𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒 [𝐑. 𝐋𝐮𝐩𝐢𝐧]

𝐂𝐎𝐆𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐔𝐂𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐍'𝐒

Sirius avoided her. Peter sent her apologetic, tight-lipped smiles and she couldn't stand being in the same room as Remus.

"You know, there's this thing called 'cognitive dissonance.'." She absentmindedly said, reaching over for him to light her cigarette. "It's the stress that you feel when you have two contradictory ideas, or when there's new information that's contradictory to your beliefs, or if you have a contradictory belief, and action."

"Muggles made that up?" Callisto nodded. "Figures..."

"Well, right now, I'm very much feeling it."

"Let me make it easier for you then." He sighed. "Those people killed Regulus. I only kill enough not to make them suspicious. I only do what he wants, because I don't want to die, because I don't want Narcissa to go through losing another person, and because I hope that when this thing ends, I'll be able to live my life the way I want."

Callisto didn't speak.

"What I have a problem with is muggles. Halfbreeds of any sort, I couldn't care less about."

"And muggleborns?"

"Same thing." He shrugged. "My point is that this 'cognitive dissonance' you talk about, isn't an issue with us two. Besides, we've been over this. My loyalty lies with other people."

"He's dead."

His expression hardened. Maybe she had said too much, maybe she should have kept quiet.

"I feel it every day." Tobias coldly said. "You did me a solid one that day, Callie. Let me return the favor."

Maybe this was the answer to everything. She needed to move on, and that meant getting out of Narcissa's hair. She nodded, watching a small smile tugged the corners of his lips.

"No drugs in the apartment."

"No booze in the apartment."

~ ~ ~

"Sorry I was late." Callisto blurted out before Moody even had the chance to complain. Her smile felt slightly as she saw who she was training with, but she kept her composure, walking inside the room and taking her place next to James.

"What's gotten you so happy, Elpie?" James asked. "Made anyone cry today?"

"Sadly, no. But it's only 4.30."

"I see you've been slagging. Please, get on with it."

"Stop bullying her, James." Lily scolded. "Harassing people takes time and energy."

The comment about how their friend knew all about hurting people was on the tip of her tongue, but today was a good day. She wasn't going to let anyone take that away from her.

"Now, that everyone is here." Moody said, shooting her a pointed look. "It's time we discuss why I've called all of you here today."

Her smile immediately fell. This was supposed to be a training session, why was he switching it now?

"The Dark Lord has sent the Carrows into hiding." Moody started. "Not suspicious, unless you consider that someone broke into the Department of Mysteries a week ago."

"What could they want there?" Remus asked, his eyebrows furrowed.

Callisto turned to look at him. He didn't look that good, but then again he hadn't done so in more than a month. Served him right for being a prick. Maybe he would stop being handsome all together in a few weeks and she could laugh at his face.

How can one person look so fucking good, yet so tired?
No, stop thinking about it. He's ugly, and evil.

He dug into his pocket, pulling out a carton box. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she saw him take  a cigarette from the box, and place it between his lips. They looked as soft as ever, and she could practically taste the nicotine off them as he lit it on fire. His cheeks hollowed out momentarily as he inhaled, his head resting back on the wall.