Damn, I'm so sorry! It's been too long.

I meant to update this way sooner, but my plan was derailed by a few things, the most significant was a change of computer, which caused me to lose the beated version of my text. I had to resubmit it to Billy, who was kind enough to go through it again and send it back. Hence the delay.

But fear not, I'm owning up to my failing. I'm not posting one update. I'm posting the rest of the story. Yep, you read that right. I have all the final chapters lined up, and they're coming up tonight (it's 11.30 PM back home, right now)

Now, I know how slow updates can be irritating, but I would like to respond to Shiva Rama Krishna for his/her choice of words, when he/she reviewed: This is a story. I write this for fun. I write this, juggling with a personal life, a couple, two daughters and a real job. I guess some people would need to understand that I have priorities. In the words of Billdog, my beta: I mean, you know we're doing this sh!# for free, right?

There, I close the parenthesis and open the chapter. It will be followed by the next, and the next... so on and so forth until the Epilogue.

Thanks for everyone who reviewed, followed and stuck to the story. Now, we get to see the end of it.

Enjoy!

TRUTH IS HARD TO HEAR

"Now we'll see how brave you are," said the Spy, with a terrible smile.

Kieran braced herself and tried to move as quickly as she could. She swung her legs at him, and hit him in the knees. The spy fell on the ground with a groan. But the move threw Kieran on the ground. She landed with a muffled cry of pain. Her head hit the parquet and she saw stars.

The Spy got back on his feet before she could try to move.

"Well, I can give you that, girl," he said. "You are brave."

He hit her with the handle of his knife. She saw stars again, but fought unconsciousness furiously. She succeeded in staying awake, but soon, she regretted it.

The Spy came above her, and he cut the ropes that were tying her right arm up. She smacked him as soon as her hand was free. The spy smiled and hit her back.

"Leave her alone, you bastard!" she heard Orlando shout.

She could tell that he was trying to free himself but couldn't. The Spy smiled again, and suddenly he slashed his knife and Kieran felt a terrible pain in her arm. She let out a scream. The thing with Wagner's face had a nasty grin. He made a second cut in Kieran's arm, and she screamed again.

"Do you begin to understand what kind of games I enjoy, girl?" asked the distorted voice of Chris Wagner.

"You're disgusting!" she said, her voice failing her.

"Maybe," said the spy thoughtfully. "But as long as I hold the knife, your opinion doesn't really matter, does it?"

Another cut. Kieran clenched her teeth. She wouldn't scream again. He would enjoy this too much. She wouldn't give him that pleasure. Another cut. She flinched silently, still looking at him with hatred in her eyes.

"Very brave," said the Spy. "Good. I hate to kill wimps."

Then suddenly a piercing pain shot in her arm. He had stabbed it violently. Kieran succeeded in turning her scream into a sob. She could feel the blood flowing from her, and as it was, little by little, she lost consciousness of her surroundings. She couldn't hear the cries of Orlando, trying to call her name. She lost the sight of the Spy's face bent over her. It was a faceless mask, now, something, like a simple form over her.

Another stab, and she didn't even felt the shock. She drifted away in darkness. Maybe she was dying. That wasn't that painful after all. She only had one single regret.

He would never know. If only she could see him. Her last thought before fainting was a name.

Ian.

Kenneth was now running as fast as he could. An awful doubt was haunting him, right now. All of this had to be more than just a kidnapping. The warlocks had never shown any interest in Kieran before. And why would they even target Orlando? No, it didn't make any sense! It had to be more than this. The spy wanted them to search the grounds. They wanted them outside. And if he had caught Orlando, it was to make sure that Amanio would be involved in the search. So it had to be a trap.

They reached the gates and Thierry spotted Amanio. He pointed his mentor to Kenneth and the others, and Kenneth turned to Kalindra and Mandy.

"You get back inside," he said firmly.

"What?!" exclaimed Mandy. "If you think that we will…"

"Mandy, don't argue with me, now," Kenneth cut her dryly. "You do as I say, immediately!"

He must have sounded very serious, since she obeyed him, though she shot him a dark look. Thierry had already joined Master Amanio. Kenneth ran to them.

"You mustn't stay here," he said.

"What is going on?" asked Professor Lockenburn.

"This is a trap," said Kenneth. "The spy wants us to be outside the Castle, so they would attack."

"What is this rambling, again, Mr Lionheart," said Snape, who was walking closer, along with Professor Potter and Anselme.

Thierry's eyes flashed in anger when he saw the disgraced Master. Anselme held his gaze with the remains of the fury burning inside of him. Kenneth stepped between the two, still looking at Amanio.

"Why would he take Orlando, if the spy didn't want you to join the search?" he said.

"He has a point," said Lockenburn.

"And since when did we start to listen to teenagers to take our decisions?" asked Anselme fiercely. "That boy doesn't know what he's talking about."

"That boy has more experience of the Warlocks than all the people in your Order," said Potter, his eyes suddenly like knives. "You're really starting to annoy, me, Anselme. Do you even realise how fragile your situation is? You're only here to help with the search. Right after that you'll be back in your cell. So stop trying to impose your opinions."

"Did I speak to you, Potter?" spat Anselme. "I'm speaking with my Master."

"Oh, just shut up!" said Thierry, waspishly. "Kenneth's right! This doesn't feel right. We are in danger."

Anselme suddenly roared in anger and was about to throw himself at Thierry, when suddenly, a loud buzzing sound filled the air. It was as if lightning was about to strike. Kenneth looked around, as a sudden flash of light lit up the sky in the distance over the forest. There was a loud thundering sound that was mixed with what sounded like screams.

"Oh, Merlin," Kenneth whispered, realising what was going on.

They were doing it again. Like last time, the Warlocks were using the lives of their own, to break into the Hogwarts' defences.

A bright curse then shot through the sky and hit the ground, right in the middle of their group. The shock threw them all on the ground. Kenneth was sent far from the others. He tried to shake away his dizziness, but everything was turning around him.

He heard suddenly a huge agitation near him. He looked up and saw a troop of Warlocks landing around the group. Spells were cast quickly. And Professor Potter was sent away from Amanio, whom he tried to cover.

Kenneth saw a masked man, with robes different from the other warlocks wave a wand and a huge shock knocked Professor Lockenburn away. Snape was surrounded by warlocks, trying to fight them off. Anselme was already out cold on the ground.

Kenneth got back on his feet and faced three warlocks. Blocking an attack on his left, he used, he swished his wand tip to deflect it into the other two assailants, taking them out with a wave of fire intended to him. Linking his move with a short jab of his wand, he knocked the third one out.

As he turned from the three men down, he could see the fight continuing over there. Another curious wave and the one that had overthrown Lockenburn disarmed Walter. As the tall master faltered, another one, in warlock robes sneaked near him and suddenly produced a knife out of his robes, striking Walter right in the chest.

Walter didn't scream at all. He just dropped on the ground.

"NOOO!" screamed Thierry.

He knocked his Staff on the ground, still kneeling. The shockwave that shot from it sent most of the attackers on the ground. Thierry got on his feet, looking like possessed by his rage. He waved his staff.

"Elastare!" he shouted.

The shocking Spell went to knock the warlock who stood over Walter out. The one that had disarmed the Master waved his wand again, and Thierry's staff was suddenly snatched from his hands. Kenneth got rid of another opponent and aimed at the masked wizard. But it was too late. He had taken two jewels from Walter's neck. He countered Kenneth's attack. Thierry rushed to his Staff, and waved it wildly.

"Accio Key!" he said.

Time seemed to stop. There was a struggle of will, as the masked attacker was trying to keep his grip on the necklace bearing the jewels, and as Thierry was trying to focus his will to get them back. Finally, the unknown man waved his wand again and the spell was broken. One of the Jewels flew to Thierry's hand. The masked man and Thierry held their gaze for a second.

The attacker made a parody of salute, shrugged and whistled. Suddenly all the attackers enounced the same words, and they all started to levitate, even taking the stunned ones with them. Kenneth tried to strike them in the air, but his spell was deflected by a shielding charm from one of them.

Kenneth looked at Thierry. The Novice had the jewel in his hand, but his eyes were blank, as if in shock.

Kenneth turned to follow his eyes. And he froze on the spot.

Professor Potter and Snape were now standing next to Amanio. Professor Lockenburn was getting on his feet, his face like ash. Kenneth felt his heart drop suddenly.

Amanio was lying on the ground, his face very pale. Each breath seemed to be painful. And Kenneth saw the blood covering the front of his robes. And he knew that the Old Master Amanio was dying.

The Warlocks had won.

Ian was following the trail left by his pulse through the forest. He could feel the path revealed by his spell leading him through the deep undergrowth. He was trying to focus only on this. He refused to think of what could happen to Kieran right now. He had to focus on finding them.

The trail led him into a strange clearing. In the middle of the clearing, there was a dark looking shack. Ian stopped on the edge of the trees. There was clearly a spell on this place, and it served to hide anything in the shack to the outside eye. Feeling the thread of the magic weaved around the mysterious cabin, Ian suddenly tore at it and sent the whole enchantment tumbling down. Some kind of shadow that had been clouding his sight suddenly vanished, and it was as if the moon was now shining brighter.

Ian could tell Kieran was in there. He could feel it. He heard Master Wilhelm and both the Weasleys make their way through the Forest behind him. They were behind him, but he didn't have time to wait for them.

"I heard Hagrid mention that place, once," he heard the teacher say, in the distance. "It was the home of an old hermit who lived alone in the Forest, among Centaurs, and Magical creatures. I wonder if the Spy is hidden in there."

Ian was already at the door. He tried to stay as silent as he could, but now he was sure that whoever was inside had heard the coming voices in the dark. He opened the door carefully, trying to avoid making any new sound. The wood didn't crack as he feared it would.

Ian entered the little shack, scanning the place for any sign of movement. The opened door was sending a dim light inside the darkened shack.

"Ian, look out!" shouted the voice of Orlando.

Ian rolled on the ground, just in time to avoid lightning shooting out of the dark. He stayed on the ground getting ready for another attack. It came immediately, and Ian summoned a shield to block it. The explosion of light in the room revealed it to Ian's eyes.

It was empty, except for a ruined couch, and two dusty drawers. Near the couch, Orlando was lying on a carpet, tied up, struggling to keep a gag off his face. And the silhouette of Wagner was revealed in the back of the room, near the backdoor.

But there was something that made Ian stop thinking.

At Wagner's feet, Kieran was lying on the dusty floor, surrounded by a puddle of blood, motionless, eyes shut. And she was pale as if in death.

Ian's heart suddenly missed a beat and then tightened in his chest.

"No," he whispered.

Another attack from Wagner, which Ian deflected with a detached automatism, showed him again that vision of horror. Kieran. Dead.

"NO!" he suddenly roared.

And the shack simply exploded. The wooden walls were blown away by Ian's raw power. Orlando rolled on the ground, with a muffled cry of panic. 'Wagner' was thrown violently against the remains of the wall behind him. He got up and rushed away, disappearing in the woods.

"WAGNER!" shouted Ian.

His mind was blank. Only one emotion remained inside of him: FURY. His eyes suddenly lit up. A frightening blue light started to glow inside of them. Ian then started to levitate. Through his raging power, he could sense the trail of the spy. He started to float after him, following him into the depths of the Forest.

"WAGNER!" he roared again.

Hermione reached the shack just in time to see it explode. But there was no flame at all, and then she saw Ian taking off the ground, shouting like a maniac. He looked completely lost in his own power. Hermione suppressed a shiver.

Ian suddenly started to fly across the trees.

"YOU CAN'T ESCAPE ME!" he shouted.

Hermione realised that she feared Ian more than she feared the spy now. So much power in his hands... And he looked so furious that he could be dangerous.

She was joined by Ron and Wilhelm, who rushed inside the shack. Hermione followed them. Inside the ruins, they found Orlando, still struggling against his bounds.

"Kieran," he said, stammering. "She's…"

He had tears in his eyes. Hermione rushed next to Kieran and knelt in the blood spilled around the young girl. She was horrified by the state of the arm of Kieran. It was slashed all the length, and even stabbed in two points. Whoever he was, this 'Wagner' had very vicious games. Hermione looked at the pale face, in search for any trace of life. Tears went to her eyes.

"No, not another student," she said, checking the pulse nervously.

Then she let out a sigh of pure relief. There was a beat!

"She's alive!" she called.

Wilhelm was beside her in seconds. He waved his staff over the young girl. And suddenly Kieran took a deep breath. But still she remained unconscious.

"I stopped the bleeding," said Wilhem. "But the wound is serious. She needs immediate care."

"Ron," called Hermione. "Can you bring her back to the Castle?"

"I'll go with him," said Wilhelm, as Ron nodded.

"Where are you going?" asked Ron, looking concerned.

"After Ian and Wagner," said Hermione.

"I'm coming with you," said Orlando.

"That's too risky, Orlando," said Wilhem. "You've been through hard times already…"

"I'm not afraid of this monster," said Orlando. "Not anymore. Not after what he had done to Kieran. I'm way too angry to be afraid."

"Neither am I," said Hermione. "I don't care about Wagner. I'm worried about Ian. He may do the worst, if he believes that Kieran is dead."

"I can find him," said Orlando, reaching for his Staff.

"How?" asked Ron. "He was untraceable."

"I know," said Orlando. "He boasted about this. But he touched my staff, so now my staff can find him. If we find that bastard, we find Ian."

Hermione nodded.

"Can you walk?" she asked.

"I've been lying down for hours. I could run," said Orlando, decidedly. "The real Wagner is downstairs, though," he added, remembering.

"We'll take him, as well," said Ron, suddenly pulling Kieran in his arms.

"Then lead the way," Hermione told Orlando.

"I'll take care of Kieran," said Ron. "Tell Ian she's alright before…"

He let his sentence trail off, refusing to face the awful possibility.

Hermione nodded. Ron had perfectly understood the danger, here. Since they had faced so many dangers together, Ron had gotten that ability to understand her better that anyone. Maybe it was love, maybe it was the mark of their common fights. But Hermione also knew that he understood that she had to go after Ian, no matter the danger it may put her into. She kissed her husband, to give herself courage. And she started to run after Orlando, disappearing in the woods.

The sky was strangely calm, now. The Warlocks were gone, and there was no wind, no sound at all around them. It was as if the whole earth was holding its breath in waiting. As if the world was sharing the pain of everyone. Harry was standing above the group, looking sadly at Walter.

The old Master of the Brotherhood of Merlin was lying on the ground, breathing heavily. The wound on his chest couldn't be healed, Harry knew it. From where he stood, he could smell the stench of poison and feel the curses from the blade that had claimed his life. It was too late, and they were too far from the Castle. All they could do was to help to ease his suffering.

Thierry was knelt beside his mentor, his face a mask of despair. He had tears in his eyes. Harry thought that the young man was now facing the death of the closest thing he had for a father and that thought reminded him of too many of his own memories. The Face of Sirius appeared in front of him. With a shiver, he shook away that ghost.

"They have taken the Keys," said Walter.

"I got one back, Master," said Thierry, sadly.

He put the jewel in the old man's hand, hoping that would comfort him. Walter squeezed the hand of his pupil with a smile.

"I have always known you would face the darkness, Thierry," he said. "And that you wouldn't kneel before it."

"But, the warlocks…"

"You have done your best, Thierry," said Walter. "Harry," he said turning to him. "I want you to do something for me."

Harry nodded and knelt before the dying man. Walter turned slowly to Thierry.

"I want everyone to know, that this young man is now an Initiate of the Order," he said.

Thierry gasped in shock. Anselme let out a strangled sound.

"Master, you can't," he tried to say.

"Shut up, Anselme, the Master is talking," said Alexander, darkly.

"Thierry De Vannes is now an Initiate of The Brotherhood of Merlin," Walter went on. "And his task will be to take care and protect the old legacy of my own bloodline, the Codex of Merlin. I have no longer the strength to carry this burden."

"Don't say that, Master," said Thierry, tears in his eyes. "You'll get better…"

"Thierry, my dear son," said Walter, smiling weakly. "You have never been a very good liar. I am dying, Thierry. And it is my duty to transmit my task, and this…"

With his waning strength, Walter held out his Staff to Thierry. The novice shook his head, the tears now running across his face.

"No," he said pleadingly. "Don't leave me now, Master. How would I go on without you?"

"This is where you have made your only mistake, my child," said Walter, smiling. "You never truly needed me. And now, you have to realise that everything the Order tried to teach you was already within you. You are the stuff of Masters, Thierry. You said that witch thought you reminded her of Merlin. It didn't surprise me. You will go on, because you know you have to."

"Master…"

But Thierry finally took the staff from the hand of his Master, sighing deeply. Walter smiled.

"You're my heir, from now on, Thierry," said Walter. "Someday, you will take my place and complete my mission, if it is not ruined, after tonight. You saved the second Key, Son. But they have the first."

"Don't speak," said Harry. "You'll just tire yourself.

"Will you testify for this, Harry?" asked Walter.

"Yes," said Harry. "I will testify."

"It won't have any value," said Anselme fiercely. "This child can't become the heir."

"You were told to shut up," spat Kenneth. "If Professor Potter's word is not enough, I will testify. And the Order will listen to the Knight's word."

"But…" began Anselme.

"Stay quiet, Hector," said Snape, coldly. "This is not the time for this."

Kenneth threw a withering look to the rogue Master, who was still trembling out of rage. The old master was growing weaker. And his face suddenly turned desperate.

"The Staff will be lost," he said, starting to breathe with difficulties. "They will turn it into an artefact of evil. It can't… protect itself against the Magic of the Warlocks. I've failed my mission!"

"No," said Thierry. "We will save it. I swear, Master, we will."

"How?" asked Anselme sarcastically.

Kenneth looked a long moment at the horizon. The Old wizard needed a comforting thought before he would die. And the Staff couldn't be left in the hands of the Warlocks. Not a chance in Hell. Some curious thought suddenly crossed his mind.

"Who else can enter the Core?" he asked.

"What?" asked Thierry, looking up from Walter to him.

"Are the Master of the Sanctuary and those using their knowledge the only ones to enter the Core? Or does the Key work for anybody?" insisted Kenneth.

"Traditionally, only the Masters can come in…" said Thierry.

"The Key…" said Walter. "Anyone bearing the Key… can… Thierry, the Trust… he can…"

"Then, I'm going," said Kenneth.

He knelt in front of Walter. And he riveted his eyes to the ones of the Old Wizard.

"They won't get it," he said. "I promise you they won't."

He reached for the jewel in Walter's hand. But the old man made his move first. He took Kenneth's hand, put the jewel in it and covered it with his other hand. Then he had a smile.

"Thank you, Heart of Lion," he said. "The Pledge…"

And on this smile he closed his eyes and heaved a last sigh. His body suddenly went limp. Thierry buried his face in his Master's chest, crying freely now.

Walter has passed away.

Kenneth stood up. He squeezed the second Key inside his hand. Then he headed for the Castle, and the West Tower, Flitwick's office. He needed Kieran's Port-tracer. But suddenly Professor Snape stood in his way.

"Where do you think you're going?" he asked.

"I'm going to Brocéliande," said Kenneth. "And I will get to the Staff first."

"This is precious," said Snape. "We won't let you risk your life…"

"With all due respect, I don't think you have your word to say in this, Sir," said Kenneth, narrowing his eyes.

"Excuse me?" shot Snape, startled.

"I am going," said Kenneth. "I promised Walter that the Warlocks wouldn't get near that Staff. I intend to keep my promise. This is my mission. I have a duty to the Brotherhood. Therefore, I'm following rules that go far beyond the ones of this school. You can try and stop me, but honestly, I don't want to hurt you."

"You…"

Kenneth crossed his arms on his chest. And his hand got near his arm sheath. He had a twisted smile.

"You won't stop me, Sir," he said.

"You'll need help," said Thierry, standing up, suddenly.

"What?!"

The shout had come from Professor Potter, Lockenburn and Snape at the same time. Thierry had straightened up. There was steel in his eyes, and he was now looking more decided than ever. In his hand Walter's Staff was glowing softly.

"You'll need the help of a Brother to get inside the Grove," he said. "So I'm coming with you."

Kenneth nodded. Professor Potter stepped between them.

"It's completely bonkers," he said. "Do you realise how many warlocks will be there?"

"They won't stop me, Sir," said Kenneth. "I have to do this."

"This is madness," said Snape. "You're playing adult games, boy. Don't try to grow up too fast."

"With all due respect, Sir, I'm not a kid anymore," said Kenneth. "I stopped being a kid the day Voldemort killed my mother. I know what I have to do, and I won't back up."

Potter sighed deeply.

"Overwhelming numbers of warlocks, an unknown magical place to search…" he said, thinking out loud.

He suddenly turned to Alexander, and smiled.

"I suppose you want to tag along?" he said.

"You know me too well, Potter," said Alexander, smiling back.

"You have all gone mad," said Snape between his teeth.

"They won't give up, Severus," said Potter. "I won't let them get there alone."

"Then it's settled," said Kenneth. "We need a Portkey."

"First we need a plan," said Professor Potter. "Give us a few minutes before to go. We must get Walter back to the Castle."

"Each minute wasted here brings them closer to the Staff!" said Kenneth, impatiently.

"Unlikely," said Potter. "They must still find the way in. There are rituals guarding the entrance, as Walter told me. They can't know them. So before we rush into action, we must be prepared. You will follow my lead on this, Kenneth."

Kenneth held Potter's gaze for a moment, and then he nodded dryly. He didn't like it, but to have Harry Potter and Alexander Lockenburn on his side against the Warlocks was worth to wait a little.

He followed the teachers that started to levitate Walter's body toward the Castle.

When they entered the Entrance Hall, followed by the stunned eyes of the students that weren't in their common rooms, Anselme suddenly grabbed Thierry's arm. Kenneth tensed. What was going on?

"You won't do this," said Anselme. "You've done enough for tonight," he said fiercely. "You are no real Initiate. You have no right to take that decision to lead intruders into the Core."

Kenneth was about to interfere, but Potter stopped him, looking intently at Thierry. The former Novice had his eyes like slits. He looked angrier than ever.

"Let go of me," he said coldly. "The intruders are already on their way."

"You're not worthy of that staff!" spat Anselme, his face flushed with anger. "And stop trying to play the hero."

"Shut up," said Thierry, coldly.

The hit came without warning. With a long circling move, Thierry had hit Anselme in the jaw with Walter's staff. The Master fell on the ground, holding his face, with a painful groan.

"Doesn't feel good, does it?" Thierry spat. "Maybe you're too much of a coward to go and fight our enemy, but I'm no coward. And I will fight! Stay out of my way or I swear you'll regret it."

Kenneth put a hand on Thierry's shoulder. The new Initiate tensed a little, then sighed. He turned to his friend. And Kenneth was relieved that his anger was now replaced by resolution.

"Let's get it done," said Thierry. "Accio Codex!" he shouted.

After a while, a book came flying, from across the hall, from the direction of Walter's office, causing many students to jump out of the way. It was huge and very carefully kept intact. Thierry got to a table in the Great Hall. He put the book on the table and opened it. He began to read.

"What are you searching for?" asked Potter.

"The specific way inside the Grove that leads to the Core," said Thierry. "Apart from Master Walter, nobody knew about it. I have to find it in here."

"We'll get prepared, meanwhile," said Potter.

He turned to the students that were starting to gather around them, looking shocked. There was a body lying on one of the tables of the great Hall. Thierry had just hit Anselme and was carefully reading a book. The scene had to look very strange, from their point of view.

"Someone get Professor Dumbledore," Potter ordered.

One prefect reacted immediately, and rushed away. But he got back immediately, followed by Dumbledore and McGonagall. The old wizard looked suddenly shocked when he saw Amanio lying on the table. He heaved a sigh.

"What happened?" he asked.

Potter started to explain the whole situation to him.

Kenneth was now pacing the Hall, waiting for Thierry to find the way into the Core. He was reliving the events of the evening, from the search for Kieran to the attack on Walter. And suddenly a detail that had escaped him at once came back in his mind. There had been something odd in one of the attackers; the masked one; the one that had disarmed Walter. He had waved his wand... Just like that... without uttering a word, without saying anything. Just waving... A very familiar wave!

Kenneth suddenly felt an ice cold stream pass through his spine. The Wand Gift!

No, that wasn't possible! Not the Gift. Who could be perverted enough to use the Wand Gift against the Brothers… Kenneth suddenly froze on the spot. He had still his wand in his hands, since he had pulled it out when Anselme had lost it. The feeling of the wand in his hand reminded him of the last time he had faced Warlocks. The familiar presence...

The familiar presence of one who had come back into his life just the year when the Brotherhood had settled in Hogwarts; One who had met Sonia and Troy in France! It could be Sonia, trying to blur the trails...

No. His Mum had trusted Sonia with her life. She could not have done that. And the masked figure had the frame of a man. It had to be him!

Kenneth clenched his hands into fists. He felt a swell of rage starting to rise inside of him. He walked slowly to the nearest table, and put his fists on it, trying to sort out the possibilities, the alternatives, but none came before him. It had to be it. The Traitor, the man outside the school, while Wagner was inside, was even closer than he had thought. The man betraying his own blood, for the cause of the Warlocks, was turning his back on the Pledge.

"You bastard!" he said between his teeth.

"Kenneth?" asked Professor Potter. "What is it?"

"The traitor!" said Kenneth. "The man helping the warlocks, who helped them to bring down the defences around the Sanctuary... I know who he is."

He suddenly grabbed one pitcher of pumpkin juice and with a scream of rage, threw it in the middle of the fire.

"GARETH, YOU BASTARD!" he roared at the ceiling.

With a raging wave of his wand, he shattered all the glasses in the Great Hall.

Gareth suddenly stopped walking. He had felt something odd, as if the old Bond the entire family shared was sending him a signal. That was something very few of them knew the truth of. The whole Clan was unaware that the bonds of blood were so strong between them that they sometimes could feel some emotions, coming from other members of the Family, when it was directed at them.

Gareth, once he had broken his relationship with his family, had learned to recognize the signals. Just like when someone walks on your grave but with an emotional touch.

And that touch was fury, now. Somebody was really, really angry at him. There was no need to be a genius to know who it was.

Noticing he had stopped walking, Lilia turned to him.

"What is it?" she asked.

Her tone did irritate Gareth. For all the promises she made, she still saw him as a servant, which was as remote from the truth as could be. Without him, they wouldn't be here. Since their stunt against Hogwarts, these damn zealots couldn't move as freely as before, and without him they couldn't have even moved against the Brotherhood. He had brought them the means to capture Merlin's Staff. Perhaps she should dismiss him like that.

Well, he would have to educate the bitch sooner or later.

"Some strange impression," he simply said. "I guess my dear cousin has finally put one and one together."

"So what?" said Lilia, shrugging.

"You don't know Kenneth," said Gareth. "He's Lancelot and Sarah's son."

"What does that mean?"

"Well, Lancelot never kept his grudges for long, for whoever offending him usually doesn't live long and peacefully," said Gareth. "Which means Kenneth will soon claim his revenge."

"Sounds like you fear him, Lionheart," said Lilia, with a smile.

"He's Sarah's kid. Sarah was maybe a naive bitch, but she was a powerful Wandmaster," said Gareth. "Don't go underestimate her son."

"He's a kid! Just a kid!" mocked Lilia. "Gareth the hard man, fearing a simple kid?"

"You can't understand, Lilia," said Gareth, smiling. "You're not family. Besides, that kid put a spoke right into the wheels of your perfect plan, last year, didn't he?"

He only had brought this up to unnerve Lilia. Since the words from Herrigan had come that he was about to be found out and needed to move, she had been on edge, forced to move up her carefully laid plans. Gareth liked to rub her nose into how much she depended on others, others that had nothing to do with the mindless drones that followed and worshipped her. Gareth never truly understood the devotion of the warlocks for their High Priestess. She was ruthless, and deadly and strikingly beautiful. He was all too aware of that, but she couldn't have them all under her charm. She held them through belief. And Gareth despised men who sacrificed their lives and thoughts to blind beliefs.

Still, she was right. He had to be sure of himself if he wanted to get this job finally done. Kenneth wouldn't stand in his way. No one would. And at the end of this night, he would have gained power beyond imagination, even if he had to go through Lilia to do so; even if he had to go through Kenneth.

The entrance hall was crowded. Nobody dared to enter the Great Hall. There was plenty of space in there, but no one wanted to interrupt whatever was going on in the room. Teachers were now conferring with Dumbledore on the way the pursuit of the Warlocks would take place. Professor Snape got back, giving Professor Lockenburn some phials full of shining liquid.

"Since you won't listen to me, you may as well take these," he said darkly.

"Thanks, Severus," said Professor Potter. "It is appreciated."

Snape nodded reluctantly.

The tension was great in the room. The presence of Master Amanio's body wasn't helping at all. Thierry was still bent over his book, and he looked more concentrated than Julie had ever seen him.

Julie decided to act. She had seen many things. She had seen Kieran endangered; she had seen the face of the spy.

Ron Weasley and Master Brünwald had gotten back in the school, carrying a wounded Kieran and the real Chris Wagner straight to the Hospital wing and then Weasley had to go back, explaining that Ian, Professor Weasley and Orlando were chasing the spy that had posed as Wagner.

She had seen all of this, the danger where Kieran had been, and now it was over, but she hadn't seen anything about Kenneth and now he was about to go to the Sanctuary, to face the Warlocks. And she hadn't seen, she hadn't the slightest idea of what could happen. She wouldn't let him go.

Not like that.

She suddenly walked in the Great Hall, and didn't care about the looks of surprise of the students. Tired of the looks of the curious students, Professor Lockenburn waved his hand and the Doors closed behind Julie, cutting the view.

Julie joined Kenneth. He was still pacing furiously the room. Since his outburst, earlier, Julie had hesitated to talk to him. But now… she knew she was running out of time.

"You're really going to do this?" she asked. "Why?"

"I've made a promise to Walter," said Kenneth. "He won't fail. I'll make sure his mission will be saved."

"Why you?" asked Julie, on a desperate tone.

"I owe them that much," said Kenneth. "My family made a pact."

"You owe them to risk your life?" countered Julie. "Things that are centuries old are worth your life?"

"This is something I must do, Julie," said Kenneth. "This goes beyond any mission or a vow. I know who has betrayed them, and I'm the only one who can stop him from leading the Warlocks to the Staff. It's personal. One of our oldest rules... A Wandmaster has betrayed our code, and I need to hunt him down."

Julie sighed deeply. Kenneth went on.

"And if the warlocks get Merlin's Staff," he said, "they won't stop there. And no one will be able to stand in their way. Their next target will be Hogwarts… and you. I can't allow that."

Julie felt helpless. What could she say? She couldn't convince him to renounce, because that would go against his very nature. At least, she had learned that lesson. Again, he was only thinking of helping others, protecting them. Was she about to lose him now that she was so close to find him again? She came to a decision.

"I don't want you to go," she said. "Not without knowing."

"Knowing what?" asked Kenneth.

Julie, without a word, threw herself in his arms. She held him tight, sobbing against him.

"That I'm sorry," said Julie. "I'm sorry that I've hurt you so many times."

"It's alright," said Kenneth. "You thought you were doing what you had to do."

"Yes," said Julie. "But at least, I could have been honest."

"What are you talking about?"

"My choice was you, Kenneth," said Julie, her face bathed in tears. "I know I messed up because of that bloody vision, and I'm not trying to change your mind, but I wanted you to know: my choice was you."

Kenneth looked aghast for a moment. Julie wondered if he would talk, if he would reject her. But then, the moment ended.

"I got it!" suddenly exclaimed Thierry. "It all makes sense! I know how to get in."

"How?" asked Dumbledore.

"We must find the Guide," said Thierry.

"The Guide?" repeated Potter. "But we don't know…"

"Trust me, I know who it is," said Thierry. "We must go, now."

Julie reluctantly let go of Kenneth, as he joined Thierry and the two teachers in the middle of the Hall. Professor Potter held out a spoon in his hand.

"This will lead us to the edge of the Sanctuary," he said. "There, Thierry can grant us access."

Thierry nodded. Alexander put a finger on the spoon. Thierry did the same. Kenneth threw Julie a last look before to do the same. Her heart leapt again in her chest, seized by a sudden anguish. She ran to him.

"One…" said Professor Potter.

She reached Kenneth on "two". But she tried to grab onto him, at the very moment Potter said "three". Her hand closed on thin air, as Kenneth suddenly vanished in a flash of light, leaving Julie alone facing Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape and Mr Weasley. She sighed deeply.

They were gone.

Then she noticed that the teachers were all looking at her, and realised she just had made a spectacle of herself. Snape was fixing her with his usual indescribable gaze, Dumbledore with a twinkling in his eyes, although he did look tired and sad. Mr Weasley was smiling broadly, though, and as for Desideria Wroxton, who had caught up with them, she had a little knowing smile. Julie started to blush furiously, realising she had nearly kissed a student in front of the entire teaching staff. Mr Weasley winked at her, which reminded Julie of Kieran, brought back in the Castle in his arms.

"How is Kieran?" she asked.

"She's been badly wounded," said Mr Weasley. "But Poppy is taking care of her. She'll live, according to her, but she has lost a huge amount of blood. That bloke apparently has vicious ways to kill. He was expecting her to bleed to death."

Julie was so shocked she couldn't help a gasp.

"Can I go and see her?" she asked.

"Do you think…" began Dumbledore.

"I need to do something, Sir," said Julie. "Or I'll go mad, waiting."

Dumbledore nodded. Julie was about to rush out when she stopped.

"So Wagner ran away?" she asked. "I mean the man posing as him…"

"For now," said Mr Weasley. "But Ian is after him. If Hermione doesn't catch up with him, I fear the bastard will be in real trouble."

For once, among the few times Julie had seen the teacher's husband, there was no trace of humour in his voice.

"But Ian…"

"He thinks Kieran's dead," said Mr Weasley darkly.

Julie suddenly felt a terrible anguish squeeze her heart. What if he…

And her sight suddenly exploded in light, plunging her into another vision...

This was familiar. She had dreamed of this before.

A figure in beauty and coldness, Lilia was waving her wand in a graceful and terrifying dance, caught in a fight, a fierce duel with another wizard. As the two figures danced around each other, Julie suddenly caught glimpses of their faces as spells flashed and curses flew. Her opponent was now revealed to her, and her blood froze.

There was a lull in the fight, the two fighters defying each other. She saw Lilia speak out words she couldn't hear. And, suddenly, Lilia cast a terrible, familiar curse.

"Avada Kedavra," she screamed.

The scene exploded in green light as a horrible scream of pain suddenly echoed...

Julie stumbled back in horror, as the vision exploded.

"Oh, no," she moaned. "No, no, no, no..."

"Julie? What is it?" asked Dumbledore.

"Julie, what did you see?" asked Wroxton.

"That duel with Lilia," she said, between gasps, as panic was starting to overcome her. "The one I saw before. She casts a killing curse and then a terrible scream..."

"What about it?" insisted Wroxton. "You saw that one before. What was different?"

"She was duelling Kenneth," said Julie, before crumbling to the floor, unable to breathe.

Wroxton was on her side immediately, trying to reassure her, but she could barely fight the horror.

"Oh, Merlin," whispered McGonagall.

Ian was tearing through the Forest, focusing on the trail. Wagner was fast, as if he was using Magic to enhance his velocity, but that wouldn't be enough.

He had killed her.

Ian couldn't think of anything else. All the words of Alexander were gone from his head now. Only one thing remained. A simple sentence…

He killed her.

And that was enough to start the greatest fire in his heart. He had never been this furious, furious enough that nothing could stop him.

He killed her.

Ian caught a move in the bushes, ahead of him! He was closing on him. Again the words echoed in him.

He killed her.

A silhouette in the dark... There he was! The words echoed again but this time followed by his raging choice.

He killed her. I will kill him!