The Crossroads of Fate
Chapter 24: The Forgotten Memory
A/N: Hi, all. Before we get to this chapter, I'm going to be open and frank. Firstly, on a light note, the Aries flashback is due soon. I meant to post it alongside this chapter but it has proven difficult to write. I procrastinated so long and after writing an unacceptably short chapter on Lycah earlier, I want to do Aries justice. So, I'm taking a bit longer to make sure I do it right. Second, we go to this story. The next seven chapters (you can probably guess their names) are meant to build up to the major climax. This means we've finally gotten there. The first half of this book built up to the halfway point that we've now crossed. The next half is officially building up to the climax and the aftermath/ending which spans a few chapters. The chapters are named accordingly so it'll be easy to know exactly when the climax will take place. Consider this like a countdown. Now, without further ado…
The Astronomy tower…
"It is unfortunate you chose to ally yourself with those who were always on a path to death," Incommodo said in a quiet voice. Mark was standing a little behind him, still quiet, not saying a word. He hoped Incommodo accepted his offer. "The war is set to be won by me. The Muggle populace may have gotten involved against the Reservation and this is only weakening the DA, and weakening their future effort against me. I, in the meantime, stay on the sidelines, watching them destroy each other. Hogwarts is protected, no efforts can be made against it."
"And the Guard," Mark said in a low voice. "They'll continue."
"Yes, but as soon as Potter is captured, his son will reveal to me everything," Incommodo suggested. "I have seriously considered using you as bait against him. Why should I not?"
"Because… I can bring him to you," Mark offered desperately. "Potter. Albus Potter, I can bring him. Level whatever threat you want."
"Oh, you may bring him, but threatening him is not what I had in mind, your sister proposed something far better," Incommodo refuted.
"My- what?"
"Did you know that Albus Potter is playing host to a second soul?" Incommodo told Mark.
What? Mark said nothing. He couldn't. He knew Albus had used Dark Magic but- to actually have a second soul. The disgusting piece of magic Soto taught them. He sunk to a new low if that was true. He said nothing. He let Incommodo speak on.
"I discovered this last summer," Incommodo informed him. "Attempted his life and instead, he survived. Upon another attempt, it became clear he is playing host to a second soul. My useful spy against the Reservation, Rojer Selwyn, informs me that his second soul is in fact the Dark Lord Voldemort, having evolved from a mere sliver of an essence. That is Dark Magic of the type only I have ever used. It is because of this Potter will either enter into a partnership with me, thus handing me more power than before, or he will watch someone die a slow, painful death. Who should that someone be?"
Mark gulped. "I'll bring him. Al intends to stay hidden. I'll bring him."
"Where does he reside?"
Mark opened his mouth to speak but his throat constricted. He could only say, "Seventh floor. Somewhere there."
"Very well," Incommodo considered him. "Join your sister waiting for you outside. She will fill you in. Bring Potter to me and should you partake in a torture session of him, I will consider letting you into my ranks."
Hogwarts…
Albus did not intend to share with anyone what deal he made with Seth. He knew he was being unfair but he also knew that if push came to shove and the only way to win the war was through Albus' death, few would let him die. He was being fair, in his opinion. No one seemed to have a plan in mind to defeat Incommodo or the Reservation. At least through Albus' plan, Incommodo would be beaten without warfare and the Reservation would be beaten with no sacrifices. Seth was absent most of the time now, and so was Maria. The two were talking alone in the bungalow, neither sharing with the rest of the Guard what they were talking about. Judging by the stares Maria gave Albus though, Albus had a feeling he knew what it was about.
Sometimes, Seth actually failed to return at night. Albus was beginning to worry. Albus often studied in the Common room alone or with Scorpius. Lucy was there sometimes and Albus was forced to avoid Alexis' worried looks. He knew she was crying alone. He wanted to hug her. Sierra was alone, talking quietly with Sophie Far, presumably about Seth who was nowhere to be seen. Seth was absent from a lot of the events as classes went on throughout the shortest month of the year. Seth had effectively left Hogwarts, spending more time in the bungalow. Mark and Maria were talking more quietly than ever, shooting him very strange looks. It made Albus feel uncomfortable.
Throughout February, the other members of the Guard kept up the fight against the Arsenal. Albus remembered sitting through a Dark Arts lecture with Draco, who was taking them through the finer points of defense against the Cruciatus Curse when two expelled students burst into the class followed by Lancet. Gabriel and Lysander had rushed in under diversion of fireworks both inside and outside the classroom, all provided by Lancet himself. Draco tried blocking them off but that cost him seconds he could've used capturing them. All papers were summoned, torn, enflamed and in a minute, all three had left. Draco rushed from the classroom to the amusement of all to catch them but when he returned five minutes later, it became clear he had failed.
Meanwhile, Gabriel got himself into a scuffle with Zandar Lex who spotted him stealing test papers from a fourth year class. Albus would not have expected it but Gabriel got away with the papers, disrupting the class. Lex was in a foul mood the rest of that day and Gabriel was grinning all over, hidden safely in the Room of Requirement. Those who were still in school like Albus and Riley knew that Lex was out for Gabriel, blaming him for everything that went wrong under Incommodo's nose since he was responsible for two events by that time. Morpheus had actually morphed to change into Gabriel at one point just to allow himself to be caught and left in the classroom while he changed back into an innocent first year. Albus had it from Morpheus that Incommodo had been so furious with Lex for mistaking a first year student for Gabriel that he forbade him from punishing anymore students, sealing a victory for the Guard.
The one fight Aries was involved in ended up in a major victory for her and though Lex knew it was her, he was forbidden from punishing and forbidden from touching her since she was such a good student. What surprised them was when she returned to the Room of Requirement with a single scratch. Mark widened his eyes in surprise as she sat down beside him and said, "Just a scratch. It's not from a duel, actually. Some rowdy grew a field of thorns in the second floor Transfiguration corridor and they were invisible so they caught me by surprise."
"Aries, caught by surprise?" Alex said bemusedly.
"I am quite shocked at the level of invisibility magic that was cast on that field," Aries noted. "Not to mention the field itself. Those two pieces of magic had to be really powerful. I am quite impressed."
"Aries, impressed?" Alex asked again.
"Was it bleeding?" Mark asked as he conjured a cloth to clean it up.
"A little but I healed most of it," Aries waved off.
"Aries, bleeding? Who're you and what've you done with my cousin's fiancée?"
"Shut it! It's no big deal, Mark. It's not like the thorns were toxic. I checked for toxins right away."
"You sure?" Mark asked, healing it quickly enough after it was cleaned. Her skin looked as good as new but he still seemed uneasy.
"And Incommodo arrived to get rid of it quite quickly," she informed. "It's all fine, really. I do not think it's anything to worry about. Anyways, I have business to attend to so if you'll excuse me."
And without warning, she climbed through the portrait and left and not a moment too soon. Lorcan and Lysander came rushing back in, panting. "He- nearly- got- us. Wanted- me. Tried torturing me." Lorcan seemed breathless as Lysander looked around like this sort of escapade happened every other day.
"What? I thought you got in his good looks, how?" Mark exclaimed.
Lorcan shook his head. "I thought I did…"
"I guess he's expecting me to keep things going," Lysander suggested calmly. "Wanted to hold Lorcan hostage in hopes I would continue to stay quiet about him. He must suspect we know his secret."
Lorcan threw himself against the wall, "Wow. Can't wait till this war is over. I'm so taking a break."
"Yes, I do think there are plenty of creatures just waiting to be discovered," Lysander said dreamily. "I for one have found conclusive proof that the Snorkle Fairy does not exist after all."
Lorcan rolled his eyes and Albus had a feeling that one of the things Lorcan would take a break from would be his brother.
The weekend was a time for Guard members to cool off. The fights had taken a lot out of all of them, especially when Lancet had barely avoided a Killing Curse, the caster taking liberty since he was not a student. Things had gotten dangerous and serious after that and Cherry refused to partake in anything else afterwards. Albus left the Room of Requirement that night, mind reeling from the many duels that took place that day and the many things he had heard of. As Albus walked down to the dungeons just a few minutes before curfew, he jumped and gasped at the figure showing up from the shadows. It was Mark Wallader. Albus sighed in relief. "Gave me a fright, need som"-
"The Headmaster wants to see you," Mark said in a low voice. "Al… it's time."
"Time for"- Albus stopped, meeting Mark's blue eyes. The blonde boy folded his arms and Albus had a dawn of comprehension, "You know?" he asked in horror.
"Incommodo told me," Mark said lowly. His eyes seemed to sparkle with tears but he did not raise his face to meet Albus' shocked eyes. "Maria is with us. I'm- you- you lost. You lost the war so I'm choosing my own life. I'm- I'm sorry Al, but you- people like you need to- to die. You have to come with me. If you do, he'll go easy and offer you a chance. If you don't… I'll have to bring you in forcefully. I don't want to but I have to. So…"
"I'll come with you," Albus muttered. It was time, then. Incommodo could not kill him, he knew. Mark was not wise to this as Maria was. They would get the Rune drawn on and Albus would be forced to join Incommodo. Then, he would get his second soul into the Orb, and die. Albus knew it was irrational but he trusted Maria more right now. His trust in Maria was connected to his trust in Seth, who was involved in this too. Incommodo offering Albus a chance translated into the Rune being drawn. Mark just did not know.
After the Rune was drawn, Albus would say goodbye to Alexis, get rid of Voldemort's soul and let Maria present it to Incommodo for him to destroy it. After ensuring the Reservation was weakened, Albus would disappear forever. And so would the Headmaster. Even as Albus walked with Mark, he did not hate him. Mark was just pitiful. He was desperate. Albus was not even completely sure he was not playing double agent. As they were joined by Maria, who gave Albus a subtle and reassuring nod, Albus muttered to Mark, "I- I hope you live a long life, Mark."
As they reached the Astronomy tower, Mark muttered, "I hope you do too." And they ascended the Astronomy tower with Maria.
Albus' heart started beating frantically. Was this his chance? As they opened the door at the top of the tower, Albus took a deep breath. Incommodo was overlooking the battlements and the grounds below while Albus stayed behind, hand in his pocket touching his own wand. If he needed it, he'd barely be quick enough. Albus could not destroy Incommodo to any destructive point but Incommodo sure could. Albus was certain the death would be very painful indeed.
"I have an offer for you," Incommodo said suddenly. "You will henceforth on join me in my crusade to have the Dark Arts taught at Hogwarts. You will join the Arsenal of Education as part of my inner circle, and in return, I will grant you life. I will grant you the very life you seek. In spite of two souls, you may live with but one not only a full life, but an immortal, eternal life. All you need is to join me and in so doing, tell me the answers to a few questions I want to know. Are we in agreement?"
"Do it," Mark said in a low but desperate voice. "You- you have no problem performing the Dark Arts so…"
"I will," Albus muttered. "Just let Mark go in exchange."
"I- what?"
"Wallader?"
"Let him go," Albus told Incommodo. "He leaves the Arsenal, lives his own life and you swear to leave him alone till the day he dies. And I'll join you, just like you want me to. And I'm infinitely more valuable to you than Mark."
Mark and Maria met eyes and nodded. Albus did not know what they were agreeing to but Mark stepped back. Incommodo watched, considering the offer before finally saying, "Very well. Wallader, leave. You are free from the demands of the Arsenal of Education. In return, I expect full devotion and service from your sister. She is to present me with the first brew of an Alchemical concoction. I want you to reside in the Slytherin Common room at all times. You will be free to roam as soon as my crusade is finished? Clear?"
Mark lowered his head, "Yes Minister."
Mark disappeared. Albus knew he would never see him again. This time, it was the final stretch. Things were turning against Incommodo.
"Do you know what Alchemy is, Mr. Potter?" Incommodo asked, still staring over the battlements. Professor Macmillan was walking the grounds towards the gates. Albus' heart sank. He should have known. That was what Incommodo was referring to. Scorpius was telling him. "Alchemy is a very imprecise, delicate branch of the Dark Arts not taught in Hogwarts, though it should be. It is concerned primarily with the acquisition of eternal life and eternal riches. Using the elements of nature, which when manipulated is indeed considered Dark Magic as young Lean stated, you can create anything from artificial limbs to an artificial body and even a Philosopher's Stone. I want you to look back at your history with me, Mr. Potter, when was the most recent time an artificial body was created?"
"1995," Albus answered. "Flesh, blood and bone to revive Lord Voldemort."
"That, Mr. Potter, was Alchemy," Incommodo lectured. "The Dark Lord had a stroke of luck encasing his own soul into the body where most would be unable to do, suffering pain and death the second their soul leave their body. The Dark Lord gave himself an ageless body. This ageless body could still die, but it could not get ill. This ageless body would take on the properties of his own soul, hence why he rose as his old self. This is of course what I am offering. In the end, I intend to acquire my old body from Greece with the same Alchemical concoction. You will give me the information I need and I will give you the body you require to save yourself, to encase your own soul, whole and healthy into an ageless body. This is requiring nothing but the bone of your father, the flesh of your underling, and the blood of an enemy which, if we reach a happy conclusion, I will provide."
"I prefer not to," Albus said, heart still beating hard. He might have been on poor terms with his father, he was not giving up his bone or his life. And he was not becoming immortal. Still, Albus could not lose sight of the plan. The Rune needed to be drawn on him. If he intended to reclaim his body as Herpo the Foul, it needed to be drawn more than ever. Having a stable body and mind with access to two souls were just too much. That meant Albus could not refuse Incommodo so easily. "I do not want an eternal life."
"Oh? What do you want?"
"A whole life," Albus said honestly, opening up now to the Minister of all people. "To just live. With no accursed soul ruining me."
"Pathetic but if desired…" Incommodo said, staring out still. Macmillan walked out with one other somebody Albus could not make out from the darkened distance. "You will need the Black Orb. After winning the war, we will perform the procedure and remove the curse from your body. You will live under my laws afterwards. However, this is conditional. You are required to leave the rebellion against me. You are also required to give me information."
"Information…"
"I have not seen Miss Kimble lately," Incommodo noted calmly with his wispy voice. "Where has she disappeared to?"
"She's not in the main school," Albus said, confident in his truth, knowing the Room of Requirement did not count as part of the main school. "She left."
"How?"
"I don't know where she went," Albus lied, daring to look away. "But"- he met Incommodo's eyes. "She left to be with her brother. You sort of drove them into hiding so I can't tell. Isn't- isn't attacking them risky for you?"
"I require her Amulet," Incommodo said simply. "I wish to replicate it, remake it in my image. Kimble understands that sacrifices do have to be made for the greater cause," Incommodo justified. "His son has access to an enormous wealth of knowledge which, if tapped into, can grant victory to whichever side possesses him. You will hand him to me or I will be forced to take extreme measures with you."
"Professor… I don't- I mean"- Albus stammered. He did not know what to say. Incommodo would see whatever lie he spat out. Trying hard and in vain to blank his mind, he said, "I can't hide a little boy anywhere. Your teachers are all over the place. Where on earth would I hide them? The Scamanders stay in Hogsmeade, I think Rose completely disappeared, I don't know what you're talking about."
Albus did not know if Incommodo could see the lie in Albus' eyes or not. Albus was banking on an idea that perhaps, if Herpo was focused too much on keeping Mortimer's mind at bay, his Legilimency might be limited. Incommodo did seem to consider this. Albus still tried desperately to keep something else in mind. Alexis, his studies, or just a blank mind, nothing to keep. Finally, Incommodo looked away and back out of the tower. "It seems we will be having company."
"Oh?" Incommodo had both wands out. His Scepter was still hidden which was of some relief to Albus. If he intended on killing him, the Scepter would definitely have been taken out. If Incommodo did what Albus hoped, the man would be too mentally weakened to use it. Incommodo had another idea and Albus knew what it was and raised his own wand just as Incommodo cried, "Legilimens!"
"Geminus Contego!"
Albus was not sure what happened, but he guessed the Contego shield, which was said to reflect most spells back with double their original power. He had indeed rebounded the spell. Albus felt his mind weakening slightly but it was not his own memories he had seen but Incommodo's.
Albus saw Herpo the Foul sitting over a large, black cauldron. It was bubbling greenish water but no fire was lit underneath. Herpo had taken a wand from the Scepter and waved it over, trying to create something. Albus did not know what he was doing but he seemed to be changing up the elemental composition of the cauldron based on his mutterings. "Lead… lead… and we add obsidian rock…" Herpo cursed as he threw a shield up just in time. The cauldron had blown up and the shack he'd been in collapsed. He roared in fury as his latest attempt to reach immortality failed. Alchemy had not come so far yet. It was still in its beginning stages. It originated in Greece after all.
The memory changed and Albus was watching Herpo experiment with an animal. A snake. The snake seemed to be in pain but Herpo paid no mind. The more pain it seemed to be in, the more Herpo looked happy. Finally! Finally! He had won. He had achieved what he wanted. At least for a time. This was only a temporary solution. A man such as himself would not face death. Never. No, he would watch over the world forever as its unifier and King. As its Dark Lord. Albus witnessed everything, feeling sick to his stomach. Herpo had called in one of his servants and had him killed. He performed the piece of magic required, Albus feeling obliged to cover his eyes as Herpo made the world's first Horcrux. He was forever bound to the earth as he infused it within his own Scepter. Herpo's mad yellow eyes smiled at their first victory.
The memory changed once again and Albus was sitting beside Herpo again. The yellow-eyed man was staring intently at an egg. It was hatching. Albus watched apprehensively as a chick popped out. The chick was not yellow as most were but green and its eyes were yellow. It tweeted for a few seconds and then fell over and died. Herpo took more notes on an old looking piece of parchment moving. Albus walked out with him to what looked like a barn. Underneath a chicken, Herpo took another egg and placed it under a hippo. The memory continued changing and switching after that. The egg hatched and the result was an oversized blind snake. Another egg. The egg hatched under an eagle and the result was a still-birthed sea snake. Herpo continued making notes. Memory upon memory saw him getting closer and closer to the eventual goal. Finally, he hatched an egg under a toad and a small snake slithered out. The toad died upon contact with its eyes but Herpo immediately placed blindfolds on the snake and warded his farm off. His experiment had worked. This would make history.
The memory changed and Albus saw war and battle. Jets of light were flying everywhere. The Ancient Greek Wizard Herpo the Foul stood by his Basilisk, firing jets of light from a Scepter and the power it emanated was such that Albus had never seen before. Not one or two but three wands were attached to it and the power was massive. The destruction itself was massive. He stood on a small plateau overlooking the sea, in the middle of which was a small island from which witches, wizards and Muggle alike were fighting him. Herpo did not speak. His Basilisk did not even attack. His Scepter's Orb glowed yellow and those under the plateau had fallen, he waved it once and the island housing the resistance had lifted up and sank into the depths. The water itself attacked the floating survivors and a wave of fire rushed at the water, evaporating at a slower pace than it could kill.
The memory changed. Herpo was leading a small group of Wizards. Even though he was speaking Ancient Greek, with Incommodo's new British mindset, Albus understood what he was saying. It looked like a poorly dubbed foreign film. Like his mouth was moving to different words than the English Albus heard, which he reminded himself, it was indeed. "The Athenian Empire has risen. The war between city-states will begin shortly. Allow the people to think they are revolting against it. In time they will have no choice and in the chaos, we will take over. This will become the first nation to be made up of entirely Wizards. Destroy them all. Let them perish."
The memory changed. Albus was standing in what looked like a battlefield. Herpo stood over them all, gazing proudly at what he considered his work of art. Men were fighting. Muggle men. The war had been going on for ages but this was the current battle. The battle was quite fierce too but Herpo himself had jets of water from the nearby river shoot up, solidify into sharp icicles, and fire at soldiers whenever one side seemed to be taking the advantage. Once the battle had died down, Herpo allowed very few to return home, witnesses were killed.
The memory changed. Herpo was standing against a horde of angry Muggles. Few witches and wizards had his side but Herpo was all-powerful. Three wands were attached to his Scepter now and he was way too strong to be dealt with. Arrows were flying at him but one Charm repelled all physical objects, making them useless. He waved it once and an enormous explosion sounded, throwing Muggles off. A spell was fired from a lone wizard on the field but a jet of green light ended his life easily. Herpo watched as his small army moved in and occupied their first city-state. The war had begun and it was easily won too. Once his Basliisk moved in, none survived. Greece would slowly become an entirely Wizarding nation.
The memory changed and Albus found himself standing, overlooking an entire nation. "They call it Mount Olympus," Herpo said. He sounded much older. The time must've passed but immortality had saved him from dying. Herpo was forever there, anchored to the earth. Yet, his war was being fought to a close. His Basilisk had met its fate when a rooster crowed. Luckily, Herpo had managed to imbue its eye into his Scepter's Orb and it allowed him to project an image of the Basilisk to terrify people into bowing to him. Weak, pathetic. To fall before a crow of a rooster? The people had taken up magical assistance and Wizard and Muggle alike rose up against him. He would be forced to level the nation and sink the entire thing. He raised his Scepter once, preparing the spell. That was when he was attacked for the last time.
The battle was fierce. A jet of green light exploded from Herpo's scepter but it materialized into a green dome of death. The witch who fought him maintained a calm demeanor as she performed a spell on herself to make herself naught but air. The curse went right through her. She rushed at Herpo, immune to most spells before Herpo sent a burst of fire at her. The blast of air materialized into the woman again and countered it with water. Steam rose up and covered the battlefield but Herpo whisked it away with such a powerful gust of wind it blew the woman straight off. She might've died if she did not jump off a griffin, land right in front of him and physically knock the Scepter from his hand.
"Expelliarmus!"
Herpo lost all three wands at once as the griffin swooped at him. The scepter fell off the mountain as the woman used a spell to blast Herpo off next. It seemed it was over but it was not. Let them think he was dead. One day he would return…
The memory changed. A man with familiar features to Zandar Lex stood facing a group of witches and wizards. "One day, we will be needed again," he said as he held the Scepter up with magically gloved hands. "Raise with tradition and honor of Herpo the Foul. Our children and our children's children will continue this noble goal of spreading Dark Magic to every corner of the globe, bringing true balance to the world. When the time has come, we too will be called and we will answer. Our descendants will answer this call. Of this… we swear on this day!"
The memory changed once more. Herpo met his next chance when a lone witch happened upon the Scepter at the Greek Ministry. Upon touching it, he possessed her at once. She was powerful though. Too powerful. It seemed merging with adults proved hazardous. She had fought so hard from his entry that he was tired out upon finally being replaced into the Black Orb. He was entrapped. Limbo. Pain. Yet, part of his essence remained within her. It was changing her. He watched the battle between her and a man with a long beard. The man was powerful. The man managed to defeat her and upon her death, Herpo's soul was allowed back into the Scepter.
It seemed he would need a younger, fresher, more willing mind. He happened upon such a mind when a blonde man seeking power had happened upon him. The ma handled it carefully and while it stopped him from possessing the man, it did not stop him from influencing the man. He was handed to a young British child instead. This time, he would act diplomatically.
"What is your name child?"
"M-Mortimer Ink," The child answered.
"People do not know your name?"
"They mistrust me," the child answered again.
"They will know your name, you will have power and riches," Herpo promised. "You will have immortality and weapons. They will know your name. All you need is your own soul. Come with me."
It was laughably easy. The boy collapsed as he invaded. In that moment, the boy died. Much easier with a child. Once Herpo came to, the Scepter had gone but the boy's soul gave way to a more powerful soul. For the first time in thousands of years, Herpo felt alive and whole. His new body was allowed to age naturally while the old life had been snuffed out. But it had drawbacks and benefits. He had lost a significant portion of his power. He would have to regain it. He also had a second soul. A soul of the old life. It was still in, acting as his symbiotic partner. Ink was dead but his mentality was alive.
The memory changed once again. What looked more like Mors Incommodo was standing in a crowd of eager witches and wizards. An official was holding the Scepter up for display like some old relic. He had his hands in his robes for two wands, touching them, knowing he would need them. A blonde man named Abraxas Malfoy was bidding for it. Going three times, Incommodo had no choice. He cast a silent Jinx on the official and gained the Scepter regardless. He had claimed victory for that time only. When they had left, the blonde man approached him.
"I know what you did."
"Oh?" Incommodo asked in a weakened voice. "And… what do you intend to do about it. We are not in England."
"No… which means my crimes here are not recognized," Abraxas said. "Avada Kedavra!"
Incommodo allowed the curse to hit him, to show truly how invincible he was. He raised his Scepter, knowing he could kill him but decided on something else instead. A painful death would do. The illness would make itself known upon his return to England. The man suffered Dragonpox. Within days, he was dead. And nobody believed what was called a hallucination brought about by the illness that anyone could survive a Killing Curse. Albus was kicked out right after. He had seen so much, so much of Herpo, his reign of terror, his murder of Abraxas, and his acquisition of the Scepter.
Just how is unification so evil, Potter? It all depends on perception. And your perception is too warped to see the justification in the murder of those who would do a decent education for those who deserve it nothing but harm.
The memory was interrupted when Albus felt a sharp pain in his back and he fell face down. Incommodo was freed from the powerful effects too but he seemed unhurt. Albus turned and saw, to his disappointment, Mark standing over him. He cast the spell. "You're losing sight of everything," Mark told him. "Get up."
"Surprised, Potter?" Incommodo said darkly. "You've been betrayed. This boy is so afraid of death, even his friends mean little to him."
"I'm no boy," Mark said quietly to Incommodo. "I'm a man."
"Prince, out! Wallader, leave!"
On command, Maria clambered out onto the balcony from inside and Mark did as told and left the room. She held her wand out and Incommodo turned to Albus. "Your chance is now. We both stand to gain much. In return for freedom from your second soul, I require access to it for the duration of the war. We will have the Rune of Partnership drawn. Then, you will be escorted to a room where you will be locked away. After I have claimed victory, you'll be let free and we will get rid of your soul. Prince, the Orb, please."
"It's not with me right now," Maria said quietly. "The Charms on the rebellion is too great. We'll have to wait until they're drawn out."
"Very well, take his wand away," Incommodo told Maria.
Maria did so, not meeting Albus' eyes. Albus started feeling apprehensive. What had he gotten himself into? Maria… betrayed him? Or was her refusal to hand him the Orb part of an act against him? He held his breath as Incommodo burned the Rune into Albus' forearm and his own. Then, with immense power drawn from both Motimer and Herpo, performed the spell Sorrow had taught, "Creatio Ehwaz!"
Albus felt a burn go through him, he felt the burn envelop him, touch his very soul, both souls in fact. As he screamed, he thought he heard a whishing side from Maria's area but he couldn't see. He knew Incommodo felt the same thing. Albus had access to his powers and Incommodo had access to Albus' powers. And Incommodo was much more learned and experienced. He was far more skilled. That, at least was part of the plan. All Albus had to do was survive this and then demand answers from the little girl and Mark. Maria had Albus' wand now as they waited.
"Wallader!"
Mark walked back in. "We've finished with him. He will not balk. Take him away," Incommodo ordered. "And snap his wand. There will be no chance for him to fight back in this war. He will wait for his friends to perish."
Mark did not hesitate as Maria handed it to him. He snapped the wand easily. What confused Albus was that no core dropped out. No Dragon Heartstring. Mark threw the pieces away, turning away and leaning against the wall, looking very nervous. What he looked nervous for, Albus did not know. Not when Incommodo seemed t hve use for both of them. Maria on the other hand was drinking from a phial something silvery, sipping it like a cup of tea.
"Stun him," Incommodo ordered. "And take him away." Mark did not move and Mara just stayed sitting there. "Prince! Wallader!"
Just then, the door opened once again. In walked the people Albus definitely did not need to see. Marius K. Kimble was the first to walk in, and he was followed by Ernie Macmillan, Theodore Nott, Draco Malfoy, and at the very back bringing up the rear, Rojer Selwyn. Incommodo looked as interested as Albus was. "Selwyn?"
"I have returned," Rojer said calmly. "And this time, with a purpose of my own."
"A purpose?"
"In the name of the Reservation," Rojer finished.
"Which will be dealt with next," Marius said warningly.
Albus looked from one side to the other. Regardless of all, he was dead. He did not see how he could survive this attack. Rojer being there could not end well. This time would answer his questions. Tyro proved himself to be against Harry, now for the rest. Ernie, Draco, Marius and Nott and not to mention Rojer Selwyn, the man who had the Arsenal's back until recently.
"In the name of the new Ministry of Magic," Ernie announced. "Mors Incommodo, for high treason against the Wizarding world, unadulterated murder, torture, and destruction, possession of two souls, murder of the students of Hogwarts, unjustified expulsion of the students of Hogwarts, and the illegal takeover of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, you are under arrest!"
Albus widened his eyes in shock. They had done it. The plan was being executed. They were with Harry. They picked now. Albus would be involved then. The six together could do it. He just hoped Rojer was killed in the attack. Incommodo looked beside himself with fury. He seemed to have fully recovered from the memory attack but this was holding its own surprise. "My entire circle… destroyed!"
"You have brought this upon yourself," Theodore said quietly. "By order of Harry Potter, you can come in willingly and face up to your crimes or be killed for high treason."
Albus looked from Incommodo to the new arrivals disbelievingly and Maria bowed herself out and disappeared. Mark actually had a smirk on his face, a smirk Albus knew too well as he slipped a wand inside Albus' pocket. He had never broken it, he broke a spare, a clone, and he got the cavalry together. Nonetheless, this was it. At the end of this battle, Albus would die. If he was killed, Incommodo died and if Incommodo died, so did Albus. Neither of them knew this. Even Mark did not know- Incommodo and Maria kept him out of the room dring the bonding purposely. Mark would get a nasty surprise but it was for the best. If he even lived.
"I think," Incommodo started calmly as his two wands floated eerily to his hands. "You will find…" his two wands were raised as the attackers raised theirs. "That you are the ones committing high treason. And will be killed…" His wand were pointed at different angles. Incommodo spun around quickly and disappeared. At first, Albus thought he Apparated but he was simply vapor. It rushed towards the group of people before taking physical form again, raising a wand and screaming, "AVADA KEDAVRA" just as he deflected a spell from Draco.
Theodore Nott, expecting the spell, ducked it just as Albus raised his own wand. Marius fired a spell from his staff as Albus thought, Cruento Maxima just as Mark and Maria leapt in. With maximized power, Maria raised her wand, "Mucus ad Nauseum!"
Incommodo spun around, a shield popping up. The powered spell from Maria and Marius at once shattered it and bogies started filling out at high numbers. One flick of his wand separated them but Mark flicked his wand and they still turned on Incommodo. While Incommodo was distracted, Albus physically rushed for him instead. A force pushed him back so close to the edge, he was in danger of falling off. A jet of green light burst from one of his wands and barely missed Marius Kimble. Ernie flicked his wand effortlessly, "Caecus!"
A burst of blinding light escaped from his wand allowing Mark, Draco, Rojer and Nott to take three different sides of him while three fiery forms came whipping from Marius' wand. Albus raised his wand again, Radius.
Incommodo certainly looked like he was overtaken. Three bursts of fire came from Draco, Rojer and Nott, three fiery forms came from Marius, and Ernie sent a Stunning spell, and a beam of light came from Albus' wand. Mark, meanwhile, took a pile of rubble and transfigured them into all sorts of weapons. Swords, shields, anvils, axes, and even daggers rushed for Incommodo, each one flaming with fire and lightning at once. Forced to appreciate Mark's worthiness in dueling. A sphere of water rose up from nowhere. Albus knew it was powerful, conjuring such a great amount of water without a source nearby was no easy feat. The sphere blocked off the fire and Incommodo was able to parry the Stunning spell and the beam at the same time with different wands while the weapons glanced uselessly off him as he repelled physical objects. Albus was blasted back.
With both wands in use, Incommodo could not keep the sphere up and Marius took control easily. Draco and Rojer together sent a quick strike of lightning at the water sphere while Marius raised his staff again, "Avada Kedavra!"
Albus knew this alone would not do it though, and he raised his wand again, "Fulgeo!"
Albus did not know if the beam hit its target but the water with Incommodo in it was hovered over the battlement, just off the tower itself. They were going to win. Rojer raised his wand again, "Terminatio Morbus!"
Just then, the sphere exploded with a great burst of energy. Incommodo certainly looked wounded but furious. He used a simple propulsion spell to fire himself forwards. A jet of green light exploded from Rojer's wand but it did not deter the immortal man. Albus felt something stir inside him as it impacted. With another wand, he blew the tower up, sending Albus and all the fighters down to the grounds far below. Mark barely avoided being thrown down having been pulled back by his sister in time. Ernie yelled some words with his own wand and the rubble shot forward and carried all of them down to safety, just off green light descending upon Incommodo from all directions. They hit the ground safely but no one rested. A piece of rubble rushed for Nott and with the other wand, he fired a jet of green light. Theodore Nott was the first to fall.
Albus rushed straight for Incommodo physically, "Lubricus! Trinius."
Incommodo still did not trip over, though the Curse to lubricate the ground did destabilize him slightly and he was quick. Marius and Rojer unleashed Fiendfyre all at once while Rojer fired the Terminal curse again. A burst of darkened water rose from the grounds to meet the fire but it was nowhere near the amount required to douse two Fiendfyres at once. Albus raised his wand at the same time as Ernie. Ferveo! Albus thought just as Ernie transfigured the rubble into needles and swords to fly at the Headmaster. He Charmed them to go on fire and Albus had lowered his wand to the ground below Incommodo, feeling victory. Sepultura!
Slowly, Incommodo was buried. He repelled the swords but that lost him control of the water. Incommodo was not Herpo will full power, he could not handle all spells at once. He was losing control now he was overwhelmed. Albus summoned a decoy of himself to take a jet of green light and fired Incendio at the sinking Headmaster. Two Fiendfyre descended on him at once. This was it. The two together would incinerate him till ashes. The Headmaster screamed a horrible, wretched scream as it continued burning him. Draco fired Killing Curse after Killing Curse and Albus fired, Terra Dimoveo to split the ground up to allow Incommodo's lower, buried body to be incinerated too.
It had seemed that they won. In minutes, they let him go and Incommodo's charred, blackened body was left. Albus sighed in relief as Ernie stepped forward with Draco. "Potter, you are in so much trouble when we"-
A loud bang exploded on them. Black fire erupted all over Incommodo's body. Albus hoped it was the effect of his decaying body but it flew up and struck Draco in the face, throwing him up and down yards away, unmoving. The fire rushed for Rojer next who threw up a barrier to protect himself.
"Contain the fire!" Marius yelled but Rojer took one look at Marius, another look at the black fire and fled. Marius yelled for him to come back as Ernie conjured a jar instead. The black fire was somewhat contained as Marius raised his wand, "Deficio!"
The fire was hit with the Curse of Decay, the same curse that almost claimed Mark. Albus stared, heart beating heavily. Was this what would happen to him when the two souls of his would fight so hard to live? Would he have to be taken down like this? Incommodo had killed Draco and Nott and Rojer had fled the battle when Incommodo had proven too difficult to kill. The black fire got weaker and weaker but a small part escaped from the horde being contained and made for Ernie. "Look out!" Albus yelled.
Ernie stepped away but the distraction lost him the control needed to contain the fire. It burst out in all directions again, a jet of green light surprisingly bursting from it and hitting Ernie full in the face. It spread out and converged just behind Marius. Marius raise his wand just as Albus did but Incommodo materialized once again. He looked extremely weak, like he was fighting death itself. Impossible! "Avada Kedavra!"
Marius was shot back and landed feet away as Albus raised his own wand. He'd given up. There was nothing else for it. Tim to sacrifice his soul. They would both die that day. Albus cried "Legilimens" just as Incommodo, in his weakest form, yelled "Avada Kedavra!"
The effect was immediate. Albus felt his own mind pushing against the Killing Curse and the two merged. He felt his mind going through a pressed pathway and he stood in a white area, a white room. Standing on either side of the room was himself and Voldemort, both standing upright. On the other side stood Herpo the Foul and beside him a small boy of around seven. A boy with fair skin and black hair, sea green eyes so deep, he might've grown to be very handsome if he had lived. Both looked very weak though, focused primarily on reforming the ruined body.
"So… weak," a high, cold voice said in Albus' ear. "Potters often were. Love was never enough to save you anyway. Did you think that perhas you would get rid of me? Entrap me into an Orb?"
Albus shivered. No, he was in control. He had to be. He could not lose this. If Voldemort would not help, then Albus would. Herpo destroying Albus' soul would get rid of all of them. Voldemort as needless.
It came immediately. Albus rushed for Herpo as the cowering boy hid. Albus and Herpo clashed in the middle with jets of green light, Voldemort's cold laugh sounding. That laugh would be the last thing Albus ever heard. Albus knew this was dangerous. They did not fire with wands but with their own bodies, their own essences. This would destroy them all. Jets of bright light clashed violently, Herpo still very weak in fighting, he was running even with Albus' attempts. Finally, as Herpo recoiled from an unseen external factor, Albus saw his opportunity. He rushed physically and floored Herpo. He physically fought that soul for strength. He sensed victory. At least Albus' own soul would not be destroyed.
Then, he was thrown off. He yelled in disbelief. Voldemort moved in for the kill. "Do you know what I did to the last pathetic life form who refused my soul? I lft Quirrel to die. And I leave you. A wreck of your previous life!"
Voldemort transcended into Herpo's side of the aisle, Albus watching in horror. He had lost. He- actually failed. Voldemort laughed as Albus felt himself being pushed, now with renewed strength in Herpo and Mortimer, against Albus. Three on one. Albus' soul was just beginning to act up and destroy itself when he was dragged out.
The Shield charm deflected the memory part of the curse but Albus was still hit back and moved no more. He felt very weak. The residue of the battle in his mind nearly destroyed him. He was not as powerful as Voldemort was and under threat, Voldemort nearly destroyed himself. No wonder they saw this as Dark Magic. No wonder Mark wanted Albus to win another way. Any other way. It was damaging to mind, body and soul. Perhaps it was better to fight him to destruction, as the teachers had done. They proved it was possible. Merlin had asked for too much.
"No, I did not," Merlin's voice said in the echoed recesses of his mind. "I proposed the idea of soul battle as but one of the paths you could choose. I also said your choice would be based on whether you wanted to be of the light or darkness. You could've very well risen up and met your fate, destroyed Herpo once and for all at the cost of your own life but you did not. You chose the honorable path, in spite of temptation you braved the unknown. The rest, now, is up to you Potter."
Albus went into darkness again. He felt so much pain in his chest. Something was burning. Then, somebody from far away yelled, "He's over here! Quick!"
"Merlin's pants, what is that?"
"Is he dead?"
"Just get him to our room. We'll see then."
Albus felt himself being levitated up. His vision was blurry. He was not sure if he was dead and he was just witnessing his body being taken or if he was back in his own body.