Collab McHaggis/Kirah/(and one line from Master)

*December 2nd, 1999 - Tottenham Court Road*

Siobhan appeared in a dank alleyway on Tottenham Court Road with a soft crack, inhaling sharply. It didn’t matter how many times she Apparated -- it never got any more comfortable, despite what her old instructor had said. Each time made her remember her first few splinchings, and those were dire. Now, she only had to find Kyle...

Kyle had his wand at the ready as Siobhan apparated in. He lowered it as he recognized her. “News?” His voice was a bit tense, and he was currently disguised as a muggle via polyjuice potion. 

Siobhan whirled around, the voice having come from a direction she was not expecting (though really, she shouldn’t have been expecting anything). Eyes narrowing for a split-second, she eventually nodded – it seemed like it was Kyle. Hopefully. “World War Three starts now,” she replied dryly, feeling as stupid as the code phrase sounded. Still, she couldn’t help but continue, in a nervous, high-pitched voice, “Or, in about three minutes once everyone gets here. Countdown until the end of the world. _Spooky._”

Kyle couldn’t help but smile. “It’s most likely that our contact is already in there. There are no other people inside the cafe right now, including the barista.” Kyle caught Siobhan up on what he had seen so far.

“So there’s no Muggles around to - you know - be subject to the Imperius,” Siobhan asked urgently, peering around the corner of the wall to view the cafe’s front. “Or hostages. That’s a relief, at least - should make it easier to kidnap him.” 

Kyle nodded. “I think he sent them away. I can’t decide if that makes me trust him more or less.”

“I don’t think you can *have* less than zero-percent trust in a person.” Siobhan rubbed at her stomach, assuring herself that no, she hadn’t splinched herself, those were just nervous butterflies. She knew intellectually that there were spies on their side - her own brother was sort-of one - but the thought of establishing contact with one… rubbed her the wrong way, though she had been all for it at the meeting.

“I can try.” Kyle wanted to reach out. He recognized the nervous tick of Siobhan’s. He wanted to comfort his oldest friend, but now was the wrong time.

Siobhan nodded as she observed the street from their semi-hidden position, not that she would see any of the others. Each of the field team had a different point to Apparate into - less chance of collisions and little noise - and it was doubtful she would be able to see them. They would have to make the first move out into the open by the cafe, but not yet.

“So… here’s hoping we don’t get captured?”

A frown reappeared on Kyle’s face. That wasn’t an option for him. The polyjuice would only last an hour, and he had already been here long enough that if they were delayed too long his disguise would drop. Capture meant death for Kyle, or worse the Imperius curse

Siobhan flashed him a quick, reassuring smile before his frown could deepen *too* much. “Don’t worry! We have David on our side, shielding us from harm. Plus, if your sister shows up, I’m sure my stupid brother’ll be in tow.”

“I don’t want to know what would happen if David met Maggie.” Kyle shook his head imagining the ridiculousness. His frown disappeared at the thought. “Hopefully your brother doesn’t reveal himself.” Kyle was thankful for Alistair’s sacrifice. “Everyone should be here.”

Siobhan reached over and tugged on Kyle’s sleeve in the direction of the street. “Let’s go, then. Show ourselves. Target practice for any Death Eaters on the rooftop but-- yeah.” She stepped out into the open, directly across from the specified cafe, and shifted from side to side awkwardly in the middle of the street. With any luck the others would appear soon, and they could all death-march into the quaint little establishment. 

Kyle gave Siobhan a glance and then walked into the cafe. His heart pounded in his ears. It didn’t matter how many times he was in a fight it always made him nervous, especially if Siobhan was anywhere near said fight. He glanced at the only person in the cafe with his peripheral vision, but made his way to the counter. This was a test. He looked around as if looking for the barista and then reached out and pressed the small bell on the counter repeatedly as if hoping someone would answer. As it turned out, someone did.

“The cafe is closed, my friend,” a voice behind them said.