There was nothing but the sound of Norah's quiet cries, the rustle of the wind against the trees, and the lapping of the river water along the shore.

He was just turning to leave. Then finally, she spoke.

“You told me nothing happened between the two of you,” Norah said. Her voice was suddenly harsh and accusing.

“I’ll be brave and say what both of us know but neither are willing to admit: our relationship was already in jeopardy because of your anger. What will you ruin next? Your relationship with Al?”

“Don't you say that! You know I would never harm Al!” breathed James.

“What's done is done, and what matters is that I love him, and I know he loves me, too. That means we're both willing to forgive each other and work together to be a couple again.”

The plan had already been set in motion, and it was time that Parker caught up with the game.

“You're right,” he answered. “Then it's time.”

“The wound and his pain will only worsen with time. We can only make him comfortable now.”

“You...” began Harry. He refused to believe it. He would not accept the fact that his youngest son was dying. He was only nineteen! “There has to be something you can do!”

“Don't doubt me,” threatened Harry. “I will always do whatever it takes to save my children.”

He would do anything to save his son and keep his family from harm, so he felt no regret in saying the next threat that rolled off his tongue.

It was now or never, and she knew it. She didn't know what she was thinking or what her plan was, but she found herself treading into treacherous waters before she could think twice.

“Parker...?” Clancy squeaked uneasily.

He had to know. And he was a Seer, wasn't he? With enough concentration, couldn't he will himself some sort of prophecy? He knew the answer to that was no, but he had long ago been deemed the greatest Seer in the world. His strength was beyond comprehension; therefore, James believed anything was possible.

“I had some news I thought I’d share with you,” he said with a smirk. “You’ve had a death in the family.”

Parker hadn’t been this happy. Not since his years at Hogwarts before all went wrong and before his father died.

“As soon as I walk out that door, you’re no longer Teddy Lupin but Parker Namken.”

“I got it,” said Teddy. “I can do this, Uncle Harry.”

“Albus wasn’t the—” Parker stopped and clamped his mouth shut as he caught himself nearly saying something he hadn’t told anyone.

Clancy had already picked up on his tone, though. “Albus wasn’t what, Parker?” she asked, her breath escaping her as she emphasized her desperation for him to finish that sentence. “Tell me! He wasn’t what?!”

“Hermione…” began Harry gravely. “They’re here to swear you in as Minister for Magic.”

“So you’re telling me that…that locket right there is prepared to receive a horcrux, and I…”

“You’ve murdered three people. The Auror. Albus Potter. And the Minister for Magic. Your soul has already been split three times. I’m telling you that all I have to do now is say the incantation and you can live forever…”

“My relationship with Clancy has nothing to do with this,” snapped Parker.

“She has everything to do with this! She’s distracting you—softening you! Don’t let her assuage you from our reason for living.”

“I have two reasons for living now.”

“Please,” he begged. “I don’t have much time, but come with me. You don’t have to go back to him. Come with me, and I’ll make sure you’re safe. You and…And the baby.”

Clancy blanched, and she took a step back so James’ hands fell away from her shoulders. She shook her head in shock at him. “H–How did you…How did you know?!”

Then Harry and James looked across the field of debris to Parker and Pansy. And in that moment, there they were—a mother and her son fighting for what they believed in, and a father his son doing the same. They were all vulnerable in their own way; they were all fueled by their own desires. They were all the same in that moment and yet so different.

They had to take the opportunity James had given them. They had to spring while Parker was weak.

*WARNING: SENSITIVE-TOPIC CHAPTER*
This chapter contains sensitive topics and may contain emotional triggers, particularly regarding pregnancy, violence, and death. Read at your own discretion.

The final chapter of The Seer & The Condemned.