The Wizarding World's Solemn Hour

[Andrei Riddle]

The weather was pleasant, the streets filled with bustling tourists and other such muggles. Soft, fluffy clouds dotted the sky, keeping the deadly rays of the sun cowed, for the time being. All seemed at ease, without a trouble on the horizon, or was there? Was this the quiet before the storm?

Deep inside the Leaky Cauldron sat a bunch of wizards and witches, drinking to their hearts' content and reading the Daily Prophet for the latest news. The bar tenders kept busy, making drinks while pots and pans rearranged themselves on the back shelves for later use. All seemed quite normal, no?

Andrei sat near the back of the pub, mug of Butterbeer left forgotten beside him. He was looking at the windows, watching for any suspicious activity. Always the calm, quiet one, he wore a simple back cloak, concealing a black shit and black cargo pants. Pale skin reflected the dim light of the candle before him. Ragged black hair fell across his face as he looked down. What a way to relax, with nothing to do.

[Ariel Massaro]

Ariel strode down Diagon Alley having been to Quality Quidditch Supplies to check to see if they had finished her custom broom yet. They hadn't and was told that she'd have to wait at least another week.

Exasperated and frustrated, Ariel knew the only think that could cool her down was a tall tankard of firewhiskey. Tapping the combination on the wall, Ariel made her way into the Leaky Cauldron, the sequins on her shirt catching the intermittant light as she made her way to a corner table, sitting down and leaning her head back against the wall, her steely quicksilver eyes staring at the ceiling.

Ariel brought her gaze level as she heard someone set a tankard of firewhiskey on the table. Taking a drink, she took the chance to look around, her eyes poring meticulously over the crowd. She didn't really see anyone that she knew, so, she propped her feet in the chair across from her at the table she was sitting at as she slowly drank her firewhiskey, reveling in the way it burned as it slid down her throat.

[Andrei Riddle]

Andrei looked up when another person entered the small pub. Sharp green eyes followed her movements carefully, a small nod given to himself as he leaned back in his seat. Arms folded across each other, against the table, as he sighed. Attention focused on her as she was brought a drink. It looked like she didn't know anyone.

The Death Eater tilted his head and let out a sigh, standing. Grabbing his mug of Butterbeer, the young man slowly approached her table, pausing before it. Gaze quickly read her face, as he had been taught to do.

"Ms. Massaro?" he questioned, careful of how he spoke to her.

When he spoke, it was easy to tell he did not do so often. His voice, though pleasant in pitch, was rough and actually quite soft, not quite a whisper but close. His appearance greatly resembled Tom Riddle's, of course, being his son, it made sense.

[Ariel Massaro]

Ariel quickly became aware of the fact that the was being watched, and she looked over to see a guy that seemed familiar, but she didn't think she remembered him. Her steely quicksilver eyes watched him as he made his way to her table, addressing her directly.

The guy seemed pleasant, but then, so had the guy back when she was at school until she'd found out that he was totally obsessed with her and lured her into the abandoned classroom in the dungeons, and then he........
Ariel shook those thoughts from her mind, refusing to go there again. She hated that boy, and would for the rest of her life.

"I am, and who's inquiring?" she asked dubiously then motioned to the chair across from her as she slipped her feet out of it. "Please, have a seat."

[Andrei Riddle]

He watched her expression carefully. Apparently she was thinking back to old memories. Andrei quickly he shook his head and politely took the offered seat, bowing his head and placing his drink on the table.

A pause and then he spoke up, "I'm Andrei, Andrei Riddle," he extended his hand in greeting. If she took it, he'd smile, if not, oh well.

The young man settled upon the chair and shifted so the Dark Mark was very slightly visible on his forearm, just for her to see, and no one else. It was risky business letting anyone see, but he believed it to be the only way to get her trust, at least enough to talk.

[Ariel Massaro]

Ariel watched him watching her, and she took this opportunity to give him the once over which was a habit for her now in an attempt to avoid another encounter like the one she'd had a school. Ariel had a knack for reading people, and most of the time, their intentions as well.

Ariel took his hand, noticing the way he had paused before speaking. She didn't sense any bad intentions from him, but then she caught sight of the Dark Mark on his arm, and a smirk appeared to grace her lips.

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Riddle," she replied in greeting. She turned the arm of the hand that taken his ever so slightly, just enough to expose a sliver of her own Dark Mark almost as if trying to tell him that she was potential friend instead of foe.

[Andrei Riddle]

The young man tilted his head slightly, letting her observe him. There was nothing to hide, at least from her. Surprise did not come to him upon seeing the mark.

"I was there at your initiation. There is no need to show me what I have seen all my life," he spoke kindly, carefully drawing his hand away from her.

If she had noticed, his skin was cool to the touch, his fingers long and slender. His gaze was drawn towards her mark for a second longer before he became distant once more.

[Ariel Massaro]

Ariel observed Andrei for a moment longer, and then she turned her attention back to her tankard of firewhiskey as a finger on the hand he'd just released traced around the rim of the vessel. She then averted her eyes up to his, making eye contact.

"Just being cautious.....letting you know I could be a potential ally and not an enemy. You can never be too careful," she stated plainly, her voice cool and detached.

[Andrei Riddle]

Andrei's eyes bore into her's as she looked into his face. Cold green reflected the firelight, cruel and dark once really peered into. Most couldn't hold his gaze for more than a few seconds.

Her words made sense to him and he nodded in understanding, "Aye." A pause once more and he looked around. "The school year is starting soon, Are you going to be staying at the Academy or?"

The young man had seen her when was a student at the Academy, being in the same year, but had never approached. Not with all those siblings around her.

[Ariel Massaro]

Ariel averted her eyes from Andrei and to the door for a moment as someome entered, but then she brought her gaze right back to him. She had seen him when they had been at the academy, but most guys had been afraid to get anywhere near her, especially when her brother Brian was around, because he'd beaten that violator the hardest and with the most conviction.

"I haven't really decided yet, but I'll more than likely be staying at the Academy. I'm thinking about going home and getting some down time before the school year actually starts," she replied, her voice having softened somewhat and wasn't quite as cold.

[Erwen Slyco]

Erwen walked along watching people with her intence green eyes, she was being observent today. She wore dark blue jeens and a black t-shirt, her hair down and loose, a slight breeze caught it and a piece flew into her face. Erwen tucked the piece of hair behind her ear and decided to stop for a drink.

Erwen walked into the Leaky Cauldron. Erwens intence eyes scaned the room as she walked to a booth that was towards the back, sitting down she ordered a butterbeer. Waiting for it she sat back and stretched her legs out under the table. It had been a long but good day, Erwen loved people watching, she looked out the window that was next to her and watched the people that passed.

When her butterbeer came she smiled and nodded thanks. Taking a sip she let out a sigh, she was thinking of school. SHe was excited about going back. She had traveled over that summer but couldn't ignore that she missed the dark hallways and common rooms. Erwen glanced around the Leaky Cauldron once more. Satisfied she took another sip and looked out the window again lost in her own thoughts but still having full awairness of the room.

Erwens thoughts drifted to her summer trip with her parents. They had gone to Paris. Erwen loved the city, the busy streets to the numerious stores she loved to wonder through purchacing anything that she fancied. In fact she had bought the jeans she was wearing in Paris.

[Erwen Slyco]

Erwen sat for an hour or so just watching people wonder by the window. Erwen yawned and grew bored, getting up she placed coins on her table to pay for her drink.

Erwen stretched looked around the room one last time smirked at the sight of people caught up in their own thoughts and conversations as she had just been. Erwen walked towards the door, her hair flowing lightl behind her as she walked out.