Night had befallen the noisy streets of London. The smell of gasoline and sewage clung to the air as Justin walked along the sidewalk. Like many other days when he got off of work, the joy of simply walking and being free of magic always soothed his conscious. However, unlike other nights, tonight was different. A trepidation clutched at his insides, yanking them to and fro. Upon graduating from Hogwarts, receiving top marks in each of his N.E.W.Ts, Justin had been approached by an Auror from the Ministry of Magic. However, he remembered clearly, that the chance of becoming an Auror wasn't all that was being extended to him. It was no secret of his exultant pride of being from a pure blood family. The Ackerman lineage was not known for their tolerance of half-bloods or muggles either. His father's speeches on a wizarding dominated world more than verified that thought. It was because of his father's view that first put him on the radar of the Circle. At first, it was difficult to stomach the news of a new Dark Lord - one that the Circle Auror claimed to be able to surpass Voldemort. The legacy of the former Dark Lord was hard to best he thought to himself. Splitting of the souls and the killing of many didn't sit well with him. He had told the man this during their meeting. What intrigued him and ultimately led to his induction was the plan. The Circle wanted to create a Magocracy. A world where Pure Bloods sat at the highest seats of power while a hierarchy would be implemented. The muggles would serve them and be regulated. The half-bloods would be given some degree of freedom. Spartan few details were further divulged, but it was enough for the Slytherin. He accepted the proposition and was whisked off to the Ministry where he completed his Auror training. His contact worked closely with him promising a boon from the Dark Lord when he had proven himself. He made his ways through the street as the very same Auror that recruited him wanted to meet tonight. Was the day today? He didn't know himself, but the wait had been far too long. No, trepidation wasn't the right word to describe how he felt. There wasn't one at all. Looking towards a building, Justin walked over and took a seat at an empty table. A waitress came out and he returned her smile. "Tea please," he said curtly. "Green if you have it." The waitress jotted down his order. "Will there be anything else?" Justin looked around and saw his contact. "Perfect timing," he said. "My friend. He may want to order I surmise." "Ackerman, quite the mind reader." Bently Moore quickly gave his order as he sat down. He dismissed the muggle with a sneer. "Can't stand them. Muggles. How was the assignment tonight? Catch the loose wizard?" Justin nodded. "Tried to use an unforgivable. I'm sure the Ministry will send him off to Azkaban. Those spells sanction the harshest of wizarding laws, do they not?" Bently nodded as he pulled out his pocket watch. "Shame the dementors were dismissed," he said. "Invaluable creatures if you could shackle them. Put a wizard guard in place, you have prison squabbles and riots. Put those things with their torn robes on guard detail ... no infractions. No incidents whatsoever. May the current Minister prove more adequate than Shacklebolt. Enough of the chit chat however. He has a job for you Justin. Are you ready?" The moment had finally arrived. Justin knew it. Rarely had Bently and himself ever convened outside of the Ministry. "Details." The older man leaned in. The waitress returned with their orders, which both men quickly took and dismissed. "Our activities have caught the attention of a certain Auror. Someone who you know quite well. How's Finius these days? The mud blood is one stubborn hound. I'll give him that. Whatever the case, the Circle wants him gone. Dead. You do this, and you'll earn your place. You're capable Justin; we want you with us. Just do this one thing, and you'll earn His favor. No mistakes. No trails." Could he kill someone? Justin willed himself to answer yes and commit, but there was something that stopped him. He took a sip from his tea as memories flooded back to him all at once. For the past several years, he had kept close watch on Phoebe. Not stalking her. Nothing like that. He simply heard things within his old ring of friends. When he heard she got married, it slashed at his heart. It angered him at first, but then only happiness for her remained. After he walked out without saying goodbye, who was he to get angry with her? She needed someone to look after her, love her. It was something he couldn't do. Not now with the path he was going to take. It wasn't too late to walk away though he thought to himself. Maybe he could go find her? Try to make things right. No. He couldn't do that to her. "I overheard Finius going to the warehouse area tonight. I'll find him there. You'll have your body." “Good man.” Bently took out a smoke and lit it. Justin hated those things. “Those of the Circle will be watching, Justin. No mistakes. There can be no mistakes.” Draining the remnants of the tea in his mug, Justin got to his feet. His hands were cold. “I’ll handle it.” --- A short, old man sagged against the wall of a crate. A torrent of emotions crashed through Justin as his wand aimed directly at Finius’s heart. Finding the Auror wasn’t hard at all. Like always, Finius was genial, welcoming to those who had earned his trust. Justin had that, and here he was breaking it. “The … cruciatus curse isn’t … kind,” Finius said as sweat beaded from his forward and sunk into his grey-tipped beard. “I expected this from a number of people — non Ministry, but you? Justin, my dear boy. Why?” Holding back his remorse, Justin kept his wand trained on his friend. Former friend. “You’re investigating matters that are better left untouched,” he said. “I’m here to ensure you don’t pry any deeper.” “The Circle?” Justin spoke not a word. “Those pure blooded extremists! They want slaves Justin. Slavery of the muggles, the half-bloods, creatures, everything!” Fininus coughed as his chest heaved up and down. “You don’t truly believe in that. Though your blood is untainted your mind couldn’t have fallen to such … despicable levels. Morality. They lack it. You saved many folks of mixed blood. What’s changed?” “Nothing has changed,” Justin said. He mustered up all the bigotry and loathing he could. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have trusted himself to not break. He looked up, a figure stood from afar watching. There was no going back. Not anymore. “All of it was an act, Finius. I hate the mud bloods, the tainted, the sick. The Circle shares those views and embrace them wholly. Unfortunately, you’re interfering. A pest! Goodbye my friend.” Before Finius could say another word, bright, green light shot out from the tip of Justin’s wand as it slammed into the Auror’s chest. Finius’s head snapped back as it bounced off a warehouse storage container. It was surreal. Taking a life. So easy yet so disturbing. Justin wanted to throw up. Taking a step back and looking up, the figure was still watching then disappeared and reappeared. The figure lowered the cloak’s cowl as a pale, blonde woman stared at him then to the body. “You’ve done us a service, boy,” said the woman harshly. “He will be pleased. You’ll be contacted shortly. Welcome, brother.” --- What was only minutes felt like an hour as Justin stumbled into a bar. He needed a drink. Not his typical non-alcoholic beverage, but something strong. Making his way to the counter, he was very aware of the load, upbeat music. His eyes locked onto a group. The faces were familiar, but he was in no mood to deal with alumni of Hogwarts. They belonged to the other houses while some were from Syltherin. Taking a seat at the counter, the bartender came up and sized him up. “Rough night?” “What’s the strongest drink you have?” “To make you forget or knock you on your ass?” Justin rolled his eyes. “I don’t know. Both.” The bartender smirked as he pulled various bottles off the wall and took out his wand. “Normally, I don’t put this on the menu. Too many sodding idiots would tear up the place. A special something for you. Burning Phoenix. It’ll make all the crap melt away. Interested?” Justin nodded and watched the mixing. Lastly, he caught a few spell words as the liquid in the glass turned a bright redish-orange. It was beautiful. The liquid swirled around like fire as flames danced across the surface. Taking the glass, he took a large gulp. The burn was instantaneous as he shook his head. It’d been far too long since he quenched his thirst on poison. “So?” The bartender was standing expectantly as a few other patrons looked on with interest. “Its got quite the kick.” The bartender laughed. “No more for you. That one glass will keep you relaxed for a while. Just water.” Nodding, Justin took another sip as he turned his head to the dance floor. So many colors, sounds, and dancers. It was all so very extravagant. He was about to turn back until a face drew his eyes like insects to the fluorescent lights on an evening porch. His chest froze as the drink was all but forgotten. “Watch this,” he said to the bartender as he got to his feet and made his way through the dance floor. His current fashion wasn’t fitting whatsoever. He wore robes, trousers, and a button up while the others wore casual. Neon, jeans, leggings, anything that seemed to fit into the dancing scene. Pushing past a couple of figures, he finally saw her dancing with someone. He reached out and lightly grabbed Phoebe’s shoulder. He positioned himself to make sure she could see him. A misunderstanding was definitely not what he wanted right now. “Phoebe.”