Times Two

Marley Hazelbright looks like a mother. The kind you would see on advertisements for laundry soap, quick dinners or long holidays. Her features are not striking so much as comfortable, her hair swings easily, just at her shoulders. She looks like a mother. Which, indeed, she is. Her two daughters remind her of the fact constantly. Her girls are aged two years apart but their birthdays are just one day apart. What weighs heavily on her mind at the moment is that she had missed both of those birthdays. This priority of thought is odd because she is, at the moment, in a dark forest facing a pair of Death Eaters. The mission that brought her into this conflict also caused her to miss her daughters birthdays. That thought is a great motivator in the coming altercation.

She raises her blue wand (stained her favorite color by her youngest) and parries, easily, her adversaries opening advances. The third Death Eater, closing on her back, seems, at first, to have escaped her notice. She is far too experienced an auror to be caught in such a manner. The only other explanation would be that she is, simply, not concerned about the ambush. The reason for her apathy is soon apparent.

A snowstorm of pure white fur sails in and clamps his fangs around the skulking Death Eater's wand hand. There is a crunch that could only be bone and all present wince. Marley takes advantage of the other two's shock and binds them both.

The procedure of disarming and restraining the Dark Lord’s minions has become a matter of course in the several weeks since her sometime partner had approached her with the mission they were now on. At the request of Albus Dumbledore, how could she refuse? And speaking of said partner…

The wolf trots behind a large tree and from behind said tree a voice growls, "Accio robes." A set of earth tone robes float through the air and as they pass Marley she grabs them. Almost instantly the upper part of a figure appears from behind the tree. It is Snow. In contrast to the top of his head, he is almost as shaggy as the animal he just transfigured from.

Solomon Snow has a fearsome reputation as an auror. One of the most powerful wizards alive and can track where none should be able to. The fact that he is an animagus and the form he takes, makes him first choice to hunt werewolves. All in all a wizard not to be trifled with... and yet, Marley is trifling with him and has trifled with him for years. This is evident in the weary and well-practiced tones issuing from the naked man behind the tree.

"Marley, give me my clothes."

The girlish reply is, "Why don't you come and get them, Sol?"

"You get such a giggle every time you do this, how much longer can this possibly amuse you?"

"Forever. Sorry."

A growl issues from Solomon's throat, giving one the impression that he has not fully transformed into a human being.

"Oh, Sol, why can't you just stay in your wolf form it's such a beautiful animal and his temper is certainly better."

She releases the robes and they float to their owner. Solomon emerges fully clothed from his hiding place, putting away his wand which, upon close inspection, has teeth marks.

“My temper is just fine around everyone else. You just enjoy provoking me.”

“I don’t know what you mean.” She smiles that smile that says she knows just what he means.

He returns a mock scowl which barely conceals a smile of his own. She giggles, for it is the very reaction she had hoped for. All is well… Then she does it again. “So, did your doggie nose find any trace of our quarry?"

Again, after a sigh, lips that have issued these words before speak. "Right off, I do not transfigure into a 'doggie'. As to the pertinent part of your question, yes, she camped here for about 2 days."

"Recently?"

"Left early this morning, I should think."

"Then, we're close to finding her."

"Indeed." He glances around at the stricken Death Eaters. "Let's hope we're the only ones."