The Crossroads of Fate
Chapter 30: The Crossroads of Fate- Life and Death
It was not immediately clear what had happened. They had found a piece of Aramater's clothing near the mountainous countryside where the trolls resided but they also found a piece of Flare's hair tie in the Portkey center. Nobody could decide whether they had fled by Portkey which was a more obvious choice, or whether they braved the mountains. Several DA members actually ran in to the mountains to go after them. It was a grueling wait indeed. Most of the Hogwarts Guard waited in the countryside where Rose had fallen, waiting for the DA to return. Albus was standing beside Alexis, watching Aries ask Neville some questions, waiting as much as the rest. If they found a body, they would assume Aramaster died there. If not, they would have to assume he either got through the mountains, which was very unlikely or simply managed the Portkey without anybody noticing.
"All of the Portkeys are accounted for," Michael Corner said, as if he read Albus' mind. "If he took one, he made it himself which is magic beyond his own level."
Aries looked in interest and left to the center herself. She'd been gone for an hour when the DA members returned with news. Apparently, they had indeed found a body but it was not identified. It was far too charred and unrecognizable, not even the best Sensory Charms could identify who it was. They had found it lying in the open but Alexis was confused. No troll could do that and the Reservation did not have a presence there strong enough to detect and kill any rogue witches and wizards. Trolls were the danger there. Nothing else but trolls.
At that moment, Aries came back. "One of the Portkeys is not working."
"This is very puzzling," Alexis admitted. "A recently charred body is left for us to find, a piece of clothing from Aramaster, both of which point to the mountains. But Flare's hair tie and an unusable Portkey suggest they took one and duplicated it before leaving. But that could also be a ruse."
"Was that a pun on his name?" Albus asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Well… he was well named, I'll give them that," Alexis admitted with a smile. "He purposely tried throwing us off by any means necessary but that suggests"-
"He'd been free for a while," Aries finished. "Probably during the Arsenal battle. They might've hidden. Nobody really paid attention to that area since they attacked, he might've escaped between then and now. And any time between then and now planted those objects and left."
"They're sneaky enough to get through the mountains," Albus said pointedly.
"And they're clever enough to duplicate a Portkey," Alexis added. "Which at least suggests they got their hands on wands and if they could do that, then getting through the mountains should be cake for them."
"So, either one is likely," Aries sighed. "But as far as we know, they're gone. It doesn't matter. If they're dead, we'll know eventually and they won't last long out there anyway. Not with the Reservation close by."
"Not when the Reservation probably wants them dead," Albus agreed. "So… I'm inclined to guess they just went by Portkey."
"At least until we find a body," Alexis shrugged. "It really isn't any use worrying about it though. They're gone."
"You know," Albus said. "I'm going to assume they left by Portkey."
"So am I, but if they did, we can't do anything," Aries sighed.
Albus looked around at the prison center. They looked like Muggle port-a-potties but they were completely empty, the door blasted off its hinges. They did not have a wand inside so Albus guessed it had either been an outburst of underage magic or outside help. There was no way they could've gotten away, was there? Were they perhaps so desperate that they fled to the mountains and got themselves killed? Would the war end and the new Ministry uncover their bodies months later? Or would they simply never know what had truly happened to Aramaster Ruse and his younger brother and two friends?
Alive or dead, they were no longer a factor. It was no use worrying about them. Alexis was right. Either they left and died, or they left to another country and were officially way out of their hands. The Hogwarts Guard certainly did not worry about them. Aramaster was hardly liked among them and he had no chance in Britain, that was for sure. If he went into the mountains, they were either meaning to hide there until the war passed or they had all died somewhere. Albus could not help but feel a blazing curiosity though.
Aramaster was smart. Even under pressure, he knew how to act. He acted well the year before. He had directed the use of Disillusionment Charms and even did well at keeping himself out of Phoenix's watchful gaze, his only single mistake was taking Alpha as a member and blowing their cover. He was still clever. The odds of his death did actually look low. He wanted to avoid death, not make it more likely which the mountains would do. And the evidence deliberately pointing one way or another proved that he was smart. He left by Portkey and if they duplicated the Portkey they left by, it was to France. Not that it meant much. They could easily get away from France to a country much further. Albus was not him nor did he know his mindset, just that he wished to live just as Melvin had. His strong survival instincts and clever disposition pointed to that.
"France," Albus told Alexis as they passed the center on their way back to the Three Broomsticks. "And later somewhere else. But for now, France."
"Maybe… or maybe your way of thinking is exactly what he wanted," Alexis suggested.
That was the very last Albus ever heard directly of Aramaster that year. Aramaster had not been heard from or seen again and the curiosity would always linger with nothing but rumors to fuel it.
March ended and the month of April came. The month was nearly up and it passed with few interruptions. The village was on edge a day before when it was revealed that a single child had disappeared. The village was almost empty of kids, except for the very few families that elected on staying. One, named Timmy Benson, disappeared one night and nobody knew where he was. Albus asked Seth if he could try finding the boy but Seth just refused. He refused on the grounds that bringing him back would be meaningless, and therefore not his concern. Some Guard members looked for him but none found him.
Meanwhile, Albus and Alexis celebrated her birthday alone with Alexander, marking her eighteenth birthday. Albus, if he lived, would turn eighteen in two months but he was not banking on that. Alexander himself was still twelve but since the year before, Alexander was much quieter. He no longer yelled at Albus or tried splitting him up with Alexis or anything. He just stayed quiet. Silent and forlorn, as stressed as Laura seemed. That day also marked the day Alexis told Alexander to go by Portkey and flee. For the first time, they entered into a yelling match.
That was when Albus left. He had to anyway. He had another job to do. Another meeting and he preferred it was done in secret. He left Alexis and Alexander yelling at each other on the top floor, Alexander screaming obscenities against their mother and Alexis insisting he was going to live and he did not have a choice in the matter. Alexis, it transpired, had already sent an owl to their mother who sent Alexis a small hairpin as a Portkey to her place in the States. That only made Alexander madder than ever, more red-faced than ever, and he insisted Albus put her up to this. Well, he was half-right, Albus knew. But he did have to stay safe. Alexander was certainly enflamed against Albus once again but at least it placated Alexis and it kept her brother safe. If she died, Alexander would be fine and if Albus died, he would still be ok. He'd be unhappy but he'd be ok.
Albus walked to the far countryside where a Centaur blinded him once again and led him through the passageway. Once more, Albus was going to the forest but this time for a very specific meeting. He had been holding this one off for a long time but it was time he asked straight out what was happening. For the first time, Albus was going to talk to Apollo one on one. Hopefully, this would yield results. He knew he was putting his trust in an eight year-old child, a boy with wisdom far beyond his own years. Hopefully, Apollo would talk openly unlike what happened when he spoke to the Hogwarts Guard in the Room of Requirement. He hoped so. Apollo was always silent and did not answer questions easily. And he was a Seer, he probably foresaw the meeting.
Albus walked alone until he reached the undergrowth the Hogwarts Guard used to meet in during fifth year. The place was filled with memories for Albus. They had met there after the Christmas vacation in Albus' fifth year. Yes, the Scamander twins were put up to it by Lycah. It was strange, almost surreal and kind of sad to see it so empty now. It no longer served as their base and as the war was finally drawing to a close, it might never again serve as their base. Even if their side won, Albus would likely be dead. He slid himself against the earthy wall, sensing rather than seeing or hearing Apollo walking in next. He sighed in relief to himself. He had come after all.
"You knew I would call," Albus said quietly as Apollo sat cross-legged across from him. When the boy nodded, Albus sighed, "I- I need to ask something."
"I can't answer you," Apollo said in a neutral voice.
"I-I know," Albus said. "But… I still need to know something. Things are a little desperate right now." He felt strange pleading with an eight year-old kid. "Apollo… do you know who's going to win the war?"
Apollo shook his head, "It changes every day."
"Even with Incommodo back, does it change?" Albus asked hopefully.
This time, Apollo nodded slowly, "Yes, it does."
"So, we still have a chance," Albus got straight. "How? I mean, you talked about Crossroads before, right? What's the road this time? How can we make sure?"
"Do you really want to win the war?" Apollo asked quietly. "Winning doesn't mean happiness. And it doesn't solve all your problems. We will always have wars, even after this one. Even if Incommodo wins, there will be wars; if the Reservation wins, there will still be wars."
"It's the right thing to do," Albus said, his voice level with Apollo.
"When the Reservation wins, there will be a new right and a new wrong," Apollo said sagely. "Why do you want to win the war?"
"For myself, my friends, my family… to protect them," Albus answered, hoping this would be enough to satisfy him. "I have a younger brother on the way and I want to protect him too. It… is a boy, right?"
Apollo nodded, considering Albus' words. "You fight for love?"
"What else am I supposed to fight for?" Albus asked. "The Reservation want to destroy the ones I love, already have really, and Incommodo is just crazy."
"The war is at another Crossroads," Apollo said vaguely. "War is all crossroads. One decision will lead you to victory and another decision will lead to loss, both decisions lead to just another fork in your road. The war's end is clearer than ever but it is still uncertain. And the roads of those fighting it are also uncertain."
"In what way?" Albus asked. "Look, I lost my friends and family already. Rose died picking the wrong road- or the right road- dunno…"
"She realized the importance of family," Apollo said. "But it did cost her life." Albus actually had tears in his eyes. His eyes went blurry and he wiped them quietly. Even then, the loss of Rose hit him.
"If-if death is your friend, how come it hurts to die sometimes?" Albus asked.
"Because, the body is weak," Apollo said. "And as it ages, the soul continues its fight for freedom. The soul's freedom is your death. Why would you fear it?"
"If death is so…" Albus stopped as Apollo's silvery eyes bore into his green ones. "Then, why live?"
"You live to die"-
"Then what's the point?" Albus pestered.
"Don't pester me," Apollo said calmly, almost bowing his head in submission.
"We can't… look," Albus did not seek an argument. "People live, life is increasing even, more and more people come into the world. We can't condemn all these lives as worthless."
"Exactly," Apollo said simply. The child began to reason. "As life increases, so too does death. Life is lived as only half a journey. You cannot enjoy the journey unless you accept the reality of its end. Once you die, death proves to be yet another journey."
"How?" Albus asked directly. "We- the entire- we were talking in the forest earlier about death. What makes you all think it's another journey?"
"You say you do not want to condemn life as worthless," Apollo reminded him. "If you think it's the end, it truly is."
"If I took the path your ancestor suggested to me," Albus started, allowing Apollo to see the future and know the path for himself. "My soul would've been gone. Destroyed. What then? What new plane of existence do you talk about if someone's soul is destroyed, or mutilated, or if it's sucked by a Dementor?"
"Even Dementors are not immortal," Apollo said quietly, seemingly not put off by Albus' challenge. "And when one disappears, the souls it consumed are free. Death is not evil and Death is not bad. Death loves you all and this is why he takes you in and embraces you. Death is not your enemy but your dearest friend. Your life is made up of body and soul, your body disappears over time and joins the earth itself and earth is life. When your body joins it, you yourself are life. In that sense, your death never truly existed to begin with, soul or no soul. And even if you were to enter nothingness, what is nothingness but a state of everything with the world. Nonexistence is everything. Death only exists on this plane, and no other.And even then, no one can truly destroy a soul. Not forever. It is too magical, too powerful, to be destroyed forever. The very fragments would rejoin, converge and ascend by itself in time. Time is all powerful. That's all it takes. Time. Life and Death are one and the same. Are you afraid to die?"
"Of course I am," Albus sighed. It was the first time he opened up like this. He never before thought much of how he felt about death. To him, it always seemed like a far off end, something not to be thought of until his life slowly drew to a close. Saying out loud that he did fear the unknown… he felt better admitting it at the very least. He nodded again, "Yes. Yes, I am."
For the very first time, Apollo smiled, his eyes truly alive now Albus looked into them. "Ok… then accept it."
"Accept it? How?"
"By accepting that it's your own eventual fate," Apollo told him, still with a smile. "Don't you have to die to win the war?"
Albus stopped. Yes, yes he did. And Apollo knew that, he saw things. But this was one of the reasons why he wanted to talk to Apollo. Perhaps the boy would know something about this. It was another choice that had to be made. A choice Albus did not make yet. He knew what he was going to do but he never went down the path. Not yet. So… Apollo would tell him, wouldn't he? Would Apollo not tell him where this choice would lead? Whether Albus would live or die? And why was Apollo keeping that smile? Was there something good? Happy? Did Apollo usually smile? Albus had seen him so few times but never, never did he smile. His eyes were always full of life but his face was just the same. Neutral. Now, he was smiling.
"Apollo," Albus said.
"Hmm?"
"If I- if Seth- will he kill me? Will he kill me because I asked?"
"I can't answer you," Apollo said impassively, looking away.
Albus was flustered and asked again, "Ok, um… if- if he does kill me, will the plan work?"
"I can't answer."
"Why?"
"The future must never be known," Apollo said sagely.
"My life is at stake here!" Albus exclaimed.
"Everyone's lives are," Apollo told him. "Your life is just a speck in the grand scheme of things. Why would I tell you but I refuse to tell others?"
"Sometimes, we need to know," Albus reasoned.
"When I was one, I spoke a Prophecy and I was tortured for it," Apollo said quietly. "Till now, I remember my screams, my cries. I was a baby, incapable of speech, yet I needed speech. What you need is not what you get. The future must remain vague, riddled and foggy. If I told you that your plan would work, you would stop worrying, stop trying, and just go through with your plan. If I told you it wouldn't work, you'd be at a loss again, you wouldn't know how to react and at this time, with the war about to take a drastic turn, you can't be lost. If I told you Seth won't do it, you'll seek to convince him otherwise. If I told you he will, you will assume he made up his mind and fail to talk to him about it. The future must always be riddled. It's not worth knowing. Trust me, it takes the adventure out of life."
Albus stared. It was official then. He had to stop acting like he had a chance. In the end, if the Reservation was going to go down with fewer casualties, he had to die. His stomach sank. It sank a great deal. He might indeed die. He would. He would have to make sure Seth stayed true to the plan. He would have to make sure someone was willing to do it. But who- who would do it than Seth? He was the best placed and he picked then to start caring about Albus and his wellbeing? Perhaps Alexis would join him. Maybe she would also die in the duel, maybe Albus' reason for existing would be gone and he would live. Alone. And just as Alpha feared for himself, Albus would die alone. Perhaps, no matter what, the future for him was grim. His fate had been sealed since third year then. His curiosity had gotten the better of him and killed him. There was nothing he could do.
Slowly, almost in spite of himself, he nodded, "Ok, fine. I guess… I guess I'll die… but we'll win the war, right?"
"Depends," Apollo said. "Lean too will face a crossroads. It depends on the choices he makes, the choices everyone makes. The future always depends on the choices people make. So, in the end, is my ability to see the future really such a big deal when you have the capability to craft your own future? It's all crossroads nd forks, choices and events, causes and effects, that shape everything."
"Crossroads?" Albus asked.
"The fork that allows you a choice, based on free will, between life and death," Apollo told him. "Many of your friends have chosen their paths now. Neil Nott has chosen, Scorpius Malfoy has chosen, Melvin Ollivander has chosen, Seth Lean has chosen a path with an obstacle, Laura Creevey has chosen a path with an obstacle, Alpha Greengrass has chosen, Hugo Weasley has chosen upon his sister's death, his sister who also had a choice, Mark Wallader has chosen, and his own sister I have never talked to also has a choice. She seeks immortality, she desires a Philosopher's Stone. She may yet succeed but in the end, both paths lead to Death. Nobody can escape and life can hurt enough to make one wish for Death. She too will die one day. And you… you have lost family and you will lose friends, whether you live or die, loss is a natural part of life and you yourself will have to choose. Once the path is chosen, you cannot go back."
Apollo smiled again as Albus pondered this. There truly was no choice this time. "Ok, so… it's over then. I guess I'll be meeting your friend pretty soon."
"Would you feel better if I told you I would be joining you?" Apollo asked, that smile still present on his face.
Albus' heart skipped a beat. What? Apollo would die too? Just how many people needed to die? "You?"
"Me. When the battle begins, the Centaurs will arrive," Apollo explained. "And I will be with them. I will be taken and used against the Arsenal. They will use emotion-bassed curses and direct any magical outburst against Herpo. This will result in my death. That will catch Dubium's attention and he will kill me. And I too will die."
"And- and you're ok with that?" Albus asked. "What about Aries? How do you think she would feel? Have you seen her reaction?"
"I have not," Apollo admitted. "Reaction to Death is natural. Death is my best friend and life is my friend. But I can only have one at a time, and when I die, I can never see life again. I can never be among life again, but I can be among Death and I can watch from afar and wait for her to join me. And like Death, I can embrace her. It's better this way, better than an overly long life I never wanted to suffer."
"So… Aries is right, you have a long life ahead of you," Albus told him. Apollo nodded and Albus said, with his arms folded, "Then, listen, don't you dare die. She has hopes for that. You're the only person she opened up to me about. If you die, it will not be a simple mourning period, she will lose it. She already lost it when your father died, how do you think she'd feel if you died?"
"You're asking me to live?" Apollo asked curiously. "Your lifespan is normal, it lasts as long as anybody's else's. Mine is insane. Do you know what a long life means? Do you know how long a life I might be living? How painful that life is likely to be?"
"Does it matte"-
"It does," he interrupted calmly. "My life was only a short spark of fire that blazed for a short while. Should I live, the fire will pain me. You say you fight for love? Love can destroy you as well as create you. My life is long enough to do both. If I live a long, normal life, I will marry, and have kids and grandkids and throughout my very long life, I will likely bury them all. I will watch as you, and your friends and my friends, all the kids I met in your group… I will watch as they perish and leave me. You love life, but life will hurt me. And the longer I stay, the more death will hurt me. It is better this way. And both me and Aries will be happy. She understands me. She will not lose herself upon my death but grief is a natural part of life. Death affects everyone and knows no age, some people are effected more than others. Those, Death loves most."
"Great, it has favorites," Albus mumbled. Their meeting was at an end. Albus got up and regarded Apollo sadly. They stared at each other, Albus and Apollo. Apollo was indeed well-informed. He had wisdom far beyond his own years, perhaps he was right and his life was indeed very short for but one blaze of glory. Albus smiled back at him and said, "Thanks… you're a good friend."
"We have a nine year age gap, friends?" Apollo asked him, with a small, twisted smile.
"If death doesn't know age, friendship does not either," Albus said frankly. "And… I got a little wisdom for you. Something I pick up from having friends of different ages, one of whom is your age," he added, thinking of Lancet. "As you lose friends, more will come into your life, in fact, as you live, friends just keep coming. I never would've thought in first year that Mark would be my friend, let alone my foster brother. And I've been friends with Scorpius for a long time, even Melvin came into my life and effected us all, Lysander is my oldest friend, so… think about it. You'll never be alone. And when you do die, it'll make death all the more sweeter to you. I think it's both you have to make peace with, and both must be treated with respect. You're lucky to live, to be able to pass your wisdom on. I'd argue the world needs you. Take that from someone who's probably now going to end up dead."
As they walked out, towards the passageway Apollo would take him to, Apollo had a small smile on his face. It reminded ho somewhat of Mark's smile when it was genuine. "One day, you'll be very happy I never told you the future."
"Why so?"
"Because," Apollo said as they stopped near a tree. Albus would be blindfolded now. "Some things are truly better left unsaid. My visions are mine… only the cards, the stars, the ball, the fire, the eggs, the palm and the tea leaves are for people to know. I learned that when I was one."
"Goodbye, Apollo," Albus sighed as the Centaur nearby blindfolded him again. "Take care of yourself."
"Until next time," Apollo responded neutrally.
Albus left with those words in his head. It was late at night now. The time was limited. The Reservation would arrive soon then. The month was almost up and the time was near. Albus wondered how much longer they had. Apollo knew but we was not telling. Poor Apollo. He hoped he would take what Albus said into account. Albus never felt so inferior before a small child before. Would he consider Albus worth listening to? Was Albus' words even true? Would they mean anything? Did Apollo even care about friends to want to consider it? Could he ever truly be happy with a long life? Albus believed so but apparently, Apollo did not. So… what would happen if he told Aries what Apollo said?
Albus climbed out of the passageway in the countryside and looked around. It was nighttime now and the place was almost deserted. The only ones out and about used to be the DA and since Aramaster escaped to who-knew-where, even they did not patrol the countryside very often. Albus wondered where his father was. Was he still with the Reservation? How would he react to Albus' death? How many would be there? He was seventeen, yet according to Alexis he had gained the love of so many. Would they all be beside his grave? Or would there be none left? Would they join him regardless of victory? Albus could not know. He wished he did, somewhat. Maybe… not really. It must've been hard for Apollo, knowing fates before they were meant to be known. Perhaps that was why death was easier on him, why he sympathized with death more than life.
Albus found that after his talk, he felt a bit better about everything. So, he would die. Maybe. Maybe. Apollo kept saying. He never spoke with certainty. But the chance was higher. He would die and when he did, it would be easy and peaceful. Pity, he thought. If Apollo was interested in living, he would've made an excellent Headmaster of Hogwarts one day. A boy with his wisdom, his brains, and maybe power he could not yet train with as an underage Wizard would make a good one. Like Dumbledore once was. Was Apollo as potentially powerful as Aries? Albus had no idea. He might never know. According to the boy, both were slated for death and both were required to make peace with it. Albus almost jumped when he saw a young couple of people sitting against a tree.
"What're you doing up?" Alpha Greengrass asked from his spot next to Proxima.
Albus stopped, looking at them in the dim moonlight. Now he saw them, Proxima looked bothered about something. "Wh"-
"Shh," Proxima interrupted, holding up her hand as if to say listen. Albus did so. The night was indeed very silent but somewhere, close by perhaps yet so far away, Albus heard a deep rumbling. The feared rumbling the entirety of Britain knew. The ship had arrived. It had actually arrived with its full power. Already. "It's here. It's close," Proxima said. "They won't do anything yet. Probably not until tomorrow. But it's here. Our time is up."
Albus felt afraid. Very scared now it had come. There really was no preparing for this. He planned and thought while the day was far off, but to think it was the very next day, perhaps that very night if he had to, changed everything. He was not ready. And he did not have a choice. He had to be ready. As if on cue, a single note dropped in the middle of Hogsmeade. Albus would not have known of it if it did not reverberate with Dubium's voice, "Twelve hours."
Albus knew nobody would manage sleep that night. They were probably all wide awake, waiting for their twelve hours to pass. It was like waiting on a clock whose stroke of twelve would end all lives. This was indeed terrifying. Proxima's sigh broke the silence, "Simon confessed."
It took Albus a while to understand what she was talking about. "Confessed"-
"His love," Proxima added. "Seemed so hopeless about it too."
"At least she has someone," Alpha sighed.
"I don't want that someone," Proxima moaned.
"Of course you do," Alpha told her, and by his voice, it seemed his voice was shaking, "You don't realize who you have till he's gone and dead. He actually loves you. He's loved you since first year. You have love. I have nothing. I'll probably die with only you beside me. Maybe- maybe I'll get lucky and die tomorrow. That'd be nice."
"Alpha…"
"Just- get what we need and I'll disappear," Alpha told her. Proxima gave him a strange look and left. Albus took her place beside Alpha, probably feeling the need for young company. "She's getting some stocks. Melvin, Morph and I can hide out for a while now. Hopefully the war ends soon and we can come out but- I can't take the risk. Father will be after me and he will kill me, and I will die alone. Just as he warned and just as I feared."
"What do you want?" Albus asked quietly, mind still buzzing with what Apollo had told him.
Alpha smiled in the air, "I got a riddle for you. What is both priceless and yet so much to ask for? What is so expensive, yet even the poor can afford it?"
Albus would've had difficulty puzzling through this is he did not know Alpha so well already. He looked up. "Love?"
"Love. Attachment, compassion, companionship, partnership… I want that. That's all I want. It's both so little to ask for, and yet so much to ask for.
"Alpha… there are many different kinds of love, you know. You have it. Friendship, romantic, even tough, brotherly love. Like how your sister treats you. How you treat Lily. But you have friends too, and as long as you have real friends… you'll never die alone. No matter what. That… I can promise you."
Alpha looked at him skeptically, "The love I have, is never returned or reciprocated. I can only pray that one day, Lily may return my unrequited love. My only friend is Simon, everyone else makes fun of me because apparently, I'm not allowed a single mistake when it comes to love. So… great words, Al, but I'm still alone. I only have Proxima and she's not coming with me. She's fighting this and she will die. And I'll truly be alone."
"I'm not making this up," Albus told him. "This is what my father taught me six years ago. I never, ever thought it would come in handy until now. That- that… wow…" Albus realized something as Alpha straightened himself up. Alpha was everything Harry described in his past letters. He was seeking romantic love, craved it really. But he had friends and he had a sister as Albus had Scorpius and Mark and later, Alexis. Perhaps Alpha would find his own 'Alexis.' Alpha too was a champion of four houses. He faced his father once, he defended people, took a curse for Lily, and he was loyal, true, and intelligent when he put his mind to it. Even Slytherin welcomed him. And now- now he was facing his fear of death, in his own way. Not death itself, but the manner of death. Whether someone would be around him to hold his hand. Albus hated Rojer. How dare he instill in his own son a fear like that? How it had destroyed him from the inside out, gave him a mentality both sweet and scary at once.
Albus could only leave with the word, "You'll be fine," as Proxima returned with a bag of food and drinks. He felt himself pulled in an embrace. Alexis again. And this time, perhaps with full acceptance of the possibilities, she whispered, "I guess this is goodbye, isn't it?"
They pulled apart, Albus staring into her sad, brown eyes. Her brother was safe now. She could fight easily, rest easy knowing she had saved him. A little behind her was Scorpius, shadowed slightly in an alleyway. He seemed to be whispering to Lucy something and she seemed to be nodding in agreement. Albus was fixed on Alexis. "I loved you the most… always. You were my first, my first love, my first girlfriend and you will be my last. Whether we live or die, you will be my last. I- I've been with…" he choked up as he saw Alexis' eyes tear, "I've been with you too long! I can't forget you, I can't!"
"It's ok," she whispered. "I can't forget you either. And you will be my last," she added quietly. "No matter what. I am… I am so, so sorry it had to end this way. I will love you forever."
Albus was not sure how long they were kneeling, hugging each other so tightly. Albus would never forget those words she gave him. It made everything seem so much better. If he died, he would die with these word and if he lived, he would live with those words. He would remember them till his dying breath. I will love you forever.
In an alleyway…
Two hooded figures walked through an alley to a point behind the village, clutching the hands of a small child who was silenced. The area was secluded and surrounded by bushes and trees. One engorged them and widened them to make it more secluded and cast Silencing Charms and anti-hearing Charms on the area before taking his hood off. The second one followed. It was Maria and Seth and in front of them was the limp body of a small child. The boy was defenseless, laying with matted, dirty blonde hair. She felt a little guilty doing this, it seemed so much easier done in her head, now she was having second thoughts.
Maria intended to join Incommodo, hand him an empty Orb, and have him use it as a storage for extra souls. Then she modified it by having him destroy it instead to get rid of Al's soul, and now he wanted it free for his own use again. Probably to put Voldemort's soul inside. She meant to use Mark originally to keep an eye on him when she could not but Mark had his own plan to get the teachers together against Incommodo, and he blew it. Now she needed to erase the impure, tainted souls within with a purer soul, and then take it out and let it free. Easy. Only downside was the boy would be dead and she'd be responsible. Her plan stated no one was going to die, except one. Now she ended up having to take one life.
Seth turned to Maria. "Take out the Orb. Quick. Our time is limited."
Maria stared at the child for a bit, uncertain. Seth folded his arms, "Prince…"
"Give him a chance"-
"If you stop me, I'm dueling you for the Orb and I reckon I can win," he warned.
"You don't know how to use the Orb," she told him. "You'll just end up killing him for no reason. You need me."
"Prince, this is our chance," Seth argued. "One sacrifice. One death and the Reservation can be defeated."
"How do you know they won't turn back and leave?" Maria asked.
"They wouldn't dare," Seth told her. "They made a threat, made themselves sound so big. Once their protections go down, their ship will be stuck only with Dubium's protections. They'll want to come in and look for the Orb, take it, and use it again. They'll want to regain the power they're about to lose. They'll come. But they'll be weaker. Give it to me."
"I can't!" Maria admitted, looking down. She was young, only first year, and she was about to be responsible for a death. A child's death. "Ok? I can't."
"Why'd you hand him to me then?" Seth asked.
"I- I didn't think- I thought"- she choked up. "I underestimated my guilt. I can't do it. I'm sorry Seth."
"You promised Incommodo," Seth reminded her. "You promised him a freed Orb. An Orb that is ready to take a soul. An Orb ready to work for him and him alone. Go back on it and you're the first casualty we'll be burying. Your brother is already gonna find himself dead. The least you could do is make it up to Incommodo by giving him what he asked for."
Maria seemed so torn and split. She stared down at the boy as Seth revived him. "Hey, kid!"
"Timmy," he muttered correctly.
"Whatever. We need you. It's time."
Timmy's eyes grew fearful, "No. Please, I- I don't wanna die. Please."
"I wouldn't do it but"-
"You could've picked anyone else," Maria told him. "Someone who's not a kid?"
"He's the best bet," Seth said carelessly. "We can't go having people hold this Orb till we find out who's pure or not. Most people left are fighters who probably killed before. A kid is the surest bet. He's innocent, therefore, the best one to be used."
"I can't!'
"Your ancestor had no problem!" Seth argued. "She had no issues sacrificing pure and untainted souls every year or so. You said you admired her! Do it! It'll save us all, it'll kill the Reservation!"
Maria looked more torn than ever now. She could do it, she had to, she knew she had to. Seth was right, most other people were tainted by now, having killed before, whether those kills were justified or not. She just- she was scared. What would Mark think of her? Heck, what would she think of herself? She looked up at Seth's empty blue eyes, wondering if there was anything there, anything that made him second guess what he was about to do. She sighed, "Ok… alright… I'll do it. But… ok, I'll do it."
She took the Orb out and set it down. Timmy stared at it fearfully but Maria worked on herself first. She took out of her ropes a small phial while Seth touched the base and examined his own soul. She held it to Timmy's mouth and muttered, "Take it, it might help you live. It's your best chance."
The concoction, she knew, would keep his heart beating regardless of all changes in the body. Hopefully, it would work with him. Then, she held his struggling hand and placed it on the Orb forcefully. The effects were immediate. She had to admit, it was interesting seeing it in action. The color drained from Timmy's face before he went pale, stiff and fell back. She felt him briefly to make sure he was still alive inside and turned to the Orb. Seth watched impassively. She was uncomfortably aware of him watching her. She kept the boy's hand on the Orb and pressed it tightly against it, muttering an incantation Seth could not hear. "Partitus Penitus. Latus Spiritus." She knew she was performing powerful magic but she also knew she could do it, it was simple as long as the conditions were met. The Orb changed from swirling black to snowy white. She continued performing it, and eventually the white disappeared, became colorless, and the color in the boy's face returned. She sighed in relief. She saved him.
A gasp of air signaled his life. Timmy scrambled up to run away and tell, tell whoever he could. Seth was quick though. Before Maria could even turn t smile at him, Seth raised his wand and yelled, "Avada Kedavra!"
The curse hit the boy in the back and he fell down. Seth didn't want to, but the boy would tell and both him and Maria would be imprisoned. Maria gasped. "Wh- h- I- Seth"-
"He was going to tell," Seth said impassively.
"Silence him!" she yelled, tears flying out of her eyes.
"You're as uncertain as your brother," Seth told her. "Wouldn't his family find it the least bit suspicious that he is silenced? There're ways around that, it's be traced to us."
"You lied!" she yelled.
"I did nothing, you let him live, great, I killed him to make sure it dies with us," Seth told her harshly, taking the Orb by the base and handing it to her, "Send it off and be done with it. And don't ask me for a favor next time unless you know you want it done."
She stared at the Orb, considering for one dark second forcing Seth's hand on the Orb and killing him. But as she looked at him and his empty blue eyes, lack of all feeling and emotion, all dark thoughts disappeared.
In the forest…
Apollo stared up at the starry sky. Three Centaurs, including Firenze, his keeper, was surrounding him. The stars were looking beautiful. He was happy, pleased really. He had not been happy for a long time. His visions had temporarily abated, he had not spoken a Prophecy in a long time and he had sight. He liked it better with sight. His visions forced him into a hibernating state where his body was half shut down. His heart would go slower, his brain would settle down, even his very soul would rest. Aries and his mother and father were not sure if this effect on his body would take its toll and kill him early or transcend time and increase his lifespan dramatically. But Apollo knew. Apollo knew he was actually up for a very long life. A lifespan double that of most wizards.
Apollo had not been happy in years. He saw his own death. He saw a boy's death, a young man's death, even an old man's death. He saw so many futures for himself. A wife, kids, him burying them all, and burying his grandkids even. None of them would have the curse he did. Apollo was special. He always was. He saw everyone's deaths. And the stars told him about the war and right now… the war would be decided. And so would his fate. Would Aries understand if Apollo told her he wanted to die? She too would have a crossroads to walk and so would he. They would have to walk it together. One would lead to death and the other to life. Was there truly a way for Apollo to live happily regardless of his doubled lifespan?
"Anything wrong, my Prince?" Firenze asked.
"Mars is challenging us for the sun's rays," Apollo spoke. "Centaurs concern themselves with the heavens, right?"
"Correct."
"And Centaurs concern themselves with nature and forests for their comfort," Apollo asked.
"Also true."
"What if we are without the sun's rays?" Apollo asked, laying on his back.
"All life will perish," Firenze answered cautiously.
"Then, what do we do if the bringer of battle takes away its rays?" Apollo asked.
"We must fight the bringer of battle," Firenze acknowledged. "Where will they be?"
Apollo's vision was triggered. Questions always seemed to trigger visions. He saw an enormous battle, his sister with a glowing amulet fighting a bearded man, a castle on fire, and bodies littering the grounds. Outside were fields of greenery, soon to be enflamed once the ship took flight again. He saw a village aflame and people screaming, running for Portkeys that were not there. He saw a boy in a foreign land running for help, explaining everything to the right people, he saw more and more arriving, more and more dying. Death was going to have a field day. Death would be feasting in a matter of hours. Apollo's vision stopped and he looked back up at the stars.
"Hogsmeade village," he said. "Hogwarts castle afterwards. All shall take their roads today." Indeed, one was forced against his will on a road.