Ministry Troubles (Diagon Alley/Knockturn Alley, Diagon Alle

Ministry Troubles (Diagon Alley/Knockturn Alley, Diagon Alley)

(OOC: Because a problem with Archived Threads this thread was moved in combined form)
(OOC: Characters: Seth Wright, Simon (admin character, cab driver), Frank (Fixer) Cole, Neo (Cooler) Spellman)

Seth Wright walked out in the main hallway after just finishing his official talk with his cousin the British Prime Minister Cameron Rowe. Seth cringed as he realized Cam talked to his wife Maria and the lady would want to see him soon to exchange a few words. Seth smiled because it was not actually an exchange, Maria had a habit of taking over the conversation and being a gentleman, it was impolite to break into her sentences, and she knew it. So he would be listening and if it went like normal, probably apologizing for something he would have no clue on what he did. He loved them both but they, especially Maria worried too much.

A white envelope addressed to him floated across his view.



Opening it as he walked, Seth read.



Seth was fuming by the time he had only read half of the message. It was a trap he was sure of it. It crossed his mind he should wait and get backup, but he stopped short when he how the note was delivered. It had him shaking as he thought, “How did this Fixer know when I would see it? He knew that our meeting was over. Which means Cam is also being watched. If I call in the others, then Cameron could get hurt when we go for this Fixer.”

Opening the door to the street Seth said out loud but to himself, “I can't risk Cameron so I guess Fixer gets to meet me.” This man who called himself Fixer, had sent two previous messages, but Seth had chosen not to accept their thinly veiled invitation. This one had been delivered so he had no doubt; every step he made was being watched.

As the note had said, a cab was waiting by the curb. The driver came to attention when he saw Seth. As Seth walked over to the cab, he was about to place his hands in his pockets, thinking, “When this cab gets to where this meet is to happen...I will be ready to give Fixer a little surprise.” One pocket held the globe used by the Caretakers and the other held his wand….

Simon had driven cab for the magical community for twenty-two years now. He had been asked to take all kinds of people to all kinds of places, both Muggle and Wizard. He had received some very generous tips at times also. This would be the first time he had ever received a thousand galleon tip for picking someone up and dropping them off in a very seedy part of Knockturn Alley. The patron had told him if the passenger did not want to come he could still keep the money. Simon knew he was being paid for his silence also, and he could be very mute with the extra incentive, as he had proved over the years.

He immediately recognized the person who was walking toward his cab. A very important gentlemen in the government, who would have been probably on his way to talk to an informant or just to have another one of his secret meetings if not for this detour. These government types, usually meant another tip, but Simon was not going to push his luck. He immediately came to attention, opened the door and bowed slightly as he prayed that Prime Minister’s cousin Seth Wright would just climbed in the cab without much urging on Simon’s part.

“Simon, I would never have expected this from you. Especially after our last couple of talks?" Seth had found out the Cabbie was notorious for driving anyone anywhere. The man took it to the extremes though. Simon only gave him a shrug. " … You do realize that I shall be having words with you about this later. And, Simon unlike the last time we had words, I most likely won't be happy with you? You do remember how I get when I am not happy about your choices?” Seth knew there was not much he do about Simon's fares because the man was an independent driver and he had a right to make a living. Seth also knew the man could keep his mouth shut.
When Simon, his driver and new recruit opened the door, Frank put a smile on his face and said, "Greetings, Seth, I am so glad you have been able to join me. Do step in and take a little ride with me."

Seth had one hand on the top of the cab preparing to climb in … but he was purposely hesitating, trying to get a read on the situation. The man seated in the back seat of the cab, had a rather thick docie in the Caretaker files. Arianna had even suggested she might be interested in seeing if the man could be convinced to change a few of his ways and be pulled into the group. So far Seth had been adamantly against it, and Adrianna had decided to listen to his reasons. The Ministry had some information but only enough to show he was a man of interest. “Fixer, I assume?”

Trying to keep his face calm and keep his breathing even Seth thought to himself, “If this man is the Fixer than maybe I can send the signal now?” Seth was holding back, because he could not be sure if Fixer was working alone.

(Simon) "I have been asked Sir to make sure you wave to the man in the window, with your left hand, please Sir." Simon smiled and partially displayed his wand.

Seth's head jerked in the direction of Simon as he tried to bluff, “I am in a hurry Simon so the British Prime Minister and I have already said our goodbyes in his office.” His brain was processing information quickly. Making sure he did not think out loud he thought, “How does this Fixer knows about the signal that Cam is watching for? Well let us hope he does not realize that this is the only time I have no real guards. Hope this works or I am going to have two very upset uncles.”

“Since it seems Fixer that you know my routine well?" Seth said as he turned his attention back to the inside of the cab."… Then you should know that I am never alone Mr. Fixer. "

Fixer shot Seth a look which meant trouble. "I think Seth you should wave at the Prime Minister, with your left hand of course. We both know it will be the only signal he will be expecting," pausing for effect, Frank continued, "and we would not want anything to happen to the man within the next hour or so, would we?"

Seth now had to figure out how much of a chance he could take with Cam's life. From what he knew of the Fixer, he was not a hit man, but seemed to be more along the lines of what his name depicted, someone who corrected problems and found information for people. He also did not appear to choose sides in those he helped , which was evident by some of the names connected to his file. Seth thought, “So Cameron is your ace-in-the-hole. Question is does he remain so during our talk? Also just what are your people ordered to do?”

Trying to put a knowing look on his face he stated, “I am sorry to say that you are going to find that your man will fail. The Prime Minister is not an easy man to get close to. Nor do I believe your man will be able to have the Prime Minister have an accident. Most likely your man is already in Hit Wizard custody spilling his guts as to who hired him and why.”

“Also I wave with my right hand not my left but if you want it to be the left than by all means...” The man was good, but Seth had to try and confuse him. If he waved with his right hand, the hand he normally used, then Cam would know there was a problem and the cab would never make it away from the curb. But if the play did not work then Cam and others might be hurt, and he could most likely be hurt or even dead. For some reason he realized, the Fixer needed him alive, but how much alive was the crux of the matter.

Seth saw the ploy was not going to work, because the man did not move or even acknowledge what he said. Seth could not take the chance someone else would be hurt if he did not comply with the wave request, so he looked back at the window where Cam could barely be seen, and waved his left hand.

When the man had waved, Simon motioned to the interior of the cab as Frank nodded when he saw Seth wave at the Prime Minister who was just barely visible in the window. The man walked out of sight and Frank said, "I am glad to see you are listening, Minister. This is going to go a whole lot smoother if you continue to just listen."

He knew he was going to have to get in the cab, but he also knew it would limit the possibilities of escape. Thinking to himself, “I have to find out just how much danger Cameron is in before I push this man. If he has a man or a couple nearby then I have few options.” he realized his possibilities became nil when the door to the cab was opened.

“So as my schedule is extremely tight... Maybe we can talk here so we might both be on our way?” He still had to keep trying though.

“Very few know about my appointment to that office, Mr. Fixer. It is the only reason I have even agreed to this meet as I am interested in knowing exactly who told you!” Seth was trying to stall for time. Cam would think he was just talking to someone in the cab, and would not come out, but maybe someone would come by he knew and he could get away from the situation. The street looked unnaturally empty though. Seth looked up the street and saw some men in a large city truck working, with signs sending other cars on a detour. Slowly he turned his head the other way and saw the same thing about two blocks away at the other end of the street. Unless someone walked by he was cut off, but it seemed even those avenues had been partially blocked, by the police, probably to keep pedestrians from getting hurt with the street work going on. Seth looked back in the cab and saw a knowing look on the Fixers face.

Seth had plans for the person who was leaking information, thinking, “Because that witch or wizard is going to face Caretaker wrath for treason. It has to be a council member or A Caretaker. My money is the traitor is a member of the Wizengamot as I trust the Caretakers with my life.”

Frank smiled and shook his head no. "Our discussion is going to take longer than would be comfortable here, Minister. We also would not want to be interrupted would we? Now please get in the cab…"

Seth looked down at the seat of the cab. The man was good. It was too much of a coincidence that both ends of the street were being worked on, and to have the Muggle Police actually helping the order had to come from someone in the Muggle government system. Cam was going to be furious. Seth looked back up into a set of eyes, he was realizing were the window to a wise and very well experienced wizard.

"Yes, I do not advise you saying no. We may be in a public Muggle place … but you know as well as I do a little magic can hide a whole lot of trouble." Frank raised his eyebrows, with almost a dare in them to not accept the ride.

What Neo had told him now made sense. His mind revisited their discussion “To cause that much damage Fixer must have men stationed in key locations and a lot of them. Neo said that he had counted fifty men during the time they were held at the Hog's Head. If Fixer even brought just half of those and placed them in key locations...” Seth's thoughts of escape were being pushed farther and farther back into the realm of possibility. His thoughts continued, creating even more of a push, “...The death toll would sky-rocket. I have to find out if they already have their orders or if I can take him out before he can give the order.”

Seth stared into the Fixers eyes and with as much bravado as he could muster he threatened, “Yea but only if you are around to order.”

Simon had his order, get Seth Wright into the cab, causing as little notice as possible, so he stepped behind the Minister, blocking any exit the man might decide was possible and said quietly, “Mr. Wright, all my passenger wants is some of your time. I have known you to have other meetings of this sort.”

Seth was running out of options. He was mad at himself for not bringing along the customary guards. If his family did not say something, Arianna would be all over him and probably make him go through the dreaded and boring security course again. Still trying to keep a placid look on his face he said, “I gather from your look that you have made other plans should I not accept the kind offer of a ride?”

...started to pull his right hand out of his pocket.

“It would seem you are in need of a lesson in manners.” Trying to make no sudden movements and look as casual as possible, he attempted to get his wand out of his pocket.

Simon continued, “So Seth, remove your right hand from your pocket slowly. I will drop you if I must as will he.” He had orders not to kill but he trusted the man in the back seat … and he had told him their passenger would not remember he had been involved. It would not make any difference anyway, because Simon had made up his mind to accept his employers job offer. He was getting tired of running around the catering to those who thought themselves better than he was. He knew how to find information and the Fixer had told him it would be his specialty.

"I would not think using your wand would be a good idea at the moment. If you look back there," Frank motioned out the back window of the cab, "You would be putting that nice young lady and adorable child in danger."

Frank raised his eyebrows and watched the expression on Seth's face go through the stages of trying to figure out if he could take the chance, or just give in and see what happened next.
It had been a long time since Seth had been involved in fieldwork. He wondered if he still had the ability to navigate the criminal world. His mind started to think, “Can I take him before he or his friends can endanger those people? I still have the globe so maybe I should go and see if this fool will lead me to the one dark wizard that has escaped justice for twenty-two years, The Dark Shadow. Turning back to Fixer he said, “Why not, you intrigue me Mr. Fixer...” as he climbed into the cab.

Frank smiled as Seth got in the cab beside him.

As Seth made himself comfortable on the seat, he looked at Frank and asked with a small chuckle, “...or should I call you Mr. Cole?” He was glad Frank could not read his thoughts as his mind said, “I have no intention of giving him anything but this might be a blessing in disguise? I have back up if and when need. Plus no chance of the leak warning David Valentine or Khalid that I am coming.”

He added a smile and nodded. "Very well done Seth. I am taking it for granted you have a not so small file on me in the Ministry and also in the Caretakers.” It made Frank chuckle at the look on Seth's face. He was not sure if the man knew he had knowledge about the secret group not…. Apparently not.

One of the things which had kept Seth alive when he was always in the field was knowing how to pick his battles. So far Shadow was the only person he had not been able to bring in for questioning or whatever other justice was needed. The Fixer was making his list in the second spot quickly. “Oh, I would say the original file on you won't disappear like it's copy. Though I have been known to overlook some infractions in exchange for bigger fish.” Others had turned themselves in with that simple little statement hoping to get leniency. Seth was fair and had to give this man the chance.

"If you know of my interest Seth, than this whole visit will be concluded very fast," Frank leaned back in the seat and gave Seth a sidelong glance adding, "but if you plan on fighting me on what my employer is looking for, I am afraid the visit will last a lot longer than either of us wants. I always get what I am paid to obtain, Minister always. "

As the cabbie closed the door, Seth said,“Yes, Neo warned me of your employer's interest. Which I plan on having my own little chat with them...” Seth kept trying because he had not gotten a definite answer yet to his veiled inquiry, “Some of your infractions could be overlooked in exchange for what you know." Seth allowed a small smile to curve his lips when he realized what the Fixer was probably after, "Sorry to disappoint but the item you are wanting is not an option as it is no longer in existence.”

Frank pointed his wand at Seth Wright and said," Petrificus Totalus" and "Langlock", which caused Seth to be totally body bound and his tongue to stick to the top of his mouth.

Seth felt his body being wrapped in the magical bonds and his tongue shot straight to the roof of his mouth and stuck.



Seth was going over the rulebook in his head, trying to remember what he could use to help him figure out where he was being taken. Thinking was the only option he had left to him at the moment. “I have to give the man does his research. My listening ability might give me some clues though as I can't see a blasted thing.”

Simon settled back watching the government type in the rear view mirror. He smiled when he notice his new employer read the sign on the back of the seat. It said: no magical equipment and paraphernalia will be able to be used in this cab. Please relax; this is for your own safety as well as mine.

The higher up in the wizardry world his passengers were, the more irritated and sometimes frightened they acted when they realized they would not be allowed to use any magic in his cab. Simon was sure this had saved his life several times. Simon was just supposed to get to the described destination, let him out of the cab and drive away quickly, which he had no problem doing. It was not the greatest part of town to be stranded in, but anyone dumb enough to put them in that area, without a friend, deserved what they got.

It only took about fifteen minutes to reach the tavern. Simon pulled up to the curb, turned in his seat and motioned toward the door. "We are here Sir, have a nice day." The man was not out of the cab five seconds, when Simon gunned the engine and left.

(they are in the room in the tavern) (Frank) … Walking back toward his seat he pointed his wand… and said, Valens-Amiculum, which placed an invisible barrier around the two the chairs and the area between them, preventing any magic from being done with its confines.



At first, Frank only stared. … "Seth, Seth, Seth, I guess you had to try, right. Now that you are done …. Do you have any questions before we get started, because I hear my friends coming?”

Seth froze for a moment. The Fixer had not been affected by the spell. There must be a dampening wall or something. He was going to have to get out of this without magic, something he had not had to do in a very long time. “Oh I have plenty of questions, for starters...Who on the council is in Khalid's pocket? Where are Khalid and Shadow? Who else is protecting them?" For good measure and thinking, he may not get too many opportunities to ask questions he added, "Where are the files that you forced Franco to handover? In exchange I am willing to allow you a clean slate.” Seth would not go against his honor and would take the Fixer in for questioning, but he would also not be able to say what those higher up then him in the Caretakers would do. The Caretakers would be the one he would hand the man over to, and Arianna could decide if he needed to go to the Ministry. She would not kill him but the same man sitting in front of him now would no longer exist. The lady could be very determined at times to have her orders followed and questions answered.

"Now we are ready to begin." Frank smiled at Seth, who was looking very worried and a whole lot of apprehensive. "Seth, I know you know what mind-diving is and that is what is going to happen here." Pausing for a moment, to give Seth a chance to say something.

“I am wondering just how mind-diving is going to get you a book no longer in existence? I have been too busy to write a new one and have no intention of doing so anytime soon. So you are wasting both of our time, even trying.” Seth was worried. He had never seen these elves before, and from the look of them they did not belong in Darik's private group. The elf always taught free elves, and even worked on obtaining freedom for those who showed interest and an aptitude to learn. All of his elves also were clean and kept a well mannered appearance. These elves were dirty and looked as if they would work for food and just to stay alive. They must have some intelligence because they could do mind-diving. Seth had heard the stories about how some elves were trained from birth to complete on task humans may need. If that was true of these two, then this was the only life they knew and could not be turned onto different paths. It would scare them to death to have the ability taken away from them.

Frank continued, "You also know what will happen if you fight the process."

Seth swallowed hard. He had been to Maxwell's office and witnessed some mind-diving techniques used to help people who had memories, which were ruining their lives locked away deep in their beings. Maxwell Sinclair, was a first rate Psy-healer and would never hurt anyone but he also knew there sometimes had to be pain when memories were brought to the top. He tried to control the pain with magic and herbs, but some he had to let happen so that they would be let loose. None of his patients remembered later, the excruciating pain they had been in. Seth knew he was going to have to fight the process, even though he knew there was little chance of his mind being read but there was still that chance and that was what would keep him fighting.

Frank looked hard at Seth giving him one last chance to give up the information before they began. Looking around the room for a last check, making sure the one man was stationed outside the door leading to the stairs, and knowing there was a man at the bottom of the outside stairs, one on the other side of the door leading to the tavern, one at the bottom of the stairs in the tavern and three scattered through the tavern room, Frank closed his eyes and prepared to dive.

Seth could feel the elf pressing harder on his temples. His reflex reaction was to fight. First, he tried to shake the contact, but the elf was anticipating every move of his head and shoulders. He tried kicking with his feet to break the other elf's contact, but soon found his feet glued to the chair. Suddenly he stopped moving his body and fastened his eyes to Franks face, saying with the last bit of conscious effort he had, “My answer is still No and I highly doubt anything your mind-dive can do will change that. Have found in my mind-maze.”

Seth stood on a walkway which stretched into the black distance. The walkway was moving toward a pulsing light. Seth tried to turn around and walk back, but behind him was an elf and behind the elf was the Fixer, smiling with his hands crossed across his chest. Seth turned back and saw they were closer to the pulsing light. Again he turned and tried to push his way past the elf. Pain racked his entire body, causing a scream to be forced past his lips. He turned back around and the pulsing light bit into his eyes. He was unable to bring his hands up to shield them and he could not keep them closed longer than for a blink of time. The walls were moving with shadows and patches of light and dark. These were his memories near the top of his brain. Seth was having a hard time breathing and started to gasp for air, bending over and putting his hands on his knees to keep from collapsing. His head pounded. Within a matter of moments they traveled through the pulsing light and he found himself in an infinitely long well light hallway, with white doors lining both sides. They had stopped.