Disclaimer: I don't own anything that you recognize as anyone else's.

A/N: I don't really have anything to say.

The following months were not pretty. Death Eater attacks were heightened. Melinda and Chris were almost done with Auror training. They had also started working at Kala's bar. The mood at Hogwarts was tense. Cadance, even on a good day, was easy to get into arguments with. Cati often missed classes because she had to tend to Auror business all night and was too tired to move in the morning. Wendy stepped in to help. She was still not over Sirius's death.

One day, in late September, Melinda came home from Auror training to find Chris sitting on the couch. They were on different training schedules for the last few weeks of training. "Hey," she said.

"I've been waiting for you," he said. "We need to talk."

"About what?" she asked.

"About us," said Chris standing up.

Melinda sighed and walked to the kitchen as she said, "Chris, there is no us."

He grabbed her arm and whirled her around to face him. "Can you honestly look me in the eyes and tell me that you have no feelings for me?" he asked her.

"Chris, you and Wyatt are my best friends," she said. "I love you."

"You know what I mean," said Chris. "Look me in the eyes and tell me that you don't have the same feelings for me that I do for you."

Melinda looked him in the eyes. "I can't do this," she said. "It's too hard. It hurts too much."

"Stop," said Chris. "I don't know what's gotten into you lately."

"What do you mean?" asked Melinda.

"You've changed," said Chris. "You're moody and irritable. And you're taking risks that you shouldn't!"

"Is this about that demon from yesterday?" asked Melinda.

"That's part of it. And this mission you took is part of it, too," said Chris.

"The mission is months away still," said Melinda.

"But you took it," said Chris. "If anything happens to you…" He trailed off.

"Hey," said Melinda softly, taking a few steps closer to him. She wrapped her arms around him and he returned her embrace.

"I worry about you," said Chris. "We finish Auror training in two weeks. Then we have to go to a week of camp and we're done."

"I know," said Melinda.

"I know the Ministry offered us jobs," said Chris. "But we don't have to take them. We don't have to become Aurors. Kala didn't. And then we could be together."

"Chris, even if we didn't become Aurors, that doesn't necessarily mean that we could be together. The danger wouldn't be over," said Melinda.

"We could go to San Francisco," said Chris. Melinda started to pull away, but he held her tighter and she didn't fight him. "This war hasn't reached America. We could work for the American Aurors. We could turn down the jobs that the Ministry offered us."

"I already took it," said Melinda.

"What?" asked Chris pulling back a little so he could look her in the face. "Melinda, are you aware that the Ministry gives us six months to make a decision after Auror camp?"

"I know," said Melinda. "But I start as soon as possible."

"Melinda, even your mother took the six months," said Chris.

"I know," said Melinda. "But Voldemort wasn't around then. I'm sorry." She pulled away from him and left the kitchen to go to her room. Chris watched her go. He sighed and sat down at the kitchen table and put his head in his hands.

About a week later, Chris was at work tending bar. It was a little after midnight when Cadance, Charlie, and Bill hurried in, looking around. They caught Chris's eye and went up to the bar.

"Have you seen Cati?" asked Cadance urgently.

"No, why?" asked Chris. "What's wrong?"

Cadance, Charlie, and Bill exchanged a look. "It's probably nothing," said Charlie. "She went to work last night and then was gone all day. The Ministry said she should have been off hours ago. We thought maybe she came here."

"No, she hasn't been in all night," said Chris. "Want me to ask Kala if she's seen her?"

"I'll do it," said Cadance hopping over the bar and walking into the back room. Suddenly they heard her scream. "Ah! Kala! My God!"

They heard Kala's voice respond with, "Cadance! Don't you know how to knock?"

"Is that the King of Spain?"

There was a pause before Kala responded with, "Maybe." A Spanish man stalked out of the backroom muttering under his breath in Spanish. Two men in black suits got up from the bar and walked out with him.

Charlie clapped Bill on the shoulder. "We'll find her," he said reassuringly.

"Charlie, I'm getting really worried," said Bill.

"She'll turn up," said Chris.

Just then, Cadance and Kala came out of the back room. "Alright, listen up everyone!" exclaimed Kala hopping on the bar. "Tipsy's is closing early tonight! I want everyone out of here NOW!" Cadance armed herself with a fireball to drive home Kala's point. There was only slight hesitation before all of the demons disappeared in their own customary way.

"I'm alerting the Order of the Phoenix," said Cadance. "I don't like this at all."

"Did you check Disney World?" asked Kala.

"She didn't go to Disney World, Kala," said Cadance.

"You know how she likes Disney World!" argued Kala.

Cadance leaned on the bar. She propped her head up with one hand and drummed the fingers of her other hand on the bar top a few times.

"And the Ministry hasn't heard from her?" asked Kala.

"No," said Charlie.

"And that didn't worry them?" asked Kala.

"Routine patrol duty," said Cadance. "Once your shift is over, you can go home unless you have something to report."

"Well, did you talk to the person who relieved her from duty?" asked Kala.

"Oh, good idea, Kala! Top notch! Why didn't we think of that?" asked Bill sarcastically.

"Watch it, Bill," said Cadance. "I realize you're worried, but you don't need to snap."

"Sorry," said Bill heavily.

"The person on duty after her didn't see her," said Charlie. "But he said that wasn't unusual. They only see each other about half of the times during the switch."

"How is that a good system?" asked Kala. No response. "And what could the Ministry tell you?"

"Nothing," said Cadance. "They don't like me in the Auroring Department anymore so they don't really talk to me."

"Are you going to alert the Order or what?" asked Bill.

"Kala bring the Scotch," said Cadance.

"He was from Spain, Cadance, and I don't appreciate your jokes at…" began Kala before Cadance cut her off.

"No, Kala!" broke in Cadance. "Scotch, like the alcohol! Not 'a Scot', like a person from Scotland!"

"Oh," said Kala. "Right. I'll go get that."

"Chris?" asked Cadance looking around.

"Yeah?" responded Chris stepping forward.

"Go home," said Cadance.

"I can help," argued Chris.

"Go home, Chris," said Cadance.

"But…" began Chris before Cadance cut him off.

"I said, go," she said very seriously. He rolled his eyes and marched out of the bar. There was a pause before Cadance turned to the rest of them. "Let's go."

Chris hurried into their flat. He rushed down the hallway, bypassed his room and went straight to Melinda's. Her room was dark. She was asleep. He sat down on the edge of the bed. "Melinda," whispered Chris shaking her shoulder. "Melinda, wake up."

Melinda's eyes opened slowly. "Chris?" she asked groggily. "What is it?"

"Your mom and dad and Bill came into the bar," said Chris. "They have no idea where Cati is. She should have been off-duty hours ago and she never went back to Hogwarts."

"What?" asked Melinda, concerned, as she sat up in bed. Chris kept one hand on her shoulder.

"Kala's shut down the bar. They're going to have a meeting," said Chris.

"What kind of meeting?" asked Melinda swinging her legs over the side of the bed and going to her wardrobe. She opened it and started digging around inside of it.

"Your mother's alerting the Order," said Chris. "They pretend like we have no idea what that means."

"My mother hates the Order," said Melinda. There were a few bumps and thuds as things shifted around. "Lights!" The lights in the room magically snapped on.

"Your mother is in charge of the Order," said Chris.

Melinda pulled robes on over her pajamas before answering. "She hates the Order," she said looking back over her shoulder at him. He was still sitting on the bed. "She hates being in charge. It must have been serious if she alerted the Order and called an official meeting."

"Where are you going?" asked Chris.

"You and I both know the answer to that question," said Melinda walking out of the room. "Wake Wyatt!" she added from the hallway.

"Wyatt!" exclaimed Chris getting up off the bed.

"Wyatt, wake up!" exclaimed Melinda.

Wyatt kicked open his bedroom door and walked out wearing nothing but boxer shorts. He gave a big yawn. "What the hell do you guys want?" he asked sleepily.

"Put on some clothes," said Melinda grabbing a light cloak. "We're going to Hogwarts."

"What should we do?" asked McGonagall. Nobody responded. Cadance had her elbows on the table and her head in her hands. "Cadance? You're supposed to be in charge."

"What do you want me to say?" asked Cadance raising her head. "The person who has been my best friend since birth is gone. I'm sure this isn't some elaborate hoax. Something is wrong. I'm trying to think of a plan so that we can at least find out something. Is that okay with you?"

"Don't lash out, Cadance," said Arabella heavily.

Cadance mumbled something under her breath that sounded like "I'll lash out if I damn well want to."

"There's got to be something," said Bill.

"Something is wrong," said Harry. "We just have to find out what."

Suddenly, there was a tapping at the window. Merlin was closest. He used his walking stick to push the window open and a black owl flew in, circled the table twice, and then dropped a scroll on it in front of Bill. It flew back out. There was a moment of silence before Bill reached out and took it. The scroll was tied with a black ribbon. There was something gold attached to it.

"It's Cati's wedding ring," said Bill softly. He tugged on the ribbon to untie it. The ring slid off and fell onto the table with a soft clink. He gulped and unrolled the parchment. "Dear Mr. Weasley," he read. "I'm most terribly sorry for your loss. Respectfully yours, Lord Voldemort."

There was a pause. "It's gotta be a trick," said Cadance. She reached out to grab Cati's ring. The minute her fingers closed around it, this strange feeling gripped her. She closed her eyes and braced herself for a vision.

When she opened her eyes, she was on the ground staring up into Jen and Charlie's faces. "What did you see?" asked Jen grimly.

Charlie grabbed her by her wrist and pulled her to her feet. "It's not a trick," said Cadance as her eyes began to fill with tears. "I saw it. Voldemort fired a spell… she fell."

Bill got up from his chair and walked silently out of the room. Charlie started to go after him, but Arthur put a hand on his shoulder and shook his head. "Let him go, son," said Arthur. Instead, Charlie wrapped his arms around Cadance, who had lost control and was sobbing hysterically. Slowly, the knowledge that they had lost another one sunk in and within a minute or two, everyone else was caught up in their grief and was either crying, or comforting, or both. Snape slunk out of the room about thirty seconds after Bill. His grief, like Bill's, was beyond tears.

After a few minutes, the door swung open and Melinda, Chris, and Wyatt ran in. They were out of breath. They took one look at everyone's faces and then Melinda broke down. She turned around and threw her arms around Chris and cried into the front of his robes. Dumbledore locked eyes with Wyatt and nodded as confirmation of exactly what the young witch and wizards feared.

Dumbledore allowed them to sit with their grief for a few more minutes before standing up. "We have to pull ourselves together. Godric's Hollow is unguarded. Little Abby and Joseph and Fred are there."

"They left them all with Dobby," said Harry. "He can protect them."

"All of you, go back to your homes," said Dumbledore. "Who was on duty in Godric's Hollow for tonight?"

"Me and Fletcher," answered Moody.

"Arabella, join them until dawn," said Dumbledore. "Everyone else, go to bed. Get some sleep. In the morning we'll start to pick up the pieces."

Slowly, the Order began to filter out until Charlie, Charlie and Dumbledore were left with Melinda, Wyatt, and Chris. "You're not supposed to know about the Order," said Cadance, still choked up, for lack of something better to say.

"Oh please, I've known since I was about 15," said Melinda softly as she hugged her mother.

"Why don't the three of you stay at Hogwarts for tonight?" offered Dumbledore.

"No, it's okay," said Melinda. She paused to sniffle. "But we'll be back first thing in the morning." They quietly left, leaving Dumbledore, Charlie, and Cadance alone.

"Pick up the pieces," said Cadance, repeating Dumbledore's words from a few minutes earlier. "What pieces are there to pick up? What am I supposed to do without her?"

Charlie pulled her closer and kissed her forehead. "It's okay," said Charlie. "Everything will be okay."

"But nothing will ever be the same again."

And so another Memorial Service was held at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Melinda and Chris finished up Auror Training and Chris, like Melinda, took the job and started immediately, despite the fact that they had six months to decide. They continued to work at Kala's bar during some nights. Melinda also continued to prepare for the mission that she had taken against her mother and Chris's wishes.

A very rainy early November turned into a very snowy late November. James sat in the Common Room late one night procrastinating on his Divination Homework. He and Molly were the last people down there but she, too, had just gone to bed. He was about to doze off when he was awakened by the clock chiming 12:00. The Common Room was completely empty.

He yawned before looking back down at his star chart. He hated Divination. He especially hated having to make predictions and justify them using cosmic evidence. Who the hell cares? He shifted the papers on the table to procrastinate finishing his work. A heavy piece of parchment fell to the floor. He reached down to pick it up. It was the Marauder's Map. He had used it earlier to avoid Filch on his way to the kitchens with Molly.

In the interest of counter-productivity, he unfolded the map and tapped it with his wand. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," he whispered. From the tip of his wand, lines began to appear all over the parchment until all of Hogwarts was revealed. He noticed that McGonagall was pacing her office. He had taken to checking the map almost every night before bed, and he had noticed that this was not an uncommon occurrence.

Aunt Cadance, too, appeared to be pacing her Common Room. Uncle Charlie and Uncle Bill were in bed. He also saw that four people were at the gates of Hogwarts, guarding the entrance to the grounds. He scanned the map for another minute or so, before something struck him as odd. There were only four at the front gate. There were always five, with five more standing by, ready to be at Hogwarts in a moments notice in case they were needed. He scanned the grounds, before he found the missing Auror. He had to do a double-take. First of all, it was Melinda. Second of all, she appeared to be in the lake. It then occurred to him that the lake must be frozen so she was probably on the lake. There was another dot with her. This one was not labeled.

The two dots appeared to be circling each other. So either they were ice skating, or they were fighting.

James snatched up the map and ran up to his dorm room. He grabbed a heavy cloak and threw it around his shoulders as he ran down the stairs and through the Common Room. He kept checking the map, altered his direction twice to avoid Filch and Mrs. Norris, and was out the front doors and on the grounds in less than five minutes.

It was snowing hard, and the wind was blowing. He pulled his cloak tighter as he raced to the edge of the frozen lake. Once he got there, he peered out onto it's glassy surface. He couldn't see anything. He glanced down at the lake on the map. The dots were gone. Confused, he started look around him for any sign of his cousin. He drew his wand.

Suddenly, he felt as if something had pushed him forward, though he knew nobody had touched him. He fell forward and slid across the lake. The map in his hand went flying, but he managed to keep a hold on his wand. He scrambled to his feet, slipping and sliding on the ice, when he felt himself get thrown backwards again. This time he hit with such force that he felt as if he had gone through it. He felt the sudden shock of cold. He tried to take a deep breath but found that he couldn't. That's when it hit him: he was in the lake.

James looked up and could see the surface. He tried kicking his legs to move himself upward when he saw a jet of light fly overhead. He was almost to the top when he saw a dark figure crouching at the edge. But it was so cold…

When James opened his eyes, it took a few seconds to focus. Then he realized he was in the hospital wing. "Well, hey there Flounder," said a voice to his right. He looked over and Cadance sitting in a chair next to his bed.

"What happened?" he asked rubbing his eyes. "How long have I been here?"

"About two hours," said Cadance leaning forward. "You fell through the ice. Why don't you tell me what you were doing out there?"

"Melinda!" he exclaimed trying to sit up. "She was out there!"

"Whoa," said Cadance leaning forward and pushing him back down. "Calm down. Melinda's fine. Start from the beginning."

"I was in the Common Room and I saw that Melinda was out on the lake and there was something out there too and I went out to help her and… I don't know. I think I was thrown on to the lake. I tried to get up, but I was thrown forward again and that's when I went through."

"And I was coming out to help you and I saw a demon use telekinetic powers to throw you forward twice and I saw you go through the ice. I shot a spell at the demon and then went on to pull you out," said Cadance. "But now the question is… how did you know that Melinda was out there if you were in the Common Room?" James remained silent, unsure of how to explain himself. Cadance peered at him over her half-moon spectacles in a very Dumledore-ish way and held up the Marauder's Map.

"I forgot to wipe the map clean," deadpanned James.

"You forgot to wipe the map clean," said Cadance matching James's tone. "You broke the cardinal rule of marauding: Always wipe the map clean when you're done. Mischief managed." The writing on the map disappeared and it appeared as if it was a blank parchment again.

"You..." began James.

"Yes," interrupted Cadance. "I know about the map. In fact, I've suspected you had it for a while now. So now why don't you tell me about what really happened tonight?"

"Melinda was on the lake and there was an unlabeled dot," said James. "And it looked like they were fighting. I got worried."

"The unlabeled dot must have been a demon," said Cadance. "Generic, lower-level demons don't have names and therefore can't be labeled on the map. Melinda was up here about half an hour ago. She said she vanquished a demon earlier."

"That explains it then," said James.

"Now, I believe we have to have a little talk, young man," said Cadance. "How do you think your father would react if I told him that after all we've done to protect you children, you used the Marauder's Map to put yourself in a dangerous situation?"

James looked down. "I suppose he wouldn't be happy."

"Which is why you're very lucky that I found you," said Cadance. He looked back up at Cadance. "And I have convinced Madame Pomfrey to allow me to take care of your punishment, and not mention anything to Professor McGonagall. And Melinda and I aren't saying anything."

"Really?" asked James.

"Yes," said Cadance. "Just don't ever let me catch you pulling a stunt like this again. If you think someone's in trouble, get some help."

"Can I ask you a question?" asked James.

"Sure," said Cadance.

"How do you know about the map?" asked James.

"Oh boy," said Cadance. "Well, it's partly my fault you got it."

"How so?" asked James.

"You don't know anything about the map, do you?" asked Cadance. James shook his head. "I didn't think so. Well, your Grandfather and Sirius and Remus and their friend Peter were the Marauders."

"They were?" asked James.

Cadance nodded. "James was Prongs, Remus was Moony, and Sirius was Padfoot," she answered. Then she paused and a strange look crossed her face. "Wormtail now works for Voldemort."

"I never heard any of that," said James.

"Of course you didn't," said Cadance. "We don't like to talk about it. After James died and Remus left and Sirius went to Azkaban… you heard Sirius was in Azkaban… the map was ownerless. I took it and used it for my own purposes. Then I cast a spell on it so that it would make it into the hands of 'the son of owner past'; I needed something that rhymed with 'cast!'. I left it in the hands of two very capable trouble-makers… namely Fred and George… you remember Fred, right? You were young when he died. Well, I was confident in my spell-writing abilities. But because of the wording, I suppose the map found its way into your hands."

"How long have you known that I had it?" asked James.

"At Sirius's memorial service, Melinda's attention was caught by the word 'Padfoot'," said Cadance. "After that, I asked Harry for the map so I could keep an eye out on what's going on at Hogwarts. He couldn't find it. I knew you must have gotten it. But now, I'm sure you understand why I can't give it back."

James avoided her gaze. "Yeah," he muttered.

"Some day I will give it back to you," said Cadance. "But now my need far outweighs yours."

"One more question," said James.

"Alright," said Cadance.

"How did you know that I needed help?" asked James.

"If you think for one second that I'm not watching you and Molly and Vivien like a hawk while you're in the confines of this castle, you've got another thing coming."

Adjusting to life without Cati was fairly hard. Her job was open, and Wendy was filling in temporarily. Bill rarely did anything but wake up, go to work, come home, and sit in his room. Charlie and Cadance began to worry about him. Cadance, herself, wasn't much better off. At times she appeared to be moving on, but then the next moment she was moody and snappish.

But life went on, since as it turns out the earth kept rotating and moving about the sun and all that fun stuff that makes days and nights. One evening, in late November, Chris and Wyatt were sitting in their living room. Chris was doing the crossword puzzle, and Wyatt was eating Cheez Wiz and crackers.

"Honestly!" exclaimed Wyatt. "Think about it! This is liquid cheese! Shouldn't it eventually form into a solid? But it doesn't! It's mind-boggling."

"I just don't know, Wyatt," said Chris without looking up or paying much attention as he filled in a few boxes in the puzzle.

Just then there was a knock on the front door. "Get the door, Chris," said Wyatt.

"Why don't you?" asked Chris.

"You're closer," said Wyatt. "And I'm older."

"Will one of you please get the door?" exclaimed Melinda angrily from her bedroom.

"Oh alright," said Wyatt. "Keep your panties on." He got up and opened the front door. There was a guy standing there with sparkling teeth and perfect hair. "Uhhh… can I help you?"

"Does Melinda Weasley live here?" the man asked, peering around Wyatt to the living room. Chris looked up from his paper.

"That depends," said Wyatt uneasily. "Who's asking?"

"Jim Rogers," said the man flashing a winning smile. "I'm supposed to take her out tonight."

Chris's mouth dropped open. Wyatt just stared at Jim. "Wyatt, let him in!" exclaimed Melinda from the bedroom.

Wyatt stepped aside and Jim walked in. "I'm sorry, I think I was hallucinating," said Chris standing up. "Why are you here again?"

"Melinda and I have a date tonight," he said.

"Processed cheese in a can?" offered Wyatt holding out the can of Cheez Wiz.

"Oh, no thank you," he said. "So you guys live with Melinda, eh?"

"Er… yes," said Chris. "How did you meet Melinda?"

"I came into the bar last night while she was working," answered Jim.

"Okay, and what are you intentions?" asked Wyatt casually.

"Wyatt!" exclaimed Melinda harshly as she walked into the living room wearing a slinky black dress and heels.

"Hey, just wondering if we should leave the front door unlocked for you or not!" said Wyatt.

"Let's go, Jim," said Melinda rolling her eyes

Jim helped her slip on her coat and as they were walking out the door, Wyatt called out, "Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"

"What the hell was that?" asked Chris once they door had closed. "Who was that joker?"

"Oh, he seemed nice," said Wyatt.

"No, he's not!" exclaimed Chris. "He's… he's…" His voice trailed off.

"What's with you?" asked Wyatt. "Do you like her or something?" Chris just stared at him silently for a second. "YOU DO!"

"No," said Chris hurriedly.

"You do!" exclaimed Wyatt spraying Cheez Wiz everywhere. "You do like her!"

"Wyatt, please…" began Chris.

"Oh boy!" exclaimed Wyatt.

"Well, I'm not going to stand here and watch as that lustful son of a bitch ravishes her!" exclaimed Chris.

"Whoa, Chris," said Wyatt. "I think you're overreacting a little."

"No, I'm not," said Chris. "And I'm going to do something about it!"

"What are you going to do!" exclaimed Wyatt. "Show up on their date!"

"No," said Chris. "I'm going over her head!"

"What?" asked Wyatt, confused. Chris didn't say anything, but instead marched over to the hat rack and grabbed his cloak. In a swirl of white lights, Chris orbed out. "Oh my," said Chris. "This won't end well."

"CADANCE!" exclaimed Chris as soon as he stormed through the front doors of Hogwarts, startling several first years who were on their way out of the Great Hall. "Where's Professor Weasley?" he asked them.

"Which one?" asked one of them.

"I just walked in here bellowing for Cadance," said Chris. "Which one do you think!"

"The other Professor Weasley's in the Great Hall," said another. "Maybe he knows where she is."

Chris marched past them and into the Great Hall, where a few people were still finishing up dinner. "What the hell is your problem?" asked Wendy as soon as he reached the head table. "You look like you're about to slaughter someone."

"Your daughter," hissed Chris pointing at Charlie.

"Oh, what did she do?" asked Charlie.

"She's dating," spat Chris.

"Oh," said Charlie, looking to Wendy. "Yes, well, and that's frustrating because why?"

"Well, because she's… an attractive young girl?" offered Wendy.

"Where's Cadance?" asked Chris.

"In her office," said Charlie. "But I'm still confused." Chris threw up his hands in frustration and marched back out of the Great Hall and down the hallway to Cadance's office.

He kicked the door open. Cadance had her head bent over her desk, working on something. She didn't even look up at his arrival. "Your daughter is dating," said Chris.

"Good for her," said Cadance. "What's he like?"

"He's a…. son of a bitch," said Chris.

"Why?" asked Cadance finally looking up.

"Because he's… and then he… and his…" Chris trailed off. "She met him at the bar!"

Cadance chuckled and looked back down. "Oh the number of guys that Cati and I met while working at Tipsy's…" she trailed off. Then her head snapped back up. "Wait, they were all pigs."

"Exactly!" exclaimed Chris. "Let's go!"

"Chris, go home," said Cadance. "Melinda is fine. She's got a good head on her shoulders. Just go home."

"But…" began Chris.

"Chris, I haven't really fought Death Eaters or demons in a very very long time," said Cadance. "I think I might be a little out of practice. But that does not mean that I couldn't kick your ass. Go home."

Chris sighed and walked out of her office. Cadance shook her head and rolled her eyes. She looked back down at the papers on her desk and shuffled through them. Charlie walked in. "You missed dinner again," he said.

"I know," said Cadance. "I'm just… swamped."

"With what?" asked Charlie, circling her desk to stand behind her. He put his hands on her shoulders and looked at what she was looking at. "Is this a spell?"

"It's the spell we used to vanquish Voldemort last time," said Cadance.

"What are you doing with it?" asked Charlie.

"Well, it's useless now," said Cadance. "It didn't work as permanently as we hoped. Cati was trying to reword it before she died. I found it in her office. I'm trying to finish what she started. But I'm no good at this. Cati always…" She stopped suddenly and heaved a sigh. They were silent for a few seconds, and then Cadance looked up at her husband. "Did you happen to see Chris a few minutes ago?"

"Yeah, did he seem a little… off?" asked Charlie.

"Something strange is going on with that boy."