Chapter Eighteen
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, JK Rowling does and unfortunately I am not her.
Summary: After the Second Wizarding War, a Guardian was given to each child of the main families that helped in the war. They were all tasked with a simple job, protect their allocated person with their life. Somehow, Freya screwed it up in the biggest way. She fell in love.
There are going to be a lot of OCs, but the focus is going to be on Freya.
Guest: I like Draco as a character and I think that he is really interesting. I also agree that he is a very complex character, however he isn't my favourite character of them all. I think his story is really interesting and you can really understand why he turned out the way he did. I think a lot of people can really sympathise with Draco about feeling trapped and the expectations that were placed on him at an early age – I know that I do to a certain level.
HARRY POTTER
It didn't take that long for Freya to reach the Chamber. Once inside, Freya was welcomed to a sight that made her blood boil further. In front of her stood Castiel, and in a chair opposite, he was Eric. Eric was tied to the chair and his face was covered in blood. Eric's left eye was bulging and blood pouring from a wound on his head. It looked like Castiel had got very physical with Eric and had moved away from the typical torture methods using magic that had been taught in the Guardian Program. However, this had always been Castiel's preferred method of torture. Eric was screaming in pain, something that Freya didn't hear when she had stormed into the chamber, more than likely due to the silencing charm around the chamber.
"For the last time, you're going to tell me what you are planning?!" Castiel yelled at Eric, spit flying from his mouth and onto Eric's abused face. Castiel's face was flushed red in anger and frustration. He had been interrogating Eric for over two hours and had come up with nothing. He kept on denying everything, which only served to annoy the Guardian more.
Eric glared at him and bared his teeth, revealing more blood. "And I said, I don't know what you're talking about!" He yelled back, still in visible pain. He wasn't interested in the Triwizard Tournament. He just thought that it was another way for the Potter family to steal all the attention. That's why he was in the Slytherin Common room just looking over some DADA homework that was due on at the end of the week. That's all he could remember though, and the next thing he knew he was sitting in this chair with this guy he had never seen before.
With a growl, Castiel raised his wand. "Cruc-"
"Accio Castiel's wand!" Freya immediately yelled out, pointing her own wand. In an instant, Castiel's wand was yanked out of his hand and landed in Freya's outstretched hand. She gripped the wand tighter when Castiel whirled around and glared at whoever took his wand. For a moment, his eyes widened and fear briefly flashed in his eyes, but his bravado soon came back.
Eric's eyes widened. "Please, help me!" He had seen a chance and there was no way he was going to mess up this opportunity. There was no way he was staying with this mad-man. However, it did cross his mind that this girl could have been even worse. Although, that thought immediately went away when he saw the look in her eyes.
Freya motioned for Cordelia and Katrina – who were behind her – to release Eric with a quick nod of her head. As the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor got closer, Castiel took an offensive position, ready to attack. He glared at them, his narrowed gaze focused mainly on Cordelia. However, Freya already had her wand at the ready and pointed directly at the Slytherin, "Move and you will regret it." She warned him with a severe tone. She wouldn't hold back if Castiel tried to attack Katrina or Cordelia and she would make him pay before he could even blink. She wouldn't put it past him either to attack – sometimes she knew Castiel better than he knew himself, that's why she wasn't too surprised.
Castiel instantly stopped and watched as Cordelia and Katrina helped Eric. His eyes were narrowed as he watched this, his fists were clenched as though he wanted to stop them. Katrina and Cordelia used magic to untie the rope around Eric's wrists and feet. While they were doing this, Cordelia used a spell to knock Eric unconscious because they didn't need him asking questions on the way out. With that gone, they helped him up by throwing his arms over their shoulder.
"Get him out, now," Freya ordered, keeping her eyes trained on Castiel.
Without a word, Cordelia and Katrina took Eric away. They supported his dead weight, each one holding his arm and shoulder as they walked out. Freya could hear Katrina and Cordelia whispering about giving Eric medical attention or either taking him to the nurse's office. Freya didn't see this as a problem because she knew that their pendant would activate and make him forget all about this ordeal when he woke up. He just needed to be healed and he wouldn't even know this had ever happened to him.
When they were gone, Freya began to speak. "What were you thinking?" She asked, her voice low in anger.
"I was doing what was right. He is a danger to everyone and I was going to find out what he was planning." Castiel said in a defiant tone. He fully believed that he had a right to do what he did. He had seen an opportunity and he had taken it with both hands. No one but him seemed to believe that Eric was a real threat, but Castiel planned on exposing Eric for what he truly was. Only then would Freya admit that she was wrong and she would bow to him.
Freya scowled darkly. "The only danger I see now is standing right in front of me." At this, Castiel flinched harshly. He knew that what he was doing was very risky. He had been surprised that he hadn't been found out sooner. Castiel knew that if it had been any other Guardian, he could have got away with his actions, but not with Freya. But he was willing to risk punishment.
"I also warned you not to defy me," Freya said, the grip on her wand tightening.
Castiel said nothing and just glared at her.
For a moment, Freya wanted to snap his wand in half just to spite him. However, she stopped herself and slowly, a smirk spread across her face. Without another word, Freya threw Castiel's wand right back at him.
Castiel's eyes widened in surprise as he caught his wand clumsily. "W-what are you doing?" He asked, looking uncertain of what was happening. For a moment, he was certain that Freya was going to blast him into the next century for his defiance. But this move just unnerved him even further because it was something he wasn't expecting at all.
"It's not very honourable to knock down an opponent when they don't even have a wand. Besides, you've been trying to get this fight for two years, and I am going to allow it." Freya said, the smirk only growing on her face as she spoke.
Castiel said nothing, but he did raise his wand. "Stupefy!" Castiel yelled, making this first move. A jet of light burst from his wand as it aimed for Freya.
With lightning speed, Freya had uttered back a spell. "Protego." Castiel's offensive spell did not hit her, but the light blue shield that appeared around her. It only became visible once hit and then it disappeared. It bounced off her shield and then aimed right back at Castiel. Luckily for him, Castiel jumped out of the way, just in time.
Just as Castiel was about to aim for another spell, Freya was already one step ahead of him. "Aguamenti." A jet of water burst from Freya's wand and straight to him. The powerful attack just barely missed Castiel, who jumped out of the way. However, it had caught his leg, soaking the bottoms of his trousers. He looked down at his trouser leg and scowled.
However, Freya wasn't done. "Depulso." She pointed her wand directly at him and waited for the results.
It was instantaneous; Castiel was thrown back violently, his back hitting the stone floor and making him wince visibly. He didn't have a very soft landing and had ended up falling back into his right arm. Castiel hissed, feeling his shoulder strain under the pressure. He felt like his shoulder was going to pop out of its socket.
Freya watched him for a moment, silently assessing the damage that she had done. "Do you see now Castiel, the difference between you and me?" Freya asked him as she walked over to him. Castiel was a powerful Guardian, but she had an extra years' worth of training and she had parents that didn't understand the word no. Freya had been trained to be faster and smarter than everyone else. Strength didn't matter too much because as long as someone couldn't hit you, their strength meant nothing and would do them no favours. She also had Lance breathing down her neck and the shadow of her sister looming over her. Freya could not be weak, otherwise, she would die; weakness meant death in the Guardian Program and even more so for her.
Castiel snarled and raised his wand. "Confringo."
Freya moved out of the way smoothly, making the attack miss her.
Castiel tightened the grip on his wand and tried again. "Confringo!"
Again, Freya flawlessly moved out of the way in time, before the spell could even touch her.
Gritting his teeth, Castiel tried again and put a lot of force behind this last spell. "Confringo!" An orange, fire-like light burst from his wand and was aimed at Freya. The light was large, indicating to how much force he had put behind that spell.
However, the third attack missed once more. Freya almost seemed to be dancing around him, taunting him. She wasn't even using a spell to defend herself; she was just moving out of the way like a graceful swan. Castiel looked down at his soaked trouser leg; he hadn't been able to evade quick enough from her attack like she was doing with him. This just seemed to highlight the power difference between the two Guardians. They have made it into the same program, but that didn't mean they were equal.
Freya stopped and saw the look of despair in his eyes; something that she hadn't seen before in Castiel. "Is that it? I thought you had more fight in you than that." Freya said, taunting him with that smirk on her face.
This seemed to snap Castiel out of his daze. He stood up and aimed his wand again. "Expelliarmus!" A jet of green light shoots out from his wand, aiming for Freya.
Freya easily raised her wand. "Protego." The spell hit her shield and sent it right back at him.
Castiel barely managed to dodge his own attack being sent back at him. Just as Castiel got his bearings back, he was about to raise his wand, but Freya had already beaten him to it.
"Bombarda Maxima." Freya pointed her wand at Castiel. A loud noise resonated from Freya's wand, it almost sounded like metal hitting metal. However, because Freya was used to this sound, she didn't have to worry about her eye drums bursting.
Pain exploded on his shoulder, causing Castiel to scream. His hand immediately went to the area that was in pain. There was no blood, but his shoulder was killing him. It felt like someone had stabbed him in the shoulder.
"Depulso," Freya said once more, her wand pointed at the Slytherin. A powerful burst shot out from her wand and was aimed directly at him.
Castiel attempted to use a Shielding spell, but the spell hit him too quick for him to even raise his wand. With a groan, Castiel was sent flying back further into the Chamber of Secrets. He landed on his side painfully, causing him to cry out in pain once more.
Freya watched Castiel for a moment, watched as he struggled to get up. He had been thrown around quite a few times and had landed very hard. Not to mention he was draining his magic very quickly and he hadn't even used that many spells. Castiel's issue was that he put too much magical energy into one spell, meaning that he tired himself out quickly and that's why he could never last long in a duel. However, Freya could see that he wasn't going to give up without a push, something Freya was more than happy to deliver.
"Carpe Retractum." Having had enough, Freya raised her wand. Rope shot out from her wand and wrapped itself around Castiel, immobilising him. Castiel struggled against the rope, but it only grew tighter the more he struggled.
Freya walked over to the Slytherin. "Do you yield?" She asked, her wand still pointed at him.
Castiel said nothing but bared his teeth in a challenging manner. He wasn't going to yield. He would find a way out of these ropes and he would make Freya pay for this. He glared at her with hatred in his eyes.
Freya rolled her eyes, expecting this reaction. "Levicorpus."
Castiel let out a yelp as he was lifted into the air by his feet. He attempted to struggle, even more, doubling his efforts, but he stopped when he realised how far up in the air he was. He looked down and saw that Freya was moving him towards the water of the Chamber. Castiel also took notice of the fact his wand was on the ground, nowhere near him.
"Do you yield?" Freya asked once more, her tone more teasing. She knew that he had no choice, he had been out duelled and was now defenceless against her.
Gritting his teeth, Castiel nodded his head. Saying nothing, Freya nodded her head, accepting this answer. She knew that she wasn't going to get a verbal answer from him. Castiel's pride and ego was far too wounded to even speak. Turning around, Freya was taken aback for a moment. At the entrance of the Chamber stood all the Guardians. They had been watching the entire time with baited breaths. They all stared at Freya – the younger ones in fear and the older ones in awe – but not one of them made a move to help Castiel. Freya took notice of Katrina, Cordelia and Ryan among them. Cordelia seemed as though she was trying to hold back her laughter, looking at Castiel with the smuggest and amused expression. Ryan also seemed to be amused, but it was Katrina that didn't look amused in the slightest.
Taking a breather, Freya decided to address the Guardians. "I warned Castiel not to go after Eric and yet he did so anyway. This is his last warning." Freya said and looked to Castiel as she said this last part. Castiel and Freya made eye contact. "Pull another stunt like this again and I won't hold back," Freya said, her tone chilling and icy. Freya and Castiel continued to stare at one another, neither one giving in. However, after a few seconds, Castiel looked away from her. Satisfied, Freya turned around and walked out of the Chamber with her head held high.
As she walked towards the Guardians, they parted away from her, giving her space.
HARRY POTTER
It was only when Freya reached the Gryffindor common room and entered her dorm room did Freya truly relax. Freya sat on her bed, all the fatigue hitting her at that moment. She had been running on adrenaline for the past few hours and now she could feel her energy leaving her. Freya was exhausted. She had been tired before her duel with Castiel and now she was even more drained than before. Moving on the bed, Freya winced in pain. She had really done a number on herself when she had fallen off her broom in the challenge. Her pendant had helped heal her, thanks to McGonagall's extra spells. But that didn't make the injury any less painful. If it hadn't have been for that wall, she just may have fallen into the quicksand, much like Isaak, Alicia and Roman had.
"Just two more challenges. Just two more and then this will be all over." Freya muttered softly to herself. She just had to make it through this year and then it would all be over. She wouldn't have to guard Albus and she could go back to watching over James. She could back to her normal life of watching and being James' shadow. For years, this thought used to give her comfort. However, Freya didn't find that much comfort in this thought and this caused a heavy feeling to settle on her chest.
A soft meow brought Freya out of her daze. Turning her head, Freya spotted Sapphie on the bed, looking at with her large green eyes.
"I'm okay, Sapphie." Freya muttered softly, petting her tabby cat. Sapphie purred loudly, happy for the attention that she was receiving. Watching her cat purr happily made the edges of her mouth twitch, but that immediately stopped when she heard someone come into the dorm room.
HARRY POTTER
That same day
Harry arrived in McGonagall's office soon after the challenge was over. Harry had congratulated his son and checked to see if he was okay. James had rushed over too, also worried for his younger brother. But during this flurry of events, Harry had noticed that McGonagall had slipped out of the arena without anyone noticing and at first, this didn't concern Harry. However, he became worried when he also noticed that Lance had slipped out of the arena too. Harry didn't like how slippery Lance could be. Harry had arrived in the office to find no one, but he decided to wait. As Harry was walking around, he heard two approaching voice – one belonging to McGonagall and the other to Lance Johnson. For a moment, Harry mentally cursed before hiding behind a wall nearby so no one could see him. He had hidden just in time. Just then, McGonagall and Lance entered the office, appearing to be arguing.
"I will not tolerate lying, McGonagall. What did Mr Potter ask you?" Lance demanded, his gazed narrowed on the headmistress.
McGonagall rolled her eyes. "And as I said before, that is none of your concern." For a moment, McGonagall's gaze flickered to the side of the room, where Harry was currently hiding. She then turned her gaze back to Lance, hoping that he didn't notice her eyes moving.
Harry felt himself grin. Of course, McGonagall would notice that something was amiss in her own office. She was very observant and she would recognise his magical signature as Harry was only concealing it slightly. Just as long as Lance didn't notice him then everything should be okay.
Lance sneered. "Of course it is my concern. Now, tell me." He demanded once more, his tone becoming more forceful.
McGonagall returned his stare with her own glare. "I will not be intimated by you of all people."
Harry silently cheered in his mind. Though, he did find it surprising to see Lance in such a state. In the Ministry, Lance was also seen as a calm and put together individual. Many of the women saw him as charming and dashing. Lance was a respected Auror, which only served to make him a well-respected member of the Ministry. However, seeing this right now made Harry suspicious. What else could Lance be hiding behind his mask?
Lance took a deep breath. "Don't make me bring the Guardians back here. I wouldn't want to interrupt their studies." He said, the threat clear in his tone.
Harry frowned, 'Guardians?' He had heard something similar before and this triggered a memory. Harry cast his thoughts back to a week ago, he had seen something very similar on Kingsley's desk but was interrupted from seeing the rest of the letter because Lance had disturbed him. However, it was the last part of his sentence that disturbed Harry the most. Was it possible that the 'Guardians' were students? Harry immediately shook his head, they couldn't possibly be. Why would students in Hogwarts be in involved with something in the Ministry?
McGonagall said nothing for a moment, but mentally she was cursing Lance. This is what she hated. No matter how much McGonagall fought with him, Lance would always play dirty and involve the children in the matter to make her yield. "Mr Potter was asking if I had been invited to the Christmas Party you are hosting." McGonagall eventually replied back with a sigh in her tone.
Lance frowned and glared at her, "Are you sure?"
"Positive," McGonagall replied back dryly.
"And why didn't you just say that?" Lance asked, a look of suspicious on his face.
McGonagall sighed. "I didn't see it as important."
For a few seconds, McGonagall and Lance just stared at one another, neither one willing to give in. Eventually, Lance nodded his head and left the room, happy with the information that he had gathered. It was only when Lance was out of sight, and when McGonagall couldn't feel his magical signature did she finally relax. She sighed deeply and sat down on her chair behind her desk, happy that Lance was no longer in her office. However, she wasn't alone and now she had to deal with him too.
"You can come out Mr Potter," McGonagall said after a few seconds of silence.
Harry slowly moved out of his hiding spot. "Well, that was interesting. Are you alright?" Harry asked, moving over to the seats in front of McGonagall's desk. As he looked at her, he saw the exhaustion in her eyes, it was as though that conversation with Lance had taken years off her.
McGonagall rolled her eyes. "I am fine, Mr Potter."
Harry nodded his head and frowned. What Lance had said was still on his mind, "McGonagall, when Lance referred to Guardians, was he talking about students here?" Harry asked, looking at her with a curious expression. What Lance had said was still bugging him and Harry wanted an answer.
"I am sorry, Mr Potter but I cannot answer that," McGonagall said, looking at her desk. She wanted to tell him so badly, but she knew she couldn't. She had to take every precaution possible so that it didn't come back on her.
"But why?" Harry pressed further.
McGonagall looked at him directly in the eyes, "Mr Potter, you must find this out for yourself. This has been a well-kept secret for many years and no one has said a thing. Mr Johnson would immediately know that I said something and the consequences would be very dire. You need to uncover this yourself." McGonagall knew that she couldn't help Harry out that much anyway because she had only been told certain things and had witnessed certain things. Lance had only told her things that she needed to know as she is the Headmistress of Hogwarts and that's why Lance would immediately know she had said something. McGonagall had already risked the student's lives by going to see Harry in the first place, but it needed to be done as to get the ball rolling on the situation. McGonagall wouldn't test fate a second time.
Harry frowned, but accepted the answer. "And my other question from earlier?" Harry asked, referring back to the challenge they had just come from. He was talking about the girl who volunteered to be Albus' Shield in the Tournament.
For a moment, McGonagall was silent. She didn't know if she could tell him this information. She had avoided telling Lance the truth because she didn't want him to worry, because if Lance got worried then he would get defensive. It would result in Lance becoming wary of Harry and this could possibly ruin any chance of Harry investigating in secret and without scrutiny. However, it was perfectly normal that Harry wanted to know the name of Hogwarts' Shield since he hadn't been told.
"Her name is Freya Williams," McGonagall answered eventually.
Harry nodded his head, keeping that name in mind to look into later.
McGonagall stood from her seat. "Now, if you will excuse me. I have some business to attend to. And Mr Potter, when you leave my office, make sure no one sees you." McGonagall said with a severe expression. The last thing she needed was Lance knowing that Harry was in her office just after he left.
Harry frowned but understood what she was saying.
Without another word, McGonagall left her office.
Harry stood up and got ready to leave, but a voice stopped him. "Mr Potter, a moment of your time." Said the voice of Albus Dumbledore from one of the many portraits that hung on the wall in the room. He had been watching the entire time and he felt now was a good time to intervene.
Harry looked up with a curious expression.
"The answer to your first question is yes," Dumbledore said, his blue eyes twinkling in his portrait.
For a moment, Harry said nothing but then his eyes widen. "Thank you," Harry said before leaving, making sure that no one saw him.
The portrait of Severus Snape sighed. "I thought you said we shouldn't intervene, Dumbledore?" He asked the scowl still permanently on his face.
Dumbledore chuckled. "I did say that. But there is nothing wrong with a little nudge every now and again."
Snape sighed and just shook his head.