Disclaimers: See Chapter 1 for more info.

Frodo gulped. He hadn't expected to see his son in such a disheveled state. Was he aware of what was about to happen, what he needed to do? Frodo knew he couldn't go through with the task himself. He did his part when he fought against Sauron. If anything, he already knew what sacrifice felt like.

Now his son was about to do the same thing for everyone. For that, Frodo was grateful. He looked on as Godric's ghost appeared before the long wooden table, perpendicular to the pirate ship and where the sun would cast its rays across the landscape.

Frodo nodded to Godric, pulling each object out of his pack and placing them on the oak table. He started with Rowena Ravenclaw's pendant and the box, which he opened up and revealed the quill. Next came Helga Hufflepuff's trophy, which he set on the centermost part of the table. Godric's orb came last and was placed to the right of the trophy. Frodo took a step back, watching the objects and the ship glow before his eyes.

The gentle-hobbit looked back at his son, who stared in confusion at the objects as well as his parents. Frodo sighed, knowing he would have to explain things to him. He approached Killian now with sadness and regret. He didn't want to do this, but he knew this must happen if they were to see that Hogwarts and the other worlds were safe again.

"You know why you're here," Frodo said, serious and calm.

Killian shrugged. "Sure. I'm a sacrifice." He asked, curious, "Papa, what does this ritual involve? What do I have to do?"

"It's not just an ordinary sacrifice," Frodo admitted.

"Frodo!" Aria said, concerned. Frodo looked at her for a moment, before facing their son again.

"Killian," Frodo said, concerned, "the reason this isn't a normal sacrifice is much like the sacrifice I and Harry Potter made. We came back. You can, too, if you have the heart. You have a choice. I didn't have one when I made the ultimate sacrifice. Yours is different because there's no villain in this unless we count Salazar Slytherin. Only he's a ghost, just like Godric, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Helga Hufflepuff."

"What do you mean?" Killian asked, confused. "What are you trying to say?"

"We don't have much time," Frodo said, softly. "Hogwarts is in danger if you refuse!"

"So, I don't have a choice," Killian said, frustrated.

"Hogwarts has been in danger, is what your father is trying to say." Godric chimed in. "If you make this sacrifice, you'll save us all! The Red Flag must be found and the only one who can do that is you." He gestured to the table. "All you need to do is stand before the table. You needn't do anything else." He added, "The choice is yours to make. You do have a say in this. But know that if you refuse, Hogwarts will be in peril, worse than it already is." He shook his head. "No pressure."

Killian looked at his father for support. All he saw was a knowing look on his face, something he hardly expected to find from his papa. Could he really make this decision willingly? If it saved everyone, then he would have nothing to worry about. Ultimately, he knew what he had to do, even if it meant losing everyone he loved.

"I'll do it!" Killian said, moving away from his father and approaching the table. So far, nothing happened. He shrugged, smiling and chuckling. "See? Nothing happened – ah!"

Blast!

Killian was thrown back, landing flat on the shoreline. The pain was intense, making him feel dizzy. The last he saw was his parents sitting beside him, pleading for him to stay awake.

He remembered nothing afterwards.

Thanks for reading. :)