Somehow, despite everything that just occurred in a short stretch of time, the scene appeared familiar to her eyes as rushed footsteps resonated, soft echoes bouncing off the walls. Mind dug up late nights roaming through dark corridors and yards in order to attend classes, always hidden, always alone, everything seamlessly under the radar, at least during her stay at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The plan was simple, impregnated on her brain, no one was allowed to get close and learn who Talia Hayes really was. Snape made sure she was just a passing shadow, smart enough to fight back, strong enough to tear through anyone however she never sat still, could not, should not.

Her feet moved on muscle memory alone as Snape's grip tightened, pulling her down dark halls in a pace much too fast for her to grasp as events, memories best left hidden clawed at her mind, it was as if she could hear the past screaming in delicate ears for her flee, that the time has come for her to run once more.

Tip of his wand shun a small light, Lumos spell guiding his steps through corridors he already knew by heart after all those years spent on the school grounds or was the light meant for her, so she would watch her step? So she would know the way, see where he was leading her?

Initial shock faded as logic started to churn everything, now leaving Talia with a slight tremor reverberating through her body as she tried to understand all that happened. She knew her terror better than anyone out there in the world, however Talbott's fear had a different feeling to it "Are my parents Death Eaters?" the question was as honest as her soul could muster, voice strong enough to reach his ears.

Snape stopped in his tracks, head craning to look at her pale face that still refused to shine any color to her cheeks due to the fright inflicted "This is what you have to say after what happened?" whispers fell from the countless portraits watching them, but none reached her as she just stared directly in Snape's eyes, trying to decipher them and his intentions.

Her partner did not shine away from Death Eaters, they were people at the end of the day, witches and wizards, him probably more versed than his opponent from what she could gather. Talbott's fear was just as hers, something that could not be seen with the naked eye, it all took place inside his scared heart. His wide stare as he watched that Boggart turn the wand to her, ready to kill. He was afraid of losing someone he cared about again.

More portraits awoke from their slumber as the light shinned on them directly, all turning to witness the events unfolding as he pulled her once more, protest finally forming on her lips "Let go and answer me." she could feel tender skin bruising under her shirt however he would not let her go until they both reached his office, dim light drowning everything around them.

Talia let out a small gasp as he pushed her, back colliding against a stone cold wall, thoughts inside her head jumbling "Yes, they are." Her heart still pumped faster than normal, sound resonating in her ear drums, words addressed barely registering "What do you think you're doing?" wide eyes shifted as anger set between his brows, teeth clenching as pale fist coiled in her shirt "This is what you came back for? To die? To ask silly questions?"

"I came to live on my own terms." It did little to help the situation, defiance being the last thing he needed from her as he shook her, making certain the interaction with the wall hurt her body. Grabbing his wrists, sharp nails dug in his skin "Let go of me."

Pushing her away from him since she was ready to pierce his skin, she caught her footing, regaining balance instead of meeting the ground. A shaky finger directed at her made her take a small step back, stance ready in case of an attack. Cold dark eyes squinted slightly, voice raised despite it being a whisper before "Have you forgotten? Have you learned nothing?"

"There are certain things you can't teach me." lowering his hand he scoffed blowing away at a stray hair tickling his face but she did not move, sharp eyes watching out for any indication that he might grab her again. His brows rose slightly, the same dangerous stare from before keeping her in place.

Turning his face away from her, his steps brought him closer to the desk, creating enough distance for Talia to relax a fraction "Winger is making you weak." She did not appreciate the words coming out of his mouth as true as they were, the weight of them pushing down on her soul. Snape did warn her feelings made people do all sort of things, from brave to utterly stupid, at the end of the day feelings were a liability when it came down to surviving. Looking over his shoulder, the shine in his eyes caught her off guard. Pity was the last thing she expected to see.

It threw her mind to different depths, something shifting inside her soul as she tried to understand, tried to reason with her own self. This was not the way she intended for their discussion to be, she wanted to reach out, tell him everything, make him see she was right and only hope that he would stand by her decision.

"Talbott is my partner, with all that it implies." Snape opened his mouth to counter her words, however chose not to when she started taking small steps toward him "I am tired of hiding, tired of surviving for nothing. What's the point in living if I am all alone in this?" dark eyes softened for a fraction before tightening at the corners.

"Out of everyone you met, out of all the cities you have seen, you set your eyes on Winger?" a heavy sigh left his chest, Talia biting her tongue as to not erupt right there and then "You're making a mistake, he would have let you die tonight."

It was not meant to hit her so hard, to hurt so deep, however somewhere inside her heart his words slithered through, digging relentlessly "Don't do this Severus." Pushing back the anger bubbling in the pits of her stomach, she exhaled slowly, calming her nerves.

He was in her personal space a moment later however Talia did not back down, holding her head up high, ready to retaliate "Have you told him?"

Hand coiled to fists at her sides, yet she still sat in the same position "I wish to."

The nod provided held little purpose apart from stirring up more emotions in her bright eyes, especially when spoken to "Right." He enunciated slowly, making certain the words mentioned reached her fully "Trust him. See how you fair the next time your chest is cracked open." Talia took a step back, hand over her beating heart as she blinked fast.

"Don't."

Snape took a step towards her, not allowing for space to be created "See how you survive when blood leaves your body once more."

"Don't do this."

Cold fingers wrapped around her neck, the memories burning her brain "When you cannot even cry out because you screamed and begged too hard. We'll see how Winger will help." Pushing her, she gasped suddenly drawing a breath of air she did not even know she needed "If he'll still be around after he learns the truth."

"I will not hide from him like you hid from her." Gritted teeth hurt as her jaw clenched, direct stare catching the moment then he faltered, seeing the second her words cut through him "Or do you think I don't remember? Why? Just because it took two years to heal and get out of that bed? Because I was in and out of consciousness?"

"Shut your mouth." It was her turn to close in on him, cornering him as if she was suddenly the predator and he turned to prey.

"Why? Is this not what you taught me when attacked?" her palms burned, heat emanating, temperature of her body rising despite the cold air filling the room "I know you are hurt. I remember everything and I am sorry for how you suffered, but I will not abandon Talbott if he's willing to have me."

"You know nothing." Yet somehow he did believe the words coming out of her mouth. He had cried, he tore himself apart, suffered while she was recovering. Through her sobs and tiny hands holding onto him as a child, he told her stories, truths he could not even admit after all the years that passed. He would have never believed she would recall his words, not between magic barely healing bones and flesh, not between her begging him to end her, to just let her die "Impossible."

Talia took a step back as his wand pointed directly at her chest "What now?" Talia smirked, eyes never leaving his "Which part do you regret most? Teaching me to drip poison with each word spoken? Or saving me? I bet that's the one." Grabbing his hand, she pressed the wand against her, tilting her head to the side slightly "You have been a father to me, more than my own, but you need to let me go."

"Now I recognize the child I raised." Her hand slowly dropped even if his did not lower "I'm sorry, but I can't let you make this mistake." Her glare burned like ice would, hesitation stiffening his muscles for a moment.

A small dose of time to witness Talia's willingness to fight back.

A moment in time for a perfectly cast Expelliarmus to knock the wand out his hand.

Talbott stepped closer to Talia, his feet not making a sound on the stone beneath him. Gently, he pushed her behind him, wand and eyes locked on Snape "What were you going to do to her?"

Spoken words felt as if ice took hold of his body, forcing a tremor from inside to break in the form of goose bumps across his caramel skin "Erase you." Even with a wand in his face, Snape still held his head up high, as if looking down on Talbott, despite the obvious youngster towering above him, somehow his former professor still made him feel so small.

"That is not a decision you can make for her." His best cold stare countered dark eyes, wand still not lowering, mouth ready to recite any spell. Squinting, Snape wondered for a moment just how much Talbott actually heard from the discussion taking place?

"Do not think you have the upper hand, if not for me this situation would have been reversed." Once more, without even moving Snape had the upper hand "She would be dead, you would be crying and I could not care less." Talia shifted coming in Talbott's peripheral view and for a moment he actually thought she would straight up punch him.

"There are two types of people in this world, those who cannot move on like you Severus and those who wish for better days like me and Talbott." Placing a gentle hold on Talbott's hand, she slowly lowered his wand "You have spoken some truths tonight and for that I thank you." Both males looked conflicted, as if she was sucking the air out of the room with her simple presence "But never try to put me in a corner or toy with me. You may be important, but I will not hesitate to hurt you if you ever threaten me again."

"He will be the death of you Talia."

Turning to look at Talbott, she smirked "Wouldn't that be something." Reaching for her hand, he pulled her slowly out of the office, guiding her through the corridors.

She followed in complete silence, letting him lead her to where he saw fit. She knew what was coming, what sentiments bubbled inside his chest, ready to burst, everything directed at her. So she used that silence to shut herself down, prepare for his avalanche of questions.

Talbott did not stop until they both reached his room, for once not caring if anyone saw them go in together. As soon as the door closed behind him, she found himself staring into dangerous orbs, molten glare burning through her senses, yet she did not react in the slightest, glassy eyes appearing to look beyond his physical appearance. Clenched jaw betrayed anger ready to be delivered yet she still did not react to his visible anguish.

Reaching for her, Talia turned her face away, muscles tensing on command, waiting. She would allow him one hit, one and that was it. Through the corner of her eyes, she saw him back away, hand retracting, instead running it through his hair "I don't know how to handle you right now." The admission was more for himself, however it still made her look at him obviously struggling with everything that just happened "You're dangerous Talia."

If he managed to pull her out of her shell there she suddenly sat before him, pushing inside her emotions that threatened to spill, to weaken her "That I am." Bowing her head an apology left her lips, sudden and cold, catching him off guard. Lifting her head, he could of sworn her eyes lost their shine, everything inside her set on auto pilot "You have been running from danger all your life. You don't need me."

"What are you saying?" his chest felt heavy, heart beating wildly against his rib cage especially with how she took too long to answer "If someone doesn't need the other right now, that's you. I failed tonight." If it was something he could not truly control when it came to emotions, it was his eyes. They told Talia countless stories of torment, everything now taking place in front of her.

"Perhaps tonight has been too much." She was still at it, giving him the impression he was facing a lifeless version of his partner. Still shutting down from him, shinning away "Perhaps all of this is too much." A bitter smile formed on her lips as she turned her face away from him, shaking her head "Maybe Severus is right and no one must know." The last line stung, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth, teeth digging into her tender lips until she could taste blood.

"Don't be daft!" closing in, he did not touch her once he came up to her, little space being left between their bodies "After I am done with laying apologies at your feet in hopes of you seeing me the same after the idiot I've been today, I wish to hear your story." Slowly, she lifted her eyes to look at him "Right now I'm not deserving of your secrets. I don't deserve to be called your partner or am allowed to touch you."

"What?" life started coloring her face once more, confusion evident.

Placing his hands inside his pockets in order to refrain from touching her, he bent a tad in order to be closer "The latter is me punishing myself." Pale hands rose, to conceal the gasp leaving her mouth, tears forming in her eyes a moment later "Why? Why are you crying?" removing his hands, they hovered close to her body, yet still did not make contact.

"I thought" a sharp inhale rattled her body as a sob escaped her chest. He could not sit back anymore, arms wrapping around her, letting her cry against him as much needed "I thought you would shut me down."

Kissing the top of her head, he smiled softly even if she was not looking at him "As if anyone else could handle you."

A soft giggle left her, breaking through the tension in her bones "Now you're just being cocky." slowly pushing him away, nose red at the tip she sniffed once "But tonight has indeed been too much. Rest, we have an entire day ahead to think things through and I do want you to think if you really want this." placing a hand over his mouth, she refrained him from speaking "I am indeed dangerous, in more ways than one, so use that brilliant mind of yours to truly weight everything." nodding against her hand earned him a small smile "I need to take my own advice here. So in light of this, we will meet tomorrow night."

And just like that, he let her go, leaving him alone to tackle his own demons as she did the same.