The Men in Her Life (( Pyro, Liam, Charles))

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

" Okay, Miss Blackfire. We've got these dress robes hemmed." The sales witch removed the clothing, exposing Cass' skin to the air. She shivered. The witch bundled up the robe while making furtive glances into the mirror that Cass' reflection was in. Each time, her gaze drifted to the Angelus crest that hung around her neck. " You can step down and get dressed now." The witch left the room, closing the door behind her.

Off her pedestal, Cass retrieved her black shirt from a hanger nearby. This had been a horrible day. Lust had woken Cass and Pyro early this morning to let them know that they were going to some fancy dress party at the ministry that evening, and since Cass had nothing decent to wear in her wardrobe, she was going to Diagon Alley on an emergency shopping trip. Normally, Cass would of been more than happy to spend her Uncle's money freely, but as she had headed out the door, she was stopped by her cousin's hand on her shoulder. " As much as I hate to break it to you, Father said I was coming with for your protection." Cass only groaned as she made her way to the limo.

Cass plopped into a nearby chair to take of her black heels. The two of them had actually been getting along today. It almost seemed like old times. Before her appointment, they had stopped at the candy store, picked up a book from Flourish and Blotts, and drooled at the window of Quality Quidditch Supplies. She was pretty sure that Pyro was going to stop there on their way back. Unfortunately for Pyro, he had no idea that she had owled Liam before they left. Liam was going to meet them at The Leaky Cauldron for dinner. She knew he would be thrilled.

With the straps of her heels dangling from her hand, she opened the dressing room to door to see Pyro lounging in the waiting room. Sitting beside him, she waited patiently for the seamstress to get done with her dress. " So, you bored yet? I'm assuming Lust demanded that you get knew dress robes since ' you've grown like witch hazel.'" Cass quoted her Aunt. After several moments of banter, the witch that had led Pyro into his separate room earlier handed her two black hanging bags. Getting up, Cass walked to the door and waited for Pyro to open it for her. " It's getting rather late. You want to go to the Leaky Cauldron for dinner? It will probably beat what the house elves are cooking."

((Note: I have permission from Pyro for any and all godmoding/puppet mastery going on in this post.))

[Pyro Blackfire S5]

Pyro's sigh was one of pure boredom. He hated shopping with girls. Somehow, no matter what store you ended up going to, the boy always ended up having to sit in a waiting chair, while the girl went off and did something. Pyro knew from the moment when he had opened his eyes to so his mother staring down at him, that something was going to go wrong today. It had taken all of his self control not to leap foreword and strangle his father when he told Pyro what Pyro was to do today.

Although, the day hadn't been too bad. In fact, it had actually been quite pleasant. Considering the fact that whenever Cass and Pyro got together these days it seemed like a fight would break out. At least the Angelus boy wasn't here to spoil the day. Pyro's mother had also used the excuse of ' You need new dress robes' to get him out of the house. Pyro knew this was bull. He had a perfectly good robe at home that still fit him.

After being stabbed with that darned pin about a thousand times they finally got his robes sized and he was able to go back to the waiting room, and surprise surprise.......Cass wasn't done yet. He sat down on an empty chair and crossed his arms and waited. Minutes dragged on as he sat there with little to occupy himself with. He was about to start hexing random people when finally Cass stepped out of the dressing room and sat down beside him.

"Quite." He answered her in regard to the bored question. " Yes, I apparently am in need of new robes as well. Or so mother says." Pyro could easily see through that wall. His mother had used that as an excuse to stop a fight, but he couldn't see why his father had made him go out today. He looked at her. "Sure, Leaky Couldron sounds like a cool idea."

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

" Wonderful. I was really hoping I wouldn't have to eat cardboard ham again," Cass waiting another few seconds for her cousin to open the door, and when it was apparent he wasn't, Cass opened it for herself. Pyro could be so rude sometimes. After a quick jaunt down the street, she opened the door to the Leaky Cauldron where the aroma of baking bread filled the air. The pub was loud with the voices of many wizards talking at various tables. After a quick scan of the room, Cass frowned as she saw no Liam. Cass sat down at an empty table that was easily visible from the door. " What is this thing that your mother is making us go to anyway? I swear she parades us around like puppets sometimes."

Cass' hand found a nearby menu and opened it. " Yum, they are having beef stew tonight. Oh, they also have some sort of chicken." Frowning, she looked over the top of the menu and at the closed door. " Not much of a fare tonight. Maybe we should of taken the house elves." After the waitress took their order and disappeared, she turned back to her cousin. " I'm surprised that your father sent you with me. Kind of surprises me that he thinks I need protection. I can take care of myself." She looked up at her cousin for his response than back at the door.

Crash! A loud commotion from the back of the pub brought Cass out of the conversation. A middle aged man stood up on a table and began to blurt out nonsense about Voldemort and the Death Eaters. The man had the cowl of his cloak over his head while he croaked that all blood traitors and mudbloods would meet their doom. Shrugging off the insult, Cass looked back at Pyro. Patrons began shouting at that the man as Tom the Barman tried to take him down from his soap box. " Bloody ignorant fool he is. He'll get himself thrown into Azkaban for doing that."

[Liam Angelus G5]

Liam had been enjoying his time to himself, but something was missing from his life. He hadn't seen Cass in quite a while, and he was beginning to miss her terribly. Today while he was sitting around his room, an owl flew into the window, and he slowly walked toward the owl and removed the letter. Once the letter was free from his leg, the owl flew out the window and headed back to where it came from.

Liam read the letter and was glad to see that it was from Cass, inviting him to The Leaky Cauldron. Liam was glad to be invited, but he hoped that Cass' cousin Pyro wasn't going to be there. Liam quickly dressed in a pair of black jeans and a t-shirt before he rushed out the door of his grandfather's home. Liam wasn't going to wait around for his grandfather to ask where he was going and listen to the lecture about being careful.

Liam made his way through the busy London streets on his way to The Leaky Cauldron. Every now and then, a muggle would run into him, but Liam was used to how clumsy muggles were, but he kept his hand on his wand just in case something tried to attack. Normally, Liam wouldn't bother protecting himself some carefully, but things were continuing to get worse both in the muggle world and the magical world, even though there hadn't been many reports of Death Eaters attacking.

Liam finally reached The Leaky Cauldron and made sure he had not been followed. Once he was satisfied that it was safe, Liam opened the door and stepped into the dimly lit room. Liam looked around for Cassandra, saw Tom trying to settle down a man, and then spotted Cass sitting with the one person Liam did not want to see. Sighing, Liam walked over to where they sat and addressed Cass, "You didn't tell me HE was going to be here. Oh well, may I sit?"

[Pyro Blackfire S5]

Pyro sighed as they stepped out of the robe shop and into the busy street of Diagon Alley. He couldn't help but shake his head in wonder. It seemed that every few feet there stood a shady looking man or woman, their hands unseen within their cloaks, looking out over the wide alley. "Couldn't they be a bit more obvious." He had to wonder how these could be professional Aurors if they couldn't even look inauspicious. With one last look at the Aurors he turned and entered the Leaky cauldron.

Cass soon had seats spotted for them and they sat down. Cass picked up a menu and Pyro did the same, giving only slight grunts to her comments on the food. When the crash resounded threw the bar Pyro's body tensed and he put down the menu to glance at what was causing the commotion. He frowned and than turned to Cass as she commented on the situation. He smirked and raised an eyebrow. "My my, Bloody ignorant fool? What a Slytherin thing of you to say. I see that my mother is wearing off on you."

At this point the door to the bar opened and in walked someone Pyro had dearly hoped never to see again. Liam Angelus, not only had he walked in, but he had spotted Cass and was making his way over to them. Pyro couldn't have missed the snide remark that Liam made and he narrowed his eyes at Liam. "Don't worry." He turned to Cass. "I was not informed of a certain someones invitation either."

He once again turned to Liam. "Do you even need to ask?" He kicked a chair and it slid out away from the desk and slid up next to Liam. "You very well know my answer and I know that you will ignore it, and I'm sure that the person to invite you isn't going to refuse you a seat." With that Pyro picked up his menu once again.

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Cass smiled as she looked at the two make conversation. " Sorry, Liam. I didn't know Pyro was going to be coming with me. It was a last minute surprise. Uncle was very...adamant about him coming with me." She leaned over and gave her boyfriend a kiss. " I'm glad you came though. We haven't gotten to spend much time together as of late. By the way, Aunt Lust is making us go to some sort of, well, I'm not sure what it is." She looked at Pyro. " Do you even know what it is?" Not waiting on his reply, she continued. " Anyway, I think we are more than allowed to bring dates so I was hoping you would come with me." She smiled as a blush crept across her cheeks. She snuck a look at her cousin as she tried to determine whether if she was being to bold.

" Get off me!" The man who had been causing all the commotion in the back of the pub suddenly stood up. One of the men who had been trying to calm him exclaimed in surprise and backed off. " Sir, you need to calm down." Cass turned her head and caught his eye for a moment. As their gazes locked, she could almost make out a strange fire in his eye. Turning back to her compatriots, she put a hand beside her mouth and gestured to the man with her thumb. " I think that one has had one too many fire whiskeys tonight. I think we need to leave. He's really making me nervous, Pyro. I think we should take dinner back to the manor. Liam, would you like to come? The driver can take you back home tonight." Standing up, she motioned over to the barmaid. " Could you box up our dinners? I think it is time for us to leave."

Cass began to put on her cloak as another outburst from the drunk caught everyones attention. " You!" The whole restaurant looked up as the man stepped off the table and pulled out his wand. Tom ducked behind the bar and several other men got up front their tables. Women shreeked and ran for the door. Gasping, the man descened upon Cassie and screamed, " Crucio!" Dropping like a sack of potatos, Cass doubled over on the floor in pain as serveral more curses where send in her direction. Unfortunatly for her, she had been struck by the Cruciatus curse before by a Death Eater so the sensation was not unfamiliar to her. Screams continued to erupt in her ears as she felt her wand slip out of her hand. Too weak to summon it back to her, she only hoped Liam and Pyro would rescue her.

[charlesb]

Charles couldn't stop pacing. He was nervous, although he shouldn't be. He had found a loophole, it was the perfect loophole. He was bound by that damn unbreakable vow. So he wasn't able to harm the girl and finally remove her from his life, but there had been nothing in the curse about somebody else killing her. He had sent her off to Diagon Alley, knowing her she would get hungry and visit the leaky couldron, so thats where he had placed his man.

Charles glanced at the clock. The time of was almost at hand. Even though he knew his plan was full proof, yet he couldn't shake these butterflies in his stomach. He paced around a bit more and the butterflies only grew. He frowned, this couldn't' be right. He felt like he was getting sicker by the moment. Suddenly a wave of weakness came over him and he staggered, nearly loosing his feet.

"What the hell?" He wondered and suddenly the realization hit him. you must promise to allow no harm to come to Cassie. Thats what the brat Craig had said. Why hadn't he seen it before? Calling out a hit on the girl was just as good as killing her himself. He glanced at the clock. He had to get to Diagon Alley before the deed was done, who knew what this unbreakable vow would do if she was to die. Grabbing his cloak he was about to simply apperate, but than realized that apperating into Diagon Alley was not allowed at the moment.

With a Crack He apperated outside one of the security checkpoints. He walked up and an Auror stepped out blocking his way. "Let me pass!" Snapped Charles. "I don't have time for this." "Sorry sir." Replied the Auror, "But its proceeder." The Auror waved his wand and a soft glow circled Charles. After a bit the Auror seemed satisfied and allowed Charles to pass.

Charles nearly ran down the Alley. His sickness only growing. He burst into the Leaky Cauldron. The man he had sent hesitated, looking shocked at Charles entrance. Charles noticed Cass on the ground, in the throes of the Cruciatus curse, and Pyro and that Gryffindor boy just now going for their wands. Charle's wand was already in hand and he pointed it at the man. "Stupefy! Flippendo!" He yelled.

The first spell struck, making the man drop his wand. Just as he was about to fall the second spell hit blasting him back and into the back wall. The man crumpled to the floor, unmoving. Tucking his wand away Charles turned to Liam. "Much good of a boyfriend you are. Can't even protect your girlfriend from a simple attacker? Your even a disgrace to the Gryffindors." Charles turned to Pyro. "Gather your things. We are leaving."

With that he reached down and picked Cassie up by the arm and half dragged half carried her out of the bar.

[Liam Angelus G5]

Liam did his best to ignore Pyro until a chair slid out from the table. Liam didn't trust Pyro's motives for pushing the chair out. He wondered if Pyro had cursed the chair to do some kind of harm. Deciding he'd take the risk, Liam was about to sit down when Cassie kissed him. Liam was both surprised and glad at the same time. It was true, they hadn't had much time together, and Liam would still be with Cass, even if Pyro didn't like it.

As Cassie spoke, Liam tried to think of something to say. He didn't really like the idea of going to something that was formal, especially if it had anything to do with Pyro and his parents. Finally, Liam replied, "I'll have to check my calendar. Wait, don't have one, so I yeah I'll come, for you."

Liam was surprised to hear the man in the corner making such a loud commotion. He had thought that with all of the Auror's around that people of that nature would not dare say anything that would draw attention. When Liam noticed Cass was staring at the man, Liam looked to see what was happening. The first thing Liam noticed was the man's robes, his hood covering his face. Liam knew that wasn't a good sign of what was to come and placed his hand on his wand, slowly pulling it out of his pocket.

The next thing that happened terrified Liam to the point of death. The man had jumped on the table and shouted at Cassie. Before Liam could react, the man had sent one of the Unforgivable Curses at Cass, knocking her to the floor in great pain. Liam was relieved that it hadn't been the killing curse and quickly turned back to the man and was about to cast a spell of his own when Charles Blackfire entered the Leaky Cauldron. Liam noticed that he had been in some kind of pain and that the man who had cursed Cassie was surprised to see the Mr. Blackfire.

Liam did not say a word until Charles began to drag Cassie out of the Leaky Cauldron. "Wait," Liam called at the older gentleman. "I have a few things to say before you get to far. First, if you are going to take Cassie with you, you will not drag her behind you like a dead animal. And second, I noticed that you were in some sort of pain, and I noticed that that man did not expect you to be here. Therefore, I'm pretty sure you had some hand in this, I don't know how yet, but I will find out."

Liam began to push past them on his way for the door, stopping to say one more thing. "Oh and when is this event that you and your family are going to? I'd so like to be there."

[charlesb]

Charles stopped as if he had walked head first into a brick wall as the boy told him to wait. His eyes narrowed and his nostrils flared as the boy than went on to speak his mind. Charles whipped around to face the boy with agility that he hadn't even had in his prime. Charles fought the urge to draw his wand, figuring it would be a bad idea at this precise moment among this crowd. He could already picture the Aurors outside hurrying toward the building, attracted by the ruckus within.

He stared down at the boy, teeth clench. Even Pyro, one who never was afraid of his father, stepped off to the side after one look at his father's face. "I would watch that tongue of yours boy. You should be more careful than to make accusation that you have no proof for. Picture yourself in that mans situation." He said motioning to the unmoving body slumped against the wall. "Wouldn't you be surprised to see someone unexpectedly enter the area you entered?"

Charles hoisted Cass up so that she stood straighter and he was supporting her more comfortably. "You should consider yourself lucky that I am feeling a bit ill and came to fetch some medicine. Had I not heard the ruckus and came to see the problem, you surely would be dead right now." Charles sneered. "I feel like I have wasted enough words with you're kind of filth for now. I am sure Cassandra will fill you in on the details. Whether I wish it or not."

With a look that warned Liam to shut his mouth Charles spun back to the door. "Come Pyro." and with that he exited the bar.