The Crossroads of Fate

Chapter 34: The Final Light

Albus himself was forced to watch from the ground as Dubium threw Hermione to the ground from her midair suspension. He struggled to get up but ropes were binding him. Lucy and Scorpius were already struggling against their bounds and Harry had already broken free. He turned to Ron and let him out next before they freed Lucy and Albus and finally Scorpius. They struggled to get up just as Dubium sent a wave of Fiendfyre at Albus. Darkened water clashed with it from Mark's wand, eliminating it, so powerful it absorbed the cursed steam that usually came out before sending it at Dubium.

Dubium was firing in quick succession at many different targets. He moved his wand so fast, merely thinking the spells as they fired and effortlessly seemed able to take even ten fighters on. Lucy was dancing around Dubium once again, barely avoiding his jets but at least providing a distraction while Scorpius fired off back jets of light, none of which managed to hit their mark. Dubium seemed to be getting angrier and angrier the longer the battle went on.

"Fulgeo!"

Dubium conjured up a shield to block it but Albus' beam shattered the shield and very nearly made contact if Dubium did not point his wand to the earth against and let off a bang that sent the earth flying up to take every blast thrown. Then, another explosion sent pieces of rock, rubble and dirt at the fighters and the first thing Dubium did was get rid of the best shield caster. Hermione's silver shield turned on her and hit her head, winding her enough for Dubium the transfigure the earth into fireballs which burned her. He conjured another shield effortlessly to block spells from Harry and Scorpius while Albus charged him physically and Lucy tried casting at him again. Lucy was suspended in midair and thrown away like a ragdoll while Hermione was cursed to the ground. Scorpius seemed torn between going after her and staying behind, and Albus leapt on him, felt something bur his hands as he tried stopping Dubium, and went flying off.

Scorpius decided to go for Lucy who was writing on the floor from a Cruciatus Curse from an Arsenal member. Harry was blasted away with a burst of force from Dubium and once again, Hermione was suspended in midair and just as Albus and Ron fired Stunning spell, Dubium blocked them all off, backing away. He was finally showing signs of fleeing. Ron was on the point of launching himself at Dubium but Albus and Harry had to restrain him as Dubium laughed before Apparating to the gates of Hogwarts. Albus was wondering why when, suddenly, Dubium's voice reverberated throughout the village.

"All of the Reservation put to rest your useless duels. We have lured the Hogwarts resistance out. Hogsmeade is demolished, the village is in shambles. Take the castle, fortify it, and make it our own. Kill whoever is inside. No mercy for you receive none. Werewolves: attack the students, Dementors: delay the resistance, vampires: slaughter them all, Goblins: Form a wall against the school and let none pass but your allies, Reservation: KILL!"

Commands were followed in an instant. Incommodo still had Apollo in his clutches, the boy not even bothering to struggle. He rushed to the gates immediately, massacring the Goblins standing there. Despite being an enemy, it was because of Incommodo that whoever was left living in Hogsmeade were able to get to the Hogwarts grounds. Albus was helped up by Scorpius while Lucy was still breathless from the pains of the Cruciatus Curse. Mark joined Albus along with the rest of the Hogwarts Guard. They had all arrived to gather around him. Nonetheless, casualties were apparent. Riley was said by Scorpius to be dead and Fauna was supporting a weakened Kabe to the center.

Apat from Kabe, the younger ones especially were quite unharmed, having done as told and stayed out of the fight, playing more of a supporting role. The older students seemed bruised and beaten but not out. Definitely not out. They stood breathlessly, watching as all duels were abandoned and the fighters chased the Reservation to Hogwarts. Thanks to Incommodo, the Arsenal beat them there but Aries abandoned the Guard and rushed after her brother, not bothering to see how the Guard was doing.

Some Reservation members took other routes. Using the knowledge Rojer Selwyn had given them, they raced to secret passages. Some to the countryside, some to the Shack's rubble, some to the Hogs Head, and some to the rubble that was once Honeydukes.

The only one left was Neil Nott, who was stuck as a Werewolf, useless in the bandages and ropes tying him down. "The school… it's in danger," Mark muttered breathlessly.

"He's… too strong," Scorpius sighed. "Dubium. The ship… it's not going down."

Before anyone could do anything, a lone Werewolf, looking like a cub, scampered heavily up to them, and howled. Albus flinched but Cherry yelped, "Lancet!" The wolf howled and looked around. Then, he ran up to Neil Nott and started tearing the ropes apart and tearing the bandages, howling at the wild werewolf that was Neil in a rage. Neil did not fight him either, the Werewolves were communicating with each other. It was like Lancet's wolf instincts had sensed a Werewolf in trouble and at least Lancet seemed sane. Even Lorcan seemed to be enjoying the communication between them. Then, they scampered off towards Hogwarts without a backwards glance. Neil's small wolfish form howling in a rage never expressed by him before.

Nate managed Riley's body out of the wreckage. He really was dead. Nate just gaped at it, shocked, looking hurt and destroyed. Having lost his father and brother hurt. Riley looked the same when he was dead, like he was sleeping. He must've shut his own eyes just before the jet hit but Riley usually did nap during his free time. There really looked like there was little difference. Even in death, he looked sleepy, the same as always. Albus' heart wrenched as he stared though. He and Scorpius were officially the only ones left in the dormitory.

"That was brilliant," Mark said hoarsely with Albus.

"You're telling me," Eric commented weakly, having Lily, Alexis and Simon heal his injuries. "Where'd you get that power, huh?"

Seth gazed at Albus steadily as Albus declined to answer. Thankfully, no one pressed for more information since the battle was on their minds. The village was empty of any live combatant. They had all rushed for the castle. Alex looked around and nodded with Alexis, "Alright, we split into two. One takes the grounds and the other goes by passageway and defends the inside.

"Al and I will go for the grounds," Alexis said.

"Fine, Mark and the twins will take the castle on the inside," Simon said. "And we'll rush the enemy from opposing sides. We'll act as reinforcements when you need it. Let them think the fighting students are few in number."

"Gotta- thank you for your trench idea," Proxima muttered lowly, not meeting anyone's eyes. Scorpius refused to meet her eyes too but nobody said anything. Nobody knew what had transpired between them.

"Alright, make for Hogwarts, I guess," Albus sighed. And all as one, they rushed for the castle by different routes. With Albus in the grounds were Alexis, Scorpius, Fauna, Gabriel, Nate, Lorcan, Lysander, Lucy, Kabe, Alice, Cherry and Lancet, not to mention those already there such as Aries and Neil. As Simon suggested, Mark split from Albus and joined Alex, Eric, Hugo, Lily, Laura, Roxanne, Seth, Sierra, Simon, Sophie, Alpha, Proxima, Pierre, Frank and Morpheus in getting through the passageways.

Albus and his group of the Guard had just arrived at the castle and it looked terrible. The battle did not take long to get into full swing at all. The castle still stood but the grounds looked almost incinerated. The waves of the lake was slopping wildly, even the merpeople had surfaced and threw spears at the Reservation but they were useless. Arrows flew and this time, the Centaurs aimed at the Goblins, knowing the Reservation would repel them all. The Arsenal was meanwhile forming a protective ring around the school and its entrances, actually doing what it could to protect the students inside. But the castle seemed disturbed too judging by some windows on the top floors shattering. The Reservation had already gotten inside. How many were dying in there?

Incommodo himself was madly killing whoever was near him with his scepter, keeping Apollo in his grip, the boy still not fighting back. The ship was not too far off. Albus knew what Incommodo was planning. He saw a human Lancet make his way there as well, still keeping control of Neil somehow, probably with some inner instinct they both shared. The Werewolf was fighting the vampires off madly, tangling with them, struggling with them, blind to all rationality and fear. Albus wondered how he'd treat those memories when he came to. Exploiting the chaos there, Incommodo slithered through, holding the boy tightly and directing all Arsenal members to keep Aries away from him, only Lancet made it through.

Aries was not deterred easily though. She fought them madly, re-angling and parrying easily and avoiding Killing Curses. She conjured up a shield and rushed forward. Albus conjured up a shield too, hoping that it was helping Mark inside by keeping spells off him. He also found that one explosive spell sent plenty flying off, helping Aries get through faster. Incommodo raised three layers of earth in response and even summoned a fiery cage to entrap them off till it was just him and Apollo.

"It ends now," Incommodo said viciously, throwing the boy in front of the flying ship. Once again, it was airborne but Incommodo held it in place, even if he was unable to bring it down. Lancet stopped and sniffed the air as the ship stopped. He turned back to a boy, and watched Apollo face Incommodo.

"You're going to lose the war," Apollo told him calmly. A burst of fire and jets from the ship veered off tangent when aimed for them. They seemed protected, like talking to Apollo enveloped them in a bubble.

"Oh?"

"You've lost, from the second you left the school for Hogsmeade, you lost," Apollo told him. "You're going to use me now, and bring the ship down. Dubium will arrive from the board to fight you and I will die in the crossfire. You will be far too preoccupied with Dubium to realize who is coming for you as we speak. And you will die. Your death will drag Potter and Wallader with you and the two of you will engage in soul battle, but your side will lose with Ink finally rebelling and kicking you out." Apollo finished this hurriedly. "There, that's the future you've been wanting to hear when you tortured me. But it's ok now, I know I am about to die and I know the manner. I am content."

Incommodo stared for a few seconds, as if he could not decide whether to be surprised or angry that the future he expected was not being predicted. Apollo stared through his silvery eyes fearlessly, not cowering or shaking like most other people did when in his presence. He just stood. Incommodo blinked once and raised his scepter. He looked like he would aim for Apollo but he did not. Three wands floated out and attached themselves to it, the orb at the top beginning to glow. Though content with his fate, Apollo looked away from the orb, knowing fully what was about to happen. He had a small smile on his face.

A burst of dark fire, almost black, erupted from the orb and struck through the Reservation's shields. They did not seem to break, but the fire did surround them, holding the ship in place even more. Apollo seized a sharp, jagged rock from the ground and cut himself quickly. The smell of blood summoned Lancet over at once. Apollo did nothing to resist, he held his arm out for Lancet to suck from. As he did, Lancet screamed again. His body started contorting. Apollo felt sort of guilty over this, but he knew what would happen. As Lancet started transforming, more outbursts of magic exploded from him. Incommodo turned, summoning all that energy into his orb and firing it at the shields themselves, charming the fire to attack at once.

Apollo walked away, the wolf that was Lancet following him. He walked so calmly alongside the tamed Werewolf. "Sorry," Apollo told the wolf quietly. "I knew you'd be safe but it was still a risk." Lancet nuzzled its furry cheek against Apollo. "You should return to the castle. It's gonna get chaotic over here."

Lancet considered Apollo, looking around at the battlefield. Albus and Aries were still trying to break through the countless Arsenal and Reservation members and the trees of the forest started rustling, signaling a new arrival of Acromantula. Then, to Apollo's surprise, Lancet sat next to him, watching the forest with readiness. Apollo shook his head, "You have to leave, please. It's gonna"-

Too late. A horde of giant spiders rushed from the forest. With the two nearest they were right in their path. Apollo faced them readily, trying his very best to focus. He felt something in him just begging to break loose, and his worry over Lancet exacerbated that. The spiders veered off tangent, leaving Lancet alone and made for Apollo instead. He sighed in relief as he faced them, knowing now it was coming. Two seconds… one… he felt a great burst of pain from his leg, chest, and neck as they trampled over him. He felt a burst of magic break out of him and he heard a wolf howling. Some spiders left him but he still rolled over from under them, keeping his eyes closed. He knew who was coming to his rescue now.

Albus let out a burst of red light, managing to off some spiders. He had finally abandoned the fight. Of course he did, and who else was there… Aries had left Incommodo and his Arsenal too. A burst of Fiendfyre made quick work of the spiders, scaring them away, back into the trees to regroup. He was laying on the ground as Aries bent down and picked his head up. He rested himself against her, wishing so much he could die like that. He smiled sadly up at her as Lancet howled a searing cry that pierced the night air.

Who came to their aid but a pack of wolves? Their eyes did not look animalistic though, but human, intelligent even. In the lead was none other than Lysander's wolf Timber, who took Apollo's collar by his teeth and threw him on their backs before rushing out, Lancet following at a quick speed. Aries yelled after them but Albus held her back from following, trying to calm her down. He did not know what the wolves were trying but he knew it was genuine. There was nothing they could do for Apollo, the wolves were his best chance, whatever they had in mind.

"Let me go, let me GO!" Aries yelled.

"That's Sander's wolf, he's fine," Albus told her rationally. "Aries, Aries…"

"LET ME GO!"

"WE HAVE A JOB!" Albus yelled at her. "He'd want you to fight Incommodo now. Wherever he is, he's in better hands than we could do. Trust me."

The two watched as Incommodo continued the fight against the populace. He was attacking whoever came off the ship fiercely with his scepter, its very movements creating a magical force throwing people and spells off. His scepter raised the earth itself, a pillar of earth raised him up, shielding itself and putting Incommodo above the fray, jets of green light were now descending on people from above, making it much more difficult to avoid him. Alexis crouched behind a bush and conjured a parchment, writing with her Quill. Fauna strikes the earth with the sword, Incommodo falls.

Aries whipped her wand out as Fauna rushed up, hidden in Kabe's new cloak. The earth pillar was taken down in seconds. Fauna struck it with her sword, sending it crumbling down, Incommodo with it. A spell shot from midair, probably from Kabe but Incommodo propelled himself forward and landed straightly in front of Aries. "Avada Kedavra!"

Aries avoided it by side-stepping the curse and the five Heirs backed away, protected by a spell-cancelling dome. "Ok, listen to me. Get into the castle and duel for real. Leave Incommodo to me."

"You'll die"-

"That's my business," Aries interrupted. "I can't duel Incommodo and save your lives at the same time."

"So, don't"-

"If I didn't, you'd have died fifty times over already!" she yelled. "Go away and leave him to me."

A window from the Great Hall smashed open and a body flew out of it. Alexis took a deep breath and ran for it, making for the shattered window to propel herself inside. Laura and Fauna joined her while Seth managed to get Sierra out of the castle. Albus made for him instead but was held up. Alice fought back-to-back with Hugo and Lily. The Scamander twins were making an excellent team and Neil actually viciously ravaged the Arsenal and Reservation around them. When a horde of Goblins surrounded them, Albus rushed them wildly. Lorcan pushed Lysander out of the way and Lysander conjured a shield in front of Albus to take a hit while Albus aimed from under it a Sectum curse.

A quick slash through the air had three Goblins fall over against their comrades and Lorcan fired a lubrication charm to make the ground slippery. Lysander looked and fired gas from his own wand to cover the Goblins and Albus braced himself for his own charm. "Incendio!"

Access to three or four magical pieces of soul made the spell that much more powerful, and combined with something highly flammable, it exploded. It did not help that Lorcan fired an explosive spell of his own to blow them apart.

Meanwhile, Aries was having severe problems with Incommodo. She had barely shielded herself and only the earth protected her against the green light. She was beginning to regret sending her allies off but at least they would not end up dead. She tried firing a spell, but she only had time for a shorter incantation, and a weaker spell, barely doing any damage to him. She was continuously on the defensive, throwing herself on the ground, rolling away, raising the earth, or even getting lucky and a spell missing where it otherwise could've hit her.

As the Goblins fled the carnage that was Albus and the Scamander twins, Mark took Albus by the shoulder. The twins had charged the Arsenal from behind and came out the front doors of the school, and following behind them were House-elves. Albus had heard that when they fought in the initial Battle of Hogwarts, they had wielded kitchen knives. Now they were under freer employ, they used their own branch of magic too.

"Charge him," Mark told Albus, looking at Incommodo finally getting a spell through to Aries. She had fallen. She rolled over the ground, coughing out blood as Albus and Mark rushed over. Incommodo strangled her with a curse, letting all air out of her body, raising her up, about to finish her off. Her eyes were wide, gray and fierce but they were losing their light. Just as she was about to give in, Albus and Mark rushed Incommodo. A force from the back of his scepter blew them back but it gave her time.

"Avada Kedavra!"

Incommodo let out a burst of energy and fire, avoiding the curse and blasting them all away. He rushed for Albus madly, forcing him to roll away. Mark sent a fiery jet of light at him while Albus fired a reduction charm at him, hoping it might destroy him but Mark dragged him away, Aries, throwing up shields to block him off and Albus throwing his own shield at him to distract him. Mark himself levitated a great amount of water from the lake to drench him and Albus yelled, "Glacius!"

A deep freeze settled over them, making the area effectively winter. Incommodo froze stiff, his body shaking inside. Albus knew it would not hold him forever but they had enough time to get away and let Aries rest. "He's too… there's no way… he's impossible. What the bloody hell does he have?" Once again, the dark thought of Albus sacrificing himself occurred. Perhaps it did have to happen, but Mark… Mark was connected to him now.

Not far off, Simon and Sophie were fighting side by side, Simon throwing his wand arm in front of Sophie to protect her from the blasts. Not far away was Seth standing in front of a still-weakened Sierra, trying his best to protect her. Simon was taking Seth's back, defending it from stray curses not that Seth needed it when the snakes did that.

Meanwhile, Pierre dodged a jet of green light and Kabe ducked another. The kids were really attempting to get inside the castle and protect whoever was in there but the ring of Arsenal members was too strong. Gabriel Dagger and Nate Blackberry charged in but they were stopped by an Arsenal member. A jet of red light flew at them, but they dodged it well. Pierre fled the battle and went through the shattered window instead, Kabe chasing after.

A horde of Acromantula attacked from the forest once again, and the Centaurs turned their attention to them next. Incommodo meanwhile, sent a blast of dark fire, melting the area around him and looking around for Albus and Mark specifically. The Fiendfyre raged across the grounds, taking the lives of countless students and adults, carelessly taking Acromantula out with it before he sent it back to his wand. He spun around to face Pierre who turned tail and ran, dodged around a Reservation member, trying to get away.

Elsewhere, Albus and Mark took advantage of their partnership again and fought Dubium. Their fight was one-sided but Dubium still did not manage to kill either of them too easily. Both ducked and wove behind him, attempting to take him out at a weak point but he made none available.

The only reason Albus and Mark were not beaten back was because Dubium was fighting them and at the same time, firing jets of green light at any other caster near him. No one could get near enough to aid them. Dubium sent an explosive blast at the castle, blowing it apart, eliciting screams inside. Students were in there. Some were standing at the opening, many still in their pajamas when the top rained down on them. The rest rushed out. Dubium had gotten noncombatants out next. He always used the extra time he had to fire Killing Curses at them.

Aries who swooped on him next. Aries conjured a spell-cancelling dome and attacked him physically but Dubium easily picked her up by the scruff of the shirt, sent a jet of light into her abdomen and threw her away. She was not hurt too much but indeed winded. Aries got up, no shield and her amulet not in use. She withdrew her wand and brandished it around readily, about to duel with Dubium. Dubium turned to her, laughing as Aries fired the first shot. A jet of ominous-looking red light. Definitely not a stunning spell.

A twirl of his wand parried the spell easily as Dubium sent a black jet at Aries with his wand. His wand stopped spinning and shot a jet of red light out but from the bottom. Aries jumped up and forced her legs up and head down so that he was like a ball in midair, barely avoiding the spells. She dove to the side just as Dubium fired a jet of green light.

"Crucio!"

Dubium's wand absorbed the curse and fired it back at Aries who conjured a shield to deflect it. Aries conjured a stronger shield just as the first one broke and fired "Stupefy!" from behind the shield.

Aries knew the spell didn't hit, but she still charged forward, head hidden behind the shield. "Expulso!"

A large explosion rocked the area. Dubium flew back from the blast, Aries transfiguring the shield into a flying saucer and sending it straight at him. Dubium lifted his wand to block the attack, but Aries fired a Sharpening charm at it, giving it twice the sharpness and it cut the wand right down the middle. A cheer went off from the watching fighters, who fired spells at the weakened Dubium now the wand was useless.

Having done her job, Aries backed away. At least, it looked like it. The wand reformed itself in seconds and Dubium grinned madly. "You thought you could destroy my wand, did you? My wand is made from the flames of a Phoenix, it spawns almost instantly. AVADA KEDAVRA!" Aries was forced to conjure her shield and dive to the side. The curse broke through her shield but she was out of the way to avoid the curse's impact. She raised a piece of earth's rubble to block out another just as Incommodo arrived. Aries backed away slightly, intending then to fight both at once, in a three-way battle. Perhaps if the two were focused on each other, she could manage.

Meanwhile, Nate and Cherry floored an Arsenal member before Dubium sent a blast that knocked her so far off and into the Acromantula-infested forest. Nate left and chased after her, barely avoiding a jet of green light and it hit Michael Finnigan instead. Sophie found herself zapped by a curse resembling lightning bfore her face was slashed through. In a burst of red, Sophie felt herself fall to the floor slowly, darkness overtaking her. Simon deflected another curse aimed for her, Seth turned and killed a Reservation member, sent three snakes to defend them, and bent down to feel her. Sophie felt Seth's face shortly, taking deep breaths.

"Sophie…" Simon said quietly.

She was smiling up at him, rather sadly. They dragged her inside the best they could, Seth even going far enough to send Fiendfyre at the Arsenal guarding the school, ignoring Simon's winces. When they got in, they laid her against the wall. Seth took the tme and healed her the best he could, though a scar was left running through her face. She let out a great deal of breath and sighed, "I'll- I'll be fine. Just- go out. Fight them. Just- don't waste time on me. I'll be fine."

"Sophie, you need help," Simon muttered, hugging her.

"I'll be fine, and if I die, I die," she told him quietly. "You still have to"-

"No," Simon said firmly. "A good soldier never leaves a man behind. Or a woman. Or a girl. I'm- I'm staying beside you."

"Fine," Seth got up. He stared out at the battlefield, eyes emotionless but alight with a certain firmness. "You guys stay here. There's something I should've done a while ago."

While Simon dragged Sophie down further into the dungeons, the castle was seeing an attack of its own on the inside. Frank, Melvin and Alexis were inside, dueling through the Reservation members they found. If it was not for Alexis' quill ordering the Reservation members to focus on blowing another hole through the castle, Frank and Kabe may not have managed. She and the other two managed to stun them out of the window. Frank actually blew up the part the Reservation had tried and took them down with it before the earth swallowed them up.

"Frankie!"

Frank stopped. Standing in pajamas in the Entrance hall were the many girlfriends Frank had claimed. He grinned, "Seen all that? I got skills!" Seth rolled his eyes and Melvin mimed retching as they left to the dungeons. Kabe was standing beside Frank, watching the girls but they paid him no mind. Frank folded his arms in a butterfly position behind his head, "So, what's been up since I was gone?"

"Incommodo took over the school," one of the girls said breathlessly. "And whoever resisted were killed."

"But I said to Ellie Frankie will save us!" a younger first year girl said excitedly.

"Well, Margie was right," he grinned widely. "Frankie is saving you. Where's the rest, Frieda?"

The eldest of the girls, fourteen, pointed to the Astronomy tower. "I blocked it off with rubble so they can't get down. But the Arsenal is blocking the entrance. They're facing the other way though. They're guarding the outside, not the inside."

"And that is why Frieda has brains," Frankie grinned. "Alright, gals, watch this and learn from Frankie what happens when the Arsenal takes over. You should've seen him take out the Goblins a month ago! YAH!" And he charged a group of enemies. He rushed the just as they rushed him. The Reservation had breached the school, finally having taken down the Arsenal. He was charming his body to repel physical objects like rubble and even making it fire-proof before rushing in. He ducked a jet of green light, filled with thoughts of how great he must have been looking. Truly, a way to live up to his grandfather's name. "Confringo! Expulso! EXPULSO! Confringo! CONFRINGO!" HAHA, you can't handle all this, suckers! Confringo!"

If they had been ready, they might have avoided them or survived them but Frank had attacked by surprise, blowing a massive hole in their line. One member, a witch, pointed her wand and yelled, "Avada Kedavra!"

Frank avoided it easily, just moving aside from it and allowing it to hit a fellow Arsenal member, "Hey, don't hit your own friends! You don't win a war like that!"

Another jet of green light and another Reservation member was hit, Frank positioning himself in front of Arsenal members, shooting up shield Charms to defend his own back at the same time. He whooped as another fell, "That one might've had a wife and kids! How many people are you orphaning? Propello!"

Jets of light were fired from the staircase. The girls had taken positions higher, to attack from above. Frank conjured a shield at just the right time he propelled himself forward. A jet of green light exploded from the caster's wand exactly as Frank fell over him. He looked like he had finally died but Frank, it transpired, had disarmed him just as the jet shot out. It hit the caster instead and Frank rolled off before rushing the others.

As the Reservation managed to get in though, the next to come was Dubium. He walked in calmly, looking around. Frank had rolled off another Reservation member and turned his wand on Dubium but he parried the spell easily. Incommodo and Aries were following him, trying to get a clear shot, having moved their fight to the castle itself. The girls rained spells down on Dubium at once, led by the fourth year who was the oldest of them. A move that was both brave and stupid. Frank turned around in shock, not having intended to have them join him when a jet of green light hit the first year in the head and she fell back, her eyes blank and sightless.

Frank yelled, trying to jump in front to defend the other girls but Dubium had sent a burst of flames and lightning at the girls around him and even Frank himself. Frank had little power to stop him, especially when the staircase blew up from under the girls. He was still, after all, just a third year. Incommodo conjured a wave of water to douse the fire and protect the girls but Dubium charged it with lightning.

Fire and lightning both made their way to them, Frank sent the electrified water desperately at Dubium and tried running for it, but Hugo and Lily had run right into him. They recoiled off each other and Frank fell back while Lily grabbed Hugo from falling. Dubium re-angled the electrified water towards Aries who sent it back at Incommodo. Incommodo easily used his scepter and enhanced the water tenfold as it blew towards the ceiling. Dubium charmed the rubble to fall over the girls instead. The entire floor above them fell apart, crashing over them and burying them, forcing Frank, Hugo and Lily to run out.

Frank was so devastated and hurt. He sent an Explosive curse at an Arsenal member but another aimed a curse at Lily's and hit her in the heart. She gasped hugely as it impacted her, making Hugo stop mid-cast and turn to her, "No, Lily, NO!"

Lily coughed blood out as she fell into Hugo's arms. She was dying. Frank bent down, "Hold up," he said shakily. He was tearful. "I-I got this. Cardio Immendo!"

Lily's eyes were fluttering open and closed but the spell worked. Her heart area glowed as Frank performed the spell again. Hugo was bending beside her too, not paying attention to the battle around him. "Crucio!"

Hugo started yelling in pain from the Cruciatus Curse. Frank turned to try saving him, but he barely managed to avoid two jets of green light. He had a feeling this was it for him. He was going to die, but he was going to die fighting. He raised his wand to fire back when, suddenly, Alice elbowed one out of the way and ducked a jet of green light. Frank leapt and pushed her out of the way from another and they stood, facing the horde of Arsenal members. One was still torturing Hugo.

"Flipendo!"

The usually-meager Knock-back jinx from Alice got under one's defense and knocked him back into another, almost creating some sort of domino effect. Frank sent a Stunner but it was deflected easily and Alice had to avoid another jet of green light. Frank's heart was pounding, worried sick he would lose Alice now like he lost Margie and the others.

"Impedimenta," Frank muttered.

"Locomotor Mortis," Alice gasped.

One was immobilized but another parried it and Alice found her legs-locked. Frank stood in front but the ground in front became slippery and sent him down, leaving the way clear. Just then, Cherry rushed from one side and her brother Lancet, as a wolf, rushed from the other. From the ground, Frank and Alice watched as the Arsenal were surprise attacked.

Hugo remained on the ground, screaming, nobody able to help him, not even Lily or Frank, both of whom were unconscious and the former nearly dead. The pain continued, increasing the longer it went on. In so much pain, there was no telling how much time was passing. He screamed and screamed, hoping so much someone might come and aid him but nobody was coming. The battle was moving away except for a few people still fighting the last of the Reservation members. Proxima and Alpha were firing, completely occupied and with Alpha on the point of helping them but unable too.

Morpheus was actually running from a scuttling Acromantula, a few Reservation members, several vampires, and a Werewolf. They had discovered his disguise as a Goblin and tried attacking him. He was losing ground too, going slower as the others gained up on him.

From the entrance to the castle stood Melvin Ollivander. He looked worriedly at the battle, searching it for Morpheus. He could not stay holed up in the Room of Requirement when he heard the battle go on outside. The Room had been found. Reservation members had come in from Hogsmeade, perhaps from the Hogs Head or Lycah's hut. They had nearly killed him but he hid himself in a pile of bags while they rushed out. Astoria Malfoy had tried fighting them but they had killed her too. Melvin's final act of kindness before leaving was hiding the child in the Potter house. He did not know what would become of it. If they lost the war, it would be safe. In any case, Scorpius knew where to look if he lived. Melvin would take Morpheus, run back to the Room, and leave.

Dawn was approaching and Hogsmeade had two-way Portkeys. If he and Morpheus could grab one and go… just save themselves and wait from afar for news as to what had happened. If they won, he would return and bring Morpheus and look after the wand shop. Melvin felt regret. He should have insisted against Morpheus' will, should have demanded they escape. He should've kept a better eye on him when Morpheus wanted to go back. Morpheus listened to his arguments. Alas, Melvin had his own crossroads to walk. He allowed his brother to indulge in his loyalty, to help his friends and now he was probably dead. Melvin looked desperately. He saw Hugo Weasley getting tortured, he saw Alpha and Proxima fighting one more Reservation member, the latter twin putting the most fight up. Then, a small figure ran past that field of vision. Morpheus had just fell to a jet of light and was writhing on the ground. Melvin jumped. "Morpheus!"

Without thinking, he ran out, firing spells madly at the Acromantula and Reservation members torturing Morpheus. No one was killing his brother if he was still alive. No one. A vampire descended on a writhing Morpheus but Melvin shot it out of the way, firing a last Blood Curse at the torturing Reservation member. He used a spell from afar to help Morpheus up and Morpheus crawled over to him. Melvin met him halfway and said, "Come on. You'll be ok, Morph. We're getting out of here"-

Melvin was cast down next but he was still alive. He helped his brother crawl along. They were so close to the castle. If they got inside, Melvin could block the Reservation off with fallen ceiling rubble at least long enough to get them to the safety of the Room of Requirement. The entrance hall was getting closer. "I-I'm s-sorry," Morpheus sobbed quietly.

"It's ok, you have your friends," Melvin told him quietly, on his belly as they crawled forward together. "I wish I had friends. I'm you brother, I'll always love you, I"-

Morpheus reached his hand out to drag him along the final few feet when a jet of green light hit Morpheus in the back and he stopped. Melvin had not realized what happened yet. He barely dragged him inside when he turned him over and looked into his sightless eyes. Eyes that looked like they wanted to say something… but couldn't. "Mor- Morpheus! MORPHEUS! NO! NOOOOOO! MORPHEUS!"

Morpheus did not respond. The Reservation were drawing nearer too when an outburst of magic exploded with so much force, rubble came down upon them just as Melvin had wanted to do. Melvin was safe where he was but Morpheus was dead. It was too late to help him. He had died while his brother tried getting them both to safety. Melvin stayed there, sobbing over him for the rest of the battle, carrying his lifeless head to lay it on his lap, screaming in misery. Guilt. So much guilt. He should have fled. They both should have and they could've been safe.

Seth, meanwhile, had left Simon and Sophie in the dungeons where they were safer and got out into the grounds. He just had to find Albus. He could end this here and now if he found Albus. Albus, of course, was with Mark. Albus and Mark still tried to repel Dubium but the man was impossible. It was to no avail. Dubium sent a great amount of fire at Albus before directing it at Mark. Alexis seized a threatened Kabe and fled off into the dying battle as Mark conjured a great jet of water to douse the flames. Albus rolled away, having to give it up while Scorpius searched for Lucy elsewhere.

Albus watched as Seth was nearly impacted with a jet of green light once he got Sierra up from the floor. She was either unconscious or dead, Albus could not tell which. Seeing Sierra cast down next, Albus rushed up, parrying a jet of light from hitting Seth in the face and letting him get away with Sierra being supported. "What're you doing?" Seth asked, still with that same insanely neutral voice.

"Saving your bloody life, it looks like," Albus said. "And that's the second time I save you too." He took Seth's back. "So, think you can take a hundred Arsenal and Reservation members?"

The two turned, their backs glued to each other, circling and facing the few Arsenal and Reservation members that came onto them. Goblins and Vampires began joining them and Seth sized up the enemy, "Well, a hundred is a piece of cake. A hundred and one and things might get difficult."

"Well, I've dueled a few in my time, I could probably save the situation in that case," Albus smirked. "Stupefy!"

"Too meager, Al, Avada Kedavra!"

"Expelliarmus!"

"Do you want to lose?" Seth quipped.

Albus and Seth fought back-to-back, Albus moving the earth and using the distraction to trip his enemies up and stun them, in some cases curse them. He even used his own piece of Dark Magic when he took water from the nearby lake. "Unda Imperium."

"Hey, well done, Al, the Dark Arts," Seth commented as he summoned a great amount of Fiendfyre and had it surround them once before returning to his wand.

Albus allowed his water to crash into whoever else was left. "At least I'm not killing anyone."

"Didn't realize you had such strong feelings for the Arsenal and Reservation," Seth sighed, sending another burst of flames to take the ones in front of him out.

"Terra Permoveo!" Albus gasped. This time, the spell was strong enough to move the ground within a yard. A lot of people, Reservation, Arsenal and DA alike fell off balance and Albus conjured ropes to bind few Arsenal members.

"Ok, I'll show you how to use elemental magic," Seth shrugged. Still facing away from Albus, he raised his wand as a horde of Goblins approached. "Sepultura!" One Goblin was actually sucked into the earth and buried. "Expulso!"

The ground exploded and the Goblin, now dead, was expelled from the earth while the ground exploded, sending others flying. Albus raised his wand again, having just disarmed an Arsenal member, "Aqua!"

A small burst of water was expelled from his wand which Seth raised his wand over to, still with his back pointed and yelled, "Unda Imperium!" The water rushed at the horde of Goblins and Werewolves rushing at the duo. Then, "Glaciem!"

The water froze solid, freezing the victims with it. They stopped fighting and Seth turned to face Albus, sending a final Killing Curse at a Reservation member's way. Albus looked around. The area around them was pretty clear and the battle had moved to where Dubium and Incommodo had engaged once again in a three-way fight with Aries involved. The air around them was heating to boiling point. "Well, either we took them all out or the battle just moved."

"Bit of both," Seth said. "But… that's not the point. Actually…"

"What?"

The next thing Albus knew was Seth's wand on him. He jumped, having not expected this. He could see why Seth cleared the area with Albus now. They could not have anyone observing this. Albus felt his stomach sink. He was about to die then. Seth had changed his mind, the fierceness of the battle, how close Sierra came to death, Simon and Sophie, he was ending it on his terms. And whatever Albus might have thought about living came crashing down to a new reality. In just mere seconds, he'd be dead. Seth seemed to be debating with himself though, as if trying to talk himself out of it.

"Seth… Mark has the Rune too, you'll end up killing him too," Albus told him calmly.

"You should not have done that," Seth told him with equal tone. "You asked me to kill you, and you give that Rune to Wallader?"

"He gave it to me!"

"Then he should have no qualms," Seth told him, voice cracking, choking up. The last time Albus saw Seth like this was when Simon was near death, now, he was faced with the prospect of killing someone he came to view as a friend. "I'm sorry, Al. I- I really am."

He fixed Albus with a mixture of grief but also determination and apathy. It seemed a strange mix of emotions in one expression. Albus closed his own eyes and gulped, knowing he could not run from this. Fighting Seth would only draw it out and divide the group. He would die this day, Mark too. And with them, Incommodo would collapse and Aries would live to fight another day. Albus felt a rush of emotion as he thought of Mark, Alexis, his own father, and his arriving brother. And Apollo. He hoped the kid was ok. And Neil. He hoped he would find peace after this. So many things left unsaid, and so many things he tried but failed to solve. Albus took a deep breath as Seth raised his wand, "Avada Kedavra!"

Albus felt the jet impact him. It felt like a gut punch to his stomach but before pain could register, darkness enveloped him and he let out a final sigh. Like with so many others before him, it was over. Albus Potter was dead.