Van had to catch himself so he wouldn't overbalance, his knee being what it was and all, but he got his footing fast enough and followed after, the slightest limp still giving him away, along with the cane of course, which had been innocuously leaning against the grime coated brick wall a moment before.

"Shutting one's mouth when talking isn't the most effective way of getting one's point across... Franklin." Evander followed implacably.

"Don't be ridiculous. It isn't a good colour on you. Neither is than unhealthy inferi pallor you're sporting. Is this a side effect, Franklin?"

Van ignored the 'salute'. He was currently in friend mode, not boss mode.

The game was over. Lore Shade had learned much of what e wanted to know. He had learned it on his trip to the Leaky Cauldron. Now he knew. Now it was time to spring his plan into motion.


Lore drew a small poster from his pack. On the poster was a picture. Strangly enough, this wanted poster was not of him. If this were Russia, ir most certainly would have been.

Lore drew his lips back spitefully. "Victor!" He snarled this out, causing a witch nearby to turn sharply and look at him.

Yes, Victor. He had been caught by the MLE. This was very bad news for Lore. Lore recalled that he had blabbed out his crimes to Victor. And now Victor was captured. And Lore was judging that Victor was as selfish as he was, and would try to use ANYTHING to his advantage.


It was time to do something. Lore raged at his own arrogance and at Victor's mistake. It was time to find a MLE...

Isobel did not generally like coming down Diagon Alley. It just wasn't her scene. But some times she really didn't like sending the YATI's down there. Not really. They were only little. But she knew they came down there. Of course they did. They were babies, they were curious. Izzy knew she had been when she was training. So she wasn't that clueless. Even if she was blonde. Well. Not right now. She was undercover. So really right now she was a nice red head. She liked it. Shje really did like it. It was a bit weird though. And probably did make her stick out a bit as she wandered through Knockturn Alley. Nothing much was going on really, and so she had taken to leaning against a wall, watching the alley.

Hmm. That was a little odd. Victor. That was the man that she had captured a couple of months ago. Interesting. Iz frowned, glancing around. Where was that collegue of hers? Typical for him to have disappeared when something interesting was going on. Shaking her head, she continued to watch this man.

Lore had already formed a plan. Or...more to put it, two plans. The first was faster and was as "risk free" as it could get. Lore almost laughed then and there. But the second plan would get him him something that he had wanted in the longterm. Either way, he would have to find a MLE.

He crumpled the poster and stuffed it back in his pack. And found himself staring at a lady who was leaning against a wall and who happened to be watching him.

Lore swore mentally at not having noticed this before. Had she seen the poster? If she had, then it was easy to assume that she knew who it was. So much for his assumption that people minded their own business in this Alley.

Lore took two slow steps towards her. "May I help you?" He curved his lips in an attempt at a friendly smile, though he knew it would appear more as a sneer. "Are you lost?"

While Nate's older sister Liz was in diagon alley she might as well sneak into knockturn alley. She doesn't like the idea, but she still went in anyways. Once she got in she heard some conversations. She hid behind one of the walls. She was trying not to make a sound to listen in on them. She was listening when all of a sudden she slipped, and rocks came tumbling from beneath her feet. She got up and pulled out her wand. She covered he mouth with her other hand to try not to breath loud. It was bad enough she already made a loud noise, but she could blow her whole cover if she got caught.

Lore's attention was distracted for a brief moment as he heard something falling behind the wall to his left eight feet away. He snapped his head in that direction. No one emerged from behind the wall however, and he didn't hear any other sound.

Had this person he was talking to brought company? Lore snapped his attention back to the woman he was talking to and pretened he hadn't heard anything. If this woman was spying on him, it seemed logical to assume that she had brought company. He didn't want her to know that he knew where that company was.

Liz looked around the corner to see a man and a woman. She then did a non verbal invisibility spell. After she did that she waited a few moments. She slowly walked down the steps to were the two people were standing. She started to listen in on them again. It seemed fine to her. Nothing to worry about. She then took about four steps back and revieled herself. Before she did that though she thought of a plan. She would act as if she just slipped while walking down the steps. She would then ask what they were talking about. Obviously if it was some sort of plot to go against the ministry it should be reported immideatly. So she then uncloaked herself. She moved back the four spaces to were she was standing before. She then asked "Excuse the interuption, but I was curios what you two were talking about. Oh and if you heard something that was me. I tripped walking over here."

Lore started studying this woman as he waited for her reply. He was starting to suspect more and more that she was a MLE. Who else would march right into Knockturn Alley and question someone for holding a wanted poster? Who else would have so poorly concealed back-up around the corner? Nonetheless, he would wait to see what entertaining answer she might give him.

And that was when a person appeared out of the corner of his eye. He snapped his head in her direction. Only a girl. He could have sworn that she hadn't been there before. Children didn't often wander in here, at least not the smart ones.

And then she spoke. Lore only thought a moment of how to answer her. Fully realizing that he might be under the eye of a MLE, he answered her with a smile "Oh nothing you would be interested in. Are YOU lost? You shouldn't be wandering around alone."

"Trust me I'm not alone. I have friends in high places." Liz says while looking at the top of the buildings. She then looks over at one building top completely and winks at it. It was as if someone was on top of it. Maybe there is maybe there isn't. It ws for her to now and for you to find out. "Anyways I was on my way to sell some acromantula venom. I will sell it to you if you want it. Anyways I have a question. Are you one of those filthy good wizards. Or are you a dark wizard trying to find out a way to make the ministry fall for what that filthy Harry Potter and them did to lord voldemort. You know some say there is a ressurection of voldemort out there somewhere. He is hiding....waiting for the right moment to destroy the ministy, and make the wizarding world bow down before him. Also to make the muggle world collapse." Liz was trying to do her best acting to convince the person that she was on her side.

For a second, Lore believed his suspicion confirmed that this barely out of school person was working with the MLE. But then she said the bit about having friends in high places. That did not seem like a police thing to say. It was not that Lore believed that all MLE's got their job through skill, but they certainly weren't going to admit that.

And then the wink: Lore followed her look to one of the building tops and stared. He didn't see anyone.

Turning his gaze back on the girl, Lore observed her as she began talking about selling venom. So...she was either a typical denizen of Knockturn Alley, or she was a fake-in which case she might still be a MLE.

And that was when she started asking him if he was a "filthy good wizard" and talking about Voldemort. Wha-haAT?? Lore listned with amazement to her statements, as he continued to watch the red head out of the corner of his eye. Well, he most certainly was not what any Ministry worker would consider a law-abiding person. Most in England did not know what he had done in Russia, though that would change with the publication of that book. Soon theyw ould know how he had tried to help topple the Russian Ministry with goblins. In fact, if Victor had blabbed, then people migth already know. And he DID plan to free Victor...or kill him, if freeing him was impossible. He couldn't take the risk that Victor would blabb. Not at this point. But he didn't care about a wizard known to be dead for ages.

"You are taking a big risk, talking about such things in public, to people you don't know. Most people don't like the mention of Voldemort." Now he really was interested to know who she was. But what about the red head? He didn't dare say anything now. "So I take it both of you are together?"

Liz saw the interest level growing in his eyes. She was starting to ease up on worrying now that she started to convince him. Then she heard him speak. "Why yes I know it's not good to do that kind of stuff but still." She then looked down at the ground for a moment. Then she heard the question he said. This was her reply "Why no I do not even know this person. That is what I was about to ask you. Are you two working together. And if I'm correct by you're accent you are from Russia. Correct me if I am wrong."

It's mot good to do that kind of stuff, but still? Lore had never been in Knockturn Alley before now, but he had assumed that at least some semblance of hiding who you were was still practiced by dark wizards and witches. Perhaps not.
"No, we just met. She was...interested(he said this with a small sneer) in a wanted poster I was holding." He held it out. He raised his eyebrows as she guessed where he was born.
"Yes...you are correct."

"Ok good. I could tell because of your accent. So what about the acromantula venom. Would you like it or not. I am selling it for half price. Fifty galleons. Unless the other person would wager more. Then of course you would have to wager more. Person who ends up with wagering the most gets it. So what do you say yes or no." Good this going acording to plan Liz thought.

Having received a message from Izzy to meet her in the back Alley, he had nipped back to his flat to get changed. He knew that 'back alley' meant Knockturn Alley, and they had both come up with disguises due to a previous incident with patrolling the Alley's. It wasn't something that they were aiming to repeat again.

So, dressed as a young, tall, lanky brunette - Jaxton moved through the crowds until he noticed Izzy - and two others. Hmm. They were both sneering and he didn't like the look of ... well, either of them if he was quiet honest.

Moving slowly down the stairs, he smiled at the red head. He slipped behind the other man so that he could stand next to her, before he wrapped his arms around her waist. "Hi, Maddie." He said with a soft smile, as he leant forwards to hug her properly and kiss her lips softly. "I see you've made new friends... I can't leave you alone for five minutes." He joked, smirking slightly as he looked them both over.

"And you are?" He said, a single eyebrow raised at the man and women who were standing in front of Izzy.

When Liz heard the other person speak she looked over at him. She examined him closely. "Why I am Liz Jones. But to you I am Elizibeth. The reason why I am here is because I have to sell some acromantula venom. Would you care to buy it off of me. The current bid is fifty galleons. So if you wish to buy it off of me just make a higher price. Even though no one bidded yet. That is the starting offer though." Liz said to the other man.

That was a fast change of topic. Venom? He might have need of it, although- but before he could say anything, a man approached them.


Lore stared at the newcomer as he approached. For a second Lore thought he was passing by, but then he had joined the red head, whom Lore now would call "Maddie". Now who was he?

"You may call me Lore. I was just having a chat with your... wife before your interruption." Heh "And you are...?"

"I'm guessing we all don't know each other. Well that justs makes it twice the fun." Now she had to change the topic back to merchandise. She took out her wand and took out a empty vial. With a non-verbal transfiguration spell the empty vial turned into a table. She then opened her coat to revial a bunch of vials with labels on them like acromantula venom, ageing potions, blood replenishing potion etc. She then set all of her vials out on the table. She then said "Would any of you like to buy one of my many potion merchandise? They are all curently half price. If so speak now. I won't offer again. Well for half price at least. I garantee you that you won't find this stuff half price anywhere else."

Things were getting awkward down here. There were two of them down here now. Isobel frowned, trying to glance around. She could manage on her own. But having him down there would be helpful. Ahh. There he was perfect. She didn't react, after seeing him from the corner of her eyes, and instead continued to watch the two people infront of her. Something was definetly up here.

Izzy jumped a little as she felt someone's arms wrap around her. She knew it was Jax, but she was pretending that she was surprised. "Spencer..." Iz giggled, a very girly, and unlike Izzy, giggled, as she turned around, hugging him tight. That was very unlike Izzy too. But hopefully it would keep up their disguises more easily. The kiss felt a bit weird, it was weird kissing someone that wasn't Wes, but Jax was a nice kisser. She'd have to tell him that later. "Oh you know me Spence..." She smiled brightly, slipping a hand into his. "I love making friends."

But back to business now. Isobel mused, watching as the women set up a table. Really? "Do you have a license to sell here?" Because Isobel knew that she would need one. She wasn't up for breaking her cover just yet though. Give it a few minutes.

She then looked up at the woman who asked her if she had her license. Then she thought only someone good would say that. Oh if I only had a way of telling her that I am good thought Liz. Looks like she had to transfigure a piece of paper into a license slip to sell stuff there. "Why yes I do. Let me just get it out of my bag." Liz replied. She turned around, and squatted underneath the table. She pulled out a piece of paper, and did a non-verbal spell to change it into a license slip for her to sell stuff. She then came back up and turned around. "Here is my license slip to sell here." She said while handing the one woman the slip.

Lore frowned slightly as "Maddie" greeted "Spencer." It was starting to look less fake, and more real. Maybe they weren't MLE's, perhaps they had just wandered down here. Maybe.

But then his suspicions were renewed in full force when she started badgering the witch about having a license to sell. In Lore's mind there were only two reasons why someone would be asking that: Because they were a nosy MLE, or because they just wanted money and were planning to use that information to blackmail. Or if they were just nosy.

He watched the witch as she squatted underneath the table. Strange place to keep a license... Why not take it out in full view?

"Yes...I might be interested in buying something. But first..."- And with this he turned and made a slightly mocking smile to the couple. "But first, out of coutesy, I suppose I'll let you two go first if you so wish." The sneer then vanished from his face, and he asked "And may I ask somethign about this poster?" He pulled out from his pack the poster of Victor. "I found this lying in a trash can, and couldn't help wondering why these poster can be found no longer. Was this man caught?"

Liz thought of what they should start off with first. She had to really think about this one. Then it came to her. She would auction off a drought of living death. She then said "Now that I showed my liscense, I can start." Next she pointed her finger at the draught "Shall we start out with the drought of living death. The starting price is let's say fifteen galleons. Anyone want to wager some more."

Ah. So right into it then. Apparently this witch did not share his feelings that these two people MIGHT be MLE's. Or maybe she wanted to find out like him and was watching their reactions. Lore put the thought in the back of his head for the time being...he would know what to do with it later.

"Draught of the living Death, eh?" He put extra interest into his voice and turned to watch Spence's face carefully, a smile tuggind at the corner of his lips. "Very interesting potion, wouldn't you two agree?" He turned back to the witch. Yes...this potion could be useful in his plans, althugh it wasn't on the top of his list. The Polyjuice Potion was what he wanted. But let's see what the couple would think.

"I accept your offer."

Looks like he is the first one to take the offer for the draught. Good. Maybe this would be easier after all thought Liz. Maybe I will be able to convince them I'm bad, then reveal I'm good and report it to an mle. "15 galleons going once!" Liz would wait a moment for someone to raise the price. People can get pretty high in prices with this type of stuff.

Roxanne pulled her hooded cloak tighter around herself as she stepped down into Knockturn Alley. Honestly, coming here had seemed like a good idea at the time, but now that she was here, she was having second thoughts. The place was giving her the creeps. But, it was the only place to get exactly what she needed. She sighed in irritation, silently lamenting the fact that something that wasn't really dark at all had to be hidden in a place so dark. She could feel the hairs standing up on the back of her neck and goosebumps covered her arms beneath the cloak. And was it just her, or were there eyes following her every move…?

Another one! Was she connected? Lore narrowed his eyes at her, trying to judge her by her appearance. She appeared to be...annoyed.