QL Round 6 | Wigtown Wanderers | Beater 1 | AntoninLily
Additional Prompts | 8. [dialogue] "Is that really what you want?", 15. [emotion] guilt

WC: 2,996

o . o . o

Drawn Into Your Mystery

"Miss Potter?"

"Mrs, actually," Lily corrected softly, looking up from her notes. An older man that she didn't recognize was standing in the doorway to her office, peering at her through his glasses. "Can I help you?"

"Yes, actually," he said, helping himself to the seat opposite her. "I'm sure you're aware that there's a significant restoration project set to begin in Moscow-"

"On the interior artwork of the Bolshoi. Yes, I'm familiar with it," she finished.

"We'd like you to consult on it," the man stated bluntly.

"Who is 'we'? And who are you?" Lily's eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"'We' means the British government, and who I am is of no consequence," he replied, his demeanor maddeningly calm. "If you must call me something, you may call me Albus."

"Why does the government want me to consult on this project?"

"You are one of the foremost experts in art restoration, and it's a significant project," he stated, but Lily didn't believe his flattery for a moment.

"The British government doesn't care about the Bolshoi, so try again." Her temper was running dangerously thin.

"No, we don't," Albus replied, smiling as if pleased that she hadn't believed his ruse. "But there is a Cultural Minister by the name of Dolohov in whom we are most interested."

"And what exactly is it you'd like me to do?" She raised an eyebrow in challenge.

"Meet with him, befriend him if you like," Albus shrugged. "Bring back any… ah, shall we call them, cultural artifacts, that he gives you."

"You want me to smuggle things for you?" Lily hissed.

"It would be in the normal course of business for Mr. Dolohov to offer you tokens of good will," he replied, sounding a bit too nonchalant. "If you were to bring those back to us…"

"You want me to be a spy," she stated, her voice low.

"No," Albus said firmly. "Mr. Dolohov is a high-ranking government official. British intelligence agents cannot go anywhere near him, they would be made in a heartbeat. But you have legitimate business there. You have no relationship with the British government. You are as unthreatening as a person can be."

"So you'd like me to be…?"

"A courier, of sorts," Albus answered.

Lily clenched her jaw irritably. She wasn't stupid - she knew requests like these were hardly requests at all. "And I suppose I have no choice in this?"

"We all have a choice, Mrs. Potter. Mr. Dolohov has chosen to help us, but we are still missing a link in the chain." He stood up. "All that is required for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing. I don't believe you want evil to triumph."

He turned toward the door without waiting for an answer, but stopped, reaching into his pocket. He turned back to her again and held out an envelope.

"The flight is in two days' time, Mrs. Potter, and it will depart with or without you. The decision is yours."

Albus left without another word, leaving Lily behind in shocked silence.

o.o.o

Lily stepped off the plane, walking briskly up the jetway. Her heart was pounding already, and this mission was only just beginning. She tried to focus on the beautiful sights of a new city, but it didn't stop her from noticing the intimidating police officers stationed every few meters throughout the terminal.

Near the entrance, a chauffeur in intimidating, military-like dress stood, holding a sign with her name on it. He met her with a curt nod, and then led the way to his sleek black car. Lily couldn't help but look out the window with wide-eyed wonder as they drove. Moscow was so much more beautiful than she had expected. It was easy to imagine that Russia - a political enemy - was a dreary and decrepit country, but Moscow proved that it was anything but. It was alive with bright colors and the same bustle as London. Even the river winding its way through the city reminded Lily of home in a way. The noticeable difference was the military presence - it wasn't everywhere, certainly not like an occupation, but it was there. Just enough to be a constant reminder and a subtle threat to any who might consider dissidence.

Lily only had half an hour to settle in to her hotel room before the chauffeur was ushering her down to the hotel's large conference room for the initial meeting on the Bolshoi restoration project.

As people filtered into the room, Lily looked around the little conference table, wondering who the mysterious Minister Dolohov might be. She'd been given no clues about her contact beside his name, and that wasn't written down anywhere that she could see. Even if it were, Russian was not one of the languages she spoke. She supposed she would just have to wait.

"Ladies and gentlemen," one of the men said, standing and addressing all of them, though Lily was the only woman present. "I will hold this meeting in English, for the benefit of our esteemed consultant. I thank you all for your continued hard work on the restoration of the Bolshoi. It is such a priceless landmark. And of course, I would like to extend my thanks to Minister Dolohov -"

Lily's eyes snapped up, landing on the man identified by the speaker. He was much younger than she expected, standing out from the rest of the sixty-year-old men gathered in the conference room. He waved off the speaker's praise as if embarrassed by the flattery, and continued to stare resolutely at the printed presentation pamphlet in front of him. Lily tried to turn her attention back to the presentation - even if this whole thing was a ruse, it was one that needed to be convincing.

When the meeting was over, Lily collected her belongings, wondering how best to make contact with Dolohov. Would it be too suspicious if she simply walked up to him?

"Mrs. Potter?"

Lily looked up, slightly startled by the deep voice that had spoken from just over her shoulder. When she turned around, she found herself face to face with Minister Dolohov. He was much taller than she had expected, towering several inches above her despite her heels. He was more handsome than she had realized as well. His beard was peppered with flecks of grey, the only indicator that he was probably middle-aged. His black hair was swept back from his face, making his distinct features stand out even more. Lily found herself absolutely transfixed by his eyes - deep pacific blue and soulful. It was hard for her to imagine that others couldn't read his intentions through his eyes, because it seemed so plain to her.

"Minister Dolohov," she replied, her voice a bit higher than she would have liked. Lily could feel a blush creeping across her cheeks and she struggled to control her racing heart. "Thank you for inviting me to consult on this project, it's an honour."

"It is my pleasure," he said, smiling tightly. He seemed just as anxious, and she wished there was something she could do to put him at ease. But it was neither the time nor the place for anything more than dutiful pleasantries. "I thought perhaps that I might take you to the ballet tonight. I believe we share an appreciation for culture and it would be my pleasure to share this particular Russian indulgence."

"I would be delighted, thank you," Lily answered, holding his intense gaze.

"I will meet you in front of the theater at 7 o'clock," he said, bowing to her slightly before turning away.

Sighing, Lily gathered the last of her things and left the conference room. That was it then, they had made their appointment. She felt a little thrill at the idea of a night at the ballet with Minister Dolohov that she was sure had nothing to do with the exhilaration of the mission. Just a little spark, something she hadn't felt in so long.

o.o.o

Lily could see Dolohov standing outside the theater, still wearing his tailored black suit from earlier. She took a moment to appreciate his appearance from a few meters away, smiling softly to herself, before she pushed those thoughts from her mind. That was a distraction that she could not afford.

"Minister," she greeted as she stepped up to him. He whirled around to face her.

"Mrs. Potter," he replied with an easy smile. "You look lovely. Would you like to go in?"

"Absolutely," Lily answered.

He offered her his arm and she gladly accepted, looping her own through his so her hand was resting on his forearm. As he led her through the theatre, Lily couldn't help but marvel at its beauty. Both the actual structure and the artwork hanging throughout were positively stunning. She tried to take it all in, her eyes wide as she looked back and forth. Antonin chuckled at her side, and she could feel the rumble of it vibrate through her.

"It is quite something, is it not?" he said, mirth dancing in his voice.

"It really is," she breathed.

He laid his other hand over hers, gently guiding her toward a staircase on the right. They climbed up two stories, and Dolohov led them down a dimly lit and luxuriously carpeted hallway. On the left were a series of heavy velvet curtains that lead to the opera boxes. Antonin stopped at the second to last set, sweeping the curtains aside for Lily to pass through. She settled in one of the front-most seats and Dolohov sat next to her, both of them keeping their eyes focused on the stage while they waited for the ballet to start. The minutes passed in a tense sort of silence.

"Can we-"

"Tell me about your family, Mrs. Potter," the Minister said, interrupting her quickly. He glanced at her with a somewhat apprehensive look in his eyes, and she understood what it meant. It was not safe to talk here.

"I met my husband when we were young, though I didn't like him much at first," Lily answered, smiling slightly at the memory of her early relationship. "We married… it must be almost ten years ago now, I suppose." She didn't miss the Minister's eyebrows rising in surprise, and she laughed softly at that. "We were young when we married. We have a son too, he's turning eight soon."

"That's lovely," he hummed.

"What's your family like?"

Part of Lily was hoping he would say that he had none, that he was alone and free, but she shoved the thought aside. She was married, she had no business thinking anything of the sort. Besides, she hardly knew Dolohov at all. And she loved James. Didn't she?

"I have a wife, and a daughter," he said, his lips twitching into a smile at the mention of the latter. "My daughter, Ana, is wonderful. She loves the ballet too. Everything I do is for her."

"Well then, she's very lucky," Lily mused, smiling at her companion.

They passed the rest of the ballet in a comfortable silence, breaking it only now and then for idle remarks. When it was over, the Minister helped her into her coat, leading her through the halls of the theatre and occasionally greeting a government official. When they stepped into the night air, Lily breathed deeply, enjoying the cool crispness of it.

"Perhaps a walk along the river?" Dolohov suggested, his expression laden with meaning.

"That sounds lovely," Lily agreed.

They were quiet until they reached the pathway on the river's banks, lit sporadically with street lamps. It was dark and empty, seemingly the perfect place to have a sensitive conversation. But Lily still felt wary - this was Moscow. Was anywhere in the city truly safe from government ears?

"Thank you," Dolohov said, breaking the silence, "for what you are doing. You are very brave. Heroic. Not many would make the choice to put themselves in such danger and risk so much."

"I'm not a hero," Lily replied, blushing at his flattery. "I'm just a courier. You're the hero - risking everything, betraying your country…"

"I prefer to think that I am saving my country." He turned to smile at her, and Lily felt her heart leap in her chest. "Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise."

"Victor Hugo," she stated, more than a little surprised by the reference.

"Mmm," he hummed affirmatively. "Once I was a very worldly man, but such things are forbidden now. It is a unique punishment to be made Minister of Culture but be banned from sharing in the masterpieces of other nations."

"I can imagine," Lily agreed. It wasn't a stretch to envision how she would feel if she could no longer work on restoring all the foreign art treasures she held dear.

"I want more for my daughter," he continued. "I want her to know more than a life of bleakness and fear. And for that… I cannot stay here. I must think of a new life. I must dream of something better and then work to bring it about."

"All you have to do is change the course of history," Lily joked. She was moved by his passion, but the enormity of what they were doing was not lost on her. "Should be easy enough."

Dolohov laughed, a deep, rumbling belly chuckle, and the sound brought a sincere smile to Lily's lips. Something about laughing with him felt so good.

"Alright then, let's change the course of history," she said, with a courageous and determined fire burning in her eyes.

Dolohov was quiet as they walked, and slowly the mirth seeped from his expression. When they were passing beneath a bridge, he stopped, suddenly grabbing Lily's wrist and pulling her to face him.

"Failure is not an option. Not in this."

There was a touch of wildness in his eyes, and Lily understood what it was very well. Fear of what would happen if they failed, if they were caught. Although they each had their personal motivations for doing this, it was impossible not to be aware that there was much more at stake than their own lives. There was a war happening, and it threatened to tear the human race apart. One wrong step and entire cities could be wiped out with the push of a button.

"I know," she replied, green eyes meeting blue.

He held her gaze for a moment longer, assessing her seriousness, and when he was satisfied, he nodded brusquely. He seemed to realize then that he was still holding her, and quickly dropped her hand as though he had been shocked.

They walked the remaining block to Lily's hotel in a silence that was somehow both comfortable and tense at the same time. When they stopped outside the back entrance, Lily felt a moment of hesitation. What happened now? So far the Minister hadn't given her anything to take back to England - neither tangible object nor information.

Dolohov turned to face her, looking nervous, with his hands in his pockets. He smiled at her, shy and apprehensive, and Lily felt her stomach flutter. It was just so endearing. And then he reached out and cupped her cheek in one hand, his other sliding around her waist to pull her in close. He tipped his head down and pressed his lips gently to hers. Lily felt that weak-kneed sensation - her head spun and her heart pounded and she felt like she could swoon right there in his arms. When he pulled away, his hands found hers, and Lily felt something pressed into her hand. Dolohov squeezed it for emphasis, giving her a significant look before letting go. She immediately slipped her hand into her coat pocket, depositing the object there for safe keeping.

"Goodnight, Mrs. Potter," Dolohov said. There was a softness in his eyes that made Lily think she wasn't the only one affected by their kiss.

"Lily, please. Call me Lily," she answered, emboldened by his expression.

"Only if you'll call me Antonin," he replied with a smile.

He bit his lip, the small action making Lily's heart beat faster again. She felt drawn to him, magnetized by the movement. She wanted to kiss him again. She wanted to do much more than that. A wave of guilt washed over her as Lily remembered her husband, waiting for her back in England. But it had been so long since she'd felt this kind of spark with James, and she missed it more than she realized. Perhaps her parents had been right when they'd said she was too young to get married. Lily shoved all the thoughts of James and the feelings of guilt aside, too easily rationalizing what she was about to do. It's just physical, there's no emotion to it. It'll help the mission. They were lies, but if she admitted that to herself, she knew she would give in to the guilt, and she didn't want that. She needed to feel this spark turn into a fire.

"Do you want to come upstairs with me?" She asked the question but they both knew the answer to it. Yes. More than anything.

"Is that really what you want?" Antonin replied, looking torn between desire and rationality. She knew what he was really asking. What about your family?

Lily stepped closer, her eyes never leaving his. Attraction and desire crackled between them like electricity, and she was almost surprised that his hands didn't shock her when they found her waist.

"Stay right here with me, and we'll forget the rest of the world together." She stretched up on her toes and pressed her lips to his.

This time, the kiss was not as innocent as the first. There was nothing fake or staged about it, no politeness or hesitation. It was undeniably a kiss between lovers, filled with hunger and fueled by the promise of more.