Black Stained

Chapter 25: Redemption

'Hold up, let me get this right,' A woman interupted the boss' speech as he spoke of his plans, 'you wanna sent a small group into that big ass mountain right there to clear up the mess someone else made?'

'Yes, miss Denver. ' The man responded impatiently. 'And if you would let me continue it will all make sense as to why I am sending a small group into that 'big ass mountain' as you call it.'

She heard the 'shut up and listen' tone behind his words and did exactly so.

'With the work we have to continue above ground and elsewhere than that mountain there are a lot of people needed, we can't affort to send in more. And there are no reinvorcements to call, I already checked. Nonetheless, I know this is a dangerous mission and the people who will carry it out will also require a tremendous ammount of skill, which is why I am asking you all.' He said as he looked each of the man and woman in the eyes standing in front of him.

'And luck if we want to survive.' Muttered the same woman under her breath, her boss didn't hear.

'Yes, it is dangerous. Yes, you are with few. But we can't forsake those dragons living in that mountain. It was, and still is our job to look out for each and every dragon living on this reserve.'

A few muttered some words of agreement and nodded.

'So, I ask you now. Who will help carry out this mission?' The boss intently looked around the group.

A few silent, contemplative minutes passed until a woman stepped forward. Her small frame and long blonde hair were not able to hide the fierceness which flowed from her and her piercing eyes. Determined she said 'I will'.

Soon others followed, admiring her courage. A certain red head did too, knowing said woman very well too.

Almost everyone joined and so there now stood a team of nine persons in front of the boss, willing to risk their lives for the dragons in danger of the mountains might.

'I thank you for your courage and good heart. Now prepare for leave and prepare for the worst.' With those words the boss dismissed them and the few others who hadn't joined. But not every person left the tent. Charlie stepped towards the boss and asked him the question he had wanted to ask ever since he had stepped into the newly formed team.

'Sir, with all do respect, isn't nine hardly enough of a team for a rescue mission in the mountains?'

'I understand, mr. Weasley, your concerns. But I do, however, believe in the power of this team. And besides I still hope a person is willing to join this mission.'

'Than who sir? If I may ask. Everyone else you invited just now who haven't joined don't seem to be joining any time later.'

'The person of whom I speak wasn't here, but also won't concern you. As long as you believe in your team you can do anything. Now go, don't waste anymore time talking to this old man while you should be making preperations.'

Charlie simply nodded and left the tent, puzzled by the mans answer. Of whom had he spoken? What person did he hope would soon join them, on a mission that was going to be testing all of their will and strength?

After spending over two hours in her cabin being miserable and allone, Aral decided it was time to go out again, see where she could perhaps help out. Outside she walked around, worked up the courage to ask some people if they wanted some help, and finally when she dared to ask someone, got rejected and wandered around more. No one really seemed to be wanting her help, she couldn't blame them. Finally she decided to go spend her free time where she also spent her time working: at the baby center. In the buidling she bumped into Nicki, who told her some suprising news.

'They've assembled a small team to break through the blocked mountain paths and rescue any injured dragon living there.'

'Just a small team? Of how many people to be exact? Such a mission sound like a big team kind of thing.' Aral frowned.

'Yeah, weird isn't it. I heard it was about nine people. But I guess the boss knows what he's doing.' Nicki responded while clearing some stuff from her desk. She gave Aral a glance from the corner of her eyes, should she tell her that Charlie is also part of this team? Aral picked up on her gaze and crossed her arms.

'Nicki, just spit it out. I know there is something you're not telling me.'

'Charlie is also in that team.' Nicki finally said.

This didn't surprise Aral at all, being courageous was a Weasley-family trait. Still, this concerned her.

'Maybe if I asked the boss kindly he will let me go too.' She contemplated. Nicki turned round to face her friend.

'Why would you want that? It is very dangerous there!'

'So? I made this mess remember. Why should anyone else face the dangers I created?' She shot back.

Nicki sighed, they both knew it was true. Aral picked up her jacket.

'I'm gonna go. Thanks for telling me, Nicki.' She said goodbye with a small smile and left.

'Oh, boy. I feel trouble.' Nicki said to herself.

When she left the building Aral had been walking in a steady pace, when she neared the mountain however and saw the team already leaving she accelerated into a full sprint. 'Wait!' She called out.

Charlie, who instantly recognized her voice, spun around to look for her. When she finally reached him she came to a halt.

'Let me come with you.' She panted, out of breath because of the running.

Before Charlie could say anything another man from the group turned to her and said: 'You're not qualified, girl.'

She ignored him however and urged Charlie to bring her. 'I made this mess, I am capable of taking care of myself. And sure it is dangerous but I made it so, so let me help. I've been sitting on my arse for too long now.' Charlie didn't know what to say, but luckily for him someone responded for him.

'Eric, if she wants to help out let her. She clearly knows the dangers and what I have heard is very well capable of holding her own. So why not?'

Aral looked at the small woman who came to her defence, giving her a smile of appreaciation.

'Aren't we supposed to ask the boss about this?' Another called.

'He just left for ministry bussiness which leaves me in charge and I say she can come with.' The woman again spoke up.

'Okay, I love standing in the sun and making small talk and all but shouldn't we go?' A woman commented. Aral just followed her as she started to the mountain. The women seemed to not have any difficulties with her joining last minute, the men were reluctant though. Charlie seemed to completely freeze, which was very unlike him. But soon he followed into step beside her and grabbed her arm.

'Aral are you sure you want to do this? It is dangerous, even more dangerous than you might think...'

'Charlie you always try to keep me save, and I apreaciate your concern, but I don't need you mothering all over me with every decision I make.' In her mind it had sounded way less harsh and unfeeling. She felt like a jerk right then, but it gave the effect she had wanted. Charlie backed off a little, not so much that they were sepperated. She just didn't want him to always try and stop her. And she didn't know what she wanted from him. He had helped her and all, but right now? What did she want? Did she still need to grow, yes obviously, but she didn't need Charlie for that anymore so why did he keep going after her? She guessed he was just trying to be a good friend to her... She shook of the thoughts. Her concentration was needed elsewhere.

'So first thing: the fallen debris and rocks from the earthquake need to be removed from the entrance. Others have already started to clear some space, but there are still big rocks to be removed. And don't think levitating these is an easy feat! This mountain is special as some of you might now, with great powers, which makes it more difficult to clear. Lets start over here. Devide into two teams of three and one of four for the biggest rocks, that way we can handle this as quickly and as efficiently as possible. Go.' The small woman, who apparently was also the leader of this group called. Aral immediately looked at Charlie to team up with, unfortunately for her the Eric guy from before was also included in her group of four, with another man. Great, she could almost taste the testosterone in the air around her.

'Let us handle this, Potter.' Eric sneered. Aral passively raised her eyebrows. 'Okay, show me how you will handle this.' She challenged him with a shrug. He just looked down on her like she was an insect. She wanted to punch his arrogant face so hard... He scoffed and motioned to Charlie and the other guy - apparently his name was Dean. Charlie looked between her and Eric and grumbled something. But came to Eric's side anyway to help clear out the debris. Clearly her words from before had stung him harder than she had wanted to. She bit her lip, but chose to ignore it. With the three of them it wouldn't seem like lifting some of the rocks would be a problem at all. It did however turn out to be as difficult as the woman had said. Once their magic hit the stone Aral straightened her back, the magic from the stone seemed to shoot ligthning right at her. It wasn't painfull or anything, but the heavy power of the mountain seemed to way down on her shoulders, fighting back. Straining and groaning the three man tried their best but hardly succeeded into lifiting the rocks. Just a couple of small once were levitated into the air and removed from their place. Aral, again feeling useless, walked up to them and concentrated. She felt Eric glaring daggers at her, so she turned round and looked him straight in the eyes. 'You may not like me, but there are dragons in those mountains that need both of our help. And by irritating each other we only delay our work and that kind of behaviour is childish so I am going to help you if you like it or not.' With that she turned back, relieved to not hear a word from Eric.

She stretched her arms to her sides and started concentrating on the magic not only within herself but in the rocks also. She did not strain her power to make it yield to hers but rather tried to make it work with her. Magic isn't supposed to be conquered, but worked with. At least that is what she believed before her time as a dark witch.

Slowly the rocks, with the help of the others, started to lift and finally took a place not in the way of the entrance. Happy with their accomplishment she turned to her group and smiled. Charlie smiled back, so did Dean. Eric ignored her however, only nodding at the others. Alright, you ass. They turned to see if the others might need some help. And seeing that they did they split up and helped them. Soon the whole entrance was cleared and they readied themselves to leave.

'Okay guys, once we go in there we have to stay alert at all times. That mountain isn't just a mountain like any other, there are many dangers we have to face so be careful and watch each others backs.' The woman spoke.

'Yeah, as long as I don't have to constantly babysit that Potter girl.' Eric sneered at some friend of his. He didn't know, but Aral heard him speak. She knew it was futile to start a fight over it, however, and stayed quiet.

'Lets move out.'

In a triangle form they entered the mountain and darkness immediately overtook. Some waved their wands and some used 'lumos' to conjure light. Aral did nothing, the place felt strange to her, draining. They walked on and soon reached an intersection. They started arguing about wether or not they should split up into two groups and each take another path.

'If we want to do this as fast as possible we should split up.'

'Yes, but fast doesn't mean save.'

Charlie was the only one who turned to their leader to make the decision. She chose it would be best to stay together for now, until they had cleared the mountain of most of their dangers. 'We head to the left, that side is closer to the biggest colony of dragons living here.'

So they continued on, and on, and on. The path didn't seem to end and when it did there was always an intersection, making them choose. They switched positions every so often. Aral now got to walk beside the leader of the group.

'We haven't been introduced yet. My name is Cora.' Said the woman, who at the same time extended her hand.

'Aral.' She shook her hand.

'You haven't done this before have you?' Cora asked her.

'Well... I have done some kind of rescuing work in dangerous places.' Breaking out death eaters from Azkaban, though she did not like to think about that.

'Stay alert and have each others backs, than we will make it.'

'I have a question: if people have been taking care of the dragons within these tunnels, how come it is so hard for us to find the way?'

'There was a spell placed on the entrance. It would, upon entering, transport you to dragons. So you wouldn't have to walk through these tunnels, which had been dug by goblins in medieval times.' She glanced around and back at Aral again. 'But when the earthquake hit the entrance, something changed. We're not sure what, but the spell has been broken.'

'How could an earthquake break a spell? Those are two very different matters.'

Cora shrugged, not knowing the answer. 'I don't know, what I do know however is that the boss was hiding something. I just can't figure out what...'

Upon realizing what she had just confessed to Aral she quickly looked over her shoulder to check if anyone else had heard her, and back at Aral again. 'Please, don't say anything to the others about this. We can't have doubt and fear in the team on such a mission.' Aral nodded, understanding.

Everyone started to pant and breath heavily and their legs seemed too heavy to lift. They had been hiking through the tunnels for some hours now. Cora called the team to rest. 'Lets rest here. Thirty minutes, tops. Then we continue.'

'You would think we would have reached the dragons by now already.' A man commented. 'We at least must be near them, though I can't see, feel or hear any sign of them.'

'Maybe they moved to another place where they felt safer.' Another thought.

'There are no other caves able to home such a large group of them.' Charlie said.

'Then maybe not all of them were able to move.' AKA: they were dead. Aral knew that comment was meant for her. Still she chose to ignore it. She looked at Cora instead who, with her back to the group, looked at something in her hand. She walked up to her and saw it was a compass.

'Does it show where we need to go?' She asked curiously. Cora hastily looked up and pulled Aral to the side. 'I don't know why I am trusting you with this, maybe it is because I already told you something the rest can't hear about, but...'

She seemed to contemplate wether or not telling Aral would be smart. 'Tell me.' Aral said. 'At least one other person should share your concerns.'

'It's the compass.' Cora held it up for her to see. 'It is, as you asked, supposed to show us the way to the dragons. But it has been acting strange ever since we entered the mountain.' Aral looked at it, saw the clock-hand move from one to the other position, not able to choose. 'What kind of magic is placed on it?'

'I suppose some ancient dragon trace, the runes on the sides indicate that it is very old. Maybe it just broke. It is old after all.' Cora offered, sighing.

But Aral didn't think so, she lightly touched the glass with her finger and for a few seconds her eyes closed. 'No, not broken.'

Cora frowned. 'Can you feel what is wrong with it?' She gave the compass to Aral.

'It isn't that easy, but I will try.' She let it rest on the palms of her hands and concentrated in the dark, the only nearby light coming from Cora's wand. It was strange... Her head felt like it got tucked to every direction. She realized it was following the clock-hand.

'It seems to be confused as to where the dragons are.' She said. 'But how can that be?'

Charlie noticed the two women standing to the side and walked over to them. 'What are you guys doing?' When he saw the compass in Aral's hands he immediately placed a hand on her shoulder. 'Aral.' He whispered.

'What are you doing?' Cora asked him. Charlie shook Aral a bit, which made her open her eyes. 'What?' Aral hissed, taking out of her concentration.

'I was just making sure, Aral.' Charlie explained. Her green eyes softened at his words. He was glad they weren't gold or black. But what was she doing? He again looked at the compass she was holding.

'What is that?' He pointed at the object in Aral's hands. 'Nothing that concerns you.' Cora countered and turned her back on him. 'You should be resting, in ten minutes we're leaving.' Reluctantly he backed off and sat down again on the hard stone.

Cora turned back to Aral again and asked her if she found out what was wrong with it.

'There is nothing wrong with the compass itself, or the spell. But something outside of it is blocking the magical emmission coming from the dragons. That way it can't point out where they are.' Aral explained.

Cora's eyes widened. 'Than there are other dark powers at work here.'

'Yeah, where did the boss get this compass from anyway? It isn't light magic, it's very dark.' Cora didn't know the answer to that question and just shook her head.

'But now we are without guidence. That's a huge problem.' Cora sighed. Before she could say anyhting else someone jumped up.

'Hey, I recognize this. There's paint on these walls. I remember from the last time I came down here. This streak leads to the dragons.'

'Seems like we found a solution to the problem.' Aral grinned. Cora nodded, 'Than we follow that trail.'

After some time of walking and following the paint someone mentioned how the road went downwards. 'Aren't we supposed to go upwards?'

'But I'm sure I saw the same thing last time I was here.' The guy muttered. 'Wait I think I see something over there, it looks like a cave.'

They moved to the opening at the end of the tunnel and pointed their wands to light it up. 'This isn't big enough to be housing any dragons...'

'But a cave nonetheless, we should investigate.' Another countered. They walked into the strange cave. Aral noticed how the floor had strange cracks in it and the walls seemed hollowed out. She walked up to one side of the cave and studied it closely. Charlie walked up next to her and shone some light on the rocks. He noticed that she hadn't summoned any light.

'Maybe it's a smart idea to conjure some light.' He said.

'Do you remember how Tonks was able to turn herself in almost every animal?' Aral asked him, thinking of the joyfull pink haired woman.

'Yes...'

'Look at my eyes, Charlie. Tell me what kind of shape they are.' He looked at them intently and started to notice how they were rounder, but the pupil like a sharp line. 'Nightvision.' He simply stated. She nodded. 'It's been a tric of mine to sneak out of bed in Hogwarts ever since first year. I soon found I was able to see even in the darkest hours.' Charlie, again, was surprised and amazed.

'These aren't just rocks. They look like someone tried to smoothen the stone.' She said.

'And the floor has these strange markings too.' Charlie thought with her.

'This isn't a normal cave.' Than what is it? She wanted to ask.

Before she could think of an answer Cora jumped out of a pathway she had found and with eyes as big as Dobby's she screamed. 'IT'S A TRAP! SCATTER!'

As soon as those words were spoken the rocks seemed to move and the ground shook. Those strange lines in the ground fell away and huge gaps apeared in the ground. Charlie looked at something above her and tried to grab Aral's arm, but missed. She got pulled away by someone else, who pulled her into a pathway which she hadn't seen before. In just seconds did chaos break loose and seperated the group. Aral sprinted through the tunnel, trying to get away from the falling rocks. After only some minutes of falling did she fall down. She felt something grab her buy her shirt and quickly she spun round to fight whatever it was.

'Ow, wait! It's me! Potter stop.' Her eyes met Eric's. Her fist were still clenched and ready to punch him. She found that, despite him being on the good side, she wanted to punch him in the face. 'What the hell happened over there?' She questioned him.

'How should I know, Potter?' She pushed away his hand from her shoulder and stood up, noticing she had damaged her knees with the fall.

'What did you notice?' He asked her more calmly.

'I saw strange lines in the ground and noticed how the rocks weren't... normal. Like they had been smoothened out or something. To look like a cave. And then of course Cora yelled that it was a trap and we ran.'

'Just before all the chaos I thought I saw something move. I don't know what it was.' Eric told her.

'So how are we going to find the others?' Aral asked him. 'I mean we have to find them.' Eric stayed quiet, sending a clear message that he didn't know how.

'I don't even know how we were going to find the dragons anyway.' Eric, defeated, sat down on the dusty ground.

Aral hesitated, but then decided: why the hell not. 'There was a compass, Cora had it. It was supposed to show us the way. But...' Aral felt quiet.

Eric looked up and frowned. 'But what?'

'As soon as we entered this mountain it stopped working. Something was distracting the clock-hand.' She explained.

'And you know this how?' He questioned. She sat back down beside him, squinting at the pain in her left leg.

'She asked me to look at it, she thought it was broken.'

'She asked you?' Eric scoffed.

'Yes, you asshole, me. I'm not an useless piece if shite as some might believe, you know.'

He stayed quiet after her comment. After a quiet minute he spoke up again. 'The guy who said the paint would lead to the dragons had no idea what he was doing.'

'I guess so.' Aral quietly agreed. She looked from the left to the right and sighed. 'We should make a plan.'

'What can we possibly do? We're stuck in a mountain, seperated from the others, with nothing to tell us where the dragons are and with dangerous creatures or whatever at every corner. Yeah, we're totally gonna survive this. We should have never signed up for this.'

'Are you really this negative about your own skills?' Aral questioned. 'And just FYI we do have a something to tell us where we should go.'

Eric turned to look at her and frowned. 'What?'

'We have me.' She said as she smiled at him mischievously.