Safety at last...

[Devin Brady]

He laughed as she spoke shaking his head. She didn't get it did she. "Prick complex, thats funny. But whats funnier is you never got why you were in trouble and I wasn't. You went out of your way and did things to embarress and hurt people, I didn't." he turned and continued to the door, as she spoke again. Attend and report, Auror. Turning on the spot he glared dagers at her. "You have no authority over me Raynor, your not my superior officer, and even if you were I wouldn't answer you."

"I'm off duty, Just wanted to make sure the school was safe before I left it in the hands of those imbociles. You see the only problem with that, is the school was empty. So when I went looking trying to help out, I found these kids surronding your unconcious body. Imagine my suprise seeing you, one of the things I hate most in this world lifeless on the ground. Sadly enough I didn't cheer in victory, I came to your aid, only to be threatened by these lot. Finally when I was free to help I brought you here, I was only questioned more. So the only person I have to answer to is myself, and trust me even I don't want to think about this."

He turned going to leave when he stopped. "You'll need to give her these." Fishing through his cloak he pulled out three small potion vials. With a wave of his wand, they enlarged. "One is to cure the naseau, one is to replenish her, and the one will help in the long run with rebuilding her magical reserves. Shes going to need more of those, though I am sure she can find some."

[Drew Thornton]

Please let me curse him... please let me curse him... Drew begged silently, doubting the Professor would actually let him. Didn't matter. She seemed to be handeling this so called Auror quite well, even while throwing up.

Attend and report, Auror Drew gave Brady enough respect to let the man give a response to the command first, but since he didn't, Drew took it up. "Hiro and I came down the stairs in time to hear scuffling. By the time we reached the Entrance hall, we saw you, on the floor unconscious. The front door was open and there was no sign of any other person in the vicinity other than Artemis who was in the hall hidding when it all happened. He says he recognized Shaw and another woman who injected you with something. We were about to bring you here when we were interupted."

He did not touch the potions offered by the man, not trusting something he didn't know the ingredients of. Whatever Raynor needed, she as an ex-healer would know of. He'd wait for her directions and no one else's.

[Tamis Raynor]

There were a number of rude comments she would have liked to spew back at Brady, but none of which were proper with students present. And all of them would take more verbalizing than she was currently capable of. The only plus with the latter point was that complication seemed to be beginning to subside. The eight students present were also beginning to reform back into three. Thank Merlin for that. And, this man was insufferable...

Getting a few good breaths in first (to make sure no other consequences were going to follow opening her mouth), Raynor met Devin's eyes, surprisingly without any anger in her own. "You, Sir, need to get your head out of the past." She paused to let her stomach stop cartwheeling. Merlin. There could not possibly be anything left to come up. She hadn't ate in hours. "I am not that petulant adolescent anymore. I've grown up, which is something you need to do."

Gryffindors and their righteous version of logic. It had driven her insane with Tait as well, but he had not been nearly as bad about it as this man was. Though she could have argued the hurting people part. Raynor had never done that. Embarrass, yes. Put into the way of actual corporeal danger? Well, not intentionally. She had been a rebellious teenager with no real supervision from "home." The throbbing in her temples was going to drive her mad. All she wanted to do was clear the room, lean back, and whimper -- bucket close at hand.

If only life was that simple.

It would be a lot simpler if Brady would corporate with her, just once. That would be all it would take to make her happy. But it seemed that the man had made it a life mission to make sure that giving her enjoyment in life was the last thing he ever did.

A false alarm had her cuddling the bucket for a moment before she continued, coughing. "On the contrary, you are in my school, and therefore under my jurisdiction. Get use to it." Another coughing spell. It was almost not worth arguing with the man. If Raynor didn't fear what would happen if she didn't wrangle him in now, she wouldn't waste her currently very precious breath. "Those imbeciles maybe incompetent, but I doubt they would walk away from a situation due to personal conflict." And no true auror would ever claim to be "off duty", but she refrained from adding that bit. Aurors had timed shifts, but they were never truly off duty, not if the job actually meant something to them.

Raynor ignored the bit about the empty castle. That was her fault, but she was not about to admit that to him. But she did get his recount of events, and the three-Drew's added their bit as well. Her gaze slid to Artemis at that. During the whole time? That was excellent news as he would be able to fill in her memory gaps. But, what he may or may not have exactly witnessed could complicate things. She nodded her thanks to Drew, not trusting herself to do much else; muling over this new information.

A small breath escaped her lips. A laugh? "Do you think I trust to drink anything from you, Brady? Especially not from someone who holds me in the 'lowest contempt', as I believe you've said?"

Another shaky cough and she moved the waste basket closer. Oh, she had similar potions to the ones he was offering. Only problem was, they vanished along with her desk. That only further grated on her nerves.

[Devin Brady]

"I had my head out of the past Raynor. I had long ago forgotten about you, when you came flying into the headquarters this day." He hated to admit that he did feel a terrible sensation when ever looking at the school knowing he had let a poor first year get swept off the grounds. He would always hold the guilt no matter how little truth it had held. "The day you returned to my life had only been followed by misery, sorry if I can't forget that."

He wanted to laugh as she spoke about how he was under her jurisdiction. Then she made the comment about how the others wouldn't walk away from someone over a personal situation. This time he actually gave her a look of, well he didn't know what he gave her but it was a look. "I will not answer to you, nor am I just walking away. I'm sure Corrion can handle this problem quite well. Then I will have myself transfered back to London, where I no longer have to deal with you. Finally I might get some regularity back into my life." It was true though, it was eating him up inside, he didn't like walking away, but this woman made his life hell. And it wasn't all in the past as she made it out to be, wasn't it just minutes ago she vanished the desk and chair he sat at. None the less didn't even mutter a thank you. He would never like leaving, but why fight a battle you will never win. And even though he knew in his own mind he was always on duty he could pretend.

What he truly hated however was when she refused to take the potions he had offered her. She was now proven ridiculous. "You know what don't take the potions. Though I can't believe you would even think that I might tamper with a potion. I am an auror and Merlin knows I wouldn't even think to do something to harm a victim. If you are so pig headed that you can't even trust me enough to take the potions, then even helping you was a big mistake. I don't even care what happens with you anymore, or what happens to anyone around you. It's obvious none of you have realized there is a war going on, and we are all fighting on the same side. There isn't even a slight bit of questioning on whether I like you or not Raynor, but I would respect you enough to know you wouldn't try to poison me. So have fun doing what you do, I'm through with this."

[Tamis Raynor]

Frustration infused with a pulsing head, and then put on burner to simmer, makes an excellent recipe for a migraine. It was one formula for disaster that Raynor did not want to be the guinea pig for. Resting her head on the arm cradling the bucket, she shot it back up almost immediately -- neither action exactly being a smart idea. The first had further nauseated her, the second swarmed her vision. When the latter cleared, she placed the basket on the opposite side of the chair, away from everyone else. She felt well enough now to at least not need to hold onto it like a life-savor

Having the man out of her hair was a relieving idea. Though the fact he was willing to take a perfectly able auror away from where they needed them most because he couldn't stand her was a bit unsettling. The fact that he was willing to shrug off a situation of Shaw getting into the castle and hand it off to another auror was unsettling. Then again, Shaw getting in at all was unsettling. All passageways to the castle had been blocked. She had made sure of it. She had checked with Fiona to make sure of it. Had poured over plans with the Headmistress -- She was just making her head hurt more.

With a small whimper, no not whimper, Tamis Raynor did not whimper. Groan. Yes, that was better. With a small groan Tam rubbed at her temples, cursing complex oaths under her breath, and closed her eye to avoid trying to make sense of the still swimming room.

A small wry smile pulled at her lips, almost cruel in its intentions. "Someone I called a good friend for a long time just did poison me, Devin. Why would I not suspect someone who hates me to?" No humor, no sarcasm. Just cold hard truth.

And then, something broke. It's obvious none of you have realized there is a war going on. She was not going to have that. To even suggest, mention that she didn't realize the intensity of their current state. Raynor had been pushing her students harder than she ever had in Defense because she understood. This was not a repeat of the First War, like the Second War had been. This was a war of a different breed, but a war nevertheless. It took a moment to speak, to win the battle against her body in order to make sure it was words that decided to come out. Never again. No more nighttime journeys. No more brandy before those journeys.

"Do not take me for a fool, Brady. I know what we are in the middle of. I get reminded of it my someone much more impressionable than you. You think we're on the same side? We'll see, if you stop dramatizing everything enough for a moment." Too many words, too much emotion, and therefore another coughing spell. She leaned back in the armchair, suddenly grateful that it had been a sturdy chair she was dumped in. What she needed was rest, but it was obvious she was going to get that.

She cracked an eye open, "Mr. Tayern, there is an elf waiting for me on the seventh floor. Can you find him please and tell her to tell Mr. Gallaudet that I won't be at breakfast and that Leah will need hers at six? Then come back here?"

It was a real excuse. Banks would not know about this. He couldn't. And she was certainly not retiring to her chambers until she knew he wouldn't be there and she would look well enough when he came back to keep questions for being provoked. It was a real excuse, the elf was waiting for her to come back from where she had meant to go tonight, but it also got Tayern out of the room for what she meant to say next.

[Artemis Tayern]

Art knew Professor Raynor was in rough shape. When the Professor asked him to go find an elf he nodded slightly despite the fact he didn't like the idea of Raynor in this state with Drew and Hiro as her only line of defense. He complied after muttering a soft 'yes ma'am' to the woman. Stepping out of the door his wand at his side as he climbed the stairs in absolute silence, letting the shadows consume his short figure as the robe-less boy in only shorts and a shirt climbed to the top of the castle hiding to insure nobody saw him.

[Hiro McVeil]

Hiro had remained quiet during the auror and the professor's power struggle. He didn't know enough about their past to try and step in and although they were acting fairly childish with each other Hiro wasn't dumb enough to try and separate them. (he was in Ravenclaw) That's not to say he wasn't useful, a quick vanishing spell got rid of the horrid stench coming from the garbage can. He did other little things around the office to help out but stopped when the war was mentioned and professor Raynor asked Artemis to leave. He knew either one of two things would happen now: one Raynor would say something that wasn't appropriate for second years or more likely she was going to talk about the school events that were a part of this rebellion the Deva wished for.

[Tamis Raynor]

Well, that was one less person in the room to worry about. For now. It was a grudging and rather sadistic relief, but a relief. Though she still had to deal with the egotistical Gryffindor alumni standing before her. If only she could make him leave so easily, but despite his idle threats, he was still standing in the room. Taking a deep and rather long breath, she consulted her three remaining companions and frowned.

This had never been her intention. None of this. If Tamis could have her way, she would finally cave into Banks' wishes and move into the Manor she had forsaken for so many years and raise her daughter in piece. Leave Hogwarts, leave everything but the two lives that mattered most and hope for the best. That was the wise move to have made. The path the Ravenclaw in her brain had been screaming at her since all this began. She did not wish to defy the Ministry and certainly did not wish to lead innocent students into doing so either. Merlin, she would trade everything -- except her family -- to be the way she had been about a decade ago. A simple Ministry pawn who followed orders and did what she was told to in order to protect her country.

But this was not a decade earlier and she had two very familiar Ravenclaws patiently waiting for her to continue and a not so patient, if as regretfully familiar, Auror before her. Two more heads for the noose? Eyes skipping over Drew, they concentrated on Hiro and Brady as one hand still worked at her temples.

It was easier to talk directly to Brady. Not only for the age similarity, but the fact that well, he could stare back at her. So, she did so. But the intent behind what she was about the say was included for Hiro as well.

"You said we fight on the same side," Raynor repeated, breaking the long silence. "I don't consider the Ministry on the side --" she glanced over at Drew, the corners of her lips twitching, "-- we're on as the same one as the Ministry. You've said so yourself, the Ministry's task force is not what it use to be. If the current ... war is left up to simply our government, we're going to lose it. So, Brady, you said we are on the same side. But are we really?"

The question was left hanging in the air. The Deputy took the moment to close her eyes again and mutter to herself. She would like nothing more than to hang Shaw by his toes from the ceiling. Or maybe by the ear. At least then the man would be able to sympathize with the pounding in her head.

Swallowing back uncertainty, Raynor awaited either a new ally -- possibly two -- or the impending doom her statement might have provoked.

[Devin Brady]

There were many reasons that Devin hated the woman before him, and they reached much further than the childhood grudge they both obviously held. One reason was he constant distrust of him. He hadn't pulled a prank on her since his 6th year, which was nearly 20 years ago. One could have only expected that an ex-healer would be able to tell that the potions and their properties matched. The second was how she always talked down to him. It was as if he was one of her students, which he clearly was not. Maybe it was revenge for having to answer to him so many years back. Either way he hated it, just like when she did when she burst into the Auror Headquarters. It was especially terrible since he hated taking orders. Rarely did he have to, most just told him what he needed to get done and let him be. Really the only one he had completely followed was Albus Dumbledore... but really what man didn't.

He nearly burst out again as she talked about how he made things over-dramatic, but really he doubted she would feel the same if the positions were switched. Biting his tongue he listened.

You said we fight on the same side. I don't consider the Ministry on the side we're on as the same one as the Ministry. You've said so yourself, the Ministry's task force is not what it use to be. If the current ... war is left up to simply our government, we're going to lose it. So, Brady, you said we are on the same side. But are we really?

"I have never claimed that the force we have today is up to par, but most are trying to do the same thing you are. You should remember back to the last war, where you were fighting with them. There are restrictions though, which make the fight a lot harder to fight. If it were up to me the restrictions would be raised, but its not. Then again some people went around the restrictions." Yes he had been a member of the Order of the Phoenix, but very few knew that, and he doubted Raynor did. Of course few knew who were in the Order and it was mainly the members. "I'm not sure what you would like to be implying, but if you are saying that the Order of the Phoenix is once again fighting, I would have to tell you I highly doubt that. I can assure you that, more people would have been approached from first hand experience."

[Drew Thornton]

"Forget it, he doesn't get it," Drew grumbled under his breath, directing his words at Raynor. He knew what she was talking about and he was pretty sure Hiro would be up for something similar. In fact, Drew could think of two or three other students, not little kids like Art, but sixth and seventh years who would be better at fighting the Deva than this joker of an Auror. The guy was defending the Ministry for Merlin's sake, saying they were trying to do the same thing. That was bogus. All the Ministry ever wanted was to hide the truth so they looked good.

[Tamis Raynor]

"Easy, Mr. Thornton," Tamis pleaded.

She kept her eyes locked on Brady now, thankful that the room was regaining focus. At least she could keep up appearances by knowing that she was staring at the man and not one of this doubles. No, Raynor did not abhor Devin on the same level as he did her. Oh, she disliked him, yes. Anyone who so conveniently got in her way during school, and then saw fit to order her around later in life was enough to get a grudge against them. But it was mainly the knowledge that he so dearly hated her that riled her.

But could she put that aside, for the sake of a valuable ally? Yes, she could. But could he? All this talk in riddles was truly annoying. Raynor hated using them and their implied meanings and despised even more when others did. She could grasp them, she just simply didn't like them. Was Brady really supporting the Ministry? Or hinting at something else? She knew he was many things, but was he clever?

Wait a minute, Order of the what? What in the name of Merlin was he raving about?

"I remember the War," she agreed, "how could I not? I also know that it was not through the Ministry that most of the criminals were caught. There were rumors of an unsettling nature, but they left those of us on the force wondering. I've taken orders for a good deal of my life, Brady. I've abide by every rule thats mattered," a pause, "in my adult life." A frown as if she wasn't sure what to make of him. "I don't know what 'Order of the Phoenix' you speak of, but there is a group willing to do what the Ministry can't do because of protocol."

The name was foreign to be sure, but it was kind of catchy. Now, the question remained as to whether or not she just got herself arrested. There were enough grounds for it, and she was sure Brady would be obliged. She hide the anxiety from her face. If he turned her down, it would likely lead to that path. It wasn't her reactions she was worried about, but those of the students in the room.

[Devin Brady]

"The Order of the Phoenix was a group formed by Albus Dumbledore during Voldemorts first range. It wasn't the biggest group, but it had very skilled members. Alastor Moody, the Potters, the Longbottoms. The group was ressurected during the second war, lead again by Dumbledore. The group was larger the second time around, including Harry Potter. I was a member of that group." He paused looking at Raynor in the eye. There was no doubt in his mind that he would have to fight beside her at some point, if he choose to fight. The last war took a huge toll on him.

He paused she had just said there was a new group willing to fight. An internal battle began between him. One side of him knew he had to fight, especially if Raynor was in charge, she hadn't been in the Order, she didn't know what she was in store for. Yet the other side of him wished to leave and go into hiding. There he wouldn't suffer the loss like last war. He wouldn't become a shell of what he once was, he might be able to love, even if it was to become a muggle.

"What group is this?" he said with a glazed look, loss filling his eyes.

[Tamis Raynor]

The concept of this Order did not necessarily take Raynor by surprise. How many times had she stumbled upon something suspicious and been told to turn a blind eye by a colleague? How many times had she done just that because it had been an order? There had been rumors floating around Headquarters, of course, but they either stomped themselves out or comrades did it for them, comrades much like Brady. After all, it would not due to have such chaos be brought down on the Ministry from within its own walls. It had never occurred to her that some of her fellows might have ulterior intentions of seeing that those whispers ended as such.

But now, she audibly let out a sigh of relief. No, he was not going to arrest her. But the look she gave him now was a more considering one. He had been a member of the previous group? Brady hadn't fit into that frame in her mind. Perhaps he was slightly, slightly different from the man she thought he was. Or, he could be lying to her through his teeth.

Studying the sudden change in his expression, the way his eyes grew a little distant as if recalling non-too-pleasant memories, Tamis hesitated. No. He wasn't lying. She understood that look as she had seen it harbored in her own reflection. Most aurors had. Not even the most talented actor could create that welled up emotion.

For the briefest of moments, she sympathized with the man. Might have even opened her mouth and offered something comforting, well aware that it would get a snappy remark in return. But then came the question.

"What group is this?"

That brought on a pause. It didn't have a name. So far, it really didn't have too many members. The Order of the Phoenix, she mused, started by Dumbledore? Well he had owned a Phoenix, of course, a rare thing, but also a bird that was said to bring terror to the hearts of Dark Wizards with its song. Fitting. Phoenix Song? No, it sounded too childish. But there had been a group before this one, filled with important names and people. It needed to be honored. A branch, a subset of this Order then? The answer came to her slowly, but with a comforting satisfaction. The feeling that you get when you name a treasured pet and you know it fits him.

"The Phoenix Regiment," she said softly, glancing at Drew, giving him a silent 'well?' for approval.

And then it hit her. She really didn't know how to proceed from here. Raynor could give instructions with ease, but she was not use to existing without her own.

[Drew Thornton]

Drew caught Raynor's glance and answered with his own raised eyebrow. He liked the name, reminicent of rebirth from death, fire from darkness, hope from dispair. Everyone kept saying that the dark times were returning so it seemed fitting that the group wanting to stop them would be named after the magnificent bird.

He still didn't trust Brady fully though. At this point, the only thing going for him was, for some unknown reason, Raynor seemed to.

[Hiro McVeil]

And there it was, both professor Raynor and the auror Devin Brady admitting to being part of illegal organizations. The ministry would have a field day! Both groups would have most certainly broken a few laws especially during times of war. Hiro couldn't believe his ears why would anyone admit to being members to an organization like this in front of non-members. No one could tell whom might be listening to the conversation, Hiro himself would've stuck an extendable ear into her office if Drew hadn't stopped him. There were countless numbers who might be listening and during times of war one of the most important part of tactics was information. Shaw was literally just in the building, Merlin knows what kind of things he could have set up before his meeting with his former colleague. And now they expected Drew and Hiro to become involved, something like this was brought up without a purpose. The professor could have easily made the older boys leave with Artemis but now it was far too late.