With the capture of Verandi Farley and several high-ranking Trossach members, the British wizarding world has finally caught a break. The rate of rogue werewolf attacks have started dropping at a steady rate and, hopefully, things will stay that way. The Ministry is starting to loosen some restrictions, like not arresting werewolves standing on the street for loitering, however there’s still an obvious power imbalance between wizardfolk and werewolves.
The Cotswolds pack are continuing to advocate for the rights of werewolves and petitioning to change the legislation that has been set in motion by the current Minister for Magic, whilst the remaining Trossachs members are trying to stay out of the spotlight and keep a low profile… for now.
Whilst the British wizarding world seems to have calmed down, the same cannot be said for over in Northern Europe where a rebellion of magical creatures has risen. The state of things has gotten so bad that the European Ministry has enacted protocols to protect those under eighteen whilst their adult witches and wizards fight to keep control of their countries.
Students from Durmstrang have been sent to Hogwarts to keep them safe and those not old enough to attend school have been sent to live with relatives or designated British Ministry officials outside of Europe for the time being.
Will the low rates of werewolf attacks in Britain continue? How long will Durmstrang students stay at Hogwarts? Will the creatures usurp the wizardfolk in Northern Europe? Only time will tell.
SEPTEMBER 2019 It's been a very long, eventful summer in the wizarding world. A baby was stolen, several high ranking Trossach members were imprisoned, and werewolf attacks have drastically dropped as a result. What will happen now school has returned?
MAY 2019 An attempt to capture the beta of the Trossachs has been launched. Were the Aurors successful in their mission? Go read more here!
Maximus pulled his cloak tightly around him before walking to the exit of the ministry with long strides. It was about time that the day was over. If there was anything he hated more than people popping their heads into his office asking pointless questions about ‘how is it going’ or some other stupid thing Max did not even listen to, and that was when he had to do paperwork. Therefore he could simply not wait he could finally leave the office. It was not as if he had anything to do once he got home though. If he was lucky, he might find his cat at home, but more often than not, even that was not the case as the cat liked to parade around the neighbourhood.
Not wanting to go straight home, he apparated to Diagon Alley instead where he went straight for the Leaky Cauldron. He had no patience left for dealing with muggle establishments at this point, but deposited himself on a stool at the bar, where he greeted the landlady, Mrs Longbottom with a short wave of his hand, motioning at the same time for his usual ‘starter’ of what might very well become a long night of more than a few drinks.
He had barely emptied his first glass when someone spoke next to him.
The shelves of Quality Quidditch Supplies, other than containing various books on famous players, techniques, drills, and brooms, also held a variety of knick knacks. Christian wondered as he browsed how many of them were actually useful. Were there quality checks? He picked up a jar of 'speed gel' and turned it once in his hand before setting it down and moving along. He found what he was looking for, Fleetwood's High-Finish Handle Polish and exited the shop.
Diagon Alley was uncharacteristically quiet with it being closing time, and Chris took a moment to enjoy the stillness. Over the last few weeks, he'd hardly left Hogwarts. What with classes and planning for Quidditch, he was swamped. Turning towards The Leaky Cauldron, he decided he deserved a little more peace.
He stood in the entrance a moment, taking in the room. His eyes landed on a man at the bar and he squinted. "Well I'll be." he muttered to himself before approaching @maximus. He leaned on the back of the stool next to the man, still gazing at him. "If it isn't Desford."
Maximus didn't bother to turn around when someone spoke next to him. This person even knew his name! Of all the people he didn't want to speak to right now, those who knew him he hated the most. "Well, if it isn't Mr I-like-to-butt-in-on-people's-peaceful-evenings," he replied annoyed while slowly turning to see who had disturbed him. He vaguely recognised the man. But that did not give him an excuse - Hogwarts acquaintance or not. "What do you want, Moore?" he asked with less venom in his voice, turning back to his drink and downing it. Immediately he waved for another one. If he was to have company, he'd have to be a bit better prepared. And small talk always made him thirsty. He mentally braced himself for the chatter that was sure to come.
Christian had to admit, he hadn't had all that much to do with Desford while they were at Hogwarts. It was a miracle he even remembered the boy's name, albeit, neither of them were boys anymore. Desford's face had thinned considerably, and it seemed that so had his patience, as Christian was immediately attacked by a notable amount of sass. Christian just smiled, hoping the moment was just due to a long day at work.
He was pleased when Maximus' voice softened, and took it as an invitation to sit next to him. "Same as you, I'd expect. Peace and tranquillity" Christian ordered a tea for himself and then turned back to Desford. He'd seen what the man had been drinking and, by the looks of things, had just ordered another. Everyone was entitled to their vices, as long as they weren't killing themselves for the pleasure of it. Even so, Chris wondered how many his old Hogwarts peer would knock back tonight. He grinned, "Although, from what you're drinking I'd say you're looking for a tranquilliser."
Maximus huffed when he saw the other man order a tea. The patience some people had... He dearly hoped that Moor did look for peace and tranquility, because that should mean that he didn't need to talk to the guy. "Whatever you want to call it. You just stick to your tea, Mister." With that he turned his attention back to his drink, which had just been placed in front of him. It always gave him a pleasant burn and made him feel warm, like a hug on the inside. Only that a normal hug was not something he actually wanted. People better stayed at a distance from him. And if his breath of alcohol was not enough to keep them away, his sourly attitude usually did the rest. Having emptied the glass in one gulp, he motioned for yet another one, but his brow creased a bit when he noticed that his vision was becoming blurry. He was used to heavy drinking, there was no way he was drunk after two shots already. He looked at the glass in front of him slightly cross eyed. "Woa," he commented on a nasty tilt of his vision. Had someone poisoned him?
Christian placed his hands around his teacup, pulling it closer to him. He watched Maximus throw back another drink, and wondered once again how long the man would be in this building for, throwing them back. It was something Christian could never imagine himself doing, but it was obviously a very real and common reality for the guy next to him and many others. Chris moved his gaze to his tea, emptying one spoonful of sugar into the cup and slowly, methodically stirring it around, letting the edge of the spoon scrape the cup as he put it down.
So Desford wanted to be left alone, huh? That was fine, he got it. "Alright bud, it was nice to see you again." Chris turned slightly away, sipping his tea. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Desford sway. When he heard him exclaim, Chris fully turned back around and was struck by the man's sudden change in behaviour. He put a hand of Maximus' shoulder, steadying him, "Hey hey... Are you alright, man?"
"Cheers," Maximus replied both in greeting as Moore had decided to drink his tea by himself and in celebration of the man's smart decision to leave him alone. He had been interrupted in his nightly contemplations often enough by one idiot or the other. All he needed was himself, his own dark thoughts and his drink(s). There was nothing else in his life and he didn't need anything else, he told himself firmly as a small ghost of loneliness turned its head at him.
The auror almost barely took notice of the hand on his shoulder when he had to do his best to keep his vision from spinning in dizzying circles. He blinked a few times, opening his eyes wide. This did not feel like poison but more like alcohol. But he'd only had two shots! Usually he'd be in this state after 10, maybe 8 if he hadn't had dinner! " Holy…," he exclaimed again, now feeling himself sway on the stool. He gripped the counter to keep his balance but a moment later he had to let go when he was suddenly vomiting violently. It was so sudden that he lost the last of his balance and toppled off the stool. Feebly he reached out a hand to steady himself on something or someone.
Chris tried not to take notice of the man's parting remark. He suddenly didn't feel like dallying in the pub. Maybe after he finished his tea he'd go back to Hogwarts and straight to bed. That's what he needed; a good rest. Maybe he'd ask the house elves to bring him coffee in the morning. Anything to get the brain going.
Desford did not look alright. He was drugged, or on drugs, or a severe lightweight... or something. With the help of his Quidditch reflexes, Chris just managed to jump back in time to avoid being vomited on. He grimaced and called for someone to get him some water before going around the toppled stool to grab the man. Christian pulled an arm around his shoulders, supporting him at the waist and began leading him over to a squat chair that would not fall if someone lost balance. As he walked, he looked around and asked, "What did you drink, Maximus?" He began going through reasons why this could be happening, and he cursed himself for not being a potions professor. What would a potions professor do?
Maximus let himself be steered to a steadier chair, the world still spinning around him. It wasn't as if he had much of a choice. He could barely keep his head up. The auror had been drunk enough to back-out a few times in the past. More often than he cared to count actually, but there was no reason for his body to betray him like this now. "I just… Just two," he tried to articulate around a heavy tongue that felt as if it did not belong in his mouth when he was asked what he drank. "It… I've never… never so bad," he brought out while still clinging to the other man's robes. He was trying his best to think of a spell which could end this, but how brain was too foggy to even make sense of what his eyes saw and where the floor and ceiling were. He desperately tried to pull himself together. This was ridiculous. There was no reason for this to be happening.
