Almost two weeks have passed since Dumbledore's funeral, everyone sitting put more or less, going outside only when necessary. So to say Talia was surprised to see Tonks at her door step was an understatement at best. Quickly rushing her inside, she immediately asked "What happened?" Her friend could not contain her smile, lifting her arms to pull Talia into a big hug, the latter being completely taken off guard "Alright, what gives?"
She expected every visit those days to bring with it more bad news and seeing someone actually smiling instead of crying or being very serious really did blow Talia off the handle.
"I have some news, do you have a bottle of anything?"
"If Jasper hasn't snatched it yet." She shrug her shoulders, leading her into the kitchen.
Tonks immediately jumped on the counter, watching Talia rummaging through the back of the pantry, her legs swinging "Right, how is the entire disaster party?"
Despite her not seeing her, she rolled her eyes as she sighed "Awful really. Aha" she exclaimed triumphantly "I think I got Felix to at least consider rejoining Charlie at the Sanctuary. If not I think Talbott will send him there himself, he can't stand him."
"Well he shouldn't be the one to talk." Tonks followed Talia with her gaze as she cursed trying to find the bottle opener.
"Where the fuck is everything? I swear I'm surprised I haven't gone gray by this point." Placing her hand around the neck of the bottle, she started heating it up "Don't get me wrong, both are being civil but they still take jabs at each other. And don't get me started on how opinionated Munday is."
"And is Mirunna at least backing you up?" Shaking her head, Talia laughed when Tonks jumped once the cork popped "Neat party trick."
"Thank you." Taking out two glasses, she poured some wine for both of them "Mirunna is dedicating more time towards the remaining two survivors from the safe house. That or is actually taking Munday's side which is odd to say the least."
"What can I say, times are crazy." Taking the glass, Talia retracted hers before they toasted.
"So wait, why are we celebrating?"
Tonks's smile spread further, her unable to contain the happiness bubbling in her chest "We're getting married." Talia's brows shot up, eyes widening "Me and Remus." Tonks added for emphasis.
"Clearly, but isn't this a reckless move all things considered?" Ignoring her comment, she drank despite them not toasting to it, Talia taking in a deep breath "Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for you, I really am, just that it would have been nice to have the wedding of your dreams you know?"
Tonks actually pondered, then started laughing "Neah, if you would have told me a year ago that I would be madly in love I would have hit you over the head with a shoe. I know it's not ideal timing, but with everything I actually want a moment of happiness to myself you know? Plus not like we can go by the books due to the Ministry and the anti-werewolf legislation."
"Right, that." Taking a sip from her own glass, Talia pondered "Well not like you would have went for a fairytale wedding."
"Right? Can you even imagine me trying to even walk in a puffy dress?" laughter exploded inside the small kitchen as Tonks hopped off the counter, mimicking trying to walk with a huge dress, bumping into various objects, turning to apologize to them. Twirling Talia around, she held onto her glass for dear life "Apologies madame my fat arse appears to be the center of attention, please allow me this dance as I keep you at arm's length due to this hideous enormous dress."
"If I spill this wine Tonks." she threatened despite there being no harshness to her tone or expression.
"Please don't, this is a vintage dress. From my grandmother's great great grandmother before her." Spinning around a couple of more times, both girls laughed as they hugged, Talia actually congratulating her.
The door to the kitchen opened slowly, Talbott leaning against the doorway, arms crossed over his chest as he looked over at the girls, a small smile playing on his lips at the sight of them laughing like that. It had been a while since he had seen anyone smiling, let alone Talia.
As they finished spinning, her eyes landed on Talbott, turquoise pools analyzing him briefly. Tonks let go of Talia "Perfect, you're here. I have news. Me and Remus are getting married."
Walking over to her, Talbott threw his arms around her, eyes searching Talia's, a worried expression betraying his thoughts. Lifting her index finger, she urged him to be quiet despite nodding her head, understanding fully well where he was coming from.
With a verbal invitation for the time and place of the small secret ceremony, Tonks was on her way, Talia promising to at least help with what she could in order to make the event special. Pouring a glass of wine for Talbott, they both went outside to sit on the stairs of the front porch in order to evade the rest of the inhabitants.
"It's dangerous." He said the moment he sat down, Talia nodding her head.
"It is, but I get it you know. Danger tends to make us see how short life actually is and it makes us act differently, rash even. But it also makes us appreciate things more and see them in a different light."
Glancing at her, he asked skeptically "So you think this is the reason behind the wedding?"
Smiling, she shook her head "No, they really love each other, despite the hardships and differences between them. I can't imagine it's easy for her despite the brave face she puts on, she must be worried sick about him, every month a constant repeat."
Both took a sip from their wine, the very idea lingering heavy in the air.
"I want to quit being an Auror." Her head snapped to him, Talia looking positively confused. Her hand rested on his shoulder, Talbott releasing a heavy sigh.
"What are you on about? You're a brilliant Auror."
"No, I never was." Leaning forward he rested his forearms on his legs, Talia taking her hand away "I'm afraid of far too many things, I constantly put unnecessary pressure on myself, I was giving you a hard time but I haven't been faring too well during this period either."
Sliding closer to him, her hand caressed his hair, pushing it out of his face. She smiled to herself, it was getting longer now, far longer than she had ever seen him wearing it "I'm so sorry Talbott. I know you took a step back, but I've been doing a really crappy job at helping you cope with everything."
He stopped himself from leaning against her touch, another sip of wine being taken "It wasn't on you to help me."
"Maybe." She said still playing with his hair, Talbott forcing himself to stand still and not shiver "But we left together, it was the least I could do, be there for you."
"What are you doing right now Talia?" she froze the moment the question left his mouth, Talbott turning to look at her. Retracting her hand a few seconds later, she bit down on her lower lip, cursing inside her own head for that moment of weakness "What's with that look?"
"Sorry, I shouldn't be touching you like that."
His intense eyes did not falter in the slightest as he looked at her "I'd prefer it if you did actually because at least then I'd know you still cared."
Her eyes softened, however she lowered her gaze "You know I do, I never stopped carrying about you."
His heart fluttered inside his ribcage, heat spreading through his body and he knew it was not because of the wine they were drinking. Placing the glass down, he extended his hand out to touch her face, thumb stroking her cheek "That's just the thing Talia, I don't know, I didn't. You closed up so much and mainly because of me, I know how you look at me on certain days, blaming me for a lot that has happened."
"Yes, I do." She answered truthfully, looking back into those sunset eyes she loved so much "Though I believe that is all now null and void due to Voldy. All mistakes up to him coming back are forgiven."
Talbott stared at her, blinking once and then a second time before he threw his head back and laughed wholeheartedly. It had been years since she had seen him smile, let alone laugh. But the moment laughter tumbled from his lips, Talia's heart started racing as if just then in that moment she remembered she was actually alive. Not breathing, no, as all the air appeared to be sucked out of her lungs, but alive with warmth from seeing him like that.
He looked so good in that very moment, face bright, pose relaxed as he chuckled away, shaking his head at her ridiculous choice of words, hair going in his eyes, those gorgeous eyes she could never get enough of. She smiled as well, face lighting up with that simple gesture.
Settling down, he picked his glass up once more, raising it slightly "To Voldy as you call him and his mistake erasing abilities." Talia laughed as her glass clanked against his, never in her life having figured she would actually drink to such a morbid toast.
In a few days, both her and Talbott were present to witness the wedding of Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks. Despite it being a very private gathering, the two were still happy as they shared vows and promised to be with each other until the very end.
Talia and Talbott sat side by side, his hand reaching out for hers, Talia accepting the gesture as she interlocked her fingers with his.
As the bride and groom kissed, they both stood up, Talia extending out her free hand, firefly like lights travelling across the room, illuminating everything as they danced around Tonks and Remus. Talbott glanced over at Talia, the memory of her producing her lights for the first time surfacing as he watched them reflecting off her eyes.
And in that moment he was calm as if he had figured out the answers to all questions that were burning in his head.
Yes, he did not wish to be an Auror anymore, he wanted to have a simple life after everything. He wished to be happy above all else and no matter where he looked, happiness carried the face of the fire wielder next to him. From the very first moments she walked inside the camp, confidence radiating off her, from all the moments in between up to that very singular second when they witnessed the union of two friends, she had been in his mind and heart. And as she looked up at him, he knew the same went for her, despite everything said and done, with him by her side Talia appeared to shine brighter despite the darkness surrounding her.