…. Let him feel pain. Apollo thought to himself.


(The Dark Mark on Apollo's arm is highly faded due to Voldemort being dead. None of the student populace should be able to see it)--RS

[Devin Brady]

Brady shook his head as the wand flew gently through the air. If he wanted a wand he had one, but that was not the point. As the wonderful mind behind Devin Brady, previously stated, that would only allow Schmidt what he wanted. A chance to out due Brady due to an uneven playing field, and a chance to create chaous. The wand bounced off his chest, like a fly against a board, or a bird against a glass window... slowly falling to the floor with a clatter. The dry threats from the Death Eater didn't scare him, in fact they made him laugh, it would have been this way even if he fought.

He didn't speak at first, just stared at the man in front of him. There was a crazed look in his eyes, a look even more gruesome then when his mark burnt black, not its dull, dull gray. He looked at Schmidt, and slowly stepped back, prying the sweater he wore over his head. Watching the man he slowly rolled up his sleeves, it at first looked like he would concede and fight the loosing battle. But the wand he bore remained hidden, now in a holister on his leg. he kept a number of places to hide a wand just in case. And this was the best as it allowed him to clearly show his arms without others fear.

Slowly as he stepped foward once more he smiled, a genuine smile he knew the man would hate. With this smile he looked ahead of him right into the mans eyes, the depth of his soul. "Do your worst Mr. Schmidt, I won't fight you."

[alfonztytusjedynak]

Curiosity was eating away at Alfonz Jedynak's insides. What was going on in Brady's head? Where the conditions for a duel not to his liking because he was not the instigator? Was it because he did not have that advantage here? Was it because he would be ultimately humiliated in front of a very large crowd of spectators? It pissed Alfonz off something incredible and his blood boiled from within every vein of his body. The famed, crazed, ex-auror was one off the biggest....Alfonz couldn't even begin to think what Devin Brady was, but obviously he only did what he wanted when he wanted. That was disgusting. And he said Alfonz was the one who needed to learn respect, and enough not to push people around.

The heat of anger radiated off of Alfonz like one couldn't believe. And as much as he wanted to start egging Apollo on, he kept his mouth shut and his fists clenched. Why did it not figure that Brady was a hypocrite? Alfonz slowly started to travel from his spot and make his way toward a spot where he could see everything in perfect view. This was probably going to get messy, and where Alfonz would rather Brady be a man and fight back, he would not deny that he'd take some pleasure in the man on his knees. Alfonz only wished that it was he who was doing the damage.

[Robert Shaw]

Oh how the audacity of mortality continued to be a most amazing and captive program! Here was Devin Brady: belittled in front of both children and peers, challenged and called out on both his skill and finesse, offered a wand to defend himself and still his pride compelled him to refuse to defend himself. He was either foolishly brave, foolishly stupid, or he had tricks that Robert couldn't rightfully see. However the man had respectfully declined, as any gentleman had the right to do and while he personally would love to see the heroic fool writhing on the floor in immense and unbearable pain, he had a gentleman's honor to uphold. He could not force Schmidt to stand down, but as a man of honor -- or at least what little he had left to him -- he could request that he do so. At the moment it was the only plan he had.

"A very flashy display Mr. Schmidt," Robert acknowledged as he brought his wand level with his co-patriot. "However, the gentleman has a right to refuse, Mr. Brady has chosen to exercise that right. Retract your wand and stand down." He doubted his order would gain him any ground, but he also doubted Brady would pick up that wand. His gray eyes flicked to Brady and then back to Schmidt, while many would consider Robert's actions a favor, Robert considered it nothing more than a gentleman's courtesy since like it or not he had to put Brady into that category.

Long before this other Deva had begun to gather in, be it to spectate or belittle didn't really matter since Robert now had multiple dilemmas that threatened to toss everything into the Drink (English Channel) if too many realized the opportunity at hand. While he presumed most were still overjoyed with the appearance of the weary and fatigued Raynor, he was presuming alot. He was presuming Schmidt would stand down, that mutiny wouldn't occur, that this could still work even in this small-scale pandemonium, and there was just one problem with all that presumption...

it held the same definition, and the same adage as the joke involving assumption.

[Apollo Schmidt]

A very flashy display Mr. Schmidt, however, the gentleman has a right to refuse, Mr. Brady has chosen to exercise that right. Retract your wand and stand down."

Apollo wanted to make a move, and here Shaw was retracting the offer of a duel... In the form of an order and nonetheless He had aimed his wand at him. Given different circumstances he would have taken out Brady, and insured Shaw would raise a wand against him unless it was to hex someone behind him. Apollo however decided not to retract the wand, there was something dangerous about doing so at this second. "Accio." He muttered frustrated at being pulled from his prey. The short fat wand flew from the floor and into Apollo's right hand. Apollo lowered his wand after this though slowly. He then used the summoning spell again not wanting to turn his back on Brady to get his robes, the bundle of tan cloth came soaring through the air and Apollo let the light coarse fabric cover his arms once more concealing his Medal of Honor. I will duel you Brady, and not just for pride, an example needs to be made. Apollo vowed to himself as he cautiously back stepped to his post his wand by his side.

Apollo wanted to talk to Shaw, figure out what in the name of all hell's demons compelled him to pull Apollo from something Apollo wanted so dearly. He wanted blood, Apollo hadn't done anything but dueling drills for years and this ex-auror was just how he liked to duel them, pompous and full of his own pride and honor. During the first and second war Apollo had taken up dueling aurors as almost a hobby, despite the fact that the Dark Lord had ordered him to do it. Perhaps it was just that, Apollo enjoyed slaying aurors just because his master compelled him to.

[Hiro McVeil]

It was already working! All professor Raynor had to do was appear and the Deva started fighting among themselves. Shaw was a planner, Hiro knew this, it wasn't difficult to point out one of your own. But something had thrown a monkey wrench into his plot. Even if he had expect professor Raynor to show up, which didn't seem likely even with his fake calm, he hadn't planned on what her presence would mean to the students. Nearly two days of despair and hopelessness were now ruined by this single event. Even if the younger students didn't understand what this meant the older students had their batteries recharged which would trickle down.

Even though he was excited it didn't make him dumb. He noticed the challenge of authority within the Deva; particularly one named Schmidt who seemed to have it out for professor Brady since the first night. The longer this lasted the more likely they would fight. Though it seemed like a dark thought Hiro might be able to use this to his advantage...