The Crossroads of Fate
Chapter 12: The Midnight Talk
The hall fell silent as Incommodo announced the fateful decision. Rose expelled. Rose Weasley, expelled. Was Incommodo being serious? How did he intend to show off the education Hogwarts provided if he was expelling even the brightest students of the year, let alone a student like Rose was followed all rules, and adapted to even the most rigid of them, to the letter? Incommodo was quick to it too. Albus thought he had time to talk to Rose, to convince her to take that threat seriously. A part of him grew annoyed with her for plain disliking him and waving aside his warnings. It simply made no sense though. Albus saw her look at Incommodo before re-angling, she knew where he was… Rose would never have consciously and deliberately attacked the Headmaster, no matter who he was. She couldn't have done it on purpose, it wasn't in her nature? Was it?
Could he have planned it? Was Rose supposed to have re-angled it that way? It worked too perfectly. The normal Rose would've been more careful. Could she have been under a brief Imperius Curse? Was she unable to resist it despite her strong mind? Albus was very confused. Whatever happened, it was too late. What was done was done. Incommodo stood, facing the protests of students, even Riley Blackberry tried arguing for her sake. The Minister did not seem to be swayed though, and kept his papery yellow hand on her shoulder.
Poor Rose looked weak in the knees. Her grief and shock seemed to be way beyond tears. Her mind seemed able to process only one thing and one thing only. She was expelled. Expelled. Try as she might, no matter how hard, she would be expelled. Raised in a family that prized her education, a mother who insisted her education held an importance second to none. As far as she was concerned, death was preferable. She stared ahead blindly, as if hoping against home that something would swoop in and save her. Something unexpected.
Albus had managed to save her brother once, two year ago. Hugo too had come very close to being expelled. Albus had saved him but only because it was being done by Ridge whose power was limited. Incommodo was another story. There was no form to vanish and erasing Incommodo's memories was laughable.
"I want to pass this school more than you do, Scorpius and getting expelled which we all seem pretty close to getting is not in my plans."
"As for Rojer, you know as well as I do that expulsion is not in my best interests. Besides, I was simply making sure that I got question 10 on the recent Arithmancy examination correct. But when you look back and realize that so many students are staying behind, it gives you a perspective on things. Even Lucy…"
"Rose Weasley comes from a family of dissenters," Incommodo called to the still crowd. "She has deliberately, with full knowledge of her actions, sent an Impediment Jinx against my person. For this, she is lucky to be expelled and nothing more. And this time," he added, with a dangerous look at Albus. "She will be escorted to Hogsmeade by Professor Malfoy. What she does from there is her business."
Alice and Frank were holding a struggling Hugo back from throwing himself at the Headmaster. Good thing too. If he did, Incommodo might have killed him out of the fury he was showing. What a drastic turn of events the dueling tournament had taken. Albus watched helplessly as Rose was taken away by a very amused looking Draco Malfoy. Albus was too angry this time. How Draco could stand aside and let it happen, let alone showing amusement and true glee at the whole thing, he did ot know. Albus supposed even Draco would have to take a bit of satisfaction. He finally got what he wanted. Was any part of this Draco's doing? Did Scorpius see things the same way? Would Harry see things the same way if Albus told him?
"Everyone to their dormitories now," Incommodo ordered calmly. "Potter, you will meet with me on the Astronomy tower at eight tonight. There is something that must be discussed between us. Go."
Albus walked out uncertainly. Once outside in the Entrance hall, he threw his Invisibility Cloak over himself. There was no way he was letting Rose go to Hogsmeade so easily. He looked on the Marauder's Map for her and Malfoy. The two of them were already in the grounds. Albus took off after them, slowing down only when he was several paces behind. He hurried up once they made it to the gates, barely managing to slip through and follow them down the path to Hogsmeade. He was close enough to overhear them now.
"Lycah's hut will of course be guarded," Draco said with a jump to his voice. "Every floor is on watch and the North Tower completely barricaded. I don't know how others managed to stick around, but so long as they stay out of his way, no harm done. The rest of the expelled students, starting with you, will not see Hogwarts again. One step in the main castle is considered high treason. So, I advise you to watch your step around here. What you do in this village is none of our business. Perhaps your mother and father can pick you up or something. We at the castle have more pressing matters to attend to." Once they made it to the village, Draco stopped. "Well, here we are. I'll just… leave you. Try getting a job at the inn or something."
He walked away, Albus hating him so much now. How dare he just leave Rose. He had a perfect opportunity to do something worthwhile, something to help and even there, he did not bother. Albus would have to tell his father first opportunity he got. But first, he had more important matters to attend to. Rose did seem to be considering the Three Broomsticks when Albus tapped her from behind and wrapped her in the cloak. She gasped as Albus concealed her completely. "You could get expelled," she hissed. "Or worse, killed."
"I dunno where you learned that dying is better than getting expelled, but we in the Potter-Weasley clan disagree intensely," Albus hissed back. "Just come along."
"What're you doing?" she asked quietly.
"Saving your butt if you'd just listen," Albus told her, meandering through the people and places, barely dodging Lancet Goal who was selling some sort of object with a bell on top. "You're going to where Alexander and the Scamander twins went."
"How do you expect us to get there when"-
"Just watch," Albus said, and he took her by the hand, directing her into the Bungalow. She gasped as Albus locked the door with his keys. Once again, the feeling of being in no space came over them. Albus pushed her towards the portrait with the pathway leading to Hogwarts. This time, the portrait looked different. Now there were two paths leading to Lycah's hut, Albus saw two paths in the portrait. One to a castle and another to a familiar hut. They clambered over it, Rose muttering about her massive failure. Albus wondered if Lorcan or Lysander would tolerate her constant moans about her failure.
"Expelled… expelled," she said quietly as they rushed across the pathway to Lycah's hut. "The first Weasley to get expelled. The first one, I don't believe it. Mum will be so disappointed. I'll never amount to anything. All my hard work, my books, all still in my dormitory. How will I ever get them. I'll never be able to"-
"Rosie… let's actually get there first," Albus muttered. "You'll have plenty of books in the Room of Requirement. You can still study."
"But the exams," she cried. "In NEWT year. No NEWT exams. I can't go without NEWTs. Al"-
"Made it," Albus sighed in relief.
So they did. They did not climb into Lycah's hut though, for another path made itself known. The path to the Room of Requirement in the same portrait. They took that path instead and continued on, Rose continuing to moan on and on. "I didn't mean to. I thought that- that re-angling would impress him, that it would show some skill. I didn't mean for it to go towards him. It was an accident. And my- my flawless record, all my tests, quizzes and exams, my straight-O record, all gone. Tarnished. How can I"-
"You'll be fine," Albus said again, beginning to roll his eyes. Her words may have suggested disappointment but her tone suggested she was forcing them to come out, like she somehow didn't mean what she said. Albus was way too focused to go worrying about that though. He tried to just phase Rose's complaints out of his head, focusing on the matter at hand.
"How can you say that?" she hissed back. "You and Scorpius never cared for Hogwarts education but I did. He should've been expelled."
"It's not his fault," Albus told her. "I told you before, Incommodo wanted you expelled, I overheard him yesterday. It would've happened whether you attacked him or not."
Before she could respond, they finally made it. They tumbled out of the portrait and into the Room of Requirement, which automatically enlarged itself as a new quarter took shape for her. Rose took a breath as she came out. Lorcan and Lysander hailed her in relief, both having heard somehow of what had happened in the Great Hall almost an hour ago.
"Alexis told us," Lorcan said, pointing to the end of the room.
Alexis was sitting at the end with Mark and Maria. The two seemed to be arguing but Alexis ignored them, and beamed at Albus who sighed in relief. They were back. Rose was safe, more or less. Albus took a seat next to Alexis. He still had an hour before he was due to meet Incommodo and he could not think of a better way to spend it than with Alexis, who immediately started explaining what had happened after Albus had left. "It's very strange. Neil Nott saw Incommodo walk over to Lycah's hut. They definitely suspect something and we haven't seen her since. And the whole castle is being watched ow, he doesn't need the portraits in the Headmaster's office. And with Lysander gone, he can't get to it anyway."
"Why'd he expel him, then?"
"He wasn't getting anywhere," Alexis explained logically. "The Pensieve was hidden away from him, the Headmaster's instruments were stolen and the portraits hardly helped matters. He feels much better off in the Astronomy tower where he has full power istead of being bound by ancient magic. So, he's watching the castle the old-fashioned way. Kimble is guarding the seventh floor now so it's a good thing you have your cloak, Tyro is guarding Lycah's hut but she took her portrait down so nobody can know what she has and I think he put his spies in Hogsmeade on alert. I just hope they didn't see you when you took Rosie in."
"We're fine," Albus assured her. "Not too many people were around. So, he can guess we're on the seventh floor somehow?"
"No, Kimble is just guarding it," Alexis said. "Malfoy usually looks over the fifth floor and Incommodo looks everywhere. Nott watches the sixth floor, Macmillan watches the fourth floor, and when Tyro isn't around Lycah's hut, he watches the third floor. Lex is on the second floor. Rojer watches the first floor. I don't know how he keeps the ground floor under watch. They're the only teachers with him."
"Unless Sorrow is against us," Albus proposed.
"Then she would never teach us such powerful spells we could use against him," she said pointedly. "That is very powerful magic we're learning and the basis of all spell creation and Magical Artifacts. If they hope to win over us, and they teach us spell like that, she's an idiot. Did you see what Aries did? Do you realize how much further this can go if we take Rune spells much longer? Sorrow is just a teacher."
"And to make things worse, Incommodo wants to see me pretty soon," Albus said to her surprise.
Alexis was silent for a bit, pondering this latest bit of information, and then, "Well… you know where to go if you're expelled."
"Something tells me expelling me isn't what he has in mind," Albus said seriously. The last time he had met Incommodo alone, the man tried killing him again. Albus felt his chest and chin unconsciously where his scars were as Maria took a taste of some food that appeared magically there. House-elf magic, Albus guessed.
"Yuck!" Maria exclaimed, lolling her tongue out. "Seriously, what is this?"
"Food," Mark offered. "That everyone eats. Seriously, what is wrong with your taste buds? Or do you come from heaven where the food tastes great and our standards just don't measure up?"
"No, I don't come from heaven," Maria sniped. "I am simply displeased with how they flavor the food here."
"What's wrong with the food?" Alexis asked, tasting it. "Tastes fine."
"Do they ever add Alchemical flavoring to it?" Maria asked so simply, as if it was generally expected of everyone to add such flavoring to food.
"Hogwarts doesn't practice that Art," Mark told her tiredly. "We eat real, natural food. Not Alchemical flavored food or whatever you're talking about."
"Yo-you used Alchemy?" Alexis asked with slight interest.
"It's Dark Magic," Mark said quickly.
"I think that largely depends what sort of Alchemy she used," Alexis said pointedly. "And how it's used." Alexis turned back to Maria, "Well, how did you use it? In what way?"
"It's a healing type of Alchemy we add to our food and we add artificial flavoring to it to keep us healthy," Maria said simply. "I've eaten it since I was one and by mum is very good at it. Why does my brother keep saying it's bad?"
"Simply because artificial flavoring isn't healthy," Mark argued. "Not for Muggles and not for us. Definitely not for us."
"Well, Alchemy was originally used for healing in hopes of staving death off," Alexis said slowly. "Before the elemental ingredients from the air itself started getting involved and ruining everything. It's the conjuration part that's Dark Magic."
"What does the conjuration part do?" Albus asked curiously.
Mark looked up at him very seriously and sighed, as if he hated even talking about Dark Magic. "Provided you make it in time before the wounded person dies, Alchemy can heal any physical injury with a single concoction. Dab it on, bathe in it, anything, that injury is healed. It smoothes your skin enough to put Muggle face lifts to shame. But it's Dark Magic when it comes to conjuration. Alchemy's primary motivation is creating the Philosopher's Stone."
"So…" Maria pressed.
"I'd think you'd want a stone like that," Albus reminded him.
"We maintain that Alchemy messes with the laws of nature," Mark told him. "And to create a Philosopher's Stone requires so much sacrifice both human and worldly, nobody does it. And the chances of death are so high, nobody dares. It's counter-productive risking likely death to attain immortality. Alchemy can conjure anything, from a new leg like this, to a new body. But you would need human ingredients. Remember the Potion the Dark Lord made to get a new body? Flesh, blood and bone?" Albus and Alexis nodded and Mark continued, "That was Alchemy. It is the creation of a new, ageless, artificial body to encase your own soul in it and inhabit it forever. Maria on the other hand is using Alchemy to supposedly keep herself healthy but it also serves as a magical strengthener. That's why her spells are more powerful than usual. And it has a blowback. It reduces her lifespan to that of a Muggle's."
"I'm creating a Philosopher's Stone later in life so point moot," Maria yawned.
"Hence my problem!"
Albus blinked once and met Alexis' eyes. Yes, he could see why that was Dark Magic. In fact, it even explained why nobody even tried making a Philosopher's Stone since Flamel did it. Maria looked down again. Set she may have been, Mark's opinion seemed to be influential on her. She even looked a little apologetic as she refused to meet his eyes. It also explained why a simple Knock-back Jinx from Maria could do such damage as internal failure. Maria looked up, staring at a point over Mark's shoulder, "The magical strengthener is something my mother tried a few months ago before I started Hogwarts. It's supposed to wear off within six months. So, I'm still fine. It was just to impress the Headmaster and earn favor."
"Why would you want his favor?" Mark challenged. "He's evil. Why do you care?"
"Because he's strong… and he's going to win," Maria said quietly, simply and factually. Mark gaped at her, as if not really knowing who he was talking to.
Albus would have liked to stay and hear the discussion but there was no way to hold off the march of time. Soon enough, the time to meet Incommodo had come and Albus had to leave. Albus was strolling the halls when a silent voice went, "Psst."
Albus stopped and looked around, heart beating hard against his chest. Standing at a corner was Neil Nott. "Neil?"
"I need to talk to you," Neil muttered and slipped into an empty room. Albus had time before the meeting but he was cutting it close. He cast the Charm to prevent eavesdroppers from benefitting from this and faced Neil.
It was not the first time Albus saw him since they rescued Apollo but the difference was noticeable. Neil looked severely underfed, almost dead. Whatever his problem was, whatever he cried into his father's shoulders about, Albus was having a minimal effect on him. This fact started pounding in his head. He was failing. James trusted him and he was failing miserably at James' final, dying wish. Neil's hair was usually messy but now it was long, unkempt and left alone. He was thirteen but he still looked like a ten year-old.
"What do you need?" Albus asked concernedly.
"Tyro."
"What about"-
"He's a vampire," Neil said quickly and simply, yet so matter-of-factly that Albus questioned the immediate piece of information.
"He- what?"
"A vampire," Neil said again.
"No, no, he doesn't"- Albus wasn't sure of this. Tyro's skin was not as pale as Era or Otto, not even Riley or Nate. Albus was not trying to be prejudiced or stereotypical either. He knew from constant Defense Against the Dark Arts classes from Professor Macmillan as well as Soto himself that there was a very simple way to tell if someone was a vampire. Pale skin and lack of sunlight was primary. While Albus realized he never saw Tyro outside, Albus had just heard from Alexis that Tyro watched Lycah's hut, which required sunlight anyway. Neil was wrong. Whatever hatred he had for vampires, he was wrong.
"I… don't think that's likely," Albus said honestly.
"He's evil," Neil said factually.
"Doesn't make him a vampire."
"Never been outside"-
"He watches Lycah's hut"-
"At night," Neil added to Albus' assumption.
"His skin is natural color," Albus pointed out.
"Simple Charm," Neil countered. "Color changing."
"Neil"-
"You don't have to believe me," he said quietly, with almost a deathly whisper. "But J-James would've. I'm just telling you b-before I go."
"Where are you going?" Albus asked quietly, determined to stay o the subject.
"Out."
"Incommodo wouldn't let you, Neil"-
"I won't be here much longer," Neil told Albus. "And I don't want to be. You just remember that James would've believed me. Tyro is a deceptive vampire and the first thing he'll do it bite someone."
"Why would a vampire take Incommodo's side?" Albus challenged. "They're on the Reservation's side."
"You're not the only one who thought of having a spy in the Reservation's ranks," Neil said, and he launched into explanation. "Tyro is a reserve DA member like my father, contacts within the Reservation, and you never stopped to think maybe he watches Lycah's hut at night because there's natural enmity between his kind and hers. Only he's the evil one. At least Werewolves have some ethics."
Albus gaped at him. "Ok, suppose you're right."
"I am."
"He hasn't done anything, I can't do much," Albus told him.
"You still need to know," Neil said, turning to go out the door.
That was when Albus had a sudden idea, "Alright, fine, he's a vampire. In that case, you need to stick around." Upon meeting his puzzled look, Albus added, "If he is, we'll need a- a vampire expert like you to help us. Won't we?"
Neil actually looked at Albus quizzically. Albus knew he succeeded in stopping Neil from leaving the castle or whatever it was he intended to do, but he did not succeed in cheering the boy up. Neil left and Albus made his way up to the Astronomy tower. As luck would have had it, on his way, he heard a bang and Alpha flew out of a room.
"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Proxima shrieked. "Ava"-
Rojer let out a quick blast of his wand that Proxima had to parry and turned a corner, disappearing. Albus stood rooted to the spot. What was… no, he had Incommodo to meet. But Albus made a mental note to tell Simon straight out that the friends he was picking were vicious. Did Incommodo even know what Rojer was doing? Proxima was a talented student, Incommodo would want her to stay.
The evening was just beginning to fall and he was growing nervous. What was the likelihood of Albus' body being found by students the following morning? Would Incommodo have another go or did he just want to talk as he strongly suggested? Albus stopped in front of the door with two golden plaques titled Minister for Magic and Headmaster. Albus took a deep breath and raised his hand to knock. Just then, the door opened up on its own accord and let Albus in. He kept it open, just in case he needed to make a run for it. Not that he thought it would do him any good. If Incommodo wanted to kill him, he'd do so after charming the door shut.
"Mr. Potter," a dangerously wispy voice said from the shadows. "Follow me."
Albus silently followed Incommodo to the top. Once on the balcony, the door behind them shut. Albus felt very strange standing there with a Dark Wizard like Incommodo. The man who struck fear into people's hearts, made them shiver, even Scorpius. Albus now knew what was behind such a demeanor. Two souls had much the same effect as creating a Horcrux. It had warped the man's appearance. His yellow skin, the look as if he was simply made of paper, even the wispy voice. Something had indeed weakened him but Incommodo had survived the drastic effects. He was more powerful now.
"We know each other's darkest secrets, yet we remain woefully on different sides," Incommodo's wispy voice said calmly. "I called you here to see if we cannot bridge such a troublesome divide."
Albus was not sure what to say to this. Bridge the divide? What did the man have in mind? Albus slowly shook his head, "I'm not interested in expelling students."
"Oh? You wish to keep Hogwarts School as some tarnished pigpen with low quality education even the more specialized schools surpass?" Incommodo asked. "Tell me, what did you come to Hogwarts to do?"
"To learn to control our magic, something all witches and wizards need," Albus said reasonably. "We can't have underage outbursts forever."
"Magical outbursts happen to the best of us, even myself," Incommodo whispered eerily. "Hogwarts education does not stop outbursts even after ten years of learning. Such outbursts are innate, part of our very essence, and you seek to deny it. We control ourselves by use of wands and last I checked, Mr. Potter, I allowed all expelled students to retain their wands. What you see me doing is weeding out the unworthy"-
"Rose was perfectly worthy"-
"DON'T interrupt me Potter," Incommodo said strongly, with a near-growl to his voice. "Miss Weasley attacked my person. And don't think that was accidental. She met my eyes before she did it. Ashe is lucky to not be dead. And she is truly expelled. She was dumped in the village, my spies confirmed she disappeared shortly after and all passages in and out are watched by my Arsenal. What does from here is her business. And after her crimes, she is lucky to walk free."
"Hogwarts was founded to take in all witches and wizards," Albus argued.
"And such reasons nearly destroyed our system," Incommodo whispered. "In time, Mr. Potter, you will learn that in spite of your best efforts, not everything goes your way. Hogwarts is a school and was built as a school. It was not built to have children running around with firecrackers, firing spells at teachers and each other, even deaths have happened in this school. Hogwarts was not built for students to get away with it and yet, the castle provides the perfect means for students to get away with even murder. A closer watch must be kept. And so Hogwarts increases the capabilities of students by bringing back the old Dueling Tournament this school has not seen since Mortimer Ink."
"You?"
"I," Incommodo responded. And with his wand, he took out strands of a silvery substance from his temple ad placed them in a conjured phial to be handed to Albus. "If I cannot sway you, this might. Your homework, Mr. Potter, will be to listen, to take up the Pensieve resting wherever it is and use it. You may find something rather entertaining about your ancestor."
"I… don't know"-
"And if you lie one more time about not knowing where these objects rightfully belonging to the Headmaster of this school are, thoe who took them will be executed the second they are found. Do you understand me?"
Albus did. He was threatening the Scamander twins. Albus was not sure what he would do with Incommodo's memories. For one thing, he was hardly interested in learning about his past. Before he could think more about it, a knock on the door sounded and Incommodo waved his hand to have it open. At the doorway stood Master Lex. "The others are here."
"Send them up," Incommodo ordered calmly. "There's always a drawback to having two souls, Potter. In time, you will learn just what the drawback may prove to be. In the meantime, we meet others who have gained my interest and earned my respect. Turn and greet them."
Albus expected more deformed people, probably more Arsenal members, his inner circle perhaps, but he did not expect the first one through the door. Seth and Sierra Lean walked out to the balcony first. Sierra herself seemed rather surprised to be there but Seth said nothing. The only reason Sierra was not shaking was because Seth was beside her. More students showed up, namely Proxima Greengrass showed up too and Aries V. Kimble. All of them, with the exception of Seth, looked rather curious and partly worried. If Incommodo was interested in all of them, especially since they were all his silent enemies, it could not mean anything good. He picked them well. These were gifted students and those who actually had similar motivations to him.
Mors Incommodo turned slowly to face them all. Albus went to Seth's side, hoping to stave off any change of allegiance. Seth folded his arms expectantly while Sierra imitated her brother and leaned against him in a very dignified way. Still, nobody but Proxima seemed particularly interested in what Incommodo had to say. She actually seemed to want to tell him something.
The Headmaster opened his mouth for a speech, "I will keep you all for only a short time. I have been watching your progressions throughout the Dueling Tournament. I have been rather impressed with the showing of powers beyond your ordinary skill levels. Greengrass, your use of a Semper Curse was most efficient and daring, the ability to hold one's own. Miss Kimble, you have managed to display powerful uses of Jinxes, some of which I myself had trouble lifting. And the Lean siblings, you have impressed me a great deal with your willingness to win by any means necessary."
Albus knew what Incommodo was talking about. Both Seth and Sierra had displayed very destructive pieces of magic when Seth irreparably destroyed the table they stood on and sent his opponent to the hospital wing with half his nose cursed off. Sierra had actually modified her opponent's memories and made them forget what they were fighting for to begin with. "You have all done well. This is why I have decided, for as long as you are in this tournament, you are all granted immunity from expulsion. This comes with conditions, of course. You have shown that power indeed sleeps within you, and so you must back this up with grades and academic performance in classes. I will accept nothing lower than an E in classes. Anything lower strips you of such immunity and causes me to reconsider my interest in you. Upon my command, you will all meet me for advanced lessons in magic, to show the world how powerful Hogwarts can make their students. Depending on others' performances, this group may or may not grow. The more who join us, the better and more efficient we can prove this great school to be."
"Sorry, not interested," Aries said suddenly, folding her arms defiantly. "Find someone else."
"Yeah, I'll think about it," Sierra agreed.
Seth shrugged, not rally caring much. Incommodo stared at them, probably having expected better reception. He was spared having to respond when Proxima straightened herself up, apparently having come to a decision about something. "Headmaster. I need to talk to you about something. Something important."
Albus held his breath. What could Proxima possibly want to talk to Incommodo about? Incommodo stared at her. If she had any terror, she did not show it. She remained as cool as ever, even keeping his gaze. "All f you get out. Resistance to this offer means misfortune to you and those around you so it may be best for you to reconsider. Greengrass, for your sake, this had better be worth my time."
Albus was still speechless but at least Alexis was there this time. He knew by the look on her face that she viewed Incommodo's words with distaste and Albus knew Incommodo was no fool and could see that too. What did Incommodo intend to do to convince them and bring them over to his side? And what did Proxima want? Something about Rojer? He guessed so but what would Incommodo possibly do about that? Dare Albus eavesdrop?
Albus walked out of the corridor and to the second floor when a sudden appearance from around a corridor made him jump. "Sorry, did I startle you?"
Albus let out a breath. It was just Alexis. "You startled me."
"Sorry," she said, seeming a little shy about something. "I wanted to wait for you and I knew you'd come this way. This corridor isn't frequented often by the teachers so it was safe to wait for you here."
"Incommodo just wanted to get me on his side," Albus told her as they walked off.
"He's very dangerous," Alexis said quietly as they reached the landing of the Astronomy tower. "It will not be easy to get rid of him at all. What is he thinking, trying to get us on his side? Our sides were chosen."
"What does he care?" Albus shrugged. "That type of magic can't beat him on the count of him having two souls."
"So, don't cast curses that tend to expel souls," Alexis reminded him. "Destroying his body should work on him as well as it would on anyone else."
Albus and Alexis prowled the halls of Hogwarts, alone, both in silence. Alexis was shuffling her feet as they strolled the night, Albus throwing his Invisibility cloak over the both of them to conceal their presence and walk safely, dodging around ghosts and at one point Peeves.
"Where to?" Albus asked as they stopped behind a suit of armor on the fifth floor.
"Well, the armor room would be nice," Alexis suggested.
"How romantic," Albus muttered sarcastically as they made their way through the halls. "The heir of Ravenclaw asking me out just so we can spend time by suits of armor. That makes perfect sense."
"Trophy room?" she suggested. "Besides, I wanna show you something now we're alone. Want that?"
"Yes, lead the way milady," Albus said in an equally sarcastic voice as the last.
It was still very dark, and they had to ignite their wands to light the way, at risk of being caught by a teacher. Thankfully they had the cloak and Albus took the map out to make sure no one was around. According to it, Professor Nott was on the sixth floor with his son. For whatever reason, Neil suddenly grew attached to his father, Albus did not know. They stopped traversing the castle once on the fifth floor, sitting across the wall to catch their breath, and throw a tentative smile in each other's direction. Albus started explaining to her what Incommodo's meeting entailed, telling her about his offer and Proxima's interest and Aries' lack thereof.
"He won't turn," Albus said confidently. "He has bad blood with him. I'm more worried about Proxima, to be honest."
"Not Seth?" she asked testily.
"Should I be?" Albus asked uncertainly.
"Incommodo did not threaten him or his friend," Alexis reminded him. "At least, not directly. And as long as the two are not on speaking terms, there's nothing holding him back. Seth has every incentive to turn on us now we've abandoned him. He's going to go after the intelligent and magically powerful and strangely, Simon fits the former. He is intelligent, even if he can't trade it for magical power."
"Simon would never join him," Albus said confidently. "And if he won't, Seth will stick with him, fight or no fight."
"I hope you're right," Alexis sighed. "Times like this I am glad my brother is safe where he is. I'm so worried about him."
"I wouldn't be too worried," Albus shrugged. "He's smart, so he can do the written portions of any test. Probably better than most of us. Ever considered the fact that most of the subjects in Hogwarts don't include wand waving? Exactly the types he's good with. Divination, Astronomy, Herbology and Potions, those that don't need magic."
"As long as Astronomy, Divination and Magical Creatures are cancelled, that doesn't mean much. Plus, he doesn't even take them. They're subjects h might be good at in theory. And even if we do win the war, he'll drop out. He's just not happy here anymore. C'mon, let's get going."
They got up again. Alexis hurried him across the school, dodging Malfoy and very nearly running into a strolling Tyro humming a slow eerie song to himself. Alexis took a sharp turn and led him straight into the armory. The trophy room was at the end. Albus never took care to visit it, and Alexis was about to reprimand him for not doing so.
"There you go," Alexis said, lifting the cloak off themselves and pointing at different trophies.
"Harry Potter: 1993-94, Quidditch Cup.
Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley: 1992-93, Special Awards for Services to the School."
"And?"
"And, look right in front of them?" Alexis pointed.
Albus looked and there he saw what Alexis wanted him to see. Something that filled him with immense pride and made him want to kiss Alexis for reminding him. Why had he never taken a stroll by to look at his achievements? He had already done so much.
Albus S. Potter: 2020-21, Special Awards for Services to the School for Bravery in Saving three abducted students.
Lily L. Potter: 2020-21, Special Awards for Services to the School for Bravery in heading an enemy off.
Mark Wallader: 2020-21, Special Awards for Services to the School for Bravery and use of outstanding wit and determination.
And beside them stood a golden cup reserved for Quidditch and on it, the names of the team players.
Quidditch Cup of 2021-22: Team Captain Albus Potter. Teammates Lorcan Scamander, Lucy Weasley, Gabriel Dagger, Walter Mold, Seth Lean, and Scorpius Malfoy: Teamwork dedication to winning the Quidditch cup.
"Me."
"You," Alexis reminded. "I saw them put it here."
Albus was silent, staring at his own trophy and the trophy he couldn't have gotten without his teammates. Always he had people around him, and always they stood by him. The first one was gotten because Mark and Lily were by his side and Albus would have never earned the Quidditch cup if he had not been selected as Captain at his team's behest. This was what Alexis wanted to remind him of. Sooner or later, Albus knew he'd have to tell someone of his two souls and the threat that existed with those two souls. Eventually, Albus too might fall ill, or see his physical appearance altered like Incommodo's was.
The two walked off quietly, wands lit. Albus was deep in thought, Alexis leaving him to his thoughts. He saw her off at the Ravenclaw corridor before journeying alone back to the dungeons. "Venom."
Albus was not the only one in the Common room but it took him a while to realize he still had the cloak on. He made to take it off when, as if he passed the table he usually did his homework at, a familiar voice caught his ear. "First you and now Proxy? Now, she's off to join him?"
"I don't know if she's joining him, just thought you should know," Seth's voice said.
"Stop her," Simon pleaded. "Stop this. Please."
"Why?"
"Because it's right."
"What's right?" Seth challenged stoically. "Nothing is right. Good and evil do not exist, there's you, there's the world, and there's your ability to handle how harsh the world can be and that'll be about it."
"No, you're wrong," Simon said with a half laugh but still looking upset. "People are good. And you know what, so are you."
Seth stared at Simon. The two's eyes did not leave each other. Albus felt quite out of place but he was too interested to their conversation to want to leave. How had this sprung up? He was quite pleased the two were talking again but it seemed more like an argument. Seth stared at Simon still, in surprise like he was never told that before. "You think I'm good? After everything I've done, you think I'm good?"
"Of course I do," Simon argued. "Maybe you're a little misguided and got drastic but you're still good. You're still on our side, you still fought the Reservation"-
"Only because they'd see us both dead if I didn't"-
"You freed Harry Potter"-
"It was a deal so I could achieve the Mold Manor"-
"You incapacitated Dubium"-
"To stop you from going over and getting yourself killed!" Seth fired back.
"You saved my sister and I from your own father"-
"My father is nuts and nearly destroyed my sister's mentality," Seth shrugged.
"Proving my point more," Simon said simply, voice lowering. "So, why don't you stop acting the way you're acting and just… calm down. Calm down before you get yourself sick. It's not healthy, you know."
"You know something?" Seth asked quietly. "You're as naïve as Proxima thinks you are. I saw my own mother and father killed, I've killed men, women, and I've even killed teenagers and until this war is over, I'm not done yet. By your philosophy, I am evil because I'm a murderer. I don't belong in your world, Potter's world, or Dubium's world. Whoever wins this war I'll be imprisoned or dead. Face it, whoever wins this war, I'm evil and deserve to be locked up or killed. So get used to it."
Albus could not believe Seth was saying this, let alone saying it so casually. He really had changed. He was not at all the same boy Albus had met in fourth year, or the same kid he made deals with in fifth year. He was descending and he was deliberately trying to repulse Simon, to repel him away. To what end and purpose, Albus had no idea. All he knew was that Seth was no longer Simon's friend and apparently, had no interest in undoing that.
Simon seemed to have come to that conclusion too for he had finally gotten up and turned to leave. Before walking to his dormitory he slept in alone, he said, "You're right. I had you all wrong and Proxy was right. You're too far gone. We're… we're done. We've gone down different paths and I knew it since last year, I told Al to tell you to come back but you didn't. You're just… you're sadistic."
"I'm not sadistic," Seth said with an equally quiet voice.
Simon turned around, "When you fight for the right to cause people pain, for the right to kill them just because they annoyed you and you enjoy that pain then yes, you're sadistic."
"You got it all wrong, I don't enjoy"-
"Then stop!" Simon argued, turning around to face him again. "If you don't enjoy it, stop. It's that easy." When Seth did not say or do anything, Simon scoffed, "I give up. I'm going to bed. Just… good luck."
Albus, not wanting to let them know he had overheard, stood where he was for a while, watching Seth lay back and stare up at the ceiling thoughtfully. He must've cared still, in spite of what he showed to Simon, so why he attempted to repel Simon, Albus had no clue. But he did not know Seth to act the way he did unless he had a fantastic reason to do so. Albus returned to his own dormitory next, laying awake for at least half an hour more, the events of that day running though. So much had happened. Rose was expelled, Proxima outright attempted her father's life, Albus had a talk with Incommodo, the Headmaster even offered to teach him and a few others advanced spells, and now Seth deliberately repelled Simon and it might have permanently cost them their friendship. The only thing that redeemed Seth was gone.