Chapter Four

A Meeting in the Twilight Arc

It was the third time that Jennifer had gone to Stonehenge, but never before had she been in such company. She arrived beside Dumbledore, gazing around at the strange, wan blue light that domed the area, slightly confused.

"This is the Twilight Arc, a very powerful ancient spell," Dumbledore explained, seeing her expression. "No one can disturb us while we're in here; they cannot see us or hear us any more than we can them, for we're neither in time nor outside of it." He looked up to see Lunette Vallid and Harry Potter walking over to them, both in formal robes, Vallid's robe black like Jennifer's, while Harry's was gold. Dumbledore's robes were silver, making his beard seem whiter than even normal against them. "Ah, there you are Lunette. Welcome, Harry."

"Thank you, Albus. You know, it really feels strange calling you by your first name," Harry admitted.

"You are very welcome, we're all colleagues here after all," Dumbledore said. "Now, if only I could convince Jennifer of that."

"I wouldn't possibly feel right calling you by your first name, Professor," Jennifer protested.

"You called me Albus once," Dumbledore reminded her.

"I reserve the right to informality in life threatening situations," Jennifer said. Harry smiled at her knowingly.

"Oh, come now, Jennifer. If I started calling you Professor Craw even when students weren't around, wouldn't you feel rather silly?" Dumbledore asked, a teasing twinkle in his eyes.

"No, of course not, sir. Why would I?" Jennifer asked. Dumbledore and Vallid exchanged glances and cryptic smiles before Dumbledore nodded to her.

"Very well then. If it'll make you more comfortable, we'll do it your way, Professor," Dumbledore decided, guiding them over to where the others stood in the ring.

"My way?" Jennifer asked, wondering what she'd done this time. But she soon became distracted when she noticed something strange about the stone monoliths around them.

Ghostly images of monoliths long since fallen had appeared where they had originally been. Some of them, strangely enough, mirrored images of the actual standing stones, as if some of them had been moved around. Dozens of wizards and witches, some she knew and others she had only heard of, stood in small groups talking to each other. As they entered the outer ring, many of them looked over at Jennifer and Harry with approving nods and smiles before turning back to their conversations.

Lunette then quietly instructed them on where to stand before she and Dumbledore took their places in the innermost circle where the Order's Council stood. As if by some unseen signal, the rest began to gather, greeting each other like old schoolmates as they organized into half circles. Jennifer frowned slightly, looking over the head of the Order. There was Archimedes Muse, the Shea's, Lunette, Dumbledore, and Erik, but where was the seventh? Jennifer could have sworn there were an odd number of them and wondered who might be missing.

"Good evening, Council, colleagues. Thank you for agreeing to meet a bit earlier this quarter, we have some members with obligations in the new world whom I thought should be here," Erik said, smiling over at Lunette and Harry. Lunette nodded with a smile. "Very well, shall we start with Ancient Business then? Glen, are you here somewhere?" he asked. Jennifer looked over in complete surprise to see the venerable old alchemist step up, leaning on a staff and dressed in ornate forest green robes with embroidered leaves running down the hems.

"Right here, Erik," Glen said, "No, I haven't kicked over yet, never fear," he added with a chuckle, getting a spattering of chuckles in return. "Ancient business. Let me see here. Ah, yes, it's about those dratted Equinoxes again. They are still trying to claim rights over our meeting area, being that they believe themselves the archivists of the old magics, and demand access to the Twilight Arc," he said. Jennifer didn't miss the humor in his gaze, as if this were a running dispute between the two Orders that never came to resolution.

"Don't tell me, they claim the Druids built it," Erik sighed, getting another chuckle from the rest of the Order. "Everyone knows that the giants built it for Merlin after he rescued them from the Fomorians, centuries before the druid religion began. Surely if they're the experts in ancient history that they claim to be, they'd have figured that out by now."

"Yes, you would think so, but when I ask them about it, they always ask for proof," Glen said.

"Albus, I know you have allies among the giants, perhaps they have some sort of proof to placate them?" Erik asked. Jennifer could see that he was getting tired of hearing the old argument as well.

"We are allies, yes, Erik, but you must remember, they have been refugees from their native people a very, very long time. The intelligence and technologies of their race have long disappeared because of their long isolation from the rest of the world, and if they retain any knowledge of the events at all, it's likely to be in the guise of distorted fables. However, I can arrange a meeting to ask them about it."

"Even a distorted fable might give some clue to finding indisputable evidence, Albus. So, if you are willing, perhaps we can find a way to put the matter to rest."

"Of course, Erik, I will see what I can find out," Dumbledore agreed.

"Any other Ancient Business?"

"There are some other ancient events in motion, yes, but I defer those to Old Business, since some of it coincides with their affairs," Glen said.

"Very well. Anyone have any other ancient business they want to bring up?" Erik asked, glancing around. "Then, let's move on to Old Business, shall we?" he smiled, looking over to Dumbledore again.

"Your pardon, Erik, but would it be possible, if Lunette is ready, to hold New Business first? I would rather wait to see if our new councilman makes it here before I get into that," Albus asked. Lunette smiled at him, nodding.

"Rather odd to hold New Business before Old, but I suppose it's alright, so long as it's alright with the rest of the council," Erik said, glancing around to see nods all about. "Very well, then. Let's have the New Business, shall we?"

"New Business! First off, I suppose you'll want to know how the project in the New World is going, and I want to report it's going over splendidly well. It seems that nearly every one of the non-magic counterparts that kept the knowledge of magic after Christmas last year have become very good allies, and have offered a great deal of friendship to those that were involved. Many of them, in fact, are still exchanging constant correspondence with our society over differing ideas and technologies," Lunette added, glancing over at Jennifer. "The barriers between magic and Muggle worlds have always been thinner in the States, and as things progress with the project, I do believe there's a lot of hope for further reintegration."

Reintegration? Jennifer was suddenly feeling rather alarmed. Of course, she'd always known that it was what Merlin and the Order was hoping for that in the long term, but to have beginning to happen just over the ocean was an uncomfortable, frightening realization. There was something always rather reassuring about the secrecy of their society, safely tucked away where no one could see and no one really had to bother mixing with other societies unless they wanted to. Jennifer was quite sure that her own discomfort was probably small compared to many of the other purist wizard families out there. The idea perhaps might be well received in the States, but she was quite certain it would be a long time before such extreme ideas would be received in Europe.

"Splendid news indeed, Lunette, and we're all very grateful for your efforts in the new world to further our Muggle allies," Erik smiled at her.

Suddenly there was a flicker of light as someone entered the Arc from one side, and Jennifer turned around to see Arthur Weasley hurrying over, hesitating slightly as he entered the outer ring, noticing that all eyes were on him. He blushed, smiling apologetically.

"Sorry I'm late. Minor family crisis," he explained, taking his place up front with the council.

"What, again?" Archimedes teased, a soft chuckle arising from the order.

"I hope I didn't miss much," Arthur said, looking quizzically at Erik.

"Nothing we haven't spoken of before," Erik assured him.

"Actually, I was about to introduce our new initiates, not that they need much introduction after the last five or ten years especially," Lunette said. Arthur beamed at Lunette, very glad he hadn't missed it. "May I have the pleasure of introducing Auror Harry Potter, who among other things I'm sure you all have heard about, is now the recognized apprentice to become the Sentinel of Light to Albus Dumbledore, his sponsor. And this is Professor Jennifer Craw, a fellow Truth Seeker and Keeper of Dark Magic, and is also my apprentice to take over as Sentinel of Dark Magic. I'm sponsoring her, of course," Lunette added with a grin.

"The council welcomes both of you to the Order. You are the first two to be admitted since the Order's reorganization to the old initiate system, and never can I recall two more deserving to be the first," Erik smiled. "I'm sure everyone will want to welcome you more informally after the meeting."

"Thank you, Erik, it's an honor," Harry said, and Jennifer nodded and smiled in agreement.

"Anything else, Lunette?"

"Oh, if anybody bought candy from my great-granddaughter's school drive, see me after the meeting, please. And don't worry, I'll do the conversions for that," Lunette added. "That's all." Another chuckle erupted around the Order.

"Shall we move on to Old Business then?" Erik suggested, looking around to make sure there weren't any more comments on New. "Albus, are you quite ready now?"

"Thank you, Erik, yes," Dumbledore nodded. "First of all, I suppose you're wondering how our new Sentinel is doing. Sentinel Sagittari seems to be adjusting rather well to his new responsibilities, and is working on establishing a pattern to the recent appearances of creatures and Otherworld beings that are returning after centuries of being unseen. Whether they were just hidden and have chosen now to show themselves or if they are finding a way here from their world, we do not yet know."

"Do you believe there might have been some that came when Lorcan attempted to unseal the gate?" Erik asked solemnly.

"I am not certain, Erik. Cornelius did do us a service, I believe, in forcing the gate shut when Lorcan was destroyed," Dumbledore said. Jennifer blinked at that. The gate hadn't sealed again on its own? "I do not think anything had time to come back out. However, I do have a theory that it may be directly connected to the imbalance of the magics. The more time seems to pass, the further Ancient Magic slips out of balance. The gate could be weakening on its own because of this."

"Is that so surprising considering how long it has been since there has been a fourth Sentinel?" Erik sighed. "Has anyone tried speaking to Icarus about this lately?"

"Yes, many times," Dumbledore said. "But he insists that since he is not alive, it is not his place to make that decision."

"Then whose place would it be? Surely he has given some hint to that," Erik asked.

"Yes," Dumbledore said. "He said that Merlin can." Everyone grew quiet, looking at Dumbledore's serene expression.

"Well, I suppose that means we're rather stuck, doesn't it?" Erik said.

"It would seem so, Erik. Although I am wondering with the reappearance of the Spear of Lugh if that isn't a clue of which direction we should take. I believe that if we are able to gather and unite the four items the Sentinels were chosen to protect, perhaps they will show us who might be capable of taking on that fourth position. We know where two of the items are for certain; as for the Lia Fál, it is my intention with the help of Arthur to try and discern if the one that was returned several years ago is in fact the real stone. As most of you know, the monolith was stolen fifty years ago, and no one was ever certain if the one that they had found is in fact the true stone. My guess, however, is that it is not, but there is no way to tell for certain unless we find someone who can activate it. Arthur's ancestor was the last to hear the stone so he has agreed to help me look for it, although we are uncertain if it will react at all to him."

"Still, something must be tried," Erik said with a nod. "What of the Cauldron? Is nothing known of it?"

"Quite a bit is known, that is, except its true location," Lunette said. "The Cauldron hasn't been seen since before Salazar Slytherin died. It's been out of the hands of the Sentinels of Dark Magic since that time period."

"I am certain it is not in the school. I'm sure I would have heard or a hint of such a thing by now. House Elves may not pay much attention to ancient evils and artifacts in dark corridors in general," Dumbledore said with an amused smile, "but a cauldron that never emptied of food would most assuredly interest them. I am not even certain it's in Britain, but where else it might be I cannot guess."

"It appears then that you have two mysteries on your hands," Erik said thoughtfully. "Please, if anyone finds anything relating to these two items, make sure you get with Albus on them. We must try to do everything in our power to fix the balance. The more time passes, the worse it seems to get. The later we act, the less likely we will be able to fix it, and who knows what consequences the end result would be. Perhaps all magic will suffer, and it will weaken them all. Or perhaps we would lose control over Ancient magic altogether," Erik said, looking up at the Twilight Arc thoughtfully.

"Well, that would definitely make the argument over meeting here a moot point," Glen chuckled.

"True enough," Albus said soberly. "That was all I had for now, Erik."

"Very well. Anyone else?" Erik asked. "No? Then last but not least, let's go on to Profound Business. That would be you, I believe, Francis."

Jennifer stared in shock as she noticed Francis Pyther standing to one side, thanking Erik profusely. Francis Pyther? The artist vampire who was afraid of his own shadow? How on earth did he get in? Of course, she'd always liked the gentle natured man, but to see him here confused her to no end. A vampire in the Order of Merlin was odd enough, but what could Francis have done to get their attention?

"Thank you, Erik, and for once I actually have something to report," he said with a smile. "It appears that the Committee of the Consciously Dead have been unusually active of late, as well as Conscience Paintings around the area. They've been stirred up by events such as the reappearance of the Spear and the awakening of the Caprica Dusthorn painting, who seems to have begun to organize them under her guidance. From what they have told me, they believe that we are fast approaching a sort of metaphysical juxtaposition, where several old prophecies from the past either complete themselves or become obsolete, making way to open up new paths to the future. I've also consulted the centaurs, gypsies and a few local prophets, and for the first time that I can recall they all seem to agree with them."

"They all agree with each other? That is profound," Erik said in amazement. "When is this juxtaposition supposed to occur, Francis?"

"That, they don't seem to agree upon," Francis admitted. "The centaurs believe it is already occurring, the prophets think it will occur within the next year or so, and the CCD believes when it happens depends on certain things getting done. I'm afraid, sir, that the CCD is rather of the opinion that they need to meddle a bit to make things come out the way, 'they are supposed to.' But what they mean by that, they haven't said."

"Oh, dear," Albus said. "I suppose I had better warn my professors."

"I'll make sure to warn the Ministry of Artifacts to keep an eye on the paintings in the Ministry building and alert Incorporeal Affairs as well," Arthur offered.

"That at least we should do, but let's not get too carried away. As we all know, Profound Business does have a way of taking care of itself," Erik said as everyone began to stir. "But those living who interfere with portents of the future are bound to get what's coming to them."

"That is quite true, Erik," Dumbledore agreed. "But there is little harm in keeping our eyes and ears open, just in case."

"Which is, of course, why the Order discusses Profound Business to begin with," Erik agreed.