everybody wants to rule the world. [reed]

Reed could tell Poesy was not taking this lightly, which was a good thing, but he also had to manage how hard she was taking it too. His job was one big balancing act. He had to make sure an asset was adequately aware of the situation, understood the risk, but not so freaked out that they couldn't keep doing their job. The moment Poesy stopped being useful was the moment Reed's bosses would pull her detail. Not that Reed would leave her to the wolves, but he couldn't speak for the rest of the British Ministry. No, she had to keep working, she had to finish her potion, and Reed intended to help any way she would let him.

"You're someone who came up with something no one else has, and that's not nothing." He corrected her, holding the cigarette case out and then lightly hers deftly with his wand. He dropped the case back into his suit pocket and pushed his wand up his sleeve as Poesy took a drag, and he hoped it would help settle her nerves. Though, he doubted she'd feel normal for a while.

"Do you really think I'm up to that?" Reed nodded twice, "I think you can do just about anything you decide to." He answered, insistent that Poesy was much stronger than she gave herself credit for. Magically powerful, too, because Reed was smart enough to know that potion engineering was more than just getting the recipe right. A weaker witch would not be nearly as close to fruition as Poesy. It was commendable.

Reed blinked when she brought up a lover and then understood as she continued, impressed by how fast she had moved on from "I'm in danger" to "the people I care about might be." Most people stuck around on that first ledge a while, toiling away in self-pity and worry, but not Poesy. "No, I don't believe he is in danger, but if you'd like, I can have someone check in on him." One of his underlings could handle the task; surely, three new graduates were mucking about in the Export office, he'd give it to one of them. "As far as your security, I agree. We should set up appointments for both your home and office." Reed neglected to tell her about the minion he'd tasked with checking her potions labs for intelligence devices while they were out on this excursion. Sometimes, less information was the best course of action.

"I can put you in touch with some professionals that work outside of Gringotts if you'd like." Gringotts was amazingly secure (usually), and the curse-breakers were typically second to none, but Reed always doubled down when it came to security. He was paranoid; it was another product of the job. The wizard had even split his savings between the wizarding bank, a muggle financial establishment, and a heavily fortified cave.

Poesy's stomach turned as reality sank in, like ice cold droplets of water sliding down her spine. She heaved a shiver involuntarily. In the cool night air, she flip-flopped from freezing to being uncomfortably hot and back again. Was this what shock felt like? She hadn't suffered from it before, except when Alexandre suddenly proposed on the banks of the Seine. Poesy's response to that was to run away but she couldn't do that now; there was too much to lose.

She thought Reed was lying but she nodded anyway, only half listening as she sucked on her cigarette. The long forgotten motion wasn't taking the edge off but she really didn't want to smoke another one. Her eyes were wide and unfocused as they were on the ground, her brain getting smacked by a hundred different questions - who were they? Had they always been watching her? How long had they been watching her for? Had they spoken about her? Did they have files on her? Had they broken into her home?

The last question made her stomach lurch and she thought she might vomit, hastily clamping her hand over her mouth before she laughed. It didn't sound like her usual one. This was breathless, high pitched and slightly hysterical. "I'm just trying not to vomit," she informed Reed candidly as she lifted her shaking hand to take a drag from her cigarette. "That's nice, though," she nodded. "Thank you."

Poesy had accomplished a lot and she'd done it all herself. She'd studied, trained, learned more languages, and moved abroad. She was strong. Capable. She absolutely could do this. All she had to do was play the game. Hearing that Hunter was likely safe, she let out a breath of relief. "You're sure?" She asked Reed quickly before she nodded. "Please," she agreed to his offer. Hunter was a muggleborn. He'd hidden during the war. He would be better at this than she would but how was she supposed to breach the subject? I really like you but I might have to disappear for months on end without notice? Also, I think an entire country is out to get me. Her main focus was him.

But good. Reed was being proactive. "Okay," she nodded. "I'll clear my schedule," she anxiously chewed on her thumbnail because the cigarette hadn't kicked in yet. If Poesy could do something, she wouldn't feel so hopeless. They could make plans. They should sort something out, maybe she could get some sort of training.  She honestly didn't know how she was supposed to do this, to act natural, especially now every single person she passed, spoke two or even saw was now a threat.

Reed mentioned Gringotts and her eyes widened, her neck almost snapping as she turned her head to look at him, mouth agape. "Do you think it's that bad?" She asked softly, her eyes large and round. There was a moment of silence as she digested everything. A government was trying to steal and exploit her potion. She might never achieve her Gold Cauldron now. Everyone she cared about was at risk. Her home wasn't safe. She couldn't trust anyone. Everything was a threat.

"Reed," Poesy spoke softly as she blinked at him, suddenly chilly as she paused to huddle down into her coat, her voice barely above a whisper. "Am I going to die?"

Adding each of these little bits to his internal to-do list, Reed made a note to send someone to look in on her lover and run a background check on him, to be safe. Of course, Reed hoped it was true love, but he was realistic enough to know that good things rarely happened to good people, so he was going to check on and check out this Hunter to be safe. The next order of business was her shop, and Reed already had some ideas on improving the security there. Personal residences were trickier; while the spells could be more damaging, there were many more points of entry to enchant, but he knew the best wizards in the business. Lots to do and not a lot of time to do it, but Reed's demeanor was as calm as ever.

"Better to have too much than not enough," He answered, his head tilting to the side as smoke billowed around his face. They had been gone for long enough now, Reed was sure his man had probably finished looking over the shop, but he wasn't in a particular rush to get back there and on with his day. If this asset was anyone else and not Poesy, he might have given her a pep talk and went on his way. He took another drag from his cigarette, and Poesy grew quieter than before. Reed saw it written on her face before she asked it out loud, and he blew the smoke out above them.

"No, Poesy, you are not going to die." The situation was severe, and if she weren't in any danger, then Reed wouldn't have been here to start with. He knew she was smart enough to know that. The ministry didn't send protection for people who didn't need it. That would be a wase of sickles, and the ministry had far better ways to spend the taxpayer's galleons. But at the same time, Reed didn't think anyone was trying to assassinate her, and he took a moment to consider the best way to explain that to her. "You aren't a threat; I don't believe anyone intentionally wants to hurt you." He began as he looked at a wizard walking past across the street. A civilian, he decided and returned to Poesy.

"Everyone wants you to finish the potion; I'm just here to make sure no one tries to steal it as you work." And to keep her from becoming collateral damage in a political war. "We will keep you safe, Poesy; you have my word." Reed was a slimy bastard, and he lied, stole, did whatever he wanted whenever he wanted, but Reed never gave his word when he did not mean it. Like some twisted code of renegade honor, the man put more value in his word than his suits, and that said a lot.

"Now, we need to get you some food. Are you ready to keep walking?"

Poesy tried her best to focus on her breathing. It was quick - too quick - as she tried her best to hide her fear. Reed wouldn't mind that she was freaking out, his calm demeanour was an asset and a blessing. She swallowed. Her fingers were itching for another cigarette, despite barely touching the last one and letting it burn down to ash that swirled around her feet in the breeze.

"Should I tell him?" The Potioneer asked Reed, flicking her bright eyes over to him. Poesy wasn't sure she wanted to. She'd been single for so long and she really, really liked Hunter. He was one of the good guys. If she explained the situation, she knew that he'd drop everything to help her and wouldn't ask for anything in return, but she couldn't, she wouldn't put him in that position, not if she could help it. Should she tell Torrence, too? He was technically her boss but he'd just be snarky, like it was her fault to begin with.

"Right," she stated with a nod of her head, snapping back into reality. Poesy needed everything she could get. In her head, she mapped everything out. More severe wards on windows and doors, a perimeter around her house, her street, her cafe, her workshop. She didn't leave her potion unattended anyway but she'd have to keep it, and her notes, with her at all times.

Soon enough, Reed soothed her and she looked at him with eyes that were impossibly wide. "Oh good," she squeaked, the feeling finally rushing back into her fingers and toes and making them feel like they were burning. "I haven't done everything I want to do yet," she blabbered. Get married, have kids, get more cats, take a hot air balloon ride, stroke and elephant, swim in the ocean ---

She wasn't a threat, Reed had said, and she offered him a wan smile. It made sense. Why would either Ministry try to kill her, especially since she was the only one able to finish it? There was the possibility, of course, that someone might kill her after the potion was complete. She had a list of rules and regulations on how the elixir should be used and not everyone played a fair game.

Poesy nodded. "Okay," she eventually stated with a nod, letting herself believe it. "Thank you," she told Reed quickly. Her mind was far from at peace but at least she'd stopped visualising horrendous scenarios in her head. She hadn't said very much but she'd listened to everything Reed had to say. It was brave, him coming to tell her himself. If he hadn't, who knew what would have happened? She could have walked right into danger.

Looking over at him, she smiled again, a faint twitch of her lips. Poesy didn't have the heart to tell him that she wasn't hungry and the idea of a curry made her feel infinitely worse. Instead, she nodded. "Please," she told him as she took a cautious step forward. She was unsteady on her feet, her limbs seemingly frozen in fear and she forced herself to move as the pins and needed receded.

Poesy walked on, though her pace was slow. Her head was heavy, like the weight of the world was on her shoulders. She was both exhausted and frantic. Her body wanted to quit but her mind refused. Slowly, she reached out to Reed and slipped her small hand into his much larger one, the act of physical touch had always grounded her in the past and she hoped it would be the same now.

"Only tell him if you trust him," Reed answered flatly and took a final drag from the stub of his cigarette. He wouldn't tell her to keep secrets from someone she was close with, but Reed wondered if she knew him well enough to trust him to keep her secrets. Sometimes secrets were like armor, but other times, Reed knew they could be a weapon. And trust aside, was it fair to bring Hunter into this mess if he didn't feel as strongly as she might. In the end, Reed knew it would have to be Poesy's decision, and he hoped it would be an easy one. There would be plenty of things to worry about in the days ahead, and if this Hunter could ease at least a few of them, he wanted that for her. 

Holding the cigarette between his thumb and forefinger, Reed flicked the cigarette toward the gutter with ease. It was a motion he'd done a million times, but even now, after he'd told a friend of possible danger, his hands were as still as ever. Reed didn't expect Poesy to react any particular way, but he knew she wasn't like him; she was not trained for dangerous situations and subterfuge. He'd seen grown men crumble under the weight of these sorts of problems, but Poesy was impressively strong. He could tell she was feeling it, but she was still standing, and that meant something. It was impressive, honestly.

They needed to get moving, and Reed grew impatient the longer they stood in the alleyway. There was something about London that always seemed to feel like it was seeping into his bones. Wet smog dampening his over cloak and the cold breeze clinging to his neck. "Right then," he said, holding his arm out to her to usher her out of the alleyway as if it were a church. Reed was steady as they walked, letting her set the pace but moving them forward still. "I understand it is an impossible ask, Poesy, but try to put it out of your mind when you can." Reed hated giving advice, but he also hated to see someone he cared about in distress. He could see it written all over her face, she was doing her best, but the break was coming.

"Focus on the things you can control." He said as if it were a mantra and continued, "And let me handle the rest." They headed out of the alleyway, and Reed was careful not to lead them through any puddles as they reached the street again, urging them forward and toward the restaurant. Even if she didn't want to, he knew she needed to have something to eat. Learning you were being watched and possibly in mortal danger did a number on one's blood sugar. 

Did she trust Hunter? Poesy fell silent. Of course she did. Out of everyone she knew,he was the one person who would understand. She wouldn't tell her parents, she wouldn't tell Torrence (he'd laugh) and she couldn't tell Fergie (he worked for the Ministry, talk about a conflict of interest.) Even if Hunter didn't fancy her, she thought they were at least friends and after all, a problem shared was a problem solved. The only issue now was actually telling him.

Poesy swallowed and she swayed on her feet, her bright eyes unfocused. She was freezing cold and her muscles began to hurt from all the effort to keep her standing upright. In a way, she was thankful it was Reed. If it wasn't him, she may never have known. She might have just wandered through life like an idiot, thinking everything was sunshine and roses. God, she was so stupid.

As his arm swam into her vision, Poesy gratefully took it. Being out in the open now felt wrong and in a flash of panic, she wondered if anything would ever feel normal again. Gone were the days where she could buy a coffee and walk down by the Thames. She didn't think she'd be able to leave windows open or have her radio on while she was working. Small, stupid and insignificant things were no longer small, stupid or insignificant, at least now that she could no longer do them.

Suddenly, she laughed. It was high pitched and strained and not sounding at all like her usual giggle. "Sorry," she whispered to Reed, realising none of this was funny. "Nerves," she explained. It was always the case with her. When she got scared, she giggled, which was why the one and only time she'd got detention in Hogwarts, soon earned her another one.

"At least I make a good sleeping potion," she mumbled before she pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. She looked over at Reed sharply, making out his profile in the dark. "I don't think I can control anything," Poesy breathed as the panic that had settled on her chest began to rise into her throat.

Reed was kind and strong and she followed him to the door of the restaurant and hesitated. It was highly unlikely that any Ministry soldiers were currently tucking into a curry but she swallowed anxiously all the same. She eyed the door, unwilling (or unable) to enter before she huffed out a sigh of irritation and nodded, stepping inside as the bell tinkled.

The warmth and the chatter and the aromatic smell rushed up to meet them as Poesy peeled off her coat and wiggled her nearly-frozen toes. In a daze, she let go of Reed's arm and wandered off, heading for a table against the window before changing her mind and turning the other way. Those days of sitting by windows were long gone.

Draping her coat over the back of her chair, Poesy sat down as the adrenaline began to drain from her body. She slumped forward, elbows on the table as she surveyed the menu, her eyelids heavy. She looked but she didn't really see. "Is there wine?" The petite blonde asked Reed as she flicked her eyes up to his once he'd sat down. Well aware she was a shitty dinner guest, she simply sighed. "Sorry," she eventually apologised. "Thank you. You know, for telling me. You didn't have to," she sketched a weak smile as her stomach betrayed her and gave a rumble. "Aloo gobi looks good," Poesy offered, remembering that it was Reed's curry of choice as she flipped the menu over.

Reed arced one eyebrow at Poesy’s laughter, and even though he traditionally would have enjoyed the sound, it concerned him now. She said she was nervous, and he saw it written on her face, and Reed wondered if he could have done something differently to help with that. He went back over how he had approached the subject, reconsidering it from different angles, but ultimately knew he would have done the same things again. She deserved to know, and Reed did not regret telling her.

Nodding once when Poesy brought up sleeping potions, Reed wondered if he should approve or disapprove of the idea. On the one hand, he knew she’d need to sleep to finish the potion and get this mess behind her. On the other hand, the idea of being knocked out and unable to react was his absolute worst nightmare. Reed would have never taken a sleeping potion, no matter how bad things might have gotten, but they were not the same. And Poesy was safe, so long as Reed was awake, so perhaps it was a good idea.

 They headed for the restaurant, and Reed was careful not to advance too fast or too slow. He kept his guard up, eyes scanning the surroundings, even as they entered. Reed stepped in first, but not out of impoliteness. He surveyed the room, clocking the number of entrances, suspicious wizards, and any employees he didn’t quite recognize. Reed always went to the same places because it helped discern if anything had changed. And bringing her here wasn’t by accident; he’d been angling for one of the three restaurants on this block from the beginning.

Once it was secure, he led Poesy inside and pushed her chair in for her. Reed unbuttoned his cloak, hung it neatly, and undid his suit jacket before sitting. “There is always wine, Poesy,” Reed said, the smallest of smiles ghosting his typically severe features. Hoping to lighten the mood, Reed decided they might need the whole bottle. He passed her a menu and nodded, “Indeed.” A part of him felt flattered that she remembered his preferred curry and ordered a wine he’d seen her enjoy previously when the waiter arrived.

After they made their orders, Reed turned back to Poesy. He knew enough to know she’d likely not be able to put any of this out of her mind, so he decided to switch tactics. “Will you be able to mass-produce your potion at your current location, or should I look into other options for you?” Another (fun-filled) facet of Reed’s job was securing anything an asset might need to fulfill their goal. If Poesy needed Jade Vine, Reed would find it. If she required new cauldrons or a more extensive workshop, he would get those too. Whatever she needed, Reed would provide it.