InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Take my revolution!"

debi_do (debi_do) wrote in snark_n_bark,
@ 2008-02-05 20:08:00

Entry tags:

complete, debi, zach

There's no place like home
Characters: Debi, Zach, Snitch
Note: takes place just after Debi's encounter with Bellatrix

Debi huddled in the back of the cab, doing her best not to shiver as the cabbie babbled about the weather, footer, the telly, and the rumors that Doctor Who would come back one of these years. She was dizzy from exhaustion and too much adrenalin, and her wand arm felt like it was on fire. She'd never been so grateful to be home as when they pulled up in front of her building, and she stuffed about double the fare into the astonished cabbie's hand as she stumbled out and up the steps to the front door.

It was after Zach's shift, so he was home. He had to be home. She forced down the thought that maybe tonight was his pub night with Hawkins and pressed the buzzer for their flat.

I can't walk up the stairs. I just can't. Oh Zach, please be home, please please please please -

(Read comments) - (Post a new comment)

	spoonful_osnark 2008-02-06 01:34 am UTC (link)
	He looked up at the sudden buzz and set down the day's Prophet on the table and walked towards the door, shooing Snitch behind him and calming her barks with a look. "Quiet you, it's just the door." With another look towards the dog, ensuring the barks wouldn't continue, he pressed the button. "Yes?" (Reply to this) (Thread)

	debi_do 2008-02-06 01:37 am UTC (link)
	"Zach?" Debi couldn't keep the gasp out of her voice. "Can - can you buzz me in? I - " Just hearing his voice made her sag against the door. "I'm sorry, something just - " To her horror, she started to sob. I nearly got killed. Oh my God, I nearly got KILLED - (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

spoonful_osnark
2008-02-06 01:44 am UTC (link)

Unfortunately, Zach didn't hear much beyond her request to buzz her in; the tone in her voice was enough to have his feet tearing down corridor and stairs to the front door. He practically pulled it from the hinges in his haste to get to her.

His arms were tight around her for a long moment before he pulled away to look into her face, clearly checking for injuries. "Come on, let's get you upstairs and then you can tell me what happened."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	debi_do 2008-02-06 01:51 am UTC (link)
	The sobs turned into howls as she threw herself into his arms and burrowed against him. "Oh God - it was awful, she was awful - " Snitch galloped down the stairs, whining anxiously and pressing against her legs. Debi managed to stroke one soft ear before wrapping her arms about Zach again. "Upstairs - arm hurts - " (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

spoonful_osnark
2008-02-06 02:05 am UTC (link)

Worried beyond measure when she presses into him, he dipped low and swung her easily into his arms. A quick glance told him no one was in the stairwell, so he wasted no time in Disapparating them straight into the flat.

He lowered her onto the sofa gently, propping a pillow behind her head, and summoned a wet cloth from the kitchen as well as a bottle of water from the fridge. He placed the cloth over her forehead and then took her arm in his hands, gingerly.

"Right then. Tell me what happened while I have a look at this arm."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

debi_do
2008-02-06 02:15 am UTC (link)

"Oh - " Debi sighed with relief at being inside the flat, propped up on pillows. She raised herself enough to gulp down a quarter of the bottle at once, then flopped back onto the cushions as Zach carefully began to examine her right arm.

"I - remember, I said I was going down to the processing center to drop off some stuff? I figured I'd walk, get a little exercise, when I ran into her - "

She whimpered as the burning sensation in her arm eased a bit. "She was crazy, Zach, crazy. I was walking along when suddenly she was there, right beside me, and - "

Somehow she choked out the rest of the story, even if she couldn't bring herself to say "Bellatrix." "I'm not sure what happened then - I tried casting a protego, and it was like everything just went pouring out of me, and she just disappeared - "

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

spoonful_osnark
2008-02-06 02:22 am UTC (link)

The cold fear that settled in his stomach when she started talking had turned into a ball of ice by the time she'd finished, especially with the mention of a name he hasn't heard in years. If she faced Bellatrix LeStrange and came away with nothing more than a sore arm, he knew he'd witnessed nothing short of a miracle.

"Never had the pleasure of seeing the woman face to face, but from what I did hear, she was as mad as they come, no question there. But," he lowered her arm and cupped her face in his hand, "what d'you mean everything went pouring out of you?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

debi_do
2008-02-06 03:01 am UTC (link)

Debi sighed at the gentle touch to her cheek. "It was really weird. I mean - I knew I couldn't duel her, I don't know enough and I'm not strong enough. All I could think of was protego because I use it when I'm cleaning or cooking."

She took a deep breath and unconsciously reached for Snitch as the retriever nestled against her, whuffling and licking her sore hand and arm. "I just remember casting, and it was like every bit of magic and energy I had just slammed into her.

"She disappeared, and then I - I think I passed out for a few seconds. When I woke up, I felt so dizzy I knew I couldn't walk home, so I took a cab."

She opened her eyes and gazed into his. "It - for a couple of minutes I thought it was gone, all my magic. It's back, but it's really faint, and my arm feels like pins and needles - what did I do to myself?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

spoonful_osnark
2008-02-06 09:58 pm UTC (link)

"F-first thing," he breathed as he tried to find his voice amid the fear that filled him. "When you're recovered. We start Apparition lessons."

He nudged Snitch out of the way and lowered to gather her into his arms, closing them gently around her. He knew he shouldn't, that he should let her rest, but he needed her close right now, unable to bear the thought that he could have...

"Your. Your arm's fine, love. Nothing permanent that I can tell, and with that much magical force traveling through it? It's bound to be a little sore."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

debi_do
2008-02-07 01:56 am UTC (link)

He was trembling slightly, and Debi hugged him as tightly as she could. She kept forgetting that her dear, snarky, silly Zach had gone through a war while she was working at a Perkins Pancake House. Did he ever meet Bellatrix? He must have heard about her, she's batshit insane -

"Okay. This weekend." She didn't want to run from danger, but there was brave and there was stupid. "I - we can go to Hogsmeade, or I can owl Remus about using the Manor. It's - "

The safest place I know.

" - really big. I can ask them to keep the dragon inside."

She raised her left hand to stroke the hair away from his face. "So glad you're here."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	spoonful_osnark 2008-02-07 02:02 am UTC (link)
	A slight laugh bubbled up in spite of the fear that was taking it's sweet time leeching out of him. "We won't need Hogsmeade, or the Manor. When you're learning, it's you and a very frustrating hoop. Nothing more than that." His lips found the top of her head, then kissed along her jaw and chin until he rested them on hers in a soft, slow kiss. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	debi_do 2008-02-07 02:06 am UTC (link)
	Debi let him take the lead - she was tired and sore, and her arm still tingled, but this was why she'd fought to stay alive. Zach. Their life together. The family they'd make. The years they'd have together. "Love you," she whispered. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	spoonful_osnark 2008-02-07 02:10 am UTC (link)
	Careful not to jostle her arm, Zach slid his arms underneath her and lifted her from the sofa. With her wrapped snug in his arms, he walked them towards the bedroom, his lips close to hers. "Love you too, Deborah Anne," he smirked a bit at the look on her face when he used her full name. "Always." (Reply to this) (Parent)

(Read comments) -