The Cover Up (Chandler)

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It was late, very late. The idea of one visiting someone else's home at the time of night was a foolish one to most. But then again, most weren't looking to discuss questionable business. The cover of night was quite appropriate for members of the Black Army, particularly if one of them was a respected member of the Ministry of Magic. Individuals like Chandler Somnia and Dathan Burke would never meet in public or during the day. Dathan would not visit Chandler at the Ministry and Chandler would not visit Dathan in Knockturn Alley. Any of those scenarios would cause suspicion, especially now that the Ministry had begun to investigate happenings caused by the Black Army.

But Chandler's home in the dead of night was quite suitable. No one would see them outside of perhaps some sleepless night owl. And such a "spy" could be dealt with easily enough. With his faithful wolf back at the shop to watch over things, Burke made his way to Chandler's house alone. It was best that way. He had arranged a meeting time with Chandler and anyone who knew Dathan knew he was never tardy. Therefore, he didn't knock, but simply stood and waited for Chandler to open the door to see if he arrived. Dathan was taking no risk, and even a knock on the door was taking one.

@chandler

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The door simply opened itself as Dathan knocked, the portal to Chandler's house being quite welcoming. The charm had been designed to invite in allies, bar foes, and make exceptions when Somniatis saw it necessary. As a ministry researcher, Chandler had quite a few duties to handle during the daytime. But considering the strides forward he had made in the field of the mind, the unspeakable had managed to gain quite a bit in way of privilege. Thus the man was able to pursue his little "projects" that inadvertently provided many mental test subject to further his understanding of the mind, as well as also working with his allies in the Black Army.

Sitting in his study, Chandler looked up from the tome which he had been scanning through, learning of more old theories that had been debunked but may still prove to be fruitful towards the learning process of his own. "Ah, Dathan, I imagine there is a reason that an owl was pecking at my window at the witching hour when I returned home the eve before last." His "real" voice of a nearly mono-toned nature, combined with that of a minor edge which hinted at the nature of what monsters hopped around in the dark corners of his mind.

Setting the book aside on his stand, Chandler summoned a biscuit to hand with his wand and took a rather sizable bite from the pastry before his posture indicated him being of more ease. "So does the dark army need anything of me?"

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Burke found the portal a clever idea. It was safe to say the two would not be disturbed. It was also good to know that Chandler considered him an ally. Burke always found it a bit iffy to have connections in the Ministry because he himself hated the Ministry and everything it stood for. He had come to trust Rylyn Conner, but was then on the fence about Chandler. But as with all who promised an alliance with the Dark Lady, Chandler's dedication to the cause would be proven in time.

"I couldn't tell you about the owl's business, Chandler," said Dathan. "But I think you know what we need of you." Burke then made his way over and seated himself.

"Minister Malfoy has begun a full investigation of our recent doings," he said. "Among them, the escape of Cora Veltrino. We knew the Ministry would be suspicious, but this magnitude of an investigation was unexpected. We're not prepared to deal with this at the present moment, and the slightest error could put all of the Dark Lady's plans in jeopardy." Dathan gazed at Chandler coldly. "We need a cover-up. We need to steer Malfoy's, Potter's and everyone else's attention in the wrong direction. We need any proof of our actions eliminated."

@chandler

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"Naturally." Chandler replied to Burke's explanation about not only the owl, but the army needing something of him. Grasping a cup of tea and taking a sip. Setting the small piece of cup-ware down, Somniatis then drew his wand and levitated it towards Dathan.

When Dathan finished up saying what they needed, Chandler replied, "tea, Mr. Burke?" Before setting down the book which he'd been reading on a side-table. Standing up from his comfortable seat, Somniatis stood up and walked towards a window, taking a comforting look into the empty black sky. "What do you expect me to do, however, Mister Burke?" Pausing for a brief moment and looking back with his token half-smirk.

"I am, after all, a simple unspeakable, I don't have so much pull in the Ministry as to get to Malfoy through typical means." Chandler then picked up a book and pretend to study the cover before muffled shouting could be heard from the next room. "oh, pardon me." Striding towards a nearby cupboard, cracking the door slightly before pointing the tip of his wand in there. With an incantation, a flash, and a bang, the shouting was silenced, and Chandler returned to his seat.

"Boggart, haven't gotten around to removing it yet." Despite that clearly not being a boggart, evidenced by more than the very un-boggartish ways to handle the creatures. Something was already in mind for how he was to go about this, it was risky, but it would certainly work out.

When Chandler finally got that all taken care of, he then returned his attention to the subject at hand. "So specifically, WHAT would you ask of a simple unspeakable to do in this situation, are you sure this isn't a job for.... SOMEONE ELSE." Placing a heavy emphasis on his final two words, hoping that Burke would catch what Somniatis was implying at the time.

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Burke accepted the tea, nodding in thanks. He didn't actually enjoy saying the words "Thank you".

Dathan watched as he silenced the "Boggart". He hardly believed that this was what the creature actually was given how Chandler handled it. But whatever the hell it was, Burke felt it was Chandler's business as long as the creature didn't get loose and attack Burke. Dathan simply nodded again when Chandler explained.

Burke was crystal clear on what Chandler was saying, and the man was right. They didn't need Chandler the Ministry Official. They needed Chandler the criminal. Burke thought over some scenarios that could distract Malfoy and the Order, and smirked a bit when he came up with something.

"Perhaps a murder... or better yet a kidnapping," he said. "I believe the abduction of someone or importance the Ministry would throw the forces of light magic off while the Black Army goes about its business." Burke then thought again. "But not someone of too much importance. As you are obviously of value to our ranks, we don't want the heat on the... mysterious kidnapper... to be too intense. So perhaps an Auror maybe... or better yet an Auror-in-Training. I don't see one of those inexperienced fools giving you too much of a hassle. Along with that, I can payoff an assistant for you, and said assistant can be your fall guy should your victim be found." Burke then formed a wicked smile. "If we play this game correctly, the fall guy can be blamed for the other crimes, and we'll have our cover up after all. And if this individual tries to run his mouth... the Army will quickly shut it."

@chandler

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Of course, the "boggart" was one of his selected victims who was a well-versed Occlumancer. Thus, his usual techniques, using the Legilimens spell to discern an individual's worst nightmares, then forcing them to live it until they died of cardiac arrest, would not be an option. At least, not an easy one. Of course, these little private matters were things that he was sure members of the Dark Army were aware of, but for the most part chose to not become involved in.

Immediately, his nearly blank face turned upwards into a malicious grin, the face of the boogy man. "A kidnapping, oh Dathan, you are speaking about something quite risky." Turning around once more and moving for the brandy, Chandler poured a glass and took a sip. Smacking his lips with some satisfaction, before mixing the drink a bit at the bottom of his liquid container, Somniatis poured the remains into his cup of tea and asked, "so do you have someone in mind?" Before taking a bit of a larger gulp from the tea.

"Because if not, I have a particularly pretty little face that I've been wanting to see contort in the ecstasy of my nightmares, especially considering just how disgustingly chipper she is." He wasn't too terribly concerned about being captured, after all, he'd been capturing and killing for nearly his entire adult life, the ministry would be hard-pressed to find the boogy man this time, just as any other occasion on which he'd found a victim to target.

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(Wrapping up on my end)
Dathan smirked when Chandler said the idea was risky, eying the direction of the "boggart" again for a brief second.

"Risk is the Black Army's business," he said coldly.

Dathan raised an eyebrow at this. Chandler already had someone in mind. That would certainly be a convenience. Burke liked efficient people like him.

"Very well then," he said. "I'll send my man to assist you tomorrow evening. Do keep my posted on the progress."

Dathan soon rose and bowed a little to his ally.

"Your hospitality this evening has been commendable, Chandler," he said. "You have my gratitude. Unfortunately I must now return to my shop and tend to other matters." He then turned and headed toward the exit.

@chandler