Bursting through the office doors, he already felt out of breath, chest heaving, all his power being poured into one word "Talia!" as he practically screamed out her name.

"Tal…" she did not get to finish uttering his name, the flames subsiding, connection breaking.

How?

How could he have been so caught up in his own thoughts that he missed the obvious message staring him right in the face for weeks? As if he did not know her, missed the point entirely with how the world worked and what has truly happening. He knew, he knew by heart how she was resourceful, yet he somehow did not notice the signs that were there, practically screaming in his face.

He made it all about himself.

Lamenting over New Years, giving the events far greater focus than they deserved, turning over each action inside his mind, overthinking, yet after months of grinding everything down he was still uncertain as to why he did what he did.

He firstly blamed it on the easiest thing possible, the alcohol. He had more than he could handle, Penny certainly did as well, there was nothing more to it. Then he pointed fingers at the fact that perhaps the uncertainty surrounding him and Talia, being alone for a year, that had to contribute to something. Loneliness has always had an odd way of taking hold of someone. That night Penny appeared as a safe thing, she was there, in person, in front of him.

But to go as far as to lose so much of himself in the process? He would never forgive himself for it.

As he arrived in Hogsmeade that day with Finnemore alongside him, it was already agreed that he would be the one going to speak with Dumbledore as she wanted no part in that. He had no trouble taking on that task, especially since he had learned quite early on that she does whatever she wants and there would be no possible way to change her mind once she was set on being stubborn. He was however curious to know why she refused to interact with Dumbledore, but he made a scarce mental note to touch on the subject some other time.

Talbott most definitely did not need another thing weighing him down.

"You sure you got this yeah?" Finnemore gestured towards her colleague, Talbott just providing her a curt nod, not even bothering to look her way. Cocking a thin brow, she bit back a chuckle "Are you certain?"

"Already agreed to it didn't I?" he saw her make a face through the corner of his eye, however he payed it no mind "You go check the tower, I will speak with Dumbledore, then we will return to write a report that will state we wasted time on a trip for nothing." Which was not far from the truth. If he was behind his escape, for whatever reasons he might have held, there was no way anyone could get any proper information out of him.

And frankly, there were other issues, far more pressing matters than Sirius Black. Reports were coming in, whispers in the city that people are gathering, dark cloaks and hushed discussions, however whenever they followed up it seemed they were chasing smoke. However Talbott knew, he knew it was only a matter of time until everything would crumble.

Splitting up from Finnemore, he ignored the students making way for him to pass through the corridors he knew by heart, payed no mind to their hushed questions as they looked at his badge and hard stare as he made his way towards the headmaster's office, announcing his presence through one single knock.

Pushing the door open, he scouted the room, Dumbledore nowhere in sight. The portraits stirred, eyes lingering on Talbott's form as he approached the desk, analyzing the items on it. Reports, student grades, letters, all waited for his attention, however one handwriting stuck out from the rest, one Talbott knew by heart. It appeared Talia kept in touch with him as well, more than likely with Snape too.

Picking up the letter on the desk, it was just as cryptic as the last ones received, line after line, none expanding more than the page allowed, it was short, her not even signing her name anymore and apparently Dumbledore needed a cooking recipe which Talbott found odd.

Placing it back, Talbott pulled out the letter that resided inside his pocket, giving it another one over.

"Darling

Eager to hear about everything you have been up to lately.

Answers are hard to come by these days.

Truly troublesome.

However, I know how stubborn you can be.

Everything is alright here.

And as busy as ever which is good.

Tired of the manual labor, but it is rewarding.

Evenings are spent with friends around the fire.

Recalling stories from the past.

Such mundane things, but also darker times.

I don't know.

Not my cup of tea, stories I mean.

Resting comes hard, more than ever.

Oh what I wouldn't give for a moment of clarity."

Sighing, he tried to focus, she was saying nothing, absolutely nothing inside her letters, however something changed. And it was not because he was inconsistent, no, the same format resided in the letter towards Dumbledore. There had to be more.

Closing his eyes, he inhaled slowly, opening them back up, staring at the piece of paper in his hand.

His jaw suddenly locked painfully tight, as he held his breath, hands shaking. It took everything inside of him not to yell out, however his mind raged as he silently berated himself, letter falling to the ground. Muscles tensed as he managed to grip the edges of the desk in order to steady himself, mouth opening, a violent curse tumbling from between his lips.

He had been so caught up with silly things now that he thought about it, so insignificant, all while Talia was trying to tell him something, to warn him, first letter in each sentence telling him exactly what was happening "Death Eaters in Ro."

His head spun as he took another glance at the letter directed to the head master, trying to make out the hidden meaning behind the cooking recipe. It told him the exact date and time, last line telling him the location for their meeting "Everything needs to be cooked over an open fire. I recommend the fireplace in Severus's office."

It felt as if his body was on autopilot, his mind screaming at him as he ran after checking the clock. If the fates were kind he might actually still manage to speak with her. He might get more information, force himself to work properly and not be the excuse of a man he had been lately. He promised himself right then and there as he almost fell down an entire flight of stairs that he would never lose sight of what is important ever again.

He would not make such a mistake, could not.

His mind was not racing, it was screeching loudly, as if nails were clawing at his already fragile nerves, everything raw, dark and messy he had ever tried to hide, trying to come out.

So many moments when he did not keep his promises, so much time spent apart instead of taking a chance and when he finally managed to have the guts to go to Romania, he had made such a fool of himself. He ended it, he fucking ended it only to retrace his steps and still string her along. And then Penny.

As his hand turned the handle, slamming the door open and witnessed the image of Talia fading out, his mind spiraled further out of control. He abandoned her, he sent her away because he could not go through losing her again. He admitted it to her, he replayed it again in his mind, he was truly selfish.

He saw Dumbledore's lips moving however nothing registered inside his brain, the only thing he could hear were the wild heart beats, hammering against his core like war drums. War was near, so very real and near. A hand guided him to sit down, Talbott's face draining of color as he just stared at nothing in particular.

Taking in a shuddered breath, he chocked, coughing violently until tears pricked his eyes.

"Get ahold of yourself Winger." Snape's cold voice bounced off the walls "You are pathetic."

Raising his eyes, cold fury burned inside Talbott's eyes, him getting up slowly, inhaling sharply. His muscles relaxed, him slowly schooling his face in that cold mask everyone knew "There are Death Eaters in Romania, however I presume you already know." He swallowed, forcing his body to cooperate properly and ignore the burning thoughts threatening to emerge. He needed to be the soldier he promised to be. He had a duty to perform.

Dumbledore nodded, eyes shifting back to the fire place used to communicate with Talia "That's right Talbott, Romania might no longer be safe. They have yet to infiltrate the Sanctuary, however Talia has been travelling in an attempt to gather more intelligence. Felix Rosier has already received several invitations to join them."

Of course he has, Talbott thought, however the only thing that betrayed his dislike and emotions were a subtle eyebrow twitch as he placed his hands behind his back straightening fully "What about Talia, is she to return?"

Snape went ahead in answering that, taking a step towards Talbott, eyes locked with his "No, she is safer at the Sanctuary." Squinting his eyes slightly he added though his teeth "Which is about the only good thing you managed to do lately." Talbott's eyes sharpened at the corners, however apart from that he remained silent "Weasley will also be our eyes and ears until she manages to return."

"Anything else I should be made aware of?" Talbott glanced over at Dumbledore, refusing to further look at Snape. Pacing the small office, he took some time to consider his option, Talbott being thankful for the moment of silence inside the room. It gave him time to attempt taming the swirling thoughts.

If Talia had contacted them it meant she had left the safety of the Sanctuary for quite some time. She was tracking down Death Eaters, if that was the only thing she was up to, however Talbott knew better she was never the type to sit hiding in the shadows. Blinking slowly, he tried to recall those few seconds he had seen her in the flames. Was she hurt? Was she on full alert?

Nothing, he could not recall any details.

"We need to prepare" Dumbledore spoke "comb through all the events, gather information." He turned to address Snape specifically "I believe Talia would be better off here Severus, where she won't be alone. Where help will be granted."

"She is just fine where she is. If she chooses however to join us here" his eyes lingered on Talbott for a moment before focusing back on the headmaster "there is not much I can do to stop her. Now if you'll excuse me." Silent steps followed as he exited the office, Talbott turning to Dumbledore.

"Now, about Sirius Black."

Last time he had been at Hogwarts, feelings of a different nature surfaced. At that time he was certain nothing could hinder him, nothing could take her away from him. However he never took himself in account.

Never again will he go back on his word. Never again will he break a promise. Something vicious inside of him snapped, darkness pouring onto every crevasse of his soul, filling it to the brim.

He would be the perfect soldier. He will fight for the world he wanted so see. For peace. For a shot at redemption.

Casting his eyes at the Black Lake, he yelled at the top of his lungs "You hear me Talia?! Do you fucking hear me?" his hands turned to fists at his side as he clenched his jaw, one last lost thought erupting inside his mind "I promise you, for you."