The Enemy of my Enemy

The Minister Pays Another Visit

"Ready to go?"

Teddie shrugged but didn't look up from her packing.

Marcus sighed and shuffled into the room. He stopped directly behind her, looking down over her shoulder at the picture frame in her hands. Inside was a small image of her, Mason, and her parents. Neither she nor Mason were more than a few years old, and he guessed it was an old image.

"I know it's hard," said Marcus.

"No, you don't," said Teddie. "Your parents are alive and well."

Tentatively, Marcus placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. "You're right. I'm sorry, I have no idea how you're feeling," he agreed.

"I sense a but. How can there be a but in this conversation?"

Marcus remained silent as Teddie took a deep breath. Once he was sure she wouldn't bite his head off again, he swallowed and said, "What happened to you and your family isn't fair, Ted. But there are families out there that are being ripped apart."

"Yeah, and you want me to run and hide!"

"I want to keep you safe!"

Teddie whirled around, eyes narrowed and fresh tears cresting the lids. "Keep me safe?" she asked. "How? How are you going to keep me safe? Remove me from England? Hide me in a safe house somewhere oversees?"

"If that's what it takes," said Marcus.

"People are dying every day!" Teddie argued. "My friends and their families are being sacrificed at my expense by two psychos looking for ultimate power."

"Which is why we must get you away," said Marcus. "They can't get ultimate power if you're not here."

Teddie angrily wiped at her face. "You could hide me at the bottom of the ocean, and I'd never be safe," she said. "Avery has proved that she will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Something as vast as an ocean isn't going to come between her and me."

"It could," said Marcus. "But you have to let it. I thought you were all for hiding. What changed."

Teddie half-glanced at the Daily Prophet on her bed.

Marcus picked it up and read the headline:

MUGGLE FAMILY KILLED IN THEIR BEDS.

Mr and Mrs Poles' of 24 Spinners End were murdered in their sleep. Muggle authorities have launched an investigation into their deaths, but all leads are coming to dead ends.

Ministry of Magic officials deemed the deaths unnatural to Muggles and indicate that two of the Unforgivable curses may have been used.

"I knew them," said Teddie, softly. "He was a milkman. Not the most glamorous of jobs, but he loved it. He loved his wife and children, too, but it didn't stop Avery from slaughtering them."

"That's not your fault."

"No? They were my neighbours. They were targeted because they knew me."

"It's still not your fault."

Teddie tossed the picture frame onto her bed and spun around to face Marcus. She raised her hands and shoved them against his chest, knocking him back. "They were innocent!" she yelled, tears cascading down her cheeks. "They didn't deserve to die! They didn't deserve to be killed just because they knew me."

Initially stunned, Marcus regained his composure and stepped forward. He wrapped his arms around Teddie, despite her trying her hardest to wrangle free, and pulled her close to him.