The Bordeaux estate is the home of Varus Arminius, the famed English-German entrepreneur. He is one of the wealthiest men in the magical world and is power hungry. The house is based off the French estate of the same name owned by King Louis in the age of enlightenment. With countless hedges, fountains, gardens and galleries, the estate is massive. Varus Arminius also owns hundreds of house elfs , additionally he is also is in the house elf trade. The house has marble staircases and high pillars. He hosts countless high society parties at his home and engoys many famous guests. He spends many an idle afternoon on the terrace sipping a glass of sherry. It is the ideal aristocratic home.

Now the events that take place at the estate are mixed: Varus sits there and plots while others visit. This is where Varus holds countless meetings etc. If one wishes to contact him, make an appointment and he'll try to fit you in-if you meet his standards.

Blackstone walked up the long path to the front gate and spoke at it. "Varus, This is Blackstone. You mentioned that you wanted to speak with me?" I don't want to speak with you, but so it goes, he thought, pacing on the gravel.

Varus' butler walked in and told him of the news of the arrival of this Blackstone.
"He's here, eh? Bring him in, tell him to meet me in my study."

Nath waited on the edge of the grounds, prepared to come to Blackstones assistance at a moments notice, he was well hidden, against both eyes, and spells....

Blackstone was ushered into Varus' elegant study, filled with bookcases and posh, overstuffed chairs. "Very well, Varus" he said firmly. "I'm here. Now what do you want?"

"Oh, come in, come in."
The room was long, near 400 feet, and contained bookcases, overstuffed leather chairs, all in oakwood walls. Then in the back of the room, opposite a door, was a large wooden desk piled with papers and Varus seated behind it. Behind him was a great map of the world covering nearly the whole wall, being 20 by 50 feet. Varus turned his hand to the map and spoke.
"You see that map, Blackstone, that is the world which I created." Varus didn't really know why he said that, he wasn't God. Or was he...

"For these past 25 years I've labored, toiled, spilled blood and expanded by 'empire' to the limits...and for what? They say I might be the most powerful wizard in the world, definitely the wealthiest, and yet I have this most miserable feeling...I feel trapped!"
He slammed his fist onto the table at those last words, sending items flying.
"I can make the most powerful of wizards beg for mercy...and yet I can't even kill a stupid girl or a Texan security guard." A long pause lulled until Varus' eyes lit up.
"Did you think I couldn't? I mean, that I was unable? That I didn't have the nerve? Oh, I had it, keep those thoughts away, but I simply could not because you were watching. You see, Blackstone, I admire you: you get roughed up by a guy, you pull out your wand, cast a few spells and the man flees. You can look after yourself. But these friends of yours, this Nath claims to be imperioused right when the conversation goes awry, this John comes to England after a mysterious death and that Cat tries to claim she's descended from Trojans to make her feel as if she isn't completely an uneducated imbecile. Do you not see it? How can you honestly trust any of them? Do you wish to hear more?"

Blackstone paused and considered the matter, sitting in an overstuffed chair... softest dragon leather. "Nice world" he muttered, poring himself a glass of port. He was right to certain extent about his comrades. Could they be trusted? "But why should I trust you over them?" he asked. "Nath is my good friend, and after all, 'Blood is thicker than port'" he said, indicating his glass and taking a sip. He paused "...I stand corrected.."

Dragon lather chairs, fancy estates, world class port...

"So... go on."

Nath lay in the dark bushes at the edge of the rich estate...waiting...watching...hearing... various spells had he placed on Blackstone so that he heard every word, muffled, but still heard....

Varus chuckled at the port comment and poured a glass of Sherry.
"Here, if you need something lighter, take some Sherry."

"But uh, to the matter."
Then he pointed to the map and said
"This is why you should trust me. You see, Blackstone, to speak to, let alone hold a meeting with, a wizard of my prestige is quite the...opportunity. An opportunity that should be taken."

Varus began to speak until he heard a sound from outside.
"Wait one moment..."
Creeping to the window, he raised his wands to the bushes
"Incendio!"

"And I am taking that opportunity" he said, accepting the sherry. "So get to it. I still don't trust-" but he was cut off as Varus set a bush on fire, for whatever reason

Varus cursed under his breath and then pointed his wand towards the bushes again.
"Cistem Aperio"

Catastrophe had snuck in the grounds, when she had heard the the boys were here. Growling in anger, she saw a faint outline up- it was Blackstone and Varus? What was he doing up there? Surely he wasn't bad- he had told her-

Hissing, she saw someone move. Nathan! She looked up just in time to see Varus throw a spell at him.

"Nath, use Contego!" She whispered, using her sense to talk directly into his head.

"Whatever was that for?" Blackstone asked, afraid to know.

"I think someone is in those bushes, we're being watched"

Blackstone stood and looked out the window. He didn't want to be caught here. Unless it was.... He scanned the bushes.

Varus raised his wand to touch the temple of Blackstone.
"Alright, call of your minions, tell them to come out right now or I might have to do something..." and a grin broadened across Varus' face. "...unforgivable."

Blackstone calmly set down his sherry. "No idea. I don't even know whose they are." He turned to face Blackstone. "Why don't you go see? Being the world creating wizard you are."

"Oh yes, aren't I? Well Blackstone, I think this little game is up. Friendship offers come by only once, as well as people who insult me. Farewell, Blackstone...I'm sure your minions will stay hiding after they hear the words of the killing curse. Shall we? Avada..."

Before Blackstone knew it, Varus was trying to kill him. Unready, his wand sheathed, he didn't know what to do. Time slowed down as Varus pronounced the curse, and Blackstone grabbed the decanter of Sherry, without thinking, and swung it at him, spilling it all over as he leaped out of the way. "What have I done???" he exclaimed

"That was a '95 Amontillado!"

OOC: I think the Killing Curse was for me. Oh well.

Still talking. Cat sighed, her wand held out in front of her, ready for anything.

Suddenly, drama ceased.

"Oh, dear! That carpet was imported from Turkey! And the sherry! Why I...Oh, what am I doing?"

Getting back into a serious pose, Varus raised his wand and shouted
"Petrificus Totalus"

Spells.

Catastrophe gasped, but she didn't want to interrupt- okay, until she had heard the Unforgivable curse. That bloody-

Her wand hoisted up in the air, growling, she cried, "Expelliarmus!"

Blackstone ducked under a small table, landing in the sherry, then raised his wand. "Locomotor Glass!" he cried, sending the shards of the broken decanter at Varus.

"Reparo!" Varus shouted and the glass formed together again and landed safely.
"Petrificus Totalus" he repeated as he heard the cry
Twirling in time to dodge he looked over to see Cat.
"So you do come out? How my little plan worked so nicely. So where's that ugly American? Off to eat some chuck steak?" Varus laughed as he paced around the office.
"And what of that Russian? I saw him next to you, Cat. Oh yes, I knew you two were there this whole time, I was just dying to see that we can all get together and have a good time."