Peacekeepers

Chapter 4: Quiet Night

(song for this chapter is Aqua Vitae by Future World Music on repeat)

Something was keeping Poppy up, sighing as she sat up in bed. She couldn't quite place what it was, some electric charge in the air that made her restless. She figured it was because Dan was in the next room, sleeping soundly on the couch with his rifle and ammo resting beside the door in case they had to go quickly.

She decided to get up, thinking perhaps some chamomile tea would help her relax enough to sleep. She put a robe on over her nightgown, walking out of the bedroom and peering over at the parlor to see Dan stretched out across the couch, snoring softly. He had taken his shirt off to sleep, and she blushed softly when she saw his chest rising and falling with each deep breath he took.

She walked over to the kitchen and quietly brewed some tea, making sure to take the kettle off the stove before it started whistling so she wouldn't wake Dan.

She held her tea as she stood in front of the window of the kitchen looking out into the streets of Hogsmeade, the bright moon casting a silvery glow over the buildings as stars shown above on the clear night. It was so nice out, part of her wanted to go for a walk outside under the stars... but she glanced over to Dan again, thinking he would get upset if she just left like that.

She gave a soft sigh before she sipped from her teacup, wondering what would happen. She hated this looming sense of danger she had, the hair on the back of her neck standing up at the thought. She was restless, constantly alert as if something could attack her any minute...

"Pop-"

She shouted in alarm and splashed hot tea on her hand with a hiss of pain, turning around to see Dan startled by her reaction.

"Ah, damn-" He cursed softly as she shook her hand in pain, taking it and seeing the red skin where the tea had spilled over her. "Come here-" He said urgently, taking her wrist gently and leading her over to the sink where he pumped cool water over the burn to try and soothe it.

"Dan, I can just heal it." Poppy said in amusement at his effort to help her. It was so endearing though, how he'd automatically started to try and soothe her.

"Right." He chuckled softly, forgetting about that.

She set the teacup on the counter and turned toward him, looking up into his pretty hazel eyes. She smiled softly, reaching up to gently touch her palm against his cheek. She heard him inhale softly, his eyes widening at the touch as his eyes turned hooded. "Thank you for caring about me so much." Poppy said softly.

He reached up and set his hand over hers on his cheek, closing his eyes and smiling gently as he leaned into her hand. "Of course." He said quietly, but his brow furrowed as if he wanted to say more. "I just want... I want you to be happy... and safe." He opened his eyes again to look down to her affectionately.

"I want that for you too." Poppy said softly, a blush coloring his cheeks.

"I-" Danny looked to the window as he spotted movement, his gaze suddenly turning serious. "What is that?"

Poppy turned to look out the window to see a figure walking along the rooftops of one of the buildings down the street, black cloaks hiding their identity as they used a rain spout to slide down to the ground and go around the side of the building.

"Who would be sneaking around this time of night?" She whispered in confusion.

Dan let out an uneasy sound and looked down to Poppy. "We'll continue this later. Let's go investigate. Get dressed." He said softly, moving over to the living room to get dressed as well.

Poppy let out an anxious breath before running over to the bedroom to change into a dress as quickly as possible and grab her wand.

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