Scanning the windows adorned with different coloured fabrics and mannequins, Talbott's hardened stare softened a fraction knowing how much Andre had loved fashion and was always working himself to the bone in order to provide people he cared for the best outfits for events. Schooling his face back to the stone cold mask people got to see, his mind still found it odd that Andre had sent him an owl a couple of days prior, telling him to come in for another fit for his suit.
One thing was clear, despite him being very busy and always on high alert, he still had his wits about him and ordering a suit to be made, while not important, would have definitely not slipped his mind.
It meant Andre had something important to tell him, something that could not be related via letter, just in case it got intercepted. While Andre was not helping in any shape or form the Order of the Phoenix, Talbott still made him and Penny aware of what was going on so they could guard themselves.
Opening the door, the bell rang, Andre appearing shortly in his line of sight "Talbott, welcome, come on close that door, it's chilly out today." September had dispersed any signs of the late summer, rain and fog washing over England as if in tone with the darkness loaming over it once more.
"You wanted to see me?" unbuttoning his jacket, he noticed Andre glancing outside, as if searching for someone, his friend clearly on high alert. Something obviously had happened, Andre nodding before smiling way too big, inviting him inside as his eyes searched the racks for a shirt.
"Blue or grey? I wonder what would be best?"
"Black." Talbott answered, eyes circling the store. They were alone, however Andre was acting as if someone could hear them, or was watching their every move.
He allowed his friend to guide him towards a small podium, Andre taking a tape measurer, starting on his work. He could clearly see the tremble in his limbs, however he kept that fake smile plastered on his face, Talbott's muscles tensing as he tried to listen to everything around him in hopes of picking up anything out of place.
"I received a message." He finally spoke above a whisper "At first I thought nothing of it, but then I actually did some research and figured you might want to know about it." Talbott did not even look at him, eyes trained in front as Andre instructed him to spread out his arms, moving behind him "It was so weird, a format I have never seen before, the note being placed in my appointment book."
Talbott nodded, forcing a smile for appearance sake "Someone broke in."
"Yes." Andre admitted, a shiver travelling down his spine at the prospect of it "It held no traces of magic, me and Penny tried, but it did not have any." Talbott tried not to wince at that statement. They were already relying on Penny for several potions, she did not need anymore excitement on top of that. He instructed her to not make them at the shop, instead brew them at home as to not rise any suspicions. If one Death Eater walked in and noticed something out of the ordinary, there would be no saving her.
"So what did it say?" Talbott asked as Andre dotted down some measurements, walking over to the rack, picking out a dark coloured suit.
"Do you like this model?" he held it up, Talbott just providing him a curt nod "It had a code." He called Talbott over to some materials, running his hand over a black one "Specifically for this colour."
Resisting the urge to roll his eyes since Andre was making absolutely zero sense, Talbott tried to read between the lines "It looks cheap." He noted, pinching the fabric between his fingers, Andre wrinkling his nose.
"Some wizards can't afford to pay a fortune mate." He was digressing, Talbott levelling him with a glare "Right." With an apologetic look, he focused back on the material "The note contained the exact quantity ordered, sent to three addresses."
Walking back to the counter, Talbott followed, Andre busying himself with wrapping the shirt he chose "If I were to use that much material, I could make let's say at least around one hundred cloaks." His smile fainted, yet did not disappear as he held the shirt out for Talbott "That will be 30 galleons mate."
"Are you kidding me? For a shirt?" he blinked in surprise, hesitant in taking the bag before him.
"I got to make a living no? I'll let you know once the suit is ready. Go pick up a perfume as well." Swearing under his breath, Talbott took out his wallet paying for the shirt, leaving the store with as much a goodbye, despite Andre's enthusiastic waving.
Stepping inside the small store right next to his, different smells invaded him all at once, ranging from fresh, to all kinda of sweet, Talbott noticing the smell of cinnamon and freshly baked apples winning above the rest. Penny already decorated her shop for fall, colours of bottles from golden to soft browns adorning the shelves. Strings of fairy lights in shape of autumn leaves lit up the countless perfumes, bathing the shop in a surreal glow.
From behind a shelve, Penny emerged, her customer smile fading upon seeing Talbott, however she still greeted him regardless of the obvious tension filling up the room "Andre told me to buy a perfume, apparently he's determined to empty my pockets today."
"Are you looking for something in particular?"
Her eyes followed him as he went closer to scan the names on the bottles alongside the ingredients in each perfume "I don't know, something fresh perhaps?"
Stepping closer to him, she tried to assess where his eyes lingered, Penny picking up a small bottle with a more citrus perfume "These are best reserved for summer." Taking the lid off, she held it out for him to smell, Talbott frowning.
"Too sweet." Turning back to the bottles, refusing to meet her gaze, Talbott added "It needs to be subtle, yet strong enough that it lingers long after applying it." Picking up a random container, he rolled it around in his hand "Warm even."
"Oddly specific coming from you." Her eyes lingered on his face, noting something shinning in his eyes as he spoke of the scent he wanted bottled up "Any memories linked to it?" she caught it, that subtle shock showing in how his eyes widened slightly, Talbott placing the bottle back, running his fingers through his hair before lowering his hand.
"More like a ghost of a certain memory." Giving her a side glance, he decided to change the subject before it got too personal "How about you recommend me something."
Nodding, she went out back to pick out a scent for him, Talbott lingering around the shop, eyes focused on the street, noting each passing person, all oblivious, still stuck in their daily routines. The summer had been a rather tense one, Harry now returning back to school. He could not visit him either as per Dumbledore's instructions, it would tip off the Death Eaters if he did, making him a target.
All he could do was perform his Auror duties and in his free time try to gather as much information as possible. At least he was not alone. Finnemore knew Voldemort returned, Jasper made sure to inform her. Tonks being part of the Order meant they were at least both on the same page.
Jolting him out of his heavy thoughts, Penny returned with a bag, Talbott raising his brows "Your order." He nodded, Penny just taking out the perfume for him however Talbott knew that the bag had been charmed in order to fit all the potions needed by the Order "This one has a strong smell, with a hint of spice and wood, perfect for autumn."
"You reckon?" Penny just nodding "Fine, if you say so. How much for it?" Placing the money on the counter, Talbott picked up the bag, ready to turn and leave the shop, however he stopped, eyes travelling to properly look at her "I'm sorry Penny, for what I did." She searched his eyes, not saying a word, knowing well enough that Talbott needed time to gather his thoughts in order to properly deliver a message that had anything to do with feelings "You deserved better, at least an explanation."
"I did, I still do, at least for the sake of our friendship. And just so you know, I am helping because I want to at least prevent in a small way from anything happening to my friends."
Glancing to the side, Talbott all but sighed, however he contained himself "That's not on you. The job in itself is dangerous, you shouldn't worry about me and the rest. We knew well enough what we were facing."
"No" she countered, hands resting on the counter in front of her, hands balled into tight fists, knuckles turning white from the strain "You were just a child when" she stopped herself, not being able to utter his name "he was still around. You have no idea what you're facing."
His eyes darkened, every bit of his composure in perfect balance, face devoid of emotions "Tonks will come in next." She gasped at his sudden shift, how quickly he went from apologising to the soldier he had become. It felt as if almost any trace of the former Talbott was all but lost.
"Good, because I don't want to see you anytime soon." Despite her anger, although he knew she was about to start crying more than likely, Talbott just took it as it was given, turning around and leaving the shop after mumbling under his breath a half-hearted goodbye. She did not need to deal with him anymore, it was for the best and it was far safer like that.
They would keep in touch, it was inevitable with the current agreement, however the less he was seen around people, the better the outcome for them. It was bad enough he was an Auror, thus becoming enemy number of the Death Eaters, he did not need his last few friends becoming a target as well.
As he reached his apartment, the very first thing he did was an inventory on the potions Penny provided, knowing everything that has been requested by heart. It was bad to keep lists. In light of that, everyone tried to memorise locations, details, items and ingredients after which they would burn any traces of paper, not leaving anything up to chance.
Smelling the perfume he bought, Talbott found it a tad too strong for his taste, however who was he to argue when it came to what needed to be wore and in which season. Speaking of wearing, as he unfolded the shirt Andre picked out for him, inside the breast pocket he found the note he mentioned.
It was not hand written, instead the note appeared to be printed out on the piece of paper and as he took out his wand, chanting away, indeed there were no traces of magic on it. It must have been hand delivered knowing Andre would make sense of it, however it was odd as he was not part of the Order.
However that would be a question addressed for later when he delivered the potions, it could have very well been one of the members, despite them using the time to hide away these days.
The three addresses were for well known families, two of them Talbott recognising, the Malfoys and the Rosiers, however it was the last one that drew his attention the most. While he would not have recognised the mansion based on the address alone, the family name was also listed, Crane staring Talbott in the eye in big bright bold letters.
In his mind there were three possibilities, either the Cranes escaped and no one noticed, which was a far-fetched theory. Another that was more plausible was that some either estranged relatives or simply Death Eaters lay claim to the house that once belonged to one of them. Third and the most chilling one to think about was that Talia had finally returned to England and has joined Voldermort.
"Please don't let it be the last." He sighed, the very thought making his heart pound inside his chest.