Author's Notes:

Okay, we're starting to roll on this one! This is the direct sequel to "The Warlocks of Atlantis". While this is part of the overall 'Hogwarts' series, this is the second part of the global arc I refer to as "the Shadows of Atlantis".

Now, I think this particular episode will be tricky. the changes I introduced to the original story in the first episode will have serious consequences in this one, and I will need to be careful with the revisions I will add. So updates may be a little slower as the recent ones on the last story I posted. But I certainly promise all my readers that the updates will be steadier in pace!
I have two persons I need to credit right now, before to begin. First, as often, I want to salute Wolf-redlance, my 'pen-pal', fellow countryman and fellow writer, who shares this Alternate Universe with me, as proven by my shameless exploitation of his character Alwena Silverleaf in the previous story.

And second, I need to thank and credit another writer, who was publishing on the site I was posting this story in its first version. her name is Beth and her pen-name over there was Phoenix_Song. She was writing a prequel story called 'Lily's story'. We agreed back then that I would be able to use some elements of her story, which I did. In return, she included Damien Lockenburn, Alexander's dad, in the students attending Hogwarts with the Marauders. She has since then stopped posting, and I've left the site behind, but some elements of this story are still used in my own. I will underline the parts that I used as they pop up, but I wanted to acknowledge her contribution right away.

Alright, on with the story!

HOGWARTS

Book Two

THE STAFF OF MERLIN

Prologue: Among shadows

Kenton was running through the forest, breathless and terrified. He had sent all the warnings he could, as soon as he had spotted the intruding shadows in the darkness of the trees. He couldn't believe what was happening. Someone was attacking the Sanctuary. This hadn't happened in more than four centuries! This simply could not be happening.

Kenton was running fast. The Master had always said that he was the fastest man he knew. He had never prided himself of being a warrior. He was a scholar, a man of peace and knowledge. But he was fast and he couldn't let these people reach the Sanctuary without doing something. He needed to make sure that his people, that Orlando was safe.

He was nearing the first clearings, the parts of Brocéliande where the Master resided. He suddenly hit an invisible wall and fell roughly, his back hitting the forest soil, cutting his breath. Despite the shock and the pain, he smiled. His warning had been heeded! They had invoked the magical shield that warded the Sanctuary against intruders with hostile intent.

Kenton got back on his feet. Now the safest course for him was to escape the woods, in order not to draw the attention of the intruders on the vital parts of the sacred place. He was preparing to apparate when he heard the sound of running footsteps. Then a sudden wave of pain sent him on his knees, screaming like he had never before. The Cruciatus curse... Kenton tried to get back up, panting heavily, when three silhouettes emerged from the trees, near him. By the noise in the woods, Kenton knew there were many more out there. The three walked past him, barely paying him any attention. The silhouette at the lead made a sudden commanding gesture, to stop their advance. Slowly, carefully, the hooded figure extended a hand and touched the shield. It took exceptional reflexes for the unknown person not to be hit by a bolt of lightning, but with a jump back, the lightning missed. Kenton then heard a muffled voice, altered by a mask or a spell, which made it difficult to identify.

"Oh," it said. "That's unexpected."

"What is it?" asked one of the other two, on a harsh tone.

They were speaking English, but the second had a heavy accent that Kenton couldn't trace. The first one, who seemed to be their leaders, turned to answer.

"They invoked the Shield," the mysterious voice said. "It means they have been warned of our coming."

There was a scream of rage and the other man lowered his hood to reveal the face of a madman, rage flaring in his eyes as he turned toward Kenton.

"Who did this?!" he hissed.

The fury in his eyes was dreadful to watch. Kenton was still trying to fight off the curse that had hit him. The man lunged at him and kicked him viciously. The sharp pain in his chest told Kenton that at least one rib had been broken. The taste of blood in his mouth told him that his lung had been hit.

"Was it you? Answer me, scum! Was it you?! Crucio!"

Pain seared in his veins, and Kenton was seized by terrible convulsions.

"Oh, calm down, will you?" said the hooded figure. "I can get us inside."

"How would you do that?" retorted the other. "The shield is known to be impenetrable."

"Watch and learn," said the leader, getting a wand out.

The wand was passed over a slightly exposed palm, and a cut appeared, drawing blood. The silhouette then shook its hand toward the shield. The drop of blood seemed to fly across the cold night air and to pause suddenly, before a wide tear appeared inside the shield, with a flash of light.

"How?" croaked Kenton, before the meaning of what he had just seen hit him fully.

There was only one way to pass through the Sanctuary shield, and the implication was so terrible that Kenton forgot his pain, long enough to raise his staff.

"TRAITOR!" he roared. "EXPULSO!"

But his spell was blocked by the flick of the wand of the hooded figure, who turned to him.

"Oh, don't give me those eyes, Brother Kenton," said the voice. "Your lot have been begging for this to happen for centuries. Did you really expect your way of seeing magic would work?"

"You're disgusting!" retorted Kenton, weakly.

"Quite possibly," replied the traitor. "But as disgusting as I am, there's nothing you can do to stop me, now."

He was interrupted by a a bell ringing in the distance. It sounded like an ancient belle and the echo lasted longer than natural. The traitor raised his eyes to the sky, sighed and then had a chuckle.

"Well played, Brother Kenton," said the voice. "You have cast you voice to reach the Sanctuary, haven't you? Your spell was never intended to hit me, was it?"

"What use would it be against the likes of you?" sneered Kenton.

"Quite right, old fellow," said the traitor, with a smile in the tone. "So against all odds, you have indeed thwarted us. You can be proud of that."

"What are you blabbering about?" protested the man who had kicked Kenton. "What are we waiting for?"

"We failed, you thick-headed brute," replied the other, with something like amusement in the voice. " The little brother, here, has warned our target of our approach, despite the shield. They're gone."

"What?" screamed the other.

The third one finally spoke.

"The bell," he said. "What was it?"

"It's a signal," said the traitor. "It means the Master has left the Sanctuary. And where the Master goes, they go. We're done, here. They're out of our reach, for now."

"But they could have faked it," replied the third one, calmly.

"No, not this bell," said the Traitor. "You see, there is no real bell. It's a spell on the whole Sanctuary. And the sound can't be faked. They're gone, and that's that."

The vicious one screamed again in rage and frustration. He turned on Kenton, who still lied on the grass. He raised his wand.

"Oh, leave him alone," said the traitor, with an annoyed huff. "He's outsmarted us. At the least, that gives him the right to a chance at survival. If he doesn't bleed out in his lungs before he's found, his life is his."

"I don't take my orders from you, scum," snapped the other.

He darted his wand at Kenton and mumbled in a language that Kenton didn't know. With a chill, the Brother felt his heart freeze in his chest. He knew he was dying. But a lost thought brought a smile to his face, as he faded. The Master was gone. This meant they were safe... Orlando was safe. The Sanctuary was safe.

He was no warrior, but still, he had won. The last thing he heard was the irritated voice of the traitor, who was bent over him.

"One day, Arthan, you'll get into a mess and your insolent luck won't be enough to get you out of it..."

It was nearly dawn, when he found Kenton. Sadly, Ariel Entwistle sighed when his eyes fell on his dead form, lying in the grass. Coming to kneel beside him, Ariel studied his face. He had seen rough times. He had been tortured and hit. But there was still a smile on his face, something like triumph. This was puzzling. Getting back on his feet, Ariel raised his wand and levitated the corpse, leading him to the edge of the woods, where his Brothers would find him.

This was serious. They had been very close to disaster. The Sanctuary was at risk, now. Without Kenton, here, everything would have been lost.

He gently lowered Kenton on the ground and knelt again.

"You might just have saved the world, today. Sleep well, my poor Kenton," said Ariel. "You won't be forgotten."

He got back up again and summoned a charm that created a mirror. Instead of his reflection, the face of his sister Aria appeared.

"So? How bad is it?" she asked, gravely.

"It's not as bad as I feared it to be," said Ariel. "The Sanctuary has been attacked, but it's untouched. One of the Brothers is dead, though."

"I'm sorry, Ariel," said Aria, softly, aware of Ariel's sympathy for the Brotherhood.

"But apparently, Amanio has escaped," said Ariel. "He may be on the run. He will need shelter."

"I don't know many places where he could be safe from them," said Aria, sadly. "Have you consulted the Oracles?"

"Of course," he said. "I have a pretty good idea of where he's headed."

"I'm listening," said Aria.

"The oracles said the fate of the Core shall be decided when the Unicorn bows to the Lion dwelling in the Phoenix's nest," said Ariel.

Aria had an ironic smile.

"Still love their animal metaphors, don't they?"

"Apparently," said Ariel. "But, still, it's pretty clear. There aren't so many Phoenix's nests that could offer Amanio a refuge."

Aria shared a meaningful look with her twin.

"Hogwarts?" she said.

"Hogwarts," said Ariel.

Alright, that's it for today... soon, the first chapter will be up and running. Hope you'll enjoy the ride.