Cameron felt his stomach tighten with nerves as the door flung open and the room was flooded with light once again.

"Alright, everyone out, hurry up, let's go." Thomas ordered.

"The cell door is locked." Kennon pointed out. Thomas entered the room and raised his wand.

"You can't use magic in here." Jace explained.

Thomas huffed and rolled his eyes before walking back out of the room. He held the door open with his left hand while aiming his wand at the door with his right.

"Bombarda!" he cried. The spell shot from his wand but disappeared as soon as it entered the room.

"Bloody hell." Thomas cursed. "We don't have time for this."

"Go find two sharp things like two quills or something." One of the other people in the cell whose name Cameron had learned to be Melony Harper instructed Thomas.

"Why?" Thomas asked.

"I'll tell you how to pick the lock." Melony explained. Thomas nodded reluctantly and let the door close.

"How do you know how to pick locks?" Jace asked.

"My brother is a squib and has also been to muggle prison for breaking into our neighbor's house and stealing a bunch of stuff. He taught me a few things before he got locked away."

**
"How many are in the Circle?" Dumbledore repeated.

"More than you would care to believe."

Draco realized Cameron had been right. Dozens upon dozens of people were swarming the Entrance hall, blasting not only students who got in their wall but points in the walls and ceiling. Draco recognized several faces of former housemates as well as people he'd seen from other houses. The D.A. had finally appeared and some were fighting to push the group back out of the castle while others had gone to get the younger years into the Great Hall.

"Expelliarmus!" Draco shouted, aiming at his second target. The blonde girl blocked his attack and returned the same spell.

"Protego!" Draco cried.

"Incendio!" the girl bellowed. She swirled her wand in a circle and Draco was quickly trapped in the middle of a ring of fire.

"Agumenti!" Draco shouted, dousing a portion of the ring only to walk into another circle of fire the girl conjured. She laughed wildly. Draco growled with frustration.

"Agumenti Maxima!" he bellowed aiming not at the fire but at the girl on the other side. She shrieked like a banshee as she was blasted backwards by the powerful stream of water. Draco extinguished the flames and ran after the girl.

"Expelliarmus!" he cried. She couldn't block his curse this time and Draco caught her wand deftly only for the girl to run at him. She wrapped her hands around Draco's throat as they fell to the ground. Draco struggled against her but she kneed him roughly in the stomach, knocking the air out of him. Her grip tightened and as Draco raised his wand she leaned down and bit his shoulder roughly. He cried out in pain but the grip on his neck just tightened further, cutting off his voice completely. Just as the edges of his vision were beginning to darken the girl was blasted backwards. Draco rolled onto his side to catch his breath and rub his shoulder. He looked around and felt his stomach twist. Cameron was running away from him, through the chaos towards the doorway, striking down members of the Circle before they even realized he was there. Draco turned and saw the rest of the captives running as well with Thomas pulling up the rear. Slowly Draco got up and engaged himself in another duel.

It took a lot of effort and time to get the Circle pushed back out of the castle. Angela Kash had reported that all students who chose not to fight or were below fifth year were safely locked in the Great Hall with some of the D.A. and a few professors standing guard just in case. Dumbledore thanked her and she ran off.

With a feeling of dread Dumbledore felt a breech in the school's wards as the gates to the school were blasted off their hinges and Death Eaters swarmed the grounds. McGonagall had sent a call to the Ministry requesting immediate back up but there were riots breaking out all over London. Aurors were spread thin as they struggled just with these issues. Fudge had informed McGonagall that he didn't know how long it would take before he could send help. Dumbledore had put in a call to the Order as well and could see them appearing just behind the Death Eaters, splitting the massive group in half.

Cameron attacked every Circle member he saw as he fought through the crowd. He'd seen Draco struggling and immediately helped him but didn't wait around for thanks. Cameron was quickly growing frustrated. He couldn't find Dawson anywhere. Even after three large circles around the battle there was no sign of the teen. Cameron heard the gates get blasted away and the shouts as the Death Eaters were attacked from behind. Leading the Death Eaters were Bellatrix Lestrange and Dawson Chambers who walked proudly at her left side. Cameron tightened his grip on his wand and turned away to help the D.A. some more. He couldn't get to Dawson if he was around Bellatrix. The woman would finish him in a second. Cameron gritted his teeth and charged back into the fray.

"Expelliarmus!" He shouted, hitting Kennon in the back. The Ravenclaw spun around and his eyes widened but he relaxed when he saw Cameron holding his wand.

"Oh it's just you Scott." He said holding his hand out.

Cameron shook his head and snapped the wood in half. Kennon stared at it in shock before lunging forward just as that girl had done to Draco.

"Petrificus Totalus." Cameron said quickly. Kennon collapsed as his body went ridged, his face contorted with a mixture of rage and surprise. Cameron was just about to move on when he was hit with a leg locker curse. He stumbled and fell, landing a few inches from Kennon. Cameron rolled onto his back and released himself from the curse before hastily throwing up a shield as Eli Richmond came into view.

"Stupefy!" Eli shouted.

"Placitum!" Cameron countered the shield covered him long enough for Eli to take two shots.

"Eli stop attacking, I'm trying to help."

"Expelliarmus!"

"Protego!"

"Don't lie to me Scott. I've seen right through you since the beginning. Bombarda!" Eli said, aiming at the ground. Cameron leapt over the crater the spell created.

"Stupefy!"

"Protego!"

"You don't know what you're talking about!"

"Yes I…"

Eli crumpled. Cameron looked around in confusion and saw Ian from training standing with his wand still raised. He nodded before disappearing into the crowd. Cameron turned and scanned the area for Dawson but instead found Ashton and Nia fighting back to back against five Circle members. He rushed forward to help; still keeping his distance he raised his wand.

Ashton and Nia watched in confusion as one by one their attackers fell. They looked around and when Nia spotted Cameron she tugged on Ashton's arm and pointed him out but he didn't give any sign of seeing them. He just turned and ran.

"Where's he going?" Nia asked.

Ashton shrugged.

"Well let's follow him. We still have to apologize for everything." Nia said.

"Now?"

Nia nodded.

"Why not?"

The girls quickly followed their friend but were stopped by another group from the Circle.

Cameron spotted Dawson standing on the hill right beside the Black Lake, looking down on the chaos below.

"Oh there you are Cam." Dawson said happily before Cameron punched him square in the nose. Dawson reeled and when he straightened up blood was pouring from his nose.

"When were you going to tell me that I was going to get sent to Azkaban for your little plan?" Cameron demanded, taking another swing but Dawson dodged it and punched him in the gut. Cameron doubled over but quickly straightened up. .

"You're not going to Azkaban. The worst that will happen is you'll get expelled." Dawson explained raising his wand to stop Cameron from advancing further. Cameron raised his wand as well, shaking his head as he did so.

"Dumbledore talked to me after I was captured. He told me the only place from me to go was Azkaban. All the attacks, the Mark on my arm, poisoning Ashton, it's all enough to put me away!"

Dawson considered this before shrugging nonchalantly.

"That's rough but you should know that I deeply appreciate your sacrifice."

Cameron screamed in frustration.

"Stupefy!"

"Protego, bombarda!"

Cameron dodged the curse by side stepping. Dawson moved to keep distance between the two of them.

"Dawson you've got to call this off! This was your idea now just stop it and tell everyone that I'm innocent!"

"No! It's taken me a whole year to get this far! After this I will be promoted and join the Death Eaters!" Dawson cried. "Impedimentia!"

"Placitium!"

The boy's side stepped further.

"I won't serve time for you Dawson!"

"You don't have a choice!"

"There is always a choice!"

Cameron ran at Dawson as fast as he could, simultaneously throwing up a shield. Caught off guard, Dawson couldn't move aside fast enough. The air was roughly knocked out of him as Cameron tackled him. The pair fist fought as they rolled down the hill towards the lake. Cameron got in a few good punches but the larger boy landed on top of him in a shallow spot in the lake, his knee driving into Cameron's chest and his fist colliding with the side of his head. Cameron saw stars as he swung blindly, only catching Dawson's face twice. Both boys were disoriented from their trip down the hill so it took them a few seconds to stand. They'd managed to hold on to their wands the entire trip down and by some miracle they didn't break. Cameron spat blood out of his mouth before turning back to Dawson. The boys aimed their wands at each other once again, ignoring their bodies' protests.

"Dawson…please." Cameron said trying to suppress a shudder as the wind attacked his sopping wet clothes. "I can't go to Azkaban. Beside the fact that I haven't done anything wrong, I've got to take care of my sister. We're all each other have left."

Dawson scoffed.

"Do you think you'll still have your precious little sister when she finds out about that little Mark on your arm?"

"She'll understand."

Dawson shook his head.

"I don't care." He said. "You're not going to mess up my plans now Cameron, I won't let you!" Dawson's hand began to shake and he got a wild gleam in his eye. "You will go to Azkaban if that's where they send you!"

"NO! I'll tell them everything. I'll tell everyone about the Circle and what you've done and how I couldn't have committed the attacks! I'll tell everyone!"

Dawson's face contorted in rage.

"You won't say anything! Bombarda!" he shouted.

Cameron dropped into the water to dodge the attack.

"Stupefy!"

"Protego! Impedimenta!"

"Sectumsempra!" Dawson shouted. Cameron gasped as the spell sliced open his right shoulder. He dropped his wand in surprise as pain seared through his arm. The wood disappeared under the water and Dawson quickly advanced on Cameron who tried to scoot away using only one hand but the lake deepened suddenly and as was submerged as the ground disappeared below him. He flipped wildly in the water until his head finally broke the surface. His shoulder throbbed nastily and he gave up trying to use it to help him tread water. Dawson watched the teen struggle with a strange look in his eyes.

"You won't say anything to anyone." He said aiming his wand at the water.

"Dawson no…." Cameron cried.

"Bombarda Maxima!" The spell hit the water and produced a large wave which crashed over Cameron, shoving him violently underwater. Precious bubbles of air escaped his lips as he thrashed with his good arm in an effort to stop himself from spinning. The more he struggled the faster he sank until his ankle became tangled in the tall weeds growing at the bottom of the lake. Cameron's muscles cramped as the icy water pressed in around him. He looked up for a final glance of the sun whose light barely penetrated the surface of the water.

Vince Tescotte stunned his fifth D.A. member and stared down at her face guiltily. He remembered seeing Hermione Granger in the library. At one time he'd had a searing crush on the girl but Vince knew she was most likely dating either Weasley or Potter so he'd never so much as said hi to her. Now as he levitated her body out the way of possibly getting trampled he regretted that the first time she'd actually noticed him had been right before they started to fight. Vince lowered her body carefully and turned to see if there was any way he could sneak away without anyone noticing him.

That's when he saw a bloodied and obviously hurt Dawson coming up over the hill that led down to the lake. Vince had seen Dawson and Cameron fighting on the top of this hill earlier but now as he waited with baited breath, Vince realized Cameron wasn't going to appear the way Dawson had.

Caught between fear for his safety and worry for the other boy Vince started to run up the hill.

"Hey stop!"

Vince spun around with wide eyes and saw Draco Malfoy running at him with his wand raised. Vince held his hands up in a sign of surrender.

"Wait, wait!" he said quickly.

Draco continued to advance on him, holding his wand steadily aimed at his chest.

"What?" Draco demanded. He sported signs that showed he'd been in several more fights than Vince himself. Scratches lined his face and hands. He had a deep cut under his right eye and there were bruises on his neck.

"I think Cameron's in trouble." Vincent explained quickly. He knew the pair were good friends and hoped the blonde might be able to help. Draco lowered his wand as Vince explained seeing Dawson and Cameron fighting on top of the hill and eventually only seeing Dawson coming back.

Draco ran past the breathless boy and up the hill. Vince quickly followed but as the boys walked over the hill there was no sign of anyone. There was only a long trail of flattened grass to show where Dawson and Cameron had rolled into the lake.

"He's not here." Draco stated.

Vince squinted his eyes. The gentle waves of the lake had just deposited something onto the shore.

"What is that?" he said before leading the Slytherin down to it. He picked it up and felt his stomach drop. Draco ripped it out of his grip.

"This is Cameron's wand." He breathed, scanning the lake. With shaking hands he placed his wand flat down on his palm.

"Point me Cameron Scott." He said firmly.

The wand spun wildly for a few seconds before pointing straight ahead, into the lake. Draco dropped Cameron's wand and quickly peeled off his cloak so he was only in his school sweater and pants before running into the lake after casting a bubble head charm on himself. Vince watched in wonder as the Slytherin ran fearlessly into the icy water before diving forward when the short shelf ended.

Vince waited nervously for what seemed like half an hour until Draco finally immerged with his arm wrapped around the chest of an unconscious Cameron. Vince ran into the water and helped the blonde carry the boy to dry land.

"H-he's not breathing." Vince said hysterically.

Draco folded his hands together and began to perform CPR on his friend, ignoring his own chattering teeth and trembling hands. Vince however did notice this and quickly retrieved both Cameron's wand and the Draco's discarded cloak and after casting a warming charm on it, draped it over his shoulders as Draco repeatedly alternated between pressing on his chest and breathing air into his mouth.

Minutes passed and there was no change from Cameron but Draco was quickly becoming lightheaded. The blonde quickened his pace, pressing harder on Cameron's chest.

"Come on." He muttered to himself. "Breathe damn it." He ordered.

Vince gently pushed the Slytherin away and took over the action. Draco sat back on his heels and pulled his cloak tighter around him as he rocked back and forth slightly. His hair was dripping water onto his face and it mixed with the tears that escaped his eyes.

Vince put almost all his weight on Cameron's chest and finally the teen sputtered, spitting up water. Vince rolled him onto his side so he wouldn't choke. Cameron's eyes burst open.

"Cameron?" Draco said moving into his view. The dark haired teen was trembling violently against the cold. His lips were an even brighter blue than Ashton's had been from both the lack of oxygen and his near frozen state. Overwhelmed by relief that his friend was still alive Draco threw his arms around Cameron in a tight hug, not caring how awkward or unmanly it was. Cameron gritted his teeth as he tried to stop himself from shivering.

"I-I-I-I d-d-didn't p-p-poison A-Ashton." He struggled to get the words out.

"I know." Draco said, his voice filled with raw guilt "We all know. You were trying to protect her."

Cameron nodded.

There were suddenly several large explosions on the other side of the hill. Vince carefully climbed the hill and glanced over it. He turned back with dread written all over his face.

"It's the aurors."

Draco nodded.

"It's almost over." He said.

Cameron nodded weakly. He was so cold and tired. His shoulder hurt something terrible even though the rest of his body felt practically numb. Sleep tugged at his eyes and he welcomed the darkness.

Vince watched from the hill nervously. The aurors attacked from behind the Death Eaters while the Professors and other volunteer adults and students attacked from the front. The Death Eaters were slowly being forced into a tight circle. Aurors bound groups of six or less together, stole their wands and stunned them. The remaining D.A. took care of the last of the Circle members in a similar fashion. It took three of them to finally subdue Dawson. Stunned light side fighters were revived and the injured were loaded onto stretchers and taken into the castle. Vince turned back to Draco who was watching him, waiting for a report.

"It's safe." He said. "For you…" he added sadly.

"Stay with us Vince. I'll vouch for what you did to help here." Draco explained. He could see the other boy's body shaking as fear overwhelmed him. Vince finally nodded, realizing this was probably his one and only chance to get help to clear his name.

"Cameron?" Draco called, shaking his friend gently but his head fell limply to the side.

"Damn, I don't think people are supposed to go to sleep when they're in this kind of shape." Vince said.

Draco called Cameron's name louder but still no response, meanwhile Vince cast drying charms on Cameron's hair and clothes as well as a warming charm. When he finished he gently grabbed one of the unconscious boy's arms and draped it over his shoulders. Draco did the same but as he pulled up on Cameron's right arm, his eyes snapped open and he cried out in pain. Draco dropped him in surprise.

"What is it?" he asked.

Cameron pulled his arm away from Vince and put his hand on his injured shoulder. Draco carefully moved his friend's hand and gasped. He looked down at his shirt and saw Cameron's blood had seeped through his clothes onto his sweater without any of them realizing.

"Bloody hell!" Vince exclaimed, feeling a little dizzy at the sight of the blood. Cameron groaned and tried to lie in the grass but Draco pulled him up by his left arm.

"Come on mate, we've got to get you inside."

Braxton, Blaise, Nia, and Ashton all found each other as soon as the last of the Circle was apprehended. None of them had seen any sign of Draco or Cameron. Neither had been in the group taken to the Hospital Wing or with the ones being revived from their stunned state. Cameron wasn't with the captured Circle members but Dawson kept screaming that he was to blame for everything until someone finally stunned him.

"Where else could they be?" Blaise asked. His friends shrugged. Nia looked around, nibbling nervously on her bottom lip until her eyes exploded excitedly. She bounced on the balls of her feet and pointed.

"There!" she cried as three figures appeared at the top of the hill. Her smile fell when she realized the only thing keeping the person in the middle from collapsing where the hold the other two had on him.

Ashton sprinted towards the trio with Blaise, Braxton, and Nia hot on her heels. They met the group at the bottom of the hill. Draco half grinned at them.

"We found him in the lake. Vince revived him but he's still hurt pretty bad on his shoulder."

Ashton rushed forward and placed her hands on either side of Cameron's face and held it up so that he had no choice but to look at her. He looked exhausted and his eyes were still darker than usual but he broke into a small smile anyway.

"You're okay." He whispered, leaning his forehead down so that it touched Ashton's. His body was still trembling but his teeth were no longer chattering thanks to Vince's warming charms.

Ashton nodded.

"Are you?" she asked.

Cameron's smile faded and he pulled back. Ashton's hands fell to her sides.

"I don't know yet." He said before looking at each of his friends. They all looked at him guiltily.

"We made a horribly, awful mistake Cameron." Nia said before anyone else could say anything. "We were scared and shocked and totally freaked out but that's no excuse!"

"Nia…" Cameron said but the girl appeared not to hear him.

"We're your friends and we should have listened to you!"

"Nia…"

"I think I speak for all of us…"

Draco grinned as he put his hand over Nia's mouth.

"You most certainly do." He said. Her eyes sparkled and she nodded. Draco removed his hand. Cameron grinned at them.

"So you all forgive me?" he asked, trying-and failing- not to sound too hopeful.

"As far as I'm concerned there's nothing to forgive." Blaise said.

Braxton nodded his agreement. Nia moved to hug Cameron but Draco stopped her.

"Let's save the hugging and etcetera for after Cameron visits Madame Pomfrey." He said.

Braxton huffed.

"Does anyone else realize that we've only been back at school for less than two months and we've spent most of that time in the bloody Hospital Wing?" he said.

His friends all laughed and together they started making their way towards the castle. As they walked Cameron turned to Vince who hadn't said a word.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

Vince hesitated before shaking his head. His hands which were buried deep in his pockets were still shaking with fear. Cameron forced Draco to stop, causing everyone else to stop as well.

"Vince, look at me." Cameron said. Reluctantly the boy did so and found absolute confidence and certainty staring back at him from sapphire eyes. "First and foremost I want to thank you."

Vince's eyes widened in surprise. Cameron offered him a comforting smile.

"You've saved my life twice, both times at great personal risk to you. I know you didn't want to be part of this anymore than I did and you just did what you had to do to keep yourself and your sister safe. No one understands that better than I do. I want you to remember that, alright?"

Vince nodded but Cameron wasn't finished.

"I won't pretend to know what's going to happen next but I swear whatever it is, we'll face it together. I owe you that much."

Vince blinked and nodded.

"Thank you." He said sincerely. Cameron nodded and the group continued their walk up to the Hospital Wing.

Madame Pomfrey looked up in exasperation as Ashton and Nia entered the room. They held the door open for Draco to help Cameron through. Dumbledore appeared from the office in the back of the Hospital Wing.

"Any students involved with the Circle were to be taken by the Ministry and care would be administered before they are taken into custody."

Vince tensed nervously but Ashton walked forward and crossed her arms defiantly in front of her.

"Look at who we have Professor." She said.

"I see them Ms. Jameson."

"Do you know who they are?" Ashton challenged.

"Of course I do."

Ashton shook her head.

"No you don't but I'm curious to see who you think they are."

Dumbledore met the teen's eyes calmly.

"That is Cameron Scott a seventh year student in Slytherin, four year chaser on the Quidditch team and now an orphan along with his sister Kathrine a fifth year Ravenclaw. The other is Vincent Tescotte a seventh year student in Hufflepuff, two year seeker on the house Quidditch team. His sister is Lilia Tescotte of Ravenclaw and both live with their muggle relatives."

"Is that all you know?" Ashton asked.

"Both boys are active members of the Circle."

Ashton nodded.

"That's what I thought, you don't know a thing."

She walked back to her friends and pointed at Cameron.

"This is Cameron Scott. His father was a Death Eater and chose him as his replacement. His sister was kidnapped by the Circle and Bellatrix Lestrange and used as a hostage to bring in Cameron who was desperately trying to figure out a way to get out of the predicament. He was held by Bellatrix for two straight days the first day and when he returned he had several injures. Cameron told me how he was tortured because he refused to accept the Dark Lord as his master. As time went on Cameron was dragged deeper into the Circle although he fought against it."

Ashton pointed to Vince.

"This is Vincent Tescotte. He too has a sister he was trying to protect but she was also kidnapped as a means to get him to wherever Bellatrix holds the Circle. Twice he has saved Cameron's life. Today during the attack he merely stunned the people he was supposed to be attacking before carefully moving them off to the side so they would not accidently get trampled."

Ashton crossed her arms once again. Everyone in the Hospital Wing was staring at her but she didn't seem to notice. Her eyes were locked on Dumbledore who stood impassively.

"You accuse both of these boys to be active members of the Circle but both of them were recruited after the attacks on the Houses. Cameron was seen striking down Circle members during the attack today and as I said Vince was trying to protect other students. That doesn't sound exactly active to me."

"You are forgetting Mr. Scott's attempt to poison you Ms. Jameson."

"Eli Richmond told us Cameron was actually trying to take the poisoned cup away from Ashton but he didn't realize that it had actually been his cup that had been spiked. Dawson Chambers knew Cameron would try to switch the glasses to keep Ashton out of harm." Draco explained. Cameron was leaning more on Draco than before as extensive blood loss began to take its toll on his body.

"Neither of these two have done anything wrong. The only thing they are guilty of is being protective of their younger sisters." Ashton concluded quickly. She'd noticed Cameron's pale face as blood continued to seep out of the wound on his shoulder.

"What do you have to say about the Marks each of them bares?" Dumbledore challenged. Ashton raised an eyebrow at the Headmaster.

"A Mark is just a Mark sir; you and I both know that. Its meaning comes only from the person who wears it. Cameron and Vince can wear theirs as reminders of the lengths they would go to in order to protect their sisters or their friends."

Dumbledore nodded.

"Well said Ms. Jameson." He turned to Madame Pomfrey and motioned for her to help.

Draco helped Cameron onto the nearest hospital bed. The others stood back and waited as Madame Pomfrey examined the wound. She clicked her tongue and shook her head.

"It's deep. A critical artery was severed and the muscles are all but destroyed."

Ashton moved forward and grabbed Cameron's left hand for comfort. He grinned up at her although he was having a hard time keeping his eyes open.

"You're shaking." He whispered.

Ashton shrugged.

"I've never mouthed off to the headmaster before." She said just as quietly. Cameron chuckled.

"You were brilliant." He said.

Ashton smiled, the ghost of a blush sweeping over her cheeks. She tried to look away but Cameron squeezed her hand.

"I saw that."

Ashton chuckled and sat in the chair Nia had just pushed behind her. She put Cameron's hand to her cheek and ran small circles around the area just below the Mark. Cameron's eyes closed and his grin broadened.

"That feels nice." He said quietly before wincing in pain as Madame Pomfrey shot a few spells at the wound to mend the rips and tears.

Braxton smirked and turned to Blaise.

"Do you think they'll finally admit they fancy each other?" he asked.

Blaise shrugged and motioned with his head towards Draco and Nia. He stood behind her with his arms wrapped her waist and her hands resting lightly on his arms. Draco's chin was resting on the top of her head and Nia was grinning below him.

"Looks like those two finally did."

Braxton and Blaise chuckled before going to sit on either side of Vince who was staring at his feet.

"Are you alright mate?" Blaise asked.

Vince nodded.

"I think I will be."