CHAPTER 18: THE FLOORWALKER (PART 1)

INT. HOGWARTS CASTLE, THE SCHOOL LIBRARY - NOON (OCT. 11TH, 2018)

After the morning classes had ended, Albus and his friends wandered off towards the school library, where Rose, Hugo, James, Fred II, Roxanne and others would spend some time studying up on Hogwarts school history. Albus on the other hand, was busy trying to figure out what the Aeyuel writing in the potions book that Cyrus had given him was saying, which was beginning to frustrate him to no end.

"Hey, Albus," said Hugo from afar at another table, "Why are you sitting over there? All the wizard history books are over here."

"I'm working on something over here at the moment. I'll study more for my wizard history exam later," said Albus, with the potions book wide open for all to look over his shoulder to see.

"But the wizard history exam is this afternoon. The potions exam isn't until next week. Why are you always reading and looking in that book anyway? You're already top of the Potions class. I'm even beginning to think that Professor Witchazel favors you," said Rose, sitting next to Hugo and looking around him at Albus.

"Because I have to...and who says that she favors me? She treats all of us the same, I highly doubt it."

"Listen to your cousin, my boy. You really shouldn't spend so much time looking at your potions book. You should be studying for you wizard history exam, not potions." said a familiar voice next to Albus. Albus slammed the potions book shut and looked up behind him to his left. Once again, Professor Beeblewing had found him looking in the potions book.

"Where do you keep coming from, Professor? Forgive me for saying this, but I don't need to study for my wizard history exam right now. I studied for it yesterday."

"I always come here during break time. But you studying for your wizard history exam yesterday is no excuse for not studying more for your wizard history exam today. Wizard history is just as important as Potions are, if not more so. Forgive me, Albus, I know that I am not your wizard history teacher, but if you spend to much time on a single subject, you will begin to lack in your other subjects. You are one of my best students in my Herbology class, but I have noticed some slacking out of you lately. If I recall, I saw you studying for your potions exam at breakfast today and now here again at break time. You've studied enough for your Potions exam for today. If you put the potions book away now, I will not take it from you, but if you insist on obsessing over your potions book, I will have to take it away from you."

"You will do nothing of the sort, Amphoria." said yet another familiar voice behind Albus. Albus looked behind him to his right and saw that it was Professor Witchazel, hissing at Professor Beeblewing.

"And why is that, Witchazel?"

"Forgive for saying this, Amphoria, but as you are not his wizard history teacher, it is not your place to say when and where he can study for his wizard history exam. And since I am his Potions teacher, he has my permission to study Potions for as long as he wishes. And if I recall, he has already studied plenty for his wizard history exam today, so he need not study more. Wizard history is nowhere near as important as Potions are, especially when it safeguards one from being poisoned or harmed by certain potions and elixirs when they are not taken properly."

"The boy is spending to much time on the subject and who says that Potions is more important than any other magical subject? And if you fail to realize, without magical herbs and Herbology, there would be no Potions!"

"Quite so, but you wouldn't be acting like this if Mr. Potter was studying for his Herbology exam now would you? You would encourage it and relish in it, so don't argue about what Mr. Potter should or should not be studying at the moment. And besides, this is break time, the students can study whatever they wish at this time. Now run along, Beeblewing, before the Headmaster finds out about this."

Amphoria narrowed her eyes at Verena and snorted, then walked off, disappointed about not getting her way. This made it clear to Albus that Amphoria was not always sunshine and dandelions, though he had never really seen Amphoria disappointed about anything before, so it was a bit of a sight.

"Thanks," said Albus with a mild air of contempt in his voice, looking up at Verena behind him, "For a moment there, I thought that Professor Beeblewing was going to take my potions book away from me. And I have yet to learn any of the Aeyuel Language in it."

"Believe me she would have had I not been here to step in and stop her from doing so. But you must forgive Professor Amphoria for that, Albus. She's been having a bad time as of late." said Verena softly as she turned back to Albus and looked down at him.

"Why is that, Professor? I've hardily ever seen Professor Beeblewing disappointed or angry before. Whatever is wrong?"

"Never you mind, it really is none of your concern, boy...and don't thank me! Now go back to you're studies." said Verena coolly and then walked off, sneering at Albus as she walked off. Albus got the hint that even though Verena had stopped Amphoria from taking the potions book away from him, she was still nowhere close to being friendly with him. Albus narrowed his eyes and scowled at Verena, following her with his eyes as she left out the doors to the school library. Albus then looked back down at the potions book and continued studying it. After a couple minutes, Albus turned a page, where he soon came upon the sight of a angered rant scribbled in bold, bright red ink. This scribbling said as follows: 'Oh, why wasn't I there to save them? TO LATE! If only I had known of this sooner, I could have saved them!'

Albus looked at this writing puzzlingly, wondering what it meant. It was clearly written by Severus, but Albus had no clue what he was on about. The scribbling then continued: 'There were spirit lanterns, Mum had a few of them around the house! They should have worked! Why? I could have saved them if I had known of this sooner! Parished, lost forever, never to return to the world of the living! Mum, I miss you!'

"What is this all about?" thought Albus, thinking that Severus must have gone nutter when he wrote the scribbling. The scribbling continued further: 'Broken? Destroyed! This could have been prevented. I could have saved them if I had known sooner! Anguish, Despair! The Book of Resurrections...The potion that would have saved them if only I had known sooner! Fire took them, fire would have brought them back...'

"I see that you've finally found another clue, young master Albus." said an icy and familiar voice behind Albus. Albus looked behind him and saw that it was Cyrus Snape, looking down at him and cradling a couple books in his arms.

"What are you talking about? It's nothing more than a mad rant!" hissed Albus, narrowing his eyes at Cyrus.

"Well, if that's what you think than you'll never learn enough about Occlumens to understand them or the Aeyuel Language that's written in that potions book of yours," said Cyrus coolly as he sat down at the table next to Albus, sitting the books he had in his arms down in front of him. Cyrus than glanced down at what Albus was reading then continued, "Though I must admit, Dad was having a hard time emotionally when he wrote that. Unfortunately he wrote that down long after the Snape Family died in the fire that killed all within it except for my father, his cousin Abigail and the murderess who killed them, my grandfather's cousin Mapheria. Though one would think that Abigail had gotten the worst out of all that, though my father would come in at a very close second in a matter of speaking."

"Wait, Professor Snape's family died in a fire? I never knew of that. And how is it that this cousin Abigail you speak of had gotten the worst of it?"

Cyrus paused a moment and looked away, then looked back, staring sadly, "Well you see, young master Albus, Abigail was in the fire and survived it, whereas my father was away at school here at the time. He wasn't harmed in the same way that Abigail was. Which in some respects and aspects is far worse then what my father had endured then..."

Then, Evangeline ran into the school library, ran up to Cyrus and cried out, "Brother, come quickly! She's here!"

"What? Now? But she wasn't supposed to come here until after...!" said Cyrus to Evangeline, looking at her in mild confusion.

But all that Evangeline was doing then was pulling on Cyrus's robe sleeve, sounding and acting unusually excited, "There's no time for explanations! Just come, come quickly! Darius is already there waiting for us! Come on!" said Evangeline. And with that, Evangeline turned and ran back out the doors to the school library, vanishing back into the corridor beyond them as quickly as she appeared through them.

Cyrus then looked back at Albus and spoke coolly, "Come with me, young master Albus. There's someone that we want you to meet and something that you need to see."

Cyrus then picked up his books and left the table, turning and walking calmly off towards the doors to the school library. Cyrus didn't have to say it twice as Albus quickly followed, closing the potions book and hiding it away in his carrying satchel, looping the band around his neck and then getting up from the table to follow Cyrus.

But Albus soon stopped in his tracks when his brother James looked up from his study books and spoke, noticing him leaving, "Hey Albus, where do you think you're going? We have to get to the next class in 10 minutes."

Saying nothing, Albus simply looked at James in way that was telling him not to follow him and then shook his head before he quickly moved on and ran after Cyrus. Albus then vanished into the corridor with Cyrus.

EXT. HOGWARTS CASTLE, SCHOOL GROUNDS TO HAGRID'S HUT - AFTERNOON (OCT. 11TH, 2018)

Albus quickly caught up with Cyrus, who was now outside behind Hogwarts, walking over the school grounds and down the narrow, winding stone path towards Hagrid's Hut. Flanking Cyrus on his left, Albus noticed that Cyrus was blank-faced and acting a bit distant, as though deep in thought as he walked. Albus had walked down this path many a times to get to Hagrid's Hut in the past, but the reason why he was going to Hagrid's Hut and not to his next class now was still a mystery to him.

Once at the end of the path walking up the Hagrid's large wooden door, Cyrus then stopped and turned to face Albus, speaking coolly at him, "Now remember, Albus. Don't say anything about who me and my siblings are or who mine and my siblings parents are and why we are there. You are simply here to meet and introduce yourself, nothing more. And if she wishes to converse with you, just go with the flow and talk about whatever she talks about with you. Are you ready?"

Saying nothing, Albus nodded, though he still didn't know who or what Cyrus was talking about. Cyrus then turned to face Hagrid's door and knocked.

"Enter," said the elegant voice of a woman through the door. Cyrus then pulled open the door with both his hands and stepped back, the door creaking as it opened. He then walked in with Albus following in toe. Albus then turned around and pulled the door shut.

INT. HAGRID'S HUT - AFTERNOON (OCT. 11TH, 2018)

Inside, Hagrid's Hut was as warm and inviting as it has always been. But for some reason the shutters on the windows were closed, making the light from the fireplace as the only source of light in the room. Through the dim firelight coming from the lit fireplace, Cyrus began to look around, walking towards the center of the room.

"Who are you?" said the woman's voice once more, this time, is a softer, cooler tone.

Cyrus looked towards the direction from where the voice came from and spoke, "Forgive me, Madame, but we were wondering where Hagrid might have gone to."

Peering though the dim light in the room, Cyrus had came upon the sight of the dark outline of a woman sitting in the far corner of the room. She was shrouded with half her face covered over by a black sash. Though it was apparent that the woman underneath the shrouds and black sash had light skin. Soon, the bright, uncovered green eye of the woman soon glanced up at Cyrus then spoke, "Upon my word, another one? How many of you are there?"

Albus looked on puzzlingly as he had no clue as to what was going on or who the figure Cyrus was speaking to even was.

Cyrus soon continued, "Forgive me, Madame, but I know not what you speak of. I am only here to see Hagrid...and to meet you...of course."

"Why ever for?" said the woman's voice coolly, sounding smug.

"Well you see, Madame, me and my siblings who came here to the hut earlier have heard about you and about what had happened to you long ago. And just so you know, I am the oldest of the three, the firstborn if you like."

"And so much like your father you are when he was your age."

"Pardon...Madame?" said Cyrus, looking on icily and standing with his hands behind his back as Albus continued to stand next to him.

The woman paused as moment, then continued, "Forgive me, my dear boy. But it has been to long since I have seen your father. I knew him quite well when he was a child...I felt for him, the way his father would treat him was uncalled for. But I could not take him and raise him as my own after his parents died, which his why he went to my Aunt Adelaide to live with her after the fire. But knowing your father like I did, I knew that he would not show himself and face me, even though he knows he should. So he sent you and your siblings to me, fearing what would happen if he were to face me. But your father must know by now that I do not hold anything against him as it was not his fault, even though he believes it was. He should no longer feel about me the way he does now."

"But my father still feels that he should have been there and not here at Hogwarts. Though by the time he found out, it was to late. He feels guilty for not being there to save you and his family from the fire. And as much as my father wants to see you again, he can't for fear of opening old wounds, which is why me and my siblings are here."

"Quite so. He wanted me to see you and your siblings, since I am unable to see him. Please thank him for me when you see him again. My family will certainly be pleased to know that your father is still around and that he has a new life with another, even though we know him to be dead."

"Indeed, Madame. You know..." - Cyrus paused in mid-sentence and then gently pulled on Albus's robe sleeve, grabbing Albus's attention as he continued, "...my father has chosen a champion to help in the cause, perhaps even fight in it in the future. I thought you'd might want to meet him."

"I see. And you've brought this champion with you it seems. Let him come forward so that I may see him better." said the woman's voice and with that, Cyrus stepped back a bit and gently nudged Albus forward, who still remained unsure as to what was happening. Albus walked up to the woman, who brought out both of her hands and brought both of Albus's hands into hers.

She then looked at Albus and spoke, showing only the right side of her face, "I see that you have your father's eyes my dear boy, I'm not surprised. They were your grandmother Lily's eyes as well. I knew your grandparents well while I was in Hogwarts with them."

"You knew my grandparents? But I don't think I've ever met someone apart from my father whoever knew my grandparents. And he was only a baby even then."

"Indeed, my dear boy. It was a shame what had happened to young Lily and James that night, as well as to your father Harry, it was quite tragic. But I have since had the privilege of watching your father grow and develop from afar into the legendary and powerful wizard that he is today. But I find it strange that Cyrus's father didn't choose your father as his champion and chose you instead. It seems that Cyrus's father still has a grudge against your father for some reason. Though by now Cyrus's father should have let bygones be just that and since forgiven your father, just like in the case of myself. But Cyrus's father is an Occlumens, therefore he must be spoken to and treated all the more differently in some respects."

"I know. Occlumens like Cyrus's father need to be treated and handled a certain way sometimes. And you need to gain a fair bit of trust with Occlumens before you can get close to them," said Albus, who was finding it fairly difficult not to speak about Severus in the first and last name terms, even though the woman sitting in front of him clearly knew who she and Albus were talking about, but Albus kept envisioning being tied to the Whoomping Willow if he did not do what Cyrus had said, so he didn't want to press his luck. Albus continued, "You know, Madame, I have yet to lay eyes upon Cyrus's father in the flesh but Cyrus and his siblings keep saying that I am not ready."

"And it's true of course. You are indeed not ready, but once you are ready, I have no doubt that you will see Cyrus's father in due time," said the woman as Cyrus walked around where the woman was sitting and went to open up the shutters over the window next to her, letting in a blast of sunlight from the outside.

Suddenly, Albus was no longer seeing just the outline and the black shape of the woman and was now seeing the woman in full light. From the half of the woman's face that he could see, Albus could see that the woman indeed had fair skin and was an attractive, beautiful older woman with the slender build. She was wearing a long, elegant and tightly fitted purple-violet dress underneath a long and flowing black cloak, with a long black silk scarf covering the left half of her face. Albus then realized that the woman had long, thick, straight black hair. Like Verena, the woman had long pointed fingernails like those of an old hag, and like Verena, they were clean and well manicured. The woman appeared to be somewhere in her early to mid 50s, if not a bit older, well within the age one would be by now if having gone to Hogwarts with Albus's grandparents.

Cyrus soon stepped back towards the woman as she continued, "These sort of encounters must take time before they can occur. Trust must be earned as well as patience learned. If certain things are done to soon, it will take even longer before they can occur properly. Certain things must never be rushed my dear boy."

"But I have so many questions. So many things that I want to know. I have heard so many stories and I have wanted to meet Cyrus's father since I was about 5 years old."

"Many have heard stories and have wanted to meet Cyrus's father since discovering the truth about him nearly 20 years ago. Many also realize how blind they have been of him and how they have cruelly misjudged him all those years ago. I have no doubt that many students at Hogwarts, wizards and witches alike have grown to respect Cyrus's father and continue to praise him for all that he's done to protect your father and help to save the Wizarding world. But Cyrus's father has suffered much throughout his life, much like I have suffered. Though Cyrus's father doesn't have a constant reminder of that suffering upon his skin like I did back then...and still do now."

Suddenly, the woman then let go of Albus's hands and pulled back the long black scarf that was covering up the left side of her face. It was at this moment that Albus's eyes widened and saw the full extent of what the women was speaking about. The entire left side of her face was covered in long scares from being severely burned. It appeared as though the burning claws of some fierce and wicked animal had raked down the entire left side of her face, starting from the left temple, running down over the left front of her face, over her left eye and down the left side of her neck, tampering off and ending at the end of the left shoulder where the left arm attached. Though the structure of the left side of the woman's face appeared just as intact as the right side was, Albus could see that the woman's left eye was white and with its iris whited-out, making Albus believe that she was blind in that eye.

"As you can see, my dear boy, I have since grown accustomed to the cruel glances and mean gossiping that occurs when those in question are blind to the truth and fear the unknown. But don't think for a second that I am blind in my left eye, for I'm certainly not, even though it may appear so," said the woman as Albus stood silent for a few seconds, listening to the woman speak, believing that the woman had somehow read his mind and knew what he was thinking. The woman continued, "I may no longer see normally out of my left eye, but I can still see things that those with normal vision can not. For example, I can see the auras of people and those who hide under invisibility cloaks, among other things. It is both a gift and a curse given to me in the fire that almost killed me. Luckily for your friend Cyrus here, his father was not there when his family died."

Spurred on by curiosity and a need to help the woman, Albus started to pull out his wand, thinking that he could at least remove some of the scaring that was upon the woman's face, but the woman brought her left hand up and shook her head briefly, stopping Albus in mid-draw. The woman continued, "With regret, my dear boy, this is not the kind of scare that can be healed with the usual manner of healing spells like others can be. And I wouldn't want to be healed anyway, even though I should think otherwise. You see, my dear boy, I've grown to see my scare as a badge, a mark of pride in a matter of speaking, so your attempt at healing it would be needlessly unnecessary."

Albus quickly placed his wand back, then brought his arms down to the side as he spoke, "But doesn't it hurt? I mean the glances and a gossiping?"

"It did at first, but not anymore. Though I would much like to seek revenge on who and what had given me this scare in the first place and I am in hope that either you or Cyrus's father will avenge me in some way in the end. Though my anger in that light has not changed, everything else has become merely water under the bridge," said the woman with a brief pause, "I must admit though, Cyrus's father was right in choosing you as his champion, no doubt in hopes that you will become as powerful of a wizard as your father is, if not more so in the end. I know that I find you to be a proper champion to help and maybe even fight in the cause, even though you are in need of some sharping up as it were. But there is indeed enough raw energy and drive there to make me believe that you are with much potential. Now if you two don't mind, I have another meeting with an old friend to go to and you two have afternoon classes to attend to. Here are a couple late passes that I took from the headmaster just in case."

The woman gave the late passes to Cyrus as Albus continued,"But, Madame, what do you mean by me being...?"

Knowing what was next to come out of Albus's mouth, Cyrus swiftly gave a sharp tug on the back of Albus's robe, stopping Albus and making him narrow his eyes at him, staring coolly at one another.

Cyrus then looked back at the woman and continued, "Thank-you, Madame. My father will be pleased to know that you approve," - Cyrus then turned and spoke to Albus, "Come along, young master Albus."

Being overly curious and more confused than ever, Albus had to be pushed and pulled by the arms a bit by Cyrus in order to leave Hagrid's Hut with him.

INT. HOGWARTS CASTLE, THE FIRST FLOOR CORRIDOR - AFTERNOON (OCT. 11TH, 2018)

"Here, you might need this. I will see you at dinner later," said Cyrus as he flanked Albus down the 1st floor corridor, handing one of the late passes to Albus. Angered that Cyrus was preventing him from protesting and getting any real answers, Albus clinched his teeth and narrowed his eyes disagreeably at Cyrus, snatching the late pass from Cyrus and stuffing it in his left robe pocket.

Albus then hissed out, having had just about enough of Cyrus's torment, "You tell me here and tell me now, Cyrus! That was Abigail wasn't it, Severus Snape's cousin?"

Cyrus smiled as he spoke, "Yes, that was my second cousin, Abigail Prince. Though I must commend you on keeping your tongue throughout all that, I could tell that you wanted to say something, even though you knew perfectly well you weren't supposed to. There was no need in pointing out the obvious, young master Albus, for it was already known. Which is the reason why I told you not to say anything then."

"Why was she addressing Severus like that? Cyrus's father, she was just aching to speak of him by his name and frankly I was to. But she didn't, why?"

"I already told you, young master Albus, it was already known. And she was playing along as it were. I hope you weren't taken to aback by the sight of her scaring, though I admit it is a bit much to look at. But Abigail is special, she has the Auranas Sight, though how she got it in the fire that night long ago lies a bit beyond me a the moment."

"The Auranas Sight, what is that supposed to be then? And what you mean that I am Severus's chosen champion? And what is this 'cause' she was talking about? Tell me now!"

"Didn't you hear or listen to anything she was saying back there, Albus? She already told you what the Auranas Sight does and that's all you need to know or care about for now. Now if you don't mind, I'm going to get to the next class and so should you. Good day..."

Albus opened his mouth, but quickly closed it again, scoffing. Cyrus was only answering to one of his questions, which was irritating Albus to no end. Knowing all to well that Albus wanted to blow up on him further and saying nothing further, Cyrus then smiled mischievously, acting smooth and bowing his head at Albus, then walked on. Cyrus clearly had an mental leash on Albus, for he knew that Albus hadn't forgotten about the Whoomping Willow and the chances that he might find himself tied to it someday if he did or said anything that either Cyrus or his other siblings didn't approve of. Though this form of bullying being projected at Albus by Cyrus was not necessarily physical, the suppressive playing of words, Occlumens-style verbal and mental manipulation and mild mental anguish was enough to drive Albus up a wall. It continued to be clear to Albus that Cyrus was indeed Severus Snape's son and would no doubt become more and more like his cynical, sarcastic and sneering father in the future.

After watching Cyrus walk off down the corridor alone, Albus and started to turn off into the corridor that he and Cyrus had stopped in front of. But as Albus turned to walk down the corridor, he froze when his eyes fell upon the sight of a cloaked figure that was just stepping out into the corridor at the far end. Though the figure was at least 35 feet away from him, Albus knew all to well who the figure hiding under the cloak was. Soon, the figure brought down its hood and looked towards the direction where Albus was standing. Once again, Albus was seeing and looking at Severus, only this time Albus was not dreaming. After a few seconds of staring at one another from afar, Severus looked back forwards and continued, vanishing into another corridor. Albus quickly ran up to the entrance of the corridor, trying to catch up with Severus and confront him, but to no avail. Severus had once again vanished from Albus's sight. Albus stood at the entrance of the corridor for a moment, wondering if he would ever find Severus and get the answers he so greatly needed.

EXT. THE DARK FOREST, DIRT ROAD - EVENING (OCT. 11TH, 2018)

After a day of visiting old friends and acquaintances, Abigail Prince was now riding within a horse-drawn carriage on her way back to Hogsmeade to join her husband and two sons who were waiting there for her. She sat quietly and smiled softly, looking down at an old enchanted picture of when she and Severus were together on a picnic with the Prince family years ago. Even now, after all that had happened to them and between them over the years, Severus was then and still remained to this day as her most favorite cousin of all. Unbeknownst to Abigail however, she was about to encounter danger and peril while on her way back to her family. As she began to listen to the sounds of the ground underneath the hooves of the horses pulling the carriage, she soon began to notice that the forest around her was seemingly to quiet on a night that was with a full moon. Though she could hear a breeze blowing through the tangle of tree branches as she passed, no other sounds could seem to be heard, apart from the carriage itself and the hoof beats of horses.

In the past, many wizards, witches and magic folk alike have come to Abigail for help and guidance, due to her special sight. It was thus that she had since grown a reputation as being not only one of the best Seers in the Wizarding world, but also for having a type of sight that no other wizards, witches or magic folk skilled in Divination seemingly had. But on this night, another group was seeking her sight for an entirely different purpose, a purpose that only with Abigail's help that they were able to fulfill. Suddenly, Abigail began to hear the sounds of children's laughter which seemed to come from just within the forest edge. It was a type of laughter not unfamiliar to Abigail, for she had heard it before. Hiding the picture she had away in her right robe pocket, it took Abigail only 3 seconds after to pull out her wand and aim out towards the tree line beyond the window to her carriage, as the children's laughter grew louder.

Soon, the carriage driver, Alistair, was alerted to the sound of children's laughter and stopped the carriage. Abigail soon cried out, "Alistair, No! Please don't stop! Drive on, please!"

But her words were falling on deaf ears as the carriage driver pulled out his wand and suddenly dismounted from the carriage, turning and walking towards the tree line. But as Abigail continued to protest and then attempt to leave the carriage, the locks on the carriage doors suddenly locked and jammed on their own, as if a spell had been placed over them suddenly. She soon tried to open the carriage windows wider so that she could climb out, but they to had jammed as well.

Abigail continued to protest, "Alistair, please! Get back on the carriage this instant and drive away as fast as possible! We're in grave danger! Please, stop!"

"It's alright Madame, it's just children laughing...only children," said Alistair nonchalantly as he looked back at Abigail briefly, then looked back towards the dark tree line again, "So where are you children hiding then? Don't you know that it's not safe for you to be out here at this time? Come out, come out where ever you are! Don't make me come in there and come after you!

"Alistair, listen to me, stop being so stubborn and get us the hell out of here now!" said Abigail as she continued to tell Alistair to get back to the carriage and drive off, but he still wasn't listening.

"There is no time for this playing around, come out of there this instant!" said Alistair as he silently cast the spell Lumos and began to light up the tree line with the tip of his wand.

It was clear to Abigail that Alistair either wasn't listening to her or was in some way mesmerized by the laughter and being drawn away from the carriage. For a few moments, nothing seemed to happen as the children's laughter continued, growing louder and louder as Alistair continued to draw closer and closer to the tree line. Suddenly, the children's laughter stopped. Abigail only had a few seconds to see Alistair fall to the ground, seemingly dead, when a large, beastly creature suddenly leaped out of the tree line and attacked him. The creature in question was Mortisursal, the large creature that appeared to be a combination of a polar bear and a wolf. Mortisursal had seemingly killed Alistair in cold blood was now covered in a splatter of Alistair's blood. The horses quickly began to panic and lurched forward, pulling Abigail quickly away from Mortisursal as he stood over Alistair's body. Mortisursal then looked up and snarled, showing his sharp teeth and bloody maw as the carriage sped off. Mortisursal then roared loudly and began chasing after the carriage.

CONTINUED...CHAPTER 19...