Back to Jack

The job required two, but Fred Weasley was busy and Jack did not know anyone else who she would trust.

The job sounded simpler than it really was. One of James Blood’s owls had been tracked to a building in Diagon. Jack had tried doing everything to get into the building but it seemed the only way in was going to be through muggle stealth – magic used directly near the building just sputtered and failed. The window seemed to be completely unguarded on the second floor, and Jack was certain that she could break in that way. She had learned the habits of the werewolf who lived there and she knew she had about a twenty minute gap to get into the window, get to his room, grab the letters from Blood, and get out there. It would have been an easy one-person job.

But the street was on a busy street. There was no way she could just scale the place without any suspicion arising. And because she magic placed within a foot or two of the building failed, she needed someone from afar casting a spell that would keep her hidden. A simple illusion charm for the minute it took to scale the wall, and then a watch out in case their wolf came home a little too early. It was not the most exciting job, but it needed to be done. It was probably good she could not get Fred to come along – he would have been so bored by the duty, that he would have surely taken it upon himself to make it more exciting. Which was the last thing she needed.

This was the second time she had made Maximus Morrison her accomplice. It could not be argued now – she was a bad influence, and she was corrupting him. She could not wait to brag to Gabby that Max had helped her with her stunts, when he had been denying Gaby his company in all of the older man’s illegal activities for years. To be fair, though, Jack was doing this on official business, ordered by the real Minister of Magic through a trusted contact. Of course, this mission was all Jack’s devising, but it all fell under the orders of ‘Protect the Lupins’ and ‘Stop Blood.’ Blood had made an enemy the day he had called into question her abilities to make peace between humans and werewolves, and the woman was not going to let him get away with it.

She and Max were standing next to a pay phone across from the building, leaning up against it as though they were trying to figure out which shop to go to next. Jack glanced down at her wristwatch and noted they were right on time. She glanced up at Max and said, “Alright. I’m going to head over there. As soon as I get through that crowd of people walking by, cover me with the spell. I should be out in seven minutes, tops.” She adjusted her beanie and straightened up. “Thanks. By the way.”

"Sure." Max acknowledged her thanks, his voice cracking slightly at the end out of discomfort at their situation. Much like their trip into the Minister's office, Max couldn't understand how Jack was so calm and collected about their plan. When she had explained it from the comfort of their kitchen it had seemed simple enough but now that they stood at ground level he felt slightly nauseous looking upward. "No problem. Anytime." He swallowed and nodded to her.

There was no way he was going to mess this up for her.

There would have been so many better people for this job. People who were confident and knowledgeable about climbing walls and doing illegal stuff. Max was, and had always been, a firm believer in respecting rules. Red tape, police officers, laws, even listening to his school professors. If he had never met Jack Dyllan this whole adventure would have been unthinkable.

But he had. And he was here now. Things never turned out like you thought they would.

Max looked a bit uncertain but also did not deny his assistance now. She was vaguely curious to know whether Max had the ability to say no to offering his help. She preferred to think he could deny his help anytime he wished but still chose to accompany her on these misadventures of hers. She wasn't sure why she hoped for this - but it probably was just her desire to have a friend she could rely on again. Yeah, it was probably that.

She began to turn, prepared to begin, but Max was still looking a bit shocked to find himself in such a situation. So she cracked a smile and punched his arm playfully. "Cover me," she reminded, tipping her head. With that, she turned with a small hop and hurried across the street towards the building in question.

She made it through the crowd in question, and appeared on the other side, sizing up the building. She approached, certain that Max was covering her with the spell. She got nearer and headed straight for the drain pipe - she had the plan already at hand. She leaped and grabbed the drainpipe, one arm curled around the pipe while her other hand found the edge of the building. In this way, her progress upwards came quickly.

She had scaled the building in mere minutes and now reached the window she had set as her target. At the second floor, she clung to the pipe and flung the window open. She scrambled through it, catching herself before she fell. She was in a bedroom. Well, that was helpful.

She hurried for the dresser, beginning her search. She moved quickly, methodically, and within a few minutes, she had found a stack of papers. She stuffed them into her knapsack and walked into the hallway, intent on finding more.

"Mr Blood?"

Jack froze.

A young voice was calling from the stairs, it seemed. "Mr Blood? I came through the tunnels-"

Jack turned, hurying back for the room. A squeak on the floorboards. "Mr Blood-"

She ran to the window, throwing her knapsack out. A young werewolf had reached the door and was staring at her. The two of them stared at each other for a moment, shocked to find each other in such a predicament. Then Jack gave him a smile. "Another time, then?" She turned and jumped through the window.

The crowd had cleared, but Max was still there. Jack had an insane grin on her face as she fell through the air. At the last moment, she swiped in front of her with her wand. A gush of wind righted her and she landed lightly on her feet. She snatched up her knapsack and hurried for Max, pausing as she got to him. "Well, that was tedious." She turned and glanced to the building. The door was opening. She looked back to Max. "Um, we should probably run."

She grabbed his elbow and took off running down the street.