Chapter 13: Flames & Regret

In the days and weeks that followed Scabior continued to care for Violet to the best of his abilities. He was by no means a healer, and he sometimes became frustrated when she argued with him and refused his help. But slowly Scabior began to earn her trust, and over time she began to recover her health.

Scabior was right when he said Violet was damaged goods and that she needed more than regular meals and sleep in order to recover. She was lonesome, depressed and in desperate need of a good dose of love and affection. Real tender loving care. Her little sister had always loved her, and now that Heather was missing Violet had reached an all time low. Without her Violet felt like there was nothing left, like her only reason for living was gone. Her sister was everything to her and she couldn't imagine her life without her.

But sometimes help can come from a most unexpected place, and finding comfort in the form of a Snatcher was the last thing she expected.

At first she was cautious, keeping her distance from Scabior whenever possible. She was also quiet, refusing to engage in coversation with him. Many of their days were spent in silence, usually because Scabior became angry and stormed out of the tent when his continuous efforts to befriend her had failed once again. Violet would then cry alone in Scabior's tent while the head Snatcher went for a walk in the forest to calm down and clear his head.

It wasn't easy for either of them, but as the days wore on things gradually began to improve. Scabior and Violet began talking and she allowed him to get closer to her and help when she needed help. There were still some difficult moments at times because none of their issues could be easily remedied overnight.

One incident occurred about a month after Scabior had snatched Violet. They had had another row and Violet was upset, crying and yelling at him that she wanted to leave so she could find her sister. Scabior told her that he couldn't let her go because she was in no fit state to go anywhere just yet. He then promised her that, when she was well again, he would help her find her sister.

"I don't believe you!" Violet shouted. "And do you honestly think I'd want to let someone like you around my baby sister?"

"Right," Scabior sneered. "Because I have nothing but torture you since you arrived."

"You've prevented me from leaving and continuing my search for her."

"Tha's because I'm trying to 'elp you. Do you think you'd really be able to find 'er in the 'alf starved, sleep deprived state you're in? An do you really want your sister to see you in this sorry state?"

Violet paused, unsure of what to say in response to his question.

"Your sister obviously loves you very much an means a lot to you," Scabior continued. "I don't think she would want to see wha you've become in 'er absence. When you find 'er, you shouldn't look like you've just spent a year in Azkaban prison."

"She could be dead by now for all you care," Violet shot back.

"I do care," Scabior ground out between his teeth, furious that she once again wasn't listening to him. "An you should be damn grateful tha I'm offering my services to you to 'elp you find 'er. I'm a Snatcher, an expert at tracking an locating people. I could probably find 'er in a week or less if you would just cooperate with me."

Violet sniffed, her olive green eyes burning with amber flames as she glared at him, hot tears streaming down her face. Even she had to admit that he had a point. He had been trying his best to help her and make her feel better.

"Sit down, princess," said Scabior, placing his hands on her shoulders and pushing her down into a sitting position on his bed. "You need to calm yourself. You're not doing yourself or your sister any favors by getting so upset."

"Let go of me!" Violet cried, and Scabior yelped and backed away, releasing her as scorching flames suddenly sprang to life, burning the exposed flesh of his right hand.

Scabior quickly drew his wand, his left hand withdrawing the length of ivy wood from a pocket in his jacket as the flames raced up his right arm towards his elbow.

"Aguamenti!" he cried, jabbing his wand at his right arm. A cooling jet of water flew from the tip of his wand, extinguishing the flames. He then held up his hand to examine it more closely, checking to see if any serious damage had been done.

While he was examining his burned hand, Violet stared at him, her eyes wide with shock. She had hurt him, Scabior, the man who had given up his time and his money to make her comfortable, to make her feel better, the man who wrapped her in his jacket when she was cold, comforted her when she couldn't sleep, and offered to help her find her missing sister. Violet suddenly felt a sharp pang of regret stab her heart. He really was trying hard to help her...and this is how she repaid him for his help.

"I'm... I'm sorry, Scabior," she murmured.

"You're sorry?!" Scabior snapped at her, practically yelling, his words coming harsher than he'd intended. He looked up from his burned and inflamed palm, fixing her with a vicious stare that made her shrink back in fear. His insides were boiling with rage and he wanted nothing more than to hex her for attacking him.

Scabior took a deep breath, willing himself with all his strength to remain calm. "It's fine, pet. Don't worry about it. Merlin knows I've 'ad worse."

"But I really am sorry, Scabior," said Violet.

Scabior said nothing as he silently conjured bandages that wrapped themselves around his right hand. He was biting his tongue to keep himself from telling her off.

When he finished dressing his burned hand and looked back at her, Scabior could see real genuine regret in Violet's eyes. He also saw tears of remorse and sadness as well. She was on the verge of crying again.

He sighed and rolled his eyes. "Violet, don't."

"Scabior..."

"Just calm yourself. Breathe, pet. Take a few deep breaths and relax. It'll 'help you clear you 'ead an prevent you from 'aving another accident."

Violet did as he said, her heart rate beginning to slow as she gradually became calmer.

"I'm so sorry, Scabior," she said. "I don't know what came over. It was an accident."

"It's going to be alright, pet," said Scabior. "I can 'elp you, but you're going to have to trust me."

"I do," said Violet. "I see that now. I trust you, Scabior."

"Do you really mean tha?"

"Yes."

Scabior sat down on the bed beside her, and looking deep into her eyes he said, "Then you 'ave nothing to worry about. I will take care of you an we will find your sister. I promise."