Once I Had Something To Lose {Open}

[COLE LORICK PIERCE]

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Cole strolled quietly down one of the many cobblestone alleyways in knockturn alley. His black polished shoes making soft clicks against the ground beneath his feet. Today he wore a black suit with a red collared under shirt and a basic black hooded robe. The night air gave him no chill, in fact he rather enjoyed it. The stars above easily seen by his sharp gaze as he glanced up at them briefly. A light almost silent chuckle leaving his lips. Raising the hood he momentarily hid his face from the view of others, keen on staying unnoticed while on errands.


Beside him on a lamp-post, a raven cried, the sound piercing the ever silent night. Raising an arm he allowed the pet to flutter down and rest there, it's beady black eyes surveying the street. Delicately stroking the feathers he provided the creature with a piece of meat as a simple treat. "Have a nice flight today Lithium? I hope you kept the others in check." He mused to the bird, his voice coming out gravely and modulated. Knowing full well he didn't have the affinity for speaking with animals he gave a half smile at her coo'd reply.

[NORA HELENE CRAWFORD]

Nora hated traveling down to Knockturn Alley, but it was part of the job. As an Auror-in-Training she had to do multiple tasks. For the past few months she had been assigned to work at Hogwarts, but she was reassigned to Knockturn to relieve some of the effort there. The Black Army had been on the rise and now was faltering due to their lack of headquarters, though Nora and the rest of the world knew they still existed. Since Knockturn had lightened up slightly, Nora was permitted to run rounds there. The rounds during the night, though, were the worst.

As she moved through the darkness, her cotton hat cupped the back of her head and her coat kept her warm. February was bitter in the nights. She was used to it from her rounds at the castle, but it didn't make it any less uncomfortable. Nora spotted a man ahead and approached him delicately. "Evening," she said, nodding at him. She stopped in front of him and peered up at the raven on his shoulder. That wasn't an everyday sight - but, then again, this was Knockturn Alley.

[COLE LORICK PIERCE]

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Cole was alerted first to the woman's presence by his raven screeching in his ear. Turning his green gaze to the woman he glanced over her appearance and narrowed his eyes. She didn't look like the type to be in Knockturn Alley, especially at this time of night and alone at that. Squaring his shoulders he touched his pet upon the head, silencing her loud squawks. He didn't like the raven making loud noises in the dead of night, it could attract unwanted attention from others.

Hearing her speak, a single word in greeting to him he pursed his lips in brief thought. Then, instead of returning the greeting he merely raised a dark brow and uttered a question. "Are you lost?" That had to be the answer, didn't it? Lost in knockturn alley seemed logical to him but then again looks can be deceiving and she could be here for some reason or another.

[NORA HELENE CRAWFORD]

Nora didn't like the tone in which the man asked if she was lost. It wasn't full of concern or even simple curiosity, but more so a 'leave me be.' She scoffed. "Far from it, I'm afraid," she responded coldly. Nora didn't need to explain herself to him, nor did she need to reveal who she was with. There was no secrecy there, though. The Ministry's presence in Knockturn wasn't a secret from anyone and they weren't trying to make it so. In fact, it was the opposite. They were there to stand their ground and prove a point - they weren't going anywhere. "What business do you have at this hour?" she mused.

[COLE LORICK PIERCE]

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"What do you care of my business in Knockturn alley? It is after all my business." Cole replied and smirked, his fangs visible for a brief second before the smirk faded. "Besides, you are the one who ought not to be out at this hour. Don't you know it's not safe here?" His tone was slightly taunting, and he gave a short laugh. Straightening up he then held out a hand in all seriousness. "I'm Cole." Thinking to introduce himself he merely said his first name and only that. No 'nice to meet you' or anything because he didn't much like other people especially strangers.

[NORA HELENE CRAWFORD]

Nora raised an eyebrow. "My apologies for inquiring then - keep it your business," she answered. It really didn't matter too much to her what his business was; in fact, she merely asked the question to keep the conversation going. Half of her was glad she wasn't alone, and the other half of her feared the man who stood towering over her petite frame. She had spotted the bottoms of fangs when he smirked, tipping her off to the fact he was a vampire. Nora was strong considering her job, but vampires weren't like wizards you could just take down. They were much stronger than wizards, and they didn't even need a wand to be so. His taunting demeanor only made her harden more. "Danger is my job," Nora answered plainly. She looked down to his hand, half-tempted to say something along the lines of 'oh now you're cordial?' but she knew it would not do her much good. "Nora," she said softly, taking his hand. She looked up into his face and gave a brief smile before letting go of his hand and biting her lower lip. She knew not what to say; she didn't want to say anything that might make him act upon his instincts.

[COLE LORICK PIERCE]

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Cole narrowed his eyes at the way she said 'danger is my job'. "Oh? Danger is your job hm?" His tone had gotten slightly colder as he released her hand, moving back a few steps. His gaze swept over her once again and he found himself smiling, a rather feral smile. "You look and sound very official, do you know that. Almost like those fools at the ministry." His fangs gleamed in the low light before the smile was once again gone. He was very good at masking his emotions, centuries of practice and all. Moving his arm so his pet would hop onto is wrist he then let her fly off, dismissing her for now. Folding his arms behind his back he moved, a blur to the human eye as he then stood behind her. "Do you work for those ignoramus' at the ministry, Nora?" Another blur of movement as the sentence ended he was now standing to her left. His calculating stare still trained upon her in a wary fashion.

[NORA HELENE CRAWFORD]

Nora knew it - her cover was blown. Or was it? She didn't know, but she did know that the pounding of her heart would be clearly heard by his vampire ears. She tilted her head to the side and closed her eyes. "No," she said solemnly. Remember your training. "But regardless, my job is no business of yours," she said and opened her eyes, glaring at him. "If you'd be so kind, I actually need to get going to my appointment," she said and looked toward him, a slight warning glint in her eyes.