The Great Escape (Cora)

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Dressed in his own gray worker's attire, Dathan Burke looked down at the man who was originally supposed to bring Cora Veltrino her dinner... or rather what was left of him. Using a rather cruel curse, Burke had roasted him a live and all that lied there was a chard skeleton. Burke stared a moment, showing little emotion, and then placed on his cap and headed down the hall to the cells. A guard stopped him and looked him over.

"Where's Mick?" asked the guard.

"Went home early," said the disguised Dathan. "Had a rather nasty burn I'm told."

"Well then," chuckled the guard. "I don't envy you, havin' to deliver that food to Cora Veltrino. Careful, she's capable of anything, with or without a wand."

"So I hear..." said Burke before he went on his way. The guard followed and unlocked the cell.

"I'll be just out here," said guard. "Any trouble, you just yell." Dathan nodded and stepped inside.

Once out of earshot of the guard, Dathan removed his hand to reveal himself to Cora. Opening the covered "food tray", he revealed two wands, one for each of them, along with two bottles of Polyjuice Potion. He tossed one wand to Cora.

"Hide it and play along," he said. He then stood back and had a mock look of terror on his face. "Help me! Help me! The dark witch! She's put some kind of wandless curse on me!" The guard outside and another quickly ran into the trap. Dathan performed the Killing Curse on his, and hoped Cora would make quick work of the second one. Dathan bent down and plucked a hair from the guard he eliminated and placed in the potion bottle.

@cora

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Cora was bored with her life, if she had known that there wasn’t much to do in Azkaban she would’ve avoided it all together. Sure she got to cause harm to the guards ever now and then but they had wands, and after the last time she managed to steal one and cause havoc before returning to her cell herself they began leaving them at the watch tower. To see the cell open and thought oh goodie, fresh meat, of course she hadn’t recognize the voice right away so she was prepared to scare the living daylight out of the newbie.

As he entered the cell she smirked, her old friend had come to visit her. He told her to play along and of course she did, curious to see where this would go she pocket the potion vial and hide the wand out of view. When the guards came rushing her eyes went wide as Dathan quickly casted the killing curse and she smirked “I see old age hasn’t slowed down her reflexes” she of course casted the curse on the guard also frowning. She wouldn’t have time to play with her prey at the moment but if she was really being broken out, she have more chance to torture people.

“I really hate the taste of this stuff” she said as she added her hair and shook up the potion as if that would make it taste better. Of course the guard she had, had to be the creepy one “Of course’d get stuck I looking like the creepy guard” she laughed and stepped out of the cell, it felt good knowing that she would actually escape.

@dathan

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Dathan drank his own potion and grimaced at the taste. It had been some time since he tasted the stuff. Once he transformed to look like the guard he killed, he began changing clothes with the guard.

"Well, you still sound like Cora Veltrino, so do stay quiet and hurry up," he said. "Polyjuice Potion doesn't last long, and we need to get out of here and be well on our way back to London before they notice these two are dead."

Dathan had also been smart enough to come at the time when the guards shift was changing. That way, he and Cora could leave as the guards normally did, and have the time it took for the new guards to be stationed and even bother to look in the cells. And Burke was sure most guards weren't in a hurry to look in on Cora. She was beautiful, but even Burke found her scary as Tartarus.

(Hope this next part is okay. Just getting them out of there, haha)

When the guards all exited and awaited the ferry to go home, Dathan grabbed Cora by the arm and pulled her away toward a hidden, smaller boat. Dathan had a spell that would make the boat move itself and rapidly.

@cora

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Cora rolled her eyes but kept her mouth shut, honestly he was lucky she was grateful, she twirled the wand she held and the clothes from the guard appeared on her. She missed the feel of magic, but her time in Azkaban had helped her with her physical defense and the such. Of course she found way to kill a guard or to without magic, it was just more messy. They finally reached outside the prison and she was quickly lead to a boat that began to rapidly move towards civilization.

The potion finally began to fade away and she quickly “magiced” her clothes back on her and she looked awful in the prison garb. The ride was silent and she felt the need to break it, mostly because Dathan was the only company she had in about three years. “What has My lady been up to recently?” of course she felt out of the loop. She had been unable to do anything in the Dark Lady’s names or just for the sake of cruelty and she felt out of practice, perhaps Dathan would be able to make a short shop for a midnight killing spree…even if it was way past midnight. She could see the shore coming closer and she was grateful….boat travel made her seasick.


@dathan

Occ: I sped up the travel a little bit hope its okay.

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(No problem)

Dathan did as Cora did when the Polyjuice Potion wore off. He changed his guard uniform back to one of his black and gray suits. He figured Cora was in the mood for a bit of fun, but right now it was all about business. They needed to get back to the shop and get to work. Cora might have been twenty-five levels of crazy, but she was of great value to both Dathan and the Dark Lady now. However, that would be discussed when they got back. Well, after Dathan had calmed himself with a glass of whiskey. He needed it now.

Burke turned to her as the boat rapidly made its way toward London now. She asked about what the Dark Lady had been up to recently.

"Much," said Dathan. "The period of planning is rapidly coming to at an end and now the action is about to take place... just you've escaped just in time to begin doing what you do best. My man Conner had smuggled me the Possession Pearl, and that along with what I speak with you about tonight will be two special treats for those at Hogwarts."

Soon, they arrived at the docks and Dathan stepped off, offering Cora a hand.

"A hidden entrance to Knockturn is not far from here," he said.

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Cora pouted slightly as Dathan seemed to be all about business today, apparently he hadn’t broken her out for a night on the town which was ashamed. She always thought Dathan was so grumpy because of his tendency to be a stiff. She was also one hundred percent sure that finding a witch to put up with him would solve that problem really quick. None the less she took his offered hand and climbed out of the boat, it was a relief to be somewhere other than Azkaban.

“I’m glad you broke me out, the whole prisoner scene was getting kind of boring”

It was hard to keep her mind serious when the plan wasn’t set in motion or being planned. She knew her brain was a bit scrambled but that didn’t hinder her use as a solider in the black army. She didn’t think of her self as a mere solider but as an important part of a movement. One that would hopefully let her have some fun with the innocent.

“Do hurry Dathan, I assume these plans and surprises involve me having more than a bit of fun” she said as she non-verbally casted a glamour. It would do no good to be seen after her fresh break out and she would be damned if she was taking the polyjuice potion again. That was the most horrid tasting potion ever created but it was ingenious none the less.

@dathan

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Dathan smirked as Cora said the prison scene was getting old.

"I trust it was," he said. "I'm still shocked that you allowed that old madman Grimp to capture you. In my humble opinion, you got too messy last time, Cora. I hope your long stay in Azkaban has give you enough time to think about how to improve yourself once you got out. We have no room for mistakes this time." Burke knew deep down that Cora was a brilliant Dark Witch last go around, and that even he was capable of getting over confident and sloppy in his schemes. But he said all that to her to make it clear that to screw up this time would cost the entire Army a great deal.

Dathan did hurry, and said nothing to her until they entered Knockturn Alley and then his shop. It was then time to get down to business.

"Your ancestor, Victoria Veltrino, made a potent and powerful version of the Living Death Draught," said Dathan. "No other version has come near what it can do. However, she mixed in a secret ingredient, and that secret has remained in your family... but we need to know what it is now. We need that Draught."

(You can be vague about the ingredient if you want.)

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Cora rolled her eyes “Oh please my only mistake was not killing that old hag right along with my dearly departed husband” She understood she got messy and she smirked “That maybe so but im the only dark witch or wizard that has managed to permanently injure one of the greatest dark wizard catchers ever” With that they entered the shop and she went straight to the place where he kept his drinks.


It had been awhile since she had anything Alcoholic and she treated herself to a glass while he spoke. They needed the secret ingredient that her ancestor used in her potion adapting. She had seen where this was going the moment he mentioned the potion. “Yes I know what you are talking about and I have the ingredient back at the manor.”

She laughed a bit cynically “How upset do you think the Aurors would be if they found they over looked the ingredients when they check my supposed manor. Anyways the decoy manor doesn’t have the ingredient and I have to visit the goblins.” she said in a serious manor, she knew the goblins would help her out for a price and she was more than willing to pay.

@dathan

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Burke had to agree. Cora had forced Grimp into retirement. But she should have killed him. In his retirement, he could be more of a thorn in their side than when he was an Auror.

"You didn't kill him," said Burke. "Instead, you sent him to Hogwarts, where he now teaches students to both despise and defend themselves against the likes of us. In other words, he is potentially spawning more like him to combat us. But why go on about the past. I certainly didn't free you to remind you of your shortcomings in your younger days."

Dathan was pleased to hear that Cora had the ingredient and could obtain it. He wasn't crazy about seeing the goblins, though they had their uses. And he wasn't crazy about the risk of her being out and about too much for the time being. The authorities would be looking all over for her and posters with her face would be everywhere.

"We'll have to meet them after nightfall," he said. "And probably drink more of the Polyjuice Potion. I have hair samples from others in the back, which I use for such occasions." Dathan then poured himself a whiskey. "Drink?"


@cora

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Cora sighed but accepted the drink, they didn’t want to offend the goblins by going in concealed. He obviously had no idea what the goblins would do if they insulted them like that. “Well have to right a letter and ill use a glamor, being polyjuiced would convince them we were thieves after the whole potter/bellatrix thing they upped their security. A letter and arranging a meeting would be best, that way I can just use blood to prove who I am.’ She said in an informative manor. She summoned a piece of paper and began writing the letter. The sooner she got to the goblins the sooner she could be in her real home, hiding and plotting.

Taking a sip of her drink she handed Burke the letter and looked around, not a thing had changed within the short time she had been in prison. Although Dathan hadn’t intended he struck a cord with her about that grimp and she vowed to finish him when she met him again. She hoped their were sleeping arrangements and also food, she looked at Dathan in with a questioning glance. “Now that that’s out of the way, forgive me for being a girl but I need a shower…Azkaban isn’t good with hygiene or nutrition. She said flipping her hair back…she was still beautiful though.

@dathan

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Cora was right on this. The goblins were a fickle, suspicious lot. But at the same time, they could care less about shady businessmen and escaped convicts as long as they were well paid.

"Fair enough," said Dathan, not daring to admit he was wrong. "But I still prefer it takes place after dark. The goblins may care less about who we are, but nosy passersbys will, especially if they kiss up to the Ministry... or seek to be well rewarded for your capture."

Dathan said nothing as Cora announced she was going to take a shower. He cared little about her minor issues in Azkaban. However, he would conjure up some food for her when she got out. She did miss dinner after all due to what Burke did to the server.

Later... (hope this is okay)

All was arranged and it was time to meet with the goblins. Dathan was cautious and eager at the same time. They would finally have possession of the key ingredient to the Draught, and from there it would be near time to strike Hogwarts. So much time... so much waiting... and now it would all be worth it. Dathan stood and waited for Cora, looking out into the night. He would have to eliminate the lights on the street. It would mean walking in utter darkness, but it was a necessity.

@cora

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Cora glamoured herself and stepped out into the darkness waiting for Dathan to follow. Even though It was a short walk it was a quiet giddy one for her. She was only twenty five and had spent the last three to four odd years imprisoned. Walking out on the street filled her with extreme pride and also excitement, she couldn’t wait for the dark lady to take over so she could walk about without fearing imprisonment. Of course she was never going back to that place and with the retirement of Grimp nobody would be able to capture her again, at least one she brushed up on her skills.

Upon reaching the bank they quickly walked in to the desk, the goblin gave her a look and she rolled her eyes. “I have an appointment with Barchoke.” the goblin was about to ask her name when the goblin in question walked in. “Ahh, right this way Ms. Hill” Cora raised an eyebrow but motioned for Dathan to follow the goblin into his office.

When they reached the office Cora got straight to business, “Barchoke firstly thank you for you time and also the privacy, I wish to access my families true manor, as you know I put it under lock when I suspected the Aurors were after me and also could you take this from vaults?” she gave the banker a letter and the goblin asked for a sample of her blood and she complied, once her identity was confirmed the goblin left to get her stuff.

When he returned she was handed a box and also a portkey to her manor, she thanked the goblin for his time and recasted her glamour and walked out of the building “Well Dathan shall we take a visit to my home?” she said with a eye waggle clear in her voice before laughing in quiet hysterics.

@dathan

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Dathan waited out the scene patiently. This was now Cora's picnic and he would respect that. She would call the shots and make all the arrangements with the goblins. Dathan would simply sit and observe. The top priority was to get the ingredient, and because of that Dathan would keep his ego in check and not try to take charge.

When all was taken care of and Cora got what she wanted, it was time to leave. Dathan sighed as Cora asked him the rhetorical question.

"Enough with the theatrics, Cora," he said. "We still have a long night ahead of us. After we obtain the ingredient, we are to prepare the Draught. I've had the other ingredients shipped to me in mass." Before he touched the portkey, he looked at Cora once more time. "Are you quite sure the Ministry believes that the other manor is yours and that no one has been keeping an eye on the real one? As I recall, those like Grimp learned a great deal more about you than you wanted. Would be a shame if he relayed any nasty information to the Ministry before he limped his way on to Hogwarts." Dathan had faith in Cora, but he had to make completely sure.

@dathan

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Cora took a deep breath and counted to five in her head, just like the nice people taught her to. She gave Dathan a level stare and spoke slowly and carefully. “Veltrino Manor….the real one is guarded by wards only the oldest pureblood families have, it’s under the fedelis charm, making it unplottable and no one but a Veltrino and those he or she invites can get within 30 yards of the property. Do not let your ego make you an enemy old friend” She looked at the portkey instructions and sighed. Prison while capturing her had not made her soft and she was more than a bit wand happy.

She cared a great deal for Dathan and everything he had done for her but she was already on edge with being a felon. She was starting to get tired of the way he belittled her because of her capture, she was out on the field and he ran things through his shop. She looked at him with a raised eyebrow and snorted ‘I was not aware of you, potion making skills.”

“Just for your information, they learned nothing about the secrets of the Veltrino family. Learning about me is easier than you think, all you need to do is listen darling.” she touched the portkey not bothering to make sure Dathan touched it after holding it out and she finally reached the soil of her childhood home.

@dathan

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Dathan traveled as well via the portkey, arriving at the same time Cora did of course. He straightened his tie after trip and looked over the famed home of the Veltrino's.

"To answer your question back there, I am skilled in a great many things," he said. "But I have acquired a new business partner, who can aid us significantly in the potion making, Miss Morgaine Deluna. And I do suggest you be polite to her when you both meet. She means a great deal to me." Burke was not ashamed to say it. Some might think that his affection for Deluna made him weak, but far from it. She and he were a strong alliance, and would be a match for any and all who tried to stop them.

"Now then," said Dathan. "Let's see what's become of your old place." Though they weren't exactly staying for tea and cakes of course. Dathan was one who hated traveling those days, and would be quite happy to be back in his shop in Knockturn Alley as soon as possible. The primary reason for this was that Morgaine would perhaps be back by then. Every moment with her had been an utter joy after all.

@cora