Ugg sorry for the long wait y'all. My old computer basically committed suicide (I mean, it was 9 years old, far past its time) so I had to wait until my bday to get my shiny new computer. It's so fast and lasts so much longer and my GOD I'm not sure how I waited so long for this guy? But point is, I'm back! And we have a really good chapter, that will be followed up by an AMAZING chapter, literally the one that I'm so excited to post!

So, thanks to alls ya who give me reviews: Boris Yetlsin, Skyrider45, Guest, top story, ButtonMashr, Guest

Guest: Thank you!

Guest: Yes, Juggie is literally inches away from touching the magical barrier, metaphorically! It won't be long now hehe

Guest: Die no more! New chapter has arrived!

Song for this chapter is Everyday is Halloween by Ministry!

"Attempting to burn down Riverdale Elementary school," Keller read off the sheet, looking up at Jughead who sat, stony-faced in the chair across from him. Jughead locked his jaw. There had been nothing more embarrassing than being hauled out in front of the school by Kevin's dad, Sheriff or not. It was like he was trying to make a statement, though Jughead didn't know what.

"I was playing with matches. That's a pretty tenuous connection for a Sheriff," Jughead replied in a cool tone. This whole thing was reductions, "And really, you think I knocked myself out to get you off the trail? I'm not that committed to anything in life but food."

"We're just exploring all avenues, Jughead."

"Will you be talking to Sweet Pea next? He's a criminal too and probably a better scapegoat than I am." Jughead couldn't help but snark, "If you're going to ignore both of our near death experiences."

"Now, son-,"

"I'm not your son." Jughead snapped.

"Well, I've looked at your school records. Lots of fights. Bullied." He said lightly.

"If you've looked at my records, you know my real name is Forsyth's and my nickname is Jughead. Kids are assholes." Jughead slumped, crossing his arms.

"Especially the football team?"

Jughead scowled, trying not to recall the likes of Chuck or his cronies, but apparently did a poor job.

"I can only assume that included Jason Blossom-," Keller continued.

"Jason was always kind." Jughead cut in, "You're reaching, sir." He mocked.

"Look, how about this. You tell me where you were week of July 11th. I'm sure it's not too much for a jury to imagine a kid raised on the wrong sides of the tracks, bullied, lashed out… and-,"

"Fuck you," Jughead snapped, knowing he should have bottled his temper.

Keller sat back.

"Fine. We can hold you for 24 hours." He said simply.

"I want a lawyer," Jughead demanded.

"Sure, sure, kid. Of course, your dad-,"

"My dad?" Jughead looked at Keller like he was crazy, "I told Betty to get Mr. Andrews. My dad probably has no idea."

"We tried to call him."

Jughead gave a self-pitying smirk, "I'm guessing you couldn't reach him? Don't get too upset. You'll feel it too often with him."

Keller looked at Jughead, shaking his head, "You really think your pop won't come?"

"Honestly?" Jughead shrugged, "He's never done anything for me before. Why start now? Doubt he cares. I'd be less surprised if pigs flew."

XXxxXX

Sweet Pea panted, racing into the trailer park. He grabbed a passing wolf, Darkon, trying to catch his breath.

"Where's FP?"

"He's with Tall Boy near the river. Why-,"

Sweet Pea was off.

He had been sure Ole Sheriff Keller was coming for his bones when he'd invaded the school today, but to his shock, he'd gone straight for Jughead. Once the relief washed over him, he'd had to question...why?

As his housemate was being loaded away, Jughead had told Betty to call Mr. Andrews, which she'd readily complied with. However, after they were gone, she'd turned to Sweet Pea.

"Go get FP."

"But…"

"He'll want to know, you know that. There's something fishy going on. Go, Sweets, please!" She'd instructed. After considering it, Sweet Pea decided he hated Keller more than Jughead and hadn't found a reason not to.

And, as he'd run from school to home, all the worries had invaded his thoughts. Too many. Betty was right. There was something holy hell suspicious about this.

"FP!" Sweet Pea said, grabbing the alpha's arm, "It's Jughead."

FP immediately jumped up, hair bristling, "Is he hurt?"

"Keller took him into custody. Arrested him in front of everyone. Andrews is likely coming, but Betty thinks this whole thing is weird."

"You were right to tell me," FP said. Tall Boy made a noise, stopping FP.

"Witch is right. This is weird, boss. I don't think you should go."

"My son had been wrongfully arrested! Hell I'm going," FP snapped, his eyes glittering a dangerous yellow.

"Yeah, and that doesn't throw up some flags? FP, think of this logically," Tall Boy implored, "If we just wait it out…"

"Jug will hate me, and they could pin something ludicrous on him. Keller's done it before. This ain't right, Tall Boy." FP said, already shoving past his Beta and Sweet Pea.

"Boss," Tall Boy jumped in front of his leader, "He's not one of us. You seem to be forgettin' that."

"Fuck that! I'm not going to sit around and let Jug take the fall for something he didn't do. And, may I remind you, you take orders from me. Stand aside."

Tall Boy did as he said, but not happily, "Boss-,"

"Shut your fucking mouth," FP commanded, "Or I'll do it for you."

XXxxXX

"Cheryl?" Penelope asked, drawing her daughter's attention. Cheryl looked up from the textbook she was working through, "You've called Polly a party girl. Have you seen her take drugs? Firsthand?"

Cheryll frowned, trying to recall when she'd said that. Oh, yes, when she absolutely hated her.

"Um," Cheryl licked over her cherry chapstick, I'm not sure. Why?"

She didn't want to admit it hadn't quite been the truth, she wasn't about to make herself a liar in front of her mother. However, she strongly disliked how her mother's eyes narrowed in some sort of sick glee.

"Due diligence," Penelope stated airily, "We wouldn't want an unfit mother raising our precious baby, now would we?"

Cheryl reminded herself how to swallow. She doubted her mother just meant get custody. She'd tried to kill Betty, for Christ's sake. She knew she couldn't do much else in this moment except force a placid smile.

"No, of course not."

XXxxXX

"I didn't do it Betty. You gotta believe me."

Betty frowned, looking at Jughead.

"Of course I believe you. Why would you set it on fire? You're just as motivated about this as I am." Betty said. She knew, deep down, Jughead believed her, but he just needed to hear it said.

"Are they questioning Sweet Pea? Or better yet, Kevin?" Jughead demanded, eyes wide. Betty's hesitation was all he needed. He swallowed hard, biting his tongue hard.

"Those Paradise Lost kids went to death row because they wore black and they listened dot Metallica. I don't wanna be scapegoated, I won't. Not me." He muttered quietly, furiously.

"It's circumstantial. I don't even know why Sheriff Keller is holding you," Betty said, "And I know what he has. Thank my mom for being the number-one news source," She tried to joke feebly, "Besides, Mr. Andrews is already here hashing it out. Mrs. Andrews says if it goes further, she'll come down and be your lawyer."

"Oh, uh, that's nice of her," Jughead said, mildly surprised.

"Plus, I can't imagine what your dad-,"

"My dad? Please. Like he cares."

"I sent Sweet Pea out. He does. Don't be mad." Betty bit her lip, watching emotions flicker across his face. He tapped his fingers on the metal table.

"I'm not mad, I just think you wasted your time."

XXxxXX

"-He was working for me," Fred insisted, Archie dutifully by his father's side.

Sheriff Keller raised an eyebrow, "The week of July 11th?"

"Yeah, he was tearing some drywall for me."

Archie knew when his father was lying. He hoped Keller wouldn't be able to tell either.

"You can provide some documentation?" Keller asked with a tinge of disbelief. Damn, he was totally onto them. Fred tried to look properly offended.

"I can check my time-cards, but of course."

Keller gave Fred an apologetically infuriating smile, "Fred, what you're doing...it's noble. But stay in your lane. There are some things you just don't understand."

"Just don't under…" Fred flustered around, before his knuckles clenched, "That boy in there is like a son to me and you have nothing on him. Nothing. What I understand is that this is profiling of the worst kind. If Mary hears about this-,"

"Keller?" FP's voice rang around the station, so booming that it caused everyone in the vicinity to pause their work. When Archie looked up, FP was standing at the door. But, he looked bigger and more terrifying than he ever had before. The air around him seemed to crackle with electricity, "What the hell do you think you're doing with Jughead?"

Keller only chuckled, which Archie thought was altogether a bad response. FP looked like he could snap Keller's spine in two with just a pinch of his fingers, "Ah, FP. Please, why don't you come and join me in my office."

Without another word, he cut himself off from Fred, who stood open-jawed and confused. As FP passed, he gave his old friend a curt nod.

"Jug's lucky to have you."

XXxxXX

Once the door was locked, and the blinds shut, FP was grabbing Keller and shoving him hard. He was flexing all of his werewolf strength, something he might usually hold back. Today? Not a chance.

"Assaulting an officer?"

"Shut up! How dare you arrest Jughead? Your charges are flimsy at best. You're gunna release him, or else life will get difficult for you."

"Fine," Keller said, waving a hand. FP wasn't stupid enough to think it was that easy, "Truth be told, he's done his part. He played it well."

"Played it we-what are you on about?" FP demanded.

"Oh, come now. You know I've been trying to get ahold of you for weeks now. Can't come into the camp due to magical boundaries and such, plus I'd be attacked by about a hundred angry wolves. Desperate times called for desperate play. Luckily for me, it worked."

FP released Keller in his shock, fur bristling as he tried not to morph right in front of the Sheriff.

"You used my son as bait for me?" He all but snarled, slammed his hands so hard on Keller's desk that it cracked the wood.

Keller just shrugged, looking far too smug.

"You're despicable," FP spit, "There's an unspoken law that kids are never used. Even fucking bloodsuckers like 'Mione wouldn't sink so low. You have just confirmed to me that humans are a fucking cancer." He whispered in a hollow voice.

"I'm protecting humans," Keller snapped back, "From monsters like you. I'll do whatever it takes."

"Even send an innocent boy to the gallows?"

Keller shook his head, "Jug was never going to get that far."

"I don't trust you, I don't trust that. I should tear you limb from limb."

"Oh, try," Keller opened his arms wide, waiting, "Yeah. Thought so. Well, Jughead will be released and I can ask you some questions. We can do this the easy way or the hard way."

"What's the hard way."

"Jughead goes all the way up the ladder. How confident are you in Mary's abilities?" Keller asked, leaning in low.

FP only considered it for a millisecond. He sat in the chair opposing Keller, "I do this, you don't fuck with him again. Ever. If you so much as smile at him when you pass ways at Pop's, I'll end you. And, really, you won't find anything I know worthwhile."

Keller perched on his desk, taking out his notepad, "I'll be the judge of that."

XXxxXX

Sweet Pea sat on the uncomfortable chairs of the station. As a general rule, he avoided the po-po, so sitting in this area was going against all his better judgement. He told himself he was here for FP; it was an unspoken rule that an Alpha told you when to go and leave and it was disrespectful to scatter when your leader was being questioned. He told himself he was there for Betty, who was gnawing her fingernails and sending anxious looks between Archie and the door Jughead was held behind. He even told himself he was there to not look suspicious himself, that it would look worse if he left.

Deep down, a tiny part of him, was here for Jughead. If only to the extent that he knew this was fucked up, if only to say that he thought it was bull they weren't questioning him too, if only in solidarity when someone down on their luck got the short stick again.

There was no noise coming from Keller's office. Fred may think they were just speaking in their inside voices. Sweet Pea couldn't imagine FP wasn't screaming. He must have a silencer around the room; maybe FP gave it to him as a sign of good faith. Maybe the Blossoms did it for him. Maybe he didn't even know.

The door to their left opened and an officer led Jughead off. Betty got up in a flurry, breathing in, nearly crying.

"Oh, thank god," She breathed.

"Thanks," Jughead murmured, looking at Fred.

"I mean, I'll raise noise, but…" Fred frowned, "Your dad came in here like a bat outta hell."

"My dad?"

Fred blew out a breath, sighing, "I was surprised too. But he came through."

Jughead opened his mouth, ready to argue, but he caught sight of Sweet Pea. Sweet Pea panicked slightly and gave him a weird half-wave, something totally more casual than the point they were at. Jughead's look he gave him made him feel like just glaring probably would have been more in line.

"Okay," Jughead said, pressing his palms to his eyes and letting out a shaky breath, "I must be dreaming."

"No dream. I'd get the hell out of here before they change their mind." Sweet Pea said, as he frowned and crossed his arms.

Jughead blinked at him, looking to Betty. Betty just shrugged helplessly.

"He's not wrong. Let's go home, Jug." Archie said, clapping his back, "Your dad seems like he has this."

XXxxXX

The next day at school, Sweet Pea slammed his hands against the lockers next to Cheryl, cutting her off.

"Move, fleabag." Cheryl snorted, trying to shoulder past him.

"No can do, Cherry. We need to talk." He said.

She snorted, "I doubt that."

"You forgot about the group project we're doing this weekend and how," He leaned in close, laughing, "Important it is to get it right the first time."

Cheryl's expression changed. She tugged her shirt down and her fingers patted the edge of her lipstick. It was minor motions, but Sweet Pea could tell just how scared she was.

"Fine," She said sharply, "But make it short. Or else I'll be forced to tell people I was critiquing your horrendous fashion sense- which I should do anyway- or was turning you down after you spent the last two weeks begging me for a date. Maybe both," She smirked.

"Fine with me. I'm gunna have about three minutes anyway to get through this," He said, pulling out his phone, "Starting...now. What's Jason's full name?"

Cheryl tilted her head, "Why would you need to know?"

"Dammit Cheryl, you know why. I don't have a lot of time," Even already, Sweet Pea rubbed his temples, shuddering.

"Okay, so you do know what you're doing." Cheryl decided.

"I've been trying to tell you. I've been doing magic shit for years. Yeah, I know what I'm doing." Sweet Pea snipped.

"Jason Sideron Blossom."

Sweet Pea gave a dark laugh, "Come off it. Be serious."

"I am, ass." She stomped her foot.

"That's…" Sweet Pea sniffled up the blood dripping from his nose, "Either really ironic or I don't know what."

Cheryl just hummed in minor disgust, "Couldn't you send someone else to do this?"

"Wanna do it right, gotta do it yourself." He inhaled hard, wincing, "Okay, erm, do you skip class often?"

"How dare you ask that? I'm a straight-A honors student, push-leeze." Cheryl said.

"Good. Then it won't be strange for you to take a sick day today." Sweet Pea insisted, "I'm skipping too, but they expect that of me."

"Why in the name of Hecate and Hell below would I do that?"

"Because this spell is complicated. We have two days. You're going to write it up tonight, as will I. We'll exchange notes to make sure it's perfect."

Cheryl shoved him. He was feeling dizzy, so he stumbled more than usual, but caught his balance on a locker handle.

"It will be perfect. I don't need your useless input." She said cruelty. Sweet Pea bit back something nasty to say. He breathed in, the tang of blood on the back of his throat.

"I get it. It's Jason, so it's personal. But are we burning yew? Should we do a three-part bond? Blood connections? Salt protection?" He asked. He could see Cheryl's haughty look slip off her face.

"So, you know some keywords," She tried to play it off.

Sweet Pea plugged his nose to stop it from bleeding profusely, "Oh, ho, ho, you know it's not just that. Look, maybe your plan is perfect. Let me confirm it. We don't want any mistakes. We cannot have any mistakes, should I say."

He saw Cheryl hesitate. That was all he needed.

"Take the day off. We'll meet at the library tonight. Got it?" He didn't wait for Cheryls answer, "I now need to go find Betty to fix me before I explode over the halls."

"I'm a witch too," Cheryl said in a low whisper, reaching out for him.

"Yes, but I don't trust you." Sweet Pea said. Cheryl retracted her hand, shrugging.

"Probably smart."

Sweet Pea nodded before stumbling down the halls. He managed to fall in the threshold of Betty's math class just as he passed out. Well, he thought as his vision swam, at least this would give him a real reason to skip class.

XXxxXX

Betty fretted as she helped Sweet Pea back home, along with the help of Kevin, who had managed to cut through all that annoying red tape like 'calling your guardian'. FP probably would have come for him, Betty considered, but then there'd be some awkward explaining to do.

They were let out for lunch with the strict warning to be back by their 6th hour after depositing Sweet Pea at home, something that Betty didn't take lightly. She knew that she couldn't skip school all the time. The office ladies would start to get suspicious.

"You idiot," Kevin shook his head, sighing, "What was so important you had to bring up He Who Shall Not Be Named?"

"Arthminacy," Sweet Pea said, grabbing one of Jughead's shirts on the ground to wipe off blood from his face.

"Like...wait, what's that?" Kevin scratched his head.

With his free hand, Sweet Pea flipped his notebook open. It was supposed to be his History notebook, according to the first page of notes, but after that it was just awash with small scribbles that made no sense to Betty. She held it closer, squinting, as though that would untangle the phrases or pictures he had drawn.

"Number magic," Sweet Pea said, uncapping a Sharpie and scratching something on a post-it. He gave a raised eyebrow at whatever it was, biting the inside of his cheek.

"Is this...spell stuff?" Betty asked slowly. Sweet Pea gave a bob of his head, "I've never seen you give this much effort to any class at school. Now I absolutely know you can, you just don't want to," She said with a scoff.

"Bingo." Sweet Pea said, unfazed, "I don't care about Civics or Speech class. But if there were magic classes...if Hogwarts were real, I'd be a regular ole' Hermione Granger. I mean, I swear to god, it's all so interesting and it sucks to have to learn it yourself because you don't want to mess up certain spells. Like bringing someone back from the dead."

"How are you confident you can do it, then?" Kevin asked, looking unsure. Fair expression, Betty thought.

"Because this is what I'm good at," Sweet Pea said with a sense of finality, "Now, scram, both of you. I still have hours of research and math to do before I meet Cheryl to compare notes."

Betty started a bit. He'd never dismissed her.

"Since I'm a witch, don't you think-,"

"No." He said, then seemed to realize how harsh that tone had been, "I mean...look, Betty, any other day...after this is all over, I'll walk you through it. But I can't be distracted and I still need to run probably 100 arithmancy equations to do it right, so…" He tilted his head towards the door.

Betty tried not to feel offended. She wanted this to go right as much as anyone else. She tugged on the strap to her bookbag, almost saying something else, but then nodded to Sweet Pea as she left.

"I didn't recognize any of that. Did you?" Kevin asked, "But, speaking of Jason, it's a natural segue…"

"To Polly?" Betty guessed. Kevin gave her a kind smile, "She's...well, I told her I think the Blossoms will help her with the baby, if my mom won't. I mean, I don't think my grandmother would force her to give it up either, but maybe she can come home. We talked a little yesterday. She said she'd talk to my grandmother and get back to me about some decisions." Betty found the chain under her sweater, "She'll have to do it soon. She's nearly due."

"Can we trust them?" Kevin asked.

"I honestly don't think they'd hurt this baby, if that makes a difference," Betty replied, knowing exactly who he was referring to.

Kevin made a half-satisfied noise and checked his phone for the time, "So...uhm, we have about half an hour before we have to be back. I think I might…"

It took Betty a second, "Shouldn't Joaquin be in school?"

"Shouldn't we?" Kevin asked with a slightly devious smile.

Betty realized, in that moment, he'd played this to his advantage. She honestly couldn't do much more than just laugh.

"You know what, okay, okay. You deserve it." She held up her hands, "I'll walk back. Or catch an Uber. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

Kevin fake pouted, "If that were true, we'd never do anything fun."

NOTES!

1) The reason this chapter MAY feel a little short is because originally I was going to write in the conversation/negotiations between Hermione and Veronica, but as it came time to write it...I just didn't want to? This story is going so many place with so many interesting new avenues that unless I'm really incensed to write a particular scene or re-tell it, I honestly just don't have the muse or effort to do so

2) In that vein, to keep this story on the track of what's important, I'll be skipping or omitting a lot of scenes that aren't directly relevant. Like in the beginning of this one, with Keller interrogating Jug. Most of the dialogue I just didn't need to re-hash because I'm pretty sure you lovely people have already watched it so you don't need to do that again.

3) Jason's canon middle name is not Sideron. I'm not sure what it is. Cheryl's actual middle name is Majorie which is partially derived from Majoram, which is an herb. I was looking for an herby witchy plant middle name of Jason and came across Sideron, which I couldn't NOT pick. Sideron is also known as vervain, which as we know in this story is an an anti-vamp herb. The world clearly is making a laugh at him. Poor Jason!

4) Arithmancy is hard to understand. If you want to know more, there's an awesome SuperCarlinBrothers youtube video on it! There will be a lot more on it in next chapter, so ya might want to brush up now ;)

5) For all of you that are strictly Bugheads, I'm in the process of writing another bughead story that will be posted soon! Just thought that might interest you.

6) My birthday was last week! Maybe as a *cough* sorta belated bday present, leave a review? To make you excited and leave a review to encourage me to update faster, next chapter- all ten pages- is one very long spell to bring Jason back from the dead!

See you on the flip side,

Lex