Bound By Blood.

ch.71~Tangled.

"Its getting tangled & intertwined. 

I don't think I'll ever fully have you without the consequences.

You'll never fully be mine, without it hurting. 

I don't want it to hurt anymore."

Recovered translated correspondents between Order Member Alexandra Brooks, to Death Eater Mattheo Riddle, 2003.

Mission at Order Backup house, 2003.

Alexandra.  

I haven't heard that voice in ages, if ever.

"Alexandra Brooks."

It rang in my ear, the name itself felt dirty, like a lie, like something that shouldn't be spoken. 

But hearing it from this mouth felt... odd. 

"Get back now!" Ron shouted, throwing himself in front of me, his wand at the ready. 

"Oh I am terrified." He almost teased, and I finally mustered up the courage to turn around. 

Not that I was afraid, no, this voice had no malicious intent behind it.

If anything, it was laced with curiosity. 

I stepped next to Ron, and took him in. 

Blaise Zabini. 

"Zabini?" I questioned, my voice steady, though I felt a flutter of curiosity mix with my caution.

The name felt both familiar and foreign, in school we barely if ever spoke. 

He was always in the background. Always next to Mattheo. 

Always watching. 

My eyes narrowed as I stole a quick glance at Ron, who stood rigid, wand pointed at Blaise with a mix of confrontation and protectiveness.

"Get behind me, Alex!" Ron commanded, determination spilling over into his tone. 

He was clearly ready to engage, but I felt a tension in the air that suggested a different game at play.

"Put the wand down, Weasley. We both know you're not going to use it," Blaise retorted, an arrogance threading through his voice that felt unnervingly confident. 

I could feel the weight of his gaze cutting through the tension like a knife.

But I was intrigued. 

I stepped forward, placed myself beside Ron.

"What do you want, Zabini?" I demanded, searching his face for answers.

Before Ron could respond, Blaise flicked his wand casually, and a soft incantation slipped from his lips. 

Ron's eyes widened in surprise, and then he collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud, drawn under the spell's gentle force.

"What the fuck?!" I sputtered, heart racing as looked down at Ron on the floor.