Working Through Fear

Quiet and Obedience

She's gone. I lost the most important person in my life because I convinced myself that I had twenty more minutes. And now she has to pay the price of my stupidity.

I stumble over a tree root and the two Aurors pinning my arms to my sides pull me back to my feet sharply. They're scared of me. I'm crying and weak and I'm still injured, but they're scared of me.

I am angry. And I am scared.

And they should be scared.

I swore I'd come quietly if they didn't wipe her memory. But they did, they've going to. They have stripped the last remaining glimpses of happiness from me. I do not have to come quietly. And I do not want to.

I pull away from the Aurors slightly, trying to give myself a little bit of space. They don't adjust their grip, and I glare up at them.

"You said you would cooperate and come quietly," Harry turns to look at me.

"If you didn't obliviate her," I snap. "And you did. I am under no obligation to cooperate."

A wand presses sharply into the back of my neck and I wince, closing my eyes. Whatever happens next, it will be something they remember. And I will not end up back there, not after this.

I lower my head slightly, trying to put a little bit of space between and the wand so that I can concentrate. I don't have a wand. I'm one person against all of them. But I am powerful, or I was. Before.

I pretend to stumble again, and then again, but this time, I tear myself free, running a few feet and then launching myself up into the air, flying back towards the cabin.

"Lockdown!" Harry shouts. "Lock it down!"

I raise my hands, stunning every Auror who runs towards me. I could try and get hold of a wand, but I've probably got a better chance of getting away like this. Unless I don't want to get away. I don't know whether they'll have obliviated Nina yet, but given the speed at which the Aurors are leaving the cabin and raising their wands, I'd say I'm too late.

I turn back to look at Harry, continuing to fight off the Aurors. I want to throw curse after curse after curse at him, but my promise to Nina stands firm in my head. I won't harm anyone while she still loves me.

I take a breath, getting ready to apparate away. Maybe I can return later, try and jog her memory, try and break the charm, but I'm painfully aware that I won't be able to get anywhere near her. Not now.

I scream suddenly as pain shoots through my ankle and up my leg. I glance backwards, trying not to move, to see an Auror stood below me, their wand outstretched.

I grab the tree, howling in pain again as my ankle swings back and forth again. I need to concentrate, get away, but all I can think about is how much pain I'm in, and how my vision is blurring around the edges. I scream again, and then I spin as quickly as I possibly can. I need to keep my movements short.

And I disapparate, appearing, still screaming, somewhere else, far away, in the forest. I have no idea where I am. I never had any idea.

I collapse to the floor, shrieking again as I stretch my leg out in front of me. My ankle sits at an unnatural, unpleasant angle and, combined with the nausea from the pain, I'm not sure how I'm still thinking, even vaguely, clearing.

I'm screwed. I'm actually fucking screwed.

Delphi looked over her shoulder to check if Borgin was watching her. He often, when the shop was empty, watched her sweeping or dusting. It made her feel incredibly uncomfortable, but it wasn't as if she would ever complain. She was well aware that he could throw her out at any moment. And while her progress in planning was considerably slower now, it was still some form of progress.

When she was sure she was alone, she moved slowly towards the window, sweeping as she went, and gazed out into the dark street. People walked past quickly and Delphi watched them. She had not left the shop since she had first asked for a job. She had, in fact, barely left the room. On the first night, Borgin had left, locking her into the shop without offering instructions, and she had curled up in front of the fireplace and fallen asleep. And that was where she had spent every night since.

"What are you doing?" Borgin asked quietly.

Delphi turned quickly, starting to sweep again, not meeting his gaze. Borgin stepped out from behind the counter and walked towards her.

"What are you doing?" He asked calmly.

"Looking out the window," Delphi mumbled, looking at the floor. "No one saw me. I promise."

"You know why you are not allowed," Borgin snarled.

"Yes, Mr. Borgin, sir," Delphi mumbled. "Yes, sir."

Borgin grabbed her shoulder and pulled her away from the window, half-dragging her through the shop. Delphi whimpered as she stumbled on an uneven floorboard and Borgin pulled her forward again.

"Please, sir," she mumbled.

"Oh, be quiet," Borgin snapped, letting her go and pushing her away. "You're pathetic."

Delphi looked at the floor, picking up the broom quickly and starting to sweep again. She bit her lip, trying not to let herself tear up.

"How old are you?"

"Mr. Borgin?"

"Answer the question."

"I'm twenty," Delphi muttered.

"Twenty," Borgin sneered. "Twenty and you're still behaving like a child."

Delphi bit back a sharp retort. She was tired and hungry, and well aware that any impertinence would cost her both food and sleep.

"Sorry sir," she said slowly.