Chapter 24: I Become Encircled by Never Ending Darkness

(Hugo)

As the blackness encircled me and I slowly faded out of consciousness I cursed Scorpius for ever letting me participate in this plan. I cursed Rose for letting him go along with it. I cursed Code for starting this whole Mind-Walking thing. But most of all I cursed myself for not taking Code's offer to live in my own mind forever. How much more peaceful that would've been.

The first five seconds of the day were quite normal. I woke up and stretched. I yawned wondering what had woken me up. I was just getting out of bed to investigate when I heard a knock on the door. This would've been a little less weird if it wasn't five am on a Saturday.

I glanced over at Jacob and Frank's beds. Both either curtains were closed so I assumed they were sleeping. I grabbed my wand and slowly crept towards the door.

I was shocked to find my sister and Scorpius standing there.

"What the hell do you want?" I asked lowering my wand and rubbing my eyes. "It's five in the bloody morning!"

Rose shushed me. "We need to talk to you." She motioned for me to follow her and I did. All down the stairs and out the Common Room.

I was slightly confused. What could my sister and Scorpius want with me so early in the morning? And why just me? If it was urgent news relating to Code why weren't James, Al, Lily and the rest of the family here?

We finally arrived at our destination which was apparently the Astronomy Tower. Scorpius and Rose leaned against the ledge. Slightly scared of falling off, I leaned against a wall facing them instead.

"Well?" I demanded, growing annoyed.

"Hugh, I want you to know this wasn't my idea. And I wouldn't even consider it if times weren't really desperate."

I frowned. "What's so desperate?" I asked. Realising how my question sounded, I rephrased. "I mean, what's even more desperate than usual about the situation?"

Rose sighed, putting her hands in her head. Since she seemed unable to answer I turned to Scorpius. "Code tried to break into Albus' mind again the yesterday," he explained. "And because he did that he left his mind vulnerable for Albus to attack."

"Albus used Legilimency?"

"Yes, he did. Code was able to push him out quite quickly but Albus discovered some crucial information; Code found the wand."

"He found the wand?" I repeated incredulous.

Rose shushed me again. "Yes, he found the wand. Keep your mouth shut about it."

"Okay, okay sorry. It's just that it's big news. So what does Code want with it? Or is it even Code who wants it?"

"That's the problem, we have no idea why he wants it," Rose answered. "Just that he has it and he's very excited about it."

"That's what we need you for," Scorpius added. "I did some more reading on Mens-Destruens and discovered something. The Mind-Walking thing is a two way street. Code may have started the bond but it doesn't mean he's the only one who can do the mind walking between you two."

I gulped. "You're saying you want me to venture into Code's mind?"

"Basically I'm asking you to risk your life to travel into the mind of a delusional psychopath in order to save the world," Scorpius rieterated casually.

I stared at Scorpius. "I… I don't know," I finally replied after a long pause. "Can I think about it?"

Scorpius glanced around as if worried someone might find us. "It's better it you do this now."

"Wait a second," I said slowly, "Why are we discussing this at five in the morning without anyone else? Where's Al and James? Lily? Fred and Alice?"

Scorpius looked down and swore quietly. "Hugo, we just don't think they'd agree with our idea."

"If a dozen others don't agree with your plan then maybe there's a problem with it!" I snapped loudly.

Scorpius glanced around nervously again. "Would you keep your voice down," he hissed.

"Don't snap at him!" Rose said. "You're scaring him."

"I'm not scared," I piped up although it was a total lie. I was so terrified that I might soil my pants. How desperate did my sister have to be that she was willing to agree to a plan that could get me killed? What were the stakes here? Was there more going on than I knew? What was going on and when was anyone going to tell me?

"Listen, Hugo, I know you're tired of everyone sugar-coating things. You may be the youngest Weasley-"

"I'm not, Lily is," I interrupted.

"You may be one of the youngest Weasley's," Scorpius corrected himself, his tone slightly exasperated. He took a minute to calm himself before continuing. "But that doesn't mean you're too young. Al was only eleven when he fought Code for the first time, you're thirteen, you should be let in on the plans."

I knew Scorpius was trying tricking me. I could hear the persuasion in his voice that was so convincing I might've sworn it was magic. But despite the fact that I knew what was going on I couldn't help but listen. All the words he was saying was true, despite the fact that he was trying to get what he wanted. I deserved to know the plans. I might've been the second youngest but that didn't mean I was too young.

"I can't say I know what it's like," Scorpius continued, "I mean after all I'm an only child therefore I'm the oldest, but I can understand that it must be hard. I'd hate it. I mean, I do know what it's like to feel powerless." Suddenly his voice dropped and there seemed to be a deep meaning behind his words that I couldn't seem to grasp. "To be in a situation where you so badly want to do something… and you just can't." He clenched his hands into fists. "No matter how hard you try you just can't."

That anger that came out of nowhere didn't seem to be part of his speech. That glint in his eye in his eyes that was regret, guilt, frustration and hatred all in one. But as soon as that look came it was gone. It had been so intense, yet it disappeared so quickly that I thought I must've imagined it.

"You want to help. I know you do. It's all you ever want. To help people. Right, Hugo?"

I tried to remind myself not to listen. No to fall for the Malfoy persuasion and charm. It was like Scorpius was trained or something! But I couldn't help myself. "Yeah," I replied. "I really wish I could."

"Well, I'm giving you that opportunity!" He lowered his voice and closer to me. Putting a hand on his shoulder he continued, "Hugo, this could be your big chance. This could stop the war. I know all you've ever needed is a chance. Nobody's ever given you one before. I'm giving you the chance you've always wanted. Say yes, Hugo. Take your chance and prove everyone who underestimated you wrong."

I grinned widely. Who cares if he was trying to manipulate me? This was my chance! I could be the hero for once. I could help!

"I'll do it," I answered. "I'll help."

Rose pursed her lips. Clearly she had been hoping Scorpius wouldn't be able to convince me. Scorpius however mirrored my grin. "Great! I'll get you prepared and we'll start right away."

I didn't like the cockiness that Scorpius seemed to exert. "You know, Scorpius, you really should've been in Slytherin. You're very cunning. Very persuasive."

Scorpius looked shocked for a minute, then shrugged. Rose smirked. "I knew he wouldn't fall for that." Rose ruffled my hair. "You might not be a genius but you're not an idiot. You're the idiot, Malfoy."

"Gee, thanks, Rosie."

"Doesn't matter," Scorpius grumbled. "It still worked."

"That it did," I said. "Now, time for me to save the world."

I can't believe I agreed to that. Why would I literally volunteer for my death? Maybe Scorpius had succeeded in tricking me… I wasn't such an idiot that I'd actually agree to this on my own free will? Was I? What would've happened if Scorpius hadn't said anything at all? Would I still be here right now?

Have you ever been in a coma? Do you know what it's like? Imagine your brain on overdrive and your body paralyzed. No matter how hard you try you can't move a muscle. But you can think. Just think. And reflect. Regret. Regret what you did. Think about what you could've done differently. And reflect on the entire situation.

Maybe it didn't sound so bad, but it's the worst torture you could possibly imagine. At least I still have the power to think, you might say. Wrong. I wish I didn't. Because the power to think and the inability to move would drive any sane person crazy.

But the worst thing was… I didn't know if I was alive or dead. Just that I couldn't move and could think. Is that what death was? I assumed it was a coma, but was I wrong? I didn't know if I was alive or dead and all I could do was wait. Waiting, waiting was the hardest part.

(Lily)

I'd always wondered what would happen if I died. How would it happen? How would my family hold up? What happened… after? Did you just lie still and utterly alone? Did heaven exist?

Those were all the questions I'd asked when I was younger. But when I thought of it… I'd never thought it'd be my friends that found out the answer. I'd always expected my parents and my Aunts and Uncles to die before me. I didn't think it'd happen this soon, but I knew it'd happen. I thought it'd be peacefully in their sleep, not burning in a fire, but at least I'd been somewhat prepared for it. With Hugo, however, I wasn't prepared at all.

I never really thought about my friends dying. I remembered a conversation with James and Albus about how I'd live the longest because I was the youngest. But I never really thought about what the world would be like without my brothers, without my cousins. And I shouldn't have had to be thinking about this, at age thirteen. I was barely a teenager. Hugo was barely a teenager. He was about to die- if he wasn't already dead- and I'd have to live a full life without him.

I'd noticed something, when I found out what happened. Death didn't happen those who died, it happens to everyone around them. Perhaps it sounded selfish but it was true. The dying, like Hugo, they were well, dead. They were already gone. They don't have to live with the agonizing pain of being without someone they love in their life because they no longer have a life. I was the one who had to live with Hugo's death, not him.

Or maybe I wouldn't. Maybe I'd die tomorrow and force my brother and cousins to live with my death. We were in the middle of a war. We were stuck in the middle of a raging battle between James and Code that shouldn't have escalated to this. It shouldn't have costed innocent people their lives. It shouldn't have costed kids their childhood.

But it had. It had killed my parents, and Roxy's parents, and Lucy's Dad. It had took away both James' and Code's childhood. And now Hugo's life was teetering on the thin line between alive and dead.

The funny thing was it really hadn't been Code who did this. Not really. The same way it wouldn't totally be a rabid bears fault if she mauled you after you bugged one of her cubs. Because for the first time Code hadn't approached us. No, Hugo went to him. Practically yelled Come and get me. And it wasn't his fault either. No, it was Scorpius'. He had persuaded Hugo into the stupid idea. What'd he even think it would accomplish besides death? I was starting to wonder what side he was really on.

"Scorpius!" I shouted barging into the fourth year boy's dorm uninvited.

Albus, who was on his bed, smirked. "You are dead," he said to Scorpius.

I cast a bat boogey hex on Scorpius and then rounded on my brother. "Do you know that Hugo is in the hospital?"

"I'm aware," Albus muttered, momentarily turning to give a quick glare at Scorpius.

"Then how can you stand to be in the same room as him?" I demanded, disgusted. How could he just sit there when Hugo's murderer was in the same room?

"He's not Hugo's murderer."

"Stop reading my mind!"

"It wasn't Scorpius' fault," Albus disagreed. "It was Hugo's decision and there's nothing we can do to change it."

Tears formed in my eyes. I meant to yell, but it came out as more of a pathetic sob, "How could you say that?"

"Lily-"

"No!" I snapped. I wiped the tears away angrily. "Hugo's fighting for his life! He could even be dead already, and you're defending the person who made it happen!"

"I am not defending Scorpius and he didn't make it happen." Albus' voice was calm and reassuring yet stern. I hated it.

"How can you be so calm? How can you just sit there totally in peace while our cousin is fighting for his life?!"

"Because blaming people isn't going to make Hugo feel better. Scorpius feels totally crappy about what happened. But it wasn't his fault. And Rose- she feels even worse. But it wasn't her fault either."

"It was- wait," I interrupted myself. "Rose? Rose agreed to this?"

Albus opened his mouth and then closed it. He bit his thumb nail, which he always did when he was nervous. "I'm sorry, I thought you knew."

I shook my head the tears flowing now. "All I know is that my cousin is lying in a hospital bed and the people who put him there are walking free." I stood and stormed away.

"Lily!" Albus called after me. I ran until I reached the girls dormitory. Albus couldn't stop me while I was in here. I barged into Rose's room. She was alone, sitting on her bed. I made my way toward her bed and slapped her.

Probably not the classiest thing to do. Or the nicest. But I couldn't help it. I had all this pent up anger in me and she was a large part of the cause of it.

"You're his sister," I spat at her.

Rose just sat there, tears in her eyes, hand over her cheek which was now red. I wasn't sure if the tears were caused by my slap or by Hugo's condition. "I'm sorry," she mumbled.

"Sorry isn't going to help him," I replied crossing my arms, mostly to keep myself from hitting her again.

"I know," Rose mumbled, hanging her head.

For the first time I actually looked at Rose. Her hair was an absolute mess. Ginger locks tangled and sticking up in odd places. There was two empty boxes of tissues lying on the floor next to a giant pile of used tissues. I felt a twinge of guilt, having attacked Rose when she looked so vulnerable and miserable. But then I remembered Hugo, lying utterly motionless in the hospital bed and my anger came rushing back.

"Why would you do that to him? Why would you kill him?"

A fresh wave of sobs overtook Rose. She blew her nose loudly and wiped the tears away. "Don't talk about him like he's dead. Please." Her tone was defeated. Quite similar to James' tone after the fire.

Another wave of guilt overtook me and I softened my tone. Instead of anger it was more of a desperate curiosity. "What happened, Rose? Why?"

She sniffled before answering, "Scorpius had been reading the Mens-Destruens book. He discovered that the connection you create when you mind-walk is a two way thing. The victim can travel into the mind-walker's head as well. Access all and every memory. We were stupid." She started crying again. She attempted to speak through the tears, "We didn't think of the consequences."

"Why did you need to get into Code's thoughts so bad? What was so important?"

She took a minute to gain control of her emotions before responding. "We… we didn't invite you to the last meeting so you wouldn't know, but Code got the Elder Wand."

"He has it? Are you sure?"

"No. We're not sure. But Code attempted to read Albus' memories, which makes his memories more open so Albus saw a glimpse. And that glimpse was Code and the Elder Wand."

"So…" I knew it was a big deal. But it still didn't answer a question. And so far it wasn't explaining why Hugo had to risk- possibly lose- his life for it.

"He could destroy the world with that wand. He could kill everybody."

"He wouldn't do that," I said dismissively. "It's not in his nature."

"If Code had the wand that means Claire could have access to it. And Claire is a raging psychopath who thinks of murder and destruction as an afternoon activity."

"Claire's not a wizard."

"It's never been proven, but there's a popular theory that you don't need to be a witch or a wizard to use the Elder Wand. It was created solely as an object to be used for power. To gain power over others. Yes, you need magic to cast a spell, but the Elder Wand has so much magic in it, it doesn't need any from the user, not like a regular wand. All the magic's in the wand."

"I don't understand."

Rose sighed. She bit her lip, like she always did when she was thinking. "We have magic coursing through our blood, to use that magic we say a spell. That activates the magic in the wand and preforms a certain action based on the spell. The magic is converted into something, be it a jet of green light that kills or a flock of birds, using the wand. But the Elder Wand already has all that power in it. Which is why it's so hard to master the use of it. In the hands of a real wizard it can do anything. All spells are double- if not more- the power, until you learn how to control it. With a muggle, or a squib like Claire, simply waving the wand and having a thirst for power can be enough to set the wand off. But squibs and muggles would have even less control than an untrained wizard. It'd just be random bursts of magic everywhere. Kind of like an under aged wizard but instead innocent bursts of stored up magic it'd be not so innocent curses flying everywhere."

I took a deep breathe. "If she has that wand…" I didn't finish the sentence. My mind filled with horrors. Dead bodies. Flames. Hogwarts in ruins. And Claire Code laughing as it all happened waving the wand around, not even knowing what she was doing, and causing destruction everywhere.

"Exactly. So when Scorpius discovered that connection between mind-walkers… you understand right?" Her eyes filled with tears again. "Lily, please tell me you understand."

"I… I don't agree," I said and Rose's hopeful expression fell. "But," I added hastily, "I do understand."

"We never meant to hurt him."

"What… what happened to him?"

Rose wiped her tears. "That's the thing, we don't know. We went through the book, but couldn't find anything. The victim Mind-Walking to the original Mind-Walker shouldn't cause that much harm. At least it didn't say it should…"

I sighed. "I want to go see him."

"I know, I know," Rose replied putting a comforting hand on my shoulder. She joined me on the floor where I'd taken a seat. "But you know what they said. Visitors could further worsen his condition."

"I don't know how it can get worse," I grumbled.

"They know his brain is working. That's the only sign he's alive."

"What about his heartbeat?"

"It's unnaturally slow. He shouldn't be alive. But he is. It's like his entire body shut down to conserve energy. That's my guess at least."

"Why though? What happened? I wish I knew."

Rose leaned in and hugged me. "I know. I wish I knew too."

Only me, Albus, Scorpius and Rose knew about Hugo's condition. I wasn't sure how Albus found out but I'd only found out because I'd sensed something was wrong. It sounds crazy, I know, but it was just like… like I knew he was in trouble somehow. So I went to look for him. When I couldn't find him in his dorm or in the Common Room or outside I went to the Hospital Wing. It was closed down with a sign that said do not disturb. For emergencies go to classroom 564. I ran into Madame Poppy as she left the Hospital Wing and demanded she told me everything. She really didn't want to but I acted like a child and threw a tantrum until she told me that Hugo was in a life or death condition and Scorpius had been the one to bring him there.

Rose had explained to me why they didn't want anyone to know- they didn't want to worry them. We couldn't tell James or Fred or any of our other cousins because they would totally freak out. Kind of like I did. But I figured there was one person who deserved to know that wouldn't totally freak out. Jacob.

I hadn't talked to my best friend since he correctly accused me of being a stalker two months ago. Maybe it sounded stupid, but I felt I'd changed since then. I know sixty days isn't a very long time to say you've changed as a person, but I truly believed it. I felt more mature. Less like a teenage girl and more like a teenage woman, if that made sense. I wasn't trying to give myself the illusion that I was an adult, because I knew I wasn't, but I did feel like less and a typical flirty teenager.

I knocked on the door of the door of Hugo, Jacob and Frank's dorm. There was a paused followed by Jacob voice, "Who is it?"

"Me." I didn't need to specify. He knew my voice.

Unfortunately, like I expected, he ignored me. I sighed and opened the door. He sat at the desk in the corner of the room doing homework.

"I could've been naked," he claimed.

I shrugged, even though he couldn't see it. "If you were naked you could've told me to stay away."

"Are you claiming that I want you here?"

"I'm saying that you could've stopped me if you really wanted to."

Finally he sighed, shut the textbook he'd been reading and swiveled the chair around to face me. "What are you implying?"

"That you're at least slightly curious why I'm here."

"You're right. I am curious why you've finally decided you care enough to talk to me."

"It was never about lack of caring, Jake. You have to know that."

"First you stalk me and then you completely ignore me. You're all about the extremes aren't you, Potter?" His tone sounded more playful and annoyed than angry.

"What can I say? I'm a Potter. We're incredibly extreme."

"You could've told me what I was getting in to that day we met on the train," he pointed out, a small smile playing on his lips.

I walked closer to him, mimicking his playful smile. "I'll give you an out, Jacob. Tell me to go and I'll go out that door and never turn back." Although my tone suggested it was a joke, I was half serious. Jacob knew I was too.

He stared at me with his beautiful blue-green eyes. His gaze was thoughtful and I wondered for a second if he was going to take my offer. Finally when I couldn't take it anymore I asked, "What are you thinking, Jake?"

He smiled. "Wondering how I possible ended up with a friend as great as you." He pushed a loose piece of hair behind my ear as he spoke. Strangely it didn't make me feel like it would've two months ago. I didn't feel excited, no "OMG my crush just touched me" feelings. It was just a comforting gesture from a friend.

He opened his arms and I opened mine. I tried to bury my head in his chest and he locked his arms around me in a protective way, a way that made me feel so safe that I almost forgot about Hugo and Code and all my troubles. Almost.

After a minute I broke away. "There's something I need to tell you," I said, not daring to meet his eyes.

He led me over to the bed and sat down next to me. "Lily, what is it?"

"It's Hugo," I half moaned, my face buried in my hands.

Jacob wrapped his arm around me and pulled me against him. It felt nice to know he was there. "What about, Hugo?" he asked. He was trying to keep his voice even, but I could her the anxiety in his tone.

"He- he-" and that's when the tears came. I hadn't really cried yet. Just screamed, let a tear or two fall, but I hadn't cried. I'd been too angry. Too consumed in the fact that Hugo might die that I forgot what that may mean. That he'd be gone. There'd be no more Quidditch together. No more snuggling up just taking by the fire in the Common Room. No more midnight snacks in the kitchens.

Death didn't happen to you, it happened to the people around you.

I calmed down enough momentarily to choke out, "He might die, Jake. He might die."

At that point I had a sneaking suspicion that Jacob was holding back tears too. But he didn't show it. He just held on to me tighter. He didn't say anything. Didn't try to reassure me that everything would be okay. Because there was a good chance it might not be. But without words, jut with his touch, he reassured me that I'd be okay. That he'd make sure I'd be okay.

I appreciated the gesture. And it worked at the time. But I knew in the long run if Hugo died I would never be okay.

A/N: Hey guys! Hope you enjoyed that chapter. I found it pretty fun to write.

1: There's four chapters left in the series. I'm writing the third-last one.

2: Next update should be 26th-30th of July, but I might be camping on the 25th-3rd so I'll try updating on the 24th in that case.

3: QotC: What're you scared of? You don't have to tell me your deepest darkest fears, I mean more of the classics. For example I'm scared of heights. Acrophobia. So what're you guys' phobias?

4: I know this chapter was a little unexplanatory concerning Hugo and what happened. It's suppose to be. You'll find out soon, don't worry. What I can say is that Scorpius and Rose executed their plan, Hugo went unresponsive so they took her to Madame Poppy who did some tests and told them about Hugo's weird near-death situation. Scorpius felt really bad and knew he needed to tell Albus. Albus got pissed but after Scorpius apologized and explained he calmed down. They sent a message to their Aunts and Uncles but didn't tell anyone else because there's no point in worrying them. And due to his extreme condition he can't have visitors anyway. Then Lily found out. She mostly told Jacob to give herself a reason to approach him, and also give her someone to lean on. But she also figured he wouldn't freak out too much so it was safe to tell him.

"You see, death doesn't happen to you, Lydia. It happens to everyone around you. Okay? It happens to all the people around you around at your funeral trying to figure out how they're going to live the rest of their lives now without you in it," Stiles Stilinski, Teen Wolf, 2.12.

What's up with Hugo? Why's he encircled in darkness? What happened? Why did Scorpius and Rose come up with such a good plan? Does Code have the wand? Is Claire going to try and get a hold of it? Will she use it to destroy the world? What will the reactions of the other Weasleys be when the find out?

-Monkeywoman14