Hi, here's the latest installment of Reporting for Duty. I'm sorry for the hiatus that took forever; I just had lots of things to deal with in the offline world. Anyway, I hope people still want to know what happens next. I'm publishing the next chapter soon, I'm currently writing it.

Enjoy!

Wand, potions, string, clothes.

Clothes, string, potions, wand.

I recited the contents of my bag to the beat of our marching, and it made my head bob about slightly. I hope no one noticed—I need to chant to keep myself busy.

Busy enough, at least, to stop thinking about what was happening. I had no idea where my fellow first years and I were, or where we'll be going. No one did, I think, except for the couple dozen or so seniors who yelled us out of bed, ordered us to pack our things and screamed for us to form two lines and move out. This was right before daybreak, I think. It was still dark when we crossed the Tower gates. I didn't know the exact time, though. I believe it's quite easy to lose track of the hours when doing nothing but "walk-two-three-four and keep the eyes peeled."

The seniors marched in pairs; two pairs in front, four pairs along the lines, and two pairs bringing up the rear. I snuck a peek at the closest one to me, a burly blond who I sometimes see in the practice courts. He's not in Portus, so I don't know him. He looks like he can take care of himself. Solid-looking shoulders disappear under regulation robes that hang a good inch shorter than usual. All the seniors were wearing them, the ceremonial clothes for opening ceremonies.

"Agnes," I whispered through my teeth. "Come on, talk to me."

"Put a sock in it, Rose. They said we can't. I want to be able to shower, and change my clothes, and eat when we get to—wherever we're supposed to," she hissed. I rolled my eyes and said something I wouldn't dare say in front of my parents, which made her look around frantically if anyone noticed. When she was certain no one heard, she turned to glare at me. I grinned.

"You are insane," she said. "Straight up howling mad."

"What'll they do, Agnes? They can't expel me, they're students. And anyway, for what? A bit of salty talking? Right now I'm so tired I'd gladly give up food to pass out on some cabin floor."

"You don't know what you're saying. Didn't you eat before leaving, when they told us to?"

"Not hungry." At that moment, my stomach decided it would be a good time to assert itself. It growled so loud some of my jumpier classmates looked around, probably scared some wild animal was hiding in the bushes. Agnes had to chew on her lip to keep from laughing, and I refused to even glance her way for a good half mile or so.

Meanwhile, the scenery was changing. The trees around us were growing taller and thicker, like they have been around longer than the trees we've passed. The dirt road, I noticed, is now at a slight angle. We followed it down until it snaked around a vine-covered rash of boulders. The rocks look like they're part of a wall. Or were. In any case, the place seemed charged with magic, although it felt aloof, ancient.

"You'll be going two at a time, maximum. The road is too narrow for more. And mind where you plant your feet," the seniors in front called out to us before disappearing around the rocks. I understood when I turned the corner; the dirt road ends abruptly where a steep downward hiking trail begins. I can't see the end of the trail—it just goes on, and on.

The two lines merged and we took turns going down the path. It was a suggestion of one, actually—at some points, it went completely vertical and we had to edge down one foot at a time, using our forearms as support. It was then that I became truly grateful for the wand exercises we've been getting.

The road leveled off and ran through a stream. I was pretty much resigned to the situation and waded right across the water. It came up to my stomach, so it wasn't that bad. But when I reached the other side I knocked my hand into a doxy nest and had to run from a mob of angry doxies, wet, muddy clothes and all. When I was certain I lost them, I collapsed against a tree.

"How much longer will it be?" I muttered under my breath.

"Ah, before my lungs give out, preferably," said Scorpius behind me. He didn't look like he'd been having a good time, either. I tried to smile at him, but I'm pretty sure it came out a grimace. "Hi, Scorpius. Seen anyone else?"

"Connor, a while ago. I hung behind because my foot's just healed from some trap I sprung."

"Well, let's go where he did. Lead the way."

It was just like Resocialization. We kept a steady pace, jogging through the forest, blasting the occasional magical creature that'd try to attack us. Eventually, the path crumbled into a yawning hole. I threw a rock down and waited for a splash of water, or clattering on ground. We could've waited there forever. Scorpius and he raised his eyebrows. "Well, at least we know we don't want to go that way," he said. I also pointed out some of our fellow initiates who are disappearing into the trees on the other side. There wasn't any other way.

I stared at the rift. I didn't feel like jumping over it—I came all this way, and they (whoever they are) couldn't even be bothered to cobble together a rope bridge?

"What's the matter, Rosie?" Scorpius said, a hint of mischief in his voice. "Scared?"

I gave him a withering look. "Not more than I am of how you smell right now," I said, taking a deep breath. I looked at the forest at the other side as I took a few steps back.

I was almost at the edge when something on the other side made me stumble.

It was a face, watching us from between two trees. Ricky Lyons. Only, he didn't have his usual grin on—he was just staring. I tripped on a root and everything went slow. I saw the canyon coming closer, the rocks seemed to be pulling me to them, and I closed my eyes.

And then, nothing. I mean, there was no rush of air, or whistling in my ears. The panic was still constricting my lungs, but I wasn't in free-fall. But there were two hands planted firmly upon my torso.

"Whoops," my training partner gasped as he drove his feet down, "I have you." He pulled us both away from the cliff. I exhaled, tears in my eyes. I'm okay, I told myself. He caught me.

I couldn't move for a while. "Hey, Scorpius," I said after I found my voice.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."

"Don't mention it."

"I'd like to be released now, if you would."

He scrambled away from me, spouting profuse apologies.

"It's nothing," I said, although it felt far from it. Pulling out my wand, I busied myself by studying the gap. I wondered which spell would best help us cross—there weren't any low hanging vines from the trees, and we couldn't very well uproot one just to make a bridge.

"Wingardum leviosa," I tried, pointing at three or four large ones on a ledge in the cliff. They rose and formed a pathway. Scorpius grinned and gave me a thumbs-up. We took our bridge. Once we were safely on the other side, we left the boulders in a visible area, so the next people to cross can find and use them too. After that, we walked on. I tried not to think of how nice it felt to be wrapped in his arms.

Finally, we came upon a gate. It was more than ten feet tall and made of heavy wood. It was the only way inside the facility—walls of stone flanked the gate left and right, and wrapped around a good chunk of the clearing, away from view. Fort Hyrde, said glittering silver letters hammered near the top of the gate. Cede Nullis, a smaller plaque said underneath.

"Yield to none," Scorpius murmured. I was about to reply when we heard metal unbolting.

The doors groaned open and out stepped Instructor Tuttle. She was dressed in what looked like olive green fatigues and steel-toe boots. Her expression was stern, as always, but I could have sworn I saw a twinkle in her eyes as she nodded at us. Without a word, she turned around and walked back in, leaving us at the gate. Scorpius and I shrugged at each other and followed.

A collection of low buildings dotted a lake. People in the same uniform as Tuttle were in groups of four or five and exercising. Some were running, others swimming, still others looked like they were practicing drills. None turned to look at us as we passed. Some buildings were clumped together, others stood alone. Finally, we stopped in front of the tallest building in the compound. Scorpius and I lined up behind the other first years who'd made it in. We said hello to Connor, Lionel, Gina and Bea Farley. Agnes wasn't there—I hoped she would arrive soon.

In the distance, a horn blared three times. "Welcome to Fort Hyrde, initiates," said a voice from behind us. We turned around and saw Shacklebolt, dressed in the same way Tuttle was, and walking towards us. He was flanked on the right by Urquhart. Behind both of them were two seniors I recognized from our hike; they've also changed into uniforms similar to the instructors'.

"You reached Fort Hyrde because the forest deemed you worthy of being a wizarding soldier. For several weeks, you will be placed in situations that will test your ability to adapt and to ensure your mission's success. In each situation you will be given objectives you must fulfill," Urquhart said. He had the same neutral expression as the other two. A ball of uneasiness settled at the pit of my stomach.

"We are in an actual wizarding military base. As such, you are to follow the camp's rules," said Tuttle. "Number one; do what your superior tells you. Number two; do not speak to superiors unless spoken to. For these two weeks, Instructor Shacklebolt, Instructor Urquhart, and I will be your commanders. This doesn't mean, though, that you are to disrespect the officers stationed here. Know who they are and salute them when possible. Do I make myself clear?"

We murmured our assent. Shacklebolt frowned. "Are you bedside with your grandma? Was that clear?" He said loudly.

"Yes, professor!"

"Yes, sir!" He bellowed.

"Yes, sir!"

He paused. "Any questions?"

Lionel raised his hand, and Shacklebolt nodded at him. "Sir, what of our other year-mates?"

"They have been led by the forest to their respective camps." I felt the pit in my stomach grow heavier. No Agnes then. I suddenly felt bad that before we parted, the last thing I did to her was scowl.

"Leave all items here except for your wands," Tuttle said. "Your seniors will lead you to your bunks." There was some fumbling as we dropped our things on the ground. I saw some people leave bags, like me. Some left their textbooks; others, their broomsticks. When we were divested of our possessions, the two seniors led us away from the building and down a grassy path beside it.

Our cabin was the last in a row of barracks to the far right of camp. It wasn't remarkable inside—there was a sparse common area, a room for supplies, and another where we'll be sleeping.

"Showers and latrine are out back. Get changed and be down at the mess hall in thirty." With this, the two seniors exited our cabin, leaving us to find our way around the place.

The group broke off into twos and threes. Scorpius checked the lavatories. Other people went to the sleeping quarters or poked around in the common area. I went to the supplies room. In there were clothes, boots, toiletries, wand care items and ingredients for potions. There were also gauze strips and other things found in Muggle first aid kits.

"Makes you think of what happens during training, for them to stock the cabins this well," Scorpius said.

"Why do you always sneak up on me?" I demanded lightly. He grinned. "Anyway, whatever it is they have planned, I'm sure it's nothing we can't handle," I said.

He replaced the lid on a jar of nettles and turned to me in mock seriousness.

"How about coed loos, think you can handle that?"

I laughed, and so did he. "Are you messing with me?"

"No. Swear to Merlin. Check them out yourself."

"Well, I'm sure it's just to keep us on edge," I said, feigning indifference I didn't feel. It dawned on me that we shouldn't be alone like this. Things happen when we're alone together. Besides, we should be with the group, and anyone who stands out will likely be punished. But I didn't want to leave the supplies room just yet.

"I think so too," he said. "They're quite unsubtle with things. Anything, I guess, that'll do the trick."

My mind flashed to the incident at the ravine. He must have noticed a change in my expression because he asked me what was wrong. And then, I did something I couldn't believe. I came up to him and laced my arms around his neck. He was surprised but didn't resist or make a move. He just gazed back. My heart was in my throat, and I had no idea what I was doing. Or maybe I did.

"Rose," he whispered, his hands settling on my waist. When I tilted my head up, one of his hands caught my cheek and stroked it. He leaned forward and I closed my eyes.

"On second thought," I murmured. "I can think of a dozen other more scenic spots."

He responded by closing the gap between us. Time slowed, birds sang, and all that jazz. Of course I kissed back. He wasn't a sloppy snogger, and I liked that. I actually liked a lot of things about him. There was no way I'd admit it to anyone's face, but it was true. Just as I was coming to terms with the fact that I was kissing the sun god, something got me thinking.

I remembered our first day at Portus. Behind my eyelids, I saw his face, contorted with the desire to win. More importantly, I saw how he knew to cast a spell even without pointing his wand at the person.

Even as we kissed I felt the giddiness float away from me, leaving alarm bells ringing in its wake.