Selling out ( Charles Blackfire)

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

(( Just to let everyone know. This is Craig, not Cassie. I was having a hard time posting as a guest.))

Craig Blackfire parted his blonde hair in the mirror and surveyed his appearance. He couldn't of looked better what with his dark blue robes. Straightening his cloak, he headed downstairs in a rush. It was nearly noon, and even though he didn't far to go, he did not want to be late to meet his uncle. Why Uncle Charles picked the Hogshead, he didn't know. It always seemed like that place attracted the worse sort, and he really didn't want to be around those types of people.

"Craig, where are you going?" Broken out of his thoughts, Craig turned around to see his sister, Cassandra, staring him down under her black hair. Those green eyes seemed to pierce his thoughts sometimes. He could tell that she would someday grow up to be a formidable witch, but did formidable witches run around in muggle band t-shirts and ripped up jeans? No, absolutely not. That was something else that he would need to speak to Uncle about.

"Nowhere, mind your own business." Turning around to open the door that led outside he added, " And Cassandra change out of that rubbish. You look like squalor." Cass' look of surprise forced its way on her face. He didn't get to enjoy it though. As soon as he walked out of the door, he apparated out of existence.

Craig soon appeared in front of the Hogshead. Walking into the pub, he watched as many faces turned towards him. He wasn't a regular, and hoped not to become one. Sitting down at a table in the back of the room, a surly waitress came up and asked what he wanted to drink. Ordering a firewhiskey, he sat back in his chair rehearsing the speech he had prepared for this meeting.

[Charles Blackfire]

Charle's cloak whirled out behind him as he walked out of his manor. Just like Hogwarts, the Blackfire Manor had the anti-apperating charm around it. Charles found it a bother a times, since he had to walk outside to apperate, but at least this way he was sure no one could just "Drop in" and surprise him. Charles had made many enemies, and he was still making them. Plus he greatly enjoyed depriving the higher ups in the Death Eater ranks the pleasure of apperating right beside him and startling him. The giant double front doors opened at his approach and he stepped out onto the front yard. The ground crunched under his heavy footsteps as he walked to the middle of his large front yard. Than with a "Pop" He disappeared.

With another "Pop" Charles appeared in front of the Hogs head. Charles twirled the cane he held in his hands as he looked at the pub. He grinned to himself as he thought about who he was about to meet. It appeared that his brother had managed to flee the wizard world and make it to safety. Charles had hopped that he and his wretched wife would have disappeared for good, and it seemed like that had happened. Now, so many years later, the family had resurfaced. Apparently his dear brother was dead now, and his wife changed her name back to Blackfire. This made Charle's blood boil in rage. Where did this woman get the nerve to think she could just simply retake the name!

Before he could get any madder Charles stepped forward and entered the pub. A few looks were cast at him but than the owners returned to their drinks. Charles looked about the pub and easily recognized his, "nephew." He had a head of blond hair, just like most of the male Blackfire's. Charles stepped up to the table just as the waitress took the boy's order. Charles stuck his cane out and stopped her from walking away. "I will have the same." He looked deep into the womans eyes. "And do make it quick. I'm in a impatient mood." The look in his eyes unnerved the woman and she bustled off.

Charles sat down at the table without invitation. He slid off his cloak and hung it over the chair. Than turned and looked at the boy across from him. From underneath the table Charles drew his wand and held it at the ready. He did not know what to expect from the boy. Was the boy going to make an attempt at his life, for revenge purposes? Charles was always sure to have all angles covered, and so it was that two of the patrons in this very room were Death Eaters here to watch his back. Charles looked at the boy. "Well boy? You called this meeting. Speak your business."

[Craig Blackfire]

Craig watched the door nervously as he waited for his Uncle to arrive. Finally, the door opened and Charles Blackfire stepped into the pub with a flourish. Craig watched as the man exerted his presence over most of the people in the pub, and walk over to the table. Dispensing with the niceties, he sat down at the table as he cornered the waitress for a fire whiskey. Straightening himself up, he noticed that Charles looked a lot like his father, except with long hair and a angry scowl on his face. His father had always been a cordial, happy man, even in his dying days.

The waitress soon brought the drinks and did a double take at the two men. Craig did look like a Blackfire, and he knew it. To tell the truth, the only person who didn't look like a true Blackfire was Cassandra. Cass' black hair and dark features clashed widly against the fair headed, blue eyed family. However, as a Gryffindor, she was the true black sheep of the family.

Clearing his throat for a moment, Craig spoke up. " Yes, Charles." Craig felt ackward using his Uncle's first name, but wasn't quite sure how else to address him. " I have an offer for you. The safety of another for the whereabouts of another."

[Charles Blackfire]

Charles could see the nervousness in the boy in front of him, Craig was his name if he remembered the owl right. Charles watched Craig with a wary eye. The want under the table pointed at Craig and ready to go at any moment. Charles glanced at the waitress as he arrived with their drinks. The glare in his eyes made her visit a short one as she quickly left. Charles picked up his glass and sipped on the drink. Charles set the drink down on the table with a clunk. It was than Craig began to speak.

Charles listened to his words. When Craig stopped talking there was a long moment of silence. Charles made no move, his appearance didn't change at all. So the little twerp had a offer for him? The safety of another for the whereabout of another? No doubt the boy wanted to save his own skin. Charles had to guess at that.

"Oh really? And I presume the one who wishes to remain safe is you?" Asked Charles in a simple manor.

[Craig Blackfire]

Craig took a sip of his whiskey and let it take its effect. To tell the truth, he had been drinking a bit before this meeting because of his nervousness. Feeling some of the alcohol take effect, he began to speak. "No, actually not me. Someone else." Pausing a moment, he ran this offer through his head once again. Was what he was doing the really smart thing to do? " Cassandra for my mother. I will tell you where my mother is for your vow that you will not harm or let harm come to her in any way. She is the only real innocent here, and even though I know you will come after mother and I relentlessly, she should not be harmed in any way." Craig finished his spill. He picked up the glass and downed the rest of the fire whiskey in one gulp.

"Now, I know that is not what you had in mind, but this is very important. She was not even born when father and you began this bitter feud, and it shouldn't be taken out on her." Craig stopped and looked up, wanting to see his Uncle's reaction.

[Charles Blackfire]

Charles' eyes went slightly wide at Craig's decleration. Another moment of silence passed as Charles thought this over. So his brother had had another little twerp. So Craig wanted to sell out his own mother to protect this other girl, this Cassandra. Charles took another sip of his firewhisky. "This Cassandra. How old is she?"

Charles looked at Craig and made sure his words reached through. "And I take it by 'make sure no harm comes to her' you mean I take her in?" Charles leaned back and looked pointedly at Craig and waited for a response.

[Craig Blackfire]

Craig shrugged his shoulders as he threw two pictures across the table towards Charles. One was a muggle picture of Cassandra in a pair of jeans and a tshirt. She was younger, probably in her first year. The second was a wizarding photograph. Cassandra laughed and smiled in her Hogwart's uniform. This was taken the day she returned home from school. " That is Cassandra. Actually, she is your son's age, and in the same year. Apparently, they met earlier in the year and became pretty good friends. Started a whole bunch of rumours apparently." Craig looked at the moving photo and saw her wink at her Uncle. " You can take her in if you want to. I'm just saying it's your responsibility. However, it would be quite scandalous if the mother of Cassandra Blackfire suddenly ended up missing and her Uncle wouldn't take her in."

Craig became a bit more forceful with his Uncle. "... and I don't mean for this to be taken lightly. I'm talking the Unbreakable Vow, Charles. The vow will be worded in such a way that it would have to honored in the event of my death." Craig looked up to see the effect of his words.