To Hurt and To Heal

The Signs Of Hope

Delphi wasn't surprised at all when her father called yet another meeting, all built on blood purity and loyalty, which meant nothing to her, but she had to pretend like it did, which she hated but she knew deep down, she was doing the right thing. Which created a sense of calm and serenity but not that she would admit it. Now she was surprised when her father strode into the dining room, slid into the chair opposite of her own, and offered no explanation when he called on her. With calculated disrespect and distaste, couldn't prepare her for the task she now had to take on.

At least she knew a few words here and there that would keep the army on their feet. Though she wasn't as built into this life as her parents, she managed to keep her stance. "This is what the aurors want us to think- to keep us grounded."

Annie shrugged, keeping eye contact with Delphi, and her father studied the two of them for a little while than he probably should have. She remained fixated, lost in her ocean eyes, she smiled ever so lightly, if it had been for any shorter, you would have missed it-

She shut down the memory before it could make her heart skip a few beats, and instead smiled at her father. "There is an opening for our first strike, the last day of April, it'll be when they least expect it." It was the truth, but she was somehow going to stall her way out of it.

"A wise decision." Her father leaned back in the ancient wooden chair. "A leader's instincts."

The rest nod and offer a couple, 'mmmh,'like they've known her for years, but they haven't.

A boy who she recognises pinned her with a long stare. "I'm going to take care of the ministry- until then I'll be working on our so-called return."

"Is that so?" The boy shouts, "From what I've seen, you have been making no move to prepare us for this 'so-called return.' You're just a replacement- remember that..."

"Hush," the dark lord holds a finger up to his lips. "I was summoned for my daughter's presence. Funny thing, maybe I should look into your replacement."

The boy gulped, "Again, I'm permanent."

That had been the most anyone has ever stood up for Delphi, though she didn't know exactly how to feel about it. Once the meeting was over, Delphi walked out and down the hallways of the hidden room. She didn't know what she was doing, but she thought that was quite obvious.
Would they just change their minds entirely? Leave her in the dust, to die? What if they find out she's working against them? What then? All she could do was wait. Wait for someone to find who she really was. Maybe she was waiting for her death and maybe she wasn't, but she knew she'd be free at least. She'd have that at last.

Somehow she managed to trick everyone in the room. They really thought she was going to be a Riddle. It was the smart thing to do, the idea that made the most sense, but she never seemed to follow directions.

Maybe it was partially based on her position, it's one she does take seriously. Considering her meaning to family and all. But that pleasing, dark smile remained on her father's face and she couldn't help but want to look away. Regardless, she held her tongue.

It was the only thing she could do and she wasn't foolish enough to try anything. The ministry let her off with rotting in Azkaban for ten long years and that time in an institution. But still it felt as if it wasn't enough. She knew deep down they shouldn't have let her go despite her conversations she's had with the aurors.

Deep down she felt she didn't truly deserve this...redemption. They could change their minds after all and she wouldn't resist that either. But in all of the chaos, she didn't want their pity.

*

Delphi was once again, standing over the edge, contemplating. Not exactly sure of what it was yet, but...something. The outside has always and forever will be an escape for Delphi. And though it made her sound too eager and pathetic, she didn't care, not really anyway.

She had been stuck for too long, yet she's never been here- to this exact spot, she was sure she knew where it was.

A cleared throat. "Am I always going to find you here?" Another uncomfortable laugh and she took a more serious tone.

Delphi turned around, facing the other once again. "Depends where is here?"

She rephrases, "Outside, lost. Yes."

Such a tricky question to answer, since the how and why of her journey to her life started with the unknown. "Here?" She asked, keeping her eyes forward.

"Where is here?"

She almost cringed, she had more self control than that after five years in the little old cell of Azkaban and knowing that one flicker of disgust or fear on her face could blow her cover. "A small village in the east. Most people have never heard of it."

"It is beautiful," she said. "I wish I could stay here forever."

She did not remember the outside enough to recall whether she had loved every part of it, bordered on the east by the sea.

"Why can't you?"

She pauses for a moment then replies, "I don't think it works that way."

She was entrusted by the stranger standing in front of her yet could show nothing but absolute certainty.

A slash of a grin. "Liar."

She did not mean to, but she caught her gaze- those sapphire eyes so bright in the late afternoon sun streaming through the small window.

"I did not mean any offence, Del-"

"I'm prying." She tested the subject. "I was trying to distress myself."

She nodded because she had nothing to say and could never come up with anything clever to say anyway. "Annie."

"Yes?"

"Do what you need to do."

She bit her lip, a stupid nervous habit, and nodded as she put her hand around the other's shoulder. She felt the texture of her velvet ruby red cardigan. But she didn't pull back, instead she hugged her, pulling her into herself and closer.

She hadn't known her yet but she would, one day. Delphi was barely into her mission and she was already- she looked at Annie and smiled. She'd seen her when no one else had but of course she couldn't explain that. She had time. But she'd wept the next month when she spied her again, and two soldiers had whispered about how beautiful Annie was- she couldn't help but hate her for it.

It had been secret and stupid, this infatuation with her. Because when she finally saw her again, she did not look at her. It was almost as if she'd become invisible. It drove her mad, and she couldn't help but wonder if when she smiled, it was going to be the last time.