WHO: Sturgis Podmore, Victoria Mulciber, & Saxon Capper. WHAT: Friendly reminder that you shouldn't break the Taboo. WHEN: Thursday, November 16th. WHERE: Diagon Alley. WARNINGS: Swears. Death Eater intimidation.
Exiting the shop, Sturgis shoved his small packaged into this pocket before flipping the hood of his jack up over his head. It was the time of year where the chill in the air really began to bother him and if he didn’t have a list of errands to complete, he wouldn’t have even been outside in the first place. Alas, things were needed for the him and as the only Podmore without a job, it was on him to search around Diagon Alley for all the things listen on the parchment in his other pocket.
After a few moments of walking and grumbling, he dug into that other pocket and pulled out the piece of parchment. Lemon balm. Feverfew. Johnny-Jump-Up. It appeared one of the members of his family was running low on potion supplies. Sighing, the parchment was placed back in his pocket as he picked up his step in the direction of the nearest apothecary. Out of the corner of his eyes, he spotted a small group of Wandless, which immediately made him frown.
“Fucking Voldemort,” Sturgis muttered to himself as he looked down at the ground. Within a few seconds, he realized what he had done and his steps came to a screeching halt. “Oh shit.”
“Oh shit, indeed,” Vic drawled, clearly annoyed behind the safety of her mask. She and Saxon had only just finished a friendly bout of training and wine had been promised.
Panicked gasps rose from the Wandless beyond Sturgis, many staring in shock at the two Death Eaters who had suddenly made their appearance.
“How stupid of you,” she continued, and tried to make her outrage sound as convincing as possible. “Fucking? How dare your filthy mouth speak His name.” Etc., etc. She’d heard Bellatrix say that once.
“Well, the first one is a question for the ages, but I didn't actually say His name,” Sturgis answered with mild insistence as his eyes briefly darted around the alley. “I was muttering to myself about... moldy warts. Common mistake to make. Homonyms and all.”
“Moldy...warts….” Saxon drawled out for effect, while he tapped his wand impatiently against other arm. He was always happy to let Vic take the lead, it seemed to thrill her and a happy Vic was a much more palatable Vic but he was definitely hoping the ‘what the fucking hell do you take us for mister’ was coming across in his voice. (And that his accent wasn’t) Besides, they were only here to enforce, not to play the ribs or whatever else people did with those who weren’t of an obedient persuasion.
Sturgis nodded as his right hand dropped down to his side. “Terrible condition. The cat is currently suffering from it.”
Vic stared at the man in growing disbelief. “We’re Death Eaters.” Her wand slid into her hand, a promise. “Tell me you are aware of this.”
“Yes. I am very much aware,” he assured the Death Eater. In the moment he had realized what he had said, his heart began to race and his breathing would have been more erratic if he hadn’t been doing his best to control it thanks to years with the Order. Yes, he knew all too well the two were Death Eaters and what they were therefore capable of doing. “Which is why I think I should be going, but I will be more than careful about my choice of words in the future. I promise.”
Saxon shook his head. Wouldn't it have made more sense just to leg it? Honestly. Some people on their side the common sense of a souvenir thimble. "Bit late," He said, with a shrug mostly hidden by his clothing. "Levicorpus." Immobilise, then Vic can see if she had any particular desires before he decided what to do so he could get home in time for Masterchef: The Professionals.
His attempt not to provoke the Death Eaters seemed like a good one in theory, but as he was suddenly and forcefully lifted up into the air, Sturgis realized he could have handled the situation better. Rather than try to appear the somewhat apologetic citizen, he should have disappeared when he had the chance and risked their further ire, which would have probably been a bit better than levitating above Diagon Alley with screaming shoppers and Wandless below him. Yes, this definitely could have been handled better, though there was still time to avoid further being a Death Eater plaything.
“Well. You’ve made your very clearly and I’ve taken it to heart,” Sturgis called as he looked down at the Death Eaters. “But I’m afraid I must be going now. Cheers.”
And with a pop, he disappeared.
The Cruciatus curse that lept out of Vic’s wand a second too late hit the brick wall harmlessly. She swore, annoyed. A fearful gasp rose from the crowd.
“Drags us out here to punish him properly, and then doesn’t even bother to stick around for it.” Vic scowled behind her mask.
There was a desperate squeak of fear from a witch who had stumbled onto the scene, cowering Wandless still huddled in the corner behind her. Well, they could at least give them a show.
“No one is worthy of speaking His name, as that spineless, disrespectful coward has shown you.” Her voice echoed menacingly in the street, a touch too dramatic. “Speak His name and we will know. We will come for you. We will make sure you understand how unworthy you are.”
“What she said,” Saxon said, pointing his thumb at her in a way he hoped was menacing but probably wasn’t.
Vic leaned towards Saxon, her mask ensuring unreadable danger. “Fuck, let’s go. I need wine,” she whispered.
“It’s always so disappointing when they have wands,” Saxon agreed, not because he felt they actually needed wine but because they should at least try to poke their heads into the usual haunts for the unwanted masses of magic’s persona non grata. “Quick round up, then we’ll go.”