The Rise of the White Dragon
Chapter 10: Sudden Revelation
The Dark Lord is like a Horcrux. And the only way to get rid of it is to rip it apart. But since the dark part is like a parasite, it cannot exist without the whole. Once it's ripped, it'll cease to exist. And it will be ripped once you kill a living being. Your soul is at the moment very unstable. The first thing it will rid itself of when ripped is the foreign part. If left to fester, it will grow, consume and destroy. You will inadvertently kill all those around you before burning out and dying yourself. You have been warned…
-Soto Lean
Albus hated them. He hated them both. The idea of killing anyone. That was Seth suggesting it. And talking like he knew about it all. Twelve years old and just like his father only in some ways, apparently worst. Talking openly about the darkest kind of magic. And Soto wanted to teach that sort at Hogwarts? At least Soto had some decency to let the hostages go. Seth was impassive, he cared nothing about anyone or anything. And he smirked. He smirked his way through it as he revealed to Albus what he had to do, enjoyed it as Albus was visibly shocked and disturbed. And he just shrugged and walked off without a backward glance, leaving Albus with what were now two notes from Soto.
And ever since then, his nights have been disturbed. He tossed and turned in bed, dreaming of a dark Albus Potter, an Albus Potter robed in black, facing him, killing, smiting those around him. It flashed and there he sat, atop a mountain of dead family and friends. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Rose, Lily, Hugo, Scorpius, Mark, Alex, Eric, Alexis… Alexis… A flash of green light burst in front of his eyelids and he started shaking, as if having a seizure. He screamed and a second later, he snapped awake, sweating profusely, shaking breathlessly as Scorpius stopped shaking him, giving up.
Albus took a bit to register what was happening. Walter was still, thankfully asleep but Riley was staring and Scorpius, for a wonder did not even look angry. He looked concerned. He bent down as Riley sighed and returned to bed. "Al, tell me honestly… are you ok? Only this has been going on since last year now."
Albus was on the verge of insisting he was but he looked into Scorpius' grey eyes, for once full of genuine concern. Albus knew he couldn't lie. Not this time. Albus sat up in bed and accepted a drink of water. He sighed as he pondered how much to tell him. Then, he slowly shook his head, "No," he said quietly, hoping Riley wouldn't hear. "No, I'm not ok."
Scorpius nodded, clearly surprised by Albus' honesty but he did not press for more. Maybe he learned his lesson on making Albus answer more than he wanted to or perhaps it was simply a mark of their friendship. "Alright. Well, if you want to come round my house this Christmas, you're taking Dreamless Sleep Potion cause I'm not living through this forever." That was the last they spoke that night. Albus mumbled an apology and received an inaudible yawn from Scorpius in return before both returned to sleep, this round a more peaceful sleep than the last. Was it because the sight of Scorpius' concern eased him or because sleep was done torturing him for one night, Albus did not know.
"Rosie, please, let me explain," Daniel could be heard imploring as Albus and Walter walked up from the dungeons to the Entrance hall.
"I really do not require explanations, Daniel," Rose waved aside. "Leave me alone."
"It was a prank, ok, Louis thought he'd get me back with this"-
"And I suppose he Imperiused you to kiss another girl," Rose suggested sarcastically just as Albus and Walter walked past. "Save your breath, Daniel. I'm not interested."
Albus felt Daniel walk past him to the doors to the Great hall when he heard Scorpius' voice from behind, "Hey, Rosie? Today is the Hogsmeade weekend, right?"
Albus stopped walking and Walter stopped with him as Rose answered warily, "Yes."
"Well… how about you let me show you how a real guy acts?" Scorpius said boldly. "Want to go with me?"
The question came so suddenly, Albus could almost sense Rose's surprise. Walter gaped open-mouthed at the floor and Rose was in mid-word "I"- when she seemed to reconsider whatever she was about to say. This ought to make Hugo's day, Albus thought to himself as he turned and dared himself to gaze Rose's reaction. Scorpius never told him that he was going to ask Rose out. Not that Albus cared much. He had a feeling this might happen since third year but it did honestly take them long enough, especially if Rose said yes.
"You mean… like, a date?" she asked slowly. "Like, just me and you, or with friends?"
"Just me and you," Scorpius said easily. So easily, Albus had to admire his bravery here. Then again, Scorpius had the guts to ask Laura out the year before. Surely this was just the second time around.
Slowly, Rose nodded and they walked off together to the Great Hall, Scorpius throwing Albus a happy look and Walter giving quick thumbs up. Scorpius asking Rose out; however, just reminded Albus of something. Something he knew he should have remembered the previous day but did not due to the many things on his mind. He was barely with Walter who was lamenting Scorpius' presence in Hogsmeade, knowing full well that Scorpius had not spent a day in Hogsmeade with friends for a whole year now.
"Should it just be me and you?" Walter asked. "Only Riley is staying behind to study and"-
"Mr. Mold," a familiar and unwelcome voice said from behind. A wave of cold washed over Albus as they turned and came face to face with Rojer Selwyn. For once, Rojer was not looking at Albus but at Walter and once again, gave Albus the urge to do something about him. Rojer held a slip out for Walter to take. "You'll find the Headmaster's signature on it. For attacking an authority figure, a lifetime ban from Hogsmeade has been imposed on you. You will join me in my office for detention instead." Albus could see from the corner of his eye Walter's devastated, crest-fallen face. Rojer seized Walter's hand and said, "You may dine with me today. We have issues enough to discuss. Potter, move along now or you face the same punishment."
He was evil, Albus thought. Rojer was evil. Albus could not help feeling sorry for Walter as he was forced to stay in school. Surely, surely once Rojer left the school, he would be allowed in Hogsmeade again? Of course, this also meant that he faced the prospect of a Hogsmeade weekend alone. Unless… his eyes scanned the Ravenclaw table until he found who he was searching for. He knew he would not feel nervous either. Surely she would say yes. She always did. They had their first date in third year and they were always comfortable around each other.
He passed the Gryffindor table on his way and his attention was so invested in the Ravenclaw table, he did not notice mutterings from fellow students, though he did overhear a snatch of argument between Mark and Aries. "I already told you I want to be with the twins this weekend."
"And I already told you that Hogsmeade is a weekend reserved for us," Aries said back.
"Says who?" Mark demanded.
"Eric has a date with Molly so there!"
But Albus kept moving, determined to tap her back and ask for a private word. That was when he noticed the mutterings. People were staring at him curiously, as if afraid he might hurt them. Some admiringly. He ignored it. "Alexis," he said in a normal voice once behind her. She jumped but seeing him, she smiled. Taking his appearance as request enough, she got up and walked with him off nearer the Gryffindor table but well out of earshot. Albus sighed and began, "Well, I meant to ask you yesterday"-
"No, you didn't," she said very calmly, a hint of a smile playing in her eyes.
Albus was flustered, "Yeah, erm… ok, I didn't cause I had a lot of homework to do"-
"Plus a lot of things on your mind"-
"Yeah"-
"Involving Rojer and Ridge and a couple of crappy Quidditch practices, poor thing," she said, a small smile on her lips now. She was enjoying this. He could tell. She was playing as hard to get as possible for her.
"Ok, ok, I forgot," Albus rectified.
"Until Scorpius asked Rose out," she volunteered.
"How did you"-
"Al, they walked into the hall holding hands and he's sitting at the Gryffindor table with her," she pointed as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. And Albus looked. A few seats down from where a red-faced Mark was sitting beside a triumphant looking Aries, Scorpius was indeed sitting beside Rose, unaware of a red-faced Daniel sitting several seats down.
Albus looked back at her smiling face, "You're really enjoying this, aren't you?"
"Oh, yeah." Albus was red now. He did not mean to blush but Alexis had a habit of bringing it out of him. And she said, "You're really cute when you blush, you know."
"Would you like to join me in Hogsmeade?" he blurt out before she could make him go any redder.
"I'll meet you in the Entrance hall," she said in response.
Thank you, he thought exasperatedly as he walked back to the Slytherin table. She made it much harder than it had to be, and that was with her answer already decided. He passed the Gryffindor table again, hearing a snatch of conversation, this time from Professor Soot. "Miss Kimble, would you elect to dine with me in Hogsmeade?"
Albus gaped open-mouthed to himself. "I'm sorry Professor, I have a date with Mark, my fiancée."
"Well, I only have a few questions for you and I don't mind asking with Mr. Wallader present," Soot offered. "I shall only take a half hour. Thank you, Miss. K- Mrs. Wallader."
Albus burst out laughing as he walked back to the Slytherin table and he could swear he saw Eric sharing the laugh where he was. Right after breakfast, he spied Alexis getting up and going to the Entrance hall. He crammed the last of the porridge into his mouth, washed it down with pumpkin juice and went out too. Students were getting ready for a Hogsmeade weekend and Albus was looking forward to it. At least, until James swooped in. "Need to talk to you Al. Three Broomsticks. We've got to plan our excursion into the for"-
"Can't," Albus interrupted. "Have a date. See ya."
As he walked the path to Hogsmeade with Alexis Ackerly, he was forced to notice everything about her. The way she walked, the simple grace, and her easy smile, those kind-looking eyes, and her dark brown hair which were once worn in pigtails but now in a ponytail at the back, and especially the look she always reserved for Albus himself. There was always one reason why Albus never felt uncomfortable talking to her even when Scorpius was hesitating with Rose. Because he could tell by the way she looked at him that however he felt towards her, she felt the same way. Her eyes mirrored his feelings. And he tried his very best to reflect those feelings back to her.
Their hands entwined, they entered the bustling street of Hogsmeade and looked around. "Where to?" she asked. "Honeydukes?"
"Sure."
"So, what's new? You looked sort of bothered yesterday and"-
"I'll tell you," he said quietly as they entered Honeydukes. Alexis spent some time picking out sweets for themselves and putting some aside for her brother at home. "What do you think of those? Cockroach clusters? Reckon a ten year-old would like them?"
"If he's anything like me, he'll love them," Albus commented easily, for once forgetting about Rojer and Seth.
"Taste is relative though," she responded. "Hmm, cockroach clusters… though I know he loved the Blood-flavored lollipop I gave him last summer."
"What is it with you and blood-flavored lollipops?" Albus asked, remembering the lollipop she gave him two years ago.
Alexis laughed as she picked out some licorice wands. "Still remember? Nothing behind it, Al. Just wanted"-
The door banged open and in walked James flanked by a sour-looking Daniel and Louis who kept shooting Daniel snide looks. When James caught his eye, he moved over and Albus determinedly looked at Fizzing Whizbees with Alexis. James' voice carried over behind them, "Hey, Al squared." Alexis went red but did not say anything. Just muttered "ignore him." The two went on to the chocolate frog section but James was persistent, "Albexis."
In spite of herself, Alexis just touched her forehead in exasperation, "Oh, dear God. Albexis?"
"Every couple needs a name," James shrugged.
"We're just here as friends"-
Though Alexis might have been saying that just to get James off their backs, Albus felt a pang in his stomach. "That's what they all say," James rolled his eyes. "How long have you been dating now?"
At this, both Albus and Alexis went red. She shared a look with Albus too, like she knew how he felt. He felt a sudden rush of affection towards her as she said in a low voice, "I don't think that's any of your business."
"Right, well, Al, here, give this to Seth, see how he reacts," James said hastily and stuffed what looked like a wand in Albus' hand. "Turns into a jelly snake and launches itself down the victim's throat. See ya."
They paid for their purchases and walked out into the cool air, both still a little red. Albus wanted to say something to her. Something to ease her, even though he himself was not at ease since James showed up. "Don't let him bother you," he said lowly, slowly regaining color. "He does that all the time."
He did not expect it but Alexis regained her color, nodded, and composed herself again and took Albus' hand. "Thanks, Al. Let's just sit in the Three Broomsticks. Sort of cold, aren't you?"
The Three Broomsticks was much warmer than outside, which had just started drizzling. Albus ordered themselves Butterbeer and after a lengthy argument about who would pay for both, they settled themselves down with Albus finally emerging triumphant. As Albus sat down, he looked around and saw Scorpius and Rose in another corner. Rose seemed to be doing most of the talking but Scorpius seemed to be paying close attention to her, drinking in her every word. He was about to move his eyes back to Alexis when she motioned her head towards another corner. Hugo and Fora Vulneroman were sitting alone, really secluded from everyone else, trading chocolate frog cards.
Alexis said, "Did I… ever tell you Walter asked me out?"
That tore Albus' eyes away from his cousin back to Alexis, his heart skipping a beat as his stomach sank. "He… did?"
"I turned him down, but yeah," she shrugged as if it hardly mattered. "Don't let it bother you. It was last year when we secluded ourselves from the whole school. Well, I turned him down because I was still wondering what was happening with you." She stopped, gazing Albus' reaction. "Are you mad at me?" she asked with a small smirk.
"Of course not," Albus said honestly. "I… had a crush on Laura last year myself but…"
"Oh, nice conversation starter, Al," she said happily with a mockingly impressed look.
"You brought up Walter!" Albus laughed.
"Why didn't you ever ask her out?" she asked curiously.
"Scorpius," Albus shrugged. "I didn't want a problem cause I knew he liked her…" Should he say her too? Should he emphasize how much she factored into his decision not to pursue anything with her? Albus stayed silent, not entirely sure how Alexis felt. Her words to James still haunted him. We're just here as friends. Then, before he could stop himself, he blurted out, "Something Walter failed to do I might add."
"To tell the truth, Walter is pretty clueless about us," she said simply. Albus' mind soared. His heart leapt. So, there was an 'us' to her? Did she know how happy she made him? How much she rectified just by that comment? She went on, "And I didn't tell him either cause honestly, if Scorpius and even your brother could figure it out by now, and he couldn't then… well…"
"He's pretty dense?"
"I won't say that," she said fairly. "He was pretty damn brave a few weeks ago."
They went silent at the memory. Albus still never asked Walter what changed. Why did he suddenly feel the need to jump up and rebel against an ideal he professed to support just the previous year? He saved Seth, someone Albus felt a twinge of pity for at the time. Before Seth played with his mind. Did Albus himself care about the issues between Rojer and Seth? Would it hurt him at all if Seth was expelled?
"And all over Soto," Albus recalled. "Has Soto been leaving you alone?"
"No," she said immediately. It was meant to be a simple question but now Albus realized that he had never talked to Alexis directly of Soto before. She was seriously telling him something personal. "He promised he would but he still is… just through his son. Actually, Seth gave me this." And she pulled from her pocket a chocolate frog card and a piece of parchment with a single sentence on it. Albus looked at the parchment first, shocked that Alexis was talking with Seth just as much as Seth talked with Albus. Albus' mind was whirring again. He absent-mindedly took the card but his head was running wild. Seth was talking to Alexis too? And she was Ravenclaw's descendant. How many other people was he talking with? He knew Gryffindor's heir, didn't he? And he knew Slytherin however impossible that may have been.
The Princess is a tough girl to find but this card may be of use to you if you desire to search for her. And remember, the Amulet can only be used safely by its rightful owner.
-Soto Lean
"When did he send you this?"Albus asked.
"The day after I offered you help," she said simply. "Know what that means?"
"Seth is feeding him information," Albus said. "And he's spying on us somehow. Maybe he has an Invisibility cloak?"
"I wouldn't be surprised," she said seriously as Albus looked down at the Chocolate Frog card and read.
Merlin- Medieval- dates unknown.
Most famous wizard of all time. Sometimes known as the Prince of Enchanters. Part of the Court of King Arthur, Merlin earned renown when he attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and was among the first students in the school, let alone the most prized student Slytherin house had to offer. He earned his titles following his duels with Morgan le Fay, his enemy and his King's half-sister. Merlin is known to have enchanted two objects, only one of which to this day still exists, whereabouts unknown.
Albus gasped, making Alexis jump. He looked around, making sure nobody was overhearing and cast "Muffliato!"
Alexis looked alert and Albus, heart pumping with excitement said, "I know! We can find the Princess! He gave us the clues! I can't believe he… but he didn't want us to put this together."
"What're you"-
"See?" Albus pointed to Merlin's card. "Prince of the Enchanters. Prince of the Enchanters." He wanted her to get it too. He willed her to get it. He knew she could.
It took five seconds but then her eyes widened, brightened, she looked at Albus as if in a new light and he felt very proud of himself. "Oooooooh. Al… you are a genius. You… how'd you… oh, Merlin's pants!"
"We were never supposed to figure this out. Soto was keeping us apart. That's why he had Seth talk to each of us in"-
"But then why give us separate information," she challenged. "If he'd wanted us to be of no help to each other, that would suggest he knows who it is in which case he would've freed your father by now plus he'd have given us the same information. No… he… oh, he is a twisted, cruel man."
The two were feeling so hyped up. Albus stared, willing himself to learn more. But Alexis was pouring out words endlessly, singing praises for Albus' mindset that day and how genius he was, even under stress. "And the Amulet. What on earth? The Amulet can only be used safely by his Heir and his Heir is apparently a girl. So, whoever uses it… But we don't know where it is…"
But Albus did. And as they finished their Butterbeer and went outside, as Alexis grabbed hold of him and kissed him hard on the mouth, Albus knew exactly what his next move would be. And he never would've thought of it without Alexis. But now… now he would need James. Definitely. He would need James to find the right person to at least recognize the Amulet.
But first, Albus had a Quidditch game to win…