Placing the last stack of letters inside the cabinet, Talbott sighed as he closed the door, locking it. All that he received, those that he did not have the courage to send across to her, they were all there, neatly arranged but above all safe. His apartment has not felt like that in forever, if anything it made him anxious when he was around, trying to rest, or just going in and out in order to get a clear set of clothes or freshen up.

The few things he had wanted to save, were now locked in his cabinet inside the Ministry of Magic. Photos, letters, anything he considered of value, things that still kept his heart beating. Fondness in material state.

Contemplating on whether he should add the Phoenix pin, he decided against it. Somehow he had gotten too used to having it on himself at all times, always on the inside of his jacket, next to his heart, as if it was a talisman keeping him safe. Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair, racking it back and away from his eyes. He had lost count of how many times Talia actually pulled him from the deep end, deciding his life was far more valuable that hers.

It was now March and she had been away for quite some time, everyone leaving her alone just like she wanted. Not like they could find her even if they wanted to. When she was hurt, or scared or downright acting impossible, she would just fade beneath the surface, hiding in the deepest cracks human kind had to offer. But he was certain she was still there in the shadows, watching out for them, for him.

Even if she did not join the Order of the Phoenix, it carried within its organisation people Talia truly cared for. And in the end it was due to those people that she could keep a resemblance of her humanity intact. Talbott did not wish to think of moments when those loved ones would cease to exist, how she would fair all alone in the world. He had seen glimpses of that girl shinning through, however she desperately tried to push her back, banish her. But it was just a matter of time until she breached the surface.

And now she was more Crane than ever before. Ready to attack, ready to kill.

"Winger, there you are." Turning around, he provided Mirunna a curt nod, the trainer approaching in order to not be overheard "We think we have discovered where some prisoners are held and we need you. Follow me."

Walking alongside her, Talbott scanned the crowds of people they were passing, careful not to draw any unwanted attention "Do we have a location?"

Mirunna only nodded, opening the door to her office ushering him inside. Tonks was already waiting, placing back on the desk a small figurine, smiling sheepishly "I didn't break it I promise."

"Settle down, Moody should also be here any minute then we can discuss about this."

Looking at them, Talbott leaned against a wall, hands digging inside his pockets, keeping to himself, unlike Tonks who was balancing on the balls of her feet, not being able to settle herself at all. She had also been running like crazy, risking more than she should have, yet her abilities were rare and they were very much needed. However, even now after all the training and dangers she had to face, she still somehow managed to retain some of that youthful naivety and childlike charm, something Talbott himself never had.

Hearing Moody's indistinguishable steps approaching, he opened the door, another person stepping in before he did. Removing the cloak from her back, Talia's red mane was the first thing Talbott saw. Rolling his eyes, he addressed her "Finally decided to crawl out of the runt you've been hiding in?"

Smirking, she spun around placing a forceful hand on his shoulder "If you are referring to Muggle Hell, the answer is I am no longer allowed to be there. But this is similar and sucks just the same."

Shaking his head, Moody looked their way after finishing a set of spells fit to save them from prying ears "Are we going to have a problem Talia?"

"Problem?" she all but laughed at the words spoken to her "You need to care in order to have a problem. Now stop wasting time and brief us on the mission before I decide not to join at all."

"You are making me regret the time I have spent looking for you."

Unimpressed she turned away from Talbott, approaching the desk "Make no mistake, you found me because I allowed it."

Clicking his tongue, Moody frowned at her before turning to look at Mirunna, nodding her way slowly "Alright then. We have been informed that a meeting will take place at the Malfoy manor, many of the Death Eaters joining which will leave the rest of the main locations with a skeleton crew. There are some prisoners in each however the Crane terrain is far more well protected. So will be taking on the Rosier mansion."

Cocking a brow, Talia offered him a sceptical look "And where may I ask have you heard this? While yes, there will be a bigger meeting what makes you think every stupid low rank Death Eater will flock to the Malfoys?"

Raising her hand, Tonks offered Talia a smile "I infiltrated their ranks, keeping track of everything for the last days. The Crane mansion is a fortress. While the Rosiers also have a large estate, it's easier to go about it."

Chiming in, Mirunna addressed Talia "Unless of course you have knowledge of the Crane layout."

Giving her a one over she scoffed "No, I don't. But I can burn it to the ground if you prefer."

Smacking his hand against the desk, Moody's voice roared "Enough. We are going on a rescue mission, not a massacre. The only reason you are coming with is because your abilities are valuable. Spill blood and you can consider yourself off the mission."

Kicking the desk he chose to sit behind alongside Mirunna, Talia's voice dripped with venom "I don't need to be part of this stupid mission. You only need me because if something does go wrong, which it might, out of the lot of you, I am the only one willing to spill blood so you're welcome."

Clearing his throat, Talbott approached "We're not here to fight. Everyone is needed, every person counts, so cease this pissing contest." Looking at Talia first, she just nodded, Moody agreeing once he saw her settle down slightly.

Despite their different views, they all wanted the same thing, to see people safe and hopefully put an end to Voldemort's plans and himself before more damage was done. As for Talia, as long as she did not have to return to the Crane mansion, she could deal with any type of mission. If no one hindered her, even better.

Infiltrating proved to be fairly easy, the rumours were accurate, not many were around in order to prove too difficult for them. They managed to get in without being detected. They navigated almost freely. It was easy, too easy. Even if the majority were in another location, something was off, did not sit well.

Turning to look at Talbott, Talia could tell he was thinking the same. It was eerie and quiet when it should not have been. No one was talking, no one was screaming, nothing stirred "Where is everyone?"

Tonks came to her right, shrugging her shoulders "Maybe they also left?" Talia giving her an incredulous look. If they had prisoners, someone had to stay behind to guard them. Unless they have been killed off and they were hunting for ghosts at most now.

"No, something is wrong." Peering down the long hallway, Talia stopped both Tonks and Talbott "Moody and Mirunna should have reached us by now."

A slow clapping sound was heard, a single cloaked figure emerging from a room alongside a couple of house elves. As soon as Talbott launched a spell, they quickly deflected, the man not even having to draw his wand to defend himself "I see you still have much to improve mister Winger." Taking off his hood and mask, Jasper Munday stared at his three former students "You as well miss Tonks, still lacking in the attention department. As for you Talia" licking his lips, he smirked "well what can I say? Your instincts still haven't failed you, however you are still with the wrong type of people."

Gesturing with his hand, a few Death Eaters came in view, Talia glaring "Now can I burn it to the ground?"

"Steady, don't do anything rash." Talbott spoke low and grave. There was tension in his body as his eyes shifted, hating what seeing Jasper before him was doing to every fibre of his being. It was as if he was back at the Auror Camp and he was about to deliver one of his retched speeches. He was nervous of what he could do, what his disturbed brain thought of once more "Stay behind me."

Those dark beady eyes locked with Talia's before looking behind the small group, her turning on instinct, seeing Felix with his wand raised and pointed at her. Her nostrils flared, jaw clenched as flame lit up her eyes "How dare you raise your wand at me Rosier? Have you learned nothing?"

There was a sad smile shaping his lips as he looked at her, a faint nod that followed and then Hell broke loose. Attacks rained down on them, each trying their hardest to fend off.

Tonks almost took a tumble down the grand staircase, managing to catch her footing last minute as she grabbed the railway, wand casting a spell sending one of the Death Eaters flying in the wall behind him. Talia and Talbott were separated rapidly, him fast on his feet, Jasper's manic laughter grinding his last shred of patience, one he did not wish to dismiss or else his entire composure in the battle might falter. Sprinting for Rosier, his body shook under the tirade of spells she was throwing his way, him barely managing to defend himself from one before another came.

Harder.

Faster.

Stronger.

From somewhere not far away, Moody's voice could be heard, barking orders, Mirunna alongside him fighting, ordering them all to retreat as more Death Eaters started emerging.

From behind, a spell barely missed Talia, the impact of it still being felt as she was flung to the left, almost launching her over the rails. As she pushed herself off on steady feet, she managed to see Talbott make his way to the lower floor as Tonks covered him.

Blinking a few times, she turned to Felix squinting her eyes. A fog like substance was quickly filling the mansion making it almost impossible to see a foot in front of them. She heard Talbott calling out for her, Talia yelling for them to get out.

Felix was no where to be seen, her whipping around, fire coming alive in the palm of her hands. Most of the battle could be heard downstairs, however she knew she could not have been alone where she was standing but no matter where she turned, no one could be seen.

And that was exactly what was needed in order to hit her with the Crucio curse. A scream broke from her lungs at the pain inflicted on her, everything else indiscernible. She could barely make out the figures approaching her as she fell to the floor. She could barely struggle as a substance was forced down her throat, bitter and metallic, or was that blood? Did she bite her tongue at one point? Did she sustain any injuries?

Everything became muddied as the effects of the spell started to ware off. A set of small hands pulled on her shirt, confusion lingering in her mind for a second as she looked at the elf "I must." The creature uttered transporting both of them away in a rush of colours and dizziness.

Pain radiated in her head as the world stopped spinning out of control, however her body did not react. She could not speak, could no move, wide eyes taking in the creature that scurried away from her once they reached their destination "Master will be here soon."

Closing her eyes, she sighed, cursing inside her head, however was not able to form a single straight sentence.