The door to the safehouse scraped open like it hadn't been touched in a decade, dust curling up- Cassie was the first inside, She paused only long enough to wrinkle her nose. "This place smells like something died in it."

Theo stepped in behind her, carrying both their bags, expression flat. "Comforting. Really sets the mood."

Cassie ran her fingers along the cracked wallpaper, lips twitching. "Perfect hideout for tragic orphans on the run. Ten out of ten, very cinematic."

Theo dropped the bags on the table with a thud. "You're impossible."

"And yet you followed me here." She gave him a sidelong glance, curls falling into her eyes as she inspected the shutters. "Couldn't resist the charm of a rat‑infested love nest, could you?"

Theo didn't take the bait. He crouched to check under the sofa,  "If rats are the worst thing we deal with here, we're lucky."

"Don't say that." Cassie's grinned. "The universe loves proving us wrong."

He shot her a look over his shoulder. "Paranoid much?"

"Alive much," she corrected, slipping a dagger from her belt and wedging it between the floorboards by the entryway. "That's called strategy, Nott."

Theo straightened, brushing dust off his hands. His mouth quirked, dry. "Normal people unpack clothes. You unpack murder weapons."

"Normal people die," Cassie said simply, tugging the dagger free again. She flipped it in her hand and finally looked at him. "You worried yet?"

Theo met her gaze evenly, though his jaw tightened. "Only about you."

For a second, silence held. 

Cassie broke it first, dropping onto the chair like she was already queen of this rotten kingdom. "Fine. You win. I'll try not to murder the landlady. Unless she flirts with you again."

Theo groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Here we go."

Her grin widened, "What? I saw the way she lingered. The way you touched her hand"

"I was handing her the money," Theo said exasperated

She arched a brow, "Or you were just looking for an excuse. Some Astoria nostalgia, maybe?"

"Merlin—not Astoria again."

"Oh, so it is nostalgia." She leaned back "Do I need to worry, Nott? Maybe she reminded you of the kind of girl you could actually bring home—polite, proper, won't threaten to slit your throat in your sleep—"

"If you're this jealous over me brushing someone's palm for half a second, we're doomed."

"I'm not jealous," Cassie said sweetly getting up "I just think you have terrible taste."

Theo muttered something under his breath that sounded dangerously close to look who's talking, but he didn't push it.  He just watched her moving through thespace .A chair shoved beneath the doorknob to the main room. A tripwire charm strung-  Daggers lined neatly along the mantel, like they were decorative pieces instead of weapons.

Theo watched her with that tired patience of his, "You realize no one even knows we're here yet."

Cassie crouched, tucking another blade into the floorboard gap, curls spilling forward as she worked. "That's what people always say right before they're murdered in their sleep."

"You're spiraling." 

She snapped her head up, eyes sharp. "I'm prepared."

He held her gaze for a beat, then exhaled through his nose and shook his head. "Prepared. Paranoid. Sometimes I can't tell the difference with you."

"Paranoid keeps you breathing," she shot back, sliding the last dagger into place. "And I really don't want to die in a town whose name I can't even pronounce."

"We won't."

"Yeah, I know." Cassie stretched her arms overhead, joints cracking. "That's exactly why we need to get on with the business."

Theo arched a brow. "Which is?"

"Find the Acolytes before they find us."

"And how do you suggest we do that?"

Cassie grinned "Blend in."

************************************
Well-

That failed spectacularly

Because an hour later, they ended up looking like the most suspicious pair on the entire street.

Theo had layered himself into an oversized black coat over his jumper, collar turned up high despite the mild weather. To top it off, he'd shoved a pair of sunglasses onto his face,

Cassie, meanwhile, had decided blending in meant leather jacket, black boots, and dark curls spilling down like she was auditioning for a biker gang.

They both stopped outside the row of shops, watching the Muggles flow past them.

"Subtle," Cassie muttered, eyeing Theo's sunglasses.

"You're one to talk," he shot back, voice muffled under his ridiculous collar. "You look like you're about to rob a bike store"

"At least I don't look like I'm on the run from muggle cops."

 "Dressing up like muggles was your plan."

"Yes," Cassie said sweetly, adjusting her jacket, "and now we sell it. Tourists. Just two very normal, very boring tourists."

They tried. Honestly, they did.

They strolled past the bakery, pretending to look in the window display but staring too long at the woman behind the counter.  Theo bought a newspaper but forgot to open it, carrying it like a weapon instead.

Nothing suspicious at all.

They lasted maybe ten minutes before it was obvious: Cassiopeia Black and Theodore Nott were not built for blending in.

At the bakery, Cassie leaned across the glass counter and asked the baker, dead serious, "Which of these is poisoned?"

The man blinked. "Pardon?"

Theo grabbed her arm and muttered through clenched teeth, "She means seasoned. With... uh... sugar."
"Sugar isn't a seasoning," Cassie hissed back, but she let him drag her out with a loaf of bread they didn't even want.

At the bookstore, Theo picked up a crime novel, trying to look casual. He flipped it open and frowned. "Why are there no pictures?"

Cassie snorted, loud enough for the clerk to glance over. "Because it's a novel, genius. That's the point." 

"How am i supposed to visualize the crime scene then "Theo  scowled back shutting the book and shoving it back on the shelf.

***

At the flower stall, Cassie picked up a daisy, twirled it between her fingers, then squinted at the vendor. "What spell did you use to keep it alive this long?"
The vendor just stared. Theo shoved notes into the man's palm and muttered, "She's foreign," before steering her away.

By the time they reached the café at the end of the street, they'd collected:
– A loaf of bread neither wanted.
– A paperback mystery Theo had to buy to get the shopkeepers mind off - how Cassie had explicitly described how she would write a murder novel -
– And a daisy Cassie eventually snapped in half.

"Perfect. Locals love cafés." Cassie said shoving the café door open.

"They'll love calling the police on us," Theo muttered, but he followed.

The little bell jingled. Sunlight streamin across cheery yellow walls and tables crowded with Muggles sipping drinks, laughing, flipping through tourist guidebooks. Cassie strode to the counter- The waitress, a girl in her twenties with blonde hair pulled into a messy bun, gave them a bright smile. "Hi! What can I get for you?"

Cassie scanned the board, lips pursed. "Two..." She squinted at the menu, utterly lost. "...coffees."

"What kind of coffee?" the waitress asked, pen poised.

Cassie blinked. "Hot ones?"

Theo groaned and muttered, "Kill me now."

The waitress chuckled nervously. "We have lattes, cappuccinos, flat whites, americanos—"

"Yes," Cassie said firmly.

"Yes to... which one?"

"All of them." Cassie tilted her head like this was obvious.

Theo dragged a hand down his face. "She means two lattes."

Cassie shot him a glare. "Do I?"

"Yes," Theo said through gritted teeth. "Two lattes."

The waitress scribbled, then asked, "Whole milk or oat?"

Cassie blinked again. "...What does that mean?"

"Milk choice?"

Theo leaned against the counter exasperated. "Just pick one."

"Oat milk," Cassie said decisively, even though she had no idea what that was.

The waitress raised her brows, amused but polite. "Anything else?"

"Yes." Cassie tapped her nail on the counter. "One of those."

The waitress followed her finger to the pastry case. "The croissant?"

"That's what it's called?" Cassie said, intrigued. "Fine. Give us your... finest croissant."

Theo muttered under his breath, "We're supposed to blend in, not sound like aristocrats."

Cassie smirked. "I am an aristocrat."

"Touché"

They ended up at a small table by the window with two steaming lattes and one slightly squashed croissant. Cassie sipped hers like it was poison, nose wrinkling. "This tastes like burnt water."

Theo stirred his, took a long sip, then sighed. "This tastes fine. You're just dramatic."

"Dramatic keeps me alive."

"Dramatic makes us look like lunatics."

She leaned back, dark eyes flicking over the crowd, scanning every table. "Or maybe they'll think we're just eccentric tourists. Better that than careless ones."

Theo leaned across the table  "Or maybe they'll just think you've never ordered coffee before."

Cassie smiled sweetly, tearing the croissant in half like she was splitting a skull. "Maybe I haven't. Doesn't mean I can't kill someone with it."

The waitress glanced over again, brows furrowed, like she couldn't quite decide if they were lunatics or just painfully awkward. Meanwhile Cassie leaned her chin on her hand, watching people drift down the street outside.

"See, that one," she muttered, nodding toward a man in a gray suit. "Looks shady."

Theo didn't even glance up from his mug. "He's carrying a baguette."

"Could be a wand in disguise."

 "It's bread, Cass."

"Mm," she said, unconvinced, eyes narrowing.

For the past half hour, their mission had looked less like surveillance and more like a game of spot the villain Cassie had invented to amuse herself.

Every passerby was apparently a potential Death Eater. The lady walking her dog. The teenager with headphones. The postman. Theo finally muttered, "If you glare at one more pensioner, someone's going to call the police."

Cassie gave him a wolfish grin. "And if they do, we'll know Voldemort's infiltration runs deeper than we thought."

Before he could retort, the waitress returned, balancing a tray from the next table, then pausing by theirs with that customer‑service smile that looked more like nervous habit now.

"So..." she started brightly, "what brings you two here?"

Cassie leaned back, tilting her head  "Business."

Theo nearly choked on his coffee. "Research," he corrected quickly, his voice flat but firm.

The waitress blinked. "Oh—what kind of research?"

Cassie's grinned  "Human behavior."

The girl froze. "...I'm sorry?"

Theo kicked Cassie under the table, hard. "She means... uh... architecture. We study buildings."

Cassie's grin only widened "Yes. We love to observe people inside buildings. For... structural integrity."

The waitress stared between them, pen still in her hand though she wasn't writing anything. "Right. That's... interesting."

Theo shoved a piece of croissant into his mouth just to avoid answering again.

Cassie, meanwhile, leaned forward. "Actually, I'm writing a book. About... cafés. How they're secretly all fronts for crime."

The waitress blinked, her smile faltering. "Crime?"

Theo sighed, dragging his hand over his face. "She's joking - We're tourists," he said stiffly.

The waitress blinked faster as if that made more sense "Oh? Where from?"

Theo hesitated half a second too long. "Uh. Scotland."

The waitress brightened at that . "Oh, where in Scotland?"

Theo froze- He hadn;t expected that question. "...Uhm- The north part."

Cassie couldn't help it—she laughed,  delighted, dragging every head in the café toward them. "The north part? That's the best you've got?"

Theo's jaw ticked. "Shut up."

The waitress coughed into her hand, trying to recover. "Well. I hope you're enjoying your trip."

"Immensely," Cassie purred, eyes still gleaming as she watched Theo squirm. "My... partner has always dreamed of the north part of Scotland."

Theo shot her a glare but the waitress had already retreated, mumbling something about checking on another table. Cassie tore off another piece of croissant, smirking as she chewed. "You're terrible at lying, you know. 'North part'?"

Theo sipped his coffee, knuckles white around the cup. "You could've helped."

"I was helping. By laughing."

"That wasn't helping."

"It kept things realistic. Couples bicker, don't they?" Her grin widened. "Now everyone thinks we're charmingly eccentric instead of terrifying."

Theo gave her a long, flat look over his sunglasses. "No. They think we're insane."

Cassie leaned across the table,  "Let them think it. Insane people survive longer." And then, as if to prove her point, she turned her attention back to the café, eyes narrowing as she catalogued each customer one by one again

By the time the bill arrived, Theo was already considering vanishing into thin air.

Cassie plucked the bill from the waitress with a smile that looked too ffaked- dropped the cash on the tray, and sauntered out like she hadn't just accused every customer of being a criminal. Theo followed, sunglasses still on, jaw tight.

The moment the door shut behind them, Cassie burst out laughing. Loud, unrestrained, head‑tilted‑back laughing. "The north part of Scotland," she gasped between fits. "You sounded like a criminal inventing geography on the spot."

Theo shoved his hands deep into his coat pockets, scowling. I improvised."

"You panicked."

He shot her a look from behind his sunglasses. "And you weren't exactly helping. Who studies human behavior for fun?"

"I do," Cassie said sweetly. "Apparently."

By the time they reached the safehouse door, she was still grinning, "Next time maybe you should just tell them you're a lonely bachelor here to buy a bride. More believable than north Scotland."

He didn't answer. He just pushed the door open and stepped inside first, coat flaring as if to shut her out.

"'The north part of Scotland,'" she repeated, "You really should patent that one, Theo."

He muttered, "Enough,"  dropping his coat on the chair

But Cassie only leaned against the table inside, arms crossed, eyes glittering. "Or what? You'll glare me into silence?"

Theo turned, jaw tight. "Keep running your mouth and I'll shut you up."

The air shifted.  Cassie tilted her head, dangerous grin spreading slow. "Promises, promises."

He hadn't moved yet, but she saw it in the set of his shoulders, the way his hand flexed at his side. Cassie pushed off the table, stalking toward him in slow steps, eyes locked on his. She stopped close—too close—then raised a brow, daring.

Theo's breath caught, but he held her stare. "Don't test me."

She smirked and shoved him back until his shoulders hit the wall. Her hand spread over his chest, pinning him there like he was hers to toy with.

"You don't shut me up," she breathed, leaning close enough that her lips brushed his jaw. "I shut you down."

Theo's head tipped back against the wall, a low sound caught in his throat. His hands hovered at her waist, hesitant-  Cassie only brushed his lips with a fleeting peck, then pulled back with a wicked smile.

"You really can't keep it together, can you, love? I already told you—fun comes after the mission. We still have to check the other side of the street."

Theo's eyes narrowed chest slightly heaving . "You just want to go because you spotted a pub."

"Hey," Cassie grinned, unapologetic, "a girl can want two things."

******************************************************************************

The pub was a half‑lit room of smoke and chatter,  Behind the bar, a man leaned heavily on one elbow, drying a glass with the kind of focus that said he'd been doing the same thing for twenty years.. Cassie slid her leather jacket tighter, tossing her curls back as she stepped up to the bar. Theo followed, sunglasses still on despite the fact it was late evening- night even-  He insisted it made him look muggle. It didnt- He looked stupid

"Two firewhisk—" Cassie caught herself, eyes flicking to the laminated menu. "Two pints of Beer?" She shoved their fake IDs across the counter The bartender glanced down at Cassandra Price and Tobias Greaves, gave a short grunt, and began to pour.

"What's your name?" Theo asked suddenly, leaning an elbow against the counter 

The man didn't look up. "Marvin."

Theo nodded, as if that explained the secrets of the universe. "Been here long, Marvin?"

Marvin slid the pints across. "Too long." His tone made it clear the conversation was over.

But Theo pressed on. "Quiet town?"

Marvin's eyes flicked up, flat and tired. "You're holding up the line."

There was no line.

Cassie clapped a hand on Theo's arm, her smile edged with venom. "Thank you, Marvin," she purred, dragging Theo bodily toward the shadowed corner before he could ask the poor man about his childhood dreams. 

Theo let himself be pulled, muttering, "I was just being friendly." He set the drinks down on the rusty table in the corner 

"You," she said, sliding into the chair across from him, "are a menace. Do you want us exposed because you couldn't resist befriending Marvin?"

Theo scoffed defensivly, leaning back. "Maybe Marvin's an Death eater."

Cassie narrowed her eyes. "Marvin is a man who hates his job and has back pain. Not exactly a threat to the magical world."

"Not the magical world," Theo said dryly, taking a long sip. "But definitely to customer service."

She snorted despite herself. "Idiot."

For a moment, it almost felt normal—two teenagers, sneaking drinks in a corner booth. But then her eyes flicked to the window, to the quiet town outside, and reality snapped back in. "This feels like a waste," Cassie murmured, her tone dipping low.

Theo's smirk softened. He leaned forward, elbows on the table. "It's not. We can't exactly stumble into centuries‑old cult members by knocking on doors- They won't be easy to find. They've been here too long. They've melted into this."

"No, but if Voldemort's sending Death Eaters to fetch them—they'll be easier to spot. Death Eaters don't blend. They strut. Loud, obvious. Half the time they can't order a coffee without terrifying the barista."

Theo nodded slowly. "Exactly-  the cult keeps hiding. And the idiots who come sniffing around for them... that's our window."

"Hmm" Cassie said. "It's just the waiting part I hate. Sitting here, drinking piss‑water beer, while Voldemort moves his pieces."

Theo tilted his glass toward hers. "Then drink faster. Waiting's easier when you're drunk."

She clinked his glass reluctantly, muttering, "You're an awful influence." Their glasses met with a dull clink, the sound lost in the low murmur of locals trading gossip two tables over.

Cassie leaned back, twirling the condensation on her glass with a fingertip "We will need rotation though. Cafés, the yards, this place. We can't sit in one spot too long without raising suspicion."

Theo nodded once. "We'll split it. Mornings at the café, afternoons near the marketyard, evenings here. Pretend we're creatures of habit."

"Tourists are meant to wander," Cassie countered. "Not stalk the same three places like vultures."

His lips twitched. "So we stagger it. Buy bread one day, flowers the next. Pretend to shop. Blend."

"I don't blend."

"No argument there." Theo drawled

Her boot kicked his shin under the table, but lightly. "Don't get clever, ToBiAs."

He winced but didn't bite back, only lowered his voice further. "Point is, we'll rotate. Watch for strangers. Locals don't change patterns much—so if someone new turns up, we'll know."

"Which means," Cassie said, "all we have to do is wait for the ones who don't fit- and gut them before they realize who the real predators are."

Theo held her gaze dreamily  "You really want this bloody."

She sipped her pint, smirk curling over the rim. "Don't you?"

Theo just raised his glass iin response
******************************

They paid for their drinks and slipped into the street, the cool air damp with the scent of rain and chimney smoke. Cassie pulled her jacket tighter, curls brushing her cheeks. Neither of them was drunk—maybe a little warm, a little looser in step—but their minds alert- and voices stayed low.

"Maybe there are no acolytes here," she said, almost flippant, though her eyes were scanning the street. "No Death Eaters either. Just us—drinking pints and pretending this dump has secrets."

Theo gave her a dry look. "Love the optimism."

"I'm being realistic," Cassie said "The acolytes have been buried in this place for decades. If they don't want to be found, we won't find them."

"That's not our job," Theo reminded, tone clipped. "We're not here to drag them into the light. We're here to catch the Death Eaters who come sniffing, and feed Voldy his bedtime story."

"Yea - but- I'm just saying," Cassie shot back, turning to face him as they walked, "it's possible this is all for nothing. Your Dad sending us on a wild goose chase while Voldemort laughs in our faces—"

She didn't finish. A solid shoulder collided with hers, jolting her sideways. Cassie stumbled back a step, her boots scraping against the cobbles. Theo's hand jerked instantly toward his pocket, almost drawing his wand before he caught himself.

"Oi—watch where you're goin" Theo snapped, teeth bared.

The man who'd bumped her froze. He was middle‑aged, stocky under a faded shirt, with rough hands and a ruddy face that looked like it had had one too many pints. His eyes darted—too quick—down to Theo's suddenhand movement, then back up. "Sorry," he said gruffly. "Didn't see you."

Cassie straightened, her fingers curling easily around Theo's, grounding him. "It's fine," she said with a half‑smile.

The man's gaze lingered. "You two new in town? Haven't seen you before."

Theo's jaw ticked. He glanced at Cassie. "We came here for—"

"—a project," Cassie cut in smoothly, flipping her curls back like some overeager student- her voice light and girlish "Research. Studying local culture." She even gave a sheepish laugh, high and fake.

Theo squeezed her hand under cover of her jacket—equal parts impressed and annoyed.

The man nodded gruffly. "Ah. Students. I'm Elias. Got a little shop just round the corner. Best in town for souvenirs." He thrust out a hand.

Theo hesitated before shaking. 

"That's wonderful," Cassie said, tone sugar‑sweet and entirely hollow. "We'll definitely come visit." She tugged on Theo's hand, trying to pull him along.

"And you are?" Elias asked, eyes still fixed on them.

Cassie's brow arched, irritation sparking—her hand itched to hex him just for asking. But Theo stepped in smoothly. "Tobias. Cassandra. Now if you'll excuse us, we've got places to be."

Elias gave a smile that didn't quite fit his face, a little too stretched. "Of course. See you around."

They walked past him, the chatter fading in the street until Theo finally muttered, "He was so fucking weird."

Cassie huffed a laugh, checking her pouch as she walked. "Weird doesn't begin to cover it. Did you see the way his eyes twitched ? Like he was about to nick something."

Theo patted down his coat. "Everything's still here."

"Good," Cassie said, scanning behind them once before facing forward again. "Because if he'd touched my purse, I'd have slit his throat right there."

Theo sighed "Real subtle."

Cassie's grin was sharp. "Subtle is overrated."

They walked a few steps in silence before Theo muttered, "Probably just drunk. Who the hell talks for seven minutes after bumping into someone?"

"Or maybe he was a Death Eater," Cassie said casually.

Theo rolled his eyes, "Please. Our faces are practically on wanted posters. If he were one of them, we'd already be dueling in the street."

Cassie hummed, tilting her head. "Valid point. Maybe he's just creepy for the sake of it."

Theo pushed open the gate to their safehouse. "Is it just me, or is this whole town too friendly?"

Cassie slipped past him, smirking. "Friendly? It's suffocating. Remember the shopkeeper earlier? Tried to tell us about his dead brother before finally handing over a loaf of bread We didn't want"

Theo groaned, following her in. "I thought we'd never get out of there. Six minutes of trauma dump for a stale bread."

"Welcome to small‑town charm," Cassie said dryly, securing the gate behind them.

Theo shook his head, kicking the mud off his boots. "If the Acolytes are hiding here, they've really picked the most chatty town on earth."

"At least Voldemort's cannon fodder will stick out like sore thumbs when they arrive. Unlike... Marvin."

Theo groaned. "Don't start with Marvin again."

Cassie stripped off her jacket and tied her hair back. "What? I thought you two really hit it off."

He gave her a flat look. "Cass, he looked like he wanted to strangle me—for asking if it was a quiet town."

She snorted. "Still the most eventful thing that happened today."

Theo caught the edge in her voice and sighed. "Relax. It's day one. We'll catch something eventually. Sooner or later, Voldy's idiots will show up."

Cassie walked towards the room arms crossed. "Sure. Until then, it's just us and this charming overly chatty dump."

And for the next two days, it was exactly that.
*******

A cycle of the same monotonous routine.

Mornings were for sparring. They cleared out a room of the safehouse. She practiced with her unstable bursts, trying to ride it instead of letting it consume her; he countered with iron‑steady shields. Every duel ended the same: one of them flat on the floor, both of them grinning like they hadn't just tried to murder each other.

Afternoons were for the town. Strolling through narrow lanes, forcing themselves into shops and cafés, trying to blend in and failing spectacularly. Theo wore too many layers, always with sunglasses, looking more like a hungover businessman than a tourist. Cassie leaned into her biker gang look, dark curls wild, every bit the kind of woman you didn't ask directions from. They stood out everywhere they went.

Elias they saw twice. Once by the bakery, once outside the cafe. He waved both times, all gruff cheer, the kind of friendliness that made them wanna puke. Cassie muttered under her breath that he was "everywhere," and Theo shrugged that it was a small town. Neither liked it.

Marvin, at the pub, had completely run out of patience with Theo's attempts at "casual conversation."

"So, Marvin," Theo tried on the third night, leaning over the bar, "where'd you get that scar?"

"Knife," Marvin said flatly, then walked away.

Cassie laughed so hard she nearly fell off her stool.

By the third visit, Marvin didn't even let Theo finish ordering before pouring his drink and sliding it across without a word.

The waitress at the café - Laura- had taken the opposite approach. By day two, she was giving them endless recommendations—"Oh, you must go see the cliffs at dawn, and the old mill, and the museum"—as if they had nothing better to do than play tourists. Cassie thanked her sweetly and then muttered to Theo, "If she suggests one more historic landmark, I'm killing her an ddumping her body behind our safe house."

Nights were restless. Neither of them slept much. Paranoia mixed with nightmares—Cassie's of Regulus- or her mom- Or sometimes Theo killed- because of her- , and Theo's of his father's voice cutting into her- Cassie's screams. More than once they found themselves awake on opposite ends of the sofa, talking in low voices about spells, runes, theory, anything to distract themselves. Sometimes they didn't talk at all, just lay in the dark, 

The two way mirror flickered every once a while. Remus's tired face giving them updates- along with getting some, Once Sirius picked it up, and Cassie immediately shoved it into Theo's hand without a word. Sirius, to his credit, stuck to his promise—no attempts at fatherly reunion, no prying questions. Just curt nods and updates.

On the third day, Remus mentioned they'd gone shopping for both Cassie and Theo's school supplies, "so you won't have to worry." Cassie's jaw clenched until she nearly cracked a tooth. An unneeded gesture. Kreacher could've brought anything she wanted. She didn't need to return to that house. Didn't need to face them.

By the fourth morning, her patience was gone. "I really don't think anything is going on here," she muttered, pulling a sweater over her head, then her leather jacket. "No Death Eaters, no acolytes, nothing. Just endless small‑talk and bad beer."

Theo groaned from where he sat by the window. "I told you what I heard. I didn't promise they'd march in on schedule."

Cassie immedietly walked over "Hey, it's fine. Better than sitting in the house with my so‑called father. Better than staring at a room that reeks of my failure."

He didn't answer, just kept his gaze out the window. Cassie rolled her eyes, then looped her arm through his and tugged him up. "Come on. Let's get our evening- hot chocolate. I can practically hear you dying to flirt with Laura."

Theo snorted despite himself, letting her drag him along.

They ended back into their usual café, the bell above the door chiming,  Laura greeting them with her usual wide eyed smile-

Cassie and Theo slid into their usual corner booth, Two mugs appeared without them asking. Cassie stirred hers lazily, eyes glinting over the rim. "If she smiles any harder, she's going to sprain something."

Theo smirked, pulling his gloves off finger by finger. "You're just bitter she's finally stopped giving you the extra biscuit."

Cassie arched a brow. "Bitter? No. I'm just saying—you look ridiculous batting your lashes."

"I don't bat lashes," Theo said flatly.

Cassie hummed. "Could've fooled me."

The waitress returned, chirping about the cliffs at dawn and the old mill by the river. Cassie smiled too brightly, waved her off, then leaned closer to Theo. "She's onto you."

"Onto what?"

"Your desperate attempt to charm your way into free biscuits."

Theo rolled his eyes. "Right. That's my master plan while we're here. Conquest by pastry."

Cassie hid a grin behind her mug, sipping. "At least you'd finally be useful."

Theo reached across the table as if to flick her hand; she swatted him away without looking, smirking. Their banter slipping naturally into the next move—

"If nothing happens by the end of the week," Theo said, eyes fixed on the rim of his mug, "we're pulling back. Report it quiet."

"And if something does?" Cassie asked.

"Then we grab the Death Eater, feed Voldemort his bedtime story, and wait for the next idiot he sends."

"And the acolytes?" Cassie pressed.

Theo's jaw ticked. "Carefully. No sudden moves."

Cassie tapped her nails against the table, restless. "You're no fun."

"Fun will get us- Theos voice was cut of by the café door banging open, and the bell above it screeching.

Cassie didn't look up at first. Another local, another smile from the waitress. Nothing. Except—this one was wrong.

The man strode in all wrong. His coat was far too loud for the sleepy town, the hat ridiculous. Cassie's eyes caught the twitch—the way his hand brushed his pocket, too deliberate. Her stomach knotted instantly.

Theo noticed too. His jaw tightened, mug forgotten.

The man approached the counter, voice raised in an accent that didn't belong, drawing half the café's attention. He ordered too loudly, eyes scanning the room—landing on them.

His eyes widened. One hand pressed against his pocket, and Cassie knew without looking that it closed around a wand.

Cassie and Theo moved at once—standing, chairs scraping back hard against the floor- towards the counter

The waitress blinked. A man by the window looked up from his newspaper. Too many eyes. Theo's hand itched at his coat. Cassie shifted subtly, curls falling over her face to shield her expression.

The Death Eater's mouth curled. He didn't draw, but he didn't need to. He strolled closer, like a man coming to greet old friends.

"Well, well," he said softly, voice carrying just enough. "The little Black girl. And the Nott boy. What are the odds?"

Cassie's smile was cocky and cold. "About the same odds you'd wear that coat in public without getting arrested."

A flicker of irritation crossed his face.

The Death Eater leaned closer, voice dropping. "You've saved me a lot of trouble. Two of Voldemort's favorites in one place. Shame about the witnesses." His gaze flicked deliberately over the café, lingering on the old couple by the door and the boy licking foam off his spoon.

Theo's jaw locked. "Try it, and you'll be wearing your insides as a scarf before you clear your wand."

The Death Eater's smile didn't falter. "Brave words, for someone who knows I could take you both."

Cassie tilted her head, eyes glittering. "Then why haven't you?"

The man's smile wavered, but he covered it by straightening his hat. "Because I'm not stupid enough to start a bloodbath in a café."

"Glad we agree," Theo said, voice like stone.

The Death Eater leaned in, his breath sour, "Doesn't matter. Dark lord will know you're here. You can't hide in Muggle corners forever."

Cassie smirked, lowering her voice "And you can't walk out that door without wondering how fast we'll follow."

Their standoff stretched thin, a string ready to snap. The Death Eater's hand twitched again toward his pocket. Theo shifted, Cassie's fingers flexed.

The waitress appeared, oblivious . "Anything else for you today?"

"No," Cassie and Theo said at the same time, never breaking eye contact with the man across from them.

He lingered another beat, then stepped back, muttering something about "business to attend to." He slung his ridiculous coat tighter and made for the door

The bell jingled. He was gone.

Cassie tossed a few notes onto the counter, her smile to the waitress brittle, forced. "Keep the change." She said beffore taking Theo's hand and slipping outside.

They didn't talk at first—just walked fast, shoulders brushing, trying not to look like they were stalking prey. The street felt too bright, too normal, all the Muggles bustling around them like nothing was wrong.

 "Is sprinting really necessary?" Theo muttered

"Yes," Cassie hissed, gaze scanning the street. "We have to get him before he tells anyone we're here. Or worse—before he gets Voldemort's attention."

They turned the corner into a narrow side alley. Empty.

Too empty.

A red streak of light cut the air. Theo yanked Cassie sideways, the spell exploding against the wall behind them in a spray of sparks. They hit the cobblestones hard.

"Well," Cassie said breathlessly, rolling to her feet, wand already raised, "I guess it already started, love."

From the shadows, the Death Eater stepped forward, wand out, ridiculous coat flaring like wings. 

Theo snapped his wrist, firing a curse. The man deflected it, the crack of magic ricocheting between the walls. Cassie's eyes darted upward— too many Muggles who could wander by. She leaned to Theo's shoulder,  "Handle him for a bit, darling. I'll keep the audience entertained."

She spun, wand flicking weaving an illusion charm that cloaked the mouth of the alley in shimmer. To any passing Muggle, it would look like nothing but empty bricks and trash bins.

 "Illusion's up. Muggles won't see a thing."

"Good," Theo muttered, teeth bared as he sent a streak of purple at the Death Eater in the garish coat. "Because this bastard's mine."

The man ducked, cackling, his own curse slamming into a trash bin and shredding it into metal ribbons. "Black and Nott," he jeered. "Dark lord will be so pleased."

"Sorry," Cassie cut in sweetly, stepping forward. "We don't do autographs."

Another wand appeared at the far end of the alley. A second Death Eater sprinted in, cloak flying behind him Cassie's lips curved in a vicious smile. "Oh, perfect. I was worried you'd hog all the fun."

"Cass." Theo's tone was sharp warning.

"I've got him," she said, not looking back. "Try not to get yourself killed, darling."

The second Death Eater- This one younger than the previous - barreled forward  , hurling a slicing hex. Cassie bent backward under it, her hair whipping around her face. She came up laughing—"Really? That's the best you've got? My grandmother hit harder—and she was probably dead at the time."

The man roared and charged. Cassie sidestepped, her wand flashing. A burst of black smoke erupted, wrapping around him like chains. He clawed at it, screaming.

Behind her, Theo snarled as the first Death Eater's curse skimmed his shoulder. "Watch it!" Cassie barked without turning, her wand twisting tighter around her target.

"Maybe if someone wasn't giving comedy shows mid-duel—" Theo snapped back, blasting a section of brick wall to block a hex.

Cassie's laugh was cold, even as her spell cinched around the Death Eater's throat. "Admit it, love. You like it when I multitask."

"Not the word I'd use," Theo growled. His next curse cracked the stones under his opponent's feet, sending him sprawling.

Cassie flicked her wrist, the chains of smoke hardening into black crystal around her opponent. He went down choking, eyes bulging. She leaned in just enough for him to hear, "You should really tell your master the next time he sends recruits, he should make sure they know what they're walking into."

He tried to spit at her. Cassie smiled before slamming him unconscious with a nonverbal hex.

When she turned back, Theo had his opponent on the ground, boot pressed against the man's wrist, wand at his throat. He wasn't some newer recruit—middle‑aged, scarred, the type who'd seen wars .Theo's eyes flicked up to hers. "Alive?"

"Yea- Pity," she said, dusting ash off her coat.

Theo pressed harder with his boot. "I could fix that."

Cassie arched a brow  "Unfortunately," she muttered, curls falling in her face, "we need them alive."

Theo wiped his sleeve across his jaw, still panting, voice flat. "That's a shame."

"Mm," Cassie agreed, "Would've been prettier corpse

Theo's mouth twitched- he wrenched the man's wand away and knocked him out with a efficient hex. His gaze cut back to her "You alright?"

Cassie nodded once, a little too quick. "I'm handling it better. Used Tenebris Fumigo and look—no nosebleeds."

Theo's eyes flicked to her wrist. The faded black veins threading beneath her skin were darker than before.

Cassie shrugged it off, voice dry. "Not our concern right now. Now comes the awkward part."

Theo frowned. "What part?"

She gestured at the unconscious bodies littering the alley. "Getting them back without every Muggle cop man in this town arresting us for homicide display"

He muttered, "We could levitate them under a Disillusionment charm."

Cassie's smile sharpened. "Exactly what I was thinking. Wrap them up, drag them home like presents. Try not to bang their heads too loudly against the walls."

Theo raised a brow. "Why? You worried about them?"

Cassie smirked, crouching beside one of the bodies,"No. I just don't want the whole bloody neighborhood asking why Cassandra and Tobias are dragging corpses down Main Street."

Theo huffed a low laugh, already flicking his wand to cast the charm. One by one, the limp shapes shimmered and faded, leaving only the faint shimmer of distortion where their bodies hovered.

Cassie brushed dust off her leather jacket, adjusted her grip on one floating wrist. "Well, darling," she said, teeth flashing in the dark, "shall we take our guests home?"

Theo met her gaze, eyes glinting. "After you."

Together, they dragged their invisible prisoners inside the last room of the safehouse which was already stripped bare—no carpet, no curtains, just stone floor and cracked plaster walls. Exactly what Cassie wanted.

The two Death Eaters floated in behind her like balloons under Theo's spell, invisible until he hissed a counter‑charm and let them drop hard onto the floor. The thud rattled dust from the floot.

Theo wrinkled his nose.

Cassie flicked her wand, and the heavy chains they'd bought from Borgin slithered over the Death Eaters like snakes, coiling tight around wrists and ankles until the men were lashed to the wall

"You really trust Borgin's junk shop chains?"

"They're dragon-forged," Cassie said, brushing dust from her palms. "He swore they were used on trolls. If they can hold a troll, they can hold a couple of robed morons. Till then- You- Check them," she ordered, flicking her wand to lift the other body upright.

Theo groaned, dropping to his knees beside the first prisoner. "I hate when you use that tone."

Cassie smirked down at him. "What tone?"

"The fetch, heel, roll‑over tone."

She tilted her head "Then roll faster, dog."

Theo gave her a look that should've killed her on the spot but obediently patted down the Death Eater's robes anyway. Out came a knife, a vial of some unmarked sludge, and a handful of galleons. Theo tossed each one aside with a snort.

"They always think the wand makes them invincible. Never bother with a backup."

Cassie crouched over the second man, slipping her hand into his cloak. She pulled out nothing but lint and a stick of stale licorice. She made a face. "Wow. Pathetic."

Theo leaned back rubbing dust from his palms. "What do you expect? Voldemort doesn't recruit for brains."

"No," Cassie agreed, "he recruits for desperation."

When both men were secured—and inspected . Cassie began casting wards. Her wand drew circles in the air, each one shimmering faintly. The sound of the outside world dimmed until the room was sealed

Theo tested the doorframe with a flick. "Noise‑cancelling charm works. They can scream all they want."

"Good," Cassie said. "Saves us the trouble of gagging them."

Theo raised a brow. "Practical as always."

Cassie didnt respond- she had gone very still, wand hovering mid‑air. Her eyes narrowed. "Wait."

Theo tensed. "What?"

"We were never sure," she said slowly. "The recruit- you heard—when he talked—he said Voldemort was sending recruits. Two... maybe three."

Theo's eyes narrowed. "Shit."

"Exactly," Cassie muttered. "What if there's another one? Still out there?"

The silence stretched. Theo straightened, scanning the windowless room as if the third might appear "How do we find out?" 

Cassie's jaw set. "You stay guard here. I'll go back to the alley. Check."

Theo's head snapped toward her. "Absolutely not. We go together."

"I can handle- if there is a third"

Theo exhaled through his nose, jaw tightening. "We're not splitting. Either we both go, or neither of us moves an inch."

Cassie tilted her head, "Protective much?"

"Realistic," Theo corrected. "And if there's a third, you're not walking into it alone."

Their eyes locked for a long moment, the chained Death Eaters unconcious behind them,  Finally, she sighed, flicking a curl back. "Fine. Together."

She snatched a cloak from the chair and swung it over her shoulders, hood up. Theo mirrored her, muttering under his breath, "One day you'll actually listen instead of arguing when I say you shouldn't run into danger alone."

"One day you'll realize that danger follows me regardless," she shot back, pushing past him toward the door.

The alley was the same- just as how they left it - cold- and empty, the cobblestones slick The lamplight stopped short of the start, leaving the far end in d. arkness . Cassie and Theo moved in silence, 

Theo's hand brushed the inside of his cloak where his wand rested "If there's a third," he murmured, "he'll have already gone to warn the others."

"Not necessarily." Cassie's eyes swept the darkness. "If he's green, he'll linger. Probably waiting. Trying to prove himself before crawling back to Daddy Voldy with proof that he has a spine."

Theo's lips curved faintly. "You say that like you know from experience."

"Please," she whispered, half amused. "I've never been that pathetic."

Before Theo could answer, a faint scrape echoed down the alley ahead. Both froze, wands angled..

"I'll check," Cassie whispered, already moving.

Theo reached, catching only air. "Cass—"

She slipped around the corner, curls disappearing into the dark.

The grab came instantly. Rough hands slammed her shoulder into the wall, The breath knocked out of her in a hiss—

"Cass!" Theo's roar cracked through the alley. His wand was up in a heartbeat, "Don't you fucking touch her!"

A blast of scarlet ripped past Cassie's ear, Theo's spell narrowly missing the figure that held her. The man stumbled, cloak hood falling back—and Cassie's stomach dropped.

The twitchy mouth. The sharp, jerking smirk she'd seen once before.He was there the night Regulus died- The first one she'd knocked out in that ambush.

"You," she breathed

The Death Eater sneered, straightening despite the scorch across his arm. "Well, well. The Black brat herself. You really should've stayed in hiding." His lips twisted. "But I suppose you always liked watching people die up close."

Cassie's wand was already raised, trembling with rage.

"After all... didn't you watch when we killed that traitor father of yours? Regulus, wasn't it?"

Her chest hollowed out. The words hit her harder than any curse. For one second she wasn't standing in a rain-slick alley but in that other one, back in the ambush outside her home, Regulus's body crumpling in front of her eyes.

Her magic snapped—the air around her shuddering. Sparks ran down her arm. "You," she hissed, voice low, shaking with fury. "You were there."

The man smirked. "Front row seat, sweetheart. Your dear daddy didn't even get a chance to beg."

Cassie's wand flared, red light missing him as the Death Eater sidestepped lazily.

"Cass," Theo warned sharply, already stepping beside her, wand raised. "Not now. Not like this."

But Cassie barely heard him. Her eyes burned holes into the man's skull. Every nerve screamed to end it—end him.

The Death Eater's sneer only widened. "What's wrong? Do you not have the guts to kill me? Maybe I should kill this boyfriend of yours next—"

That was it.

Cassie yelled out a curse—a lethal one, straight for his chest. The twitch‑mouthed bastard barely rolled aside; the brick wall where he'd been standing shattered, shards spraying across stone.

"Cassie—" Theo's roar was half fury, half plea. He lunged, grabbing her wrist with both hands, dragging the wand down just as she tried to fire again. The next burst of magic scorched the ground instead, sparks crackling at their boots.

Her eyes snapped to him, blazing. "Let me go—"

"Not like this." Theo's voice was steel, his grip tight, body pressed against hers to keep the wand aimed away. "He doesn't get to be dead, not yet."

Another hex flew past—green, too close. Theo twisted, shoving Cassie against the wall to cover her with his body as he fired back over his shoulder. His spell caught the Death Eater's leg, sending him sprawling with a howl.

Cassie shoved Theo hard enough to break free, snarling. "I don't need protecting, Nott."

"You need restraint," Theo snapped, already firing another curse that ricocheted sparks off the wall.

The Death Eater scrambled up, blood on his lip, laughter bubbling even through his pain. "Look at you two. Lovers' quarrel in the middle of a duel? Precious."

Cassie's wand lashed up  "I'll rip that smile off your face."

"Look at this. The big bad Black, needing her little boyfriend to leash her—"

Theo's wand slashed through the air before Cassie could. The curse hit the man square in the chest, slamming him back into the wall with a grunt.

"You really want to keep talking?" Theo growled.

The Death Eater spat blood, but his grin never faltered.

Cassie tore her wrist free, stepping forward. But Theo's hand was on her shoulder this time. "Two against one," he muttered, eyes locked on their enemy. "He doesn't stand a chance. Keep your head."

The Death Eater was on his feet again, sending another curse they easily deflected.

The duel didn't last long. Two against one was no fight at all. Theo's curse snapped the Death Eater's wand clean in half, sparks spitting across the alley floor. Cassie had him bound in a second.

Theo had his wand at the man's throat; Cassie loomed above, chest heaving, her face full of fury.

The Death Eater dazed but smiling anyway. "Two against one. Some dueler you are."

"Trust me—you'll thank your stars it wasn't one against one." Cassie spat, knocking him out with a stunner.

Theo casted a Disillusionment charmover his twitching body, cloaking him in shimmer as Theo levitated him between them. Cassie stalked beside the floating figure, jaw tight, every step clipped. Theo could feel the fury radiating off heR- They slipped through the streets fast. By the time they reached the safehouse door, Cassie's hand was white‑knuckled on her wand.

The chains clattered against the stone floor as they dropped him in the back room with the others. Theo locked the wards, drew the sound‑sealing charm tight—and the second the hum of magic finished, Cassie spun on him.

"You don't get to do that."

Theo blinked, sweat still damp at his temples. "Do what?"

Her eyes were fire. "Grab me. Force me down like I'm some hysterical child who doesn't know what she's doing."

"You nearly blew his skull open." His voice was sharp, jaw tight. "We need them alive—alive, Cassie—or this entire mission's worthless."

Her laugh was low, dangerous. "Don't patronize me with strategy, Theo. You don't get it. He was there. He was one of the bastards who killed Regulus—"

"I know," Theo cut in, voice harsher than she expected. He stepped closer, eyes burning. "And that's exactly why you don't get to kill him yet. You think I don't want to? You think I don't want to split his ribs open and leave him bleeding in the gutter for daring to touch you—"

"Then why didn't you ? Whatg you think you can just clamp your hand over mine and call it strategy?"

"I think I stopped you from blowing our cover and wasting the only useful piece of trash we've caught. You're welcome."

Cassie laughed—harsh, bitter. "You're welcome? Merlin, listen to yourself." She shoved past him, then spun back, curls flying. "I'm not your soldier. I'm not your fucking project to control—"

"You're not invincible, Cass." His voice rose, snapping hard. "You think charging half‑cocked on grief and revenge is power? It's suicide."

Her eyes narrowed. "Maybe I'd rather be suicide than nothing. At least I'd do something—"

Theo stepped into her space, chest to chest, breath hot. "Don't you dare." His hand slammed the wall beside her head. "Don't you put that idea in your mouth like that. Don't you act like dying-killing yourself would make you worth more than you already are."

Cassie's jaw clenched. "Worth?" she spat. "You think I care about worth? I care about making him scream." She pushed him back. "And you stopped me. You had no right," she hissed.

"I had every right. If you'd killed him out there, you'd have ruined the entire mission."

"Mission? He stood there and taunted me with Regulus's death. You think I care about missions when he—" She broke off, voice cracking.

Theo didn't flinch. "Yes. You care. Because if you didn't, you'd have killed him already. You stopped, Cass. You listened—no matter how much you hate admitting it."

Cassie jabbed her wand toward his chest. "Don't you dare turn this into some victory of yours. You pulled me back like a dog on a leash."

His eyes narrowed. "I pulled you back because someone has to think beyond the next five seconds. Someone has to make sure we live long enough to fight tomorrow."

"Oh, so you're the saint now?" she spat. "The perfect tactician, Mr. Reverence. Don't pretend this was about strategy—it was about control."

Theo scoffed, incredulous. "You think I want to control you? You terrify me, Cass. I'm not trying to cage you—I'm trying to keep you alive. You were about to slit his throat with half the town twenty feet away! Witnesses—"

Cassie let out a laugh. "Oh, now you're worried about witnesses? Funny, considering you nearly set the alley on fire screaming at him not to touch me."

Theo's nostrils flared. He jabbed a finger at her chest. "Don't twist this—"

She smacked his hand away, shoving his shoulder with enough force to stagger him a step. "You don't get to grab me like that. You don't get to decide when I fight."

"I don't get to? Cassie, you're one bad second away from burning this whole town down—"

"Maybe that's what it deserves." She spat, wand still raised.

Theo's hand shot out again, clamping around her wrist—not hard enough to hurt, but firm, dragging her wand down between them. "Do you even hear yourself?" he ground out. "You think you're the only one who wants him dead? I'd flay him alive for touching you, but unlike you, I don't confuse vengeance with strategy."

"Well—unfortunately I do. Don't you ever leash me again."

He didn't back down. "Then stop giving me reasons to."

The silence that followed was thick, unbearable. One of the bound Death Eaters let out a muffled groan. Neither of them looked. Cassie's hand twitched around her wand, then she shoved it into her belt with a curse. She grabbed her cloak off the chair and stormed toward the door.

"Where the hell are you going?" Theo demanded.

"Somewhere that doesn't stink of Death Eater and testosterone."

Theo let out a humorless laugh, snatching his own cloak. "Fine. Then we'll go drink and glower at each other in public."

*****

The pub was louder than usual, chatter and the clink of pint glasses filling the air. Cassie sat angled away, boots hooked on the chair leg, while Theo leaned back stiffly with his pint. Neither spoke.

Marvin, who usually ignored them unless Theo pestered him with pointless questions about "local ales" and "the weather," raised a brow when he brought their drinks over. For once, he was the one to speak first. "Trouble in paradise?"

Both of their heads snapped up. 

Theo blinked. "How'd you figure that?"

Marvin tilted his head, mouth twitching. "For one—" he jabbed his thumb toward Cassie, "she's sitting three feet away instead of on your arm. For another, you haven't started a pointless conversation with me yet. Usually by now you're asking if I like cricket or some other bollocks."

Cassie almost choked on her pint. She turned her head so Marvin wouldn't see the smirk tugging at her mouth.

Theo scowled. "We always sit at a distance."

Marvin snorted. "Pfft. Sure you do."

Theo's lips twitched despite himself. "Told you people notice."

Cassie shot him a look. "Noticed what?"

"That you're in a mood," Theo said, sipping his pint.

"I'm not in a mood," she snapped. "I'm practicing restraint- Just like you wanted me to"

Theo raised his brows. "Restraint looks a lot like sulking."

Cassie leaned forward, voice sharp. "Careful, Nott. Or you'll find out what restraint looks like when I stop practicing it."

Marvin snorted. "Yup. Definitely a fight."

Cassie glared up at him. "No one asked you, Marvin."

"Didn't need to be asked," he said, already turning away. "Whole pub can feel it."

Theo chuckled low. "He's not wrong."

Cassie dropped back into her seat, muttering, "Brilliant. Even the bartender thinks I'm unbearable."

"You are," Theo said mildly.

Her head snapped toward him. "Excuse me?"

He met her glare with calm, infuriating ease. "You're unbearable. To everyone else." He paused, smirk tugging at his lips. "Unfortunately for me, I'm immune."

Cassie rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle she didn't pass out. "You mistake immunity for masochism."

"And yet," Theo murmured, leaning forward, "here I am."

Marvin casually picked another glass from the cabinet behind him. Without looking at them, he muttered, "Ten bucks says you'll be making out before I close up."

Cassie's jaw flexed, giving Marvin a look. "We're fine."

Theo gave a pointed glance at her folded arms. "Are we?"

Cassie's head whipped toward him. "Don't start."

"I'm not starting. You're the one still sulking because I didn't let you—" He stopped, glancing at Marvin who was blatantly pretending to polish glasses a few feet away. "—because I didn't let you order the steak."

Cassie nearly laughed. "Oh, steak. Right. What you mean is you didn't let me—" she lowered her voice, still sharp, "—cut the meat myself."

Theo sighed, rubbing his temple. "For the last time, it wasn't about control. It was about not setting the kitchen on fire."

Cassie stabbed her finger at him. "You always do this. You make it sound like I'm reckless—"

"You are reckless."

"And you're suffocating."

Marvin passed by, muttering, "I'm gonna need popcorn for this."

Cassie ignored him, eyes locked on Theo. "You don't trust me. Admit it."

Theo leaned in, voice dropping, "I trust you more than anyone alive. That's the problem. Because when you burn, you'll take me with you."

That stopped her for half a second. Her lips parted, but no words came out.

He leaned back, "But fine. You want steak? You'll get steak. I'll even serve it raw." He tilted his head, "Carved straight from our twitchy‑mouthed friend downstairs. Skin peeled back, bones cracked open like a feast."

Cassie blinked, then finally smirked, slow. "You really do know how to turn me on."

Marvin, passing again, muttered, "Jesus Christ. You two are sick."

Cassie ignored him, turning back to Theo. "You think just because you can paint me a bloody little picture, I'll forgive you for pulling the strings?"

Theo arched a brow. "Pulling the strings? Or stopping you from hanging yourself with them?"

"Exactly that." She leaned in, her voice a hiss. "I don't need you playing savior. I've been surviving on my own long before you decided to hover."

Theo's jaw tightened, "And yet here you are—sharing a roof, a bed, a mission—with me. Maybe stop pretending you don't want someone in your corner."

Cassie's eyes glittered, . "Wanting someone in my corner doesn't mean I need a leash."

Theo's laugh was short, hot, dangerous. He leaned closer across the table, almost nose‑to‑nose. "Darling, if I ever put a leash on you, it wouldn't be to hold you back."

The air between them crackled. Cassie's lips twitched. "You don't get to do that," she snapped, shifting closer. "You pull that control‑card one more time, and I'll carve it into your throat just so you remember who's leashing who."

Theo didn't flinch. He leaned in, lips twitching like he almost welcomed it. "Try it," he said, voice mocking. "I'd like to see how creative you get."

That was all it took. Cassie's hand shot up, fingers wrapping around his throat—Her nails grazed the sharp line of his jaw as she tilted his head back a fraction, forcing his eyes on hers.

Theo's smirk was infuriatingly steady. "There she is."

Cassie leaned in close, her lips brushing his ear when she whispered, "You should be afraid of me."

From behind the bar, Marvin snorted. "Knew it. Knew you two would end up making out in my pub before close."

They both jerked their heads toward him, twin scowls.

"No PDA," Marvin said flatly, tossing a rag over his shoulder. "Last thing I need is your freaky foreplay ruining the mood for paying customers."

Theo didn't break eye contact with Cassie. "What PDA?" His voice was all heat, daring, as if he'd kiss her right there just to prove a point.

"I let you two brood and bicker in here every night. Fine. Adds to the atmosphere. But throat‑grabbing? Save it for your murder‑sex dungeon, alright?"

Cassie released Theo with a little shove, lips twitching. "See, even the bartender thinks you're not worth it."

Theo's laugh was low as he stood up after her. "Oh, he's dead wrong. You just don't want him watching when you finally give in."

Cassie shot him a look over her shoulder as they headed for the door. "Keep talking, Nott. I'll let Marvin watch just to spite you."

Behind them, Marvin muttered, "God, you two are insane."

**********************************

Back at the safehouse
tw- mild torture

The safehouse door creaked open.

Cassie slipped inside first, wand twirling idly between her fingers. "Do you think our little guests are up yet?"

Theo followed, scrubbing a hand over his face. "Yeah, probably. But We should really sleep."

Cassie snorted  "Who are you kidding, Nott? Neither of us sleep. You just stare at the ceiling and pretend."

The sound hit them before the sight did — the rattling clank of chains straining, boots scraping against the floor, voices raised in ugly shouts.

When they stepped into the last room, the captured Death Eaters were thrashing violently against the iron chains Borgin had sworn could hold trolls. Their arms jerked against the restraints, eyes blazing.

"Fucking blood‑traitor filth!" one bellowed. "You'll regret ever laying hands on me! I'll flay you alive, bitch, and feed your skin to my hounds—"

The other snarled "You think you can hold us? You think chains matter? Our Lord will come for you—he'll gut you both and mount your heads on spikes -"

Cassie rolled her eyes, strolling in like she was bored. "Yeah, yeah. I'm a bitch. I'm filth. Anything new?"

The first one jerked forward, the chains clanking. "You'll end like your mutt father—rotting, despised, pathetic—"

Cassie sighed, turning her head lazily. "Shut them up for me, darling. I'll let Remus know part one's done."

Theo didn't argue. He lifted his wand with a flick. "Silencio."

The Death Eaters kept yelling, mouths wide, but the room fell silent.

Cassie crouched and pulled the two‑way mirror from her pocket. She angled it just so, waiting. "Now then," she murmured, glancing at the twitchy one she recognized in the alley. "Are there more of you out here?"

The Death Eater's mouth twisted, but he refused to answer. Just glared.

Cassie tilted her head. "Theo. Lift it."

Theo hesitated a beat, then muttered the counter‑charm. Sound rushed back in, and instantly the Death Eater spat—straight at Cassie's boot.

Before she could react, Theo's hand shot forward. He punched the boy across the jaw so hard his head snapped back against the wall.

"Don't you fucking dare," Theo snarled, chest heaving.

Cassie arched a brow, lips curving faintly. "So much for self‑control."

Theo ignored her. He grabbed the twitchy‑mouthed recruit by the collar, hauling him forward until their faces were inches apart. "You answer her," he hissed "or I let her take over. And I promise you—she'll make you beg for death."

The recruit wheezed, coughing blood. He was young—older than them—but young. He spat a tooth‑red grin. "What's she gonna do? Spread her legs for me? I hear Black girls are easy once you break them—"

Theo didn't hesitate. His fist cracked against the boy's cheek again, splitting his lip open. Blood sprayed against the chain.

Cassie wrinkled her nose delicately. "Ugh. You don't have to get your hands all bloody,             Mon coeur. Just use the dagger."

The recruit groaned, spitting blood onto the floor.

Theo's hand twitched toward the blade at his belt.

"Remus Lupin"

Cassie's mirror flared, and Remus's lined face appeared in the glass.

"Cassie?"

Cassie smiled sweetly at the image. "We got 'em."

Remus frowned. "Who?"

"Recruits. Obviously."

There was a muffled scream in the background as Theo pressed the flat of his dagger against the Death Eater's hand, pressing just enough to make him writhe.

Remus winced, running a hand down his face. "Cass, there's no need to—"

"Yeah, yeah, Uncle Moony," Cassie cut him off, eyes glittering. "This is my forte. Don't teach me my job."

The twitchy‑mouthed Death Eater laughed wetly through his broken lip, even as Theo pressed the dagger harder "You two are fucked. You'll die screaming. The Dark Lord knows your names—he'll skin you alive—" His voice cracked into another scream as Theo twisted the blade just enough to cut.

Cassie tilted her head, curls sliding over her shoulder, smirk curling cruelly. "Cute. But we're the ones holding the chains."

The mirror's glow still hung faintly in Cassie's hansd. Remus's voice spoke up half panicked "Cassiopeia, listen to me—don't go too far. You don't need to stoop to their level. Just hold them, the Order will—"

Cassie snapped the mirror shut with a flick, her voice sharp  "We have work to do."

Silence thickened in the room, broken only by the clinking of chains and the ragged breaths of the prisoners. Cassie tilted her head at Theo, then at the recruits. "Did he tell you anything?"

Theo leaned back, dagger twirling between his fingers, eyes shadowed. "Not yet. Just swore there aren't any more here. They're stubborn as fuck."

Cassie's lips curled in annoyance. She flicked her wand, lazy. A wooden chair scraped violently from the next room and came skidding across the floor, spinning before it planted itself right in front of the chained men. She sat with deliberate poise, crossing one boot over the other, leaning back like a queen on a throne. Theo moved automatically, dropping into his place at her side—perched on the arm of her chair, elbow braced near her shoulder

"Here's the thing. I don't actually need to touch you. I could let you rot in those chains until your own mind breaks. But that's boring. And I'm not really the patient type."

The older Death Eater—scarred cheek, grizzled, eyes fever‑bright—snarled through bloody teeth: "Fuck you." 

Theo's knuckles whitened around the dagger hilt. But Cassie only smiled. "Oh, darling, you wish." Her wand tilted toward the twitchy‑mouthed recruit—the one She nearly killedl in the alley.  "I already know why he sent you here. But I still want to hear it from you."

The recruit's jaw clenched. He stared, lips pressed thin, sweat on his temple.

Cassie exhaled slowly, feigning disappointment. "So unhelpful."

She raised her wand—sharp, flicking—"Collare."

The boy's throat seized. His eyes bulged as invisible bands locked around his windpipe. He thrashed violently against the chains, heels drumming the floor, choking sounds]

Cassie lowered her wand just before his eyes rolled back. He collapsed forward, wheezing, chest heaving. The other Death Eaters stared, wide-eyed.

Cassie's voice was sweet. "Better?"

The boy barely had a second to drag air into his lungs before Cassie's wand snapped up again.

He barely managed two breaths before Cassie snapped her wand again—"Collare."

The boy convulsed, mouth gaping like a fish, air denied once more. His legs thrashed with the violence of his struggle. The other recruit roared wordless protests, jerking futilely against their own chains, forced to watch.

Cassie's head tilted, curls falling over one shoulder, her expression infuriatingly calm. "You'll find," she murmured over the sound of choking, "that I can do this all night."

Theo glanced at her from the corner of his eye, jaw tight. He didn't stop her this time—At the last second, Cassie released the curse again. The recruit collapsed forward, wheezing, spit trailing down his chin, eyes wild.

"See," she murmured, leaning forward, elbows on her knees. "You will tell me. The only question is—how long before you decide you'd rather breathe than die for a master who doesn't even remember your name."

The boy coughed , eye swimming, but still forced out a rasp, "Go... to hell."

Cassie's smile widened. "Already been, darling. I run the place."

**

The youngest recruit—barely older than they were, his bravado leaking away shifted uneasily in his chains. He blurted before he could stop himself: "You can't—this... this isn't what the Order does. You're supposed to be—"

Theo stood, straightening from where he'd been lounging on the arm of Cassie's chair "Do you see anyone from the Order here?"

The boy swallowed hard, eyes darting to Cassie whose grin sharpened, the look in her eyes sparking at his feat like she'd just cracked the code to their safe.

"You look familiar," she purred, tilting her head. "Have we met before?" She rose to her feet, wand twirling idly between her fingers.

The boy's jaw worked, but he said nothing. He just stared at her, then flicked a desperate look toward the other two chained beside him. 

"Oh, I'm sure you can answer that without giving away anything... critical," Cassie teased. "Just your name."

Silence.

Theo's dagger pressed into the boy's hand immediately blood sprouting. The recruit yelped, teeth gritting against the pain.
"When she asks you something," Theo growled, "you answer her."

The boy spat it out, "R... Rowan Vale."

Cassie cocked her head, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Rowan Vale... why does that sound so familiar?" She glanced over her shoulder at Theo. "Love, doesn't it ring a bell?"

Theo's mouth curved. "I believe he's the one you humiliated at the Great hall " His tone was mock‑thoughtful. "The trick with the cursed ink that made him sprout boils every time he opened his mouth."

"Oh, Merlin—yes. That was a good one. You squealed like a piglet, didn't you?"

Rowan's jaw clenched

Cassie leaned back, stretching like a cat before resettling in her chair. "Mm. Good pranks do hit hardf." She flicked her wand, as ccasual as a queen dismissing a servant. "Now... why dont you tell me Vale- Why did Voldemort send you here?"

Rowan's eyes darted sideways to the older two, who both shook their heads sharply. Don't.

Cassie's lips pursed. "Rowan Vale," she said. "I already told you - I am not a patient woman."

Her wand twitched and she said, "Nervus Flagello."

Rowan convulsed. The spell lashed through his nerves like a whip, setting every nerve alight with fire. His back arched, mouth wrenched open in a strangled scream as his body jerked against the chains.

Cassie cut it off after three seconds, watching his chest heave. "Now?"

Rowan gasped, sweat dripping down his face, voice barely a rasp.

"No?" Cassie's tone turned pitying. Then her smile returned

Her wand twitched again. This time she didn't even bother with the incantation and Rowan convulsed, eyes rolling back as another scream ripped out of him. His body jerked

"Careful Darling" Theo murmured "You'll break the toy before you're done with it."

Cassie smirked, cutting the spell with a snap. Rowan sagged in his chains, chest rattling with shallow breaths. She crouched, getting level with his terrified face.  Without a word, she stretched out her hand. Theo slid his dagger from his belt and laid it across her palm.

"Thank you, love." Cassie cooed, letting the blade catch the light as she twirled it lazily between her fingers. "Mm. I really didn't want to get the floor dirty," she sighed, almost apologetic. "We're renting this place, after all."

Rowan's eyes went wide. He pressed back into the wall as far as the chains would let him.Cassie let the blade hover inches from his face before trailing down, slow, to his hand.

"A bit of the dagger on the skin never hurt anyone," she drawled. "Well—unless you're me. Then it's delightful."

She pressed the tip against his palm. Rowan's breath shuddered out, eyes flicking desperately toward the other recruits.

"Don't you dare tell this bitch anything!" one of them snarled hoarsely.

Cassie's head snapped toward him, Then she turned back to Rowan and, with an elegant little twist of her wrist, drove the dagger into the flesh of his hand.

Rowan screamed jerking against the chains as blood welled up around the steel. Cassie twisted the blade once, almost lazily, before pulling it free.

"See, Rowan?" she murmured,  "They aren't the ones with steel in their skin. You are."

Rowan gasped, biting his lip hard enough to draw more blood. His chest heaved, sweat streaking his face, but still—no words.

Cassie straightened, wiping the blade against her sleeve before handing it back to Theo

"Maybe I should try something more lethal," she musedOne curse held too long. One second past saving Who do you think I'd pick first"

Her eyes flicked down the row of chained Death Eaters. The older one bared his teeth; the twitchy one stiffened. But Rowan flinched, hard

"Or," Theo interrupted  "we could take a break. Let them whisper among themselves. Decide if holding onto scraps we already know is worth the pain."

"You have no clue, Nott," the twitchy Death Eater rasped hoarsely

Theo tilted his head, lips curling "Don't I?" He drawled "Weren't you the one drinking with Thomas, babbling every detail you thought made you important?"

The twitchy one froze, eyes widening.

"Thought so" Theo said drylu

The twitchy one's eyes widened at Theo, spittle flying as he lunged uselessly against his chains. "Traitor! You filthy traitor—you've been spilling the Dark Lord's plans to this blood‑traitor bitch—"

Theo's wand was up in an instant, "You don't want me to start. I'm the one keeping her from cutting you into little pieces."

Cassie smirked at that, settling back in her chair like a queen with her warrior at her side

The older Death Eater snorted. "You've no idea Boy- And we won't tell you."

Theo arched a brow, voice bone‑dry. "So it's not about the Scourge? Not about the acolyte spawn?"

The man froze. Just a fraction. His eyes widened, before returing to normal - But Cassie caught it - She sat forward instantly, lips curving "Yep." She tapped Theo's knee with the back of her hand, like she'd just won a bet. "Knew it."

The younger recruit whipped his head toward the veteran, panic breaking through his mask. "What the fuck, Rach? Why would you—why would you betray—"

"I didn't nod, you idiot," the older one growled, teeth bared. His eyes cut back to Cassie, full of hate. "She's playing you. Both of you."

Cassie only smiled wider, tilting her head. "Maybe I am. Maybe I'm not. But the look on your face just told me more than your mouth ever could."

The twitchy one snarled eyes wild. "You'll die screaming, Black. Both of you. You've no idea what's coming."

Cassie's wand flicked before he could say anything else "Fractura Vexa."

The chains clanged as his body convulsed—his right wrist snapped with a sickening crack, bones twisting the wrong way. He howledin pain, veins straining in his neck. Cassie only tilted her head, lips curling into a dangerous grin. She let him writhe for a few seconds, savoring the panic painted across his face  before saying "Then tell me, sweetheart—what is coming?"

The eldest Death Eater's lip curled, his chains rattling as he lurched forward. "You'll get nothing from us, you filthy little Black whore. The Dark Lord will carve your pretty face into ribbons and make your little boyfriend watch as he feeds the scraps to his snake." He spat

The spit hit the floor by her boot.

Cassie only tilted her head, gaze cool. Then, without a word, her eyes slid to Theo.

 She didn't have to-  because Theo was already moving, the minute the Death Eater had said her name., Eyes narrowed with fury. The dagger in his hand, plunging down and twisting across the man's forearm where the veins ran thickkest. The Death Eater screamed, body jerking against the chains as blood slicked across his robes.

Theo leaned into it despite the crimson spray all over his own robes too  "Say her name again with that filthy mouth of yours, and it'll be your throat next."

The Death Eater shrieked, veins bulging, but Theo didn't pull back. If anything, his grip tightened, the dagger sawing slightly 

Cassie leaned her hip against the chair, arms folded, eyes glittering "I'll tell you, mon cœur," she purred, voice velvety as she watched Theo work, "you've never looked hotter."

Theo glanced up at her, blood spattered across his sleeve asd he yanked the blade free with one swift motion, ignoring the man's scream, expression caught somewhere between exasperation and reluctant amusement. "You pick strange moments for flirting."

Cassie's grin widened

When Theo stood back, dagger still in hand, his robes streaked crimson, he let out a slow, controlled breath like he was forcing the temper out of himself. His gaze flicked to her,but it didn't need words: he'd do it again if she asked.

Cassie's attention, however, had already shifted. Her eyes slid back to the youngest one chained at the end. He was pale, trembling, eyes blown wide with terror as he tried not to shrink into the wall. His breathing came fast, erratic, as if he'd seen his own execution written on the air.

Cassie's smile was gentle—mockingly gentle. She crouched, arms draped loosely over her knees, curls spilling forward. "Relax. I'm not going to hurt you." Her voice was sweet, a lie so obvious that it made Rowan flinch "Not unless you give me a reason."

Theo didn't interrupt. He just paced slow in front of the line, dagger still dripping red onto the floorboards. When he stopped beside the boy, he set the blade casually against the wall, as if to remind him it was still there.

The boy's throat bobbed. His eyes darted to the others, desperate.

"Don't look at them," Cassie murmured, tilting her head. "Look at me. Do you know why you're the one I'm watching?"

He shook his head, rapid, panicked.

"Because you're the weakest link." She smiled, "Because they'll offer you first when it comes to choosing bait. That's what they do to recruits, isn't it? Feed you to the wolves, see if you survive the bite."

"Shut your mouth," the twitchy Death Eater hissed, chains rattling as he strained against them. "Don't you dare listen—"

Theo's wand flicked up before Cassie even moved. The he went silent, chest heaving.

Cassie's eyes never left the boy. "See?" she said, smile curling. "He wants you quiet because he knows I'm right."

The recruit's breathing hitched, panic written in every twitch of his face.

"You're going to slip, darling. Sooner or later," Cassie purred, rising and circling him like a predator sizing prey. "A word here, a word there. I'll piece it together. And when I do, you'll wish you'd chosen to give it freely."

Theo leaned down close, so his shadow fell over the boy. "She's better at this game than you'll ever be. Trust me—you don't want to find out how far she'll go."

The boy made a small, broken sound, eyes wide and shining. His mouth opened—"They... they only told us to—"

"SHUT YOUR BLOODY MOUTH!" the older Death Eater snarled, chains clanging as he lurched against the wall. His voice was hoarse with panic, more desperate than commanding. "Do you want the Dark Lord to skin you alive?"

The boy flinched, clamping his teeth so hard his jaw trembled. Terrortr in his eyes, and his whole body shaking, caught between his fear of Voldemort and the idea of what Cassie and Theo could do to him right here, right now.

Cassie just tilted her head, studying the exchange like a cat watching mice fight over crumbs. Then, slow as honey, she leaned closer to the boy. "Mm. So you do know something."

The boy's breathing hitched.

Theo let out a low laugh.

"Don't worry," Cassie said sweetly, brushing a curl off her face as though she had all the time in the world. "We'll get it out of you eventually. The only question is how much blood it'll cost before then."

Her gaze swept across the three of them, landing squarely back on the boy.  "I think we should give them some time," she drawled. "Let them whisper amongst themselves. Decide who's going to be my bait."

Her gaze slid back to Rowan ""I already know which one they'll pick. Don't you?"

Theo's eyes flicked to the trembling recruit, then back to her. He smmirked. "Yeah," he drawled, "I think I've got a guess."

The youngest swallowed hard, eyes wild as Cassie turned on her heel, curls swinging as she strode for the door. "I suppose," she said over her shoulder to Theo, "They'll be more talkative after they imagine all my options over the night."

The door clanged shut behind them, the sound of chains and muffled groans fading For a second, both of them just stood outside—blood‑splattered, breathing hard

Cassie didn't bother with words. She shoved past Theo, curls bouncing, and threw herself onto the creaky sofa . Shrugging off her bloody jacket leaving her only in her jumper. She sprawled out with a dramatic groan kicking of her boots

Theo muttered something under his breath, peeling his ruined robe off his shoulders. He gave it a disgusted look before tossing it aside and stalking toward the basin. "I need to wash this off before I start smelling like them."

"Charming," Cassie drawled from the sofa, eyes half‑closed.

Theo didn't answer, just ran water, letting the red swirl down basin. He braced his hands on the edges of it, head low, shoulders tight. After a beat, he stripped the rest of his blood‑splattered clothes, tugged on a plain black shirt, and wiped his hands dry.

"You know," he said flatly, "we do have a vial of Veritaserum in supply. Might save us the theatrics next time."

Cassie cracked one eye open, lips curling. "Where's the fun in that?"

"That's the last option," Theo said, tugging the shirt into place. "Even You'll get bored of the same screams eventually." He rolled his neck, a faint crack echoing. "Pity about Rowan, though. Kid's barely grown out of Hogwarts. Can't believe he's caught up in this. Too young."

Cassie yawned, folding an arm under her head. Her tone was sing‑song "He was braver when we were dueling- pity - But he knew what he signed up for. They always do. Then they cry about it." She yawned, stretching her arms overhead. "Gods, I need coffee."

Theo fixed her with a dry look but reached for the kettle nevertheless "You need sleep. Hell, we both do."

"Eh." Cassie waved a lazy hand "Sleep's overrated." She scoffed. "Besides, I don't exactly fancy closing my eyes just to watch him die all over again."

Theo's jaw clenched. He didn't ask who—he didn't need to. He understood all too well what it was like to watch someone die on repeat every time you dared to blink. In his dreams, it wasn't Thomas looming over him anymore. It was him over Cassie—Cassie strapped down, Cassie broken, Cassie bleeding because of him. 

Theo exhaled through his nose, crossing the room with a mug in hand. He nudged her hip with his knee until she shifted, then sank down beside her on the sofa. Her body tilted instinctively into his

"Guess that makes us both insomniacs," he muttered, pressing the mug into her hand. His mouth twisted into something that wasn't quite a smile. "A match made in hell."

Cassie huffed, dry as ever, but the corners of her lips curved when she took a sip. "You almost make it sound romantic."

"It is."

Minutes passed. They didn't bother with lamps—just the faint orange glow of streetlight slipping through the curtains,

Cassie's head dipped back, curls spilling against the sofa "You'll keep me awake, right?"

Theo's eyes flicked to her profile. His answer came without hesitation. "Of course I will."

And that was that.

They sat there —talking about nothing, spells, runes, how much sugar to ruin coffee with. Sometimes quiet. Sometimes laughter.  Neither of them remembered when they'd finally drifted off - early in the morning

**********
Late morning

Cassie stirred first, blinking against the light, her neck cricked from where she'd fallen asleep leaning half‑against Theo. His arm was still around her waist, his breathing slow but restless, as if even in sleep he didn't quite relax.

She wriggled out of his hold, "Up, Nott.It's morning."

Theo cracked an eye opIen, rubbing his face with a groan. "You mean we wasted the night. Talking Again."

Cassie smirked, tying her hair back with an elastic she'd plucked off the table. "What's new? We'll sleep when Voldemort's dead."

"Or we'll be dead first, from insomnia" Theo muttered, sitting up.

Cassie arched a brow at him. " I love the sentiment." She tugged his sleeve as she stood. "Freshen up, darling If we're lucky, Our in‑house vermins will tell us where the Acolytes are today, and we can wrap this up by tomorrow."

Theo snorted. "That's a lot of ifs, Black."

She flicked a curl out of her face. "Don't kill my optimism. It's rare."

**********

By the time they stepped into the prisoners' room, both had washed, dressed, and armed themselves with fresh daggers and worse moods- charged on caffeine (They both had another cup of coffee)

The room reeked of sweat and blood. Their "guests" were exactly where they'd left them—three Death Eaters chained to the wall , eyes sunken, faces bruised. They stirred when the door opened, every gaze snapping toward her.

Cassie dragged the chair back into the center of the room, sat, and crossed one leg over the other. "Good morning, boys," she said sweetly,  "Did we sleep well? No? Pity. I did." 

A lie. But they didn't have to know

One of them, the twitchy‑mouthed one, spat blood onto the floorboards. "Filthy blood traitor bitch."

Cassie's smile sharpened. "That's yesterday's insult. You'll have to be more creative."

The older one, his voice a rasp, "You won't get anything Black- We will never betray Our Lord-."

Theo slipped into the room then, "God, you lot really do sound like a broken record. I almost miss the screaming."

Cassie didn't look back. Her eyes stayed fixed on the youngest recruit, the one whose stare flicked constantly between her and Theo "Here's the thing," she drawled, leaning forward onto her elbows, wand tapping against her thigh. "Why waste my time, when you can just tell us where the acolytes are?"

Silence.

Her grin sharpened. "No? Alright then—at least tell me if you've decided which one of you is going to be my bait."

The older one stared at the floor, jaw locked, refusing to meet her eyes. The twitchy‑mouthed one sneered, And the youngest... Rowan couldn't keep still. His shoulders jerked his knee bounced like he was ready to leap though there was nowhere to leap to. His wide, darting eyes gave him away more than anything he said—or didn't.

Cassie's lips curved slowly as she got up stretching slightly "Oh, come on. Don't make me choose for you." Her wand tilted, pointing lazily toward the boy. "Because if I do, well..." she let it drag "...I always did like the panicked ones."

The youngest's head snapped up at that  "I—I don't know!" he blurted "I don't know anything, I swear it—"

Cassie's brow arched. "Mm. You're twitching like someone who knows exactly what I'm asking about."

The older one growled. "He's green. He doesn't know shit."

Cassie's gaze never wavered from the boy. "Funny. He looks like he does. He looks like someone terrified of saying the wrong thing. And you—" she flicked her eyes at the older man "look like someone terrified he'll say the right thing."

The young Death Eater's breath hitched. His eyes darted toward the older one, then back to Cassie, wide and frantic.  "No—no, I—"

Cassie's wand pressed under his chin, lifting it so he was forced to meet her gaze. "If you don't know," she drawled, "then you won't mind being bait. You won't mind being strung up in the street while we see who comes to collect you."

The boy's breathing came fast-panicked. "You— you wouldn't—"

"She would," Theo cut in,  His wand raised too "And I'll hold the ropes."

The boy froze.

"Stop talking," the older Death Eater snapped. "Don't give them anything."

Cassie let out a laugh that wasn't really a laugh at all. "Oh, he doesn't need to talk. His face already did."

The boy shook his head  "I swear—I swear, he didn't tell us—" he coughed, chains clattering, "we were told they have this—"

"Shut your mouth!" the twitchy‑mouthed one barked, thrashing against his own restraints.

Cassie tilted her head, eyes narrowing in delight. She didn't even look at Theo, just lifted a hand slightly.

Theo read her immediately, his wand flicking without hesitation. Silencio. The twitchy one's mouth kept moving furiously, but no sound came out.

"Go on," Cassie said softly,"Don't let him steal your thunder."

The youngest hesitated, lips trembling. He already knew he'd gone too far. Cassie smiled "This is taking too much time," she drawled, wand steady on him. "And you're not worth the effort. Unless..." she raised her eyebrows pointedly.

"Wait—no—" the boy blurted, flinching "the Dark Lord—he said—"

The silenced Death Eater jerked violently

"He said what?"

"Tattoos. On their palms. That's how you'll know them." Rowan said franticly

Cassie arched a brow, unimpressed. "That's it? That's what you've been sweating blood over?"

" That's what—these two said. I don't know anything more. I swear it."

Cassie stepped back, wand spinning idly in her fingers, and turned to Theo. "That doesn't exactly make our job easier, does it?"

Theo leaned back. "No. But it's something. Better than watching him piss himself."

She smirked "Do you think the other two will crack?"

Theo's gaze slid toward the older one, who was glaring daggers, and the twitchy one, who was vibrating with rage. "Not a chance. They'll die before they break." He uncrossed his arms "Shall I get out the Veritaserum?"

Cassie sighed, as though he'd suggested something utterly pedestrian. "Ugh. I really didn'twant to. But fine. Only if you promise we'll play with them afterwards."

Theo pushed off the wall, muttering as he went to dig through her bag. "Ofcourse love, Always saving the fun for dessert."

He rummaged, pulled two nearly identical glass vials into the light, holding them up between his fingers. His mouth twitched  "Now... which one is which?"

"One's Veritaserum. The other's poison."

Theo picked both up, tilting them watching the liquid swirl. "They look the same."

"That's the point," she purred. "Keeps me entertained."

He turned toward her slowly, gaze fixed, "Merlin, you make cruelty look so romantic."

Cassie arched a brow, amused. "Flattery won't get you out of helping, Nott."

 "Who said I want out?"

She smirked, tilting her chin toward the prisoners. "Well then bring them over. We'll try them both. Lucky us—we've got such... willing volunteers."

Theo plucked one vial at random, uncorked it, and stalked to the eldest Death Eater at the end. The man thrashed, spitting curses, until Theo's hand clamped around his jaw and forced the liquid down his throat.

For a long beat—nothing. Then the man's eyes went slack, his breathing turned mechanical

Cassie clicked her tongue, "Well, that wasn't poison. How disappointing."

Theo wiped his hand on the man's sleeve "Sorry to ruin your evening entertainment, princess."

"Mm. I suppose Veritaserum will do for now" Cassie said. "Now. Let's not waste my time. Where are they—the acolytes?"

For a moment the man strained, jaw clenched, fighting the pull of the potion. Then the words tumbled out in a flat, forced tone.

"The Dark Lord... was sure... behind the Church of St. Augustine. They live like Muggles. They respond like Muggles. So we don't know who's real, who's cover."

Cassie's lips curled in disgust. "That's vague."

"Lies!" the twitchy one in the middle bellowed, chains rattling. "Shut your mouth, Rach, shut it!"

Theo's gaze slid to Cassie "And how," she asked dryly like she already knew the answer, "were you planning to convey this triumph of yours to little Voldy?"

The Veritaserum‑slurred Death Eater swallowed, "He sent us with envoys—promises of death, of glory. The Lord... ever powerful—"

Cassie rolled her eyes,"That's not even close to what I asked."

"Relax, love. They always like to gloat their nothing with poetry when they are under" Theo cooed 

The Death Eater's jaw jerked "We were told to send him a letter. Normal correspondence. Proof of progress. And instructed to stay here—expand his army—operate- I was the lead—The one he truste-"

"Yea, yea." Theointerrupted  "Where will the letter be addressed?"

"Malfoy Manor," the man croaked.

Cassie threw her head back against the chair with a groan. "Obviously."

The twitchy one howled, straining against the chains, spit flying. "TRAITORS! YOU'LL BURN FOR THIS—"

Theo, not even looking, flicked his wand to silence him again. "Merlin, he's louder than you when you're annoyed."

Cassie's gave him a look pointedly ignoring his remark . "I think we can draft our first letter, don't you, Nott?"

Theo gave herz a dry smile. "Of course we can- just make it all disgustingly servile . Maybe throw in a your greatness humbles me for flair."

Cassie stretched, rolling her shoulders as she rose  "We will we need an owl first." She paused at the door, glancing over her shoulder  "Acolyte hunting first?"

Theo scrubbed a hand through his hair. "Hell yea. Wouldn't mind some breakfast, though."

Cassie's eyes narrowed. "Oh, sure. Cant go one day without seeing Laura, can you?"

Theo went still. "...Guilt looks ugly on me, doesn't it?"

Cassie rolled her eyes, tugging her jacket tighter. "Disgusting."

They stepped outof the safehouse the door locking with a click

"What do we do with them?" Theo asked casually, jerking his chin back toward the house. "Not like we need more info. Kill them?"

Cassie's lips twitched. "Tempting, but I think we'll save it for the last day. Don't want the smell."

"Fair."

They rounded the corner—and froze. Cause- Guess who caught their eye-

"Well, hello there, folks!"

Cassie visibly groaned. Elias, in his same wrinkled shirt and too-wide grin, stood leaning on the post outside a dingy shop. "You haven't stopped by my little souvenir shop yet."

Theo's eyes darted to Cassie. She plastered on a girlish laugh that made her want to gag "Oh—we've just been so caught up in sightseeing, haven't we, Tobias?"

Theo gave a helpless shrug, expression flat

"You wouldn't want to miss it," Elias went on cheerfully. "I'm opening up now, in fact. Best trinkets in town."

"We're kind of in a hurry, actually," Theo said impatiently "Do you know where the Church of St. Augustine is?"

"Of course I do," Elias beamed, adjusting his collar. "All the tourists want to go there." He tilted his head "Tell you what—you accompany me to my shop, and I'll tell you exactly how to get there."

Cassie's jaw twitched. "Oh, joy. A bargain."

Theo sighed, muttering, "We don't have time for this."

But Elias had already started walking, waving them along as if they were children dawdling behind. With no other choice—and with Cassie throwing Theo a glare—they followed.

The shop Elias led them to wasn't on the main street. He veered them down two narrow alleys,  until they stopped at a crooked corner His shop- squeezed between a shuttered bakery and a pawn shop. Elias unlocked the door and pushed it open.

Inside, the air was dim, shelves crowded with trinkets, old postcards, and figurines of saints with eyes that seemed to follow.

"There we are," Elias said, spreading his arms like he'd delivered them into paradise. "Locals swear by my stock. Imported, rare. Special."

Cassie picked up a chipped snow globe"Oh yes. Nothing says rare like dust and mold."

Elias chuckled "You Tourists have no eye for quality." His gaze flicked between them "So... where did you two say you were from again?" he asked

"Didn't." Cassie said flatly

Theo coughed into his hand, smoothing it over. "We'rejust Traveling a bit before term starts up again."

"Traveling," Elias repeated, leaning on the counter. "From where? You don't sound German. Or Austrian. Not English either. Somewhere in between, maybe." His grin spread too wide. "I've got an ear for these things."

Cassie's nails tappedagainst a dusty shelf of trinkets. This man is a mosquito. "We move around a lot," she said airily, before plucking up a ridiculous porcelain angel with one wing chipped off—and held it up. "We'll take this one," she announced.

Theo blinked at her. "That?"

"Yes, Tobias. This one. It's perfect."

Elias' grin widened as he took it from her. "Excellent choice. Most people overlook that one. Shame, really."

Theo opened his mouth but stopped short of Cassie's glare. He raised his hands in surrender, turning to Elias "Can't deny the lady what she wants."

Elias barked a laugh, shaking his head. "Smart lad. Nothing scarier than a woman's wrath."

Theo's answering smile was clipped, eyes fixed on Cassie as she pressed notes into Elias's palm.

"So," she said sweetly, "the church?"

Elias tapped his chin  "Mm. Yes Straight down two alleys, cross Market Street, hang a left at the butcher—you'll see it. Can't miss it."

Cassie gave a girlish laugh that made her wanna choke "Perfect. Thank youso much." She hooked her arm through Theo's and swept off

Theo let himself be dragged

Outside, Cassie let out a long exhale, muttering, "He's going to haunt my nightmares more than Voldemort."

Theo shook the bag, the angel rattling inside. "Then why the hell did you buy something from him?"

Cassie sighed "Because sometimes the fastest way to shut a man up is to give him what he thinks he wants."

Theo arched a brow. "And if he wanted blood?"

"Then one of us would already be dead." She grinned

******************************
******************************

They didn't go straight to St. Augustine.

Instead, Theo dragged Cassie into a café insisting that if they were going to hunt Acolytes, he was going to do it on a full stomach. Cassie muttered something about brunch being a scam, but she still ordered eggs, bread, and a black coffee

They spent half the meal sniping—Theo trying to argue runes versus wardwork for the hundredth time, Cassie deliberately stabbing her knife into the yolk just to make him wince. It was ordinary.

By late afternoon, they swung back to the safehouse. Cassie poked her head into the last room, eyes flicking over their prisoners who were slumped awkwardly in their chains, breathing heavily. 

"They'll wake," Theo muttered, wand flicking A shimmer spread across their bodies—a mild unconsciousness charm. "But not until we want them to."

"Efficient," Cassie drawled. "Almost makes you attractive."

Theo rolled his eyes. "Almost."

By the time they finally wound their way through the town to the far side of the church, the sky had gone amber-pink,  The bell tower loomed above them, birds scattering

They slipped around the back, boots crunching on gravel. The old stone wall was cracked with ivy, moss climbing between carvings Cassie paused, folding her arms. "So this is it. Voldy's great lead. An ivy wall and a couple of rats."

"Ah yes, nothing says hideout like a moss infested area" Theo said flatly

They slipped between the crooked rows of houses that hunched together behind the church, the cobblestones uneven under their boots. Cassie tilted her head at the dark doors and shuttered windows, frowning.

"How do we even know which onee is Acolyte's?" she asked, voice louder than it should've been in the quiet street.

Theo shot her a look. "Maybe don't yell Acolytes in the middle of their neighborhood."

Cassie smirked. "What, scared they're gonna hear us?"

"They don't need to hear us, Black. We haven't exactly done anything subtle since we got here."

Cassie shrugged. "Please. We agree with their ideology. Why would they—"

Something tore through the air, aimed directly at Theo's head.  "DUCK!" she snapped, shoving him down. He dropped, eyes wide, and the object clattered across the stones at her feet.

"Bloody hell—" Theo muttered, staring at a ball like structure at her feet. "What the fuck is that?"

Cassie's wand hand twitched. "Thought it was one of those explosive things Muggles use. You know—the ones that rip buildings apart?"

Theo gave aincredulous laugh. "Yeah, those. Pretty effective, aren't they? Maybe we should stock up. Souvenirs for the Order."

Cassie snorted. "We sho—"

BOOM.

Not fire. Just a violent hiss that swallowed the street in white. Thick smoke curled around them fast, clawing at their lungs. Cassie staggered back, coughing. Her wand was up, useless against the haze. "Theo—"

"I've got you—" Theo's hand brushed her arm, his voice breaking hrough the gray. He stumbled

Cassie's lungs burned . The world blurred, spinning. She tried to drag in enough air to curse- a bad idea she just ended up inhaling more of the gas till her knees gave.  The last thing she saw was Theo's face, pale and stricken in the smoke, "Cowards" She gasped before her vision went black.

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THIS CHAPTER WAS SO EXTRA OMGS- I LOVED WRITING IT TILL I REALISED I WENT A TAD BIT OVERBOARD- THEN REALISED ITS ALL GOOD FUN-

ITS  A MISSION AFTER ALL- DOESNT HAVE TO BE VERY PLOT CENTRIC

THIS CHAPTER HAS PLOT WORTH OF WHAT I'D USUALLY GIVE IN TEH SPAN OF 3-4 CHAPTERS- BUT DECIDED TO KEEP  IT ONE LONG CHAP- COS PERSONLY WHEN I MYSELF READ FANFICS I DO NOT LIKE THE MISSION CHAPTERS TO BE SPLIT INTO SMALL CHAPTRS

AANNDD- THENEXT CHAPTER IS 60% DONE BUT IM ADDING A BIT MORE AND TRYING FOR A BONUS PART AT THE END- 

SOO BEFORE I LEAVE FOR MY 10 DAY VACATION - ILL GIVE IT TO U!

TILL NEXT TIME

MXRIDDLE