Panting, they both remained on the bed, eyes glued to the ceiling, minds catching up to what just happened. Despite it being willing, it still felt as if they were floating somewhere between realities, but the warmth from their bodies radiating onto the sheets spoke of the reality of that moment.
"Fuck." Talia swore, lifting herself in a standing position, Talbott shifting his eyes to look at her exposed back, chest expanding as he took a deep breath in "I need to go."
A gentle hand traced her spine, Talia shivering against his touch, clear eyes turning to look at him. He shook his head, pulling her back on the bed, her head resting against his chest. His heart was still beating faster than normal and she knew that it was not because his body could not handle a workout, far from it. He was agitated because of what them sleeping together meant and while she would not admit it to his face, she was as well.
It should not have happened, they should have not even kissed. They should not even be friends, just two soldiers fighting for the same goal and nothing more. Not even partners, no, not even that.
Lifting herself on her elbow, he pushed back her hair, waiting on her to speak "I need to show you a safe house. I want you to promise me that if things get bad you'll go there."
He searched her eyes weighing the idea inside his head before actually giving her a reply "Alright, you can show me the safe house under one condition. I still have some things I hold close to my heart at the apartment. Come with me so I can get them?" her expression instantly changed, her face turning away from his touch. It was a lot to ask for, he knew that, having asked her to come back to what once used to be their home when he drove her out of there, packed her bags himself even, the very idea must have hurt.
"Fine." She added "But then I need to do something on my own."
"Talia" taking her chin in his hand, he made her look at him "you don't need to do everything alone. Let me help."
Cocking a brow an idea formed inside her head "Fine, but only because you might actually prove to be useful in this case."
His hand dropped, Talbott becoming serious all of the sudden "Are you using me Talia?"
Nodding her head, she looked him dead in the eye "Right now? Yes. Don't worry, you don't have a big role to play, but you are going to help me regardless of what you want alright?"
Placing his hand behind his head, he smirked "And why would I do that?"
Her fingers danced across his bare chest, her taking in the sight of him "Because otherwise you will just worry and you don't fare well when worried." Looking at him, her fingers lowered to his stomach, Talbott tensing slightly at the feeling of her nails against his sensitive skin "But right now I think I can press pause for just a moment." Getting on top of him, she leaned in, fiery hair tickling his skin "Because you are far more interesting than my plans. Fuck the world today."
"I would prefer if it was just me." Pulling her closer, she chuckled before promising him that would be the case for she wanted him above the entire world in which they were stuck in.
By night fall they finally made their way to the apartment, Talia's face showing no discernible emotions as he opened the door, leading her inside. Her eyes circled the living room as she stood in the middle of it, Talbott getting busy with gathering some belongings. It was cold, at least that was how it felt to her.
All traces of what used to be her touch vanished. From the walls that did not hold pictures with them and paintings she bought. From the bookshelves that no longer had her candles and decorations. No fairy lights shinned their dim light all around, no books that she poured herself over remained. There was nothing, as if she had never been there.
Passing her, he took a few books, placing them in a bag, turning to look at her, hands stopping mid action "Talia?"
Her eyes carried flames inside of them, her palms glowing despite her formed fists. Slowly she turned to him, Talbott feeling a shiver traveling down his spine "What have you done?" she barely whispered, shouting it again when he did not offer her a reply.
He got up, careful not to make any sudden movements "What are you on about?"
"Where's everything?" closing the space between them he could feel the heat emanating from her "What did you do with all the stuff, with all the pictures? In which dump did you discard them?"
"Talia, it's not like that, I still have them."
She did not believe him, or if she did she could not care less. He erased her, chucked her memory away somewhere where nothing could remind him of her. Slowly retrieving his bag, he took out a few photos he still saved and did not lock away in a cabinet in the Ministry of Magic or in the back of a closet "I didn't throw anything out."
Her eyes scanned the pictures in his hands however she did not take them "You tried to erase me." Looking back at him, Talbott shook his head, denying her accusations.
Yes, he did try to push back everything about her, that part was true. But at the same time she burned inside his mind and heart even brighter. It did not matter that the pictures were no longer there on the walls, he had them all committed to memory and the faux air he tried to emanate was just that, false, fake.
Pushing the pictures further towards her, he did not falter "No one can ever erase you from my heart." She squinted her eyes, dangerously so "Not even with an Obliviate spell. Yes, memories can be erased, but not what I feel for you."
Her fire did not die out, there was something still keeping it alive, the only thing preventing her from erupting being his steady gaze. Extending his hand to take hers, the heat threatened to burn his skin, Talia taking a step back at the very last second "I need a Polyjuice potion." And just like that, she willed herself to get back on track and not let emotions cloud her judgement "I know you're a smart man, so do you have any at hand?"
"I can get some for you."
"Good." She offered, fire dimming "Today."
His eyes widened, Talia catching on that he did not have such a potion at hand "I need time."
Levelling him with a cold look, she added "No, I don't have time. I need it today and I also need to know exactly where in the Ministry prophecies are kept. Today Talbott, time is of the essence."
He did not know when the day got from amazing, to worse and then utterly unbearable. The moment they walked inside Penny's shop right before closing time, the blonde felt as if she could not breathe. Talia did not utter a word her way, just looking at her up and down, the girl feeling the need to hide then and there and never come out from her hiding spot. Turning to Talbott, she tried to not let her voice shake "What is happening?"
"We need a Polyjuice potion."
"I need it." Talia uttered, her as if growling the words, a stare being directed at Talbott as well.
He kept his head held high despite wishing that the very earth would open and swallow him entirely, bobbing his head slightly as if to encourage Penny. Her eyes shifted to the ground, then back to Talia for a second, witnessing the colour of her eyes darkening. Talbott followed her gaze, getting in between them as a measure of precaution, turning towards Talia "If you want to take your anger out on someone, take it out on me. She isn't to blame for that happened."
Talia smirked "Yes she is, she was a willing participants was she not? But you're in luck Penny darling, I am not here to hurt anyone." She lifted her hands, elaborate moves covered by a large smile "Just give me what I need and you're safe. Plus your handsome Pitbull here appears to have lost his puppy teeth while I was away. Good for him."
"Talia." His voice was grave, Talbott falling back into the Auror stance in a split second, grabbing Talia's arm for good measure "She's a civilian first of all. Keep your remarks to yourself, we have enough problems as it is don't you think?"
Prying herself from his grip, she took a step back "Fine, I will keep it in my pants."
He did not appreciate the jab, however still tried to defuse the situation "Good." He added looking her dead in the eye "Now, before she gives you that potion, I need to know what you're going to use it for, because you're not leaving with a potion from here until I know your plan."
Talia licked her lips, her eyes as if sparkling under his hard gaze, nose wrinkling slightly "I have Amy Whitmore's pass and hair. I will infiltrate the Ministry to find this prophecy the Death Eaters are on about."
Coming in view, Penny placed her hands on her hips "Well then I hope this Amy Whitmore is bald now because that's how much hair you need to stay in character. There are rumours about that place you know. Countless rows. Do you have countless chances?
Talia looked at her then at Talbott for an explanation. She knew Arthur Weasley was attacked trying to protect it, however she never searched for an in depth explanation for everything, especially since it never actually concerned her. Not like she was part of the order. Cocking a brow, she looked back at Penny despite addressing Talbott "I can see why you would go for her."
Immediately Talbott took hold of the situation, not letting anything more transpire between the women before him "If you go in and the potion wears out, getting out without being seen will be hard. Not that you aren't allowed to be inside the Ministry, but there's no telling who is corrupt and who isn't. It's dangerous. And what if there's a chance we will lose you while you are on this mad chase that Rosier and Munday sent you on then I'm against it."
"Against it? Fine, then how about you go to this address." She mentioned passing Penny in order to get behind her counter to write down on a piece of paper, the girl feeling her skin crawl when Talia's hand brushed against hers "And take your stuff there. I will see to getting in on my own."
"Talia, I didn't say I won't help, just that it's dangerous and a fool's errand. What if you find absolutely nothing?"
"Didn't the order risk people to protect it? What if I can find it, retrieve it?" Sparing him a glance, she held out the paper which Talbott refused to take "It might be a fool's errand yes" she added to appease him "I might go in there and find or see nothing, but I need to try. Because if there is even the small chance that I can get to it before Voldemort and his goons, then at least I did something right." Looking at Penny, she added "You can join him in the safe house. Don't wait until the last moment to run. It's far worse out there than you can imagine."
She nodded, stopping Talia when she wanted to leave "Give me the hair, I can then tell you how much it might last you."
As Talia presented her the item and she went to get the potion, Talbott's brows furrowed as he looked at her "Is there another reason for you going there?" he wrecked his mind as he continued to think, her remaining silent "Do you think you'll discover something else while there?"
"I don't know, but I am not backing down so you'd better. I am doing this." Looking away from him, she added "Get me information, the level, how to get in, I don't want to waste time, then take your friends and save them. Focus on those you can actually help because" glancing at him, her eyes softened slightly "it can't be everyone. Trust me."