"You three wait here, I'll return shortly." As soon as Moody pulled the door shut behind him, silence engulfed the messy office, air thick and heavy as no one spoke. Tonks's eyes kept shifting between her two friends, however they both appeared to be lost in a world she was not privileged to. She heard stories about the Cranes, awful stuff, some of them being even used in children's stories to scare them into sleeping at a certain hour or eating all the food on their plates. She never imagined to have one in front of her, especially one she considered a friend.
Talbott appeared to be on edge, more than Talia, eyes constantly shifting as he analyzed, used all the information gathered in his head. He noted all that her eyes reflected, beyond the dark anger searing, past the multitude of plans and connections she was making, he could read it, see it, the fear of that memory, how it lodged something inside of her, unhinging her.
She stepped on quiet feet closer to the desk, taking in the documents scattered about. Alongside a copy for Constantine Crane's file, there was Jasper Munday's name scribbled on a paper, circled and with an question mark close to it. Of course Moody made the connection to the camp, privilege not extended to the rest of the Ministry. It was because they sat down to speak about her past and how she believed everything was intersected.
As far as Talia was concerned, it was too much of a coincidence between the two men and the timing was too perfect. It became obvious why Jasper had that shit eating grin on his face when he was taken away and sent to Azkaban for life. His mission was complete, all he needed to do was send the message across, for him to meet with the Cranes "Surprised Josephine didn't escape with him." Talia spoke as long fingers shifted through the papers "Then again that mad cow is probably talking to the walls by now."
"Talia!" Tonks gasped her name, a pair of cold stone eyes lifting to look at her "Don't talk like that, it's not like you." But as soon as those words left her, she somewhat regretted talking at that very moment.
"Ah, apologies, I seem to keep forgetting what is right these days." She chuckled low and dry, eyes turning to Talbott. The harshness around her eyes subsided, softening slightly as she took him in "I promise I will do anything in my power so he doesn't get to you." And she knew that help would be limited since the Ministry had tried to cover up in the past what the ritual actually implied. They did not release the information to the press, made sure to keep people from talking, a year later just the name remained, not the actual reason behind their imprisonment.
Turning to the door, they all heard Moody returning, another voice following quickly, sounding positively ticked off "You cannot take my recruit without offering a fair explanation. Where are you taking her?" the door swung open, Moody extending to them three Auror badges "Bloody Hell Alostor, I will not be ignored, do you hear me?"
"I hear yeah, you've been yapping in my ear constantly. She's coming to me to assess the situation at Azkaban, interrogate." Finnemore froze in the door way, watching Moody as if he had sprung a second head right there in front of her.
"She is barely a recruit in training, you cannot take her to Azkaban, she cannot perform the Patronus charm, this is Ludacris even for you." Circling the room with her eyes, she shook her head, dreadlocks whipping around her head "What is this truly about? How can I help?"
Moody smirked "Finally, take Tonks and Winger, go through files, have them pin point if any of Munday's men are on the wanted list. I need names, faces, everything." It was clear she did not understand the connection between her old friend's men and the escaped prisoner. Her brows drew together as she tried to find a piece of information she was missing entirely "I don't understand."
This time Talia stepped in the middle of the room, eyes locked with her trainer's "There is too much of a coincidence, Jasper goes in, Constantine escapes. They know each other, I am certain, so I need to have a heart to heart discussion with that menace. As for the dots you are trying to connect" she extended a wanted poster "figure it out, come on, I know you can." She continued to watch her glance between her and the poster with no avail "Oh right." Closing her eyes, she tried to clear her mind, calm her nerves and not let her anger get to her. As soon as she looked back at Finnemore, turquoise won over the dark rage channeling her core and then it clicked. The same eyes passed through generations, the same cold stare, the same expression "There it is."
"You had your fun, come now." Moody urged "Time is being wasted."
Nodding Talia pulled Talbott in for a kiss, every fiber in her body screaming at her not to go. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight, exhaling softly "Come back to me please."
"Of course, I don't intend to let him win." She whispered before tearing herself from his warm embrace and exiting the office without looking back.
She knew it was not going to be an easy trip, Moody attesting to as much. He was going to test her, push her to limits she alone probably did not know she had, not actually caring if she was already stretched thin. He needed to see how she would act in an unfamiliar setting, what she would resort to.
And what better place to do so than Azkaban?
"So you got clearance for us to interrogate Jasper?" she basically yelled over the sound of crashing waves and cold freezing winds. The chill felt as if it made its way through her skin in just a few short seconds since they arrival, drilling in her bones, hood already wet as they sat on the shores trying to take in the imposing structure.
"I did, for me." Her eyes snapped to Moody, mind racing as she tried to make sense of his words "I'm not going to make it easy for you girl, I need to know I didn't put my neck on the line for you for nothing." Feeling the temperature around her dropping she turned to see several Dementors closing in "You have the knowledge, use it. Let's see how much you want to live." Casting Lumos Maxim, Talia squinted her eyes looking away, only to realize Moody had already stepped through the door leading inside and had locked it behind him. Opening the small lookout window, he met her glare.
"Are you mad? Open this door." It was not fear that gripped her chest as she banged on the steel door as Moody closed back the only way for her to look inside, it was not even terror as she had felt that before in her life. It was just the freezing cold that she hated, always despised it.
Turning, she pressed her back straight against the door, wand out at the ready as the cold invaded her lungs, first dementor plunging at her with hungry skeleton like hands. The last shred of warmth felt as if it had left her body as her knees grew weak. She knew the basics, the tales, everything relating to the charm from every line ever read to the incantation. A strained scream left her lips as the Dementor dove in once more, her mind drifting back to images of her father hunched over her form, manic cold eyes chilling her.
She did not realize when her knees bit against the cold slippery stone, even the pain appearing to be a distant memory. Lifting her eyes, her lips chanted the incantation, wand in her hand trembling, not hearing her soft plea. Useless, she was useless when it came to conjuring something good from deep within her. A Crane, a pure blood, foul, wicked.
A scream tore through her lungs as her right hand rose above her hand, fire igniting in the dark like a beacon out at sea. However that light of hope was soon snuffed out as it held no power against such vicious creatures "Expecto…ex…" she gasped as if her very soul was losing its consistency, it's very essence.
But then again that's what was happening and yet somehow she could not help but think it was not as bad as having her chest split open, it was more humane, for someone to offer such a death.
Death.
Slamming her fist against a jagged edge, the pain ran up her arm causing her to hiss through gritted teeth as she forced herself back to her feet. Death has never been her thing and she was damned if she was going to offer herself up without a fight just to romance its ego.
She winced as another Dementor flew over her, balance dropping as she spun around, yet caught her feet on the slippery surface as another one dove to take even more of the already depleting source of happiness.
She promised him, she had to come back, for him, for them. He was the only good thing in sight, the only positive aspect in her life and he was waiting for her at home. So they could be together, so they could dance, cook, so he could roll his eyes and throw a remark when she would quote some silly things from a Muggles book. He was the one ready to embrace her and she could still remember how happy she had been back on their first date when his arms wrapped around her. Because she chose him, because she was there with him.
Closing her eyes was enough to send her off balance at another relentless attack, wand slipping from her grasp as she hit the ground below. She could have sworn she heard voices yelling something, but she could not make out what they were saying. Looking at the next incoming Dementor she could barely keep her eyes opened from the strong winds hitting her face.
Slowly her hands lifted reaching out to the dark creature before her, fingers stretching out to grab hold of its torn robes, lips chanting the incantation once more. Energy surged through her body, sending a violent jolt reverberating through her limbs as they were forced against the ground as a blue light released into the air.
Strong wings took flight as it stayed above her, guarding, shinning bright. The Dementors soon disappeared, flying away as the large eagle attacked, not allowing for its creator to be harmed any longer.
"Accio wand." Talia commanded, the object in question making its way back into her hand. A yank on her arm made her turn, a growl leaving her lips as she pointed the wand to Moody's face, the arm he was holding suddenly increasing in temperature under his fingers causing him to let her go.
"You did good, now come." He offered the honest compliment for the task completed.
Talia stormed past him but not before she made sure he heard her "Go sit on a cactus you mad man." Mumbling more things as they went inside, her drying the wet clothes on her back. She would need to make a note never to compare Finnemore and Moody ever again, it was clear he had the upper hand when it came to heinous tasks.
She shivered uncontrollably as she breathed in, hands feeling as if they were tied down with weights far too greater for her body. But underneath all that, she actually cracked a smile. She did it, she finally managed to conjure a Patronus. She managed to find a happy moment to call her own, the feeling filling her heart to the brim.
Moody's voice snapped her back to reality "You will question Munday, grind him to dust if you have to, get him to confess do you understand me? I want to see how you manage to turn the situation to your advantage." He scanned her face, noting how her expression changed from shock to something unreadable "I'll be there to steer the discussion if needed."
Talia rolled her eyes "How very kind of you. Get me a smoke first, then we're going in."
As Moody patted his pockets, finally managing to find an old packet still containing three unsmoked cigarettes, Talia worked on healing her bleeding knees and knuckles, repairing torn flesh and fabric to its original state. Taking the packet off Moody, she placed them in her back pocket, fingers working on unbuttoning her blouse, scar on display.
When the door opened all signs of fatigue or pain were carefully masked under the strong persona Talia had built over the years.
She entered the cold room the same way she had entered the training camp, head held high, a small smirk playing on her lips, eyes never wavering always holding his gaze "Well, well, look who became an Auror with my help." Jasper chuckled, shackles ringing on his arms as he shifted.
Taking the state of the chamber in she appeared to be ignoring his statement entirely finger tips grazing the metal surrounding his bindings before finally addressing him "In training, so mistakes are bound to happen, you know how recruits are." She smiled, leaning against the table.
"Of course." He hissed through his yellow teeth "But you're wasting your time Talia. I won't tell you a thing." She hated her name on his lips before and she hated it even more as he still tried to exude that air of superiority he used to convey back at the training camp.
Covering her mouth with a delicate hand, she faked a small gasp "Oh dear, do you think that's why I came here?" leaning forward she caught his eyes lowering to her chest before fluttering back to her face "Please, your input is useless if I am being honest." With a flick of her hand, the spell Silencio was cast on Jasper, his eyes widening in response to it "I want to show you how much I learned since we last saw each other, be the one to hold a speech without you interrupting me." The poked his nose offering a sweet smile "Tell you my theories, you will listen won't you?"
Pushing herself away from the table, she walked around the table "Of course you will listen to me, after all, it's not like you have to be anywhere in particular." Clapping her hands together, she turned on her heels to look down at him "I must say, I was surprised to learn you are such a tool. All your life listening to others, obeying their commands, tsk tsk tsk." She cooed softly "It was honestly a long shot, for me to even be alive, but look at you, managing to expose my true identity. Tell me where you afraid when you cut me with that blade? Afraid I wasn't the real deal?"
Jasper remained rooted on the spot, eyes trained on her face, muscles tensing "But aren't you a lucky one, can you imagine the headlines?" she tilted her head slightly "Jasper Munday finds Talia Crane alive and well. A hero really." Slamming her hands against the table, he blinked rapidly "But you're not a hero, so here's my theory." Taking out the cigarettes she removed one placing it between her lips "Want one? Of sorry, you can't even speak not to mention smoke."
She did not peal her eyes off the prisoner, but Moody smirked. She knew details she had not shared with him, yet she had the upper hand and was playing a damn good game. It appeared she was in her element, cunning and cold, calculated and ruthless, nothing of what Finnemore wished to see or bring out, no, at that very moment Talia was as she needed to be, adapting to the situation she had been thrust in without mercy. Vicious really as she regarded his with predatorial intent.
Yet he knew very well that if she was just going to play a bluff, the prisoner would soon catch on.
"Listen to this Jasper and tell me just how far off am I. I'm curious to see how my deduction skill behave these days. Constantine approached your parents, since of course they were also pure bloods and serving Voldermort as Death Eaters." Jasper's brows twitched slightly at the mention of the name, yet Talia remained as unaffected as ever "He told them about the ritual, how it was performed and they accepted of course. Who wouldn't want to create something that has the potential of making you immortal?"
Moody felt a chill travelling through the room upon hearing her words. There were no details recorded on what the ritual implied, apart from it being gruesome and resulting in death to the subjects used.
"Your little sister became the sacrificed. Were you there? Something tells me you weren't." unbuttoning her shirt further, Jasper hesitated in looking at her scar "Let me tell you how the ritual goes, at least what's important because I don't want to bore you with the details since you are such a busy man." Grabbing his chin, she caressed his skin with her thumb, finally lighting up the cigarette she held onto, smoke invading the room rapidly as she took a long drag, smoke leaving her mouth as she spoke slowly.
"You feel everything. From the moment your clothes are stripped from your body, to the blade digging into your flesh, to the chest cavity being broken and let me tell you, there is no greater pain than that of broken bones." Jasper struggled against the restrains and Talia's grip like a mad man, yet she still continued "A piece of your heart is carved out of you and replaced. The lightning hitting you is the last thing you remember." Pushing his face away she dropped the cigarette to the floor stomping it despite it being smoked not even half way "That if you survive of course. The body of a five year old is fragile after all."
"Oh and the healing, Merlin that's Hell on Earth and all you wish for is to just die despite probably not even knowing or understanding the concept." Taking a second cigarette, the fire emanating from her palm took the shape of a human heart "I don't think your sister died, I think she lived, was one of the strong ones, which is a pity. Because that means her heart was taken out five years later, which must have hindered you further." Waving her hand, she flicked the smoke onto the floor "Yet here we are, lost in a world without a heart strong enough to carry the plan to its end."
Pressing the cigarette between her lips she drew a deep breath, smoke snaking towards the ceiling "Well then there's me right? Unless" she gestured to Jasper "I corrupted it and everyone is just chasing ghosts at this point. You know I had a…" she stopped, eyes squinting as she lunged forward spitting blood on the table, raising her eyes only to have embers swimming in them "Well that's embarrassing, there are things that silence even me." Moody took a step towards her, only to be ignored completely "I think that's enough. Did I do good Jasper?" freeing him from the silence confinements, he hissed at her.
"No, you're still stronger than anyone." Talia cocked an eyebrow "And he knows where to go, who to look for and he has help. I gave him that help, me! I trained them, I gave them information."
"So?" she shrugged her shoulders "I told you, I don't care for your confession, it's insignificant, just like you."
"You'll lose everything you stupid girl, just because you refused to go. Because of your stupid love for that boy, you will lose everything." His glare was set on her, never leaving her form, taking her in entirely "I told you to go, I gave you a chance."
"Maybe it wasn't the chance I needed then, maybe one day I'll need you to extend it to me once more, for different reasons, for your little sister." Placing the remaining cigarette between his lips she lit it up "Innocence shouldn't die screaming at the age of five." Sparing a glance Moody's way, she gestured for them to leave.
As they exited in the dark damp hallway, their steps resonated, echo bouncing off the walls. They did not speak until they reached London and were back in the office, concealed under a multitude of spells "Talia" Moody urged, handing her a cup of hot tea which she accepted, taking a seat "You handled the situation quite well. As for the hex…"
"A ruse. I used to have one, so I could off myself in case I was captured, I actually bit the inside of my cheek." His normal eye widened, head bobbing slightly "They'll use Talbott against me, they know how he looks like, but then again without bait they might not be able to flush me out." Taking a sip from the cup, she wrinkled her nose however it would have to do, anything to clear the smoke of tobacco off her tongue "Remember your promise, him above me."
"I have not forgotten, however I prefer to have you both alive." Taping his fingers against the desk he addressed a question her way "How did you know he had a sister?"
"Come now, you can't expect me to trade all my secrets." Looking around the room, she sighed softly "But it was a wild card since she wasn't registered, there's nothing on her apart her birth at the hospital. I bluffed and used just a few details that had been offered to me." Blinking a couple of times, they both ignore the knock on the door "But now we know his men are in on it and Constantine will use them. We just have to flush them out and what better way than me walking around?"
"They will kill you." His eyes travelled to the door "Come in."
Turning, she saw her trainer entering followed closely by Tonks and Talbott "Wrong" she gestured towards Moody "they need me alive for another ritual." Circling the desk, several photos and names were presented.
"Good job, you also knowing them will help in getting everyone out, especially Crane." Sitting back in his chair, he huffed "Now, all the information relating to the ritual and that family will remain here, no mention of it outside this office as it's a delicate matter." After receiving a nod from all parties involved he looked over at Talia "Now, tell them about Azkaban."
Of course she did, Moody filling in the gaps since Talia was not too keen on painting the picture of the interrogation in front of Talbott, but there it was running his mouth as if he was proud of how she handled everything all while Talia felt sick to her stomach. That and much more, a sort of sense of abandonment washing over her as her mind tried to adjust to everything happening around her. She also could not care less about certain aspects, one being her scar, blouse not buttoned all the way through.
And yet Moody took the stage continuing to speak and relate information, basically filling the blanks for Tonks and Finnemore, both who listened without interrupting once "Oh and get this, she can cast a Patronus, full form."
Heads turned towards her and for the first time that day Talia felt the need to shrink in the chair and make herself smaller especially when Talbott spoke "What is it?" the look she gave him told him the question should not have been addressed in front of such audience, but then Tonks also chimed in adding her Patronus is a jack rabbit. Talbott and Moody both had an incorporeal ones while Finnemore's was a dove.
"It's also a bird." Talia spoke quickly, rolling her eyes when Tonks insisted to know what type "Does it matter, I am late to the game as it is."
"Enough questions, today has been long enough. Mirunna, I am counting on you to ensure they arrive safely to their respective homes. I will wrap up here." She just nodded placing a gentle hand on Talia's shoulder.
"Of course, however I must tell you that next time you decide to make the world your play ground and use my recruit, I will retaliate, yes?" she tilted her head sending across the desk a chilling smile "Crane or not, she isn't to blame for what had been done to her, do I make myself clear?" turning to look at Talbott, he swallowed thickly "And you, don't carry burdens like this alone, it's alright to ask for help."
He had a million things he whished to say at that very moment, however chose just to provide her any inatead offering an abrupt nod and nothing more, however Moody did not fail in noticing his knuckles turning white as he balled up his hands "Out the lot of you, rest, tomorrow will be twice as hard."
Once inside in their apartment, Talia felt like she would break down then and there in the hallway. They would probably have to leave their home, run, find solutions none of them wished to implement. Lowering her head, she found herself engulfed in Talbott's strong embrace and it was there she felt like she could breathe properly for the first time that day.
There were no words of comfort he could offer her for none could erase the fact that her father was on the lose and more than likely searching for her. She was after all his life's work. As Talia gripped his shirt between trembling fingers, he tightened his hold on her, mind swirling at a maddening pace. Did his parents feel this kind of fear? Were they this scared while risking their lives daily going up against the Dark Lord himself? Or where they brave, trying their best to keep it together for one another, not show any weakness in fear or the other crumbling as well?
And once more, despite him not even being free, Jasper's words came rushing back. If Talbott was the pillar in the relationship how could he stand tall if the very base that Talia represented was almost falling apart in his arms?
"It's an eagle" she lifted a pair of glossy eyes to look up at him "that's my Patronus."
But she was trying to keep it together, to work out through the newest threat and in the middle of it all they were still together, still had each other. Taking her face between his hands he kissed her softly, hopping that through the slight tremble of his lips he could relate to her all that words could not.
That he was there.
That he would fight.
That they would come out on top.