Bright and early, Talbott and Talia stood inside the London train station, waiting for their transport to Hogwarts. Talbott has not said a word since they arrived, prompting Talia to also feel the strain of the situation, as if they ran away from the camp and now both were waiting for someone to arrive from around the corner, snatch and drag them back to that accursed place.
Even the sun appeared shy that morning, Talia griping the shawl closer to her form, chills kissing her bare arms. Glancing at her, Talbott ignored the situation, tall frame rigid as he kept both hands tucked inside pockets, eyes generally concentrated at the horizon.
"Have I upset you?" fumbling with the straps of her bag, she did not look his way, instead focusing on a patch of grass on the tracks, one single wild flower in bloom among the layer of green "With that I said last night?" biting at her lower lip, she quit it, realization dawning on her, it was indeed not a good habit and it gave her away, portraying emotions better left hidden.
Although he did not move from the initial position he did speak "It made me happy." Wide eyes took him in, lips slowly parting. Talia swallowed back the words trying to escape alongside the anxious feeling boiling in the pit of her stomach "I just want to see us on that train, know this is real."
"It's odd, being called when the school year is almost over." The sound of a distant horn drew her attention back to the tracks, train appearing in the distance. It was then when Talbott actually looked around the empty train station, replicating the behavior before getting on the train. It was finally when it left the station that he exhaled slowly, thankful he was out.
"Finally." Meeting Talia's question riddled expression, he relaxed in his seat across from hers "I made this happen, it took some time, but it's because of my request that we were called in by McGonagall."
Lifting up a thin brow, her hands crossed over her chest "And how did you manage to get letters out to her? You know you can't get anything past Jasper."
A smirk played on his lips, sharp eyes filled with obvious glee "I have my ways, Jasper is not that sharp. Plus you also have managed to sneak in a package in the weekend." He did admire that feat, how she managed to obtain healing potions in dire times.
"I know people, that's how I get around. I did however get an ear full of howler from the sender." Huffing she looked out the window, lost for a moment in thoughts "Will probably hear more once we get there."
Talbott's brows furrowed upon hearing those words, however no explanation followed "So you managed to obtain those from a Hogwarts professor." He was right by how she rolled her eyes, how her lips pursed before pressing in a thin line.
"More than that." Her eyes locked him down, serious expression making him tense "He'll probably punish me for telling you this but what do I have to lose right?" leaning in, her voice dropped to a whisper "Promise me this stays here, just between us."
"I promise." Checking his eyes that strong gaze did not falter in the slightest as it was not a situation that gave him pause or caused him to shy away, this was her determining if he would indeed keep his word, hold her secret close to him and not breathe it to anyone.
"Alright, I believe you." coming to sit next to him felt more familiar, the closeness ensuring no one would overhear, despite them being all alone in the compartment that early in the day "My godfather is Snape." His eyes widened, mouth agape as he stared at her in bewilderment "Right? He is so not fit to raise a child, but he did keep me safe, ensured I stayed alive." Once more her eyes focused on the passing scenery outside, thoughts going back to distant times "He taught me how to be this mischievous, devilish thing that never trusts."
His hand touched her arm, a gentle squeeze pulling her back into the present moment, back to him "You are not like that." Swallowing it felt like all her emotions stuck to the back of her throat, trying to suffocate her when all she wanted more than anything was to just breathe. Instead all that she could get out was a shuddered breath, strained and agitated "Talia, trust me on this one."
"I know." Nodding, she regained her center strength, offering a heartfelt smile "Most of the times this has changed, just don't hold it against me when you see me acting like that towards others." That was a simple task since Talbott did not favor too many people. Furthermore he too has used different methods to survive, always coming off as this aloof and cold person.
"There is no need to worry." Giving her arm another squeeze, he pulled away smiling "I am just glad we are finally out of that dump. Now I can stretch my wings." Tense muscles alerted Talia to his sudden weird behavior.
"What is it with you and bird puns? Do you really like birds that much?" crossing his hands over his chest made her squint her eyes.
"You can say that, there's no need to dwell on it." Lowering his eyes, he pointed at her pin "What about you with your fancy accessory?"
"You're deflecting." However her hand came up to touch the pin securing her shawl in place "I bought this years ago." However the image of the silver phoenix broche stuck with him, ever since she first wore it.
"So are you Talia, but I won't push it. Not today at least, we are finally free and I intend to enjoy it." There was something different about him, as if a fire that burned so dim finally found the power to shine through. His eyes searched for familiar sights as he took in the nature beyond the glass, muscles relaxed, tension dissipating from his body with each passing second.
"You truly are beautiful." A side glance was all he provided her as he shifted in the seat, back of his hand pressing against his mouth "And those sunset eyes spell only trouble, the kind I like." This time he let her continue, eyes glued to the window. Pushing a finger to her lips, the words flowed effortlessly "However I must admit that deep voice does send shivers down my spine." As Talbott covered his eyes with a strong hand, Talia smirked.
"Could you please stop that, it's embarrassing." He heard her giggle to herself, more than likely happy with her accomplishment. Feeling her hand on his leg, he jumped slightly, eyes focusing on her face.
"I won't bite, hard." Questions swam inside that ripe mind of his, just how much was play and how much was truth? Even if she was young, she was indeed dangerous for him as she had the habit not to push but pull thoughts and words from him, things he would have not even dreamed of thinking or saying, let alone do.
The way her eyes pinned him down was done all at once, it was not the deep color reminding him of the sea that lured him, but how her pupils dilated as if she had control over that, how the darkness spread over color, making her orbs appear larger "Are you using a spell on me?"
"You'd wish you could justify this with a spell." As she closed in, his eyes lowered to her lips for a moment, before his attention set on something else. Something Talia picked up in a blink of an eye by how pain flashed on his face.
Pulling at her shawl, Talbott grabbed her hand forcing everything to a standstill. She allowed for him to slowly lower her hand, long fingers pushing bright locks over her shoulder, a small shiver taking over her. All color left her complexion as his hands worked on removing the pin, gently placing it on her lap "My mother was a swan Aminagus, a truly beautiful sight to behold." Despite the obvious hesitation on her part, Talia quieted down, listening to him speak "If you unbutton my shirt, you will find a necklace that contains one of her feathers."
As her hands rose, she knew what this was, he was allowing her, providing her something in order for him to also be granted permission to look under her shawl. Pale fingers opened up his shirt, not touching the necklace, just admiring it "Is this the only thing you have from her?"
A simple nod answered her question as he looked in her eyes "I honestly believed I could conjure a swan Patronus, but I feel like the memory of her is slipping through my fingers." Slowly the first layer of the long shawl dropped from her shoulder, him paying attention for any indication to stop however that did not come. Only she sweetest of smiles shaped her lips, eyes never leaving his face. Unravelling the fabric, Talia wore underneath it a simple sleeveless tank top, a lower cut than usual, however she did not account for Talbott seeing her scar in the first place.
Shutting her eyes, she turned her face away as he pulled down her shoulder the thin strap and it was then she felt how his hands trembled. Glossy eyes turned to asses only anger emanating from him, something truly dangerous shinning in his fierce eyes. It was but a glimpse, not even half of it showing, however it was enough for it to earn form him such an honest reaction.
Placing her hands on his chest he gritted his teeth, a low growl reverberating inside his chest "Talbott look at me." but he was stuck, eyes glued to what he was allowed to see, his mind imagining just how deep the cut had to be judging by how wide it was. It must have hit bone, scrapped it "Talbott please." Raising his eyes he found her on the verge of tears.
"I didn't mean to stare." Running a hand across his face, she also pulled away, covering up "I'm sorry Talia."
"No" she shook her head, startling him with her abrupt answer "I understand."
"You don't." the rise in his voice froze her in place, crystal tears afraid to surrender to the moment despite them drowning bright eyes. Pushing auburn hair away from her pale face, his hands rested on her neck, thumbs stroking the sides of her face "You truly don't." pressing his forehead against her, he exhaled, thoughts running wild inside his head "The scar doesn't bother me one bit. The fact that someone who should have showered you with nothing but love tore through you, that makes me want to raise Hell."
"Thank you Talbott." Her hands landed on top of his, a timid smile quenching his anger "You know, now would be a good time to finally kiss me."
"Fat chance." Shrugging her shoulders she got up smirking.
"Worth a shot though. Excuse me." heading out in the corridor, she opened the window, letting the wind run wild through her hair as she just stood there. However Talbott still kept his eyes on her, how she would sometimes raise her hand to her face and he knew she was crying, yet did not wish to be seen. Letting her have that moment to herself, to break apart between soft sobs brought forth an entire different side of her, one as fragile as him, just as scared.
So he pretended not to notice her eyes were red once she was ready to return, he did not even lift his eyes from the book in his hands, despite the fact he had tried to read the same page over and over again without actually paying attention. Sitting back down next to him, she pressed herself against his arm, him turning to kiss her forehead before wrapping an arm around her shoulders pulling her closer, both pretending to read.
"If you do something once we arrive, I'll do what you want but not when you want." Turning the page, he waited on her to consider it.
"So it's something only I want?" cursing in his head, he cleared his throat.
"Something we both want." Turning another page, Talia tried to hold in the laughter bubbling in her stomach.
"Alright mister, you got yourself a deal."