Too Little, Too Late
Daisy sat on the sofa at her and Wills' place, bouncing her leg. Wills glanced over at her but her eyes were trained on the movie playing on the TV. He was trying to keep her relaxed before the match tomorrow and usually it worked. They would watch a movie, have some popcorn and a few drinks. Then she'd usually head up to bed and pass out around midnight and sleep all the way through the night.
But tonight, she had been on edge all evening. To the point she had nearly dropped a plate while they were doing dishes after dinner.
"Pix, what's going on with you?" he asked, sitting up.
"Nothing," she said.
"You've been practically vibrating all night with nervous energy. Something's up. Even I'm having trouble sitting still because of it," he replied. "Is it the game?"
"Of course not," she said, snorting. "Why would I be nervous about playing the Falcons?" Wills just stared at her. "Alright, so I'm a bit nervous."
"Would you like to discuss why?" he pushed.
"Not particularly," Daisy responded, not taking her eyes off the TV.
"Would it be a particularly bad natured seeker?" he asked. Daisy narrowed her eyes.
"No," she said immediately. Wills sighed.
"Come on, Pix," he said, poking her in the arm. Daisy glanced over at him.
"Maybe that has something to do with it," she said, returning her attention to the TV.
"Why?" Wills asked.
"Not sure… there's just something about tomorrow that has me off," she said. "The last time I felt this way was the Puddlemere match when…"
"When Jamie got hurt and both of you started showing your gifts," Wills finished. Daisy nodded.
"I can't help feeling like something's off, but I'm not sure what. Last time it was because I was feeling Jamie and didn't realize it. This time… I'm not sure," she said.
"You think it's some sort of Spidey sense, do you?" he asked. Daisy rolled her eyes, suddenly regretting she had ever introduced him to superhero movies.
"No, it's not that. We don't have that gift, as far as I'm aware," she said, huffing slightly. "I don't know what it is. If something is actually happening or if I'm just letting all the talk and suspicions get to me."
"You've played and beaten him many times, Pix. There's nothing to worry about there," he said.
"I know. But they still haven't found a connection between him and the Network. They still haven't found the Network. We've no idea what they are planning next, just that they are out to take over the world," she said quickly. "And for some reason they want to use me to do this."
"You'll be fine tomorrow. There's no way they'd attempt something at a match," Wills said, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.
"You think I'm mad for being like this?" Daisy asked.
"Course not. I understand how hard it's been with everything. You're just letting your imagination get the best of you," Wills said soothingly. "You'll go out there and show Hardwick who's boss. Like you always do." Daisy glanced at him and then back at the TV.
"Suppose you're right," she said, leaning her head on his shoulder. The shaking of her leg slowed and stopped, but she couldn't help continuing to shift around on the sofa near constantly.
"Pix…"
"Sorry, I can't help it," she said, sighing slightly. "It's like I've got all this pent up nervous energy and nowhere to put it."
"You want to go down to the practice room? Work some of it out?" he asked.
"No…" Daisy sighed and sat up, pushing off the sofa. "I'm going to try and take a bath. See if that helps."
"Do you need me to do anything?" Wills asked, watching as she walked towards the staircase.
"No," she said, continuing up. Wills sighed and returned to watching the movie, though kept glancing up towards the loft, worrying starting to fill him.
Once in the bathroom, Daisy turned on the water and undressed while the large bath filled up. She turned and dropped a few scent bombs into the warm water, breathing deeply as the smell of lavender filled the air.
Once the tub was full, she carefully got in and laid back, staring up at the ceiling. She frowned slightly, not liking the fact that she was so unsettled. She had no reason to believe tomorrow's match would be any different from the others. And the lack of news about the Network was also nothing new. Perhaps it was the news that they thought the Network could be going after the muggles at the same time. She didn't think they would do anything until they caught her again, but with Magnus, who knew?
Sighing, Daisy closed her eyes and tried to focus on letting all the tension and worry leave her body so that she'd at least get some sleep that night.
Gasping slightly, Daisy stumbled as she looked around, finding herself beyond the veil. She quickly looked down, thankful that she was at least dressed. She hadn't been there in weeks, too caught up in everything going on - practice, her family, the ball and such. She had been so tired at night that she didn't accidentally appear there in her dreams either.
"Daisy, we have missed you," Athanasia said from behind her. Daisy turned to face her, seeing the woman standing a few feet away with a soft smile on her face.
"Sorry, just… got caught up in life," she said, walking towards her.
"It's alright, dear. I am happy that you are not coming because of that. We would prefer that you spend your days living rather than visiting the dead," she said. "But something bothers you. I can see your mind is not at ease."
Daisy nodded, looking down as she frowned.
"I'm not sure what it is. I just have this feeling. That something's coming," she said. She looked up at Athanasia. "Is that our gift too? Premonition of danger?"
"Daisy, only those with the gift of sight can know specifics and even then, it is not always clear. You know this from the elders," she replied softly. "But you have proven that you have good instincts. You should follow them."
"So, this could mean that something is coming?" Daisy asked, looking up at her as her eyes faded to a dull gray. Athanasia smiled and reached up, gently cupping Daisy's cheek.
"Do not be afraid, young Daisy. You have proven that you are more than capable of handling whatever is coming," she said. "There is no need to worry or fear. Just be strong and be brave. As always." Daisy nodded.
"Daisy?" a voice called out. Daisy turned and smiled as Lily ran up and hugged her. "It's so good to see you!"
"Same, Aunt Lily," Daisy said as she stepped back.
"What's wrong, my dear?" Lily asked, instantly frowning as she saw the worry in her niece's eyes.
"Just… pre-match jitters is all," she said.
"Are you sure there's nothing else?" she asked, smoothing Daisy's hair back from her face.
"I think I'm just letting everything get to me," she admitted.
"I know it's hard. But you must have faith and stay strong," Lily said.
"I will. I promise," Daisy said. Lily smiled.
"Good. While you're here, let's catch up a bit. I saw that dress from the ball. Simply amazing," Lily said, starting to lead her over to a bench.
"Louie found it for me," Daisy said.
"He's really quite talented," Lily said, as they sat.
"That he is. He's been designing his own. I'd like him to make me something next year," Daisy said.
"That sounds lovely," Lily said. "How's Wills?"
"Good. Doing his best to keep me happy and preoccupied with everything going on," Daisy said. "Some days I wonder how he stands me. I can get into a right good state at times."
"He loves you, that's how. Goodness knows James put up with so much from me… I couldn't stand him at first. But yet, he was always there," Lily said.
"Really?" Daisy asked, her eyes wide. Lily chuckled.
"Yes. He was in love with me for much longer than I was in love with him. But yet, he gave me space. Let me choose and decide," she said. "But when we were younger, he really drove me mad. Always teasing and playing pranks."
"So I've heard," Daisy said, laughing softly.
"But, in the end, we were meant to be," Lily said. "Just as you and Wills are meant to be. Love will give you a great deal of patience. Though I'm sure you haven't been nearly that bad."
"Likely not, but still, sure it's not easy with my family," Daisy said.
"Your father still not warming up to him?" Lily asked. Daisy shrugged.
"Sometimes I think we're making strides, and then sometimes I don't." she said with a sigh.
"I'm sure it'll all work out in the end," Lily said.
"Pix?"
Daisy turned and looked into the darkness, sensing Wills nearby.
"Suppose it's time for me to get back," she said, turning to look at Lily again. Lily smiled and pulled her into a hug.
"It was good to see you here," Lily said.
"Same," Daisy said before standing. "I'll see you again."
"Hopefully not too soon," Lily said. Daisy just smiled.
"Give everyone my love," she said.
"I will."
Daisy then closed her eyes. When she opened them, she was back in the bathtub, the water still warm that's to the heating charms in the bath bombs. She sat up and looked towards the door.
"Everything alright in there? It's been awhile," Wills called through.
"Fine! Just dozed off," she said.
"Got some tea ready," Wills replied.
"I'll be right out," Daisy said back. She then heard his feet retreating. She sighed and got out of the bath, toweling off before grabbing her robe. She felt a little better. Whatever tomorrow brought, she would handle it.
Aleka shifted on her feet, her eyes trained on the large house across the street. It was in the middle of a quiet residential area in Athens and remained rather innocuous. Not a single hint from the outside of what may lie within. In the week they had been watching it, they only saw a few come and go - a normal occurrence likely to blend in with the surrounding homes.
"We should just go in. It is not likely that Magnus will come out," she said softly, glancing up and down the sidewalk. They had been standing there a few hours that day without seeing a soul enter or leave. The twins had both assumed that there must be apparition points or a secret floo network to allow those involved to enter and leave unseen from the outside.
Whatever safety precautions they had taken - and there were likely to be many considering the twins believed this was the new headquarters for the Network - Aleka and Alekos would be able to easily move through them.
"We must be patient, Aleka. We do not know what is inside for sure. There could be a trap. They know that our kind can move through normal security wards," Alekos replied quietly. "They could have taken other measures."
"But they do not know everything about us," Aleka said, the impatience evident in her voice. "They do not know of all our gifts."
"True, but still… we have never faced a group like this," he said calmly. "What do your instincts tell you?"
"To wait," Aleka said, albeit slightly glum.
"Then we must wait a bit longer," he said. "But I agree we should try to enter soon. I can feel that something is coming."
Aleka looked over at him.
"You feel it too," she said. Alekos nodded, his eyes still trained on the house. She looked back at it, frowning. "Something is not right. I fear that is what pushing me to act."
"Still, we must be cautious," he said.
They waited another 30 minutes or so before Aleka huffed.
"I'm going in. Something is not right," she said.
"Aleka!" Alekos hissed softly, but it was too late. She had already disappeared from his side. Rolling his eyes, Alekos knew the only thing to do was to follow.
When he reappeared, he was standing in a front sitting room filled with modest furniture and decoration. It looks as though someone had been using the sofa as a bed recently. He immediately took a deep breath, allowing the disillusionment cover him like a second skin. It was part of their gifts that helped them to track - the ability to appear invisible to the naked eye without setting off any charms to detect it.
Quietly, he left the room and stepped into a dark hallway, looking around for Aleka. As she was likely hidden as well, he relied on his other senses to tell him if she was nearby. He could hear voices coming from other parts of the house and as he came to a staircase going upstairs, he stopped, hesitating. He wanted to find Aleka, but at the same time he felt the same urgency that she did and it was leading him upstairs. Sighing, he started up the stairs, worry filling him at what he might find.
Aleka cautiously moved around the back of the house, avoiding the few people who seemed to be inside. Frowning she glanced into various rooms, noting that the home appeared much bigger inside than out. They had to have used magical carpentry to do so and must have powerful wizards and witches within the group in order to do so without being detected.
Avoiding the kitchen where she could hear voices, she stepped into a large back den. Her eyes widened as she looked around; many photos and parchments were up on the walls as a large table filled the middle of the room. It bothered her that she could only sense a handful of people in the home. If this was the headquarters, there should be more. She feared perhaps they were too late. But before she would let it worry her too much, she needed to figure out just what it was that they were up to.
She stepped over to a board that was constantly changing, various directions scrawled on it with names, dates and times. Aleka watched it a moment, a cold fear starting to fill her as she looked at the parchments.
This was it. They had found the headquarters. More than that, she had just found proof of everyone involved in the Network and it was much bigger than they had suspected. She quickly waved her hand, doing a quick and quiet replication charm so that she could carry the evidence with her. She then walked back to the board and froze as a large blueprint appeared.
Her blood ran cold as she froze it, her eyes flying across it as she took in the diagram with names and entry points.
"God… this is bad," she uttered as her heart quickened. She waved her hand again, making a copy. She then quickly gathered everything and shrank it, then put it in a hidden pocket inside her leather jacket. Moving quickly and quietly, she left the room and started down the hallway. She needed to find Alekos - and fast.
Alekos quietly moved down the upstairs hallway. The building was near empty, only a few people there. That disquieted him. There should be more there. The lack of people made him think something was happening.
At the end of the hallway, a door was slightly ajar, the sound of a wireless drifting out. It was the Falcons and Arrows game. Alekos frowned as he moved towards it and peered in. He could see someone sitting in an armchair in front of a dead fireplace, the wireless on a nearby table.
Moving in slowly to get a better view without pushing the door open further, he looked around the door edge just as the person leaned forward to fiddle with the wireless set. Alekos narrowed his eyes, seeing Magnus with a smug smile on his face.
"Please, Tobias. Sit. You'll miss the excitement," he said calmly, looking towards the other side of the room.
"Of course, sir," another voice said. Alekos heard footsteps and then the sound of springs as someone sat on a sofa that was just out of sight. "Do you think it will work?"
Magnus scowled.
"Of course, it will. Even if it was that idiot Hardwick's plan. We've been over every scenario. There's no way we will fail today. In a short time, Daisy Wood will be in our possession. And then we will be able to proceed," Magnus said. "Everything is in place and ready. We've been planning this for a long time."
"I know, sir. Forgive me for doubting," Tobias said meekly.
"Perhaps you should get the champagne ready. I'm in the mood to start celebrating," Magnus said, leaning back in the chair. "It won't be long before it starts."
"Yes, sir," Tobias said, the sofa creaking as he stood.
Alekos quickly moved away from the door, stepping into an empty bedroom before Tobias stepped out into the hallway. He waited until the footsteps passed before stepping back into the hallway and nearly colliding with something. Reaching out, he grabbed Aleka's arm and pulled her into the room. After shutting the door softly, he turned, seeing that she had dropped her disillusionment. Her dark eyes were wide with fear.
"We must get to the match. Now," she whispered urgently.
"I know. Magnus is here and it seems that something will happen there. They are going to try to take Daisy," he replied.
"It's more than that, Alekos. They have a massive plan. They are going to take her today and then use her to bring back Grindelwald. Then in two days, they will attack the governments - muggle and magic - simultaneously," she said. "I have the plans, but we must get there now. I fear we may be too late already."
Alekos nodded grimly and held his hand out.
"Let's go."
Meant to post earlier, but got caught up in working on Father of the Bride over the weekend. I'm actually nearly finished with that one - total of 10 chapters. Looking like I should be able to start publishing as soon as I finish up with this one.
And yea, told you that the action was about to pick up. ^_^
AleenaBean - Yea, everything is about to come out over the next couple of chapters. I'm still working on finishing up the last chapter and the epilogue - plus some cleaning up with the second to last chapter. But yea, it's starting to come to the end...
As always, thanks for reading, following and reviewing!
