Playing Chicken

[Alexander Santori]

The platform was a buzz with life. Students of all ages scurried about as they prepared to board the bright red train that would take them off to another year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Most of the students wore their jet black robes, formal attire for the trip aboard the train. Parents escorted their younger children, while the older made a quick escape from them. It was typically a happy occasion, one that should have been shared by every member of a magical family when one of their own was about to head off on their first year.

Alexander had been no different. His father and grandparents saw him off on his first day but unlike the various children whom cried because they would miss their families or were overjoyed at starting such an adventure; Alexander had never really felt anything. It had been a typical day, just like any other. Standing here, nearly fifteen year later proved no different with one exception, he was seeing off someone now.

His gaze turned down to a young dark hair girl standing beside him. She gave an uneasy glance around as her luggage was taken to be placed aboard the train. His niece, whom he understood to be absolutely nervous about her train adventure, had not been too happy with Alexander who had in turn prevented her parents from coming onto the platform of nine and three quarters.

Alexander was a wanted man. The Ministry had him on charges of murder and the Auror investigation was led by Marishka Santori, his ex-wife. They had been a thorn in his side and had Alexander been capable of feeling any sort of emotion, he might have actually been worried but alas, the only reason Alexander showed today was to ensure the Aurors did not try to interrogate Jadzia.

"Remember what I told you," Alexander explained as he looked to his right, though he spoke to his Niece specifically. Santori understood that the Aurors had failed in every attempt to apprehend him and thus far he had out dueled their best yet it was because of his success in avoiding capture that he knew the Ministry would take a new avenue; they would attempt to get to him through the Santori Family. "If any Aurors show up at Hogwarts, do not trust them. They will use any means to extract information from you about me. I cannot let you be put into harms way."

Honestly, he did not care what happened to Jadzia. He only came today due to the fact that he knew he could protect the girl better than her parents. Was it stupid to be seen in public? Yes. However, it also genius. Alexander had always been abnormal in his psychological aspects but the man knew that the best way to hide his abnormality was to simply blend in. The best criminals were never high ranking officials. Alexander played his part perfectly and it was his charade as a business man that allowed him to show his true skill. Alexander managed to hide his dark deeds from even the Ministry for numerous years; even marrying an Auror herself without raising suspicion.

Simply genius.

Well, that was until Marishka had tailed him on one eve and discovered his murderous ways. Pity.

Dressed in blue denim, boots, a white dress shirts and even a light brown jacket. Just inside his jacket was the Wizards wand, something that Alexander was never without. Even for a wanted criminal, he dressed bland, typical, and relatively... normal. The man then gave a glance to his left. His eyes scanned the various faces, though none seemed to raise any sort of concern.

So far... no Aurors.