Thorfinn felt the wards ping. Since they were set to 'Bas it didn't tell him whose magic it was. Wherever he and the blonde witch were, he would know who was here. The list was short. There was the click of the door and then the different click of heels. That left the only female Malfoy or the little witch. One was preferable as a distraction from the reems of parchment Gringotts had owled over after his appointment. It was a complete mess and he would take the chance to put off anymore for today.
"Rabastan? Are you here? It was as bad as I thought it could be. You were right okay, I won't say it again. Oh. Rowle. Sorry." There was colour on her cheeks and her hair was a bit of a mess. It took him a moment to notice though because the first thing that had caught his attention were the black heels that showed just a peek of the green nail polish on her toes. Then the way the skirt hugged her thighs. She must have been somewhere before here. He had seen them on her during prison visits but with flats. The top was a deep purple and hugged all of her curves. When he noted the colour on her cheeks, finally, he at first thought it was in reaction to the look over he had given her. Then he realized she had already been worked up when she arrived.
"He's with the blond." Was his only reply.
"Luna?" She asked him. She humphed at his nod.
"Astoria is working, I just left her there. Theo has another investment meeting. Maybe I'll go home and work on my project then." It was clear that she was just thinking aloud.
"Need an ear?" He asked. Not knowing what was really going on. The last time he had seen her was when she stormed out of Dolohov's cabin.
"Not an ear. Something to do. I'm worked up." She looked serious but his raised eyes rows and quick perusal of her body made her frown a bit.
"Not that. Well it would probably work but it's not what I came here for." His incomprehension of the situation must have shown. "Astoria and I duel, when one of us is frustrated. Rabastan told me it wouldn't go well, Lucius was right which I hate. Theo will usually be able to engage my brain with something else." She explained. So she was just looking for a preferred distraction. Sex wasn't on the table, unfortunately.
"I'd offer to duel you, not a good enough wand pairing though." She nodded. Then for a moment just looked at him, biting her damn lip. He hated when she did that, well it made him want to bite it which wasn't on the table. Obviously she wasn't going to say what was on her mind.
"I'll go then." He smiled a bit and nodded. The witch was so changeable. Could come across as totally confidant or not bother and let you see all the thoughts on her face. She was conflicted. He figured there was half a chance she would turn around before she made it to the door. Those skirts did fabulous things to her ass. How blokes got any work done around her was a mystery. Then her steps faltered and she stopped. Slowly she turned around and seemed a bit surprised to find his eyes still on her.
"Do you know what laser tag is?" He didn't let his amusement show. Whatever it was, she wanted to do it. Trying to hold still just made her bounce a little bit on those towering heels.
"No. What's a laser?" He was thinking he would do it. Whatever it might be. There was such an interesting mix of eagerness and fight in her eyes. He liked both, for different reasons.
"Basically we go into a big room set up as kind of a maze. Each of us have a sensor strapped to our chests and a gun that shoots a laser. Like a light. When it hits the sensor nothing happens physically but it vibrates, to let you know. The game keeps score." That sounded like it should make sense but he couldn't imagine it.
"So we hunt each other, without actual weapons. For fun?" She nodded and he grinned. "Muggles do this?
"Yes. Teenagers usually. If you like it, we could try paintball too. There's tons of muggle activities. No magic to keep them busy." That made sense. The little witch wanted him to go and hunt her for fun. He could see no reason not to take her up on it. Except that he didn't know much about the muggle world. It would be nice to get out, no one would know him there. No doubt Granger knew exactly what she was about.
"Alright. I'll hunt you little witch. You'll have to get me there though." The look on her face was worth whatever might happen. Excitement. Or as close as he had seen to it.
"I'll have to change. Want to come to mine?" Clearly she had already moved on because she was halfway turned around before he indicated agreement, grabbed his coat off the hook and followed her to the floo. She reached for his hand, trusting as ever, and called out Briar Patch.
"Just hold on to me, I'll add you." Watching her wand work was something else. The witch wielded magic like it was nothing. His cousin was an idiot, he was pretty sure there wasn't a better choice if he was going to teach anyone, ever.
"Be right back." With a grin she was gone and he heard her feet on the stairs. Within a minute a little ball of golden fur raced in and puffed up at the sight of him.
"Tough guy eh? I'll behave. She only went to change." The kitten was sniffing his feet now and accepted a little ear scratch. It was strange, what a week could change.
That morning he had woken in his cell as usual. It wasn't a usual day though. He showered and was given a clean set of greys. Then he went into one of the guard rooms and they removed his dampeners. Immediately he could feel the creeping movement of his magic. It had taken months not to look for it and now he wondered how long before his magic became normal to him again. Two DMLE guards apparated him to the Auror offices and Potter was there.
"Rowle." He nodded at him in reply. He must know Granger had been visiting him. It was weird to think about that. Before the Ministry defence councillor had come and explained the parole hearing he hadn't really considered getting out. Or what was happening out here, beyond idle consideration. Now he was off the island and it was as strange as he had been thinking it would be. The last few weeks had been spent doing his exercises and thinking about what he did know.
Sabrina was a potions apprentice. She was okay. He didn't know much beyond that she was doing well. Dolohov and Rabastan were already out. He was the last. That extra time had been hard but he was privately relieved that they were here already. Well not here in the Ministry but, they knew him. Other than Granger and his sister he felt like no one knew him at all. Which was pathetic but in his own mind he could be honest. Part of him hoped Sabrina didn't come. It would be better if she didn't publically associate with him, he was sure.
Maybe this wasn't a big deal, them getting out. There were only three people here and one was a secretary. Potter noticed his assessment and his lips twisted in a wry look.
"She told me to keep you here until her signal. It's a madhouse. Worse than Lestrange's, even." This was said as if he had any context, which he didn't. She must be the little witch. A madhouse. Fuck.
A white feather appeared above the desk with a flash and Potter chuckled.
"Let's go then." He gestured toward the door and Thorfinn followed Potter and the other one in Auror robes followed him. He didn't know him by name, thought he was their age though. It was disturbingly empty. The hallways, and they were the only ones in the lift. When the voice told them they had reached the Wizengamot floor Potter caught his eye and whatever he meant, Thorfinn didn't catch it. Closest he could think the look meant in the second he had was some kind of warning.
Then the doors opened and grilles slid apart. Flashes and faces. Cameras were going off and people were immediately speaking.
"Move." Potter said and for a second he thought it was directed at him. But it was the people milling around them. After a minute Potter whistled and Aurors enclosed them. What the fuck was going on here.
Refusing to look down he tried to look ahead without catching anyone's eye. Potter's posture changed and he moved slightly away. There she was. With a look on her face he recognized, from their run ins. She looked livid and had her wand been in her hand, it would have made him feel bad for these people.
"Sit here. Stay with him Harry." Totally ignoring him, she walked away and Thorfinn let himself meet Potter's eyes. The guy looked exasperated. A few minutes passed and those, quickly. Sabrina has caught his eye and was trying to get to him. He scrutinized her and was pleased with what he saw. Her face was fuller than the last time he had seen her. She looked healthy and well kept. She was wearing one of those skirts Granger liked too, that would have to be addressed. It was never far from his mind that his sister was a pretty witch and guys, like him, were all to willing to admire.
Despite all the ruckus and the tentative look on his sisters face, it didn't seem like Potter or his sister thought things were going badly.
The gong sounded and the doors closed. That wasn't normal for this type of hearing. Usually that was closed sessions. Maybe the Wizengamot members had seen enough of this crowd. It was helpful to have been raised to sit on that side of the room. Granger was walking away from the elected group of Wizengamot members. Her face was smooth. She came to sit on his other side and scanned the crowd. Catching his sisters eye she nodded and he watched Sabrina come toward them with more certainty. What were they doing?
When the speaker for the day began it was easy to tune most of it out. The closed doors meant no photos until they opened so it all went pretty quickly. The witch beside him didn't speak, but signalled twice that he noticed. There was some whispered words with his sister and non verbal communication with Shacklebolt. Eventually it was time for him to sign and the little witch kept a hand on his sisters. When the last page was signed and he was handed a copy it should have been over. Wand monitoring, Ministry access, international travel restrictions, and searches on request for five years.
That had won a small grin from the witch beside him. The doors opened and the lights flashed. He heard yelling then silencing spells must have been used. Aurors pushed out into the hallway and eventually it seemed to disperse a bit.
Now that it was over he looked from Sabrina to Granger expectantly. His sister also looked to the witch and for a moment she looked indecisive then gave them a nod. Sabrina grabbed his hand the touch felt so good. Her magic was so similar to his that it felt as if his were already stronger. The two of them followed her and were followed by Potter and Shacklebolt. Hermione's smile to the Minister was a bit tight and he looked apologetic for a moment. She just smiled a Potter and reached for his hand.
"Hold on when we get there, alright?" He could only nod at her small hand in his much larger one. The feel of her magic was different. Not familiar and he felt his move faster in response. To his suprise she waved her wand and then threw the floo powder down. They disappeared without a destination said.
"It worked! Hold on. I'll just add you to the wards." Then her wand was moving again and she was mumbling under her breath. Thorfinn looked away from her and around the comfortable looking room. A cabin of some sort. Then he noticed 'Bas in the chair watching them and grinned. He felt much better at the familiar easy grin he got back. Everything was okay. Then he felt her hand pull from his and made himself release her.
"Thorfinn! She was right, your still you. I've been so worried. And I've missed you." With that Sabrina threw herself into his arms and he let his eyes closed while he hugged her back. Feeling her cry into his shirt. He looked up when his closed changed on him with a feeling of air rushing. Now she was crying into a black long sleeve instead of the grey prison garb.
Looking over her head he saw the soft smile on Grangers face and she said a few words to his friend before giving a nod toward him. Then she disappeared in front in green flames. Rabastan raised an eyebrow when he caught his eye. Thorfinn just chuckled lightly and led his sister to a couch. Maybe there was a calming draught here.
"Ready?" He looked up and if he had thought she looked delicious before now it was as if she were a whole meal laid out before him. Those damn denims and a tight black top. Her hair was more rumpled than before and she had soft looking black boots that climbed her calves.
"Mmmmm." She rolled her am eyes at his blatant approval of her and he wondered what she thought about it. Was she just so used to men's admiration that his didn't even warrant a blush. When she extended her hand to him he laced their fingers together and watched her face. A bit of pink right on her cheekbones. Trying to hide his grin, he just gave her an expectant look.
With a crack they appeared in an alley that didn't look fun at all. It also didn't smell very good and Granger grimaced before leading him out of it and onto a busier street. There were cars and people everywhere. He felt her hand squeeze his and knew she was aware of his unease. Without looking at her he kept a half step behind and let her lead him up a street and dan two blocks. Then they crossed it with a mass of other people at a blinking signal and were in a wide space full of cars. She just kept moving and he realized the huge building ahead of them was their destination.
It was disorienting to see things happen and know it couldn't be magic. Doors opened on their own and stairs sort of moved. He just kept up with her and watched her pull a card out and pay a young teenage boy. This boy was appreciating her smiles a bit too much. Abruptly he finished whatever they were doing when thorfinn caught his eye.
The room they went into was sort of what she had described. It was dark and full of obstacles. Half walls and ropes. All sorts of things to hide behind and move. She strapped the thing to her chest and then did his.
"It's Velcro. Just sticks and then pulls off. All good? Had to get you a bigger size. This is the gun. Point it at me and squeeze the trigger. Exactly. See the number at the bottom of the screen." Sure enough there was a one in blue and a zero in red. Then she pointed her gun at him and squeezed. He felt it vibrate against his skin. Then she gave him a look that demanded retribution and took off into the darkness with a laugh.
"I'll get you little witch." He took off into the darkness after her and tried not to let his grin get so big it turned into a smile. This witch was interesting, he liked it more than he thought he should.