d e a l {ascella}

[ransom]

Ransom lowered the hood of his cloak, he had gone deep enough now that there was no need to conceal who he was. Today he needed to meet with Ascella Malfoy- a young lady who he had been hiring to do his dirty work for him. The girl was young, only a teenager, but she knew what she was doing, and her price was reasonable. Ransom now had the money, but she wanted what he felt to be relatively little for her services. Nevertheless, he didn't have a problem with the amount they had agreed on, after taking the appropriate coins from his Gringotts vault Ransom could barely notice that he had taken anything- and he would get triple the amount back on interest in a year.

His cloak swished as he sharply turned a corner, one could never be too deep into the alleys for these sorts of dealings. Ransom had barely gone a few paces before someone grabbed the hem of his robes, he turned to face an old wizard who looked as if he hadn't showered in several years. The little hair he had was pure white and wiry, and he looked nearly blind from cataracts. Ransom crinkled his nose, these kinds were all too common down here.

"Please sir," the man croaked, tugging at his robe vigourously, "I haven't eaten in days, all I ask is a few coins..." Ransom was half-disgusted, though in the back of his mind was sympathizing with the old man. He knew what it was like to be on the streets with only his wits to get by. Ransom reached into his pocket and pulled out a Galleon, putting it into the outstretched palm of the man, who finally released his robes with a quiet "god bless." Ransom quickly moved away to someplace more private, to a section of alley that was entirely empty spare for a few crates. Ransom seated himself atop one carefully, waiting for the people he needed to do business with to arrive.

[izzie]

Izzie walked calmly down the streets of Knockturn Alley, though her heart was beating far faster than usual. She hated these parts, and normally wouldn't have gone down here voluntarily, but she had a bit of business to take care of today. Specifically, Death Eater business. Isabel wasn't exactly looking forward to it, but she knew she was due for a bit of payment, so that was a good thing at least.

Brushing off the second beggar she had encountered, Izzie reached up to adjust the hood covering her head and hair. Even in these parts, she didn't want to be recognized. No one, not even those with the Death Eaters, were supposed to know her side, and she preferred to keep it that way. There was no sense in giving things away now. It was only when she spotted her target in an empty alleyway, sitting atop a crate, that Izzie dropped her hood, revealed wavy brown locks and an expressionless face.

"Mr. Croft," Izzie said, giving Ransom a short nod as she approached, not bothering to check behind her for followers. She had already done so several times and had assured herself that no one was watching. There was no need to appear paranoid now. She had to keep her wits about her in this sort of place, dealing with this sort of person. Izzie didn't bother to take a seat, not wanting to become any shorter than she already was. It seemed almost a sign of weakness in this scenario.

[ransom]

Ransom nodded his head when Ascella Malfoy approached him, lowering her hood. Though one never could be sure everyone was who they appeared to be. He stood up, he would be asking the usual identification questions, but he saw no reason to hound her immediately. Ransom just was not going to be saying anything confidential until he was sure that they were alone, and that the girl in front of him was most definitely Ascella Malfoy. He kicked back the crate so it would not be in his space where he stood and pulled out his wand, pointing it down the alley.

He cast a few nonverbal spells to ensure their privacy. Ransom wasn't a fool he knew that there were ears everywhere, even if one could not necessarily see them. Another quick spell told him that they were, indeed, alone in that section of the alley, and would not be disturbed because of his charms. "No need for such formalities," said he, twirling his wand slowly between his fingers, "it's Ransom." He figured they might as well be on a first-name basis. At any rate, being called "Mr. Croft" reminded him of his father, and he most certainly was not going to be that man or anything close.

Ransom then, almost casually, pointed his wand directly at Ascella, his eyes tracing her form quickly before looking directly into her eyes. He wasn't the best at reading people, though he could usually tell when they were lying. "Name and occupation of last target," Ransom said simply. If she answered correctly, then it he would know it was indeed the real Ascella Malfoy. However, if her answer was incorrect... He would have matters other than paying his hired assassin on his hands.