The Crossroads of Fate

Chapter 9: Incommodo's Secret

"No- no, NOOO!" a voice yelled frantically. "SANDER!"

Albus turned, heart beating frantically before sinking. Somebody was dead, he knew that, but who it was he could not tell. Three bodies lay against the wall, and all three were Scamanders. Luna was already unconscious to begin with. The other two were Rolf and Lysander. Both had their eyes half open. Albus knew that he was looking at one dead body, at least. Lorcan was in tears regardless, shaking them both but Lysander was stiff and cold. Lorcan actually had a far-away look in his eyes, reminding Albus of Samantha.

"I- I know how I'd feel if I lost my brother," Lorcan said quietly. "It's not- not that different from how she felt."

"Lorcan…"

"It's fine," Gabriel said suddenly from beside Lysander's body. He sighed heavily as he sat up straight, looking at Lysander. Nate was beside him, breathing heavily as he recovered from the battle. Gabriel went on, "When you die, you don't go stiff immediately. It takes time. Lysander is petrified. Your dad is still warm going cold."

"So- my dad- my…"

Albus did not know what to say or do. He put an arm around a slumped Lorcan who was tearing over his father now. A soft sigh came from Luna as she muttered, "Lorcan… come here."

Lorcan fell into his mother's arms like a child. Even Gabriel and Nate looked serious now. So, Lysander had survived. It initially scared Lorcan but Rolf was dead. Their father was dead and their tower was destroyed. And for what? Printing equipment. Albus hoped it was worth it to Rolf because he had given his life for it. Lorcan was sobbing heavily as Nate sighed heavily and put his wand over Lysander to revive him. Or at least do his best to. It was not a simple body-bind curse. Lysander started breathing again, chest rising up and down, a little less stiff and body warmer but he did not awaken yet. He did not seem aware of what had just happened and what state his twin was in.

Things had changed after the attack on Lovegood tower. For hours, Albus stayed in the bungalow, knowing they were safe as long as the front door was locked. The bungalow did not even seem to be in Hogsmeade anymore. He could not hear what happened outside, just a faint buzzing when he pressed his ear to the door. Rolf had finally gone stiff and it was only at dawn when Lorcan and Luna dug him a small grave and buried him. Albus stayed inside with Gabriel, Nate and Lysander. Lysander was still resting, barely conscious and supposedly unaware of what happened though Lorcan suggested he probably did know. Albus felt a little misplaced when Gabriel and Nate were muttering in a corner about the battle.

It was not until the early morning the next day when Luna and Lorcan returned. Just as they returned with the keys which Lorcan handed back to Albus, Lysander mumbled something. Lorcan sighed, looking very miserable as he picked his twin off the floor and hugged him tightly. Lysander did not return the hug just yet. He just stared ahead almost sightlessly. Luna did not seem altogether there either. The Scamanders just lost the one who made them Scamanders to begin with. By noon, Lysander had partly recovered and started muttering his father's name and Lorcan's name. When it became clear he was recovering and neither Scamander seemed willing to return to the school, Albus climbed into the portrait with Gabriel and Nate.

Albus did not know how long it would be before Lorcan and Lysander returned. When they dropped out of the passage portrait, the hut seemed to be partitioned. A wall was blocking off Lycah's side of the room and only a door led to the outside. Albus wondered now, after Rolf's death, how the Scamanders would cope.

A week had passed and still they hardly showed up except for lessons. Lysander still seemed a little woozy but he moved and talked as he always did. Even Lycah did not see them as often as usual. She was frequently alone, either sleeping or out in the gardens pulling some weeds. Now Albus thought of it, she seemed very lonely too. Only Lorcan seemed to have changed. The rare times he showed up in the Slytherin Common room, he was quiet and withdrawn. The rarer times he even spoke, he had began sounding a little like his twin, as if trying to put himself in Lysander's shoes.

All the withdrawal Albus saw from the Scamander twins did lead somewhere though. One day, just before Ancient Runes class, Albus spied Neil Nott leaving magazines everywhere. He was very quick with it too and seemed to know just when no one was around. Next Albus knew, Quibbler articles were nailed to the notice board of every Common room. Albus was not sure who acted on Neil's behalf either, except that Sierra was the one who acted in the Slytherin Common room. At least the boy was acting, Albus thought. What the articles said was something else and even better, they were placed with Permanent Sticking Charms so only the ones who placed them could take them off. Even the teachers had no luck.

Ancient Runes was getting tougher. Sorrow had the class learn how to use Rune spells almost weekly. Albus was partnered with Alexis the week before Halloween, acting for the class for Sorrow to prove a point. "Remember the two runes commonly mistranslated and mixed up. Ehwaz and eihwaz, partnership and defense respectively. We learned last month how to perform a complex Rune Spell of Partnership. Now we look at the just-as-complex Rune Spell of Defense. Same method, same rule. Draw the runes on each person, doesn't matter where but make sure it's somewhere that cannot be shown easily and don't forget the Finite Rule of Connection. Remember the mistake last lesson when we broke the table's leg and we sent Mr. Wallaby to the hospital wing."

The class spent the next few minutes drawing their runes for defense this time. Albus partnered with Scorpius this time for the presentation. Once drawn, Albus had his wand on Scorpius' rune which was located under his sleeve and said "Creatio Eihwaz."

The usual jet of white light indicated that the spell worked. Sorrow then turned to Alexis. "Have your partnership rune with the desk ready. I will have the class observe something even more important. Ready yourselves, Potter, Malfoy. I want your backs against each other. Potter, face the wall; Malfoy, face me. Potter, on the count of three, I want you to cast a shield Carm for yourself. Malfoy, do not move as I fire a Stunner at you. First and most important rule, when forming a connection with someone, out of partnership or defense, trust is essential. Three… two… one… Stupefy!"

"Protego!"

Albus cast the Shield Charm at the same time the Stunner was fired. Albus turned just in time to see the spell hit an invisible shield and rebound on Sorrow who re-angled it towards the desk Alexis drew a Rune on. Alexis herself fell stunned. The class clapped enthusiastically as Albus had successfully defended Scorpius from being Stunned even though there was no shield in front of him. Their runes disappeared on Sorrow's command and Scorpius sighed in relief before muttering, "Next time, I'm shielding you."

Albus smirked as they took their seats once again and started taking additional notes, still reeling from the next successful Rune Spell cast by a student. Once again, even Aries seemed to be learning something. After the class, it was all Mark and Alex would talk about and Aries was muttering the spells to herself and practicing her waving. Scorpius on the other hand was openly wishing they learned this stuff in fifth year to use in Hogsmeade but Alexis shook her head, "No, it wouldn't help. Sorrow was there. It wouldn't have made much of a difference."

Scorpius opened his mouth to respond when, just as they turned the corner, Alexis stopped. Albus stopped next and Scorpius was the last to freeze up. Mors Incommodo was standing in the corridor facing Alexander Ackerly and beside him was Lex and Rojer. "He does get fantastic marks in Magical Artifacts. Never seen such high marks when I taught in Greece."

"And his theoretical knowledge of the magical world is the best in class," Rojer commented.

"Be that as it may, he has performed well under the average…"

Albus found he was holding his breath as the small, plump boy was trembling. Alexis was first to speak, "H-Headmaster, is-is my brother ok?"

Incommodo wasted no time, "Your brother is expelled, Miss Ackerly."

Alexander looked tear-strained as he tried holding himself together. Despite being at odds with the boy concerning Alexis, Albus felt very sorry for him. Expelled? Did he do something wrong? Alexander? What did he do? What could he have done? Alexis looked about to crumble. Her years of tutoring going down the drain before her eyes. Albus remembered stopping Hugo's expulsion almost two years back when Ridge caught him violently attacking Daniel Dagger. Albus could not see a way out for Alexander.

Alexander sobbed loudly as he fell to the floor, almost pleading to be allowed to stay. Alexis shook her head and bent down next to him. "Sir… he's fine in most subjects. It's just spellwork."

"This school now has a magical focus," Rojer said carelessly. "A focus on wand work, not plants and creatures."

"He's being helped"-

"Your brother's grades in Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Transfiguration says otherwise," Incommodo interrupted. "While one may be able to explain one failed subject, three is unacceptable and an embarrassment to his own house. He will pack up and leave immediately. Nag and it will see the snapping of his wand."

"S-sir, I- I was born- I couldn't do- I was ill"-

"And to make matters worse, Master Tyro catches you posting articles in your Common room defaming my rule," Incommodo continued. "Whatever illness caused this travesty and embarrassment to Wizardkind is none of my concern or anybody else's," Incommodo talked over him, wispy voice growing stronger with each word. "You will leave immediately! Potter, if you will escort him to his dormitory to pack and leave. I never want to see him in my sights again."

"Sir, I tutor him every day, he's getting better"-

"Ackerly, hold your TONGUE!" Rojer screamed.

Incommodo fixed Alexis with a terrifying stare, "Your brother is the most tragic display of pathetic magical aptitude I have seen in a hundred years. Being able to brew a Swelling Solution does not outweigh the fact that he is twelve years old and unable to perform a simple Knock-back Jinx! The gull the previous Headmaster had of keeping this worthless pile of Doxy droppings is beyond me. If his calling lies with specific subjects, perhaps he could look at specialized schools outside of Hogwarts. This is a school, not a playground and he will do well to remember that. Now, get out of my sight, all of you. Potter, escort him or you're expelled too. Malfoy, out of my face lest you face punishment for your pathetic mark in Transfiguration."

With those final words, Incommodo left the scene, leaving the second year boy kneeling on the floor. He was expelled. It was as simple as that. Albus was surprised himself. He wished he knew what to do but Incommodo was too strong and too powerful. Dared Albus duel Incommodo and attempt assassination? Something told Albus that it would not work. He sighed as Scorpius just stood there in shock. Alexis was attempting to comfort her brother in vain but Alexander seemed beyond comfort. He kept yelling how his life was over, how he would be alone. His mum had left their family and their dad was dead. That was when Albus was reminded of something.

"Gabe and I had an idea for expelled students. We hide them in the Room of Requirement. We were rather hoping we could test that out."

Albus sighed and walked up before kneeling down. Alexis went silent expectantly but Alexander kept sobbing. "Follow me, ok?" Albus muttered in his ear. "You'll be fine. Just trust me. You're not going anywhere."

"How"-

"Just trust me, ok? I have an idea."

Even Alexis did not seem to know what Albus had in mind. She fixed him with a quizzical look which Albus did not answer to yet. She would see soon enough but in case they were being spied on, he was not about to verbalize his plan out loud.

Alexis followed behind, trembling in her legs and for a wonder, Scorpius did too. Alexis took Alexander into the Ravenclaw Common room to pack his belongings. Albus waited outside with Scorpius, wondering if Incommodo was keeping a watch somehow. If Master Tyro had caught Alexander posting Quibbles, that meant he was Ravenclaw's Overseer. He might have been watching there too. That said, Albus just shook his head when Scorpius asked questions. Fifteen minutes of waiting had the Common room door open up with Alexis beside a bundled up Alexander. The boy was still red-faced and looked downright miserable.

Albus was not sure if his idea would solve his problems but he had to try. He'd be damned if the boy was left to rot in Hogsmeade, or alone in the streets where the Reservation would get him. Albus led them a small way off to the seventh floor, Scorpius checking back for any spies or intruders. Once they reached the seventh floor, Albus started walking past the same wall three times, thinking the same thing numerous times. I need a sanctuary for expelled students to live and practice magic, where teachers and Incommodo cannot enter.

Thrice, he thought of this and at the end, Alexis' gasp told him it worked. Albus opened the door and almost envied Alexander. The boy walked in next, still taking breaths as he looked around. The room was indeed a sanctuary. The very look of it made Albus confident that even if Incommodo knew where he was, he would not manage to get to him. Locks lined the door to it, so many magically fitted locks with a keychain resting on a side table next to it. A larger table full of food from the kitchens rested there, a bed was in the corner, a shelf full of books on magic rested beside the bed, a lamp on the bedside table, and at the very end of the room, a passage portrait to none other than Lycah's hut. And at the very end was a warded off chamber with the Pensieve and silver instruments around it. Successfully hidden.

"Wow," Scorpius shrugged, impressed. "Sign me up as the next expelled student."

It certainly seemed to calm Alexander somewhat but he still seemed very miserable. It was very rare for a student to return to Hogwarts after being expelled, even if justice returned one day. Alexander might never return to the school as a student again. No, Albus thought to himself. He'll return. If this war is won, I'll make sure of it. If Albus had to tell his father to see Alexander through, he would. Definitely. Alexis was sitting in front of her brother, talking to him and trying to encourage him. She pointed him to the bookshelf and even the table of food and water. Alexander could live there if he wanted to. Albus nodded to Scorpius and motioned for him to come over. "Call a Guard meeting. There's something we all need to know about Incommodo and since he's expelling students and I'm the only one who knows it, my time is probably short too."

Albus hoped the students managed to get the message. As luck had it, the weekend was next and Scorpius did as told. Not that it was easy getting the message across to the Guard members, especially when Scorpius informed Albus that there were new hopefuls who wanted to join. "We really can just let them in. Now we know how Samantha gave us away, we know how to stop it."

"Yeah… Melvin has to join so the Silencing Jinx is on him too," Albus sighed. "Not that I think he'll be willing."

Melvin was not willing at all. It took Alexis and Alpha together to convince him to come along. At least Alexis and Alpha were willing to act in Ravenclaw house once Alexander was expelled. Albus had to go through the passage portrait to the bungalow to talk to Lorcan and Lysander. Both were with their mother there, using it as a printing place to start generating Quibbler magazines. Albus was quite impressed with the audacity they showed but he wondered how willing they'd be to get the word out once they knew the identity of Incommodo. Albus also told Mark about the next meeting and he promised to tell at least those in Gryffindor house. It was the Hufflepuff members Albus had to get to. Kabe was his only link there unless Hugo got to Fora.

Before the Guard could meet, of course, Incommodo stood up during lunch that day to announce that the first matches of the tournament would begin the next weekend and their opponents, who were divided according to year, would number three per student in the preliminary rounds. Albus and Scorpius made straight for the Slytherin Coomon room to see the notice board. Pinned over the stuck Quibbler articles was a list of matches. Maria Prince was loudly challenging anyone to try taking her on then and there. Albus noticed that Incommodo had also made sure to have members of different houses face one another. Very rarely did members of the same house face off. This was not good news for Albus because he found that he was paired against Mark for the first match, a Hufflepuff boy the second match and a Ravenclaw girl the third match.

"One match, I dare you," Maria was saying loudly to a tentative Slytherin first year.

"If she's anything like Mark was in first year, she'll be tough, mean about it, and go on to give her fellow classmates hell for not being as brilliant as she is," Scorpius guessed.

"Small dogs bark the loudest," Sierra rolled her eyes. "Don't fall for her words. So, we gonna meet? It's almost time, right?"

She had just reminded Albus but the meeting was not till after lunch. Albus sat with Scorpius, Seth, Riley and Rose. Seth began sitting more with Albus for lunch now he was not on talking terms with Simon. Another addition to their group was Neil Nott who stared silently at his own plate. Albus had to keep egging him to eat and Seth threw discreet glances at the end of the table where Simon and Sophie sat. Rose sat there because Riley, who she was apparently dating, invited her and- and was it just Albus or was she eating more than a single plate? No, even Scorpius seemed to notice.

"What is it?" Rose demanded as Lucy cam with a plate and sat beside Scorpius. Scorpius did not seem to notice Lucy had even come and when he splashed his spoon in the dip, it splashed some on Lucy's glasses by accident. She stared at Scorpius who still had no eyes for her.

"Erm… Scorpius, do we need to talk?" Lucy asked tentatively.

"Rosie… you're fat," Scorpius commented so suddenly, Lucy actually looked relieved and Riley stopped eating, staring at Scorpius and Rose. Rose stopped too. Albus held his breath for a storm of anger from Rose but it never came. She just sighed, shook her head as if he was not worth her time, and continued eating. When lunch, otherwise a dull affair, ended, Rose got up and stalked away with Riley in pursuit, talking very quietly. It looked curious but Scorpius looked at Lucy, "She was fat, did you see her? Is she that depressed, she pigs out over food?"

"Forget Rose, you splashed dip on my glasses," Lucy hissed, straightening her glasses. "These are special glasses with specially made dragon-scale frames. How dare you."

"Are you gonna slap me?" Scorpius asked with a small grin.

"No," Lucy said with dignity. "I'm not Rose," she added quietly which elicited a laugh from Scorpius. "Anyways, Riley and Rose are on their way to the Room and so should we be."

They went for the Room of Requirement after that, once again asking it to change into the room for expelled people. The door looked very different from last time. It was oak this time with a blue doorknob. Upon entering, it became clear that Alexander made this place fit for a home. The bed was now a double bed for him to stretch and roll on as he pleased, the bookshelf was bigger, and the table was bigger to fit the open books on it which instructed him on wand waving and magical enhancement. He even had books on magical ailments that Albus supposed were meant to help.

As expected, Alexis was sitting with him, making use of the books that materialized at her whim. She raised her eyes at each and every book that popped up and said as Albus sat next to her, "They appear from the library. Why I never thought to look up his magical ailment, I have no idea. I'm an idiot."

"Ah, don't say that, it just slipped your mind," Albus insisted. "Besides, wait till you hear what I have to say. I promise you, I'll be the idiot before this meeting is over."

"So, we're having an idiocy competition?" Alexis mused. "Ok, Al, you're on. Did you find your matchup, by the way?"

"Mark," Albus muttered as the very boy entered the room. "It's my first year all over again."

"And my dorm mate Sienna Davies says she's paired with you," Alexis recalled. "Who's your third one?"

"A Hufflepuff bloke," Albus said. "Named Henry Trot."

"Well, if you want my advice, Sienna fears snakes," Alexis suggested. "So"-

"We're all here?" Alex asked loudly.

Albus and Alexis looked up from the table. The room had grown bigger the more people came in and there were plenty more than the last time Albus counted. On top of the usual crowd he was used to, which had already grown the previous year from the original fighters against Rojer's iron fist, there was Cherry Goal with her artificial smile, Melvin Ollivander with his steely gaze, and Maria Prince with her haughty expression. Was Sierra right? Was she weaker than she let on? And why did Mark not meet her eyes, let alone talk to her? Other than those three, beside Cherry was actually none other than Lancet Goal. He looked a boy of eight and stuck beside Cherry. Albus could see how he got there too for not far from him was Lorcan Scamander who sat beside his brother. The two were there all the time. One meeting and Lancet had a path to Hogwarts. If that was not enough, Melvin's brother Morpheus was there too, sitting in his newly made Hufflepuff robes with bright orange hair and a lanky nose. Incommodo had no idea he was even there.

Good, Albus thought with triumph. Incommodo might have been Herpo the Foul, but he was ignorant to what the student body was capable of. If they held anything over him, it was their ability to meet in secret, their ability to keep Alexander in the school, their ability to keep other students in the school if they were expelled, and their ability to deduce what needed to be discovered in case they ever needed it. It was not Albus alone who discovered the Enchanter's Princess or the four Heirs, and it was not Albus who unearthed Mark's status as a descendant of Morgan, which also needed to be revealed, it was the Hogwarts Guard as a whole. Mors Incommodo had no idea what the student body was capable of. The King indeed.

Albus had to admit to himself he was nervous. When he commanded the Guard, James usually spoke up when Albus had stage fright. Now he was dead, Albus found he was quite alone. The Guard finally settled down was the door closed one last time and Albus took center stage. Beside him was Scorpius, who apparently opted to support him in his uncertain commands now James was dead. His insides sighed in relief. Feeling a bit more confident, he spoke up, "Alright, so last year, we sort of got off on a hectic note and we lost a lot of people."

"Pfft, the way you put it, it's like a lot of us died," Frank mused, relaxing against a bean bag chair. "We won. We beat them. Some of them even died and we only lost one student."

"Which one?" Melvin asked curiously.

The room went quiet and Albus sighed, refusing to meet Alexis' eyes. "My brother."

A moment of silence followed as they all looked down mournfully, some giving Albus sympathetic looks. Mark for one refused to meet anyone's eyes and just stayed staring down. Melvin was actually the only one who met Albus' eyes, having been ignorant to the happenings the previous year. "I'm sorry," he mumbled.

"So, were we going to talk about what happened last year?" Mark asked quietly. "Only I had a hand in things too."

Albus nodded, "Yeah, things ended dangerously for us last year. I'm going to come out and be very honest with everyone since the end saw one of our number die, four of our number leave due to unknown events"-

"That Al saw fit to keep from us"- Aries interrupted.

"That I stupidly kept from everyone," Albus agreed. "Anyways, since the end saw all that, we really need to get on the same page. James isn't here right now so I need to reveal a few things about our new Headmaster so everyone knows. Just so you know, Professor Soot being Soto is the least of our concerns when it comes to our new Headmaster."

"Acting Headmaster," Lorcan corrected. "Who happens to have the power to expel us."

"And kill us," Lysander yawned.

"And basically make our lives miserable," Alexander mumbled.

"Hell, he's Headmaster," Maria shrugged.

"Great, so off the titles," Proxima urged. "What do we know about him?"

"Last year, on the day the attack happened, I did a bit of time travelling," Albus began. Right then, he got loads of stares. Most of the Guard had no idea what had happened. In fact, the only ones who did not seem surprised were the ones who either knew about this, or found out in the aftermath. Rose, Hugo, Lily, Alexis and even Alexander had known. James did before he died and Seth knew before the Guard itself expelled him. The rest of the Guard had no idea and were as new to this as anyone else, even Scorpius who also stared at Albus, if anything, a little angrily.

"When you say time travelling," Mark said slowly.

"I mean I used a time turner and did a bit of recon and fighting all at once," Albus said honestly. "Look, let me explain. I promise, when the story is done, it'll make sense. Mostly." Albus sighed and met Alexis' encouraging eyes. He went on, finally telling his story out loud. "It all started when Aries, Mark and I did some investigating, set off by Alexander's insistence that a boy named Mortimer Ink won Herpo's Scepter and Scorpius' story that Incommodo had it." The eyes of understanding told Albus that some were already beginning to piece together the information. "Mors Incommodo's true name is Mortimer Ink and he houses a soul of a Dark Wizard who was long dead, hence why he is able to use the Scepter. Anyways, I had information from some of you that he was about to betray the DA so I sent an anonymous note to the Minister, saying I knew his secret. He arranged for us to meet just off Hogsmeade and we did.

"Incommodo revealed certain things," Albus went on, trying not to meet the shocked eyes of the Guard. Albus would have to give another story as to how he survived the meeting. Whatever happened, they could not know he had two souls. After the Dark Arts lesson the year before, if anyone knew that, everything would explode. "But in return, he promised not to hit the DA if I didn't tell anyone. I'm telling you but he can't know I am… or he'll surprise attack the DA. Incommodo, as Soto told us sixth years last year, has two souls. One is of Mortimer Ink, a boy who we can actually research pretty easily seeing how many honors he got in Hogwarts. The other is of Herpo the Foul, an Ancient Greek Dark Wizard and with the Scepter used by Morgan Le Fay in Medieval times, is our next Medieval Relic. It is held by him."

"So…" Alexander got straight slowly, trying to understand. "When he touched the Scepter, he became the man he is today."

"The Scepter must have been a Horcrux," Aries said smartly. "Upon touching it, he became Mors Incommodo as a second soul was infused within him. Herpo regained a body he had not had for hundreds of years."

"He had one with Morgan, but when she died, the Scepter did not," Mark said. "So, when we kill Incommodo, we need to make sure to destroy the Scepter too or we'll never be rid of him."

"With the research, we also discovered that Herpo manipulated events with Grindelwald and Voldemort too," Alex added. "So, getting rid of him would actually be getting rid of the Dark Arts' most potent user in centuries."

"Only problem is, we cannot kill someone like Incommodo so easily," Scorpius sighed. "Two souls is really, really Dark Magic. Unless you have two souls yourself or deal physical damage, he can't be killed."

"You can't," Proxima said simply. "The Minister cannot be touched like that and no one here is about to attempt soul infusion."

"Well, then physical damage is our only chance," Scorpius said simply, though he did shoot a strange look at Albus.

"But wait- Al was here when he supposedly met Incommodo and he said he did time travelling," Alpha reminded them. "So… then what?"

"So, he let me go…"

"He let you go?" Alpha asked disbelievingly.

"He didn't kill you?" Kabe asked dubiously.

"Nope," Albus shrugged, trying to treat it casually. "Guess he couldn't commit murder so easily considering who he is and a battle did not give him an excuse like in Hogsmeade. I dunno. All I know is I lived and returned to Hogwarts. And when I returned, the battle had already happened…"

Alexis nodded slowly, understanding it fully now. She knew the rest and Albus explained the rest over the next fifteen minutes. How he arrived and found that many students including Alexis and Lily had died, teachers had died, the Headmaster died, and the Reservation had gotten away. He explained how he was resting in the hospital wing when he took the time turner from under his robes and went back with Hugo. Hugo beamed with pride at this and even received surprised looks. He explained how the battle had gone from there and how James had deduced that the Reservation was after the Potters specifically and that students had died during their rampage. James' death had satisfied them once Lily was presumed dead by Albus' Dark Curse and Albus himself went on the run.

"That was when we fought the Reservation outside," Fauna recalled. "When Samantha died and the ship landed."

"And when Soto died," Mark said in a low voice. "And so no one asks later, Soto went after my parents in an attempt to stop the whole Heir thing from coming together on Incommodo's behalf. Herpo's behalf."

"Wait- what?"

The Guard gaped at this piece of information. So, Mark was finally coming out. It was about time. Mark folded his arms, "I am an Heir. It's the truth now. Look it up, historically, the Kimbles and Walladers always had a connection but they're descended from Medieval times. Kimbles from Merlin and me… I'm from Morgan herself."

Maria was silent now, regarding Mark through her young eyes. Albus could not tell what was going through her mind. "If Mark is Morgan's Heir, that makes Maria the guide to their family Relic, the Black Orb."

"I tried summoning it to me last year," Mark reminded him.

"It has advanced anti-Summoning Charms on it," Maria said to him. "If it's not in Avalon, I can't get it." She was right, Albus knew. Even with Maria, the most she could help with is how the Orb could be used. Since the Orb was taken away from its home, Maria was useless in guiding anyone there. And Albus was half grateful too. If the Orb was still in the Reservation's original encampment, it was easier to get to.

"In any case, it's an Orb the Reservation has," Aries said.

"So, we get it back," Lysander said casually. "We go across the forest to the Reservation and retrieve it."

"You mean commit suicide?" Rose asked.

"If you have another bright idea, spill it," Mark challenged her. "Otherwise, we need that Orb or the Reservation wins and it doesn't matter what Incommodo is or was or whatever."

"You mean to go across that forsaken forest and"-

"Not me… us," Mark reminded her. "The path we took was a secret path and taken by specific people. We cannot retake that path unless it's by the exact same specific people. So, sorry Rosie, but you need to join us. One way or another."

"Excuse me?" Rose shot back.

"Wait, how does Maria fit into this then?" Laura asked curiously.

"I just know how to use it," Maria said quietly, for once not seeming to enjoy the spotlight too much. "Father left me a letter I read a year ago explaining- Mark is unwilling to use Dark Magic so it falls on me."

Mark stared at her for a bit, mouth half open before closing it and shaking his head, annoyed. Aries on the other hand seemed stricken with another idea, "I'll tell you what, Hogwarts," Aries said loudly, and people went silent. "Get the Orb and we have the Reservation figured out. We take the ship down and then the Relics will gang up on the Ancient Relic, the Scepter, and we'll defeat Incommodo."

Mark actually raised an eyebrow, "After what happened last time?"

"Once you have the Orb and take his power away, it won't matter," Aries told him. "The Heirs will have united, just as I asked and Dubium weakened severely back to normal power levels."

"And… how do we intend to take the ship down?" Lily asked.

"The ship relies on the Orb for its defenses," Maria said.

"But what about after we take the shields down?" Alpha asked legitimately. "What about the regular shield charms placed on it without the Orb? Don't tell me Dubium just relies on the Orb and that's it."

Proxima stared thoughtfully. "Y-you're right."

"I just thought it was common sense," Alpha shrugged. "We learned about Shield Charms and protective objects in Magical Artifacts class. I'm sure Dubium used more than one."

"So… basically, what Alpha is saying is that it's useless and we should give it up," Hugo said slowly.

"Well, basically, the Hogwarts Guard just went from defense to offense," Proxima got straight. "We're taking the fight to the Reservation itself and the Heir of Slytherin isn't even with us anymore. I hate to say this but if anyone knows enough about the Reservation, it's Seth."

"Which reminds me," Albus said with his eyes down. "Incommodo know we exist. Rojer managed to discover two years ago and with both in the school, they know we exist. So careful with interactions outside this room."

"In that case…" Alexis got up and walked over to Albus. "Your keys, please?"

Albus shot her a questioning look and handed the DA HQ keys to her. The keychain with the many keys attached. The Guard looked at it interestedly at Alexis did some complicated nonverbal Charm. One by one, and then two by two, and soon three by three, the keychain and its set duplicated exactly. Albus stared in shock as she made enough for everyone in the Guard. She did not stop there though. Seeing what she was doing, Rose swooped in too and performed her own bit of magic. Alexis and Rose together seemed very able to perform complex magic on the keychain and its set of keys. Soon, they all looked exactly the same. Alexis laid them on the table where Alexander sat.

"So, here's how this'll go," Alexis said loudly. "Everyone will take a keychain. The portrait over on that wall leads you to Lycah's hut, and the portrait beside it will lead you to the Bungalow. Use your keys to find a way around England and HQ. That's our front against the Reservation. Whenever we need to, we can fight a front whenever they attack anywhere."

"Gets us to Hogsmeade easier at least," Fauna sighed, looking at Fora and Alexis.

"Which means you'll need to tell Seth," Albus added to Alexis quietly. Though out, Seth too needed to know so he could sneak to Hogsmeade more easily for Animagus training. Alexis nodded.

"Just one problem," Rose said warningly. "These keys are highly Cursed, Jinxed, and protected. First one to touch them is the only one to touch them. Anyone else and they'll explode and kill everyone around you. So don't even try it. And they won't work if someone without keys are around. It senses other people. And don't test the Silencing Jinx on the Guard this time around either. Samantha managing is the last time anyone will."

"Why?" Melvin asked.

"Because," Aries said with a wide, arrogant smirk. "I am placing a Memory Charm on everyone here. No one can even think of the contents of this meeting unless they're in this exact room. I would love to see the person who breaks this one."

"Just one question?" Lancet asked. The young boy had listened for so long now, saying nothing. He now seemed genuinely interested in something. "Even if you do get across the forest, how do you intend to fight through them? They've seen you before. They'll know what you look like and what you can do. You'll all die."

That seemed to shut them up. It was one thing defending a naturally, magically protected castle. It was another to go off and attack the Reservation's main encampment and expect to live. Lancet was right. They would all die in the attempt. Even Lysander could not say anything. For a minute, they all went silent, trying to figure out a way past this issue.

"There is no way," Lorcan said honestly. "We can't go kill ourselves. It's counter-productive."

"Then, I'll tell you what," Mark said slowly. "We figure out how to get there without doing too much fighting, and we'll do it. Otherwise, guys, we're at a standstill."

"And in the meantime," Albus said, turning to Lorcan and Lysander. "Spread the news. Write it if you have to. Tell as many people as you can about Incommodo's secret."

"But not immediately," Alexis put in. "We're enjoying a period of calm where he's concerned and if we're divided, the Reservation will beat us. Let's beat the Reservation first and then reveal him."

Lorcan did not nod just yet but gaped at Albus, "We'll get expelled!"

Lysander then brightened up and he tugged on Lorcan's sleeves, "Exactly."

Wiltshire…

Harry, Ron and Hermione stood amongst the large plain of grass. Hermione was performing the same spell she performed in the forest while Harry and Ron were looking around. They were far from the Malfoy Manor but the fact the Reservation was in the area suggested that they had information that the DA met there to begin with. Things did not look good. Hermione's spell might confirm their suspicions. They had to get on board the ship somehow. Harry was certain getting on board would allow them to dictate the terms of battle if ever there was one that decided everyone's fate. There was a way. They just had to play their cards right. Harry and Ron were standing a yard off from where Hermione was.

"Think we're doing the right thing?" Ron asked shakily.

"Hermione insists we can free ourselves with the small chips," Harry sighed. "She never led us wrong before. You should know."

"It's one thing escaping the Malfoy Manor during Voldemort's time, it's another actually sneaking on board that thing," Ron muttered. "That's a suicide mission. Nothing else but a suicide mission."

"But with a high chance of survival," Harry muttered. "The more we know, the more valuable we are. The more valuable we are, the less dead we are. The less dead we are, the higher our chance of survival."

"Harry, you're my best friend but there's something I feel I need to tell you before we die," Ron told him with a sigh.

"Oh… you're not gonna propose marriage, are you?"

"You're an idiot."

"Thank you"-

"Guys!" Hermione called.

In a crack, the two appeared by her side once again and she flicked her wand for the last of her spell. This time, it sounded like footsteps. "Are you quite sure they are in this area, Selwyn?" a woman's voice demanded.

"Indeed," Rojer's voice insisted. "And if the Malfoy family took their side as the battle of their Manor two year ago showed, then they are definitely meeting there. It takes patience."

"Where are the entrances?"

"None but the front gates," Rojer said calmly. "But… there are secret passageways. They know of them and they might have them boarded up but it is worth a look to find the entrances to the Manor. Just leave it to me. I was their right hand at one point before they had me booted for the murder of a Blood-traitor."

"Very well, we try finding the Manor," the woman said. "Regardless, we proceed with attacking the Ministry of Magic. Once that is taken and the Minister is killed, we attack Britain and then Hogwarts."

Several cracks sounded and they disappeared, letting the area go quiet again. Hermione looked confused, "How on earth do they intend to attack Hogwarts if the one responsible for its extra protections is within it to begin with?"

Harry and Ron shrugged. "Ok," Harry sighed calmly, rubbing his hands together. "Back to Godric's Hollow, I guess. We'll alert them that Rojer is with the Reservation now and leading them in. Then we'll go up to the Ministry and wait for them there. When they take it, we surrender. Cool?"

"Ok, Harry, you're an idiot," Ron said again.