After a while—Alice and Zander came to a smooth landing in the middle of the woods beyond London.

They stepped off the broom in a clearing, Samuel and Roman standing across from them near a snowy ledge, a single strange item on the ground in between them. It was a large purple plushie of a grindylow, one he'd borrowed from the carnival and converted into a portkey.

"Oy," Samuel smirked, nodding at the teens. "Didja get lost?"

Alice strode forward with her broom and shook her head. "Nah. Just lookin' at London. It looks brilliant from up high."

"Aye, well… gather 'round," Samuel said, waving around the plushie. "Get ready."

"Christ, Sam," Roman scoffed with a laugh, shaking his head down at the toy. "You couldn't get something more inconspicuous?"

"I run a magic carnival, Roman—I don't generally do inconspicuous," Samuel quipped in response. "C'mon."

The adults and the teens all sank to their knees, meeting eyes with one another and slowly reaching out. Samuel gave them all a nod—and they grabbed the toy in unison, Samuel and Roman grasping its fluffy arms while Alice and Zander clasped its legs.

At once—the world ripped away from them, wind and colors whizzing by in rapid flashes as they zapped away from London in an instant.

"Now!" Samuel yelled.

Everyone let go—soaring back and flying off in several directions.

Samuel was the first to hit the ground—leaping swiftly out of the vortex and landing on a massive grass clearing. He whipped around and waved at the air behind him without hesitation.

"Arresto Momentum!"

Roman landed on his feet as well—and Alice and Zander found themselves slowing to a stop just before gently stepping onto the damp grass, Alice gripping her broom viselike, both of them panting and gathering themselves.

A brief silence fell as they all straightened up, absorbing their new surroundings.

They stood near the edge of a steep, high cliff, overlooking the ocean as the washing of waves sounded from somewhere far below. On the other side—clear across the grand expanse of lush green grass—the dancing neon lights of their destination were just within view beneath the grayish-blue sky.

"Huh. You can't usually see it from here," Roman remarked.

"Aye, well… oddly enough, muggles still seem to like running off to outdoor vacation spots during Christmas, regardless of how bloody cold it is," Samuel explained, pocketing his hands. "So… I figured I'd keep it open to the muggle world a bit longer this year."

They began marching toward the carnival in the distance, Alice and Zander close behind, trading thoughtful expressions. The magic of the O'Heiden Carnival kept it hidden from the muggle world throughout many parts of the year, and the carnival would reappear to them during certain holidays or times of numerous tourist visits. It seemed the carnival would remain open to both worlds this Christmas.

And—the closer they drew to the carnival, the more its beautiful lights, echoing music, and fun atmosphere began to welcome them like always.

Samuel led them in through the main archway—a tall and crooked structure of many colors and lights, each side of it decorated with large depictions of him conjuring fire, stylish words posted above the images, reading The Samuel Show.

The music surrounded them now, a fun and old-school tune that complimented the feeling of the place quite well.

"You lured me in, with your cold gray eyesyour simple smile, and your bewitching lies…"

Samuel's signature smirk seemed permanently etched onto his face now, sauntering down the wide dirt path with a swagger to his walk. Many people stopped to speak to him or shake his hand, giving him numerous pleased greetings in passing.

"My bad, bad angelyou put the devil in me-e…!"

"Hah," Alice breathed from the back of the group, observing her father from behind as he fist-bumped another carnie friend of his. "Lookit him. Right at home."

Zander nodded. "I always forget he's such a top-dog. He's practically famous here."

"Don't let him hear you say that," Roman muttered back at him. "Might as well be pouring straight petrol on the wildfire that is his ego."

Alice laughed. "Aww—he worked hard to become what he is to this place! Let him have it!"

"I am," Roman chuckled. "That's why I said don't let him hear us."

"Lydia!" Samuel grinned, breaking away from the path and approaching a pink and decorative cotton candy stand. "'Ello, love—what can ya' do for my little guests today?"

The woman behind the counter—a beautiful blonde with long hair and a stylish tattoo on her left arm—smirked at him, tilting her head and making her dangly earrings shift about. "You want me to do that while there're muggles all around here?"

"Oy. You're not just a snack stand… you're an attraction," Samuel replied slyly. "So I reckon you oughta give the good people what they came here for, deary."

Lydia gave him a coy look, raising her hand over her rather large and empty cotton bowl.

Zander leaned over to Alice, eyeing Samuel oddly and mumbling in a hushed tone. "Am I insane, or did his accent just kick up like threefold?"

Alice clamped a hand over her mouth and stifled a sudden laugh.

Samuel reached over to the side of the counter, grabbing a bag of sugar that had been sitting against the edge of the wall. He opened it and poured a good amount of it into her bowl before setting the bag aside again.

Then, Lydia took a deep breath, murmuring under her breath and waving her fingers in a smooth, easeful manner above the sugar.

Alice, Zander, and various others nearby paused to watch—and the sugar began to bubble and grow, rising from the bowl and fading into a stark pink hue, transforming into cotton candy before their very eyes.

All the muggles nearby began to clap and nod in fascination, Alice and Zander trading a smirk.

"Thank ya' deary," Samuel smiled, waving the teens over. "Well? Have at."

Alice scooped a mound of fluff out with one of the nearby cones, handing it off to Zander before fashioning one for herself. She thanked Lydia, and then, Samuel led them onward, strolling past countless other stands as he continued to greet all the people he knew passing by.

Roman turned and eyed Samuel as they walked. "You're treading a real fine line in this place. Y'know that?"

"Parlor trick," Samuel replied with a wink and a click of the tongue. "Legal is legal whether it's on a fine line or not."

"Dad, can we do something with our brooms?" Alice asked, still carrying hers around. "I wanna take Zander to some rides, and I don't wanna lug this thing around the whole time."

"Aye… we all need to put 'em away, anyhow," Roman agreed, his own broom pinned beneath his meaty arm. "Muggles might start asking us questions about 'em."

"Ah. Well, we can use my other little handy-dandy bag, the one I shoved all your luggage in," Samuel told them, pulling out another cloth bag from somewhere inside his coat, this one crinkled and colored a dark green. "Stuff 'em in here."

"Riiight," Roman chided caustically. "Because shoving three whole broomsticks into a pint-sized bag won't draw their attention at all."

"Don't be a prat—here," Samuel said, handing the bag to him. "Go 'round that building there and hide. Just shove 'em in the bag and come right back."

"Oh… yes sir, mister boss-man sir," Roman griped sarcastically, collecting everyone's brooms before shuffling off behind the nearby gift shop.

Samuel, Alice, and Zander remained standing in the middle of the walkway, waiting patiently for him to return.

"So, ah… Mr. O'Heiden," Zander said. "Where will I be staying while I'm here?"

Samuel turned and perked his brow. "The cabin, a'course. Where else?"

Zander stared at him, his mouth drifting open. "Well, I jus… sorry, I just thought you might not want me in there."

"Why wouldn't I?"

"Well, it's… it's almost like a one-room home. I didn't imagine you'd want Alice and I sleeping in the same room, so…"

"Ohhh—is that something I need to worry about? 'Cause I can change my plans if it is."

"What? No—I—what?" Zander stuttered, making Alice giggle madly beside him.

"Easy, now." Samuel smirked at him, patting him once on the head. "I know you're not a dog, kiddo—so I'm not gonna make you sleep outside like you are one."

Zander nodded and fell silent, his cheeks fading pink.

The three of them glanced up, just as a hint of movement caught their eye.

Above them—from one side of the walkway to the other—a long string of colorful Christmas lights began to unravel and expand midair, seeming to grow out of a power line far to the right, continuing on until it eventually connected to another one that was far to the left. They formed a bright string of fluorescence above the whole crowd, then kept on expanding and reaching out to various areas of the park, zig-zagging down the walkway and spanning off to other places as well, almost as if the carnival was decorating itself with no help whatsoever, lighting up the place even more as music continued to play.

"So now, my dear, I ain't the girl you knew. 'Cause the angels get Heaven, but I get you…"

Zander stared up at it all, the sky darkening more by the minute, making the O'Heiden Carnival even more brilliant to gaze upon—and he felt a sense of clarity, deep and calming contentment that he never felt at his own home.

"Love this place," he exhaled, wearing a hint of a half-smile.

Alice glanced over at him, beaming and feeling delighted.

"It's your home as much as ours, kiddo," Samuel told him, patting him on the back. "Now—I reckon I can trust ya' both to keep yourselves outta trouble, yeah? Because I've gotta go find Alex and talk to him about the shark rodeo."

"The what?" Zander barked without thinking, ogling him bizarrely.

Samuel laughed and gave his shoulder a shake. "Oooh—c'mon now, kiddo. You know all my employees here are witches and wizards alike. Who else could run a shark rodeo? Nobody but us."

"That doesn't—I don't—what is a shark rodeo?" Zander asked, totally bewildered.

"It's a rodeo," Samuel replied with a simple shrug. "With sharks."

Roman marched toward him and rejoined his side, and then, Samuel waved them off, turning and marching away without explaining any further.

Alice and Zander watched the adults walk off and vanish into the distant crowd.

Then, Zander turned to her, his expression still painted with total confusion.

Alice laughed at the look on his face. "I dunno. I really don't."

"Your father… is a madman," Zander said breathlessly, releasing a laugh as the two began to walk. "He's brilliant, and skilled, and charismatic… and quite honestly, he's an unsung wizarding prodigy… but he is absolutely insane."

"Aye. That's why everybody loves 'im," Alice smiled. "Whaddoya wanna do first?"

"Oh, I dunno… is that fortune teller woman still here? The American one."

"Who? Oh—the Louisiana psychic. Yeah, she's still here. Her name's Alison."

"Ah, Alison, that's right… I thought we could stop by her place at some point tonight. She's a skilled seer in practice."

"Okay. Ooo—hey, Dad's got a Russian dragon-tamer here now, too."

"What? He's not—he doesn't actually have dragons here, does he?!"

"Nooo—but the Russian guy used some crazy sonic-boom magic to tame dragons back in the day. His cool sonic magic is his big attraction here."

"Oooh. Okay… good…"

"Did you really think Dad was just showing off dragons to muggles here?"

"How would I know? He's apparently got a bloody shark rodeo now."

Alice exploded into laughter, swiping her bangs aside and grinning with amusement as they sauntered past a game stand.

Zander glanced over at her, smirking and shaking his head.

The two of them disappeared into the carnival, enjoying themselves well into the night.

They munched on the cotton candy until it was gone, then grabbed some popcorn and joined the massive crowd around a large blue stage, where a gigantic bearded Russian man performed a show of hardened stances and deafening clapping of the hands, wherein a great blue sonic boom would erupt from his fingertips each time. The speakers on the stage played music, and he unleashed the sonic booms in rhythm to the song, making the crowd switch frequently between applauding and covering their ears.

Once this show was over, Alice and Zander headed off and rode a rollercoaster—one that was shaped like a Hungarian Horntail—and they left the ride grinning, their hairs screwed up and their robes slacked crookedly atop their shoulders.

The two of them indulged in a few more rides before they ever bothered patting their hairs back down. Then, Alice led him to the area containing numerous large tents, and she took him to the huge, velvety purple one in the corner, complete with a sign reading Fortune Teller.

Alice pushed the flap of the tent upward, she and Zander stepping inside.

The inside of Alison's area was lush purple and black velvet all around, blue, green, and violet orb-like lights hanging from various parts of the pointed ceiling—and Alison, dressed in all purple garb, with a deep cocoa complexion and large assortments of jewelry, sat perfectly opposite them, just behind her desk, which was covered with a dark velvet tablecloth, several candles on either side, a single crystal ball in front of her.

"Oooh," Alison said softly, her big, translucent eyes landing on the two newcomers. "Hello, Alice. Haven't seen you in a while."

"Aye… been at school," Alice replied, plopping down on the chair opposite her. "Plus I just never get readings…"

"Mmm," Alison nodded, glimpsing at Zander, then back. "What's it gonna be for today, hun? Y'all wanna read some tea leaves, or…?"

"Nah… just a basic reading is fine," Alice said, sliding her hand onto the table.

Alison gave her a nod, placed her hand over Alice's, and gently rested her other hand atop the crystal ball. Then, the seer closed her eyes, inhaling a deep, thoughtful breath and remaining silent for a long while after.

Moments later, something within the crystal ball began to stir—a vague, foggy image, a dark and humanoid shape, though it appeared more shadow than man.

Alice stared at it, Zander leaning over her shoulder and glaring at it quizzically.

"Known… well before," Alison murmured in a soft, distant breath. "And then even more…"

Alice and Zander's eyes flickered over to her, both of them looking lost.

"Oh…" Alison's expression made a slight change, a mild sort of cringe. "I… see… many trials ahead of you."

Alice nodded gently, thinking of the Triwizard Tournament and figuring it made sense.

Zander glanced over at her, his expression hardening.

"But… among those trials is… a chance," Alison mumbled. "A chance… to be… a hero."

She patted Alice's hand, then released it, straightening up in her chair.

Alice nodded, standing and allowing Zander to take the chair. The basic readings were always fairly brief and vague, but hers made enough sense regardless.

Zander sat across from the seer now, offering her his hand.

Alison took it, held the ball, and eased her eyes shut again, taking in a heavy cloud of breath.

The ball seemed to harbor another new image, still blurred and foggy, but it was easier to make out than Alice's had been. It was a twin pair of shadowy shapes, each reaching out from opposite sides, two different hands, extending as if attempting to grab hold of another.

"Crossroad," Alison uttered. "Many hands offered, not all taken. Oh, but such potential… so much, people seek to take it. But it's only yours to offer… only yours to have… only yours to give. And whom you choose give it to… that choice… perhaps above all others… will pave your path in full."

Zander nodded in response. "That all sounds about right…"

"Come on back if y'all want a more detailed reading in the future," Alison offered kindly.

"We will," Alice said, Zander standing and joining her. "Thank you. Seeya later."

"'Night, Alice."

The two of them gave her a wave and stepped out of the tent, emerging in the night and strolling in the isolated area of the carnival, lights dancing in the distance. They walked down the open path between the tents, no groups or crowds nearby, both of them silent for a short while.

Zander stole a few glimpses of her as they wandered, his mind working up a storm now. Many flustering thoughts waged war with emotion, and he fought to assess them all in silence.

Alice wasn't particularly troubled, though. More than anything, she found herself pondering on the tournament now, wondering just how accurate Alison's reading was.

"Potential," Zander murmured. "That's what… my father says."

Alice blinked, snapping out of her thoughts and glancing at him.

"I can't believe… I used to just listen to him without question," Zander added. "Being in school, and being around a bunch of different kinds of people for the first time… that was the first thing to really… break me of him."

Alice nodded quietly as they walked on.

"Namely… being…" Zander muttered with some difficulty, gulping and huffing out a breath, forcing the rest out. "Around… you."

Alice gave another nod, her heart making a slight jump.

Zander sighed deeply, sealing his eyes shut and slowing to a stop—reaching out and halting her as well.

"Okay," he exhaled, meeting her eyes with a profound sort of stare. "I need… I need…"

His hand tightened on her shoulder, glaring down at the ground for a moment, then meeting her gaze again.

"I need you to let me… do it… for you," Zander stated, forcing his tone to strengthen.

Alice stared, her visage heavy with empathetic concern. "What… the…?"

"The tournament," Zander affirmed.

Alice let out a conflicted cloud of breath, gazing into him and looking torn. "But I jus… I don't… I really don't want you to take that on for me."

"Alice," Zander said in a soft, serious tone, his eyes sparkling and fixed onto hers. "I don't want… you doing that… period."

"You're already good enough to be an auror, y'know," Alice said. "But I'm not yet. I'm the one who needs to do it. I'm the one who needs to get better—"

"Like hell," Zander chided. "I'm not better than you—we're just good at different things. D'you think I could've handled that mad little flight here all by myself? No—that was all you."

"But that—that's different—that won't help me be an auror," Alice argued. "You're already good at that kind of stuff. I need to get there too—"

"Look at me," he said intensely, leaning slightly closer. "I could train you all night and day if you wanted. Your father could teach you everything he knows, too. You don't need to jump into the wizarding world's bloody Hunger Games in order to get there. You've got people all around you who could get you there."

"But I… I just… I wanna know that I can," Alice told him honestly. "And I wanna take care of my dad…"

Zander sighed gravely, gazing into her and reading the determination off her visage.

Truthfully, he couldn't argue against her with this point—because, if anyone knew how that felt, he did. He garnered and fine-tuned a great variety of skills just to know he could, just to succeed in all the ways he needed and wanted—and, for the first time he could ever remember, he saw that very same spark inside her now.

He'd never expected this from her; for so very long now, Alice O'Heiden was simply the fun and aloof friend trailing about alongside him, the companion that accompanied him through all his time of learning and growing in Hogwarts, sharing casual and lighthearted memories made in their clubs, their classes, or in the Slytherpuff room.

But now—this year, all the sudden, for whatever bizarre and unknown reason—everything in the world seemed to have intensified tenfold, no longer just casual and fun friendship being had at their school. Now, they'd made new friends, flown openly across London, saved their teacher's life, crossed paths with a wanted dark wizard, gained immense notoriety among their peers and even in the paper—and they were preparing for the most intense aspects of their futures, Alice planning to take on something unthinkably dangerous, something he'd never expected of her at all.

They were older now, almost adults now, and everything about them seemed to have suddenly kicked off to the next level.

Zander's hand tightened even more, gripping her shoulder as if he never planned to let go.

With everything in the world taking off to the next level—perhaps it was time for their interactions to do the same, for him to speak as openly as he could with her.

After all—if ever there was a time to do so, it was now.

"Listen," he breathed. "Whatever damn 'potential' I have… I know… I know…"

Zander leaned closer, their eyes locked onto one another, as if the carnival around them ceased to exist any longer.

"I know… exactly what to do with it… and who to do it for," Zander told her sincerely. "Because I… don't want… anything… happening to you."

Alice drew a blank, staring into him at a total loss for words, deeply touched and unknowing what she could possibly say.

"Aww," another voice joined in. "How cute."

They both turned, gazing down the walkway from where they came—spotting a familiar man strolling toward them with ease, a man in a dark cloak with a hat slightly tilted.

"If ever there was a tournament… based on wasted potential," Malachi murmured grimly. "Then you'd win it with flying colors, son. Hands down."