Age of Innocence

~~~~Age Of Innocence~~~~

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~~The Three Broomsticks Pub, Hogsmeade, Scotland - 1908~~~~

Christmas Day. A day when round the world children and adults alike were steeped in gifts, music and camaraderie. Families and friends would get together, drink, eat, sing and be merry. Where old and young were brought together in one place to enjoy the festivities of an afternoon. Even those of different religions and beliefs understood the ways of Christmas and the happiness and joy it offered to everyone. Well to almost everyone that was. To the man sitting in a darkened booth in the pub now, Christmas this year meant only pain, agony and torture.

Five tankards of butterbeer sat before the man, and he was tensely gripping onto a sixth at the moment. The picture this man made to the unobserved eye would have seemed strange most likely on this joyous day. However for those like Rosie the pub owner, it was a sad picture indeed to see. Even she however, as hardened as she was, didn't dare throw out the young man to the winter harshness, even though she knew she was going to get stiffed out of the bill most likely.

The man had once been good looking no question there, not much though these days. Where black eyes once sparkled with laughter, now they were only dull and empty...lifeless. Once shoulder length shiny black hair that had been neatly tied up in a ponytail was now just as dull, unwashed and unkempt. Days worth of stubble were on his cheeks and chin, and his once tanned skin seemed pasty and sallow as if he hadn't seen sunlight in ages now.

What would have surprised people who didn't know this man was that it had only been two months in which this massive transformation had taken place. Two months that to the man had seemed like eternity. Two months of being in hell and falling deeper and deeper in till even he wasn't sure of his own name any longer. What was saddest of all of it was that he didn't even care what was happening to him.

He didn't even notice when the door suddenly burst open and a group of five men staggered in, taking a seat only a booth away from him. 'Pint 'o yer best all round Rosie!' one of the men called out in a voice that showed they'd already been at the brew at some point.

'Don't ya think you've all had enough Aidan Macnair? I don't want no trouble in me pub today,' Rosie said back keeping a strict eye on the men.

'I'll be sayin' when we've 'ad enough woman. Now get us the bleeding pints if'n yaknow what's good for ya!' Macnair scowled.

Rosie huffed but did as told and got five tankards of her best butterbeer. She plunked them down before the men and without even meaning to slid her eyes towards her unassuming guest. Unfortunately that got noticed by a member of the group, and as she walked away one men got up and walked over to the booth in which the hiding man sat.

'Wondered what had become of you. Mind if I take a seat?' the small man said quietly.

A grunt and a nod was all the man offered before he took another swig of his butterbeer. Focusing a cool gaze on the men at the table near him, he then turned to face the man before him. 'So you threw in with that lot now. Why am I not surprised.' the man said bitterly and took another swig of butterbeer.

The smaller man sighed and glanced back at his cronies, who were now watching the two with a slight interest. 'Don't be that way mate, please don't. I was just as upset when they died as you were. They were two of my best friends too remember. You're not the only one who was hurt Sirius Black, we all felt the pain,' the man said coolly now.

'Yeah right, enough that you turned both turned tail and ran right to Malfoy the moment you got the chance eh? Seems like you missed them what...all of a week?' Sirius muttered thickly.

'I still miss them Siri, but I can't let what happened turn me into a vegetable either. Look at you mate, just look at you! The handsome playboy I knew at Hogwarts is a nothing now. You're broke, wearing robes that have seen far better days...you look like bloody hell Sirius and frankly it disgusts me what you're doing to yourself,' the man said angrily.

'I am in bloody hell, what do you think you bastard! I'm the only one who even cared what happened...my best friends...my godson...oh Merlin....they're dead, don't you get it? No one even gave a shite when they died but me!' Sirius spat back.

'That's not true Sirius Black and you know it! Half the bleeding wizarding world turned out for their funeral. They were mourned properly, but life goes on Sirius. It has to if you want to survive in today's day and age,' the man said.

'Oh, so that's what you've done eh? Moved on? Running to Malfoy at that?' Sirius grumbled.

'He offered me a damn good job Sirius, and I took it. Being the bookkeeper to the richest man in the world has it's advantages,' the man said defensively.

'And you were always one for advantages now weren't you,' Sirius said bitterly. 'What do you want eh? You come over here to dredge up old times? Tell me how miserable a bastard I've become? Well you can shove it for all I care, I'm not playing. Now go the fuck away and leave me alone before I throw you out of my booth,' he scowled.

The man shook his head and gave his friend a long stare. 'You're gonna need me one day Sirius Black, mark my words. And when you're ready I'll be there for you mate. I care 'bout you Siri and I don't want to lose another friend just because he's not thinking straight.'

'I'm not friends with anyone any more. Not you, not even Remus just no one. All I need is myself got it? I hope you all rot in hell just as much as I am. Revenge will be mine one day, make no mistake. And I'm warning you here and now...you and your lot stay the fuck out of my way or I'll have your throats slit tip to tip before you can even think to draw a wand,' Sirius growled, his black eyes alive with cold anger, the first emotions they'd showed in months. Before the other man could respond though he flipped back the rest of his butterbeer and walked out of the pub, slamming the door behind him.

'Oh bloody hell....get back here Sirius Black, ya haven't paid yer bill!' Rosie yelled out as she heard the door slam, knowing instinctively who'd just walked out of the pub. Muttering to herself she shook her head and sighed, giving the door another quick glance before starting to head back to the counter.

'I'll pay up for him Rosie, don't worry,' a voice said from behind her now.

Turning round Rosie saw who was speaking and with a small smile nodded at the man.'Yer a good man ya know, even if ya are caught up in that lot,' she said quietly and glanced off in the direction of the booths. She took the offered coins and quietly slipped them into her pocket, giving the man a soft pat on the cheek.

The man smiled at her for a moment, a pleasant smile for he was a nice looker even if not pure handsome like Sirius had been, and patted her on back the shoulder. 'Just don't let it be known I'm a 'good' man Rosie. You'll ruin my reputation eh?' he joked, then walked back to the table to join his mates.

'So what was that all 'bout eh? He took off like a bat outta hell right 'nuff,' someone said.

'I hear he's gone a bit batty in the last few months since the Potter's died. Completely unstable. Belongs in St. Mungo'sif you ask me,' another man said thoughtfully.

'Nah, Sirius Black unstable? You gone daft Goyle. He's a bleeding bomb waiting to go off sure enough...most likely at anyone crossin' his path at that too. Wouldn't say unstable though, got a head on his shoulders that rivals the best of them. If I remember right that man can kill in a single blow and I don't mean with a wand. Though he was an Auror you know before Potter died, his skill lies in strength, speed and tactics, not magic I gather. He took down more than his share of Voldemort's men with his bare hands I know that much,' another man said gulping back his butterbeer.

'Hmm, that so eh Antonio?' Macnair said thoughtfully. His eyes now focused on a spot over the heads of the others, seeing something the others apparently didn't. 'Get 'em, I want 'em on our side,' he then said in a steely voice.

'W-what? You want what?' the man who'd been talking to Sirius said in shock.

'Ya got hearing problems today Petey? I said get 'em. I don't care how yado it, what you use, but I want that man on our side,' Macnair scowled.

'Now wait a moment Aidan, you can't be serious here. There's no way in hell Sirius Black will join up with us. How in the bleeding hell you expect to get the likes of him? And why would you want him anyway?' Antonio said just as surprised now.

'Think 'bout ya bunch of dolts. A man like Black who knows the ropes in magical and Muggle weaponry and fightin' tactics? Thanks to our pudgy friends Crabbe an' Goyle 'ere we lost our strongarm Edwin Roberts yesterday...' Macnair said glowering at the two men who he had just mentioned.

'Hey wasn't our fault boss! We though Mr. Malfoy said kill 'em on sight,' Crabbe said defensively.

'An' had ya paid attention you stupid oafs ya'd have heard Lucius say Edward Roberts not Edwin Roberts,' Macnair grumbled. 'No matter, seems thanks to our good friend Petey here we've got a replacement. So's get 'em for me or else, got it?'

'Yeah boss, we'll do that,' Goyle said licking a few drops of butterbeer from the glass.

Macnair looked at the group before him slightly disgusted at the moment. Petey Pettigrew wasn't a bad sort all told, too quiet really for his tastes but good looking enough for the likes of Lucius. In fact Macnair grudgingly admitted that in the whole group here right now, himself included, Petey was the best looking one of the lot. He was trusted by Lucius too, which made Macnair trust him, but only as far as he could throw him which for a man like Aidan Macnair was actually a compliment.

Crabbe and Goyle he tolerated barely, they were fat, stupid oafs that were only kept on mainly because of the brute force quality. They were good bodyguards at any rate for Lucius and no one would dare try to pull anything with the 6'5 towering hulks of the two men. Antonio Avery however got under his skin. He was shifty, too cunning sometimes even for a Slytherin, had a hell of an aim with his wand, and could hex and curse like nothing else. Not to mention he was a master at medical and physical torture, and in this business that was a plus.

Suddenly he remembered something else, it had been two months ago they had found another one of Petey's 'friends' and it had turned out quite nicely. Remus J. Lupin might have been a werewolf, but he had looks that could kill. Different than Black yes, Remus was classically handsome rather than the sharpness of Black's ruggedness. However circumstances had forced Remus Lupin into accepting the 'job' Lucius offered him at the time.

When Petey had found Remus in an alleyway in Knockturn Alley a day after the full moon he'd been curled up into a tight ball weak and hungry. Petey had brought him to his flat in muggle London, Lucius had graciously given it to him when he'd become his bookkeeper, and healed Remus back to health. Remus broke down in tears telling him how after Lily and James's death he now had nothing. James had been helping support Remus since no one wanted to hire out a werewolf for work, and with James dead he had no where to go and no money at all.

When Lucius laid eyes on the now restored back to health handsome man, he knew exactly what he wanted of him. He didn't care that Remus was a Gryffindor, he was still a pureblood and that counted in Lucius's eyes. At first Remus had cringed, and wanted to refuse the 'offer', but in the end Lucius had been very convincing, giving him twice the going rate for someone in that particular line of work. Petey had managed to help Lucius and Remus come to an agreement that suited both men's needs, and now two months later, though Remus was still a bit leery of his new 'job', he at least was doing it without complaint.

It was Remus Lupin now that Macnair's mind turned to. He knew that Lupin and Black had once been dorm mates and friends back at Hogwarts, and if the rumours were true far more than that at some points. If anyone at all could possibly make Black see what Macnair wanted...it would be Lupin. Turning back to the conversation now he said to Petey, 'Get me Lupin. I want 'em in the downtown office by morning got it?'

'R-Remus? You...you really think that'll work Aidan?' Petey said hesitantly, remembering the conversation he'd had with Sirius. 'I don't know...Sirius might not want to talk to him...'

'I don't give a shite what Black does or doesn't want to do. I want Black and I'm gonna get 'em. If you can't talk some sense into that destructive brain of 'is, Lupin probably will. After all that's wha' ex-lovers do best inn'it?' Macnair said coolly, waiting for Petey's reaction.

Petey to his dismay blushed slightly and bowed his head down hoping no one else would see. 'Er..sure boss, no problem. I'll get him down there,' he said quietly.

Macnair didn't show it but had seen the blush, and now he knew that what he'd suspected about Petey was probably right. Not that he was that way himself, he had a wife and two kids already, a third on the way. He secretly knew another one of the mugs was that way also, but Severus Snape was Lucius's right hand man, and that meant he would never say anything to anyone about it, not if he wanted to live. Well if Lucius wasn't going to care that a few of his employees were poofs, he wasn't going to either. Still, it bothered him a bit to know Petey of all blokes was that way, he was a nice kid and belonged with a good wife and family by now.

'You do that Petey. Let's the get the 'ell outta 'ere I need ta go 'ome and see the wife and do that Christmas Day 'cheer' shite,' he muttered and waved Rosie over. 'Bill Rosie will ya?'

'Keep your trousers on Aidan I'm commin'' Rosie said, and drew up the bill, bringing it over a few moments later. 'Leavin' so soon eh?'

'Gotta go when ya gotta go doll. Ah now let's see 'ere what we got...' Macnair said glancing over the bill. He grunted then pulled out a coin purse and threw a Galleon on the table. 'Keep the change Rosie, and 'Appy Christmas to ya and yers,' he said getting up from the booth, the others following suit.

Rosie grabbed up the Galleon quickly and put it into her apron, nodding at the man. 'And to yers Aidan, gentlemen,' she said then turned and walked back to wherever it is she had to go next.

Heading out of the pub, their robes securely fastened against the cold weather, he turned to his cronies. 'Crabbe, Goyle report to Lucius in the mornin'. Say nothin' 'bout Black an' I mean that. I'll skin ya both alive if I 'ears a peep until I'm ready to tell 'em meself what's goin' down got it?'

'Yeah boss,' both men grunted with a nod.

'Petey, see ya in the mornin' kid. I'd start 'eadin off to the Belladonna now to catch Lupin before 'e might go out for the evenin'. I knows they give all the workers the night off in that place fer Christmas so 'e should be ther' tonight,' Macnair said.

Petey nodded. 'Sure Aidan, I'll go right now. I still don't know bout this though...Sirius said he didn't...' he began but the look on Macnair's face deterred him from completing that. 'Err...that is...right. I'm off. Happy Christmas all,' he said quietly and without another word Apparated out.

'Ya think the kid'll do it? Get Black on our side I mean?' Crabbe said thoughtfully.

'If Black knows what's good for 'em 'e'll join up. If'n not then we'll save the man the efforts of drowin' 'is sorrows. A good dip in the Thames might convince 'em...if 'e survives it,' Macnair said with a yellow toothed grin.

'Eh good one boss!' Goyle said wheezing out a little laugh. 'Anyways, I'm off. Told the wife I'd be home early and it's already after 5. Happy Christmas,' he said than seconds later he too Apparated out.

'Happy Christmas boss, better go before the wife gets me too,' Crabbe said, and Apparated out leaving behind Macnair on his own now.

As Macnair stood there it began to snow lightly, and his mind raced with a lot of different things. Everything was going good, he'd hopefully have a new strongarm by week's end, and there was still plenty of Christmas Day to enjoy. He knew his wife would have the full meal round for supper which by now he was just fashionably late to, but she never would deem to berate him for it. She was a good woman and didn't care what her husband did as long as she had nice clothes and lots of diamonds.

Taking one last glimpse round he smoothed out his robes and Apparated home. So far this had turned into a far better Christmas Day than he'd had in a while, and he was fully prepared to enjoy it. For the next few hours at any rate he almost could forget the fact that he was one of the most notorious underworld gangsters in the UK and wizarding worlds. Instead he would play the role of loving husband, father and family member. Ah yes, this Christmas Day of 1908 was a very good day indeed!