After leaving Credence with Albus and Aberforth in the comfort of their family reunion, Orion quietly slipped away from Hogwarts and made his way back to America.
Of course, Dumbledore didn't let him out that easily, wanting to ask many questions he had but Orion being a master of the Law of Space, there is nobody to stop him when he wants to go.
His mission to uncover the whereabouts of Eric, a vampire tied to his own past... future?
Whatever!
Was far from over. For months, he'd been following traces of Eric, and it had taken him down a path where he'd met numerous unusual individuals, including Elenora.
Their encounter had been anything but ordinary, as she was being hunted by vampires herself. The pieces didn't quite add up, and he having no other lead in his hands finally decided to visit Elenora regarding this.
Once back in New York, Orion tracked down Elenora's last known location, and after a little searching, he found her at a quiet café tucked away in one of the city's alleys. She was seated alone, nursing a cup of tea, and seemed lost in her thoughts. As he approached, her eyes narrowed slightly. Though she'd grown somewhat accustomed to Orion's sudden appearances, she could tell by his expression that this wasn't a casual visit. Its never is.
"Elenora," Orion began, pulling out a chair across from her.
"Call me Elena..." She said with a sharp remark.
"Elena..."
"I need to talk to you about those vampires. The ones who were after you the first time we met."
Elenora's posture stiffened, and she gave a quick shake of her head. "I don't want to talk about that, John. And what the hell, no Hi, No Hello. Do you only look for people for some sort of work?"
"Ahmm sorry... But really I need your help if possible. I understand it might be difficult, but I need you to trust me. The vampires you encountered might be connected to someone I'm searching for." He paused, letting her take in his serious tone. "His name is Eric."
A flicker of recognition crossed Elenora's face, though she quickly tried to mask it. Orion caught it nonetheless.
"You've heard of him," Orion observed, his gaze steady. "Please, Elenora. If you know anything about him, I need you to tell me. Its important."
She just shook her head, " I knew someone with that name, not a Vampire. I don't know this vampire you are looking for." She waited for a second before replying.
Orion leaned back in his seat sighing, glancing out of the café window as he took a deep breath. "I've been tracking this vampire named Eric for months. And I mean really tracking him—digging through the darkest alleys, seeking out every lead, hunting for any scrap of information." He looked back at Elenora with an intensity that spoke of his determination. "I've even sought out information dealers, people who know the underground world inside and out. But it's been like chasing a ghost."
Elenora listened quietly, her fingers wrapped around her coffee mug. She had never heard John speak so openly before, and his relentless pursuit of Eric intrigued her. He was usually guarded, someone who kept his motives close to his chest.
"There was one info dealer I never managed to meet," Orion continued, tapping his fingers thoughtfully on the table. "Nora Mandragora. She's got a reputation in the underground as one of the best. If anyone could have helped me locate Eric, it would've been her. But I couldn't even get close to tracking her down."
At the mention of "Nora Mandragora," Elenora's eyes widened, but she quickly masked her reaction. Orion was too absorbed in his story to notice.
"I even stormed a vampire hideout alone once," Orion said, his eyes glinting with the memory. "I thought maybe they'd keep records or something that could lead me to Eric, but it was a bust. They were hostile, and defensive, and didn't give up a single useful lead. I've been close—closer than most would dare to get to these creatures, but…" He trailed off, frustration evident in his voice.
Elenora's gaze softened as she took in the extent of John's search. She could see that he was relentless, that he wouldn't stop until he had the answers he needed. But there was something he didn't know. Something which she had a feeling she should tell him and this was the right time.
When he finished speaking, she cleared her throat, looking him straight in the eye. "John," she began carefully, "there's something I need to tell you."
Orion arched an eyebrow, slightly confused by her sudden seriousness.
"Nora Mandragora," she said, her voice steady, "is me."
...
...
Orion blinked, a look of pure shock crossing his face. "NANI?"
"???"
"What ?"
"I mean what?"
"I am Nora Man..."
"I get that but... how ?"
She nodded, a slight smirk tugging at her lips. "That's my alias in the underground. I'm Nora Mandragora, the information dealer you've been searching for."
The revelation hit Orion like a thunderbolt. "You... you're the one? The elusive info dealer I could never find?"
Elenora laughed softly, taking a sip of her coffee. "Yes, and I must say, it's been entertaining hearing about how you almost caught up with me a few times. I keep a low profile because it's safer that way. You'd be surprised how many people, magical and non-magical alike, would rather see me gone for what I know."
Orion's expression shifted from shock to admiration. "Well, you did a good job of staying hidden. A little too good" Orion Grumble.
Elenora leaned forward, her gaze intense. "Now that you know who I am, maybe I can help you. I know a lot about the vampire world, and though I kept tham at a distance, you already know why, I might be able to help you out."
Orion's eyes glinted with a newfound hope. "If you have any information about Eric—where he is, what he's planning, anything—I need it."
Elenora paused, like thinking something before she reply. "Eric... in that case my answer remain the same, I have no idea who you are asking for. I don't know any vampire named Eric."
"None..."
"None..."
'Fuck...'
Orion nodded, sighed with dissatisfaction on his face apparent.
"I see, then I will buy any information you have on things related to Vampires."
"Anything!" Elenora asked with a little surprise on her face.
"Anything and everything, as long as you know it, just tell the prize."
"You're kinda desperate there huh... well fine, I don't mind..."
"Thank you, Elena."
Elenora smirked, shrugging. "Just don't expect it for free. Information like this comes at a price, even if it's for a good cause."
Orion laughed a rare sound from him. "Haha, don't worry, I got coffers to burn..."
[Haa..., never thought I would hear that from you...]
Suddenly Orion snap, looking around he try to find where that sound came...
But seeing that there was no one there, he thought that he was just hallucinating again...
"You okay ?" Elenora asked confused at suddenly what happened.
"Yeah it was nothing, forget it..."
xxx
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