The Guile of the Traveller

by Kingmaker'sUmbreon

After being hit by the Killing Curse, Harry finds herself in a limbo that looks a lot like Kings Cross station. Deciding that the remnant of Voldemort's soul does deserve a chance at redemption, Harry finds herself in London, 1944. However, Harry soon makes a name for herself, and discovers that adventure and drama followed her everywhere, including into the past.

64. Chapter 64

CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR

If there was anything about humans that Athenaïs found incapable of understanding, it was the amount of fuss they made about their Sabbath celebrations and the problems they liked to cause when choosing potential mates. The fuss could be great at times, but there were times it was just tiring. Plus, her Witch's stubbornness and inability to be truthful to herself about how she felt for her mates in the past had driven the Gargouille up the bend but now as Imbolc was fast approaching, Athenaïs found that the entire castle was going through the hysteria of making a good 'effigy' and finding 'dates' for the Imbolc Festival. The young stone dragon soon found herself wishing she could just whack a few people round the head to knock some sense into them. The younger hatchlings, at least, found it just as ridiculous, often taking the mickey out of the older hatchlings.

With the approach of another Sabbath, the castle was once more decked for festivities. Banners of white, lilac, yellow and green were being hung up on all the floors. Candle wheels, evergreens, grain dollies, sun wheels – Athenaïs had no idea what this was until now – and flowers such as snow drops began adorning corridors, classrooms, and the Great Hall. Because the Slytherin common room was so far down, the room soon became decorated with crystals – Athenaïs could recognize amethyst, ruby and bloodstone thanks to Walburga and Seraphina amongst them – that had been charged with magic to light up. The Gargouille noted it did make the room seem less cold and intimidating.

One of the teachers, Professor Chattox she wagered, went about the castle, dispensing incense of rosemary, basil, chamomile, angelica, blackberry, bay, and dill whenever she had a free moment, which unfortunately resorted in some students and familiars, including Atty, sometimes sneezing at regular intervals, especially if they were allergic to incense. This was another reason that Atty decided on a relatively clear Thursday morning to go and see if Aragog was awake from his winter slumber yet. She didn't really like the smell of the incense at all.

Secretly, Athenaïs had been quite concerned about Aragog. She knew first-hand what it was like to lose friends and family, and though Hagrid was not dead and was coming back to the school soon, Athenaïs knew it wasn't easy to be parted from a loved one, even for a few hours. In fact, she had never known pain quite like it.

I will not be powerless to help ever again, was the promise the young dragon kept making to herself each and every morning.

As she entered the Forbidden Forest, Atty decided to check on her Thestral friends for a moment to see if they had everything they needed. Apparently the caretaker had already mucked out their stables and had given them a more than decent breakfast, so they were all happy. The Gargouille continued on her way towards Aragog's grove, humming to herself as she did so. Harry had been practising Imbolc songs again the night before and more than a few of them had managed to stick in Atty's head.

Aragog's grove was as web-covered as Atty had remembered from her last visit; it seemed indeed that no one had dared to come here or thought to pay the Acromantula a quick visit. Perhaps apart from prey, judging by a set of fresh bones that the dragon spied in a corner of the grove.

"Aragog! Are you awake?" Athenaïs chirped experimentally. "It's Atty. I thought to come and say hello."

There was total silence for a moment before she heard movement in the cave right at the back of the hollow.

"Atty? Yes, I am awake. Give me a moment," came the still slightly groggy answer from the young Acromantula inside.

"Take your time," Athenaïs reassured. "You just ate, didn't you? Don't want to hurry if you feel a little bloated."

"I actually feel fine. I just need to get used to being awake again," Aragog answered. The giant spider slowly and carefully stepped out from the warmth of his cave. He shivered a little. "Still a little chilly."

"Yes, but Imbolc is soon. Spring isn't too far away then," Athenaïs pointed out with a grin.

"Cannot wait already," Aragog commented. The Acromantula regarded his friend closely with all eight of his beady black eyes. "Something has changed about you, Atty. Have you grown?"

Athenaïs frowned and studied herself in confusion. "I don't know. I don't feel different. Why?"

"Something has changed," Aragog stated simply. "You do look slightly bigger and there is an … I don't know what humans would call it but there is a presence around you. Like you have gained more stature. And there is something in your eyes too."

The Gargouille had no idea how to react to any of this. She didn't spend as much time fussing about her appearance as Seraphina – heck, even Sigyn spent more time looking at her reflection than Athenaïs did – but surely Seraphina, Sigyn or Frey would have noted something similar sooner?

Harry also didn't point anything new out either. Surely if Athenaïs had grown, Harry would have noticed?

Aragog clicked his pincers nervously. "I don't mean that in a bad way!" he quickly reassured. "It is just that I haven't seen you for a good while and well … I do have eight eyes, so I tend to notice these things."

Athenaïs smiled softly. "I am not offended. Just a little taken aback," she responded. She gestured with her head to the entrance to Aragog's hollow. "Shall we take a walk? I can tell you about all the things that has happened while you were asleep."

Aragog lit up at that. "I would love that, Atty."

"Good! Then I think I will start with something fun first. Ophelia, Sigyn's witch, is now courting Malum Avery – finally. Harry's friend Ygraine is preparing to enter official courtship with Loreley's brother. I always found him a little snooty, but he has calmed down a little. Caius, Arcturus, and Minerva are all having their own mate dramas."

"Oh?"

"Caius likes Arcturus but is too afraid to do anything about it so we – Harry and me – now have to help him," Athenaïs continued as the pair walked deeper and deeper into the forest. "Hopefully the plan works because I don't like crying humans. They make me sad."

"Humans do love causing misery for themselves," Aragog stated sagely. "You said Imbolc is coming – will there be a party or something?"

"A Festival for a deity called Brighid. Everyone is making a huge fuss," Athenaïs sighed. "The only good things about it are the effigy making projects and the music. Harry has been learning the songs like mad!"

"Harry is doing OK?" Aragog immediately wanted to know.

"As well as she can with a Dark Lord after her," Athenaïs replied truthfully. "Grindelwald has sent her another task and she isn't allowed to tell anyone about it. Fates' orders apparently. She doesn't like it – oh, how could I forget? And Harry has managed to find a way for your friend Hagrid to come back to Hogwarts."

That very nearly caused Aragog to stumble over all of his eight legs in utter surprise and disbelief. His pincers started clicking quite rapidly. "What? Are you certain? What happened?" the giant spider inquired eagerly.

The stone dragon found herself smirking at this point. "The Headmaster wanted her advice. as you know, Harry was not here when that young hatchling was killed two years ago so she had a more object viewpoint, you could say. She managed to convince Dippet to give Hagrid a second chance, but under quite a bit of supervision."

Aragog had no idea how to react to that. He looked to the ground pensively, his pincers clicking a couple of times. "And what of the man in colourful robes? Did he help her?"

Athenaïs snorted at that suggestion. "Dumbledore didn't need to help her; Harry can be very convincing when she wants to be. Besides, Dumbledore is not a human who should be trusted. He is mean to anyone who isn't a Gryffindor and when he doesn't get his way, gets extremely petty."

Aragog did the spider version of frowning at this point. He maintained a pensive silence for a little while as he followed his friend to the pretty gazebo where Harry and her friends trained. "The man – Dumbledore – promised to get Hagrid back to Hogwarts, one way or the other. Hagrid trusts him."

"Your friend should be more careful where he puts his trust," Athenaïs stated. "I have seen enough of Dumbledore to know he can't be trusted. Why else do you think Harry and her friends put me under a Glamour when I need to be seen around the school? Dumbledore doesn't like familiars who aren't cats, owls, rats or toads. He hated a poor hatchling's bat familiar, for the love of the gods!"

Aragog's eyes widened a little. "He hates bats? And dragons? But he seemed nice enough to me."

It was now Athenaïs' turn to frown. "Wait, Aragog … you met Dumbledore?"

"Once or twice," Aragog confirmed. "He helped Hagrid get me some food."

"So he knew all that time you were there?" Athenaïs could hardly believe her ears.

"Yes," Aragog confirmed and then frowned. "He knew I didn't kill the human girl. That was why he tried to stop them from expelling Hagrid."

"Which means he must have suspected what did kill the human hatchling," Athenaïs deduced with a frown.

Which means, he must have suspected that Tom had something to do with it!

This thought made Athenaïs growl.

Aragog's pincers suddenly began clicking nervously again. "Yes … as do I," he confessed.

The Gargouille looked at her spider friend in shock. "You do?"

"Of course. I heard it," Aragog shuddered in fear. "The Ancient One we are all taught to fear. Born in the castle so many years ago …"

Athenaïs swallowed. "Did you tell Dumbledore or Hagrid?" she wanted to know.

Aragog blanched. "Atty, none of us dare speak of it! No, of course not. What good will it do now? The human girl is dead, Hagrid will forever be blamed and I will forever be seen as the monster responsible. Humans don't like changing their minds all too often."

Internally, the Gargouille breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't want to have to convince Aragog to say nothing in order to protect Tom, and through him Harry and Altair's happiness. But she could also not have the stench of enmity constantly around her – Athenaïs knew there had to be some sort of truce or agreement between this Hagrid and Tom. Chances were that if Aragog knew what had been going on, a creature-savvy boy like Hagrid might have had his suspicions.

And if not, Athenaïs doubted Hagrid liked Tom for pointing the finger at him and Aragog.

Suddenly, before Atty could say anything, Aragog was suddenly incredibly tense and his pincers started clicking in a rather threatening manner. Tensing up herself, Athenaïs looked about her to see what had gotten her friend so agitated. Sure enough, they were surrounded by creatures with human torsos and heads and the bodies of horses. Some of the faces were so human that it was uncanny; the dragon almost hadn't noticed that the lower half was distinctly equine. Each of them were armed, some with bows and arrows, and others with staffs. Atty hissed to herself as she realised what they were.

Centaurs.

How had she not sensed them coming?

I have never been good at sensing non-human presences, Lara soon confessed.

Could have warned me a little earlier! Athenaïs huffed.

One centaur, with dark red hair and piercing grey eyes and a pure black horse half, stepped forth from the herd, eyes fixed on Atty. "We have been watching you and your Witch for quite some time, dragon," he informed candidly. "We have watched the sky and stars to see what explanation there is for why she is here, and why you are not like the rest of your prideful kind."

That made Athenaïs hiss a little in indignation. The centaur ignored the reaction. "Your Witch was a disturbance, now not anymore. Two have become one – now she must ensure time remains stable. One path is clearest of all: after lightning strikes three times, at the castle in the mountains, it will be known who she is."

The Gargouille genuinely had no idea what to say to this.

"What do you mean?" Athenaïs finally found the ability to make a reply.

"She will be called to do her ancestors' sacred duty, dragon," the centaur informed. "Harry Potter will truly be no more. Only Lady Peverell will remain."

Athenaïs frowned. "That has already happened."

"Shutting the doorway back was not enough," the centaur stated crisply. "You will see for yourself soon enough, Athenaïs."

Atty hissed, onyx eyes flaring. "How do you know my name?"

"We Saw you coming," the centaur answered with a shrug. "Though until now, we were not permitted to interfere. No matter how much many of us wished to."

"You are Seers," Athenaïs realised. "Like Loreley."

"We centaurs are naturally blessed by the Moirai with the talent," another centaur agreed with a proud smirk.

"Urien, hold your tongue," the first centaur stated crisply before turning back to Athenaïs. "Beware, dragon. The Twins will be taken when the Moon reaches its third dark phase of the year."

Before Athenaïs or even Aragog could say or do anything, the centaurs turned and galloped away, not even looking over their shoulder back at the dragon and the spider. While Athenaïs was slightly shellshocked, Aragog recovered relatively quickly.

"The Twins will be taken … what did they mean by that?" he wanted to know.

"Twins are humans who look alike, or are siblings formed from the same egg," Athenaïs remembered the explanation Harry had given her when Athenaïs wanted to know how Druella and Arc, and Loreley and Abraxas could be brother and sister and be the same age. "I know of at least three twins. Harry and Artemis are doppelgängers, so it could be them too. Either way, it means my friends are once again in danger."

The Gargouille's eyes flashed dangerously at this point.

"Then we will just need to make sure we're ready for anything," Aragog stated.

Athenaïs frowned. "We?" she repeated.

"You're not alone in this you know," Aragog stated matter-of-factly. "I might be an Acromantula, but I like Harry. I like Minerva too, though she isn't a twin. I have three human friends; I want to help protect them. I promise not to eat them."

Athenaïs rolled her eyes at that comment and couldn't help but snort with laughter.

"I trust you, Aragog. You're my friend," Athenaïs reassured. She then started pacing. "First we need to find out when the third dark phase of the Moon is this year, and then we need to find a way to keep an eye on all twins and doppelgängers that day."

"Might be a bit tricky, considering it is a big school and most children are not in the same House," Aragog pointed out.

"We have to try," Athenaïs growled. "I have already lost one friend this year. I am not losing another!"

###########################################################################

"Regina! Amaris! Over here, ladies! I hope you don't mind that I have brought Lucretia along. And we already bought a pot of herbal tea. I know you normally like your Earl Grey and Lady Grey, Regina, but I think some herbal tea will do us all some good."

Regina and Amaris, who had arrived at the tea house at the exact same time, had to smile in amusement as they joined Melania, who was her usual enthusiastic self, and Lucretia, who looked as though she were about to admonish her own mother as though she was the parent and Melania the child. Both women did exchange a look – talking in private was now going to be even more difficult than before. They were going to probably have to get a little creative if they wanted to have their business discussion.

"Herbal tea is absolutely fine, Melania," Regina reassured as she and Amaris took the two empty seats at the table of four. She turned and smiled at Lucretia. "How are you faring, Lucretia?"

"I spend my days trying to avoid family members who cannot keep their noses out of other people's business," Lucretia responded, bluntly as usual. "Fortunately I have my music to keep me occupied. I do quite a lot of reading these days. I helped Aunt Lycoris with another piece a couple of days ago. I also write a lot of letters to Ignatius, to see what gossip I can fish that Orion refuses to divulge to me."

"It cannot be easy to have a suitor who is away most of the time," Amaris smiled softly as she poured herself a cuppa.

"On the contrary, I do not mind at present. Mostly because it cannot be helped. Plus, I am heading up to Scotland for Imbolc to join Ignatius for the Festival so I will see him then," Lucretia gave a small shrug. "Believe me, Lady Nott, I cannot wait to get out of the house for a while. I was liable to turn Charis's oh-so-charming husband into a donkey not too long ago."

"So was I," Lady Black readily agreed, sipping her tea. "As was most present, I do believe."

Regina frowned at this. "What happened?"

"Caspar was trying to convince Grandfather to use his Unspeakable connections and political influence to find out something he had heard about the Lady Hera," Lucretia scoffed, eyes flaring dangerously. "We can only thank Hekate, Medea and Circe that most of the family is getting quite fed up with Caspar's nonsense; Grandfather refused to listen to whatever slander Caspar has picked up this time from his rather questionable friends. John Ralston Macnair is not someone one should listen to on a good day."

"Indeed," Regina concurred readily with a wry tone.

Amaris frowned in concern. The idea of slanderous gossip being circled around the upper echelons of magical British society about her future daughter-in-law really did not sit well with her at all. "What did Crouch say about her?" she wanted to know.

"Amaris, darling, it really is not worth repeating," Melania reassured as she reached for the pastry menu.

"More to the point, anything that comes out of Caspar Crouch's mouth should always be taken with three bags of sea salt, preferably," Lucretia added, shaking her head as she poured herself a third cup of tea.

A sliver of courage wrapped itself around Amaris's spine at this point and for a moment, the Lady Nott spirit in her surfaced a little. "Nevertheless, I would like to know, please. She may be a mere ally to you – a close one at that – but she is to be my daughter-in-law, Heiress Black. It is my duty to help keep Lady Hera's name clean."

"And I am helping the Lady Hera with legal matters," Regina put in. "There could be grounds for an Order of Silence."

Melania and Lucretia exchanged a look, smirks forming on both women's countenances, and they turned back in perfect sync.

Lady Black regarded her Macmillan cousin for a moment. "I have no idea who you are and what you have done to Amaris, but I am rather glad that you did," Melania stated with a giggle. "I could get used to this Amaris." Melania then exhaled sharply. "It happened during a game of cards the gentlemen like to play on Friday evenings. The topic once again turned to the wars, and Caspar naturally went off on his tangent. Eventually, the Lady Hera was mentioned, by Alphard, who voiced his disgust at the possibility that the Resistance has been using child soldiers to do their dirty work."

Both Regina and Amaris sipped their tea at this point; the idea of children being used as soldiers still turned both their stomachs.

"Naturally, everyone agreed that the matter is shocking," Lucretia continued. Very quickly her countenance darkened. "Then Caspar just had to wade in, saying there was more to the Lady Hera's background than we knew – and that there was a secret being kept – the whole thing turned rather … ugly."

She physically grimaced at this point and shook her head despondently. "Great-Uncle Arcturus should never have allowed that Crouch match to go ahead!"

"Lucretia!" Melania hissed as she noticed a few eyes from people at other tables turn in their direction.

"Mother, I have never once attempted to disguise my distaste for that match and I will not do so now," Lucretia responded crisply. "I think you and I both know Great-Uncle Arcturus regrets it as well."

Regina and Amaris both sipped their tea, opting to remain silent and out of this discussion entirely.

"It was not only Caspar who was sticking his nose where it doesn't belong," Lucretia continued. "Grandmother was doing it as well. I caught her in my room not too long ago, near my desk. Like she had been trying to go through my letters – again!"

Melania flushed at that. "Well, you have been acting rather secretive, dear. We were all just worried about you, especially Hesper."

"That is no excuse for going through someone else's things without their permission!" Lucretia huffed. "What I discuss with Ignatius or with Tessa or Orion or Wally is none of your concern!" Her eyes flared dangerously. "Which is why I have now warded and enchanted my letters. I dare anyone to touch them now – they will be met with a rather nasty surprise."

"Lucretia!" Melania blanched.

"What? If people just keep their hands to themselves, they will be all right," Lucretia responded coolly. "Just do not say that I did not warn you."

Melania gaped at her own daughter as Lucretia nonchalantly sipped her tea. Regina and Amaris blinked at them in surprise, but neither of the two could keep their smiles off their faces. Lucretia and Melania were amusing without ever meaning to be. Perhaps it was a good thing that at this point, Lady Black spotted someone coming into the tea house.

Melania lit up in about five seconds flat. "Oh I think Hekate has blessed this day! There is Georgina Snyde – she is designing the bride's maids gowns for Druella's wedding and I have been meaning to speak with her about making some personal alterations to suit the girls' tastes better-"

"Mother, just go," Lucretia rolled her eyes.

"Indeed-"

Lady Black was gone before Regina could say anything else, causing Amaris to giggle quietly, Regina to chuckle and Lucretia to huff. "Oh dear. Well, I do know one thing – if my mother ever stops acting like that, I know something is badly wrong."

"Quite," Amaris concurred easily.

Lucretia then stood up and picked up her purse. "I think this is a golden opportunity for me to have a moment to powder my nose. Excuse me."

"Of course, take your time," Regina answered with a small smile. Once Lucretia was out of earshot, Regina turned to Amaris. "So, since I have no idea how much time we have, let's get straight to the point. Your letter to the Lestranges – you offered yourself up on a silver platter."

"Yes," Amaris readily confirmed.

"You would testify against your husband?"

"I would," Amaris sipped her tea.

"Despite the fact you have no idea why the trap was laid for him?" Regina continued to question.

"I do not need to. I have heard enough about your husband's tactics to know that this was done for a very serious reason," Amaris responded, swallowing. "I know this was either done to extract some sort of confession from Mattheo, or it was done in order to be able to use one of the Greyback brothers as a witness."

"That was only part of it," Regina felt she could admit. "However, the scheme was done in order to also apply pressure on Mattheo, Diantha and through them, Anne." She swallowed and then lowered her tone. "You see, Anne Underwood did something – something that could potentially land her in Azkaban for quite some time." Regina exhaled sharply. "If I tell you, I am going to need your word that you will not breathe a word until Alex, Harfang and I can take her to trial."

Amaris's eyes widened at this but she nodded. "You have my word, Regina. I will not even tell Ava," she took a deep breath. "Tell me what is going on."

"Anne poisoned Nymera Lestrange with a counterfeit Blood Curse," Regina stated lowly. This made Amaris's eyes bug out of her sockets. "Only, Nymera had not been her target at all. Originally," Regina gathered up what strength and courage she could, "she had meant to poison your son, Altair."

The colour was gone from Amaris's face in about two seconds. Amaris looked as though the wind had been knocked clean out of her. Almost in a daze, her hands went to her mouth and her eyes closed in order to force back the tears that were threatening to begin to fall. Regina carefully reached over to give her friend's shoulder a reassuring squeeze; Amaris's head shook despondently.

"How …" she croaked. Amaris swallowed and cleared her throat. "How do you know?"

Regina looked grim at this point. "The Lady Hera discovered what she did while using Legilimency on Anne. Your son and his future Consorts confronted Mattheo and Anne during the Malfoy Yule Ball and – Lady Hera invaded Anne's mind after hearing something suspicious from the woman's own mouth." She chuckled mirthlessly. "Lady Hera told no one what she saw, not even Altair and Mr. Riddle. She only confessed during a private meeting with Alex, Harfang, the Lestranges, her employers and me."

"Not even her guardians knew?" Amaris could hardly believe her ears.

"No. They didn't," Regina confirmed. She allowed herself to laugh shortly. "It seems that the girl is more than used to guarding sensitive information, and she is rather good at keeping it from even those she holds dear."

Amaris took a moment to process what she had heard. Her husband's mistress had attempted to poison her son, poisoned another innocent child and had gotten away with it for years. Which meant, that Mattheo's affair with the harlot had lasted longer than Amaris was led to believe. This alone made anger boil in her blood.

"As you know, information gathered with Legilimency is not admissible in court," Regina continued. "Thus, we have been attempting to garner as much information and evidence as we can that can be used to prosecute Miss Underwood for the attempted murder of your son and Nymera Lestrange, as well as a grievous bodily harm charge. Your husband's affair with the woman, I do apologise for this part, will be used as example for motive of Miss Underwood's actions, and to put as much dirt on her name as we can."

Amaris pursed her lips for a moment, her hands subconsciously curling into fists. For the first time in years, Regina saw her friend's eyes momentarily change colour as her magic was threatening to break lose.

"Damn you, Mattheo," Amaris hissed quietly. "Damn you and your harlot to the depths of Tartarus." She then looked sharply at Regina. "I take it that since you know what has infected Nymera Lestrange, you also know what kind of counterfeit Blood Curse it is?"

"We do," Regina confirmed with a nod. "The goblins are working on a counter curse."

"Good," Amaris took a few deep breaths. "Just tell me when I am needed and what I must do. If you need some further evidence, I can try and get it for you."

Regina's eyes widened. "Amaris-"

"The Trollop tried to poison my son," Amaris snapped, somehow managing to keep her tone quiet. She was rather proud of herself for that. "Somehow, Nymera took the poison meant for Altair – a child actually got hurt! She can't be permitted to get away with it, even if it means Mattheo might go down with her. I do not care. I am finished with showing loyalty to a man who has never shown loyalty to me in anyway."

Regina's eyes widened. "Mattheo … he has-"

"Yes," Amaris answered crisply. "Many times. Too many times to count. I was always surprised that he doesn't have more bastards running around than he already has."

Regina didn't know quite what to say to that. It wasn't unheard of for a Noble to have affairs, in fact it was practically an open secret that most did. It was more surprising when a Lord didn't have any affairs to his name. Of course, she and Alex had heard rumours about Mattheo Nott's behaviour – even in their youth, Mattheo was not the most faithful of boys to his lady friends – but she could never have imagined how bad it actually was. Amaris never said a word, until now.

"All right," Regina eventually spoke up. "I will discuss what we have spoken about with Francis and Rhiannon, and see what they think. I believe they would be more than happy with your help, but it is better to be certain."

"Agreed," Amaris nodded.

"And if you can find anything you think you suspect is of value, that is most appreciated," Regina continued. "However, don't put yourself in needless danger. Mattheo must continue to suspect nothing. If he were to discover your intentions of testifying against him-"

"Do not fret, Regina. Mattheo and I avoid each other on most days," Amaris reassured. "He prefers not to be reminded of my existence, as you know."

"Yes. His resentment to you could play to our advantage," Regina agreed. "I just want to ensure your safety."

"I know that, and I appreciate it," Amaris smiled brightly. Regina had missed that smile.

Their conversation was cut short though, because Lucretia returned at this precise moment, sighing dramatically. "The fuss we women can make over nothing is staggering!" she commented as she resumed her seat. The Black Heiress regarded her mother's two friends for a moment. "Did I miss anything?"

"Not at all," both women stated at the same time.

Lucretia blinked for a moment before turning her attention onto the pastry menu. "If you say so. Shall I start ordering pastries since my mother is apparently still occupied?"

"Yes, good idea," Amaris replied, relieved at the timely change of subject.

###########################################################################

Harry knew that she should have spent one of her free hours that Thursday at the archive or doing some last checks before her Herbology dissertation was due on Monday but she found that her head just did not want to do any work that day unless it absolutely had no choice but to function. As a result, she was spending the hour with Orion, Septimus and Octavius, plotting on how to execute one of hers and Orion's most insane ideas that they had come up with for the Quidditch finals.

Harry and Orion had both decided that just simply watching the Chasers scoring goals through the three hoops was actually rather boring. A goal being scored could be turned into a bit more of spectacle – and it was very likely to go well or likely to result in them being put into detention with Professor Dumbledore for the rest of the year. However, since both the Lady Regnant and Heir Black felt like they had nothing left to lose, they decided that the rewards very much outweighed the risks of the idea.

The pair were going to place an intricate enchantment onto the goals of the Quidditch pitch to conjure a celebrating animal that represented each animal mascot of the Four Houses, starting with the lion and the snake, obviously. The issue was, Harry and Orion wanted to make sure that their scheme remained one hundred per cent top secret but they knew they would need some help with an intricate spell-ritual such as this one. Hence, they sought help from outside their own House.

Both the Cursebreaker and the Runemaster had been tempted to seek Minerva's help but considering Minerva was dormmates with Artemis, and thus might let accidentally something slip, it was too risky. The Prewetts were good candidates but Billy was utterly incapable of not saying something when he was excited, so it was not a good idea either. However, both Septimus and Octavius were as devious as Fred and George had been, and were one hundred times more subtle than those two boys had been. Plus, Septimus and Octavius had the added advantage of having a 'twin code'.

They could talk in front of Ignatius and their dormmates without arousing too much suspicion. It was perfect.

Harry and Orion managed to track the twins down at the mini-school in the Room of Requirement, both studying their peeve subjects. Harry went to collect Octavius while Orion went to fetch Septimus. As she had suspected, the Lady Regnant found Octavius in the creature greenhouse, trying to study an Augurey, which kept hiding in its tear-shaped nest in some brambles and thorns.

"Come on! I just need to have a closer look at your feathers!" Octavius begged. "Please?"

"Caw!" came the indignant reply from inside the brambles.

"I said please!" Octavius wailed. "It's important. I need to write an essay about you as well as possibly do an exam about you later in May!"

The Augurey made no reply and made no effort to come out of the brambles either.

Harry giggled to herself. "Need some help, Octavius?" she called as she approached.

Octavius raised his head and sighed in relief. "Harry, thank everything good and magical! Do you know how to get an Augurey to comply for a little bit? Or make them less shy? I haven't finished my diagram yet and this thing decided to run away from me mid drawing!"

"Caw!"

Harry grinned. "Maybe you got a little bit too close for comfort? Augureys, if I remember correctly, can be intensely shy of humans when they are not domesticated."

The Weasley twin huffed. "How the bloody hell did I forget that?" he grumbled. "It will be a miracle if I even get an A on this essay!"

Harry gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Don't think like that. You have come leaps and bounds from what I hear! Come on, let's see if we can entice our Augurey friend to come out again," she grinned. Harry unsheathed her wand and incanted a nonverbal spell.

Octavius jumped a little at the amount of beetles, caterpillars and other bugs that had been conjured up in front of them. Why Harry had done this, Octavius knew there was a reason but he couldn't quite remember what it was. The answer came in the form of a suddenly excited Augurey, chirping away happily and excitedly, diving from its thorn and bramble home to start picking off the bugs one by one.

Octavius wanted to gape but he was not about to waste valuable time and moments on his shock when he had a diagram or two to finish. The Augurey ignored him and his friend, far too busy with gobbling up the buffet of insects that Harry had provided for it.

She should have let the Hat put her in Ravenclaw, was the thought that entered Octavius's head as he put the finishing touches to his diagram. Then again, she made the Snakes loosen up and made Tom Riddle tolerable! Doubt she would have managed it as an Eagle.

"Have you got everything you need?" Harry asked as the Augurey finished the last beetle.

"Yes, I think I have everything for now," Octavius confirmed with a grin. "Thanks, Harry. You saved me a whole lot of time there."

Harry shrugged. "No problem. Just remember: Augureys live off a diet of insects, fairies and flies, most of which they hunt when it is raining."

"And their cries predict the arrival of rain, not death," Octavius added as they stood up.

"That too," Harry agreed. "See? All that studying is paying off!"

"Yeah," Octavius nodded. He then regarded her with a small frown. "What are you doing here, Harry?"

"Oh, I came here with Orion looking for you and Septimus," Harry admitted easily as they headed for the greenhouse entrance. "Orion and I are planning something rather special for the finals but what we want to pull off is a little complicated, and we need some creative minds who can also stay silent about what we're doing."

"Which is why you're not asking your fellow Snakes or Artemis," Octavius deduced easily with a smirk. He nodded. "OK. No idea what Sept will say, but I am more than game." His smirk only grew at this point. "Have you two also thought about some heirs to your crown?"

Harry chuckled. "Orion wants to hold auditions soon."

"Sounds like a good idea," Octavius replied as they stepped out into the mini-school.

"What is a good idea?" Orion was there lightning fast with Septimus looking like the cat who caught the canary. The Black Heir lit up. "Are you going to help us too, Octavius? Your twin has agreed."

"I am going to help," Octavius was happy to confirm. "I was just talking to Harry about the two of you finding some suitable commentators before you leave. We can't have the commentating standards slipping with your departure after all."

"Oh I quite agree," Orion responded seriously as the four of them headed out of the Room of Requirement. "But then how should we do it? Do we got to the Hat like Headmaster Dippet did to ask for some names or do we make it a process?"

"I think we should let people sign their names and let them commentate an interaction between a group of our familiars," Harry answered. "We ask the candidates if we can show the memories of them doing the commentating and show it to ten of the most difficult to please people we know and see how many of them start laughing."

"Oooo that could actually work," Septimus chuckled. He then regarded his friends. "So, spill – what kind of mischief are you plotting now? Orion mentioned doing some kind of shenanigans with the goal posts."

"Yes," Harry confirmed, looking over her shoulders in case there were students or ghosts lurking about, who could potentially eavesdrop. She used her soul sensing abilities to make doubly sure that there was no one in their immediate surroundings – much to Harry's relief, the coast was clear. Even up on the Astronomy Tower.

This made her frown. Atty usually trained up there. Maybe her familiar really was taking a break? Good.

"Let's go up to the Astronomy Tower. No one will disturb us there, and what Orion and I have to tell you has to be kept a secret right up until the match itself," Harry stated, putting her best General tone on her voice.

The Weasley twins exchanged an excited look before they saluted and then chorused, "yes, ma'am!"

Harry rolled her eyes but could not keep her smile off her face. Nor could Orion. The pair led the twins up the Tower stairs. All four of them automatically gravitated towards the side of the Tower where the Quidditch pitch could best be seen from. Harry and Orion quickly sat down on the floor, with Orion taking out his Runic grimoire. The twins joined their friends, eager to see what scheme they were cooking up this time.

"OK, this is something Harry and I came up with a day or two ago and we don't have much time to execute it – after all, the finals are in a few weeks," Orion stated. "But since it is the finals, we both have decided we need to go all out this time."

"Absolutely," Septimus agreed wholeheartedly. "So how do the goal posts factor in?"

"We're going to enchant them," Harry explained. "They need to react to Chasers scoring goals – so the goal posts behind War need to create this roaring lion head and the one behind Wood needs to let out an awesome hissing snake with an open maw."

"But it has to look really flashy and awe-inspiring," Orion added. "And needs to have some kind of temporary deactivation spell. Harry and I have a very good idea how everything is supposed to look, and function – I also have an idea for the sequence of runes and sigils we need – but the issue is we don't know which combination of Charms we need just yet."

"We thought that perhaps you two might have an idea before we start experimenting with spells, and end up with our eyebrows singed off," Harry finished.

The Weasleys immediately frowned thoughtfully. Octavius pulled Orion's Runic grimoire to him to see what the Black Heir had already done, trying to figure out the best Charms for their purpose.

"Well, Sparks Charms could work rather well, but they can be rather generic," Septimus mused out loud.

"That is what we were thinking too," Harry informed.

"Well, perhaps you could try and tweak the spells a bit?" Septimus suggested. "So that it turns into a bit of a fireworks show. Perhaps your animal heads could also be formed from these fireworks and sparks?"

"Without being too much of a hazard for the Keepers," Orion added. "We need to find a way to make the sparks and fireworks harmless to the Keepers or we might actually have a bit of a problem."

"Oh that is easy to solve. Just put a Tickling Charm or something else harmless on them," Octavius suggested, not looking up from the grimoire. "The way I see it, the Charms needs to work in tandem with the magic in the runes and sigils, so I think you need to find a way to embed the Charms into the runes as well."

Harry and Orion exchanged a look.

"Do you think that will work? Isn't that a little dangerous?" Harry questioned.

"More like a lot dangerous," Septimus replied wryly. "One wrong move and it's bye-bye Quidditch goal posts."

"Possibly the entire pitch, if one isn't careful," Octavius added. He grinned at his friends. "You really are not making this easier for yourselves, are you?"

"We want to go out on a high note," Harry responded with a soft smile.

"And do something that no one will ever forget," Orion added.

Septimus scoffed. "Guys, you have already-"

"-done things that people-"

"-will never forget," Septimus and Octavius finished in unison.

Orion smiled sadly. "Perhaps. But the finals need something special. This will be our last match. Come June-July, we're all stepping out into the big wide world, and we want to give a show because of this."

"Every time you two take that commentating box, everyone knows it is going to be a good show," Octavius reassured. "But I understand what you mean – Sept and I are training harder than we have been in the past without Wood shouting at us because of it. Artemis too. We don't want to leave and see the Quidditch Cup in the hands of another House, even if some of our friends are in it."

Harry and Orion smirked in unison.

"You are Harry and Orion," Septimus added. "Probably going to go down as the best commentators in Hogwarts history. I think we can say that we-"

"-will be honoured-"

"-to help you pull this off!"

"Thanks guys. You are the best," Harry stated sincerely.

"We know," Octavius grinned. "Now, let's see how we can Charm these runes."

Just as the four of them were about to dive into their books, Harry sensed something approach the Tower. Thanks to her powers, she knew immediately what it was: one of Tosti's ravens. Sure enough, the corvid landed on the guard rail just behind them, cawing to her excitedly. It was carrying quite a large package and a letter.

That must be my Uncles' reply! Harry was on her feet instantly.

She quickly untied the package and the letter. Harry set the package down and then broke the seal on the letter.

Dear Niece,

Ignotus was practically trying to climb out of his frame when Tosti told us which subject your friend is writing about. You will not believe the headache that bloody accursed train caused for poor Thyrza and her cousins. Not just because of the madness of the idea, but also because of the political turmoil. Apparently it came to the point where the Crown was forced to intervene in the discussion.

Anyway, these are the journals of Thyrza, Edward and Cecily. Antioch wants you to tell your friend that if these get damaged, he will find a way to curse his entire lineage. He also wants us to update you that your counterfeit Elder Wand is coming along quite nicely. We daresay that it may be finished by the end of February.

As for Cadmus, he would like to know what you have chosen to make as your Imbolc effigy.

That is all from us. We await your next letter eagerly – all of us. Flamels included.

Your Uncles Antioch, Cadmus and Ignotus

"Everything all right, Harry?" Orion wanted to know.

"Yes," Harry grinned as she looked up. "My uncles have got some sources for Caius to use for his essay."

"Oh? What's he writing about?"

"Orion, concentrate," Septimus rolled his eyes.

"What? I am interested!"

"And we have a project to do together as well. So focus!" Octavius grinned.

Orion pouted but did as he was told. Harry chuckled to herself and rejoined the group herself, turning her attention back onto her current scheme.

###########################################################################

"Ah boys! Punctual as ever! Good. It means we can start early."

Tom and Altair – they had no idea how they knew – had been summoned by Thanatos, Hypnos and Melinoë at around eleven. Both boys were surprised when they didn't meet up with Harry and Atty at any point, and were even more surprised to find that their lover and her familiar had not shown up at all.

Thanatos saw their expressions and deduced immediately what was on their minds. "Harry will not be joining us tonight, nor Athenaïs. Apparently Atty has been pushing herself during her own training sessions and Harry has a project for Gringotts she needs to finish, so she has requested we not summon her tonight."

Tom and Altair exchanged a look.

"Do you know what she is doing?" Altair wanted to know.

The three deities exchanged a look also.

"We know better than to question Harry about her assignments," Hypnos responded. "She might ask us for help on occasion but she doesn't tell us everything. Harry doesn't really ask us for anything unless she has to."

Both of the young wizards couldn't disguise their disappointment.

"Harry is as independent as ever; just because we're gods doesn't mean she relies on us for things she is convinced she can do herself," Melinoë continued with a grin. "All the five of us can do, is simply to be there for her when Harry decides she needs us. But if she is too stubborn, we are there to intervene."

"It isn't easy to do," Tom was happy to confess.

"We know," Thanatos reassured with a smile. "But let us not waste any more time. You still need some extra training with the Shadows, Tom, and I would like to do some more Soul Magic exercises with you."

"Sure," Tom nodded in agreement.

"And we're going to see if you can Dream Walk for longer this time," Hypnos added, turning to Altair.

Altair gave a curt nod in agreement. His last Dream Walking didn't go very well. It felt more as though he was walking through a forest, erratically down dirt paths almost with no full direction in mind. He had seen dreams from people he knew and didn't know; Altair could not fully distinguish which dream belonged to who yet. It was time for that to change.

"I was hoping you would say that," Altair admitted.

Hypnos grinned. "Then let's get to it."

Altair happily lay down on the couch the Room provided and closed his eyes. He got himself into the semi-lucid dreaming state that he and Hypnos. Altair felt his magic begin to course faster in his veins as the 'pathways' to other dreams began to form in front of him again. This time, there were four to choose from instead of the six he had the previous few times.

Remember, pick the path that feels right to you, Hypnos's gentle voice sounded in Altair's head. Follow at your own pace. Do not rush, remain calm. You panicked too easily the last few times. Keep breathing, Altair.

Altair took a moment to feel out the paths. He felt something from paths one and three, which he deduced were likely to be paths to nightmares and-or visions. Path two felt rather light, which was likely a good dream, and path four felt intense but didn't have the same heaviness as a nightmare.

Altair started down path number four.

He was a lot more cautious than he had been before. Altair had been too impulsive and reckless before, he knew that. So, today was going to be the day he would be able to have some level of control and be able to navigate his way through the dreams of those at Hogwarts. Altair knew he was not ready for afar targeted Dream Walking, not by a long shot.

Much to his own surprise, the dream Altair stepped into was an arena. There were magical creatures in the ring, facing off against a lone opponent. Altair's eyes widened when he realised that the figure, was actually Athenaïs. The wizard watched the young stone dragon take down several opponents with some well-aimed attacks.

She has these dreams often, Hypnos informed him. You are doing well, Altair, but's let's not stay too long in case she notices you.

Yeah, Altair found himself agreeing. That was one of the things he did manage to do – leave dreams unnoticed. He noticed a kind of archway to his right and, practically on autopilot, walked towards it as he started back over his shoulder at the stone dragon taking down a vampire.

For a good few moments, Altair found himself surrounded by darkness. Then, he found himself in a room with a pool in the middle, glowing mystically. Kneeling beside it was Ophelia, eyes staring unblinkingly at whatever was in the water. Even in her dream, the Rowle heiress was unusually pale. Whatever it was that she was staring at, it was causing her no certain degree of panic and fear.

Altair frowned. What is she seeing?

A combination of the truth and her own fears. My children sometimes have a very twisted sense of humour, as you know, Hypnos answered grimly.

Do they do the same to Rollo? Altair wanted to know.

The God of Sleep was oddly silent for a long while. They did. I guard and create Rollo's dreams myself these days. I cannot trust my children not to inadvertently tell him the truth about my divine nature.

Don't you think he has the right to know? Altair dared to ask. Most people don't take kindly to being blinded by a loved one's true nature. I should know. Discovering about Harry's Mistress of Death secret was like being kicked to the stomach. It would be far worse for Rollo.

It is not the right time, Hypnos stated quietly.

Altair scoffed quietly. I hate to brake it to you, Lord Hypnos, but the truth is never convenient. Sooner or later, Rollo will find out.

Perhaps, Hypnos whispered. Let us continue.

It seemed perhaps that the Moirai had heard Altair because the next dream sequence – well, vision onslaught was a better term – belonged to the one person he had not been able to reach yet and had been frankly quite desperate to observe their dreams: Harry. It seemed that she had stopped with whatever it is that she was doing, and had gone to bed. Altair had no idea how he managed it, but he finally got to see what his lover had endure in a night, and it was safe to say, that it was worse than he could have ever expected.

The visions were relentless. It was one death after the other: soldiers, Muggles from all sides of the war, bodies of people dressed in odd striped pyjamas – Altair had no idea how to describe them because they looked barely even human. They had been badly starved and abused. There were some who were dying while being marched into only-Merlin-knows-where. Then there were the deaths of wizards as well as Muggles; some Resistance members, others Alliance – there were also wizards who were busy helping the Muggles fight against the Germans. One soul after another, lost. With each image, Altair felt his stomach lurch.

How can she do this, night after night? Altair felt himself demanding. How has she not lost her mind?

Because it isn't the deaths that she has to deal with, Hypnos replied simply. Her duty is to sort their souls.

The souls?

Psychopomps. Tosti, Michael, Anubis, Odin, Freyja – they all need new psychopomps. Harry sorts the souls for proper processing. If it is discovered that there is a multi-claim on a soul, it is disputed at the High Court of the Underworld.

And what of the soul? Can't it choose where to go? Altair wanted to know.

They can voice their preference if they are claimed by more than one realm. A Christian soul might be picked for an angelic position, but many have become my brother's Reapers, Hypnos answered. As have atheists and agnostics. Michael and Heaven don't particularly like them. Anubis, Odin and Freyja find them entertaining enough so they accept them as well. Baron Samedi too. But no, souls do not get to choose.

More deaths: ships sunk by angry merrows and selkies. A werewolf killed after taking revenge for the death of her family. A young Italian witch dying because powerful magic backfired on her. A Japanese witch sentenced to death heading to her execution with her head held up high, as though she were a princess entering a royal ball. Altair tried not to close his eyes at these images, but he found that he could not tolerate looking at them for a minute longer.

No … NO!

Altair forced his own consciousness back and forced himself to leave the Realm of Hypnos, sitting up sharply, breathing heavily with sweat beading his forehead. He was surprised to see Thanatos and Melinoë watching him, brows furrowed in concern. Tom was knelt beside him, caressing his head lovingly.

"Altair? Sweetheart, you're fine. You're awake," Tom reassured gently.

Altair swallowed. "I …" he took a deep breath. "Harry … she Sees such terrible things …"

"You saw them?" Thanatos's eyes widened.

The Goddess of Ghosts grinned like a Cheshire cat. "Your control is improving, Altair!"

"That it is," Hypnos, who was also back out of his daze, agreed. "He Walked from Atty's dreams to Ophelia Rowle's to Harry's."

"Damn. Going from one girl's head to another in the same dorm," Melinoë looked impressed. "Much better than hoping from a young Slytherin's head to the head of a Gryffindor seventh year. Altair is achieving order in his Walking, which is what we like to see."

Tom regarded the three gods coolly. "Tone down the celebrations, would you? It is not the right moment."

Altair shuddered, still slightly in a cold sweat, which caused Tom to put his coat around him and give him a loving kiss on the temple. Altair involuntarily closed his eyes at the contact.

"It perhaps isn't the right moment," Thanatos conceded. "However the both of you have already made a lot of headway. I think you can go to bed early – it is almost two in the morning after all."

Altair blanched at this, until he remembered something crucial: time passes differently in the Realm of Hypnos. Even if a dream feels too short, often two to three hours passes in the real world. It was still something he needed to get used to. It was actually one of the reasons he now had mixed feelings about falling asleep.

Altair knew more about the Realm of Hypnos and how it worked than most mortals had any right to know. Facing his own dreams, thus had become much more daunting and made him slightly reluctant to go to sleep.

Tom seemed to sense his apprehension and led him gently back to the dorms. Thankfully, Tom didn't ask Altair what he had seen precisely. Instead the two made their way, carefully, back to the Slytherin dungeons and then to their dorms, both remaining quiet and absorbing the sounds of the night around them.

Only before Altair went into his own dorm, did Tom take him in an embrace and kiss him with such fierce reassurance and lust that Altair had to force himself not to moan as Tom made short work of his already crumbling resolve.

"Come to me, in my dream land in the Realm," Tom whispered in his ear when he finally broke the kiss.

"You're playing with fire again," Altair noted hoarsely, voice heavy with desire.

"Yes, and this time, no one can stop us," Tom smirked. "We'd both be asleep, and none would be the wiser."

Altair flushed at the implication. "I don't even know if I can fully control my Walking yet."

"Try," Tom insisted with eyes flashing ruby. The smirk only grew. "It will give you some incentive. Perhaps you can even stop Harry's visions for a bit if you learn to Walk and manipulate her dream world?"

Altair considered for a moment. Thanks to his damned hormones and his own impulsive nature, he found the offer difficult to refuse. Even if he could not touch his future Consorts as he wanted in the land of the living, nothing was stopping them from doing it in the Realm of Hypnos. Even if it was a dream, it would be real enough.

"You're on," Altair didn't stop the words escaping his mouth.

###########################################################################

Harry genuinely could not wait for the weekend. Grindelwald's little test was slowly but surely coming undone – emphasis on the word 'slowly'. Harry's impatient Gryffindor nature surfaced at the relatively small amount of progress she was able to make. The girls couldn't wait to go shopping for Imbolc and for once Harry was inclined to indulge them. She felt the need to relax a little more. Two nights ago, the Mistress of Death could have sworn there was someone with her in her vision barrage but she had no idea who it was.

Plus, Friday she had been inundated with seventh years asking for extensions for their essays because they all had picked subjects they liked and didn't feel like they could hand in half-finished essays. While the teacher part of her wanted to refuse, Harry extended the deadline to Sunday because she was feeling generous. Harry blamed her paranoia on her focus on her project as well as her poor lack of sleep.

Yes, there was the added pressure that she was lying to her friends about her project being just a Dark magic object sent along with her main assignment, but by now, Harry was eerily used to it.

Friday evening did provide her with some distraction.

While entertaining her friends and some of the younger Snakes with Evren's violin. Right in the middle of her piece and story, Harry felt her Link with Thanatos open.

We have someone who has agreed to help you with your latest hairbrained scheme.

Harry smiled to herself as she continued playing. And? Who decided to brave the mortal realm?

Melinoë's brother, Zagreus, was not the answer Harry had expected.

The Mistress of Death had to use all of her willpower not to start chuckling out loud. What did she have to bribe him with to agree?

Believe it or not, he wants to meet you, Thanatos informed with a chuckle of his own.

Harry almost played a dulcet note in surprise. Excuse me?

Oh don't be so surprised, Harry knew he was rolling his eyes. Besides, Zagreus has been looking for a good excuse to escape his parents for a little while.

Persephone causing a headache again?

Harry …

What? I hear mothers are supposed to cause headaches. Even divine ones.

I pity your children already, Thanatos laughed.

That made Harry's heart involuntarily skip a few beats and her playing subconsciously slowed down. If the Fates allow it.

Harry-

Perhaps it was childish, perhaps it was cowardly, but Harry could not help close the Link between her and her godly father figure. The subject of her wish to have a family was one Harry considered more and more, but didn't wish to discuss unless it was spontaneous. With Grindelwald breathing down her neck once more, Harry had found herself back in survival mode.

"-Harry. Is everything all right? Harry!"

The Lady Regnant was knocked back down to Earth by Arcturus, and realised quickly that her music had somehow become quite melancholic, sad and eerie when it had not been so before. Quickly, she stopped playing, the image of the Selkie and his human lover dissipating as she did so.

"Sorry," Harry whispered, flashing a quick smile.

"You OK?" Felix asked casually. "You have been annoyingly quiet and secretive of late."

"I am just a little tired," Harry dismissed, shrugging her shoulders. "So much to do and so little time."

"Your assignment?" Malum guessed.

"It is part of it," Harry smiled sadly. "Plus, hearing people stress out and complain constantly about the same thing over and over again through-out the day is bloody draining at times."

"Imbolc effigies are rather important, though," Oizys felt the need to defend.

"Yes but not complain-twenty-four-hours important," Harry pointed out. "Brighid cares about creativity, right? Pretty sure she would be happy with a well-made statute or a painting or even a well-written poem!"

"The parade and Festival are mostly for us lowly mortals," Caius chuckled. "Besides, it is also an unofficial competition between the Houses to create the best looking effigies, and see who can create the biggest spectacle."

"Yippee," Harry muttered sarcastically. She then spied a moment to tell her friend that their plan was underway, right under the noses of their friends. "Oh, that reminds me, Melanie's brother is travelling up to Hogsmeade. Apparently, he wants to meet me."

Caius caught on instantly, judging by the new mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Oh, that's wonderful! When does he arrive?" Orion asked eagerly.

"Tomorrow. But I first want to spend some time in Kelpie's Hollow. I will find some time to meet him in the afternoon," Harry answered casually.

"Have you met him before?" Heron inquired curiously.

"Never, but I have a rough idea of what he looks like," Harry replied easily.

"What's his name?" Caius tried to keep the question casual.

"Zacharias, but he goes by Zach apparently," the answer fell out of Harry's mouth quite quickly.

"This weekend is definitely going to be interesting," Ygraine commented with a smirk.

"We have been having quite a lot of those lately," Druella grinned. "I hope that Mr. Rollins is bringing a helmet along!"

Harry snorted with laughter, along with half the group.

Altair suddenly got to his feet. "Tom, Harry, you two are the best in Defence. I have been trying to write Merrythought's new essay on the willow-o-wisp but I have hit a bit of a brick wall. It's the last piece of homework I have to do before the weekend, and I really just want to finish it, so could you two come and help me?"

Odd and gleeful looks were exchanged in the group as Tom and Harry both got to their feet.

"You should have something earlier, sweetheart," Tom commented.

"Shouldn't be too difficult with three minds on it. Let's go!" Harry grinned.

However, it soon became apparent to the Mistress of Death that her future Consorts had laid some kind of trap. For when the three of them had entered Altair's dorm, Tom had put Silencing Charms on the door and Altair had rounded on her.

"What are you plotting this time?" came the characteristically blunt question.

Harry blinked. "You are going to have to be a tad more specific, darling."

"Zach," Altair clarified, Tom watching her too. "If he is Melinoë's brother, that means he is Zagreus, God of the Eleusinian Mysteries. We all know gods don't show up for the fun of it, which means he is either sent here or he is being summoned."

Harry let out a sharp exhale. "Why must you be so sharp?" she grumbled.

"Is he coming here to protect you?" Tom wanted to know, with a frown. "Is it Grindelwald? Has he plotted another attack?"

Harry snorted. Not in the way you think.

"No, Zagreus is coming for rather more pleasant reasons," Harry found herself confessing. "The scheme is not nefarious. He is helping me out, and Caius."

"Dolohov?" Altair's brow furrowed further, as did Tom's. "What has he got to do with it?"

"Everything," Harry admitted. "Since you two won't let this one go, I might as well tell you. I am helping Caius with showing the person he likes what they are missing, and Zagreus is apparently happy to help."

Tom's eyes widened in surprise while Altair paled.

"A god is coming here … to help you two … make Arc jealous," Altair could not believe his ears. "Merlin's unpolished boots!"

"Rosier? Dolohov is in love with Rosier?" Tom whispered in disbelief. Realisation suddenly spread onto his face. "Oh for … Caius thought that we would hate him because he isn't interested in women?!"

"Yep," Harry confirmed simply. "Welcome to the hellish world of irrational fear!"

Tom started grumbling incoherently in Parseltongue, which made Harry smirk.

"I am not so sure I like this plan," Altair admitted. "If Arc is interested in Dolohov, this plan could really hurt him …"

"But if he doesn't show interest, it will give Caius leave to try and pursue someone else," Harry pointed out. A serious expression formed on her countenance. "Caius has been spending the last six years pining after someone who might not want him back. He needs confidence; even if Arc doesn't want him, someone else will."

Altair and Tom exchanged a look.

"When you put it like that, it actually makes a lot of sense," Tom hated to say.

"I still don't like it," Altair stated, "but I do understand."

Harry sighed in relief.

"But I will do what I need to in order to also protect Arc's feelings," Altair warned.

"I doubt you will need to, but I wouldn't have expected anything else," Harry reassured. She then flushed a little when she realised that she was still standing in Altair's dorm with her two lovers. "Well," she cleared her throat. "I think we had better had back before anyone gets any ideas."

The demeanours in both Tom and Altair changed very quickly, both boys smirking and their eyes darkening.

"Let them have their ideas, love," Tom stated quietly as he gently pulled her back to him and Altair.

"They will think-" Harry tried to point out.

"Yes," Altair agreed easily, cutting her off with a kiss. "Let them think what they like. We have been restraining ourselves up until now."

"Somehow," Tom growled. "It's getting tougher each day."

"Which is why we're playing with fire with what we're doing!" Harry pointed out, really hating her moral compass at present.

"Guess I enjoy playing with fire then," Altair stated with a devilish smirk.

"Altair," Harry huffed, hating her principles as well.

"Just stating facts, darling," Altair raised his hands in mock surrender. "But, you're right. These days we really have to watch how much we are pushing the limits."

Tom nodded. "Then, as much as I hate to say this, we should indeed return to the others now. I am a little too tempted."

While none of the triad looked too happy about it, they rejoined their very amused friends, staying silent for the majority of the evening, until they were challenged to a game of Dragon Land by the younger Snakes. Their momentary near-lapse experience was almost forgotten until it was time to go to bed, and the triad exchanged heated looks between them.

Looks that did not go unnoticed by their friends, who all tactfully kept their mouths shut.

########################################################################

Ophelia had never given much thought to what her Animagus form would be, but she was now fairly certain that it was likely to be a blood hound of sorts because she was smelling a plot, albeit a small one, that Harry was executing. Walburga, Druella and Ygraine knew it as well, but they had decided already it was not worth trying to dig up; they would find out sooner or later anyway. However, Ophelia could not help but be curious, especially when Saturday morning, Athenaïs was coming along to breakfast, insisting on going to Hogsmeade as well.

Never in her six years at Hogwarts had Ophelia seen a familiar on joining their witch or wizard to the local village. But Atty was, and that in itself made the Rowle heiress stop and think about why on Earth the Gargouille would want to visit the village apart from curiosity. Then of course there was the matter of Zacharias Rollins visiting. Maybe Atty wanted to meet him?

Though surprised, no one attempted to dissuade Atty from coming along. In fact, Caius Dolohov was – to the shock of Ophelia and a good few of the others – ecstatic, and insisted that Atty spend some time with him while everyone else would go to the shops or visit Kelpie's Hollow.

"Who are you and what the in the hell have you done to Caius Dolohov?" Mulciber demanded bluntly while War, who had joined them for breakfast since she was coming to Kelpie's Hollow too, rolled her eyes.

Dolohov rolled his eyes. "I have been studying with Atty quite a bit, and we're good friends. So I want to spend some time getting to know her better? Big deal!"

"How will you even know what she is saying?" Billy snorted.

"I think I will manage, Prewett," Dolohov responded coolly.

"I think you have hit your head during the night at some point," Artemis stated, shaking her head at him.

"Shut up, Potter," Dolohov advised as he sipped his tea.

"You're acting shiftier than normal, even for Snake standards," Artemis really did not know when to take a hint at times. The Imperius gold eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Why do I have a feeling you and Atty are up to no good, and somehow Harry is involved?"

"Me?" the Mistress of Death tried to look as innocent as she could manage. "What have I got to do with it?"

"Everything. I just don't know how yet," Artemis smirked. "I know you too well, dear-sister-who-should-have-been-my-twin-from-the-start-in-my-opinion."

Harry snorted at this, very nearly sending pumpkin juice flying out of her nose. This caused the rest of the group to snort as well, conveniently forgetting that Dolohov was still looking rather jumpy. Ophelia made a mental note to try and winkle the reason out of Harry later. Perhaps during a nice evening walk?

The Rowle heiress did make a point of keeping an eye on Dolohov and Atty all the way down to Hogsmeade village. Oddly enough, the Russian was discussing bilingualism and growing up with a dual-culture with the young stone dragon. Atty listened very attentively, sometimes howling or chirping mystically – Ophelia guessed she was asking questions – and Dolohov replied to these with explanations or stories from his childhood, oddly enough. All the other talk of Quidditch and Imbolc fell on deaf ears with Ophelia, who preferred to eavesdrop on Dolohov's personal anecdotes.

"I struggle with English sensibilities at times," Dolohov admitted. "I am more blunt, direct at times. I am also not very good at hiding my emotions but also not so good at talking about how I really feel. I sometimes feel like that is more a personal thing because of my parents, though."

Atty chirped sympathetically at that.

Ophelia found herself unable to keep the smile off her face. She never knew Caius Dolohov could have such a tender side to him, though perhaps that was the point. Dolohov could lower his barriers with Atty because the Gargouille was his friend, even though he had hated her at the beginning.

Both Harry and Atty have changed us for ever, Ophelia found herself thinking, and for the better.

The Rowle heiress had no idea how she knew this, but she was more than a little convinced of the thought. Ophelia knew that Harry's original timeline must have been bad, and she had a funny feeling that had been growing for a while now that at some point, they all had something to do with it.

Especially Tom.

Harry loved him deeply now, but in the beginning, Ophelia had seen the mistrust and downright hatred that her friend had for the Head Boy. Ophelia never thought much of it before – Merlin knew that she disliked Tom Riddle since the first year – but now that she knew Harry's Traveller status, she slowly began contemplating that there was perhaps a reason for it.

A very good reason for it. The issue was, Ophelia had no idea what it was, except the theory that he – and perhaps his Knights too – had somehow hurt her very deeply in the future. Considering Riddle's ruthless nature, Ophelia would not put it past him.

A hand taking hers knocked Ophelia's train of thought off its tracks.

"Everything all right, Ophelia? You are very quiet," Malum wanted to know, lowering his tone.

Ophelia smiled warmly and gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "I am fine, thank you. My mind was just wandering around, that's all."

"In any particular direction?" Malum inquired.

"Just that I cannot wait for the Imbolc madness to be over already," the excuse came quite quickly to her. It was true; Ophelia was getting rather tired of the same fuss every single year. "And that I am hoping people will just forget Valentine's Day and instead focus on the Quidditch finals."

"I was hoping to perhaps take you to Madam Paddifoot's for Valentine's," Malum flushed. "But if you would rather skip the idiotic holiday-"

"Just don't be cheesy," Ophelia grinned.

"Yes, ma'am," Malum grinned back.

Much to Ophelia's surprise, only Dolohov, Atty and Minerva stayed behind in Hogsmeade. Minerva had a good excuse – she was meeting with some friends of hers in Hufflepuff. Ophelia found herself in the same carriage as Harry, Altair, Tom, Malum, and Loreley, staring out of the window, watching Dolohov and Atty head to Scrivenshaft's.

"Something is definitely up with Caius," Malum stated bluntly, watching them as well.

"Perhaps, but it is hardly our concern," Tom answered crisply, though Ophelia did detect a knowing look in those strange eyes of his. "Caius can take care of himself."

"Taking a path into the unknown can lead to paths crossing," Loreley added whimsically.

Malum huffed. "Thank you, Malfoy. That was very helpful," his tone dripped with sarcasm.

"Perhaps he is meeting someone?" Ophelia found herself voicing.

Malum frowned. "Someone he doesn't want us to know about?" he paled. "I didn't even know Caius had his eyes on a girl!"

"It isn't exactly any business of ours," Harry answered silkily, a slight smirk on the edge of her lips. "Besides, I think this is more of a case of Caius just wanting to have some alone time and happening to want Atty to come along as well. He wasn't lying when he said they're friends now."

"Or maybe he is helping Atty try and find Melanie's brother?" Loreley pointed out with that annoying knowing look in her eyes.

"That could very likely be the case, yes," Harry concurred, her grin growing quite quickly. "Atty is very excited to meet Zach."

"Aren't you as well?" Malum wanted to know.

Harry smiled softly. "He is Melanie's brother – of course, I really want to meet him, but I get the distinct feeling that he is more excited about meeting me and being able to escape his parents for a while!"

Altair and Tom smirked a little at this point. Loreley too was trying not to giggle, and it made Ophelia want to frown. Something was definitely up.

Malum then turned and looked at Loreley. "Speaking of parents pocking their noses into their children's business, have your parents tried to arrange a match for you yet now that Abraxas is nearly officially off the market?"

"My father wishes to, but my mother is fighting him on the matter," Loreley, surprisingly, answered quite candidly. "She is attempting to convince him to allow me to go a similar route to Harry. He isn't taking it too well."

"Does he expect you to come home with a cobbler or something?" Altair snorted.

Harry looked affronted. "Altair, really! Cobblers can be nice people!"

"That is not what I am insinuating, darling!"

Harry gave him a pointed look. "So what if Loreley falls for a cobbler? It is not anyone's business, but hers."

"It would be all over the Court of Britain and not in a good way," Tom pointed out.

"Well then I will enjoy watching the whole of magical Britain faint," Harry decided. "Maybe it will teach people to mind their own bloody business?"

Her friends snorted at that, even Loreley lost her composure. "Of course you would!" Malum laughed heartily. "Up-ending everything is what Lady Hera Peverell does best."

"It is not my fault Brits are so easy to scandalise," Harry smirked.

Fortunately, for the rest of the journey to Kelpie's Hollow, the conversation drifted from topics from Harry's last History assignment of the Revision Club to Tom admitting he wanted to crank his own lessons up a notch to Malum venting about some of the stupid mistakes the Slytherin team had made during their last practise. It gave Ophelia a moment to ponder Dolohov's strange behaviour once more.

Being in love would explain a lot of things. The issue was, nothing escaped the notice of the two hundred-three hundred odd pupils at Hogwarts. If Dolohov had his eye on a girl, it would have been spread around within a week. Yet, Ophelia had never heard a single rumour about Dolohov wanting to court a girl. It was already news when he even asked a girl out to the Yule Ball two years ago!

Something wasn't right here.

Unsurprisingly, Kelpie's Hollow was already being decorated for Imbolc. Banners of lilac, yellow, orange, green and pink were being hung from most of the windows. Brighid's cross was being hung over many doorways, and there were children working on the Brídeóg, a representation of the goddess that would be paraded around the community. This one was made of reeds, and clad with a green cloth dress and her head decorated by shells and flowers.

For lunch, the group split up. Harry, Altair and Tom went to their favourite café, much to Ophelia's relief. She and Malum went to sample the fish and chips at the market, which was still one of the best fish and chips Ophelia had ever tasted. After lunch, the group met up again, only for the boys – save Orion – to distract Abraxas while the girls and Orion went to help Ygraine find a good courting gift for him.

"What do you even get the guy who can afford everything he wants?" Artemis had huffed as soon as they had begun their search.

"Has to be something down right special," War agreed begrudingly.

"I thought about perhaps taking a leaf out of Harry's book," Ygraine admitted. "Create a locket that he can only open once he has solved a riddle."

"Oooo that's romantic!" Orion immediately gave his approval.

"Sounds like a very good idea indeed," Loreley stated approvingly, which made Ygraine sigh in relief.

"First we went box hunting, now it is locket hunting," Druella grumbled. "Well, ladies and gent, we might as well get to it!"

"Though it cannot be any old tat," Walburga added.

"Yes, yes, Wally, we get it," Ophelia chuckled. "Let's divide and conquer!"

They scoured the market for over half an hour, going from stall to stall, keeping an eye out for anything that look remotely interesting. Nada, zilch – nothing! The group made a second round to make sure, and still they couldn't find anything that was fitting for Abraxas. Not even Harry and Loreley had gotten one of their funny feelings.

"This is bloody ridiculous!" War was the first to complain after the second round. "Surely we must have found something by now!"

"It seems we have to work for this one," Artemis agreed grumpily. "Bloody Fates are annoying."

"Agreed," Harry concurred easily.

Orion was one of the few keeping his spirits up. "Well, if it isn't here, then we will just have to search somewhere else! These things cannot be hurried, as you well know-"

"Harry! Orion!"

The group turned around and Harry and Orion were very nearly bulldozed down by a very enthusiastic young Clare, who had come barrelling towards them with her poor mother in hot pursuit. Both mother and daughter were carrying shopping bags, which made the sight even more amusing.

"Clare! How many times do I have to say not to do that?" Niamh called after her.

Clare ignored her mother and beamed up at her two friends, who were embracing her back. "Where are Tom and Altair?" she asked eagerly.

"They are here," Harry reassured. "We are just helping a friend buy a present for a special someone."

Clare lit up. "What are you looking for?"

"Clare, that is none of our business," Niamh hissed.

"It is perfectly all right," Ygraine reassured. She then turned to the child. "I want to create something special for the young man I have been matched with; preferably a locket."

For a moment the young girl frowned thoughtfully.

"Oh. Did you check the shop with all the interesting old stuff in it?" Clare asked seriously.

"Shop with all the interesting old stuff?" War repeated incredulously.

"Yes," Clare stated matter-of-factly. "The bùth àrsaidh belonging to Mr. Malcolm."

"We need to learn Scots Gaelic," Druella commented with a frown.

"The what?" Walburga asked with a frown.

"Antique store," Niamh translated with a small smile. "It is actually quite hidden. I am actually on my break; would you like me to show you where it is?"

The group lit up, as did Clare. "That would be wonderful. Thank you," Ygraine answered sincerely.

Ophelia once more took the opportunity to observe her friends and the mother and daughter with whom Harry and Orion were clearly close too. Loreley too, judging how the bookshop owner was in deep conversation with the Malfoy Seeress. Of course, she had heard about Niamh and Clare, but Ophelia had not spoken to them herself. She really had no reason to. But seeing how young Clare treated Harry and Orion like older siblings, it was genuinely something Ophelia was glad she got to see.

The antique shop was indeed tucked away in one of the residential streets. Ophelia knew she and her friends would have walked past it had they tried to find it on their own. The shop was so small, like so many others, that only up to four people could actually be in it, save for Mr. Malcolm. Ygraine, Loreley, Harry and Druella went in, leaving their friends to wait outside with Niamh and Clare.

Ophelia, though, could not help but see if she could see what Ygraine was planning on buying through the front window, but there were too many objects in her way to get a good look in.

"Abraxas had better show some bloody gratitude for this," Artemis commented as she wrapped her cloak closer to her as the wind picked up slightly.

"Abraxas Malfoy isn't that well acquainted with gratitude," Orion pointed out easily.

"I think in this case he will be a bit more inclined, dear," Walburga put in.

"I agree, unless he wants his hair to be turned into some ugly shade of purple by Harry," Ophelia chuckled.

"Abraxas is Yg-raine's gràidh?" Clare asked curiously.

"The word means 'beloved'," Niamh immediately supplied.

The friends exchanged a look.

"Ygraine and Abraxas's match isn't one like Harry's or mine, Clare," Artemis readily admitted with a wry smile. "It is more one of convenience."

This made Clare frown. "They do not love each other?"

"No," Walburga confessed. She then smiled. "They could perhaps love each other in the future. It has been known to happen in arranged marriages."

"Ophelia's match is one of both love and convenience," Orion felt the need to point out, much to the Rowle heiress's embarrassment.

Clare's curious eyes turned on her at this point. Ophelia cleared her throat. "Yes, I suppose I am rather lucky in that regard."

"Why does it matter?" Clare really could not understand it. "Màthair agus Athair would never have married if there had been no love."

Niamh flushed a little at this.

"Old families have old traditions," Artemis replied simply. "I am fortunate mine are not as stuffy and the Lestranges see nothing to object in my family's name and standing in society. Had they seen something to object, I doubt they would have approved of my courting Heron."

Clare huffed in disbelief, looking quite serious as she shook her head. Before she could say anything else, the door of the antique shop opened and Ygraine, Harry, Loreley and Druella emerged, all of them looking very pleased.

"Mission accomplished!" Harry announced happily.

"Finally," Druella huffed.

"Oh, shush. You enjoyed yourself," Loreley teased.

"What did you get?" Orion asked Ygraine eagerly.

"Found a good locket; I will show you later," Ygraine promised.

"So, I take it we can head back now before the other boys come looking for us?" Walburga stated with an amused look.

"Oh," Clare deflated a little in disappointment.

"Actually," Artemis spoke up with a grin, "I was rather hoping we could catch a quick glimpse of Mr. and Mrs. Ogden's old house. You know, see what can and should be done with it."

Harry, Orion and Loreley were very quick to nod in agreement.

"I still cannot believe the groundskeeper left you four a bloody house," Druella snorted.

"Wait … Ogden?" Niamh frowned.

Clare lit up again. "The Taigh nan Draoidhean? You own it now?!"

"The Druid House," Niamh translated when she once more saw the utterly confused expressions on the young students' faces. "That is what it is known as here in Kelpie's Hollow."

"Why?" Ophelia asked curiously.

"Because it guards a sacred grove," Clare explained. "Or at least, that is the local legend. Màthair and I used to make stories up about it. We will show you!"

There were no objections. In fact, Ophelia was rather glad they had made this extra trip. This Druid House was like something out of a fairy tale. The building was an amalgamation of different building styles from various different ages. It also looked deceptively small. It was situated on the outskirts of the village, which only added to its mystique. Ophelia could only imagine what it looked like when it was foggy or misty. No wonder it had its own name; she could practically feel the magic vibrate off the place. Not to mention the grove of trees. Some looked old and gnarled while others looked young and vibrant. A few of the trees, mostly the willows, had white trunks, oddly enough. In the background, the group could hear the whinnying of the kelpies in the lake.

"Mother of Hekate, what in the hell are we supposed to do with that?!" Artemis exclaimed, eyes bugging out of her sockets.

"Yes, this is not a decision we can rush," Orion was paler than normal.

"A place of convergence cannot simply be allowed to fall into the hands of just anyone," Loreley agreed whimsically.

"Agreed," Harry concurred quietly, gaze fixed unblinkingly on the house.

"The grove needs guarding; the Draoidhean who lived there are all gone," Clare stated matter-of-factly. "Perhaps you should turn it into a holiday house of sorts?"

"What, for all four of us?" Artemis sounded incredulous. "I doubt it could fit us and all of our friends and family as well."

"For a witch, you have a lot of doubt," the child stated bluntly, causing her mother and her friends to chuckle heartily. Artemis, for once, seemed to be lost for words. Clare grinned. "Just turn it into something nice. You will see I am right."

"Clare," her mother stated in a warning tone.

The Druid House was still in Ophelia's mind during their journey back to meet with the boys, and even all the way back to Hogsmeade. She had never felt a single grove radiate that much power. It soon became clear to her that perhaps Maggie Ogden and her family had not just been any old kind of Druid. That grove was beyond sacred – Ophelia had a funny feeling that there was more to it than met the eye. That feeling was shared by Harry, Artemis, Orion and Loreley; she could see it in their eyes.

Fortunately, it didn't seem like anyone else noticed because the conversations were mostly centred on Malum and Felix very nearly insulting one of the Scottish witches running the kilt stall on the market with War having to save them from her and Tom and Altair forcing Abraxas into the toy store and watching him play a magical card game with three seven-year-olds. Unsurprisingly, it diverted many in the group from prying into the business of Ygraine, Harry, Orion, Artemis and Loreley.

And something distracted the group yet further once they reached Hogsmeade. Much to all of their surprise, they were met by Minerva, the Prewetts and the Weasleys, all of whom were practically vibrating with excitement and disbelief.

"All, right everyone-"

"-hold onto your hats-"

"-your cloaks-"

"-your scarves-"

"-and your sanity, because-"

"-we just saw-"

"-Dolohov and Athenaïs-"

"-talk to this stranger-"

"-a talk, dark handsome stranger!" the Weasleys finished dramatically.

Tessa rolled her eyes at their antics. "Oh stop it you two! You're acting worse than the characters in those Jane Austen books of Orion's."

"But, sis, we have no idea who he is and they looked like they were on a date!" Billy commented.

"Billy!" Ignatius scolded lightly.

"What? They looked cosy!" Billy protested.

"That does not mean it is a date!"

Ophelia noticed Harry lighting up. "Wait … where were they?" she asked immediately.

"Three Broomsticks!" the Weasleys were all too happy to supply.

Harry took off quite quickly, her friends hurrying as fast as they could manage after her. Issue was, the Lady Peverell had quite the pace and it was quite difficult to keep up with her.

"Harry, slow down!" Malum begged.

"You're killing us here!" Mulciber added.

"Harry, I want to still be able to breathe!" Artemis put in.

None of these protests slowed Harry a jot. In fact, she only slowed down a little once she reached the Three Broomsticks, which allowed her friends a moment to catch their breath and clutch their sides. They all recovered in time to see Harry approach Dolohov and Atty – the Gargouille giving their presence away – who were engaged in conversation with a young man who Ophelia admitted was devilishly handsome. He was dressed entirely in black with dirty blonde hair and dark, piercing eyes.

As soon as Harry approached, the eyes of all three people turned to her and this stranger was up on his feet in seconds.

"Hera! We meet at last. I have been hearing much about you from Melanie!" the guy beamed as he drew Harry into a warm hug, Harry returning the embrace very quickly.

"Zacharias! I am sorry that you had to wait so long," Harry apologised sincerely as a few students from Hogwarts started to gossip around them.

"Oh nonsense, and call me Zach. We are practically family after all," amusement danced in those dark eyes at this point. Zacharias Rollins turned back to look at Dolohov and Atty. "Your delightful friends were very kind to keep me entertained. I must say, I have heard much about Athenaïs from Melanie but I never thought a familiar could be so intelligent."

Atty preened at this point.

Harry grinned and then turned back to the group. "Everyone, this is Zach Rollins, Melanie's brother. Zach, my friends and family."

Zacharias bowed his head formally. "It's a pleasure."

"The pleasure is ours, sir," Altair stated sincerely.

"Sir! Good grief, you really are a formal bunch, aren't you? Melanie wasn't kidding," Zacharias huffed. "Just call me Zacharias, if Zach is too informal. 'Sir' makes me feel old."

"You are old," Harry quipped easily.

"So Caius was right. You do have quite the cheek!" Zacharias guffawed.

"Melanie wasn't exaggerating," Harry shrugged. She then turned to Dolohov with a mock-scowl. "Been gossiping about me, Caius? Et tu!"

Caius smirked. "He asked, I supplied."

"I will remember this betrayal!" Harry answered dramatically.

"Drama queen."

"Absolutely."

Zacharias laughed heartily. "Oh yes I am very glad I made the journey to Scotland now. Shall we get a bigger table, though, because I highly doubt we all fit around this tiny table?"

"Oooo the table in the back is still free!" Orion pointed out happily.

"Then let us take it before someone beats us to it."

As the group headed to the back, Ophelia took a moment to observe the stranger. Mr. Rollins and Harry were quite warm with each other – that wasn't too surprising considering their connections – but what took her off guard, was his friendliness to Dolohov and more importantly, the Russian's friendliness to him. Dolohov was laughing along with Mr. Rollins! Ophelia could count on one hand how many times she had seen the Russian smile, let alone laugh.

Another thing that she noticed?

Arcturus Rosier glaring daggers at Zacharias Rollins for the rest of the afternoon. It was perhaps this that sealed into Ophelia's mind that something was really rather amiss.

###########################################################################

Orion: HOLY HEKATE-

Gellert: You knew this was coming! How are you this excited?!

Harry: You're asking this question after sixty-four chapters? Really?

Tom: You really should know better, Gellert…

Gellert: I do know better, thank you, Tom!

I take it I will not be permitted to do an outro again?

Queenie: Does not seem like it, Umbreon. Oh by the way, tell your readers a little about your new job!

Ah yes I have a new job, one with a little bit more stability. It is full time which means my schedule shifts a little. But it shouldn't be too drastic – not like the other job. That one really did not suit me. Too hectic.

Orion: I CANNOT WAIT FOR IMBOLC NOW!

Oh dear … See you in the next one guys!

Kingmaker'sUmbreon