September, 2016
Chapter 6: No More
"What one thinks is right is not always the same
as what others think is right; no one can be always right."
― Roy T. Bennett
Grief was a funny thing. Hazel blinked back tears as she watched the couple completely fall apart with heart-wrenching sobs. To her right, Henry gently squeezed her shoulder, looking down at the younger witch with a small, comforting smile. On her other side, Ridgeway's expression was...forlorn as he shared the details of Markus Ryker's death. The truth behind his death, at least. When he mentioned Jack, a young boy suddenly stood from his seat to rush out of the door, anger written deep into his features. Poor Jackson, losing his brother, finding out like this. Hazel placed her hand over Henry's as they exchanged another look.
Marcus Ridgeway and the Corre had decided to visit the Ryker household, together. After apparating into Bristol, Hazel wished she could have visited under better conditions. Maybe, if he hadn't died, Markus would've been the one introducing her to his family. Despite their so-called status of criminals, Hazel found it hard to care in light of the news they'd brought, with what, or who, had been lost. We miss you, Markus, every day. What I wouldn't give to see you again. From the looks on their faces, the rest of the Corre felt similarly; worse, potentially, as they'd known the lion animagus for much longer. Hazel had nearly cried when Ridgeway described meeting Markus for the first time, being the wizard to introduce the muggleborn boy to magic and Hogwarts. He'd been there since the beginning. Escaping to the small bathroom, the witch tried to pull herself together. Today wasn't about her, not even close. To her surprise, Miranda had been waiting in the empty hallway, quietly pulling her into a tight hug. She wasn't the only one mourning the loss of Markus Ryker.
The afternoon had been spent sharing stories and photographs; Ridgeway had provided the parents with pictures from their trips across the world, and Henry's eyes were shining as he retold the story of their antics in Rio. While they appeared to restrain most of their grief, Markus's parents had finally broken down at the phoenix feather from Leon, from the magical creature that had been born from the ashes of their eldest son. Eventually, sounds from outside the window grew increasingly louder, cutting across something Markus's father had begun to say, "You're under arrest, Marcus Ridgeway. Come quietly." A vaguely familiar voice called, likely amplified by magic. What appeared to be almost annoyance flickered across the dark-haired man's features before he slowly rose to his feet, nodding respectfully to the teary couple. "I'm sorry for your loss," He repeated softly before he gestured for the Corre to follow.
On the street, Hazel counted almost twenty Aurors, if not more. Sweet Merlin, didn't they have better things to do? Edward chuckled at the disgruntled expression on her face as they stopped, facing the mass of wizards. Auror Weasley stood at the front, wand already clenched in his hand. Calling out, the man scowled at Ridgeway, "Come quietly, you're outnumbered." An empty smile lifted Ridgeway's lips as he tilted his head at the men, "We stand here to honor our fallen, to mourn. I will give you this opportunity to turn and walk away, and not sully the memory of a good man." Her eyes widened at the gall of her mentor, and Miranda smirked as their eyes met. He still surprised her, even after all these years. It was definitely not a good time to laugh, Hazel reminded herself.
Six Aurors actually did leave, apparating from the street wordlessly. Whispers broke out amongst the remaining wizards, and Auror Weasley raised his hand to silence the group. Ridgeway turned his head to smile at the Corre, brown eyes meeting, as he murmured, "Stay behind me." Facing Weasley, the witch saw something shift in the dark-eyed man's expression, "I've held back for too long," His voice dropped, somehow still audible, if the rapidly paling faces were any indication, "No more." Like a conductor, Marcus Ridgeway raised both his hands in the air, Elder wand in his right. With a smooth wave, the ground underneath them shook.
Hazel had to grab Edward's arm as the pavement below the Aurors' feet began to peel away, lifting the men into the air before crashing abruptly down. The world seemed to erupt in movement as the professor strode confidently forward. Be careful, Marcus. From around them, roof tiles seemed to dart towards the wizards; some transformed into ravens that tore at their hair and skin and clothes, other pieces smacking into the men with a sickening sound. Trees came alive as branches moved like limbs to grab the panicked men and women, the bark scratching at their faces and exposed skin.
From somewhere behind them, white picket fences seemed to slither as they wrapped themselves around the wizards; one was blasted into wooden shards by a blonde Auror, who then shot a sickly red light at the 'criminal'. Ridgeway blocked the attacks as he continued to orchestrate the chaos around them with shocking ease. She knew he was powerful, but seeing it in action. Bloody hell. Hazel wasn't sure if it was solely awe that she felt as she watched the man defeat nearly thirty Aurors. She'd nearly forgotten her hand was in Edward's, her grip tightening as three green jets flew towards Ridgeway. "Watch out!" The witch called out, unncessarily; the spells were easily blocked by levitating rubble or objects. Turning his head to the Corre, the man gave an amused smile to the concerned girl. Briefly, she could've sworn she saw a flash of white in his eyes before he returned his gaze to the street. She must've been imagining things.
A loud crack filled the air as lightning spilled from Ridgeway's wand, hitting another two Aurors. Around them, the street was absolutely destroyed; pavement and collapsed wizards scattered the ground. Merlin, there'd been at least twenty or more men. And now, there were only two. Auror Weasley and Marcus Ridgeway stared silently before the ginger flicked his wand into the air. Whatever spell he'd cast, however, turned to water as Ridgeway strode towards the man. A quick foreboding, gone before she could recognize it.
Hazel's breath caught in her throat as the russet-haired Auror was thrown backwards, body hitting a nearby car with a resounding crash. Merlin...Ridgeway continued forwards as his wand twirled in the air; the screech of metal pierced through the air as it bent, twisting and groaning around the Auror. She felt nauseous at the blood that dripped onto the pavement as the wizard's head drooped, briefly, as metal cut into his sides and wrapped around him. Was this right? She was taken aback by the sudden movement beside her as Miranda stepped forwards, her hand slipping from Henry's as she called out, "Order your men to retreat."
"No," A low chuckle escaped Ridgeway as he shook his head, less than five feet from the Auror, "tell them to run away." Hazel's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as Edward silently tugged her forwards, the Corre moving through the wreckage. Spitting blood at the professor, Weasley glared as Ridgeway gestured towards the defeated men and women, "Tell your men to run away, Mr. Weasley. You're a well known wizard, but I want you to be famous for this, for being 'Mr. Run Away', a coward and ignorant man. I want stories to be told about you, about this day." Another flick of his wand released the trapped Aurors, wizards falling from trees or warped metal with muted thuds. As quickly as it had occurred, the world around them appeared to right itself; trees lumbered to their original positions, fences straightened, tiles returning to their houses. The ground underneath them shifted as it fixed itself, soft cracks indicating the movement around the six remaining, conscious wizards, "I want them to know your true nature."
To her left, Edward squeezed the witch's hand as they stood beside Marcus Ridgeway, the man they'd all but officially sworn their lives to. He was family, as much as Markus or the Corre or Kes or Tim….Marcus Ridgeway smiled down at Hazel, strangely fond despite the bleeding man in front of them. Silently, he held out his hand, palm up. Her heart seemed to skip a beat at the familiar gesture before she easily slipped her free hand into his. This was the right thing, wasn't it? Together, Ridgeway and the Corre stood united, hand-in-hand, "Goodbye, Mr. Weasley. I expect I'll see you again."
With a call for Leon, the five disappeared from Bristol with a quiet pop and warm flames, leaving behind the injured men and women that served the Ministry. The Corre returned to the Lodge, and Hazel wasn't sure it was alright to feel so...safe. Not quite content, but...She met the eyes of her professor, the corner of her lips lifting unconsciously. They had to be doing the right thing, this was her family...How could they not be?