Curiosity Killed the Cat || Owen & Albus
“Humpty Dumpty can keep his mouth quiet.” Owen replied simply, not raising his voice. He’d been somewhat tolerant (not really) of Albus and his chattering until now, then there’d been a minor outburst but Owen was determined not to let that happen again. This wasn’t the time for idle conversation, not a time to form any sort of relationship with the kid even if it was a negative one. The less he talked, the easier it was going to be for Owen to do what he had to do. Of course, no sorts of feelings had gotten in the way so far asides from anger. He did extremely well in containing any, especially on a day-to-day basis. However, this was a slightly personal experience and earlier thoughts about this all kept trying to creep back into his brain. Which, obviously, was not helping in the slightest and was only hindering his ability to keep calm and not care about this whole thing.
Owen paced one length of the room silently, his eyes locked on his feet and occasionally Albus to ensure he wasn’t taken by surprise. Then again, with the kid’s reputation Owen wouldn’t exactly be surprised by any move he made. Still, he wasn’t taking any chances – especially not now. He was so close, and there was no doubt that he’d get hell if he somehow managed to lose the kid. Now that Albus knew this area of the Ministry, he would be capable of getting back here and attempting to help the other unfortunate souls who happened to cross the Ministry. One more reason this all needed to happen, Owen told himself.
When the boy started talking, Owen listened but he wasn’t bothered about replying. He wasn’t going to reply to something that would start up an angry conversation between the two – stress wasn’t the best thing to put yourself through on the night of the full moon. But he thought about the request to have the bite somewhere inconspicuous and nodded to himself before taking a look at Albus from what he could see, figuring out a place most likely to not be seen. “Fine. Pick a place.” Owen gave in. It wasn’t something that really mattered and he wasn’t going to get in trouble for letting the kid have the bite in a place less noticeable. After all, it wasn’t the biggest ask and the whole thing wasn’t going to be pleasurable for Albus so what was the harm in saying yes? “But, if you try anything I will bite you somewhere people can see.” He needed to assert the fact he had control of this whole situation despite letting Albus have something he wanted.
The creak of the smaller door didn’t bother Owen; he knew what was happening without even looking. Soon enough, by his side was a smaller vampire with a bowl of the solution he asked for along with a rag of sorts and a vial full of wolfsbane potion. He’d never seen the girl before, but she’d known to go through the right door that Albus wouldn’t think about going back through, and she’d managed to get through there with ease so it was safe to assume she did this often. “Thanks…” Owen trailed off, hoping for a reply from the girl including her name.
“It’s my job.” She said coldly.
“Right.” Owen kept his attention on Albus. “You’ve got another choice. You can apply this thing yourself, save her from staying, or she stays and applies it. And if you choose the first one and don’t apply it because you’d rather die, we’re also fine with that option. Saves us from keeping you around. Though, it’d be a shame for you to just disappear and no-one know what happened to you. I’m sure your family would try and find out, and maybe they’d end up in this position too. Wouldn’t that be a pity?”
The vampire sharply placed her elbow in Owen’s side with a pretty big force, indicating for Owen to shut up and get on with things.
“You have approximately five minutes to make a choice before I have to make one for you.” He would have to go in five minutes, to the other room where he’d transition. Before that, though, he needed to drink the potion the vampire handed him. Which he did quickly. “Time’s ticking, kid.”
When Owen gave in and let Albus choose where to have his bite, he felt a rush of relief for the first time since he'd been caught. It gave him a sense of control, being able to make the small decision. He thought for a moment, picturing his body and what he normally wore. What would be inconspicuous, where wouldn't people normally see? And more importantly, what area would hurt the least? It was almost like picking out a place to put a tattoo. Except a tattoo could be removed, being a werewolf... Well, that was permanent. "A scratch can do it, too, right?" He asked, looking up at the other man in the room. "Just scratch the side of my thigh." It was always covered by either pants or shorts, so no one would be able to see it. Albus didn't want the opportunity to flaunt a moment where he'd been taken captive and forced into something he didn't like the idea of not having control over himself and his freedom.
He watched Owen talk to the other woman, snickering to himself when she replied cooly and when she jabbed him with her elbow. "I'll do it myself," he replied, not wanting to be touched anymore than he had to. A scratch was enough. Albus didn't have any intentions not to put it on, either; he liked living too much. Besides, if he did things the right way, waited a while, he could use this to their advantage their being the Resistance. That was the only way he'd be able to live with himself, anyways. "I mean, unless I black out... Then she can do it, whatever."
Owen made his way into the adjoining room, leaving Albus alone with the woman. He purposely looked away from her, down at his hands, and started picking at the skin around his nails out of boredom. His stomach was in knots, twisting his insides. Anxiety was running through him, and not for the first time he wished he had his wand. If he hadn't been so tangled up with his cloak, he could have fought them off and ran back to the Auror department. James was there. James. Albus felt his stomach tighten, and he ran a hand through his hair, then propped his chin up with the same hand on his knee. When would he see him next, or Lily, or his parents? How long would he have to stay away from them? What if something happened to them?
He bit at the inside of his cheek, worrying away. There wouldn't be any opportunities in the coming weeks; months, even. Albus would have to wait it out until it didn't seem like he was getting on with the wrong side. After some time he heard the woman move closer towards the corner of the room, and heard the small door Owen exited through open again. Albus set back, breathing quickly. He pulled his pants off just enough so that Owen could get his thigh, bracing himself against the wall.

















