unfinishedhowl

Daniel was seated behind the counter, bent over a large ledger with a quill poised in one hand. He appeared so absorbed in his work that he didn't notice her immediately, and the few seconds she spent observing him were enough to make concern settle uneasily in her chest.

He looked exhausted.

His auburn hair had grown past his shoulders and was tied back into a small ponytail that seemed to be losing a battle against several stubborn strands escaping around his temples and ears. A shadow of stubble darkened his jaw, suggesting he either hadn't found the time or hadn't cared enough to get rid of it. His clothes were neat by necessity rather than intention, and there was a tension about him that reminded Haley of a bowstring drawn too tight.

She wisely decided not to comment on it.

Merlin knew she had little room to criticize anyone's appearance. Weeks spent travelling had left their mark on her as well. Her clothes consisted almost entirely of dragon-hide leather and protective enchantments accumulated over years of working with dangerous creatures. There was still sand tangled in her hair from a recent expedition, and a faint scorch mark along one sleeve brought back the vivid memory of a dragon whose temper had nearly resulted in her becoming a cautionary tale.

A small smile tugged at her lips despite herself at the thought.

Daniel finally glanced up, and the moment he recognized her, some of the strain in his expression eased.

"Haley."

"Hi, Daniel."

The simple exchange carried years of familiarity. No matter how much time passed between meetings, there was always a certain comfort in seeing him.

She crossed the room and leaned casually against the counter. "Your owl sounded urgent."

At once, the brief warmth disappeared from his face.

"I couldn't risk putting everything in writing." That immediately captured her attention.

Daniel closed the ledger and set aside his quill. "I think Evers may be intercepting my correspondence."

She frowned. "What makes you think that?"

"I've felt him trying to probe my mind."

Legilimency.

The fact that Elliott had somehow taught himself the art remained one of the more concerning mysteries of her life. She had long ago stopped asking how he acquired certain pieces of knowledge, even ones only privy to the Ministry itself, because the answers tended to raise more questions than they resolved.

Fortunately, Daniel's naturally secretive nature made him exceptionally difficult to read. He possessed an instinctive talent for Occlumency that had likely saved his life more than once. Even so, hearing that Evers had begun probing him directly was alarming.

"He doesn't know," Daniel continued, lowering his voice despite the protections surrounding the shop. "But he's suspicious. More suspicious than before."

She folded her arms. "Suspicious of you?"

"Suspicious of everyone."

The distinction was hardly reassuring. For a few moments, neither spoke, then Daniel took a slow breath.