As many winters before, the one marking the entry into year 1994 had been just as harsh as the ones from past years. It wasn't until March that the sun had the proper strength to shine, passage ways and paths clearing come April, the men returning to the Dragon Sanctuary, full staff alert and as busy as ever.
Packages and letters resumed their normal schedule, Talia picking up conversations with everyone, even Talbott, despite him appearing rather distracted, as if not being able to form a proper thought and keep it. While she chucked it aside as him being busy and just overwhelmed more than likely with the distance, a nagging voice inside her head still pestered her. She did ask Tonks about it, however all she received back in regards to it was a line mentioning "You'd better ask him yourself Talia." Thoughts by the dozen forming.
However she knew how difficult it was to get anything out of him if he did not wish to talk about it.
Time was the key and she knew it, but she was also planning on taking advantage of it.
Charlie has been talking her ear off about the Quidditch World Cup that was supposed to take place in August and while Talia had never truly been a fan of the sport, she did not dislike it either. Somehow the idea of being in that roaring crowd, in the middle of that chaos, cheering her lungs out appealed to her. It would more than likely take a few things off her chest.
"Maybe I should buy myself a ticket." She casually mentioned to him one morning over coffee. As she looked his way, Talia tried her hardest not to laugh as his bewildered expression "What?"
Setting the cup on the table, he just chuckled "Nothing, I just didn't expect for you to actually return this year." Winking at her, he grinned from ear to ear "Proud of you."
Raising her cup as a form of toast, she took a sip, eyes taking in the scenery as she fiddled with her hair "I did think about it over and over again. I left not because I wanted to, but because I agreed, like the fool that I am, to submit to Talbott." Clicking her tongue, she frowned slightly "It was a mistake, I should not be driven out of my home country by a man. Especially me." Slapping her forehead, Talia sighed loudly "Merlin, I was stupid."
Charlie reached out to pat her head, Talia slapping his hand away "What did he do now?"
"That's just the thing, I don't know, but he's being inconsistent." Rolling her eyes, she slumped in her chair "I don't know why I am expecting something else at this point. It's been a rough year and I don't plan on letting him get the best of me this time around."
"You already are." He poked her sides causing her to jump, spilling a bit of coffee. As Talia yelled obscenities his way, Felix passed them "Oi mate, join us for coffee."
"Bugger off would you?" He snapped, continuing his fast pace towards his tent, causing both Talia and Charlie to go silent as they watched him.
"Do you think he's still mad about the dragon dunk we placed in front of his tent last week?" Charlie snickered recalling the moment when Felix woke up and yelled at them for half an hour straight, face going red from lack of air.
"No" Talia's brows knitted together as she pushed herself up "something is bothering him. He's been like this for a while. I'll talk to him." Entering her tent, she poured an extra cup of coffee for Felix and made her way over to his own tent.
Listening in for a few moments, she could not distinguish something out of the ordinary, so she just made her presence known by just walking inside. Felix hastily turned her way, eyes wide and filled with panic, hand pushing the drawer to his desk closed "What is it?"
"Don't snap at me, I come baring gifts." She slowly approached with the coffee mug, eyes never leaving his face as she took note of how agitated he looked, as if ready to jump at any moment, as if expecting something to attack him. His hand trembled as he took the cup from her hand, Talia's eyes narrowing slightly.
"Thank you." He tasted it, making certain it was to his liking, however Talia already knew his preferences when it came down to coffee "How can I help?"
She continued to watch him, Felix's eyes widening when she extended a hand towards him, fingers brushing his cheek "What's going on Rosier, why are you so on edge?"
"It doesn't matter, it's nothing." Turning his head slightly, Talia lowered her hand to his neck, rapid pulse beating against her skin as he looked back at her.
"Judging by your dark circles and poor attitude this has been ongoing for at least two weeks. You can talk to me you know, trust me."
A ghost of a smile graced his lips as he took her hand, placing a kiss against her pale skin "Thank you, however I do not want to burden you."
"Try me." She nudged, Felix sighing in defeat.
Placing the cup down, he provided her his full attention "May I?" he asked, pushing the sleeve of her sweater a bit up her arm, Talia just nodding, despite being confused, Felix repeating the same action on her other hand, turning her forearms towards him and it hit her then, he was looking for a dark mark "What happened here?" he asked tracing his thumb across the scars left behind by Jasper's crop "Or is it a next question type of thing?"
Slowly retracting her arms, she shook her head "No, it's fine, a gift from the Auror training camp leader. He had an odd way of expressing himself, but then again I apparently attract men who like to see me bleed." His gaze shifted, mouth pressed in a thin line, not truly knowing what to say to her, especially since his eyes were lingering on the scars on her chest "Those too were a gift. Now tell me, why were you looking for dark marks on my arms?" her features hardened, nothing left from the worry previously exhibited, all traces of softness vanishing in an instant.
Taking a seat on his desk, he watched Talia as she pulled up the chair and just sat there waiting for the explanation to follow "Should I be worried by the fact that you picked up on that far too fast?"
"Yes." her voice dropped low "However this goes, is up to you."
She watched him tense under her glacier eyes, Felix shifting as he repositioned himself better "Just who are you Talia?"
"Nothing more than a dead woman walking. Now tell me what is going on Rosier, I won't ask again." Her eyes lit up for a few moments, warning he received loud and clear. However he was still calm in a sense, which was throwing her off. Inside her head, he was either guilty of something and proud of it, or innocent and looking how to best explain that.
He swallowed forcefully as she continued to pin him down with a single look. She appeared relaxed, at least that was what her pose was suggesting, however Felix had seen her push back one of the most dangerous breeds of dragons known to man. She was a force to be reckoned with and he held no knowledge when it came to her. If she was able to have those scars on her body and live to tell the tale, then he was more than likely facing a very resourceful and threatening woman.
"How much do you know about my family?"
Talia almost scoffed at that, not liking her demands being met with yet another question "Everything there is to know and is available to the public, renowned, powerful, rich, influential pure-blooded Death Eaters."
He bobbed his head once, brows drawing together for a moment "I see. Well Talia, it's due to that charming portrait you painted, much like others before you, that I left and came here." Her expression did not change as she continued to listen to him "I wanted no part, but it would seem I cannot escape the Rosier name and it's past."
Getting off the desk, he opened the drawer that he had closed in a hurry when she had walked inside the tent, retrieving from it some letters. As she took them, Felix took out a cigarette, placing it between her lips, Talia refusing his fire as she lit it up herself. All the letters were somewhat in the same format, dark mark etched onto the papers, sometimes followed by a few simple words, such as "join us" or "return to England".
Taking a deep drag, she exhaled slowly as she threw the letters on the desk, passing the cigarette to him "I see, they are trying to recruit you." A single nod being provided from Felix. Getting up from the chair, she went over to where he started pacing, taking a hold of his arm "Look at me."
"Why are you not at all surprised? This means you know who is coming back." Pulling his hand from her grasp, he ran it through his hair, not even the cigarette being able to calm his nerves "Are you a spy? Are you here to finish the job?"
"Get a grip!" her voice elevated suddenly "I was born from Death Eater parents and payed the ultimate price, do not dare point fingers at me." Exhaling slowly, she regained her composure "You are not your family, remember it well. You are your own person and that won't change. You get to chose who's side you're on alright?"
Confusion riddled his expression, Felix never having looked so distraught in his life, however Talia's words did register inside his head, different ideas forming "You are hiding, aren't you? That is why you are here." Shuddering at the realization, he began pacing once more as he connected the dots, thinking out loud "That is why Winger was ready to pummel me at a moment's notice, he is weary of me due to my family history. Auror?" he searched her face for the answer "Oh Merlin, what if" he covered his mouth, cigarette dropping from his hand "I compromised your position?"
Sighing, Talia crossed her hands over her chest "Don't flatter yourself Rosier, you aren't that important, just a pawn, a soldier, that's how you are viewed amongst their ranks." Walking over to him, she stomped the cigarette, extinguishing it under her boot "And don't you worry your pretty little head, I always have an escape plan. I need you to stay here, they won't risk coming inside the Sanctuary. I will speak with some people, get more information on what is going on."
"Are you mad, you cannot do this on your own." His hands came up her arms, gripping slightly, eyes pleading for her not to do something rash "Let me help you."
Talia smiled, palms resting against his chest "Oh Rosier, why would I when I trust no one but myself? You too will abandon me if I allow you near." Pushing him, she glared viciously "Sit your arse here and don't stand in my way."
Storming out of the tent, not even Charlie managed to stop her as Talia apparated. There were only a few people that could answer questions and tell her exactly what was happening back in England and they were hard to get in touch with, letters could always be intercepted. She had to think, chose moments and words carefully.
More importantly, she needed to find out if anyone had any knowledge of her being at the Sanctuary. Because if that was the case, England was out of the question as well as Romania. She needed a plan and fast before the danger circled her.
If she ever landed in the hands of Death Eaters they would not recruit her to their side, no, they would torture her in order to gain knowledge on the ritual and then kill her. And that was something Talia would not allow anymore.
The very memory of that made her skin and bones rage in pain, her mind not being able to block it out. She could not allow for anyone to capture her.
No matter the actions she had to perform in order to stay alive.