Heir of Sallow

***You got me thinkin' it'll be alright

CW: SmootSmoot

More than likely, the last smootsmoot. 

The only type of wordplay that Ominis had been able to grasp from the vow was that Alec was working with Podex, not for him. Meaning he didn't have to do what Podex said, as he was not an underling. Fennic and Eliza had gone to Malfoy Manor, Alec had stuck around until morning the next day, sleeping in Levi's now old room. Sebastian had sent a quick letter to Ominis to arrive in the morning once he'd woken up. They'd all sat at the breakfast table, eating breakfast while Ominis tried to think of something, anything, but it was of no use.

Something that didn't sit right with Charlie was the fact that all three of the adults, Ominis, Sebastian, and Tessa had the same look of... defeat wasn't quite the word. But it was reluctant acceptance of something that none of them to say outloud.

Then Omimis had told Charlie's parents that the ministry was expecting them to return to work within the week as he took his leave. Ever since Charlie had been taken, they'd taken a leave from their duties. And since there was nothing that could be done about Podex for now, they were expected back. Her father grumbled but her mother calmed him.

"Alec, every chance you get, please come back so we can figure something out." Charlie told him with a sigh.

"This whole time you've only had one vow," Theo mused, shaking his head. "You're brilliant, mate."

Alec looked at him guiltily. "I wish ya would've told me that Podex was usin' me as a threat to ya."

Theo shrugged. "It happened. It's over."

Charlie watched the two of them talk until her mother reminded them that they had classes.

Theo and Charlie went back upstairs to dress after saying goodbye to Alec. Charlie's mother had went out and bought an entire new wardrobe for Theo, who had tried to protest, but Tessa had walked away, refusing to hear it. Grace had done a number on his clothes, it just made sense for him to get more. And it was the first time Charlie had actually seen him in a Slytherin tie. She wasn't willing to admit just yet how much of an effect that had on her.

When Charlie had made it back downstairs, she was not surprised to find that Alec and Sebastian were speaking outside. She watched through the front window. Alec was almost always grinning that deadly grin of his, but his face seemed more lit up. Like he was genuinely happy. 

Sebastian seemed to be enjoying himself as well, though he kept looking at Alec with a tinge of sadness on his face that hadn't left since Ominis had told then about his vow. Her father had all around looked more relaxed since they'd had their talk. As it was, he'd heard Theo tell Charlie his idea to go back to try to end Podex, and when he'd tried to bring it up, her mother had shot it down immediately.

Charlie watched them out the window and smelled pine and paint as right before Theo's hands fell to her waist.

"Podex knows." He told her, his mouth pressed to the back of her head.

Charlie turned to face him, so suddenly that she'd caught Theo off guard and he took a step back, startled. "Knows what?" She asked, eyes widened.

"Knows that my vows are gone," Theo frowned. "Are you alright?"

Charlie felt her body relax. If Podex knew, that meant no going back. Theo wouldn't be tempted to play hero. She hugged him tightly, burying her face against his chest. He rubbed her back, before speaking, the hesitation clear in his voice.