The Puzzle Box

[Eric Koche]

"Cool" Eric said as he grabbed his red scarf from around his kneck and wrapped it around the box. After that, he placed his brown woven gloves on the table next to him. Then he grabbed the wrapped box, and felt some sort of warmth from it. Assuming that Autumn already knew about this, he needed not to mention about it. Instrad, he placed it inside his robe pocket by the galleon bag he kept inside.

Egon growled once more. This broke the silence from continuing. "Well, I better get the pooch back to the hut..." he then took a small gulp and continued talking. It made him nervous sometimes when he wanted to ask her to hangout with him. Especially when his mother, Alexa, wanted to see her for dinner and ask about that trip she took. She made sure that Eric asked Autumn to stop by and come for dinner to relax for a bit. For some reason, she always thought that they would make a good couple. Eric jut hoped that his mother wouldn't bring the subject up again.

".. Hey, um, you just got back. Maybe you would want to come over to my family's place to eat dinner later tonight? My mom was looking forward to hearing some of your stories about the trip" Eric always made excuses incase a rejection came forward. "I mean, you must be kind of tired and all. I wouldn't want to cook if I came back from across the world like ya did." he gave a small smile of embarrasment once more. She has come over to his house for dinner before, but it has been a while. Koche hoped she would say yes.

"I mean, I know you have to get ready and all, which is why I said later. My mother is also still cooking stew. You like stew?" This was a weird question, but he decided not to mention, due to the slight awkwardness that has already appeared.

[Autumn Tait]

She watched Eric tripping over his words as he asked her to dinner, and started to smile. Now the question was why was he inviting her over? Was it because he wanted to have dinner with her or was it because he was being forced? She thought and hoped it was the first.

“I would love to have dinner with you” Autumn purposefully focused on the 'you' rather than 'your family' to hopefully give Eric a hint about who she was most excited to have dinner with.

“and yeah I still like stew” Autumn had eaten dinner with Eric’s family once before and it was fun, but she was still slightly nervous. And now she had to figure out what to wear! Having dinner alone with Eric would be one thing but dinner with Eric and his entire family… that made choosing an outfit even harder. “What time should I stop by?” Autumn had now completely forgotten about the puzzle box and was entirely focused on the dinner.

[Eric Koche]

Eric was obliviated, and for that, he over-looked the hint 'you' more than anything else. He quickly looked at his watch, and noticed that it was half passed six. Boy, was it later than he thought. Time must have really gone by while they were talking. Koche could have sworn that he was only here for five minutes, but that was not so. "Well, we usually eat around 8:30. Would that be good for you? You don't have to be on time or anything like that. We usually take a while to sit down any-who. Also, my brother wouldn't get home from Nottingham until 9:00ish, so maybe 9:00 would be a good time?" his words did not make much sense, but he hoped that it would be translated the right way.

[Autumn Tait]

“I’ll try to show up around 8:30” she answered, hoping that would give her some time alone with Eric before the family dinner. Based on how late it was now she would have to rush she knew it would take her a while to get ready. After all this dinner was important, if it fell flat there would be no hopes of Eric ever asking her out just the two of them. Autumn had to be ready and really try to make this work. Maybe I’ll come up with a list of possible conversation starters? She thought. Autumn had been doing that since she was a girl, writing down conversation starters before a date, as dorky as it sounds always helped calm her. After all, if the conversation ever stalled she had a memorized list of topics to pull from to start it back up again before it got awkward.
“I’ll see you then” Autumn smiled and pet Egon on the head, anxious to start getting ready.

[Eric Koche]

Eric smiled. "O.k. sounds great!" he said as he quickly turned around. Egon growled once more in the hopes he finally got their attention. He also scratched on the door slightly, incase they didn't get it.

"O.k., o.k. Egon! Quite pooch, we are going." he said, as he headed himself out the door. Eric placed his wand on the left hand side of his robe, due to the fact he was already carrying so much. He also placed his tight hand in his pocket, and opened the front door wit hhis left. "Well, I'll see you later tonight!" he said just before he was about to leave for the evening. Perhaps he would come by later to pick her up. He will make sure to send an owl if needed be.

[Autumn Tait]

Watching Eric go she suddenly remembered the box “Oh don’t forget to take care of the box!” she called after him. After he left she raced upstairs and flung open her closet, Chisisi was already on the dresser waiting for her.

Autumn reached in a pulled out a handful of dresses from the front of her closet, she always kept her prettiest things in the front so she could see them each time she opened her closet. Quickly she ripped off what she had on and tried on each dress in front of her mirror. Nothing worked it was either too fancy, too casual, too old, or just didn’t look right. Settling on the least horrid of the bunch she moved on to her hair. While combing her hair in front of the mirror she rehearsed a couple of possible conversation starters. “What could we talk about Chisisi?” she pondered… “My shop…no too boring….his job?” Chisisi made a low grunt. “Yeah your right not exactly dinner material, I guess I’ll have to really puff up this latest trip and make it seem like quite the adventure. I didn’t even find anything much though, nothing too exciting just that empty puzzle box.” Settling on a hairstyle she sat on her bed to try on different shoes.

“What do you think was in that box anyway? I mean why make something so hard to get to, or even for that matter if you have something of value why chose to hide it in a puzzle box. That’s relatively unheard of. There are so many more efficient ways to hide an object of value…” Autumn showed her current pair of shoes to Chisisi who didn’t make any objections, so she went on. “Unless maybe the object in the box is what is of value, maybe it’s the box itself? I mean puzzle boxes were extremely common it would be a good way to make the box not stand out…but no we both saw the box, besides being extremely hard to open it didn’t have any special properties. It couldn’t take light out of a room or transport the holder someplace...OH! Goodness look at the time it’s 8:30 now!” Autumn finished putting on her shoes and ran downstairs.

[Juliette Beaucoup]

It was only moment after Eric turned the corner that everything seemed to immediately get darker. The clouds begin to come closer to each other, and a rain shower started to sprinkle from above, and winds from every corner began to howl loudly in the alley. The candles lighting the street did not flicker any more. The wizards whom were lurking did not lurk any more. Complete darkness surrounded the block- a darkness thick enough to cover the screams of anyone around the area.

But little did everyone know, those were not clouds. There were barely any, come to think of it. Three Death Eaters, soared from the black night in the air, and began to aparate in a spiraling motion toward Tait’s Shop. With no one around this dark and unkind night, Beaucoup was going to make quite the approach in captivating the box, and bringing it to the Dark Lord.

Juliette, Dolohov, and Macnair landed themselves a shop across from Taits, and began to walk forward. Beaucoup found herself in the middle of the group, showing that she was in charged at the moment. Macnair wanted to have a little bit fun scaring Autumn before getting the best of her. Dolohov also enjoyed 'the hunt' eery now and then, but Juliette quickly spoke up to remind them what they were here for.

Cloak and wearing a metal Death Eater mask, Juliette spoke up. "Now boys, we are here to collect the artifact. Let’s not make a mess unless there is no choice. Cleaning up after a dead witch is the last thing I would want to do tonight."

Dolohov quickly remarked. His smirk would usually make other cringe, but Juliette and Macnair was far too used to the facial structure. “If you want, Juliette, I would most certainly not mind cleaning up after it. It would be a shame to not take the opportunity in killing this.. witch… under the Dark Lord’s name.”
Juliette coldly spoke up. “Like I said before, we are here to gather the object. The Dark Lord specifically told me not to kill the girl unless otherwise.” Juliette lied about this, of course, but knew that she would not be caught, knowing that the two death eaters she was with were not very brilliant. “..But if we need to, I will make sure you have the honor.”

Dolohov smiled. “Thank you, Juliette”, he said sarcastically as they both walked forward toward the shop.

“Wands out.” Beaucoup said. After all, Voldemort did say not to kill her, but never said anything about other means..

Juliette and the two other death eaters slowly walked to the front door. They found themselves in the cobbled street when it looked like Autumn must have taken a glance out the window. If so, there was no need to rush. Juliette was almost positive that there was no other way out but the front door, and for that, she smirked.

Dolohov spoke up. "Let's give our guests a proper greeting."

Beaucoup responded, still keeping her ugly smile under her mask. "Let's" Lifting her wand back, as if it was a fishing rod, she bent her spine slightly and casted her first spell at the door. "Expulso!" she said, and the door;s hindges and wooden door exploded in a matter of seconds.…

[Autumn Tait]

Autumn ran down the stairs skipping the last step in excitement she couldn’t’ wait for dinner tonight. She was just about to lock up the store when the sight of Chisisi stopped her dead in her tracks, he was hunched over and snarling out the window.

Terror gripped Autumns heart, she knew her little fox and he didn’t cause a fuss over nothing, but she never imagined it could be this bad. Looking out the window she saw three death eaters heading straight for her. Autumn had no time to think she went straight into survival mode. Grabbing Chisisi she kicked off the cute black heels she had chosen for dinner and bolted back up the stairs using her wand to scatter boxes, books, tables and chairs behind her to block the path. This served two purposes: first to slow the attackers down and second to be a call for help to anyone who walked by the window tonight or in the days to come.

Before she reached the top of the stairs Autumn heard the front door of the store explode and maniacal laughter fill the shop. She slammed her bedroom door at the top of the stairs and cast some quick protective charms. Running into her bedroom Autumn locked herself in the closet, putting her back against the wall she waited, gripping her wand tightly.

[Juliette Beaucoup]

Juliette was the first to walk into the room. She scanned the area like a hauk. There seemed to be no one in the shop. How strange. The young witch must have found quite the hiding spot, and unfortunetly, Juliette had to waiste time looking for her. Beaucoup walked over to the front desk to check for the item. It would be strange for Autumn to bring the object she was looking for, if she ran for her life. Perhaps it was still here on this very floor.

"Dolohov, search for he object down here. Macnair, we'll look for the girl upstairs." Juliette once again took out her wand and headed for the other door. Things were already knocked over infront of the door, which concluded to Juliette that Autumn must have gone upstairs. She flicked her wand left to right as if it was some muggle RPM meter gone hay-wire. A clock flew to the right, knocking off some sort of miniature bookshelf to the ground. A chair, which gripped the floor ever so tightly also flew into the air, but must have hit some grandfather clock, for the machine went 'koo-koo' when it was striked. FInally, she managed to move over an old chello that found itself fitted with other instruments infront of the door.That too made an awkward sound when hitting the wall.

Juliette walked over and turned he knob quitely. Hm, it seemed to be jammed. She tried using Alohamora to open the thing, but it must have not worked either. Beacoup stepped back once more and pointed her wand at the door.

"Reducto" she said and the door was now dust. Juliette looked up the stairs. Autumn most certainly made it difficult to get to her. No matter, the same curse will. Juliette continually casted up the stairs with McNair following. He too managed to blow a couple things to smitherines, but made small laughing noises on the way up. "We know you are here, Autumn" McNair said.

They were finally in Autumn's room. Juliette, still masked and cloaked, looked around. She still wasn't visible, but Juliette could almost feel the fear running through these walls. Juliette raised her voice in a screetching and terrible tone. "You know why we are here. You have found something the dark lord wants..." In the corner of her eye, she managed to see a closed closet door. Perfect. There was no other place for a small witch to hide other then there. Juliette made a gester to signal to McNair that the girl could possibly be inside the closet. McNair walked over as Juliette spoke. "It is a simple request..." Just as she was about to say what she wanted, McNair flung open the door...

[Autumn Tait]

Autumn’s mind was racing. What were these three death eaters doing here? What could Autumn possibly have that the dark lord would desire? And most importantly, to Autumn at least, how could she possibly escape this situation alive?

It was at least three against one and based on how fast they had made it through her charms they were of a formidable intelligence. Autumn was under no delusions that she could fight and win, she was never very good at dueling in Hogwarts, not to mention the fact that she was now outnumbered. Her only other choices were to run or talk. The smart thing to do would have been to aparate out of there, but she was so terrified she couldn’t think of any place to go. That left only one option…try to talk her way out.

Autumn knew that she would most likely not make it through but she had to at least try something. She could bluff and claim to have the item with her and use it to bargain for her life, but since she didn’t even know which item they were looking for that wouldn’t work. She decided to just play dumb, since she was pretty lost anyway. Peering out the crack in the closet door Autumn tensed. She saw the two death eaters enter her room. Autumn knew her hiding spot had been discovered... as soon as a bit of light hit her face she blindly threw a Expelliarmus spell at whoever opened the door and hoped it hit them.

“Just take whatever you want! I don’t care” She yelled.

[Juliette Beaucoup]

The expeliarmus curse hit McNair, as he was the one coming toward the door, but Juliette quickly raised her wand and pointed it at Autumn. She quickly ran over to her, making sure that if she had o take her down, it would be done.

Juliette's wand was pointed at her face. "The box! Where is the box?" she said politely. "That is... all we are asking for."

[Autumn Tait]

The box? She was being attacked by death eaters, on the Dark Lord's radar because of that empty puzzle box? But what was it's value...

“I don’t have it anymore it, it just walked out” Autumn explained "...but if you were looking for whatever was inside, the box was empty when I found it."

It was a juvenile hope but Autumn had to try anything. Maybe if they found out it was empty they wouldn't want to go after the box, wouldn't go after Eric.

[Juliette Beaucoup]

Juliette screamed. "Don't lie to me, girl!" she said. Her teeth were close shut, and her mouth widened as she looked at Autumn. Rage began to built up inside of her, and Juliette started to feel a little bit numb. She hoped that this was not because of her sanity breaking. Whenever she didn't get what she demanded, her issues begin to start to get the best of her.

She thought she had this covered, but she would soon be sorely mistaken. Juliette took a deep breathe and spoke again. "The... Dark Lord does not bagain, Autumn. Either give us the box, or be exampled out of." This was her last chance. The Box, or her life. "Then, soemthing else came in mind."

"Your fox is quite.... cute. Does it matter to you dearly?" her grindge suddendly came up again. The lives of others, she has found over time, mean much more than their own lives. Perhaps she is willing to give her the box if Juliette... tampered with her animals.

[Eric Koche]

After walking a block or two down Diagon Alley, Eric placed his hand out of his coat to warm up his hands. Wait, didn't he have gloves with him? He should have sworn that he brought some to quickly walk Egon before getting back home. Where were they...

Koche checked his other pockets to see if theyy were there. Nothing. Perhaps they were in his pants pockets? Nada. Did he leave them back at Autumns? If so, should he really go back and embarrass himself again? Autumn already saw himself piled in the snow with Egon. What would be next?

But why not? She couldn't be doing anything much. She was probably just finishing herself up for the dinner. Eric began to walk back toward the show.

A few minutes later, in the darkest of the night, Egon bagan to growl. Something was not right...Suddendly, the dog began to run toward the shop. "Egon, wha.. Wait!" he said. Little did he know, the fear of being knocked over again by a door would be nothing compared to his encounter with the death eaters soon. That, my dear, would be inconsiquential.

Eric found himself infront of the shop. The door was blown away. Eric immedietly pulled out his wand, but Egon gave no hesitation. He ran into the store to find a cloaked Death Eater. Quickly, he agilitied in the room, making it very difficult to target him with a quick kill. Egon moved himself around the brokwn globe. And then the fallen statues. There was no way Dolohov was going to jinx the dog. Hey, there was no way he was actually going to attack him either. Unless, of course, Eric found himself in dangered.

Eric pulled pointed his wand at Dolohov. Hopefully, he would be distracted enough to not notice the young wizard. "Expelliarmus!" he said as a light purple bean came out of his wand and toward Dolohov.

[Autumn Tait]

Chisisi! The thought of herself fading into eternal darkness was terrifying but somewhat manageable, but having to watch her one true friend die in front of her, and knowing it was her fault. That was much worse.

Now she was stuck, what would she tell this…this…creature? If she lied and was caught Chisisi and herself were killed, if she told the truth they would go after Eric, who could probably take care of himself but not if he was caught off guard.

Well, Autumn tried to think logically. This…woman…was threatening Chisisi because he was dear to Autumn and could be killed without losing information. However after she killed Chisisi there would be no more hope of her finding the box Autumn would willingly submit before sending them after Eric. If she killed this easily, Autumn would be killed regardless of what information she provided so there would be no point in dooming Eric as well. This death eater has probably realized this. So she wouldn’t throw away her only card by killing Chisisi too quickly, would she? Autumn probably had the chance for one more bluff.

“Really I don’t have it anymore; I would give it to you if I did, I swear! I didn’t know it was important, it seemed like just a toy.” Autumn tried to explain, her voice cracking in fear. “A man left with it just before you came. He got it for his daughter he took a left out of the store he might still be walking!”

Half of what she was saying was true, hopefully enough truth to fool them. Autumn did no longer have the box, and a man did take it. She just hoped that the false information was enough to save Eric.