đina johnson (johnsons) wrote in disorderic, @ 2018-04-07 15:03:00 |
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Entry tags: | angelina johnson |
WHO: Angelina Johnson & Natalie Fairbourne.
WHAT: We need to talk about Layla pt. 2
WHEN: backdated to April 5, afternoon
WHERE: [ redacted because of DEATH EATERS ]
It was reminiscent of two months ago when Angelina had requested they speak. Albeit with less urgency, so perhaps things werenât as utter shit as last time. But then again they were hidden now so there was no need for pressing concern, right? If theyâd been compromised or Layla had found them theyâd have been moved as soon as possible (or under the effects of her sisterâs wand). These were the thoughts Natalie, growing more and more worked up with worry, was plagued with as she paced in the living room of the space Angelina had helped them secure in the wake of her sister being outed as a Death Eater. And of course, in typical fashion, her parents were simply content to âlet her talk to her friendâ and get the news later. There wasnât a floo. Because Angelina had been insistent even in January that the family be as off the grid as possible. So she apparated to the Fairbournesâ new front lawn, snuck through the wards, and gave a very specific knock. When the door opened, Angelina didnât look nearly as unhappy to see Natalie. She even smiled a little when she greeted her. âHey!â The tension that had been building in her and twisting itself around the younger woman slackened with her shoulders slumping some in relief. Natalie saw Angelinaâs mood — much better than the last times theyâd met — as a positive. Still, she couldnât help herself. âSo no oneâs dead or?â Or what, she didnât know. After a moment, she winced and ushered Angelina further into the house. âMake yourself at home.â A shadow crossed Angelinaâs face on the heels of Natalieâs question and her smile went strained, but she shook her head. âNo one you know is dead.â Sliding out of her jacket, she stepped around Natalie as she folded it over her arm, throwing a glance and a question over her shoulder. âHave any of you talked to Layla recently?â âOh.â The pause hung there as Natalieâs face flushed. That was stupid of her to say; of course there were people dying. âIâm sorry,â she followed with quickly, feeling every bit the idiot that put her foot in her mouth. Following Angelina further in, she made towards the smaller kitchen. âThereâs water boiling if you want tea or coffee.â She stopped in the doorway between rooms. âUm, yeah, admittedly,â Natalie said, lips drawing into a thin line as if she were caught with her hand in the cookie jar. âShe called me a few weeks ago and was just really insistent that we were safe and where no one could find us, of course I didnât tell her anything about where we were. And she apologized for things.â Natalie looked uncomfortable, shifting her weight from foot to foot.. âI thought — but⌠maybe she was just fishing for information,â she sighed and shrugged. âMaybe she was. I donât know.â Angelina still didnât trust Layla, but on the off chance that Layla wasnât lying to her friends, she had to do her part to help keep Laylaâs family safe. She scratched awkwardly just over her ear and looked down at the floor instead of Natalie. âActually, sheâs been talking to some people about maybe turning herself over and leaving the Death Eaters.â The tea was forgotten. Natalieâs eyes had gone wide at the statement, and she felt her throat suddenly go dry. She coughed to clear it, and she leaned against the doorframe, taken aback. She knew she shouldnât get up her hope, but it had sparked, and there wasnât anything that was going to stop her from desperately wanting this to be something her sister would do. âI was going to say I thought she sounded serious about it, the apology and the concern.â Another little sigh. âExcept as much as I want it to be true it might not be, and itâs not like I can say I know her well, so.â But she wanted to believe it anyway, wholeheartedly, and there was no denying the look in her eyes. âI really, really, hope thatâs true,â she admitted, not really caring if she was appearing soft or hopeful. âShe should.â Another long pause. âI really, really, want to believe that and it happens.â âI mean, I hope itâs true, too,â Angelina said, her tone casual, like it was throwaway comment. But she still couldnât look at Natalie. âShe hasnât talked to me about it so I donât know. I donât know what the plan is. I donât know.â She shrugged and pulled a face, finally looking up now. âBut if sheâs serious, you and your parents could be in a lot of danger. Theyâd probably want to use you to make a point and itâd be painful. So I thought I should warn you just in case. You probably canât go out anymore, not as yourselves and not unless youâre super careful.â Resisting the urge to pry for more information was difficult, but she bit it down. If Angelina said she didnât know, Natalie trusted that — Angelina had been honest and more helpful with her than she ever needed to be. âOkay. Iâll let you know if she says anything to me.â That was something she could do, of course, even if it meant nothing in the end as to whether her sister was serious or not. With her hand running through her hair to fight back the squirming in her stomach, Natalie sighed again. âYeah. That makes. Of course they would.â And these were the types of people her sister associated with willingly for the past year. âIâll be really careful — we donât even go out much anyway, just for groceries.â There hadnât been a lot going on for Natalie and her parents. âWeâll prepare for that, stock up and stuffâŚâ she looked over into the kitchen mentally running a list she knew sheâd have to make. âIs there anything I can do to help this or anything? Iâd say she wouldnât lie to me or us, but ha ha.â The last line came off incredibly bitter. âHonestly? I would be careful talking to her, too.â Angelina shifted her jacket to her other arm, her weight to her other foot. âMaybe sheâs telling the truth in all this, but you still really canât trust her. She got good at lying to us and we only really found out about all this because I think she bit off more than she could chew. I donât want you guys to get hurt by them or her.â It wasnât even a reprimand, but Natalie took it like one all the same. Sheâd gotten a bit ahead of herself, forgetting that any contact with her sister was deadly. Shrinking slightly, she tensed a little more. âNo, youâre right,â she said after a moment foregoing any of the sting. âWe wonât. Weâre being careful here, although I admit the temptation to go strangle them is really high. Iâm joking, but you know.â Angelina took a deep breath, breathing out with a laugh. âYeah, I definitely know that feeling.â She flashed Natalie a very brief smile. âYouâre not in trouble or anything, though. I get sheâs your sister. Just be careful what you say or what you believe. No contact is probably best, butâŚâ She trailed off with a shrug. The smile was returned for a second. âSheâs my sister, but sheâs a death eater soooâŚâ The wistful hope didnât go away that at least Layla maybe, maybe, would walk away from that due to a choice of her own. âNo, youâre right. I shouldnât get suckered into that. Youâll let me know either way? Whether she left or if sheâs going to continue being a gigantic lying sack of shit?â âOf course Iâll let you know,â Angelina said, her shoulders relaxing a little with relief. She was glad Natalie seemed to get it. Things with Percy and Oliver had been so tense she didnât know if she could handle it from Laylaâs own sister. âNowâŚI heard there was hot water? Letâs put some tea on and hang out for a bit.â She grinned now, teasing even though the person she was about to tease wasnât present. âIâll tell you everything I know about Katie and George.â âOkay, thanks.â Natalie took a deep breath and tried to stop the stupid feeling of hope that was rising. But first things first. âOh my Merlin, yes. Iâve promised to have her back when it comes to public teasing, but give me all the deets!â |