The Crossroads of Fate

Chapter 26: The Secret of the Forest

Albus certainly hoped his plan would work. He spent the rest of the day hashing the plan out with the Guard and he passed a note on to Morpheus through the Invisibility cloak to alert him. Hopefully, things would go well. He was clearly the shortest Arsenal member but appeared as a Greek dwarf. Albus had to endure so many hectic questions from Melvin concerning Morpheus and how he was doing. Melvin actually suggested that if Morpheus was so safe with them, he should protect himself. That was not counting the mutterings of Lysander. Lysander was usually not crazy but he seemed very worried about Lorcan and did sometimes mutter to himself about something Albus could never catch.

Mark, who once more seemed mentally stable, sat with Albus frequently and once again attempted to hash out plans with him. Albus would walk out in his Invisibility cloak and meet Morpheus and a few other Arsenal members. Apparently, the Greek ones were higher ranking due to being from old families who passed on their support of Herpo throughout their generations from Ancient times till then. The oldest Arsenal members and Morpheus was able to masquerade as one and pass it off easily following the mysterious death of Morpheus' lookalike. Though by mysterious, Albus assumed it meant Seth killed him. Mark advised meeting him on the sixth floor near the secret passageway leading to the seventh in case he needed to make a getaway. But hopefully it would not come to that. Albus sure hoped it would not. He needed to rescue those students.

"Just those students," Melvin told him. "And we're out, right? We'll be safe."

Albus promised so many times but there was one thing they had to deal with before they left. The prisoners. Aramaster, Intonus, Flare and Rai were still prisoners and they were still kicking. They had to come too. They could not be left in the Room of Requirement forever as much as some (like Seth) would've liked to see that happen. Albus had a bad feeling about letting them go though. If they escaped, he did not know what would happen. Would the Reservation take Aramaster back even though he gave the Orb away? Doubtful. So, even if they escaped, where would they go? Albus wondered what would be in store for them if they ever won the war. Would the kids be imprisoned for life? Or would they be killed or exiled?

The day was getting a little tense. Melvin once again provided them with a Demiguise-enhanced Disillusionment Charm to provide backup if Albus got into trouble. It looked risky from the point before going in. Albus could only hope once again that this would turn out ok. Having to rescue his friends was going to prove to be very dangerous, especially if it went badly. Going bad would entail death and if Morpheus was discovered, he too would die. The Arsenal did not seem willing to negotiate either with students outside the Guard who tried standing up. Plenty were killed and their bodies would be left in the Great Hall, according to Neil, as an example to others for a whole day before being left and preserved in the Hospital wing.

They slept quietly in their own quarters. Nonetheless, breathing could be heard from over the curtains. Albus for one could hear Seth muttering in his sleep over the next curtain and Neil was sobbing silently on the other side. He could also hear Scorpius tossing and turning, and two were muttering. He could not hear clearly who they were. He thought he recognized Lily but the other was either Hugo or Alpha. Albus supposed it was Hugo due to the somewhat more mature way the words were given. He shut his eyes in an attempt to sleep but even for him, it was difficult. The next day would change things for better or worse. Maybe Albus would add a promise to keep the students safe as part of the demands.

The next morning came in what felt like minutes to Albus. He knew it was early but he could not sleep any longer than he already did. Upon opening the curtains, he saw Lily just waking up from sleeping against Hugo's body which was snoring against the wall. Rose was still absent. Alpha was sprawled out on the floor as if he'd been knocked down in the middle of the night. Albus watched sleepily as Proxima walked out and stopped in front of Alpha's body.

"You didn't knock him unconscious did you?" Proxima asked Lily.

Lily yawned, "Wha- no. No, he just fell asleep like that."

Hugo stirred as Proxima scoffed, "Ugh, I swear, he can sleep anywhere. Alpha…" she pushed him with his foot. "Alpha! Wake up, you nincompoop."

Alpha groaned as he woke up, "Wha"-

"Nincompoop?" Lily asked with amusement as Hugo sat up.

"Only I am allowed to call him that," Proxima warned. "Alpha!"

"Ok, ok, 'm up," Alpha groaned, sitting up and staring groggily at Proxima, seemingly unaware of Lily and Hugo laughing at him.

"Neil's not waking up," Lysander said casually.

"Is he ok?" Alexander asked curiously.

"Yeah, he just refuses to wake up," Lysander sighed. "He really should. The Fletts may cloud his brain if he stays asleep for too long."

"So, how do we have breakfast here?" Albus asked Scorpius?

As if on command, a plate of waffles appeared magically in his lap. Scorpius grinned, "House-elf magic. Not sure how they know we're up here but they seem to sense a need for food I guess. It's just sent up. Don't worry about it. Just enjoy it while it lasts. I'm gonna talk to Lucy for a bit."

Talk. Albus scoffed. More like snog. They disappeared into Scorpius' quarters and did not come out for fifteen minutes, nudging into each other purposefully. Albus rolled his eyes until Alexis pecked him on the mouth. "We never snogged, have we?" she asked him casually.

"No, now I think of it, we haven't," Albus shrugged. "Did- I mean- did you- is that a…"

"Trust me, it's not," Alexis sighed. "I never fancied such contact to tell the truth. Besides, we took things slow. I like that."

"Yeah, I do too," Albus said honestly. "Scorps on the other hand thinks he's gonna die so he's making the most of it."

"Well, yes, Alexander is starting to have that mentality too," she said sadly. "Hopefully the war ends soon and we can just get on with our lives."

"Al," Mark said suddenly, leaning against the wall and folding his arms. "We need to talk."

Albus was a little surprised to say the least but Alexis excused herself and left the two alone. They sat at the very end of the table and moved a little way off to have some privacy. Mark seemed a little on edge but otherwise perfectly composed. He kept his eyes down on his own worn sneakers as he considered how to approach whatever subject he needed to talk to Albus about. Finally, he looked up, "Do you think we can do it? I mean, do-do you think simply leaving the school will actually work?"

Albus thought about it and shook his head, "No, not really. It is the Arsenal we're dealing with."

"Aries killed a lot of them," Mark said quietly.

He looked so upset, Albus was actually shocked. He had been on a track to recovery. When did depression kick in again? "Are you- actually bothered now?"

"I'm trying not to be but… yes," Mark said, again as quietly as possible. "I- I am. She wasn't supposed to kill. She actually promised me she'd try not to, for me. She actually thought of me but- her father, her brother, them… I hate war." Albus was not sure what to respond with? That he hated war too? It seemed so mundane to say it. It was a given. Who liked war? What was the point of saying it? Mark kept his eyes down, not meeting anyone's eyes. "We need to plan for the worst case scenario. If they just want to lure us out to kill us, what do we do? It'll be on you, you know. It'll be you they try to kill."

"They wouldn't dare," Albus muttered as he slowly revealed the Rune of Partnership still engraved on his own forearm. It was a little faded but nonetheless visible. Mark stared at it for a second, taking it in. Albus wondered if Mark would just run away but he remained calm. "And you tried killing him? Still?"

"Does it matter?" Albus asked with a sigh. "It's an easy way to kill him. Getting rid of me. I'm not doing it. Not yet at least. But me still being here means he is still alive and if they want him to stay that way, they won't try."

"They won't even know," Mark pointed out tensely. "They'll kill him by accident."

"And…" Albus challenged quietly. "Look, I'm not out trying to get myself killed. I'm fine. But I'm not making this Rune disappear either. Not until I know we can beat Incmmodo who is probably more powerful than ever now."

Mark sighed and looked up, trying his best not to look at Albus' now covered forearm. Albus had faith he would keep the secret but that did not mean he'd be ok doing so. "I'll come with you when you meet the Arsenal," Mark said quietly. "When they turn on you, I'll defend."

"Can you? Even a bunch of students?"

"Oh, you didn't see me when Incommodo fled the castle," Mark muttered with the smallest of smirks. "You were too dead to do so but- just don't forget I am more than capable of defense, with or without this damned leg."

Finally, breakfast ended and the Hogwarts Guard took seats around Albus, putting him at the center of attention once again. He felt very conscious of this. The plan was laid and some of them already knew it. Now to say what it was out loud to everyone else. They all gazed at him steadily, even Alpha who was still munching on a pancake covered with chocolate. Albus opened his mouth to speak when the curtain to his right opened and out came Neil Nott. He rubbed his eyes, either from sleep or crying Albus did not know which, and took a seat nearer the back, careless to some of them staring at him and others muttering. Waiting for the students to settle down again and reclaim their usual silence, Mark began to speak instead.

"Alright, so Al is going to meet with them, Morpheus included," Mark said. He spoke with a low mumble, another sign of his long-running sadness. "We'll try negotiating and if that doesn't work, then we storm the place and take them anyway and probably die or something."

"Way to lighten the mood Mark," Scorpius said sarcastically. "So, the plan is, we go and die and that'll be it."

"I mean, just…" Mark sighed. "These people are hard to talk to so just be prepared for the worse but hope for the best. And trust us. Some will go with Al to make sure everything turns out ok and they'll be invisible. In the meantime, Neil will go invisible and install the portrait in Lycah's old hut to give us a way out."

By some, it became clear they meant half, especially those who had stakes in saving the prisoners. With such enhanced Invisibility charms, a whole group could attack in broad daylight and still get away with it. Albus hoped it would not come to that. He whipped his Invisibility cloak over himself and walked out. As they disappeared to blend with their surroundings, Scorpius, Mark, Aries, Eric, Cherry, Lysander, Kabe, Seth, Frank, and, to everyone's surprise, Melvin Ollivander. Albus thought going on such an adventure might quiet him down but he kept muttering arguments with Cherry about how this was partly their fault to begin with and he'd know who to blame it on if Morpheus was killed.

"Honestly, all this," Melvin muttered. "All I wanted was a quit life, to live, but apparently, in war, neither side wants civilian to exist. Everyone's a soldier or something. You're all murderers. If you'd just leave me and my brother the hell alone and let us live like our grandfather wanted us to, Morpheus wouldn't be in this mess. And what kind of people are you, using kids in your fights?"

"Oh, please we chose this ourselves," Cherry hissed.

"Yeah, right, but you wouldn't have had to choose this if those murderers oer you had the decency to protect you like their jobs dictate," Melvin angrily said.

Albus led them down to the sixth floor, shutting them up once halfway through the secret passageway. "Seriously, leave it till after we're in the Room of Requirement. Do you want us given away?"

"I don't think Melvin's ever been on a rescue mission before," Frank chided.

"Shut it"-

"Oi, Ollivander, shut it or I'm killing you," Seth's voice muttered. "And don't think I won't. We could use the silence your death would bring us."

Melvin certainly shut up after that threat but Albus could just feel the anger. He just knew what sort of tirade they would get if they got back to the Room of Requirement in one piece. He continued leading the way, purposely showing his feet when there was no one around to let them know where he was. They stopped in front of a suit of armor behind which their passageway was hidden. Albus peered from behind its armpits and gap between the sword and shield. No one was around. He checked the map to see where Morpheus and the other Arsenal members were and saw they were just around the corner. Albus quietly levitated the suit of armor and did not put it down until Kabe tapped him to signal they'd gotten through.

Being the speaker, Albus took his cloak off, took a deep breath, well aware of his heart beating rapidly and walked the corridor to the corner. As expected, Morpheus was right there, or at least what he assumed was Morpheus. He certainly looked Greek, and looked like a girl but with enough pimples and aged lines to suggest true age. Morpheus was playing every part he could, Albus could tell. He could just hear Melvin breathing behind him as Albus walked forward. Morpheus looked very small for an Arsenal member. Albus did not know how he managed to pass such an appearance off. The small Greek Witch turned and folded her arms with a superior smirk, "Potter, Potter, Potter. We've been looking for you."

"Well, congratulations, you found me," Albus said stoically. "Where're they?"

"Just through that door," Morpheus pointed to a chamber off the hall. "But we're standing here until we're satisfied with what you leave with."

"You want your prisoners but we want you dead," an older witch said plainly. "And clearly, it's an impasse."

"Unfortunately, I've found it very hard to die lately," Albus said impassively. "But I can be as good as. Hand us the prisoners and we leave, we won't bother you again, all your members can stop dying and we'll get out of the school just like you want."

"And what promise do we have?"

"Trust me, Incommodo's been after that all year," Albus offered. "He'd be mighty pleased that you got rid of us. And since we're gone, you can stop killing the students because let's face it, the more students you kill, the angrier he's going to get at you. Leave the students alone, including the prisoners and we're gone."

"That- that easily?" Morpheus asked. "Under one condition. You will allow me to escort you all to Hogsmeade to affirm your commitment. Otherwise, the deal is off and you can just try the old-fashioned way."

The older witch looked uncertain. "Are you sure about"-

"I'm not getting in trouble with the High Lord of the Wizarding World," Morpheus said frankly. "He wants them out. We're losing members and we're losing students. Lex is going to be in enough trouble for losing us Hogsmeade. I'm finishing this now. I'm freeing them. Don't do anything till I get back."

And Morpheus, under the guise of a small witch, left to free the prisoners. It truly looked like it would be that easy. Albus actually felt lighter and easier until the Arsenal members that were left, the five or six still around, withdrew their wands and pointed them at Albus. The witch stepped forward and said, "The Master might want us alive and the students alive, but he certainly wants to see you dead. So, let's learn for ourselves why it's so difficult to kill you shall we? Avada"-

It happened instantly. Two jets of green light burst out of what looked like thin air along with four other jets of red light. Another two jets of green light and a final two saw the members who threatened him dead in seconds. Albus did not need to ask who did it. The only two who would were Seth and Aries. Just after they fell dead, Morpheus appeared, still as a witch and behind him were the prisoners.

Albus sighed in relief as he gazed them. Alex seemed ok but a little underfed, Laura just seemed tired and sleepy, Fora had an uncertain smile on her face, Roxanne actually looked relieved, Sierra looked uneasy and beaten with scratches and bruises, Pierre looked red with a bloody nose, Alice had an arm around a semi-conscious Lancet, but Lorcan looked the worse. Lorcan had scratches, bruises, scars, and even a slash across his face that looked like it had just been healed. His legs were twitching suggesting he had the Cruciatus Curse placed on him. Albus could just imagine what Lex put him through. In spite of his injuries though, Lorcan had a strange smile on his face. A little like Lysander. He seemed misty-eyed but a little more unstable, like his mind had been damaged slightly.

They wasted no time. Albus and Morpheus led them off the corridor and not a second too soon. They heard yells just as Mark levitated the suit of armor. "Go quick. Go. Go!"

Lysander's invisible form grabbed Lorcan and pulled him through the passageway. Seth fired off an offensive spell while Mark waved his wand to parry and re-angle all the spells that came their way. It was when the jets of green light started being fired when Mark took a piece of the ceiling between the two parties and had the rubble take the blast. Just as Lancet was heaved through by Alice and Cherry, three Arsenal members showed up around the corner and started firing jets of green light.

Mark let a suit of armor jump in front to take the blast while Seth fired off an additional curse. Aries pushed Albus through while they finished the others off and levitated the armor back into place. They had no choice but to rush for it. Damn it! Albus thought. They were really determined to see him dead, they even sacrificed what Incommodo would've wanted just to finish him off. They did not know Albus' death would finish their master off.

It was lucky they met on the sixth floor and not a lower floor. It would've been more difficult to escape. Seth, Sierra and the others were still invisible and Lorcan was not capable of fighting at all. He looked very beaten yet contrastingly very calm. Lysander had to drag him away. When they reached the end of the passageway, the corridor looked very empty still but not for long. Albus hoped the door was left open for them.

"Run for it," Albus muttered, and he felt someone push past him, Melvin probably, and rushed for the corridor with the Room of Requirement. More rushed past him and Albus followed, hoping that was all of them. It was not convenient to have them all invisible. If any of them were left behind, Albus could not know. Seth cast the Charm off himself and stopped at the end of the corridor, waiting for the Arsenal to attack while Albus walked up and down thinking of the room he needed. He heard bangs and shouts. Aries had joined him. It was proving very difficult to take down Seth alone, especially when Aries and Sierra were there. More were falling, most of them unconscious but one or two dead.

Morpheus and Melvin were hiding behind a suit of armor. Melvin dared a Stunning spell from his hiding place and yelped as a retaliatory jet of green light came his way. More jets of red light flew from midair but most were successfully parried.

"Sectumsempra!"

Seth's latest spell caused a big enough wound to force the few left to bend down and help him. Aries sent a final jet of green light before letting off a smokescreen spell at the same time Sierra did. In the chaos, they flung the door open and came in. It was almost automatic, as the students ran in, the Charm was lifted. Albus was relieved to see that all of them had made it. Seth unleashed one more smokescreen to keep them off longer and hide their entry into the Room of Requirement. Not that it mattered. It was time to flee. Alex, Laura, Fora, Roxanne, Sierra, Pierre, Alice, Lancet and Lorcan bounded into the room and their rescuers including Morpheus followed with a smatter of applause. They had all made it but barely. Seth threw himself against the wall and threw Sierra a big hug.

Aries and Mark went into the curtained off quarters that kept Aramaster and his small crew. One by one, little by little, they fled through the portrait, charming their trunks to be feather-light and carrying them through. As they left, the room got smaller and smaller. For the first time, they were leaving it, probably for good. The portrait would lead them to Lycah's old hut. They'd have to get to the forest from there and somehow make it to a safer area. Albus wished the DA had not taken the bungalow and taken down the portrait, probably unaware that students were using it.

They had to jump out one by one too. They could not crowd the hut or they'd be cramped. Lysander went in first, making sure the coast was clear. Arsenal members were outside patrolling the grounds in large numbers. The only way would be if they were invisible. They spent the better part of an hour getting students into the forest two by two through Albus' Invisibility cloak. Then, Riley stopped them at the edge of the forest, took his own bag out and Charmed it to fit everyone's trunks. Everyone but him was now travelling lightly, with Aramaster, Intonus, Flare and Rai all bound up with ropes. They ventured into the forest once more.

It seemed different venturing the forest this time. They were all on the run from people who could not follow them anyway. But they were trapped. The forest was not the best place to be. The Reservation's original encampment was there, the Acromantula were still around, the Centaurs were on their side only because Apollo was with them, no one knew what side the vampire clans would take and their only contact with Werewolves was dead. What Albus knew waited for them at the end, maybe even within, was troubling.

It was not until they reached a clearing deep into the forest when they rested. Lorcan had seemed tired out and collapsed against a tree. Lysander bent down across from him and asked, in a normal voice sounding like Lorcan usually did, "Are you ok, Lorcan?"

"He tortured me," Lorcan said in what sounded like Lysander's usual voice. "Thought I was you and wanted me to throw myself to Incommodo when he came back. I- I don't know why they wanted me still. Probably after what we wrote, you know?"

It was so strange. Lysander and Lorcan seemed to have truly switched positions now. Lysander was as serious and sympathetic as Lorcan usually was and Lorcan was as misty-eyed and soft-voiced as Lysander usually was. Albus did not understand but it seemed Lorcan's brain had a special way of responding to such painful torture. As if he sensed Lysander's arrival, Timber the wolf rushed up once more ad leapt on him. Lysander suddenly reverted back to his usual self as he giggled with the wolf over him. The rest of the Guard rested too. Melvin for one was complaining very loudly now, "Why? Why? Why does all this happen?"

Proxima glared at him, "You're a coward, you know that?"

Melvin actually looked furious, "No, you're imposing. We're not all obligated to fight in your wars. I just wanted to live, take care of my sick grandfather and look after my brother until the war passes and my parents come back and what do I get? My grandfather is killed, my brother is captured, and I'm threatened with my life if I don't cooperate by both of you people! I WANT TO LIVE! IS THAT A CRIME?"

"Will you shut up?" Riley hissed. "We're in the Forbidden forest!"

"What do you care?" Melvin challenged. "Telling me to shut up. Will you let me go?"

"You know too much and you're not letting us modify your memories"-

"I DON'T TRUST YOU! YOU'RE A SIDE IN THE WAR!"

"Stupefy!"

"HEY!" he yelled, blocking Seth's spell and jumping to his feet. He looked terrified, as terrified as any child would look even though he really was thirteen.

"I said I'd kill you, didn't I?" Seth asked with a careless tone. "So consider yourself lucky you were almost Stunned instead. Shut it. You want to live, shut it. This place is filled with dangerous beasts."

"No, it's not," Lysander said, back in his casual, soft voice. "That's just a rumor they want you to think. We're actually quite safe in here."

"Yes," Lorcan said in what appeared to be his normal, yet shakier voice. "It's- it's actually protected. Werewolves are very rare and the ones here are too concerned with their young."

"Yes, when Werewolves mate during the full moon, they have very intelligent cubs," Lysander said happily as Timber the wolf nuzzled his cheek. "That's how I found Timber."

"And the vampires are ok," Lorcan said quietly.

"And the Centaurs and Unicorns," Lysander added. "And clearings are generally very safe. So, we're in good hands."

No one knew whether to take Lysander seriously or not. Lorcan agreed but Lorcan did seem out of it. He usually did not agree with Lysander's adventures into the forest alone so there had to be something there. It was Riley who warned them, "It's still dangerous. The vampires still feed, the Acromantula are still around, the Centaurs concern themselves with the stars, Werewolves are still here, and if they fight the vampires it's not pretty. I've spent a year with them in third year to know how vampires act. There're enough clans of them in this forest. And if the sphinx and griffin is still here, I prefer not to think of it. The sooner we get out of here, the better."

"If they need feeding, we can always offer our prisoners," Seth suggested to Aramaster's horror.

"You do us an injustice," a vaguely familiar voice said from the trees.

They jumped and Neil gapsed. Lorcan looked up interestedly, so much so he dropped on his back and stared up instead. Vampires. They dropped from the trees, came from the bushes, and walked in normally into the clearing. Albus vaguely recognized their Head, Fargus, as the leader. He alone looked much tougher next to the skinnier vampires. Nothing else for it, Albus felt Neil collapse, probably fainted, to the floor beside him. He gazed at them all, almost hungrily but Riley and Nate did not look too worried. Nate actually grinned like they were old friends, "Farg…"

"Fargus," the leader corrected. "Your brother does us an injustice. We had our fill of Acromantula today and a lone Centaur was taken too. We're filled so you're all in luck."

"So, you're not gonna eat the prisoners?" Seth asked.

"NO, PLEASE!" Aramaster shrieked in terror.

"We could save them till a later time," a vampire woman said from behind.

"No, please, please, don't," his brother begged.

"Don't," Albus sighed. "Guys, they're prisoners. Leave them alone."

Albus held little sympathy for them but they were kids. The only one who seemed to have sympathy for them was Melvin Ollivander, who glanced at them regretfully before looking away himself.

"We need a safe passage to Hogsmeade," Riley said calmly. "Know any."

"Of some, all of which are too far on foot, three of which are guarded intensely by Acromantula and the Reservation," Fargus answered. "You are trapped."

"You see," Melvin said through gritted teeth.

"Melvin, I sympathize with your desire to live but for the love of life, please… shut it," Lucy said with a roll of her eyes.

"So, we can just rest here?" Nate asked with a small grin.

"No," Fargus said. "This is our territory and a horde of Acromantula are likely on the move. If you choose life, I advise you to get out and take refuge elsewhere."

"What brought you here then?" Mark asked bluntly.

"Simple," Fargus said with an evil grin. "We smell a Werewolf."

Albus withdrew his wand too late. Five of them rushed past him and knocked Cherry aside as they seized Lancet harshly. He looked terrified but Cherry begged them, "Please, he's been bitten enough times."

"Doesn't look it," a woman commented. "Can't find the typical scars. And I smell something- else…"

"Let him go," Aries threatened, wand on the vampire's neck. "Or we fight."

"Kill her," Fargus told the threatened vampire.

What resulted was not what was expected by Fargus. The one who attacked Aries was incinerated in a heartbeat and about twenty other vampires moved in on them. Lancet screamed as Fargus inserted his fangs into Lancet's puncture marks that were placed there by Tyro. Lancet was completely pale as Albus whipped his wand out and set off a bang on the vampires. A burst of small fire escaped from Mark's wand and Aries waved hers in a similar motion. Most of the Guard took cover behind the trees, firing spells at the vampires who dodged them easily.

Cherry was attacking Fargus to no avail until, eventually, Lancet's limp body was thrown to the ground. "Leave them!" Fargus yelled. "The boy is useless. Leave!"

As quickly as they came, the vampires left. Albus as spared having to struggle against one who had him pinned while the Wallaby twins saw their spells hit nothing. They disappeared as quickly as they came.

Melvin groaned as Morpheus helped him up and the rest of the Guard stood as well, some shaking now the news of Acromantula was made clear. Even there, they were in danger. "Come on," Lysander said. "I know the forest better."

Albus bent down and revived Neil, helping Melvin to carry him. Lancet was now shaking violently, being supported by Cherry. He had the venom sucked out, not in, but he was still acting up. Albus was concerned for him, but they also had to get out of there. They followed beside Lysander with the others on the trail. Riley, Nate and a few vampires accompanied them on the rear. Lysander actually turned them far off the path and up to an old-looking tree. He examined the mossy ground at its base until he found a loose piece of earth. "My secret hideaway." Lorcan came in next and they found themselves in a large underground, earthy room similar to their first ever meeting place. It did not look familiar though. It was filled with bottles of whiskey making Gabriel widen his eyes.

"Drinking, Sander?" he asked shakily.

"No, they were Lycah's," he said casually. "Lorcan gave them to me to hide. Had to keep them away from her."

Lysander moved a boulder aside with his wand, revealing a long, narrow tunnel. "Takes us to the center of Centaur territory. They might help. If we're casual."

"The Centaurs?" Scorpius asked dubiously with Lucy nodding beside him. "Erm… doubtful."

"Actually," Aries said quietly. "They might. And if they don't, Apollo will."

Yes, that was true. They followed Lysander at a run, all thirty-eight students and the Reservation's kids being bound up and controlled by Aries and Seth, like they were on leashes. They rushed through the narrow tunnel, the boulder being replaced by the last one to leave, it being Gabriel. One thing for sure, the tunnel would not take them any closer to Hogsmeade, but further. It ascended little by little, like they were running up an uplifted piece of ground. Finally, Lysander moved another loose piece of earth and climbed up, Albus going next. This clearing was more like an undergrowth. The sky was visible but with the stars not yet out, the Centaurs were not there which Albus believed was lucky for them. If they were, they might not take too kindly to people sneaking their way into their heartland, Apollo or no Apollo.

"What now?" Pierre asked, looking around shakily and nervously.

"We wait," Lysander said happily. Melvin sighed gratefully and threw himself to rest against a tree. "I'll be back. Have to find at least one Centaur, let them know we're coming."

"Y-Yeah, w-won't be t-too good if they f-f-find us here by s-surprise," Lorcan stuttered. He seemed to be trying to return to his usual sanity but it was difficult. He rested against a pile of leaves.

"The Centaurs are gonna kill us!" Aramaster pleaded. "They attacked us before. We're their enemy."

"We're not," Sierra said with a smile.

"Let us go," Flare pleaded. "Please. We won't do a thing. We just need safe passage out of the country and you'll never see us again."

"Doesn't work that way," Scorpius said neutrally. "You caused the trouble in Hogwarts."

"Look, Lean, you were born amongst us, weren't you?" Rai pleaded. Rai seemed to be the eldest of the bunch, maybe eleven now. "Let us go. You can sympathize, can't you? We're just trying to live. We can't betray them, we'd die. Now we will if we don't leave the country."

"Seth, sympathize?" Aries laughed. "He killed people. You're not talking to the right person."

"We don't want to die here in a dark forest!" Aramaster sobbed.

As Aramaster pleaded, Alpha sighed as he lay on the grass, "I dunno about you. I could die like this."

Proxima, Lily and Hugo stared like he was mad, "What?"

"I love the grass," Alpha said. "It's my name, isn't it? I've always wanted to die on the grass, staring at the stars with the people I love beside me. Seems like a peaceful way to go."

"Aren't we too young to be thinking about death?" Melvin asked. "What about what you want?"

"I want somebody beside me when I do die," Alpha said neutrally. "Somebody I love."

"That's… poetic and morbid all at once," Lily commented. In response, Aramaster and his crew burst out laughing, like Alpha had said the stupidest thing ever. Lily rolled her eyes, "Quit it. And, Alpha, loved ones? Like who?"

"They're already here," he said with a smile towards her, making her look away.

"If you die, I'm leaving," Lily said neutrally.

It made Alpha look at her uncertainly, "Please, don't."

"I'm kidding, Alpha, lighten up," Lily sighed.

"I hate that joke," Alpha muttered.

"I hate it when people talk about death," Proxima sighed.

"So do I," Mark said in a low voice. "I- I fear death."

"Who doesn't," Eric sighed, staring at Alpha with interest.

"I do too," Alpha said uncertainly as he stared up at the white clouds moving overhead. "But I anticipate it too. Something's gotta happen," he said confidently. "Maybe as I stare at the stars, I'll join the stars. Maybe I'll float up there with mum."

"Or maybe you'll just disappear," Scorpius added.

"I will… but my soul won't," Alpha muttered. "It's gotta go somewhere, doesn't it?"

"Depends how powerful your own soul is," Alexis said. "Can it survive without a host?"

"Doesn't mean anything," Mark muttered, staring up. "My parents died, my best friend is dead, my foster brother is dead, and nothing suggests they're anywhere near me."

"If you fear death," Melvin said in a forced calm voice. "Then why do you fight?"

Mark actually had a small smile on his face, "I love life, but I love my family more. The family I have left. Don't you? Wouldn't you save your brother?"

"Of course, I"-

"Even if it costs you your life?" Alex asked him.

Melvin shut up. He looked uncertain as he glanced from Mark to Alex and then to Morpheus, whose hair turned yellow, green and to black in the span of half a minute. Melvin did not seem to have an answer ready immediately but after a minute, he finally nodded, "Yes… of course I will."

"Well, he's fighting the war," Maria said. "I'm scared too but I have a sense of duty. Maybe you'll have to die."

"Morpheus is a child," Melvin said. "Like you. He shouldn't be involved and getting him involved is murder."

"If you let us free," Aramaster said conversationally. "We won't do anything. We'll leave. The Reservation won't take us back anyway. Just let us go and we'll leave the country. We'll be out of your hair."

"Not gonna work," Aries told them apathetically. "You're coming with us, you're going to be imprisoned, and your fate will be up to the DA. Not us and if it was up to me, you'd die. So, you'd better pray they're more lenient than I am."

Albus saw Neil walk from behind some bushes and sit beside him, staring up as they waited. "Where were you?"

"Talking," Neil muttered. He reached into his pocket and to Albus' surprise, handed him the Resurrection Stone. "I don't need it."

Albus took it back but stared curiously. It was a month early. "Neil… are you ok?"

"When have I ever been?" Neil wondered, staring up determinedly. "At least- at least I said goodbye."

Before Albus could respond, and before Neil could decide on his next step, rustling in the trees and bushes surrounding them interrupted. Lysander had walked in then, beside him three Centaurs and Apollo, walking on his own two legs. He looked like he'd done a lot of walking. Aries leapt up and embraced him tightly. Apollo showed her emotion too. Tears even leaked from his eyes, both probably grieving about their father. "It's ok," Apollo said lowly.

Aries sighed and broke apart from him. The Centaur stood highly over Apollo and blocked him off from his sister. "The Child is ours now. If you want passage out, you will back away from him."

Slowly, more and more Centaurs cantered up. It seemed like half the herd had arrived led by, thankfully, Firenze. The walk was going to prove to be a long one but it happened. Albus did not know what Lysander said but it must've had something to do with Apollo. The boy was the only human allowed atop a Centaur's back. As they walked, a Centaur continued saying, continuously reminding them, "The forest hides many secrets. Undergrowths, passages, the stars themselves, the trees, the earth, the very roots… all hide secrets."

One by one, the Hogwarts Guard had to accept blindfolds. Albus felt this might be how Apollo saw things. Darkness. They were led by hands through the trees, taking blind twists and turns it actually was bothersome. Albus could hear Melvin complaining continuously behind him but Lysander seemed to be taking it naturally. Aries was talking to Firenze about how Apollo would be released once the war ended. Firenze promised he would be but remained vague on the details despite her attempt to get more words from him.

It felt like so long. After three hours passed of walking, taking short rests before walking again, they stopped to have some food which the Centaurs said were branches and leaves, saying this was their meal for the day, before going off again, back to getting nicks and cuts from the branches and bushes, even a Kneazle had dropped on Albus at one point. It had to be two more hours before they finally stopped. Firenze handled them down what felt like another tunnel and said as Albus moved aside for others to come down, "You may take your blindfold off when you are safely in the tunnel. The passageway will lead you to Hogsmeade countryside, specifically the ruins of Hogsnout village."

It was a relief. They did not walk immediately. Evening was beginning to fall. It was hard to believe they had rescued students so short a time ago. They rested for an hour, making very small talk, no one in the mood to continue the conversation they had before the Centaurs arrived. It was half an hour of walking before they finally stopped at what looked like a dead end. Lysander moved a boulder above them with his wand once more and they climbed out, one by one, until they reached the ruins of Hogsnout village.

"Muggle-born sanctuary," Simon sighed. He knelt, as if in respect for them.

Proxima actually shook her head and took his arm, "You want to pay respects, do so at the gravesite, not where the deed was done."

"Plus, we sort of have a ways to go," Melvin added. "Come on! I want safety!"

"You're safe already, calm down," Maria sighed, grabbing his arm.

Night had already fallen and they walked on for another five minutes before they saw, before their eyes, the lit, cobbled streets of Hogsmeade village. It never looked so welcoming before. They rushed over to it, so grateful further when they saw, as the guard to the village, DA members. They hailed the students curiously, Albus waving his hand frantically for their attention. They were safe. They were actually safe and they were out of the school. The students were safe, the village was safe and they'd remain there from then on. A DA member who introduced herself as Susan B. Macmillan hugged Pierre tightly and the boy sobbed into her shoulder.

Neil looked like he wanted to break down too but he did not. They did not have to. Albus did not need the pat on the back from Scorpius to tell him that they'd made it. They were led right after all. Many Guard members rushed into the village, some actually fell on bended knee as the relief of safety washed over them. It really did seem like it was ok. For the first time in a long while, they were safe from the Arsenal and the Reservation. Neil was one of the last ones to enter the village alongside Albus. He gazed at the lights disbelievingly.

"So, now what?" Albus asked quietly. "What'll you do?"

Neil's face darkened slightly as he felt his own heartbeat. "Do what James told me to do. Live…"