A/N: Yeah, it took forever, but the next chapter's out. Enjoy.

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing. They don't belong to me. I just play with them, really.

Chapter 43: The Horned God

Severus was at the window again. His long fingers were tapping on the cold stone as his dark eyes swept over the lengthening shadows on the lawn. The last sliver of sun stayed suspended above the tree line and then vanished. He rotated his shoulders and shivered.

"Severus?" Lucius stopped inches from Severus' back, laying his hands on the Potions Master's shoulders. "What is wrong?"

"I do not know." Severus trailed his fingers down the faded image of the Dark Mark on his arm, looking down at the gray lines and letting his hair fall in front of his face. "It is cold."

"It is spring. Of course it is still cold."

Severus shook his head sharply and held up his arm. "The lines. They are cold."

Lucius reached around him and traced the faded lines with gentle fingers. "They are always cold."

"…Not like this." Severus shook his head, a pensive frown sliding over his features. "There is something wrong."

Lucius said nothing, but drew the smaller man to his chest silently and stared out over the lawns with him. "It will be fine, Severus. We will not lose any of them, you shall see."

Severus pressed his lips together and said nothing, but leaned back against the blond, his eyes never leaving the window.

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Michael cursed the damp undergrowth as he struggled against it. The sun was setting and he was running out of time. He glanced back at his cargo, a sneer spreading across his face. He didn't even struggle, Michael turned back to the plants and began cutting through them again. What a pathetic savior of the wizarding world.

Finally the clearing the fox had told him about appeared and Michael burst through the last of the bushes with a shout of triumph. He quickly snapped his mouth shut and flushed bright red as he looked around, waiting for the mocking voices of the Death Eaters, but there was no one. Michael checked the clearing and found the low stone altar that had been set up, but there was no sign of anyone in the vicinity.

Michael chewed on his lower lip as he thought. He checked the sky and swore, his heart beginning to pound in his chest. He turned and walked back to where he had put Potter and kicked the boy viciously in the side. He was happy to see the green eyes open and the pale face tighten in pain. "You're nothing but a means to an end," he whispered to the bound boy. Potter's gaze sharpened and Michael turned away from the look in his eyes.

Taking his wand from his pocket, Michael flicked it over Potter's body, raising him in the air and guiding him over to the altar and letting him drop with a satisfying thud. "Enjoy your last few hours, Potter." Michael stared down at the other boy, his mind spinning. "I'm sure the Dark Lord will make them most memorable." He turned sharply on his heel and marched away, breaking into a trot at the tree line, casting a glace up at the sky one last time as he put on the speed. He would need all of it to reach the castle in time before the Wards snapped into place.

Michael never saw the two pairs of boots sticking out under the brush, even as he passed within a few feet of the trampled, mangled bodies. His eyes were set on the path he had cleared through the bushes, towards home.

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The man once known as Tom Marvolo Riddle stood at his window, his hands clasped behind his back as he stared out into the deepening twilight. A clean, fresh scent swept over the freshly cut grass and he breathed it in, filling his lungs with it, rolling the taste of it around in his mouth like a fine wine, before letting the breath go and opening his eyes.

The screams from behind him did not change in pitch or intensity. He could hear Ezekiel humming to himself as he worked, but the bright scent of blood barely reached Lord Voldemort's nose. It was almost time and he could feel the anticipation rise up through him, stirring his blood and making his heart pound.

"Ezekiel." He turned his head and called his hound, the torturer immediately dropping his instruments and rushing to his side. The thin man knelt at his feet, gazing up at his Master adoringly. "It is time."

The dark eyes were glazed and fervent. "Yes, my Lord." The man bent and kissed the hem of his robe, rubbing his chin along the outlines of his Lord's boots before scuttling backwards and scrambling out the door.

Voldemort watched him go with a small smile on his face. He spared a glance at the small bodies lining his walls, yawning as the patterns of the cuts and slashes blended together and faded into the decor. He turned back to his window and pushed his boredom aside as his excitement rose. It was time.

He unclasped his hands and picked up the book he had set on the window ledge. The frail pages almost seemed to shudder under his touch, making him smile. His Death Eaters had arrived, milling through the halls of his stronghold, their voices creating a hum in the background. He could feel the bloodlust in them; he could feel their excitement and nervousness stirring in their blood.

He turned his gaze back to the window, staring off to where he knew Hogwarts was located. It was time, and soon the Light would be engaged, their savior destroyed and Dumbledore's head would rest on a pike before the night was over. It was time.

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Charlie leaned up against the wall of the castle, his eyes squinted nearly shut against the fading glare of the sun. He was waiting for the last stragglers to return from outside, his pale eyes marking off each one as they passed.

Percy's lean form appeared from around the corner and Charlie pushed himself off of the wall, unfolding his arms so that they hung loose at his sides.

"Percy." Charlie nodded sharply at his brother as the younger wizard approached him.

"Charlie." Percy sneered at him, stopping a few feet away from his older brother. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm making sure all of the children make it inside." Charlie studied his brother's face, noting the faint smudges underneath his eyes. "Go on inside, dinner will be served soon. You look like you need a good hot meal."

Percy frowned, taking a step back from the other man. "I'm fine," he lifted his chin defiantly. "I'll take over for you. I'm sure the Blacks are wondering where you are." The fury that sparkled in Percy's eyes made Charlie sigh.

"Percy, I don't know what's gotten into you or Mum," Charlie began, running a hand through his hair. "But you're wrong. Wrong about a lot of things and if you could just see what I'm trying to tell you …"

"I already have my proof," Percy snorted, turning his face away from his brother. "There's nothing you can say that will change my mind."

"But Percy –," Charlie reached out to grab his brother's shoulder, but let his arm drop back to his side as Percy moved out of reach. "I don't know how to talk to you." Charlie bowed his head and turned away.

"You never have." The bitterness in Percy's voice made Charlie's heart ache. He was angry with his brother, yes, but a part of him did not want to give up on the boy. Percy used to be so different, Charlie shook his head silently. The whole family was different.

"Have you seen Ron?" Charlie murmured.

"Yes, he was with Corner earlier. I'm sure they're inside by now." Percy kept his back to Charlie, staring out over the green lawns.

"I'm sure they are." Charlie leaned back against the wall once more and let the coolness of the stones ease the pounding in his head.

"Go on inside," Percy said over his shoulder. "I'll wait for them."

"Percy…"

"Go." The younger wizard's voice was hard.

"…Alright." Charlie sighed and pushed away from the wall. "One day, Percy…you'll see that everything's not black and white. I wish I could show that to you now and have you understand it." The younger man said nothing and with yet another long sigh, Charlie walked away.

Percy bowed his head as his brother slipped through the castle doors. A wicked smile spread across his face as he raised his head and stared at the tree line.

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Ron's vision blurred as he stared at the underbelly of the bleachers. His skin crawled as the slightly sticky, hairy legs brushed over the skin of his face and arms, their fat, wriggling bodies burrowing under his shirt and trousers. His breathing had long ago become nothing more than a long series of quick pants. Tears occasionally leaked from his eyes, running down his temples and soaking his hair. A large, drying stain had soaked the front of his robes, but Ron was beyond being able to smell his own mess.

The hex was too strong for him to break. His mind scrambled as a spider crawled over his eye, visions of the insect's mouth sinking into the slick membranes, blinding him. His bowls let go again as a breath of a moan escaped his frozen lips.

This isn't…this can't…no…Hairy legs tickled his mouth and Ron let loose a mental scream. Visions of the insects crawling into his mouth, his ears, his nose, his eyes…Ron pulled away from the blurry scene in front of his eyes, turning his mind away from it all. He curled up in a ball, burying his head in his knees, and began to rock. This isn't real, this isn't real, this isn't real…He kept repeating the litany, even as pain shot through his right eye, making his body twitch and jerk. This isn't real, this isn't real, this isn't real…He curled his arms around his head, even as a tickling sensation started in his ears. Not real, not real, not real…He scrubbed at his face, but the feelings wouldn't go away. He covered his eyes with his hands and let out a sob, shaking his head with sharp, jerky movement.

This isn't real. He sobbed as bright spots of pain blossomed in his ears. This isn't real!

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Michael cursed as he turned in a tight circle. There was no sign of the path he had taken out to the small clearing. The woods were dark and all the trees looked the same. He held his wand out and willed his lumnos brighter. The tip of his wand blazed, pushing back the shadows a little further.

He studied the ground, chewing on his lower lip. A faint trail led off to his right. He took a step forward, holding out his wand in front of him, squinting through the bright glare. The path wound through a clump of trees, soon disappearing down a small hill.

Michael sighed and looked around one last time but saw no other option for him to take. He pushed through the bushes and let the light of his wand die a bit.

His clothes caught on the bushes and more than once a branch slapped him in the face. He kept his free held out at the level of his eyes, not wanting to run into yet another spider web. Every so often he peered up through the canopy, his heart skipping a beat as the afternoon sky grew darker and darker. He pushed on through the tangled underbrush, the chill breath of panic creeping up his spine.

He stumbled to a stop, panting, bent over at the waist with his hands on his thighs. His heart was pounding in his chest and sweat steadily made its way down his back and chest. Where am I? He pushed himself into a standing position. I should have been at the castle by now!

A low growl from behind him made Michael freeze. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end and he turned, slowly, his wand held tight in his hand. Large golden eyes studied him from the top of a small rise. The wolf's pelt was matted with some thick, tacky substance. The wolf snarled, its lips pulling back over its canines, displaying the rotted gums and blackened teeth.

Michael swore and stumbled back, only to be halted by another growl, only this time it came from right of him. He spun around, coming nearly face to face with another wolf in similar condition. A chorus of growls started up around him as the rest of the pack slunk from the underbrush, their dark fur matted and dirty, their eyes tinted red.

Michael swallowed hard, holding onto his wand tightly and tried to think. He had no place to go. Nowhere to hide. He frantically searched the ever-shrinking circle of predators for a way out, but there was too many of them.

Finally he stopped circling and dropped his hand to his side. He stared up into the sky, a few hot tears making their way down his face. They were almost on him.

He lowered his head and took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a brief moment. He opened his eyes and raised his wand to his temple. "Avada Kedavra." He tensed, waiting for the bright green light to drown out his world. There was nothing. He shook his head and pushed down the whimper that threatened to escape. "Avada Kedavra!" Nothing. "Crucio! Imperio! Avada Kedrava!" He shook, this tip of his wand digging into the skin of his temple. "No," he whimpered. "No."

The first wolf struck, sinking its teeth deep into the back of Michael's leg. The boy screamed, twisting around to point his wand at the animal. His arm was seized in another set of sharp teeth, the large canines digging deep into his weak flesh. Michael flailed at the animal's head, but the wolf's vicious head shaking made his wand slip from his fingers.

As one the rest of the pack sprang. The boy went down with a rising scream that was soon cut off. The only sounds made after that were that of flesh being ripped and the dull, wet cracking of bones.

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A soft rustle came from the bushes. Red spackled hooves parted the green grass, the heavy thud of a large body hitting the ground loud in the quiet of the small clearing.

Harry drew in a deep breath and tried to close his eyes. He focused on the feel of the rock beneath him, the cool drift of the wind over his skin, the sharp scent of night blooming jasmine, just beginning to color the air. The patch of sky he could see through the gap in the trees was turning a deep indigo, the bright blue of the sunny afternoon swiftly disappearing before his eyes.

I've got to get out of here. He ran lists of spells through his mind, fighting down his growing panic. You'd think that being able to cross over into another world would come in handy right about now, but nooo…Harry battled down the hysterical giggle that echoed through his mind. I will get out of here. Somehow, I will.

He felt, more than saw, the large presence move into the clearing. He caught and held his breath as the being moved closer, its heavy footsteps causing vibrations in the ground that traveled up through the rock Harry was laying on and continued on down his spine.

Light was fading fast. Stars began appearing in the patch of sky above him. Harry howled in his mind, clawing against the spell that held him immobile. Voldemort was coming. He had to find Draco. The Dark Lord was coming, and he was out in the woods, alone.

As if his thoughts had conjured them, the chill, stale breath of the dementors floated across the clearing. Harry let out a quiet whimper, scrambling valiantly for some type of shelter in his mind.

The being was suddenly towering over him. Harry squeaked and managed to jerk slightly against the invisible bonds that held him in place. The huge head lowered, the being's hot breath washing over his face. A soft muzzle nudged his cheek and slimed his temple.

The creature's head rose, its outline blurry against the twilight sky. The long muzzle was a deep brown color, as were the eyes that regarded him evenly. The huge rack of antlers rose above the stag's head, the points sharp and gleaming.

The eyes were what caught Harry the most. The stag's dark eyes caught his gaze, their solid color as dark as a moonless night. Strange points of light were reflected in the glossy gaze and it took Harry a moment to realize he was looking into a field of stars.

The stag lowered its head once more, gently brushing the sharp points of its antlers over the skin of Harry's forehead. He could feel them dig in – then the sharp scent of blood was on the air. Harry studied the gleaming tips of the antlers, the first stirrings of panic just beginning to spread through his mind. Then – he could move.

He rolled off the strange stone altar and knelt on the grass on hands and knees, his body trembling violently. His stomach roiled and he brought up one hand to wipe at his forehead. His fingers came away bloody.

He looked up to find the stag staring at him, the dark eyes calm and waiting. "Thank you," Harry said, his voice shaking. "Who are you?"

The gleam in the dark eyes became amused. The stag took a step forward, but froze, its nostrils flaring and its head coming up. It stamped at the ground, lowering its head at something behind Harry.

The dark haired boy took a deep breath and turned his head, staring over his shoulder at the dementors that lined the far edge of the circle. Harry bit back a moan and curled his hands into the lush grass beneath his fingers. He pushed himself to his feet, using the altar to help him keep his balance. He searched his robes for his wand but it was gone.

He turned and looked at the stag. The creature had taken several steps forward and now stood between Harry and the Dark. He reached out and touched the animal's side. "Don't," Harry whispered, shaking his head slightly. "You've done enough."

The stag turned its head and looked at Harry, its strange eyes boring into his own. Harry swayed, blinking rapidly. Go child, the voice wrapped around him, permeating his mind. The Dark is no place for you.

"But –,"

Go. The stag sidestepped and nudged Harry towards the far edge of the clearing. Go now little seer. There is no time.

"Who are you?" Harry whispered, stumbling away from the animal, the control over his feet gone.

The dark eyes began to shine. I am all around you, Harry. The stag's gaze was the last thing Harry could see as his feet took him from the clearing. I am in every part of you. Harry could hear the stag's challenging scream and feel the rush of air heralding the dementor's strike. Tears blurred his vision as he pushed forward, twigs and branches scraping along his skin as he stumbled through the underbrush. He did not look back.

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The first thing Draco registered was the absolute pounding in his head. He moaned, his left hand reaching up to touch the back of his skull. It came away sticky and he swore, sitting up with a jerk and looking around.

He saw no one, except for Weasley, who lay on the ground, immobilized with what appeared to be nasty biting spiders swarming over his body. Draco grunted, checking the ground around his body, relieved to find it spider-free.

The blond pushed himself to his feet, gasping as the world swayed around him. He squinted, one hand pressed tight to his stomach, and made for the entrance.

A soft whimper stopped him. He stared down at Weasley, getting a better look at the damage the creatures had done to him. Tiny bites covered nearly every inch of exposed skin, and the boy's right eye was swollen and turning black. Draco's mouth tightened down into a fine line. He pulled his wand and held it out over the redhead.

"Weasley, can you hear me?" He waited until some type of sense returned to the glazed eyes. "You deserved this, every single bit of it. I would leave you here and never look back, if I didn't know that Harry would never have let you suffer this long. Do you understand?" Draco glared down at the other boy. "You own what remains of your sanity to Harry Potter. Believe that, Weasel, and please," Draco's eyes glinted in the dim light, "Know that I would have happily incinerated you where you lie if it wasn't for him." The blond flicked his wand over Ron and the spiders disappeared.

Ron's good eye blinked a few times, even as renewed tears of pain began to leak down his skin. The soft whimper sounded again and Draco let a smile curve onto his mouth.

"You thought I was going to let you go?" The Slytherin shook his head sadly. "No, no. You get to stay right there until I find Harry and take him into the castle. Only then will I tell your precious Head of House where you are and what you tried to do." Fury blazed in Draco's eyes. "See you around, Weasel."

He pushed through the entrance and stepped outside. His eyes widened as he noted the fading light. A chill breeze brushed past his ear, making him shiver. He turned in a slow circle, but could not tell which way Corner had taken Harry. His eyes lit on the Forest and his stomach sank.

Draco made his way to the broom shed, having to pause every so often to catch his breath. The world was still spilling around him as he took up his broom, his initials gleaming in the light from his wand. The cool wood slapped into his palm and he eased himself up onto the back of it, locking his legs together in order not to fall off.

"Harry where are you?" He circled up above the Pitch, scanning the long, dark line of trees. "Where are you?"

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"Sirius!"

"Remus?"

"Where's Harry?"

"You mean he's not with you?"

The werewolf stared at his lover. "Of course he's not with me. I thought you were going to check on him!"

"I thought you were!" The animagus stared back at him.

"No…I told you I was going inside to lay down for a bit." Remus could feel the hair on the back of his neck beginning to rise. The tolling bell alerting students to get inside the castle began to sound. The lonesome peals echoed down the long halls, through their suite door and into the bedroom where they stood.

"I thought you were going to swing by the Pitch before you went in." Sirius' head turned, slowly, towards the door, his eyes wide. "He's with Draco, right?"

"He should be." Long seconds of silence ticked by. Then as one they were moving towards the door. Before they could get to it, it burst open and a red-faced Ginny and Bill nearly collided with them.

"Have you seen –,"

"No one's seen…"

"There's no sign…"

"I didn't mean…"

They all stopped talking and stared at each other. Sirius ran a hand through his hair, fury beginning to twist his expression. "Bugger all," he snarled. "You haven't seen him either, have you?"

Ginny and Bill shook their heads.

Sirius bowed his head, his hand clamped tight over the back of his neck. He let out a humorless laugh. "I'm beginning to think Harry should go stay with the Malfoy's." He raised his head, his eyes anguished. "If this is the type of security I can give him…"

"Sirius," Remus grasped his shoulder and shook him hard. "Quit it." The werewolf let his hand drop from Sirius' shoulder to his arm, curling his long fingers over the lanky man's wrist. "C'mon." He pushed forward, dragging the animagus with him.

"No one's seen them since noon." Ginny's cane tapped out a sharp staccato beat as they moved down the hall.

"Pansy said she thought she saw them move down to the Pitch, but she's not sure." Bill kept a hand in the small of Ginny's back, hustling her along.

"Who was looking over that area? Do any of you know?" Remus threw out over his shoulder. They all shook their heads.

The Headmaster's gargoyle leapt out of the way as they approached. Dumbledore's office door was already open when they got there.

"What is the matter?" The old wizard was ensconced behind a pile of paperwork.

"Harry, sir." Remus let go of Sirius' wrist. "No one's seen him since noon."

Albus' eyes narrowed. The final toll of the bell rang through the castle and a stricken expression passed across the older wizard's face.

"Are you sure he is not inside?" Albus pushed his chair back and stood, moving around his desk to one of the heavy wooden armoires that were located around the room.

"We don't know." Sirius took a step forward. "He said he'd be back for dinner, but no one's seen him or Draco anywhere."

A noise at the door made them all turn. Severus and Lucius appeared, the blonde's face slightly flushed and the Potion Master's hair was out of place. "Sir?" Severus barely registered the other group's presence. "I believe we have a problem."

"You cannot find Draco or Harry." Albus met Severus' eyes. "I know."

"You know? You know and you let the Wards go up without doing anything?" Severus jerked and took a step forward.

Albus raised a hand. "No, I did not know until just now Severus. I am sorry."

"Sorry?" Lucius moved around his lover, his eyes narrowing down into slits. "Sorry?"

"We have to do something!" Sirius turned to the Headmaster. "Is there a way to check the castle? To make sure they're not hiding somewhere in it, shagging?"

"Sirius!"

"Well I'd rather have them shagging than be outside!" He snapped at Remus, then flushed as his gaze slid to Ginny. "You never heard that." He leveled a finger at her.

Albus turned away from them, reaching into the wooden armoire and extracting a small blue ball. He held it to the light, using only his thumb and forefinger to keep it steady. A soft hum spread through the room, grabbing their attention. Albus' face became lined as the hum intensified. The blue glow grew, until the light of it was nearly blinding. Then the hum cut off and the light blinked out.

The Headmaster swayed and would have fallen if Remus and Sirius had not leapt forward in time to catch him. "They are not within the castle Wards," he rasped as the two former Gryffindors eased him down on the plush couch near his fireplace.

Sirius' face paled. "They're outside?" His head jerked up and he made to go for the door.

"Sirius!" Minerva surveyed the crowd in the Headmaster's office. "What is going on here?"

"Harry and Draco are not in the castle." Lucius' tone was chill. "Something has happened to them."

The Deputy-Headmistress' mouth thinned down into a line. "And you are sure of this?"

"One hundred percent." Albus nodded.

"We have to go out and find them!" Sirius had his wand gripped tightly in his hand.

"And thus lock yourself out of the Wards?" Minerva raised an eyebrow at him.

"You can't mean to just leave them out there!" The animagus growled. Remus grabbed onto his lover, holding him back.

"Of course not, but we must look at this logically Sirius and not just rush forward without a plan." Minerva shook her head sharply. "It will do none of them any good for you to be caught outside when Voldemort arrives."

"But then they'll be outside when He arrives!" Sirius nearly howled.

"I know, Sirius." Minerva's eyes were shiny. "But have you considered that they're probably already incapacitated and unable to come back to the castle? Both of them know what is coming – they would not linger outside like this."

"Draco was with him though!" Ginny's hands were clamped tightly around her cane. "He'd never let anyone hurt Harry."

"If he could help it." Bill placed a hand on her shoulder.

Lucius shook his head, snarling as he advanced on the Headmaster. "Give me that," he said, reaching for the now dull bulb in Albus' hand.

"I am afraid it is useless now, Lucius." Albus met the blonde's furious gaze. "I am sorry. It could only be used once."

"There has to be something we can do!" Bill ran a hand through his hair.

"Yes," Albus let the used artifact drop to his desk and wiped his hands on his robes. "We can go to dinner."

"Without Harry or Draco?" Severus took a step forward, fine lines appearing around his mouth and eyes. "You know that when we arrive, everyone will notice that Harry and Draco are not there. The students know the Dark Lord is coming. It will be assumed that they have gone to join him."

Albus bowed his head. "I know how it will appear, Severus."

"Then we cannot leave them out there!" Fine tremors ran through the Potion Master's body.

"We have no other choice, Severus." Albus turned away.

"Merlin's balls we do not," Lucius snarled. "You're willing to leave them out there –,"

"What would you have me do, Lucius?" The Headmaster turned to face the blond, his blue eyes dull and pained. "Take down the Wards and allow Voldemort to strike at the castle with ease? Take Hogwart's defenders and have them combing the woods, when we know the Dark Lord will be coming? Spread out our defenses, cripple our offense and put every single child here at risk?"

"You've been willing to do that before!" Sirius lunged at the older wizard, but Remus held him in place. "What about all the times you've let Voldemort into the castle before? What about the Tournament? How is this any different?"

"Because now Voldemort has an army of Death Eaters, the Book, and more power than I care to imagine." Albus shook his head. "This is larger than one child and one Dark Lord now. I was wrong to put Harry into the positions I did, but I can do nothing but try to not make the same mistakes as I have in the past."

"So you're willing to let him die, just to save everyone else?" Sirius tore himself from his lover's hold.

"I do not think Harry is dead." Albus took a deep breath and held it for a moment before letting out. "Both he and young Mr. Malfoy have parts yet to play in this, of that I am sure. I cannot, however, risk exposing our defenses to search for them."

"If they die, I will never forgive you." Sirius spat.

Albus nodded. "I understand, Sirius."

Lucius stepped forward, his eyes strangely calm. "You had better pray to whatever god you believe in that they do survive old man." The blond drew himself up to his full height. "For you and I shall have words if they do not." Fury flew over Lucius' face, making his pale eyes nearly gleam in the light.

Albus met the challenging stare and nodded. "So be it." He looked away. "Now, it is almost time for dinner. We must be going."

"Albus –," Minerva placed a hand on his arm.

"Minerva," the Headmaster smiled at her and patted the back of her hand, drawing her away from the group in the middle of his office and towards the door. "It will be fine, you shall see."

"But…" Her voice trailed off as he led her down the stairs and towards the Great Hall.

Ginny stamped her cane against the floor and pursed her lips. "He's not telling us everything."

"Of course he isn't." Sirius sank onto one of the couches. "He's Albus bloody Dumbledore." He put his head into his hands, his long fingers weaving into his dark hair. "When does he ever tell us the whole truth of anything?"

The bell sounded again deep in the castle, ringing only three times before falling silent once more. They all stirred at the sound.

"Dinner time." Remus wrapped an arm around Ginny's shoulder.

"I don't want to go," she whispered.

"I know." The werewolf's arm tightened around her. "I know."

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Gwyn ap Nudd drew his cloak around his body. The chill of the Dark permeated the air around him, causing his air to mist in front of his face with every exhale. There was no light and barely any sound besides his heavy breathing, yet he followed the faint tug on his mind, one foot put steadily in front of the other, treading fearlessly through the Dark in search of the source of the call that drew him onward. It beat in time to his heart and rang softly in his ears; the further he traveled the more he could taste it in his mouth, bitter like ashes and tears.

The Dark began to ease around him. Tendrils of mist began to wrap around his ankles, the wet tongue of fog sliding over his face. Shapes rose out of the darkness – tall trees rose against the moonless night sky.

A light pierced the Dark. He stumbled to a stop, his left hand rising to shield his eyes against the sudden intrusion. As his sight adjusted he lowered his arm, blinking a few times to clear the wash of dots that speckled his vision.

He sucked in a sharp breath and dropped to his knees. "Danu?" He trembled, his heart pounding wildly in his chest. "Mother?"

The robed and hooded goddess let her hands drop to her sides, the light around her slowly spreading. She smiled at him. "My son." Her voice moved the branches in the trees. Pale, bare feet moved silently across the grass. She came to a stop in front of him and reached out, one hand tracing the fine, arched line of his eyebrows.

"How is this possible?" He caught her hand and held it to his face. "Our time was over."

A small smile curved her lips as she bent at the waist, pressing a chaste kiss against his forehead. "It has come again." A pulse ran from her lips and through his body, warming his heart and making him gasp.

"How?" He stared up into her eyes.

Stars glittered back at him. "The people remember." She took a step back from him. "They believe once more." He let go of her hand.

"Do not go." He struggled to his feet even as she began to fade from view.

She pushed back her hood, her shining red hair spilling over the heavy black material. "I am always here." She smiled at him, even as she vanished. We have always been here.

He took a step forward, but stopped, gasping as a sharp pain lanced through his chest. A howl rose up on the air – a howl he had not heard in millennia. "The Hounds," he breathed, tilting his face to the sky. The pulse flared hotly in his head. Fury crept into his eyes. "Who would dare command the Hunt to ride without my permission?" The air around him trembled. He started forward, pushing the wild bushes and plants out of his way with strong hands, following the call in his soul.

Sheet lightning cracked over the Forest, the thunderous clap of energy deafening. It briefly lit up the underbrush, illuminating the cowering creatures that fled from the god's wrath. In a castle not that far away it shattered the windows of a great hall and shook the occupants to the very bone.

In a clearing not a kilometer away a Dark Lord howled as he stood over an empty altar, his red eyes blazing with a mad light. His followers were pressed to the ground, two of their number already dead. The Lord's pets howled along with him, the foam from their jaws dripping to the ground and scorching the grass under their paws.

Wild Magic stirred. It crept through the ancient forest like a cool wind, causing the trees to shake and the grass to shiver as it passed. A small boy, taking a moment to stop and catch his breath, turned and faced the rising wave. His green eyes widened and he shuddered, goose bumps breaking out over his skin. He turned back to the path and forced himself to go faster. He was running out of time.

End Chapter 43

A/N: Thank you all for the lovely reviews!