Arc 3: Enraptured Revelation
Chapter 11: Meeting You Here, Brings Tearful Memories

I did as he commanded and filled the final slot. The Amulet, after so long, was finally complete.

Five of the lights that surrounded us began to change and morph... Into the shapes of five young children. There before me stood Jessica Marin, Rayer Terrell, Christina Beckett, Lionel MacKenna and Genny Roberts. They looked just as they did before they died... So full of life... Lionel and Genny stood slightly further away from the other three.

"Speak to them. They have been waiting a long time to see you." the prince said. Hesitantly, I approached Jessica, Rayer and Christina.

"Hey! If it isn't our detective!" Rayer called out with a bright grin. He was as lively as ever.

"Oh! Miss Juniper! I've wanted to meet you for ages!" Christina squealed happily and hugged me with all her might. Despite her ghostly form, I was able to feel her squeeze. I gently hugged her back.

"So this is the ancient power of Ylgind... Fascinating." Jessica spoke to herself and wrote down in a notebook. Despite being dead, Jessica was always taking notes and studying.

"You three..." I said as tears fell down my face. I pulled Jessica and Rayer into the hug, though Jessica wasn't entirely a fan.

"How-How have you been?" I sobbed lightly.

"It's kind of awesome being a ghost. You brought me so much fame that everyone remembers me and I don't have to break my arm for it!" Rayer said without considering the meaning of his words.

"Quite. As time does not pass, I can read all the books in the world. The number of hypotheses I have, you would not believe. A shame I could not take my NEWTs." Jessica reminisced. She was so anxious she would fail them but any reasonable person would know she would be more than fine.

Christina went and hugged Jessica. She was much smaller so it was more around her waist but Jessica gently patted her head. "I finally have friends. Jessica is so kind and Genny is like a big sister to me!" She was deceased and yet she was the happiest she ever had been.

The question on my mind was burning and I could not hold it in any longer. "Do you blame me for what happened?"

Rayer's jaw dropped, Christina gasped and Jessica rolled her eyes.

Jessica spoke for the three of them. "Forgive me for being a prude but why would we blame you? You weren't in control of the Hound. You were trying to save us. The outcome happened but you did avenge us. That horrendous man is gone now."

My heart felt relieved. The anxiety I had balled up for the past year finally came out.

Christina pulled at my sleeve. "I think Genny wants to talk to you now." she pointed out. Indeed, Genny leant against one of the nearby tombs in preparation for my arrival.

As I approached, she stood up straight. Her piercing green eyes first felt oppressive but they changed to friendliness. It was only now I could truly see how long her hair was, considering it went long below her photo. It was practically at her hips.

"We meet at last." she said. Her voice was silky as expected. She was a girl of outstanding beauty and she was aware of it, no matter whether she was alive or dead. She placed a soft hand on my shoulder and turned me away from everyone else. "How is he?" she asked.

I knew she was talking about Severus. Whether she actually loved him or not was always a question but her asking confirmed it. Severus stood beside Lockhart making sure he wouldn't move but he kept a close eye on me the entire time. This was a moment for me and me alone and he didn't dare to interrupt, no matter how much I would want him beside me.

"He's... he's happy." I answered.

Genny let out a sigh. "I thought as much. When you came to Hogwarts, I was jealous of you. The way he looked at you..." She shivered and clenched her teeth. "I hated it. I wanted you gone. I wanted him to look at me the way he looked at you. I heard the things he said to you. Such words were only there to mask other feelings. To keep up appearances."

"I figured." I interrupted.

"That longing for him... was how the Hound got to me. It promised if I went to the Forbidden Forest, it would rid of you... that was a lie." She clicked her tongue in annoyance. "But that's in the past. I've had the time with this joyful lot and I realise that perhaps you were better for him anyway. He tries for you. He never tries for anyone. I've seen the sadness in his eyes before you came. Point is... treat him well, alright? Or I'll come to haunt you." she threatened and flicked my forehead.

"Ow!" I flinched.

"That's for stealing him from me." she retorted. Then, out of nowhere, she pulled me into a hug. She sniffed deeply as tears left her eyes. "And this is for keeping him safe."

I gradually returned the hug. "I'll always keep him safe."

"You better." We separated and her eyes look determined. "You better go talk to Lionel. He's been waiting a while now."

The last of the five, Lionel MacKenna, waited alone far away from everyone else. When I came toward him, he couldn't figure out where to put his eyes. Should he look at the floor, at me, at the ceiling, at my face? He finally resolved to my face.

"Lionel..." I said, not certain of what to do. I ruined this boy's life and we both knew it.

"Hey." he replied and put his hands in his pockets awkwardly. He was incredibly antisocial. "So..."

"I'm so sorry for... for everything." I let out. It was hard to keep my composure.

"I would be mad but... I've seen what you've been through. You've changed. I hate you for what you did but... not for who you are anymore. You've done more good since then. Plus... I get to see my parents again, so it isn't too bad." he laughed off. "I think I can let what you did go."

He held his hand out for me to take. I took his and we shook it out. The bad air between us was finally gone. Though it felt rushed for Lionel, he wasn't a bad kid. He was just a boy trapped in all the unfortunate incidents of the world and that had made him unable to feel anger for too long. I pitied him.

The prince approached with the same smile on his face. "I see what Ylgind intended is going well. How do you feel?"

"Better, surprisingly." My eyes travelled to the original circle. There were still three lights remaining.

One began to fall down and morph... into a little elf. She hadn't formed fully before I fell to the ground to wrap the elf in a tight hug and tears fell from my eyes.

"Why is Miss Juniper crying?" Utsy asked as she put her arms around my body. "Does she not want to see Utsy?"

"No! The farthest thing from it... Utsy... I missed you. I missed you much." I sobbed uncontrollably. For a time, we were there simply hugging as I cried.

"Utsy is proud of Miss Juniper. Utsy has seen all she has done." she said as she wiped a tear from my face. She had been the light that was continuously staying near to my face to encourage me. She was the one absorbing my sickness.

"I wish you didn't have to die. Utsy..."

Her small hand stayed on my cheek and she made me face her directly. "Utsy is honoured to have died to save Hogwarts and Miss Juniper. But Utsy does not want Miss Juniper to cry because Utsy is gone. Utsy wants Miss Juniper to smile for the time Utsy was there."

It was exactly as I expected when Severus and I were at her grave. She wouldn't want me to have cried for her. Instead, she wanted me to remember her fondly and the happiness she brought me.

The final tears in my eyes etched out and I began to smile. "You're right. You always were right." I laughed lightly. She leaned her head against my shoulder for a short time before we knew we had to separate.

"Utsy will always be cheering for Miss Juniper." she said softly.

"And I'll always be smiling for you." I replied, my heart stinging.

...

The second to last light began to form something I did not predict. Through it came an old-looking man. He was somewhat hunched and he had long silver hair. It was because of that hair and the outfit he wore that I knew who this was... Ruberion.

"We meet again." Ruberion smiled, his voice now hoarse with age and weakness. "It seems time now reflects reality." he remarked at his frail appearance.

The prince came over to inspect Ruberion. "You are the last descendant of Tryleal? You were the one who tried to unleash Calamity again?"

Ruberion disgustingly laughed. "That would be me, and you're that prince of Arifica. Nice to finally meet you." He held his hand out and the prince looked at him spitefully.

"Do you not understand what you could have done?" the prince spat. "Did you learn nothing from Arifica?"

"There is nothing to learn from a lost kingdom when you do not care for the outcome." Ruberion replied entirely indifferent. Had the prince and Ruberion been alive, I'm certain the prince would have strangled him. "I wanted to see what Calamity could do and do she could. It was never about winning... it was about the game." He looked at me fondly. "A very fun game between Tryleal and Ylgind, ironically."

"How dare you speak their names so carelessly!"

"Do I offend you? I apologise. Such truths can be hard to hide. Still, I admit that Calamity was less a ploy for revenge but instead... one of boredom." he revealed. "I certainly had a good time with this one." he eyed me.

Severus left Lockhart's side and came towards Ruberion. It was at this moment I realised Severus had never seen Ruberion. I was the only one who knew what he looked like in the vision. His eyes were filled with fury.

"You disgusting creature." he remarked sternly.

"I remember you. You cast the Killing Curse that ended everything." Ruberion said stunned. "Are you grateful I saved your dear Cassandra?"

"She would not have needed saving had your selfish nature not proved uncontrollable." he spat. The prince agreed wordlessly.

"A shame. It was because I loved her that I saved her. A demented love, for certain, but love nonetheless. Would you do the same for her?"

Without hesitation, he replied "I would."

Ruberion chuckled. "Of course. It was rather boring there but why leave it at a stalemate? At least she can have fun on my behalf." Ruberion was creepy before he was an elderly man but now he was creepy tenfold. "For what it is worth, I am regretful for involving you, Cassandra. I feel nothing for my actions but for your part, it is a shame." He sighed. "I am done with talking. The final light is one I do think you will have been waiting for a long, long time."

I stepped away from him with Severus. I was lightly shaking and he took my hand to try to steady me. Seeing Ruberion like that... how was that supposed to give me closure?

"I apologise." the prince spoke as he joined us. "I do not know what Ylgind intended with him. Perhaps instead of closure, it was a lesson. A lesson that no matter what, there are some people who cannot be changed. It is unfortunate Tryleal's line became tainted with one as vile as him. He will never change and he will never feel sorrow as I do for my part with Calamity."

What the prince said made sense and reminded me of the thoughts I had back during those days of Ruberion's infiltration. That innocent belief that Ruberion could change when all along... he was deadset in his ways. In his death, he only felt regret for hurting me; his love. He felt nothing for Utsy, the girl he killed and all others he harmed. It was only his cruel obsession that made him feel anything.

Ruberion will never change.

...

The final light left its position and fell to the ground. It began to form that of a woman with medium length brown hair and gorgeous ocean eyes.

"Mother." left my mouth. She smiled at me and opened her arms. I fell into her embrace. She was so warm and motherly.

"My little girl... How you've grown." she said with such pride on her face. "You managed to find the Abyssian Blade after all..."

"I did. It's here, look." I took the blade and went to hand it to her but she pulled her hands back.

"No, no. The blade is yours, not mine. Finders keepers, right?" she winked. "When I saw the Prophecy... a thin piece of me knew it wasn't going to be me who would find it. You look just like me but you have your father's stubbornness." Like Utsy, she placed her hand upon my cheek gently.

"Oh? And who is this?" she said as her eyes met Severus's. "Is he...?"

"Right, this is Severus. My... partner." It was much harder to introduce Severus as my partner to my mother than anyone else. I knew how carefree she was but it still felt awkward.

"A pleasure to meet you, Mrs Fudge." he introduced.

Elsie burst out laughing. "How formal! Please, call me Elsie. I may not have known much of my daughter but I trust her to choose a good partner." She sighed whimsically. "I remember holding you so long ago... You have no idea how proud I am of you."

Her words gave me so much confidence that I felt I could do anything. I met the woman who was supposed to guide me through life. Though she had only been here for a few minutes, I had gained a lifetime of support.

"I suppose I owe you my apology now, don't I?" Elsie began. "It's my fault that you were left without a mother... I failed at the main thing a mother should do: to be there for their child. Can you ever forgive me?"

"I've forgiven you for a while now... The Mirror of Erised helped me." I responded.

"Mm... I hid the five pieces before my death. I placed them in places of significance. I never anticipated that they would match the riddle in that book!" Elsie remarked surprised. "Do thank Dumbledore for the Mirror of Erised one. She would only give you the piece when you realised the weight of my death and come to accept it. You didn't have to forgive me- that was of your own volition."

The prince came and placed a hand on my shoulder. "It's almost time. You should say your goodbyes."

"But it's so soon..." I replied but I understood the struggle in their souls.

"Cassandra... My dear..." She wrapped me in a hug once more. "Will you grant me one final wish?"

"What is it?"

"Listen to Cornelius. You don't have to forgive him, I wouldn't dare ask that of you. I do want you to hear him and consider giving him another chance. I know your father. He doesn't do well with suffering and stress. It's inexcusable but... maybe you can salvage this relationship." she explained.

"I don't know if I can do that, Mother... He was so cruel and hate-filled. He tortured me my entire life."

"I understand, little one. It's your decision and I will respect whatever outcome you choose." She freed me from my hug and placed a kiss on my forehead. "I love you."

"I love you too." I replied.

Elsie began to fade away, along with the others. I hugged Utsy once more and bode farewell to the children. Even Ruberion gave a polite wave. They turned to their light forms and dashed back through the crypt, unknown to us where they would go.

"Ylgind was a kind woman." the prince remarked as he, too, began to fade. "I'm honoured to have a daughter like her, just as your mother is. She made the Amulet for you so that you would be able to accept your mother... and meet those who you had lost upon its completion. That was the true knowledge of Ylgind."

"But what about you?" I asked.

His eyes, still sharp in shape, seemed as if they finally found an answer they were seeking. "Keep the Abyssian Blade, Cassandra. Remember Arifica for what it is: symbolism for the dangers of greed. Seeing you... I think my duty here in this crypt has been fulfilled. Perhaps moving on will allow me to finally meet my children. It's time we bid farewell."

"Farewell." I said with a struggle.

Unlike the others, the prince's light went through the small crack in the ceiling. He had passed on...

"How do you feel?" Severus asked concerned.

"Somehow... I feel... okay. Everything managed to conclude as it should. The children don't hate me, I got to see Utsy, I understand Ruberion's intentions and I felt my mother's embrace." I replied. "We should probably free Lockhart." I said and approached him with the blade.

"We could leave him here." Severus spoke.

"As tempting as that would be, I don't need more reasons to be sent to Azkaban." I joked as I raised the blade above my head. Lockhart watched on unmoving as the sword lit with flames and the same shockwave came out. He suddenly gained control of his limbs again. Severus immediately brought out his wand.

"This is awkward." Lockhart stood and whimpered as he was completely caught out by a skilled dueler and a woman with a flaming sword.

"Awkward is one way to put it." I stated plainly. "For you, anyway. Off you trot." I pushed Lockhart on his back and he almost sprawled on the floor. He ran ahead with his tail between his legs. "You know what, I see the appeal now."

As we came across the pool of water at the entrance, we were able to apparate to the top of the hole. Lockhart still eyed us with terror.

"Okay, want to explain what that was all about?" I interrogated, threatening him with the blade but with few intentions of using it.

"I-I was going to take the sword and wipe your memory!" he cried out, completely horrified.

"Unsurprising." Severus judged. "I suspected your novels were that of others for a long time."

"Yes! Yes, I stole the stories from other witches and wizards! Spare me!" Merlin's beard, he was pathetic.

"Go." I said.

"What?" Lockhart and Severus replied confused.

"If you swear you'll never harm another person with your Memory Charms then I'll let you go." I stepped toward him and placed a hand misleadingly on his arm. "But if I hear you doing it..." I leaned close to his ear. "I won't hesitate to hunt you down." I slapped his arm and he ran away into the distance.

Severus watched rather impressed... or was it another feeling? Interesting...

"Let's go back to Hogwarts." I said. "I have a hunch I need to check out."

"What hunch?" he asked.

"You'll see."