All Grown up

[Raziel Black]

A long black coat swept about his body as he walked ominously down the hard cobbled street as his light blue eyes swept across the area with intense suspicion. His wand sat comfortably in his hip holster so that at a moments notice he would be able to draw it if the need arose. Of course he was off duty at the moment but that did not mean much to an Auror really, as Dark wizards and there allies rarely cared if an Auror was off or not before committing their crimes. However it seemed that he would not be able to chase some foolish wizard thug down the harbours back alleys unless he had a death wish, after all he did promise Jac that he would have dinner with her tonight. If there was a wizard out there that could put him in his place it would be Jac and for that reason he loved and cherished her deeply. Their relationship was not typical given that she was in fact a former Death-eater and apart of the new regime of Dark Wizards which to most mean that they would be or should be bitter enemies. Sadly Raz could never hurt Jac and she could never hurt him and due to that sole fact that made an agreement that neither would do anything that would jeopardize their family or each other. So long as that was upheld then they would not interfere in each others work. It was complicated but it has worked for over eleven years so why ruin a good thing?

Raziel located the restaurant where he was supposed to met Jac and made his way inside as he informed the maitre d' that the first of the two had arrived as the man bowed with respect before showing him where he would be dinning tonight. Offering to take Raziel's coat he handed the man his menu and informed him who his waiter would be for the evening before once more heading off to his station at the entrance of the restaurant. Raziel was dressed in a simple outfit tonight choosing to change it up from the classic black and white evening where to something more casual. He wore a simple grey suit jacket over a black button up shirt that the top few buttons had been ignored in order to accentuate his muscular upper body while his shirt was tucked into a pair of grey slacks that was met at the very bottom with a pair of fine black Italian leather shoes. His cologne was crisp and refreshing and his head was hairless and recently shined as he hoped to greatly impress Jac with his ability to look dapper and well groomed. Being constantly on the run he often times did not get the pleasure of dressing up and so the whole thing was quiet a change from his day to day look at the ministry which was more reminiscent of a detective. Today was a joyous occasion which was the reason that he agreed to dinner as Jac equally busy schedule at the school kept her away just about as much as the ministry kept him away. Their son had started his first day at Hogwarts.

The Black Family estates was once a bustling place full of children none of whom came from their marriage but past marriages and various adoptions across the board. So when Gabriel was born the happy couple were over joyed that they where able to have a beautiful son all their own. Raziel of course loved all of Jac's kids and when the need arose stepped up and provided a fatherly influence for them as their biological father was someone that he never cared for much. Raziel had adopted two children himself Link and Makato both of whom Jac had taken into her folds as her own which he was thankful for everyday. Gabriel had a rocky history with both of his parents as there jobs took them far away for extended periods of time which put a strain on their relationship but Raziel tried his best to be there for his son. He loved gabe very deeply and would do whatever it would take to make him happy and now in his old age he realized that he would need to be there for his son more than ever. Ordering a bottle of champagne to be brought to the table he waited for his wife to show up so that he could find out more about Gabriel's big day.

 

[Jacqueline Styx]

Jacqueline Burke Black hugged her long coat to her body as she walked through the crisp air. Her heels clicked quietly on the pavement as she went to open the door to the restaurant that Raziel had chosen for them. It was a nice place as her husband had impeccable taste. Jacqueline loved her husband and always did her best to make time for him whenever it was possible. There relationship had not been the easiest and it was definitely not normal. By all rights, they were on opposing sides. Jacqueline was one of the leaders of the Scitorari in New Zealand, and her husband was an auror. He spent many of his days looking for the people who believed the same truth that she did that the ministry was trying to suppress their magic by restricting it from the population. Jacqueline knew that Raziel loved her and would do anything to protect her. Just as she would do the same for him. They were a team and always would be. Jacqueline relied on their agreement to keep their marriage a happy one.

Jacqueline and Raziel hardly ever saw each other during the week, but today had been a very special day as Gabriel had his first set of classes. It was hard for Jacqueline to imagine that her youngest son had finally reached the age to attend Hogwarts New Zealand. Last night had been the sorting ceremony, and she was proud that he had ended up in Ravenclaw even if she would have preferred for him to be in Slytherin. Still, she prized her son's quick wit and intelligence. He was certainly wiser than his years. Jacqueline and Raziel had not been the easiest parents on their son. They expected him to act in a certain manner which made him more reserved and well-mannered than others his age. Jacqueline had expected him to grow up quickly as she and Raziel were often gone for extended amounts of time. Of course, Jac would do anything for Gabriel, or any of her children and grandchildren.

The brunette woman smiled at the hostess as her icy blue eyes scanned the area. She didn't see Raziel anywhere. Jacqueline politely gave her last name and was escorted to their booth. She had left her coat with the coat check at the door. She had dressed in a dress that hugged her figure for her husband's benefit. He liked it when she looked nice. Jac smiled at Raziel, leaning down to kiss him on the lips. "Hello, love." she said before sitting down across from him. "I'm sorry I'm late. I stopped by Kiera's for a moment to see Jemma and just check in. She still isn't doing well." Jacqueline said with a slight frown. It had been eight months since James disappeared. Kiera still hadn't given up hope, but she was struggling with a new baby and the twins to look after. "I guess the aurors still haven't found a trace of him?" she asked, knowing that the answer would be no. Still, she had promised Kiera that she would ask Raziel where she saw him.

 

[Raziel Black]

"Hello babe," Raziel said as he looked up and placed a kiss on his wife's soft lips before motioning for her to have a seat across from him. His face always lit up when he saw Jac, she was his world and ever time he saw her she took his breath away. Why a woman like her would ever love a man like him was beyond his comprehension and for her complete devotion he was forever thankful. She of course opened the conversation with the most important first, that being his son in laws recent disappearance. James potter had gone missing sometime ago without a trace leaving behind a distraught wife and three beautiful children. Raziel was one of the Aurors looking for Mr. Potter but with no new leads the case was coming to a slow march. It was heartbreaking for the entire family and given the families rather extensive conflicting view the number of possible suspect was staggering. With him being an Auror and his wife being a scritori not to mention James being the son of one of the most well known individuals it was hard not to find someone with a motive or a grudge and that was only a small fraction of the family. All in all it was a nightmare but he would not give up until Kiera was once more reunited with her husband after all she was like a daughter to him.

"I am sorry Jac, we have no new leads. We have even began to partner up with other departments to see if there is someway we can track or find him but if this is a magical crime then whoever is behind it could be using magic to keep us off there trail. I can only imagine what she is going through at the moment. If I were ever to loose you... I .... I would be no better off. I will keep giving it my all until we find him. I just hope that there is someone to find, our family has far too many enemies to count and if someone wanted to really cripple us they could very easily kill James outright. You know it. I know it. I just hope that we get a break soon. Something. Anything that can point us into the right direction." Raziel said with emotion as he let his frustration and hopes paint his words. However there was nothing more he could do for James right now so it was now time to change the subject to one of a light note. There waiter came to the table and poured them two glasses of the champagne that he had ordered before taking there dinner request. Ordering a nice size stake with seasonal vegetables and a beautiful pea risotto he would start his meal with a light salad as he did not want something to filling before the main course. Once his wife had ordered and said her peace on the state of her daughter he moved the conversation on to the subject that brought them to the restaurant tonight.

"So What house did our beautiful son get sorted into? How was his first day of school?" Raziel asked with a smile as he sipped his champagne and leaned closer towards the woman as he was hoping and praying that his son would be placed in the same house he had been when he attended the prestigious school.

 

[Jacqueline Styx]

Jacqueline frowned at Raziel's news that there was in fact no news on James. While Jacqueline wasn't particularly fond of the Potters, she loved Kiera and had even grown to love James. They had always been good to Gabriel, allowing him to spend the night and go to their Quidditch matches. James was a part of the family which made the situation heartbreaking for her entire family. She hated that Raziel and the other aurors had been unable to uncover anything. Jac knew that her husband was giving the case his all and that he was trying everything to find her son-in-law. That was all any of them could ask. "I know. You're right, love. James has enemies as do we all. I just can't believe there has been no trace of him. I just know how I would feel in Kiera's situation. I couldn't lose you." she said, reaching for Raziel's hand. She often considered the possibility that something could happen to her husband in his line of work. She couldn't imagine living without him. "I love you. I know you are trying your hardest. Thank you." she said sincerely to him. It wasn't easy on Raziel to be so involved in the search, but it made her feel better than someone who really cared about James was looking for him.

At that moment, the waitress came up and asked for their order. Raziel ordered first. Jacqueline really wasn't too hungry. She ordered grilled salmon with veggies and a salad to start her meal. She handed her menu to the waitress before picking up her glass of wine and taking another sip. The brunette woman smiled as the conversation turned to Gabriel. Jac grinned at her husband, excited to share the news with Raziel. "Gabe was sorted into Ravenclaw. So, now I guess we have had children in every house." she said with a laugh. Technically, the Loncars weren't their children, but Jacqueline and Raziel had been their guardians for several years. They had been in Slytherin, Kiera had been in Gryffindor, and Katheryn had been in Hufflepuff. "Oh, he loved his first day, or at least that's what he said when I spoke with him. I've been trying to keep my distance, and let him do things on his own. I think he's making some friends, and he's trying out for Quidditch." she said with a smile. "He's certainly not a little kid anymore." Jac said shaking her head at Raziel. It was hard to believe that Gabe was already in his first year. It seemed like time passed so quickly.