The Enchanter's Princess

Chapter 27: The Enchanter's Princess

The next task was quite a job. They parted with Louis at the Charms corridor and Albus covered them all with his Invisibility Cloak, including Mark and Aries who were both Stunned. Seth looked at the cloak in slight interest but said nothing. Scorpius turned to James as Albus and Seth bound the unconscious couple up by ropes. Albus had to silently compliment Seth's handiwork. He had never seen anyone so thoroughly stunned before and they did not look like they would be waking up anytime soon. In fact, when he saw them, he looked over at Seth and asked quietly, "You didn't kill them, did you?"

"Ever heard of a Stunning spell killing people?" he asked testily. He considered them both and shrugged, "They won't be waking up anytime soon though."

"So, what's the plan here?" Seth asked as they went on the move, Mark and Aries floating after them eerily.

"Mark was very defensive with me at the beginning of the year when I asked him about the Princess," James said. "Remember, Al? So, I suspected him and Aries ever since and had Louis get in her good looks. Gain her trust. Just now, we saw some fruition. Now, we go to Phoenix's office," James said casually.

It took Albus, Seth and Scorpius time to absorb James' remarks. Finally, Scorpius said, "And… why there?"

"The Princess is supposed to be in Slytherin house," James and Albus said in unison, though James said it matter-of-factly and Albus said it in realization.

"So, what, you're gonna resort her?" Scorpius asked.

"Hopefully," James said, staring intently at the new Marauder's Map. They ran into no one. The corridors were so silent, they hardly needed to cloak.

"And when she refuses to be resorted?"

Again, James and Albus were silent. Albus had a crazy idea if they needed to get desperate but he had doubts it would work. "Well, I suppose there's always the Imperius Curse," he offered half-heartedly. "Seth could do it. He'll probably feel no guilt."

"Why me?" Seth said casually as they reached the griffin blocking the staircase to Phoenix's office. "You're perfectly capable."

"Shut it."

"Both of you, shut it," James said tensely. "Licorice Sticks!"

"Muggle sweet," Albus muttered to Seth, reminding himself of Alex when he took Albus for a resorting.

Seth just glared at him as the griffin sprung to life and leapt aside for them, revealing the moving staircase spiraling up into a single tower. Once again, Albus was entering Phoenix's office with Scorpius and Mark present for a resorting but this time… this time he had Aries, Seth and James with him. He would have never foreseen this. James opened the door like he owned the place and walked in. Once inside, Albus whipped the cloak off himself and looked around. The office was the same as before with books upon books of different Arts piled on the desk, the portraits of the previous Headmasters and Headmistresses sleeping peacefully (or feigning,) and the sorting hat resting on its usual three-legged stool.

"Bind them to the chair," James told Scorpius. "And Disarm them for goodness' sake."

Scorpius was already on it. He had both their wands on the desk and magical ropes bound them both to the chairs, James cast a Silencing Charm on them and Seth finally woke them up. Upon waking, Aries struggled so violently, she nearly fell back on her chair. Mark did not even bother struggling. He was staring at Albus with a mixture of wonder, horror, and dislike. Albus kept his gaze determinedly off him as he made for the sorting hat.

"Al, stop!" James said in surprise but too late.

Albus' hands grew boils the second it lay hands on the hat. He cursed and withdrew them, stumbling back and tripping back against the wall. He yelped in pain as Scorpius rushed over. His hands were burning and they felt like they were crumbling. When Scorpius saw them, he cursed. They were withering away. "NO!" Albus shook his forming stump desperately and as if in response, his hands reformed.

"You ok?" Scorpius asked concernedly.

Still staring at his hands, now innocently in one piece, Albus snapped, "I take a hat that practically lives its life on other's people's skin, my hands burn off and disappears and then comes back. Yes, Scorpius, I'm perfectly fine! All in a day's lesson."

"What happened?" James demanded.

"A Charm," Seth said. "And not as bad as it looked."

"Hi, Aries," James said brightly. "Hi, Mark. Thanks for kissing her, by the way. Your crazy affections for your fiancée really helped us out. We couldn't have done it without you."

Albus kept as far from Aries as possible. Seth was looking around casually, even seemed to be considering leaving the office. Scorpius on the other hand looked at the hat apprehensively. Mark and Aries said nothing. Apart from being the possible instigators of Albus' burning hands, they did not seem able to do much else. Aries kept her eyes on James though, as if swearing to him silently that he would pay dearly. James seemed unconcerned as he paced the room, "So, you burned my brother's hands off, Cursed the hat, and honestly? That is actually looking like Dark Magic to me. Who could it be, I wonder?"

James stared hard at the both of them. It was seriously interesting seeing James work. For the first time, Albus could really appreciate just how genius James could be. He really knew the secrets and knew how they were hidden.

"Mark hates Dark Magic," James breathed. "Only thr… two people in this room have experience with the Dark Arts. Aries V. Kimble and Seth Lean."

"You think I burned Al's hands?" Seth's folded his arms.

"No… I think Aries did," James smirked.

Aries just stared. Her grey eyes could not hide the fire in them. Albus knew she did it. How she managed such powerful, wandless magic, he did not know and he was not going to ask. Albus and James jumped as Seth cleared his throat and pointed. The doorway was wide open but no one was standing there.

Upon Seth pointing though, a Disillusionment Charm was lifted and Phoenix was standing in the doorway. Albus got a sudden rush of déjà vu as this was the second time Phoenix came in to his own office as a sorting session was going on. Phoenix seemed to be thinking along the same lines. "Excellent supersensory Charm, Lean. So, is my office always this popular? Why are two students bound up to my chairs?"

"Time to see just how loyal our Headmaster really is," James muttered as Scorpius tensed up.

Professor Phoenix walked right in and looked around at them all. Scorpius and Seth backed away immediately but James and Albus took their stand beside their hostages. Professor Phoenix stared daggers at them all but they still stayed where they were, James even folding his arms defiantly. They were waiting for their Headmaster to say something, anything to alleviate the tension. However, there he stood, waiting for one of them to dare speak up. Scorpius tried hiding behind Albus, as if thinking he might manage to be invisible by hiding behind his best friend.

Finally, Albus took the initiative, "We… need a resorting."

"A resorting…" Phoenix looked from Albus to Mark and Aries, both bound up. "So, is Mr. Wallader finally being punished for instigating your resorting two years ago or is this another reason?"

"Aries," Albus answered simply, willing Phoenix to understand the situation without saying much else.

Thankfully, he nodded and unbound Mark and Aries. Albus expected what came next, of course. Aries bolted right up and yelled, "Obliviate!"

A jet of green light came straight at Albus' face. A shield erupted between him and the spell, blocking it. Albus saw Seth's wand out and knew he stopped Albus' memory from being modified but before anyone could do anything, Aries bolted from the room. Phoenix stepped aside rather bemusedly and Scorpius leapt into hiding. James whipped his wand out but Mark Disarmed him in a heartbeat. Aries bound James up against the wall easily before turning her wand on Albus again. Albus was ready this time. He summoned the Contego shield but she broke it easily and sent another Memory Charm which Albus barely ducked. She rushed him and would've hit him the next time if Phoenix had not raised his wand and let a bang out.

"ENOUGH!" he roared and everyone, either willingly or unwillingly sat down. Mark and Aries were beaten now. To run would draw too much attention to themselves. For the first time ever, Albus could see the look of a girl who was cornered in Aries' eyes. Her eyes were on fire but her expression said otherwise. She stared down and even Mark looked sorry. He kept his hand on her shoulder supportively.

Professor Phoenix stood over Mark and Aries, who despite being unbound stayed sitting. Mark was the one who looked up at him now, "Leave her alone."

"Leave her alone?" Phoenix repeated.

"She has nothing to do with this," Mark told him frankly. "It's best she keeps to herself."

"I disagree, Mr. Wallader," Phoenix said conversationally, like they were discussing something of mere philosophical importance. "I think it is very important that she comes out of hiding."

"So, she is the Enchanter's Princess?" James asked slowly.

"So you've been on her trail as well?" Phoenix said. "My sources told me as much. Informed me that Albus Potter was chasing her down. I did not think he would come this far."

The mood of the room changed completely. James kept his eyes suspiciously on Phoenix as Albus unbound him from the wall. Phoenix said nothing further though, "You've got no reason for using her!" Mark said loudly. "None!"

"Let it go, Mr. Wallader," Phoenix told him.

"Why sort her if we already know?" James asked. "We kind of wanted to see what house she would make. If she makes Slytherin, it's clear she's the real deal."

"No one is truly found until they've made peace with it themselves," Phoenix said wisely. "If you're right, and Miss Kimble is the real deal, her family has been in hiding for years."

"Only because of superstition," Mark told him straightly. "If you let her go, it can remain a mystery. She has nothing to do with this. Nothing."

"So, you're saying she's not the Enchanter's Princess?" Phoenix asked him.

"The Princess is supposed to be an ideal, not an actual person," Mark offered. "Plus, she's supposed to be in Slytherin, returned from abroad to unify the ranks in Hogwarts. Aries is in Gryffindor and is British."

"But she lived in America."

"It doesn't matter," Mark shook his head. "She can just as easily go back. Her unifying efforts will fail, guys! Leave her alone!"

"Then, the hat goes on and she has nothing to fear," Phoenix shrugged, turning towards the sorting hat. "She makes Gryffindor house and we let her go."

"It's not that simple," Mark told him. "Aries was never sorted but it's a given she'll make a fantastic Slytherin. She chose Gryffindor and she can choose it again. How can you rely on a simple sorting to"-

"It's not a simple sorting," Albus said aloud.

Mark went red, "Stay out of this, Potter."

Albus flinched back, a little hurt at Mark's use of last name, like they were no longer on first-name terms, let alone the usual nickname he got. Al. Even Scorpius seemed surprised at Mark's use of last name.

Only James was unfazed. "She fits the match perfectly," James said. "Comes from abroad, natural talent in just about everything… truth be told, she was obvious from the beginning."

"It's not about her being obvious," Mark told him steadily. "Even if everyone knew, if they left her alone about it, it need not be relevant. Why do you even need to know?" Mark challenged them. "Even if she was! You're invading her privacy, her family history, and her right to self-identity. Trust me, some things are better left forgotten."

Albus whipped out the Amulet again and showed it Aries. Her eyes grew wide instinctively and Albus turned to Mark next, "She saw this. You lied to me last year. It's not your family crest. It's her family crest."

"Mark lied," Seth asked quietly to himself.

Scorpius watched the scene unfolding wordlessly and Mark went very red, eyeing Albus with pure anger and ferocity, "Whoever Aries is… you have no right to find out. Not you."

Scorpius was puzzled, "Why not Al? He started this whole thing. He has the right to finish it."

"I'll tell the truth if Potter gets out," Mark offered.

Albus did not move anywhere. Mark was not going to bring this up, was he? James stared at Mark with distaste. Everyone but Aries was, even Seth. Mark did not seem to care though. He stayed staring at Albus and James folded his arms, "Why should Al have to leave? You've been a defensive prick this entire year, Mark."

"You wouldn't be defending him if you knew what I knew," Mark said scathingly. He turned to Albus, "You want the truth? I want the truth. I want to know who you really are, now since the person I thought you were died. You want to talk about identity? Give me yours! Why don't you tell everyone what you did last winter? Huh? Tell them!"

The entire room was silent, looking at Albus now. Scorpius was wide-eyed, looking like Albus was keeping something from him, Aries was staring at Albus now curiously and Seth- Seth was close to smirking, looking curiously at Albus, as if wondering how he would get out of this.

"Mark"-

"Trust me, Aries, I got this," Mark said, standing up and facing a very uncomfortable Albus. "Own up, Al. What'd you do?"

"Mark"-

"Aries, hear this!" Mark said angrily. "You have no idea who you're dealing with when you talk to Al. No one does. If anyone comes out, it will not be because Al forced them out!" He turned and confronted Professor Phoenix, who was this entire time watching the scene evolve and change into something that threatened to be catastrophic. "Two years ago, you gave Albus Potter one hundred points for revolutionizing Slytherin house! And I trusted you because Al wasn't your typical Slytherin. He had proper mannerisms in conflict. He endured misfortune, knew how to deal with it calmly. He slipped but he never fell. He even played his cards right last year in the Shack. But last winter, he threw it all away. All of it and you want me to shut up?"

Mark was good at this. When he spoke, it made Albus almost feel like he truly did something wrong. But this time, Albus could not let Mark win. What was the alternative? Ridge was attacking fiercely, the Ministry had declared their alliance with the Goblins and Lily and Hugo nearly died. Was Albus supposed to let it happen? Mark nearly died himself. Ridge was aiming at him next. Albus acted on the spur of the moment, did the first spell to come into his head. Even Eric- Eric was on Albus' side.

"What did Al do?" Scorpius said defensively. "Al was with us last winter. You were too! I think you'd remember, Mark speaking against my family and offending our honor half the time just because you walked into the wrong room!"

"It's not the room that concerns me," Mark said, red-faced as Aries remained silent, eyes solely on Mark. Albus was hating Mark now. What was he doing? Why was he blocking Aries so actively? Did he know how dire their need to find out was? No, he never got Harry's note. If he had, Albus reflected, this might have been solved a long time ago. And here, Mark was drawing attention off Aries by dramatically throwing Albus in front.

"Get out of it, Mark," Albus seethed at him. "We're on a completely different subject."

"Don't try hiding"-

"You're the one hiding!" Albus said incredulously. "This is important. It's for the greater good! What happened last winter has nothing to do with this!"

Mark shot Albus a quick smile, an evil mischievous smile. Albus knew it all too well. Mark was silently acknowledging what he was doing and felt guiltless about it. The greater good, to him was standing in front of Aries and throwing anyone and anything in front. He was doing a splendid job of it too. But Alexis knowing was one thing. For Mark to tell everyone in the room would be catastrophic for Albus' social life. Even Scorpius did not know. He shot a short glance at Seth who was staring at Mark with an expression of distaste.

Mark ignored him, "Albus Potter used the Dark Arts last winter!" he said, making Aries eyes widen in shock, as if even she, despite not knowing Albus very well at all, did not expect this. Scorpius went from puzzled to understanding, as if holes in the story were finally being filled. Albus went red, not in embarrassment but anger. Mark continued, "And he killed Hogan Ridge. If everyone wanted to know what happened to him!"

"Wait…" Scorpius gasped as he stared at Albus as if he had never seen him before. "You? That's why Mark is so mad at you? Ever since Christmas? I know it happened at the Manor but I thought it was me he was mad at." He turned to Albus, "I thought a Goblin killed Ridge."

Phoenix was staring at Albus now and he had much the same look Scorpius had. Holes were finally being filled. Every portrait, even Snape and Dumbledore were silent. Only Phineas spoke up, "Insubordinate. Students did not kill Ministry employees in my day! No, sir, they did not. Students were"-

No portrait tried silencing him. No one did. Even Albus was silent. How would he take this? It was out. The truth was out. He could do nothing about it. He could only defend it now. Like Alexis said. It was clean. Mark had a wide smirk on his face. Aries stared at Albus with distaste too which Albus thought was hypocritical of her. She herself used the Dark Arts. She used them on Soto the year before. Why should Albus not use them on Ridge after he nearly killed Lily? Should he have let Ridge kill Mark and live with himself afterward?

"You're mad," Albus said quietly, insides boiling up dangerously.

"I'm mad?" Mark yelled.

"What do you have to say, Mr. Potter?" Phoenix asked calmly, turning to Albus now, apparently forgetting about the Princess. "Did you kill Mr. Ridge?"

Albus could not believe this. Mark was purposefully trying to keep the subject off of himself and Aries, he as good as admitted that Aries was the Princess and he was doing nothing about it. Despite everything, he would keep her hidden. And Phoenix was falling for it. He was growing angry again, "Professor"-

"Did you kill Mr. Ridge," he pressed loudly.

"HELL YEAH, I DID!" Albus screamed back. It was like his mood way back during the holidays. So much pressure finally accumulated until he could not stand it anymore. Uncomfortably aware of every eye in the room on him, he had no choice but to defend himself. "When a Ministry member tries KILLING your LITTLE SISTER and your FAVORITE COUSIN! A MINISTRY MEMBER WHO KEEPS YOUR FATHER IMPRISONED, TRIES EXPELLING ALL OF YOU! WHAT DO YOU EXPECT ME TO DO? I'M GLAD HE'S DEAD!" He stopped, breathing heavily.

Scorpius stared in shock. Albus knew he was going to be interrogated later. Scorpius had no clue Harry was imprisoned especially by the very Ministry his dad worked for. Then he discovered that Albus was the one who blew everything up, who started the war between the Ministry, the Purifiers, the DA, the Hogwarts Guard, the Goblins, and the Reservation.

Albus took a deep breath and said in a calmer but shaky voice, "I'm glad. He's gone. I- I'm willing- I'm willing to give my soul up, just to make sure my entire family is safe." His voice broke, "I saw my little sister get stabbed in the gut, I saw my cousin going down fighting to protect her. I- I should've done the same thing. The exact same thing. I should've been in his place! He should be grateful his death was clean and painless cause after what he did… I wish I did more." And he looked straight up at Phineas' portrait "And if the Ministry got away with murder in your day, you're damn fools!"

Mark and Albus were staring daggers at each others, each breathing heavily but Mark clearly taken-aback by Albus' sudden yelling. "Dad- look-… neither the Princess nor your enraged psychotic and sadistic nature will bring your dad back. He's gone. Get over it."

At Mark's words, Seth whipped his wand out and pointed it at Mark's neck threateningly. Aries did nothing. For the first time, all protectiveness had evaporated. Her bottom lip was trembling and Seth stared at Mark. Even through the stare, Seth remained emotionless on the outside but Albus knew that just then, for that one brief minute, he and Seth had a pure understanding. Albus knew that there were very few people Seth truly cared for: One was Simon but the other, judging by his attitude when she tried for Quidditch at the beginning of the year, was his younger sister Sierra. If anyone could understand Albus' position, it was Seth. "Al just saved your ungrateful life. Thank him." Mark looked at him strangely and Albus stared in shock. Seth? Really? "Thank him. Or next time you're threatened by the Dark Arts, maybe he'll step back and let you die and it'll damn well be more than you deserve."

"Seth… put your wand down," Albus said quietly.

Seth did so but kept staring at Mark, "I don't like his type."

"It's not that he's dead," Mark said quietly, not meeting Albus' eyes this time. "I'm glad to see him go. It's that you did it. You. Could've been anyone else. Why not Draco? Or Scorpius even."

"Why, so you could come after me next?" Scorpius asked.

"Why you?" Mark asked, ignoring Scorpius' quip.

"Because… I'm Lily's brother," Albus told him. "I'm Hugo's cousin. What would you have done? If he threatened the twins"-

"Don't go there, Al!"

"Eric would've done the same thing, he told me!" Albus said loudly. "You'd let them die? Just to keep appearances for yourself?" Mark seemed very split, insides battling it out. "Besides, how would you have had me do it? A regular curse would've destroyed him," he reminded him, using Alexis' logic. "At least I left him unmarked. At least he was whole, in one piece. Undisturbed. Respected."

It sure looked like it was over. But Mark was very red, anger pulsating through him. Seth was still standing in front of him, staring hard to Mark. Finally, Mark said quietly, "This world is full of evil people. Especially people like you," he said, looking directly at Seth.

Seth looked on the point of attacking Mark again but he just folded his arms. "Why, thank you."

"Look," Albus said quietly. "Mark… we need to find the Enchanter's Princess. Dad will not be freed until we find her. If she stays hidden, he stays imprisoned. I dunno about you, Mark but I want to rescue him. I want to stop Rojer and I want to kick him out of this school. I saved all the students once, I'll do it again and at the cost of my very soul if I have to. If you prefer expulsion, death or imprisonment, fine. Be my guest."

"That's what it was all about," Scorpius realized. His voice was emotionless too, just a realization. Albus sighed. He knew Scorpius was referring to the Hogwarts Guard but he could not talk openly in front of Phoenix. "It was about finding the Heirs, five of them and kicking Uncle Rojer and the rest of the Arsenal out of the school. Right?"

"Problem?" Seth asked him calmly.

"Hell, no," Scorpius said, clearly impressed.

"Wait a sec," Albus remembered something. He turned to Aries, "What did you do last summer? Why are you staying quiet?"

Aries' strength returned suddenly, her grey eyes growing fiery as she got up, took a deep breath and said, "I used the Dark Arts on Soto myself… when he tried killing Mark. Professor Phoenix, I'm ready to be sorted."

"Aries, no"-

"I got this, Mark," Aries said, taking command. "It's over. Just… let it go." She looked at Phoenix. "You have my word I will not influence the hat's decision in any way. I ask one thing in return: Wherever I make, I stay in Gryffindor with my fiancée."

"I'm not your fiancée," Mark said bluntly.

"You know what, Mark?" Aries told him, turning to him next. "Yes you are and you're going to pipe down and listen for once. We're going to graduate from Hogwarts, get married, and you're going to like it."

Seth, rather pleased with himself, stowed his wand away and walked back to take a seat against the wall. Professor Phoenix nodded and fetched the sorting stood. James stared incredulously at him, "Now you get involved? After we nearly go to wands, you get involved now?"

"Sometimes, the best way to end an argument is to allow it to run its course," Phoenix said wisely.

"I'll just… go then," Scorpius said uncertainly from behind Albus.

"Absolutely not," Phoenix said, flicking his wand to lock the door.

The Sorting hat stared at Aries interestedly. She stared back, ready. Phoenix stood beside the stool and even Albus, though feeling misplaced as usual, took interest in the developments. Scorpius on the other hand was trying very hard to hide behind Albus, as if afraid that the Sorting hat may take notice of him. The brim on the hat opened and he said, "Well, Miss Kimble. If you will be so kind as to sit on the stool, I have but a few looks to take inside your head and then I'll deal with Mr. Malfoy here." Albus sensed Scorpius going red behind him but Mark was focused more on Aries than anyone else. "Step forward, Miss Kimble, and show me everything."

Aries took a deep breath. Now the argument had blown off and Mark was yelled into silence, Albus could appreciate what was about to happen. They knew now who the Princess was. It was a matter of bringing her into the open. The long epic of discovering, speculating and wondering was finally coming to an end.