Chapter 7 – Trust Cannot Be Stolen
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Previously on The Forgiven: Grimm, Norse, and Liar's first mission together ended in complete disaster. Heads clashed between team members. In the aftermath of a Wizard's Duel, Grimm and Norse were able to resolve their differences and come to mutual understanding, after almost killing each other.
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After failing to abduct a member of the Black Fangs, the team was given a second chance at redemption.
The Forgiven found fifteen of the dark guild's members meeting. Like their previous gathering, it was at a marble gazebo ruin. Apparently there were a number of them scattered throughout the forest.
Security measures were much tighter than the last time, but still nothing the team could not bypass. To make sure the concealment charms didn't wear off this time and previous mistakes were not repeated, Liar performed constant maintenance to Norse's stealth enchantments. The mission seemed like it would go off without a hitch this time.
But that changed immediately when the fifteen Black Fang members summoned a prisoner in the middle of them.
"Okay… What are they planning to do with that poor bastard?" Grimm frowned.
"I've seen him at the Ministry. He's got this thing for Enchanted Dildos—" Liar started.
"The point, Liar."
"He occupies a middle position. Not exactly a grunt, but not an individual wielding significant influence either…"
"Unlucky is what he is. He was kidnapped so the pretend revolutionists can make some sort of point."
"That would be my assumption. I believe they are going to kill him to boost morale and lend credence to their Order."
Despicable worms! Norse chimed in.
"Liar. Can you Apparate him out safely?"
"They'll attack him and me before that happens."
"Norse and I will provide distraction. We'll leave at least one alive to abduct and call you when we need evac."
"You plan on fighting all of them?!"
"Me and Norse can handle them."
They will fall before the mighty storm that is Grimm and I!
"You…don't want my help?" Liar asked uncertainly.
"We know better than to trust you in the fight. I'd rather you stay out of it entirely than rely on you, and find you not there."
"Heh! You won't hear any complaints from me."
"Yeah. Now, shut up and get ready. Norse?"
FOR IRE!
"I'll take that as you're ready. My mark..."
Grimm felt her companions synch their timings telepathically.
"3…
2…
1…"
"INCENDIO!"
INCENDIO!
Norse and Grimm blanketed the guild members with hellfire.
Under the cover of the carpeting flames above, the Forgiven moved each side of the prisoner. While making sure no harm came to the Ministry worker, Liar appeared, grabbed him, and then Disapparated.
Back to back and left to fight to their heart's content, Norse and Grimm stared down the fifteen dark wizards around them.
Lights flashed; zigzagging across the room. In the trading fire, several groans could be heard, as well as bodies collapsing. Pieces of the marble columns and floor went flying.
Against the lesser duelists, the Grimm and Norse held their own, despite odder numbers. More often than not, the guild members got in each other's way more than worked together. It was a clumsy thing compared to the well-oiled, well-trained pair that was Grimm and Norse.
The fiercer the battle grew, the brighter Norse's hair seemed to glow. Grimm found the sign strangely comforting as an excited smile appeared on her partner's lips.
More spells lit the night with bright colors. Within the fast paced skirmish, the two Forgiven targeted down their enemies with deadly precision. One by one their enemies fell until only one remained.
"Stupefy!"
Grimm stunned the remaining dark wizard, designated as the one they would kidnap and interrogate for later.
She and Norse looked at all the bodies littering the ground. Some of them had suffered fatal blows, while others were grievously injured or rendered unconscious. Since Moody told them to kill only if necessary, they stopped themselves from doing further harm.
"Liar. We're finished," Grimm called.
"….Alright, heading back."
Liar appeared, while Grimm and Norse were performing Obliviating Charms and collecting wands from their defeated. Grimm pointed to the Black Fang member that was simply stunned to indicate the one they were taking with them.
She noted that Liar was alone. "What happened to the Ministry worker?"
"Modified his memories and set the crying man free."
"Okay. Let's get out of here."
"Ran pretty smoothly this time around."
"…Yeah."
The group covered their tracks and returned to the underground base with no further trouble.
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Norse, who was carrying their abductee over her shoulder, tossed him at the Forgivers' feet like a sack of potatoes. Moody checked the man over and motioned Kingsley to arrest him. The Auror was in charge of the Black Fang case for the Ministry, so he would be the one to handle things from there on.
Mad Eye turned to the Forgiven team.
"Looks like you did it right this time. Go wash up and then I'll hear your report," he grunted.
"Oi! Is that all we get? No congratulations or 'job well done'?" Liar piped up.
"That's the way Mad Eye says good job," Grimm said as she walked to the locker rooms. Norse followed shortly after her.
The three washed up quickly and debriefed Moody about what occurred during the mission. Mad Eye was little surprised about the inclusion of a prisoner, which provoked the direct action of the team. It was taken as a nonverbal sign of approval he didn't admonish them at that part of the recount.
When the report was finished, Moody merely nodded and said,
"Dumbledore thinks you kids deserve a breather for your hard work. You get a day off—can spend it outside. DO. NOT. GET. CAUGHT."
After that, Moody left.
With the end of the report, the three finally breathed easy as the mission was "officially" sanctioned as over and done with. Norse playfully shoved Grimm who immediately shoved back. The three all had big smiles upon their first, true successful venture.
"So! Free day, permission to go enjoy the outside world. What mischief can we get into while retaining our group's secrecy?" Liar posed.
The other two were silent for a bit.
"I don't know. Not really in the mood to start trouble, really." Grimm picked at a new wound on her arm.
A bare knuckle brawl would be good sport.
"Is fighting all that goes through that brain of yours?"
Norse grinned and shrugged.
Liar wheeled in front of the two. "Weeeelll, there's this big Quidditch match tomorrow. Poland and Egypt are in an elimination round for the World Cup. The stadium's got high end security for those without tickets, but I can sneak us in."
"Uh...Meh. Don't feel like it."
Me neither.
"Oh come on! It's Quidditch! Everyone loves Quidditch. And it's free!" Liar spread his arms.
"Nah. You have fun then."
"Wait! What are you lot going to do?"
"I don't know."
There's a Wizard's Duel Tournament being held in the city over.
Grimm crossed her arms. "Again with the fighting. Yeah, oka—Wait, you're not thinking of participating, are you? You'd obliterate everyone. I mean, and of course, we'd expose ourselves."
"Oh! Now that sounds like fun. When is it?"
Grimm and Norse stared blankly at Liar again.
"Weren't you going to the Quidditch match?"
"Huh? I mean, yeah, well…We could do both, right?"
I believe they are at the same time.
"Oh. Is that right? Well, I'm not all that attached to the Quidditch idea. I mean, there's loads of fun to be had gambling on Duels. Fair amount of money to be made in that."
Trying to profit from the battles between warriors is a despicable practice.
"Yikes. Okay, I won't gamble on the matches. Just enjoy the duels in their normal, nongambling way."
Norse gave him the stink eye and walked towards the dorms.
As the two watched her blonde hair trail away, Grimm glanced at Liar. "Don't worry about it. Enjoy the Quidditch match tomorrow."
"Uh—Y-yeah. You sure don't want to come with? Didn't you mention one of your favorite players is on the Egyptian team?"
"Dunno. I actually might opt to just stay here and train if anything," she shrugged.
"Has anyone ever mentioned you take things too seriously?"
"Yeah…once."
"I see. Well… You know what? I'll ask the two of you again tomorrow. See if you don't change your minds then."
"Sure, Liar. Night."
"Yeah. Night..." The boy bade her an awkward good night.
Grimm ran off to catch up with Norse. As she did, the smaller witch kicked her friend's butt. They began shoving each other again.
Without much thought, Liar used a little Legilimency to tap Norse's mind.
"Were you serious about the whole gambling thing?" Grimm asked her.
Of course, not. Betting on the fights is half the fun. Matches are always more exciting with wagers on the line.
"You can't enter the tournament, Norse."
Hmph. No fun in you. Then again, if you or I entered, we would win the competition too handily. There would be no fun or glory in that either. Anything you would like to do?
"That talk about Quidditch sounded good. Been a fan of Egypt's Seeker for a while now."
Hm hm! And the Polish Beaters are something to behold. We shall find a pub to watch the game and drink!
"No bar brawls. And we're underage to drink?"
Ugh! Fine, Mother!
Liar cut off the connection and went to bed.
The next day, he woke to find Grimm and Norse already gone.
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Floating on his broom above the many spectators, Liar watched the Quidditch match with bored indifference. He practically hovered within the playing field under one of Moody's Invisibility Cloaks. It was easily the best seat in the house, but the quality was lost on him.
He had bet heavy on the Egyptian team winning. Before he knew it, he put down his whole allowance. It was a desperate attempt to spark some feeling of excitement to fill the void growing in his chest.
Another Quaffle soared into one of Poland's goals. Victory was practically guaranteed for Egypt. Even if the Polish team managed to capture the Snitch, they were too far behind in points.
The fans cheered and the team colors went up in celebration.
Despite Liar's winning gamble, the wizard felt nothing. He had easily tripled his funds betting on the bad odds, but didn't feel even a sliver of joy. Not bothering to watch the end of the match or collect his winnings, he left.
On the way out, he passed by the teams' locker rooms and stole some mint condition jerseys from famous players. Along with their spare brooms and a pristine looking Quidditch set.
He flew around, above the clouds for a while. The professional grade brooms granted him speed he had never experienced before. Liar fell through the clouds, zoomed up again, and repeated the maneuver until he got bored.
The wizard then returned to the underground base early. He set down the brooms he stole, five in all. Liar let out the snitch from the Quidditch set and began chasing it around the bunker. The boy would have made a good Seeker from how fast he was able to catch the tiny ball.
Completely lost in his own thoughts, he hadn't taken notice to someone watching him.
"Liar?"
"Oh. Greetings, Kingsley."
The boy stopped chasing the Snitch and landed softly to the ground.
"Do I even want to know how you acquired this Quidditch gear labeled with the Egyptian and Polish team banners? I believe they had a match today," Kingsley inquired.
"…No. It is highly probable that you do not want to know."
"Liar…"
"So what brings you here on our day off?"
"I was going to see Mad Eye, but he seems out at the moment."
"Yeah. He and Dumbledore said something about tracking the Lestranges."
"Hm. Didn't tell me they had any leads."
"Welcome to the 'left out of things' club~ "
"Pardon?"
Liar caught himself and cleared his throat. "Nothing. It's just stupid nothing."
Kingsley rested a hand on the boy's shoulder.
"I don't want to talk about it," Liar said.
"Nonsense. You love talking about everything."
"….Fine."
For the next few minutes, Liar explained the estrangement between him and his two teammates. While doing so, he juggled a few Quaffles to keep his hands busy.
"And I understand the reasoning behind it. They would be a bit foolish if they acted chummy with someone who ditched them. Norse twice," Liar went on.
"Difficult to recover from," Kingsley nodded.
"And I'm not the scrapping type, so I don't have the whole 'shed blood together' comradery in tow. Can't save their lives. Neither do I want to if it endangers mine."
"Understandable."
"How am I to remedy this situation? Impart on me some of that famed, adult wisdom you lot always brag about."
Kingsley shrugged sympathetically.
"Unlike professional Quidditch equipment, trust cannot be stolen."
"Careful now. Don't want to be too helpful or I might have to pay you for it. Sorry, sorry. Sometimes I can't stop myself."
"I think you may just have to give it time."
"Damn. I abhor giving things time. It always takes entirely too long."
The man smiled sadly at him.
"Come on," Kingsley ushered.
He walked over to one of the brooms and picked it up. He hesitated for a second with the morality of using stolen goods. Ultimately, he chose to mount a broom and began flying after the Snitch.
With a smile on his face, Liar flew off after him.
The two zoomed through the air, competing to see who could catch the Snitch before the other. They raced along the sides of the large underground stadium. Before they knew it, the time was late at night.
Suddenly, they heard someone arrive, and saw Grimm and Norse appear through the portkey. The glowing witch was leaning over her smaller companion, barely conscious. Kingsley and Liar immediately landed before them.
"What happened?! Who—?!"Kingsley asked in alarm.
Grimm held up a hand to calm them down.
"We're okay. She's just…drunk."
"HAHA—*Ahem* sorry," Liar coughed.
Kingsley looked at the two witches with a stare of supreme disappointment. "Were both of you—"
"We made sure to Obliviate anyone who caught a glimpse of our faces."
"Grimm…I expected better from you. From both of you."
"I was watching the game in the pub, and when I turned around, Norse was chugging down a pint of whatever the hell it was! Like I was supposed to stop that?! For someone so large, she is deceptively fast…"
"Moody and Dumbledore will be informed," Kingsley said in a low voice.
"Aw, Fock Dumbledore."
…
An awkward silence permeated the room. In place of cricket sounds, there was a Snitch beating its wings and zooming through the air.
Grimm, now realizing what she said, started scratching her cheek. "Huh. Did I say that out loud? Norse miiiiight have snuck something into my drink while I wasn't looking."
"Oh wow…This is—Um…no. No words…" Liar said, not bothering to contain his grin.
Kingsley shook his head with deeper disproval.
"Well, I'd like to go hide in bed now before Mad Eye sees us soooooo g'night~ " the blue haired witch tried to brush over.
"Wouldn't care to play some Quidditch? Procured us some professional caliber brooms. Even several jerseys! Think I heard you mention that you like this player? Huh?" Liar offered as he held up a player jersey.
"…Maybe next time."
*Sigh* "Yeah, okay. Um. Sleep well."
The Grimm nodded and carried Norse to their dorms. As soon as they were gone, Liar turned to Kingsley.
"Come ON! What do I have to do?!"
"Did you really believe you could bribe her for her friendship?"
"No! But I was expecting some kind of reaction!"
Kingsley sighed and patted the young wizard's back consolingly.
The next morning, Grimm and Norse had massive hangovers while being shouted at by Mad Eye.