The Guardian Diaries- Luz en el Oscuro
Part 2- Rage of the Wilderness
Chapter 1- Valkryie
Author's Note: Thank you for your patience, guys. Here's Part 2- Rage of the Wilderness. Please read and review, give feedback and feel free to get in touch.
Contains strong violence, character death and an implied suggestive reference.
31st December 1997
The peaceful greenery of the golden field was disturbed by the violent beating of the scaly wings of an air serpent, it screeched as its masked master gave chase to two men, who ran across the field.
"Spread out!" ordered Harry his companion, who let out a laugh before spreading further away. "Protego!" roared Harry, pointing his holly wand and deflecting a curse. "Tornad Frio!" he roared, sending a gush of a very cold wind at the air serpent, which began writhing its long snake like body and screaming in a shrill pitch.
Harry's companion, Gallardo, even had to wince and hold his ear.
The serpent's master prepared to fire another curse, this time at Gallardo. But the latter raised his wand, cleared his mind and thought: "Enduro!"
The mercenary's curse shot out and was met half way by Gallardo's green coloured wand chi. The air serpent rushed ahead and the mercenary had to struggle to retain his grip and control, as both wand's chis rammed against each other, creating a weighty sensation on both their arms.
Gallardo exhaled with confident strength as he yanked and strafed to the right. A magical green cord pulled the mercenary, and with him his beast, jerking them erratically to the side.
"Diffindo!" Harry hissed, pointing at the serpent's neck, where a white jet struck and a gashing cut appeared, causing blood to come leaking out. The creature began to lose its aerial balance, as Gallardo circled his wand, and with it the cord and thrust a jolt of energy at the mercenary, who was nearly blasted off his steed, but managed to cling on. He fumbled with his wand but failed to complete another spell, as his air serpent fell crashing to the ground, behind a group of trees.
Gallardo grinned at Harry, before dashing across the grass, over a patch of melting snow towards the fallen beast, which lay with its mouth open and fangs open. Its master lay under it, deceased.
"Nice shot!" Gallardo remarked, feeling the mercenary's pulse.
"Thanks," Harry replied. "Good wand lock. Someone we recognise?"
"No," Gallardo answered, removing their attacker's mask. On his person were knives, wands, potions and bags of gold, no doubt from his past kills. "He's a professional bounty hunter. Yaxley must have alerted him. Did he really think we would announce where we were heading, unless it was a trap?"
"Well, he was stuck in Grimmauld Place, the Fidelius charm meant that once he left he won't remember where he was."
"Let's bury him," Gallardo suggested, after a moment of silence.
Harry agreed. They took off his trophies and magically dug a hole, before levitating him into the ground and covering him with earth. They left the air serpent's carcass where it was, as they were unable to do anything for that.
"Why would Yaxley contact a bounty hunter?" Harry asked, suddenly. "I mean, he didn't have a Death Eater's tattoo- I checked."
"Maybe, they're getting desperate," Gallardo suggested.
"Maybe," Harry said. "Still, despite your improvement in combat, it seemed a little easy..."
Gallardo rolled his eyes. Suddenly, a shrill screech echoed in the distance. Their hearts thudded with shock.
"Let's get back to camp."
They ran into nearby forest, full of tall and strong evergreen trees, which nobly shielded the companions from the harsh wind, rain, hail and snow, yet allowed the sun's rays to break through. They breathed a sigh of relief after hearing the chirping of birds, confirming that they were entering a sanctuary, where the Arods had banished creatures like air serpents from their forest hundreds of years ago. A few yards into the forest was a tent.
Gallardo walked over and entered it before holding the flap open for Harry. "Knock, knock," he smiled placidly, as he looked inside.
It was bigger on the inside, like a heart of a good person radiating a sense of safety in a very cold and chilly climate. There were about six booths erected, holding four beds, a bathroom and a kitchen, with a table. In one of the beds, lay Ron Weasely, tired, worn and injured from not Disapparating properly. Hermione was feeding him some hot soup as he lay back nursing the bandage on his right side. She looked up and smiled at them entering, Ron grinned painfully.
"How're you holding?" Harry asked.
"He'll be fine," Hermione said, confidently.
Gallardo nodded and swallowed, and let out a chuckle. "We got what we went back for," he said, brandishing a file from his rucksack.
"We were chased by a bounty hunter," Harry informed. "Spoils." He motioned to the gold, potions and wands that Gallardo had set on the floor.
"I'm not comfortable with this," Hermione muttured, but with a touch of a proud smile.
"Well, he was a bounty hunter, and we thought that his stolen possessions would be more beneficial to the world in our hands," Gallardo grinned.
"OK," Hermione nodded, beaming.
"We also managed got a few essentials from Grimmauld Place," Harry informed. "Yaxley's still there, though.
"We brought some dittany, more medication, food, books, clothes and Vanessa Valkyrie's file."
"And not to mention, some nice tea and sugar!" Gallardo grinned, and the others joined in.
"We'll have to continue our search tomorrow," Ron murmured.
"Yes, it's nearly nightfall," Gallardo said. "I'll do sentry duty tonight," he said, adjusting the wand scabbard on the right side of his belt. He smiled and put on his grey and black hooded coat. Grabbing a stool, he bade his companions goodnight and stepped outside into the chilli dusk sky. He could make out the last rays of light fading from the canopy holes of the trees. He smiled at the beauty and sighed.
"Hey," Hermione came from inside the tent, dressed in her shoes and a coat over her dark blouse. "I just thought you might like some company."
"Be my guest," Gallardo chirped; he rose and offered her his seat, as he summoned a good rock for him to sit on. Within minutes Hermione had boiled some hot tea for them both and added some white jasmine flowers, and blossomed them with a wave of her wand. The tea bubbled and let of an aromatic scent, blessing the two of them.
A small maripabird- a cross between a butterfly, with its blue and yellow wings, and a mockingbird, with its sing song voice and tiny beak, fluttered into the scenery and hovered before the two, as if chatting to them.
"Look at that!" Gallardo muttured excitedly.
"It's beautiful," Hermione assented.
Gallardo conjured up another little bowl and poured some of his tea inside, before placing it before the maripabird and summoning it with a teeth kiss. The maripabird eagerly placed itself on the cup and took a sip with its tiny beak. Gallardo could swear that it smiled, so he smiled back as it perched itself on his hand.
"Gallardo, this is a maripabird of Andar!" Hermione whispered. "According to legend it can cast luck and fortune upon whoever it decides to perch itself on! It might even grant a wish! Especially... on..."
A clock in the distance struck twelve at midnight, sending chimes and the sound of fireworks in the distance.
"New Years day!" Hermione said. "Happy New Year! Go on, Gallardo, make a wish, who knows it may come true!"
Gallardo's smile faded, he swallowed and sighed, looking ahead. His wrist band with the words "Remember Who You Are, Wherever You Are. You're on my Mind, Just Like a Maripabird from Andar!" written in lime green crept into his mind like a stubborn leach draining his energy.
"Will it give us all the Horcruxes and everything we need to defeat our enemies?" he asked sceptically.
Hermione did not answer.
"Thought so," he croaked. He released the creature, letting it flutter away into the cold night. "Luck and fortune are fickle friends, they leave just as the going gets tough. Always have!"
"Gallardo, we have to stay strong," Hermione consoled worriedly.
"Yeah, strength, hope and loyalty are far better!" Gallardo replied, sipping some more tea. He looked at a nearby stream where he could see a parade of water lilies, gracefully swimming down, without a care. He sighed.
"Happy New Year!" he said, smiling wistfully. He rose to his feet, leaving a baffled Hermione sitting down.
"We'll get through this," he whispered, regaining his usual self. "We all will!"
2nd January 1998
Marcena strode quickly across the pebbled path, cautiously looking over her shoulder. She wore a black maxi skirt, a cropped collar blue blouse, a purple and black checked scarf and a purple coat. A green ruck sack was strapped over her shoulder, which grew weary with tension. She checked that her wand was still in her coat pocket and breathed a short sigh of relief.
Her mother had been kind enough to walk her near to her destination, but Marcena had wanted to make the rest of the journey on her own, partly because if- God forbid- something were to happen then Dasia and Eduardo would need their mother.
"Marcena?" called a voice.
"Y-yes?" wand drawn, she spun on her heel to see Remus Lupin, smiling at her.
"What's your favourite ice cream flavour?" Lupin asked.
"Bubbled milk chocolate," she replied. "When did you marry Vala?"
Lupin looked dumbfounded and a little uneasy. "That's not my wife's name..."
Marcena burst out laughing with relief. "I know!" she grinned. "Her name's Dora!"
Lupin nodded and laughed. "For a minute I thought you were an imposter!"
"Sorry, Remus," Marcena said. "I had to."
"Anyway, shall we walk on?" he asked.
"Let's go." They walked on side by side, as Marcena could admire the scenery of the path decorated by green grass, a field of corn to their right, a procession of trees to the flanks of the path further up. But the two turned to a slope heading downwards to the left. After walking for a bit and making small talk, they saw a small brown oval shaped door in a little shed underneath a mound of earth.
"Well, Marcena, you are officially a Secondary Keeper!" Lupin announced.
"Are we seeing Frodo?" Marcena jested.
Lupin laughed. "No, but we are seeing some folks you know." He tapped the door with his wand and said: "Reithian!"
The door flew open and the two quickly entered a corridor which led to a hall with a navy carpet and wooden tables. In the spacious room stood a few book shelves a few desks with papers scattered around and a coffee machine in the corner. A lit fireplace jumped out at Marcena, as she felt the warmth.
"Hello, Marcena!" Lee Jordan called. "Oh, God, I feel so under dressed!" He was wearing a casual tracksuit.
"Hey!" she replied. "I'm good, Lee, how are you?"
"You here for Potterwatch, aren't you?" Lee asked. "Have a seat!" He conjured up a few cushioned chairs for them to sit on. "Hey, Swan! Noble! Come on, there's someone here for us!"
Before Marcena could sit, she caught sight of Katie Bell and Michael Goodman come through the door on the right of the hall. Both smiled at her and showed a lot of happiness to see her. Katie hugged her; whereas Michael patted her on the back and just grinned shyly, making her laugh nervously, as she was not expecting this. They all sat down and Lee got down to business.
"OK, you've got a lot of experience in helping at a children's home, you were a prefect, you helped tutor some younger years. Michael tells me that you relayed important communication when the Death Eaters invaded Hogwarts last year and you took the injured to the hospital wing."
Marcena nodded, looking touched, as she silently thanked Michael, who nodded back.
"Yeah, I did, it was-"
"Marcena, you do understand that this isn't a paid job, right? We will only be able to pay for expenses, you'll have to find an alternative part time job, say... in the local Muggle village if you want to buy clothes or anything? We'll have-"
"To keep moving if we ever risk getting blown and we could be under constant danger for our lives? Yes, Lee, I totally understand," Marcena answered.
"So, why do you still want to do this?" Lupin quizzed.
Marcena inhaled. "Most people don't know who to believe or trust anymore. The Ministry's been taken over by Death Eater loyalists, The Daily Prophet keeps lying all the time, people are being brainwashed with lies and half truths and they fear for their lives. It seems as if that anyone who speaks out gets persecuted! But I want to help change all that. I want to give people something that they can rely on and trust in these dark times, I want to give them the fair and balanced truth!"
They all nodded, listening intently. Katie and Michael had a grin on their faces.
"The truth won't come to us, so we have to go and find it. Someone that I was very close to... someone I'm still close to taught me that doing the right thing and challenging greed, corruption and the big bullies inspires others and gives the bullies something to be afraid of. I know that Harry and his friends are out doing something and I want to give them hope and let them know that there are still fair minded people willing to help them."
For a few seconds, the whole room just nodded in agreement, intrigue and awe, which gave Marcena boost of confidence.
"One more thing," Katie began. "We all go by nick names when we're on air. I'm Swan, Michael's Noble, Lupin's Romulus and Lee's River. Kingsley, who's not here, goes by Royal. What would you call yourself?"
"Verdadera," Marcena replied, after a short pause. "Yeah, I'm Verdadera."
"Truth seeker?" Lupin pondered.
Lee looked at all of his colleagues and they nodded in assent. "Verdadera, you're hired!"
3rd January 1998
Gallardo grimaced and tensed his muscles as the rough and snake like vines remained tightly wrapped around both of his arms, which were tied to two trees. The cords cut into his skin, creating fresh cuts and teasing his older ones, as his arms began to burn with anger and pain. His bag lay just feet from him, all he had to do was reach it!
He inhaled and exhaled deeply, which was harder because he had been running just before- running from many things. But now he couldn't run any more, he had to get out!
With an almighty tug and a twist, the cords on his right hand snapped free. Gallardo beamed with optimism and easily pulled his left with his whole body. His arms had been bruised and grazed, and an acute pain dashed through him, but he sighed as he sipped some water. Reaching into his bag, he pulled out and bit into a very juicy apple.
"Fantastic!" he declared to himself, before effortlessly making his way back to his camp, each bite filling him with refreshing energy.
He entered the tent to find Harry anxiously pacing, Hermione was tending to Ron again, who was lying down.
"Guys..." Gallardo began. "What happened?"
"Harry couldn't make a Patronus!" Ron informed.
"What?" Gallardo chuckled. "Of course he can, he taught the whole DA!"
But a glance at Harry's sullen face confirmed Ron's remark.
"What happened?" Hermione asked.
"I don't know!" Harry replied. "I just couldn't! It just wouldn't form!"
"Oh, come on!" Ron groaned and rose to kick a bag, which was lying on the floor. "I haven't eaten for yonks!"
"Why don't you try getting past the Dementors, then?"
"I would!" roared Ron. "But in case you haven't noticed, my arm's in a cast!"
"That's convenient."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Ron demanded.
"Guys, will you all calm down?" Gallardo diffused.
"Where were the hell were you?" Harry cried.
"Whoa!" Gallardo yelled.
"Harry, that's it!" Hermione beamed, before Gallardo could reply."Give me the locket!"
"What?" Harry asked.
"The Horcrux, give it to me, please!"
Harry took off the locket and a smile crept up on his face. He let out a sigh of relief.
"How's that feel?" Hermione asked.
"Much better!" Harry said. "You mean... wow... this is actually cursed?"
"I think so," Hermione replied. "I think that we should take turns wearing it."
"That's a good idea," Gallardo assented. "Guys, I've got something for us." He reached inside his bag and pulled out what looked like a juicy green potato. "Look at this! Some Yembas!"
"What's a Yembas?" Harry asked.
"Who cares, so long as you can eat it?" Ron reached out his hand.
"Where did you find this?" Hermione asked, as Ron took it and split it into two before taking a bite. "I thought they were rare in this country?"
"They are, but there was this Yembas tree just growing," Gallardo replied. "It was the only one, so I took a few."
"This-is-delicious!" Ron complimented. "Bellissimo!"
"It tastes even better when boiled," Hermione said, taking some out of Gallardo's bag.
Within a few minutes, they were absorbing the taste and aroma of this vegetable, which tasted like a sweet potato, tomato and pasta merged together. Apparently, it had healing powers, both physically and mentally.
"So, where is the next Horcrux?" Ron asked eagerly, after they'd all finished. He'd been saying the same thing over and over, expecting the others to come up with ideas. Dumbledore had said that Voldemort was most likely to store them in places of high importance to him. The orphanage, where he had lived; Borgin and Burke's, where he worked; Hogwarts, where he had stayed and studied; and Albania, where he had self-exiled himself for a number of years.
The orphanage was now demolished; they agreed that Borgin and Burke's was not a place where he could easily hide a Horcrux- an expert would be able to easily spot it, or worse- sell it into unsafe hands.
"I think Albania is a good place to start," Gallardo said. "What was he doing there?"
"Yeah, Albania. It shouldn't take more than an afternoon to search a whole country!" Ron remarked sarcastically.
"Look, I know it's not ideal, but it begs the question- 'why Albania?' What's there in Albania?" Gallardo insisted. "What attracted him there? I have a hunch he had some help there. The Albanian Ministry of Magic must have had some idea that he was there, and what he could be doing.
"I'm not sure that'll lead anywhere," Hermione dissented. "He'd already made the diary, the ring, the cup, the locket. I think he'd already made something belonging to Ravenclaw or Gryffindor. He wouldn't have made anything from Marteslon, because he didn't consider him worthy of being a founder. Plus Dumbledore's certain that the sixth is Nagini, and she's not in Albania, she's always with Vol-"
"Don't say that name!" Ron snapped. "I've told you not to say it
"Ron, stop it, all right?" Gallardo said impatiently, before turning to Hermione again. "But, he could have made the Gryffindor or Ravenclaw one in Albania, think about it- everything else we know exactly what it was and where he found it. He'd have to go there for a reason!"
"Or it could be at Hogwarts," Harry suggested. "He felt more at home there than anywhere."
"Mate, this is You-Know-Who we're talking about, not you," Ron said.
"I know that," Harry replied, heated. "But he hated the orphanage, he spent all of his possible holidays there."
"But, wouldn't Dumbledore have found it?" Hermione said.
"Dumbledore told me that not even he would pretend to know every single place at Hogwarts. Think about it, Vol-"
"Don't-say-his-effing-name!" Ron snarled.
"Fine, You-Know-Who then!" Harry snapped, boiling with rage.
"Riddle, would have explored many places at Hogwarts, seeing as how fascinated he was by the place," Gallardo said. "Meaning that Hogwarts is a potential place for a Horcrux."
"Thank you," Harry said.
Hermione breathed and nodded whilst raising her hands. "OK, good point. But, didn't you say that Dumbledore thought that Riddle wanted to make a Horcrux after he came to ask for the Defence Against the Dark Arts job?"
"Yes, he did."
"But he didn't get the chance did he; Dumbledore refused him?"
"And with good reason!" Gallardo chuckled.
"So, it can't be at Hogwarts, can it?"
"Fine, forget Hogwarts, then," Harry sighed and left the tent for some much needed air.
A harsh wind blew in from the outside causing them all to shiver with cold, as a few flakes of snow invaded their tents.
"Helio!" Hermione said. A warm and yellow orb glowed in the middle of the tent, heating up the room, and casting the coldness away. But it would get colder still, sooner or later.
5th January 1998
A few days later, the companions were in exactly the same place as they were, except much hungrier and with little idea of where to go. The Yembas had run out and the tree had disappeared.
"How could you forget something like that?" Hermione had hissed.
"I don't know, it's just gone- not there any more!" Gallardo replied defensively.
"I don't have the time or the energy for this!" Hermione had cried angrily.
"Nor do I," Gallardo had croaked, brushing his growing stubble with his hands before leaving the tent.
Harry had returned with some fish and apples, a serious necessity as Gallardo's Yembas and apples had run out very quickly. During the company's famine periods, Ron was very irritable, even without the locket on. Hermione bore reasonably well, except for her slightly hotter temper when things went wrong. Gallardo felt really light headed and was slow to suggest ideas, but would retreat into quiet meditation to steady himself, to avoid him from thinking about an uncomfortable conversation he'd had with his brother. He found himself hoping and praying (without knowing who to) that his family were OK- he had to believe that they would be.
Harry was the least affected because of what the Dursley's had put him through. The look on everyone's faces when he brought the food was enough to tell them that it would be joyful gathering, full of laughter. Even though they would move to another area soon, they would part nostalgically after admiring the greenery and beauty of the landscape, which lay untouched by the hand of darkness.
They tucked in very quickly and ate the fish and apples. Hermione put a hand on Gallardo's arm. She opened her mouth to speak.
"It's OK," Gallardo nodded, waving his hand, smiling.
"So, what next?" Ron asked, once they were done.
"First, you're going to clean up after yourself!" Hermione ordered.
Ron scowled but obliged and binned his leftover fish bone.
"The only leads we have are Hogwarts and Albania," Harry sighed. "I'd rather rule out Hogwarts first, though."
"But, Harry," Hermione protested. "There's always a risk that someone might stumble across it."
"Hermione, if you really want to go to Albania, I'll take you one day, I promise!" Ron retorted. Gallardo and Harry laughed, while Hermione blushed and shot them a disapproving look.
"I'd rather avoid Albania if I can help it," Ron continued.
Gallardo had taken a look at the Nuri Lamp that he had been given by Dumbledore. The note had read: "To Gallardo Horatio Clive Eagle, I leave you the Nuri Lamp. May it give you light in times of darkness."
The Nuri Lamp was shaped like an oil lamp, with an enchanted space which held a poem written by Dumbledore, which was very baffling but seemed to suggest that while things may not be clear now, in time they will be. It was attached to a small wooden box, with the words 'Only the worthy shall be able to look inside me, so search and look inside'. This box refused to open or even be summoned. He wished that this lamp could help them now, to light the way into the rest of the quest. It was then where he had the idea.
"There is one other source we can turn to," Gallardo said thoughtfully. "She has information on Diablus, she may have information on the fifth Horcrux." He brandished a brown file.
"Vanessa Valkryie," Harry commentated aloud. "Insider for the Order on Diablus. Posing as a Wizard Salon Entreperneur and girlfriend of Donald Carlisle- a corporal of Diablus. I think we might start making some progress!"
Ron looked at the case file at the picture of an East Asian looking girl, with moderately slanted eyes and long straight black hair.
"Her contacts are Dasos Creek and Porthos Podmore?" Harry asked. "Any relation to Sturgis Podmore?"
"Yes, they're brothers," Ron answered. "Porthos is slightly more well kept than his brother and younger too. Has anyone met Dasos Creek?"
"Vaguely," Gallardo replied. "Both hang around the town of Lewisham, in Llewyllenshire, don't they?"
"Then that's where we shall go!" Hermione jumped up from her seat. "To Lewisham, then!"
"Here's you order, sir!" Marcena said, after she emptied the fragrant strawberries from the cups and disposed of them in a nearby bin. She handed a few sugars to the three gents with their cups, who thanked her and resumed their talk about an upcoming merger.
"Um... can I have one more?" the youngest requested sheepishly.
"Of course," Marcena smiled, and handed a sugar straight into his hand. "Enjoy your merger talks!" She was OK with engaging in some cordial flirting with the customers, just about enough to make them feel at home, but she refused to go beyond that. Just today, she had been propositioned to by one of the earlier customers, but had politely declined as being unable. She didn't like too much male attention, as she knew that her line of work would prevent her from meeting anyone, especially if they were a Muggle.
The man simpered and continued his conversation.
"That was a very impressive day, Ms Coleman," the manageress complimented her a few minutes later.
"Thanks," Marcena replied. "By the way, you can call me Clara."
"OK, then, Clara," Mrs Hemmingway, the manageress, laughed. "How would you like to work here at Hemmingway Tea House, as an official part time waitress?"
"I would love that, Mrs Hemmingway! Thank you!" Marcena replied.
"That's good. Call me Anne, by the way. So, I will see you in a few days!"
"Take care. Bye!" Marcena waved and set out into the cold and chilli afternoon. It was a fairly pleasant one, in the town of Trowmill, which was a mile from the Potterwatch head quarters. The town lay before a steep hill, it was not too big, nor was it so small that a new arrival would attract immediate attention. Marcena knew that she couldn't attract too much. She needed to pay for essentials like clothes, as Potterwatch was short on money. Katie, or Laila Beak as she was sometimes known as, helped her to find work. She had come up with the alias of Clara Coleman, and she couldn't afford to be found out as Marcena Sempatho. The Ministry had been infiltrated by Death Eaters and the Minister, Pius Thicknesse, was a puppet who would do their bidding. If there was any chance that either of the Potterwatch crew were to be blown, then they would all have to relocate.
Marcena shuddered as she made her way through the park. Suddenly, a figure clicked his fingers, making her jump.
"Oh, my God, Michael!" Marcena yelped. "Why did you that for?"
"Sorry, just knew that you were drifting, when you shouldn't," Michael shrugged his shoulders. "How was your day?"
"Yeah," grinned Marcena. "It was great! I got hired!"
"That's great!" Michael replied. "Listen, are you ready for your first assignment?"
"Of course!" she smiled eagerly, as they quickened their pace towards the edge of the town.
"Do you know who Field Marshal Byron Mountain is?" Michael asked.
Marcena nodded. "He was the leader of the British Wizarding Army. He's been found dead because of a major gas leak, apparently."
"Do you think that's true?"
Marcena thought for a second before replying: "No, I don't." She shuddered with goosebumps. "He was majorly against compulsory conscription, no pun intended."
"Something that the Thicknesse government were in favour of," Michael added, after checking his surroundings. "Mountain would always veto many of the moves to make conscription compulsory."
"Killing him would give Vol-!" Marcena began, but Michael hushed her sternly.
"Don't say his name!" he hissed. "Don't you know that that name is taboo?"
"What are you talking about?" Marcena questioned. "Fear of a name-"
"They use it to track members of the Order!" Michael cried. "Inside the HQ we're protected by the Fidelius Charm, but outside... one mention of his name and you could put us all in danger!"
Marcena swallowed with redness. "Oh...OK... I'm so sorry... I didn't mean to..."
"No, I'm sorry, Marcena," Michael shook his head. "You didn't know."
"So, killing Mountain would allow Riddle a chance to force everyone to fight for him, wouldn't it?"
"That's right," Michael smiled again. "Go back to the HQ and pack some stuff. We are going to find out what happened to Byron Mountain."
Marcena felt very nervous as she packed a water bottle, transmitter, recording device and a small camera, along with a Hydro-sonic ball. Her hands shook as she took a sip to steady herself. The water trickled into her body and she sighed. She reminded herself of why she chose to come here, of why she deserved to be here, despite the thousand questions in her mind.
"Are you ready, Marcena?" Michael grinned, knocking on her door. He wore a dark red shirt and a teal overcoat and a black hat.
"Ready!" Marcena chirped, with more confidence than she felt. "Yeah, I'm ready.
"How are we going to get in to his house? Will it not be crawling with Death Eaters?"
"That's why we have this?" Michael replied, pulling out a long silver cloak. He put it over his shoulders; immediately his whole body except his head vanished. "A cloak of invisibility!"
Marcena beamed. "Wow! I guess we're really doing this!" She jumped to her feet with her enchanted purse around her shoulders and followed Michael through the hall, where Katie and Lupin were munching on a snack. Michael and Marcena were wished with luck as they stepped into the corridor and out into the dark evening.
"Right, we're going to apparate," Michael informed. "Are you ready, Marcena Sempatho?" He held out his arm for her.
"Yes," Marcena replied. She took a deep breath and held his arm. Her heart began racing, and suddenly it skipped a beat as the duo spun on their heels. Crack!
Within a blink, there was an acute shortness of breath as they were teleported to a completely new place.
"Where are we?" Marcena asked, pinching her nose at a nearby black bin. They seemed to be in an alleyway. Michael motioned for her to follow him out. He began ascending a number of steps and when he reached the top he breathed out.
Marcena followed him and peered through a pair of trees and some green grass. She looked upon a city with hundreds of lights, glowing like gold fishes. There was one house that stood out, as it was larger and greyer than the others, but all lights were off and it looked so much darker than the other houses.
"Erubian Manor!" Michael announced, once it was obvious what Marcena was looking at. "Family manor of the Mountains." His expression turned more grim. "Somehow they managed to bypass the Fidelius Charm."
"So how come we can see it?" Marcena asked.
"Because I was a Secondary Keeper," Michael said. "Meaning that all the Secret Keepers have died, so all the Secondary Keepers have been upgraded. I'm a Secret Keeper, and I've given you permission to access Erubian Manor. Come on."
They quickly paced towards the manor, as soon as they got close they sensed the air smelling like fragrant flowers. They then noticed many shrubs, including a lavender. They moved to the door and Michael unlocked the door with his wand and slowly pushed the door open.
Marcena took this as a cue to draw her own wand. She followed him inside the dark entrance corridor of the house. A grand yet cold breeze greeted them as they entered, their footsteps echoed on the wooden floor. Despite there being no cobwebs, it felt like they were entering an ancient ruin.
"Lumos!" Marcena whispered, emitting a light from her wand. The corridor led to a large room, possibly a lounge or study. There was a staircase to their left, with red ropes as railings, and a dark green carpet leading up to the second story.
"Homenum Revelio!" hissed Michael and waited for a moment, before breathing a sigh of relief. "No one else here. Marcena, do you want to explore the house?"
"OK," she replied. "Shall I take the downstairs?"
Michael nodded and disappeared up the stairs. Marcena edged towards the lounge and an immediate chill brushed against her. She was still armed with her wand as she creaked the door open, a burnt up smell of incense could be felt.
The lounge was filled with books, a desk and sofas, there was also a burnt out fire place, under a chimney.
In between the sofas lay a man, roughly in his late fifties or early sixties, his hand just inches away from a wand. On the table lay a book, turned over and half open, the title read Arthur and Lancelot . There was also a spilled tea cup and a wand scabbard and belt on the table.
But Marcena froze as she caught sight of two other bodies; two young girls and a boy lay in a heap in the corner, their eyes wide open and their skin emaciated and pallid, but lifeless. There were cuts and bruises on their small faces and limbs.
Marcena couldn't take it any longer, as she began shaking and struggling to hold back her tears. She breathed and reached over to close their eyelids, just to give them a little bit of peace and dignity.
"He died shielding his grandchildren," a voice said. She looked up to see a grief stricken portrait of a wizard in formal robes. His name: Harris Erubi was carved underneath. "Byron Mountain- the honourable man who was more of a man than those cowards! The man who died protecting his family."
"W-who did this?" Marcena sniffed, struggling to steady herself.
"There were these wizards, in red robes," replied Erubi. "They managed to get inside and... they didn't make demands or anything... you must understand... I had to hide, my young lady! Field Marshal Mountain just threw himself between his grandchildren and said, without any hesitation: 'No, don't hurt them! Leave them be!'"
Marcena wept silent tears as she heard this. She wasn't expecting this, she had expected just one death, maybe a few, but not the death of these innocent children. She imagined their screams, before and during a struggle, and their huddling in the corner in their last moments.
"There are a whole bunch of bodies-!" Michael announced entering the lounge. He took one look at Marcena, and then the bodies before he too felt his spirits leave. "Let's get out of here! Now!" he exclaimed, before grabbing Marcena and disapparating.