A/N: I churned this sucker out and I have to say I'm proud of it. Enjoy my lovely readers!

Year 8

Summer, 1998

Thick mud squelched, boots dragging into the soaked dirt with every step. It was pure relentless unforgiving sludge-Arah panted with exertion at the effort it took to fight against it. They had been at it for hours, trudging through the Forbidden Forest in search of the rare plant, Foxglove. Olivia had told them exactly what to look for; someplace acidic, moist, organic decomposition of the soil- likely a glade or meadow. Not vague at all. It was as easy as finding a needle in a haystack.

Arah grunted, nearly losing a boot as she tugged against the sucking earth. She looked ahead as Callum strolled effortlessly, hands shoved in his pockets as if he were bored. He made everything look so easy. Arah huffed, blowing the damp silver hair out of her face as she continued on, frustration swelling slowly like a boiling cauldron.

She was tired. Tired of the mud, tired of the rain, tired of searching, tired of unanswered questions, tired of lying to her friends. Merlin, she wished she could tell them everything. With each lie, the guilt felt heavier and heavier, weighing her down- sinking her deeper and deeper into this muck. The look on Barnaby's face was absolute disappointment when she lied to him. It gutted her to look in the eyes of each of her friends and destroy their trust over and over and over. Dishonesty was the ultimate betrayal- one of her own doing.

"How do you do it?" She blurted, realizing she had spoken the words aloud.

"Do what?" Callum craned his neck, not quite facing her.

"Lie to everyone you know and love about what it is we do."

Callum shrugged, trudging forward. "Easy. Don't tell the truth."

"Easy?" Arah echoed, a hollow laugh escaping her. "Does the guilt and shame not bother you?"

Callum froze, "If you can't learn to lie, then maybe you need to distance yourself from your friends." he said coldly.

"Is that what you did? Pushed everyone away until you had no one left to lie to?" Arah retorted. No wonder he was grim all the time.

Callum spun around, a harshness cut in his sharp features pushing Arah back a step. "No one said this job was easy. I know you're young and naive, but I didn't take you as someone who was so - so soft." He patronized, "This is the real world, Arah. You're not at Hogwarts anymore, so toughen up. You have to look out for yourself. It's not all Puffskeins and rainbows anymore."

Puffskeins and rainbows? Is that what he thought her life had been? As long as she could remember, it had been an uphill battle. Anger spiked within her, radiating up her neck and into her cheeks. How dare he. How dare he call her weak. The egotistical asshole had no right. Arah had faced curse after curse, stood against a dragon, watched her best friend die before her very eyes, then faced her father and an evil cabal, only to lose him too. Yet here she stood, standing tall on her own two feet, strong and unwavering.

"You don't know shit about me." Arah spat, stepping forward with a pointed finger.

"I know you're stubborn! And impulsive. And a bloody thorn in my hide!"

Fuck him.

Arah stormed ahead, ramming her shoulder against his angrily. What she really wanted to do was march right up to his stupid face and kick him straight in the bloody balls. That would show him- the cocky wanker.

Light drops of rain sizzled on her skin, doing little to cool the red-hot rage she felt broiling in her veins.

"You want to know how I do it?" his voice cut through the fog that hung low, "You lean on your teammates. That's how you survive it."

"How can I when I hardly even know you, Callum." Arah turned, cursing the way her eyes burned. "Outside of work- you're as good as a stranger to me. So don't act like you have me all figured out because you don't. You know nothing about me or what I've been through." her voice broke, jaw clenched to keep back the angry wave of tears that threatened to spill.

Callum blinked, raindrops trailing down his pointed nose.

"I've seen what the ROCC does to people who don't know how to keep their mouths shut." His voice softened, matching the soft lull of raindrops falling around them. "It's not pretty, alright? So next time you think about letting it slip, don't."

The next hour was spent in a tense silence as the rain stilled, leaving behind a thin veil of mist that clung to the air. Tired of battling the muck, Arah abandoned her fumbling legs, spreading feathered wings wide and transforming into her Animagus form, grateful to trade the claustrophobic forest for the wide open sky. At least up here, she wouldn't have to speak to the asshat.

A heaviness lifted as she soared above the blanket of green stretching wide across the rolling plains of the Scottish Highlands. As treacherous as the Forbidden Forest was, there was an ancient beauty about it as she flew above towering trees, all while scanning the forest floor for the delicate flower- careful not to stray too far from Callum.

A loud whistle pierced the air as Arah dove under the canopy of leaves, spotting her partner crouched low on the forest floor. Dropping her Animagus form, she leaned over Callum to see the familiar purple bell-shaped petals of the Foxglove plant. Her heart skittered with excitement.

'Foxglove bells ring tolls of lore,
where there's one, there's always more.'

Arah muttered the poem Olivia had shared with them earlier, sweeping the area for other signs of the rare flower.

"There." she pointed ahead at another small cluster of the poisonous plant.

They trudged silently, following the sporadic trail of Foxglove. Arah ignored the flittering glances Callum would shoot her- combing a nervous hand through dark damp hair. She focused intently on the path ahead, the trees beginning to thin as they trekked into a large clearing.

It was breathtaking. Hundreds of Foxglove flowers surrounded them, a choir of frogs and crickets singing peacefully through the meadow. A quaint little cabin set in the midst, the sun peaking its rays through the clouds as its light reflected on the deep plum petals. A flock of vibrant Jobberknolls flittered above them, setting the scene like a picture book- almost eerily so. It was like those muggle stories Arah heard of- the evil hag that lived in the woods, luring innocent children to eat them whole.

"Look at this place," Callum breathed, dark eyes admiring the hidden sanctuary. "This has to be it."

They crouched, squatting behind a large downed tree- the trunk nearly as wide as she was tall. "Fly ahead and see if anyone's home. Do not engage under any circumstance. Understood?"

"Understood." Arah nodded curtly, transforming again into a pure snow-white hawk.

The sky was beginning to darken- it wouldn't be long before the sun would set below the horizon. Arah perched on a branch that hung over the humble home. It was quiet... empty, yet not abandoned. A basket filled with medicinal herbs and mushrooms sat by the door, footprints littered the dirt around the home. - not completely washed out by the rain. The back window sat ajar as Arah fluttered to the opening, peering inside. An unmade bed sat in the corner, the fireplace sprinkled with embers glowing red through blackened wood and ash, a mortar and pestle filled with a thick substance sat at the table. Whoever lived here would be back soon enough.

Arah returned to their hiding spot, transforming back and reporting to Callum her findings. It was agreed, they would stake out the area and see if anyone would return. Arah settled in, ready for a long awkward night.

It was nearly pitch black, the sliver of moon blotted out by thick clouds above. The two lay in wait, watching the cabin cautiously- shadows shifting as time passed.

They had hardly spoken a word to each other- only when necessary for the sake of the mission at hand. Even then, it was pointed and painfully short. Arah's icy front was fortified and strong, determined to give him the cold shoulder the rest of the night - maybe even longer if she had to.

Callum kept watch on the cabin while Arah scanned the trees behind them in case their visitor decided to sneak up on them. Every skittering creature or snapping twig put her on edge, eyes darting frantically into the darkness - shadows shifting at the corner of her vision. For a brave and fearless Gryffindor, Arah never did like the dark. Shadows played with her over-active imagination, dreaming up monsters and evil lurking just beneath the cover of night. Jacob had always been there to chase them away when she was a little girl- but even now in her adulthood, it still made her uneasy. Arah hugged her knees to her chest, fighting back a shudder.

"I have two sisters." Callum's husky voice cut through the stillness, startling Arah after spending so long in unspoken silence. "Catriona and Cameron. They mean the world to me. I'm allergic to Kneazles, I know every word to Celestina Warbeck's 'A Cauldron Full of Hot Strong Love' , I hate the smell of broom polish, and... I can be a downright prick sometimes. My sisters remind me of that often, they say I should try and be nicer."

Callum met her gaze, his eyes soft and kind.

"I owe you an apology, Arah. I should never have said those things back there. You were right about me- about everything. I was being a defensive ass. But I meant what I said - you can lean on me."

A smile tugged at her lips as she peered back into the dark woods- the wall of ice beginning to thaw. "Every word?" She challenged, lifting a sliver brow in his direction.

"Every. Damn. Word." He admitted.

"Hmph." Arah chuffed, impressed by what most would consider a rather embarrassing confession.

"Oh, come and stir my cauldron..." she sang softly, glancing at him as his mouth quirked into a crooked grin.

"And if you do it right, I'll boil you up some hot, strong love to keep you warm tonight." He sang passionately, voice high and strained to mimic the famed singer's vocals. Arah snorted back a laugh- equally entertained that he could manage to sing such a belty song under a whisper. He sounded like a hissing tea kettle.

"I've got a cauldron full of hot strong love, it's a recipe so rare..." He continued, his voice squeaking at the high parts like a drunken rat.

"There's no potion or elixir that could ever quite compare." Arah joined him at the last line, both breaking into a wave of strained laughter that faded into the sound of the quiet night.

Arah smirked, appreciating this vulnerable and slightly goofy side of Callum she'd never seen before. Perhaps there was more to him than some order-giving, temperamental, moody young man.

"I once tagged the Giant Squid on a dare," Arah spoke, leaning her head against the moist bark of the tree- feeling Callum's gaze on her skin. "I hate lilies - they remind me of funerals. I think Thestrals are beautifully misunderstood creatures. I only eat the Pumpkin flavor Bertie Bott's jelly beans, I personally love the smell of broom polish, and... I guess I can be a little stubborn and impulsive at times. " She smiled meekly, glancing at him.

"Wow." Callum's eyebrows rose, disappearing behind the slab of dark hair that covered his forehead. "Pumpkin flavor?" his face twisted in disgust, "That is the actual worst one."

"You mean best." she corrected.

Callum shook his head in disapproval. "Who even are you?"

"Arah Annon. Pleasure." she stuck out her hand, the corners of her lips revealing slight dimples.

Callum's eyes dropped to her outstretched hand, his teeth flashing in the night. "Callum McClintock. Likewise." he grasped hers, shaking it formally.

The icy resentment Arah had clung to so stubbornly melted away as he offered that warm smile- hand still clasped in hers.

"Psst. Wake up."

A sharp elbow nudged her ribs. Arah groaned in protest- wiping a smatter of drool that spilled from the corner of her lip.

A hand grasped her shoulder, shaking urgently as she teetered on the edge of groggy awareness and deep sleep. It was dark and damp. A heaviness draped over her. Arah glanced down to see Callum's jacket covering her. A warmth rushed to her cheeks at the thoughtfulness of it.

"Someone's here." he roused, pointing toward the cabin's direction.

Arah sat up straight- a flood of adrenaline jolting her awake as she peered over the trunk. The sky had cleared, the silver moon casting a pale glow on the robed figure as they strode through the glade, hood pulled up protectively, concealing any sign of their identity.

"That has to be them, right?" Arah breathed, heart thumping wildly. They were so close to justice- she could almost taste its sweetness. This was ending tonight- for Ruby.

"Aye." Callum nodded seriously, "Let's get closer. Be ready for anything and be care-"

A roar lit up the night in an orange glow- shadows dissipating as a large ball of fire hurled right toward them. Arah dove out of the way, praying Callum did the same as the trunk splintered and erupted in a spray of shrapnel and embers. The heat was so fierce, Arah was sure it had singed her robes. Heart lodged in her throat, Arah scrambled across the slick forest floor, hiding behind a thick tree for cover. The pulse in her neck was pounding, gripping her wand with such force, her nails embedded in her palm. She glanced over to Callum pressed against the tree opposite of her - the trunk they had once hidden behind now lay completely scorched between them.

They shared a wild glimpse, chest heaving as the night lit up again in a fiery glow. Arah flinched as a nearby tree was doused in flames- the warmth burning her cheeks. Chancing a glance, Arah peered around the bark to see the hooded figure standing on the edge of the forest, posed and ready to fight.

Dying flames licked the burning bark, casting Callum in a dull glow. He motioned intently to her, tapping his temple repeatedly. Listen. He mouthed, desperately.

Listen? Listen to what?! The sounds of their soon-to-be fiery death? The same one Ruby had fallen victim to? Alarm tightened her chest, confusion muddling the stream of hysteric thoughts that filled her mind, yet he remained calm- repeating the gesture to his temple. Listen.

Listen... What could he mean? Understanding dawned on her- Callum wanted her to read his thoughts. Arah took a deep breath, stilling her mind amidst the chaos, reaching out to the warm threads of his consciousness, connecting them with hers.

If you can understand me, nod your head.

Arah nodded, trying to slow her beating heart.

Good. I'm going to distract them. When I do, take advantage and restrain them as soon as you can.

Bad plan. It was much too dangerous. This was the wizard that killed Ruby- a clearly skilled one at that. Arah shook her head in protest- fearful for what might happen to him. Callum gave a reassuring nod, holding up three fingers...

Salazar's saggy left sack, he never listens.

Two fingers...

The arrogant bastard was going to get himself killed.

One.

Fuck it.

Callum jumped out, hurling a spell toward the cloaked figure as they quickly deflected it, casting another deadly attack his way. Arah ran out, flicking her wand as a coil of ropes slithered from the tip- shooting toward the dark wizard, but they were too quick. Flames erupted from the tip of their wand, burning away the restraints before they ever had a chance of reaching them - leaving only ash in its wake.

Callum pressed forward, preparing another hex- but the figure flung a mysterious-looking potion his way- untold dangers sloshed in the fragile vile.

"Callum!" Arah warned as her partner quickly froze the glass mid-air, leaving him vulnerable. The Wizard was already mid-cast as Arah shot out a spell.

Stupefy!

Time slowed as Arah watched the purple hex ebb from her wand, barreling toward the target, but she was too late. A ray of red sparks had erupted from the cloaked figure, shooting into Callum's chest with such force that it launched him backward- his body disappearing into the darkness of the woods with a faint grunt.

The light from Arah's wand slammed into the figure's side, sending them tumbling fiercely across the meadow, landing in the tall grass, crumpled in a heap.

For a brief moment, Arah debated running into the woods to find Callum, but she stood her ground- pointing a trembling wand toward the limp figure. With every step, her heart slammed against her rib cage- ready to attack at the subtlest of movement.

A crack resounded beneath her boot as Arah glanced down to see the enemy's wand snapped in two, barely making out the ebony wood with familiar slanted ridges that spiraled halfway down its length. A wand Arah had seen nearly every day in the hands of her former partner. Breath hitched in her throat as her eyes darted to the figure stirring- shockingly familiar red hair spilling from the cloak. It couldn't be.

"No." Arah shook. The witch sat up, hooding falling away to reveal a very alive Ruby Honeysuckle. "That's impossible."

Green eyes peered back at her, wide and fearful. Arah gasped, taking a step back from the friend she believed to be dead. It had to be a trick - a cruel joke to mess with her head. It had to be.

"Ruby is supposed to be dead." she gritted, pointing a wand at the imposter. "Who are you," she demanded.

"Wait- please, I can explain." she pleaded with that signature sweet southern drawl bringing on another crushing wave of grief. Arah swallowed back the lump in her throat, blinking back tears that welled up in her eyes.

"Don't." Arah choked, lips trembling. "My partner died eight months ago."

"Arah- I'm so so sorry..." Ruby's voice broke as she looked away with such anguish, freckled cheeks damp with shame.

Arah wouldn't believe it- couldn't. "Tell me something only I would know."

Ruby's eyes darted frantically as gears turned. "You... you smuggled a Dragon from Hogwarts earlier this year."

Arah stiffened, shocked at the personal admission. Ruby was the only person who knew that. Comprehension washed over her as hot tears rolled down her face. It was her. It was really her.

"Ruby?"

"It's me." She whimpered, her face filled with such tangible sadness that Arah could almost feel it seep into her own.

She wanted to drop to her knees and embrace the friend she had thought she lost so long ago. But then she remembered Callum. The forgeries. The lies and deceit. Anger and betrayal surged through her as she clenched her jaw tightly, wand pointing directly at her- relentless. "Explain. Now."

The sky started to pale, twinkling stars fighting against the promise of dawn morning would soon bring. Birds fluttered awake, singing soft melodies, oblivious to the chaos that had erupted in the dead of night. ROCC agents poured in and out of the cabin, investigating the scene for any other clues or dangers they might have missed.

Arah was spent. Emotionally and mentally shot.

A shaky sigh escaped her as she watched agents restrain Ruby, preparing to transfer her to a special holding cell for further questioning. The smell of licorice and after-shave drifted into her nostrils as someone brushed her side. She didn't even have to look to know it was Crescent Flump.

"How is he?" Arah asked, turning to see Callum swat away a healer's hand. A deep gash ran across his forehead and his shirt had been singed- leaving his skin blackened in the center. They were arguing- Callum likely convincing them he was fine. The corner of her lips twitched. And he thought she was stubborn?

"By the looks of it, I'm more worried for the healers than him." Flump chortled, tossing a handful of Jelly Slugs into his mouth. Arah sniffed, too exhausted to laugh.

Flump studied Ruby from afar, a troubled look shadowed his droopy eyes. "Seems like we've got a miracle on our hands... and a suspect."

Ruby hung her head low and dejected- sniffling back tears as they bound her hands and feet. A hollowness filled Arah's chest- stomach twisting with sadness as they prepared to whisk her old friend away.

"What all did she tell you?"

Flump's expression remained emotionless and unreadable. "Same as you. A love story. A heartbreaking one at that."

Arah shook her head- searching hard to find any empathy in her soul to give. Some time ago, she might have found it. But years of heartache, loss, and betrayal have hardened her - forming an unpenetrable shield around her heart. Perhaps it was cruel to feel such resentment toward the girl she had once called a friend, even if Ruby's biggest crime was falling in love with the wrong person.

A criminal by the name of Eris Foxglove. They met shortly after Ruby moved to London. It was love at first sight for Ruby- she was enamored by the enticing free-spirited young woman. But not Eris. The only person Eris knew how to love was herself. That, and the idea of being loved.

Ruby had known the Forgery case was her girlfriend all along- pulling the strings like a puppet master. Ruby was blinded by love to not see her own strings attached to her heart. So when Arah had gotten close to the trail, Ruby panicked and did the unthinkable. In an attempt to cover their tracks and throw Arah off the case, Ruby decided to fake her death in the Art Gallery incident.

Even then, it wasn't enough to make amends with Eris. Ruby had fulfilled her use. Eris left her anyway- leaving Ruby behind with no one to turn to. Unsure of where to go next, Ruby fled to the abandoned cabin where they used to gather Foxglove- hoping to work out a plan to make up for her wrongdoings.

Ruby made a mistake. One that cost her life in a sense, but that didn't excuse the lies- the hurt. They grieved for her. Old wounds ripped open that Arah had hoped to move past. Not to mention the way she had attacked them tonight- the way she hurt Callum.

"What do you think we should do with her, agent?" Flump eyed her curiously.

Arah sighed, dragging feeble hands down her exhausted face. "I don't know." she answered honestly. "What she did was inexcusable- despicable."

Flump nodded in agreement. "We will determine an appropriate course of action after further questioning. However, I do know she is taking steps in the right direction. Take this for starters-" He handed her a finely crafted and lacquered quill- the feather pointed and stiff, belonging to a Thunderbird. The Cursed Quill- the one they had worked so hard to chase down all these months. "Congratulations on solving your first major case, Agent."

Arah gave a thin smile, twirling the quill in her hands. Such a simple fickle thing that caused such chaos and destruction. She expected to feel much more joy after solving a case that took her nearly a year to resolve. Instead, she only felt an emptiness.

"Thank you, sir."

"For what it's worth, I'm proud of you, Arah." Flump gave her a pat on the shoulder, "We are lucky to have you on this team."

Arah's mouth hung agape as Flump walked off, joining Ruby and the other ROCC agents. Shocked at the incredibly rare compliment Flump had given. It might have been more fulfilling than finding the actual quill- keyword might.

Callum approached, the gash on his forehead now patched up and an arm hung limply in a makeshift sling. A cigarette hung limply from his mouth as he brought up his wand- the tip glowing with a small flame. He sucked in, the embers glowing hot as he inhaled- eyes shut in bliss as the smoke escaped his lips.

They watched in silence as Flump apparated with Ruby- disappearing with a loud crack. Even so, they stood there a while longer- eyes lingering on the spot their old friend had stood just moments ago. Arah's vision prickled with tears- unable to shake the emotions that flooded her.

The smell of cloves wafted toward her as Callum offered the half-lit fag. Arah reluctantly accepted, bringing the cigarette to her lips as Callum had done a thousand times before. Hot smoke enveloped her, coaxing her lungs and easing the pain momentarily before her throat spasmed -choking and sputtering out a cough.

A hand rubbed her back in gentle circles as she cleared her throat- dry and burnt.

"You'll be alright." he gave a tired chuckle, eyes dark and humorless.

Arah nodded, vision blurring, feeling the last of her resolve crumbling as she choked back a sob, covering her face to quiet her weeping.

Fingers brushed her own as Callum swiped the cigarette from her hands and tossed it carelessly to the side. An arm slung around her, bringing her close as she leaned against him, tears soaking his tattered shirt.

You can lean on me.

She would and she did. He held her until the sun peaked through the trees, dappling them in golden light.

A/N: This was the final chapter to Year 8. I am dying to hear... who is team Barnaby and who is team Callum? Annnnd go!