So fast…

It all happened too fast, like a blur of flashing blinding light, it took over everything, all senses and ideas, all died gradually, one by one, shaping and mixing into one another until nothing made proper sense. The plan, the assembling area, Jasper's words, Talia looking over the flames mouthing words through gritted teeth.

How did it come to this? It was supposed to be an opportunity, a step forward to a bright future, not a torture camp filled with back lashes, petty words, governed by force and violence.

When did they get into such a predicament?

It felt as if her brain was muddied, senses muted as everything unfolded. For the most part she focused on Talbott, making him the only sturdy objective in sight in that horrid, putrid smelling camp. The pillar, he was the pillar, she needed to be the sturdy base in their relationship, however it felt like everything was crumbling.

She used to be selfish, knowing exactly what used to be her primary objective, always about her. Alone, it was safest to be alone.

Tilting her head slightly, she stared at his broad back, muscles visibly tense as he continued to struggle with the notion of Jasper's latest tyranny, jaw clenched in a dangerous scowl as he curtly nodded agreeing to Tonks's plan. Looking over his shoulder, eyes set ablaze, red rims lining that gorgeous cognac colour Talia loved so much, he mouthed something that did not quite register. Dangerous, that was the first word that came to mind, oh how haunting and cold his eyes were "Are you alright with this?" he repeated a second time, attempting to draw out a reaction.

Talia did not answer, eyes lowering to half healed flesh still burning with raw pain, crimson blood soaking up too much of her skin as her mind raced for a millisecond "Why are we doing this again?" she barely whispered, murky eyes filled with confusion looking back at Talbott.

His expression softened a mere fraction, composure starting to fall apart fearing all worse things at once. Swallowing loudly, he took a hesitant step, hand outstretched "Talia?" the edge in his voice registered against her ear drums, brain reacting , body shifting to meet him halfway, a distance much too small inside the crowded room, important nonetheless for him.

Taking a hold of his hand, her skin registered his warmth "I'm here, always here." For him, that's why she was actually doing this, for him. His friends were the only family, the only ones close to him, he had to protect those he carried about at all costs, in a sense trying to atone over and over for not being strong enough on the day the Death Eaters came for his family.

Giving his hand a gentle squeeze, she focused on Amy and Tonks. Their plan fell on death ears, but one sentence brought her up to speed with her part "So you knock the lights out of his blokes, alright?" Talia just nodded, a firm hand being placed on her shoulder.

"You can kick or punch as hard as you want, no need to hold back. Then we carry them to the bathroom." Talia smirked at Talbott's words as she cracked her knuckles, fast approaching footsteps being heard from behind the closed door.

Violence was probably the only thing she could do without hesitating, her skin itching for some justice, even if the receiving end was not Jasper. He had it coming, that was a promise she made to herself, a mental note buried for later. He will get what's deserved.

As soon as the announcement came, his men starting rounding up recruits in order to bring them to the main yard, one of them going after the group inside Talbott and Talia's room. Slowly they exited, side glances traveling between them, a subtle chin wag offered once they checked the surroundings. Tonks broke from the group, running towards the bathrooms causing the main distraction, Talia delivering a blow knocking the thug out cold. Amy on the other hand froze on the spot, eyes wide as she stared at her and Talbott dragging the male.

"Move it!" he commanded not having the time nor the patience to deal with anyone getting cold feet. Especially not one who knew of their plan.

Tallbott worked fast on removing the uniform, Talia summoning thick ropes to ensure he would not escape, her lips uttering the silencing charm, wand steady and secure in her grasp despite the pain radiating from her flesh "Silencio."

Taking the uniform, Tonks just had to ask, to reassure her shattering nerves "Are you sure this is a good plan?" Talbott's eyes snapped to her in an instant, anger still bubbling in them like two hot embers ready to burn everything to chaos. He searched the small bathroom as if in it he could find the much needed patience he needed not to explode. Yet he could not afford to lose his head, especially then.

Talia sat beside him, always beside him, never leaving, never weaving. However she was stable, up for any task she had to bare. At least that was the case judging by her exterior alone. Inside, feelings began to fester slowly, caving in gradually.

Amy's face was covered in sweat, a small drop trickling down her cheek, trembling hands betraying fear as she watched her partner morph into the unconscious man in the stall. She swallowed thickly, eyes traveling to Talbott who broke the silence, teeth gritted, words hissing but cold "It's your bloody plan." His hand cut through the empty air, Tonks blinking rapidly "Don't tell me you are backing out now?"

"No." shaking her head, she grabbed the uniform, changing faster than she ever did in her life. She had to go through with it, after all said and done, she was the only one capable of leaving the camp under the concealment of her disguise.

Her composure almost broke when another one of Jasper's men came in the bathroom, Tonks pushing Talbott "Get going. Found these trying to hide it out." Which earned only a nod of agreement as they brought the small group to the meeting area.

Counting the recruits, there was just a handful left, the camp now having more personnel than students to teach, all of them shifting their eyes nervously as they were being held at wand point, all aligned and ready for Jasper to make an appearance.

The sound of gravel under heavy footsteps indicated he was approaching and sure enough, there he stood, his tall form and wicked eyes taking in the recruits. In one hand he held the infamous box that created pairs, the other one wiping away some blood splattered across his pale complexion "Wands out children."

As he placed the box on the ground, he tapped the edge with his own wand, six names written on yellow parchment floating above it. Jasper waited patiently until all students took their usual stances for battle, wands contained in their dominant hand. One subtle chinwag later and several Expeliamus spells chanted, his men were collecting wands off the ground, placing them in his extended hand "Do go and find miss Tonks, she appears to be missing in action today." Slowly approaching Amy, Jasper flashed his teeth at her "You don't happen to know anything about it do you now miss Whitmore?"

"No sir." Her voice trembled, arm still out despite the wand no longer there to serve its purpose, a visible tremor taking over her entirely.

"I certainly hope you are not lying to me miss." Jasper licked his lips, using his index finger to slowly push down on her hand "Because if you are, I have ways of convincing you to talk. Isn't that right miss Hayes?" his eyes lowered to the abuse inflicted on her skin, however Talia did not utter a word "And let me guess, you also don't know where miss Tonks is."

Talia's lips did not utter a single sound, eyes focused on nothing in particular as she stared straight ahead.

Straightening, Jasper clapped his hands together "No matter, she will crawl from the hole she's currently hiding in. Now I have several announcements to make." Taking slow steps, it appeared his usual demeanour surfaced, movements free and casual as he talked "First order of business is regarding Mirunna Finnemore which will no longer be working at this camp. Last minute emergency I'm afraid."

Talbott clenched his fists, nails digging into the palm of his hands, mouth going dry as if he had walked the entire day through the scorching desert sun. Next to him, the other recruit that arrived with Talia and Karol appeared to share the same burning anger, stepping up, breaking the formation "What are you saying? She was just here." His thick accent interrupting Jasper's speech. Lifting his hand to silence him did nothing good for the recruit, who took another step forward only stopping as a wand pressed against his neck.

"Second order of business" Jasper continued once he was pushed back in line "I would like to personally congratulate you for making it this far. Those of you remaining each have a significant set of abilities that made a difference, for you of course" he smiled as softly as he could muster "and for your future. Resilience, patience and hard work are key factors that will help you in your desired careers as Aurors."

Turning his attention to one of his thugs whispering something in his ear, Jasper smirked "Well now this is interesting." Waving his wand, Tonks's paper burned, small embers falling inside the box "Let me try and guess what happened." Extending his hand, the bright tip of his wand travelled from Amy, to Talia, to Talbott "You three helped miss Tonks escape hoping she will alert the Ministry and put an end to this programme. Am I far off?"

Grinning, his eyes squinted "And you are going to tell me every detail." Amy froze like a deer in the headlights, Talia offering her a side glance "Now, before we get to that." Abruptly turning, fire shot from his wand, the box behind him igniting "We are done with pairs, conspiring and hushed conversations. Out of you five, one two will remain and now it's time for the final test. From this moment on quitting is not an option." Pushing back a greasy lock of hair, he faced the recruits once more.

"Amy Whitmore your test will be endurance. We will create a scenario in which you are captured by the enemy lines. Your mission is to not spill any secrets." Turning his eyes to the former Durmstrang recruits, he first addressed Yosef "You will be taken to a secluded area in a nearby forest where you need to outrun and evade being captured. Good luck." Three thugs approached him, grabbing each of his arms as he struggled, cursing in his mother tongue.

Turning to Karol, Jasper extended a hand "Defeat my two best men in combat and the job is yours." Karol snickered as their both rolled up their sleeves, dark marks still visible on the surface of their skins "Now, the best for last. Talbott Winger, the true seeker of justice in the Wizarding world. You will accompany my men in Knockturn alley and retrieve an artefact of great importance. Don't worry, they will make the trip worthy of any Auror mission."

As two of his men grabbed hold of Talbott, Jasper stopped them after a few feet "I want him to hear the last thing." Stepping in front of Talia, he extended a hand out to touch her arm, finger digging into an open wound. She did not look at him or Talbott when he spoke.

"Get your bloody hands off her!" all the struggle proved to be in vain, despite his anger, despite the words leaving him mouth, Jasper's hand rose to tilt Talia's chin up, unperturbed by events.

"Told you he's a wild one Talia Hayes. Your mission is against me and only me and I promise you that by the end of it you will bow, you will submit, you will obey. Take them away!"

Talia slowly glanced in Talbott's direction, eyes locking with his. In that moment they both suspected it would be the last time they would see each other. Without a wand in Knockturn alley, he knew the chances of survival decreased. Jasper was sending him on a suicide mission and if he somehow managed to get the item requested unscathed, the two gorillas immobilising him would certainly finish the job.

His mind raced, digging up possible scenarios, he could transform in his Animagus for, however if they were not taken back by the sudden display and still held a firm grip on him, they would easily break his wings which were much more fragile than his bones.

He could make a scene once outside the camp, however that could also prove to be a hindrance. Muggles in general would not intervene and even if they somehow could, they would be no match for the spells cast.

Divide and conquer, it was clear that was the sole purpose behind Jasper's actions. He did not care about the Ministry of Magic or the consequences following his actions. He knew who Talia was, by the way he looked at her, he clearly had more information. And Karol, that triumphant smirk playing on his lips spoke volumes. He played a part, her dating his brother might as well brought out more than she liked or wished for.

How could he save her now?

Finally blinking, Talia inhaled softly, eyes travelling to look away from Talbott and to Jasper "I will kill you."

Smirking, he dismissed her words with a wave of his hand "No Talia, you won't. But for now, do go wash up, it's disgusting to look at you."

Looking over at two thugs, Talia backed away slightly, Karol grabbing her arm "I am curious, will you actually be stupid enough to try and save one of them or will you run like you always do?" Shutting her eyes, she allowed to be escorted to her room before being taken to the showers.

Pressing her forehead against the cold tiles, a shuddered breath left her lips, Karol's words playing on repeat like a haunting song.