Last Stand

The fog of the previous two days finally dissipated in the early hours of the morning as Harry made another loop around the camp. It had been quiet. Too quiet. Harry was certain some of the shadows would at least begin to form again. He took a deep breath, looking up in the trees.

"Dad!" Abby screamed.

Harry turned, running back towards the camp, expecting another animal attack or a shadow, or something else, but Abby sat shuffling through the blankets.

"Callie's gone!" she choked out. Lorcan was already on his feet, though the lack of sleep was showing in the length of time it took him to react.

The others all stirred as Harry and Lorcan strode to where Abigail clutched the blanket, noticing the blackened spots on the fabric. Lorcan snatched it up reading, his breathing becoming heavy.

I will be safe and so will everyone else. I don't want anyone to be hurt.

Imogen moved over to Abigail, kneeling beside her and wrapping her up in her arms. Imogen stroked her hair as Abigail wiped away tears.

"Why would she leave?" Lorcan asked, his eyes scanning the words over and over again.

"Who saw her last?" Harry asked the group at large instead. "Abby?"

"She was here," Abigail started, breaking for breathy sobs, "when I went to sleep."

"Lorcan?" Harry asked.

"I checked on her and Abby at the end of my watch," Lorcan said.

Harry's gut lurched immediately. This happened while he was supposed to keep an eye on the camp. Only he had been looking for outside threats, not on the camp itself.

"She went with Murdren," Isabella said. Harry looked over to her, Furina awake and circling her feet.

"Murdren?" Harry asked.

"How's that possible?" Abby countered. "He's dead. He's from the past."

"Wait, who's Murdren?" Scorpius asked.

"Murdren is leading those that tried to stop us," Isabella said. "He was the one that tried to get Callie when Grandad stopped him. And now he's taken her. Or convinced her to go with him."

Harry stared at Isabella—the girl who hardly spoke two words in class. She wasn't social and she mostly kept to herself. Harry knew her and Callie spent time with one another, which didn't entirely make sense to him. He had just been glad Callie had someone, the way his other grandchildren all managed to have friends they spent time with. But here, in the midst of crisis, she was direct and certain.

"What does she mean by not wanting anyone hurt?" Lorcan asked.

"She said something to me about feeling like she might be to blame for the earthquake," Harry replied.

"How could she be blamed for that?" Imogen asked.

"That's not what she meant," Isabella said forcefully. "She meant it happened because of her!"

"Well that's stupid," Malus replied. "She couldn't have started an earthquake."

"That's not what I said, you toerag," Isabella sneered at her brother. "The earthquake, the shadows… they were trying to keep her here and now they have!"

Everyone was silent as the concept sunk in. Harry looked at Imogen. She gave a half shrug. Why not? the gesture suggested. There had been more impossible things back home, hadn't there been? Isabella was clearly agitated, her hands balled into fists as she continued to stare down Malus.

Harry talked gently as he continued. "Even if that's—"

"If?!" Isabella shrieked, her eyes back on him. "That's exactly what happened!"

"Isabella, there's no reason to start yelling," Scorpius reprimanded, reaching out for her arm. She pulled it from him, dark hair bouncing as she stepped back.

"None of you listen, do you?!" she continued. "She tells you everything and none of you listen! You never have!"

"We just didn't know what it meant," Abigail defended the lot of them.

"So why didn't you ask?" Isabella spat at her. "You wouldn't listen when she tried to tell you what she saw with Malus and that it wasn't his fault! You told her to go away! Well, now she has!"

Harry looked over to Abigail, not certain what Isabella meant, but her cheeks flushed pink as she looked down, ashamed. Isabella's gaze didn't break as her bottom lip trembled. She bent down, picking Furina up at her feet and turned around, walking away from them.

"Callie!" she shouted into the trees. "Come back, Callie!"

Harry stared after her as Scorpius turned to join his daughter, staying close to her. They never seemed to get it right. Harry thought after how he was handled in school, he would be far more prepared than most to deal with teenagers. With his own children, he was given a rude awakening on that matter. Then, as his grandchildren grew, he thought he had figured some things out. He was wrong. They were all wrong.

Abigail bent over, wrapping her arms around her legs as she cried. Imogen rubbed her back. Lorcan dropped the blanket, moving over to his own bedding, folding and rolling it up.

"Come on, let's pack quickly," Harry said to the others. "We'll spread out. We'll find her."

The shadow guided Callie to the entrance of her place. The place the world had made just for her. It could go no farther, as the new, fresh ground glowed—pure and untouched. Callie didn't need to be told what was expected of her now, though. She walked on by herself, into the beautiful garden. The flowers opened a little wider as she passed, showing off full blooms. Callie ran her fingers along the bark of a tree. A branch curved down, presenting her with a bright red fruit. She forced a smile of thanks as she plucked it from the branch, eating it before moving forward.

In the center of the trees was a room. The bed looked vaguely like her own back home, but was made of vines and bramble, the leaves were a coating where a blanket should have been. There was a desk of rocks as well, sitting where it might in her and Cara's room. It was like the world sought her memories to build a place for her. Which, Callie realized, is exactly what it had done.

Callie walked to the bed, sitting on the edge, then fell back, looking up at the sky rather than a popcorn textured ceiling. She couldn't bring herself to be happy. She would never see any of them again. Her sisters. Her parents. Her grandparents. Isabella. Callie wished she could have left better messages for each of them, but she could satisfy herself with the idea that they wouldn't be hurt. Yes, that was enough.

Callie adjusted herself on the bed. The leaves were softer than they looked. Several vines grew to cover her and Callie closed her eyes, letting tears fall.

She wondered how long it would be before they gave up. They wouldn't find her without help. A lot of help. Her help. And she wasn't going to give them that. She looked high into a tree, seeing a large yellow fruit. She concentrated and branches moved, twisting and growing until the fruit was within reach.

"Thank you," Callie said, plucking it from its place. She laid back out again, this time holding the fruit to her chest. This place would take care of her. Maybe at some point she could go back and get some of the books from the palace to keep herself busy. She could learn their writing, the way Serena had been learning it, and figure out more about this place. She would know more about their particular magic. She would learn about their history—at least any of the history that she hadn't seen already. Callie wondered if there was any way to bring others here, eventually. If nothing else, she would have all the creatures to learn and get to know.

Mum might be upset for a bit. Dad too. But then they would realize that her seeing was too great a burden. Cara wouldn't be embarrassed anymore. Abigail could feel however she wanted to about Malus without Callie making it worse. Callie started thinking of Grandma and Grandpa Scamander, and Uncle Albus and Aunt Emmy and Ivy and Harriet and … she stopped herself.

She curled up, closing her eyes and pushing all of them from her mind. It was only a matter of time before they were upset with her like Dad or Abigail. Even them, the kindest people Callie knew, had grown tired of her and her ability to see. It was only a matter of time before Callie made the rest of them mad in turn. And it was better to be sad now and never see that than it was to go back and wait for it to happen.

"Callie," a voice said.

She sat bolt upright, her fingers sinking into the weaved vines as she looked to where the voice had come from. There wasn't anyone there. No one she could see. Not in the literal sense at least.

"Ethela?" Callie asked. She waited, silence settling over the place.

"Hello, Callie," Ethela responded. "I must say, I'm surprised you ended up here. My people were trying very hard to keep that from happening."

"It was my choice," Callie said quietly.

"Was it?" Ethela asked. Callie didn't reply. "When one feels they have no choice, how is it they can choose?"

Callie didn't say anything. A glow of light gathered together near the nature-made dresser, forming not quite a figure, but more a floating conglomeration of little bits of light—not unlike millions of fireflies coming together. "You aren't like the shadows."

"No, I am not," Ethela replied. "Murdren's curse made them dormant, waiting to have a half-existence if this world were ever revived."

"And your people too?"

"Yes."

"Why not you?" Callie asked.

The light lifted and fell, giving Callie the distinct impression of a sigh. "I never was like the others," Ethela confessed. "I knew that if Aspesh had attempted to save his parents, he would be killed and Murdren would have what he so desperately wanted. I'm sure you can guess how I knew."

Callie perked up. "You could see?"

"Yes," Ethela confirmed. "And I could manage other forms of magic that allowed me to separate myself from their fate."

"But then… you should have been able to keep the world alive."

"This world has always warred with itself, Callie. Even now, the earth itself is indecisive on its intent for you to stay or have your freedom. There was a time I had some influence here, but that time is gone."

"Well, then it's up to me to keep it alive."

"No," Ethela said. "Each of us has a certain amount of time and we only have that time to work with. This realm had its time and it is gone. You should not sacrifice your own for this place."

Callie thought through this argument. "I can't make use of my time back there," Callie replied quietly.

The little lights twisted and reformed, taking a more distinct shape as they glowed brighter. Callie stood, entranced as the figure grew to her height and molded into a mirror image of herself.

"Cal?"

No, not herself. "Cara?" Callie asked.

"Oh, Callie!"

Callie tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. "Is that really you?"

The lights flickered and moved, Cara's form coming together and apart at a steady rate. "Yes, it's me!" Cara said. The light figure wasn't looking directly at her and Callie wondered what Cara could see from back home. If anything.

"How—"

"I've been trying to sense you," Cara said. Tears edged her words. "Callie, is everyone okay?"

Callie swallowed. "Isabella's grandpa died," Callie said. "Everyone else will be fine. They will be back soon."

"They?" Cara asked. The light figure tilted its head.

"I have to stay," Callie said, tears rising again.

"No," Cara said emphatically. "No, you can't…"

"I'm just in everyone's way back there," Callie voiced what she had been thinking. If anyone knew it was true, it was Cara.

"No you aren't," Cara disagreed. "We were the ones that were wrong. I was wrong. Callie, you have to come home."

"Dad knows I can see things and he's upset about it," Callie argued. "I can't stop it."

"Dad was upset with himself," Cara explained. "And he was scared."

"Scared?"

"That someone might use you for your sight. That he wasn't able to protect you."

Callie took this in. Cara rarely explained the things she could feel. She never used her own gift, or at least she didn't share it. "Why are you telling me?" she asked.

"Because I need you back," Cara said. Her voice became strained. "We all need you. We wouldn't be us without you."

"Even when I make you mad?" Callie asked.

"Especially when you make me mad," Cara answered. "Cheyenne has given me terrible advice this year, Callie. And if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have anyone talking sense to me. I blamed you for embarrassing me, but the truth is I had embarrassed myself."

Callie swallowed, turning the fruit in her hand. "I still can't stop seeing."

"You don't have to stop seeing," Cara said.

"But—"

"Come home," Cara interrupted her. "Come home and we'll figure it out together."

The lights were moving away, the figure that made up Cara was breaking apart and flickering out. "Please, come home," Cara said. Then she was gone. Ethela was gone. Somehow, Callie knew it was the last thing Ethela would do. It was the last thing Ethela had saved her energy for. And Callie couldn't let that go to waste.

The sun had long since risen as Andreas and Serena made it to the base of the mountain. The clouds were still overhead and they were drenched, but they were safe and finally—finally—to the base of the mountains. Andreas pulled the reins and Shadow stopped.

"You alright?" Andreas asked. It was the first thing either of them had said in over an hour.

"Fine," Serena breathed. Andreas nudged Shadow with his heels.

Andreas moved his hand, placing it over Serena's at his waist, running his finger back and forth across her skin. They were both hungry, wet, and exhausted. He looked around the rocky terrain, not liking how many places people or animals could be hiding. He didn't like that Serena was on edge or that every time he saw her move or adjust herself, she did so cautiously, often with a subtle groan she tried to hide. He didn't like that he couldn't seem to keep her out of harm's way.

Andreas thought of his dad. For at least the last year, Andreas had been annoyed at every question about future plans. He was irritated by every suggestion by his dad that there might be some greater calling Andreas was supposed to attain. It all had the underlying message that Andreas needed to be more like him. And now—as Serena sighed behind him, bruised and beat up by the last day and a half—Andreas wished he was more like his dad. His dad wouldn't have let his mum get hurt. He wouldn't have taken his mum for granted, the way Andreas had with Serena for far too long. The two of them had been with one another since Hogwarts and Andreas wished he had things figured out the way his dad had at his age.

"Andy," Serena whispered, pulling him from his thoughts.

"What?" he asked, turning his head towards her.

"Do you see that?" she asked, nodding in the direction her eyes were facing, up a hill to their left.

At the edge of the peak was another shadow. It was smaller than the armored men they had faced the night before. He was waving an arm at them. Or at least Andreas thought that's what he was doing. The edges of the limb blurred as though the smokey substance couldn't keep up with the movement.

"What do we do?" Serena said.

"I think that's a good one," Andreas whispered back.

"How do you know if any of them are good?"

"Because there were some that lead me to you," Andreas said. He had nearly forgotten that Serena hadn't seen any of these shadows actually help them. He turned Shadow and they moved up the hill. Once at the top, other figures came and left, leading them down, in and out, around a bend, and past a stream.

Andreas never would have thought to come this direction. A path lead downward, into a dark hole in the ground. Andreas swallowed as Serena held tighter around him. The space narrowed steadily inside.

"Let's walk," Serena suggested quietly first. She dropped down to the ground, pulled out the wand and provided light as Andreas joined her, adjusting the reins forward. Shadow huffed as they kept going.

Without further guidance, Andreas could only assume the way was obvious at this point. Serena was about to lead the way, but Andreas put an arm in front of her, staying a step ahead. Shadow grew antsy as the tunnel narrowed a little more. The light casting ahead of them showed their exit into darkness. Andreas turned, calming Shadow, whispering a direction to stay. He turned to Serena. "You stay with Shadow," he instructed.

"No," she replied, incredulous. "You're not going in there alone."

"Serena, if there's something dangerous—"

"We'll face it together," Serena cut him off, brows knit, face set. "It was one thing when we had your cousin and Isabella. Someone had to stay with them. Now it's just us. And we're in it together."

Andreas licked his lips, wrapping a hand around Serena's neck. "Okay," he said quietly.

Andreas ran his finger along her cheek, then dropped his hand from Serena and moved towards whatever was inside. Serena breathed deeply, the light from the wand falling on the corridor into another cave-like space.

"There's torches," Serena noted, pointing towards their left on the wall where there was a sconce attached. She turned out the light then muttered a spell. Little balls of flames bounced around the room, lighting one torch at a time until the space was entirely illuminated. There were tile floors and a large iron chandelier in a the center of what was almost a room, if it weren't for the walls carved roughly out of stone. There were several niches around and in front of each was a shadow, fully armed. swords pointed towards the ground.

Andreas held both hands up at the sight. One, much taller and more imposing than the rest, parted through them, both hands on the hilt of his sword.

"Andreas," Serena breathed, her voice trembling.

Andreas looked at the figure with a helmet covering any humane features. He didn't need Callie here to explain this one. He didn't need her to tell him this was Murdren.

"Callie!"

"Cal? Callie where are you?"

"Callie!"

Abigail and Isabella took turns calling her name. They stayed mostly in a single formation. Scorpius kept close to his daughter on the far right, Lorcan next, then Malus and Abigail, and finally Harry and Imogen. They were all in each other's sight. Harry noticed Abigail letting Malus walk closer to her than she had their entire time here so far.

The fog slowly returned in a light mist, giving a sheer veil to the landscape. Callie and Andreas… he wouldn't leave, couldn't leave, without them. And Harry wasn't going to ask Malus for the portal back, which meant convincing either Lorcan or Imogen that he needed to stay behind. Lorcan might be convinced if he had to take Abigail. Imogen… that would be a harder sell.

Harry stepped over a fallen log, looking up as the trees ruffled. He pointed his wand up. It wasn't wind doing that. Yet there weren't any of those creatures either.

"Did you see something?" Imogen whispered, looking upward as well.

Harry watched the leaves continue to ripple, moving towards his left. If there was something in the canopy, it would have to be large. And he wondered how something that large could make so much movement, but not cause any noise.

"Wait here a minute," Harry said, following along, looking at the zigzagging of leaves and branches. He climbed up some rocks, dropping down to a lower level.

"Dad?" Imogen said. He looked back. She was on her toes, barely in sight.

"Just wait," he repeated, then continued pushing through thick layers of vines. He squinted, pushing aside a curtain of leaves and stopped.

Callie walked through the fog, straps of various satchels crisscrossing the medieval dress she had picked out at the palace. With her bush of wild hair pushed around by the breeze, she stopped, looking unblinkingly at Harry, eyes round and coated in tears. Harry moved forward cautiously and Callie didn't look away. "Grandpa..."

"Yes?" he asked.

Callie threw herself around his neck, hanging there with her toes barely touching the ground as Harry stayed stooped down. He held her, closing his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Grandpa," Callie whispered.

Harry tightened his hold. "You have nothing to be sorry about."

"You found her!" Imogen said breathlessly behind them. She turned back the way they had come. "Over here! Callie's here!"

Harry didn't let go of Callie until Lorcan arrived and pulled her from his arms, holding her and whispering a million apologies into her ear.

"I didn't mean to scare you, Dad," Callie replied.

She was soon surrounded, Abigail on one side, Imogen on the other, Lorcan still holding her to him, promising they would listen to her from now on. When Isabella arrived she hugged Callie, slugged her arm, then hugged her again. "Don't do that again!" Isabella demanded and Callie just smiled.

"We need to go," Callie said. "There's a faster way."

Everyone followed Callie quietly and quickly. She was diligent as she walked, stopping every now and then at a vista only to take unexpected paths. They continued for several hours and when Imogen suggested they stop to eat, Callie shook her head.

"We're almost there," Callie said.

Another twenty minutes and the ground softened. With each step there was a little bounce.

"Isn't this it?" Imogen asked.

Callie stopped in her tracks looking around.

"What is it Callie?" Isabella asked.

She examined the ground, her brow knit. Harry held onto his wand, waiting. Lorcan put an arm around Abigail and Scorpius put a hand on Isabella's shoulder. They were all looking for something to show up—shadow soldiers or some new animal. Harry was looking at Malus, whose eyes were still on Callie. Just as he turned back to her, Callie's eyes widened and she turned, yanking his hand. "MOVE!" she shouted as the ground rocked back and forth, moving violently as it had when they lost Serena and Andreas.

Harry wrapped his hand around Callie's, following her lead and pushing Imogen back with his other arm. He turned, seeing the others moving onto more solid ground on the other side of a large gap between them. Harry accounted for the rest of them in his mind as he looked —Lorcan, Abby, and the Malfoys on the one side, Imogen, Callie, and him on the other.

"Callie, what now?" Harry asked her.

She looked across at the others. "We can use them here," she nodded, not tearing her attention away from them. "The ground is going to keep breaking up if it can."

"Okay, let's get a move on then," Harry said.

He kept his wand down by his side, moving as close to the edge of their side of gap as he dared. They weren't close enough to get together again and mostly it wasn't an issue. "Lorcan, I need your portal," Harry instructed. "Use one of the others to go home."

"But—"

"You take Abigail and the others and we will meet you," Harry said.

"Then why do you need another portal?" Scorpius asked.

Harry swallowed. "I'm staying until I get Andreas and Serena," he shouted back. Imogen wasn't going to like it, but it wasn't something he was springing on her either. He knew there was another battle to be had with her, but first he needed his own way to get back.

"We're too far," Lorcan said, though he dug through his pocket. "Summoning can damage it."

"I can see you," Harry said. "I'll levitate it carefully."

Lorcan nodded, pulling his closed fist from his pocket as Scorpius got out another, opening the portal on their side. "See you back home," he said, holding his palm open, the little marble like object sitting on top.

As soon as Harry had the portal under his wand's control, Lorcan turned and followed the Malfoys with Abigail to the other side as the object floated along towards Harry. He wondered why it seemed to struggle against his spell, but held on. When it was close enough he lowered his wand so he could reach out to take it. Instead, the portal zoomed suddenly passed him, right across his nose. Harry turned, watching as Imogen caught the portal in her hand, a stony expression in place of her usually kind features.

"Imogen?" Harry asked.

Without responding, she threw the portal with one hand, activating it with the other. The wind began to pull leaves and twigs from around them through. Harry raised his wand but not fast enough. One flick of Imogen's wrist and he was suspended midair, his arm pushed back, wrist in place so that his wand was pointed skyward.

"Imogen, don't!" Harry yelled.

"Sorry, Dad," Imogen said. "Tell James I'll be back when I have our son."

Harry tried to yell again, but the ensuing expletive was lost in the suction of the portal as Imogen pushed him through. He tucked his body as he landed in the snow on the ground at the Malfoy manor. Bare hedges surrounded them and Harry pushed himself up, his side aching from Imogen's magic grasping him. Harry didn't notice Lorcan until his son-in-law was helping him to his feet.

"Where's Callie?" Lorcan asked. "And Imogen? Harry?"

Harry just shook his head, looking at the tapering portal in front of him. He swallowed.

Callie stood back watching as Grandpa and Aunt Imogen argued. She knew when Aunt Imogen had decided what she was going to do it was over. Grandpa hadn't stood a chance. He had assumed he should talk to her first; try and convince her. Aunt Imogen didn't care to talk. Still, she took steadying breaths after she sent Grandpa back, looking uncertain that she had actually managed it. Aunt Imogen turned around.

"Go on Callie," Imogen said, holding onto her arm. Callie resisted. Aunt Imogen raised a hand.

"If I go you'll die!" Callie shouted quickly. Imogen stopped, blinking at her.

"What?" Imogen asked, eyes wide.

"This place won't keep living if I don't stay," Callie explained calmly. "I can't go."

The repercussions of this information struck Aunt Imogen like a bolt of lightning as her face fell, distress pressing into every inch of skin. The ground tumbled again and Imogen pulled Callie into her as the second portal closed. They had one more. The one in Aunt Imogen's pocket.

When the world stilled again, Callie turned around. Imogen was shaking her head back and forth looking around. She pulled the portal from her pocket, staring at it, torn. If Aunt Imogen kept her here, it would mean risking Callie's safety. If Aunt Imogen took her and left, it would mean sealing her own son's fate.

But Callie saw their hope clear and certain. She reached up, holding Aunt Imogen's face between her hands. "They're coming," she said, smiling assuredly. "Just wait."

With a deafening shout, the armored shadows advanced on Andreas and Serena. They stood shoulder to shoulder against the wall, casting jinxes and getting rid of one after another. Swords clashed with curses as Andreas inched forward to the right. There he saw Aspesh's prison, a glowing aura set into the niche on the other side of Murdren. The onslaught was never ending, the figures coming through the other dark entryways, emerging from the earth itself.

Serena screamed and Andreas turned. Two shadows had her by the arms, pressing her into the wall. A hand wrapped around her neck as she writhed and kicked.

Without thinking, Andreas reached across for the hilt of his sword. As he pulled it up and out, it struck one shadow, the edge slicing it into oblivion. He swung right, easily slicing through three more. He pushed through the crowd of shadows until with a thrust he dissipated the figure holding Serena in place. She gasped for air as he rid the second before it could turn to defend itself. Serena dropped to the ground, Andreas turning to guard her as new shadows replaced the old.

"Stand down," Murdren's low, rumbling voice echoed in the space.

Andreas stood his ground raising the sword and adjusted both hands on the hilt. The other soldiers lined the walls and Serena stood up behind him.

"Get Shadow," Andreas said quietly.

"Andreas—"

"Get Shadow," he repeated himself, slowly, certainly.

Serena moved behind him towards their right, moving to the corridor they had entered through. Murdren swung his sword by the wrist, warming up before moving forward and angling it downward. Andreas raised his own sword, the shock of the hit reverberating through his aching muscles. He blocked one swing after another, stumbling backwards. Andreas tried to move around Murdren, but he was just being directed farther in the opposite direction.

Andreas was shoved by hands from behind, stumbling onto his knees. A flash of Murdren's sword moved and Andreas raised his own, struggling to hold it as it was crossed with nearly too much force to bear.

"Like Aspesh indeed!" Murdren laughed. "Weak… incompetent."

Murdren raised his sword again. Andreas fell to his back, pressing the broad side of the sword above his chest, one hand still on the hilt, the other on the blade. Murdren's black weapon pounded against his again. Andreas gritted his teeth.

"And now, you will suffer the same fate as that silver-spooned excuse for a prince," Murdren said. With his free hand, Murdren raised a dagger. The dagger that had trapped Aspesh.

Andreas rolled, the sword clanking on the ground where he had been a moment before. He dodged the second blade, reaching a hand towards the lighted area of the wall before Murdren could recover. He could feel the solidity of something holding Aspesh's being back. Andreas curled his fingers around it and yanked with his casting as hard as he could.

Andreas looked back up. Murdren held the sword up and was swinging down towards him. Andreas held his hands straight up, trying to find something inside of him to stop the force of the blow, thinking only of Serena as he closed his eyes, feeling this was it. His last breath. His last moment.

A bright flash moved over Andreas and he opened his eyes. Aspesh—cloaked in light—stood between him and Murdren, the sword in his hand, fighting with vigor. Aspesh's face was full of fury and he was adept with the sword, putting Murdren on the defense. Andreas got unsteadily to his feet, keeping his hands up in defense.

Another light bounced around the room and Andreas followed it with his eyes until it stopped. It was Isabella's Grandad, moving in a crisscross fashion throughout the room, breaking up the guard around the walls. A shadow moved at Andreas from his left and he shot a jinx at it, nothing but wisps remaining.

Shadow's hooves sounded against the tiled ground, Serena on her back as she directed Shadow away from Murdren and Aspesh's battle. "Andreas!" Serena shouted. She reached out for him. Andreas ran towards her, holding tight as silver sparks encircled their hands. Serena pulled and Andreas put his other hand on Shadow's hind, pushing himself off the ground and finding his seat. Serena jinxed a shadow approaching as Andreas took the reins, directing Shadow towards the tunnel where Aspesh had been held.

Andreas didn't look back as Shadow ran. Serena bent low to Shadow and Andreas ducked as they entered the tunnel. The light was blinding as they move through at break neck speed. Coming out the other end, Shadow moved suddenly right, dodging a tree. They were back in the forest, new shadows attacking right and left. Serena raised her wand, taking care of each as Shadow kept pace.

Andreas thought he was seeing things in the distance as he pulled on the reins, squinting.

"Andreas!" his mother screamed.

Andreas's breath caught. He wrapped one arm around Serena's waist and held the reins in a single hand, pressing his heels into Shadow's middle. The horse picked up speed, the greens of the land flashing by in bright bits of color. There was a rumble and the shaking began. Shadow didn't hesitate, jumping one crevice, then another, continuing in a beeline towards Imogen and Callie.

A hole in the sky appeared, his mother turned towards it as she pulled Callie into herself.

"Hurry!" Imogen shouted at Andreas.

Closer and closer they came. One last leap and they were on the same spot of land as the other two and Andreas pulled back to slow Shadow.

"Go!" Callie demanded. She pulled on Imogen's hand, the two of them moving towards the portal, Andreas following behind. They fell through, Shadow snorting as Andreas tightened his grip around Serena.

Shadow's feet hit the ground unsteadily, but she circled around coming to a halt, throwing her head back. The chill of winter air hit Andreas as he looked around, his mum holding a stitch in her side, hand still grasping Callie's. Callie looked right back at him, a large smile on her face.

"You did it," she said.

Serena's heart wouldn't stop pounding as everything became a blur. The others had made it back already, more parents and siblings in the gardens, hugging the others and asking questions when their group of four came through.

Andreas got down and was immediately pulled in by his father—they looked so alike that Serena knew exactly who he was. If she was in doubt, the man pulled Imogen in by the neck, kissing her desperately, dividing his attention between his wife and son.

Callie's mother enveloped her, tears accompanying a smile of relief. The rest of the family joined her, covering Callie from every side. The others made way as Callie's twin took an individual turn.

Serena lowered herself from Shadow, patting down the horse's neck as she looked around, one scene after another of loving embraces and sighs of relief. Andreas's dad was talking to him now, a hand clamped around his neck. Andreas looked serious, nodded with his jaw tight.

Serena's family wasn't here, of course. She swallowed, hiding behind Shadow to stay well out of everyone's way. Mrs. Potter had left and was soon back with an armful of blankets for those who had arrived. She started with Callie and Abigail, the older of the two taking a single blanket and wrapping it around both of them. Then Isabella and another for Malus. Scorpius refused one.

"Here you are, dear," Mrs. Potter said, handing one to Serena. "We'll get you home very soon."

"Thank you," Serena said.

Mrs. Potter turned, making more rounds. Serena wondered if anyone would react when she got home. Phoebe. Phoebe would. But she wasn't going to be surrounded by the others. Her brothers would still be up at Hogwarts. She would be lucky if her mum had kept up with the shopping and other chores. Serena would have to get something to thank the Longbottoms for their help. But no, Serena wouldn't have anyone react like this.

Serena took Shadow's reins, leading her quietly away, leaving the family to rejoice in their reunion on their own.

"Serena," a voice called from behind her. She turned, seeing Isabella, holding the blanket around her, black hair bouncing as she rushed forward, wrapping around Serena's middle. Serena grinned, wrapping her own arms around the younger girl. "I'm glad you made it back safely," Isabella added in a whisper.

Serena just smiled, running her fingers through Isabella's hair.