Teagan Finn

Accepted!

(Warning: mature content)

Teagan starred at her own reflection in the mirror. Well...not her. Evie. The spunky, sexy woman who knew how to turn heads with her dance moves and a well timed swing of her hips. As she took a long look at that woman, she didn't know where Evie ended and Teagan began.

Dropping her gaze, she let out a tired sigh. This wasn't the first time she'd thought like this. Knowing she was alone in the cluttered dressing room, she pulled out her wand and spelled her hair back to it's rich brunette. Always the first in, and the last out, she never faltered in hiding her magical abilities from the muggles around her. As she continued with her cool down process, removing the layers of makeup that helped create her alter ego, she recalled the night she'd almost left.

The night she met...him. She'd been performing one of her favorite numbers...

...One that was upbeat, but rather depressing, if you listened to the lyrics. She spied a blonde young man near the back with an older gentleman. Their features were similar, something she wasn't unaccustomed to. Fathers were common here, seeing a burlesque place as a better alternative to introduce young men to the opposite sex than a regular strip bar.

Finishing her dance, her eyes connected with those of a waiter near the pair, signalling for her to come over. A small nod of her head in agreement, she slipped backstage to touch up her makeup before meeting the customers. With a deadly swing in her step, she moved to enter the dining area, but was cut off by the same waiter. He slipped a small zip-lock bag into her hand with a knowing look.

"For the son."

Teagan swallowed thickly in understanding. This was why she was leaving. Tonight. The dancing she would miss. The occasional chance to sing live in her performances, she would miss. But not the underlying business that kept this place running: the drugs. Sliding the back down her tight emerald green corset, she checked that her thigh-high stockings were secured to her garter belt and walked out to the floor.

As she made her way over to the secluded table, she saw the older gentleman lean over to his son and whisper something. Then he left, with a curt nod in her direction. Swinging her hips in the way that she knew made lesser men squirm, she approached the young man.

His eyes were mesmerizing, so much so that she almost lost her well crafted facade. Almost. Taking on her flirtatious persona, she lifted one hand delicately, palm down. "Evie, at your service."

Whatever his response, it was tentative and wonderfully naive. She didn't expect good conversation from the younger ones. Her mind tried to but in and remind her of how very young she was as well, but she shoved that away. Here, she was as old as she needed to be. Taking the initiative, she turned and gently closed the curtain around them, effectively separating them from the outside world. They weren't completely solid, but they did muffle some of the noise.

She slowly made her way back to the boy. Braver in this building than anywhere else in the world, she straddled his waist, acting as if it was something she did every day. She knew why he was here, why his father had brought him. Running her hands up his chest, she locked eyes with him. One hand moved up to tuck a stray curl back into place, a small smile gracing her lips.

"What do I call you, love?" she purred.

"Evan."

She doubted that was his real name, but it was all the same to her. Leaning in, their lips almost touching, she saw something in his eyes that bordered on fear. Readjusting, she placed a soft kiss on the corner of his mouth and leaned back. She slipped two fingers into the front of her corset and produced the zip-lock back, her face not showing a trace of the distaste she felt earlier.

"I know something that can help you relax..."

It seemed like forever ago, the first night he'd entered her life. And every Saturday night thereafter, she would sneak away from the castle into muggle London to lead a double life. Hoping to see him. And every week for a few months, he would be there. In the same booth. Waiting.

And it had been wonderful. Until they got too close. Until she got too close, and he'd disappeared. After their confrontation last week, she'd come, hoping he would see things her way. But she'd set herself up for heartache.

When she'd finished her last dance, he still hadn't shown up. She'd spent hours in the back, waiting for everyone to leave before she'd started on peeling away the layers of her weekend persona. The makeup whipped away to reveal the young sixteen year old underneath. It was only then, when she recognized the girl in the mirror, that she let her tears fall.

(Warning: Violence)


Teagan breathed deeply, taking in the familiar smells of Diagon Alley at night. The summer scents of lighter foods, chilled deserts from the ice cream parlor, mixed with the more constant smells. Broom oil, ink, and any possible variety of potions. She loved coming here, any time of the year, but especially now. It reminded her of her first trip to wizarding London, and into the world she would call home.

She smiled at a few other late night shoppers, an older couple just leaving the Cauldron. Heading towards an Aparation point, no doubt. As she checked her watch, Teagan realized just how late it really was. The sun was deceiving, this time of year, and though it was still light out, it was nearing on nine o'clock. Adjusting her direction, she headed down a nearby alley, towards her own Aparation point.

The alley was rather large, in comparison to some, since a few shops were located down here. Their doors were closed, but she slowed as she passed by a small used book store she had visited on occasion. There was also some shop she didn't recognized. It had been a while since she'd been here, she realized with a sad frown. She stopped by the window, seeing an array of intricately designed glass phials. A grin spread across her mouth, knowing someone who would love them.

A sudden wind seemed to swoop down on her and she gasped as her head whipped towards the shadows of the alley. It was dark here. Incredibly so. And she couldn’t see to the end of it. Slipping her wand out of its hand crafted holster in her leather jacket, her body was poised for anything. It wasn’t that she truly expected danger, in public, but the tingling feeling at the nape of her neck, the one that had saved her hide more times than she could count in the field, was itching something fierce.

She took a few tentative steps forward, one flat heeled boot in front of the other, listening intently. Now was when less intelligent people would call out, ask questions. But she knew better. It was a waste of breath and focus. Just as she was about to let her guard down, sure that there was nothing, a flash of purple shot from the dark, striking her in the shoulder. Her body was thrown back into the wall by the force and a cry was wrenched through her teeth as the skin split, despite the leather.

Biting back tears from the sharp pain, she raised her wand and shot at the dark. Once, twice, three times. Finally something hit, as the cracks of magic were interrupted by a shout. A figure stumbled out of the darkness, grasping at the wall with his wand clutched in his hand. The other at his side where blood was spilling over it. She hadn’t shot to kill, simply maim. But apparently that was enough.

A cold, dead look in his eyes, the compactly built man pushed off from the wall and sliced his wand through the air. Pain shattered her mind as a cry was torn from her throat. Her knees screamed in resentment as they hit the pavement, her empty hand going straight to her head. Bad, bad, this is very bad. She tried to fight through the mental fog. She couldn’t let this weigh her down. One wrong move, one ill timed block and she was done for.

Her eyes tried to focus as the man, all leather and hard lines, cracked a merciless smirk. “And they said you’d be a challenge, ha!” Having taken the time when Teagan was crippled by his spell to cast a sufficient enough healing spell, he sauntered over to her. She looked up and noted his features. Chiseled jaw line, handsome features, well built. He would cut a nice figure if the scowl on his face and evil in his eyes didn’t ruin it.

As it was, she wondered if his would be the last face she ever saw. Unbidden, another face loomed in her vision. One of pale sculpted marble, arctic blue eyes, and dark flowing hair. She pushed it away, knowing such thoughts were useless, and potentially deadly. If she died now, it would be because this man bested her, not because she fucked up. She’d been through too much to go out now. The heartache. The loneliness. The danger. One man wasn’t going to bring her down.

Her eyes burned into his, daring him to try, as her mind cleared from his spell. “It’ll take just a bit more to be rid of me,” she smirked. Her mind moving quickly through scenarios, she wasn’t expecting the snap of his hand across her face. A faint ringing in her ears, a mocking laugh escaped her mouth. It hadn’t been that hard, but holy hell it sting. She wanted to reach up to rub the skin, but her hand clenched into a fist instead.

“I’m going to enjoy this,” the man mocked. She saw the next one coming. Maybe that was worse, her body tensing as his hand sliced through the air. Her head whipped round, her whole body flinging to the side and down to the pavement. She tasted salty copper. Blood. A bit of it trickled out as she clenched her eyes, tried to catch her breath and make the world stop spinning. A dry, wicked laugh made its way through the haze, reminding her of where she was.

Teagan’s hands ached where they’d smacked the pavement, but something caught her eye out of sight. Her wand. Yes. Something, anything that could help. But he was too close to her. She needed time. Needed to get to him.

Spitting out some of the blood, her eyes raked up his form to mock him, the fire still there. “Too chicken shit to face an armed woman, eh? Need to do it the muggle way? Figures.” She tried to keep the breathiness out of her voice, her side aching from the fall.

The man snarled, an animalistic noise that started the first hint of fear in her heart. An intelligent person, she could try to outsmart. But a man ruled by his muscles was something completely different. Her eyes widened he as stepped towards her. His hand gripped at her hair and mercilessly pulled her back to her knees, his grip tilting her head back to the point of pain. Her eyes squeezed shut as the motion worsened the pain in her head, a hiss slipping from her barred teeth.

“My boss never said anything about how I was to kill you,” he drawled out, his face leaning close to hers. She could smell the stench of his breath as it ghosted over her face. “He just said to see that it’s done.” A shiver ran down Teagan’s spine as she felt his wand press in at the skin under her jaw. As an evil laugh floated over her, the wand slowly trailed down her neck, its tip heating up. Her breath hitched as it neared on pain. “No one said I can’t have a little…fun.”

She smelt the burning of fabric before she felt her t-shirt give way under the heated tip. Starting at the top, it felt like a burning line down the center of her, a stark contrast to the cool night air the brushed against her exposed skin. This, her mind stirred, this she could work with. If he wanted a good time, she could give him that. Distract him enough that he won’t see her reach for her wand.

She bid tears to form, making her eyes glisten just rightly so, forcing her lip to tremble in assumed fear. “Please…” she choked out, feigning emotion. “I…I don’t want to die.” The breath tearing through her throat, though. That wasn’t fake. Her heart was racing as her mind flew though the possibilities.

His hand detangled from her hair, his thumb running roughly to the column of her throat, in what could be called a caress. But it was all calluses and too much pressure. Teagan had to calm herself, not letting the restriction scare her too much. Her eyes fell in a sign of submission, secretly seeking out her wand. There! Just to the right and behind the man.

Steel glinted in his eyes as he smirked. “Now that’s what I’m talking about.” He gripped her throat tightly and threw her to the side.

Pain. Teagan wasn’t sure if she had blacked out or not, but she awoke to a warmth on the side of her face and gasping for breath. She tried to move, to make her limbs work, and something thin bit into her shoulder. He was talking. So many words, and she didn’t care. Her eyes opened and the street seemed to swim before her. But she saw him. Twisting his wand between his fingers, eyeing her in a way that made her stomach pitch. Step after step, he came closer, just to kneel over her. She felt him tear open the rest of her shirt, exposing her bra.

He was everywhere then. All fumbling and mouth and inflicting pain. She was nothing to him now, a vessel for a few moments of pleasure before he finished his mission. Teagan wanted to run fast and run hard, and never think of this again. She cried out when he bit down on the tender flesh over her left breast. Not daring to look, she was certain it would leave a mark, if not a wound. Her hand moved ever so slowly up, reaching behind her shoulder, and grasped her wand. Just as his hand moved to undo his belt, his mouth at her throat, she arched up, her body rubbing against his.

Her breaths ghosted over his ear, barely above a whisper. Then he was screaming as his life’s blood poured from his stomach and onto Teagan. She pushed with what little strength she had, until he laid at her side.

There was nothing left within her. No tears. No fear. Just pain. She laid there for Merlin knew how long. Listening to the life drain out of the man next to her. Sometime, after the world went quiet, she stood on shaky feet. Peering down at the mess of a man laying in the street, her face was the ideal of absolute nothing. She had nowhere to go. No one to go to. She would not go to her family.

Her eyes wandered as she her mind did. Until they lay on the phials once more. Something rippled through her, barely touching her eyes. Then the dead man was alone.

Official Matters

Teagan took one last look in the mirror. From the outside, she looked much the same as any other day at the castle. Well dressed, heels to kill, and hair and makeup done, but not overly so. But she could tell the difference. It was in her eyes, and the lack of a curve at her lips that usually hinted towards a smile. I've seen enough things. Think I'd be used to it by now.

But this month had been her worst. She'd dealt with her family long ago, but issues returned fresh when she went to see them for Christmas. Something she hadn't done in quite a few years, always finding an excuse to miss out on it. There was the attack, and the aftermath to think of. Luckily it had been during holidays, when most students were away, so the damage was limited. In fact, there was no physical evidence left in the castle to speak of. Just the absence of one Headmistress.

Looking over at her desk, Teagan's eyes fell on the letter there. She'd received it a few days ago, informing her that her presense was required at a meeting. Today, in the Headmistress, Ex-headmistress, 's office. In a few minutes.

She hadn't the foggiest idea what it was about, or who would be holding it. A few murmurs had been heard at the professor's table during meals about what they would do about the position. The Deputy had been called back to active duty as an Auror, so was unable to fill the role. And it wasn't as if they had a backup for him just lying about. But they were getting by, the group of teachers. It was harder than in normal circumstances, what with the death of Violet being such a large impact.

The funeral had been beautiful. Teagan hadn't really realized until then how wonderful the woman had been. As different people stood up to speak about her, share stories and memories, Teagan felt sorry that she hadn't gotten to know the woman more. From the few things she'd heard about what happened after she'd been tort--passed out, the woman was a force to be reckoned with. The school felt her loss, even those who didn't know it.

As she made her way from her office to the Head's office, her mind turned. Maybe the replacement had already been found. They could be calling professors in, to greet them. She couldn't help but worry just a bit about having a new boss. Teagan knew she wasn't the most likable professor, but she felt that her teaching style was effective. She didn't bend to students, but demanded their respect, and their effort, if they planned on passing. She could only hope that the knew Head would understand her.

She knocked lightly on the hard wooden door, and was beckoned inside. The large room, which she'd only been in a handful of times, wasn't bare, as she assumed it would be. Portraits lined the walls, like Hogwart's, and books remained on their shelves. All things passed from one Head to another. But there was a slight emptiness about it. It lacked any sense of belonging to someone, and Teagan felt a twinge in her heart at the physical reminder of what had happened those weeks ago. Her eyes then landed on a man seated behind the desk.

He was aging, probably in his fifties. A crisp suit, plain in color, but not lacking in its tailoring. Ministry. She'd encountered them enough times to know a worker on site. Especially a higher up official. This can't be good. Could they be closing the school, for lack of a Head? Or firing teachers for some reason? She emptied her face of reaction and walked forward into the room.

"You asked to see me, sir?" Her tone was respectful, but far from subservient.

The man's eyebrow raised. "Yes, I did, Miss Finn. Please, be seated." He motioned for her to take one of the two chairs facing the large, empty desk. As Teagan settled in as comfortable as possible, seeing as how she could be losing her job at any moment, she watched the man carefully. He cleared his throat before continuing. "I understand that you were present at the attack on this school over the holidays. Is that correct?"

Merlin. Was this to be an interrogation? Did they suspect inside assistance? Because she knew just who to point to, if she knew where that blonde bitch ever got off to. Keeping her thoughts to herself, she replied calmly. "That is correct, Mr.--"

"Chambers. Jonathon Chambers," the man supplied. "I am head of the Board of Governors at the Ministry. Specifically in charge of maintaining order within wizarding schools." His tone was lofty, but Teagan hadn't expected any different. She at least wanted to know the name of the man who may change her employment status.

"We have been informed of the events of the attack, through several witnesses, statements and memories, in our efforts to solve the issue of Salem finding itself without a Headmaster or mistress."

Teagan's brow rose. She wasn't quite sure where this could be going. So she stayed quiet, deciding it best until she knew what was going on.

The man stood, fastening the buttons on his coat as he seemed to wander aimlessly. His hands clasped behind his back in a gesture of power, but she could see how they fidgeted. "Your actions during said attack have not gone unnoticed, Miss Finn. In fact, the lengths with which you..." the man seemed to lose his words as he faced away from her. "The attack, on you personally..." The man cleared his throat, obviously uncomfortable.

Teagan sighed. Yes, it had been bad. Excruciating, if she was honest. But she did not want to discuss it with a complete stranger. Even if it meant not discussing it with anyone. "Mr. Chambers, please get to the point." Her tone was arched, making it clear that this topic was not up for discussion.

The man turned to face her, moving to stand next to the Head's chair. His arm rested on the back of it. "Quite right." His face showed relief before returning to business as usual. "The Board of Governors would like to formally offer you the position of Headmistress of Salem School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, if you so wish to accept it."

It seemed like minutes, hours, but was probably only seconds as Teagan processed his words. She hadn't even planned on becoming a teacher in the first place, let alone run an entire school! The fact that she was now teaching at three was not out of a love of teaching or students, but out of a necessity that she could fill. She was even realizing the the positive nature she'd started with, hoping to do well even if she hadn't planned to be here, was dwindling under the weight of reality in a classroom.

And what did her actions during the attack have anything to do with it? She'd tried to help them, yes. Lot of good you did. She hadn't even been there for the end. Hadn't seen Violet come in and save the day. No, she'd been stupid and gotten cursed. And weren't there better choices....

"I accept."

The shock in her mind seemed to reflect the flash of it on the man's face. Apparently he hadn't believed she would, or hadn't agreed with the choice. Either way, he was stuck now. The thought made Teagan's lip tug up just so slightly at the corner. She hadn't thought about it thoroughly, but the words had slipped out before she could catch them.

"Yes, well. Good." Mr. Chambers attempted to compose himself, acting every bit the professional. "You will have a few days to think on the idea. As the school is still coping with the loss of Miss Evan's, we will not be releasing the information until the first." Teagan relaxed slightly at the idea. It appeared that Mr. Chambers was back on safe ground as he returned to his chair and opened a folder she had not noticed.

"You will have until then to raise any concerns or questions. On the thirty-first, we will meet again, here, to sign the papers and make it legal." He pushed over a stack of documents. "These are some things you need to go over. Rules, expectations, the like. If you have any questions, my contact information is enclosed."

Teagan picked up the papers gently, still in slight shock at the turn of events. Looking over at him, she realized that she was being dismissed. "Thank you, Mr. Chambers." Her posture rose slightly with the acceptance of reality. "I shall see you on the thirty-first."

With that, she stood and moved towards the door. Her heels clicked lightly on the wooden floor of the Head's office. My office, her heart pounded. Before she could stop herself, a large smile formed as she left to prepare.

Teagan looked up from her book as she heard the rain start up again outside. It was quiet in the flat today, with Mycroft off running errands. Even though it was summer time, there were still chillier days in Wizarding London, and she had pulled out one of her warmer sweaters from the closet, along with her wool socks.

Having grabbed one of the blankets out of the linen closet, she'd taken a book into Mycroft's work room. It had been a spare room when they'd gotten the flat, a perfect space for him to do whatever work he needed to at home. Especially now with the summer holiday. But after the first full day that he'd buried himself in his work, barely emerging to use the rest room, Teagan had made a decision. She'd enchanted the window to move out just a few feet from the house, creating a small nook where she created a window seat. This small space was hers, so that she could spend some time with Mycroft, even if he wasn't necessarily aware that she was there.

But on days like this, when she had nothing to do, and no real reason to leave the house, it was the spot she preferred. The room smelled like him, with all the ingredients and the ink and parchment littering every available surface. It was soothing, and made her feel more at home.

She cracked open the window so that she could listen to the rain, bundling the warm blanket around her even more. In doing so, she saw a bold flash of blue that made her stop. The ring.

Holding her hand out, she felt that thrill again. Something that never seemed to lessen, no matter how many times a day she looked at it. The weight of it was becoming familiar now. It didn't even feel foreign anymore. As if it belonged there, and always had. Which was funny, she thought, since she'd never given much thought to getting married herself.

Teagan had always wanted to love again, that was true enough. But she'd never kid herself into thinking she'd find someone that touched her the way Evan had, all those years ago. If she closed her eyes, she could still see him. Still feel him. But as the months went on with Mycroft, her recollection was waning. The memories of him were fading, as if they were someone else's now. A part of her was sad about that, about losing what had been so important to her once. But the part that loved Mycroft was almost....glad that they were going away. Maybe now she could move on.

Her head leaned back to rest against the side of the wall, her eyes gazing out into the haze. A slow smile slid onto her face at the memory of that day at his mansion. It had started off so badly, but none of that mattered in the end. What mattered was that Mycroft loved her. And he had asked her to be with him, to be his wife. Something she hadn't even thought he'd ever thought about seriously. It was so sudden that she still had to remind herself that it was all real.

Her happiness did hold a bit of sadness with it, though. She'd hoped, when Mycroft had shown up with Rhian in tow, that he would have been able to make Tess see the good in their situation. That, if things were explained, that the young girl would come around, and try to see the positive.

But if her reaction after the proposal was anything to go by, that was not likely to happen. Mycroft hadn't really talked much about it since that day, and Teagan had learned a bit more when not to push him. If he didn't bring it up, he obviously didn't want to talk about it. She did, however, find herself hugging him more. And sitting closer to him, lacing her fingers through his just because. She wanted him to know that she was there, whenever he needed her.

Glancing at the ring again, her smile returned, though it was softer. She wondered what they would be like a year from now. Five years. Ten. Twenty. For once, she could think about those things. Because, for the first time since she was a teenager, there was someone she wanted to be with for that long. Someone she loved. And who loved her.

Mycroft Holmes.

A voice whispered through her mind. Teagan Holmes.