Babysitters

Chapter 27

THEODORE NOTT

I used to dread the Knockturn alley.
It was back when the life as a Death Eater was new to me, when I had no idea what I was doing.
What crimes I was committing.
Back then, I felt like I didn't fit in with the people who chose to spend their time there, because I wasn't like that. I wasn't as bad as them.
I still feel it. I don't belong here, among these people, but because of a whole new reason. Now, I'm worse than them.

Some of the wizards recognized me and Enzo as we walked through the crowd. They pressed their backs down on the windows and walls of the shops, shaking, hoping, that they wouldn't be on our way, because who knows what we'd do to them.
Nothing, I say.
Those fearful looks I get, trembling forms that distance themselves as far as they can, sometimes they make me feel powerful. Then some other times, they make me feel like a monster.
I wish I could escape my heritage and reputation, but you can't outrun something that lives inside of you. Blood doesn't mean family, I've heard. I am nothing like my father, I hope.

Our next stop was Borgin and Burkes. If we weren't to find the artifact there, I was almost certain someone in the shop would know of its location, or could at least give us a direction where to look from.
"You didn't tell V anything, right?" Enzo questioned, glaring at a witch who stood in the middle of the alley. The witch turned around as he tapped on her back, her eyes widening as she recognized us. She moved to the side so swiftly I was surprised when the glass her back bumped into didn't break.
We passed her quickly, not wanting to attract any further attention to our ministries. "No," I sighed.
He pat my back in a manner what was supposed to be comforting. "She'll be fine. Mattheo, Tom and Draco are still there to take care of her."
I scoffed. "That's what I'm worried about. I wouldn't be surprised if Tom saw this as an opportunity to get a head-start on the fucking arrangement."
"You know they won't marry until V is eighteen. That's a line her father wouldn't cross," Enzo pointed out.
"I know that," I huffed. "I'm not stupid. What I mean is now that neither of us is around, he might try to get closer to her. I will break every bone in his body if he even tries to touch her."
Enzo kicked a small rock that laid before his boot. "I've spoken with her. She isn't interested in him even in the slightest."
"You really think Tom will care? He does that mind-gaming shit, plays with her emotions and manipulates her into thinking God knows what." My breath hitched in my throat. Saying it out loud made it somehow more real, more terrifying. Explaining my thoughts and worries to Enzo got me believing them myself, accepting them as obvious truths.
Enzo sighed. "Lets just focus on the task in our hands. The quicker we find the goddamn artifact, the quicker we can go back and you can put a stop to whatever you believe Tom is planning."
"Yeah."

The showcase of the shop in the line of my vision got me lengthening my steps. If we'd be lucky, we'd find it from here straight away and I could get back to the manor, back to Veronica.
I haven't dared to discuss the thoughts forming in my mind with Enzo, let alone Mattheo. Oh how I wished I could just take Veronica by the hand and lead her out of that shithole, to a whole nother country, preferably Italy. We could just run away from all of this, leave everything in the past and live a happy life, just the two of us. Just thinking about the possibility gave me two sensations; a rush full of pleasure and hope of a future with her, and the painful burning on my left forearm, punishing me for my unfaithful thoughts.

Enzo pushed the door to the shop open and walked in like he owned the place. I followed closely behind, wanting to let him do the talking.
It's almost funny how different Enzo gets whenever he's with Veronica. All of a sudden the cold facade he wears for the sake of maintaining his reputation as a Death Eater falls down, leaving behind a caring and sweet teenage boy. I guess I'm not the only one with a soft spot for her.
I stayed on the back as Enzo went to the man behind the counter and began speaking.
I hoped more than anything we'd find the artifact quickly. I missed her. Just as things were starting to get more real, I had to leave. A silent prayer left my lips in the form of a heavy sigh. A pray that things wouldn't get ruined my me. By this.
If she'd left me without saying a word, I'd be mad too.
A hypocrite.

After a few minutes of listening the intense conversation between my friend and the man, Enzo turned away and walked out of the shop, pulling me with him.
"Isn't here," he grumbled.
I took a deep breath, the frustration piling up despite this being the first Dark Arts shop we've looked from. "Did you ask where we should look from?"
"I did. He told me the last time he'd heard of it was two months ago when it was on sale somewhere along with a few other artifacts. They didn't buy it though, because it has no significant value," Enzo explained, making my brows furrow.
"Why would the Dark Lord want it then? If it has no value?"
Enzo shook his head. "No idea, but I don't like this. I almost don't want to fin—" He cut himself off with a hiss as he went to clutch his arm quickly.
I sighed sympathetically. The pain was much too familiar for me, too. "Let's just shut up and go find the damn thing."
He nodded, the burning seemingly fading off as we began walking down the alley again. I pulled my phone out, taking a quick peek of the screen before I wouldn't have time for it again. My heart beat slightly faster as I noticed who had messaged me. Veronica.

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A/N:
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