Save me from the dark | Alecto and Minerva
Alecto has always been a reckless, young individual, forever making rash decisions with a complete disregard for the consequences. This particular situation proves to be no different for the redhead, and with Alecto once more adopting the mindset of having absolutely nothing to lose, the young woman knows that she will be leaving this forest either free, or dead. There is no in-between for her.
As Minerva grows accustomed to their new surroundings, Alecto allows herself a moment to simply relish the way she feels now. The voices have all but subsided, her hands are perfectly still, and it finally feels like Alecto can breathe again. The knowledge of this alone causes a slight grin to curl at the corners of her lips, but it is the sight of Minerva McGonagall attempting to regain her composure is enough to make that grin turn into something much bigger, and far more wicked.
“Yes, Professor?” With a bat of her eyes and her voice dripping with sugar, Alecto cocks her head to the side a little. Truth be told, the girl had absolutely zero interest in her old teacher’s words, nor did she care to have this interaction last any longer than was absolutely necessary. But Alecto did like to humour her prey before she ripped them apart, and Minerva was already proving to be such a delicious catch. “And so, the martyr attack continues. Honestly, Professor, be honest with yourself; you just enjoy watching the students who made your life hell burn. There is no concern for you, only joy at seeing someone you despise in pain.”
Despite Alecto’s words, she continues grinning, finding the entire situation to be a joke. She doesn’t care for what Minerva has to say, isn’t interested by the idea that someone might care for her. But Minerva’s next words hit a nerve, and suddenly the game is over before it has even begun.
“Stop with the therapy session!” With a cry of sheer anguish, Alecto has sliced her wand through the air with a silent incantation of ‘diffindo’, her eyes abalaze with fury. “Don’t pretend to care for me, Professor. Don’t pretend to give a shit. You do not care for me, you do not care for my well-being, only about keeping your own fucking head above the water.”
It’s impossible to stop the sigh of frustration from passing her lips but it can’t be heard over Alecto’s tirade. Accusing her of being a martyr and refusing to see plainly that Minerva only means to help her. Not for personal gain or to prove some proverbial point, but because despite the evidence that says Alecto is not worth caring for, Minerva will not give up on any one person no matter what they do.
The professor’s jaw clenches as her wrist flicks outward, sending up a wordless protego to easily deflect Alecto’s attack. “If I was pretending, Miss Carrow, would I remain standing here when it would be far easier to be far away from you and your machinations?”
With carefully footsteps, Minerva moves forward as she continues to speak, making certain she’s heard across the distance between them. “I have no interest in seeing students come to harm. I do not wish to see anyone in pain, you or any other person. Perhaps it will be my undoing one day, caring as I do when others would tell me to be more cautious, but I refuse to believe nothing good can come from caring for another person.
“I do not want to duel with you. I do not want harm to come to you. Yet I also will not stand to see anyone else hurt because of you. Lower your wand, Alecto. Do not dismiss my concern and deflect away from whatever it is that torments you.” Arms spreading out wide, the woman takes a dangerous risk and issues a bold challenge. “If you truly believe I am pretending to care, that I feel nothing toward you but malice, do your worst. Inflict what pain you wish if that helps you, if it distracts you from the true demons you face. I will not stop you. All I ask is that you first consider for a moment that my interest in your well-being comes from a selfless place and what it might do if you were to relent and allow me to help you.”
