She tossed and turned in bed without managing to sleep at all. Her body hurt, she was devastatingly tired and on edge, names of Death Eaters floating inside her mind like horrific whispers haunting her relentlessly. The sun barely started rising when a constant sweeping sound was heard near her door, the broom hitting against wood, whispered words reaching her ears "Cranes, foul creatures, infecting the house."

Jumping out of bed, she gritted her teeth through the pain hopping she had not managed to rip the stitches once more. Anger spread through her like wild fire, ringing in her ears, heat emanating though her body as she abruptly opened the door "Listen here you rotten elf." The creature scurried away in a corner, covering itself upon seeing fire lit eyes looking over "If I ever catch you uttering my name again I will make your insides boil and turn your disgusting flesh to cinders."

"Evil woman, wicked." The elf hissed her way lifting the broom to protect itself as Talia's hand summoned fire.

"Not wrong there."

From the top of the stairs, Sirius's voice rang, Talia turning to him when he called out her name, the elf barely escaping. His brows slowly rose seeing the display of anger she was exhibiting, a smile shaping his lips "Coffee?"

"After I kill that foul-mouthed elf."

Shaking his head, he wrapped the robe around his body properly, making his way down the stairs "I would appreciate it if you didn't. Someone still needs to keep this house in check, Merlin knows I am not going to start cleaning." running a hand through his messy hair, he tried to tame it, calm eyes taking Talia in.

Her fire subsided despite the acute anger still bubbling in her core "For the record, it's still filthy." Gesturing to her to walk ahead, they both made their way to the kitchen, Sirius checking the cabinets for coffee, an apologetic smile directed her way when he finally managed to find it.

Rolling her eyes, she took a seat at the table "You know miss Crane" one look her way had him correcting his words "Talia. You aren't actually all those things. I will have a word with him."

Letting out an undignified laugh, Talia's look was vicious "Please don't speak of things you don't know."

Placing the pot on the stove, he turned to her while the water boiled "But I do. I have met your parents while in Azkaban and you are not even close. The only similarity I see is just in name alone."

Scoffing, she rolled her eyes "So what, you took one good look at me and decided I am worth something?" getting up, she approached him "Crane blood is tainted, there is no lie. I am one of the worst people you could meet."

"I think not and I also think you and I are not that different." Gesturing between them, he added "Despite what people say."

Looking inside the tin can, Talia frowned, turning off the stove "That's not even enough for one cup. I'll go buy us some coffee."

Venturing outside was not one of the best ideas she could have especially in her condition, however she desperately wanted to get some air. With a fresh lit cigarette in her hand, she ventured out into the cold, not even bothering with zippering her jacket. Finding a gas station, she payed a ridiculous amount for a proper bag of coffee, sitting outside to enjoy one for herself before she returned.

The idea of going back to one of her safe houses also played inside her mind. Everyone knew she was back, all those that mattered at least and she did not enjoy the feeling one bit. They looked at her with the same eyes as they did in the past. When back then they did not know who she was or what she could do. And now, she could kill a person without batting her lashes if she was convinced it justified the ends.

She did not stop to think that maybe the people she killed in cold blood had someone worth coming back to, or if they were forced into joining the other side.

She knew she was not on the good side, there was no such thing. She was just in between, sometimes venturing to the side people wanted to believe was right. But then again they were also ready to kill and do the unthinkable if it meant getting rid of Voldemort. So in the end who was actually right? Which side counted more? What lives mattered and who deserved to perish?

Buying a few more items just for the sake of spending some more money, she quietly started walking back deciding in the end to not deprive Sirius of a proper coffee. Reaching the street, she stopped in her tracks glaring as she saw Talbott making his way towards the house. Meeting right in front, his eyes were as cold as she was feeling "What are you doing out like this? You could easily be recognised."

"Coffee is more important."

"Right." He rolled his eyes, walking inside, Talia right behind him "Of course it is. Not the lives of everyone else." Turning him around, her punch interacted with his nose, a loud crack resonating through his skull as he stumbled back, eyes watering from the pain "Are you mad?" she clearly broke it, there was no mistake, blood painting his fingers.

"Not many get to talk to me before my coffee, especially you." Passing him, she heard him swearing, mumbling the healing spell, Sirius greeting her inside the kitchen asking if anything happened "Nothing that concerns you."

Looking at the hallway, he nodded at Talbott, patting his shoulder once as he also joined them. Getting the coffee ready, Sirius addressed the pair "Last night we had a talk after you two retreated. Up until now we have been relying mostly on Talia's notes and on whatever we could scramble together. But they are far too many. We need more people, more scouts."

"What does this have to do with me?" Talbott asked, eyes focusing solely on Sirius, refusing to even acknowledge Talia anymore.

"You are an Animagus, you have a rare ability that can help us learn more. Coupled with Talia…"

"Out of the question. I either do it alone or with someone else." He quickly countered, Talia just shaking her head at his reaction, a spiteful smile on her lips as she got up.

"Come back to me when you have managed to talk some sense into him. I'll work with Winger because I know him and trust his abilities, which I hope have improved over the years." one side glance earned her a scoff, Talbott telling her where to shove her ideas "Until then I won't participate in this discussion, especially not after a white night."

Retreating to her room, she could hear the faint discussion happening a floor below, however she refused to listen in. Whatever excuses or reasons Talbott had to offer, she wanted no part of. She did not want to know. All she needed was some proper rest, maybe a meal to get by and to be alone. She could still do the scouting missions on her own. If anything he would distract her instead of offering the support she actually needed.

While her trusting his abilities was not a lie, her trusting to keep himself steady around her and not let the best of his emotions get to him was another matter entirely. The way he acted, as if he was the one entitled to be mad irked her to no end. As if she had done something bad and not him.

When a knock was heard on her door after some time, she all but growled from her spot on the window sill "What?" she spat out, Sirius opening the door, letting himself in. The initial flare in her venomous stare died out, however it still simmered dangerously.

"Are you actually willing to work with him? I know there's some history…"

"There's nothing." She cut him off viciously "I will work with him, because it's the right thing, because he is an asset. Because I don't give a shit about a fling that was years ago."

Sirius gave her a long, contemplative look, nodding his head slowly "Alright. He is waiting for you. When you are done and come back, there will be wine waiting."

Flicking the cigarette bud outside, she cocked a brow "You know I drink wine?"

Smiling, he shook his head "No, but I am all out of anything else."

"Fair." She answered getting up "Now please get out, I need to get ready."

It was early enough to ensure not many people were out, especially since it was a weekend. As Talia got ready, she wondered how best to approach a mission with Talbott. It had been a while since they had to work together. Long since they have been a team, formed a partnership, anything really.

Walking down the stairs, she straightened despite the pain in her body radiating, Talbott waiting for her, leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his chest, a cold look in his eyes "Are you sure you can do this?"

"I knocked you out now didn't I?" she smirked, tossing her hair to the side. His eyes lingered on her form, on the blades strapped to her sides, him just shaking his head, hair tumbling over his forehead.

"We'll just scout, nothing more." He looked down at her, lifting his chin in defiance "No fighting unless we really have to."

"You use your Animagus ability, leave the rest to me. I am far more stealthy than you. I don't need you to have my back. What I need is for you to not lose your cool. Can you do that?" her stare was harsh, lips pressed tightly together as she waited for his answer, Talbott just nodding his head.

Being in the cold suddenly felt more normal, natural. Being on top of buildings surveying the area, wind lashing at her face like sharp blades did little to inconvenience her. Having him next to her however did. All her muscles were tense, to the point that everything hurt more. She was counting all her breaths and from where she was standing he was barely breathing as if he could not find a normal pattern. He was either too still, or taking deep irregular breaths and she knew he was nervous, however did not address it.

If there was one thing, she did not wish to hinder him in those moments.

The weather was bad enough as it was, fog setting, Talbott cursing under his breath as it restricted his vision "Maybe we should call it a day. There's not much we can learn under these conditions. You can barely fly with the wind, we're just losing time."

"Unless we get closer."

Placing a hand on his chest, Talbott tensed as he looked at her "No, it's too dangerous trust me. Some of the Death Eaters that went inside that building gave me hell, believe me, we can't survive if we get too close."

"I can get closer." Removing her hand did little to stop her. As he took on his Animagus form, Talia grabbed him, placing Talbott under her coat, sharp talons already causing damage as he struggled to set himself free.

"Listen here you stubborn mule, there's no need to risk your life. We'll get close, we'll have another shot. The Order needs you alive." Gripping him tighter he finally stopped fighting against her, settling down. Peaking inside her coat, she looked at him, brows lifting slightly as confusion swam in her clear orbs "Are you done?"

He knew she was daring to hold him like that because of his form, if he turned back then and there, she would probably create distance or punch him again, with her it was always a guessing game. But in that moment she was calm, Talbott almost certain he could distinguish a faint smile forming on her lips.

But through the warmth of her body and his accelerated heart beating wildly, his thoughts gathered. She was tired, no, she was exhausted, dark circles under her eyes evident making her eyes appear almost crystal blue instead of turquoise. She was shivering from the cold or more than likely from the fatigue in the end Talbott relenting, nodding his head. Her arms unravelled, letting his go, him creating some distance before transforming back.

"Alright, you're right. Let's get you back."

Lifting her hand, she retreated back under the mask she wore "I can do it myself."

And as promised, Sirius greeted her with a glass of wine, both sitting in the living room to enjoy the drink. Wincing she lifted her shirt, scratch marks etched on her pale skin, a sigh just leaving her as she sat back into the worn out couch, closing her eyes "Did you encounter trouble?"

"Every day, every moment." She replied closing her eyes. Sirius watched her for a few moments, eyes travelling to the hot embers glowing inside the fireplace. Through the corner of his eyes, he saw her glass tipping slightly, him slowly taking it from between her fingers. As her fingertips grazed the surface of the glass, she jolted awake, chest expanding slowly as she took in her surroundings.

"You dozed off, it's alright, you're safe."

Resting her elbows on her legs, she cradled her head in the palm of her hands "That is a lie and you know it. None of us are safe. That's why I don't matter, even if I'm hurt or tired, I still need to push through. Harry is a kid Sirius, he doesn't deserve what's happening."

"Correct as you may be about Harry you need to remember that you do matter." Nudging her slightly, she took the glass back from him "And as long as you are in such a state, there is nothing good that will come out of it. You do matter, all of us do Talia." Placing a hand on her shoulder, she tensed, Sirius thinking she would push him away, if not worse "You need to rest and put some order in your thoughts."

"I tried." Shaking his hand away, she took a drink from her glass "For such a long time I've tried to settle, reinvent myself and push towards what I thought was right. Just that lately I don't know what that is."

"Do you happen to know when you think you lost your way?"

Upon hearing his question, Talbott's face flashed before her, Talia closing her eyes, taking in a deep breath "No, but maybe one day it will come to me."

Despite the frigid cold and restlessness, somewhere in between coming and going and missions, Talia managed to somewhat find some comfort at the end of the day when she made her way back and Sirius greeted her with a glass of wine. Their conversations revolved around nothing or everything at once, depending on her mood and how many words she was willing to offer.

Days slowly went by, meetings being held and messages sent across.

However out of all the members, one in particular could not help but notice that whenever he made his way inside the house, Talia and Sirius were always together, both in deep conversations. He wanted to believe that it was because two broken souls found solace in one another and needed comfort from being stuck in one place for too long.

But as Talbott stole a glance here and there, he could not help the heat coursing through his veins whenever he saw them together. Especially if she was willing to offer a smile which always dropped and was replaced by a glare at the sight of him. And he knew she was mad, how could she not be? There was no plausible scenario in which she would look at him with love in her eyes, no, not even love, something below that and a bit above hate. But not friendship, no, that was also something he could not stand seeing in her eyes.

Arriving one day before a set meeting, he found the house rather empty. Molly was in the kitchen preparing some snacks, Sirius filling up a pot of tea. Turning to greet Talbott, he just nodded slowly as he took a seat at the far end of the table, somewhat relieved Talia was not yet present. Placing a cup next to Talbott, Sirius sat down making small talk, something he could have honestly done without.

"I feel like it goes without saying, however in this case it's a must." Talbott resisted the urge to roll his eyes, instead adding some sugar to his cup of tea as Sirius continued to talk "Talia is a lovely individual once her barriers fall, however there is nothing happening between her and myself."

"I never said anything of the sort."

"I know." He smiled his way despite Talbott's rigidness "But I thought you should know jealousy is not a nice shade on you." Before he could address what was through his way, Sirius lifted his arm signalling he had something more to add "And if she would choose to find another, then you would do well to let her. Not saying this for myself, but for her. She is allowed to have a future outside of what you two once were."

"And I never said she can't." he knew Sirius was right, yet no one, not even himself had the power to control what the heart wanted.