As Piper conducted more research into the founding sorcerers there was nothing much more anyone could do that ensure that the castle was secure and rather frustratingly watch the news of more disappearances and unexplained destruction come in. Although Aerrow continued to view a few more of Cyclonis's memories, none of them seemed to be helpful. After finishing one of these memories he decided to ask Dumbledore if he knew anything about the founders of Hogwarts.
"I though you might came across them eventually, the four founders were Griffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin" Dumbledore explained.
"Piper, seems to think that their artificers could be potential horcruexs" Aerrow inquired.
"Well, the artifices do exist, there in fact there is Griffindor's" Dumbledore indicated to a corner of his office's wall where previously unseen was a silver sword decorated with what looked like large rubies embedded into the hilt. "Although I doubt it is a horcruex as it has not left the office in years.
"What about the other objects?" Aerrow asked. Dumbledore answered by pulling out the locket and the ring.
"These were Slytherin's, I already found the locket destroyed and the ring did this to me" He said, indicating his and again. "As horcruexs.." He began as Aerrow picked up the ring. What happened next was a shock. The moment Aerrow touched the cold metal of the ring he saw a number of odd things, one was a striking snake and then images of Cyclonis he'd seen in the memories. When they stopped he saw Dumbledore looking concerned, a burning from his scar on his arm made him glance at it. "...leave trails of dark magic" Dumbledore finished what he was saying as they both saw the ring which was spinning on its own lay still once more on the desk.
"What was that?" Aerrow asked.
"It is what I feared" Dumbledore said almost to himself.
"What" Aerrow insisting on knowing.
"When Cyclonis returned to power and took some of your blood I believe that it formed a, a connection, that may connect your minds" Dumbledore said gravely. Aerrow sat there for a while in silence. The flashbacks and odd dreams were starting to make sense.
"Could, this connection allow me to see into her mind" Aerrow asked, dwelling on the Ministry's corridor.
"It's potential but there is also the risk of her attacking your mind, it is a magic known as Legilimency, so it is advised that you do not actively try to use this connection" Dumbledore warned.
Aerrow left the office soon after, it was late and snow had fallen recently, Winter's eve was drawing close and the castle had been festively decorated. Dwelling on what he'd been told Aerrow was barely aware of where he was walking. He soon came to a quiet corridor the ran around the edge of a courtyard with the large lake visible through large open balconies on the other side. Taking a seat on one of the benches under one of the archways and looking out at the clear, peaceful night he was unaware of someone approaching.
"Aerrow?" The voice asked, turning he saw it was Starling, holding a torch and and wearing a look of worry on her face. "What's wrong?" She asked, seeing his worried expression.
"Nothing just finished with Dumbledore, what are you doing up?" Aerrow said trying to sound casual among his worries. She didn't buy it, he could tell.
"I'm out on patrol, but I've known you too long to tell when some things up, what is it?" She asked sitting down besides him. Aerrow drew a breath, he couldn't hid it from her, out of everyone close to him she was probably the only one he could confide in with getting back all the worries of what he was already feeling, she would just accept it and try to find a solution. He told her all Dumbledore had just told him. As he expected her worry grew but instead of going over it she just took the information in. He then also told her about the Ministry's corridor he'd been seeing, something he'd not shared with anyone. "Do you think, she maybe trying to get in there?" She asked. Aerrow could only shrug.
"Maybe but I don't even know what's behind it, I mean Cyclonis is so..." He began.
"Mad, Evil, Unpredictable" Starling finished with a small smile. Aerrow looked at her and smiled back a little.
"Seeing her though, as a kid and our age I, kinda feel sorry for her" He said. Starling looked a little surprised.
"Why?" She asked.
"Well, she was abandoned all her life, she's never had anyone, I just think that if she'd had someone, well, someone like, you to, I don't think she would have turned out like she has" He finished looking at back at her. She was smiling and looking back with a happy but considering look as she broke her gaze to stare out across the lake.
"It's so peaceful tonight, you wouldn't think there so much destruction happening right now" She said almost sadly. "But if there's a war coming, this and everyone here is worth fighting for" She said determined still staring across the still lake. Aerrow looked at her for a moment, she had always been so confident and determined from the day he'd met her, she'd changed little since then but she'd also become much more than an ally as she'd first been, it was like she was part of the team.
"I think that's where we'll win" He said, causing her to look back at him. "Because we have something worth fighting for" He said. He suddenly felt a drop of water on his head, Starling felt it too. Looking up the saw it had begun to snow again.
"This reminds me of last winter, the Yule ball do you remember?" She asked. Aerrow nodded, he recalled how beautiful she'd looked, and the dreaded dancing of course, she even had her hair the same tonight as it had been then. She was the same.
"Course I remember it was.." He trailed off as he saw her look up, to the roof of the arch, following her gaze he saw, of all things a branch of mistletoe hanging above them. Looking down at the same time and at each other, there was a moment of understanding and a connection pass between them.
"Mistletoe" Was all Starling could say as they both leaned in, and kissed underneath the falling snow and Mistletoe.