Once inside his own room, Talbott pressed hard against the worn out wooden door, lungs begging for a normal breath of air. Placing an open palm against his chest, fingers coiled seconds later in the fabric of his shirt in an attempt to calm the trepidations agitating his heart.
He had not planned for that kiss to take place, however it felt as if it was the only way of showing her he understood, that he was there for her and it was not the Phoenix core that called out to him. Yet his mind still charged at a fast pace to the "what if" part.
What if he was indeed attracted to Talia due to that fact alone?
Shaking his head, thoughts blurred inside his mind, heat rising from inside his chest. Questions hit him, each more painful than the previous one. There was so much that he did not understand, was unable to.
Heading to the bed, his hands retrieved the notebook he carried with him, however emotions were not willing to bleed on paper, quill shaking in his hand. He needed to capture her essence in his poems, write until muscles ached however it felt as if no words would suffice.
Both bare of the secrets weighing them down, so where did that leave them?
Cursing, he threw the quill across the room, eyes searching for something, anything to stop his emotions from running wild. What were they now after the kiss? Were they together or were they cursed, stuck in the same dance? He swore if the word "partner" left her lips one more time, he would throw a fit even if it was not in his nature to do so.
The sound of Talia's door closing distracted him, fast steps testifying she felt as agitated as him. He wanted to follow, understand more, yet he could not face her then. He needed to think, calm down and then meet her at dinner as planned. They would have enough time to discuss more during the night rounds.
For the second time in a few hours he allowed for the transformation to take place as he escaped through the open window in his room, eyes surveying the scenery below as he promised to just search for her whereabouts and then leave her alone to gather her thoughts. He needed to ensure she was not regretting her decision or crying somewhere all alone after having relieved her past.
To his surprise she was in Dumbledore's office with Snape, the three of them discussing so he set himself out of sight as he listened in to their conversation, discussion circling around the events of that year.
"So he's trying to return." it was a statement, a declaration cementing in place the words hanging heavily inside the space between them "And you think he will try to take my heart if he finds out I am alive?" Talia's voice did not falter in the slightest, accepting the subtle head nod provided by Dumbledore as affirmation "But he doesn't have a body yet so that's not possible. He needs a functioning body in order to have a beating heart."
Snape let out a strained sigh as he closed his eyes prior to answering "True. However" he enunciated "that can still happen. There were others who knew of your parents plan. They searched for you because they believed you did not die that night. That is why you need to get away." A long pause followed before he allowed himself to say the next statement "And take Winger with you."
Dumbledore dipped his head, looking at her from above the semicircle lenses "Have you told him?"
"I have." She did not break eye contact, head held high as a warm smile graced the headmaster's lips. Snape did not react as he figured it out, already having decided she was better off with Talbott than with him, especially with Voldemort trying to return "So Harry Potter is here now? First year?"
There was a subtle side glance provided by Dumbledore towards Snape, the Potions master trying to ignore it "She remembers more than I initially figured she would." He finally admitted slowly, giving in to the insistent gaze.
"Then it cannot be helped. Talia is as much a part of this as anyone of us." Snape's eyes widened "However your god father is right, caution is the key here. While you will always have a family in us, there are more pressing matters we need to attend to now."
Talia nodded, back held straight as if a soldier talking orders for an upcoming mission "Yes sir, I understand Harry is a priority." Looking over at her god father she smiled, throwing her arms around his neck the next moment much to his surprise "Thank you for everything."
As she let him go his brows knit together, eyes searching her face "This doesn't mean you are being abandoned. Just" he hesitated slightly "chose to live instead of fight." Another small nod was all she provided him prior to excusing herself.
Talbott still remained, attention set on the remaining people in the office, Dumbledore being the first to speak "You do realise she will go against everything you wish for Severus?"
"I am well aware. Even as a child she refused to give in, understand certain aspects."
Dumbledore paced the office, the sound of his robes being the only thing heard for some time "You were young yourself Severus, her being the only living thing to grant some comfort. But she is not your blood. Talia's nature is different and we have granted her the weapons to go after those who wronged her. She will fight."
"And Winger?" Dumbledore's pacing ceased with that question.
"That decision is left to him however something tells me Talia made a good choice." Despite himself Snape scoffed hearing that "Talbott has been thrust into this ordeal once his parents were killed during the Wizarding War. He has a brilliant mind and a pure heart, something she needs right now." Once more Dumbledore's steps were heard "Plus, I believe he truly cares for her. Isn't that right Talbott?"
Snape circled the office, looking for him, eyes widening to astronomic proportions once an eagle flew inside the office, seconds later morphing to the person in question. Talbott kept his head lowered as Dumbledore urged him to answer the question addressed "Yes sir I do." Finally lifting his gaze he had to address the burning question on his tongue "How long have you known I'm an Animagus?"
Once more that warm smile appeared on his lips "It's my job to know what is happening inside my own school. Do not threat, I figured it out on my own." That statement told him McGonagall was not the one to tell his secrets, despite the fact that he knew she was aware.
Snape on the other hand still looked like someone had slapped him out of the blue. His eyes met Talbott's as he excused himself as well, leaving the men to their private conversation.
If he was agitated up until that point, now anxiety clawed at his nerves with the newest implications. With dinner approaching he once more had to look at Talia in the eyes and not show her he knew. He would have to wait on her coming to him with the information, that if Dumbledore or Snape had not already went to her.
Sitting at the Great Hall entrance, hands tucked deep in the pockets of his pants, his eyes scanned the students entering, some of the younger ones looking positively terrified, which he understood well. When he first walked into Hogwarts he had no clue what to expect, eyes frantically analysing the countless faces as he stood at the back of the group for all announcements. He felt sick to the stomach when McGonagall asked him to come upfront so he could be sorted into one of the four houses.
Not that the feelings had subsided now that he was older, he just learned to deal with them differently.
Auburn hair drew his attention, Talia coming in sight, eyes set on him as if it was the first day at the camp. She was searching for something and whatever that was he still felt heat rise to his cheeks "We need to talk." She whispered once she came close enough "Alone." Her expression betrayed no emotions, however the harshness around her eyes told him it was serious and this was it. She would relate to him the discussion held in Dumbledore's office.
"We need to make it quick, McGonagall expects to see us at dinner." taking her hand into his, Talbott led her inside the artefact room. Just how he remembered, it was empty apart from the various scattered objects collecting dust ever since he was a student at the school.
Talia payed little mind to the scene, quickly getting to the point, the heart of it all as words painted for him the office scene, leaving nothing out. A smile tugged at his lips, although inappropriate, he was happy she came to him "What's up with you?" she caught the change on his face, thin brow rising.
"No, it's just" he stuttered slightly trying to regain composure "I'm happy you came to tell me. Thank you." She blinked a couple of times, forehead creasing as she tried to understand his odd behaviour.
"I think you need some proper food, come." Scanning the hall through a small opening in the door, it was safe for them to get out and finally attend dinner. McGonagall called them over, urging the pair to sit down at the table, whispers from curious students filling the room. Professor Sprout and Flitwick more or less took hold of Talbott's entire attention, Talia sitting in what used to be the chair belonging to the year's Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher.
Her eyes scanned the Gryffindor table, despite engaging in a discussion with Snape, smiling although the students were at a loss for words seeing such a scene display before them "It appears your lovely pupils do not approve much of your teaching methods."
"Are you done locating the boy?" he leaned closer, offering her a grin to which Talia just nodded once, smile not leaving her lips "Good, now where do you plan on going after this small mission of yours?"
Pursing her lips, she turned her attention to the fruit bowl, fingers plucking a single grape "I do believe I still need to return, beat Jasper in a duel, get my stuff, at least I will feel better then." Pushing the grape in her mouth, she turned back to Snape deciding to keep the discussions on the bright side for once since her arrival. It was as if his eyes light up when she looked for his advice on some potions she was struggling with due to the lack of ingredients available at the camp.
He provided her his undivided attention as she went through some stories while she studied abroad. For once she was willing to open up to him after so many years of hating the idea he was behind her alienation.
Leaving the Grand Hall after dinner, both her and Talbott felt lighter, the discussions doing both of them some good "So, where do you wish to go tonight?" his eyes lingered on her face as she concentrated.
"Whoever is here is looking for something, but what? The one thing" her eyes searched the halls for any prying eyes or unwanted attention "Voldemort wanted is not here anymore. I know this school carries a lot of secrets and unique objects, so what could an outsider be looking for? If that person is still here that is." Leaning against a wall, she wrecked her brain trying to figure out an answer with no information to go on "Boggarts are distractions, but it's not like someone can carry those things with them and not make a scene. They must be kept somewhere, let lose to distract once someone gets close."
"So if we find the stash of Boggarts" Talbott continued lifting a hand to his chin "we might find something on the perpetrator." Lowering his hand, the intense stare make Talia tense "Last night"
"We won't make the same mistakes." She cut him off viciously "I will take care of your fear if you fail and you of mine if I will. Deal?" extending a hand out to him, he hesitated before taking it. She witnessed him swallow hard, as if he just tasted something bitter and was trying to get rid of it "What is troubling you?"
"Nothing. We should get started if we want to cover more ground tonight." He could not afford anymore distractions, especially not another setback on his behalf. His questions and concerns would have to wait.
The classrooms were empty apart from them as they scouted. Having nothing out of the ordinary was troubling and not helping with their assigned task in any way. Sitting on a desk in the Transfiguration room, Talia huffed, trying to stifle a yawn after.
"Do you want to call it a night? None of us really slept last night either." Ignoring him, she turned her face away from him. After finishing with the last cupboard, Talbott slowly made his way to the desk, taking a seat next to her "Do you want to talk about it?"
"Do you?" she levelled him with a look, one he did not fully comprehend "You're with me, but you're actively ignoring me." Rubbing the back of his neck he looked away trying to formulate a response. He did not enjoy the fact that with Talia he had to actually put work into the conversations. She pushed him in that sense even if generally his silence spoke to her.
"I was just wondering" looking back at her, he still averted his gaze slightly "after today. What are we now?" he bit on his inner cheek as she just sat there motionless staring at him "Sorry, I shouldn't have asked." He made an attempt to get up from the desk, Talia swiftly stopping him as she got off first and went between his legs.
Cupping his cheeks in her hands she smiled "This is what has been bothering you? Our tittle?" her hands lowered to his chest since he felt the need to shine away from her once more, the same heat from previously returning to his face "Colour me surprised Talbott, I wouldn't have expected you to fuss over this."
"And why not?" his face snapped back to her, annoyance clear in his tone. She let out a small chuckle, hands pulling on the fabric of his shirt as she whispered against his lips.
"So what would you like me to call you then?" Her lips softly pressed against his, the previous bit of anger in his stomach melting away completely as he closed his eyes. She pulled away a bit too soon for his liking just to speak again "Does that answer your question on where we are?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Good" she answered with a chuckle "Because I know you wouldn't have put yourself in a vulnerable spot without intention. You having kissed me today meant you finally set your eyes on me for real."
Smiling slightly, his lips curved in a small smirk "I do believe that was the case."
Talia shook her head slightly "You were still running away from me. But now that that's out of the picture kiss me like you mean it Talbott."
"Pardon?" there was little room left for confusion on his behalf as she pulled him in again, the action far more demanding than previously, defences shattering one by one as one of her hands went to the back of his head, nails grazing his scalp as her fingers played in his hair, shivers travelling down his spine. Having a height advantage with him sitting down, she pulled a tad on his hair causing him to gasp, her tongue tasting his and it was clear she knew exactly what to do and how to do it.
When he asked her to teach him, he did not figure it would feel this way, not in the slightest.
Shaky hands finally found the strength to pull her closer to his body, not being able to get enough, as if his arms were not enough to contain her.
Slowly ration was replaced by feelings, fear by want as her teeth gently bit on his lower lip earning her a soft moan that surprised him. Pulling her back into a breathless kiss, the world around him suddenly did not matter. He was happy with just the two of them, her pressed against him like that, tearing through him without any inhibitions, him allowing her.
Questions died inside his mind as soft finger tips gently danced against his jaw line. The flicker of hope that was once there now burned bright because she chose him. She allowed him to see behind the mask, trusted him all the way and even then, inside that class room. She knew he would not dare hurt her and as the fire inside her chest grew hotter, she showered him with kisses knowing well enough he had been denied such intimate affairs.
It mattered not if it was because he chose so or because someone else did, but the fact that he was so willingly indulging in her lips, accepting of her being this close, told her just how hungry he had been for someone to love him. Underneath his aloof character, she saw more. In those eyes she read truth and feelings that his lips could hardly declare.
He had not realised how much he wanted this closeness until he received it and now his soul was practically begging for it.
Agitated pulse beat against her fingers as she caressed his neck, yet her own heart beat so loud it resonated in her ears as they parted slowly, his hot breath against her skin as he pulled her into his embrace, not allowing her eyes to analyse for once all the feelings reflecting in his. However he was certain she did not need such antics since she could feel against her how wild his heart was at that moment, yet he smiled to himself since hers was held the same rapid trepidations.
She held onto him with the same force he was, at one point concern dawning on him that he might be hurting her, the hold on her body loosening a fraction but Talia did not pull away until he was ready to.
Once she stood in front of him, those strong arms missed the warmth her body provided, eyes shifting nervously, yet her smile was endearing. His mouth opened slightly to say something, however his mind was still catching up to the present moment.
"Come, we still have the Herbology classroom to inspect." Her fingers intertwined with his as he finally lifted from the desk.
"I feel like I need to say something." He gently tugged at her hand, stopping her in her tracks "I just don't know what."
Her brows once again lifted, amusement shinning in her orbs "What you want to give me performance review?"
Rolling his eyes he finally set his gaze on their hands, thumb caressing her skin "Don't be silly." A smile formed on his lips, causing her to mirror his action, hand rising to caress his cheek.
"I'm kidding obviously, I know I left you breathless."
"Now you're being cheeky." Removing his hand from hers, Talia stifled laugher behind an open palm as she did her best not to give away their location, Talbott already walking towards the door, hands working on rearranging the best way he could his messed up hair.
She did catch him off guard in that moment, however he could admit to himself at least he had done nothing to stop her from getting so close. Smiling he went back to the moment that just took place. Now that he had taken the first step, she wasn't so bend on sitting back and witnessing him fuss over small matters.
He still had a lot to learn from his perspective, but he was after all a fast learner.
Talia's light steps soon followed, a serious expression indicating to him she was ready to continue with the task for that night and he was thankful for it. Inside he was actually a bumbling, embarrassed, hot mess despite his stern exterior.
The Herbology class was dark, only light being provided by the moon above their heads. Needing to stay hidden had proven to be quite difficult without always using light, the green house being one of those places where they could not risk someone on the outside seeing them. Talia followed in Talbott's steps as his eyes scanned the potted plants, hand outstretching whenever one of them would pose a threat to her.
His hand rose to his lips, a soft hush as they slowly approached a rattling cabinet. Searching her face, she just nodded, wand out and ready to cast the necessary spell. Opening one of the doors, nothing emerged at first as the Boggart scanned Talia's deepest fear.
She kept her head high, eyes widening slightly as instead of the image from last night, a replica of her emerged. For a moment, everything around them stopped, until the Boggart opened its mouth, a scream tearing through its lungs as its chest was ripping apart, dark swirls erupting through it.
Talbott moved to step before it, realising Talia's decision to spill her secrets brought forth more pain and fear, however from inside the cabinet emerged another one taking the form of a Death Eater, its manic laughter resonating inside the green house.
Glancing at Talia, she let out a scream, anger contorting her face as she gripped her wand "Just fucking die!" redirecting his eyes on the Death Eater ready to now cast a spell, Talbott held his ground, flicking his wrist as they both chanted the only spell means to cast the Boggarts away.
Talbott's was left in pink robes, bunny ears springing from its head, turning to look at a big fluffy tail. Talia's struggled to transform into anything since she could not think of anything in particular, anger still burning in her veins.
Her hand rose as he attempted to step in front of her "No, it can't hurt me." True to her words that weeping mess just served to further burn in her mind what she feared, not moving apart from the struggle to get free of invisible chains "I can't think of anything." Tears threatened to spill as the creature continued its painful cries.
"Talia, I'm here." Her eyes shifted to him as she drew a shuddered breath in, cursing once she looked back at it.
For her it felt as if she was reliving her inability to conjure the Patronus charm. Just like in that case, she was unable to conjure anything good, as if her soul was stripped down by a Dementor. More than once she wondered if she would encounter one, would it just ignore her, realise her heart was as cold as a winter night?
Shaking her head, her lips summoned the spell once more, eyes squinting in concentration. Slowly instead of dark crimson swirls of pain, small hearts started flying out, the rupture in the middle of its chest being replaced by blooming flowers. It was not ideal, more macabre than funny, however when her eyes landed on the Death Eater looking more like the Easter Bunny, she doubled over in laughter, holding onto her stomach.
Searching, Talbott set his eyes on a tool box he emptied on the ground, both Boggarts being forced inside of it as they tried to make their way back to the cupboard.
Straightening, she wiped away at her eyes, him not knowing if the tears resulted from too much laughter or from her suppressed horrors "Well that sucked."
Closing in, Talbott offered a smile "You did good." Shaking her head, she knew better. That was not a proper use of the spell despite the impeccable casting. There were still scars leaving heavy marks and not just on her soul.
"I hesitated again, I couldn't think." Tucking away her wand, her eyes lowered, a potted plant suddenly more interesting than anything surrounding her "If you give me something physical to fight against, something to kill with my bare hands, that I can do." Lifting a hand towards a plant it shinned away, edges of the leaves slowly burning.
Talbott continued to watch the display, Talia apparently forgetting she was not alone. Her eyes drifted somewhere far away, temperature rising inside the already humid greenhouse "Talia talk to me."
Lifeless eyes turned towards him, emotions shutting down one by one inside her core "All I know is how to fight Talbott, burn everything to cinders, not conjure happiness at the drop of a hat." Slowly she extended a hand out to him, open palm revealing soft flames dancing on the surface of her skin "Yet here you are, hindering my dark resolve." Lifting pale fingers, alarms set off in Talbott's head as the heat licked his skin but he did not back down, instead catching her wrist not allowing her to touch him. Tilting her head to the side, she forced a smile back on her shaky lips "Don't worry, I won't let a flame hurt you."
"Can you do this due to the Phoenix core?" slowly his fingers travelled to the palm of her hand. True to her word, she was not letting the fire hurt his skin, only offering warmth.
"I can't answer that."
His brows drew together when her hand retracted "More secrets?" shaking her head confused him further "What then?"
Her hands wrapped around herself as if she was suddenly cold "I am physically incapable of talking about that." She swallowed thickly, inhaling through her nose "I am not allowed. I can" something churned inside her stomach, Talia closing her eyes for a moment as she steadied herself "talk about my past, just not the fact that I can" lifting her hand she sniffed her nose, finger painted red with blood when she removed it.
"You're cursed." The realisation hit him hard "Did Snape do this to you?" as she shook her head Talia could see him trying to maintain a calm appearance "Dumbledore then." Her head nod was cut short, the sick feeling in her stomach rising up her throat.
Turning on her heels, she ran outside, gripping the edge of the green house as blood gurgled from her mouth, stomach tightening in painful contractions. Her vision blurred, knees threatening to buckle under her, however she gritted her teeth trying to endure it.
From behind, Talbott came gently leading her body to a sitting position on the group, her not fighting it. His eyes burned even in the pale moon light, two hot embers betraying the anger bottled up inside. Even when he offered her water his expression did not change, feelings searing dangerously, ready to erupt "Don't be upset."
"How can I not be? Why did he do it? So you wouldn't spill secrets, torture yourself while others would torture you if they learned who you are?" his voice was a low whisper, even if he wanted to yell the words out.
Using the back of her head to rub the blood off her lips, she rested her head against the cool glass "Because I asked him to do it."
"Are you bloody bonkers?" the look in her eyes told him to think, to not jump to conclusions. Getting up from his crutched position he turned his back to her, pacing silently as he tried to wrap his mind around the situation.
She sat there, exhausted from the day faced, powers drained "I have complicated your life haven't I?" looking over his shoulder, his eyes softened slightly.
"Yes you have." She chuckled despite it causing pain, the pins and needles she felt in her stomach being very much active.
"Do you regret it?" lifting her left hand she pointed a finger his way "I can make it all go away. One word and you'll forget."
"You're a pain in the arse, that's what you are." Going back to her, he picked Talia in his arms, hoisting her up "Don't even joke about it. I'm here to stay and watch you succeed in not being such a trouble maker."
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she smiled against his skin "I need to go to the Hospital Wing."
"That's exactly where I'm taking you." Stopping he nuzzled her hair "Promise me something." Gently she whispered without lifting her head the exact word he wished to hear "anything" leaving her lips "Let me help you, don't shut me out. I don't want to have to see you trying to fight this on your own."
"But I'm not on my own anymore." Her grip tightened slightly "However I am also learning Talbott."
Until he reached the Hospital Wing he had let her just rest in his arms as he contemplated on the woman he was carrying. How could a being be so fragile as to settle down like that against him, but carry wild fire in her veins? She carried deep trauma, the image of her yelling at the Boggart to die, entering his mind. She was basically telling her own self to drop dead, anger painting her vision red.
She was an uncertain as him when it came down to emotions, ideas riddling her since she could barely understand them.
Settling her down on one of the empty beds, he took a moment to just look at her, fingers brushing away a strand of hair from her face. She passed out eventually, breaths now even, however her expression told him she was still feeling pain. Pressing his forehead against her, he let out a soft sigh "I'll make it better, I promise."
Getting off her bed, his attention set on the cabinet filled with medicine, small steps alerted him to a presence. Wide cobalt eyes contrasting against silver white hair stared at the tall form raiding the medicine "Talbott?"
Nerves relaxed seeing the familiar face "I need your help Chiara." Immediately her eyes travelled to the only occupied bed in the room "She has a hex cast upon her." As he continued to explain, she started talking out several vials, him watching her work.
"Who cursed her like this?" his lips pressed in a thin line, her nodding her head in respect for his privacy "Here, she needs to drink this." Looking at the bottle extended to him and the woman out cold lying on the bed he weighed his options "I can get you a funnel or a tube if she's passed out."
"Would it have any effect on me?"
Blinking in confusion, Chiara still answered him "No, nothing of the sorts."
"Be right back." Walking to Talia's bed, he tried to gently wake her up long enough for her to drink, however she was not responding to the sound of his voice "Why do you do this to me?" lifting her head, he took a mouthful of the strange liquid, feeling the bitter taste of the concoction on his tongue.
Gently opening her mouth, he forced the liquid down her throat, Talia's eyes swinging open, left hand being caught by Talbott before she delivered a blow to his face. Locking eyes, she stopped fighting for a fraction recognising him and swallowed the bitter liquid. Apologetic eyes took her in as she forced the rest of the vile substance down her throat now that she was awake.
"Lovely." Talia stuck her tongue out "As if the blood in my mouth wasn't enough." Falling back on the bed, her lids still felt heavy, especially with him softly caressing her hair "Never again." She murmured drifting back to sleep.
Chiara's steps were heard approaching, leaving a glass of water near her bedside "What was in that?"
Smiling she sat down on the opposite bed "A tad of Sleeping Draught, hexes like this cause a lot of pain, so she's better of sleeping through it." Looking over at Talia, her eyes landed on Talbott's hand holding hers "Girlfriend?"
The question took him by surprise, yet he still gathered his thoughts rapidly "Yes, she is my girlfriend." Glancing back at Talia, he felt the word foreign as it left his mouth, yet comforting. Chiara just smiled, both of them engaging in small talk as they waited for Talia to wake up.