The Code

When becoming an Auror, there are two rules you are told to abide by no matter what: Always keep a clear head and never lose sight of the task at hand. These principles are perceived as the linchpin for success; any deviation from them is deemed a perilous misstep that could jeopardize an entire mission. Consequently, they have been etched into the very essence of an Aurors' existence, serving as a strict code for every individual committed to upholding the Ministry of Magic's ideals. Adherence to this code is not just a matter of principle; it's a matter of survival.

Nikolai Volkov, he would proudly inform you, has never broken the code. Too many times he has witnessed entire missions plunge into jeopardy due to the carelessness of fellow Aurors, with some cases ending in good men losing their lives. From the earliest days of his training, Nikolai vowed to never prioritize anything above his assignments because, in his mind, such occurrences are devoid of any justification and remain utterly unacceptable. In the past, some of his peers have made fun of him for taking his job too seriously, but it's his no-nonsense, diligent, approach that has allowed him to rise in the ranks and become known as one of the best Aurors the Ministry has to offer. Nikolai has always excelled at keeping his work and personal life separate to ensure his best performance as an Auror. Until now.

Nikolai is convinced the universe is playing some sort of cruel joke on him. In a sick machiavellian scheme to test just how strong Nikolai's self-control is, it has just been decided that for the next three and a half months Nikolai will be accompanying ancient magic wielder Everleigh Grayson on a cross-country trek to complete the last of the trials. Alone. Nikolai had tried to fight it, really he did. But no matter how he spun it, there was no denying he was the best person for the job. It also hadn't helped matters that Everleigh had apparently requested him personally to accompany her.

Nikolai had been weak. He, like an idiot, had fallen for the one woman off limits to him. The same woman who he will be accompanying on her journey to complete the trials. Not only was Everleigh the integral person for this mission but she was in a relationship with someone else. Or at least, had been. He wasn't exactly sure where things stood on that front. Based on Everleigh's demeanor the last month, he was certain there had been some sort of fight before leaving Hogwarts between the couple. Knowing who she was dating, a guy from her year named Sebastian Sallow, Nikolai wouldn't be surprised if Sebastian was the one at fault. Nikolai had all of two interactions with Sebastian back at Hogwarts and both times he had come off as extremely possessive and, in his opinion, childish. A part of him did find joy at that notion of the two being separated, but Everleigh's attitude would suggest that if this was the case, she wasn't over him. In a roundabout way, he could understand why Everleigh was interested in Sebastian, but she could do so much better. Now if it was him dating her...

But it's none of his business. No matter what feelings he has for Everleigh, Nikolai has a job to do and he'll be damned if he lets his emotions get in the way. Everleigh is no longer just a friend; she is now his charge, his responsibility. Nikolai has never failed to stick to the code and he doesn't plan to fail now. Keep a clear head, Volkov. Don't lose sight of the mission.

                                                                           *~*~*~*~*~*

The last month for Everleigh has been... challenging to say the least. For weeks, she has been hiking through forests and mountains with a bunch of strange Aurors she hardly knew - aside from Nikolai of course. The Journey has been a non-stop grueling pace where stops were only ever made to eat or set up camp. Then it's an early morning wake-up call the next day and you start the whole process over again. Thankfully, some of the Aurors have been enjoyable enough. Two of them especially, Goldstein and Shacklebot, have been kind and easy to talk to. For Everleigh, the worst part of it all wasn't the living conditions, it was the distance. Every step she took was a reminder of how far away she was from Hogwarts, her friends, and worst of all from him.