May 17th, 1890 - Diagon Alley
Jupiter Smith

If he didn't get called to Diagon Alley twice a week, something was off. This was his fourth incident in London in the last two days and Jesse had to wonder if there was something in the late spring air that was causing all of the mayhem.

Dressed in his official ministry robes (his least favorite attire, but necessary), he showed up outside the cauldron shop, wondering if he should be amused or wary about what he was about to handle. Though he was good at his job and enjoyed it immensely, there was always a little sense if trepidation when first arriving to a scene. Accidental magic was unpredictable an often chaotic. There was no telling what exactly her was about to get himself into.

It appeared that the cauldrons stacked up outside the shop that were usually more of a statue of sorts were now jumping around and swinging at people. Never a dull day. Which was thankfully, how Jess preferred it. Not the dangerous part, but the busy part.

After asking around, he found the source, a youngin' pitching a fit over something unrelated to the cauldrons themselves but apparently passing by and upset enough to spark some magic. The tot was still upset while Jess asked his mum some questions, no doubt thinking he was in trouble, which apparently magnified the indecent because the next thing he knew, the cauldrons were amped up and springing at anyone nearby. "Duck!" He hollered, casting a quick shield charm to block the nearest person from being hit.

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Generally, archaeology didn't require many tools found in Diagon Alley. She wasn't often in need of a new dress or cauldron. She required shovels and spades, dusters, and occassionally a good wiff of magic, which in today's preparations for her departure meant healing and cooling potions. The climate in Egypt was said to be drier than what she was accustomed to in the jungle. She could suffer through the humidity so long as there was shade to cover her, but hours of working in the direct sunlight was certain to drain her. Jo hoped the cooling potion would make her less susceptible to overheating.

She had finished at the apothecary and ventured into the cauldron shop to retrieve a package for her mother. Why Tiffany Smith required another cauldron Jo wasn't sure, but she certainly began to wish her mother was wiser with her tools once the distraught child began flinging cauldrons about.

Jo had only stood back up seconds before the (handsome) man was shouting at her to duck. She dropped to the ground, knees like jelly, as the cauldron flew an inch above her now ducked head. "Fuck." She exclaimed in shock, not at all caring for society's rules or propriety. "Can't someone do something about that kid?!"

  

Fortunately most people were smart enough to start moving away when cauldrons started flying and therefore Jess was able to redirect most of the projectiles. Rocketing cauldrons however, were scary and now he could hear the tyke full on crying- scared no doubt, and so Jesse did his best to make sure nothing flew their way in particular. What a disaster.

"Ma'am I suggest you take your son home and calm him down!" Jess hollered as he deflected yet another very large cauldron back toward the pile in front of the shop. The hysteria of the incident was not helping the poor guy to relax at all. He heard the satisfying pop! of apparating signal their departure and now he could focus on solving the task at hand.

He'd been hoping that removing the child from the situation would cease the magic, but no such luck. He hadn't heard the exclamations of anyone nearby over the commotion, but noticed a dark-haired woman still on the ground nearby. "I'd move if I were you!" He noticed another cauldron headed her way and with reflexes he would have thought faded with his Hogwarts quidditch career, he managed to catch a small cauldron barehanded before it hit her.

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Jo breathed a small sigh of relief at the telltale sound of apparition. At least even if the cauldrons kept hurling about there would be no additional magic added to the fray. She could navigate flying cauldrons in an attempt to get to safety at least. Or, at least she thought she could. Jo heard his warning at the last second and flinched as he caught the cauldron coming towards her. When had he even gotten to this side of the room? And how did he have the skill required to not be injured?

Jo cautiously stood and moved closer to him, her wand drawn and at the ready to deflect anymore cauldrons. "What do we do?" She asked before ducking as another cauldron whizzed dangerously close over their heads.

  

Ah, a lass who didn't shy away from a little adventure. Delightful. "So here's the thing- I was hoping it would stop when the child was no longer present, but that seems to not be the case." Perhaps this random act of magic had tempered the charms already placed on cauldrons, which were now acting up because they didn't know what else to do.

Jesse put the cauldron in his hand down on top of the pile of other sedentary pots and aimed to summon another. "Catch and tether as many down as we can and then I'll try and reverse the spell, I guess." What else could he do really. Sometimes the reversal was all it took, but sometimes (re; most times) it was definitely not as easy as it looked.

"I can handle it though, don't feel obliged if you've got somewhere to be. Rare to find a puzzle I can't solve." He flashed the lady a charming grin.

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The plan seemed simple enough, though Jo doubted she had the reflexes needed to catch cauldrons like bludgers. Leaving him to work all on his own felt unfair, even if it was his job. What if one swung at him from behind and he was knocked unconscious? "Not obliged." Jo said as she repeated his summoning spell and caught one of the bewitched cauldrons. "Happy to help."

"Does this happen often?" She then grunted as she caught another one. "Angry children creating such a disaster?"

  

Jesse was not going to refute a little assistance, but also felt bad that she was not getting paid for this like he was. "On the Squad yes, just another day in the life." It was legitimately Jesse's job to clean up and clear up the tantrums and fear magic that sprouted from young witches and wizards daily. Then he got to write up the paperwork about it and file it in case anything popped up later. It wasn't so bad.

"It's not professional quidditch," Which was what he wanted to do originally. "But it keeps me on my toes pretty regularly." Jess caught another cauldron and set it aside. There were only a couple left and he pinged them pretty quickly back into the pile before casting a charm or two over them to keep them put. He'd have to speak with the shop owner, who may also want to reinforce some of the enchantments on them before selling them. "That was actually pretty tame compared to some of the things I've dealt with." He chuckled, straightening up the last pile a little.

"Thanks for the help, much appreciated." He added with another grin.

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"Interesting life." Jo never really considered the aspects of the ministry that weren't boring before. In her mind, all ministry officials were condescending and bland, like most of the law enforcement branch. If not for her intense love of traveling perhaps she, too, might've ended up in a similar position.

His mention of professional quidditch made his catching ability make more sense. While she never played the sport much herself, Jo had definitely enjoyed watching the games in school. "Let me guess, keeper?" She asked once the last of the cauldrons were brought down.

Jo smiled back. Man, he was handsome, ministry officials weren't meant to be this attractive. "You're welcome," Jo smiled. "Hopefully they didn't cause too much irreparable damage to the shop." Not that the man would be responsible either way, but still. Extending her hand to his, Jo then continued, "Jo Smith. And you are...?"

  

"Pegged me, quick hands." He laughed, holding them up and wiggling his fingers. He'd gone out for beater as well to increase his chances, but Jess had spent far more time catching things like younger siblings and things his sister chucked at his head than whacking things with a bat.

"Jesse Hatchitt," He nodded and shook her extended hand. "Accidental Magical Reversal Squad." Not only did he love his job, but he thoroughly enjoyed the title as well. It was a mouthful, but it was fun. Taking his trusty notebook from his back pocket, Jess jotted down a couple quick details for later paperwork and looked toward the shop itself. "And now the fun part. I need to head in there in there for a few and speak with the owner." Jess pulled a grimace. "Thanks again for the help Miss Smith, I'm sure you'll never look at a cauldron the same way again." He chuckled.

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