Days rushed by quickly and with it so did Talia's birthday. As far as she was concerned, there was never a reason to celebrate the day she was brought into the world and Talbott picked up on it quickly, however Tonks still wanted to throw a small party for her new found friend.
The moment she entered the apartment and was greeted by the small group of people, she froze in the door way, head shaking, however she did crack a smile "You guys do realize that the circumstances of my birth are not a cause for celebration right?" she watched them fidget on the spot, all but Talbott looking guilty until she took a bottle of champagne out of a bag she brought with her "But I will celebrate all of you being in my life."
And just like that days passed by quickly.
The temperature in the city appeared to drop drastically with the constant heavy rain bombarding the buildings and streets relentlessly. Summer was ending, or so the calendar indicated, however it seemed to have left England for quite some time now, thin shirts being replaced with long sleeved ones, coats and jackets leaving dressers in order to provide warmth, boots or more sturdy shoes in favor of sneakers or sandals.
Closing the umbrella above their heads, Talbott shook the excess water from it, Talia casting spells on their clothes to dry both of them off "I always hated the rain." The muttered, forehead creasing as they entered the elevator, being quickly pushed at the very back of it as several ministry employees were travelling to their respective floors for another day of work.
Talbott looked over their heads, not commenting, however the feeling was mutual. It felt as if since the clouds refused to scatter, a drilling constant pain was trying to make its way and bury itself deep within his skull. That coupled with few hours of sleep did not lighten the mood in any way.
While he generally did not have too many hours of rest in the night due to nightmares, he picked up Talia's pattern and had yet to get used to it. She slept for exactly four hours, no more, no less. It appeared as if she had her own internal clock, always set properly, wired and ready, equipped with the best batteries on the market.
If by any chance that schedule was disrupted and she slept more, she would wake up in a panic, chest heaving, eyes searching her surroundings as if someone was out to get her and had been in the very room with her, watching her sleep. If fewer hours were had, she would be too quiet, her mood foul and downright rotten.
Not even coffee helped then.
Another thing Talbott had learned about her sleeping habits was that she could sleep while sitting upright. Since Constantine had escaped, she would be ready to wake up and run out of the house at a moment's notice. Always dressed, bag packed with what she considered essential, wand in hand, not for needing it, but to jolt her awake when her hands would let it slip from her grasp.
The thought had not left him alone, however he also did not impose the question on her: how many days were spelt sleeping leaning against the wall or in an armchair, ready to run once more? But also when was the last time he had ever felt safe, if there ever was such a time in her life.
The similarities between them were there, constant suspicions and panic rising in their chests, always looking over their shoulders, always on alert paying attention to the world around as if it was trying to swallow them entirely.
Being around Moody did nothing to ease the already fragile state they were in.
Coffee and Wideye potions were brewed constantly, their apartment becoming a sort of headquarters in the beginning. Tonks was also alongside them wherever they went, the idea of strength by numbers becoming the only valid and sane reasoning. They switched places without following a predictable pattern, either at Tonks's place, Talia and Talbott's, Mirunna's, Moody's or just spending the night at the Ministry.
Their training shifted drastically as they started joining the other Aurors for scouting missions as they tried to force out Constantine's men, however it appeared all leads were dead ends. They hid too well, did not act as of yet which irked everyone, however they did not dismiss the idea of them still being in England.
As long as the very person they needed in order to perform the ritual was still around, so where they.
Stepping out of the elevator, Talia stopped in her tracks as she took in the dark robes of the visitor speaking with Moody, eyes shifting to the raven locks as a pair of onix orbs turned to look her way "What are you doing here?"
Snape's brows rose slightly as the pair approached him, worry etched on Talia's face "I need to speak to you, both of you."
Moody remained quiet as he watched them disappear behind a closed door, a hunch already forming in his suspicious mind despite the fact that Snape had not related any information to him.
Snape did not waste any time once he found himself alone with the pair "You need to get as far away from England as you can, both of you." However they both just glanced at each other before looking back at him unimpressed "Constantine came to see me, he knows about you" he pointed a finger at Talbott "he has seen you." He added directing the same finger at Talia.
"And you didn't bother with reporting this very important fact to the authorities?" Talbott's voice reverberated inside the room, however he remained as impassive as ever. Same went for Snape, he could not begin nor wished to waste any time relating information to his former student that he did not see relevant.
It appeared Moody and Finnemore taught them well as almost no emotions betrayed the turmoil wrecking their minds. Talbott stood there as rigid as ever, hands buried inside his pockets, a single squint of his eyes betraying the shock received from the news. Talia was a lot more opened in gestures when faking a reaction or needing to hide, hands hanging loosely near her body as if she was speaking about simple matters, a small smirk softening her eyes, yet she did cock a brow upon hearing the news.
Snape payed them no mind as he continued to relate information "It doesn't matter that you are now twenty-one, the ritual can still be performed."
"And how is this news?" Talia inquired, Snape appearing thrown back for her willingness to accept such heavy information "It was a given the moment they still searched for me, so unless you have something worth our time, I suggest you let us get back out there. We have a Crane to catch."
She made that name resonate inside the room, its walls as if appearing to move closer to their bodies "It would appear I am the only fool here since you insist on being stubborn, but at least I will be the only one living after this. You are as good as dead." Snape lashed out, his eyes never leaving her form.
Closing the space between them, Talia edged closer, a sharpness in her eyes making her appear like a predator on the prowl "No one is killing anyone." Her eyes shifted slightly betraying her intention to look over her shoulder at Talbott "Running hasn't helped, they came back stronger and more eager to get this done. I can't keep doing what I did Severus, I can't win like that." Leaning, she whispered "No one will get to hurt him."
Snape's eyes widened as he barely mouthed the word "sacrifice", more to himself than anything, however for a split second he did not see before him Talia Hayes, but Lily Evans later taking on the name of Potter. The ultimate sacrifice, that of love, the strongest magic of all. Almost involuntarily he shook his head, Talia placing a hand on his shoulder, squeezing lightly.
"If you don't intend to actually help, then don't stand in my way. As you said, there are others that require you, I'm not one of those people. You have given me all that you could give and at such a young age. So please" her fingers gripped his shoulder tighter "understand. And if you do anything to hurt him." she just faked a smile before letting go, turning on her heels and leaving the room.
Despite not finishing that sentence, it was still a warning, one Snape felt still lingering on his skin, her touch hotter than normal.
Talbott however did not follow immediately in her footsteps, instead leveling Snape with a glare "Pollyjuice?" a nod being the only confirmation received.
"Trust no one."
He resisted the urge of rolling his eyes at that statement "I don't, she doesn't either."
Taking a step forward, Snape sneered looking at Talbott "She trusts you which is more than enough to get her killed. For her sake, let's hope I get to swallow those words." Glaring back he added "But if she dies because of something you did, know that mercy will be the last thing I will show you."
Talbott's eyes turned to dangerous slits upon hearing the words leaving his mouth, him retaliating "And if you betray her, I won't hesitate to take you down." As Snape mentioned, no one would or should be trusted and that was also extended to him as far as Talbott was concerned. Constantine could have very well taken a part of his DNA, used his image in order to get to Talia. His right hand twitched inside his pocket, anticipation burning through his muscles at the thought of having to draw his wand and attack.
Yet logic also made its way in his mind, sizzling the anger already burning, Constantine had enough minions in his arsenal to send, he would not be as careless as to show his face inside the Ministry, with a body morphing potion or without. There were too many variables that could go wrong and he would be caught without having fulfilled his life purpose.
And if Talbott was sure of one thing, his greed and vanity were more important that the need to capture Talia himself.
Footsteps were heard approaching the door, Tonks opening it quickly "We're moving out, got a lead on some suspicious activity. Hello professor." She waved over at Snape as Talbott exited the room to prepare for the mission.
Some muggles reported several strange happenings in one of the many abandoned old buildings in the East End, suspicious figures wandering late into the night, gathering. Moody's instructions came loud and clear, it was a reconnaissance mission, the two teams going to just conduct a preliminary report on the area "Do not engage unless told otherwise. We go when I say we go." His voice roared over the pouring rain "Stay low, this is a stealth mission, we don't want to scare them into another hole, not before we learn where these rats are hiding." His eyes took everyone in one last time "Is that clear?"
A collective confirmation followed, rumbling through the air, reverberating through their chests, determination burning bright in their eyes. Despite the clothes sticking to their skins, weather not letting up in the slightest, they ignored the discomfort chilling their bodies, they payed no mind to the hair sticking to their soaked faces, eyes blinking rapidly from the relentless rain and wind.
Finnemore's group moved in closer, her in the front, two Aurors behind securing her left and right, Talia at the back of the group keeping her eyes out for enemies from behind. They took the ground work, slowly making their way to a closer location from which they could survey the building in question.
On the roof of a taller building, Moody's team kept eyes on the others from above. Talbott's eagle eyes were not leaving Talia's form, fists clenched close to his body as his mind raced. He did not entertain the idea of having her out there in the middle of danger, however Mirunna Finnemore and her team were more combat ready if the situation called for it.
Despite the training provided and while both him and Tonks were skilled duelists, they still had more to learn in terms of hand to hand combat and also endurance. While pain was still pain, they unfortunately left too many openings, especially on vital points. Next to him Tonks shook her head trying to get rid of some water clutching onto her hair and eyelashes, teeth jittering together from the cold wind they were exposed to.
The fog surrounding the old neighborhood appeared around in heavy clouds, too thick, the atmosphere heavy with magic lingering in the air. It masked the buildings and their surroundings, everything being far too quiet.
Finnemore stopped her team from approaching further, one hand gesture making them all halt while she quietly continued, silhouette soon shrouded inside the thick fog. The remaining three stood back to back, eyes on alert as they scouted the area.
On the grey skies above, red sparks alerted them, the Vermillious spell being cast in order to alert nearby Aurors of danger. None of the teams moved as they remained rooted on the spot, waiting for further instructions for the mission they had at hand.
Eyes cast back to the sky as another Auror requesting backup fired red sparks from another area "What the bloody Hell is happening?" Moody stood on the ledge looking over several buildings witnessing several distress calls being cast from different parts of the city, shadows of people Apparating and Dissapparating sending a chill down his spine "This isn't right."
"Shouldn't we go help them?" Tonks inquired, her trainer taking a moment to think.
"This smells like a trap, something to lure Aurors to different parts of the city." Clenching his hand tighter around his staff, his eyes cast back to the ground, brows furrowing. It was far too greater of a coincidence to have distress calls being cast so suddenly when prior to them leaving for the scouting mission everything was rather quiet at the Ministry. His mechanical eye continued to scan finally taking note of several shadows making their way through the fog "Get out of there!"
Light illumined from within the epicenter of the smog, moving closer to the small group which appeared to be blind to the danger as they could barely see a couple of feet in front of them. It was the sound of the ball of fire traveling with great speed that alerted them of its location, two Protego spells leaving wands, Talia casting Bombarda Maxima back in the direction the attack came from.
A single moment of silence followed before what appeared to be Hell breaking lose followed. From another building one single figure appeared, hand pointing to the group on the ground. Placing the wand to his throat, the voice intensified tenfold, a single line resonating above the rain "Take Talia!"
Talbott did not waste a second, breaking the formation as he headed directly down the stairs, jumping over several of them in his leap to get to her side as soon as possible. He ignored the distress call Tonks sent out, he refused to heed Moody's curses as he barked orders for him to get back.
He would not let her be captured.
Back on the ground Finnemore managed to join back her team, spells flying left and right in hectic patterns, defenses barely keeping up with the avalanche of spells being thrown their way. From the building tops Moody and his remaining team tried to eliminate the ones from above, however it appeared they were dealing with the heads of a Hydra. For every enemy they managed to send to the ground, sparks dying on the tips of their wands, two more rose to take the place of their fallen comrade.
How could they not see them? How could they have fallen into such a trap?
"Alastor I need a path out!" Finnemore yelled as she tried to back her team out from under the heavy attack, an Incendio being cast within the fog, Talia and her locking eyes.
"I can lure them away, it's me they want." Both jumped to the sides as a Flippendo spell sent a garbage contained flying towards them.
"Out of the damn question!" Finnemore yelled, more sparks flying from her wand as one of the Aurors arrived to her right, defending her "This isn't on you."
Anger burned through Talia's core, far worse than the fire she was sending from her left hand, while in her right she gripped her wand, defensive spells being cast. They wanted her dead, there was no way around it, there was no other way, at least not one she could see clearly at that given moment. And then a familiar sound alerted her up above, her eyes taking in Talbott's Animagus form as he struggled to fly due to the rain and wind. He let out another sound craning his head to the right, Talia immediately alerting her team "Come, we have a way out."
Protest left the mouths of the two Aurors accompanying her in an instant, frustration clear since they did not need a recruit in training calling the shots in such a dangerous situation. Looking back up at the sky, Talia pulled one of them by the shirt, him stumbling on his feet "What do you think you're doing?"
"Move it, we can argue later!" pushing him between the buildings, they finally set in motion when noticing the help from above.
Talbott tried his best to maneuver them through the least dangerous areas he could calculate finally joining them once they were out of trouble and into the busy streets alongside Muggles. Finnemore squinted her eyes at him, however did not utter anything apart from a quiet thank you and his heart sank then took a painful dive "We need to get you to a safe house."
"No." the protest left Talia's lips in an instant as they took shelter under a building's ledge.
"I wasn't asking, now was I?" turning to her other colleagues she immediately ordered them to go ensure Moody and his team made it out safely, however she had a hunch they did as the majority of the enemies' efforts were concentrated on them.
As she turned back around to the pair remaining with her, she witnessed them sharing a moment she did not really understood much of since they were not talking by using words. There was a tension in Talbott's body that traveled all the way to his expression as well, fear paling him, reflecting off his gaze.
Yet his hand still held hers as if it grounded him to something steady, something real.
As for Talia, her eyes were clear as a summer's day, looking over him, making sure he was alright and unharmed, yet the arch of her brows was harsh, fine lines between them betraying worry. She was panting, trying to regain a normal breathing pattern, however she was shaking, not shivering from having the clothes wet on her back, but shaking for different reasons, ones Finnemore did not have time to dwell on too much.
Across the street from them Moody and Tonks were making their way towards them, his glare set on only one person in particular. Letting go of Talia's hand, Talbott took a step forward ready to face the consequences of his actions and his wrath "I should feed you to the bloody dogs Winger for breaking rank like you just did." His staff came close to his face, him not even blinking once while behind Moody, Tonks was looking rather distressed.
"Alastor, we don't have time to argue amongst ourselves, we need to get her to safety and then join the other fights." Finnemore stepped in, a hand being placed between the two men.
"I already sent your men and mine." His manic eyes took Talia in "Well what do you have to say for yourself?"
"Excuse you?" she sneered, as if he had just set something off in her "I don't want to hide, I came back to fight, but I'm not dragging anyone down with me just so we're clear."
Scoffing, the mechanical eyes rolled in its socket "You can't have the best of both worlds, when you get close to people, they tend to answer with the same feelings and won't let you fight alone." He witnessed her eyes widening before she balled her hands to tight fists "But if you want to fight, you will get to fight. Now let's get moving, we're going through Diagon alley so we can hide you at the Ministry for now. There's too much going on around town and they want to divide and conquer from the looks of it."
It was a familiar concept, one they have witnessed at the training camp, one that many decided to use.
Yet as they made their way towards Diagon alley they could not help the feeling of being watched. Not knowing who the enemy was due to a shape shifting potion made paranoia linger in their guts. They were frantically checking everyone that passed and dared to look their way. Everyone was a suspect.
Wands at the ready, Talia's palms burning hot and ready to launch an attack, Moody's mechanical eye scanning everything from people to buildings all while the sky dimmed back to dark grey, no longer having lights cast upon it, calling for help around the city which meant only two things, one of the good side and the other on the opposite side of the spectrum.
And Talia felt the pressure, not weighing down on her, but almost crushing her resolve. They would and could get hurt because of her, they were there, helping her and she hated every bit of what that feeling had to offer. Her mind was ragging at her, the savage part of her persona wishing to just cast a spell in order to immobilize the group and then just head into the danger all on her own.
She had no guarantee she could win, she had no knowledge of where they stood or hid, apart from the fact that if she got caught it would mean death. If the people she now held close would be caught they would serve the same fate. And for what? For a Crane?
She felt as helpless as she did when she was younger, Snape and Dumbledore ensuring she was kept out of sight while still being offered an education. Always in the dark, always hidden away.
Upon entering Diagon alley she just froze on the spot, people passing her without a second thought. It was her fight, her fault, not theirs.
Yet how could she run now? Without him there was no looking ahead, heart breaking inside her chest at the very thought of it. If back when they were at Hogwarts there was a chance for her to actually go through with it, now there was no possible way she could phantom a life without Talbott by her side.
Alongside that man that she had grown to know so be so gentle and sweet, yet so fierce in his passion. So shy and insecure, yet someone strong enough to hold her in his arms. All his broken pieces found their way next to hers and just like that she needed him near her.
A hand on her shoulder made her refocus, Tonks's big cheesy grin stealing a ghost of a smile from her lips "You alright?"
"Yes." Was all she could come up. Not like she could actually voice out her concerns, not without getting a scolding from Moody and Finnemore, gathering even more attention her way. So she allowed for Tonks to link her arm with hers, letting her chat away about how she was amazed they managed to escape from under such heavy fire.
Talbott did not look back at them, but flinched slightly when Finnemore's sharp eyes glanced over at him. A suspicion was enough, if she wanted to dig and force him into a corner, she had the skills to fish out the truth and land him in Azkaban for not registering. It was like a double-bladed sword. It served its purpose and allowed him to live, yet one wrong move and what was started could be finished or he could end up spending the rest of his years rotting away in a damp cell, never to see the light of day.
And panic set into his core, questions lingering inside his mind. How would they treat him knowing he is an Animagus? Do they have special cells? Would they break his arms in order to ensure he could never fly again?
Daring to look over his shoulder, he ran a hand through his wet bangs in an attempt to push them away from his face. And there she was, lifting her eyes to meet his, a smile lingering on her lips a second longer than needed, but it was the extra second his soul needed. The one that ensured she was there, the one that assured him she was sticking around for what they have.
And he was thankful for that each moment of the day and night.
Turning back, Moody walked ahead, leading the small group, his steps slowing down as he looked around at the people they were passing. Stares of strangers lingered on them, heads turning to look back. Talbott tensed taking in the aery atmosphere, his hair standing on end.
He did not get a chance to yell out a command, multiple wands being drawn from robes, all attacking. He managed to repel the first blast hurling towards them, Finnemore needing to dodge as she threw herself on the slippery wet pavement when the chaos began, quickly jumping back on her feet before anyone could take advantage of it.
Fire illuminated the buildings surrounding them, embers reflecting in the glass of multiple stores, Talia bringing Hell within the group. Tonks and Talbott taking her sides ensuring protection, both casting spells faster than anyone has ever witnessed them do.
Left and right panic set in the passing pedestrians, all hurrying to run to safety, somewhere in the distance another fight breaking out, however it was not near as close as they have wished for it to be. Finnemore hit the ground, her voice breaking out under the Crucio curse, Moody swinging his staff left and right in an attempt of minimizing the damage being thrown her way and his.
They were getting divided.
They were breaking them apart.
Tonks's body was flung through a nearby store window, the glass shattering sending chills down their spines.
It was the opening they needed.
Talia's vision darkened, air leaving her lungs in a huff as a spell hit her square in the chest, her body sliding on the wet ground. She gasped, closing her eyes in pain, suddenly her mind not being able to focus on the events happening around her, sounds appearing to dim, her ears favoring the constant ringing burning through them.
It felt as if everything was trying to revert within her, eyes swinging open at the memory of her father standing above her with a blade in his hands. She scurried to her feet, a scream leaving her mouth as fire encompassed her vision, flames being sent out to protect.
Memories lit up inside her mind, straining every fiber she possessed.
"All I know is how to fight Talbott, burn everything to cinders." Tonks was back beside him, hurt but still going strong, both of them fighting to the extend of their abilities, fury burning in their eyes. Protect, it was what she wanted to do, ensure no one hurt them.
"Yet here you are, hindering my dark resolve." It would have been so easy to do things her way, as always done, yet that was a luxury she could not afford anymore.
As the group was being broken apart to different areas, Talia swung around kicking someone directly in the face sending them back. From behind her Finnemore attacked before Talia was hit in the back, her turning to cast Incendio at another wizard.
"I won't let a flame hurt you."
It felt as if her muscles were tearing bit by bit as spells flew from her hands, mind digging in its arsenal. A blast hit Talbott and Tonks, Moody quickly picking her up, Talia rushing to Talbott's side "I'm fine." He groaned as he wobbled back to a standing position, her offering his a brief smile.
The pair barely had time to turn their heads, Karol Apparating in front of them "Missed me?" taking hold of them was enough to launch them in another part of Diagon Alley, right at the entrance with Knockturn alley where they were separated, several hands quickly forcing them into submission.
Talia's vision blurred, tears springing to life as a few punches landed in her nose, pain radiating through her skull. She heard Talbott yell something out yet she could not really make sense what it was, a painfilled groan escaping his mouth the following moment.
She felt something hit her leg, making her cry out in pain as she was forced to her knees, strong fingers pulling her head back by the hair, a slap against her face brining her back to the reality of the moment "Don't go just yet, I need you to see this." Karol dangled a blade in front of her face, her eyes widening in shock.
Stepping from her view, her eyes searched for Talbott, ignoring all the faces staring at her. Blood painted the right side of his face, pain contorting his features like she had never seen before "You don't need to hurt him."
"True, but then again I never missed a target." Karol stood a few feet away from him, eyes set in pure concentration, a look Talia had seen before in him. Even back at the camp, he was the best one out of all of them when it came to knife throwing "What do you think, can I pierce his heart in one go?"
Her eyes darkened, heat already rising on the surface of her skin, words leaving her mouth slowly as she glared directly at him "I'll kill you." Another punch landed in her stomach in an attempt to silence her and prevent her fire from escaping.
"Probably, but it doesn't matter anymore." A single chin wag ensured Talbott was properly being kept in place "Let's finish this quick."
"It's alright Talia, look at me." Talbott uttered fast, however she just shook her head, refusing to look at him until she was forced once more, the pain surfacing as her hair was pulled on. His eyes were wide in panic, yet he still looked only at her "Don't." he softly spoke as her eyes filled up with tears.
"One." Karol began the countdown, Talia taking a breath in as Talbott broke eye contact looking directly at the man ready to kill him, another punch subduing him from struggling any further.
Inside Talia's mind only one word formed clearly, above all else, above her desire to scream, the spell Sectumsempra being whispered, the first pair of hands losing their grip. Karol glanced over seeing her rise on one knee, pushing herself up as fire erupted from her palms and he smirked, nodding once.
Two of his men took the hit Talia threw at him, her getting up to make a sprint towards Talbott.
A few seconds, her sheltering him, hands burning his captors forcing them to let go.
A moment, a single one, a gasp tumbling from her lips.
Talbott reached for her wand, it submitting to him fully as he launched a spell towards Karol sending him flying back before red sparks erupted above their heads "Are you hurt?" he asked in between defending and casting attacks.
"Nothing major." She hissed through her teeth as she reached and extracted the blade that hit her throwing it, managing to hit someone in the leg.
From the way they came in several spells were cast which belonged to Snape, him being backed up by two Aurors who had already answered the call "Run, go!"
It was all they needed to hear, Talbott kneeling to retrieve his stolen wand, pulling on Talia's hand in order to make a run for it. Their eyes locked and she shook her head looking as if she was having a hard time managing to focus. Yet he knew very well there was no way he could stay there and inspect her.
Time, he needed a bit of time in order to run.
"Come on, we need to get somewhere safe." Wrapping his hand around her waist he pulled her alongside him, questions leaving his lips, him understanding Karol's dagger hit her, her words coming out slurred when he stopped, wide eyes frantically checking the stab wound.
"Go." A trembled exhale leaving her lips, however he quickly deemed it to be due to the use of magic that drained her since it was performed without the use of her wand.
Gripping her waist tighter, securing once more the arm draped around his neck, he continued pulling his partner through narrow slippery stone cobbled allies, ignoring the hot liquid travelling down the arm that was quickly becoming the only support system "Come on Talia, a bit further."
He was still in fight mode, still checking everywhere for enemies, for any sounds that could be heard above the heavy rain crashing against them.
As his grip loosened and she crashed on the pavement below his feet, panic started setting inside his chest.
"I can't." the dagger hit her scapula, digging into muscle only, he checked, he double checked right then and there in the pouring rain, shaky fingers brushing aside the soaked fabric clutching her back, crimson liquid sticking to caramel colored skin however that did not hinder him "Go Talbott, please." her situation did, the willingness to be left behind when such a task could not be performed.
Checking his surroundings once more he had not even realized night came down and engulfed the city until that very moment. With how the weather had been lately it felt as if darkness was always upon them.
Pulling Talia back on her feet, she barely had any energy left, limbs struggling to hold onto him, legs shaking as if the sheer weight of her body was suddenly too much to bear "I'm not leaving you here."
No use, there was no use, his strength was not enough to hold her up despite the frame being smaller than his, body weighing less. Coiling his fists into her clothes, he made a second attempt, a wretched sound caused only by pain escaping from between trembling lips "I'm slowing you down Talbott." Looking over his shoulder, no one lurked in the shadows ready to make a second attempt at their lives.
However there was no use, she was not able to continue, there was no will left in her body to fight and move not even a muscle. And then, as he held her like that under the pouring rain, the idea struck him with how weak she was becoming in such a short amount of time. The blade was surely poisoned, it was the only valid explanation.
But why? His head screamed that question over and over again. Just in case Karol missed his heart and did not kill him on the spot?
Then another one quickly followed? Why weren't more ready to step in and stop her from saving him?
Unless…he was not the actual intended target.
But it did not make any sense, they needed her for the ritual. Was it just vengeance? Karol getting back at her for whatever reasons be possessed inside that twisted mind of his?
Cradling her in his arms could not fix it, yet he wanted to show her he was there, that he was not going to leave her alone in the cold, dark, smelly back ends of the Knockturn alley. The sounds of fighting followed by Snape's incantation calmed his nerves, help was near, it meant they could save her. They would soon reach a dry room, dispose of the soaked garments that were now beginning to hinder, stand in front of a fireplace in order to get warm. It would be alright, soon it would all be a bad memory.
He had to force himself to believe that. One of the Aurors or even Snape himself should have on them a potion fit for such an occasion. They would be able to save her so they could continue to fight, to be together and win against Constantine Crane and his band of goons.
Lifting her hand was visibly painful, him catching her wrist in a gentle hold, leading a cold hand to his cheek "Don't be upset dear" eyes widened for she had never used such sweet words to express herself, the sound of them tightening his chest to the point it hurt even more "I already outlived my destiny once." This was goodbye, the last of her breaths being used on him.
"Shhh" his arms cradled her closer to his chest "no more talking, you can tell me all of this once you are better." Her arm held no more power as it just dropped with a small thud on her lap, every fiber of her body feeling like she had been set on fire.
"Don't lie to me, I know" a coughing fit forced her muscles, the strain draining what little energy she had to begin with. Blood stained her teeth, the color discernible even in the poor lit alley "don't be mad please." Her words reached him, yet barely registered as he was trying not to break apart right there with her in his arms "Don't punish yourself." He had to be the strong one, he needed to reassure her, not take his eyes off her. He needed to smile, yet his lips wouldn't curve that way.
Instead his eyes stung, chest beginning to heave, head shaking from left to right "No, no, no ple..."
His muscles shook with the tension inside his body as he begged inside his loud mind, right there on his knees in the cold, through the dirt. He would sacrifice it all, anything he had, everything he was.
The memory of his parents invaded him rapidly, how he yelled at the top of his lungs, tears streaming down his face. How he promised he would be good, not run around the house, help more in the garden, read more book, anything his mind could come up with, he promised anything he could think of, only to have them open their eyes.
He learned his lesson, he promised he did.
He was going to be a good boy from there on out.
"Please!" his voice broke through the heavy fabric of the night.
As her chest stopped expanding, eyes closing to never open once more, he clutched at her harder, fingers tangling in soaked locks. The rain didn't bother him, the cold stopped registering, sounds dimming as his own heartbeat rang in his ears like war drums, making his unusual heightened senses deaf for once.
It felt like being underwater, drowning once more into the same relentless darkness, eyes shut so tight until all he could see were phosphenes blurring his already perturbed vision. Opening his mouth not a cry was let out, but a ragging sound from all the pain, the deafening sound echoing in the night, shattering the constant rumble of the rain. It emanated from the darkest corners he possessed, usual composure shattering savagely.
"Mister Winger." However the voice did not register above the turmoil his soul was throwing back "Mister Winger."
Talbott cradled her closer to his chest, sobs breaking throughout the night air, him trying to make himself as small as possible, curl onto himself with Talia and just have everything end. It shook his body with tremendous force as he rocked both of them back and forth in a slow motion. The action did not even register itself as being performed, he just did it subconsciously, trying to ease the pain inside his troubled heart and mind.
Moody did not utter his name a third time, allowing his pupil a few moments to grieve, the scene playing out before him all too familiar and raw.
The sounds of battle dimmed, soon only the rain hitting against the earth being the only thing that could be heard.
Not even Talbott's hectic breathing could be identified as he reverted back within his own horror, silently weeping, trembling hands just holding her. Lifting his head, he inhaled sharply, the action sending a tremble through his chest as he sniffed his nose "I am so sorry." He chocked on his words, coughing violently as he still tried to apologize to her, to speak, to breath, to talk, to cry, all at once.
That was when Moody decided he could no longer stand to see him doing that to himself, a hand being extended to grip his shoulder, Talbott recoiling at the touch "Come on Winger, we can't stay here." At the sound of rapid footsteps approaching, Moody turned around ready to attack, only to cease in his attempt when he saw Snape.
Their eyes locked, him just shaking his head, everything reflecting on his face and he knew, he just knew.
He approached slowly, eyes widening as he took in the sight before him, lungs letting out a sharp exhale.
Crashing on his knees near Talia and Talbott he found his hands shaking as he extended them out to them, weakness his mind could not bear. Grinding his teeth, he shoved Talbott, practically prying Talia away from his embrace.
"Don't you touch her!" he yelled out, only to be pulled on his feet by Moody, forced to sit back and allow for Snape to pick up her body in his arms. Just like a child would, Talbott turned to look at Moody with such a sincere expression, as if he could not understand what was going to happen and what was the next step that needed to be taken.
"Come." He gripped his shoulder in a reassuring manner as he guided them to the back entrance of Flourish and Blotts, opening the door with the use of his wand, entering first to ensure no one was hiding in there before calling them in.
Between the books masking the walls alongside several tall bookcases, Moody pushed away the items set on the massive wooden table, Snape placing Talia on it slowly.
It was suddenly so quiet inside the cluttered room, the sound of the rain not registering behind the closed door.
Snape checked Talia's pulse fingers patiently waiting as they pressed against her neck and wrist. Shutting his eyes, he took a deep breath, pushing his ear against her chest, listening to her heart for any sounds it might have been willing to make, yet all he was met with was silence.
Nothing but desolated silence.
As for Talbott, he just stood there, rarely blinking as he watched the scene taking place before his eyes, however his mind lurked somewhere else. He could vividly envision for the first time in what appeared to be forever, his childhood home. Images swam freely at the back of his mind, details digging deep within him.
He would climb the fence in order to always wave when neighbors would pass on the road in front of the house, his small hands gripping the wooden boards that his father would paint each summer. He could see the small arm chairs on the front porch, his father always sitting outside for coffee when the weather was kind, coffee in one hand, newspaper in another, eyes scanning all the columns that interested him. Talbott of course always received the page that had his father's most recent poems, but also the one containing games for children.
He would run to his mother, who would be either in the garden tending to her various plants or in the living room, making various pictures out of pressed flowers, several of them already hanging on the walls of the home. She would always smile, lifting her eyes to look at him as he happily showed her how he connected the dots to the latest game and what picture he made.
The sound of pitter patter on the floorboards would ring inside the house when he would run upstairs having finished his morning routine, heading directly to his father's study where he would take his notebook from the desk drawer and sit there like an adult writing his own words on paper.
The smell inside the study was always stuffy no matter how many times the room was aired out, however Talbott loved the smell of old books and ink.
Blinking a few time, the tears in his eyes scattered as a very familiar scene played out in the present. Snape was running out of breath as he tried to perform chest compression on Talia, Moody eventually putting a stop to it "Enough." His voice resonated inside the room "Let her be Severus, she's dead, there's no bringing her back no matter what you do now." His eyes travelled to Talbott, a sigh leaving his chest "I'm leaving him here, try not to kill him before I come back."
Running his hands through his hair, Snape shut his eyes tight once Moody was out of sight, his mouth opening, however no sounds came out as he pressed his forehead to her chest, first coiling in her wet clothes.
She was only five when he rescued her, so small and fragile, shaking in his arms as he hid her under an invisibility cloak. There was so much blood, so much pain, many days him barely managing to deal with her. The cried, the infections, the bandages needing to be changed every few hours. He had always regretted how he yelled at her to stop crying, to endure, that he was doing all that he could and she was not even his child.
But perhaps if he ever were to have one, she would have represented Talia. A child with bright fiery hair and clear eyes. Someone smart and tough.
Strong, so, so strong.
"What have you done?" he whispered, trembling hand caressing her hair. The hair that he learned how to brain and pull up in a pony tail before she ever could, that he cut and failed so many times, in the end deciding she was better off leaving it long instead of looking like she put her head through a woodchipper "Talia." his voice trembled as her name left his lips, feeling like he was going mad.
If she considered him more of a father than her own had ever been, he looked at her as if she was his daughter and at that very moment, he had lost his child. The one he raised when he could barely handle himself and what he was feeling.
He knew pain like the back of his hand, however anger was a far more powerful tool.
Coiling his hands into fists, he launched the first hit against her chest, then another, and another "Breathe! Wake up!" however the only force that jolted her body was what he was inflicting.
"Stop it." Talbott whispered softly as if his own voice did not hold enough force "Stop that." His ears could not bear the sound of his fists pounding on her chest, how it forced her body to move, hand eventually sliding from the table and just dangling.
Lifeless.
"Stop!" his voice finally broke lose, Snape almost letting out a growl from between his teeth.
"Don't you dare speak to me." Reaching inside a pocket, he pulled out a handkerchief, whispering out the last sentence "It should have been you."
After finishing in wiping the blood that was left unwashed from her face by the rain, he turned to Talbott who had not moved from his spot as he remained rooted in his own horror and turmoil. He did not even attempt to defend himself when Snape coiled his fist in his clothes, pushing him against a book case, wand out and in his face "I told you to run!" he yelled as several books came tumbling to the floor "I told you she would die because of you! You've taken her from me, you ruined everything with your childish dreams of love and hope!"
Images of finding Lily's lifeless body after Voldermort's attack appeared to burn through his retina, as if he was reliving that very moment, only that now Talia's body was also there. And he could not, Snape could not hold both of them in his arms, could not cradle them in his embrace, could not save them, either of them.
Once more everything went against him, life stealing another important person right from under his nose.
"You're a failure!"
Yes, thought Talbott, yes. He was agreeing inside his mind with every harsh word leaving his former professor's mouth. It was all his fault, the idea of it bringing tears back to life inside his eyes, shame tightening his chest to the point he felt like he could not breathe a normal breath ever again.
She jumped in front of him, she saved him, once more going against odds and people who should never be faced.
"Say something!" Snape shook him out of his head, however Talbott just dipped his chin, remaining silent "I see, she has chosen nothing but a weak child, I'm disgusted just looking at you."
Cognac colored eyes reverted back to his face, fury now burning bright within his orbs. He would not let Snape drag through the dirt all they had and twist his memory of her. He knew well enough why he wanted to pursue the career of Auror, for his family and now the very idea was cemented even further, for Talia.
For that bright-eyed girl that invaded his space and did not know how to back down. For what they had, for all the memories.
The memories.
He would have to go back to their home at one point. He would have to live with another regret for years to come, let it decimate his entire persona as pictures of better days would stare back at him, a constant reminder of what he had and also what he lost.
Talia Hayes, the woman he had grown to love.
And that felt like another punch to the gut as he had yet to voice out his feelings, he had not told her how he truly felt in all those nights he held her close, always thinking that she knew, that his actions were more than enough and spoke louder than any words he could muster to form.
Always thinking he would have time.
Time…
Pushing Snape away from him, creating distance Talbott snapped back "I won't let you drag through the dirt the memories that we shared." Taking out his wand his eyes appeared dangerous "I won't allow for you to take that from me."
"Take away?" Snape laughed, mocking him further "No, that would be mercy. You should live to regret everything." He saw the hesitate and hurt in his eyes, yet he could not stop, did not wish to do so "Now you want to honor her? When it's too late?" lifting his wand so that it was pointing to Talbott's chest it started glowing with the incantation leaving Snape's mouth "Avada…"