Chapter 20: Alive

A blue light flickered over the unconscious faces of Josh and Ronan. There was a moan as Josh's eyes fluttered open. His eyes widened as he looked around surprised to see a magic shield around him and most of Ronan's body. Rocks, rubble, and debris were on top of the shield which had kept it from falling on top of Josh. He looked down to see his necklace has been brightly glowing. It was the same necklace Daphne had given to him before he left for his Auror training. He looked down to see his wand loosely sitting in his right hand. He tired to move his hand and finger, but they only twitched. He hissed when he felt the pain in his arm from trying to move it. He looked at his arm which was severely burned. He knew how to fix it, but he didn't have the means at the moment. The good news, was he was able to move and lift his left arm. He took his wand in his left hand, thinking about the rubble around him and Ronan, and swished and flicked.

Josh growled as he pushed and levitated the rocks and debris off of him and his teammate. He slowly stood up and continued to move all of the pieces of building out of the way, and soon enough, the sun light was hitting Josh and Ronan, who was still unconscious. Josh reached down to feel Ronan's pulse. It was light, but he was still alive, though his legs were crushed. He took a hold of Ronan, pocketing his wand, and reached up with his left hand. "Come," he said. there was a flash of purple fire as Blaise appeared above Josh who took a hold of Blaise's tail feathers. Suddenly there was another flash of purple fire, engulfing Josh and Ronan, apparating the wizards away.

Josh, Blaise, and Ronan appeared in a forest Josh was familiar with when Sirius had taken him and the rest of the family camping for a small family bonding vacation. It was the Forest of Dean and everyone had a good time, even Rina did. Josh dragged Ronan over to a tree and sat against the same tree. He looked over at Blaise who was pecking at his feathers. "Any tears for my arm?" Josh asked. Blaise lifted its head and sniffed, turning away from Josh who rolled his eyes. He then looked over at Ronan, who's bandages were bloodied, legs were crushed, and his breathing was sporadic. Josh checked Ronan's pulse. It was getting slower and slower. He leaned back into the tree in disappointment. He knew it was only a matter of time before Ronan's heart gave out.

"I'm sorry, Ronan," Josh spoke. "Daphne was right. I can't always save everyone." Josh clenched his eyes closed. "I'm sorry," he repeated. "I am so sorry." Josh didn't know how long he sat there, but he waited until Ronan's time came. He contemplated everything that happened earlier that night, from leaving the camp to Craven revealing himself to be working for the dark side. It was no doubt he was going to return to camp as the sole survivor of the team, when in reality, Josh was the sole survivor. He was unable to save any members of his team. Thadric was right, wasn't he. Josh couldn't promise anything, not even life.

Josh glanced over at Ronan, turning fully towards him when he noticed the older man's chest wasn't moving. He checked for a pulse, but there wasn't one. Josh closed his eyes, a lonely tear falling from his eye. With magic, Josh dug out a hole and put Ronan's body into it, placing his wand on his chest. Josh then buried his teammate, falling to his knees and manually pushing dirt into the grave. After a while, Josh sat on his knees in front of Ronan's grave. He had magicked the man a headstone with Ronan's name, the day he died, and a few words which read: A young promising soul who left too early. Josh stared into the dirt, feeling numb. Over the past year, a lot of people died, but Josh couldn't help feel partly responsible. He was a target, yet others had died because of him, even if it was the people he didn't care for, like Barty Filch. He had been manipulated by McGlaggen, and lost his life.

He didn't know how long he was sitting there, but Josh's eyes began to feel extremely heavy as exhaustion was catching up to him. He nodded and rocked back and forth, suddenly falling into the ground, unconscious. It was hours later when he felt like he was floating. He lightly opened his eyes and saw someone look down at him. "Dad?" He moaned and squinted a bit. Josh could have sworn this man look like his father, but younger. His eyes closed once more as he fell back unconscious.

Josh's eyes snapped open. He slowly sat up and took in his surroundings. He was inside a magical tent with a couple of beds, a kitchen, bathroom, and an open space sitting area. He moved and leaned off the bed, feelling the wooded floor with his bare feet. He shivered, noticing he wasn't wearing a shirt. His whole right arm was bandaged as was his lower abdomen, and his right leg. There was a black t-shirt to his right. He grabbed it and pulled it on. He stood and took a step. He hissed when he leg gave out and he fell to his knees.

"You're leg still has some healing to do," a voice spoke. Josh looked up to see a man, who had similar looks towards his father, walk towards him. His hair was back, with the same nose and eyes as Sirius. He put an arm around Josh and helped him to his feet, moving him to a chair. "I believe the spell your leg was hit with was a rotting curse. I was able to reverse its effects and should be back to normal in a day or two."

Josh continued to stare at the man who went to get him some tea. "Sirius told me you were dead," Josh said as the man walked over with a small mug and a teapot.

"In a way i am," the man answered, and then poured Josh some tea.

"I don't understand," Josh said. "Why lie? Sirius would no doubt be happy you're alive. You're his brother."

The man, known as Regulus Arcturus Black, sighed and sat down with his own cup of tea. "It's not that simple," he replied. "I lied to keep him safe, and well, you, your mum, and your brother."

"You know about Alphie?" Josh squinted.

"I know a lot more than you think," Regulus said and then winked. "Heir of Slytherin."

Josh stared at the man. "You've been watching all this time," he spoke. Regulus gave a nod. "So, you stood by and watched as your brother was thrown into prison for a crime he didn't commit? He was imprisoned for twelve years because of the rat, Pettigrew! Your death eater ally!"

"Pettigrew is not my ally!" Regulus growled. "He never was! I was young and stupid and made too many mistakes. And wasn't until I found out - " Regulus stopped talking and heavily swallowed. "It wasn't that easy to just come back. Sirius was the only real family I had left but I messed it up by joining Voldemort's side. In the Dark Lord's eyes, abandoning his cause, his way of life, means instant death, especially for what I know. I didn't want to put Sirius in any danger. I wanted him to have plausible deniability. He was even more safe in that prison. I knew he'd be okay. He's an Animagus and dementors leave animals alone. Sirius was probably malnourished, but he was still sane after all those years. I'm sure me being dead wasn't as worse as him losing James or Lily, or you."

Josh squinted in confusion. "Me? What are you talking about?"

Regulus pulled out the Daily Prophet and sat it in front of Josh. "They released the names of the Aurors who died in recent missions," Regulus said as Josh snatched the paper. "Your name is on that list."

"What?!" Josh exclaimed as his eyes scanned over the names of the 'kill-in-action' Aurors, and there was his name near the top of the list. "How?" He looked up at his uncle. "How long has it been? No, I don't care." He stood up, leaning on the table for support. "I have to go find Daphne. She needs to know that I'm still alive. My parents deserve to know too!"

Regulus stood up and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I don't think you should," he said.

"What are you talking about?" Josh said. "They have a right to know I'm alive."

"I understand that" Regulus said, "But maybe they don't have to know right now." Josh slowly turned to his uncle. "I'm just saying that we could use this to our advantage, is all."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Josh growled, "My family thinks I'm dead and its most likely putting them all into terrible grief. Daphne...They need me." Josh took a step to the right only for his uncle to step in front of him. "Move out of the way. I won't ask again."

Regulus sighed but stepped aside. Josh continued to walk back over to the bed where his wand and new clothes for him sat. "Just think about it for just a moment, Josh," Regulus pleaded. "The world thinks you're dead, including the people who wanted to kill you. Are you sure there wasn't anything you wanted or needed to do while people now believe you're no threat to them?"

Josh froze with his wand in hand. There was one thing that he needed to do, but that would mean letting his family, his friends, Daphne... He would let them think that he was dead. Josh sighed and sat down. "I can't do that," he said. "I can't let them think I'm dead. You don't understand. After everything that's been happening, they need me."

"I do understand," Regulus said. "I was there during the first war. Maybe on the wrong side, but still. That war split my family. Only a few of us were on the right side, while the rest of us believed in something that was close minded and prejudice."

"I can't do that to my family," Josh interrupted, "I cannot just leave them to fight alone."

"Just give me five minutes, Josh," Regulus pleaded. Josh sighed and sat on the bed, looking up at his uncle. Regulus began to pace. "It is no secret that you've been name another Heir to Slytherin. Which also put a target as big as Potter's on your back. And of course, the Dark Lord would want to be the sole heir. So, with him thinking you're dead, you are no longer a threat or someone to be worried about."

"But I'm not the only heir," Josh said, "I'm not the only one. Rina, Cyrus, and Alphie are all heirs to Slytherin."

"I know," Regulus said, "And with Cyrus on the Dark Lord's side, Rina and Alphie as well as your mother are the next in line to be killed off, followed by Cyrus. And they all think that you're dead, including the Dark Lord." Josh breathed heavily. "This is something you can use to your advantage, because I know there is someone out there who needs your help." Josh looked down because there was someone he needed to help. "There is someone who needs your help then?" Regulus noticed. "Who is it?"

"Rina," Josh answered, "My cousin. I lost her to her brother during an attack no our house past Christmas. I haven't been able to find a single clue about her whereabouts."

"Well, I'm sure it will be easier this way," Regulus replied, "You will have all the freedom you need to search for her and I will help you."

Josh rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Even if I did agree to this, I wouldn't even know where to start."

"I can help you there," Regulus spoke, "I know of some old Death Eater hangouts that we could check. And then we could always find some death eaters to capture and interrogate."

"Granted, this all sounds like a great idea,' Josh replied, "But I'm telling you, I can't just let everyone think I'm dead."

Regulus sighed heavily. "Whether your dead now or sometime down the road, It doesn't matter! You will never be able to guarantee your loved ones will comfort. That is something they will have to learn on their own." Josh looked away in annoyance. "Where there is life, there is always death," Regulus told his nephew, causing Josh to look at his uncle. "It's a part of nature."

"Where did you hear that from?" Josh quickly asked, having heard those words a year ago.

"A man who saved my life told me those words," Regulus answered. "After betraying the Dark Lord and finding his...secret hiding place...I stumbled my way back to the closest village where a man saved my life. And those were some of the words he told me because I went into the Dark Lord's secret place with a friend, but I was the only one who came out."

"Who?"

"My best friend, Freddie," Regulus answered. "We had a falling out when I told her I was joining the death eaters. She was also part of the reason why I decided to betray the Dark Lord. I was split in two when I found certain things out and she was the only one I could talk to about it. She wanted to go with me to this place, but If I had known - " Regulus sat next to Josh. " - I probably would have told her to stay away, and maybe I would be the dead one instead. I am the one who had sins to atone for, not her. I still do."

"Were you in love with her?" Josh asked.

Regulus nodded. "It hurt when she told me she never wanted to see me again, but I died the same day she died. And it was clearly my fault."

Josh suddenly felt familiar. "I understand," he said. "My best friend died saving my life. It happened so fast. One minute he was shouting, and the next he was laying next to me, dead. My anger took a hold of me and I sent the man responsible into the Veil of Death. It didn't make me feel any better, just empty. I did vow to keep everyone safe, but it didn't take. People keep dying around me. My friends, schoolmates, my whole team. They're gone and I couldn't save them."

"But there is someone who you can save," Regulus said. "Someone whose safety you can guarantee in this moment. So, I ask you, will you at least try?"

Josh looked away and stared off in the distance. What his uncle was saying, it made sense. Josh could use this time to look for Rina and while he was at it, take down Cyrus and Xerina. This could be the only chance he got to get close to them. He would have to deal with his friends and family later. "Alright, I'll do it." he finally decided. Regulus nodded. "But that's it! Once we rescue Rina, we go back to Hogwarts and tell everyone I'm still alive."

"Of course," Regulus agreed. "I suggest we rest for the next few days for you to gather your strength and then we'll head out." Josh nodded in agreement as he sat for a moment feeling a bit guilty but he pushed it aside. Regulus stood up and walked away. Josh lied back down and stared at the top of the tent, feeling tired and worn. He slowly blinked and it was a few moments later that he fell asleep. Regulus noticed his nephew fall asleep. He reached into his pocket to pull out a mirror. He looked into to see a living room with a fireplace that was lit while a figure stood over it, hands on the mantle. It was his brother, staring into the fire. There was a sound of a baby crying. Regulus watched as his brother turned to his wife and baby son that had entered the room. He watched as Sandra kissed her husband and handed her son over to Sirius and then walked away.

Sirius held his younger crying son, sitting in front of the fire. "Shhhh," Regulus heard Sirius shush. "I know. I miss him too. So much. I will protect you. I promise."

"Don't worry Sirius," Regulus whispered to himself. "I will protect your son. I will bring him back to you."

"Let me introduce myself. I am Lucian Donovan of Romania," he introduced with a bow. Josh didn't know what it was, but his gut was definitely telling him that this man was very dangerous. Josh inhaled to speak but stopped when he was having a deja vu feeling. He looked around realizing he was back in the poor streets of London. He looked to where Shad was but instead it was his father, Sirius, looking fearful. Josh was confused. Why was his father here?

"I will give you one time offer, same as I did for your father." Josh turned back to Lucian. "A duel. If you win, you and your friend will go free. I win, you die. What say you?"

"This may be our way out of here," Sirius whispered to Josh who looked uncertain because he knew what could be the outcome but with his father it could be different. "I know I can take him. I just need be clever about it. Trip him up or use a powerful charm. Once the duel starts, you should get out of here."

"What!?" Josh hissed, turning to his father. "No! I'm not going to leave you."

"I'll be fine," Sirius said to his son. "You just need to get help and save our family. And keep them. Bring Rina back to us." Josh was confused. This wasn't how this night went down.

"What say you!?" Lucian replied.

"Agreed!" Josh blurted out.

"What are you doing!?" Sirius hissed.

"Alright then," Lucian smiled. "Let's Duel...Sirius Black!"

"Wait, what?" Josh gawked. "I was one who agreed, you're supposed to duel me!" Josh whipped out his wand, sending a curse that was easily deflected away by Lucian.

"How dishonorable," Lucian said, swiftly sending his own curse.

"No!" Josh cried, as he created a shield, but this time he put one in front of his father since he knew what happened last time. He was in total shock when his shield shattered from the curse and struck Sirius in the chest. Sirius cried out as blood splattered out of his chest and mouth, causing him to fall to the ground. "Dad!" Josh screamed, kneeling next to his father. He picked up his head, Sirius's eyes looking into his son's. Josh watched as his father reached up to touch his son's face, but before he could reach it, Sirius's arm dropped to the ground, the life leaving his eyes.

"Looks like I win." Josh looked up to see Lucian towering over him with his wand pointed at Josh. There was a quick flash of green.

Josh's eyes snapped open and he quickly sat up, drenched in sweat. He could hear the birds chirping and whistling outside the tent. He figured it was the early hours of the morning. Josh stood out of the cot and walked around for a bit. His leg felt a little stiff but the pain was mostly gone. He check the wounds on his body to see that it they were healed with new pink scarring. He removed his bandages and put on a fresh t-shirt.

There was a light thump right outside the tent. Josh reached for his wand and snuck to the entrance of the tent. He poked his wand out first and then his head. He didn't see anyone until he looked down and to see an owl on the ground with the Prophet tied to its leg. Josh bent down to retrieve the Prophet and gave it some money before it flew away. Curious, Josh opened up the Prophet and flipped through the pages until something caught his eye. It was a small paragraph about his upcoming memorial later in the morning. Josh looked back into the tent to see his Uncle lightly snoring in his cot. He turned back to his memorial paragraph, seeing all the people that was survived by him. All the names of his family and friends.

Anger and guilt flowed through his body. He returned back into the tent, dropping the Prophet onto the floor, grabbing his shoes and his jacket, leaving the tent. He walked far enough so his Uncle wouldn't be able to hear him apparate, disappearing to Godric's Hollow.

Regulus woke up a couple hours later shocked to see that Josh had disappeared. He was about to run out to find him when he saw the Daily Prophet on the ground. He picked it up to see the same paragraph about his nephew's memorial. His sighed, knowing just exactly where Josh had gone too.

Josh stood on top of a roof of an apartment building, his hood covering his head as he looked on at his own funeral service. He saw many of his friends and schoolmates from Hogwarts. Many adults that he didn't recognize, though some he did recognize were members of the Order. His eyes scanned over to where he was being laid to rest. All of his family and closest friends where standing near it. He could see his parents standing next to one another. His mother was sobbing as his father stood there with a blank expression on his face. His Aunt and Uncle Tonks stood next to his parents with Nymphadora who happened to be holding Alphie. He could see Harry who was holding a crying Hermione in his arms as Ron was hugging Tracey. Astoria stood next to her father, both looking solemn. But then Josh's eyes landed on Daphne. Her eyes were filled with tears, but she stood strong. Josh figured she was trying her best to not fall to the ground as she was shaking and shivering.

His breathing quickened as Josh clenched his fists. He took a step onto the ledge, ready to jump and run over to Daphne and his family. He couldn't take it, he needed to tell them he was alive. He moved forward only to feel a hand on his shoulder, stopping him in his tracks. He froze.

"How'd you find me?" Josh spoke.

"I had a feeling," Regulus answered, "I know you want to rush down there, but not just yet. We still have to find Rina."

"It's too hard seeing them like this," Josh said, clenching his fists. "How can you cope?"

"Who says I am?" Regulus replied, his eyes on his brother. "Ever since I came back, I had the returned feeling of wanting to rush to Sirius and show him that I'm alive. Hug my brother once again, but I can't, not just yet."

"Aren't you worried he's going to punch you when you show yourself to him?" His nephew asked.

"I'm more worried what he'll do if he doesn't punch me," Regulus smirked, and then placed a hand on Josh's shoulder. "Come on, we have work to do." Regulus turned and walked away. Josh took one last looked at Daphne for a few more seconds before following after his uncle. Neither of them noticed Harry turned to look at the exact rooftop having the feeling of being watched. He shrugged it off and turned his attention back to the service.

A couple of days passed by as Josh and Regulus camped in their tent, regaining their composure and planning out their next move. Regulus told Josh about a hangout pub frequented by many dark witches and wizards which includes known death eaters.

Once the moon was high, Josh and Regulus dressed in dark clothing and began to leave the tent. "Wait," Regulus stopped. "You have to do something to your face so you won't be recognized."

"Oh, right," Josh said as he casually waved his wand over his face. Suddenly, Josh grew a beard, his eyebrows became bushier, and his eyes turned yellow. "What about you?"

Regulus waved his wand over his face where his beard and hair turned white, giving him the appearance of an old man. "Alright, let's go." he said. Once the two were outside, Regulus held out his arm where Josh took a hold of it. The two suddenly apparated into the East End of London. Regulus then led Josh to darker parts of the streets and turned into very tight street. Josh suddenly felt like he was passing through magic as their surroundings changed into a darker and more busier place.

"Welcome to Ripper End," Regulus commented.

"Ripper, as in Jack the Ripper?" Josh asked. Regulus nodded. "I read all about him. Was a dark wizard who liked to use muggle methods to kill women. Was captured by a seer the night of his final killing. What was his name again?"

"It was Auror Frederick Abberline," Regulus answered, leading Josh into a small alley. "Best Auror in his time. This area was named after Ripper because of his fanatics who worshiped him, similar to the Death Eaters. Before Voldemort's first reign, this place used to be decent, but then once he grew in power, the first round of death eaters took this place over and its never been the same. Here it is," he said, stopping at a gray door with a sign engraved into the wall which read: Dark End Pub.

Regulus led Josh over to a random table that face both the entrance and another door that most likely led to the back of the pub. An elderly woman with a crooked nose, yellow eyes, and dressed in tattered robes walked over to their tables. "Whaddya want?" she huffed.

"Ale," Regulus answered in an old man voice.

The witch nodded and looked down at Josh. "Er, I'll have the same," Josh said, trying to disguise his voice as an older middle aged man. The witch spun on her heel and went back to the bar to get their drinks. She returned a minute later with the drinks and left them alone when Regulus paid. Regulus took a heavy drink as his eyes darted around. Josh lifted his Ale and sniffed it. It smelled spicy yet fruity. Curious, Josh took a drink. He instantly tasted a bitter and strong taste, wanting to spit it out but he couldn't. He forced himself to swallow the Ale, trying not to make a face.

"First time drinking?" Regulus bemusedly asked.

Josh shook his head, remembering back in fourth year when he had his first drink of fire-whiskey or when he and his friends became tipsy on the train back home for the holidays. "I am very familiar with firewhiskey."

Regulus snorted. "Firewhiskey is kids stuff. Ale, beer, mead, rum, scotch, that's where all the good content is."

Suddenly, the door opened. Josh looked towards the entrance and did a double take. "I think I know that guy," he whispered to Regulus.

"Who is it?" Regulus asked.

"I remember him from fourth year," Josh answered, "He went to Durmstrang with Cyrus. I would see them two hang out all the time."

"He could be our lead," Regulus said, "Let's keep an eye on him." Josh nodded.

It would be hours before the man they were eyeing would leave the pub. He sat with friends and drank the entire pub until it was time for the pub to close. Josh and Regulus followed the group of men with Cyrus's friend at a distance and waited for the man to be alone. It didn't take long before Cyrus's friend was walking alone down an alley. The drunken wizard stumbled, murmuring to himself. He heard a bang, causing him to spin around, only to be scared by a cat.

"Bleeding cats," he mumbled, he turned back around over for his robes to be violently grabbed and pushed against the walls by Regulus.

"Hello there, friend," Regulus said, glaring at the man as Josh stood to the side. "I have a few questions, and if you answer them correctly, I'll be happy to let you go home, peacefully."

The drunken man glared at Regulus. "Whaddya w-want?" he hiccuped.

"Where is Cyrus?" Josh growled, holding his wand up to the man.

The drunken man looked over at Josh, looking him up and down. He grinned. "I don't know."

Regulus shoved the man. "Don't lie to us, scrum. Tell us where Cyrus is hiding!"

"Who the hell are you?" the drunken man hissed. "I'm not telling you a thing!"

Josh rolled his eyes. "This is a waste," he said. "Let me." Josh pointed his wand at the man's head. "Legilimens." Images flashed through his eyes. Images of drinking at a pub, attacking muggles and wizards, torturing them. Josh willed his magic to move past all the ugliness and then he saw it. A large old fashioned mansion outside a small magical village somewhere north. Josh pulled out of the drunken man's mind, leaving him in a daze. "I know where to go."

"Whazzit," the drunken man said.

"Good, let's get going then," Regulus said. Josh agreed and the two began to leave, but not before stunning the man and tying him up in ropes.

An hour later, Regulus and Josh peered from a line of forest trees towards the large black and grey mansion in the distance. The yard in front of them appeared a mile long with a fountain in the center of it, many pathways and lines of perfectly square cut bushes. There were a few death eater guards patrolled the yard. The two men could hear the faint voices of death eater chatter. The mansion itself was three stories tall, black in color, with some of the windows lit with light while the others were darkened. Josh's eyes scanned the windows wondering which room Rina was in.

"What do you think?" Regulus asked. "Any ideas?"

Josh pulled his hood over his face, waved his wand over his face as the area inside his hood was darkened, and his face couldn't be seen at all. "We could either cause a distraction and go guns ablazing," He started, "Or we could use nonverbal magic to take out the death eaters silently and sneakily."

"Let's take the silent approach," Regulus suggested. Josh nodded in agreement as the two men pulled out their wands. The two men silently trekked through the yard, silently stunning the death eaters and hiding them in the shadows. Regulus and Josh snuck up to the back glass doors of the mansion. The two men peered in to see a few death eaters lounging around and laughing at one another. There was a shout. The three men silenced and stood up straight. Josh's blood boiled when he witnessed Cyrus enter the room and bark orders to the death eaters who quickly nodded and went their separate ways. Not thinking clearly, Josh reached up to the door handle.

"Wait," Regulus whispered. "It could be magically alarmed." Josh nodded and waited as Regulus waved his wand over the door. It glowed white for a moment. "There, its clear." Josh opened the door and entered the mansion. Regulus followed behind.

"Homenum Revelio," Josh said, waving his wand revealing the occupants of the mansion. "We have to do this quickly. There are more than enough death eaters here."

"Where should we look?" Regulus asked.

"We should check the bedrooms, basement, or attic," Josh suggested, "Let's split up. She has to be one of those rooms."

Regulus nodded as he left to find the basement and Josh silently stalked upstairs, both of them sneaking silently as they could. Josh peeked down the corridor, seeing a death eater walking away from him. He silenced his feet with magic, and began to follow the death eater. He came across the first room, which he saw was empty, and moved on to the next. On his fourth room, right before Josh could touch the doorknob, the door opened and Josh was suddenly face to face with a death eater, who was inherently surprised to see someone standing in front of him. Josh was lucky he charmed himself so no one could see his face.

"Who the hell are you!?" The death eater asked. Josh didn't answer instead he just quickly stunned the man and shut him in the room.

"Hey!" Josh snapped to see a death eater down the corridor, pointing towards him. He sent a spell towards Josh who ducked out of the way. Suddenly, an alarm began to ring out. A loud voice boomed overhead. "INTRUDER!"

"Son of a - " Josh begrudgingly began to run down the corridor, turning into another one, only to be face with two more death eaters. The quickly began to send spells his way. Josh quickly protected himself with shields, doing his best to send his own spells. He heard a shout from behind. He blasted a door up and jumped through just as an orange spell whizzed by.

"Oi, watch it!" He heard someone shout. "You idiot! You set the place on fire!"

Josh took cover behind a cupboard and waited for the death eaters to enter the room. He was ready when four death eaters ran into the room. Josh aimed his wand on the floor underneath their feet. "Expulso!" He shouted. The spell struck the floor, exploding it and causing them all to fall to the first floor, including Josh who had misinterpreted the power of his spell. All of them hitting the floor and landing in a study. Dust cleared as Josh pushed splintered beams and debris off of his body.

"Well, I'll be damned," he heard a familiar voice say. "I knew you couldn't go down that easily." Josh looked up to see his cousin staring right at him. He reached up and touched his head, realizing his hood had fallen down. "But you have to tell me, cousin. How did you survive?" Josh could heard shouts and light explosions from another part of the mansion. Cyrus heard them as well. "Brought someone with you, I see? Was it the guy who was in that building with you? Did he survive too?"

"Where's Rina?" Josh asked, tightening the grip on his wand, ready for a duel with his cousin once more.

Cyrus smirked and shrugged. "Unfortunately, she's not here," he answered, "Once she heard you were dead, she didn't care anymore. I couldn't stop her." He shrugged. "She's gone." Guilt and dread filled Josh throughout his body. Did she really take her life? All because he faked his own? Was this mission all a waste of time? "What's the matter, cousin?" Josh didn't say anything as he stood to his feet. "It's just like you to try and save everyone, isn't it. But we all know the truth. You can't save anyone. Not your best friend, your woman's mother, your schoolmates, my sister... Soon you won't be able to save the other people you love, because I now have the chance to kill you - Avada Kedavra!"

Josh quickly dove out of the way. "Augue!" A fire ball shot out of Josh's wand, soaring to a shocked Cyrus who ducked out of the way. The fireball struck a shelve and its books, causing them to heavily catch on fire. Cyrus growled and ran over and tackled Josh through a window, causing the two to land outside of the mansion, near a smaller building. Josh and Cyrus wrestled each other on the ground, growling at one another. With all his strength, Josh kicked and flipped Cyrus off of him and the two young men jumped to their feet. Cyrus sent a spell towards Josh who jumped out of the way. The spell struck the building which caught fire. There was a wail as something kicked open the doors and ran out of the building. It was a hippogriff and its wing caught on fire.

"Damn it!" Cyrus growled and Josh took this distracting sending a piercing hex and striking his cousin in the leg. He hissed out in pain. "Damn you!" He sent a killing curse towards Josh who dodged the curse. There were other shouts in the distance. The two men looked over to see someone knock out a couple of death eaters and turned his attention towards them.

"Josh!" He shouted, telling Josh it was Regulus.

Cyrus glared at his cousin. "Venire!" He called. The hippogriff squalled and ran over to Cyrus. He sent a flurry of spells to Josh who dodged and shielded himself from the spells, giving Cyrus enough time to climb on his hippogriff which took off galloping away. It could not fly as it's wing had been injured.

"Are you alright?" Regulus asked once he reached Josh.

"I am," Josh answered. "Come on, we can't let him get away!"

Regulus and Josh quickly ran from the mansion that was almost completely on fire. Even though Rina wasn't inside, Josh still felt some sort of accomplishment for destroying a sort of operation base. He gripped his wand tightly and ran after his older cousin who was riding a Hippogriff with a burnt and injured wing. The two ran as fast as they could, but the hippogriff was too fast. "He's too fast!" Josh yelled.

"Celeritas Auctus!" Regulus shouted, waving his wand and then pointed it at Josh. Josh's eyes widened in surprise as he began to gain speed. "Finish him off!" He heard Regulus shout from behind him.

"Cyrus!" Josh shouted after his cousin. Cyrus looked back, shocked to see that Josh was catching up to him. The two boys sent curses at one another, but as they were either running or riding on an animal, their aim was not very good. Josh did feel his ear get cut but he ignore the pain. He did the next best thing. He ran up next to the hippogriff, equaling its speed. With great force, Josh jumped up and tackled his cousin off the hippogriff. The toy boys tumbled and rolled onto the ground. Josh felt pain on his left shoulder. He groaned in pain once it was over. He flipped over and looked up.

Cyrus was towering over Josh who was holding his shoulder that had fallen out of its socket. He glance over to his wand that lay just a foot away. "I'm almost tempted to let you grab it," His cousin said, glaring venomously at Josh. "But you have been a stitch in my side for far too long, Black. I think it's time for us to end our rivalry once and for all, with me coming out on top!" He raised his wand towards Josh, who all he could think about at that moment was Daphne. Wishing he could see her one last time and tell her he loved her just one more time. He did his best to will his wand towards his hand, but nothing seemed to happen. All he could do was glare at Cyrus. "Avada - Arg!"

A spell whizzed out of nowhere, slicing off Cyrus's right hand. He screamed out in agony, holding his wrist and falling to his knees. The two men turned to see a figure they couldn't quite make out. Josh figured it was Regulus, but he was stunned when Rina walked into the light with her wand raised, looking murderous. She stalked towards the two boys, her eyes never leaving Cyrus. Josh stood to his feet and took a good look at his younger cousin. She wore tattered clothing with no shoes and ruffled hair. It looked like she hadn't had a decent night's sleep in weeks.

"You brat!" Cyrus growled through his teeth. "How dare you betray your own brother!"

"You..." Rina breathed, her eyes brimming with angry tears. "You were the one who betrayed me! She told me what you did to my mum!" Cyrus could only glare at his sister, and for a moment, Josh thought he saw his eyes soften a bit. "I will never forgive you for that!" She began to move towards Josh, who picked up his wand. Her eyes and wand, still trained on Cyrus.

"You leave with him," Cyrus growled, "Our connection to one another will be severed forever. You are no longer my sister, but my enemy. Don't ever think of my as your brother ever again."

"My brother died a long time ago," Rina responded as a tear fell down her cheek. She no longer looked murderous, but mournful. She finally lowered her wand.

Cyrus turned his attention to Josh, smirking. "You got what you want, but at what cost?" he said.

Josh suddenly looked confused. "What are you talking about?" he asked.

"Tonight was the night, dear cousin," Cyrus said, "It will fall."

Josh raised he wand at Cyrus. "What will fall?" he growled, "What are you talking about?"

Cyrus began to laugh. "Always follow your gut, Black," he said, "You were always right about, McGlaggen. He was one of ours. He's always been one of ours." Josh's heart began to pace even more faster than it already was. "He did all those things on our orders, and once that oaf Dumbledore was out of the way, your school would fall."

"Dumbledore would never leave willingly the school," Josh argued.

Cyrus gave a bloody smile. "Oh, but he did tonight," he said, "The same night our death eaters had infiltrated the school under an hour ago."

Josh suddenly felt as if cold iced water was thrown over him. What? Death Eaters found their way inside Hogwarts, but how? "You're lying!" Rina cried. "There's no way they couldn't get inside so easily."

Cyrus laughed. "There's been a way this whole time," he replied, "All it took was a little tinkering, and a passage was made. It's over, Black! Your friends are as good as dead!" Josh thoughts were suddenly filled with Daphne and his friends, hoping they were doing their best to fight off the death eaters. "So, what will it be, Black? Each moment you stay here, your wasting time! Finish me off or go save what left of the school you have!"

Josh instantly made his decision. "We have to leave!" he said.

"What about him?!" Rina hissed, pointing her wand at Cyrus. "We can't just leave him."

"You're right," Josh said, lifting his wand, stunning Cyrus. He then magically wrapped ropes around the man and attached an old gum wrapper to his cheek.

"What are you doing?!" Rina asked, confused.

"This is an emergency portkey I had from the Auror Program," Josh said, tapping the portkey that glowed and was activated. "I wasn't able to use it when... Anyways, this will put Cyrus right in the middle of camp and then the Aurors will deal with him." Five seconds later, Cyrus had disappeared just in time as Regulus jogged up to the two teens.

"There you are!" He huffed. "Rina, I presume?"

Rina nodded. "Who are you?"

"We have to get to Hogwarts," Josh said instantly before Regulus could answer. Rina glanced over and noticed his dislocated shoulder. "Now - ow!" He yelped, looking at Rina who had her wand on him. "Erm...thanks." He rotated his shoulder and then looked back at his Uncle.

"Why?" Regulus asked.

"It's under attack," Josh quickly answered. "Cyrus told us so."

"He could be lying," Regulus said.

"Lying or not," Josh quickly said, "Hogwarts was going to be our next destination anyway, right?"

Regulus nodded and held out his arm. "Alright then," he spoke, "Let's get going." Josh and Rina took a hold of Regulus, and all three were suddenly vacuumed and twisted until they appeared at the front gates of Hogwarts.

Josh turned to Rina as Regulus slowly walked away. "Go to the Three Broomsticks and I'll come back for you when its over."

Rina shook her head. "I'm not going there," she resisted, "I'm going with you. My friends are in there too and I'm going to help them."

"Are you sure?" He asked. Rina nodded in affirmation.

"Josh! Quickly!"

Josh and Rina quickly ran over to Regulus's side, both of their eyes widened in horror. One of the towers, specifically the one that held Gryffindor common room, was on fire.