How to Save a Life {Everyone}

Ever since his argument with Kara in the middle of October, Casey had been more focused than ever on achieving his goal. However, he'd soon found it was nearly impossible to enter the wizarding world when your only disguise would be believed just as much a traitor as your own face. After all, Kevin Bristow had mysteriously disappeared one day months and months ago. His papers were now null and void. He couldn't even get close to a checkpoint, and many of the wizarding folk with paperwork were hardly inclined to leave the wizarding world. Why would they when propaganda concerning the dangers of muggles could readily be found in store windows? or when the purebloods believed they were elite and above everyone else and many half-bloods were determined to be sheep to avoid meeting the same demise as blood traitors and muggleborns?

So, saving Evie had been forced on hold as he had to take time out to plan things out. He had known Anna Barton, of course. He had researched her career after the one time meeting her. She lived in the wizarding world. He had considered attempting to steal a piece of her hair, but he had hardly believed she would allow him anywhere near her after their last run-in where they had reached a compromise. He still wasn't sure if that had been a mistake, but what did it matter now? The idea of using a polyjuice to get into the wizarding world was now in hopes of killing Trevor, no longer saving Evie. It had been ever since he had run into Kyle and Kyle had told him of Evie's death. Anna hardly had the body type he'd want in a face-off with the man who had haunted his wife's dream for months, years for all he knew. Any idiot could see the man was built and could take care of himself in a brawl, if he was disarmed.

So, plotting it had been until he heard news of the upcoming execution of Damien Noland. He had taken that as a window of opportunity even if it was suspicious how it had leaked so readily. After all, even though he knew a lot of purebloods were guilty of going to the muggle pub, The Abby, there was seldom any real news leaked. But it seemed someone must have sat at the bar with a wizard partner and Liam probably had overheard him. Whatever the case, it was out, and it was sickening how it seemed people were positive about it, especially when he had gone to investigate the news (aka, question Liam) after it had reached his ears.

It was strange not to run into any checkpoints until he reached the high street of Diagon Alley. However, he didn't question it. His mind was made up. Even if this did appear a trap when he managed to go a back way to a side street that lead towards Gringott's and not run into another checkpoint, the man didn't stop and turn back. His will was set and only death could break it. So, on he went, joining the gathering crowd around the gallows once he reached it. He kept his hands in his pockets and his head low despite his hood as he surveyed the crowd. Any minute now, this thing would begin, and at the opportune moment, his voice would shout out the two words that would end the life of the man who had ruined his life.

It had been a rough night, not so much in that he'd been out at the Abby, which he had, but the fact that he hadn't been able to sleep for more then a couple hours. He couldn't decide if it was a build up of nervous energy or excitement. It was close to 3:30am when he finally gave up and got dressed. A early morning stroll would give him enough time to clear his head before all the festivities started.

It took him the better part of an hour to make his way to a small alley that ran parallel to Gringrotts, he kept to the shadows and watched the gathering crowd. It wasn't until 20 minutes later, when he heard the distinct pop of an apparition that he began to mingle with the crowd. Things were looking like they were about to heat up.

Teague moved through the gathered crowd with practiced ease, slowly making his way to somewhere near the middle of the pack, if he was going to keep an unofficial eye out he figured being in the thick of things would be best. He was dressed scruffier then usual and blended in well with all the folk that were insane enough to be up this early, no one would notice it was the tracker extraordinaire unless they were actively looking for him. He kept his ear tuned to the crowd while his eyes scanned the area for anyone he might know as he was pretty sure order members and other riff raff would be lurking about. It wasn't everyday you got all the higher ups of the regime gathered in one place.

So the long-awaited day was finally here at last. The execution of public enemy number one, Damien Noland. And as this was going to be one of the biggest press days of the year, Laurea was here in person. Normally for a press release this big, Laurea and the Press Secretary would both be back at the office waiting to proof the reports and articles as they came in. But since this was so important they had decided one of them needed to be present. So Laurea was to represent the Press Department on the minister's platform at the execution and Morgana would stay at the office to ready the publications.

It was nearly 5 a.m. and the crowd outside the wizarding bank was growing steadily. Looking around at the assembled crowd, Laurea could see folks of all ages and walks of life, with plenty of Imperium Guards mingling in as well. Many of the Death Eaters in attendance had worn their cloaks and masks, which Laurea just thought was stupid. If the Order did indeed show up to cause trouble, who was going to be the easiest to pick out? The idiots broadcasting themselves as Death Eaters, that's who. Laurea had worn a simple black skirt suit with pale pink pinstripes, and sneered disdainfully at the idiots in full regalia. It would serve them right if something happened as far as she was concerned.

A pair of dark, brooding eyes stared blankly at the last mug that needed to be dried. Liam was cleaning up at the end of his shift at the Abby. It was actually the end of everybody's shift for the day; Liam didn't trust his new employees too much to take care of things while he was away, especially since he was going to be disappearing through the realms and didn't know when he was going to return. The Abby would still be here tomorrow, and he was kind enough to give those who attended his impromptu inventory a small compensation for helping him out. It was a tough decision, but Liam decided it would be best to close down shop for a day or two.

The execution had been on his mind all day. Ever since Kara relayed him the Daily Prophet that headlined with Noland's upcoming demise, his stomach was churning. He couldn't focus. Liam was extremely jittery. He tried hard not to let his nerves show, Liam took the glass mug into his broad hand and wiped it dry with the towel in his opposite hand, setting it into the crate of clean mugs to be carried away into the back.

"Everythin' alright, boss?" Duncan asked as he reached over to grab the crate, placing one hand securely on each side. His blue gaze was shining up at Liam, both confused and concerned.

He nodded, quite hesitantly, but Liam still nodded at the young lad. "Fine as I can be, Duncan." He gave an unenthusiastic smile and nod to the boy and began to write up the sign to paste on the door. Liam noted to himself the silent exchange between Ilse and Duncan as he taped the sign to the window and for the next couple of days, the Abby would be silent.

***

Taking the portkey well-hidden inside his storage area, Liam slipped into the magical realm in a silent flash. Diagon Alley was his destination, and sure enough he appeared in a cold, deserted alleyway which was clear and out of sight, and only a block or so away from where he was told to be. He was cloaked, hidden and able to sneak through the crowd without being spotted, no matter how towering his form was.

"Pardon." He muttered, as he bumped into someone. But once he set his dark eyes on the victim, his stomach dropped. Liam pulled his cloak even closer and immediately turned away from this familiar person. It was Teague MacTáil, man who frequented his pub in the muggle world. He wasn't sure if Teague had caught onto him, and regardless of his magical standing and bloodline, but Liam was sure he couldn't possible divert the attention from the execution at hand.

The bartender, however, didn't want to be too careful. He found another spot across the way, making much distance between him and the Death Eater. He found a vantage point closer to where he said he would meet Kara or Jonathan, whoever would be arriving first. Liam kept himself low, in attempts to blend and eventually found his way to a comfortable spot where he could see clearly. He gulped. There was very little to do now, except wait.

Lance couldn't help but admire the size of the crowd as he approached the famous wizarding bank. A quarrel with his father had kept the two men from arriving as early as he would have liked, but now that he was here, the animosity was quickly forgotten as the "excitement" (for lack of better term) began to grow. The buzz of conversation was almost deafening where he stood, and the former Ravenclaw chose to pause a moment towards the back to plan a quick route through the large crowd as well as to replace his wallet and wand to a more secure position. Surely in a crowd this large, pickpocketing was a concern--especially if someone chose to bring along an unhappy slave.

That done, Lance began to shove his way through, becoming more than a little frustrated with some of the more...immovable people in the crowd who ignored him regardless of how loudly he yelled, "Pardon me!" and forced him to find another path to his ultimate destination. It was almost time for things to begin, and the young man did not wish to miss a moment of it, for today was a day that would go down in history. The death of Damien Noland would mark the beginning of the end for the Order of the Phoenix and hopefully other resistance groups. Speaking of, he wondered if any were here.

After a good five minutes or more, Lance finally reached three rows from the front over towards the left side of the platform. He figured that was about as good as it was going to get with as tightly packed as things were at this part of the crowd. At least he could see, right? And it was better than sitting with his father in one of the towers with reserved seating located a short ways back for the more prominent wizarding families as well as a few Ministry workers.

The tension/excitement in the air was palatable. Everyone's eyes were fixed on the stage watching the prisoner being shuffled into position at the bottom of the stairs. Looks like things were starting to roll. Teague shifted his weight from foot to foot, nervous energy coursing through him, eyes watching everything but the happenings at the base of the stage. His fingers brushed the tip of his wand that was concealed within his cloaks sleeve. If something was going to happen it would be soon he figured.

He went to shift his weight again when he was bumped from behind as they also made their way through the thickening crowd. He turned on instinct to see if he recognized the person but the man had turned on his heel rather quickly, to quickly to see his face, with a muttered 'Pardon'. He wasn't sure why but something tugged at the back of his mind, something about the way the cloaked man moved or spoke seemed vaguely familiar. Teague watched the figure move away, eventually loosing him in the crowd. He filed the information away in the back of his mind as the Dementors began to swoop and swirl around the gathered crowd. A quick patronus charm later and Teague had a silvery sparrow soaring about his figure, chasing away any Dementor that came too close.

Again he turned his attention back to the bound Nolan as Sark led him up the stairs, taunting Nolan every step of the way. If things were going to happened they would happen soon, as soon as Trevor took center stage he figured. His fingers brushed the tip of his wand that he rehid in the sleeve of his cloak after casting his patronus. If anything was going to happen Teague was bound an determined to be ready for it.