A/N: You are probably (she said with all humility) getting ready to sit back with one of the better chapters of this story (Part A and B)(Part B next week.). There is absolutely boatloads of information in this chapter. So my advice is to sit back, read, and

As always,

Enjoy.

Disclaimer: Go back and read the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before this one.

CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO: OFFERINGS (PART ONE)

Thankfully Orion didn't keep the group in the room any longer than he felt was necessary. Very shortly they were on the move again, once more following the slower than usual pace of Orion's boggart as he led the way through the passages.

"Is he even sure where he's going?" Arabella ask after what seemed the better part of an hour had past walking down one corridor after another.

"In regards to what?" Came the short answer.

"I thought we were trying to get to the outside." She replied. "But Roland brought us down a set of stairs. We have yet to go up any."

"Not necessary." Orion answered. "Bo took us through three wards already that he says were designed to move us up."

"Up?" She ask. "Up to where?"

"Doesn't matter. Just up."

"Does he even know where we are?"

Orion turned back to her. "We're in the castle. I thought that was obvious."

Arabella sighed loudly in frustration.

"Bo is not a compass, Arabella." Orion replied. "And he's doing the best he can right now. But he's very nervous...and we all know what he's like when he gets nervous. So please...don't add to his pressure."

"Perhaps there is another way." Lupin put in.

Orion turned to the man, regarding him as one would something particularly irritating. "Like what?"

"Harry said that when he was with the wizard, they were in an area that led to the outside. If we could find that open area, we could likely escape."

"One problem with that." Orion replied flatly. "We have no idea where it is."

"But we can find it."

"How?"

"The same way we found Voldemort. Harry's been there before, all we have to do is find his scent and follow it."

Orion folded his arms over his chest. "Harry and Heudros traveled through a ward to get there and to return. There's no path to follow."

"But if we follow the trail to the ward, and it's still in place, it should take us to the same place."

"If it's still in place." Orion pointed out firmly. "And if it's the same ward."

"Well," Lupin replied mildly, "your boggart seems fairly well versed in sorting out those sorts of things. I'm sure he can tell if its the same ward or not."

Orion started to reply when Bo tapped him on the shoulder and immediately launched into a series of his complex gestures. All of which Orion observed with a growing frown. But finally he turned back to Lupin.

"Bo seems to feel your plan has some merit."

Lupin smiled at the boggart. "Thank you."

A soft trill answered him.

"But exactly how are we going to find the ward? It's been hours since Harry was with Heudros. And we have no idea if we're even anywhere near the same area. It could be on the other side of the castle for all we know."

"Or it could be right under our feet...for all we know." Lupin answered. "There's only one way to find out."

Instantly the man standing before Orion disappeared. In his place stood a large, tawny coated wolf.

Bo quickly applauded the man's effort, leaning down to pat the wolf on the head.

"Don't placate." Orion hissed at him.

A slight huff of air answered him as it ruffled the material in front of the boggart's face.

"Well?" Orion ask, turning his attention to the wolf.

The animagus put his nose to the ground and began sniffing about. Within minutes he started off in the same direction from which the group had just come.

With a sigh, Orion signaled the rest of the group to follow. He knew what Lupin's strategy was, and while not a bad one, it would take considerable time. They would be retracing most of their steps right back to where they had found Voldemort, then work back from there.

When they finally reached the large, charmed brick wall, Orion allowed the group a brief rest break.

Just as Lupin took advantage of the break to transform back, a sudden flash of white light erupted before the group.

"Oh for the love of Pete!" Orion stated, staring at the young woman now standing before them. "Haven't you got anything else better to do?"

In response Becca raised her hand and pointed a finger at him. A flash of light shot out of it and hit the wall just to the side of his head.

True to his Auror training, Orion didn't so much as move a muscle while the rest of the group quickly pulled back from the blast. Even as she had moved, Orion had moved one step ahead of her, calculating her actions and reacting to them as the situation dictated. In this case, to do nothing seemed to unnerve her as much as anything else he could have done.

And it was all too apparent she had hoped for a bit more of a reward for her act than to have it basically ignored as she stared back at him in irritation.

"Got that out of your system then, have you?" Orion ask casually.

"You will show respect!" Becca declared.

Orion sighed as he leaned against the wall, his head level with the small charred mark left there from Becca's attack. "And lady, I'll tell you what I tell my sixteen year old. When you earn it, you'll get it."

"You are trying my master's patience, Mr. Black." She informed him. "You would do well to guard your tongue more carefully."

"And your master is pushing my limits of tolerance as well, Becca. The man has done everything he can think of up until now just short of outright killing us to try and stop us. Has he ever once bothered, instead of playing his parlor tricks, to just come out into the open and talk to us instead of constantly sending you to do his dirty work? Or do you honestly just enjoy torturing people that much?"

The woman fell absolutely silent as she stared back at the man before her. For all the world Orion would have sworn he could practically smell the smoke as she mulled over his words. The entire time never once did he let his attention move from her face, watching ever emotion that flitted across it. But in the end, what he liked the least, was that there weren't that many to identify. Every time he confronted her with just such a statement, he could only register two emotions in the woman. The first was confusion. The second, denial.

"You talk in nothing but riddles." Becca finally replied. "You have not been tortured and my master does not seek to kill you. He has been very..."

"Generous." Orion cut her off. "Yes. I know. You've been preaching his generosity to us since we started this journey. But let me correct a few misconceptions you seem to have, Becca. One, if your master is not trying to kill us, then explain why we were trapped on a bridge where we easily could have ended up burned alive in very short order?"

"And yet here you are. Unharmed." Becca countered quickly, crossing her arms in front of her. "How convenient."

"Fine." Orion replied. "Then explain that box you yourself locked us in. It was air tight, and there was no evident way out."

Becca huffed at the accusation. "You were in no danger with that obstacle, which my master was well aware of."

"Then why did he put us there?" Orion pushed on quickly. "If the object of the box wasn't to stop us, what was it?"

The woman again fell absolutely silent and again Orion swore he could practically smell the smoke.

"What was your master's purpose, Becca?" He ask again. "You say it isn't to kill us. Then what is it?"

For a moment Orion wasn't sure if she was going to answer or not. But abruptly Becca pulled herself up to her full height as she glared back at him. "That obstacle was merely a test. Nothing more. You were in no danger from it."

"A test? Of what?" Orion ask, although he was fairly certain he knew the answer already.

"I don't question my master. I do only as he asks. His reasons for what he does are none of my concern."

"Fine. You're a good little dog. What about the other thirteen? Are you their toy as well?"

If his words struck any cords, the woman hid it well as she fixed her gaze on him. "My master's vassals are of no concern to me."

"No concern?" Orion ask in disbelief. "Those thirteen leaches suck power off of you and its no concern of yours what they do with it?"

"The vassals use that power to serve our master."

"Serve him?" Orion laughed. "They serve themselves. Your power enhances their own meager magical abilities." He added pointing a finger at her. "You are the only power here, Becca. Without you, Heudros and all of his followers would be nothing. You are the one who gives them their great power. You are the one they should be following. You are the one who should be in control. Not living your life like the backdoor little scullery maid they treat you as. They should be serving you."

If Orion had hoped his words would shock the girl into rebellion, he couldn't have been more wrong. Tilting her head back, Becca gave a short, sharp laugh to his suggestion.

"You are insane. My master has always said so. Now, it seems, you are out to prove it."

"Why? What part of what I have said isn't true?"

Becca gave another short, sharp laugh. "What part wasn't true? Shorter to answer what part of it was."

"Well?"

"None of it."

"Really?"

"My master has power. Great power. And you would do well to fear him."

"Is that what he wants of you, Becca? To fear him?"

The girl looked shocked. "Fear him? I love my master. He has done everything for me. And in return I assist him as I can in his work."

"Killing innocent people? Is that what you're so proud of with him? That you serve a murdering son of a..."

A second flash of light erupted from the girl's palm as she brought it up suddenly. But again Orion didn't make of a move other than to barely sidestep it.

"You will not insult my master so. He is a kind, generous man. Why do you hurl these horrible accusations at him?"

"Because they're true."

"You lie!"

"If I'm lying, Becca, then where is your master? Where is Heudros while I'm standing here hurling these insults at him?

Hiding, that's where. Because he can no more deflect them than he can a eleven year old's spells. He knows I speak the truth and he has no defense against my words. If he did, he would be here, rather than sending you to do his dirty work. Because he can't defend himself, because he can't stand up to me, wizard to wizard, he uses the one with the real power to do it for him. You! And he lies to you and manipulates you to get you to do it."

Orion seriously expected to be dodging another fireball at that point, but nothing in the girl's stance indicated she was even remotely perturbed by his renewed attack on her master. Instead she simply stood before him looking...smug.

An instant later a man appeared next to her.

Orion studied the man for a moment, sizing up his opponent through every attribute the man willingly or unwittingly displayed.

"Heudros, I would presume?" He said finally.

Q&A

ilovesiriusblack:

Oh I wonder how long it's going to take Orion to figure out that it is Charly? The Black brothers never seem to have much luck in choosing their friends. In response to Master Lupins review you said that anything that is alive can be killed, is Bo alive? If the boggart were to be killed would the power remain? Let us also remember that Emc2 if bo ever gets tired just give him a burger.
I hate to pick on Roland i'm sure his heart is in the right place but come on what is he using for brain cells? and in this chapter he openly admits to being a traitor, he'd rather save his own skin (that had acctually already been saved) than Harry's (who had done the saving) can the group really trust him not to do it again?
Fantastic story looking forward to next week.

Not as long as you think. And that's not entirely true. Let's pause for a moment and remember why Charly did what he did. He did not agree to work for the wizard in the North for personal gain, as someone else we could mention (coughTreakscough). Nor did he do it to out right screw anyone over, like someone we could mention (coughcoughTreakscoughcough). There was also absolutely no malice in his decision or in any of the choices he made regarding the path he chose, like someone we could mention (coughcoughcoughTreakscoughcoughcough).

Everything Charly has done and every choice he has made has been to try and keep Orion safe, not to harm him or anyone else. So lets just agree we're going to give poor Charly a chance, before the lynch mob strings him up, to hear his side of things.

Absolutely! Bo breaths, he moves, he thinks for himself...sort of...and I'm going to assume, to keep the corporeal part of himself alive, he has to eat and/or drink 'something'. (Rowling indicated boggart's feed off of their 'victim's fear. So you can safely assume Bo also feeds off of others emotions, just a wider variety.) He is most definitely alive.

If the boggart part of Bo were killed, what would happen to the 'Power'? Good question. But keep in mind, that part of Bo is pure magic. It has no form but the one it was given by Talon...that of the boggart. Past that, it only resided as part of it's host. So, should Bo's boggart side ever suffer injury resulting in its 'ceasing to be', the 'Power' would probably seek out it's host, likely whining the entire way back to him, about how unfair life suddenly became, and demanding (like any good three year old) that he 'fix it'. Make no mistake about it, the 'Power' likes its autonomy.

Not necessarily. Emc2 references our realm, Dear. And only the purely physical part of it. Boggarts do not fall into that category. They are magical creatures. (See above - reference: boggarts.) Although Bo would probably like a burger once in a while.

Weelllllllllll, Roland kinda deserves that. And maybe his picnic was short a few ants at the time. But the poor thing was living under a great deal of stress lately. And whose to say, from Roland's point of view, he has any more reason to trust Harry and the others than they have to trust him? Remember, Roland's own master betrayed him after years together. The little snake is not big on 'trust' right now.

skahducky:

Despite what the castle is, there's no denying Heudros and Becca are around. I guess their main goal now is convincing Becca to work against Heudros, but you implied she isn't telling him everything at the moment, namely where Harry and the others are. That could easily be done in the castle since Becca is there as well. Although, I guess Becca was keeping up with them even when they weren't in the lair, so they should still have access to her once they leave. Anyway, this is a great chapter. Please update soon!

You know, I applaud anyone who has enough sense to look at the situation and ask 'what really is that castle'? And it does serve a specific purpose. It is not just there to fill up space or make the scenery look nicer. It has a reason for existing.

True, Becca isn't as naive as she acts. But she's already displayed some rather rebellious behavior when she went with Harry in escaping from Heudros, and then didn't return with him to her master. Something she could have done at any time...sort of. Ummmmm...actually, that one's a bit tricky. You'll see what I mean later.

In regards to that, let me add this, (If you're not already confused, this should do it); Becca actually has more access to the group outside of the castle than in it. Inside, they are more under Heudros' thumb than Becca's. Even though, under no circumstance, should it be that way.

Silverfox:

The thing I expected was Roland being Heudros' familiar. From the moment he first mentioned being a familar, in fact. What I didn't expect, though is that he never turned on him at all. It makes Heudros look a lot more dangerous all of a sudden. If he's that paranoid nobody can trust him.
So the spell is very specific, but Becca is nothing like Bo? Either we're thinking of two very different things here, or you just lost me completely ... probably both. drops thoughts of the spell entirely and decides to invest further thought in Roland's reaction to Bo ... Then again ... settles on continuing to wonder just what Lupin's there for

Really?! I didn't think that was that obvious!

Why should Roland have turned on him while he was his familiar? Heudros gave Roland everything he wanted. Power, prestige, a place to live, food to eat, and a good job. Roland was happy. He saw no reason t change that. The boat ain't sinking, Dear. No need to start bailing.

Heudros is dangerous. Becca even more so. Together they are one very volatile mixture. One that so far only Orion is seeing the potential of. The man is literally tap dancing in a mine field.

Heudros doesn't even trust himself. He's just that paranoid.

Work with me here, Dear. No, Becca and Bo are not the same. But the same 'in what way'. That's what I'm getting at.

And in regards to that, I could make a list.

Oh no. Go back to this. And I'll even help you on the other two.

1. Roland's reaction to Bo was pure and natural. The snake saw a boggart...he reacted. No hidden agenda here on the author's part. I mean, how could there be? Roland knows nothing more about Bo than anyone else does, right?

2. Now, we already went through this, fox. If you read the story, you'll note quite explicitly that Lupin's parts read a bit stilted. That's because he wasn't part of the initial group. He was added later because I needed a good tracker. He also served a few other purposes, but the story was getting too long and I have pared it down by about five chapters to date. Most of those chapters involved Lupin. (Quickly ducks pineapple pieces thrown by the Lupin Fan Club.)

Vicious little basta...

...anyway, that's how it goes sometimes, folks.

MasterLupin:

Actually, Bo's 'capacity' for power is almost limitless. That is, while it is finite (did I just contradict myself completely?), it would take an unbelievably huge draw on his resources to cause him burn out, so to speak.
Well to answer your question, in a scientific perspective almost limitless, and finite, both mean that there is a limit; so no, you did not contradict yourself.
With my last response I was trying to analyze the story in a scientific manner. Clearly that was the wrong direction to take. And I know you aren't one to kill main characters for shock value.
On a complexly (not really I just wanted to use the word) unrelated thought, I look forward to reading Bo's day out, seems like a fun little jaunt.
I am now starting to wander if the castle itself has something more to play in the story as apposed to just being a setting with a short little background story. It seems almost Hogwarts like in design what with the odd floor layout and seemingly endless halls and hidden passages. To Hogwarts like…… Could the founder of Slytherin, a certain Salazar Slytherin have been involved with the castle? It would explain the large dungeons (Salazar's seeming home according to JK) and many snakes.

Didn't think so.

Thank you for be a sensitive and caring individual to see that.

Bo's Day Out was written purely for fun and entertainment. It is a nice light little read in which there is no stress, no tension, and absolutely NO characters die. (Although a few might wish they had.)

BLESS YOU! (PAR stands up and applauds loudly.)

(Reads on and sits back down.) Ummmmmm...train blew the whistle signaling departure, Dear. Why weren't you on it?

Point being, is the castle more than it appears? Abso-frickin'-lutely! The castle serves a very real purpose in this story. It is not there solely because some farmer needed to clear his field of rocks. It has purpose. It has meaning. It is a plot device! Not a random article.

Moving on.

Did Salazar have anything to do with it's construction? Nope.

Dungeons aren't so large, and all the snakes are gone. Even Voldemort wouldn't feel at home here right now.

So sorry, no. The castle is the work of one man only. And it was not Salazar Slytherin. And it serves only his purpose.

Illione:

I'm a wee bit confused and maybe you can help me out.
When Harry came up against the supposedly stone wall, he pulled out his wand and tried to negate the concealment spell.
Ten seconds after he walks through the wall, he suddenly forgets he has his own wand and tries desperately to get Voldemort's for the sole purpose of getting into the cell and freeing his possessed godfather.
Do you see my confusion?

Ummmm...ummmm...ummmm...ummmmmm...oh, c!!p!

Have you ever wanted a gold star, Dear? They're really pretty, and they are darned hard to earn.

Basically, they are given out for glaring continuity errors that anyone with two brain cells more than the author has to rub together, finds.

So, without further ado, after many, many, many bleak months of no gold stars being awarded, Illione, I am proud to aware you the PAR Gold Star! (Gold star that I can't actually put in anymore because FFN keeps deleting my asterisks.)

Wear it proudly, Dear.

Basic answer; no, there is no explanation for it. I made a mistake.

Snow Baby:

Ohh... pretty, shiny new chapter :) Very nicely done and I have to admit to looking forward to more!
Cheers

GREAT DAY IN THE MORNING! A normal name people can actually pronounce! Whatever is the matter with you, child?!

Anyway, yes, very pretty, shiny new chapter.

Thank you for the compliment and look forward to having you back next week.

Salute.

All reviews are as of 05/13/2007.

And remember;

A very Happy Mother's Day to all of you who qualify, especially to my own. Thanks, Mom!