Chapter 19
Allen knocked on Tonks' door around eight, feeling like absolute shit but wanting to get today over with. The sooner this was done, the sooner he could get back to Hogwarts.
He never would have believed he would wish for that until now. He knocked again. The door opened at last and Allen blinked at Tonks' face. She looked like she'd only had a few hours of sleep herself. Her eyes were red and swollen and her hair, grey and limp, didn't help her look less tired.
After another moment of staring Allen said, "Uh, good morning."
She sighed. "Good morning, Walker. Sorry, I meant to wake you."
"Oh, I've been up," Allen replied simply. "Uh, join me for breakfast?"
She nodded, sniffed. "Let me get my coat."
She disappeared into the room. When she came out again, her hair was brown and she'd splashed some water on her face. They went down to the dining room in the inn and took advantage of the breakfast offerings. Allen glanced at the television, playing the morning news, and shook his head in disbelief as the newscaster said, "This is the morning news service for the BBC for December 15, 1996..."
Allen turned away from the screen.
Tonks' eyebrows rose as Allen filled his plate ahead of her in the line. "Leave some for the rest of us, eh?"
Allen glanced at her guiltily, and put down a muffin he'd just grabbed. "Sorry," he mumbled.
Tonks' lips quirked with humor. Allen waited as she took a light breakfast (she said she wasn't hungry) and they sat at an open table. Allen started eating almost immediately; Tonks wondered how he was breathing and eating at the same time.
"Slow down, Walker, you'll choke," she chuckled mildly.
Allen swallowed the last of his toast. "Do you think I'll be able to see Sally Farpolde today?"
Tonks shrugged. "We'll see. When we finish here I'll find Robards. If we can't see her today, what do you want to do?"
Allen was cutting up an egg. "Patrol the village. If there are more Akuma I want to take care of it."
She nodded, nibbling at her cereal without enthusiasm.
He couldn't help asking. "Are you alright?"
She glanced at him in surprise. "Hmm? Oh," she said, feeling her head. "I have terrible dust allergies," she replied, sniffing. "Can't sleep when it's real bad, you know. I was sneezing all night."
Allen looked at her for a moment, and then nodded.
Tonks took a to-go cup of coffee, loaded it with cream, and they left to find Robards. They didn't get far; they turned the corner and ran into the Head Auror, who was on his way to find them.
"Morning," he said gruffly. They replied in same, and then Robards continued, "I'll escort you to the Farpoldes' home. A witch from the Ministry is there now, Unmodifying her memory. I'll let you have your talk, and then I have to wipe her memory again."
Allen frowned. "Will that hurt her?"
Robards shrugged. "The last week might be a little fuzzy, but she'll be fine."
Allen didn't like the sound of that, but Robards had already moved on. "What is it you're hoping to find out, Walker?"
"Just to hear more details of what she saw. I don't know if the Akuma from yesterday were the only ones; I want to know if she recognized the person it was hiding as. I also want to patrol the village, make sure it's clear of Akuma."
Robards nodded. "After we finish at the Farpoldes I'll get two of my officers to go with you."
Allen shook his head. "Actually, it's better if I go alone."
"No," Robards replied. "Two officers will go with you. It's not negotiable, Walker, so don't try it," he added stubbornly.
Allen swallowed his irritation and replied as civilly as he could manage, "Fine."
"Then let's move. The morning's wasting away."
xox
Sally Farpolde's house was three streets down from where the attack had happened. When they walked inside the small two-story a witch in smart black robes was standing in the hall, waiting for them. She greeted them quickly and told Robards, "I've just finished up. She'll need a moment to adjust, but you can speak with her now."
Robards followed the witch into the Farpoldes' sitting room. Sally Farpolde was small, nervous, with graying brown hair. She stood when they entered the Room, but the witch walked up to her, insisting politely that she didn't have to get up.
"I'm Sally Farpolde," she introduced herself.
Robards motioned to the group. "Nymphadora Tonks, Allen Walker, and I'm Inspector Gawain Robards. We're here to ask you a few questions about the fire the other night. Are you willing to speak with us?"
She nodded. "Uh, would you like something to drink? I have tea, coffee, milk…?"
"No, we're fine, thank you." Robards pulled up a chair to sit in front of Sally, and she shifted in her seat, hands wringing together in her lap.
"I don't know how much I'll be able to help you," Sally said nervously. "I was talking with your social worker here and she said I was hurt. I'm still a bit fuzzy, but it was such a strange night."
"I understand," Robards said. "Shock does things to the head."
She sighed. "I saw all kinds of things. I'm not sure I can explain them all."
Robards took out a notebook. "All I want you to do is answer me as best you can. Now, Mrs. Farpolde, we called on you to speak with Allen Walker," he gestured to Allen, "who might be able to help explain what you saw. Is that alright with you?"
She nodded, her face changing as she remembered something. "You're that policeman I spoke to, that night after the fire. I'm sorry I didn't remember you before." She felt her head. "I must have hit my head harder than I thought."
Robards tried for a smile. "It's quite alright, ma'am. I'm just going to ask you a few standard questions before Mr. Walker does. Very typical, you understand."
She nodded. "Alright."
Robards readjusted himself, leaning forward. "On the day of the attack, where were you?"
"I was walking home from work. I had stopped by the grocery store on my way."
"Why were you on Marks Avenue?" That was the name of the street that had been destroyed.
"It's a shortcut to my house."
"And what did you see, exactly?"
She nodded, straightening up. "I was walking, and I greeted Maggie Hammersham. Old friend in the village. She was telling me about her garden, when there was an explosion. It…" she swallowed, calming herself, and went on. "It knocked us both to the ground. People were screaming around us, running away from the street. A building collapsed three houses down. I saw…" here she hesitated, looking nervously at Robards and then the others.
"Please go on, Mrs. Farpolde."
She swallowed. "I saw…things, floating in the air, coming out of the building. They were like balloons, but they had faces…awful faces, crying, and they fired bullets everywhere. The whole street was chaos, people were running, the things were firing every which way, didn't seem to care what they hit."
"What happened next?"
She frowned, thinking. Robards looked to the witch behind Sally, but she only shrugged, motioning that she'd done her best. After several moments, Sally shook her head. "I'm sorry, I don't remember."
Robards looked behind him to where Allen stood. Allen stepped forward and they traded places, Allen taking the seat in front of Sally. He held a hand out to her. "Hello, Sally. My name is Allen Walker."
She shook his hand. He went on. "I believe you, about the floating monsters. I'm an expert at dealing with them. Tell me, was this the first time you saw anything like them?"
She nodded. "Yes. I wouldn't forget something like that."
Allen bit his tongue; with wizards about, she wouldn't know what she remembered or didn't. "Tell me about your day. What do you do, typically?"
She frowned, but after a moment replied, "Well, I wake up, I get ready for work, I check on my husband before I leave, then after work I stop by the grocery, come home, make dinner, and go to bed. Sometimes I read or watch TV before sleeping."
Allen nodded. "I'm sorry to have to ask this, but a few months ago, you lost your daughter in an accident. Can you tell me what happened?"
"Walker, how is that—" the witch from the Ministry began, but Robards motioned for her to stop. She did, but glared at Allen.
Sally looked shocked. "What does that have to do with anything?" she said, her voice thickening.
"Please answer the question, Mrs. Farpolde," Robards said.
She swiped at her eyes, took a breath, and said, "She drowned. We were at a pond a f— a few miles away, on a family picnic. I went to the car to find something. My husband took his eyes off her for two seconds." She sniffed, wiping her eyes, trying very hard not to cry.
Allen reached out and took the woman's hand, and squeezed it. "I'm sorry for your loss," he said softly.
She nodded, but withdrew from his touch.
Allen went on, his heart heavy. "Sally, after your daughter's death, were you or your husband visited by anyone...unusual?"
She frowned at him. "No," she said after a moment. "At least I wasn't. My husband...my husband hasn't left the house since my daughter's funeral. He lost his job. I hardly see him, except when I bring him meals."
It was just as he'd thought. "May I meet with your husband?"
"Why?" she said sharply.
"It's just for follow-up. I need to ask him...I need him some questions too. Standard procedure," he said, the words falling difficultly from his lips.
She stared at him, hard, but after a moment said, "He's in his room, on the second floor. He might not answer the door. He hasn't…" She sighed. "Just so you know."
"I understand," Allen said softly. "I'm sorry to have caused you pain. Thank you for talking with me."
He stood up, looked at Robards, and said softly, "I'll be finished soon. Get everyone out of the house, quickly."
"Why?"
Allen didn't reply; he just stared sadly at the man. Robards' eyes widened with surprise when he put it together, but as Allen left the room he'd already gotten to work getting everyone on their feet. Tonks glanced worriedly at Allen, but he ignored her.
Allen walked up the stairs, heart heavier with every step. Even though his work was important, and it saved the Akuma's soul, at this moment he hated it. He hated the necessity of it, hated how, because of the Earl, that he was about to inflict more pain on a home already full of it. He activated his Innocence as he walked toward the second door on the left, opening the door.
...there was no Akuma. And his eye was silent and painless.
In a chair facing the window sat a middle-aged man, with thin graying hair, a blanket draped over his lap. He didn't stir as Allen walked in, not even to see who his visitor was. Allen frowned, and deactivated his Innocence. He shut the door quietly behind him.
"Are..." he cleared his throat. "Are you Mr. Farpolde?"
The man was silent. Allen took another step forward. "I'm Allen Walker. I'm here to ask about your daughter."
The man was silent.
Allen walked forward, his steps slow and hesitant, until he stood beside the man, looking down. His gaze was fixed on the view, and Allen followed the line of sight. It was a good view, of the roofs of the other houses down the street, including the damaged one.
"Mr. Farpolde, you can answer with a shake or nod of the head. But I have to ask. When your daughter died, did you receive any strange visitors?"
Mr. Farpolde didn't move.
He didn't want to ask, but he had to. "Did a man offer you a chance to bring your daughter back?"
Silence and stillness.
Allen sighed, and stepped back. "Thank you for your time," he said softly, and turned away.
"There was no such person."
Allen turned back, staring at Mr. Farpolde's head. The man's voice was rough with disuse. "Many people came to visit, but no one like that. That's a cruel thing to say to someone who's lost a child."
Allen hung his head. "I'm sorry."
The man didn't respond to that; instead, he said, "You're here about the explosions."
Allen swallowed. "Yes, I am. Did you see anything odd that day?"
"I saw a man in strange clothes. He ripped himself apart and became a monster. I thought I dreamed it."
"Did you see anything else?"
"No."
"Was he the only one?"
"There were three more."
Allen nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Farpolde."
Mr. Farpolde was silent, and Allen left him, shutting the door quietly behind him.
When he came outside, Robards and Tonks were waiting, Sally Farpolde and the Ministry witch hanging further back.
"Is it taken care of?" Robards asked.
Allen shook his head. "False alarm; it's not him. But there's at least one more Akuma." He walked toward Sally Farpolde and bowed his head in submission.
"I didn't mean to cause you more pain with my questions."
She stared at him for a long time, and then looked up at the window. "Is he...did he answer you?"
Allen looked up, and nodded. "We did talk. A bit."
She nodded, eyes watering. She didn't say anything more to Allen, and he walked away, looking for Tonks.
"We have one more Akuma to find," he said quietly to her, so that Sally Farpolde might not overhear.
Tonks glanced sadly at Sally Farpolde, who was being led back into her house by the Ministry witch. "She won't remember this conversation," she said softly. "We'll Modify her memories again."
Allen frowned. "She could live with the knowledge. Many people do." Have, he corrected himself silently. Used to. Once. The whole future thing was confusing.
"Standard procedure, Allen," Tonks replied. She shook her head. "It's too much to ask for her to accept that monsters are real when she's going through something like that."
Allen didn't say anything for a long while. Robards came over.
"I've sent for a second officer to do patrol with you. He's meeting us at the inn, so let's go."
xox
Allen led the trek through the town, Tonks and the other Auror hanging back several feet, hands curled around wands in their pockets. Allen activated his eye, the gears whining for a moment. They walked for a while, seeing nothing.
"I'm going to get a better view," he called back to the Aurors, and activated his Innocence.
Using Crown Clown he climbed to a roof, landing silently and casting his eyes around, searching for the last Akuma. Timcanpy fluttered around, also looking for possible suspects. Allen shivered; the wind was cutting up here, even though he was only a few stories in the air.
There! Four streets down, but he could see it, walking down the street.
"Follow me!" he called down to the Aurors, and without waiting ran over the roof, leaping across gaps in the buildings. Below, Tonks and the other Auror panted, desperately trying to keep up, wands out as they ran.
Allen charged, switching direction when the disguised creature turned down a street. It was empty of people, thankfully, and Allen jumped down, tendrils of Innocence meeting the ground and cushioning his landing.
A man in a familiar style of clothing froze, jumping back when Allen landed a few feet in front of him. He looked panicked, but his panic was no less than the anguish of the trapped soul fueling him.
Allen stared at the man, confused at why he didn't immediately attack.
"L-lord Noah?" the man sputtered. Tonks and the other Auror hadn't caught up yet; they were still alone. Allen stared as the man broke out into a sob of relief. "L-lord Noah, thank goodness, I-I was so frightened, I don't know where I am..."
Allen was frozen, an ice cube falling in his gut. No, no no...
"No," he said after a moment, finding his resolve. "I'm an Exorcist."
The man's eyes bugged, and then the rest of him ripped, revealing the Level One underneath. "You-! But you are-!"
Allen ran for the Akuma, arm raised to strike. The Akuma howled in rage and confusion, firing bullets that Allen dodged, zigzagging across the alley as the Akuma continued to fire. The building behind Allen exploded, but he had already reached his target. He raked his claws over the creature and used his cloak to cover himself as it exploded.
Tonks and the other Auror turned the corner, stumbling to a halt.
"Cover your mouths, don't breathe it in!" Allen called to them, running over.
Tonks stared, her arm covering her nose and mouth, her gaze drifting from a small crater in the earth to the damaged building beyond. The other Auror flicked his wand and the smoke dissipated, making it safe to breathe again. Allen deactivated his Innocence, trying not to look shaken.
The Akuma had called him Noah. It had been confused and frightened, not knowing what was happening around it. But the Earl hadn't visited the Farpoldes...his head hurt.
"That's going to be expensive to fix," muttered the other Auror, gesturing to the damaged building.
Tonks sighed. "Start disguising the site. We'll clean up later. I'm taking Walker back to report to the inspector."
The other Auror nodded. He stared at Allen for a few moments, his expression a mix of awe and disbelief, before he got to work, putting up spells to dissuade people from seeing the damage.
Tonks walked Allen back, glancing at him. He'd moved so fast, and she'd been afraid for a moment that the explosion meant he was dead. What a bodyguard she made. "You alright, Walker?" she asked. He looked a bit ashen.
He nodded, not looking at her.
xox
Allen met with Robards one last time. He and Tonks gave the inspector a report of what happened. Robards gave him a talk about not discussing the case, which Allen agreed to. When that was done, the inspector relaxed.
"Thank you for your assistance, Mr. Walker," Robards said. "Much as it pains me to say it, we couldn't have done this so quickly without you."
"You're welcome," Allen replied without enthusiasm.
"So you're headed back to the school now?" Allen nodded wordlessly. Robards held up a hand. "Well then, good luck."
They shook hands, and Allen and Tonks left to go pick up their return Portkey.
xox
They were quiet as they walked to where the Portkey site was. Tonks didn't know what to say to cheer Allen up. They hadn't spoken since the attack.
Their feet crunched on snow and loose stones. The Akuma were frightening, certainly. Tonks wondered how Allen had gotten into his work, and what the deal was with his arm. What she said instead was, "When we get back to Hogwarts we'll go to Dumbledore's office to talk about the mission. Give him the same report you gave Robards, and Dumbledore should be satisfied."
Allen glanced at her. "Okay."
A light snow had begun to fall. It was quiet, the back alleys they walked deserted. Tonks gathered her courage. "How long have you been doing this? Fighting Akuma?"
"A while," Allen replied.
"But how many years?"
"Um…since I was ten or so?"
She stopped in her tracks. "What," she exclaimed.
Allen shrugged. "Please don't get upset," he said, still walking. After a moment more, Tonks ran to catch up with him. "It's important work," Allen was saying. "Someone has to do it."
"But didn't you want, I don't know, a childhood?"
Allen snorted. "There's no point. What's past is past." But even as he said it, he didn't buy it like he used to. He'd been thinking about the past so much that it was a lie to pretend he wasn't affected by it. He pushed those thoughts aside, smiling at Tonks. "Really, it doesn't bother me."
She stared at him, stopping in the middle of the alley. When he kept walking, she called, "Allen, the Portkey's over here."
Backtracking, he looked down at it—a dirty old milk bottle. Tonks bent to pick it up, holding it out.
"Are they always like that?" he said, grabbing hold of the end Tonks held out to him.
Tonks nodded. "It's to keep Muggles from picking them up accidentally. No one wants to touch trash."
Allen hummed noncommittally. "When do we leave?"
There was a sharp tug at his navel, and Allen was spinning sickeningly. He landed hard, not keeping his balance. Tonks groaned from somewhere to his right. They had both been caught by surprise, and landed on their backs.
"Now," she said with a pained chuckle, sitting up.
Allen caught her eye, and they both laughed, embarrassed. Brushing themselves off, they looked away at high banks of snow, the air noticeably colder. Tonks helped Allen to his feet. "Why don't we stop at the Three Broomsticks?" she said. "I still have a half day off. My treat," she said, when Allen started to protest.
Allen sighed. Truth be told, that sounded nice right about now. "Alright."
They walked out of the alley they'd come, and Tonks led the way past shops and private houses. The village was decorated for Christmas; evergreen garlands hung all over, red holly berries giving color. Lamps were lit, making the main street glow golden. There was even the faint smell of peppermint. Allen smiled.
Tonks got a table by the fire, ordering a butterbeer and hot cinnamon rolls for them both. Allen felt warmed to the bone, the butterbeer smooth and wonderful, the cinnamon rolls sticky and delicious.
"What are you doing for Christmas, Allen?" she asked, pulling her roll apart, looking content.
He shrugged. "Hadn't thought about it. I guess I'll stay at the castle. What about you?"
She shrugged. "I got an invitation to dinner with friends, but I think I'll spend it at home. Visit my mum and dad, since it's been a while."
Allen sipped at his butterbeer. "What are they like?" he asked, honestly curious.
She launched into stories about growing up in a mixed household (magic and Muggle, that is) and soon Allen was laughing over how, one Halloween night, she'd scared the daylights out of her neighbors when she'd morphed into a half-size mountain troll and stalked the neighborhood. That had been one hectic day for her poor mother. She told another story of the time her mother discovered she was a Metamorphamagus, trying to explain how her daughter had pink hair and lizard scales to the frightened day care attendant, or the time her father had taken her fishing and she'd accidentally caused the boat to float three feet above the water. Her father had been more upset that she'd scared away the fish than that his boat was defying gravity.
Night had fallen when they left the Three Broomsticks. Allen surprised Tonks when he revealed he had a little money, and they ventured to the Honeydukes candy shop for Christmas shopping. Allen had bought an assortment of interestingly-named sweets for Luna and Hagrid: Chocolate Frogs (which really jumped, to Allen's amusement), Ice Mice (cool mints that caused your breath to fog even on the hottest days), Licorice Wands, Sugar Quills (which was as beautiful as they were delicious), Fizzing Whizzbees, Exploding Bonbons (getting cherry cordial all over Allen's face), holiday edition Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans (which included peppermint and Santa's Hair Tonic flavors), and fudge.
The trek back up to the castle was easy; Tonks had the tip of her wand illuminated, keeping back the dark. They crested the hill at end of the village, almost exactly where Allen had first looked out on the village not so long ago. The castle came into view, every window lit up with golden light. It took Allen's breath away, and Tonks smiled at his awe.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?"
He nodded wordlessly.
"I think, for everyone who's ever lived there, Hogwarts is home," she said, leading the way up to the school. Allen wasn't sure about home—that was somewhere else, and always would be—but he was glad to be back.
xox
The halls were empty and Allen was grateful for the quiet return. Dumbledore was in his office, while most of the students were back in their dorms. Allen and Tonks gave their version of the events of the mission. When they were done, Dumbledore thanked them.
"I have one or two questions for you before you leave, Mr. Walker," he said gently. Allen waited. "You mentioned that your eye pained you and that is how you knew the Akuma had arrived. Can you explain that a bit further?"
Allen hesitated, but didn't see the harm in it. "My eye is cursed," he began.
"Does it have to do with the reason you stayed here?"
"No, I don't think so. My eye was cursed long before any of the other stuff happened. But I can detect when Akuma are close, and when they're in view, I can see their souls. It's how I can tell who an Akuma is before it attacks me, and it helps me fight."
Dumbledore nodded. "I see. You can see the souls of the dead that create them, is that what you're saying?"
"Yes."
Dumbledore looked pensive. "How does your eye feel now? Do you need to visit Madame Pomfrey?"
Allen shook his head. "I'm fine now."
Dumbledore nodded. "Well, that's all I had to ask. I have to thank you again for looking into this." He smiled, and Allen gave a slight bow. He left, shutting the door quietly behind him.
Tonks stood in front of Dumbledore's desk, staring at the door before turning back to the headmaster. "What was that about?"
"Curiosity, my dear," he replied, but the pensive look remained. After a moment Dumbledore looked up at her. "And how are you doing, Tonks?"
Tonks sighed. "I'm alright."
"What are your plans for the holidays? I hear Molly is throwing a get-together."
xox
Allen was exhausted, and the thought of his bed was heavenly. He just had to find the room first.
"You would think, Tim," he mumbled to the golem floating by his shoulder, "that I'd know my way around by now."
Timcanpy chirped. Allen smiled slightly and they turned a corner. Raised voices came from ahead; Allen slowed his pace, approaching quietly. It could be nothing, but it was late for people to be walking about.
"I can handle it just fine, sir," hissed a somewhat familiar voice several feet in front of him, and Allen frowned as he saw, at a distance, a blond boy and a tall dark-haired man.
What were Snape and Malfoy doing out at this hour?
"You need my help, Draco," Snape argued, but Malfoy shoved the professor away, snarled something, and stalked off. He saw Allen as he walked down the hall, but after a moment sneered at him and continued walking. Apparently Allen wasn't worth the trouble. He was glad; he was too tired for a fight, verbal or otherwise.
Snape walked off as well, in the other direction, not seeing Allen at all. Allen was grateful for the reprieve. Whatever happened, he could think about in the morning. He didn't even know what he'd stumbled on. He trekked on, but a small movement caught in the corner of his eye.
In two steps he was across the corridor, hand wrapping around a figure that shot a startled spell. Allen dodged just in time, his grip on the eavesdropper tightening.
He didn't know who was more surprised, himself or Harry Potter, dressed in a suit-like set of robes, wand out as he stared at Allen. Allen let the boy go.
"What are you doing here?" they both asked at the same time. Allen sighed.
"I just got back from work," he offered. He gestured at Harry's clothes. "What's the occasion?"
"Oh, uh…," Harry stumbled, and then put his wand away. "Slughorn's Christmas party. I just got out."
"Uh huh," Allen said. He rubbed his face. "I'm sorry about grabbing you."
Harry nodded, straightening his robes and putting his wand back in his pocket. "Didn't mean to startle you," Harry offered.
Allen shrugged. "'S fine. Well, good night Harry."
"Uh, Allen?"
"What?"
Harry glanced down the hall, where Malfoy had disappeared. "Did you hear anything?"
"No," he replied, because he didn't know what he'd seen. "Why?"
"Oh, it's nothing," Harry replied quickly. "Sorry to keep you." He hesitated a moment, and then said, "Welcome back."
"…Thanks. I'll see you later, Harry."
They parted ways, Allen wondering what that was all about. He found his room, put his things down, kicked off his boots, and collapsed into bed, falling asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.