The Triwizard Tournament
Two cauldrons simmered over a low flame on the workbench. Leonor stirred absentmindedly. The leaves of the bushes fell sedately to the ground, the colours bright and yellow. Leonor waited for Bagman and Dumbledore and dwelt in some thoughts. She recovered from the pressure of the summer. The bruises healed faster now. It made everything easier. A smile curled her lips thinking of a large Siberian eagle owl arriving in the morning after Severus' visit. The day was already at its peak. Leonor had overslept. The owl mimicked her and woke with a start when Leonor opened the window pain. Likely the bird waited since dawn and zoomed jumpily through the room to drop a heavy book into Leonor's lap. She anticipated the sender by examining the title on the leathery old binding and opened the letter expectantly.
"Hope you had a good night. Get well soon!"
Leonor stretched enjoying the autumn sun. Yes, she had a good night. She blushed remembering the dream; the feelings were new and unfamiliar. She felt still embarrassed. It was her wish to meet Severus again. Nevertheless, they had not met since the opening. Leonor subdued the sparkling tingles in her stomach, she needed to sort out her own business first. The described incantations eased the pain caused by the emphatic curse. Severus had a point in finding the correct counter spell. The book was back at its rightful owner in the meantime. It was the first task given to the new eagle owl. Pauline and Hugo were a pair now. The bird trainer wrote about 'love at first sight' and praised Pauline to have 'chosen the best trained bird'. A second order was open for two years now; it added a drop of sadness and Leonor sighed; she had to be patient even though it was important especially with a war ahead.
The bell at the front door rang, and cheerful noises announced the awaited guests. Bagman and Dumbledore shook Leonor's hand kindly; both dressed in eye-catching colourful robes that made Leonor smile. She gestured the men to the small sitting area in the sales room. Flames crackled in the fireplace.
"Would you like something to drink?" offered Leonor. Dumbledore refused with a twinkle in his eyes. Bagman accepted a Butterbeer longingly. Leonor sat grinning with a mug of tea to listen to the reason of the visit.
"Yeah—," said Bagman gulping down the beer, "—you surely heard of the event to take place at Hogwarts this year?"
"I did. It was in the Daily Prophet, wasn't it?"
"There is a little challenge—," Bagman continued nervously with a side glance at Dumbledore who started to explain playing with his fingertips and glancing over his half-moon spectacles.
"The book of rules requires the support of the participating schools in their native languages to ensure health and well-being of the foreign students. Professor Karkaroff and Madam Maxime insist on a French and Bulgarian speaking healer and interpreter. Bartemius Crouch was supposed to take the role in supporting Madam Pomfrey, but the workload at the ministry doesn't allow him to be more frequently than necessary at the school."
Bagman nodded pompously before Dumbledore continued with an intensive look across the small coffee table. "The ministry likes to employ you to support the interests of Durmstrang Institute and Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. If I'm not mistaken your language skills are sufficient to meet the wishes of the foreign headmasters and you know the school and staff as well."
Leonor held Dumbledore's gaze strictly suppressing the surprise and delight with occluding magic before answering in a business-like tone, "It's a generous offer, thank you."
"Indeed!" cheered Bagman and beat himself at his legs.
"But I must disappoint you, I've already running assignments and have to do my duties here as well," Leonor answered with a cool look from Dumbledore to Bagman.
Bagman gawked saying, "Ms Scott it's such a great international event—"
Dumbledore instead seemed to have expected the answer.
"Madam Pomfrey will be delighted to support all students if you cannot be there. The headmasters of the schools agreed already on some limitations because there are very few wizards and witches meeting language and healer skills."
"Meaning?"
"It's acceptable to handle your own patients in the morning at least. I suppose it can be arranged to meet all schedules," answered Dumbledore sternly.
Leonor nodded, thinking quickly. Opening hours were not fixed for the apothecary yet, everything was on appointment. The little, poisoned boy from Knockturn Alley had visited and recovered well. His mother would buy ready-made potions in the future and the father worked more carefully with the wand at home. The villagers dropped in from time to time, some with a real need and some out of curiosity. The furnishing of the upper floor was mostly ready, and the potion ingredients were well-stocked in the large shelf. Leonor started to prepare concoctions to offer a large variety for sale quickly, but there was no pressure to finish it. She liked working at Hogwarts and meeting with the French headmistress would be a pleasure too.
"I can bring two trained owls, one for each school for messaging. I assume it's not necessary to sleep at the school every night?" said Leonor judiciously.
Dumbledore nodded and smiled generously. "Your 'old' quarters are still available. The elf will enjoy your return very much in case an overnight stay is more convenient."
"Alright, I will try to schedule everything to the morning. Is there anything else I need to know?" Leonor couldn't refuse, thinking of Severus much more than of the reputation or the additional paid work.
"Well then," Dumbledore smiled as if he knew she would accept, "See you Friday before Halloween to welcome the delegations of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang! Mr Crouch will send you the dull paperwork." The headmaster blinked before diving into a praise of the still wonderful weather in October.
XXX
A last measuring look confirmed to be ready for the reception at Hogwarts and the Welcoming Feast. The hair was in a low bun with some playful strands down her neck. The robes with the green and silver design looked refreshing. Leonor cheered up from the past month and was looking forward to the feast. She'd intentionally delayed the efforts of her own business avoiding timely trouble before understanding the needs of Hogwarts. Two letters of some rich pure-blood families waited for an answer. She wanted to make the things right and not in a rush. The pleasant anticipation turned into excitement approaching the large oak gates. A few students greeted in a surprise of her return, but the most were distracted and peered into all directions expecting the delegations of the foreign students any moment. The faculty was tense. Leonor placed herself a little in the background behind Dumbledore who beamed widely. Severus hid behind the Slytherin students exposing no emotions. The arrival of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang confirmed the magnificent magic of both schools; the elegance of the French competing against the almost military appearance of Durmstrang; the bitterly cold winters of Eastern Europe fighting the sun spoiled Mediterranean climate. It was hard to say if the overlarge coach with the giant French Palomino Horses or the emergence of Durmstrang's sailing ship in the Black Lake created more blank astonishment.
The crowd pushed back into the Great Hall followed by the guests. The seats at the staff table had been marked. Leonor sat between Professor Karkaroff and Madame Maxime. Severus' seat was to the other side of Durmstrang's headmaster and Dumbledore was framed by the giantess and a thin-lipped Professor McGonagall. Karkaroff dragged the Potions Master into a conversation and Albus chatted animatedly with Maxime. Leonor felt a bit out of place between the old acquaintances until Durmstrang's headmaster remembered a student feeling sick. The sudden inspiration made Igor Karkaroff claim to be introduced to the agreed healer. Leonor quickly glanced at the Slytherin table and the boys ate with appetite; some a little pale from the journey, but nothing required immediate action. She wanted to let the students finish the meal before tending to work and placed a solicitous introduction of herself to Karkaroff. He took no note of her before, but the effect was unmistakable when Karkaroff got up to kiss Leonor's hand. His lips lingered far too long on the back of her hand, the cold eyes frisking her body for every detail. A feeling of a great mistake bubbled in Leonor's throat. McGonagall's and Snape's look shot daggers, a rare sight of unison. Dumbledore stopped the scene amused.
"Igor, I'm sure you'll find enough time to get to know Ms Scott. She'll spend likely most of her time with Durmstrang and Beauxbatons. I also recommend her excellent cough drops for any inconvenience caused by the English weather!"
Leonor withdrew the hand quickly from Karkaroff's grip greeting a surprised Madam Maxime respectfully. They both met while Leonor travelled France.
"Je suis ravi de vous rencontrer, Madam Maxime!"
"Qui, qui … c'est une surprise!" The headmistress replied nicely eyeing Professor Hagrid from the distance.
The meal continued with Karkaroff's endeavours engaging Leonor in further conversations praising himself the most; the calculating look masterly disguised behind nice words. The health of the favourite student dropped into nothingness. Leonor hoped Severus would come to aid. Karkaroff and Severus knew each other, and an awkward thought came to Leonor's mind. Instead, Severus excused himself from the table with a stony expression and at the first possible moment. Leonor followed quickly, acknowledging the necessity of introducing herself to the students.
Leonor returned to her house in the village late in the evening. She visited the lodging places of both schools and placed Pauline and Hugo with them. Both owls were a bit cross to relinquish the habit of sleeping next to each other. Leonor stroked them compassionately; they'd find a way of meeting each other soon. Why did she introduce herself so avidly to Karkaroff? She had been so stupid! The touch of the man sent still shivers up and down her spine.
XXX
October turned quickly into mid of November and the first task of the tournament approached. The foreign teenagers settled into the British dormitory school very well. They attended the advanced classes usually. A few colds and the homesickness of some girls mended with the time and the adjustment to the chilly and wet climate improved things step by step. The daily routine of Hogwarts bothered Leonor only a little. She was hardly involved with the extra work and left the grounds often after dinner stopping at Beauxbatons' carriage and Durmstrang's ship. Leonor slept at Hogsmeade and returned to the school after lessons. The truce with Madam Pomfrey was frail and fortunately, nothing required the hospital wing urgently.
The daily dinner got soon irritating. It was annoying and meanwhile, Leonor dreaded Igor. The memory of her brothers grew stronger and stronger. The hard and unmoving lines in the tanned face together with the dark hair reminded her of an older version of Juan. Karkaroff's flirting smiles never reached the eyes. She tried to avoid Igor, but it was impossible not talking to him at all. Unfortunately, the open resistance encouraged him, even more, to seek for the 'mutual' small talk in the Great Hall. Leonor sent now and then pleading looks to Severus earning only scornful sneers or a dismissive frown. The deep scowl hadn't left Severus' face since Potter became a Triwizard Champion. As much as she respected his knowledge and understood the difficult position he was in, the more she hated the cold behaviour. Severus regularly joined Igor and Leonor at the staff table. Leonor felt certain he heard every word of the conversations but never found time to talk to her in public or privately. She was little surprised about the rumours of the faculty about Igor and herself, but she hoped to know Severus better than believing in the shallow whispers. One evening Professor Dumbledore called Madam Maxime and Professor Karkaroff into his office. The muscles twitched in Leonor's jaw; she deliberately maintained the silence containing the anger about her once favourite professor.
"Ms Scott, may I have a word?" Severus got up with a menacing gesture.
She rose and put the napkin and cutlery forcefully to the table. She would have hexed him dumb without the watching students. Severus led her swiftly into a passageway to one of the upper floors. He appeared to be unimpressed and it didn't calm Leonor. The small landing at the foot of the stairs was gloomy. Severus listened into the silence of the staircase. He and Leonor were alone. She met his gaze with a stubborn and hostile expression.
Severus was thinking. The fury about Leonor's proximity to Karkaroff preyed on his mind. He could contain it in public, but hardly now, missing the loved small smile and the silent understanding so much. How could she be so ignorant of his warning? How could she yield to Igor's games? Severus stepped closer and pinned Leonor almost against the cold stone when a shield charm hit him into the chest. He stumbled backwards, unprepared and bewildered.
"So, what makes you talk to me again?" She shot at him, her wand only inches away from his overlarge nose and the lanky hair almost brushing her flushed face.
"Lower your voice!" Severus hissed without moving, jealousy increasing like a blazing fire. "Karkaroff obviously impresses you, the slimy coward—," said Severus in a baleful whisper. She lowered her wand, fixating her gaze with the increasing storm in the flashing grey eyes, considering the man's pale face with triumph.
"Oh, how surprisingly thoughtful of you!" Leonor hissed back and continued with a hinge of insulting regret, "The Durmstrang boys are sharper to keep him out of sight while I do my work. They are not that deluded as the Hogwarts staff. I believed you smart enough to sideline Igor, but I've obviously picked the wrong man."
Leonor stepped backwards, tucking her wand into the cloak. The disappointment helped to hide all feelings in a cold indifferent smile. The longer she looked at him the more his unfathomable expression returned by indicating the calming temper. Both flinched at the sound of suppressed laughter from above. Severus approached her again looking straight into the dark brown eyes. He seized her shoulders gently and moved his hands downwards with a soft pressure just to hold Leonor's small hands for a few seconds.
"See you around, Scott!" said Severus and was gone when the voices drew nearer.
Leonor's instinct took over casting a complete Disillusionment Charm and pressing herself into the smallest edge of the landing. She heard Harry Potter hissing, "There's somebody." Harry and Hermione walked downstairs carefully with wands at the ready. They relaxed when reaching the empty lower landing glancing around the passageway. "I thought I heard Snape!" said Harry. "I believe he hates Karkaroff for outshining him; if looks can kill, Scott and Karkaroff would be dead by now. I wouldn't mind seeing them leave, two less for Moody to keep an eye on!" Granger and Potter exited through the tapestry and Leonor slumped against the wall, releasing the charm in a confused mood.
XXX
The puzzled state stayed over the next days. Severus was alert and watchful, however, the cold demeanour returned without showing the menacing fury of before. He still ducked his head coming across Mad-Eye Moody. Karkaroff engaged himself in lecturing Victor Krum. Igor made a show while Victor followed Hermione silently. Cedric and Fleur braved the tension with self-confidence. Cedric, Victor and Fleur enjoyed the support of their school for the tournament. Instead, Harry Potter was utterly spent with the malice of the school and being abandoned by his best mate. Nobody wanted his participation, but the boy didn't put his name into the goblet either. Little relaxed Harry's brains and Severus turned the knife in the sore points. It didn't do any good. Severus behaviour towards Hermione was outright mean addressing the little flaw in her face, at least the event improved Hermione's looks. She was a clever girl. What does not kill you makes you stronger! Leonor heard about the growing front teeth from some Slytherin girls and not even all of them found Severus' remark funny.
Leonor experienced the sensation of being a motherly friend instead of an official healer. The French girls often nestled into her arms on one of the cosy couches in the carriage. The girls preferred to read the textbooks aloud. Leonor's French accent was so funny. They didn't even stop claiming fairy tales from her. It was soothing, yet the return to the house in Hogsmeade often lonely by realizing to never do the same with own children. Maybe it was fate to care for the children of others. Working with the Durmstrang students was different. The usually tall boys questioned her frequently about their looks and if the pretty girls hinted some interest in them. She had to act like a clever sister without much experience of the carefree life as a teenager. She used common sense and the powers of observation to mediate the vexed feeling between the young adults. Leonor participated in a teenage life she'd never experienced herself.
In the evening before the twenty-fourth of November Leonor walked across the lawn and up to the castle. She would sleep in her quarters on the seventh floor until the first task was over. Hugo and Pauline circled her head savouring the time together before commencing the nightly duty. Leonor stopped in her tracks and the owls hooted in an uproar when a large bird approached in a low-level flight over the grounds. It was the Siberian eagle owl clasping the claws into Leonor's shoulder. It hurt. The bird was heavy and claiming the seat while preening and ruffling the feathers, much to the annoyance of Pauline and Hugo. The owl didn't release the letter before being caressed and allowed to snuggle into Leonor's neck.
"You are a cute one! Last time you've been sleepy, and I was safe." Leonor smiled, taking the scroll from the owl's leg and read.
"We meet one hour before midnight, wait near the greenhouses."
It was already dark, and Hagrid walked along the fence meeting Olympe, again. There was about one hour to prepare, but Leonor didn't know what. As much as she despised Severus' crisp letter, the more she was thrilled to meet him after a seemingly dateless waiting. She stopped at the hospital wing to talk to Madam Pomfrey. The matron accepted grudgingly Leonor's help to arrange the medical tent the next morning. It was only because Professor Flitwick was in the ward and considered it as 'a very kind gesture' of the younger witch. Leonor was still clueless why she didn't get along with Poppy. Flitwick and Leonor exited the ward together speaking about the excitement ahead. Flitwick shared the common opinion of Karkaroff being involved in putting Potter's name into play. Leonor didn't share the idea. Igor was ambitious to see his own school winning but having two Hogwarts Champions added no advantage to his aim. The rage of Igor about having Harry Potter in the tournament was genuine, much more than everything else he did. She wished a good night to the other professor and entered her private rooms on the same floor.
Leonor decided quickly on her robes for the unknown occasion choosing something warm under an extra thick travelling cloak. She removed the firm bun and combed the dark hair quickly. The leather boots had a soft sole and made no noise passing the castle at the late hour. Severus waited already and handed Leonor a broomstick without any greeting.
"Hope you can fly," a sneer curled his lips. "Follow, and we only land here, but nowhere else!"
Severus was teasing Leonor with her own curiosity; the mystery of the journey was inviting and hard to resist. Luckily, she knew how to fly since working in Romania. Severus kicked himself off the ground. He was so self-confident, almost full of himself leading the way. Nevertheless, he watched carefully and kept the brooms close in the pitch-black night increasing speed and height slowly. Leonor couldn't see his face, but he seemed to know the direction well. They circled the shoreline of the lake and stopped in the air for viewing the illuminated castle, a great sight. Leonor exhaled relieved, accepting the freedom. The wind blew the hair in and out of the face, and she needed to use her hand to control the strands. Severus' face was still obscured by the darkness. He steadied his broom with one hand taking a hair-band from an inside pocket. He handed it to Leonor and when she stretched the arm, he snatched it away; a sly grin on his face until she almost lost the balance.
"Damn!" Leonor cursed herself quietly while noticing Severus' hand stabilizing her broom.
"Are you alright?" he asked. "It's better to have a free sight. I'm not coming to your rescue again!" His voice was deep and kidding. His own hair was already tucked firmly behind the ears when Leonor finished the ponytail.
"Where do we go?"
He turned the broomstick and pointed to an orange glowing patch in the forbidden forest.
"Keep close."
They rose further and above the treetops. A lighted clearing came into sight and Severus lowered the speed. Thundering noises and screams emitted from below the trees.
"Dragons!" said Leonor in blank astonishment. "The ministry ordered dragons for the task?"
"Yes, they arrived over the weekend; I suppose with a port key."
"Sounds like one dragon is particularly bullish already. But it's not the one I can spot easily." Leonor peered through the crown of the trees, remembering the work at the Dragons Research Institute in Romania and recognizing the alarming yells easily.
Witch and wizard went around the clearing in a safe distance. Three dragons had been caged up safely. Thick ropes secured the legs and the cages itself and the three seemed calm, at least as good as it can be expected from a wild beast. The shouts came more from within the forest. No dragon-keeper was visible, but flashlights of spells and shouts fired in short time lags.
"They are in trouble; we need to get down!" Leonor was already in a dive before finishing the words. She shot into the clearing stopping at half high to peer through the tree trunks searching for the place of the men and the beast. Four keepers struggled with a half-loose Hungarian Horntail shouting stunning spells without having much effect on pushing the dragon back to the cage. Misplaced spells, flashes, and shouts increased the violence of the dragon to the state of a monster. Leonor landed behind the beast, yelling and sending spells to distract the dragon from the original target. The dragon turned its ugly head and moved a few steps backwards into the cage. It wasn't enough, but a fair start.
"Get out from behind or you'll burn!" screamed an angry voice. Before the words died away, Leonor cowered quickly to the ground avoiding a full blast of fire. The dragon prepared to spit more fire soon and Leonor tried to leave but tripped over a stub or root of a tree. She was flat on the forest floor and the flame above; she was saved, this time, searching for a way to escape the booming heat. She lifted her head to look for the way out only to hear the dragon roaring in agony. A red stunner hit the beast in one eye.
"That was a good one!" cheered a strong voice from the other side. "Come over, and we push it back to the cage!"
Leonor got up and Severus grabbed her arm strongly dragging her out of the fire zone. The beast was still writhing in pain and licking his eye with its long tongue. It would soon recover.
"Leonor, what are you doing here? Good to see you bringing support; we need any help! Let's assemble and on the count of three we send the stunners all together! You know the procedure!" said a tall sun-tanned man quickly, using the short breathing time.
Everybody positioned in front of the dragon, physically and mentally preparing themselves. The Horntail turned slowly, facing its foes in a neat row. On command, six stunning spells hit the beast square in the chest. It was defeated, retreating under growls and falling to the hind legs into the safety of the cage. The keepers quickly closed it and fixed the heavy ropes, before the beast sensed to send fire blasts again.
Leonor checked her ankle and knee while Severus snarled, "What the hell, we are not allowed to be here. Hope you have a plan to explain that!"
"You prefer a loose running dragon in the forbidden forest?" she snarled back with clenched teeth. "Take it easy, your 'eye-catcher' saved us all!"
"Indeed, that was close! So, it's been you sending the spell?" The tall Romanian patted Severus heartily on the shoulder. "Leonor, I'm so sorry, but the point goes to him!" He laughed and embraced Leonor in a bone-crushing hug.
"Peter, good to see you too!" answered Leonor smiling widely.
"You are invited for dinner; it will take only a few minutes before we can eat. It is late, but we all deserve refreshment before turning in." Peter passed the clearing and commanded to get food, drinks, and everybody together around the campfire.
"I'm off," said Severus and walked through the trees to collect the broomsticks. Leonor followed close.
"You are not going!" she demanded.
"Who says that?"
"Listen, Peter will not betray us. I've been working with him and some of the lads last year. They've really been in trouble today. I don't know why they are only four wizards. Usually, you work at least with six, but better eight in a group to control a dragon."
Severus expression softened a bit and Leonor added after a pause, "Their food is good. It's worth it."
They returned to the clearing and introduced each other. Leonor asked to keep quiet about their visit and Peter confirmed it to be his pleasure. Charlie Weasley eyed Severus suspiciously. The behaviour was like the mirror image of his younger brother Ron and sister Ginny. Severus didn't care much, and Leonor couldn't help to make a pointed remark.
"Charlie, it's not potions today. Cheer up!" Leonor was sure Charlie suffered in compulsory potions. He wasn't the studious type of student, more a Hagrid in miniature. He likely had been glad to skip it after the fifth year while Severus wouldn't even remember his performance. Charlie just grunted in response, while Severus seemed to relax slowly. Everybody sat around the campfire. Marinated meat and vegetables grilled slowly. Peter put his hand round Leonor's shoulders. After a while he spoke quietly to block the others from the conversation, so only the Hogwarts staff could hear it.
"You've not been the first visitors today. There have been more. I expect somebody tried to sabotage; the ropes of the Horntail had been cut with a knife. Lucky, you made a detour. We are two keepers short. We lost one injured in Romania already and the other is sleeping in the tent recovering from the journey. He'll be back tomorrow. But it's still only five of us. I mean, the dragons likely go to the arena easily, but to bring them back might be a problem. Most of the young lads are not able to perform a good stunning spell anymore. It's not easy to get them trained."
"There will be enough teachers around to save the audience," said Severus matter-of-factly.
"Yeah, but we have to cage them once out of the stadium. You two couldn't help? You've both strong magic and are cool-minded." Peter questioned Severus, but Leonor answered.
"I can help, I'm not as bound as Severus is. It all depends on the situation. If the Champions are injured, I've got to heal them first. Severus will need to shepherd the Slytherins. I wouldn't like to be the one fighting the Horntail tomorrow," she added quietly.
"Well, it's not been our first choice, but the only option we had after being informed of needing four brooding females. Anyway, I appreciate your help if possible. The Champions should be saved, you know about the venom in the tail already, you are prepared for the worst," added Peter in a thoughtful manner, before asking in a cheekier and conversational tone including the complete round.
"And what's the kind of relationship you are in?" He blinked, "You ranted like an old couple."
"Oh, Severus is eating out of my hand!" called Leonor hoping it would distract Peter just to regret it seconds later.
"Oops, that's a surprise. I know all the lads were hand fed after you've hexed them unconscious. I'd rather advise you to be careful with Severus—," Peter gave a funny side glance to the silent Potions Master, "—or you find yourself spread-eagled in his lap." Peter enjoyed his joke and broke into a loud cheerful laughter.
"I really missed the blunt jokes!" said Leonor defeated before another lad answered.
"Yeah, we thought so too. You've never complained about our jokes! Don't start it now."
Leonor said nothing anymore. She got up to take some more food and pour herself a drink. She likely had blushed and felt embarrassed. The warm glow of the fire hid it well. Severus' face was obscured by the dark curtains of his hair, but he didn't make any attempt to leave. He stared at the fire as every man liked to do. She sat next to him, touching his arm as if by chance. He just looked straight into her eyes with a questioning look. The dark eyes thoughtful and gentle. Leonor responded by snuggling herself to his side.
"It's good to see you without your guards. I like it." Leonor spoke softly cupping Severus' left hand in hers. He put his arm around her shoulders after Charlie went to bed and only Peter, Ivan and the Professors continued the conversation.
The evening ended long after midnight. The broomsticks carried the teachers back to Hogwarts entering the Slytherin dungeons through a back door. A scowl was back on Severus' face. Leonor expressed her concern about how Potter and Diggory would handle the challenge. Severus told her to have heard Harry training in Flitwick's classroom and Cedric had asked some urgent transfiguration questions to McGonagall. The headmasters knew about the task already for a while. Severus noticed the uncommon red glow above the forest while making a nightly round through the castle. He hinted that likely everybody was prepared.