The Crossroads of Fate

Chapter 18: The Duty of the Guard

The Ministry Falls

The Ministry has fallen, writes Lady Ruse, spokeswoman for the Reservation of Pure-bloods around the world. In an attack last night, the latest in a string of attempts by the Reservation to gain a magical foothold in London, the Ministry has finally fallen. The Minister, known as Mors Incommodo, has not been seen by public eye for a long time but sources indicate he resides in the magically protected Hogwarts School, whose protections the Reservation has been unable to break for the past year. Reservation Commander Julia Farthy insists it is only a matter of time before the Reservation manages to break in and take over. She further insists that such a battle would be easy after the fall of the Ministry as the Minister alone is responsible for the added protections over Hogwarts.

The capture of the Ministry has been met with resistance by the Arsenal and their allied Dumbledore's Army many of whom have been injured or killed in their attempt to defend the Ministry they were previously at war with. It is also reported that the marshal of vampires against the Reservation by the name of Otto Blackberry has been killed in the battle overnight, the marshal of Arsenal Members in London Percy Weasley, believed widely to be a spy for Dumbledore's Army, has been injured, and the three leaders of said Army have been taken.

Sources indicate the three leaders go by the names of Potter, Weasley, and Granger. Both famous around the Wizarding world in their own right, they are seen as potentials to bring the Reservation to the popularity it deserves and are all under negotiation to prove their worth as witches and wizards by joining Praetor Dubium aboard his ship. This represents a major victory for the Reservation and an enormous loss for the world that once combated it in Diagon Alley, now an outpost for the Reservation.

The Reservation has been met with growing popularity as they take the British Wizarding world by storm, purifying the blood that has so long plagued Wizardkind. The war has seen many casualties but with the fall of the Ministry, the warring factions have been reduced to nothing but a tiny rebellion. The Minister, no more than a despot with many of his Arsenal now captured or dead, remains in hiding, offering no show of strength over the army he once commanded. With the Minister no longer in charge, the Reservation may now find it easier to dismantle the protections around Hogwarts and move in once and for all, establishing control over the Wizarding World's education system.

"In the meantime," Farthy says, "The war against the Muggle populace has finally begun, starting with the attack on Muggle schools." While the Muggle Prime Minister has taken steps to avoid contact with the Reservation, the Muggle army stands unaware. The schools stand as the first target, hoping to take apart the Muggle education system, thus destroying any hope future generations have of ever rebuilding the fallen pieces of their society. "The grand strategy set by Praetor Dubium has been working," writes Lady Ruse. The next step will, of course be to poison the Muggle water supply, thus crippling most of the populace including their standing army. The crippling of their army will bring about the takeover of their higher offices, thus bringing the United Kingdom under Reservation control.

Albus and Scorpius finished reading the article at around the same time. Scorpius actually looked very worried and verbalized his worry for his mother who was in the Manor. The more the Reservation took, the closer they got to where she was and the easier it would be to take her away. Albus for one worried about his own mother who was hidden in Grimmauld Place. Both houses were under the Fideleus Charm which even the Reservation could not break, so they were in luck. On Albus' end, he was more worried for his father now he seemed to have snuck aboard the ship. For then, the Reservation seemed to be hoping for his allegiance, at least for the time being. Better luck than Hogwarts which according to the paper did seem like its days were numbered.

Until Simon smirked, "Then… why is it the Quibbler said something different?" Simon took a clipping out and had them read it, this time Proxima standing behind Scorpius to read it. This one was, as usual, shorter.

Response to Daily Prophet: Daily Quibble- Ministry Falls, Muggles Aware

In a battle last night that saw the death of Head Vampire Marshal Otto Blackberry and minor injury of Dumbledore's Army ambassador to the Ministry Percy Weasley, the Reservation has at last taken control of a little-populated Ministry. Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger were announced captured but the Wizarding world holds hope that there is something else Potter has in mind. "With the brunt of the Arsenal believed widely to be in Hogsmeade with the Minister ruling from Hogwarts school, the protections around Hogwarts have been reinforced, not weakened" writes Lysander Scamander, newly established editor of the Quibbler. "The Reservation has less a chance than ever of taking the protections down, especially with them being extended to Hogsmeade. The Reservation's attempts to take the Muggle population down also appear to be doomed. With the war against them known to be over the horizon since two years ago, it is widely believed that the Muggle Prime Minister has mobilized his army and shut all schools and ordered curricula to be started on a little known Muggle dimension called the internet. Very few Wizards know what this entails and fewer know what can be done against it. If the Prime Minister knows of the Reservation, steps will have been taken to avoid poisoning. An ignorant group like the Reservation who thought that placing Hogwarts under siege would starve them out and trap them cannot possibly know how to really cripple a world they have been absent from for so long."

Footnote: Lysander Scamander is a former student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He made his debut four years ago when responding to the Daily Prophet's prejudice against vampires and ultimately succeeded in his mission alongside his brother to give vampires a right to a Hogwarts education.

"Allow me to show you why I was considered a smart person at Lady Elizabeth Boarding School," Simon said. "People write according to their own biases. Of course the Reservation throws themselves up. The day they're considered popular, even by fanatics like you, Proxy, would be the day hell freezes over. They're just writing for themselves and since the second war, the only thing that actually prints the truth is The Quibbler. That is why you should've chucked it. Huh… I quite like Lysander now."

"Well, thanks so much," Lysander said brightly, who just passed.

Christmas day came and went and the more days passed as December froze into January, the more it became clear that Simon was right. The Quibbler seemed to have the right of it. The Reservation's ship had sent every piece of magic it possessed at Hogwarts and nothing got through before the ship came under attack once again from Arsenal members hiding in Hogsmeade. There was a brief scare when someone- probably Rojer if Harry was right (and considering the object he had, he probably was-) forced the Hogsmeade protections down but they were erected once again by Incommodo's power. Many had died but the defenses held and the ship was forced to leave before too much damage could be done. It was further noted that Dubium was displeased with how things were going. The fall of the Ministry did not seem to have led him anywhere, despite promises and assurances in the newspaper.

What comforted Albus was that no more was said of his father, aunt and uncle except that they were on board and supposedly captured. This meant Albus and Lily were the subjects of much whispering but nobody seemed to be giving any grief about it. More like sympathy.This did not mean that everything had settled down though. As the Reservation had promised, they declared their war against the Muggle populace, meaning London was a battlefield and if the war ever ended, a lot of memories would have to be modified.

Something was odd though. Students of known DA members were being questioned and Incommodo did not look pleased that the Muggle world was fighting. It meant something. Lex's torture of Seth was not just the product of anger and Rojer's questioning of Scorpius and Lucy one day was not the product of totalitarianism. Incommodo had not known that the Muggle world would fight as The Quibbler suggested. That, Albus guessed, was the DA's plot. The DA informed the Muggle Prime Minister and that was done without Incommodo' knowledge.

"Leave then," Rojer told Scorpius calmly as he kicked him and Lucy out. "And don't come back unless you have real information to share."

Not only was London a battlefield, news started coming in from plenty of other areas and even the fields of Wiltshire that the Reservation was widening its assault. It seemed the entire country was under an outright attack and the assault was vicious. Albus would've been tossing and turning if it wasn't for the news coming in from Hogsmeade that the Muggle Army was defending against the juggernaut that the Reservation formed and somehow bypassing Muggle-repellants. Albus guessed at least one Wizard was aiding them.

Dozens of witches and wizards fled for the safety of Hogsmeade which still had the protections the Ministry provided. There, of course were rumors that the Arsenal of Education was meeting them in battle and Albus noticed in his frequent map scans that Rojer was missing many times. Plenty of students noted to be part of the Hogwarts Guard were missing from the castle too. Fauna was missing at times, Laura Creevey had disappeared at one point or another, Mark and Aries had left, even the Wallaby twins disappeared, and Albus was quite worried when Scorpius vanished too, presumably to see his mother but judging by his return with a light scratch on his cheek, Albus knew he had done some fighting.

Albus wished he could stop them but he was met with very stiff defensive remarks from Fauna when he asked her to stay safe. "Stay safe? The entire Wizarding world is unsafe and I'm supposed to stay safe? Are you nuts?" And she walked away, muttering about cowards and Slytherins. Another worried soul seemed to be Simon, who fidgeted a lot lately as they waited in the Room of Requirement for Hugo to return when news about an attack on Ottery St. Catchpole came out. Attacks in London grew closer to West End where Simon's old boarding school once was.

"It's just a school Simon," Proxima said reasonably. "You're not even there anymore and the students will have gone by now."

"It's a boarding school," Simon sighed. "It's hard to explain but… it was like my home away from home. These places become really special to you. I was actually well loved over there." He sighed, "I dunno. You wouldn't understand. Most Muggle kids want to see the school go down anyway. I don't. Especially when it's practically the reason why I was always well fed, always treated as a smart kid, with respect which is more than I can say for my life here."

"What? I treat you with respect!" Proxima said defensively. "I stayed true to my side, I"-

"Respect should be a given, not earned"-

"Sorry, Simon, but no, my respect is earned," Proxima told him. "And precious few people managed. Now get your head out of the clouds and think about problems a little closer to home. They're not taking Hogwarts, that's the end of it."

Albus looked back down at the map and saw that Hugo's dot was still missing. In fact, the dots of him, Rose, Lucy, and Roxanne were missing. Albus frantically searched the map for Lily but she was safe in her dormitory and so, thankfully, was Alex and Eric. Hugo was the first to fall through the portrait.

Albus sighed in relief, "What the hell, man?"

"Hugo got bothered when Ottery St. Catchpole was under attack," Lucy sighed. "I went to help grandma and granddad Weasley get the people to safety. Rosie was in the Burrow. I dunno what the hell she was doing there, napping. Idiot. I briefly fought them but we really fight from hidden places. To them, it's like spells flying from midair. It's a technique the DA developed."

"Did- did you sav"-

"We saved it," Lucy said. "After hours of fighting. The news called it heroism but they won't mention the Weasley family by name. Muggles take the credit because somehow, they got past the Muggle-repelling Charms."

"Lo-Louis and Fred, they- they were also there," Hugo gasped for air. "We- we needed to defend our home."

"That's for adults to do," Rose told him from a bundle of blankets she was resting against. "You could've asked me."

"Yeah, no, you're incapacitated," Hugo told her bitterly. "You didn't think about going until I went."

"I was busy,"-

"Being expelled? Sleeping? It should've been a given!" Hugo yelled before stalking off.

Rose looked hurt, looking very much like she wanted to say something but did not. Albus watched him go as Lucy and Roxanne also stalked past them. Lucy looked unhurt but Roxanne sported a swelling bauble on her shoulder. "My brother is going to get himself killed one of these days," she said miserably. "What am I going to do with him?"

"Same as me," Albus sighed. It was time, without a doubt, to call another meeting. If they all kept leaving he school to fight, someone would end up dead and Albus was not about to wait for that to happen.

Albus later felt very grateful the Guard meeting was called earlier instead of later but he found it much more difficult to get the word around. With Seth- his main source of spreading- expelled, Albus' capabilities were limited. Even Neil could not do it anymore. Neil settled himself against a wall beside Sierra, sitting on his bottom with his knees facing up, staring ahead as if in part shock. Albus did not know what was going on with him but at least he took Sierra up on her offer and saw her more often. After half an hour of waiting, Neil curled up and slept quietly. Now Albus knew his story, he could not exactly question why. Perhaps he was happier sleeping.

The wait was long enough, Albus was grateful it was the weekend. He saw Maria come in first with a small phial in hand and make her way to Cherry and Lancet, who was making a strange noise. Mark was trying to perform a spell on Lancet to wake up but the boy seemed unresponsive. Maria sighed, "Spells can't undo what Alchemy does. You'd need something more real. Like this"-

"Spells are real," Mark muttered. "I don't need Alchemy."

"Mark"-

"I need actual magic," Mark continued.

"You'd need"-

"You're good at Alchemy, I'm good at spells," Mark growled at her. "Spells have undone the Dark Arts plenty of times. You're just ignorant to how they work."

"Tell that to the Killing Curse," she yawned.

"I don't have to, Harry Potter beat me to it!" Mark snapped back. "Who beat Voldemort who was- by the way- brought back by Alchemy. So, shut up and let me work."

Albus could not tell if Maria was hurt or not, she just watched quietly as Mark worked his magic on Lancet. Cherry was holding her brother's clammy hand. Albus was on the point of looking back to the door when Lancet gave out a small mutter. Mark sighed in relief and looked up, "Now, you can give me that Alchemical- this is a Potion, genius!"

"That's what I was trying to tell you," Maria shot in a childish way. "Professor Nott whipped up for me. It's Wolfsbane and I mixed it with an Alchemical concoction to remove internal combative forces. A poison-killer that beats any antidote. Those two mixed together would probably save him."

"Probably?"

"And probably kill him," she added. "But it's a worth a try if he's dead either way."

"Do it!" Cherry commanded.

Mark rolled his eyes as Maria downed the concoction mixed with the Potion. Lancet's body did seem to react. It was convulsing against itself but color seemed to return to it. It was no longer pale but its usual color. He seemed to be muttering again, as if trying to wake up, and Cherry was urging him on. Maria backed off while Mark performed a last bout of magic on him, watching intently. Albus' attention was on him too, mind off the Guard members who were beginning to file in. He hoped it worked, for Lancet's sake.

Finally, Lancet spluttered out some red liquid. It did not look like blood. Those already in the room, who still did not number too much, exclaimed their surprise as Lancet got up. He was being embraced by Cherry as Mark conjured some water for him. Lancet accepted the drink but it did not seem to help. Lancet muttered, "Still thirsty."

Mark made to conjure up more but Maria grabbed his hand, "You're going to bloat him. He said he's still thirsty, that means water does not help. He needs something else. Blood, maybe."

"But you got rid of the vampirism," Mark exclaimed to Nate's raised eyebrows.

"We don't know that," Riley muttered, staring at Lancet interestedly. "He still seems alive, his heart is beating, but he still needs blood. Try animals and see what happens."

Mark sighed and turned away, ignoring Lancet's words of thanks. He glumly sat in a corner, ignoring Maria who followed him to try and talk to him. For one hour, they talked to Lancet. Some multiplied some food they had but no amount of fruits, vegetables, or water seemed to satisfy hunger or thirst. It was quickly becoming a mystery what Lancet would eat. The Guard was taking a while to show up too, ad those that did were immediately taken by the development in Lancet's case. Albus took up to reading his book in the spare time he had.

Alchemy

Alchemy is generally but not entirely considered Dark Magic to the highest degree, second only to soul mutation. Alchemy is concerned directly with the healing of injuries and conjuration of any sort of metal as well as different body parts to be replaced if one goes bad. This all leads to the higher goal of an Alchemist, the Philosopher's Stone, which is said to turn any metal into pure gold as well as produce the Elixir of Life to grant immortality to those who drink it. Alchemy differs from Potions in the respect that Potions tend to change whereas Alchemy can create. Creation vs. Change has been the forefront of Alchemist/Potions debates for centuries which is why very few witches ad wizards adopt both, something required in the making of a Stone.

Alchemy's beginnings are debated but most Dark Arts theorists agree it was thought up in Greece during its Muggle occupation of Egypt. Known as Al Kheemia, it was directly concerned with the production of the Elixir of Life. Upon the rise of the British Empire, it was named the official title, Alchemy. Wizard and Muggle alike were concerned with such a substance. Together, Wizards and Muggles managed to mix the elements together to create what was first used for healing. This gave rise to something called Muggle medicine. Beginning to think that the Elixir was only a myth, Muggles split from the Wizards in the Great Alchemical Divide. The Muggles took up Chemistry while witches and wizards continued studying Alchemy, giving enormous contributions to Potions and Magic in general.

A basic part of any Alchemical concoction is the mixture of pure water. This aspect is considered Dark Magic as it requires mixing basic natural elements known even to Muggles, namely hydrogen and oxygen, and mutating the elements of the world is considered dangerous to the environment and dangerous to life in general.

In the 1370's, noted Alchemist Nicolas Flamel became famous for being the first one to actually create the coveted Philosopher's Stone. Tensions ran high and many came close to murder before Flamel made public the ingredients required. The Elixir of Life became known as a cursed drink from then on for its inclusion of Unicorn blood and human blood, not to mention organs that repulsed even Muggles who knew of it at the time. The Elixir itself was also revealed to be compatible only to the ones who made it, meaning stealing it was useless. Flamel went into seclusion with his wife. It was said he began regretting delving into Alchemy in his later years and even took up Tenpin Bowling with fellow Alchemist and Professor Albus Dumbledore. From then on, Alchemy left the Stone behind and started dealing more with healing.

Modern Alchemy is used for one basic endpoint, healing. Alchemy is generally able to heal any physical injury, be it a limb cursed off with Dark Magic or scars left for a long while. Because of the ingredients which are questionable at best, the regrowing of limbs is considered Dark Magic and rarely used except in secret. The most famous, recent case of rejecting Alchemy is by late British Ex-Auror Alastor Moody who rejected Alchemy from healing his many scars acquired from battle in the first war against Voldemort. From then, Alchemy took up an underground work but many laughed at the little-know quest for his immortality, saying for all intents and purposes, creating an artificial body, itself an Alchemical concoction, is immortality in and of itself.

That said, Alchemists tend to keep the body looking young even while it decays behind the young façade. Alchemy's greatest failure was considered to be in 1875 when a few managed to delay death upon the Killing Curse. A basic concoction, if drunk, keeps the heart and brain working but the soul is nonetheless expelled. This puts the victim into a coma. No one has yet survived such a coma as no Potion can be drunk to bring the expelled soul back in.

Albus put the book away once people started coming in, Neil snapped awake like he was on automatic. He blinked several times and sat up, rubbing his eyes groggily and staring at them in turn.

The Guard had grown larger since it was founded and that was in spite of the defections it suffered upon the graduation of its oldest members the year before, and the deaths it suffered over the past two years. Walter, Molly, James, Daniel, Samuel and Samantha had given their lives, though admittedly the latter had destroyed herself in her relentless pursuit of revenge. Now, the students left were many but more tight-knit and loyal to each other. Upon seeing them, Albus trusted each and every one of them. Even in Seth, who was reluctantly let back in, Albus sensed no traitorous intent. They were all in it to defend Hogwarts and beat the Reservation and later the Arsenal.

Aries walked in first, the Enchanter's Princess, and behind her were the girls from her dormitory, Laura and Fauna, both of whom took seats beside Rose. Alexis came in and sat beside Alexander. Scorpius Malfoy, Albus' very best friend walked in beside Mark and the twins, all three of whom looked rather forlorn and separated from the main group. Albus' cousin and sister walked in next, Hugo and Lily, and beside them was Fora and Kabe Vulneroman. Beside Fora was Frank Longbottom who was beside his sister Alice. Roxanne took a seat next and the room grew larger as Simon, Sophie, Alpha, Proxima, Gabriel, Lucy, Riley and Nate walked in. Lorcan and Lysander sat quietly, still silent from the ordeals they suffered. Pierre Macmillan came next beside Cherry Goal. Lastly, the most unwilling members showed up, Melvin and Morpheus Ollivander, the latter whom had a flank of light blue hair and Maria Prince. The youngest member, Lancet, was still leaning against his sister, Cherry.

Seeing all the students there, talking amongst themselves, even seeing Neil answer a question or two from Alexander, watching as Aries and Laura caught up with Rose who had been expelled, Albus realized something he should have realized a while ago. He loved them all. The Guard had become more than a group dedicated to seeing the Arsenal expelled from Hogwarts, it had become a social circle of students, young and old, truly friends talking either lightheartedly or about serious stuff, smiling as Gabriel and Nate were doing, hugging like what Alexis and Alexander were doing, some whooping in laughter as they waited for Albus to say something. And he knew he had to. It was important he addressed the students leaving to fight.

"Ok, so, things have been happening lately and since everyone's been acting, I decided to talk about this," Albus started. He wished James was here. If only to see how much Albus finally grew into the role.

"Acting what?" Alpha asked, laying back against the wall which held the passage portrait. "What're we doing?"

Alpha looked innocent enough, but Albus notice some members had guilty expressions which suggested that they knew exactly what he was talking about. It was Lorcan who spoke up, "They defended whatever is important to them, like we defended the Lovegood tower when it was attacked."

"But why?" Rose said incredulously. "We're still kids, we're in school"-

"Actually, some of us are expelled," Lysander said casually.

"Yes, and with plenty more on the way," Eric agreed. "Incommodo wouldn't complain. He wants us out there. He wants a reason for us to be expelled. Odds are this entire group will find itself in this room before long and then it wouldn't matter."

"It's dangerous!"

"Didn't stop Louis or Fred," Hugo told her. "They're only few months out of school and they're practically DA members!"

"Hugo"-

"What about Molly?" Lucy asked Rose from beside Scorpius who was remaining silent. "Nothing stopped her."

"Exactly," Rose reminded. "What about her? What happened to her, Lucy? Do you remember? Do you remember how easy it was? How easily it could've been Eric or Hugo?"

"So, what, you're afraid to die?" Alex asked her calmly. "Mark and I had to defend Somerset because it was our childhood home and the place of the Wallader and Wallaby residences. It's our home. If your home is attacked, what would you do?"

"Who doesn't want to live?" Rose asked back calmly, addressing his points calmly and rationally this time. "We're not even in our twenties, yet. We're practically kids and adults are out there fighting this war. More experienced adults who have knowledge and expertise with this sort of thing. Do you really think Harry Potter is incapable?"

"Harry Potter had the DA fight Voldemort when they were kids like us," Mark told her incredulously.

"It didn't make him right," Rose yelled back. "This is abuse, sending kids into war like that, it's murder!"

"Who sent kids?" Eric asked her. "Who? We sent ourselves! We heard there was an attack on the Wireless, we went over, we fought, and we defended it. Sometimes we succeeded, sometimes we failed but we damn well will try. These people are out to get us. They want us all dead, some things are just more important than school or proving that Hogwarts is a brilliant school."

"Don't bother, Eric," Scorpius sighed from beside Lucy. He glance shortly at Albus and again at Rose. "Rosie isn't good at understanding other people's viewpoints very well," he said, making Rose go red. "Even I've had to leave."

"What happened?" Albus asked. He knew the Malfoy Manor was probably the second most secure place at that time. Why would Scorpius have to leave? If the Manor was attacked already, it would not bode very well.

"Some Reservation members managed to infiltrate Malfoy Manor," Scorpius said simply. "Used a passageway into my room after Rojer broke the shields over it. Since I knew it best, my parents called me over and had me seal it up. It had to happen and they're not done. We're an undecided, disloyal Pure-blood family all about the Dark Arts. Grandfather defected from the Ministry, Father switched to the Arsenal, and I'm a Guard member. They're after our influence. We have a lot of money, we could be their backbone if we wanted to. And they know it. Aramaster will have told them."

"So, everyone is admitting that they're actually going out there fighting?" Albus asked. A part of him was worried but the other part was rather impressed. "How did you survive? This is Reservation."

"We fight from places with Invisibility Charms cast on them," Fauna said. "Godric's Hollow has loads of them. In the church, the park, the riverside bank off the east end, the Potter house monument, and most Wizarding households had these Charms to add to the tactics the DA adopted. That doesn't count the army running in to defend the Muggle populace."

"Surprisingly effective too," Pierre Macmillan said.

"How is it surprisingly effective?" Simon challenged. "Muggles have anti-aircraft missiles. We can hit that ship in our sleep."

"Simon," Proxima said, nudging him shortly. "Can your little missiles get through magical shields? I thought not."

Simon did not argue it further but he did go quiet. Those who did fight, namely Scorpius, Hugo, Lucy, Roxanne, Laura, Mark, Aries, and Alex and Eric looked at him. "The point, Al, is that some of us don't feel secure enough or justified in staying put while our parents are getting themselves killed," Mark said.

"I still think it's pretty dumb," Alexander spoke up.

"You wouldn't understand," Mark waved off.

"Yes, he would," Alexis said defensively. "Alexander would understand. Rosie is right, ("thank you," Rose muttered) we were founded to defend Hogwarts, not to go out and fight people who can kill us in a heartbeat. We were founded to defend the basic right to a Wizarding education, a right Incommodo is right now stepping on and we're not doing anything about it. The Arsenal has moved in, they're looking for two of our number," she added glancing at Seth who was staring down casually like the conversation did not concern him in the slightest. "And we're not doing anything."

"We've fought the Reservation last year," Frank said pointedly, laying back with a contended smile. "And it worked, didn't it? We beat them and most of us lived."

"No," a small voice said and Albus looked at Neil Nott. "James died."

"The only reason we didn't die was because Phoenix and Era protected us," Albus reminded them. "They died protecting us. And because the Reservation were focused on killing the staff members. Otherwise, we all would've died."

"I'm sorry but I don't buy that," Frank said arrogantly. "You guys fought in Hogsmeade, I don't remember that being part of Hogwarts. We fought the Reservation twice and broke the siege on the castle and kicked them out. We're a fortified castle and they can't take over, but we can take the fight to the enemy. And we've become so experienced with that same enemy, we can beat them. And who says we can't? The DA beat the Death Eaters in the Department of Mysteries. I say we can beat the Reservation all over Great Britain and we will!"

So impassioned was Frank's plea, half the Guard clapped him on and he took a bow. Melvin on the other hand glare at them and said, loudly and angrily, "So, you want to die. That's it, you've given up, you're all cowards, running away from a danger here and fighting a group that'll kill you like they're slaughtering fighting Muggles. We're kids!"

Everyone stared at him. "Cowards," Proxima said bemusedly. "You want enemies, don't you, Melvin?"

"Grandfather told us to flee," Morpheus told them. Who had to be one of the youngest students in the school and the only Metamorphmagus, was speaking up. "Our home was attacked in Diagon Alley before the year even started. It was the first target and we were told to get out. Our parents are worried sick about us now we're here and they're locked out of the country."

"What do you think your p-parents would say?" Melvin asked. "They'd tell you to get the hell out and save yourselves, allow yourselves to grow up and live. And you're throwing all that aside so you can show off some stupid bravery. There's a line between bravery and utter stupidity."

"Hence my words to Mark when he ran off to Somerset," Maria said casually. "Some of us are smarter than that."

"It's not about being smart, it's being tactical," Alexis said.

"We did do things, guys," Albus told them, and he got up. He had a point to make now and it was important they got it… even if they did ultimately ignore him. "Who kicked Rojer from the school? Who saved countless students from expulsion? Who evacuated Hogsmeade when we knew there would be an attack? Who- who researched, spread knowledge about, and found the Relics and their Heirs? We did." Alexander had a smile on his face, a childish dimple on his cheek as he listened. Others were looking down solemnly. "The Arsenal was our first enemy, and they're here stronger than ever and we're ignoring them because we're too busy with the Reservation."

"Ultimately, the Reservation will fall and the Arsenal will be stronger than ever," Alpha said intelligently. "Let the DA deal with the Reservation."

"It's not just the Reservation!" Melvin yelled. "They have Werewolves, Goblins, Necram… and if you think the Centaurs will stay out of this then you're an idiot."

"Ok, Melvin, they're all powerful, what's your point?" Kabe demanded.

"We're dead!" Melvin said bitterly. "We're sitting ducks."

"All the more reason to go down fighting them!" Frank retorted angrily.

"The Centaurs are on our side," Lysander said with a smirk.

"Yes, we've made a good enough deal," Aries said. "And that was I who did that. A Guard member. We're needed elsewhere. We can effect things from behind."

"That's the point," Seth said quietly, looking at them all. Some fixed him with suspicious looks and many with looks of loathing. "Every society has an underworld. The Muggles have crime lords and illegal dealers, and we have spies and rats. The biggest mistake every Minister made was ignoring their underworlds. Ignoring the hive that was Knockturn Alley, the festering of crime and murders in other places, and now that Underworld has completely taken over. Well, now we're the underworld. We've affected things by stealing papers, spreading information, acting as a basic underground spy network, sometimes fighting but never recklessly or stupidly. We didn't find the Heirs or Relics by fighting, we gave ourselves a fighting chance by researching and using our information. We can wipe out an entire army with information. And you asked last year why I kill people? Because these people deserved it and I'm the only one of you suckers man enough to do what has to be done because our enemy isn't going to give it up by facing Stunners. They're going to go down fighting to the last man."

"That's what makes us different from them," Mark told Seth. "That we don't kill so easily. Kill Dubium, be my guest, but once he's down, we win, especially over something like them. Kill the Praetor, and what happens, Seth? Care to tell? You become the new Praetor. They're easily taken down. Lose the Head, the body dies. It's easy. So, you just go way over the top because killing a few Reservation members isn't going to weaken them or intimidate them. They'll just replace them like they did in Diagon Alley and become stronger, rendering your tactic null and void."

This time, even Melvin clapped Mark on as the blonde boy went red and folded his arms. Aries actually smirked this time, "Seth is right about one thing. We are the underworld and I'm with Al. We're meant to fight the Arsenal here. When the Death Eaters took over Hogwarts, Potter may have gone off on a Horcrux hunt but it was the DA who held the fort here and recruited members and freed detained students, gave expelled students a chance and made the school better for everyone. Herpo has taken over now. Things are going to get worse. We have a job here."

"And guys… if we have to fight outside Hogwarts, why not tell the rest of the Guard first?" Albus asked simply. "We're a team, aren't we? Our job is here if you feel we should be somewhere, tell us before running off. Imagine the uproar if you died out there."

"I'm sorry, Rosie," Hugo mumbled.

Rose just screwed her face against tears and hugged Hugo tightly. Then, Cherry started shifting. Lancet was twiddling his thumbs beside her. Cherry handed Nate a rolled up piece of parchment, clearing her throat. One look and Gabriel said, "It's not as horrible as you think. We're losing but we're not being massacred."

"Check this out," Cherry said to Nate. They looked at the unrolled piece of what looked like an article. The Guard stared for a while before Gabriel smirked, "Hey, erm… who was the idiot who said that the Muggles were ineffective? And who said the Centaurs were against us? Because… someone clearly disagrees with you and would like to pick a bone with you suckers. Any takers?"

"I said that," Proxima said haughtily. "And excuse me, but the ship is magically protected."

"Sure… but Reservation members are not ship," Nate said with a wide smirk. "They're people. Like you and I."

"Well, mainly just Proxy, you're half vampire which basically makes you half dead," Gabriel said mockingly.

"I said the Centaurs are against us," Melvin said curiously.

Cherry set the parchment down for whoever wanted to read it. Albus widened his eyes at the headline itself but Lily was the one who read it aloud. And it basically set the tone for the rest of their conversation.

Daily Quibble- Reservation Repelled: Centaurs Take Sides

The joint effort of the Dumbledore's Army and the Arsenal of Education has gained another ally against the Reservation last night following the attack on Somerset. The Prime Minister announced late last night that the defense of Somerset has yielded the fist success the allied factions have seen against the Reservation. Many attribute this not to a turning of the tide but to the surprise entry of a faction many believed were not getting involved. None know why the Centaurs rushed in and rumors spread that they have a hidden agenda, perhaps hoping to use the land liberated as new forests. Some believe that the Centaurs just saw the need for action as they did in the Second War and others are convinced something happened behind the scenes to ensure their participation for better or worse. Residents are nonetheless grateful for their help as efforts are being taken to modify the memories of the people of Somerset with the Minister himself ordering major protecting similar to Hogsmeade, which thus far has proven effective, to be placed on the area as Muggles who live there are temporarily being relocated to a safer area while the Royal Air Force pursues other areas taken over. In other news, the Reservation has continued their assault on London, moving closer and closer to the richer areas of West End as their attempts to poison the Muggle irrigation system and wells have borne no fruit which many attribute to counter-action taken by the DA. The defense of London is ongoing as its fall for mark the fall of the country itself.

The Hogwarts Guard did reluctantly agree to stay put and allow the DA to fight back, something Albus was very grateful for. For one thing, Melvin for once seemed much easier about things and Rose for once relaxed. Albus of course understood much more than they did. The Centaurs had gotten involved because Apollo had sent them. Aries' little brother, like the rest of the Guard, also worked behind the scenes and saw the changing and shifting of factors as the war went on. Albus hoped he survived the war. He would make for an excellent hero, not that even that could make him happy. Albus could see why someone who saw the future in such bleak times would be unhappy inside, especially if he knew the date of his own death.

The assault on London had slowed as the Reservation focused on trying to break the defenses around Somerset. Mors Incommodo and the Ancient Runes Professor Symphony Sorrow both disappeared from the school for a week during the holidays, making Albus think that he was reinforcing the defenses. Sorrow, he Aries guessed, was placing Rune Spells on areas to add to the protections against the Reservation. The fact that the Reservation was still trying meant that it was nonetheless possible to break in. Albus, of course, found himself half-hoping that Incommodo would die defending a random place in England and Hogwarts would be safer but alas, he returned in time for the term to begin.

The Astronomy Tower…

"Isn't it incredible," Incommodo muttered to Lex, Nott and Rojer. "You hold all the power in the Wizarding world and yet… they constantly defy you. It seems no one is interested in a quality education, in power and influence, as I constantly offer them. A single student sways the minds of the entire school, articles defaming me are passed daily and the students are always a step ahead."

"It's as I continue telling you," Rojer muttered, standing beside him. "Whether you try to appease the parents or not, rebellion is inevitable."

"Correct," Lex said, sporting an injury from the fight against Seth. "As Herpo, you never cared for appeasing others. If the world has changed too much, the best way is to destroy it… and rebuild it in your image."

"Which ultimately means destroying the very school I have tried to protect," Incommodo said quietly, his whisper almost deathly.

"A necessary sacrifice," Rojer argued.

"No," Incommodo said. "No, to sacrifice my future army would destroy me. It would take centuries to build without a ready-made training ground here. However, to rid this infernal school of the useless plagues that infest it… that is another thing. Rojer, names."

"Cherry Goal," he said apathetically. "Sister of Lancet Goal. The boy's fate is unknown. Laura Creevey, sister of late Colin N. Creevey, generally useless in most areas of magic. I've long advocated expelling her. Eric Wallaby, twin of Alex Wallaby. They are the sons of the Aurors you killed years back. It led to the demise of Harriet and Barbara when he was getting wise to your game. Gabriel Dagger and Nate Blackberry, both pranksters and the last to be in those hallowed halls. Expelling them will rid you of the core of all trickery and playthings in this school."

Incommodo watched the grounds silently as Rojer continued. "All of them, I believe, are also members of Potter's little gang. It has thus far proven impossible to get too many names. And these students…" Rojer handed him a list of thirteen students, "Have all failed countless examinations including the midterm tests."

Incommodo studied the list and the grades. They were ferociously low, most of them earning T's in most examinations. He was defied at every turn, he worked to expel those who cared nothing for the school, worked to destroy those who would see it destroyed and this was what they had to show for their work. He came so close, so close to destroying the rebellion at their core, wherever they were, and what happened? A boy did underage magic and nearly destroyed him. He was in nothingness. Like he died and came back to life. And he discovered that what happened was a powerful bout of underage sorcery, sorcery that little Neil Nott was capable of, sorcery that little Neil Nott expelled himself over. None cared. The fury emanating from Incommodo was terrifying. "Kill them."

Theodore Nott, who had been silent thus far, blinked, "What?"

"Kill them all," Incommodo said, handing the list back to him. "Kill the students outside this rebellious group first, make the group see what happens if they continue crossing me. After they're dead, turn on the rowdies who think they can kick me out. They will reveal the names of all in the group or suffer the same fate."

Nott said, "The parents, sir"-

"Silence them by any means necessary," Incommodo waved off. "I want those students dead. And if this does not work, we will prepare for a massacre… on this school itself. Aim to hurt rather than kill, and the more students are attacked, the more this rebellion will show itself. Now, go."

"Sir"- Nott tried saying.

"Go."

"Sir, I must"-

"GO!" Incommodo screamed. "AND KILL THEM ALL!"

Later…

Halfway through January, Albus woke up to bad news late the next morning. Scorpius looked very solemn and shifty as he fixed Albus with a beady eye just as Albus opened his curtains. Albus' stomach sank as Scorpius sighed with a sad look.

Albus' stomach sank further. Just when he woke up? "What time is it?" he asked warily.

"Ten," Scorpius said, looking at his watch.

Riley walked in, also seeming a little on edge as he tore through his bags hurriedly. Scorpius watched him with apologetic eyes as Riley seized a long tape from his bag and sped out in a blur. Albus could only guess just some of the bad news but he had to watch once again as Riley ran back in, seized his whole bag and ran off again before asking timidly what had happened.

"More students were expelled," Scorpius said. "Incommodo did exactly what he wanted. Anyone who failed more than two examinations are expelled, except Gabriel and Nate who only failed one each. They're expelled because they made a fool of the last Dueling tournament round."

"So… who is expelled, then?" Albus asked, not wanting to hear the answer.

"Of the Guard," Scorpius asked. "Laura, Eric, Cherry, Gabriel and Nate. The rest are students who we don't know. They number about a dozen though. And the worst part is, we can't save them. Incommodo is escorting them to Hogsmeade personally for parents to pick them up."