Long Story Short | Theseus Scamander

002 a suspicious witness

Eyes widening, her mind raced with questions, "What about the aurors stationed at the door?"

"I don't know, but I know she shouldn't be in here."

"No shit," Ariadne reprimanded, eyes closed as she concentrated on finding Millard. Entering a maze with no clear path, Ariadne tuned out her surroundings for something further away.

"You know what I've always hated about you?"

"Hmm?" she hummed, half paying attention to the words coming out of his mouth.

"Your sarcasm." Ariadne groaned as she was thrown into Theseus. He stumbled back but managed to keep upright while holding Ariadne in his arms, "Ariadne?"

"She knows we're here," Ariadne panted while rubbing her head, an ache appearing already. "We have to get out," she grabbed his arm and pulled him out the door, just as roughly as he had pulled her in.

"Wait. Bailey-" he stopped in his tracks, making Ariadne huff.

"She's already stunned him," when he didn't move, Ariadne dragged him along. The Manor was silent. Aurors who should have been stationed around could not be heard. Ariadne led Theseus away from the store room and travelled deeper into the house. The manor had too many hallways leading to different areas. She would not even fathom how anyone lived here.

"I know you're close by," Millard taunted, her voice echoed throughout the manor. Her steps slow unlike Theseus and Ariadne's fast pace. "Legilimency wasn't the greatest idea, was it?" Ariadne pulled Theseus into a room at the end of the hallway. She magically closed all the doors in that corridor, hoping that would buy them some more time and shut Millard's voice off. "You caught a glimpse of me. I caught a glimpse of you, Ariadne Nott. You know, I've heard great things about you from your parents." Turns out Millard's voice could not be subdued. Theseus' gaze shot to Ariadne's face, noticing her stiffening at the mention of her parents.

The Notts were a noble family, one that the gossip papers loved to follow. Everything they did, they did with sophistication. They were praised for their blood status and praised for the power they held in society. Silas Nott was extremely influential and was ranked high in the ministry. That was until he decided to quit abruptly, for reasons unknown. Cressida Nott carried herself with grace. Nothing bad could be said about the woman, she wouldn't let them anyways. She had more control than people realised. Then there was Ariadne. A disgraceful daughter who shied away from the spotlight. There was a rumour once that she was disowned, but no one knew the truth.

"How about you come out from your hiding spot and we talk like grown adults?" A crash could be heard from another room and Millard's footsteps followed, hoping that the noise would lead her towards the two aurors.

Thankful that her proximity diminished, Ariadne turned to Theseus, "You have to go back."

"What?"

"Go back to the ministry, call for backup," she insisted, "I'll keep her busy." She saw the hesitation in his eyes, "We need to catch her," he stared down at her pleading eyes before nodding. Ironic considering that ten minutes ago he told her he wouldn't follow a single order that came out of her mouth.

"Bring her to the entrance. Be careful," he said, awkwardly placing a warm hand on her shoulder before disapparating. Ariadne breathed in, trying to calm her racing heart. Confidence was easier to fake when someone else was near her. However, she needed to do this and for some reason Theseus had faith in her to do so otherwise he wouldn't have left. Slowly opening the door, she tiptoed out, making sure to make as little noise as possible. Turning out of the corridor, Ariadne saw Millard, standing as casually as she possibly could.