The Virtue of Decision

Curio walked slowly out of the small bedroom, his bare feet padding silently on the worn floorboards. The narrow landing above the stairs was lined floor to ceiling with a gallery of framed photographs. One of the particularly larger ones Curio recognized as a younger Bea, standing arm in arm with a rather handsome young wizard. They both waved happily; grinning ear to ear as they shared quick kisses.

"That was my Dad." Curio jumped slightly, turning around quickly to face John, who stood half way up the stairs, looking up at him.

"Oh..." he replied, wanting to inquire about the 'was' but knowing it was most likely not appropriate.

"Mama wanted me to check on you, make sure you found everything ok." He raised an eyebrow. "Seems like ya did," he muttered as he scratched the back of his neck absently, before chuckling slightly as Curio made no attempt to move. "Well come on then, lunch is waiting, and I'm starving."

Curio quickly hurried down the stairs, following John; who glanced over his shoulder at him to make sure he was following. "Sorry again, about...ya know, almost killin' ya and all," he said, offering a little smile.

"Apology accepted," Curio replied quietly.

John chuckled again, his booming voice echoing off the walls of the stairwell. "Ya know, I always thought all you Slytherins were a nasty bunch of snakes," he exclaimed as he barreled through the door to the kitchen. "But you're not half bad."

"Don't kid your self, John," Isabella muttered, only partially in spite.

"Oh Bella, be nice," Bea hissed, smacking her shoulder lightly with her hand. "He did you a great favor," she smiled happily at Curio, clasping her hands together in front of her. "Oh, would you look at that," she murmured, scurrying over to him. "Fits just perfectly," she smoothed out the fabric on his shoulder. "Looks just like Marco when he was younger," she added quietly, gazing for a moment out the front window. "Yes, well...you must be hungry," she said steering him into an empty chair beside Juno, who wiggled in his highchair, smudges of flour still covering his clothes and face.

"Bea?" Isabella inquired quietly. "Are you all right?"

"Of course I'm all right!" she exclaimed, waving her hand dismissively. "Why wouldn't I be?" She hurried over to the stove, stirring the contents of a pot with a sense of urgency. "Now sit down, you did enough making lunch. At least let me serve guests in my own home," she insisted, pointing at an empty chair on the other side of Juno.

Isabella sat down, handing Juno a small cup with a sipper top; she straightened up in her seat, looking everywhere but at Curio. "You're all right then?" she asked, looking as though the very inquiry caused her pain.

"I'm fine," he replied, adding sarcastically. "And might I just say you're sincerity and concern truly means a lot to me..."

"Oh do get over yourself you pretentious little snob," she sneered, turning to glare at him. "I just as easily could have let John snap your neck like a chicken if I had liked. So don't you go getting snippy with me..."

"And I could have let those Death Eaters burn you alive..."

"Yes, yes you both could have killed the other," Bea snapped, clearly annoyed. "I'd say you're even," she set rather large bowls of stew down in front of both of them. "Now if the two of you could stop acting like children for a few minutes we could have a nice, relaxing meal." She set a bowl down for herself and John as well, as she settled into her chair at the head of the table.

"He started it," Isabella muttered under her breath, poking at her food.

"Honestly Bella, what did I just say?" Bea sighed.

Curio smirked, taking a small bite of his lunch.

"Wipe that smirk off your face," Bea insisted, pointing her spoon at him. "I said we're going to have a nice relaxing lunch and I meant it."

"Yes ma'am," he muttered, smirking some more as he stared intently into his bowl.

"Hmm," Bea frowned slightly, swirling her spoon lazily around. "So what do you plan to do now, Curio?" she asked, taking a small bite of her food.

He looked up, no longer smirking. "Well, go back to my flat, and then go to work on Monday." He shrugged slightly, focusing on his food once again; the thought of going back to work not having crossed his mind until now.

"You don't think they'll be suspicious of you?" Bea asked calmly.

He shrugged again. "They really have no reason to be," he replied.

"What about your father?" Isabella asked pointedly, looking over Juno at him.

Curio looked back down. "What about him?"

"Well he'll probably suspect you, won't he?" She tapped her spoon absently on the edge of her bowl. "I mean, there were only so many people in your house when you over heard them talking, I'm sure it won't take him long to figure out who tipped me off..."

"My father isn't a death eater," Curio snapped bitterly, meeting her gaze.

Isabella raised an eyebrow. "Oh...my mistake," she murmured, glancing across the table at Bea. "My mistake."

Curio stared intently down at the tabletop, his left hand gripping the arm of his chair tightly. He didn't know why he had just lied for his father, and was quite certain that neither Isabella nor Bea believed a word of it. He had always feared the worst about his family's business, about the company many of them chose to keep; but he had merely hoped it was just that; business, and now the cruel realization that his own father was indeed one of them tore savagely at the very core of his being.

"Good stew, Bella," John murmured, breaking the awkward silence timidly.

"Thank you," she replied quietly, offering him a tiny smile.

Bea cleared her throat, taking a small sip from her goblet. "Have they set a date for Juno's trial?" she asked quietly.

Curio looked up from his lunch, briefly catching a glimpse of Isabella's eyes filling with tears, before she quickly looked away; busying herself with straightening little Juno's bib. He took a small bit of the stew, even though the food seemed to settle like a rock in the pit of his stomach. "Well...the serum won't be ready for a few more weeks...so I'd assume a day or two after the next full moon."

Isabella snapped her head up, staring at him in disbelief. "A few weeks?" she gasped, before crossing her arms and muttering. "Some master of potions."

"Hey! I can't exactly speed up the lunar cycle, can I. So why don't you just..."

"Enough!" Bea exclaimed, slamming her goblet down onto the table top, accidentally spilling some of her drink in the process.

Curio and Isabella both stared down at the table top, mumbling similar, half-hearted apologies, as an uncomfortable silence settled on the room.

"I should get going," Curio muttered, pushing him self back from the table. "I'll get in touch with you if I learn anything." He avoided their questioning gaze. "Thank you for everything Bea," he added, before heading out of the kitchen. He hurried down the hallway, towards the door, which opened up onto a small village street.

"Wait. Curio, would you just wait!" Isabella insisted, hurrying to get between him and the door.

He sighed, trying to get past her. "I really need to get going..."

"Look, I'm sorry I said what I did about your father," she said, continuing to stand firmly in his way. "I just assumed...I mean, with all the stories I've heard..."

"Yes, well, you should never assume anything..."

"I know, I said I was sorry." She swatted his hand as he tried to reach for the doorknob, she pushed her hair out of her face, sighing. "Could you at least give this to Juno?" she asked quietly, holding out an envelope.

He reached his hand out. "Yes."

She nodded, wrapping her arms around herself, sniffling slightly. "Thank you." She stared intently at the ground, her voice wavering. "And not just for the letter..." She sniffled, waving her hand dismissively. "Thank you for everything...I...I know you risked a lot," she said as she looked up, poking him in the chest lightly. "And I still don't understand why you're helping us, and don't think this means I trust you," she insisted, sniffling again, rubbing her eyes tiredly. "But thank you just the same," she murmured, wrapping her arms around herself, stepping aside to let him leave.

A small smile flickered across his face as he replied quietly. "Well...to be honest I don't quite understand why I'm helping you either." He smirked. "But...you're welcome...just the same."

~*****~

Curio looked glumly up at the small house he was forced to call home. He lived in the second story apartment, an elderly couple lived in the rooms below him, and both paid their rent to a rather unpleasant old spinster, who chewed her nails while she spoke, and constantly referred to Curio as 'upstairs boy.' The house was nice enough, but was painfully sterile when compared to Bea's warm and cozy cottage.

He walked quietly up the narrow staircase to his apartment, using his spare key under his welcome mat to unlock the door. The evening sun shone slanted through the high windows, casting warm puddles of light across the hardwood floors. The large grandfather clock in the hallway clicked loudly as it counted down the seconds. Kicking his shoes off lazily, he made his way into the tiny kitchen.

"So this is how it is to be, Curi?!" A particularly shrill voice exclaimed angrily, causing him to jump in surprise, nearly dropping the tea kettle.

He spun around quickly, and was face to face with a rather irritated looking Snug. She stood firmly in the doorway, her spindly little arms crossed over her chest as she tapped her foot on the floor.

"You nearly scared me to death, Snug," he muttered, turning his back on her as he continued to fill the tea kettle with water.

"Snug nearly scared Curi to death?!" she screeched, scurrying over to him. "Curi is the one who left with out saying good bye!" she insisted, her tiny voice shaking with anger. "Curi is the one who has been gone all night! With out leaving so much as a note!" she pulled roughly on the hem of his robe, before she blinked, her voice suddenly filled with disgust. "And what is Curi wearing?"

He sighed, setting the kettle atop the stove as he sat down on the kitchen floor to be at her level. "I'm sorry I didn't say good bye," he said calmly.

She sniffled, running her arm under her nose. "Snug thought her Curi was in trouble."

He sighed again, sitting down at the kitchen table.

It was Snug's turn to sigh; she crawled up to sit on his lap. "Curi has to promise he won't scare Snug like that anymore," she said quietly. "No more running around at all hours without a word to anybody."

"I promise," he replied quietly, his voice barely audible.

Snug craned her neck to look up at him, a frown etched firmly on her small face. "What's wrong, Curi?" she asked gently, her eyes wide with concern.

He forced a tiny smile. "Nothing Snug." He lifted her up, setting her down gently on the floor. "Just tired," he mumbled, taking the kettle off the stove and pouring the now hot water into a mug.

She frowned up at him, clearly unconvinced. "Snug will go turn down your bed then." She turned to leave, her bare feet padding quietly on the polished wooden floors.

"Snug?" Curio called after her, peering down the hallway suspiciously. "How did you get out of the manor?"

He heard her pace quicken into a run. "Can't talk now, Curi...have to turn down the bed!" she squeaked in reply as he heard his bedroom door slam shut.

"Snug?" Curio hurried down the hallway, not surprised to find his bedroom door locked. "Does my father know you're here?" he demanded.

"He knows Snug is gone," she squeaked, unable to avoid the direct question. "Snug was worried."

Curio sighed, leaning his head against the door. "Why did he give you permission?"

"Master said...said Snug was being obnoxious and that he didn't know where Curi was, and that Snug should go find Curi herself if Snug was so worried about him."

"So...he doesn't know you're here, exactly." Curio muttered, closing his eyes.

"Not exactly...no," she replied quietly, pulling the door open slowly, stepping back as Curio stumbled forward into the room. She frowned, looking down at her feet. "Is Curi mad at Snug?"

He sighed, looking down at her. "No. I just don't want you to get in trouble on my account," he replied, wandering over to his bed and flopping down rather ungracefully.

"Snug won't be in trouble. Master hardly notices her when she's there...why would he notice when she's gone?" Snug replied, crawling up onto the end of the bed. "Curi shouldn't worry about Snug. She can take care of herself," she insisted, tugging on one of his boots.

"I can do that, Snug," he mumbled, reaching down to un-tie the laces.

She swatted at his hand. "Why can't Curi let Snug take care of him?" she muttered, pulling roughly on his boot.

"Because..." He attempted to reach down again. "I'm not a child anymore."

She paused, her fingers gripped tightly around his boot. "Curi needs to get some sleep," she said evenly, pulling his boot off with one final tug.

"Snug..."

"No." She pointed at him, shaking her head. "Curi will go to bed now." She hopped down onto the floor.

"Snug. Wait..."

"No," she said firmly. "Go to bed." She stomped over to the door, her tea cozy swishing as she went. "Snug will be here in the morning," she said angrily, slamming the door shut.

~*****~

"Curi! Curi wake up!"

Curio swatted half heartedly at Snug as she shook him roughly from his sleep. "Thought you were mad at me," he grumbled, rolling over so his back was to her.

"Shh!" she hissed, climbing over him so they were face to face. "Snug was mad...but this is more important," she whispered, throwing worried glances towards the bedroom door.

"What are you talking about?" he muttered, reaching groggily for the lamp on his bedside table.

"No! Don't turn on the light!" she hissed, pouncing at his hand.

"Snug, what the hell is..." he paused at the distinctive sound of footsteps out in the hallway.

"Someone is here!" Snug replied, her voice barely audible in the dark. "They came in through the door; Snug saw them and ran to get Curi."

Pushing back the covers Curio moved over to the door, listening as the footsteps moved out of the hallway and into the kitchen. Snug clung to the hem of his robes as he turned the doorknob slowly, careful not to make a sound and crept into the darkened hallway, his back to the wall. The intruder stood with their back to Curio, facing the small fireplace at the far wall of the kitchen; their head covered by a large hood.

"All right, drop your wand, or I swear you'll regret it," Curio demanded, trying to keep his voice stern.

The person straightened up, pushing their hood down upon their shoulders. "Oh, like you could ever take me," she muttered, turning to face him, a smug smile planted on her face.

"For Merlin's sake," he muttered, with an aggravated sigh, glaring at her angrily. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Don't ask questions Curi! Curse her!" Snug squeaked angrily, waving her tiny fists in Isabella's direction.

"Snug, it's all right," he sighed, rubbing his eyes tiredly.

"You have your own house elf?" Isabella scoffed, pursing her lips. "You really do live the rough life."

"She's my family's..."

"I'll curse her then Curi! Just tell Snug to!" Snug insisted, glaring heatedly at Isabella. "Snug'll teach that nasty lady..."

"Snug, please," Curio sighed, knelling down to her level. "It's all right...please, just, just give us a minute."

"Fine," Snug muttered icily as she stormed out of the room.

"Lovely," Isabella muttered, her arms crossed over her chest.

"Shut up," Curio hissed.

"There's no need to be rude."

"No need to be rude?! You broke into my home!"

Isabella pursed her lips as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a small key. "I hardly broke in," she muttered, tossing it at him. "Under the doormat? Honestly, you're just asking people to walk in." she hurried on, seeing the ever increasing look of anger on his face. "Of course, that's no excuse."

He sighed, sliding down into a chair tiredly. "What are you doing here Mrs. Launce?"

She tugged on the edge of her cloak, all of her previous bravado seemingly gone from her body. "People came looking for us, ministry officials." Her voice shook slightly. "They know I'm friends with Bea...we...it wasn't safe for us there." She slid into the chair opposite him, muttering quietly. "And don't call me Mrs. Launce...makes me feel old."

He rested his elbows on the table, holding his head in his hands. "How did you even find me?"

"Bea has contacts...they found your file at the ministry..."

"You looked through my work file?" he asked angrily.

"Just for your address," she mumbled, biting her lip and staring intently at her hands.

"No, this isn't going to work, you can't..."

"Curi! Who is this?!" Snug scampered into the kitchen excitedly, cradling a sleepy Juno in her arms.

"Give him here! You'll drop him!" Isabella exclaimed, pushing away from the table quickly as she snatched Juno from Snug's arms. "How can you let that thing just run around doing whatever she pleases?! She could have hurt him!" she yelled, holding Juno close.

"Snug is not a thing! You is a nasty lady! Snug would never hurt a little baby! Snug took care of babies before; she knows how to take care of them!" Snug shrieked, pointing menacingly at Isabella.

"Snug, please, just...please, be quiet for a minute," Curio pleaded with the angry house elf.

"Are you going to let her talk that way to me? She could have dropped him! She's too small to be carrying a baby!"

"She wouldn't hurt him Isabella, Snug loves children..."

"Snug would take better care of the baby then you, nasty lady! Snug isn't too small! Snug carried Curi 'till he was three, just fine on her own!"

"Oh, so you took care of, him? Oh that's real comforting, look how he turned out!"

"Curi is a good boy! Snug did a good job! Better than you, you nasty lady and your ugly little baby!"

"Ugly?! Ugly?! Why don't you go look in the mirror you dried up apricot!"

"SHUT UP!"

Silence hung heavy in the air as the last sounds of their voices drifted to the ground. Curio pushed away from the table, his face set in a deep frown, ignoring the shocked faces of Isabella and Snug.

"You can't stay here, find someplace else to go. I'm in this too far already...but this, this is too much. Just get your stuff and leave." He turned towards the hallway.

"Curi..."

"When morning is here you need to leave too Snug. I don't want you to get in trouble," he insisted as he continued on down the hallway towards his bedroom; slamming the door shut behind him.