sharp as a tack

alecto carrow | 33 | former slytherin

[miss-alectoxcarrow]

frnklylongbottom​:

Frank took Alecto in, in all her perfectly pristine glory. A particularly snobby angel - except for in her attitude to small children, and probably puppies and muggleborns too. He took a seat and offered her a lazy grin. “It’s not exactly babysitting when it’s your own son.” He caught the eye of a waiter, and waved him over. “Coffee please, two sugars, lots of milk.” Frank turned back to Alecto, “besides, he’s being minded. Can’t say I mind the peace. I couldn’t bring him in here - way too many ornaments. Do you want children, Alecto?”

--

Alecto took a sip of her own tea, blinking at Frank.  He was too cheerful.  She could only imagine that this visit had a purpose, and she was waiting for him to get to it.  Still, he was insisting on small talk, which she loathed.  “How old is your son now?  Though that’s true, you can’t trust children around anything of value.”  Not that Madame Puddifoots was anything more than gaudy.  “No.”  She said simply, she didn’t want kids.  She couldn’t stand children, though she knew that Purebloods were dying out and would probably be expected to have children at some point.  “So, am I to believe that you frequent Puddifoots often?”

[oscarisaaic-archive]

[miss-alectoxcarrow]

wandsandrosiers​:

“Neither am I,” Evan agreed. “There’s the Alecto I know and enjoy,” he said, chuckling slightly. He would never say he considered anyone bearing the Mark his friend, but at least Alecto was not one of the diehard fanatics. She helped keep him sane in dangerous moments with her quick quips. She reminded him a bit of his own sister. “Sorry, the heat of the moment makes it a bit difficult to make life altering decisions,” he said with a shrug. He hoped that his answer would be kept between them, but he could not be sure.

He gave a slight nod to her assessment of the situation. “You have a point. Though most of the people running did not actually fight in the war. They left the chance at dying to others. They can say what they want about our side, but at least we all got our hands dirty in some way or another.”

--

“It’s hardly a life altering decision if it’s hypothetical”, Alecto let out a light laugh, unsure if he was nervous about what the implications of the mark were, or if he was worried about getting falsely accused of casting the mark.  “If anyone asks, you were with me all night”, she shrugged up a shoulder.  It was a mutually beneficial alibi, since she didn’t have her brother there to vouch for her as he usually did.

“True”, Alecto nodded carefully.  “It’s rather irritating to see so much cowardice in one place, isn’t it.  If they really believe in their cause that much, why not stand up for it?  At least we’re willing to fight for what we believe.”

[miss-alectoxcarrow]

mrlenemckinnons​:

Marlene weighed the possibilities in her head. The site of the mark - well, it was too high in the sky to exactly place the cast without being directly under it, but with an educated guess Marlene could put Alecto there and give her time to get here. It had been what, ten minutes? It wouldn’t be difficult. But was it likely? No, Marlene didn’t think so. The Order had had their suspicions, but not about Alecto being in the inner circle. She didn’t seem fervent enough or desperate enough to be responsible. Marlene’s instincts said no, and they were perhaps the only thing she could trust. Still, she wasn’t going to let her speak down on her. “Glad you know to ask.” She bit back. “Go, now - before I change my mind.”

--

Alecto narrowed her eyes in amusement as Marlene seemed to quarrel with herself about some internal conflict.  Of course it would look good for her if she were to actually bring someone in, but it could set the Ministry back if they were to start pointing the finger at innocent bystanders.  Marlene certainly couldn’t detain her simply because she didn’t like her, and a simple test of her wand would show that she’d had nothing to do with the whole thing.  Entirely unperturbed by Marlene’s final answer, Alecto winked at her, and with a cruel laugh, turned and apparated on the spot with a loud crack.

[miss-alectoxcarrow]

opheliaborgin​:

It didn’t take long for the façade to drop when Ophelia recognised the witch that had come to stop at her side. It was so easy for her now to act the part now when anything considered even the slightest bit distressing happened, but with Alecto, she knew that she didn’t have to bother feigning any sort of concern for the Dark Mark glowing high in the sky. Chuckling at the other witches words, Ophelia shook her head slightly. 

“You got me there, I love it too much to stay away.” She nodded. “Saying that though, you can get quite the view by sitting back here and observing it all.”

--

It was comfortable to be around others that she didn’t have to pretend with, and it was nice to see that she wasn’t alone in judging all those who had reacted like the world was ending.  If He really was back, and this was his way of alluding to something bigger, things would be shaken up forever.  Alecto was trying not to get her hopes up too much - after all, men always let her down.

“Mhm, true.”  Usually she preferred to be in the thick of it all, but not when the area was crawling with Aurors.  “It’s almost sad, isn’t it?”  Eyes sharp, she took in the scene that was unfolding in front of them.  “In a pathetic way, of course.”  Yes, historically the mark symbolized that somebody had died.  But clearly, nobody had.

[miss-alectoxcarrow]

ofnarcissax​:

“Mmm. If only everyone thought like we did” The blonde mused with a laugh. She wasn’t particuarly annoyed by the mark, more just about how panicked everyone was. She was kind of curious who had actually conjured it. Not many people knew how to after all. “I mean…. can’t really relate” She hadn’t actually be a death eater after all. If she was at all honest, she didn’t find any of this thrilling. It was just chaotic, and made people run around. It was not fun at all, and she really didn’t fully get why Aleto liked it so much. “God knows. Maybe tossing marks into the sky” She mused her voice low. The Malfoys had feigned innocence, but she knew Alecto knew better. “Oh….” She just shrugged. “I just don’t feel well is all. Not one hundred percent anyway”

--

Alecto turned her head to look at her friend, eyes burning with curiosity.  That was fair enough, she supposed.  It wasn’t explainable, not really.  She loved the rush she got from feeling a sense of power, from being in the know or being in on the joke.  Especially when it was at someone else’s expense.  Though she hadn’t been expecting this all to happen, it still felt like she was part of something exclusive.  And no matter how many times the Order won, that was something that they would never be able to take away from her.  She let out a surprised laugh, “That wouldn’t be entirely out of character, would it.  If it was him, give him my compliments.”  Sighing, Alecto took a step away from Narcissa.  That’s what she got for having a child running around - they were basically the incubus of viral plague.  “Oh.  In that case, don’t breathe on me.  I don’t want to take ill and miss out on any of the fun.”

[miss-alectoxcarrow]

wandsandrosiers​:

Evan bit back a frustrated growl. “I was never one of the first either, so I understand that,” he said. It was safer to be on the edge. Being in the center had a larger target on your back. Friend and foe wanted you gone either to stop you or replace you. The edge meant you were ignored, excluded, and that was where no one knew you were there. “Careful, Alecto. Someone might think you were trying to compliment me for a moment,” he tried to tease. “Why would I want out? Not that it matters. He’s gone. But if it were to matter again, of course I do not want out,” he replied a touch too quickly. Leaving was just as dangerous as being in the inner circle. The Dark Lord did not allow for anyone that bore his mark to leave him freely.

“Well… I don’t know what to make of someone doing that, but at least I am not alone in feeling nothing. I just wanted to confirm with someone,” he said, hiding his relief.

--

Alecto shrugged, “I’m not complaining.”  It was probably one of the things that had kept her out of Azkaban, after all.  She smiled despite herself, raising her eyebrows.  “I would never.  You’re far too full of yourself as it is.”  She had decided that Evan was alright.  He didn’t bore her to tears, at the very least, and her jabs seemed to roll right off of him.  But she would never say that to him directly, lest it go straight to his ego.  “Mhm”, she turned back to gaze into the distance, “Say it a little more quickly next time, maybe I’ll believe you.”  Alecto sometimes let herself wonder what the future would look like if The Dark Lord wasn’t as gone as everyone had believed.  Perhaps this was the start of something far less peaceful than the last four years had been.  At least, she could hope.

Nodding thoughtfully, she shrugged.  “I really don’t understand the reason for all the panic.  Hardly fitting for an entire group of people that won a war.”  How they managed to do so was truly beyond her.

[miss-alectoxcarrow]

mrlenemckinnons​:

Marlene had her wand in her right hand, and cursing Alecto would definitely be breaking protocol. Still, she had her left hand and two feet. The hit witch standard operating procedure had a significant gap in punching and kicking. Most witches and wizards were over reliant on their wands, but Marlene had always been intensely physical: in her friendships, in her romances and in her conflicts. The thought of punching Alecto’s smug face was soothing enough to stop her from actually carrying it through. Yet. “Yes, I can feel the fear radiating off you.” Marlene deadpanned, eyes narrowed. “The safest place in the world is a Ministry holding cell, you know. I could escort you there right now, if you’re too weak of a witch to take the Floo network with the children.”

--

Alecto stared at Marlene with the ghost of a smirk on her face, eyes bright and dancing with their usual contemptuous malice.  She wasn’t wandless, of course, but her wand wasn’t in her hands.  She didn’t truly feel any threat.  Alecto was almost waiting for anger sparks to shoot out the end of Marlene’s wand, who seemed to be gripping it extra tightly.  “I’ll pass.”  She wasn’t responsible for the Morsmordre, of course, nor did she think that Marlene was insinuating that she was.  Still, what was she going to do?  Arrest her for smiling?  Please.  The trouble the Carrows would make for a wrongful arrest would be more of a headache than it was worth.  “I’m perfectly capable of apparting myself home, but I do appreciate your concern.  Do I have your permission to do so?”  Her tone mocking, Alecto crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow.

[miss-alectoxcarrow]

wandsandrosiers​:

Evan felt his stomach turn as he heard about the Mark in the sky. He downed his drink, waiting a moment to see if his left arm would burn as it used to years earlier. He had gotten used to ignoring the burn when he was busy with spells. but that did not prevent him from remembering every time the night he received it and wishing there was a way to remove it without simply removing the limb all together. The burn didn’t seem to come, but he knew waiting when others were running for their lives would draw suspicion. He briskly walked outside and heard a voice call to him.

“I was simply coming to see if there was any news,” he said as softly as he could in a crowd of screams. He carefully walked over to her, sliding into the shadows the buildings offered him, meaning to appear to head off in that direction. “Are you feeling anything or am I special now and get to be skipped for once?” he asked, hoping she also felt nothing so that he could write this off as a sick prank and go home rather than revisiting mistakes he regretted.

--

Alecto smirked when she caught sight of Evan, shrugging up a shoulder in nonchalance.  “Nothing that I’m aware of.  But then, I was never one of the first to be in the know.”  She’d always been on the periphery, which had, quite honestly, been fine by her.  Obscured by the shadows, she felt that they could speak at least somewhat freely.  More freely than they’d been able to anywhere else.  “I highly doubt that you’d ever be skipped on purpose”, Alecto answered, though not entirely unkindly.  She turned to Evan, eyes scorching with intrigue.  “Do you want out?”  Not that any of them had a choice now, really.  They were all out.

“But no, I don’t feel anything.  I’m sure it was just someone bored who wanted to cause a bit of mayhem.  Not that I blame them.”

[miss-alectoxcarrow]

mrlenemckinnons​:

Marlene had left crowd control to others on the upper section of Diagon Alley and began the descent, quickly and carefully, towards the source of the sign. She did not sprint, which would only serve to panic the crowd or worse, cause her to miss something suspicious. Instead, she weaved deftly between people, all instinct and adreniline. Her gaze swept left - center - right over and over as she repeatedly identified herself. “Marlene McKinnon, hit witch coming through. Excuse me, Marlene McKinnon, hit witch.” That was when she caught sight of the figure in the shadows of the alleyway and slowed to a stop. Carrow. “Let’s not pretend you don’t know what’s happening, Carrow.” Marlene had had several almost-polite interactions with Alecto Carrow in recent years, but now was not the time for societal pretense. Among the order, suspicions about the Carrows ran rife. “What are you doing away from the crowd? As you can hear, we’re evacuating.” She gestured a hand towards the street, where magically amplified voices issued instructions to the festival-goers. 

--

Alecto smirked as she caught sight of Marlene.  Maybe she was smarter than Alecto gave her credit for, but then again, Alecto didn’t think about her much.  At the very least, she wasn’t underestimating her, and that was something.  As far as her involvement as a Death Eater went, Alecto had been happy to hide behind the suspicions that had been predominantly placed on her father and brother.  And of course, having money and privilege helped her buy her way out of trouble.  Though Marlene’s tone indicated that she had little patience left, Alecto couldn’t help but push.  “Oh, I had no idea.  Such a shame too, the festival was so fun and sophisticated.”  Why they would evacuate over something so harmless, she wasn’t sure, and she’d been purposely ignoring the amplified voices.  She wasn’t going to be bossed around by some idiot Ministry official.  “I suppose I got separated in all the chaos.  Are you going to hold my hand, McKinnon?  I’m oh so scared and frightened.”

[miss-alectoxcarrow]

potterj​:

     The shocked look he had faced her with quickly turns to irritation as he realizes that she wasn’t taking the threat as seriously as she should have been. After having seen the mark, James went into full Auror mode: ready to defend at all costs and attack if need be. He toed the line between protocol and sheer brashness with a careful step.       “I’d rather people be panicking and rushing to get out of here than standing by and doing nothing. You do know what that symbol is, right?” he snaps, his brain clouded with angry over the woman’s carefree attitude. How could she act like this when there was likely death eaters among them? Unless she is one? He remembers his Auror vows and decides not to make any extreme judgements on her character: it was a stressful situation, after all, and James, more than anyone, knew that reactions often do not represent character.      Unable to keep his wariness and suspicion at bay completely, he keeps his wand in hand and slightly raised, position defensive but not threatening. He hopes the situation would not call for him to use it, but if she drew her wand on him he wouldn’t hesitate to cast a body bind and apparate her directly to the ministry. His irritation only increases when she so rudely refuses his offer of help.      “It’s my job to get people to safety. Take it as an insult to your abilities if you want, but frankly, I don’t care,” he says, miffed by her exclamation that she wouldn’t be leaving the area. “You’re acting rather unbothered, which leads me to believe that you’re either terrified and in shock or you were looking forward to this.”

--

Momentary irritation evaporating, Alecto smiled sweetly.  “No, I have no idea what it is.  Enlighten me, will you?”  It was difficult to find anyone with a sense of humour these days, and if she had known that she would become the subject of a misplaced interrogation, she would have left earlier.  The war had been over for years, yet the entire Wizarding world still scattered because of a single mark in the sky.  Pathetic.  How they had won, she would never know.  Besides, she saw no reason to be frantic - if there were anyone out there wanting some foul play, she would certainly not be the target.  Better she was doing nothing than inciting the crowd more, and she scoffed.  “I’m not an Auror, am I to be in charge of crowd control?  Although whoever should be in control of that is bound to get sacked.”

Alecto took note of the defensive position, completely unbothered.  She was confident that he wouldn’t hex her.  Crossing her arms, partly to show that she wasn’t even holding her wand, she shrugged.  “Then shouldn’t you be out there, helping people to safety?  I daresay there’s no threat around here.”  Other than her, of course, but with so many Aurors jumping out of the woodwork, she wasn’t planning to further incite anything.  As bored as she’d been, as much as she’d been craving something that reminded her of the war, she wasn’t daft.  “Clearly I’m in terrible shock.  It’s really a surprise I don’t drop dead with fright”, she deadpanned, already getting bored with the back and forth.

Not wanting to take orders, but also not wanted to get arrested for trespassing on evacuated territory, she finally said, “I’m sure there’s someone else that could use your help more than I can.  Why don’t you go and help them?”

[miss-alectoxcarrow]

ofnarcissax​:

Narcissa hadn’t really wanted to come tonight. She still wasn’t feeling that great. But Lucius had managed to convince her. She was regretting that decision though right now. In all of the chaos, and panic from others, Narcissa had lost sight of her husband. She didnt feel panicked herself. She could look after herself. She was more concerned about getting home, and away from all this. Narcissa was grateful when she found a familiar face. “God knows” She murmured, rolling her eyes as she stood in front of her friend. “You look too happy. It’s suspicious.” She pointed out quietly, and then laughed. “Be careful”

--

Alecto chuckled, happy to see her friend and not someone insufferable.  “All of this panic for a simple mark in the sky.  A practical joke, if nothing else”, she rolled her eyes, judging everyone around her except for Narcissa.  “What are they going to do, send me to Azkaban for laughing?  Doubtful.”  Still, Narcissa had a point.  Usually Alecto was more careful to play the part, she didn’t want her glee to get the best of her.  “I’ve just missed this, is all”, she gestured to the chaos unfolding around them.  “You as well, doll.  Where’s Lucius?”  No one would ever accuse Alecto of being particularly altruistic, but something prompted her to ask, “Are you alright?”  Surely the Morsmordre wasn’t bothering Narcissa.

[miss-alectoxcarrow]

ofnarcissax​:

Narcisssa enjoyed hosting people at her house. Of course, only the most suitable people, but she enjoyed it non the less. Her mother had traiend her on how to be the perfect host, and she just loved it. So, she’d been pretty excited to invite Alecto over. “Of course I do.” She laughed with a little grin, as seh hugged her friend. She knew she probably shouldn’t have been so vain, but she didn’t care. “And of course you did. I’ll blame you later when he won’t go to sleep” She teased, shaking her head. She knew Alecto didn’t really like children that much, so the fact that she put in some effort with little Draco meant a lot to Narcissa. She didn’t have a lot of people that she trusted lately, and to have Alecto meant a lot.

Cissa laughed, shaking her head as she sat down, and motioned to a house elf to pour them both some tea. “I hate events like that. Walking around with the scum like they are suddenly equal standing with us.” She grumbled, rolling her eyes. “Other than that I’ve been good though. How about you?”

--

Alecto chuckled.  Though she couldn’t stand children, and truly thought that children should be seen and not heard, she was happy to dote on Draco from a distance.  He deserved to be spoiled, even if she didn’t want him anywhere near her expensive robes.  Taking the tea the house elf served her gracefully, balancing the cup on the saucer, she nodded absent-mindedly.  “It certainly doesn’t feel right, does it.  Filth that they are.  And the righteousness of those who won the war.  It’s quite sickening, isn’t it?”  She was being hypocritical, of course.  If the Dark Lord had won the war, she would have been absolutely unbearable.  To her, it didn’t really matter what the new Ministry said, a half-blood would never be equal to a pureblood.  Never.  “It’s really such a shame that our absence would be too noticeable, otherwise I would suggest that we should ignore the next Ministry mandated event and throw our own instead.”

She shrugged up a shoulder.  “I’ve been fine.  A little bored, if anything.  Nothing seems to hold any excitement or fascination anymore.”  Alecto almost thought that Narcissa was lucky to have a child to provide some form of entertainment.  Almost.  She had considered trying to get a real job, but not being able to come and go as she pleased wouldn’t have worked for her.

[kieraknightley]

[miss-alectoxcarrow]

potterj​:

     James runs through Diagon Alley with a grim determination on his face masking the fear he was truly feeling. Courage over fear, he chanted to himself, moving through the crowd quickly, checking every person he came across and directing them to a building for cover. There was no chances to be taken here. Not when that thing covered the sky, darkening the alley with its implications, running fear through Wizarding Britain that hasn’t been felt in years. Having cleared a portion of the alley despite being out of uniform — being a well-known Auror had it’s perks — he takes a moment to catch his breath, only to be approached by someone looking much too relaxed for the situation at hand.      He blinks at her, a look of mild shock bracing his features. “You’re joking, right?” James says incredulously, gaze flickering to her arm, just to be safe. He shakes the thought— the paranoia— from his head and focusses instead on his task: getting everyone home. “Look, you need to get out of here,” he says firmly. “It’s not safe. We don’t know if this is an attack or just a warning, but now is not the time to be taking chances. Do you need me to side-along you somewhere or show you to the nearest floo?”

--

Alecto didn’t miss the glance down at her arm, and she almost laughed.  Crossing her arms behind her back, she shook her head.  “I suppose the appropriate response would be to say that this isn’t a laughing matter.  No room for jokes during an emergency.  You do realize that panicking will only continue to lead to more chaos, hmm?”  To her it really was a laughing matter, but apparently her mirth was not appreciated.  She was certain that there wasn’t an immediate danger, at least, not to her, and it took every ounce of strength she had to not roll her eyes.  Though it had been years since she’d been allowed to have any real fun, the last person who had underestimated Alecto Carrow had paid for it dearly.

The offer of side-along apparation was too much for her, and this time she wasn’t able to stop the cold laugh as it bubbled out.  “You’re offering to side-along me?  How gallant.”  Clearly he didn’t realize who he was speaking to.  “I’m perfectly capable of apparating myself, thank you very much.  I’m not planning on going anywhere.”  She didn’t want to miss any of the fun.

[miss-alectoxcarrow]

opheliaborgin​:

WHERE: Diagon Alley WHO: Ophelia & OPEN

Ophelia would have been lying if she’d said that she hadn’t missed the way that the Morsmordre Charm lit up the night sky. Sure she’d had nothing to do with this one, and it had crossed her mind to go in search of who was behind it, but instead she was content with watching the panic around her on Diagon Alley. 

Minding her own as she looked ahead, she suddenly became aware of another stopping just next to her. Assuming they would move on, Ophelia remained silent for a moment before eventually feeling as though they were expecting her to say something. 

“Don’t mind me…  If it’s chaos you’re looking for, you’ll need to keep heading in that direction.” She said with a half hearted wave of her hand in the direction of the far end of the Alley.

--

It wasn’t difficult to seek out her own in the crowd.  They were the ones who seemed calm and unbothered by the dark mark in the sky.  Alecto stopped next to the familiar red head, folding her arms as she looked out into the crowd.  It truly had been the perfect event to cause some chaos - the entire community had put their walls down to enjoy the levity and celebration.  She continued to revel in the chaos, standing silently next to Ophelia as she debated whether she should get out there and add to the mayhem.  It was as good a time as any to let off some steam, but the place was crawling with Aurors.

Alecto chuckled.  “I don’t believe that for a second - since when have you ever stayed away from chaos?”

[miss-alectoxcarrow]

who: open where: the streets of diagon alley

Finally, what Alecto had been waiting ages for had descended upon them.  Chaos.  She was reveling in it.  It didn’t really matter to her who had cast the Morsmordre, or what the intention behind it had been, she was too busy enjoying the tailspin it sent the Wizarding community into for such semantics.  It was almost sad, really, all this panic for a simple mark in the sky.  If she would have known how much fun she’d be having, she would have cast the damned thing herself.  As she watched the chaos unfold, someone stopped in front of her, out of breath.  Pulling herself away from the building wall she’d been leaning on, she smirked, unable to stop herself from antagonizing them.  “Where’s the fire?”