Avery Sutherland grinned, a victorious, cat-like, sinister grin that would've caused many to turn tail and run. But she didn't, she remained rooted to the spot, her fingers closing around her wand.

"I wouldn't do that," said Avery. "I mean, you wouldn't want to kill us both, would you?"

Brow furrowed; she turned as movement caught the corner of her eye. Her heart stopped as Mason shuffled forward, his arms held behind his back by a surviving Death Eater.

"Ted…?" Mason whimpered. He had a cut on his head that was bleeding profusely, along with a busted lip. His eyes were shrouded in fear and… confusion?

"Let him go," she said, turning back to Avery. "He has nothing to do with this."

"But he does," said Avery. "You see, young Mason here is the key. The key to unlocking your full potential. The longer he lives, the more trouble you cause."

"What are you talking about?"

Avery motioned around her. "This, little one. This is all because of you," she explained. "All this pain and suffering. All because you are not in control. But imagine the chaos you could bring if you, were you? The level of control you would have… our victory would be glorious, and no one would dare try and cross us again."

"You want me?" she asked. "Then take me. Only me."

Avery looked considerate for a second. She then smirked and raised her hand, pointing it directly at Mason. "No…" she said, snapping her fingers.

Before anyone could do anything, Mason twisted and, with a loud crack slumped over onto the floor. Neck broken and his last dying scream silent on his lips.

Teddie woke with a scream.

Her door crashed open, one from the adjoining bedroom and the other from the landing. Both Theo and Mason stood there, their eyes bleary from sleep, hair a mess, and pyjamas ruffled.

"What happened?" they asked simultaneously.

Teddie breathed heavily and sat up. Tears had pooled in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Her hands were shaking, and she scrambled out of bed and over to Mason. She wrapped him in a hug, earning more confusion from the pair.

"Ted, what happened?" Mason repeated, hugging her firmly back.

"I saw - I saw - you…" Teddie said between breaths. "Avery, she -"

"She what?" Mason asked, pulling back.

Teddie took another shuddering breath and wiped at her eyes. "She killed you," she said.

"What?" Theo asked. "Why?"

"I don't…" Teddie shook her head. The nightmare was fading fast, and she could barely remember the specifics. Only thing she could remember was Mason's face as he died.

Mason clutched his sister again. "It was just a dream," he said. "Right?"

Teddie nodded although she was unsure. At this point in her life she wasn't sure what was real or not. Before now things had always been easy to tell the difference - dreams weren't something that she always remembered, or at least didn't wake her up screaming. But ever since her first year at Hogwarts, she had been experiencing nightmares due to trauma, and she couldn't tell the difference between them and normal dreams anymore.

Everything was a trauma response, at least that is what it felt like.

"Do you want me to stay?" Mason asked.

"Maybe we should ask Mo and Ursula for a dreamless sleep potion first?" Theo suggested.

Teddie shook her head. She had taken enough potions in her life; she didn't want to take anymore. Obviously, what she was seeing was a result of her nerves. She was scared of the upcoming battle, she was afraid of what would happen to her, and more so her friends and brother.

She had undergone tremendous pain this last year to undo magical enchantments that had been placed on her at the beginning of her life, enchantments that had come in the form of potions; she was afraid that if she took another now, it would either undo everything that had happened thus far, or strength the bonds she was trying to break,

"I'll be okay," said Teddie. She looked at Mason. "You can go back to bed, if you want."

"I think I'll stay," said Mason.

Teddie swallowed and nodded. "Okay," she said. Who was she to argue with her brother? Besides, maybe having him close would still the nightmares of losing him? Maybe she could protect him in her dreams if she were physically beside him.

Theo hesitated. "Do you want some company?" he asked. His desire to protect his friend had always been strong, and knowing she was having nightmares of her friends dying made him want to protect her more.

Teddie smiled and nodded. Her bed was big enough to fit the three of them. The trio climbed onto the mattress, Theo behind Teddie, his arms wrapped around her and holding her against his chest, while Mason lay on her other side, snuggled against her.

Teddie held her brother and kissed the top of his head. "I love you," she whispered.

"We love you, too," said Mason.

~X~

It had been a month since her last nightmare, and things were starting to slow down at home. Teddie and Mo were coming to the end of their sessions; she had almost finished Caroline's diary, and her feelings for Avery hadn't changed. She still wanted revenge for her parents death.

The evening of May 1st 1998, found the occupants of the summer house split and all over the place. Mo was in his study with Ursula, cleaning up after his final session with Teddie. They were discussing what would happen now, and both had come to the decision that they would keep Teddie hidden for as long as they needed. There was no indication to when the war would come to its climax, but they were ready for it when it did happen.

Mason was in the library; last, she had checked the book Dumbledore had left him was now open and he was using it to decipher the book that Snape had left him at the beginning of the summer.

Teddie smiled faintly. Her brother was such an overachiever, and she couldn't have been prouder. His determination was admirable, and at times she wondered if Slytherin had been a suitable fit for him; even though at first, she hadn't only seen Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff qualities.

Theo was in family room with Marcus. The pair had been playing Wizards Chess for the last couple of hours. They had offered her to play, but she had other things to do today that didn't include lounging around with her friends, as much as she had wanted to do just that.

Neither of the others knew what the last memory had been about. As soon as the session had ended, Teddie headed straight upstairs to her room. She had wanted time to think about what she had seen.

The memory had been of Dumbledore. At first it had confused her. She had never seen such a young Dumbledore before, and while she knew that Dumbledore had been gay - thanks to Rita Skeeter's bestselling book The Lies of Albus Dumbledore - she could honestly admit that, had he not been in an intimate relationship with Gellert Grindelwald, he could've had his pick of any litter.

The memory had been between him and Newt Scamander. She remembered him from the first memory she had seen. The dark-haired, shy man from the subway scene when Credence Barebone had been attacked in his Obscurial form. To learn that Credence had survived that attack was a surprise to her, but she was also slightly relieved.

If he could be saved, did that mean she could?

Unfortunately, the memory had ended all too quickly, leaving her with more questions than answers. But one answer she did now understand better than anything was her place in this war. She had already decided that she would stand with Harry against Voldemort and Avery, and she was more determined than ever to make sure her friends and remaining family survived the war.

The idea that whatever it took to do that rung loudly in her mind.

Whatever it took meant whatever it took. Once they were free from Voldemort and Avery's fear regime life could start to rebuild and things, hopefully, could go back to normal.

She was stood in the bathroom. Her hands curled around the basin, her palms pressed against the cool stone and causing red marks to bloom on her skin.

Her eyes were closed, her head bent and hair hiding her face from her reflection. She was afraid of what she would see if she looked. Would she see herself staring back?

Her breathing was laboured. Tired. In pain. But she was done. The pain was over. Soon the war would be upon them, and the fight for survival would begin.

She hoped that she would survive. She had done everything that Mo had asked of her, but she still hadn't seen Faye; she wasn't entirely sure that she had evened the playing field between them or not and was nervous about what would happen if she fought without Faye's assistance.

She supposed she had better check.

Heart thudding in her chest, she raised her head. Her eyes remained closed, and she felt her fingernails scrap against the stone in a desperate desire to not see the person staring back at her.

She felt sick. Afraid. On-edge.

What if the reflection was not her own? What if they had succeeded in doing what they had set out to do all those months ago?

Open your eyes. The voice in her head, the one she knew didn't belong to her, echoed.

She took a deep breath. Feelings of regret and fear rising rapidly in her throat.

The decisive moment had arrived.

She opened her eyes and faced the reflection staring back at her. It looked normal, save for the dark glint in her eyes.

Teddie gasped and raised her hand, freezing as her reflection did not move beyond the glass.

There was a glimmer, as if the florescent lighting above her had caught the mirror and was being reflected, but there was something different, something odd about the glass.

It looked to be shimmering.

At first, she believed she was dreaming, but the second the tip of her finger touched the surface of the mirror, dipping into the glass, she knew that she wasn't.

If this had happened anywhere but here, she would've convinced herself that all this was a dream, but she was a witch in a magical place, preparing to fight in a magical war, so why should shimmering glass be a surprise?

"Maybe because it's never happened before?" the voice in her head asked.

Drawing back her hand, Teddie frowned as it became fused with the glass. She tugged, but still, it did not budge.

The glass shimmered again, and ripples spiralled out from the centre, then her whole hand sunk deeper into the glass. Her forearm followed, and before she knew it her whole right side was buried in the rippling surface, like she was reaching down into a body of water.

She felt the ground beneath her feet tip forward, and she fell toward the glass. Just before impact the mirror shimmered one last time, and she fell straight through.

~X~

The surrounding area was dark and dank. Water covered the walls; it glittered in the dim light. She was in a kind of cavern, running water could be heard in the distance but Teddie couldn't see anything. A light fog glided up from the ground, wrapping around her knees as she picked herself up and dusted herself off.

Where was she?

Teddie turned in a full circle, her gaze tilted upwards, trying to see the roof of the place. But she couldn't. It was so high up that the only thing she could see was a vast black hole. How high did the cavern wall go? Was the water coming from up there?

"Finally," said a familiar voice.

Teddie froze. It was coming from behind her. She turned, her eyes searching the cavern for any signs of company. At first, she didn't see anything, but she was sure that she had heard someone.

Then, a corner moved. The shadows gravitating towards a figure that seemed to materialise out of thin air. The figure stepped forward into the light, its whole body illuminating and becoming more and more solid.

Teddie swallowed as she followed the ascent of the shadows. She had a feeling she knew who this person was, and if it was who she thought, then she knew where she was. Who would have thought getting to this place was through a mirror.

"The parasite arrives."

Faye Sutherland grinned as she stepped clearly into the light. Her gaze locked intensely on Teddie's. "Hello, Teddie," she said. "I've been waiting for you."

"Faye."

Faye smiled. "So, now that we're on the same page," she said. "Let's chat."

"About what?"

"You know very well," said Faye, raising an eyebrow. "I know what's coming. The big fight with Mum and Dad."

Teddie cringed at the titles.

"Not yours, obviously," said Faye. "Anyway. I don't want to be used by them anymore than you do."

"So, what do you suggest?"

"A compromise."

It was Teddie's turn to raise an eyebrow. "What kind of compromise?" she asked.

"The one where you're in total control of our shared body," said Faye. She was walking now. In a circle, around Teddie, almost like she was assessing the situation. She acted like a predator stalking her prey, and Teddie wondered if that is how she would act in real life, too?

Unlike her Potions lessons where she would just sit and stare at the front, listening to Snape as he circled the room, Teddie followed her alter-ego; determined to always keep her within eyesight. She wasn't entirely sure what would happen if Faye decided to attack in here, but she wasn't in the mood to find out.

"I just want to protect my friends," said Teddie.

"And your brother."

Teddie glared at the other girl. Mason was more important to her than anyone, even Theo. "Of course! He lives through this regardless of what happens to me and everyone else," she said.

Faye smirked. "It is that protectiveness that will get you killed," she said. "Feelings and emotions cloud your judgement regardless of whether you cast them aside or not. Even if you leave Mason at home tomorrow, you'll be constantly thinking of him."

"And if he is at Hogwarts he'll die."

"Maybe," said Faye, inclining her head. "Maybe not. Guess it depends on whether you're ready or not."

"I've practised all year."

"True. But only with a shield."

Teddie furrowed her brow. What did that mean?

"You think a shield is the only abilities I have?" Faye asked, amused by the stunned expression on Teddie's face. "My, my, you've done very little research into my family, haven't you?"

"Mason did all the research," said Teddie. "He found everything there is to know about the Sutherlands. Each generation is stronger than the last; and there is a slight chance that one child from each will have two abilities. There was no record of you ever have more than one."

"That's because I was taken away before it could develop," said Faye. "I was born a shield. But over the years, despite being possessed by you, I have managed to develop my abilities. The things I can do now would freeze both Avery and Voldemort in fear."

Teddie looked concerned. "That's why they want you," she said. "Avery knew you'd be more powerful than most Sutherland's."

"Now you're starting to get it," said Faye.

"Then what can you do in total?"

Faye smirked. "Telling you that would take away the fun of you finding out," she said.

"I need to know!" Teddie argued. "Like you said, the fight is tomorrow! I can't afford to go in not knowing what to expect."

"And, as I said, you'll have total control," said Faye. "I'll just be providing the power."

"One problem with that - I don't trust you!"

Faye puffed out a breath. "You need to start getting realistic, Teddie," she said, almost patronisingly. "Because this isn't about trust. You're going to need me given how many followers my dear old dad has. Not to mention what you plan to do when Avery shows her face."

Teddie opened her mouth to argue, paused, and then closed it again.

"You know she'll be there," said Faye. "Especially if she thinks you'll be there."

Teddie resigned with a sigh. "What do I do?" she asked, defeated. She was at a loss on how to proceed and knew very well that with Faye's aid she'd come out on top in this war.

"Right now? Nothing."

"But -?"

"Don't fear, Teddie," said Faye. "You'll understand soon."

Teddie stared at Faye. "Why do you care about me and my friends?" she asked. "Why are you suddenly on our side?"

"Oh, I'm not," said Faye, shaking her head. "You and your friends are a means to an end. But you, particularly, are going to be useful in the times ahead. I mean, think about it, the magic surrounding you - us - is still strong, as long as you have something to fight and live for, you'll succeed."

"You just said all that is a death sentence."

Faye shrugged. "It is, sometimes," she said. "But other times, if used correctly, can be a gift in disguise. Your brother could be the reason you survive this war."

Teddie swallowed. If there was one thing Faye was, it was confusing. One minute she was saying her friends and family would be her downfall, and in the next breath saying they'd be her survival. What was she to believe?

"What other abilities do you have?" Teddie asked, suddenly.

Faye stared at her. She had already explained that Teddie would find out at the right time, why was she was eager to learn more now?

"I need to know," said Teddie, reading the unasked question on Faye's face. "I need to know if you're offensive or defensive. Tomorrow is going to be tough enough without wondering if I'm helping or killing people."

"It is a war, is it not?"

"Yeah, but -"

"And people die in a war?"

"Yes. But -"

"Then, why does it matter if you are offensive or defensive?"

"Because there are going to be innocents there!"

"No one is innocent. What is innocent to the spider is chaos for the fly."

Teddie shook her head. "That's not how it goes," she said.

"Po-tay-to, po-tah-to," said Faye, dismissively. "At the end of the day, it doesn't matter whether you fight for good or evil. The goal is the same. Fight to survive. To win."

"But there are rules!"

"Says who?"

Teddie hesitated.

"Who says that the good side cannot use offensive magic to win?" Faye asked. "Who is to say that the side of good must only fight in defence?"

Teddie remained silent. There was no one. The rules were an unwritten force that intertwined with life. The good in people were always fighting in defence of someone. They never fought to kill, only survive.

"Exactly," said Faye. "Therefore, it does not matter if you fight offensively."

"I would still like to know," said Teddie. "Call me curious."

"Yes, curious," said Faye, nodding. "Curious is to blame for the destruction of the Philosophers Stone in first year, curious was blamed for the attacks on Muggleborns, the scars that litter your chest were a side effect of your curiosity."

"Stop it," Teddie whispered.

"Theodore's reunion with his father was because of your curiosity," Faye continued, her gaze locked on Teddie. She was enjoying watching her squirm. "The death of Dumbledore was because of your -"

"Stop it, stop it, STOP IT!" Teddie yelled.

The cavern shook, the water on the wall splashing against the ceiling and floor as it sloshed havocly. Her voice rung around the room, reverberating off the walls and lingering as a dying echo even after she had stopped shouting.

Faye smirked. "Problem?" she asked.

"All of those would've happened regardless of if I had got curious," said Teddie.

"No. All of those happened because of me," said Faye. "Especially second year."

Teddie glared at her alter-ego.

Again, Faye waved her hand dismissively. "Don't you get it, yet Teddie?" she asked. "Everything that has happened to you has been because of me. You don't exist without me. The magic that binds us; once that's gone, you'll be gone. The only thing keeping you fighting is your friends."

"What's that got to do with anything?"

"It's what Avery knows," said Faye. "It's what everyone knows… well, almost everyone." She offered Teddie a pointed look. "If you continue to be defensive tomorrow, then you'll lose more than your friends and brother. You'll lose who you are. The magic is strong now, but with each infraction and hit you take emotionally, it will grow weaker. I will grow weaker."

Teddie simmered. She knew Faye had a point, but she didn't have to like it. If she grew weaker, if her magic was weaker, then Faye would be at a considerable disadvantage. She may have been able to develop her abilities over the years, more so once Teddie was at Hogwarts, but that didn't mean she understood how to use them outside of Teddie's control.

Curiously, Teddie lifted her gaze. "How did you develop your abilities if I was still in control?" she asked.

"After Voldemort tried to possess you in first year, he loosened the bonds that bound us together," said Faye. "Then second year, when you were possessed by the diary, it gave me just enough power to worm my way into your head. It's how I came to be here." She motioned to the room around them.

Teddie looked around. Even though she had done when she first arrived. "What is this place?" she asked.

"It's a sort of cosmic plane," said Faye. "Somewhere that exists between you and me. When I was in control during second year, you came here. You were unconscious, of course, but here you lay, nonetheless."

"It's a sort of way-station?" Teddie asked.

"Sure. If you like," Faye agreed. "But it never existed while we were children. It only appeared after Voldemort tried to possess us."

"So, the magic surrounding us has been wavering for the last seven years?"

"More or less, yes."

Teddie licked her lips. She wasn't sure what all this meant, but she had been curious to know how Faye was taking control of her, especially in second year.

"When you're asleep you're vulnerable," said Faye. "Your magic is at its weakest and that's the easiest time to take back control."

"Back?"

"You became the dominant personality over the course of our childhood. Now it is time to share that control. I need your humanity while you need my power."

Teddie considered Faye for a moment.

"What do you say?"

Hesitantly, Teddie took Faye's offered hand and nodded. "If it's the only way to stop Avery once and for all," she said. "Then yes. I agree to share control with you."

"Perfect," Faye grinned.

There was a flash of light from their joined hands, one that illuminated the entire area and shrouded Faye within it. Then a spark erupted between their palms, and Teddie pulled back with a gasp.

The cavern seemed to vibrate, the light growing increasingly brighter. Teddie raised her hand to shield her face, her eyes closing as the vibrations and brightness overcame her senses.

~X~

Teddie awoke with a gasp. She was laying on the tilted floor of her adjoined bathroom. She lowered her hand, warily peering around the room. Everything was as it was before she was thrown into the mirror.

The mirror.

Jumping to her feet, Teddie peered at her reflection. It looked normal. It moved when she did, the glass didn't glint in the light or shimmer when she touched it; her hand even came away when she wanted it too.

Was everything that had just happened real? Had she slipped, somehow, and hit her head? It felt real, but at the same time it didn't. It was like the feeling she had when she passed through into a Pensieve for the first time. The floating feeling, followed by unusual floating sensations of walking through someone's memories.

"Faye?" Teddie asked aloud, still staring at the mirror.

Her reflection stilled - or did she still? She wasn't sure anymore.

"Faye, can you hear me?" Teddie asked.

Nothing.

So, it was a dream?

Footsteps echoed outside of the bathroom, but they didn't enter. They passed right over and thundered into her bedroom.

"Teddie?" Mason called.

"In here," Teddie replied.

The bathroom door opened, and Mason stood in the doorway, face pale with fear. He paused when his sister didn't turn to him, merely remained staring at her reflection.

"Uh, are you okay?" Mason asked.

Tearing her gaze away, Teddie took a deep breath. "Yeah, sorry," she apologised, finally taking in his appearance. Her brow furrowed in concern. "Maybe I should be asking if you are okay?"

"It's happening," said Mason. He held out his hand, a large gold coin sitting in the palm. It was the fake Galleon that Hermione Granger had supplied Dumbledore's Army with in their fifth year.

Teddie examined the side where the date and serial number was supposed to lay. But they weren't there, instead there was a message:

HOGWARTS UNDER ATTACK!

It had started.

The Second Wizarding War had begun.