The Crossroads of Fate

Chapter 27: The Goblin's Amulet

"…at least until the end of the war," Neil continued. "What happens afterwards is anybody's guess."

Staying in Hogsmeade felt stranger than staying in the Room of Requirement at first. Everything changed. The security was very tight and it even seemed to have its own Ministry as the only piece of the Wizarding world left intact. News was rampant, being passed from villager to villager and their numbers were increasing by the day. Portkeys were taken and the protections around Hogsmeade extended, going further and further into the flatlands around it. Tent and encampments were set up, the numbers easily reached a thousand and maybe a little bit more. There was even a center in the very middle of the countryside for people who wanted to flee the country which made the influx of strangers bearable.

Incommodo had blocked the country off so Albus guessed these Portkeys were illegal. Then again, with the Ministry fallen and the world in chaos, what wasn't legal these days? February ended and March began. It was the first time Albus had a taste of living anywhere in the Wizarding world as an adult. No one was working. Food was handed out to everyone three times a day, it being multiplied, even freshly cooked by house elves when they could. The lands were growing little by little, even the caves in the mountains were starting to be taken and protected for more people to find shelter and this forced the trolls to retreat and some Goblins, who were also seen, to get riled up. Albus watched as the DA expanded little by little and it did somewhat increase the morale of the populace living there. Their only scare came at the beginning of March when the Reservation's ship attempted landing and failed to do so, leaving only a sizzling sound in the shields.

The DA's numbers were also increasing though at a much slower pace than the population of course. More and more people fled, especially after the scare. Portkeys were being set up to take them to other countries, set to self destruct after use and more and more started using them, especially as more and more started coming, bringing news which other places were being attacked. Newcastle was apparently taken, London was taken over except for the palace itself which was protected with insane amounts of magic, and most of Wales had fallen to the Reservation while all of Ireland was Reservation. Each time, when those people arrived, tension was generally felt reverberating through the village.

Yet, these people also came with rumors. The Reservation was going slower with each campaign. The damage Seth had wrought with his order was still being felt. It increased boldness within its ranks. More started fighting randomly, they all were killed quickly and it rarely had any larger impact but it meant that the Reservation was slowing down. They were getting weaker. Apparently, their march through Wiltshire had come to a complete halt and nobody could explain why. Something there had stopped them completely and they were forced to roll back according to the few who escaped the dotted villages in the country. Scorpius said it was his family's efforts that saved the day but Lysander and Luna seemed to think the Centaurs had gotten involved once again. Albus heard the guards holding Aramaster laughing about it and he knew Aramaster was listening too.

Albus did not know what was going on with Aramaster and his crew. Him, Intonus, Flare and Rai were locked up tight but very few were standing guard. The DA had suffered losses in the war and few were able to look after the village let alone guard prisoners and that worried Albus. If the village ever suffered an attack, very few were there to defend it. Their best bet was that the mountains were rugged and too high to support the ship doing anything to their protections. Albus heard little of the prisoners beyond Aramaster screaming and yelling, even Melvin asked to visit them once and was let down. The DA were taking no risks and Albus honestly could not blame them.

Of the original Dumbledore's Army, few were left. Sixteen of the original twenty-eight, some of whom were dead and many of whom were captured. Still no word on what the fate of Angelina was and nobody dared talk about Harry, Ron and Hermione who were captive. The rumors were too varied. In fact, most of the DA's force was made up of witches and wizards who volunteered either during the Battle of Hogwarts or during the current war and some of them, when given the chance, were leaving with their families. Albus could not blame them either. Melvin talked openly of wanting to leave but Morpheus insisted on staying and seeing the war through. Morpheus had proven his loyalty when he spied on the Arsenal for them and frequently told the DA what they were up to.

Meanwhile, news started coming in about the Arsenal. Greece sent message saying they had no information on a Mors Incommodo and nobody had seen anything of him. Neil and Sierra dared a venture into the school once the portrait in the bungalow was temporarily set up again and they returned saying Lex was overseeing the students still, none had died, but Incommodo was not there. He was gone. Albus did not know what this meant. Some thought this meant that the efforts by the DA had finally destroyed him and he had died on the journey and would never be found. Others insisted if this was indeed Herpo himself, he would be found and he would return. Albus knew better. His Rune was getting clearer, which meant Incommodo was still alive. He wanted to believe they were safe but he knew it was hard to believe.

The Hogwarts Guard meanwhile, had taken to relaxing and training themselves. Aries and Mark gave lessons to any who asked. Frank could be heard bragging to anyone, even chatting up waitresses, that he could pull a Stunning spell off even if he was only third year. Indeed, he even showed off an Explosion curse when challenged by Alpha and upon his success, Alpha asked for lessons too. The Guard mainly stuck together and took up a whole two floors in the Three Broomsticks. Albus supposed it was because of their efforts they were given special accommodations. Albus for one took up a room at the top floor and rested there with Scorpius, who was out mostly with Lucy, probably snogging her or who-else-knew-what.

Albus left his room door open except when reading, which was when he closed it. He was nearly done with the book too. He had finally gotten to the chapter on dark objects and he immersed himself into it right away.

Dark Objects

Dark objects are objects on which are placed permanent runes which make Charms and curses permanently placed on them. They were first made when a wand was attached to them. Witches and wizards were able to channel their magic through such objects. Upon runes becoming common, specific Charms could be placed, giving these objects additional powers to ward or even Charm any given area. However, some objects have curses placed on them which make them very dangerous to be used.

Some objects are considered lesser as they do not surface as often. The Eternal Juggler was a single ball which had a curse placed on it. The victim, most recently little Georgie Ford, was cursed to eternally juggle the balls before the curse was finally lifted by the Bulgarian hospital. It is now kept stored away in an unknown location, believed to be somewhere in England. (Rumors suggest the Malfoy family has it.) One noted object that was destroyed in 1999 was a cursed necklace which brings instant death to whoever touches it directly. Used as a weapon briefly in the second war against Voldemort, it was deemed illegal by then-Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt and sent to Egypt to be destroyed.

Another cursed object was Herpo's old Scepter, location now unknown. It was said to be imbued with a Basilisk's eye so whoever gazes upon the orb itself suffers death. The Scepter is also capable of holding three wands, making its power tremendous. It has never yet been handled at its full power except by Herpo the Foul himself. Since Ancient times, the Scepter, while still existent, has been considered inactive. The last it was seen was in a Greek bidding war won by little known and inactive Mortimer Ink, a boy who had disappeared years prior in his childhood and now presumed dead.

Objects are also generally soul-based. Pertaining to the earlier chapter on soul, the Spectral Cube was said to have the power to detect the state of a soul but nothing else. The Black Orb has the capability to detect and manipulate the soul at the wielder's command but was only ever in use in Medieval times. It is widely believed Morgan's soul was at threat before the Orb saved her. The only witch who seemed to know how to use it was Morgan Le Fay and rumors that she passed this knowledge on to her descendants, widely believed to be the infamous Wallader family, are unconfirmed.

What perhaps rises more than any other objects are the Medieval Relics of Great Britain. The Soulless Scepter being used by Morgan in Medieval times has offensive power of tremendous proportions, The Black Orb has the ability to grant immortality to a soul and even magically reanimate the dead, The Enchanter's Amulet has enormous defensive power rivaled only by the offense the Scepter brings, the Dueler's Sword grants victory to the wielder and absorbs magical properties, the Eagle's Quill controls the action of any given individual within reasonable demand, the Earthen Cloak conceals and grants the wearer the properties of whatever it looks like thus granting true ethereal invisibility, and the Serpentine Staff grants the wilders an army of serpents that can be modified at will. It is said that whoever wields all seven Relics will never be defeated.

However, it is also noted that wielding all seven is all but impossible. With all the Relics requiring specific mindset to be able to use and the Amulet itself requiring a specific bloodline make any one person wielding all seven impossible. The requirements make these Relics particularly interesting to scholars as objects are generally…

Albus closed the book thoughtfully. Well, it did not kill his hopes, that was for sure. They could be saved. He just hoped Incommodo might get rid of Ink's soul for whatever reason. If not, he hoped Seth would help him there and do what had to be done. Seth had a plan in mind, Albus knew, but what mattered was Incommodo would die at the end of it. He thought it might work after hearing Maria lecture about the Orb, he was somewhat comforted to know that even without Maria, reading the book would've still given him the knowledge he needed. Riley really did save his life. Albus sighed as he put it aside, walking out of his room and looking up and down the hall. Albus' room was right across from Seth's room which he shared with Simon. Albus frequently saw their door wide open, Simon laying back on the bed thoughtfully while Seth watched from the window. He even sat on a high balcony, overlooking the village.

"Hey, Al," Simon said neutrally. "Come on in. Being alone with Seth is quite discomforting."

"He's not gonna murder you in your sleep, you know," Albus commented as he walked in.

"I'm a pacifist by nature," Simon sighed. "Killing people doesn't do my mentality justice. And it's wrong."

"Why do you share a room with him then?" Albus asked to which Simon smiled guiltily.

"He's still my friend," Simon shrugged. "And when the war is over, he shouldn't have any more reason to murder people. That… and the only other free room is the one next to Lucy's room and I swear, from behind the wall, you can hear her snog Scorpius into the next century. Gotta hand it to them, it takes real commitment to go for a romantic relationship when you could be two days away from dying. They're not giving it a break. Even Alpha is shutting up these days and he's weird."

"Yeah, he's… supposed to be bunking with me but he doesn't come in till midnight," Albus smirked. "You doing ok?"

"I'm not doing ok until my parents' killers are gone."

"And you call yourself a pacifist," Albus quipped.

Simon was grinning guiltily as Albus walked over to the balcony to where Seth stood. It was quite the view. They could see Hogwarts from there. The castle looked the same as ever, as if nothing had ever happened to it. The village itself looked very lively from above too. At least the people were walking about, nobody too scared to be outdoors. Seth sighed quietly as they watched. The DA were patrolling too, they could see troll movement in the mountains and smaller figures Albus supposed might've been Goblins but even they could not break through. Not that they tried recently.

"They will, eventually," Seth muttered, probably having seen where Albus was looking and correctly deduced what he was thinking. "They're strong enough and the Reservation are providing them with wands so they can inflict whatever curses to absorb into whatever metals they make. Add Rojer to the equation and the protections around Hogsmeade will collapse, especially with Incommodo gone. Plus… take a look." Seth used a spell that created a sort of watery magnifier. It acted as some sort of telescope to let Albus see into the mountains. The Goblins were there, hacking away at the protections and with them, a larger Goblin was holding up what looked like an Amulet. Aries' Amulet. "Lex handed it to them. Implies the Goblins aren't really on a side, they just want Wizardkind to fall. With Incommodo gone, they'll break in and we'll be overrun."

"Do- do you think he's gone?" Albus asked.

"No," Seth shook his head. "He's alive. Probably Herpo by now. Well, he'd better be. He came really weak and defeated. And once he acquires a new body, it'll be with one soul, not two souls as originally planned. In fact, if he wasn't so beaten, he would've had a stronger body, more magic, and immunity from the Killing Curse. So, the rebellion actually had an effect. If he's not Herpo, he's dead and if he's dead, Lex wouldn't be so loyal still nor would Arsenal members be coming from Greece in droves. Looks like the children from generations of his old followers are coming here. That's disturbing."

"What?"

"Greek witches and wizards coming here, their Scepter being used and maybe destroyed," Seth pointed. "How does it look to the Greek Ministry? Even if we win, we'll still have a whole new set of problems with them and it'll take a real good explanation to placate them. Probably have to pay for their loss and we can't. Not with the bank wrecked and the Goblins against us."

They continued watching. Mark and Neil had walked out of the Three Broomsticks inn together and down the street. Albus did not know where but he did fall into deep thought. Seth was right. Their problems might not end even for three years, even if the war ended that day, they'd still have problems to deal with. "How's the Alchemical work going?" he asked casually.

"It's done," Seth said frankly. "Works. Now to see how it can be used. Maria is trying to test a theory and Aries used a rune spell to summon a monkey and we tested it. The monkey acted the way it should. Its heart continued for five minute after a Killing Curse hit it. Then it died. Sort of crazy."

"Great," Albus said quietly. "Thanks."

"Don't thank me," Seth said bluntly. He turned to Albus and stepped back, "Al… I'm backing out. Find someone else to do it. I'm not going to kill you."

Albus was surprised and ironically a little hurt at the sudden backtrack. Seth kept staring at him determinedly, like he had made his decision. Albus stared back firmly, "When Incommodo comes back, he's gonna have the power levels of me, Voldemort, Herpo and Ink all channeled through that insane Scepter. If the Relics don't do it"-

"Then by all means, throw yourself in front of a Killing Curse,"-

"Do that and the fight will only get more destructive," Albus told him. He couldn't believe Seth was backing out again. Without remorse, honestly. "You do realize that the quickler and cleaner the death is, the less people die. All we need is him destroying the Orb, freeing those souls, and then you kill me. Simple. Someone will have to do it."

"I'm not doing something for your father to imprison me for life and Simon to hate me," Seth said blankly. "Not after everything I've worked for. You wanna die, great. Find someone else."

"You're the only one Seth," Albus said frankly. Seth shrugged like it wasn't his problem but Albus went on, "Once he takes over, someone will have to do the deed and you're the only one who'd be willing to. Look, back out now if you want but I'm trusting that once it happens, you'll do what you have to do. I might be saved. But you have to, Seth. Especially if he returns as Herpo."

They stared at each other determinedly long. It was as if they were going to try staring each other down. Seth sighed and shook his head, looking away towards the street again. "Fine. Whatever. So, everyone I know has a death wish. Big deal."

"Started caring now?" Albus asked calmly. "You were telling me last year you'd do it without remorse. What happened?"

Seth stared at him, his eyes empty but his face looking annoyed, "I just don't want to kill you is all." Seth sighed and looked down. "I'll think about it. I mean, really think because killing you might make Simon hate me forever. And then, there you are assuming I'll even live to kill you," Seth reminded him. "I could be dead by then. This is the Reservation and Herpo we're dealing with. Both pretty much want me dead. Hell, even your side wants me dead. Doing this job just adds another crime to my long list."

"Yet, here we are plotting it," Albus reminded him. "You have a memory of it, you can even share it with Maria and have backup. You'd be doing the right thing. Ironically."

With those final words, Albus left Seth alone on the balcony. He hoped he would do the right thing and do the deed. Only he would be willing to. Aries maybe but Albus preferred asking Seth. He would have less problem with it. Albus walked out of the inn to stretch, knowing Seth was probably watching him from above and walked down the street towards the Hogs Head with his head full of thoughts and scenarios. He had to admit to himself, he was worried now. Seth was unwilling, Albus might truly have to die by someone else's hand and it would be painful if he tried.

To make matters worse, the day looked like it was fast approaching. Goblins were hacking away at their protective shields that were so limited now without Incommodo in the area. It was impressive they managed to keep the Reservation off the first time, they mightn't get so lucky the second time. Albus walked past Zonko's Joke shop where a number of younger kids were playing, and continued down the street. The steak house was there, the site of his first date with Alexis. His last date with Alexis was the back of Puddifoot's. He had to think about this.

Regardless of his attempts, death was likely. So, whenever he died, he would see James again, he would see Walter and Molly, he would see Hagrid and he did not know who else would be joining him. Scorpius? He was certain of his own death as much as Albus was. Mark? He feared death but he feared losing his loved ones more. Alpha? He almost anticipated his death so long as he had people around him. Lily? Well, that would make Alpha happy. But what happened to those left alive? How much grieving would there be? Riley, the rest of the Guard, let alone his mother and father, and his baby brother or sister on the way. If Albus had one regret, it was that he might never get to meet the baby.

Sierra and Morpheus ran past him over to the Hogs Head, giggling at something inside. Alexander was sitting on the side reading a book through his thick-rimmed glasses. Despite what Alexis said about Alexander secretly liking Albus, he showed no hint that he knew Albus even existed. As Albus passed, he looked inside. He could see what Morpheus and Sierra was giggling at. Melvin was actually sitting across the table from a girl his age. He seemed right at home and for once happy. Albus actually felt pleased to see it. Melvin had just wanted to be left alone. Because Soto had arrived at his shop one day, Melvin was forced against his will into the war and ultimately expelled. If things had stayed the same, he could've stayed in Hogwarts with his brother, lay low and evacuate if he needed to. Albus felt sorry for the guy.

On another table, he spied Mark sharing a drink with Neil. Albus did not get a good look at the drink but it did seem like it was rum or whiskey. Neil was sleeping his head on the table and Mark was just staring into space. Both of them looked completely hopeless, tugging Albus' heartstrings more. The war had to end. If he had any comfort, regardless of what ultimately happened to him after death, whoever was right regarding the talk of death in the forest, it was that problems like this and people like Neil and Mark may be allowed to have a chance of recovery.

Albus sighed, feeling like sitting down himself, maybe staring into space like Mark. He was considering sitting beside Alexander, maybe hungry for younger company, when Rose Weasley walked on out from the bungalow. Beside her, arm tightly around her was Riley. She looked very out of place, like she had suddenly realized something. Hugo, Lucy and Roxanne met her in the countryside. She seemed to be in the middle of explaining to Hugo something, "So, I decided to come back. I'm sorry for running off, I swear, after the war is over, I'll explain everything. I just… don't want to leave my friends behind again." Hugo just stared at her cautiously. Lucy shrugged and accepted her apology but Hugo was unsure. Rose went on, "Apollo was right," she muttered. "But… either he didn't know what my reasons were or he didn't tell."

"What are those reasons," Hugo asked quietly. "What was more important than me fighting a war? What was more important than Alpha getting mind-blown? What was more important than saving the world from people like the Reservation? Huh?"

Rose looked like she was going to tell, truly looked ready, like she had psyched herself up for this when Scorpius' voice sounded, "Rosie! You- you look a lot…"

"Better," Lucy offered. "Slimmer, and more like the Rose I knew? Yeah, I agree with Scorpius."

"Rosie and I have something to tell you guys… and it might shock you," Riley said in a bored but measured tone.

Lucy sighed, "Well, after what happened with Mark and Aries, I'm sort of prepared for anything? So, when's the wedding and when's the baby due?"

Rose went red and Riley looked down, "Well, that's the thing."

Before Riley could finish, a loud explosion sounded. Part of the barrier had broken apart and three DA members rushed in. "They're breaking through! We can't hold them!"

Albus' stomach fell. Great. Another attack. Just when life in Hogsmeade was getting regular. The Reservation was never going to leave them alone until they broke through. Their ship couldn't do it, then the Goblins would. They had wands, Seth said. They had enough power. Albus saw Alexander running in the opposite direction but Albus ran forward towards the Goblins.

If they came anywhere, it would be the mountainous edge off the countryside. As expected, Susan B. Macmillan, Dean Thomas and three other newer volunteers were on the frontlines fighting them. It did not seem to be a winning battle though. They were far outnumbered. Pierre was hiding behind a small shack watching with fearful eyes as his mother was fighting them off.

Albus jumped at the crack. His jump was due to the appearance of two more, Louis Weasley rushed in and behind him was Fred. Albus felt him touch his shoulder real quickly before rushing off into the battle. More and more started coming in. A loud explosion sent Susan, Fred and Dean flying off and they rushed in at the droves. Albus sent a quick Stunner before backing away. Damn it, damn it! Already? Albus recognized some of the Goblins this time. Riley had his side too, firing off his own spells, spells that seemed pretty advanced. Many were the same ones who attacked the Malfoy Manor two years ago, the ones who survived Albus' rampage after Ridge so nearly killed Lily. They seemed to recognize him too. "Stupefy! Terra Dimoveo!"

The Stunning spell was parried easily and a single blast from their new Amulet forced Albus to conjure the more difficult shield charm, "Obscurum Expunctus!"

The blast dissipated into smoke once it contacted Albus' yellowish shield. He knew it was not perfect, he was barely good with the Charm, but it had to do. He sent an Explosion curse outside it. The Goblins scattered, taking apart the last slivers of protections as more and more charged in. It was over. Albus backed away some more, almost into Rose, who had her wand up. "Finally fighting?"

"We're frigging cornered!" she yelled. "What do you expect me to do?"

As if on cue, another Explosion curse sounded scattering the next horde of Goblins. A small figure pushed past Albus and into the throng like an idiot. Frank Longbottom was yelling madly, firing explosion curse after Explosion curse, laughing as the Goblins were forced to flee. "Expulso! Confringo! Expulso! EXPULSO!" He laughed again, "Haha! You haven't MET Frankie yet! EXPULSO!"

Riley fired explosive curses too, causing as much chaos as he could, even transfiguring the debris from the loose earth into knives. It practically shook the ground and Albus had Scorpius and Lucy rush by his side. Riley was a little off the side. A jet of green light hitting a Goblin signaled Seth's arrival. "Scatter and regroup!" a scratchy voice yelled roughly and they did so. They avoided all forthcoming jets of light, the Amulet absorbing any other explosions Frank sent. Then, Simon rushed in, breathless, "Don't mind them scattering, use their numbers against them. They're still in groups, they can't not be. Al, Seth, take each other's backs!" he ordered intensely.

Albus and Seth did as told, Simon yelling more orders. Pretty soon, as the Goblins were firing jets of spells, Scorpius, Riley and Hugo took each other's backs, forming a small circle, shielding themselves against the Goblins. Simon was still breathless, still giving commands. He sent Frank in again and he started blowing them up again. The combination of wand and metals made them too formidable. Frank had barely avoided it, Seth conjured a dome-like shield to avoid them and Albus shook the earth slightly to keep the ones after him off.

Then, Lucy rushed in. Scorpius yelled but she sent a jet of fiery red light at them. The Goblins surrounded her but she ducked around them, over them, casting at one after another. Lucy seemed to be very nimble, able to evade at the very least, she even leapt over one and did a handstand before flipping over another and rolling away from a jet of light. Truly, a girl who took gymnastics as a child, even wrote to have it as a requirement for Aurors, showed why. The Goblins even tried jets of green light at her but she avoided them easily, using her size over them to her advantage, even twirling her wand at the air above them and making an invisible heavy something press weight on them. One explosion later and a rush of fire from Scorpius and Riley scared them off.

Meanwhile, two kids from Zonko's had set off fireworks which got two Goblins chasing after them, battling through the sparklers and smoke. They ran off but a knife sailed through the air and struck one in the ear. Louis fired a Stunning spell to throw the Goblin off. Albus' stomach sank further as the Goblins came further in. A burst of light around the perimeter told Albus that the protections had been replaced but with the amount of Goblins in, that was meaningless.

"Sierra, go!" Simon yelled. Then, a wave of blonde hair told Albus that Sierra had come. A burst of smoke later and a flash of white light. "Caecus!" Rose's voice yelled.

A blinding flash of light exploded from her wand. It certainly succeeded in keeping them off. Albus felt a scuffling of two pairs of feet rush past him. A burst of black smoke told Albus someone had used Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder. Albus heard jets of light and he did not dare fire his own, worried he would hit whoever had rushed in front of him. He heard Rose shriek something, heard a bunch of scampering feet behind him, Riley yelling for help, Seth firing a Killing Curse and another pair of feet rush past. A loud thud sounded, two pairs of people apparently having bumped into each other, and a scratchy voice yelled, "Take the girl!"

Rose shrieked again, and then Hugo's yell went on, "Expelliarmus!"

A loud bang went off and the smoke dissipated. It took Albus' eyes a while to adjust to the sudden presence of light but Hugo and Lucy seemed undeterred. Lily seemed to have come in all the chaos too but Simon was on the floor and Hugo started casting spells wildly but the Goblins had parried them all effortlessly. They seemed like an unbreakable wall but this time, they had Rose hostage. They held a glowing knife to her throat and a spherical instrument resting on a rod at her stomach and another held a similar one to her heart area. They stopped, Albus' heart beating wildly.

He did not know what had happened and how it happened so fast, let alone in complete darkness. The effects of the darkened scuffle made itself known. Sierra and Morpheus were holding their Amulet threateningly, Seth was pointing his wand but looked bloody and bruised, Scorpius' scalp and blonde hair was stained with red but he stayed standing. Meanwhile, Rose was captured, Hugo was scratched but he had a bunch of instruments at his feet and Lily was pointing her wand threateningly at them, about to destroy them. The DA arrived in droves too, led by Susan and Louis. The two had their wands raised and alone looked unhurt. Pierre was also hostage, watching fearfully. His wand seemed to be smoking, meaning he too had fired a spell to save the situation and had gotten captured as a result. The situation looked hopeless now.

Now Rose was captured though and Morpheus had the Amulet twirling between his fingers, everything had gone still. Sierra was giggling at them, almost taunting them, inciting their anger further but they did not dare kill Rose just yet. Albus' cousin was fighting back but they held her strongly and a trickle of blood on her chest from their instruments stopped her from fighting further. Hugo's wand was shaking now, looking very tense now his sister was captured. Slowly, the Goblins left started encircling them, surrounding the small group of fighters who had arrived for the skirmish.

"Ok, so here's how it's gonna go," Louis said breathlessly. "You hand us"-

"No," the Goblins said scratchily. "We have it over you this time! This is our battle. You will hand us the thieves and our Amulet or we kill this girl and this boy and take it by force! NOW!"

"Think about what you're doing," Louis told them. "We're beating the Reservation. They're fighting amongst themselves, in a few months, their campaign will be toast and you'll be left with a very bad end of whatever deal the Ministry cuts."

"They're completely irrational," Scorpius muttered.

"Is that a threat?" a Goblin challenged Louis.

"By far," Riley agreed with Lucy nodding.

"Their Orb is gone," Seth reminded them. "It's only a matter of time but their destruction is being timed. It's in our hands and you'll be beaten."

"This is your last chance," Susan said calmly. "Release my son and release Miss Weasley… or you'll be left worse off than when you started."

The Goblins stood still, facing them as if they had all gone mad. Like they all had some nerve even trying to talk them out of their campaign. The Head Goblin, this one bigger and burlier than the one Albus and Lucius had killed two years back, held what looked like a dagger but with a ball at the point. "No. The Wizards have refused negotiation, refused to acknowledge our contributions, some Ministers even took our bank over, they left us with petty criminals and refused our rightful possessions of wands despite our capability of using magic! KILL THEM ALL!"

"Goal, get them!" Seth yelled.

Albus was confused but Lancet had crouched on all fours and started transforming. The venom having been sucked out seemed to have given him some sort of control over his Lycanthropy. He had never turned before now. Lancet's wolf form was very different though, he did seem to be in pain but it wasn't doing anything yet. He did not seem to have to be on four legs. In fact, he still looked humanoid, just with wolfish fur. The fur growing out seemed to be what was causing him pain and the more pain he was caused, the more magic burst out of him, attacking Goblins and DA members. The ones holding Pierre lost their grip on him and Lancet leapt at the ones holding Rose.

Morpheus threw the Amulet to Sierra with a smirk, his hair glistening with blue. Then…

"Expelliarmus!" Hugo and Frank yelled at once as Pierre crawled away. Albus was not sure. Either both had managed or just Hugo but the instruments they were holding flew out of their hands and a burst of fire from the Amulet destroyed them all. Scorpius actually unleashed a burst of fire to rush at the Goblins mercilessly. Albus was not sure if he had killed any of them or not but the Goblins yelled as they raised their wands. Rose started fighting back but she got hit on the back of the head with something, making her go still. With all their instruments destroyed, they went red in anger. Albus raised his own wand, sensing a weakness in their wall now their instruments were gone. "Confringo!"

A fiery explosion knocked them off their feet and the ones holding Pierre were forced to let go. He ran to his mother just as a jet of green light impacted her face and she fell back just as Pierre reached her. He stopped, glassy-eyed, as if not fully comprehending what had happened. Albus did not think his stomach could sink any further. The Goblins had used the wands they wanted so badly and killed someone. Another pointed his wand at Rose next and Hugo yelled and ran in. It was both brave and stupid. Lily had to follow him and Albus went in next, not about to watch those two get overrun again. Riley started firing shield-breaker Charms at them, managing to break the wall of Goblins and allowing Albus' next spell to have an effect.

Expulso, he thought.

The Goblins about to attack Hugo and Lily were blown apart and a jet of green light from Seth killed another. Lancet attacked the Goblins around them, apparently fully in control of his own mind. Lucy rushed in again, going for another bout of evasion to distract more Goblins. A rush of fire burned about three of them before they doused it, but the ones holding Rose wasted no more time. "Stop or she dies!" one yelled angrily. "One more move, and her blood is added to our Blood-powered instrument. Hand our Amulet back or the battle only begins!"

"Enough," a half-soft, half-scratchy voice yelled from behind. They stopped. A Goblin walked in. At least, what Albus guessed was a Goblin. He had their skin, even warts, but something in his eyes, his eyes frequently changing color, reminded Albus of Morpheus. "Stand down. We're leaving this trash pile! They're waiting for us!" They stopped. They stared at him but he was holding an instrument to keep them off his eyes. "I don't want them getting mad at disobeying orders, do you? Leave this trash pile and go back. The battle is lost anyway. The protections are back up and stronger."

Two Goblins took his instrument from him, gazed at it interestedly and looked straight into his eyes which now matched the Goblin's hazel eyes. Somehow, Albus knew what would happen three seconds before it did. He would forever wish he had the mind to act but his mind was so filled with tension, it had not occurred to him. The instrument glowed and Lancet's wolfish form was contorted, he was screaming in pain before a pointy end, as sharp as a dagger stuck out of the sphere. He stuck it through Lancet and kicked him down, leaving him to die in his now furless, human form.

More joined the ones holding Rose. "Oh, please," Seth scoffed. "How many threats are you gonna make? We won! You're routed."

Albus could not help but feel a little angry at Seth. He sent Lancet in and it resulted in who-knew-what to his body, and now he was taunting the people who were threatening Rose.

The two charged at Rose and Hugo yelled. His Disarming charms only did so much. Albus moved the earth, Lucy had even fired the Imperius Curse on one of them, Scorpius actually used the Cruciatus Curse, Seth and Sierra sent Killing Curses, and Hugo and Lily actually charged them, their skins physically repelling all objects as they pinned them but a loud bang silenced them.

Hugo and Lily rolled off, Frank stopped and fell, Pierre just went white and froze stiff, and Morpheus stopped, staring in shock and Sierra was unconscious against Seth's sitting form. Everyone who had tried attacking them back had been stopped but the real casualty was left to die. The Goblins used the chaos to flee. Nobody would follow them. Not this time. Frank was holding Lancet, wand on his wounds, trying to save him but Albus, Riley and Hugo ran for Rose. Her fallen form was unmoving but she was still breathing, her chest moving up and down as she stared straight up at the sky. Albus knew what was happening before he made it up.

Sierra used the Amulet one last time and a large blast froze the Goblins the DA had chased after. They fell to the floor, having lost their Amulet but having made an effect on the situation. A lot of the DA were down, some dead, and Alex and Eric rushed in from behind, "The village! The Arsenal is attacking, Aries and Mark were- what?" They stopped at the scene before them. The Goblins had killed two people, three if Lancet failed to pull through. The DA grabbed them roughly and kicked them off. Many were resisting but it made Albus fully realize how serious a Goblin rebellion was.

The moment was surreal. The red-head cousin seemed half crushed as if by a boulder even though it was a magical instrument. Whatever the Goblins had done had caused a lot of damage. Riley looked worried. They dragged her to a more grassy area and Riley readied his wand, attempting to save her. Scorpius had just made it up concernedly and Rose sighed. Only Scorpius, Albus, Lily and Hugo were there. She sighed as Riley sat back, "You are so not fighting right now."

"I- I never wanted to," Rose whispered. "I just- I just wanted to… I…"

Riley sat back, looking miserable. He whispered something to Scorpius that made him gape in misery. "No, No, Rosie, no," Scorpius' eyes leaked down, openly crying now as he picked her head up with Hugo. Albus tried the few healing spells he knew but the damage seemed to be a Curse.

Rose actually smiled slightly, "You- you actually do care, huh?"

"Hey- just- just beca… I don't have to date you to show I care," Scorpius sobbed. "Rosie…"

"I- I care for you too, Scorpius," Rose muttered. "Lay me down, now, ok? I- I want to look up." Scorpius did as told and she stared up, breathing getting lighter.

"Rosie, stay safe, ok," Hugo said quietly, his eyes leaking. "Don't die, I mean it!"

"Hugo, can you- come here a sec?" she asked solemnly. Hugo did as told and Albus stared in disbelief. Lucy seemed in a state of shock, like she couldn't believe what had happened. She had assumed a responsible role from a young age, especially over Hugo. Hugo looked devastated and broken. "Listen to me, and listen well, I want you to live. Ok? And I want you to- to- just live, ok?" Rose said tensely to him. "I mean it, don't you dare die on me! You're getting yourself killed and I- I only wanted you to- to be as good as me and mum. To get good grades, to study, to have a decent job, make a name for yourself and…"

"Rosie… I was, I wanted to but you… look, I just…" Hugo was crying. "I'll be fine. But I need to fight back. It's the right thing to do."

Rose pulled him closer and whispered something in Hugo's ear. Albus was not sure what it was, but Hugo raised his eyes, disbelievingly, staring at Rose like he had never really known his sister properly before. As she allowed him to slowly pull himself away from her, still in shock, she told him, "Do whatever you think is right," her eyes fighting to stay open. "Just… take care of yourself. Ok?"

"Rosie," Lily said confidently. "Hugo's gonna be fine. I'm with him."

Rose sighed in what was supposed to be relief, "I know. I trust you."

"R-Rosie…" Albus said quietly. "Rose… don't give it up, ok? Stay. You'll be fine."

"Don-don't say that, Rosie," Scorpius muttered pleadingly.

Rose seemed to be laughing a painful one as Riley picked her up and hugged her, silent tears leaking down. She didn't seem strong enough to hug him back but she tried. Her arms were around him but they were weakening, gradually falling, "You- you think you can negotiate? Look just… tell Apollo I'm sorry. He saw this a long time ago."

"NO!" Hugo screamed.

"Hugo"-

"ROSIE!" Hugo yelled, being held tightly by a tearful Lily, Scorpius actually broke down on Lucy's shoulder, Lucy embracing him tightly.

Rose was dead. Albus' eyes leaked as well. He could not believe it. He just- he couldn't. His closest cousin after Hugo, probably. And she'd died as a hostage. Whatever she wanted, whatever she hoped to talk to Hugo about, she couldn't. She had died so quickly, she died standing, just happened to be at the wrong place. Rose, Albus knew, realized how precious they were, how important it was to fight at the very last moment, perhaps a second too late. With her last words, she did not beg Hugo to turn back like Scorpius did, but acknowledged his desire to fight, just asked him to take care of himself, to get good grades, study, and just be a good student. Slowly, Albus remembered her argument with Apollo after he warned her. That she would die alone.

Your life is very educated and successful and you can live it as you please but you will not be well-liked. Your relationships will fall apart with friends and family and you will die alone. Or… you can learn the value of those around you, learn that there is more to life than school and grades. If you realize soon enough, your life will be happy. If you realize too late, you will die with many around you.