Sirius' POV

"It's been nearly a week. Where is she?"

"I don't know. I haven't heard from her since we performed the Fidelius Charm," Lily said, her hands resting over her ever-growing baby bump.

"We never told her the secret so she couldn't have come found us," James said heavily.

"What if they took her away?" Lily whispered.

"Maybe she left the Order," James said somberly.

"No," I murmured automatically. She would have told me if she were leaving, right? I asked her if I would see her tomorrow, and she said yes. Surely she didn't lie to me, not for something as important as leaving the Order.

"But you must admit," James said, "It's not too unlikely, given that-"

The doorbell rang.

James and I looked at each other.

"Stay back," I said, drawing my wand and stepping forward.

But it was only Peter.

"Worm, do you know where Lynx went?" I asked him immediately.

Peter looked at me with an uncomprehending expression.

"He means Raylynx," James clarified. "We haven't seen her in days."

"Well, I didn't tell her the address and I am Secret Keeper so it's only natural she wouldn't come visit," Peter shrugged. Then, he paused. "Unless-"

"Unless?" Lily prompted.

"Unless she's always been the traitor and she ran away to report to the Dark Lord," Peter whispered.

"She's not the spy," Lily said. "She wouldn't do that to me."

"Not to hurt you," Peter replied, "but to protect her own family. Who's to say she didn't make a pact with the Death Eaters to save her brother and sister?"

"I thought Dumbledore already decided Moony was the spy," I said dryly.

"There could be two spies," Peter said suggestively. "It might not be just Remus."

"She's not the spy, Peter!" Lily snapped.

James sighed deeply and ran a hand through his hair.

In an empty voice, he said, "What a mess we're in. What a mess."

I put my hand on my mouth nervously. We already decided that Remus was the traitor. That was hard enough. Why did Lynx do this to us? And I only just confessed my feelings to her. She knew she could come to me. Why didn't she? Where the hell is she? Is she safe? What if they took her? What if she's like Benjy, Fabian, Gideon, Caradoc, Dorcas... Marlene… What if she's… gone?

I couldn't seem to get enough air in my lungs, and I started breathing way too fast.

"Padfoot?" James was peering into my face. "Are you all right?" he asked me.

I fought back the anxiety and managed to wrangle my breathing back under control. "I'm fine."


Raylynx's POV

I traveled using Muggle transportation, so as not to be tracked. I also changed my physical appearance, transforming my hair into a limp mop and my eyes into a tired, muddy tone. When I got to Germany, I couldn't converse easily, so I headed for the local pub, the one that looked the most touristy.

"Hello," I said to the innkeeper.

"Hello. How may I help you? Are you looking for accommodations?" the innkeeper greeted me in perfect English despite his thick accent.

I hesitated. Could I risk resting here?

No, I decided. Order members or Death Eaters could have easily chased me here. I'll have to get a move on.

"Actually, I was looking for a historical site. It's an old castle, I think, where King Charlemange made his last stand."

"Oh, yes. That's up a ways, though," the innkeeper said. "Do you have a map on you? I could draw you the way."

I set off immediately. I reached the old castle, high on the hill, just as evening fell.

Not many tourists were around, as the sun was beginning to falter.

I searched until I made my way to the main courtyard, where I saw a glass display in the very center. I walked up to it and saw the English label below the German one:

Joyeuse: King Charlemange's Sword.

It was laid here after King Charlemange chose exile after the Massacre of Verden. Scholars say he abandoned his sword after failing to protect the people and the knights who stood by his side throughout the massacre.

I stared at the sword. It had been kept in excellent condition. Its gold handle gleamed richly in the golden evening light. I could see the rich design of lions and serpents on its handle. The blade itself was a steel longsword, also glimmering in the fast-falling sunlight.

After making sure I was utterly alone, I laid my palms flat against the glass and focusing intensely, whispered, "Accius per speculum."

My practice paid off when I saw, to my utter relief, the sword lift itself and float through the glass into my hands. As soon as it was in my hands, I furiously shoved it into the inner pocket of my cloak, which I had enchanted to carry things up to as long as the cloak itself. I had also enchanted it to make whatever object I was carrying as flexible as the cloth itself until I pulled it back out. It had been a tricky bit of magic that I'd nearly given up on. I had enchanted the cloth to stone several times before I managed to undue all my mistakes and work correctly.

Then, I quickly turned into Apparition, hoping desperately that the two halves of my wand would not result in my Splinching in half.

By some stroke of luck, I landed whole and complete behind the inn. From there, I made my way to the train station.

Once I was on the train, I closed my eyes and resumed my intense thinking.

I have King Dionysius' sword and King Charlemange's. Dionysius was a wizard and Charlemange a Muggle. Then, there's King Arthur's sword, Excalibur, which is actually Godric Gryffindor's sword. Finally, there is still the puzzle of the last Muggle sword. My guess is that Arondight is Sir Lancelot's sword. But where could it be? I haven't a clue.

I transformed myself yet again on the trolley. I carefully lengthened my nose and eyebrows, and changed my hair to a dull blonde color. Then, once I got off the train, I made my way to Diagon Alley where I booked a room.

"Name?" the innkeeper asked.

"Um." I blurted out the first name that came to mind. "Gemma Rosenburg."

The innkeeper gave me a strange look.

It wasn't until dinner at the Leaky Cauldron, when I saw the newspaper on the counter, that I knew why. The article's title was: "GEMMA ROSENBURG, AGE 19, FOUND DEAD-"

I hurriedly put down the newspaper, refusing to read any more.

I found myself unexpectedly emotional.

At least in my memories of her, Gemma Rosenberg had always been the simpering blonde girl, never unkind or dumb, but generally preoccupied with boys and gossip. What did a prissy girl like her have to do with any of this? How could someone as shallow as her suddenly be hit with the deepest darkness of death- and at the young age of nineteen? I put the newspaper down with some coins and quickly walked out of the pub. I didn't realize two burly men in Cloaks following me.

I was halfway down the street and had only just managed to pull myself together when I realized I was being followed.

My eyes narrowed. I glanced at the window's reflections to see the two cloaked men closely trailing me. They were trying to hide behind passerbys, but I could see everything from the side view.

Death Eaters? Most likely. Order members? Not probable, but possibly. German security after the sword? Highly probable.

No matter what, I can't let them catch me. Not only do I not have a wand, but I have two of the swords. I can't be caught, by either Voldemort or Dumbledore or by a government.

I immediately started running, shoving through the crowd.

"Hey, watch it there!"

"Slow down, will you?"

I ducked into an alleyway, then climbed some trash cans and managed to clamber onto the rooftop. At one point, my foot slipped and I nearly fell.

Finally, I managed to pull my body over, the harsh brick tearing against my clothes and skin. I pressed myself flat against the ground, breathing hard. Please don't let them find me. Please don't let them find me. I'll be done for.

Suddenly, I heard voices below.

"Which way did she go?"

"I saw her! Check down here!"

Two pairs of footsteps ran by me and I let out a breath of relief.

The adrenaline left me and the fear circulated through my bloodstream.

Shivering and breathing hard, I turned over to look up at the vast grey sky.

That was when it started to rain. The rain drops began to pelt me, and I winced when the water stung the scrapes on my palms.

When I finally caught my breath and I was sure the coast was clear, I dropped back down to the street into the dark cobblestone alleyway.


I moved immediately to Hogsmeade. I had to sneak through Honeydukes to get to the Whomping Willow, for I was on my way to acquire Gryffindor's Sword. How would I accomplish this? I had no idea.

But Hogsmeade made me nervous. I was much more likely to be recognized here. I was especially wary of running into Aberforth or one of the Order members on duty. Furthermore, Hogsmeade had far less people than Diagon Alley, so I knew that simply changing my hair and eyes into unremarkable shades was not going to cut it here. I had to be more nuanced than that and appear as though I truly had nothing to hide. I changed my hair into a bright blonde, but kept the rest of my features very straightforward and plain before moving out into the streets.

I held my breath as I passed through the village. Finally, I just had to get past the Three Broomsticks. I started to breath again as I was almost at the end of the village path. Then, the door of the Three Broomsticks opened and Sirius stepped out. My heart leapt into my throat. I immediately turned and walked in the opposite direction. My anxiety spiking, I panicked and stepped into the nearest store.

"Well, well." A smiling and lilting voice sounded out. "Welcome back."

Startled, I looked up to see a vaguely familiar young woman. She approached me, her jeweled shawl clinking. "Are you still displeased by my fortune telling?"

"And what of the lumeare?" she asked me. "Has it been of any use to you yet?"

"I remember you," I said slowly. "I came in here as a third year, and you read my fortune-"

"-And you bought the lumeare from me," she finished. "Well?" She spread her arms apart. "Tell me, how has your fortune fared?"

"Exactly as you foretold," I said somberly. "Deep, terrible loss…"

"Your fortune is not yet over," she told me, her eyes tracing over me.

"I don't know how much more I can take," I whispered.

"Don't be so pessimistic, my dear girl. If I told you your future were over soon enough, it would mean that you were about to die."

"Perhaps," I answered. "But I'm getting farther and farther away from a life worth living."

"Sit down, then. If you are suffering so much, I will help you. I will answer one question you have for me."

I hesitated. Something about her was always slightly elusive, almost… manipulative. I glanced out the small window in the door and saw Sirius' back as he walked down the street towards the Hog's Head.

"Fine," I said.

I sat down in front of her.

She said, "This time, I will choose a package for you. Concentrate dearly on what you want answered."

I closed my eyes and concentrated.

She Summoned a packet and opened the contents. Five rocks spilled out and rolled merrily across the table. I made to stop one, but she shouted, "Do not touch them! Do not interfere with their magic."

I watched as the stones settled on the tabletop. One could trace a cross between them.

She studied the stones for a moment. Then, suddenly, she hissed. "You seek the Wand of Four Points, the Crowned Wand, the King's Wand, don't you?"

Frightened, but unwilling to show it, I merely confessed "Yes."

A multitude of emotions played across her face, like a diamond flashing in the light.

Finally, she said, "So, you wished to know where they were."

"I wished to know how to get to them," I corrected her.

The fortune teller picked up the first stone, and weighed it in her hand.

"This stone is from the moors of King Charlemange's estate. Ah, but- it whispers to me that you have acquired that sword already." Her mysterious eyes gazed at me intently, but I kept my face emotionless. She set the first stone down and moved to the second.

"This stone is from the walls of a Greek castle-" She paused. She set it down. "I suppose there's no need for that, either."

I waited.

She picked up the third stone. She froze, as though she herself had become stone.

"Lady?" I whispered, afraid of and afraid to break her trance simultaneously.

"Merlin," she whispered in a choked, anguished voice.

"Lady!" I said, getting up to help her.

"No! Be still," the fortune teller demanded. She shook her head and presently, came back to herself, though her eyes seemed to shimmer with a strange hue.

"The sword you seek is on the Hogwarts grounds," she told me.

I sighed in frustration. "I can't steal from the Headmaster's office-!"

"In the Black Lake."

I paused. "The Black Lake? There is a sword in the Black Lake?"

"Yes, in the very depths of the Black Lake."

"How can that be?" I asked her, struggling to understand. "The sword of Gryffindor-"

"-Is also the sword of King Arthur, do not forget," the fortune teller said abruptly. "Henceforth, the Sorting Hat, as made by Godric Gryffindor, served as a sort-of portal for when Excalibur would become Gryffindor's sword to magical students in need. After all, Salazar Slytherin was not the only one to leave hidden passageways behind. You see, Gryffindor did not ever wish to abandon his magical duties even whilst helping Muggles. However, Excalibur resides in the depths of the Black Lake until called for."

My mind was spinning. "A hidden passageway? Slytherin's passageway?"

The fortune teller ignored me and instead handed me the third rock. When it passed from my hand to hers, she shivered, as though she had let go of a heavy weight.

I looked down at the rock on my palm. It seemed a plain grey rock, except for the very middle, where a small cavity glittered in transparent layers of gold and blue crystal.

"When you dive into the Black Lake, a certain creature will come to drown you," the fortune teller told me. "You must touch this rock to him- it- in order to save your life."

I stared at her in slight panic. A creature will come to kill me?

While I gazed down at the rock in fear, the fortune teller picked up the fourth rock.

She sighed. "Poor soul."

I asked the fortune teller, "Who is this poor soul that you speak of?"

"The poor soul that was frozen by the first basilisk." She turned to me and handed me the stone. "Do you know what a basilisk is?"

I shook my head.

"They are King among Serpents," she explained. "They have the power to kill you in one glance. Its yellow eyes turn you into stone for a few hours. If no one revives you within that time, your stone body resumes its fleshy corpse and you die."

I grimaced.

"The first victim was recorded ages ago. He was attacked by the very first of basilisks, the basilisk from which all basilisks are now derived. The victim was found before he died, but they did not know how to save him. The presence of Mandrakes was not yet discovered back then. So, they shattered him."

"No," I whispered.

"Oh, yes," she nodded. "Yes, they shattered him, and killed him. What you hold now-"

I gripped the stone tightly.

"-Is a piece of his fallen body and pitiful soul."

"I cannot tell you where, for strong magic prevents me from telling you, but I can say that the chamber where Arondight, Lancelot's sword resides, lies within Hogwarts Castle, in the secret chamber of Salazar Slytherin."

"But how?" I asked, once again bewildered. "Sir Lancelot was a Muggle. The theory of the King's Wand states-"

"Lancelot was not a King," the fortune teller replied. "But under King Arthur's protection and tutelage-" She cut herself off and said, "But the history is long and complex. Suffice it to say that Mordred, King Arthur's son, took the sword from Lancelot's grave to face his father in battle. Mordred desired to throw his father off guard with that hauntingly familiar sword. But Mordred was hindered by Salazar Slytherin, who took it deep within his own caves, for Slytherin too, desired a sword that would rival Godric Gryffindor's."

I was stunned to silence. Smiling at little at the complete disbelief etched on my face, the fortune teller commanded, "Turn the rock over."

I did, and saw a small engraving of a snake in the rock. This symbol! I've seen it before. But where?

"There are two things you must do with this stone," the fortune teller told me. "First, when you come to the entrance of the chambers, you must hold the rock and focus to speak the password. Secondly, when you encounter the basilisk of Slytherin-"

"You must be joking," I said in curt disbelief. "First a Lake creature that wants to drown me and now a basilisk of ancient times-"

"You said that you would bet your life for this wand," the fortune teller reminded me. How she knew that I had said that, I would never know.

She continued, "When you encounter the basilisk of Slytherin, you must have him see this rock before you see its eyes. He will know whose magic this is. He will recognize the power of his first ancestor, for whom his existence was dependent on. He will bow to you, but only for a moment. You must be swift."

Finally, she picked up the last rock, which seemed but a thin shard of a black crystal.

She held in it her hand, and then smiled. "You have been blessed yet again. This rock is an extremely important hint that does not come to anyone. Perhaps it came so easily to you because you are a wandmaker."

She deposited the rock in my palm.

I let out a little gasp as I felt my palm flooded with the energy that I sometimes felt when I made wands. It was an energy of bonding, such as when wood and cores were bonded to make truly fine wands.

"There is a cave, high in the mountains," the fortune teller said. "This stone came from that cave. It will lead you there, and that is the point where you may take the four swords and summon the wand. Many people forget to do this. The thought does not even cross their minds that though the swords themselves deserve respect through the missions they require, the wand too, deserves acknowledgement. Remember, though the swords are power and great power deserves commitment and risk, the magical wand, too, deserves the highest respect. Go to the highest cave in the mountains and show your respect to the wand. Then, perhaps it will take you as its new Master."

Having finished communicating my fortune to me, the fortune teller sighed. She seemed exhausted. I watched her for a moment. Her eyes, though wise, seemed sad. She caught me staring at her.

"What is it, child?"

"I want to help you," I said quietly.

The fortune teller laughed. "I present you with information beyond your wildest dreams. I show you my powers as I have not revealed before- and you want to help me."

"That is precisely why," I said. "It's because you are the keeper of enormous power and incredible insight, but you are not the possessor of it. You cannot use it for your own desires. Therefore, you are even more trapped than the rest of us- trapped not by ignorance, but the laws of this world."

The fortune teller looked at me with unfathomable eyes.

She murmured, "Show me your lumeare."

I fished it out from my bag and showed it to her. Why I still carried around, I did not know.

"How pure it's glow, how bright it's light," she said. Then, she smiled like the Chesire Cat, as though she had given me some precious clue.

"We shall not meet again," the fortune teller said to me. "As a witness of history, I am not allowed to take sides. But, I wish you good fortune in your travels."

I stood up and gave a slight bow before leaving the shop.

I made it through Hogsmeade without incident this time, for it was now late into the night.

Once I came to the Hogwarts grounds, I camouflaged myself with a Disillusionment Charm before I snuck into the Shrieking Shack. I quickly made my way down the tunnel until I came out at the exit at the base of the Whomping Willow.


Sirius' POV

"Have you?"

"Have I what?"

"Have you seen her, Moony?"

"Have I seen who, Pads?" Remus said tiredly. "Identify your pronoun, please. And please stop squeezing the mug. You'll break it."

"Raylynx. When's the last time you saw her?"

"Oh." Remus frowned. "I'm not sure. Perhaps a week?"

"I haven't seen her for eleven days. Where could she have gone?"

"I don't know," Remus replied. "Sirius, please, the cup?"

"And why isn't Dumbledore doing anything?" I finally put down the mug and stood up before pacing up and down Remus' flat, unable to stand still.

"Well, perhaps Raylynx did tell someone," Remus said quietly. "Maybe Dumbledore knows."

"Then why isn't he doing anything? Why hasn't he told us anything?"

"No, Padfoot, I'm saying..." Remus sighed. "I'm saying maybe she left of her own accord. I mean to say, maybe she chose to leave the Order."

"No, that's not possible." I rejected the idea immediately.

"Why not?" Remus asked. "We both know she was fed up with the Order. Why isn't it plausible for her to just up and leave? It explains why Dumbledore hasn't said anything about it."

"Because, Moony! She wouldn't leave without telling me. She wouldn't do that to me."

Remus fell silent.

"Moony," I said. I let out a heavy sigh before I confessed, "I told her Raylynx that I had feelings for her. Prongs told me about your feelings for her, warned me to back off-"

"-Sirius-"

"I'm sorry," I finished. "It wasn't my intention to get in the way."

"You didn't get in anyone's way. Prongs was wrong. Our relationship was purely platonic," Remus told me. "We never desired each other. We only hoped for the best for each other."

I sighed and leaned against the wall, resting my forehead on my arm. "She said I would see her again. After I confessed to her, I asked her if I'd see her the next day, and she said yes. She said yes, Moony."

Behind me, Remus shifted uneasily.