The absence of his half-sister had not gone unnoticed by many of the other young ladies inhabiting Hogwarts. As such, Ariel believed that he had best do something and do something he did. The eldest Greyback succeeded in terrifying a group of First Years out of the Dungeons and also convinced a gaggle of Third Year Ravenclaw’s that secretly, Barker had a fetish for feet. One of them was quick to point out unhygienic that was and they seemed to equally fear the man. It amused Ariel to no end and he wasted no time in extracting information from anyone that was in Hogsmeade when Naomi disappeared. It wasn’t that he cared but she was his sister and he was sure Fenrir would be irked if he allowed her to be kidnapped multiple times by the same man. He was really neglecting big brother duties.
But, the pipeline had supplied him with information that was meant to be hush-hush. They’d caught him. The only problem was that Naomi Greyback was nowhere to be found.
It was that little titbit of extra information that concerned Ariel and prompted him to track down the two people that would no doubt be in charge of the torture of Mr. Barker. Who else would it have been in all honesty? Why, it was the Lupin lapdogs in the shape and form of the Dent siblings. They’d clearly been summoned and it was that summonses that enabled Ariel to know where they were keeping Barker. What they hadn’t bargained on was the female to realise she was there. Clearly she had a problem with werewolves. She was definitely looking at him as if he was wrong. Not that he looked like one that is. Ariel was ‘kind’ enough to return the knife she’d thrown at him but only in exchange for a time with Barker.
“He’s only in it for himself,” Robert was clearly hesitant, wanting to torture Barker himself it seemed. Ariel wasn’t going to anything of the sort. Well, not without permission.
Jenifer asked, “You want your sister? Don’t you?” A nod from Ariel seemed to satisfy both of them and they accepted his company.
The woman insisted on him walking ahead of them and he did so, using his cane and carefully manoeuvring himself across the cobbles. The last transformation had not been particularly kind to him. He’d gotten into a scrape with one of the dogs that belonged to his father’s pack during the Second Wizarding War. Clearly the delusional animal thought that ‘Baby Fenrir’ was going to continue the religion – it was warped enough to be called that – that they all seemed to follow. Ariel had established himself but at a cost. He’d told them quite clearly to buzz off after that. He’d wanted to be self-pitying. He now had his favourite cane, the one that he kept the Gin and Tonic in.
The discussion the pair were having wasn’t something that concerned Ariel but the mentions of potions and the elusive ‘Rack’ were interesting him somewhat. It seemed as if Mr. Dent already had something planned for the Azkaban Inmate-to-be. This didn’t really bother Ariel but it would be something amusing to see splashed across the Daily Prophet or The Quibbler. That Fisher man seemed to be all for the fictional term ‘human rights’ and the equally fictional term ‘peace’. It wouldn’t surprise Ariel if he rang off every problem that would eventually arise within Azkaban; torture no doubt being the first on his list as well as the additions of more Dementors if the Dent conversations were anything to go by.
“You’ll be Apparating with Rob,” Jenifer called out disdainfully. She was awfully prejudiced.
Ariel Apparated with her brother none the less and he was surprised to find himself in St. Mungo’s. Quick work of the various floors was made until they reached the Psychiatric Ward. How quaint. Ariel was shoved into a magical lockdown room but he could not feel his powers deplete. Robert Dent was left behind and Ariel watched through the window as the female strode off in search of Mr. Lupin he didn’t doubt. Ariel knew he wouldn’t have much time, especially since he and his family were no fans of the Lupins. Still, his cousin had worked here. It was pretty grim. She’d also died here, equally grim. Ariel was sure it was her ring on the finger of Mr. Dent though. He felt entitled to it. No, he was entitled to it and he made a mental note to retrieve it from the man before he departed.
Upon turning, Ariel immediately located Barker. He looked uncomfortable. He probably was. Good.
“This is nice isn’t it?” Ariel asked absently, looking around. “It must be nice compared to some of the dumps you must have been living in. Compared to some of the dumps you’ve kept my sister in. And look at you now,” Ariel stepped forward, the tap of the can hitting the floor as well as his shoes, “Broken, beaten and by an idiot no less. Robbed of your power and robbed of your...lover perhaps?”
Ariel took his wand from his pocket and flicked it, summoning a chair to him. He sat down beside Barker’s bed and kicked his feet up so they were resting just on the edge of it. He tapped the top of the cane with his index finger and hummed thoughtfully, rolling the screwed in wolf head that acted as the handle so to speak. It did a number of things as well as give indications to what Ariel was. He found it ironic, amusing and downright hilarious that no one in Hogwarts could put the pieces together. He wondered if Barker would. Naomi was half of what Ariel was. Half of what he’d become thanks to their loving father. He was the eldest. He had every right to her, just as he had every right to their siblings and that idiot in Gryffindor that looked like one of those Muggles that belonged in an Asylum.
“Now, let’s see...” Ariel tapped his nails against the head of the cane and clicked his tongue, mirroring the tick-tock of a clock. “I want to know where she is, Barker. I want you to tell me and I want you to do it now. I want never get’s doesn’t apply to me, either. I always get what I want. Supply me with what I need and I might help you. I might even keep her safe for you. I can’t do that if she’s somewhere where I can’t get to her. Naomi is troubled. Clearly. She’s also a suspect. The tales of bewitchment aren’t going to fly, so to speak, if they catch her; which they will. They caught you didn’t they? Mmm...the infamous Barker who kidnapped a grand total of three people. You’re terrifying aren’t you? I’m shaking in my boots. Can you tell?”
Ariel smirked and looked at Barker. He poked the end of the cane into Barker’s cheek and moved his head to the side before tapping it back.
“Don’t tell me you can’t talk? How disappointing that would be. Wouldn’t it be awful if I couldn’t save little Naomi from her fate? That fate is a cell next to yours by the way, if you live through the torture that is. But I doubt they’d give you even that luxury, eh? I’m not even supposed to be here but who knows, I could be saving your arse in the near but distant future. Right now I could be sowing the seeds that could get you out of your imprisonment. Then again, I might not be. What I am trying to do is save my sister. Not that I care that much but I owe it to our father. That’s about it. Plus, I think it might be useful for me. You’d owe me for saving the pretty blonde you’re so enamoured with. Oh, how do I know? That’ll be something you’ll want to know. If you really wanted to kill her then you would have done so. And, she would have been here. She’s not. She’s free and hiding. It won’t be long until someone finds her and I doubt highly that the Death Eaters will look after her. Tell me and then we can change subjects to something else slightly more...beneficial to you perhaps? Not that this isn’t. I’m sure you care enough about to her to do something about her predicament. I am buying time for you after all; relief before the torture.”
by Hershel Layton Sun Dec 12, 2010 2:18 am
