A quick check assured her that her robes, cut lower than she would normally wear, were positioned to show off her physical attributes. She didn't like using her body as a selling point, but as instructed, she would do whatever was necessary to recruit McLaggen. Even if it meant sleeping with the lech.

"Mr. McLaggen," she said, coming up to his table. She checked his plate to see that she had timed her entrance correctly. She did so hate doing business when people were distracted by food. "My name is Elle Ashe. May I speak with you for a moment?"

He had noticed her walk into the restaurant, and felt a small smile of satisfaction creeping onto his face as he realized she was walking towards his table. Another beautiful woman drawn to me. They're powerless to resist. A curse I have to bear. Smiling broadly now as he listened to her words, he stood and held out the chair opposite him. "It's my pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Ashe. Please, join me."

"Thank you, Mr. McLaggen." He was at least gentlemanly. And handsome enough to make flirting not unpleasant. She had heard his skill in the bedroom matched his looks, but she would prefer not to test that theory out.

She considered casting a silencing charm around them, but knew the easiest way to hide was in plain sight. They were just two people talking after lunch, nothing of interest to the casual passerby.

"I represent a group of people who are interested in you; you and people like you." She smiled and let her hand trail over his arm as the waitress brought her a glass of water, looking for all the world like a woman meeting her lover.

"A man like you knows what he wants," she said, once the waitress had left. "And you don't let anything get in your way. It's a very useful trait, Mr. McLaggen."

Cormac smiled politely. "Well, I am at a disadvantage, then. You seem to know more about me than a perfect stranger should," he said. "What can I do for you, Miss Ashe?"

"Exactly what you have been doing," she said, forcing her voice down an octave to make it sound sexier. "For now, at least. Our desires are the same as yours, Mr. McLaggen. We feel that certain people should not be in power and are taking steps to remove them. Much like you have done with Mr. Tumblerose." She could see that the name startled him. He had thought that no one had noticed. He would eventually learn that they noticed everything.

Trying not to show his emotions on his face, Cormac took a drink of his tea and smiled charmingly at Elle. "And here I thought I wouldn't get any recognition for taking out the rubbish." How the hell does anyone know about that? Goldstein? Did he turn on me?" Cormac thought. No, there's no way. I could get him in as much trouble. His eyes narrowed slightly. "Who exactly do you represent?" he asked. "Who are 'we'?"

"Like I said, a group of witches and wizards that share your goals. We call ourselves the Liberi of Sanctimonia."

Holding back a snort, Cormac answered, "Children of Purity?" Not too self-righteous there. "What does your...organization get out of me doing what I've been doing? And more importantly, what's in it for me?" he asked, arching a perfect eyebrow.

Elle gave him a cold smile. "We get someone worthwhile in the MLE, someone who is primed to rise to power. You, Mr. McLaggen, get exactly what you want: power. A new day is dawning and we need wizards of the right sort to take control. It might not happen next week, or even next month, but we can assure you a position in the new order. Perhaps one day even Minister of Magic."

Cormac leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. "Well, I'll certainly think about it. You do offer a rather attractive package," he answered.

Elle nodded. That was expected, of course. No doubt it would take at least a few more meetings before he would accept their offer. "Of course, Mr. McLaggen." She pulled out a white business card embossed with a single peacock feather. "You may use this card to contact me if you wish to meet again. I believe Dumbledore's Army used a similar construct to arrange meetings. Simply write the time and place on the back."

That surprised Cormac. Merlin, who are these people? How do they know these things? He reached out and took the card with only moderately trembling fingers and peered at Elle for a moment. "It's been lovely speaking with you. Very enlightening. I do hope we'll have the occasion to see each other again."

"I'm sure we will, Mr. McLaggen." She rose from her chair and didn't bother shaking his hand. He was too spooked as it was.

Helga's right tit, I hope the Glorious Mother is right about him, she thought as she walked away. Every recruitment was a risk, a chance that they had chosen the wrong person. The Glorious Mother had been right so far, but she wasn't infallible.

Cormac Flooed back the Ministry and returned to his office to pour himself a drink. That was quite possibly the strangest lunch I've had in recent history. And that's saying something.


The card:




[Summary: Cormac makes a new contact, one that offers what he wants the most: power. Will he accept the offer?]