The Medieval Relics

Chapter 3: Soto's Threat

The rest of July was spent in Hogwarts with Mark and Aries. Albus came back to the school with Mark, who yelped and hugged the twins upon his arrival. Mark seemed ok. Albus knew Eric was still grieving but he was grieving silently. Mark had proven the previous month that he could no longer handle loss too well. Albus was met at the entrance by Alexis who took him by the arm and asked how it went. Alexis was the only girl Albus openly shared his life with because she was practically the only one he trusted. Albus only started dating her officially the previous year but their relationship went further back than that.

When Mark and Eric embraced, it lasted longer than anything else. Alexis was soon preoccupied by her brother as she usually was that summer and Albus just took to watching Mark with Aries, probably making sure he did not have another breakdown. Albus felt a tad uncomfortable standing beside Aries. He rarely ever spoke to her and from what he knew of her, she was not the kindest of girls, nor the most considerate. Albus was no fool either. Though Mark was too depressed to see for himself, Albus knew better. He knew why she suddenly turned around and invited Mark to stay with her. He would inevitably grow closer to her. He would remember for himself how much he might have liked her before she left.

"Alright, mate?" Eric asked quietly as they broke apart.

Mark took a while to answer. Albus was not sure if he answered while conscious that Aries was watching and answered for her benefit or if his answer was the truth. He just said, quietly and uncertainly, "Yeah," and funnily, his voice sounded fragile.

"Why don't I believe you, then?" Alex asked, folding his arms.

Their eyes met. Albus thought he heard Aries mutter something under her breath but he did not catch what she said. Mark just shrugged and turned his eyes back to Eric. Eric still seemed down but much better off than Mark. Conversation between Alex and Mark seemed strained and Albus could tell why. He did not know the full details but James told him that Alex was hard at work during their first couple of weeks of the summer taking care of Eric after Mark rejected it all in favor of staying with Aries. It must have offended Alex somewhat. Why Mark chose Aries over his best friends, his closest family members was beyond them all.

After five minutes of silent hugging and silently assuring each other that they were all ok, they disappeared, presumably up to their Common room and Albus turned to her, "What- what did you do that Alex, Eric and I could not?" Albus asked Aries, aware that he rarely ever talked to her.

Aries turned to him, her stormy grey eyes unrelenting as she stared daggers at him. "It isn't what you could not but what you did not do. I just happened to remind Mark that whatever he thought, he did not lose everything. He still has somebody who loves him."

"The twins and I love him"-

"It's hardly my fault that you made a very foul impression of that!" Aries said in such a condescending tone, Albus would have preferred her yelling at him.

"Oh, yeah? So, what did you do? Take advantage of his misery and offer him something you know full well he'd have never accepted had he been happier?" Albus shot back. He knew that Aries was under no delusions. Mark would have never stayed with Aries at her place if he was not so depressed. Aries took advantage of that. Albus did not know about the twins but she did not strike Albus as a kind girl or a considerate girl. And she's the Enchanter's Princess, he thought.

At first, Albus thought she would Jinx him. She certainly looked like she wanted to but she just stared at him, "Mark hates you. He wants nothing to do with you. You were dishonest with him and"-

"He doesn't hate me," Albus said quietly. "Besides, whatever I did, you would do the same thing so if anyone's being dishonest, it's you."

"Well, he still picked me," Aries said firmly. "And that's the reality. Nobody can make him decide who to like and hate so how he feels about you is for you two to work out, not me." Aries just shrugged and left, not looking back as she turned a corner.

For the next few days, Aries was silent. She did not seem as bothersome as she usually was when around company. She just spent time in the library, practicing spells which she always performed remarkably well for a girl her age. She was still a very headstrong girl and she still proved to be incredibly arrogant.

What mystified Albus for months to come was what Aries did the next day. They had coincidentally passed each other in the Entrance hall on the way to breakfast when she grabbed his arm tightly. Albus stopped, heart pounding. She had a firm grip and his heart started pounding. He could feel the power radiating off her, her touch sending something like an electric charge coursing through him. "Hold still, I need to do something."

Albus did as told, paralyzed for shock as she took her amulet off and put it around Albus' neck instead. Just as it was hung over his neck, it started tightening, the amulet pressing against his chest. "Erm… Aries…" He hoped Alexis would come down. He could not take Aries alone if the Amulet choked him. Slowly, it started burning against his chest and Albus made to turn when he discovered that he was paralyzed. He could not move as the amulet burned itself more and more until finally, Albus was bracing himself against the pain, sure that it would leave a mark.

Then, it stopped. The amulet automatically hung itself around Aries' neck once again and she seemed pleased, "Thank me later."

Albus, of course had no intention to thank her just yet. The burn had left a mark. Albus had, on his chest under his shirt, a mark with two swords crossing over each other. The insignia of the amulet. She hung back and stared, very pleased with herself as it faded until it was barely visible. Before Albus could ask anything, Mark and the twins came down the stairs next. Mark's return sparked not only emotional talks with the twins, but Aries shut herself up for the first time in what Albus guessed had to be years. "He did not love them this much when I was here nine years ago. What the hell changed?"

Albus did not bother answering her. Truth be told, Albus was not savvy to Mark's past, back when his parents were alive, back when he was happy. He could not answer Aries even if he wanted to. He made to walk to the Slytherin Common room when the Oak doors opened wide and in walked Professor Phoenix. Beside him was none other than Soto Lean.

The few in the entrance hall stared in surprise. There was only Mark, Aries, Albus and the twins. Even Scorpius was not there. Soto looked around with cold eyes, regarding everyone at least once, making each and every one of them feel very uncomfortable. It was only when he met Aries' eyes when he widened them and looked away. Aries put her hand up her sleeve where her wand was presumed to be. Albus could feel the tension in the room reach boiling point when Soto stared hard at Mark as if trying to see something that was not there.

"Are they all?" Soto asked softly.

"The rest are in the Common rooms," Phoenix said.

"Wait for me in your office, Headmaster," Soto told him softly. "I have a couple of words to speak to those children. Don't worry. I can't do anything to them. I'm bound, unfortunately."

Aries kept her hand up her sleeve. One quick movement and Soto would be disarmed. Albus wondered why she did not do it immediately. Soto stopped in front of Mark. Albus thought Mark might break again but he faced him up, folding his arms, waiting for whatever Soto wanted to say.

"Prior to his resignation," Soto said to Mark. "Mr. Potter has been investigating the matter of five Heirs for four years now. He had reason to believe that you had incredible ancestry, Mr. Wallader. I had reason. Now, why would that be, I wonder?"

Albus reached for his wand too. Soto was an ally, he had even heard rumor that he made an Unbreakable Vow with Phoenix to work primarily for the DA and Hogwarts until after exams were done. Nonetheless, Albus did not trust him. He did not care that Soto was a new ally. He did not care that Mark might still have held a grudge against Albus. If Soto tried breaking what little of Mark had been rebuilt, Albus would duel him then and there. And if he was capable, he would do to Soto what he did to Ridge and end it. He hated Soto.

"We know all five," Aries told him, her voice alone as strong as his. Soto turned to her but she held her ground. Albus knew but Aries did not. She had challenged Soto before when he went under the guise of Neal Soot. "If you don't know them, you're not meant to. Simple as that."

"It just so happens that I was trusted with that information," Soto said coolly to her. "It is a shame, however, that the Princess' identity still eludes me as she eludes the rest of the world. Still, I am no fool, Miss Kimble. I can make my guesses."

Yeah, Albus thought. Keep thinking that. At least Harry did not… or could not tell anyone else.

"However," Soto continued. "No one said five was the total number, now did they? No, there remains another. Two others and seven relics to find and do you want to know something, Mr. Wallader? You may have fooled the world but I do not remain convinced. You have lied, even thrown the Princess herself in front of you but I am still on to your game. You may take all the time you need to consider these words but if you do not come out with the truth before the school year is up, I do not need to tell you that your life will be made very miserable indeed." Just before Aries could pull her wand out, Soto turned to her next, "Where's your brother?"

Aries' wand was halfway out when she stopped, staring at him. "As if I'd"-

"He has something to reveal," Soto told her. "The second he does, let me know, will you? Or… I may not be able to duel you, but I will make you wish I can."

"Is that seriously the only way you do business?" Alex asked. "Threatening people?"

"Even your son does better business than you," Albus quipped.

Soto smirked, "My son warned you of something, did he not? He would have been clueless had it not been for me. Don't speak of things you know so little about, Mr. Potter."

Mark cleared his throat, voice sounding strong but Albus could sense the waver and uncertainty. "You've tried this before, Soto. I'm not trusting you this time. I'll never tell you anything if it costs me my life and once this allegiance you have with Potter is over, you're out of the game and that's a promise."

Soto laughed as he walked up the marble staircase. As Soto stepped on the first step, Scorpius and Rose came in from a side chamber leading to the dungeons. They stopped as the sight of Soto. Soto did not seem to pay them mind, however, and said, "We shall see, Mr. Wallader. I think you'll find I will be the one coming out on top in the very end of things. Consider my warning or you'll be left with none to blame but yourself when that time comes. Excuse me, Miss Ackerly, I have an appointment."

Soto walked up and Alexis stood, eyes wide on the stairs. Her quiet younger brother was beside her. How much had she heard? Soto continued walking up when he stopped, considered, and flicked his wand once. Envelopes soared out of his pockets and into the hands of Albus, Alexis, Scorpius, Rose, Mark, Alex, Eric, and Aries. The silence in the hall lasted a long time. Everyone was on the point of dueling him. He did not know about everyone else but the only reason Albus stayed put was because Soto was a teacher and was recently made Head of House, demoting Era for the second time in Albus' school career. He had the power to expel Albus if he wanted to and all for what? To try killing him? Albus was not sure he could manage that and even Aries seemed to be having second thoughts.

"Your exam results. For all of you, including you Miss Ackerly. My sources tell me you have been seeing Mr. Potter. It's nice, isn't it, Mr. Potter, knowing the weaknesses of your allies?"

With that final, indirect threat, Soto had left, probably to change back into his form of Professor Soot and meet the Headmaster. The allegiance with Soto was one of convenience but Albus swore to himself that as soon as Harry was done benefitting off of him, Soto would end up as dead as Ridge. The memory brought a pang to Albus' stomach. The last person who tried killing someone dear to him, Albus ended up killing him. He was not entirely sure he could bring himself to do it to Soto even if he did deserve it.

The entrance hall was silent. No one uttered a word. Albus knew he had to alert the Hogwarts Guard to Soot's identity as soon as possible though. Only he knew and the only people he shared it with were James, Alexis and Harry. Alexis gave Albus a look that demanded an explanation as soon as they were alone. Albus knew he would have to. Unfortunately, Alexis was spending the entire summer with her brother and most of the Guard was on holiday.

"Evil git," Aries sighed, stowing her wand back up her sleeve. "Ok, let's see what all you suckers got and then I'll open mine. Sound fair?"

Aries' words drove all else from their minds. OWL's. Their results had come. Albus' heart was beating frantically. His dream as a Curse-breaker was hanging in the balance. If he failed too many subjects, he'd be shunted to the side for another profession.

At Aries' suggestion, they opened their envelopes. Alex and Eric swapped theirs and opened each other's while Mark opened his, hands fumbling a little bit. Meanwhile, Alexis smiled and turned to Alexander, her brother, "Want to see what sort of grades your big sister gets?" she asked as she opened her envelope.

Albus was consciously aware that he was in a hall filled with overachievers. Alexis, Alex, Mark, Aries, and Rose got high grades to begin with. He knew he would be overshadowed. Only he, Eric and Scorpius were average. Or so Albus thought. He smirked at his grades, going through each down from the bottom up, glowing with pride the more he read.

Ordinary Wizarding Level Results

Pass Grades:

Outstanding (O)

Exceeds Expectations (E)

Acceptable (A)

Fail Grades:

Poor (P)

Dreadful (D)

Troll (T)

Albus Severus Potter has achieved:

Ancient Runes: Exceeds Expectations

Astronomy: Acceptable

Care of Magical Creatures: Outstanding

Charms: Outstanding

Defense Against the Dark Arts: Outstanding

Divination: Dreadful

Herbology: Exceeds Expectations

History of Magic: Poor

Muggle Studies: Acceptable

Potions: Exceeds Expectations

Transfiguration: Exceeds Expectations

Albus grinned widely. "Nine!" he said, making Alexis look up in interest and Aries also looked over from Mark's. "Nine OWL's! I'm in. I'm game."

Alex scoffed, "Pfft, I got ten!"

"Eight isn't that bad," Eric shrugged, staring at his grades.

Albus' only problem was that with an E on Herbology, Vulneroman would unlikely take him. Albus had failed. What would happen next? Vulneroman demanded 'O' students and Albus only made an 'E.' Well, that meant he would not be a Curse-breaker. Albus reflected for a bit on the look on Soot's face, or rather Soto's face when he saw that Albus picked the profession he himself had suggested. He felt sick at the thought. Without Herbology, let alone Arithmancy, he was not getting anywhere. His ambition had ended. He would need another consultation before deciding what to do.

As expected, Mark and Alex passed with flying colors. Mark had gotten an 'O' in all his subjects, except Divination, where he received an 'A' on and History of Magic which saw an E. Alex had gotten an 'O' even on Divination, but he got an abysmal grade on History of Magic. Rose had similar results but her Arithmancy grade was an 'O.' Eric on the other hand had gotten an 'E' on every subject except Divination which saw a 'T' and Muggle Studies which had a 'P'. He seemed all around pleased with his grades though and Albus was pleased that everyone were rather happy with what they had.

"Al, mate, I'm down, you?" Scorpius said from beside him.

Scorpius had gotten roughly the same results as Albus in them, except his Care of Magical Creatures was an Acceptable, History of Magic was a Dreadful, Divination was an Acceptable surprisingly, and his Transfiguration was Exceeds Expectations.

"Ten," Alexis said from Albus' other side. "Swap?"

"Well done, Alexis," Alexander said happily. "Is that good?"

"As good as I can get," Alexis shrugged as she handed hers to Albus.

Alexis did get 'O' and 'E' on everything except History of Magic which saw a 'T.' Alexis was not looking at Albus' results yet, though. She was still staring at her results in Albus' hands. "The 'O' subjects are the ones I will be most qualified to teach should I teach Advanced Subjects. See? Charms, Transfiguration, and Defense Against the Dark Arts. And an 'E' on everything else but History of Magic."

"Excellent," Albus said, heart welling up as he imagined Alexis teaching and tutoring. That was practically her life this summer when she stayed with her brother. Would he still be friends with Alexis when Hogwarts ended and they went their separate ways? He hoped so.

Aries finally opened hers and laughed at them all. It was almost demeaning. Albus and Alex rolled their eyes and even Alexis looked with distaste at her proud posture. Alex folded his arms, "So I suppose you got an 'O' on everything did you?"

"Twelve OWL's. Twelve! I got a hundred and twenty percent on Defense Against the Dark Arts and Arithmancy," she scoffed. "And that's someone who didn't take the same curricula in the States. Outstanding isn't good enough!"

"Well, for us mere mortals, that's all we could ask for," Eric shrugged.

"No, you just didn't work hard enough," she sniped back.

"Well, not everyone is as perfect as you," Alex said sarcastically. "We have other lives and we prefer keeping them."

Aries shrugged as if to say your funeral and said no more. She entwined her arm around Mark's and walked away. Mark threw the twins a final glance and even stole a look at Albus before rounding a corner. Albus supposed that was a good thing. Mark refused to look at him all last year. The fact he acknowledged Albus this year meant something, he supposed. Mark still looked torn up but at least he looked better. Albus wondered if he could not do anything else. Then, it struck him. Albus actually felt rather foolish for not thinking of it sooner.

Mark was bothered over Walter's death. Was it possible for Albus to borrow the Resurrection Stone ring from Seth and lend it to Mark, just for a day? Would that help him? He would be able to talk to his parents, Walter even, and Eric could have a final goodbye with Molly. He wondered if Seth even knew the ring's secret.

"Al," Alexis said from beside him again. Alexander had gone to explore the rest of the entrance hall. His eyes were wide and had a childish look of wonder to them. That left just them. "How did your exams go?"

"Great," Albus shrugged. You saw them, didn't you."

"Alexander was distracting me," Alexis said apologetically and she looked at his paper which she still had in her hands. She smiled, "Charms?"

"Outstanding, thanks to you," Albus said, looking at his grade. "You'll make a great teacher."

"What did Soto want?" she asked, finishing looking at his results and swapping it back for hers again. Albus did not answer immediately. Both of them just threw a final glance at their exam results. Herbology. Albus wondered.

"Do you think I'd be able to convince Vulneroman to take an E student?" Albus asked.

"What for? I thought he was lowering his standard," she said factually, making Albus look at her. She looked back, "You didn't hear? Usually, when teachers are hired, they keep the required grade as the previous teacher. Vulneroman raised the stakes and I thought I heard him telling Phoenix that he hardly had any students because of that. Phoenix suggested he lower the standard so we'll wait and see what happens. Anyways, what happened with Soto?"

Albus, of course explained everything without leaving a single detail out. Not this time. This was the second time Soto threatened someone close to Albus. First, he tried with Lily and now… now he threatened Alexis.

Miss Ackerly. My sources tell me you have been seeing Mr. Potter. It's nice, isn't it, Mr. Potter, knowing the weaknesses of your allies?

"Soto…" she sighed. "He really has to go, doesn't he?"

"Yeah, tell me about it," Albus grumbled. "He gets me really mad. How does he even get into Hogwarts like this?"

"He's an Heir, isn't he?" she asked suddenly.

Albus widened his eyes. He had never shared with Alexis the ancestry of Seth and his father. He was unable too. Seth had silenced him without Albus knowing. He opened his mouth to speak but his throat constricted again and he knew he would remain unable to. He hoped Alexis did not take his silence the wrong way. But she was smart. She continued staring calmly, "You're silenced? Wow, they are cruel. Ok, I'm going to ramble here. If I'm right, just smile ok? Nobody can stop you smiling. Since you seem to be silenced, I'm guessing it's because he is an Heir. He must be. That would explain why he feels the need to join my father. I wonder if that means the other Heirs are already involved. And because your girlfriend is so smart, she'll just guess that he is Slytherin's mystery Heir?"

Damn, Alexis is a genius, Albus thought. He smiled more to himself but she caught him. Seth might have silenced him but he could not stop him smiling. "I wonder how… could they really come from Voldemort? That's impossible. I could be wrong but I wouldn't be surprised if someone in that sociopathic family of theirs had an extramarital relation with someone and spawned those two little demons. Would that make sense? It could only be the Gaunts though. No one else has those urges. But Soto's too young to come from them, isn't he? Maybe we'll meet his father eventually. I wonder if that would be a good thing or a bad thing."

Alexis fell into thought and Albus just kept smiling. He might have been silenced but the fact that Alexis guessed all by herself meant so much. And no one could stop the outburst Albus gave, smile wide and face beaming at her. He was never so proud of her as he was that day, "Alexis… you're a frigging genius! You know that?"