Disclaimers: See Chapter 1 for more info.
"Yes Killian, this must be done," Godric said with a sigh. "I'm sorry."
"Wait. NOO!" Killian slumped into a chair. The chair didn't break, but it didn't settle his mood. He was… a sacrifice? Like his dad and Harry Potter? They were the ones who made the sacrifices! Not him! He was still fourteen years old! How could he be a sacrifice?
He sat there, deep in thought. The friends he made, the dreams he wanted to take on… those dreams didn't matter if he was going to sacrifice himself. But no! How could he go through with it? Was there any way to stop this? He had this feeling Godric would show him where to go – it just didn't make sense!
The lives that would be lost if he didn't sacrifice himself. The price was too steep! No! He didn't like this! Was there any way around it? He turned to Godric, hoping for comfort. Sadly, there wasn't any. Just the ghost's expectation that he wanted to go to the other side and be at peace.
This wasn't about Killian. This was about everyone! He was just a part of it! Maybe death wouldn't be so bad. Maybe he would be all right. Maybe it was just quicker to die. If he did this right, then there was hope for him, for everyone.
His heart felt so innocent, and yet it thumped with each passing moment. It was as if his heart knew where it was going. He didn't have a choice. He would have to do this!
He stood up, asking Godric with a saddened heart, "Can you show me the way to the ritual?"
Godric nodded, taking off towards the nearest door, just not the one they came in. Killian wandered without looking back at his friends. There wasn't much point in hoping now. He did look back once to see Roxanne in tears. Faramir was with her, stunned.
Killian stopped, staring at them both now. Did they know something he didn't? Or maybe they just wanted to follow him until the end? Either way, Killian couldn't let that happen! They couldn't see him like this, even though his parents would witness what he was about to do.
"I have to go," Killian told his friends. "Please, let me go."
"We're going with you!" Roxanne said, softly.
"No!" Killian spoke up. He calmed down, replying, "Stay with Faramir. Protect him. If we're lucky, I'll come back." He added, "If anything happens to me, you'll have each other. This isn't over. Time is about to be restored! Let me do this. You know I have to!"
Roxanne embraced him. Killian smiled sadly, hearing her cry. She didn't want to let him go. He was grateful. He looked up at Faramir last, who sighed in defeat. This was for the best. This would ensure they were safe!
Killian released Roxanne, kissing her hand and cheek, before departing with Godric down the stone stairs. In minutes he was on the grounds, heading for a cave, a shortcut leading to the Black Lake. Killian cast the Lumos spell as he entered the tunnel, watching the cave drawings move and various drops of water land in tiny pools.
The tunnel ended, leading Killian and Godric to the beach. There was a pirate ship with the Gryffindor and Slytherin flags blowing in the wind. To Killian's surprise, there were his parents, standing up as he approached. He looked at the sky. Night grew older and dawn approached.
There was only one last thing to do: complete the ritual. If Killian was lucky, he would survive, but that was a matter of long odds. He gulped, realizing then that there was no turning back.
Thanks for reading. :)