It became painfully obvious sleep would not visit him that night, not after staring at the ceiling not even being able to recall the last time he blinked. He had circled through the events of those late hours, burning certain thing in his memory, collecting everything he deemed important or relevant. Out of all of them, one stood out more, his mind drifting back to the Death Eater event.

He froze on the spot, everything he ever learned dissolving as terror gripped his chest, claws digging their way into his heart. He knew well enough that if it was not for Snape intervening, he would have truly lost Talia. The memory played further in his head, reality of it hitting, jolting him out of his bed as if it burned his skin. The very idea tightened his chest to the point he wished to let out a scream yet couldn't.

Cradling his head in his hands he groaned, a new realisation dawning on him, making him squint his eyes, wishing it away. The room suddenly felt too small, barely able to contain his feelings, him. The wand directed at her, his inability, seeing Snape threaten to Obliviate his memory out of her mind, wipe him out of her existence.

He did not want that, he did not wish to lose her.

Exhaling, he opened the window, trembling fingers fumbling with the lock. Fresh air cascaded in the room, hitting his face in small warm waves. Shutting his eyes, he allowed the tension to ease his muscles "I'm screwed."

The more he thought about it, the more Talia did not make sense for him, not if he was actually going to think and rethink the entire ordeal. All his life he witnessed people like her not even glance his way in a normal setting.

Extroverts like Talia would always be surrounded by friends or people who actually looked up to her. The same pattern played out at the camp, everyone being beyond curios of the new recruit, trying to talk, get to know her better. While she did not truly push them away when addressed, she kept answers short and closed, barely allowing for other questions to reach her.

Then why did she allow for him to be her exception?

She did not trust him all the way, that was obvious to him at least. Whenever he shared any information, she would take time to look at him, eyes travelling across his face and body as she analysed, deciding for herself if what he mentioned was truth or lie. Little did she know he had not lied once. Careful to what he related? Yes, but never did he hide once he decided on what to tell her.

In all honestly it felt like he could not. Even when he jumbled information, she would know. Not tell him, but he knew she caught on. She would look at him the same way Snape looked through him, behaviour almost as if they rehearsed it.

Yet they were different, held views that at one point diverted. If she would have been at Hogwarts, surely he would have managed to control a lot more than just her early years. She must have seen true friendships form, lovers bounded together by real feelings, Talia being cast aside for using people.

Shaking his head, Talbott tried to push back an ugly sentiment. She said she was not using him. He wanted to believe that. She defended his name in front of Snape, not backing down, not even when…clenching his fists, a low guttural growl surprised him as he recalled the conversation he overheard.

For a moment he felt as if he was intruding, Talia and Snape's words sounding so intimate. It felt like he arrived at the most inopportune moment.

"See how you fair the next time your chest is cracked open…See how you survive when blood leaves your body once more…When you cannot even cry out because you screamed and begged too hard."

Talia's Boggart burned through his mind's eyes, dark swirls coming to life, hallowed screams pushing his mind to overdrive. That was her, it had to be, those were her screams, her pain as she was tortured by her parents.

Once more he felt like yelling, wishing to let it all out.

Turning into his Animagus form, Talbott flew out the open window, exhilarated with the sudden wind under his wings. It had been far too long since he had been allowed this freedom. He could not risk transforming at the camp, Jasper was too bent on making his life hard. Even in the weekend, it felt as if there were too many eyes watching him, despite not being visible, the sensation making his skin crawl.

Then she came, invaded his space, his privacy, his life.

Despite himself, memories surfaced one by one. From the first handshake, to their pretend couple talk in the tea shop, her arms wrapped around him. Her presence at the camp made everything bearable, shifted his focus to something more.

"…those who wish for better days like me and Talbott."

Did he really want it all with her? What did that even mean?

They were never friends, that much was made clear from day one, it was something Talia did not do, or perhaps in light of recent discoveries did not know how. But a partner was something she could handle, could actually swear her loyalty to.

Reaching the Owlery, he turned back after ensuring he was indeed alone. Dawn shinned a new days upon the silent grounds, even the owls did not shift in their slumber when he landed in the familiar setting.

Not even flying managed to settle down his wild thoughts, cogs in his mind working causing his heart to beat relentlessly as he dug deeper inside himself. What sort of cruel game was she playing at? Surely she was using him to some extent.

Why would she want him? He was not even able to get over himself and kiss her, let alone be able to convey his feelings into words.

Placing a hand over his heart, he felt his head spin "Oh no." he had known her for only a few months, how and when did he manage to get so attached? "Surely she's a witch of different calibre."

Footsteps drew his attention to the stair case leading to his location, sharp eyes already focusing the entrance "Mister Winger are you here?" McGonagall was the last person he expected to see, wide eyes meeting hers as she came in view "There you are. Join me please."

"Is Talia alright?" it was the only solid thought that sprung to mind, if she was there, something bad must have happened.

"She is fine, now come." Her honest smile spoke volumes to him, McGonagall would never lie, but her early visit meant she knew what happened last night. At least some of it since she made way to look for him that early in the morning.

Stepping besides her, he tried to shake the tension in his shoulders and just hold up a normal conversation "Portraits talk, a lot more this morning." Glancing at him, she resisted the urge to smile "Having to hear Severus yell at such an early hour has certainly put me in a bad mood."

"Yes professor." Placing a hand on his forearm, he stopped in his tracks.

"I am not your professor anymore Talbott." Speaking his name sounded foreign to his ears, yet inviting "I do trust that you can speak to me freely after so many years." Bobbing her head once, she removed her hand, both continuing their walk back to the castle "Now tell me what is truly bothering you about last night."

"Honestly?" she nodded once, Talbott glancing to the side "I failed her." Once more seething anger reflected in his sunrise gaze "And she's not even mad. How can she not? I froze and" exhaling sharply his nostrils flared "then Snape wanted to erase me from her memory." Dipping his head, shame burned his face, shoulders drawing in.

"Sit up straight, he will not be tampering with her memory. Albus convinced him that miss Hayes is who she is today because no one erased anything from her past." At the mention of Dumbledore's name Talbott hissed through his teeth as if he waited to be punished despite not being a student anymore "As for miss Hayes, she appears to have a very heated opinion on you."

Blinking rapidly as he straightened his back he stuttered "Is that good?"

"I believe so. It is clear she cares very much for you." Curiosity tugged at his mind however he did not wish to further impose. It was obvious the situation surrounding them had created a commotion.

"I'm sorry. I did not wish for this to degenerate to such a degree." Placing his hands in the depths of his pockets, Talbott once again looked away "This is all my fault. I didn't even consult Talia, I just thought it would be alright to get away from the camp." McGonagall listened to him share details on how everything was going, Jasper's so called many rules that in his mind equated to nothing.

Talbott did not even realise when they reached the Transfiguration classroom, memories surfacing as he just smiled "Miss McGonagall?" her only response was a small eyebrow raise as she poured two cups of coffee from a tray that was left there "I believe I want to be by her side."

"Is that not a good thing?" accepting the cup offered, Talbott sniffed it, a small sigh leaving his lips. It most definitely was not a bad thing. She actually enjoyed how she pushed him to do better, challenged him in ways he never experienced "Matters of the heart are never an easy affair. However from experience I can only advise this: if you truly have feelings for the girl, trust her, let her know that. Life is too short as it is to live with regret."

"I don't know where to start." The admission spoken out loud made him feel small, heat rising to his cheeks as countless scenarios made their way into his tired brain. Taking a sip of coffee, the warm liquid made him close his eyes, savouring its aroma "But I guess that is up to me to figure out."

"Indeed it is."

By the time students started entering the classroom, time suddenly felt like too much. He would have to wait until the evening and that was too many hours apart. He did not even realise where his steps led him to, until he opened the door to the greenhouse. In an attempt to calm him mind, he started tending to the plants, picking up the first watering can he could find. Perhaps a flower would be a nice present "Does she even like flowers?" he never bothered to ask and she certainly did not mention it. Setting the can down, he huffed, chest expanding as he drew a long breath of air.

This was not the way he felt it to be right. He needed to confront Snape. Not gain his approval for he could not care less, however he needed to see he was serious about her. After all, Talia called him a father, more than her own. How did he even end up being her godfather? He must have been close friends with her family for that to happen.

His head shot up, a painful realisation hitting him. He had to know, he needed to.

Running towards the dungeons, he invited himself inside the potions classroom and thankfully, Snape was there doing an inventory on the ingredients left "Did you know what her parents planned?" the question was well thought out, not revealing the fact that he actually did not know anything more apart from it, yet still used the information Talia offered him to the fullest.

"Oh Lord, you do not give up do you Winger?" setting his eyes back to the list, he ignored the previously asked question.

"Did you know they would hurt her?" shaking his head, he directed Talbott to a jar.

"Weight it. Unlike you, I have a lot to do." Taking the invitation, he set up to the task performed as Snape continued to count something else. It was an invitation, granted in his fashion, but an invitation nonetheless, so Talbott kept quiet, only speaking in order to let him know the number or items counter or grams in a jar "I did." The admission came in hushed tones, him not getting up from his kneeled position "But I arrived too late."

"You need more bat wings, you're all out." Scribbling down the information, Snape did not look over at him and that made Talbott feel uncomfortable. He expected the same confrontation from last night, yet is seamed the discussion from that morning managed to settle some of the anger searing.

"I do not agree with her decision, but for whatever reason she sees more in you." For the first time, he appeared defeated, as if the discussion from early on in the day took everything out of him "She's of age Winger." The worlds rattled him, coming out slow "If they catch her."

"They?" lifting his body, Snape whispered.

"Death Eaters boy." Everything inside of Talbott ran cold, heartbeat slowing down to the point where he actually questioned if he was alive or not anymore "Run. Trust no one. Take her away from England. I cannot protect her anymore, there are others who need me."

Backing away, it felt like his lungs were not cooperating properly, cold sweat forming on his forehead. How did he manage to get caught up in such a mess?

"Where is she?" it was all he managed to mutter, shaky voice betraying the agitation within.

Shaking his head, Snape continued to stare into his eyes, searching for answers to questions unaddressed "The train leaves in ten minutes."

All at once blood pumped through his veins, body in full sprint as he ran, searching for an empty room with a window. He could not reach the train station fast enough as he was, yet his eagle form was faster. If he flew directly and the winds were kind enough, he might make it just in time. Despite the strain in his wings, he still continued to fly, calculating the fastest route that allowed him to oversee everything, hoping she actually did not go to the train station.

If she boarded that train, he would never see Talia again, that much was certain.

As he reached the station, he hovered, quickly noting the auburn haired girl he was looking for. Talia sat on a bench, empty eyes locked with the train, giving out its last boarding whistle. He couldn't let her get up, landing next to her, startled eyes turning to his eagle form.

"Shoo!" she gestured slowly with her hand trying to get him to fly, protest leaving his beak as he almost bit her "Damn birds." Flapping his wings, she froze not knowing what to do.

"Miss, are you boarding the train?" hesitation furrowed her brows as she turned, a small nod being provided despite everything about her body language indicating she did not wish to leave "If you are waiting for someone, there is another train in three hours."

Both the conductor and Talia let out a scream of surprise as Talbott landed on her lap, pulling at her phoenix pin, wings spread out in all their glory. Seeing how he was not hurting her, Talia eventually relaxed, weary eyes regarding the bird on her lap "Alright, are you trying to stop me?" pressing against her chest, she slowly placed a hand over his feathers, softly petting him "I think I'll stay sir, wait for the next one probably." Looking down at the eagle who now provided her its full attention "Is that alright with you?"

As the train departed from the station, Talbott pulled on her pin, managing to detach it from her shawl, flying away with it, Talia hot on his heals as she ran after him into the forest.

As soon as he managed to get her far into the forest, he dropped the pin for her to collect as he flew away to a more secluded spot in order to turn back. By the time he ran back to her spot, he was out of breath, muscles under his clothes ragging in pain, from his arms, to his back, all the way down to his legs.

Talia stared at him with that deer in the headlight look, not being able to believe her eyes "Now" he managed to get out, chest heaving "stop running." Shallowing hard he groaned slightly as he straightened his back "You don't get to stir me up and then just walk away."

"It's too dangerous Talbott."

Shaking his head, he inhaled deeply "From where I'm standing we both are running from the same thing, with an equal grim result if caught." Pointing a finger her way he demanded "Our chances increase if we stick together. No one is around, so talk to me."

"How do you know, did you survey the area?" rolling his eyes, Talbott gritted his teeth before finally deciding to show her, straight out transforming in his Animagus form. Words died on her lips, not speaking until he was back to what she knew "I have so many questions."

"And I will answer them all. I trust you Talia." Extending a hand out to her, she hesitated "Do you trust me?" her eyes searched his for the longest time, yet despite the pain burning through his muscles, he still kept his hand out for her to take.

Warm fingers tips grazed his skin, slowly taking the hand offered "I do. But I'm so scared Talbott."

"As am I. This is all so new, but as long as I'm with you I can take it." Running his free hand up her arm, he pulled her closer "Just don't make me run after you again."

"Alright Talbott, it's time I kept my promise."