Curious Mind and Open Heart

{{ Owen Cavendish | Order Member | Illvermony Alumni | If found, please return to Grimmauld Place }}

[owencavendish]

Halloween was arguably Owen's favourite holiday, and though the Order was on high alert in case of a Death Eater attack, he had prepared equally for both festivities and combat. After a glass or two of spiked cider, he was practically glowing with excitement. Noticing a familiar silhouette through the crowd, he eagerly made his way towards them, breaking into an ear-splitting grin as he came within earshot. “Trick or treat!"

[owencavendish]

Ivory and Bone Event #3 - Owen Cavendish as The Fourth Doctor

“Homo sapiens. What an inventive, invincible species. It's only a few million years since they crawled up out of the mud and learned to walk. Puny, defenceless bipeds. They've survived flood, famine and plague. They've survived cosmic wars and holocausts. And now, here they are, out among the stars, waiting to begin a new life. Ready to outsit eternity. They're indomitable. Indomitable.”

Having lived on a small island for most of his childhood, with two witches who knew nothing about how television worked, Owen only had his father's old collection of Doctor Who tapes to entertain him during the harsh winters when the snow was too high to even think of leaving the cottage. He had a particular fondness for The Doctor, whose scientific, alien antics were the closest thing to witnessing magic on a Muggle device. He loved the show so much that his grand-mère knitted him the Fourth Doctor's famous scarf as a present while he was at school. As soon as he heard that the Order would be infiltrating a Halloween party, he spared no time locating one of his most treasured possessions for luck.

[owencavendish]

gravely-serious:

Kadrea let him drag her though the hall, calling apologies to those they pushed through. When they entered the stairway, she squeezed Owen’s hand inadvertently. She jumped as he cast the spell, looking down at the fallen Death Eater, and then at Owen, mouth agape.

Kadrea furrowed her brow. “Ow…Owen?”  She looked down the stairs, seeing the group, eyes widening. Kadrea pushed herself into Owen’s chest, forcing him to move back and up the stairs. She looked him square in the eyes, saying. “I’m only helping you because I’m involved now.” Then she spun on her heel and pointed her wand down the stairs, where the Death Eaters were beginning to raise their wands. “Fumos!” she shouted. Smoke billowed from her wand, filling the stairwell. A blue streak of light passed by her head and struck the wall behind them. “We are leaving now!” She turned back around, pulling Owen up the stairs behind her by the hand.

Owen stepped back, inwardly wincing at her tone. She seemed upset with him, and he really couldn’t blame her. “I know, it’s awful happenstance. I’m sorry to drag you into this, but there was a good reason for it!” A flash of red shot by his ear, and he found himself scrambling after her up the stairs. “The office is three flights up. Protego Maxima!” He threw the charm haphazardly behind them, watching a flurry of spells bounce harmlessly off the invisible shield. The wizard took two steps at a time, trying not to trip over himself as the witch charged ahead.

Perhaps it was his nerves being shot, but he did owe some level of an explanation. “There’s reason to believe that the Ministry’s been interrogating Order contacts, wiping their memories clean as soon as they have what they want.” Owen charmed the stairs below them as soon as they had made it to the first level, a flurry of soapy bubbles turning the floor slick and slippery. He could hear a number of people crashing into one another, with several more hexes aimed at their heads. They were close, but it felt achingly distant with the angry witches and wizards at their heels. “But it’s not just members- it’s anyone associated with them. Civilians, merchants, anyone they can get their hands on. We’re trying to find out who’s already been targeted. And who might be next.“

[owencavendish]

love-dark-secret:

“The Floo Network is the easiest way to get caught up in whatever is happening. I mean, the alarms are screaming about an intruder or something like that” said Hestia. She had been her first exit to leave this place, but when she saw a group of more than 50 people trying to scape, she decided she had to choose another alternative, and a quick one. “Do you know what kind of intruder are they talking about?” She looked at him. “Is it like a magical creature that got loose in the Deparment of Magical Creatures?” The thought of a wild animal running around did scared her.

Hestia jumped when she heard a scream around the corner and ran a hand through her red locks of hair. “What the bloody hell is going on”, she hissed. “Yes, I can see that whatever is happening is freaking everyone out so we better get out of here, fast. I don’t want to find the person or creature that’s making everyone go crazy”. She stared at him for a minute, deep in thought. “A supply elevator? I saw one of those when I was leaving the Improper Use of Magic Office. I’m sure we can get there with no problem!”

Owen frowned, thinking quickly in order to answer her, and to formulate a plan. “I’m not positive. I’ve heard a few people scream werewolf, but I’d rather not take my chances regardless. Whoever it is seems to be in for a world of trouble.“ With spells flying everywhere and the deafening roar that accompanied panic, it was an easy enough excuse to make. “Let’s try to avoid that part of the building just to be sure. It’s not my department, but I’ve heard that they keep some monstrous things behind locked doors.“

He offered her a brief salute, glad to see that she was on board to get out of dodge. “Yes ma’am. On our way out. Once we get past the general Apparition wards, we should be in the clear. And just to make sure our escape is well-covered-” Owen pulled out his wand, directing it to an abandoned mail trolley. “Confundo!” Papers exploded everywhere, envelopes running this way and that, only leading to the confusion. But at the very least, the attention of both Ministry workers and Death Eaters alike was caught by the rampant stationary. “That should buy us some time. Hopefully there aren’t others who have thought about the same thing. Improper Use should be right past the Obliviator’s Headquarters, if I recall correctly.”

[owencavendish]

gravely-serious:

Kadrea nodded listening to the man. She jumped at the blare of the alarm, looking around before returning her gaze to the man. “What the hell is that? Did something happen?” She shook her head. That was a dumb question. Of course something happened. She watchedhim shove a piece of paper into his pocket. The Ministry didn’t seem like the place to have fire alarms, but  there weren’t many places where alarms meant that you should stay put. That’s why when he reached for her hand, Kadrea let the man take it.

“Where are we going?” she asked, keeping her voice low. There was a hint of anger in it though, caused by her realization that he knew more than she did and wasn’t sharing it. “My wand?” Kadrea reached across her body with her free hand to try to draw her wand, catching the end of it on the pocket it was in. She gave it a firm pull to yank it free. “Why the hell do I need my wand?” She quickly found her answer, hearing sounds that took her back to when they learned about dueling at Beauxbatons. A set of lessons which she almost failed by her refusal to participate. Recent events we’re beginning to make her think that those might have been lessons to learn.

“Yes, to put it nicely.” Owen nodded, weaving through the crowd. It seemed as though the other Ministry workers had finally woken up to the emergency around them. “I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! I really do want to explain. Just give me a moment here.” Five steps to the stairway. The wizard lurched forward, flinging the door open to find himself face-to-face with a silver-masked Death Eater. The appearance took both of them off-guard, but Owen was the faster draw. “Stupefy!” The figure flew down a few steps before crumpling, and he winced. “No hard feelings.” He murmured apologetically, not particularly happy with having to use his wand for dueling. It was necessary but not his preference by any means. 

Looking upwards, the coast seemed to be clear. However, a glance down the stairs revealed another flock of Death Eaters on their way towards them. So much for subtle. “Long story short, it’s Owen. We’ve met a few weeks ago. I’m here with a number of friends doing things that are...questionably legal.” Owen hopped from one foot to the next, anxious to keep moving. “If the alarms are any indication, we’ve probably been found out. Which means a large number of Death Eaters are out for blood and may not be discriminate with their targets.“ 

[owencavendish]

love-dark-secret:

Hestia listened to the young man and gasped, looking at him with wide eyes when she heard about intruders in the Ministry. “Instruders? What kind of instruders?” For a moment she thought it could be Death Eaters or even the Order, but everything was a mess of things in this place, so he was probably right about one thing, she had to get out. “Well, that makes me a little bit more nervous than before. All these alarms are freaking me out and this hallways look like a maze! Do you know your way around this place? I feel like I’m walking in circles”. Hestia gave a full turn to see if there was a sign or something that indicate the way to the nearest exit but only ended up getting dizzy and colliding with the man once again. “I’m sorry! I get clumsy when I’m nervous.” 

“I’m not quite sure, but I’m very attached to living at this current time. I’d much rather not have that change while at work.“ Owen laughed nervously at his own joke, feeling frazzled with the ongoing flurry of activity between those who thought to fight and thought who opted to flee. “The Ministry is certainly a labyrinth, but all buildings have basic exits, right? Everyone is likely heading to the Floo Networks, so that’s a no go.” The wizard took a glance around him, noting the main stairs and the doors located further down the hallway. 

The second time that the witch fell into him, Owen was more prepared, hands reaching for her upper arms to help steady her. “I can empathize with that. In a situation like this, we’re going to need to be careful. There’s plenty going on around us.” He frowned, mind racing between possibilities. “A place of this size likely has some form of back entrance, for everyday supplies and so on.“ He muttered to himself, considering the topsy-turvy nature of wizarding buildings. Since they were below ground, the logical way to leave was to go up. Right? Probably. “...A supply elevator. That’s not terribly difficult to find.“ 

[owencavendish]

sariaxxyoung:

“Oh, you’ve heard it before?” Saria asked curiously, her eyes twinkling ever so slightly. He must have been from the States - that added another friendly face to her list. Well, at least she hoped so. “I guess that’s whats supposed to happen when you’re a shadow, h-huh?” Saria pursed her lips, before an almost sheepish expression crossed her face. “I dunno if they count, but I get into a mess with my wand on a regular basis. I-I almost caught a broom on fire the other day.” 

“Indeed I have. I spent some time with peers from the south.“ Owen replied, rather excited to have found someone who had a similar familiarity with America. “That’s probably the case. I’m just surprised at how effective it is. At least I’ve plenty of time to myself, although it is a tad lonely.“ It also allowed him enough time to copy down those names that the Order was so interested in. “Wands are tricky instruments. I’ve had a number of mishaps as well with my own. Perhaps that’s why I ended up in this Department- it cuts down the time it takes for them to track me down, you know?” 

[owencavendish]

gravely-serious:

“If they have to have a meeting about it, I’m sure at least one person’s gotten an earful over it.” Kadrea chuckled. She paused, smiling, before cautiously continuing. “That’s good to hear. I was a little worried, to be honest. About coming to the Ministry.” Kadrea shrugged, bouncing lightly on her feet. A nervous habit, and one she was never particularly good at hiding. “You have a point there. There’s certainly some… detachment between the wizarding world and pretty much everything else.”

“I completely understand, but I can assure you that the Ministry is usually a very safe and-” The blast of an alarm filled the air and Owen visibly paled. It could only mean one thing-one of them had been discovered. And if that was the case, then the Death Eaters would be swarming in seconds. “Oh, oh dear. I may have spoken too soon on that front.“ He reached for his clipboard, tearing away the list of names copied in his messy writing and crumpled it into the pocket of his robes. The disguised wizard then pulled for his wand, looking down the hallway to see if anyone had come bursting into the room yet. 

Owen glanced at Kadrea, unwilling to leave her there in the midst of the chaos. If the rumours of Death Eater interrogation tactics were true, then she was in just as much jeopardy as he was. “I’m terribly sorry, but we don’t exactly have the liberty of chatting for now, Miss Graves. I think it’s best if you come with me.“ He reached for her hand, aiming to draw her towards the other end of the department towards the nearest set of stairs. The sounds of fighting were growing louder. “I have a friend at the Portkey Office, just a few floors above us. Er, and it might not be a bad idea to have your wand out too. As a precaution.“

[owencavendish]

love-dark-secret:

Hestia left the Vice President’s office after her interview when the alarms began to sound and everyone went into panick mode. Even she could feel her heart beating faster with every step she took to leave the Ministry. She had no idea why everyone was suddenly screaming and shouting, but she had to get out of that place and she had to get out now. In one of the many twists and turns, she collided with a heavy body and gasped when she crashed out of breath against a wall. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to bump into you, but everyone is just so freaked out! Do you know what happened?”

“Ouf, you knocked the wind right out of me, Miss.“ Owen stepped back, catching his breath as a witch ran head-first into him. His heartbeat was running a mile a minute, the urge to escape and the immense worry for his comrades making it hard for him to focus on what was going on around him. “An alarm’s gone off- intruders, from what I understand.” He was one of them, of course, which did nothing to provide him a sense of calm. “Now the Ministry is very busy- we need to evacuate the visitors as soon as possible. You, er, don’t want to be running into the security at the moment. They’re practically foaming at the mouth, as the saying goes.”

[owencavendish]

gravely-serious:

“I imagine your bosses aren’t too happy that, huh?” She followed the man to the desk, looking over the documents left out for anything interesting. “Thanks,” she said with a smile, taking the forms. “Have you ever done this? The whole going-before-the-committee thing, I mean.” She began filling in all of the necessary information.

“They certainly aren’t. While it’s not polite to repeat what was said, I can assure you that they’ll be most pleased when it’s finally over.“ Owen didn’t truly know many of the specifics about the case, but there had been enough audible grumbling about it for him to get the general idea. At her question, he shook his head. “Not directly, I’ve only worked behind the scenes. However, I don’t believe there is anything you need to worry about. It’s basically like The Verdict- jury duty, that is.” He explained, the Muggle movie the first comparison that came to mind. “All they need you to do, from what I understand, it to verify whether the cover-up story sounds believable from the perspective of a Muggle. No one is better suited for it than those who’ve lived in both worlds, as you can imagine.“

[owencavendish]

ronsxweasleys:

Ron eyed the man carefully. He seemed far too nice to side with the death eaters. Maybe this was someone he actually knew. But there was no way of asking without exposing his true identity, so instead Ron played along. “Department of Mysteries,” he answered. “So I’m afraid I can’t tell you too much.”

Owen had the feeling that he was being sized up, and his palms started to sweat. Did he stick out like a sore thumb? Perhaps he had to lay on the lost intern sctick even more than he was already. Or maybe it was someone on his side? “Of course! I mean if you went around telling everyone what it is that you did in your department, there wouldn’t be much mystery left.“ He chuckled, thinking of a way to figure it out without it being too obvious. “Magical Accidents is an intriguing department, I must say. We often rely on using false faces when dealing with Muggles, just in case the Forgetfulness Potion doesn’t kick in. Do you tend to get similar orders, if you can speak about it?”

[owencavendish]

hqangelina:

“well, you’re good at your job because you’ve made me forget why i started this conversation. do you always talk this much?”

“Oh dear, I have been doing a mile a minute again, haven't I? It's a bad habit, unfortuantely. I tend to say more than I should when I'm in an excitable state. You might say I can be a bit jumpy.“ Owen offered an apologetic grin. "I'm new here, you see. I still think the department is trying to find something for me to do that isn't making copies of old files. Do you work with the Obliviatior Headquarters as well?"

[owencavendish]

evandrusmulciber:

“Ah, perfect.” Evan’s smirk widened. An intern with the Obliviators, what luck. This should speed things along nicely. “Then you’re just the person I’m looking for. I’m here for the inspection.” He eyed the young man, camouflaged magical eye searching for signs of untruths. It was hard to tell, though—oddly enough, he seemed to have some sort of… thin shield about him. Like a membranous layer of soft light. Fascinating. Was this some sort of protection afforded the Obliviators, to shield against misfired spells? Or was it something else? “Your Department head, what was his name… Michael Overbrook. He was supposed to be here waiting for me. But if he’s not up to the task of seeing me around the department, you’ll do.”

Owen's brows furrowed together, puzzled. The Order hadn't mentioned anything about this in his debriefing. “An inspection, you say? Funny that, I hadn't heard one was scheduled.“ Putting himself into the shoes of a Ministry employee, he suppsoed that it was not a wholly unusual practice. Yet the mention of the missing Department Head was harmless enough to address. "That could very well be why I was sent here, yes. Shall I give you a regular tour?" He could bluff his way out of a small walk around the office. Probably. "You'll have to forgive me. I'm still in the process of recognizing faces. Which agency does inspections?"

[owencavendish]

marcusxflint:

“I see,” Marcus commented simply, disdain dripping from his tone. He preferred to work silently and quickly–a seemingly impossible task today, given the fact that he was meant to perform security and maintenance checks on some of the departments within the Ministry of Magic. And with chatty bloody Cathy here, there’d be no getting out soon.

“She’s–about 5′8″? Blonde, stern-looking middle-aged woman who speaks only in short, blunt sentences. A preferred method of communication, actually.”

“Oh, now that does sound somewhat familiar. I’m absolutely dreadful with remembering faces, but apparently that’s a rather solid quality to have in an agency quite like this. I certainly don't understand the rationale behind that.“ Owen chattered on, none the wiser about the other wizard’s irritation. He did however, feel a rather off vibe emitting from him. How peculiar. “A woman matching that description came by here early this morning to talk to one of the senior staff members. She left about an hour or two ago, if I'm correct. Something regarding an out-of-office meeting?“

[owencavendish]

gravely-serious:

Kadrea stayed silent for a second, staring that man who was speaking. “Uh, I was supposed to check in? At the desk for the Muggle Worthy Excuses Committee? But there’s no one there, so I thought that you might be able to help me. If you have time, of course!” She added in a rush.

A flash of recognition passed through Owen’s eyes as soon as he heard the witch speak. His face nearly showed his surprise, had he not remembered at the last second that he was currently supposed to be undercover. “Oh, of course! It’s the Surrey case, isn’t it? The Obliviator Headquarters have been stewing about it all morning. Let me help you with that then. This way.“ The wizard led the way, stopping at a desk with a number of different forms and files scattered about. He shuffled through them until he found the correct sign-in sheet. “Well, Miss Graves, we just need you to fill out the information here, along with your signature. Once that’s done, we can see about getting you that interview.” 

[owencavendish]

marcusxflint:

“You’re quite the chatty sort, aren’t you? I was inquiring as to what you were doing here; I’m looking for the Head of the Department of Magical Education. Seen her lurking around anywhere? She’s late for an appointment.”

“Guilty as charged. I’m a sucker for a good conversation, and I haven’t been entrusted with enough tasks to keep myself busy for extended periods of time quite yet.“ Owen held his hands up in mock surrender. “I’m waiting on my superiors to decide who I’m shadowing for the day. My usual supervisor seems to have fallen ill. This woman you’re looking for- what does she look like? I’ve seen a handful of rather important-looking witches dropping by, but I believe that specifics would help. I haven’t been here long enough to memorize every senior manager just yet.“

[owencavendish]

sariaxxyoung:

“You -  heck - you talk faster than a jack rabbit! My best friend’s gotta habit of doin’ that too, so I mostly got what you were tryin’ to say…I think. Either way, I was wonderin’ why you were standin’ by the water cooler so long? Are you waitin’ on someone?”

“Now that’s an analogy I haven’t heard in quite some time.“ The wizard grinned from ear to ear. “Yes, I’m currently waiting on one of the senior members from my division to come by. I’m supposed to be shadowing one of them today, eventually leading up to a training session about controlling the level of memory lost. The only problem is, I think they might have forgotten about me. Ironic, isn’t it? And what about yourself? Is there a Magical Accident or Catastrophe that I can help you with?“