The Romanticism of Simplicity
Chapter Eleven
Hours later, Gemma ly awake next to Ty, watching the steady rise and fall of his chest and listening intently to his heavy breathing. Something had happened between them - something unexplainable but utterly undeniable. She strained to put her finger on it, to discern what was causing the strange feeling in her gut, but it seemed like the more she thought about it, the less sense it seemed to make. Again and again she played back their encounter in her head, picking apart every detail, scrutinizing every second...what was she feeling for this man?
She propped herself up on her elbow and reached out to stroke his cheek gently. His eyes fluttered and she froze as he rolled onto his side, shifting tiredly for a bit and then finally settling back down into the pillows. 'Why couldn't he be a bastard?' she thought to herself as she peered over at him. 'Why can't I just hate him like I'm supposed to do?' But hating him seemed impossible now. He meant something to her, even thoughs he couldn't decide what, and hurting him was completely out of the question.
Gemma sat up slowly in bed, tossing her legs over the edge and taking a second to steady herself. Ty had touched her in such a way that all her strength had vanished. He'd held her and whispered in her ear until all her stress and worry had been relinquished. Blown out like a flame in the wind. For those few hours, her mind had been wiped clean of everything but him and now, as a result, she was pleasantly numb.
She touched a finger to her lips, remembering his kisses. Kisses she was still dizzy from. Kisses she could have spent an eternity losing herself in. Her skin, pink from the heat, still tingled from his touch. She could still feel his fingertips tracing down her spine and the warm pressure of his tongue on her breasts. These thoughts caused a small grin to creep across her face and she cursed herself for letting him get to her. 'Stop being such a git,' Gemma urged herself, standing up and quietly inching toward the door. 'Nothing happened. You're just tired. You don't feel any different about him.' She tried desperately to retain the belief that the strange feeling in her stomach was nothing more than the result of a good romp in bed. She pressed that the lightheadedness was just from exhaustion and the giddy school girl feeling...well...well that was simply nerves. Yes, that was it, just nerves.
She was still debating these matters when she heard Ty behind her.
"Where are you going?" he asked, stifling a yawn..
His voice gave her goosebumps. "To get a change of clothes. I won't be long."
"Can't it wait 'til morning?"
"I think I better do it now just to be safe," she suggested.
He closed the space between them, taking her face in his hands and kissing her nose.
"I could go with you if you like," he offered.
His warm breath on her cheeks and neck was making it awfully hard for her to keep her composure.
"I'll just be a few minutes," she choked out, presing her hands against his chest in the hopes of keeping him at a safe distance.
He didn't take the hint though and backed her up against the door, pressing the length of himself against her trembling body.
"I hate it when you leave," he moaned, kissing her hungrily.
"Go back to bed," she laughed, pushing him away playfully. "I'm coming back."
He kissed her once more, long and hard, leaving her breathless. "Hurry back."
Nervously, she pushed through her flat door and was startled when she found a large group of people congregating in her living room. .
"Oh my God, Gemma!" Hermione gasped, rushing over to her, Remus and Sirius at her heels. She grabbed her and squeezed her hard, rocking her back and forth and then jerked back suddenly and slapped her arm. "Where the hell have you been!?"
"What are you all doing here?" Gemma asked, rubbing the sore spot just above her elbow where Hermione's hand had landed with a loud 'smack'.
She scanned the room and sited a very disheveled Ron getting up from her couch. The look on his face made her insides twist up into a tight knot. He was a complete mess.
"We've been waiting for you!" Hermione continued, crossing her arms over her chest determinedly. "Everyone else is out looking for you."
Gemma heard footsteps to her left and turned to discover a dark eyed James coming out of her kitchen. He stared at her for a moment as if trying to read her mind, but before he could speak, Harry piped up.
"Well!?" he chirped. "We're waiting!"
She tore herself away from James's hypnotizing stare to glance over at Harry.
"I just came to...to..." she couldn't quite seem to get her mouth to form the words. That familiar lump had risen up into her throat, causing her eyes to burn and her hands to shake.
"To what?"
"T-to get some clothes," she stammered, keeping her eyes locked on her feet.
Ron was watching her, eyeing her knotted hair and swollen lips. It was painfully obvious where she'd been. He didn't need her to say it to know it was true. But as he stood there, waiting for her reply along with everyone else, he couldn't help but feel that there was something different about her. He caught her eyes for a few moments and saw something he couldn't place. This new realization made his heart skip a beat. What could have happened for her to be so afraid to make eye contact with him?
Harry was confused. "Clothes?"
She nodded weakly. "I have to go back."
"Go back?" Ron queried.
"Ty's going to take me tomorrow," she explained. "To meet with the group."
"Do you know how dangerous it was for you to go off by yourself like that?" Sirius spat, grabbing her arms and giving her a bit of a shake. "What if something had happened? You could have been killed!"
"But I wasn't," she retorted, pulling away and glaring at him. "I'm fine."
"That's not the point!"
She slipped between him and Remus and started towards her bedroom. Ron followed her, closing the door behind himself.
"Gemma..." he began.
She put up her hands to stop him. "Please don't say anything Ron. They've already made it clear how stupid it was to..."
"That's not what I was going to say," he announced, cutting her statement short. "I just...I just wanted you to look at me."
She quickly found something to busy herself with in her closet.
"Gemma," he said, reaching out and taking her hands. "Look at me."
She hesitated, taking a few slow breaths to calm herself.
"I can't.." she cried, feeling a few tears slide down her cheeks.
He placed his forefinger under her chin and gently lifted her face up to his. "Look at me," he repeated in a soothing whisper.
She tried to will away all urksome thoughts of Ty, but her efforts were to no avail and it was several seconds later before she was able to raise her eyes.
"I'm sorry," she exclaimed, recoiling from his touch.
"What happened?" he asked.
"I d-dunno."
"Do you...does he..." He wasn't sure what he was trying to say.
She backed up against the wall and slid down to the floor, tucking her knees to her chest.
"He loves me Ron." The words seemed to echo throughout the room, each syllable pounding her eardrums like tiny precussionists.
"What?"
"I-I don't think he ever stopped."
He fell down next to her, tilting his head back and closing his eyes.
"What does that mean?" He sighed.
She buried her face in her hands and swallowed hard to stop an imposing sob. "It means...it means I'm going to hurt him."
The thought of breaking his heart again was insufferable. It had been from the start. But now - now things were completely turned around. She had feelings for him - needs - wants. Things were much too complicated.
He let a long, troubled sigh escape his lips before turning back to her. "What do you want me to say?"
She shook her head. "There's nothing you can say Ron."
"I feel like I need to do something. Anything. I don't care what, just something." He scooted closer to her, cupping her face in his hands. "I don't want to lose you."
"You won't lose me," she said, placing her hands on his.
"You say that now, but you don't know what's going to happen before this is all said and done. You don't know how you're going to feel about him tomorrow or the next day."
"Maybe not. But I know how I feel about you and that won't change no matter what happens between me and Ty."
He started to get up but she held him tight.
"You're it Ron. You're the one."
He nodded solemnly, grabbing her and holding her to his chest. "Gemma..." He tried to think of something incredible to say that would assure her of his own feelings. That would reinstate everything he'd ever promised - all his hopes and wishes. But only one thing came to mind. "I love you," he whispered.
Ty was eerily quiet as he and Gemma made their way through muggle London to a small shop that didn't have a name. The air inside the dimly lit space was stale and thick. The type of air that one had to concentrate hard on to breath. The musty smell hung in the back of her throat, causing an involuntary gag and she cringed at the layers of dust that had accumulated over the rows of glass jars that were filled with questionable merchandise. As they drew closer to the back, she studied an engraved wooden box that was leaking some sort of gook she'd never seen. The ghastly, viscid substance bubbled and smoked as though it were alive, 'glooping' and 'slurping' it's way down the counter to the floor.
"What is that?" Gemma asked, pointing in the box's direction.
"I've never gotten up the nerve to ask," he answered, quickening his pace as he lead the way. "C'mon. I don't want to linger."
"Right," she agreed, snatching one last look at it.
There was a narrow passageway hidden behind a decaying slip of fabric.
"This way," he instructed, holding the curtain back and ushering her through.
She inched past him, her steps unsure and paused so that her eyes could adjust to the darkness. She reached for her wand, hoping Lumos would help, but Ty took her hand, stopping her.
"I know the way," he assured her, grasping her fingers firmly and stepping around her.
This action was extremely unsettling and, despite the stale air, Gemma's breaths became short and rushed.
They had wandered in the darkness for what seemed like hours when they finally began to hear voices somewhere in the distance. The mumbles grew louder with every step they took and Gemma closed her eyes, trying to count the different tones. 'One...two..three..he sounds familiar.' Just as this thought entered her mind, Ty rounded on her.
"There's still time to turn back," he said.
Her heart was pounding so loudly in her ears that she could barely hear him.
"I've made up my mind," she replied, squeezing her wand for support.
He let out a long breath and the next thing she knew, she was being directed through another doorway.
"Well if it isn't our good friend Ty," she heard someone say.
"And look here," another more raspy voice rang out. "He's brought us a present."
Gemma squinted to readjust to the firelight.
"Hey!" a third person piped up. It sounded like a woman, but it was so aged and hoarse that it was hard to tell without being able to see clearly. "That's not just anybody. That's that Herrin girl!"
She heared a rustling and focused her eyes just in time to see five wands aimed right at her nose.
"What the fuck's the matter with you Morrow!?" The woman (Yes, it was definately a woman. There was no mistatking the large breasts and platinum hair.) shrieked. "She's one of them!?"
"Put your God damn wands down and I'll explain," Ty ordered. He was surprisingly calm for someone under attack.
"I knew there was something off about you!" The man to their left spat. His black eyes gleamed mischevously. "And now you've gone and turned on us!"
Another woman, seemingly younger than the blonde hag Gemma had first noticed, with long, chocolate brown hair and hollow eyes, sneered evily at her.
"You're the bitch who broke my arm!" She said this with such distaste that it made Gemma whince.
"Sorry," Gemma exclaimed, conjuring up as much courage as she could. "I'm afraid I don't remember you."
"Believe me, you'll never be able to forget me once I'm through with you."
She made to lunge at her, but Gemma had her wand out before her feet could leave the floor. The woman backed up, but kept her own hand steady.
"If you so much as wink," Gemma's voice was stern and unwavering. "I'll make sure you won't have a bone left to break."
"What is this Ty!" The youngest man roared. His long, messy red hair shifted from side to side as he came towards them.
"If you'd all calm down I could tell you!"
"What the hell did you expect!?" The third man who was rather tall, but fairly muscular, questioned. "You just gave us up to a fucking auror!"
"And Merlin knowns how many others!" The brunette added through gritted teeth.
"She's not an auror anymore."
"You expect us to swallow that tripe!?"
"It's true," Gemma said. "I was fired - stripped of my rights."
"She's here to join up with us," Ty proceeded.
There was a hearty laugh somewhere to their left and Gemma quickly recognized it as the man with the black eyes, but she didn't dare look up as long as that girl was pointing at her.
"You think it's that easy do you? You think you can just come in here and become a member? Just like that?"
"Of course I do."
"You know how this works Ty," the blonde woman said, sounding rather exasperated. "You know who makes these decisions and you know what she'll have to go through."
'Go through?' Gemma thought to herself, a bit panicked. 'What does she mean by that?'
Ty nodded, dropping his wand. "I know."
The woman followed suit, stuffing her wand deep into her robes pocket. "Then why bother bringing her here?"
"How else am I supposed to find Dullison?"
Gemma watched as one by one, wands were dropped and they returned to their seats around the rectangular wooden table in front of the fireplace. The brunette wasn't giving up so readily though and remained glued to her spot, wand extended.
"I dare you," Gemma growled, staring her down.
"Give it up Adonia," the red head breathed, taking a swig from a tall mug. "She'd have your ass on a platter and you know it."
"Fuck off Preble," Adonia hissed.
"Ruggle's right Addy. I've heard about this girl. She'd be a match for even the best of us," the blondie stated, going back to nursing a fresh gash that ran from the palm of her right hand all the way to her elbow.
Still, she refused to step back, so the man with the black eyes took it upon himself to settle the situation.
"Accio wand," he ordered and Adonia's wand flew easily out of her hand and into his.
She rounded on him, flaming mad.
"Save it will you?" he sighed, waving her off. "Your looks don't scare me."
She stood there a little bit longer and then shoved Gemma hard, pushing her out of the way, and stormed out the door.
"I don't understand," the muscly guy began after things quieted down a bit. "Why the hell would someone like you want to join up with people like us? I mean, it wasn't that long ago when you were trying to blow us to bits."
"Actually," Gemma corrected. "You were trying to blow ME to bits."
"Either way," he shrugged. "I don't get it."
"Like I said, the Ministry completey fucked me over. Took away my lisence."
"So you're saying you want revenge?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying."
Ruggle took another swig of his drink and then looked up at her. "I hate to break it to you sweetheart but we don't do revenge."
"Really? Then what exactly DO you do because I was under the impression that that's what this little organization of yours was centered around."
"Yeah, but a different KIND of revenge. What you're talking about is kid stuff."
"Actually," the black-eyed man said, scratching his chin and leaning back in is seat. "I think she'd make an excellent addition to our little party."
"Come on Samson!" Ruggle cried, sloshing some of his brew onto the table, much to the annoyance of the blonde lady. "How do we know she's not undercover or something!? She could be the death of us!"
"But think of all the information we can get out of her. We NEED her!" He turned to face the muscly guy. "Am I right Sheridan?"
Sheridan stood up and leaned over the table so that he could get a better look at Gemma. He took a few minutes sizing her up and then grinned. "We could definately use her."
This sent shivers down her spine and she swallowed hard to be able to maintain her tough stance.
"What do you think Maureen?" Samson questioned, turning back to the blondie.
"It doesn't matter what I think," she retorted. "Dullison's the one who decides, remember?" She met Ty's eyes. "You have to take her to him."
"Where is he?" Ty asked.
"Couldn't tell you."
"You know what she's going to have to go through if he says yes?" Sheridan chimed in. "Do you honestly think she's up for it?"
"Up for what?" Gemma asked, anxiety settling in the pit of her stomach.
"She can handle it," Ty presumed, noticably worried.
"Handle what!?" she shouted, tired of being talked about as though she weren't in the room.
Just then, the door behind them flung open with a loud 'BANG' and Gemma turned around to find yet another wand shoved in her face.
Chapter Eleven
Hours later, Gemma ly awake next to Ty, watching the steady rise and fall of his chest and listening intently to his heavy breathing. Something had happened between them - something unexplainable but utterly undeniable. She strained to put her finger on it, to discern what was causing the strange feeling in her gut, but it seemed like the more she thought about it, the less sense it seemed to make. Again and again she played back their encounter in her head, picking apart every detail, scrutinizing every second...what was she feeling for this man?
She propped herself up on her elbow and reached out to stroke his cheek gently. His eyes fluttered and she froze as he rolled onto his side, shifting tiredly for a bit and then finally settling back down into the pillows. 'Why couldn't he be a bastard?' she thought to herself as she peered over at him. 'Why can't I just hate him like I'm supposed to do?' But hating him seemed impossible now. He meant something to her, even thoughs he couldn't decide what, and hurting him was completely out of the question.
Gemma sat up slowly in bed, tossing her legs over the edge and taking a second to steady herself. Ty had touched her in such a way that all her strength had vanished. He'd held her and whispered in her ear until all her stress and worry had been relinquished. Blown out like a flame in the wind. For those few hours, her mind had been wiped clean of everything but him and now, as a result, she was pleasantly numb.
She touched a finger to her lips, remembering his kisses. Kisses she was still dizzy from. Kisses she could have spent an eternity losing herself in. Her skin, pink from the heat, still tingled from his touch. She could still feel his fingertips tracing down her spine and the warm pressure of his tongue on her breasts. These thoughts caused a small grin to creep across her face and she cursed herself for letting him get to her. 'Stop being such a git,' Gemma urged herself, standing up and quietly inching toward the door. 'Nothing happened. You're just tired. You don't feel any different about him.' She tried desperately to retain the belief that the strange feeling in her stomach was nothing more than the result of a good romp in bed. She pressed that the lightheadedness was just from exhaustion and the giddy school girl feeling...well...well that was simply nerves. Yes, that was it, just nerves.
She was still debating these matters when she heard Ty behind her.
"Where are you going?" he asked, stifling a yawn..
His voice gave her goosebumps. "To get a change of clothes. I won't be long."
"Can't it wait 'til morning?"
"I think I better do it now just to be safe," she suggested.
He closed the space between them, taking her face in his hands and kissing her nose.
"I could go with you if you like," he offered.
His warm breath on her cheeks and neck was making it awfully hard for her to keep her composure.
"I'll just be a few minutes," she choked out, presing her hands against his chest in the hopes of keeping him at a safe distance.
He didn't take the hint though and backed her up against the door, pressing the length of himself against her trembling body.
"I hate it when you leave," he moaned, kissing her hungrily.
"Go back to bed," she laughed, pushing him away playfully. "I'm coming back."
He kissed her once more, long and hard, leaving her breathless. "Hurry back."
Nervously, she pushed through her flat door and was startled when she found a large group of people congregating in her living room. .
"Oh my God, Gemma!" Hermione gasped, rushing over to her, Remus and Sirius at her heels. She grabbed her and squeezed her hard, rocking her back and forth and then jerked back suddenly and slapped her arm. "Where the hell have you been!?"
"What are you all doing here?" Gemma asked, rubbing the sore spot just above her elbow where Hermione's hand had landed with a loud 'smack'.
She scanned the room and sited a very disheveled Ron getting up from her couch. The look on his face made her insides twist up into a tight knot. He was a complete mess.
"We've been waiting for you!" Hermione continued, crossing her arms over her chest determinedly. "Everyone else is out looking for you."
Gemma heard footsteps to her left and turned to discover a dark eyed James coming out of her kitchen. He stared at her for a moment as if trying to read her mind, but before he could speak, Harry piped up.
"Well!?" he chirped. "We're waiting!"
She tore herself away from James's hypnotizing stare to glance over at Harry.
"I just came to...to..." she couldn't quite seem to get her mouth to form the words. That familiar lump had risen up into her throat, causing her eyes to burn and her hands to shake.
"To what?"
"T-to get some clothes," she stammered, keeping her eyes locked on her feet.
Ron was watching her, eyeing her knotted hair and swollen lips. It was painfully obvious where she'd been. He didn't need her to say it to know it was true. But as he stood there, waiting for her reply along with everyone else, he couldn't help but feel that there was something different about her. He caught her eyes for a few moments and saw something he couldn't place. This new realization made his heart skip a beat. What could have happened for her to be so afraid to make eye contact with him?
Harry was confused. "Clothes?"
She nodded weakly. "I have to go back."
"Go back?" Ron queried.
"Ty's going to take me tomorrow," she explained. "To meet with the group."
"Do you know how dangerous it was for you to go off by yourself like that?" Sirius spat, grabbing her arms and giving her a bit of a shake. "What if something had happened? You could have been killed!"
"But I wasn't," she retorted, pulling away and glaring at him. "I'm fine."
"That's not the point!"
She slipped between him and Remus and started towards her bedroom. Ron followed her, closing the door behind himself.
"Gemma..." he began.
She put up her hands to stop him. "Please don't say anything Ron. They've already made it clear how stupid it was to..."
"That's not what I was going to say," he announced, cutting her statement short. "I just...I just wanted you to look at me."
She quickly found something to busy herself with in her closet.
"Gemma," he said, reaching out and taking her hands. "Look at me."
She hesitated, taking a few slow breaths to calm herself.
"I can't.." she cried, feeling a few tears slide down her cheeks.
He placed his forefinger under her chin and gently lifted her face up to his. "Look at me," he repeated in a soothing whisper.
She tried to will away all urksome thoughts of Ty, but her efforts were to no avail and it was several seconds later before she was able to raise her eyes.
"I'm sorry," she exclaimed, recoiling from his touch.
"What happened?" he asked.
"I d-dunno."
"Do you...does he..." He wasn't sure what he was trying to say.
She backed up against the wall and slid down to the floor, tucking her knees to her chest.
"He loves me Ron." The words seemed to echo throughout the room, each syllable pounding her eardrums like tiny precussionists.
"What?"
"I-I don't think he ever stopped."
He fell down next to her, tilting his head back and closing his eyes.
"What does that mean?" He sighed.
She buried her face in her hands and swallowed hard to stop an imposing sob. "It means...it means I'm going to hurt him."
The thought of breaking his heart again was insufferable. It had been from the start. But now - now things were completely turned around. She had feelings for him - needs - wants. Things were much too complicated.
He let a long, troubled sigh escape his lips before turning back to her. "What do you want me to say?"
She shook her head. "There's nothing you can say Ron."
"I feel like I need to do something. Anything. I don't care what, just something." He scooted closer to her, cupping her face in his hands. "I don't want to lose you."
"You won't lose me," she said, placing her hands on his.
"You say that now, but you don't know what's going to happen before this is all said and done. You don't know how you're going to feel about him tomorrow or the next day."
"Maybe not. But I know how I feel about you and that won't change no matter what happens between me and Ty."
He started to get up but she held him tight.
"You're it Ron. You're the one."
He nodded solemnly, grabbing her and holding her to his chest. "Gemma..." He tried to think of something incredible to say that would assure her of his own feelings. That would reinstate everything he'd ever promised - all his hopes and wishes. But only one thing came to mind. "I love you," he whispered.
Ty was eerily quiet as he and Gemma made their way through muggle London to a small shop that didn't have a name. The air inside the dimly lit space was stale and thick. The type of air that one had to concentrate hard on to breath. The musty smell hung in the back of her throat, causing an involuntary gag and she cringed at the layers of dust that had accumulated over the rows of glass jars that were filled with questionable merchandise. As they drew closer to the back, she studied an engraved wooden box that was leaking some sort of gook she'd never seen. The ghastly, viscid substance bubbled and smoked as though it were alive, 'glooping' and 'slurping' it's way down the counter to the floor.
"What is that?" Gemma asked, pointing in the box's direction.
"I've never gotten up the nerve to ask," he answered, quickening his pace as he lead the way. "C'mon. I don't want to linger."
"Right," she agreed, snatching one last look at it.
There was a narrow passageway hidden behind a decaying slip of fabric.
"This way," he instructed, holding the curtain back and ushering her through.
She inched past him, her steps unsure and paused so that her eyes could adjust to the darkness. She reached for her wand, hoping Lumos would help, but Ty took her hand, stopping her.
"I know the way," he assured her, grasping her fingers firmly and stepping around her.
This action was extremely unsettling and, despite the stale air, Gemma's breaths became short and rushed.
They had wandered in the darkness for what seemed like hours when they finally began to hear voices somewhere in the distance. The mumbles grew louder with every step they took and Gemma closed her eyes, trying to count the different tones. 'One...two..three..he sounds familiar.' Just as this thought entered her mind, Ty rounded on her.
"There's still time to turn back," he said.
Her heart was pounding so loudly in her ears that she could barely hear him.
"I've made up my mind," she replied, squeezing her wand for support.
He let out a long breath and the next thing she knew, she was being directed through another doorway.
"Well if it isn't our good friend Ty," she heard someone say.
"And look here," another more raspy voice rang out. "He's brought us a present."
Gemma squinted to readjust to the firelight.
"Hey!" a third person piped up. It sounded like a woman, but it was so aged and hoarse that it was hard to tell without being able to see clearly. "That's not just anybody. That's that Herrin girl!"
She heared a rustling and focused her eyes just in time to see five wands aimed right at her nose.
"What the fuck's the matter with you Morrow!?" The woman (Yes, it was definately a woman. There was no mistatking the large breasts and platinum hair.) shrieked. "She's one of them!?"
"Put your God damn wands down and I'll explain," Ty ordered. He was surprisingly calm for someone under attack.
"I knew there was something off about you!" The man to their left spat. His black eyes gleamed mischevously. "And now you've gone and turned on us!"
Another woman, seemingly younger than the blonde hag Gemma had first noticed, with long, chocolate brown hair and hollow eyes, sneered evily at her.
"You're the bitch who broke my arm!" She said this with such distaste that it made Gemma whince.
"Sorry," Gemma exclaimed, conjuring up as much courage as she could. "I'm afraid I don't remember you."
"Believe me, you'll never be able to forget me once I'm through with you."
She made to lunge at her, but Gemma had her wand out before her feet could leave the floor. The woman backed up, but kept her own hand steady.
"If you so much as wink," Gemma's voice was stern and unwavering. "I'll make sure you won't have a bone left to break."
"What is this Ty!" The youngest man roared. His long, messy red hair shifted from side to side as he came towards them.
"If you'd all calm down I could tell you!"
"What the hell did you expect!?" The third man who was rather tall, but fairly muscular, questioned. "You just gave us up to a fucking auror!"
"And Merlin knowns how many others!" The brunette added through gritted teeth.
"She's not an auror anymore."
"You expect us to swallow that tripe!?"
"It's true," Gemma said. "I was fired - stripped of my rights."
"She's here to join up with us," Ty proceeded.
There was a hearty laugh somewhere to their left and Gemma quickly recognized it as the man with the black eyes, but she didn't dare look up as long as that girl was pointing at her.
"You think it's that easy do you? You think you can just come in here and become a member? Just like that?"
"Of course I do."
"You know how this works Ty," the blonde woman said, sounding rather exasperated. "You know who makes these decisions and you know what she'll have to go through."
'Go through?' Gemma thought to herself, a bit panicked. 'What does she mean by that?'
Ty nodded, dropping his wand. "I know."
The woman followed suit, stuffing her wand deep into her robes pocket. "Then why bother bringing her here?"
"How else am I supposed to find Dullison?"
Gemma watched as one by one, wands were dropped and they returned to their seats around the rectangular wooden table in front of the fireplace. The brunette wasn't giving up so readily though and remained glued to her spot, wand extended.
"I dare you," Gemma growled, staring her down.
"Give it up Adonia," the red head breathed, taking a swig from a tall mug. "She'd have your ass on a platter and you know it."
"Fuck off Preble," Adonia hissed.
"Ruggle's right Addy. I've heard about this girl. She'd be a match for even the best of us," the blondie stated, going back to nursing a fresh gash that ran from the palm of her right hand all the way to her elbow.
Still, she refused to step back, so the man with the black eyes took it upon himself to settle the situation.
"Accio wand," he ordered and Adonia's wand flew easily out of her hand and into his.
She rounded on him, flaming mad.
"Save it will you?" he sighed, waving her off. "Your looks don't scare me."
She stood there a little bit longer and then shoved Gemma hard, pushing her out of the way, and stormed out the door.
"I don't understand," the muscly guy began after things quieted down a bit. "Why the hell would someone like you want to join up with people like us? I mean, it wasn't that long ago when you were trying to blow us to bits."
"Actually," Gemma corrected. "You were trying to blow ME to bits."
"Either way," he shrugged. "I don't get it."
"Like I said, the Ministry completey fucked me over. Took away my lisence."
"So you're saying you want revenge?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying."
Ruggle took another swig of his drink and then looked up at her. "I hate to break it to you sweetheart but we don't do revenge."
"Really? Then what exactly DO you do because I was under the impression that that's what this little organization of yours was centered around."
"Yeah, but a different KIND of revenge. What you're talking about is kid stuff."
"Actually," the black-eyed man said, scratching his chin and leaning back in is seat. "I think she'd make an excellent addition to our little party."
"Come on Samson!" Ruggle cried, sloshing some of his brew onto the table, much to the annoyance of the blonde lady. "How do we know she's not undercover or something!? She could be the death of us!"
"But think of all the information we can get out of her. We NEED her!" He turned to face the muscly guy. "Am I right Sheridan?"
Sheridan stood up and leaned over the table so that he could get a better look at Gemma. He took a few minutes sizing her up and then grinned. "We could definately use her."
This sent shivers down her spine and she swallowed hard to be able to maintain her tough stance.
"What do you think Maureen?" Samson questioned, turning back to the blondie.
"It doesn't matter what I think," she retorted. "Dullison's the one who decides, remember?" She met Ty's eyes. "You have to take her to him."
"Where is he?" Ty asked.
"Couldn't tell you."
"You know what she's going to have to go through if he says yes?" Sheridan chimed in. "Do you honestly think she's up for it?"
"Up for what?" Gemma asked, anxiety settling in the pit of her stomach.
"She can handle it," Ty presumed, noticably worried.
"Handle what!?" she shouted, tired of being talked about as though she weren't in the room.
Just then, the door behind them flung open with a loud 'BANG' and Gemma turned around to find yet another wand shoved in her face.