Came the first September following the Hogwarts graduation, Talbott Winger headed directly to the Ministry of Magic, heart filled with anticipation as he held close to his person the file containing recommendation letters from the few professors he actually looked up to, score cards all marked with thick ink, results being outstanding or exceeded on all subjects. His hard work would finally pay off, countless restless night not even crossing his ripe mind as he saw the Ministry steps, mind set on one thing, becoming an Auror. This was his purpose, mainly the only pertinent thing holding him together throughout the years.
The day was not short of disappointments as the front clerk barely looked up at him from all the documents, stating in a monotone voice they are not currently hiring. A flicker of hope managed to make its way back in his heart when a piece of paper was placed in his hand with an address "Even if we are not hiring, the Ministry has opened a training camp of sorts for those who still wish to pursuit such a career." So he accepted the challenge, he would attend the camp and make a name for himself that would eventually earn him the much desired role.
Yet days rolled by without a word, the camp reaching forty seven recruits by January, all coming from different wizarding schools when in the past Aurors were recruited only from the top Hogwarts graduates, those scarce in terms of numbers, at least for England those used to be the requirements. The volume used to be higher at the very beginning, however recruits quickly saw the conditions inside the camp were not kind, falling more on the cruel side than anything, they were not as per expectations either, the training including the bare minimum. Many wanted just the title or the pay that came with it, but couldn't deal with what the job actually implied.
Be it sunny, windy or pouring down from the heavy grey skies, Talbott would make time on a daily basis in order to walk up to the notice board in hopes of seeing a recruitment announcement from the Ministry of Magic. The routine visit would usually be made during the early hours, somewhere before breakfast, right after a shower, that way ensuring he would wake up fully by the time he had to face other people.
Tucking his hands inside warm pockets, he ducked his head in an attempt of facing off the harsh wind and maintain some of his body temperature. If only it would snow, just even for a day, the temperature would be bearable at least. The skies would open up and clear the heavy atmosphere daunting over the already gloomy camp.
"Oi Winger!" Lifting his eyes, cotton pink hair overruled all other lifeless colours in his spectrum, Tonks jogging over, jumping from one foot to another in an attempt to stay warm once she reached him. Those torn up jeans were not fit for such a weather "We need to assemble, we're getting new recruits."
He paused for a moment thinking the information didn't reach his ears properly since there was no possibility for recruits to arrive so late, unless his suspicions were coming alive and the camp was more a joke than anything else, a way to stall time until the inevitable announcement came, that there would indeed be no more job openings.
Feeling no need to share any words on the matter, they headed towards the dining area where people started arriving from all over the camp, taking on random seats. Leaning against the wall, he tried to maintain a straight face and not glare at the box located in the front of the room.
Partners, they all worked together with someone, the very core of the camp based on it. The rooms, the study groups, the training. It didn't matter that the number of recruits was now uneven, ever since the beginning Talbott had never been paired up with anyone, be it male or female, not even when the numbers were evenly matched. Of course they would break up in different teams when training was in order, that way everyone had an equal shot, learned the same things. Tonks on the other hand had the same partner since the very beginning, they were almost inseparable.
Everyone had mixed opinions relating to the strange object idly waiting to be used. Some believed wholeheartedly that the box had magical properties, others believed that destiny played a big part in the future Auror teams whenever names where extracted from it. As far as Talbott was concerned, it was rigged, pure and simple. It was not the need to have a partner however seeing everyone working in pairs irked him to some extent.
"Winger." looking over at Tonks she urged him to come take a seat near her, one he accepted after some careful consideration, sliding next to her attentive as to not alert anyone. Resting his chin in the palm of his hand, he all but zoned out, ignoring the words travelling across the room. He was especially good at that.
Silence settled once the head of the camp came in through the back door, Talbott rolling his eyes slightly. If there was a person he hated more in that crowd, Jasper Munday was the one. Everything about the man annoyed him, how tall but too slim he was, those bony hands always moving as he talked. Those small beady black eyes that almost always glared even when he smiled revealing yellow teeth from all the tobacco smoked. He always spoke as if everyone was inferior and he had everything laid out in life "Welcome future Aurors." His hands outstretched towards the participants "While this event is uncommon I can assure you, after careful studying and digging, the last additions to the camp are more than qualified to be here." And that nose, that nose looked as if it wasn't even his, it was too big for such a frail face.
Staring at the table proved to be a much more interesting topic and definitely more appealing than the nuisance in front trying to explain what he already knew, always the same speech, just worded differently "Oi, do you truly believe in magic?" snapping out of his daze the puzzled look on his face made Tonks snicker "Look." Turning him, attention set on the newest candidates, one girl and two boys, all of them making their way to the front of the room, not batting an eye at the countless whispers between individuals. Judging by their attire alone they looked to be from the Durmstrang Institute, which meant once more they were getting foreigners.
However it wasn't their furs that kept his eyes on them. Raising his brows, the words came out as he squinted slightly "I have seen her before at Hogwarts."
Tonks did a double take, shrugging her shoulders nonchalantly. It wasn't as if she was one of the most popular students and knew most of the people, but she didn't fall in the other category like her colleague did. Turning their attention back to the little stage, Tonks elbowed Talbott "Watch this, five times in a row, I bet money on it too."
Surely enough Jasper reached into the infamous box, retrieving the first piece of paper. As names started echoing, people started partnering up, some ending up with in a new pairing, however Tonks was right yet again, a match made in Heaven as she called it. Those who were "set" apparently didn't even have their names called out, the box didn't even produce papers for them. Talbott almost groaned at her excitement as the girl practically jolted from her seat in an early victory celebration, wrapping her arms around her partner, both jumping up and down as Jasper continued to recite names, ignoring laughter and sobs alike "Talia Hayes and Talbott Winger."
The new recruit took the entire atmosphere in as a rather odd collective gasp followed by whispers drowned the room in an almost hushed silence, however she smiled scanning everyone. Slowly Talbott got up, raising a hand in order to signal he was the name behind the face. Left and right as Talia confidently walked once more across the room, words circled, yet she did not take her eyes off her new partner.
Talbott quickly noted she was analyzing him, firstly his height, how he was one of the tallest recruits in the camp, she took little to almost no time to note his clothes, after all he also did not care too much for them as long as they weren't in obnoxious strong colours. She kept returning to his eyes, making him look away with how confidently she held his gaze. His unique features made her raise a pair of thin brows, curiosity lighting up on her face, him feeling under the lens, a sentiment Talbott had never been fond of.
Bright auburn hair cascaded in waves, each moving with the motion of her steps. It contrasted with her pale skin, a small scatter of freckles dotted her cheeks as if someone created her and then decided to splash the painting of her new life with one last flick of the brush. Radiant bright eyes of deep turquoise lifted to his face once she reached him, hand outstretched in a greeting, one he accepted with some hesitation.
Delicate pale hand fell into calloused palm, yet the vigour of the handshake was there "I will not let you down, Talbott Winger." The declaration caught him by surprise, no "nice to meet you" Or "it's a pleasure" no, this bright eyed girl invaded his space in an instant, taking hold of his words with a bold line.
His eyes travelled to the crowd baring witness to his first assigned partner in months, glares making them look away "Come" he mentioned releasing her hand "let me show you to our room." As soon as the words left his tongue, the awkwardness of the sentence hit him, he would be sharing the room with a partner, that so happened to also be a girl. She however just nodded, eagerness evident. She would surely lose that spark within a month inside the camp he thought.
"Winger, don't hold her all to yourself yeah, drinks later?" shaking his head he waved Tonks off before exiting the dinning hall, the sound of snickering making him sigh. That was one of the few who weren't dimed by Jasper or his training.
Opening the door to room twelve, they both stepped inside, Talbott letting her go in first. Between the four walls there was not much space to oneself with two beds, two desks and drawers for each. Talia gave the room a quick one over, noting the only thing separating them two would be a curtain they would pull, the only modicum of privacy "The bathrooms and showers are just at the end of the corridor."
"They weren't joking about the partner thing." Lifting her chin to look up at him, a small smile pursed her lips "Well, I'm all for it." Talia was fast to step to the other side of the room, heavy coat barely contained by the rack installed there "So what now, you show me around, train me?"
"No…" rolling his eyes he tried once more "I will show you around." Picking a paper off his desk he handed the curriculum to her "I figure you will receive everything on Monday when everyone returns."
"Is this a joke?" it took her less than a minute to erupt, a small doze of panic evident and she flipped the page offered over and over again in hopes of discovering something she might have missed "What is this training? Where is Concealment and Disguise or Stealth and Tracking?" seeing how Talbott wouldn't budge but neither was he impressed with her small outburst she sunk slightly on the bed "So it's true, Aurors are becoming extinct." Frustration cleared when he spoke, as if she was stuck in her own head, having a fight he was not privileged to.
"Is that what you heard?" clear eyes lifted to meet his "I suggest you stick to what's in there for now and not pull me down." This time that hint of frustration travelled across her face as she slowly got up, handing over the curriculum alongside her own file.
Squeezing his forearm slightly her lips curved into a small smirk "Don't you worry your lovely head, I got you." Cognac coloured eyes widened before lowering to the hand on him.
"I would appreciated it if you refrain from touching me or my stuff for that matter. Now sit down and listen to what I have to say." And so Talia Hayes had to sit through a lengthy lecture provided by mister Winger on what the rules were, the camps, Jasper's but especially his.
"You utter bore." she whispered under her breath despite giving him the impression she was listening to every word he verbalized.
''I see.'' strong hands finally opened the file she had presented him, thick brows knitting together ''Care to explain how you are a Hogwarts graduate yet we haven't met? Especially with you being a Ravenclaw.'' he expected to see a hint of surprise yet she looked happy in a sense.
"We have met.'' it was the simplest of statements, yet they represented the truth, one he reluctantly agreed to acknowledge in front of her. Taking a seat on the bed opposite of hers, the file was set aside for the time being.
''Seeing you run past me during the Celestial Ball hardly classifies as a proper meeting." ignoring the satisfied look on her face he continued "Or late night wandering around the castle.'' it became clear she didn't truly appreciate him knowing so much, yet she leaned forward, elbows resting on her legs.
''So this partner thing also needs to be secret sharing?" a nod on his behalf didn't mean he too would offer information yet it granted her the confidence to proceed "The reason why you've seen me running around at night is because that's the only time I could attend and pass classes." pointing to the file she lifted a brow "If you will flip a few pages, you will notice I am a transfer student, even if I did graduate from Hogwarts." lifting said finger she stopped him before Talbott got a word out ''The reason behind it was to learn several ways not extended to our lovely school." Shaking her head she apparently had more to add "Also I am with one year older than you."
That's when he knew the file close to him needed to be looked at carefully. His mouth almost flung open when seeing she wasted an actual year in a muggle school. She jumped from school to school, a few months here, a year there, if she actually was a transfer student she would have been confined to a school for a year then moved on to the next. That much knowledge over a transfer student process he did hold. Giving her back the file a nonchalant statement left his mouth "I see, by the looks of it you will not be here long and I work better alone."
Snatching the file in a rapid motion they locked eyes "Alright mister Winger, a challenge it is then." Closing in she sat next to him on his bed "Not your property so you can't complain."
"Miss Hayes." Talbott sat back as she peered closer, invading his personal space.
"Talia." She quickly cut him off "I don't care what you think you know based on a stupid file, you can judge all you want and draw your own conclusions, but I am your partner now." Looking to the side he let her continue her speech "Auror partners are more important than any relationship" thin fingers grazed his jaw line, directing his attention to her. He would have snapped at her, however those wide eyes made him curious "I am yours and you are mine, we learn together, have each other's backs. Is this not the way? If I am doing something wrong then tell me."
Shaking his thoughts back in order, turning his face away from her touch he finally spoke "One chance, it's all you get." a confident nod in his peripheral vision was the confirmation received. If partners were the way to go and grant him a step forward towards his goal, he was willing to at least try "Don't you have any questions?''
Raising a hand to her chin she finally sat further away from him, a gesture he appreciated ''No, your file will say you are a Hogwarts graduate with excelent grades.''
If she wasn't going to go ahead and ask then he might as well do it and spare future painful conversations ''You must have heard what they were whispering about me.'' Talia's eyes grew wide before she shook her head as if he had offended her.
''I don't care what people have to say, the only opinion I am going to form is based on how you interact with me. End of story Mister Winger."
''Talbott.'' she could have sworn a ghost of a smile tugged at his lips, yet he quickly schooled his face back to his usual mask, yet she smiled as she got off his bed. Maybe it would not be the smoothest of partnerships but she was willing to try.
Not even a moment later a loud bang on the door made them both jump, Talbott getting up to see who had the audacity to disturb him. Tonks grinned from year to ear pulling out by the shirt "Come on, we need to celebrate you getting a partner."
"Bloody Hell Tonks!" behind him Talia giggled as he removed himself from the grasp "One drink." after all who was he do deny the box of destiny who finally produced his name?