The Crossroads of Fate

Chapter 17: Fallen

The Ministry of Magic…

Harry and his friends stood inside the Ministry of Magic headquarters. The alliance with the Arsenal, for a wonder, still stood and allowed them to help defend the place. They managed before but this time- this time they would fail. Harry knew it. The Reservation would take over but it would not be like last time. This time was different. His plan against Incommodo- no, Herpo- was still in fruition and the Reservation would still be unable to attack Hogwarts. It was time their ignorance was used against them.

Rojer had destroyed the shields around the Ministry, it gained even more power. That damned object would eventually have enough to take Hogsmeade's protections down. They would take the Ministry but what they did not know was what Harry had in motion thanks to Albus. Albus forewarned Harry about the Reservation back after his third year, after a foolish excursion into the forest. Foolish but significant. Harry had Percy Weasley alert the Muggle Prime Minister. If push came to shove and the Reservation attacked with an all-out assault, the Muggle army itself would be involved. And with Harry inside the ship and a brilliant strategist in Hermione, any Muggle-repelling Charms placed would be lifted. Hermione had a chip within her skin to dispel such Charms as long as she was around. It was war, yes, but it was a war they would win.

Hogwarts…

Albus did not know what Incommodo hoped to gain from Albus watching his memory but Albus gave him no indication he even watched. He would not give the Headmaster the time of day. In truth, the memory meant nothing more than a simple history lesson to Albus. Albus hid himself in a side chamber and took the map out once again, looking intently. Neil had just left. Taking a deep breath, Albus walked out and took the right turns to run into him. Knowing Neil would come down a certain corridor, Albus wiped the map blank and positioned himself by an open empty classroom, waiting. Not a minute later, Neil indeed showed up around the corner. Upon seeing Albus, he stopped briefly, considered, and then walked on.

"Where?" Neil asked shortly. It seemed he had reverted back to his short statements.

"James found it," Albus said honestly. "Gave it to me. But it's an old Slytherin Heirloom so I gave it to Seth since he's the rightful owner."

"Gave it back?"

"For a time, yeah," Albus nodded.

"Can I keep it?" Neil asked directly. They were inside the classroom now, Albus' eyes on the map to make sure nobody was around to overhear them. The two were standing by the window, looking out into the grounds.

"For how long?" Albus asked warily. He hoped Neil would consider himself alive and not end it like he promised. Was the Stone the only thing keeping him alive? He bit his lip.

"I don't know," Neil said quietly.

"Are you- ok?" Albus asked.

"I… don't know," Neil admitted quietly.

"You know… the Stone should really be used when you need it," Albus said tentatively. "Not freely."

Neil did not respond. His hand was still clutching the stone as they grasped the windowsill. His knuckles were white now, and as if he really felt afraid. "Please… let me keep it. Just for a time."

"Neil"-

"I- I know that Cadmus Peverell killed himself but- but I need this," Neil argued desperately. "Just- just to spend the time I ne-never had with my sister. Please. I'll… I'll do anything."

Albus considered Neil a great deal. He had a feeling James would allow it, at least for a time. But Neil had to be careful. The last thing Albus wanted was for Neil to realize that the Stone did not bring them back, just allowed communication. It was better to allow the dead their rest. Albus sighed, "Three months. It's not mine to give, really. In the end, I have to return it to Seth."

Neil just gazed out of the window with Albus. Finally, Neil said, "I talked to James."

Albus' heart did a back flip. "Y-you did?"

"Al, you had a fantastic brother," Neil said quietly.

Albus almost wanted to cry again. That was why James wanted Albus in particular to help Neil. It was James' way, even from beyond the grave, of showing Albus that he had changed. James must have hoped to use the Stone with Neil the year before, but Seth had it back then. If Albus had known what James needed it for, he would've gotten it somehow. Neil might've been helped a while ago. For the first time though, as Albus and Neil looked at each other, there was something different in his eyes. They were not shattered nor were they repaired, they were simply there, perhaps empty or curious.

"I know."

"You should've known that sooner," Neil said wistfully. "And I- I had a fantastic sister."

"She had a fantastic brother," Albus added. "That was really brave, Neil. The hat was right. Does she- blame you?" Albus asked, assuming Neil had talked to her.

Neil shook his head very shortly. "She doesn't have to. I still blame myself."

"So… now what?" Albus asked. "What'd you decide?"

Neil stared over his shoulder at the map, his fingers slowly loosening their hold around the ring. "Isn't it obvious?" He looked at the Stone, "Ok, three months, I'll give it back."

Neil did leave, taking the Stone with him. Albus hoped he made the right decision, leaving it with Neil. He hoped Neil stayed true and returned it after three months. He sighed on his way out. Albus knew Neil wanted to seclude himself to cry, or else be left alone with his thoughts or simply talk to James and Sara again. Albus watched as his dot went slowly over to Gryffindor tower where Neil secluded himself in his dormitory. He stopped at a corner by a window and moved no more, possibly asleep or else simply sitting still.

Albus remained in that room for a while afterward, grateful Neil at least left the ring. He was not completely helped but it was a start. Neil seemed very secluded for the rest of the month. The first effect of the Stone on Neil's life made itself clear the very next day, Neil actually dared to announce to Incommodo that he was leaving the school of his own free will. Perhaps Incommodo was surprised because he watched as Neil left, not lifting a finger to make him stay. Neil disappeared completely off the face of the map as he took refuge in the Room of Requirement, thereby leaving the school he hated so much. Still, when Albus visited the Room, Neil was always available. Whenever he was using the Stone, it was not all day. Whatever he did in the Room of Requirement, he did it quietly.

Albus missed Christmas at Hogwarts and for a wonder, even under Incommodo, the castle once again decorated itself. Even the dungeons were decorated and it was indeed a shame that some of Albus' friends were unable to enjoy it being stuck in the Room of Requirement. Incommodo was not seen partaking in any decorating but Professor Macmillan was leading the charge in decorating the castle. The holidays were making themselves known as the time went on. The only thing that took away from the festive mood was Incommodo's announcement of school-wide examinations to be held in tandem with the last few Dueling tournament matches of the round. Round two quickly came to an end on Christmas Eve. This was the time of Albus' match of the round. Sierra Lean. Master Tyro had called them up, Albus feeling eyes on him. Maria had pulled ahead and she was first year, Albus was facing a third year. If he lost this, would Incommodo take disappointment and expel him?

Albus faced her across the table, wand at the ready. It was not the first time Albus faced a Lean and it would not be the last, he felt. He faced off with Seth and even Soto, why not Sierra? Sierra proved to be quite powerful too. The first attack she pulled off was a Sound-based Curse that sent a loud whistling ripping through Albus' eardrums, similar to Seth's old instrument. It did not seem to have affected Incommodo or the teachers and students. Albus knew he alone was temporarily deafened, sound now just a blur to him, a muffled something coming from behind two closed doors. He threw himself to the floor to avoid a Stunning spell but only barely, he felt his ears beginning to bleed. He knew the counter-curse, it was rather simple, but he could not do it when Sierra was constantly firing spells.

Impedimenta Albus thought, sending a nonverbal Impediment Jinx to her. The surprise of the attack against a student who was not as good at nonverbal spells as Albus was did immobilize her but only for seconds. Albus just had time to mutter "Finite" on his ears to regain his hearing. He fired a Stunner just as Sierra regained mobility. The girl barely dodged it but as she did, Albus pointed his wand at the table and said, "Lubricus."

Sierra ended up on a slippery floor Albus created which sent her sliding down. Albus sighed in relief as Sierra looked defeated. She did not even attempt to parry any spell. She knew when she lost. She just lay there, giving up as Albus placed his wand on her to signify victory. He sighed in relief as Sierra muttered "Good for you." Albus was let down next and Sierra climbed down once the table went back to normal.

Albus' duel with Sierra did not end things either. The next one saw Seth and Aries face off. The air around them was different. Albus new he was watching two powerhouses about fight. Seth and Aries were facing at either end of the elevated table stage. Their eyes were very different too. Aries' eyes were stormy and fierce, like a raging fire in the middle of a powerful storm. Seth, on the other hand, was shrewd and deductive. He watched her move, watched her feet, her hand movements, probably keeping every single movement she made in mind to use against her. Albus knew what Seth hoped.

"She has the disadvantage of being the most powerful student in the school. Makes her a target. If someone plays his cards right, she can lose."

Simon watched Seth with more interest than he gave him all year. Theodore Nott let out a bang with his wand and Seth stepped back. It was a stare-down. Both were waiting for the other to make the first move. Seth and Aries stared at each other for what had to be a minute or two. Finally, Seth appeared to give in. He began moving his wand in a graceful motion, like a flowing motion, and just when his stabbed it forth, Albus expected a spell to burst out. It never came. Aries, anticipating such a spell, erected a shield. Seth acted then. Just as the temporary shield came up, he sent a Knock-back Jinx. The shield, so temporary disappeared just as the spell reached it and actually knocked her back.

The crowd whooped as Incommodo folded his long, spindly arms. Seth waited for her to get up. Albus knew Seth would never manage to get her down a second time. Albus was surprised she did not block it. She could've if she used her Amulet but Albus guessed she was not going to draw attention to it. Seth seemed to know that too and took a deep breath before jumping down. Jumping off the table gave victory to Aries but the girl blinked.

"What? You're giving up?"

"I know I can't do it," Seth shrugged. "And a real duelist would live to fight another day, not jump in to a suicidal fight. Besides, I knocked you down once. You were fooled and I knocked you down because you got cocky."

"I beat you without firing a shot!" Aries argued back, seemingly hurt that Seth refused to fight her.

"Great, well done," Seth shrugged and walked off to the muttering of a crowd and a disapproving look from Incommodo.

The next few duels saw a big bang for the students when Gabriel let off a firecracker hidden underneath the table and in the chaos, stunned his opponent. He actually loudly justified his actions, saying that Tyro did declare the tournament as Anything Goes. Nate did something similar but to a more drastic approach. His firecracker, Albus knew, was an old Weasley's Wizard Wheezes product that could turn into a dragon. The small dragon went straight for an opponent who actually jumped right off the table, giving Nate the victory. Gabriel and Nate hugged upon Nate jumping down and reveled in their victory as the crowd laughed their hearts out.

Still, Albus had a bad feeling about the look Incommodo was giving them. The end of Round 2 marked the beginning of the end of the first term. The holidays would begin halfway through the week. The reason for this was because Incommodo and Tyro had organized exams to be taken marking the halfway point of the school year since the results would be released sometime in January. As Minister and Headmaster, Incommodo gave himself the right to expel whoever failed the examinations. This caused a great deal of nervousness throughout the school. Of course, some did not see it as much of a problem and one of those easy-going people was Simon Far, who actually saw this as normal and expressed surprise that Hogwarts did not usually have what he called Midterm exams.

"Lady Elizabeth Boarding School gave midterms all the time," Simon said factually in the Room of Requirement upon telling Proxima what was happening. This actually interested some students and even Seth was nodding slowly, remembering the same as he did.

Proxima on the other hand raised an eyebrow, "You mean, you suffered midterms all the time. How did you ever finish a year if it was always midterms?"

Simon rolled his eyes and turned to her, "Proxy… it's a figure of speech. You learn it in English class. I mean it happens every year."

"Pretty stupid figure of speech if"-

"Proxy, honestly, Muggles do things differently, get over it," Simon warned.

Simon may have found it all normal, and if Seth went to the same school he did, he must not have minded either. As Seth studied in the corner alone, though, Albus did not think the two made it up yet. Not to say efforts were not being made. Albus was brushing up on his spell practicing when Simon walked tentatively over to where Seth sat and asked, "Want help with Potions?"

Seth did not answer immediately. Albus tried to keep his mind off them too but with a half-dedicated mind, his spell work was suffering. Obscurum Expunctus, He thought nonverbally. Still, nothing. He had to be capable of nonverbal spells or he too would be on his way out the door. After a whole minute of silence, Seth sighed, "Sure."

Obscurum Expunctus Albus thought hard. To his slight surprise, a shield burst out of his wand. A golden dome of a shield which he knew could block off the Dark Arts. With the shield still up, Albus decided to test it quickly. Mucus ad Nauseum. Even the most basic curse seemed to be nonexistent. Albus did not dare attempt an Unforgivable, especially in front of Seth or Simon, but he knew it worked. Simon seemed interested too and Seth just looked up carelessly before looking down at his studies again. Albus sighed in relief as the shield disintegrated. If he could just study for the rest of his subjects…

Though Albus and Scorpius had less subjects and therefore less exams than the other years, their exams were longer and would cover their studies throughout their nearly seven years in Hogwarts. Monday's first few exams came. For Albus it was Study of Ancient Runes which was split between written and practical. Albus was actually expected to perform a Rune Spell in the heat of a duel and with no one other than Aries who was hard enough. Albus took the time to draw the runes on his shoulder before allowing his clothing to cover it. He was not expected to defeat Aries, just show his capability which meant he had to distract Aries. And Albus knew how.

After the written, which he found very difficult and time consuming, Albus put the Runes of Partnership, Defense, and Need to good use. He used his Rune of Need twice and summoned two lions. One went for Aries' tiger while Albus drew the Rune of Partnership on the other lion's bare nose bridge and used the Rune of Defense to protect the lion when it needed protection. It was only when Aries flicked her wand lazily at Albus' shoulders that the lions disappeared and Albus was left without any summons. The class still clapped for the extensive duel though. At least Albus put a fight up, though he knew if Aries had been going all out, he would not have had a chance to even draw the Runes.

The next examination was Defense Against the Dark Arts and Albus had a feeling the written contained questions meant for people who had finished the seventh year, not when they were halfway through it. It was because Albus had two years of teaching by Soto that he managed to make educated guesses on these questions. His suspicions were confirmed when Scorpius said he also had those same vibes and believed Incommodo was actively trying to challenge them to a point only people like Rose would be able to manage. Albus sure did regret Rose's absence now. He was beginning to miss her lectures on how the tests went.

The only subject Albus proved to be perfectly adept at was Charms the next day and that was because he had nearly seven years of education on the subject and nearly six years of tutoring by Alexis. He might not have managed an Outstanding like he was sure he did on Defense Against the Dark Arts, but he definitely performed well over the average level. The next day was the last and saw him doing Transfiguration and Herbology. Transfiguration, he was sure he only managed an Acceptable and Herbology, with Master Tyro even less.

Albus certainly hoped his efforts would get him through. He did not want to be expelled. Part of why he did so well as Hogwarts Guard leader was because he was capable of traversing the school as he liked. If he ended up having to be limited to nighttime wanderings or the Invisibility cloak, both of which were dangerous, Albus would not do as well and he needed access to Lycah's old hut as well. In fact, they also had to get the Orb from the Unseen Lands while the Reservation was about but the problem was, the Reservation was focused on London attacks. As far as Albus knew, the brunt of their force was still beyond the forest.

Nonetheless, Albus had a month worry about that. The completion of the exams gave them the free time they coveted so much under Incommodo's rule. Finally, Albus found himself able to relax and he did so in the Slytherin Common room. Everyone else was outside snowball fighting and he stayed alone with Seth. Albus hoped he could have time alone with Seth ever since he saw Incommodo's memories. He meant to talk to him about it. Albus looked around. Seth was alone against the wall deep in thought.

"What're you thinking about?" Albus asked curiously.

Seth looked up, mind clearly on a specific subject. Albus expected something related to Simon but it did not come. Seth's answer gave Albus flashbacks to his talk to Mark and the twins back in third year. Seth's answer was simple. "Death."

Albus blinked. Death? "What about it?" he asked lowly.

"After being tortured by Lex, I realized something I didn't really think of," Seth said solemnly, tone a little strange. It was not emotionless but… different. It was wonder. Almost excitement. "I might actually die. So… I'm just wondering… what will death be like? I expect to just disappear but… what about dreams. Death is often compared to sleep so… does that mean I'd be eternally dreaming or is it… different? Do I just… fade?"

Albus had no idea what to make of this. He did not know the answer to Seth's questions nor could he comment. Seth did not seem to fear death, jut regard it with wonder and curiosity, like it was an interesting phenomenon he had never heard of before.

"Simon and Sophie are convinced that upon dying, I'll go to some place," Seth muttered. "Some separate plane of existence. Isn't that weird?"

"My dad believes the same so… no," Albus shrugged. "Does- does it bother you, thinking you may die?"

"No," he said immediately without hesitation. "I guess I always knew I would die earlier than everyone else. Even if I live through the war, I expect my life would end sooner than everyone else's."

"What makes you say that?"

Seth shrugged, "Dunno. Just a gut feeling. Maybe I'm wrong. Do you think you'll die?"

Albus looked up too, not sure what to say to this. "Yeah. I do." Seth smiled, smiled up in a very weird way. It looked very artificial on him. Albus sighed, "I'll see you on the other side then… if there is one."

"If there isn't?"

"Then I guess it doesn't matter."

Now Albus was hearing him, he realized that Seth's voice had matured. After being in the same castle as him, seeing him almost every day, Albus had not noticed that the boy had matured. But as Seth had grown up, his morals, what few morals he had, had blurred even more. Sometimes, it did seem as if they no longer existed, if they ever did.

"I needed to talk to you," Albus said shortly. "By the way."

"About…"

"The Dark Arts," Albus said simply.

"That's a curious topic for you," Seth said. "Make it quick."

Seth met Albus' eyes. Albus was not sure what was supposed to be said through them. He was not sure but was there a glimmer of sadness behind those empty blue eyes? Was it possible? Albus did not know what to say to the boy. Seth had gone on a very drastic path of his own choosing, had killed so many people in a single year, saw both his parents die without batting an eye, rebuffed all of Simon's attempts to get through to him, and even promised to kill more. The war had snapped his mind. Albus even had the Ring, an Heirloom Seth had given up so easily until he had been reconciled with Simon, an endpoint looking more and more unlikely. Somehow, Albus had not given up on him.

"Yeah, about Incommodo actually…"

"And judging by your interest in the Dark Arts, you want to talk about his two souls," Seth guessed accurately.

"I guess what I really want to know is what sort of effect having two souls has on your mental condition," Albus asked. "Incommodo gave me a memory of his, back when he was Mortimer Ink, after he had contact with the Scepter…" Albus described openly, in as much detail as he could, what he had witnessed. How Ink had felt vengeful for no one helping him, how Opal had discovered his secret and threatened to have him expelled, how he had killed her and put the blame on Albatross, and how Albatross was expelled and Cadmus left to look after him in St. Mungo's. "And his mind was going, referring to himself in the third person, trying to fight it but failing and ultimately becoming Mors Incommodo. He actually seemed to be doing wandless magic to make her brother fire the Killing Curse and make it look like he did it. The two Potter brothers left the school after that."

"Al… Soul magic is really dark. I don't mess with the soul. But… I can't imagine the effect on the mind being too good. Once you've given in to a second soul, your first mentality dies. So, whatever made him Ink is dead by now. Died since he was seven."

"There's no hope, at all?"

"No," Seth said immediately. "That's ridiculous. Maybe if he fought initially when Herpo first entered, he might've lived but he didn't. His mind was the only thing keeping him Incommodo. But the mentality is dead, the mind is dead, it's being kept alive by something different. That's why it's considered really Dark Magic. Once your mind goes, it's gone. Even if you somehow destroyed the Herpo part of him, Ink's body would replace him. I mean, he's been dead for over a hundred years and defeating Herpo means getting rid of that persistent soul of his. You want to beat him, you have to beat them both. Beating just one will give the other a chance of rebirth which we can't have. They're symbiotic and if you want to beat them both, you'd have to do soul battle."

"Which is what?"

"Souls are connected by the mind," Seth said simply. "So, Legilimency would do it. But that would be really hard. It takes training which you don't have. But if you cast Legilimency at the same time he tried a Killing Curse, one soul-base spell and one mind-base, the two would merge and that should do it. But it carries risk to you because you have two souls too."

"Yeah, well- wait, how do you know I"-

Seth pointed at Albus' scar on his chin, "I was privy to the essence, remember? I told you to kill. I know where these sort of things end up."

"So, am I dead too, then?" Albus asked, trying to sound impassive.

"Can't tell," Seth shrugged as if it hardly mattered. "If you were, I imagine you'd have changed by now so you're probably safe. Your second soul grew slowly, and your body was allowed to adapt slowly. For now, at least. So, you're alive. But in a few years, you won't be. As long as you're alive, it'll grow stronger. Is that it?"

"Yeah," Albus sighed.

Seth got up and left, leaving Albus alone. Albus indulged himself instead with taking out the map and watching the dots. Many were in the grounds, probably having a snowball fight. Albus grinned at the last snowball he had the previous year, remembering Alexis trying to force him to have fun, even Lucy getting involved. He remembered James trying to get Neil to throw a snowball at Sierra but the boy refused. Albus now knew what was behind everything. Yet, he still never talked to Neil about his involvement with Era's death. Albus knew Era would've died with or without Neil, knew that Neil did nothing but summon Era up there with nothing more than a secret hope. Albus would have done the same if he was not so involved with saving Alexis' life that time. Dare he talk to Neil about it?

The dot of Incommodo, which was indeed labeled Incommodo, walked from the Astronomy tower alongside Tyro. The two walked to the Entrance hall together before Incommodo went off to the grounds and Tyro walked towards the dungeons. Incommodo did not stop at the grounds either. He seemed to be leaving the castle. Soon enough, the Headmaster left the map completely. Where he was going, Albus did not know or care, he continued scanning the map. He felt like a true Overseer. He grinned, knowing how Hogwarts' previous Overseer Rojer would feel if he saw him then. Rojer was on the fifth floor.

Albus scanned the map some more, watching Tyro walk from the dungeons alongside Sierra. Sophie was on her way to the Room of Requirement along with Cherry Goal and with Incommodo leaving the school. Why, Albus did not know. They passed a classroom that seemed empty except for two. Seth was in an unused Charms classroom with Simon again. Albus was curious to what they were talking about but the map did not include speech bubbles. Albus kept his eye there until the corner of his eye caught two dots walking past it. Sierra and Tyro. The dot of Seth stopped and after a minute, walked out too, leaving Simon's dot where it was. Albus kept his eyes on it. This was interesting. Seth, Tyro and Sierra…

Tyro was walking with Sierra near the Gryffindor corridor, taking what seemed to be a detour. Seth's dot was tailing at a distance. What would happen? Albus got up, considered it, and then threw his Invisibility cloak over himself, determined to find out what was happening. He left the Common room and raced across the corridor, towards where he hoped Tyro and Sierra did not get far. He just spotted Seth ducking behind a suit of armor. Albus, being invisible, could tail at a closer range. The two, Tyro and Sierra, were taking the Astronomy shortcut to the tower itself where Incommodo had left. The Headmaster was still not back. Albus climbed the winding staircase well behind them, sensing Seth behind the invisible Albus. Did Seth know Albus was on the case too?

Albus barely made it inside the main tower when Tyro shut the door with his wand. It was then when he started talking rather calmly, but with an icy hint to his voice. "I thought, while the Headmaster was in Hogsmeade, we should have a little chat, Miss Lean. Know that your responses will make much difference in how your education goes from here on out."

"Are you about to expel me due to my loss?" Sierra asked. "Potter is seventh year. I'm third year."

"Your reputation precedes you," Tyro responded casually. "I do not believe you should have lost the duel with the sort of magic you've shown yourself capable of pulling off. However, this is not what we're discussing. Where are the expelled students?"

Albus' heart started beating. He could vaguely sense Seth's footsteps a little way behind as Tyro and Sierra reached the top and overlooked the grounds. Would Sierra give them away? Would she when her education was on the line? He got his answer soon enough. "I was under the impression they are in Hogsmeade or left into the"-

"Don't lie, Miss Lean," Tyro warned. "We both know they are in the castle and the Headmaster is no fool. His efforts to get across to your brother have failed but I have faith in you. I have faith that you know better, that with same nudging, you too can become part of the Arsenal's main force."

"You do?"

"You and your brother are extremely powerful," Tyro went on. "This sort of power has not been seen for a long time. It is a power the world must see, don't you think, to have an image of what an education run by Mors Incommodo would look like. The world would envy you, your abilities, your reputation would be enormous, and you would both be quite free to practice whatever sort of magic you wish, don't you think? And to top it, you would be given a pardon on whatever you want. Whatever you and your brother do. And all you have to do is tell us where the expelled students are hiding, and how to find them."

Sierra was indeed silent. She seemed to be genuinely considering the offer. But it looked like a battle. It was his offer against her own loyalty to her brother and the Hogwarts Guard. Albus covered his mouth to block his breath, nonetheless convinced that his heartbeat would give him away. If Sierra agreed, now she was kicked from the Guard, Albus would be unable to stop her. Seth would take her side now Simon was irrelevant, Tyro would gain an ally and Incommodo a powerful ally. One thing for sure, nobody who was on the DA's side would implicitly threaten expulsion unless Sierra gave away the rest of the students.

"To tell the truth, even if you did expel me, I'm not sure I'm welcome with them," Sierra said slowly. "Wherever they are, the expelled students certainly don't like me."

"Which is why you should inform me where your enemies are hiding," Tyro insisted.

"Which is why I am probably unable to tell you where my enemies are hiding," Sierra said simply with a small, good-natured smile. "I can't help. But if you need anything else…"

"Well… I do hope to lure one or two students out of their hiding places," Tyro said honestly. "And what luck, Lean, you're the bait."

Albus was nearly pushed aside by a strong push. Invisible or not, Albus fell aside but found no one standing there. Someone was there, someone invisible. A jet of red light narrowly missed Tyro as Sierra held her breath. Albus whipped his cloak off too with his wand on Tyro. Tyro seemed to get that he was way in over his head but he was tricky too. He would try to get out of it.

Tyro flicked his wand, making Albus' wand fly out of his hand. Tyro, with swift speed, knocked the wand from the air off the balcony.

"Accio wand!" A voice yelled. Albus recognized Seth's disembodied voice. A spell from Tyro went to the place it came from but nothing happened and Albus' wand soared into Albus' hand again.

Albus got up, aiming for Tyro again, "Stupef"-

The spell was parried and it rebounded on Albus, forcing him to roll out of the way. Sierra failed to get to her wand in time. She was levitated over the Astronomy tower and Albus dived for his own wand. Arrest Seth, maybe, was understandable, but if Tyro was threatening to kill a student, it was clear where his loyalties lay. Tyro looked at Albus, "When this is over, you are going to be expelled."

"Let her go!" Seth's voice yelled and the boy showed himself from behind the door. Albus froze, not yet visible. He was not taking care to block his breathing though.

Albus watched with bated breath as Tyro turned to face Seth, "Are you quite sure those are the words you choose in this present situation?"

"Put her back or you die," Seth promised, wand pointing threateningly. "Now?"

"And risk expulsion?"

Albus knew what could happen and he was willing to give this one to Seth in this situation. Incommodo's reason for disappearance became clear. He hoped to have one or both of the Lean siblings expelled and see if they ever arrived. He was probably waiting on the pathway to Hogsmeade. Tyro and Seth stared off as Sierra was struggling against the Levitation Charm. "Let my sister go, Tyro!"

"You like going for deals," Tyro yelled. "It's really very simple. Tell me where the students are and your sister goes free! It's that simple!"

Seth was red with fury and anger. Albus had seen this too many times. His heart started beating. He knew Tyro was going to die, knew that the Master had no idea that Seth was perfectly capable of murdering him but Sierra would die too. One throw off the tower would end her life, would break the body brimming with life and happiness. And she had concealed the Guard with that life. A thief she may be, she was loyal. "You're making a mistake. This is my last warning. You're going to die."

What happened next had went by so quickly, Albus was later surprised he managed to keep up with it all. "You've made your choice," Tyro shrugged, and with a flick, Sierra went flying away.

Seth yelled in fear. True fear. So many things happened at once. Seth withdrew his wand and brandished it but Albus was focused on Tyro. Tyro parried Albus' spell just as Seth suspended Sierra in midair. Seth then fired at Tyro without a care, "Avada Kedavra!"

Tyro avoided the initial spell but did not manage to avoid the one hiding behind it. Tyro too was blasted off the tower and fell below.

Sierra looked breathless. Tyro's attempts had been futile. Sierra would've lived even if Albus had never shown up. Seth had proved that. He was not bluffing and he never was. Nonetheless, the two got Sierra to safety much quicker together and the danger had passed. At least, for that time.

"Incommodo was expecting this," Albus said in a small voice as Seth hugged Sierra tightly and Sierra was actually tearing as she embraced her older brother. "He wanted one of you expelled. He's waiting in Hogsmeade."

"Big deal," Seth muttered as they got up. "We need to hide."

"He's on his way back," Albus warned them, looking at the map. "He must know already. Get to the Room of Requirement. I'll bring your things. Ok? Go, quick! We don't want to be seen over here!"

Albus quickly concealed them both with his cloak and led them down. Going sick at the thought of explaining to the Hogwarts Guard what had happened and why the two were there, Albus led them to the seventh floor and walked the corridor, Sierra staring at the map. The room appeared just as she announced his arrival at the grounds where Tyro's body lay. A storm would be raised soon enough. Seth and Sierra got inside and Albus turned around and rushed back to the Slytherin Common room in the dungeons. His heart was pounding as he saw a horde of students. The news, it seemed, had already spread. Albus made it to the dormitories. He walked down to the girl's dormitories but the first step felt like fire and spikes at once. Albus yelped and jumped off. "Accio Sierra's trunk!"

A splintering of wood told Albus that the spell had worked. Pluma he thought. Carrying the trunk with feather-light mass, he got to Seth's dormitory next and flicked his wand to get all his stuff in the trunk. Bewitching that too, he carried them both under the cloak, now a little slower, to the seventh floor while Tyro's body was being carried in. On the seventh floor, Lysander seemed to be waiting for him. Him and Alexander heaved the stuff into the room. Locan seemed to be there too, but visibly shaken. He was shocked at what he had done himself, muttering to himself. Albus wanted to ask him what happened but did not dare. He had to be downstairs, lest he too be discovered missing.

He rushed downstairs, stuffing his cloak inside his bag, Albus showed up with the Ravenclaws in the Great Hall where Incommodo called for a school gathering. The Headmaster, standing, looking very intimidating, regarded them all threateningly. Albus knew he was scanning the crowd for anyone who was missing. Alexis looked confused, Scorpius and Lucy, who seemed to have been in the grounds, were looking very shocked indeed and the teachers looked solemn. Nott for one actually looked upset and Alex and Eric stood beside Mark. All were unaware of what had happened.

"Students of Hogwarts," Incommodo said quietly. "A travesty has occurred with the death of Herbology Professor and Master Inquisitor Maximus Tyro. He was found on the foot of the Astronomy tower and taken away. With this death has come that which no student can walk away from and I know who did it. He who is not among us right now is the murderer and will stand trial, be expelled and ultimately killed for his actions. I therefore ask that anyone who knows where the students Seth and Sierra Lean may be hiding, come to me with information. Those who do so will receive a ten thousand galleon reward upon capture. Those who work in concealing them will of course be expelled."

Tight-knit the Hogwarts Guard might've been, the fidgeting of some members still in the crowd told Albus that many seriously considered turning both in, if only for the money but nobody did. Albus knew it was not loyalty that drove them. They might have stayed silent for any other student but after Seth's exposure as a murderer the year before, few were willing to defend him. The only reason they did not say a word was because they were bound by a Silencing Jinx and a Memory Charm. Not to mention turning them in would ultimately put Alexander, Rose and the Scamander twins at risk as well as expose the Guard's existence and meeting place.

"Very well. I am enforcing martial law on this school," Incommodo announced. "Until all defected and expelled students are caught and tried, the Arsenal will be here to keep an eye inside and outside the castle. The Head of this will be Zandar Lex and he will be given permission to punish any transgressors in anyway he sees fit. Good day."

The school was allowed to leave when nobody turned anyone in. A few said that their dormitories were empty and some insisted that the trunks were there five minutes ago, one reported a trunk-shaped hole in the girl's dormitory door but that got nobody any closer to finding the murderer. Why Incommodo wanted both Leans arrested, Albus did not know. Clearly, only Seth did the deed and Sierra was a victim and Incommodo knew that. Albus knew because the two were together before parting to their respective posts. This was planned. Of course, Tyro could not have expected his own death.

The next day, Simon looked upset too, and he shivered a great deal as they sat down in the Room of Requirement, now enlarged enough for them to keep a corner with Scorpius as Proxima read the Daily Prophet and Scorpius and Lucy sat down on Albus' other side, ready to get more information.

"Tyro too?" Simon asked with a hurt expression. He looked teary, "D-does he want to be a murderer?"

"It's not what you think," Albus assured as Proxima rolled her eyes behind the paper.

"Malcolm killed Simon," Proxima scoffed. "Samantha went insane, and Simon's bullies mysteriously died, I suppose this one expelled Sierra?"

"He tried killing Sierra," Albus told her, making Simon look up, Proxima set the paper down, Lucy raised a eyebrow and Scorpius shrugged as if he was not surprised. "Astronomy tower. Incommodo hoped to catch them in Hogsmeade after Tyro expelled them. I saw them walking down here. Tyro didn't plan on dying but Incommodo certainly took advantage of it to try getting information."

"Information I half wish I could give," Proxima said sadly.

Simon looked hopeful, "Are you… are you sure?"

"I saw it," Albus promised. "I dunno if Tyro should've died but I saw what happened. He was definitely trying to kill her because he was holding her over, trying to get Seth to reveal the Room of Requirement."

"And… did he?"

"No, he killed him, remember," Albus reminded him.

"Oh, yeah, and for more reasons than one," Proxima said with a smirk as she laid the Prophet down.

"You still read that thing?" Lucy asked with distaste.

"You read it and tell me why I should've chucked it," Proxima challenged him. "The Ministry has fallen."