Walking down to Hogsmeade, Cameron checked the list of six books again. All unusual, two were on some rather darker stuff then Hogwarts would have around, but the others were written by a hag, a vampire, and a muggle who had investigated the cult of voodoo down in South America. All three would be frowned on books in school which is why he couldn't get ahold of them there. However one of his friends who had recently graduated was in a tight spot and could use the extra money; she could look for them in Knockturn without him dogging her steps and get them for some extra cash for him.

Not that he was doing it for a good turn, mind you, he wanted the books. But if the shoe fit...

Spotting the bar and seeing it wasn't even half full, Cameron took a stool and said "Hey," he waved as she passed and then settled to wait. Friends they might be, but of course her job came first and he wasn't going to get her in trouble by taking up all her attention away from her customers. It was late fall and the weather had turned cooler; soon he would have to content himself with those hot chocolates. He had never found coffee's flavor appealing and there was hardly any other hot drinks down here to choose over getting something from the Elves. His excuses for being in her by himself were going to dry up soon after Fall was up.

He left a galleon on the counter knowing it would have bought him a couple of rounds of drinks. When she returned he said simply "Hot cider, if you have it and five minutes to place an order for something I can't get up there," meaning the school. This was his first order for her since school started, though she had gotten him a few things over the summer including two books on animagus and their secrets which he simply didn't want anyone to know about. Sure, they now had some secrets between them, but she wouldn't be dragging his out just like he wouldn't be dragging out hers.

And since she needed the income he was fairly sure she wouldn't be too standoffish about it either. He was helping out a friend, but for his own purposes. It felt all secretive and dangerous and he liked a challenge. Cameron smiled while he waited feeling confident in his connections. Besides, she had done well ferreting out those paints for him too and those weren't dark in any sense, he just didn't want the word spread around he needed them...

@jade

Jade was expecting another normal day at the Three Broomsticks. She appreciated normalcy after a while, even if it meant the same jerk customers and the same lust-crazed boys hitting on her while she served them drinks. As long as anything particularly out of the ordinary happened, she went home in a somewhat good mood and could rest easy for the night have having a few drinks of her own and some decent conversation with her twin brother Ronan. She had learned that normal, no matter how crappy it could be at times, was quite nice in the general sense.

Today would not be such a day. Today Jade was in for a very interesting conversation. It started normal enough with Jade working behind the bar and looking up to see an old friend from school come in. And for Cameron to be a "friend" meant something as in school, Jade and her brother had very few, with them mainly hanging around one another. But she found Cameron to be a cool enough guy to hang around. He was different anyway, and didn't act like a number of the other Slytherins did. When he stepped in, she nodded a greeting to him and asked his order.

"One hot cider coming up, Mr. Clarke," she said. She then turned and raised an eyebrow when he said he was placing an order for something he couldn't get at the bar. "Oh, well if it's a date you want, then you'll have to let me think about it." She was idly flirting with Cameron of course. If she considered someone her friend, she knew she could do so and that the person would take it all in good fun. She handed him the cider and leaned over to him. "So... what do you need?"

@shava

There were not many Slytherins in Cameron's circle of friends as he tried to make his targets outside of that particular group, but there were a few. One of the few of those who he had not had somewhat carnal relationships with was one called Jade. Although he had originally made friends with her to that direction, he had learned quick enough how closed she was to that sort of interaction. But it had gotten far enough they had a comfortable relationship and they did share family problems of similar issues at least. Controlling parents with different ideas for their children then the children wanted had been the start of many of their conversations in the past. Besides which, she didn't have the genes he was looking for in something long term, not to mention she was smart enough not to fall into his traps.

That made her practically unique for a Cameron friendship.

As well, Cameron rather liked the idea of having a connection who was also a bartender.While his parents experimented with his taste buds often letting him have small sampled of wines and other things at home, he was not legal yet to drink and wasn't particularly anxcious for it unlike many of his yearmates. But then again anything you were denied could be a draw, right? Hence why so many attempted deep physical relationships over time while still underage. It seemed dumb to Cameron to come right out and say absolutely not to any teenager. Like theft, if someone wanted something bad enough they would find a way so there was only so much protection you could use to stop it.

A smile at her date quip. "Ah well it seemed good to let you know in advance; that's the problem with both of us being such hot commodities, we have no room on our schedules it seems." Cameron already had a girl on the hook currently o he felt none of the urges some did sitting across from her at a bar. While he appreciated her assets, he also knew that was going no where. Not that Jade Clarke wasn't a bad name, he just didn't think the future chances were that good. When she asked his needs, he handed over the list and took a sip of the hot cider which was his preferred way of warming up against the oncoming chill. "Just a few books, you'd have to order them. I figured out the total already," he said pointing at the bottom of the note.

He'd planned ahead of course. If it was too out of her way she'd be more likely to balk at doing it.

@jade

Jade had a few dates, even boyfriends here and there, during her time at Hogwarts. She was beautiful and ambitious, so that should have no surprise. However, she was a girl then. She considered herself a woman now, a bit older and a bit wiser. She wanted a guy who was of far more use than a good snogging session while the Professors weren't looking. She needed a guy for the long term and someone her brother would be somewhat cool with. Cameron was cute and all, but he was also a bit younger and probably already had some girlfriend given his charm. Still, it was fun to flirt with him.

"Ask me again when you graduate," she joked about the date. "Though knowing you, I think by then I'll have to get in line."

She then listened as he made his actual request. Books? Okay, that was odd. She gave him a suspicious look, thinking there was going to be more to it than simply getting him books. Usually when a Slytherin, including herself when she was one, asked a favor, there was some little catch to it somewhere. However, she did trust Cameron enough not to say no right away based on an assumption.

"Books?" she asked. "Cameron honey, you do know there is a lovely, albeit boring little bookshop just outside called Tomes and Scrolls. They have quite the selection of literature I hear." She then smiled and leaned in closer. Her breath had a nice, minty smell given she often had mints on hand to eliminate the smell of her smoking habit. "Or are these special books? Something you can't just get in a boring little bookshop like Tomes and Scrolls." She then playfully tapped Cameron's nose. "Is our little Cameron up to something devious today?"

@shava

Cameron chuckled as she teased and blew her a kiss. "If I have not got someone nailed down to a contract by my seventeenth trust me, my parents will have already done it against my interests. I've had a few girlfriends while waiting for you to come around, gorgeous," he teased right back. But if he did get stuck with someone, Cameron knew he'd make the best of it if his parents won. He had to the way they had things set up and Cameron was not the type to skip out on that much funds. He'd not have to work if he stayed, he would if he left and a lot harder then he was interested in doing. He might love his parents, but he was smart enough to acknowledge when they had the cards stacked in their favor.

No, he wouldn't turn her down for a date, but she wasn't going to wait and be nailed into a long term contract of marriage either. He had a few fish he was playing with, but they would have to gain some courage first before any of them might bite. Although he admitted she was right about what kind of bait to use; he knew he was attractive. She looked taken aback slightly by his request and his eyes twinkled; he had never been known as a studier which was an image he kept as his main face to the world. His studying was just done at night when everyone else was out and he had time to delve into more forbidden subjects.

"Yes, love, books." He smiled at her question. "They don't carry the sort I want to get. You'll just have to order them and then return later to pick them up. Just leave my name out of it." He nodded, his smile getting a bit wider as she tapped him on the nose as he contained his laughter except in his eyes. "Never little, my dear, trust me on that. But maybe I am. However, I pay very well for such a simple task I need and it will take you very little time I think unless you hesitate about going into Knockturn." He took a sip of his cider, saluting her with the mug as he waited to see what her nerves were like on that subject.

Some people worried about the types they ran into there, but he was willing to bet if she took her brother she wouldn't hesitate at all.

@jade

Jade grew more serious when the subject of parents was brought up. Any time she heard that word a flood of bad memories hit her- the abuse, the lack of compassion that parents were supposed to give, and of course the little episode that caused her and Ronan to leave their home in Ireland. She drew back just a bit from Cameron and sighed.

"Well there will come a point when you can tell your parents to bugger off, you know?" she said. "Then you can make some decisions for yourself. Whoever you want to be with should be your decision, not theirs. Love isn't something to be controlled."

She then listened as Cameron went on about the books and gave his instructions. Yes indeed, it seemed to her that he was up to no good.

"You want to cause some mischief, but you don't want to get caught," she said. "So all the trouble transfers to me then? Cameron, you are a naughty, naughty boy, aren't you?" She was still be cool and laid back about it all, but she would have to fully hear him out before she made a decision to do this. She liked Cameron and all, but the only one she'd ever fully stick her neck out for was Ronan.

He then went on about what she would need to do... or rather where she would need to go. Jade wasn't crazy about Knockturn Alley, but she had been there... even had done business there before. She immediately thought of one man who would have the type of books Cameron needed... or could get them... and she hated going into Dathan Burke's shop. She thought a moment, then hesitated.

"Alright, here's the deal..." she said. "I do this, I name the price, not you. And if something happens to me in Knockturn, you pay my brother double that price for his loss. Deal?"

@shava

Her teasing mood dropped away as he brought up the contract. He gave her words ear time, but his parents were apparently more careful then hers had been. "They have things nailed down fairly well actually. I will be contracted before I will have a chance to be legally on my own. It's been planned since I was born. I have not found anyone willing enough to help with the loophole yet so no, we'll have to see." Hence his penchant for trying out girls in dating, though few understood his real aim at the heart of it. Why should he make it easy for those who disliked him to find out his weaknesses? No, he'd stay close mouthed about it. "Love maybe not, but they have everything else closed. Love won't have much to do with it I'm afraid."

Love. He'd go for what he could grasp and hope love followed in time.

A sly smile. "Mischief? Moi?" he feigned a look of innocence melting into a wink. "No, mostly these represent knowledge of the darker world around us, not so much in spells except for two of them. I'm not interested in casting in school so do not worry you can't be blamed for anything on there, but it is stuff I want to know about for when I do run across it. Consider it research. I'm not up to anything but gaining knowledge the school won't teach because of politics." Which was in it's essence true. There were some magics hidden amongst the pages he was sure, but he wanted knowledge gained to be a surprise to others so they were not expecting what he did when they came after him. Which might happen, one could never know for sure.

And at least one of them would help him with his animagus transformation before the class giving him an edge. An eyebrow went up at her as she spoke and he sat back some. "Something happen to you?" A frown. "If there was any chance of that I would expect you to take him with you actually. And how could I compensate him on the loss of a sister exactly? Is there that much money in the world?" A glance down her frame on purpose, as if to highlight the fact she would be a desirable target indeed for more then dark magics. "All right, point made. Take your brother with you and I'll add some to cover expenses, but your price will still have to be reasonable. I'm looking for books on the sly, not fund your life for the next few months."

He shrugged to show he was half kidding about that part. "Mind you, if it works out, there might be some other things you can get me through the year." His eyes gave away he could think of far more. And since her brother had so little to do at home from what he had heard from her once, surely he would find it agreeable?

@jade

Jade's stomach turned at how Cameron's parents treated him. True they might not have called him rotten names or beat him as her parents did to her and Ronan, but there were other ways to harm one's child and it seemed that this was what his parents were doing. She wanted to help Cameron out with this situation, and actually knew of some ways as to do so. Not quite legal ways, but ways.

"Well, if you ever grow tired of your parents' rubbish and want to be happy, then come to me," she said. "Let's just say I know some people who know some people."

Research? Jade wanted to laugh at that. Any time she had ever heard someone say they wanted some more forbidden literature, they said it was simply for research. Nine times out of ten, it turned out to be for something else, and five or six times out of ten the person who claimed to the do the research found himself or herself in Azkaban for some twisted crime of magic. Perhaps Cameron was different, but Jade was cautious.

"I hope you're telling the truth," she said. "It would be a shame if time in Azkaban damaged such a handsome face."

Jade listened as Cameron responded to her ultimatum. He drove a hard bargain too. She honestly wasn't planning to force him to pay a lot. He was a student after all. So when he was done, she smirked and ruffled his hair playfully.

"Alright, deal," she said. "And my price is fair." She then gave said price, which was fair indeed. A bit high, but not ridiculously high. "That and expenses. Don't worry though. Ronan and I are cheap. We've been living cheap since we moved to Hogsmeade." She then smiled and grabbed a bottle of firewhiskey, pouring two glasses.

"One last favor," she said. "Have a toast with me. It's not that often I get to have a drink with a handsome guy like you."

@shava

Cameron narrowed his eyes at her in a humorous way, as if he was suspicious. "Oh my! Suddenly I feel like the innocent one if you know those sorts!" he teased back, knowing she had never really been the type in the past for such things. "And I hear you, I'll remember. My parents are very clever with how they set up their legal paperwork however, that would only get me in more trouble. I'm fairly stuck unless I find a girl willing to give me a child before graduation." Which would be hard enough, but he had a couple of girls who might innocently fall into that picture if he kept working on them.

He nearly spit some of he cider, but stopped, swallowed, and then coughed twice! "Ha! No, I'm never getting into that place, you can believe that! I have enough plans for my future to not be getting close to those sorts. I don't take risks, I plan out long and carefully chosen paths, my dear," he winked, patting her hand. Still, she liked his face. Maybe some day he might give her an offer and see if she was willing enough to get both her and her brother up and out of the poorhouse. She played with his hair and he drank more cider and let her. Girls loved his hair for some reason...

Finding the price a bit high, but wanting those books, he nodded. "Deal indeed. And how soon might you think you will be willing to attempt it? Shall I meet you back here next weekend? Or somewhere more private so I can give you a tip?" He ran his fingers up her arm teasingly as she suddenly brought up whiskey and he raised an eyebrow. "All right. One drink, then I'll finish off the cider and get out of your hair. I would never deny a pretty woman my company and staying around too long might ruin things. I like leaving things on a good note."

@jade

Jade smirk when Cameron spoke of the deadline to have a child before graduation.

"There's a lot of things I would do for you honey, even send my brother and myself into Knockturn, but sadly I can't help you with a baby," she said. Even if she fancied Cameron enough to be intimate with him, she wouldn't dare bring a kid into this screwed up world. Despite it being peace time, she still felt it was a screwed up world. That came from her own past again though, and some folks she had dealt with since then.

Jade smirked again when Cameron passionately spoke of avoiding Azkaban at all costs. Who wouldn't feel that way? She heard horror stories about the famous prison. Some of them might have been exaggerated, but damned if she was ever going to find out.

"Well, I don't plan for my brother and I to go either, so if you ever do get into a lot of trouble, I'll turn you into the snake you are before I let you drag me into it as well." Again, Jade was messing with him. If she did think he was a snake, she certainly thought he was handsome one.

Jade smiled at the deal being sealed. She then listened as he suggested a place and time.

"My place. Saturday. One o'clock. I'm sleeping in that day because I'm off," she said. "Knock any earlier than that and you'll just have to wait."

She then handed him the glass of firewhiskey and lifted her on.

"A toast... to a most charming young bloke and his malevolent plans," she said. After the toast, she drank her's down, then stepped over in front of the bar and gave Cameron a friendly kiss on the cheek. "You know it really is hard to say no to you. Now go... out of my hair." She chuckled at that.

(Hopefully I can get a hold of Manda soon for the next part of this.)

@shava

He nodded; it was what he had assumed. She wasn't interested in having a family and it fit her nature really. "S'okay I really didn't expect you too. I've got a few possible girls like I said, it's just a matter of convincing. I can be very charming, you know," he winked, not pointing out at least one of those girls had no idea whatsoever that he was planning out. And if he could convince either girl, then his family lawyer would be quite surprised by his plans for sure! "If you do ever settle with someone though I expect a wedding invite you know. Gotta dance with the bride at least once with a big smirk on my face," he chuckled.

A purse of the lips, but he wasn't worried. He already had another form and before anyone would be casting stuff on him he'd be long gone in surprise exit. Being unregistered was a nice touch and kept him with a backup plan he hoped would save his butt someday! "Only part of me could be claimed to be a snake and you aren't interested I think in playing around with that too much, so you just leave me to get my way out of my own messes, darling," he laughed, "I feel pretty confident if things go south I can get out of them with a distraction. Besides, nothing I'm going to ask you to get will be illegal, just frowned upon to be in a student's hands. No reason for the law coming after you."

Another surprise. "Oh,sleeping in? I make a very good teddy bear I'm told, and more if you get bored, Jade." A wink. Not that he didn't have ideas for a tip that she would like in the first place, but it was always good to flirt, right? No harm done and if it worked well, excellent. "But I'll be prompt, I promise," he said pulling a bar napkin over and scribbling place, date, and time down carefully, slipped it into his pocket. A nod at her toast before he lifted his own glass "And to the siblings success in all ventures together!" He popped the firewhiskey back, made a face as he put the glass down, and finished off his cider to end on a good flavor. Alcohol was fine, but he preferred it with flavor more then kick.

Receiving her kiss, he kissed her back the same, enjoying the up close scent of her on her neck. "I did say I was charming, right?" he laughed and then saluted with his hand to his forehead. "Yes Ma'am," very sarcastically before he dropped it and said softer from one friend to another "And you have a good day. I hope all the drunks pass out before they cause you any grief and leave you extra for the trouble they do make. See ya later, tell your brother hi from me." And he exited jauntily, feeling the day was a well worked out one.

@jade