AN: Welcome to the Premiere of the seventh story of my Joshua Black series. Just a couple of things. This story will be mostly entirely different from Death Hallows. We will be seeing different POV's of the war. We know Harry's story, and since we're not focusing on it, it's basically the same, plus Tracey Davis. There will be I guess you could say easter eggs? to Harry's whereabouts. I will change up one scene that does involve Harry and the others, but that's a surprise for you. I have created many villains that will be defeated throughout the story and more battles. Oh, and another difference is Hogwarts isn't taken over by Voldemort, but it is the last line of defense for the war. I hope you guys enjoy.
Chapter 1: A Different Wizarding World
Thunder rumbled high above as lightning flashed through the clouds every few seconds, briefly illuminating the small village below. The storm's fury seemed to mirror the chaos unfolding. Shouts, yells, and eerie hissing sounds echoed, accompanied by sporadic flashes of strange, colored lights that flickered through the night. What had once been an ordinary village no longer seemed so.
Several homes burned, some still aflame, while others had already collapsed, leaving nothing but smoking ruins. The wreckage was everywhere—broken windows, shattered doors, and walls caved in by the devastation. The ground was littered with bodies, both in the yards and on the streets—motionless and lifeless.
Dark-cloaked figures moved swiftly through the wreckage, scanning the ruins for any survivors. From the shadows, twisted creatures hissed, lurking in wait. Those unfortunate enough to venture too close were never seen again—only their screams echoed before falling silent as they were consumed by the darkness.
It seemed that all hope had been lost for this village, soon to be erased from existence.
A faint sound of movement echoed nearby as a wooden plank fell against another with a sharp clap and thud.
"Shh, quiet," whispered a young girl, no older than nine, as she pressed her finger to her lips and glanced down at her six-year-old brother. She swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest. The two of them were hidden beneath the porch of a burnt-out house, its charred frame still releasing faint curls of smoke. Above, the sky rumbled ominously, warning of rain soon to come.
Ellie peered cautiously through the gap in the wooden fence, her breath shallow, checking for any sign of the masked figures—those terrifying people who had taken everything from them. Her parents were gone, victims of those same people. It would've been Ellie and Mikey next, if only their thirteen-year-old sister hadn't distracted the attackers with the magic she'd learned from Hogwarts. But even that wasn't enough to save her. She had died in an instant. Now, it was just Ellie and Mikey. Their aunt was somewhere out there, but Ellie had been told Hogwarts was the only safe place in times of danger.
"M-Mom," Mikey sniffled, his voice cracking.
Ellie's heart clenched as she turned to face him. "I'm sorry, Mikey," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Mom won't be coming back. Neither will Papa. We have to get to Hogwarts, okay?"
"Okay," Mikey sniffed, rubbing his nose with the sleeve of his shirt.
Ellie glanced over the street once more, eyes scanning the area. Empty. Quiet. "Okay," she whispered, more to herself than to Mikey. "Follow me, and be quiet. We have to reach Mrs. Turner's fireplace." Mikey nodded, his small hand gripping hers tightly.
Ellie knew that if they could make it to their neighbor's house, they'd have a chance. Mrs. Turner, their former babysitter, had a floo connection to Hogwarts, but now she was gone. She had died protecting them, just like their sister had. Ellie forced herself to push the thoughts of what they had lost aside. They needed to move.
They crawled out from under the porch, trying to stay as quiet as possible. Mrs. Turner's house was at the end of the street, on the corner. Ellie's eyes darted nervously as they moved from one shadow to the next, using bushes and trees as cover. They stopped when a distant shout pierced the air, both children freezing, hearts racing. They looked around, but saw no one.
"I'm 'fraid, Ellie," Mikey whispered, his voice trembling, his wide eyes filled with terror.
Ellie squeezed his hand, fighting the rising fear in her chest. "We'll be okay," she reassured him, though she wasn't sure if she was lying to him or to herself.
"I am too," Ellie admitted, her voice barely a whisper. But she knew she had to be strong—for both of them. She was all Mikey had left, and it was her turn to protect her little brother. "Come on, we're almost there."
Ellie led Mikey forward when, suddenly, he tripped over something. She spun around, gasping. The thing Mikey had stumbled over was a lifeless body. Ellie's heart dropped as she recognized Mister Beaumont, the shopkeeper. His blank, lifeless eyes stared up at her, devoid of any emotion. She swallowed hard, forcing herself to stay calm as she gestured for Mikey to get up.
Mikey gripped her hand tightly, and together, they continued toward Mrs. Turner's house.
Relief surged through Ellie as Mrs. Turner's home finally came into view. They were so close now. Ellie could even see the fireplace, its chimney a gaping hole in the wall. She quickened her pace, but before they could reach the door, a flash of orange light suddenly filled the air, and both children were thrown to the ground.
"Not running away, are we, dears?" a mocking voice crooned. Ellie and Mikey scrambled to sit up, terror flooding through them. A dark-cloaked woman, her face obscured by a terrifying mask, trudged toward them with slow, deliberate steps. "You can't leave. The fun's only beginning... tee hee!" She flicked her wand, and Mikey instantly levitated five feet into the air.
"No!" Ellie screamed, her voice breaking. "Stop!" Tears began to stream down Mikey's face as he cried out for her.
"No, stop!" The witch mimicked in a high-pitched, mocking tone. She laughed, twirling her wand as Mikey spun helplessly in the air. His screams filled the air, and Ellie's heart ached as she realized there was nothing she could do—fear gripped her chest, but it was soon replaced by an overwhelming anger. I have to protect him.
"I said stop!" Ellie shouted, her voice filled with desperation. She ran forward, hands outstretched. In that instant, something inside her surged—magic she didn't understand, but felt so deeply within her. It burst from her hands with great force, sending the dark witch flying backward and slamming her to the ground.
Mikey yelped as he dropped to the ground with a thud. Ellie rushed to his side, breathless. "Mikey," she gasped. "Are you okay?"
Before Mikey could answer, the witch hissed, furious. "Why, you little—!" She sprang to her feet, raising her wand. It glowed a sickly green. Ellie threw herself protectively in front of Mikey.
"You will wish you were never born!" the witch snarled.
Ellie braced herself for what was to come, but just as the witch prepared to strike, a deafening screech split the air. A massive, black shape hurtled from the shadows—its size easily that of a car. The creature landed on the witch with terrifying speed.
Ellie's eyes widened in disbelief. It was a giant spider.
The witch screamed in terror as the creature sank its pincers into her flesh, its movements swift and vicious. The spider began to spin a web around her with an almost unnatural speed, trapping her in a sticky cocoon.
With one last screech of rage, the witch fell silent as the spider turned its attention toward the two children, its dark eyes gleaming with an unsettling hunger.
Ellie stood firm, shielding Mikey with her body. "Whatever happens to me," she said softly, her voice filled with determination, "you get to that fireplace and get to Hogwarts. Understand?" She felt her brother nod, his small head pressing into her back.
The Acromantula hissed and leapt toward them. There was a sharp pop! followed by a brilliant flash of white light. "Arania Exumai!" a voice shouted. The giant spider was sent flying backward into a burnt house, debris crashing down on it as it tumbled into the wreckage.
Ellie blinked, shocked. A woman with auburn wavy hair, bright blue eyes, and a strikingly pretty face appeared in front of them, her wand still raised. "Are you alright?" she asked. Ellie nodded, though her breath was still ragged. Mikey peeked out from behind her, eyes wide. The woman smiled at them, then turned her attention to the rubble, scanning it for movement.
"Sophie!" A voice called. Two more figures came rushing over. One was a tall, muscular man with dark hair—Goyle. The other was a short, younger boy with a satchel slung over his shoulder—Shaun.
"The place is starting to be overrun by Acromantulas," Shaun said, looking grim. "I don't have enough explosives for them all, and I'm out of big explosion potions."
Goyle, his face set in a hard frown, nodded. "I think we did all we could here," he said gruffly. "We need to get the hell outta here." He glanced around. "Where's Josh?"
Sophie straightened, brushing herself off. "Where do you think?" she replied, her tone tinged with annoyance. "Off somewhere playing hero."
Shaun raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that what you just did?" he teased, nodding toward the children. Before Sophie could retort, the rubble nearby began to shift ominously.
"I think it's time we go," Sophie said, her eyes narrowing. "I buried a spider over there, and it looks like it's starting to wake up."
Shaun immediately reached into his bag and pulled out a bottle of dark red liquid. He unstoppered it and stuffed a rag into the neck. "Here," he said, holding the bottle out to Goyle. Goyle took it, lighting the rag with a flick of his wand. With a grunt, Shaun hurled the bottle toward the rubble. It exploded with a deafening crack, sending a wall of flame cascading across the area. Squeals of pain echoed from beneath the rubble.
"Hurry!" Sophie shouted, already backing away. "Let's find Josh and get the hell outta here!"
Josh sprinted as fast as he could, his wand gripped tightly in his right hand, leaping over obstacles—burnt bushes, piles of wood, and debris. "Follow me, you overgrown eight-legged freaks!" he shouted over his shoulder.
The sounds of squealing and snarling echoed from behind him. Glancing back, Josh saw about a dozen Acromantulas of varying sizes charging after him. He grinned, pushing his legs to move faster.
Suddenly, a small Acromantula lunged from a tree. Josh rolled to the side just in time, spun around, and set the spider alight with a flick of his wand. It screeched in agony, curling into a charred heap. Without breaking stride, Josh pushed forward, heading straight for a large gate, blown apart by magic.
"Are you set?" Josh called ahead.
Two heads popped out from behind one of the gate's ruined pillars. It was Bridget and Brick McCallister, the siblings who had helped save Hogwarts from destruction a few months ago. Both were blond, green-eyed, and in their twenties.
"Just about!" Brick shouted back, huddled behind the pillar. "Runes aren't really my thing." He was struggling to carve runes into the stone with his wand.
"Not that one!" Bridget hissed, swatting Brick's hand away. "I'll do it!"
"How else will I learn?" Brick growled, glancing at her. "I did the other pillar already."
"Because we had time," Bridget shot back, focused as she carved the runes. "But as you can see, brother mine, Josh is almost here, and we need to deal with these spiders." With a final stroke, she finished the last rune. "There. Done!"
She peeked around the pillar. "We're set, Black! Let's do this!"
Josh smirked and, with a flick of his wand, pointed at his shoes. "Velox."
His feet shot forward, moving faster than before. In a heartbeat, he slid to a stop about five feet behind the large pathway between the two pillars. He spun around to see the spiders closing in, their massive legs pounding the earth. A wicked grin spread across his face.
Pointing his wand at the center of the path, he whispered, "Mors Protego."
The runes on the pillars glowed blue, and a shimmering, wavy wall sprang to life between them.
The spiders leapt toward Josh, but as they collided with the shield, they were instantly disintegrated, exploding into a gory shower of guts and blood. Josh quickly raised another shield to protect himself from the spray, but Bridget and Brick weren't as lucky. They flinched as spider remains rained down around them, using their arms to shield themselves, their faces contorted in disgust.
In seconds, it was over. The only sound was the soft crackle of the magic fading.
Brick slowly lowered his arms, his mouth hanging open. "That was bloody amazing!"
Josh grinned, wiping a drop of blood from his face. "I didn't even know that kind of magic existed."
"I created it," Josh replied with a shrug. "Combination of runes, shield magic, and maybe a little bit of dark magic. Don't tell my dad."
"Eugh!" Bridget groaned, looking at the spider guts smeared across her body. "I'm covered in this mess! Disgusting! Couldn't you just make them disintegrate completely?"
Josh shrugged nonchalantly. "That was the idea, but the runes have to be perfectly drawn. Otherwise, they explode."
Brick turned to his sister, who was glaring at him with a venomous look. "Not a word," she warned through clenched teeth, still trying to shake off the spider remains.
"Josh!"
Josh and the siblings turned to see his team quickly running over to their side, carrying a couple of survivors. Goyle had a small boy on his back, his face tense and focused, while a girl stood beside Sophie and Shaun.
"How'd everything go?" Josh asked, his voice carrying a mix of urgency and relief.
"These are the last survivors we found," Sophie replied, gesturing toward the two kids. "It looks like the others either fled or... didn't make it. The rest of the teams are already gone." She glanced toward Bridget and Brick. "What happened to you two?"
"Did something throw up on you?" Shaun asked, his eyes wide with mock surprise.
Bridget shot him a deadly glare, but Brick just pointed at himself with a grin, his tone casual. "Spider guts," he said simply, almost proud. "It was bloody brilliant."
"So, that spell worked, then?" Goyle asked, raising an eyebrow as he adjusted the boy on his back.
"Better than I could've imagined," Josh answered with a satisfied smile.
"I can't believe I missed it," Shaun groaned, stomping his foot in frustration. "Damn!"
"I'm sure we could talk about this all day," Sophie interjected, cutting through the chatter. "But I think it's time to go."
Josh nodded, his expression turning serious. "Right. Shaun, the key."
Shaun didn't waste any time. He reached into his bag and pulled out a small, broken clock, the hands frozen in place. He held it out, and Sophie turned to the girl standing beside her.
"Take my hand," Sophie said gently.
The girl nodded, her hand trembling slightly as she took Sophie's. Josh, Bridget, and Brick quickly followed suit, all touching the clock at once.
"Alright, mate, hold on tight," Goyle said to the boy on his back, his voice calm but with a slight undertone of urgency. He touched the clock just in time, and the portkey activated.
In an instant, they were whisked away from the charred remains of the village, the echo of the overrun acromantulas and destruction fading as they were transported to safety.
Seconds later, the group landed just outside the village of Hogsmeade. The little girl, Ellie, immediately dropped to her knees, her first experience with portkey travel leaving her visibly shaken. But she wasn't the only one struggling. Josh lay on his back, staring up at the sky with a look of annoyance, while everyone else managed to stay on their feet. Shaun hovered above him, hands on his hips.
"You took down a dragon," Shaun said, his tone teasing. "How do you have trouble with magical transportation?"
"Oh, shut it," Josh muttered, rolling onto his side and pushing himself up with a groan.
Sophie, watching the exchange with a smirk, clapped her hands together. "Alright, let's get these two to the hospital, get them checked over, find them somewhere to stay."
Josh brushed the dirt off his pants, his expression hardening. "Er, you go on ahead. I've got... other things to do." He paused, glancing at her before adding, "You don't mind giving our report to Cortez, do you?"
Sophie sighed, clearly aware of the reason behind his reluctance. She nodded anyway. "Fine. But don't think you're getting away that easily." She turned to Ellie, who was still on her knees, and offered her a gentle smile. "Come on, Ellie, let's get your brother looked at, and then we'll get you both some food."
Ellie, still a little dazed, nodded and reached out to take Sophie's hand. The two of them started walking toward the village, Goyle trailing behind them with Mikey still on his back, the boy clinging to him.
Shaun lingered for a moment, eyeing Josh with a raised eyebrow. "How long do you think you can avoid her?"
Josh, now standing and brushing off his coat, didn't even look at Shaun. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Shaun snorted, the sound full of amusement. "Sure, mate." He turned and began walking away, calling over his shoulder, "I really have other things I need to do!"
Josh shouted after him, "But I really have other things I need to do too!"
Shaun merely waved back in response, clearly uninterested in Josh's protests. Josh let out a heavy sigh, glancing in the opposite direction. His shoulders slumped as he began his walk toward Hogwarts, his mind already heavy with whatever awaited him there.
Two men appeared seemingly out of nowhere, a few yards apart in the narrow, moonlit lane. For a brief moment, they stood motionless, wands trained on each other's chests. Then, recognizing one another, they slipped their wands beneath their cloaks and began walking briskly in the same direction.
"News?" asked the taller of the two.
The other man shook his head. "Nothing good," Cormac McLaggen replied. "No sign of Black. He's learned to cover his tracks."
"Cyrus won't be happy when you tell him," the other man remarked as they walked side by side. "He's been in a foul mood lately."
"He's too obsessed with this one person," McLaggen muttered, his voice laced with irritation. "We should be focusing on the Dark Lord, on conquering the country. Instead, we're chasing after a ghost. If Lucian had done his job, we'd be preparing to infiltrate the Ministry by now, just like the others."
They reached the edge of the lane, stepping into a dilapidated and burned-out village. Some buildings still smoked, others were barely standing. Occasionally, a dog-sized spider scuttled across the wreckage.
"Acromantulas," the other man said, his voice dark with awe. "What a sight. Who would've thought those creatures could tear apart a village in hours? What was once a lively, magical community is now nothing more than a ghost town. Thank Merlin Goliath allied with us. He was promised free rein, plenty of food, maybe even a new nesting ground out in the open—"
"Shut it, Cain," Cormac hissed, kicking a small wooden bucket aside. "I want to leave this offering in peace, not get attacked by spiders."
Cain nodded, falling silent as they trekked through the ruined village. Every so often, they heard clicking or hissing, but the creatures remained unseen. Cain shuddered when he caught sight of a body, its skin crawling with spiders.
Soon, they made their way to a large, mansion-like house. Cain and McLaggen cautiously approached the entrance, where the doors had been blown off. Inside, the mansion was draped in thick webs. Everywhere they looked, there were webs—or bodies, wrapped up in the sticky strands. The soft chittering of spiders echoed through the air, sending a shiver down Cain's spine. He wasn't fond of spiders—or any bugs, for that matter. The only light came from the moon, filtering through the shattered windows. The spiders could be all around them, yet they wouldn't know it, hidden in the darkness.
"We've been expecting you."
Cain jumped at the sudden gurgling voice, seemingly emerging from nowhere. "As you can see, my kin and I have ravaged this village."
"And what a conquering job you've done," McLaggen replied with a bow. Cain shakily followed suit. "The Dark Lord commends your efforts, Goliath, and brings more offerings."
"We've already feasted on many humans, wizard," Goliath's voice hissed, a dark tone dripping with disdain. "What more could you offer?"
McLaggen reached into his pocket and pulled out a bundle of four sticks, tightly tied together. He tossed it onto the floor in front of the spider. Cain stared at him, wide-eyed, as if McLaggen had lost his mind. With a flick of his wand, McLaggen jabbed it at the bundle, and it instantly transfigured into a family of four—bound and gagged. A mother, a father, a young man, and a teenage boy.
"We bring you the man who kept you prisoner for so long… along with his family," McLaggen said coolly.
The father stirred, his eyes snapping open. He turned towards the massive spider with a look of horror. "No!" he screamed, struggling violently against his ropes. "Please, no!"
The spider's massive, glowing eyes fixed on the family as it loomed from the shadows, its many legs clicking against the webbed floor. Goliath's voice echoed, low and terrifying. "This one... he kept me locked away. For years, I was imprisoned in that dark place, starving, waiting for my release. And now... you bring me him, and his family?" The words were drawn out, a twisted delight filling the air.
The father continued to struggle against the ropes binding him, his eyes wild with fear. "You can't—! Please—don't—" His pleas were cut short by the sound of chittering as a small group of acromantulas scuttled around, their beady eyes reflecting the moonlight. Cain could feel his stomach turn, his fear growing as the spiders moved closer to the family. His hand gripped his wand tighter, trying not to look at the writhing figures in the webs around him.
McGlaggen, ever calm in the face of such terror, raised an eyebrow as he looked at the struggling family. "You are in the presence of Goliath, one of the most powerful creatures in this land. You should be grateful for this honor."
Goliath's voice turned to a low, vibrating growl. "Grateful?" The spider's long legs shifted in the shadows. "Gratitude is something I no longer understand, wizard." His enormous form slowly moved forward, his massive body a dark silhouette in the broken moonlight.
The father's face contorted in desperation. "Please, no! I beg you! My family—don't—!"
Before he could finish, a horrifying sound erupted from the depths of the mansion. A loud screech followed by a guttural hiss filled the room, as if a hundred acromantulas were communicating. Cain's eyes widened in horror. He had no idea what was about to unfold, but the ominous sounds made it clear it wouldn't be pleasant. The webs around the room seemed to tighten, pulsing with an eerie rhythm.
Goliath's voice, however, remained steady, almost amused. "You brought this to my home. You brought this to my family. I've waited for this moment. Now... let the feast begin."
The mother, pale and trembling, cried out, her voice strained with fear. "Please! Don't hurt us—"
But it was too late. With a flick of McGlaggen's wand, the bindings on the family tightened even more, and the floor beneath them groaned as the acromantulas swarmed closer. Goliath's enormous body slowly, almost leisurely, made its way toward the father. The air grew thick with the smell of decay and spiders.
Cain's hand trembled as he looked away, barely able to stomach the scene before him. His face was pale, the fear now gripping him fully. "Cormac... what have we done?" he whispered, his voice shaky.
McGlaggen didn't answer immediately. He was too busy watching the unfolding chaos, his lips curling into a satisfied grin. "What needed to be done," he finally replied, his voice cold. "The Dark Lord is pleased with this. Goliath will do his part."
As Goliath moved closer to his prey, the tension in the air grew unbearable. The webs tightened around the family, making it harder for them to escape. The father cried out once more, his voice breaking with horror, but it was drowned out by the sound of thousands of tiny legs skittering across the floor.
"You're going to enjoy this," McGlaggen muttered to himself, still watching the scene with a twisted sense of satisfaction. "This is how you will pay for keeping Goliath imprisoned all these years. And this is how we will make our mark."
Cain, however, was having a hard time staying focused. He shifted uncomfortably, looking back and forth between McGlaggen and the terrifying scene unfolding in front of him. "Cormac... maybe we should just leave. This is... too much." His voice was barely a whisper, barely able to mask his growing panic.
But McGlaggen simply chuckled, his eyes gleaming with malice. "You think this is too much? This is the price for our success, Cain. This is how it's done. We make alliances with creatures like Goliath, and we offer them more than just gold. We offer them power."
The father's screams echoed off the walls, and for a split second, Cain felt his stomach twist in revulsion. But McGlaggen's words seemed to steady him, and Cain swallowed hard, trying to push past his unease. There was no turning back now.
The feast was just beginning.
"It's good to see you, Victor," Goliath said, his voice thick with hunger. "Now, you are the one in chains."
"Please, Goliath," Victor begged, his voice desperate. "Don't hurt my family. I'm the one you want, not them. Let them go! Don't let them die for my sins."
"This is a worthy offering, wizard," Goliath rumbled to McLaggen and Cain. "Tell your Dark Lord our alliance still stands."
McLaggen and Cain left the mansion, ignoring Victor's cries and the screams of his family. Without a word, they dissaparated away, emerging in a new village. They were about to make their way back to their hideouts when they were suddenly surrounded by five dark-cloaked wizards.
"What's the meaning of this?!" McLaggen snapped, annoyance evident in his voice. He reached for his wand, but the cloaked figures quickly raised theirs in unison.
"Are these Aurors?" Cain asked, his voice trembling.
McLaggen scoffed, eyes narrowing. "Of course not."
"Who are they?" Cain's eyes darted nervously from one figure to another. He couldn't see their faces, but his heart raced in his chest.
McLaggen sighed and turned slowly. "What do you want, Lady Isabella?"
The cloaked figures parted, revealing a young pale girl with silvery eyes. She stepped forward, her expression cold and calculating. The other cloaked figures remained still, watching.
"Cormac McLaggen," Lady Isabella purred, her voice smooth with menace. "I've been looking for you. I need a favor."
She grinned, revealing sharp, vampiric fangs.
After the strange encounter, Cain walked through the darkened streets alone, his footsteps echoing in the silence. He had parted ways with McLaggen and was heading toward his hideout. His senses were on high alert, eyes flicking over his shoulder to ensure he wasn't being followed.
He quickly slipped into an alley and vanished behind a magical wall, entering a small, dimly lit room stocked with the essentials. He crossed the room and retrieved a large, old-fashioned radio from a cupboard, its speaking device attached. He turned it on, fiddling with the knobs to find the right frequency.
"Blackwing, calling Blackwing. This is Sharkfin. Do you copy? Over," Cain's voice crackled through the radio. "I repeat, this is Sharkfin. Blackwing, are you there? Over."
"Blackwing is on a mission. This is Bear-Claw," a voice crackled from the radio. "Do you have a report? Over."
"I do," Cain replied, his voice steady. "Goliath remains loyal to the Dark Lord, and Blackwing's trail is still hidden. Over."
"Understood. Over," Bear-Claw responded.
"One more thing. Over."
"What is it, Sharkfin? Over?" came the reply, a hint of curiosity in the voice.
"There's been a request for information from the Vampires. Over," Cain said, his tone cautious. "They're asking about a Lion Cub."
Neville set the receiver back onto the radio, his mind racing as he absorbed the report. The vampire Shaun, the same one he'd encountered earlier, had been asking about him and his background. Neville's thoughts flickered to Shaun's father—he was a Muggle, far from the dangers of the magical world, or so Neville had believed. But now… things were murkier. He wasn't sure where the threat might lie anymore. Josh and Shaun both needed to be informed. This could change everything.
After greeting everyone, Josh made his way to the dungeons and knocked on the door. Narcissa opened it, allowing him inside. Without a word, Josh walked toward a bedroom and gently opened the door.
Draco stood in the corner, biting his thumbnail, his posture slumped. He wore green silk pajamas, his hair in wild disarray, and dark circles under his eyes. "Josh!" he exclaimed, his gaze unfocused, as if seeing straight through him. "Here!" Draco pointed at the wall across the room.
Josh's eyes followed the gesture. The wall was covered in a chaotic mix of sketches and writings—most of it incomprehensible. Draco walked over to it with erratic movements, slapping a hand onto a crude drawing of a blonde figure dressed in red and black robes. Normally, Draco was an impeccable artist, but this picture looked like something a child would have drawn.
"Glaggen!" Draco shouted, his voice tinged with frustration.
Josh stood next to him, nodding with a sad understanding. "I know," he said softly. "It's McLaggen."
"He…" Draco started, his voice faltering. He paused, then slapped his head with a sudden urgency. "He…" Another slap. "One…" Slap. "Bad!" His hand clenched some of his hair, and he winced in pain. Josh realized Draco was trying to grasp something from the depths of his mind, but it was slipping away. "Bird man!" Draco blurted out, shaking his head violently as he began to pace the room.
Josh sighed. He could barely follow Draco's scattered thoughts anymore, but it was clear that none of it made sense. Draco stopped in front of another drawing, a crude rendition of Lucius. "Bad!" Draco shouted. "Bad man!"
Josh nodded, unsure of what else to say as Draco muttered to himself, his eyes glazed over.
Just then, Narcissa entered with a tray of food and a couple of potions. "Any news?" she asked, setting the tray down on the table.
"My mother's still looking into it," Josh replied. "She thinks there might be a way to fix his mind. She's researching some older books and heard there's a wizard working on cures for minds shattered by the Torture Curse."
"What's the catch?" Narcissa asked, raising an eyebrow.
Josh sighed deeply. "Well, this wizard has no name," he explained. "He works in secret, avoids attention. But my mother is determined to find him." Narcissa nodded in understanding, her expression pensive.
There was a soft knock on the door, and it opened to reveal a red-haired woman peeking her head in. Sophie. "Am I interrupting?" she asked.
"No, of course not," Narcissa replied, waving her in.
Josh glanced at Sophie, a soft smile forming. "Are the kids alright?"
"They're okay," Sophie answered. "Traumatized, but safe." Josh nodded, his relief apparent. Sophie moved over to Draco, who was still lost in his thoughts. "Hello, Draco. How are you feeling today?" she asked gently.
"S-ss-sophie," Draco stuttered, a small, hopeful smile tugging at his lips. He shuffled over to his table of drawings and started rummaging through them. He pulled out a sketch of a girl with red hair and walked over to Sophie, handing it to her with trembling hands.
"S-ss-s-sophie," he repeated, as if the name itself gave him some comfort.
Sophie smiled warmly and took the drawing from Draco. "It's lovely, Draco," she said softly, her eyes shining as she gently grasped his hand. "Thank you."
"His mind may be broken, but he's still in there," Josh reassured, his voice steady. "He remembers more than we think."
After spending some time with Draco and Narcissa, Josh and Sophie left their living space and walked together through the corridor. Josh noticed Sophie's solemn expression as they walked in silence.
"We'll fix him. I'll figure it out—whatever it takes," Josh said, his determination clear.
"What if you can't?" Sophie asked softly, her voice tinged with concern.
"I wouldn't get far in life if I thought that," Josh replied with quiet confidence. "Besides, fixing his mind is my only option. Draco's been through so much, and he deserves a normal life—just like the rest of us. He was barely starting to get a second chance. I'd like to see him do great things."
Sophie walked beside him, her eyes downcast for a moment before she spoke. "You know, he thought highly of you. Said you inspired him to do better."
Josh smiled faintly. "He always was a good kid at heart."
"You know, he was amazing in the Auror program," Sophie continued. "He even went back to it because he wanted to figure out what happened to you. He uncovered that Craven was behind your ambush—with Everheart's help."
"Surprisingly intelligent sometimes," Josh said, a small laugh escaping him. "I see why you like him."
Sophie's cheeks flushed a deep red. "I don't li—" she stammered, then cleared her throat. "I'm just—"
"Oh, so you haven't been visiting him every day you're at Hogwarts and chatting with his mother?" Josh teased, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips. "Someone who cares about another person doesn't just visit them without reason. You care about Draco."
Sophie looked at him, wide-eyed for a moment, then looked away, flustered. Josh gave her a knowing smile and patted her shoulder.
With a wink, he turned to leave, his footsteps echoing down the corridor. "Take care of him, Sophie," he called over his shoulder, his tone warm.
It had been a few months since the 'heroic' incident, and so far, no one could help him. He had visited every healer he could think of, yet none of them had a clue how to fix him. Every night, he replayed the events in his mind, trying to figure out how his spine could have been cursed. He didn't remember being struck when he flew out of Gryffindor Tower, but he was lucky to have survived. The Animagus Death Eater, however, hadn't been so fortunate.
Dean Thomas wheeled himself down the brick road of Hogsmeade, feeling a faint skip in his heart. A glimmer of hope had appeared that morning, and he clung to it. He nodded and smiled as people greeted him, his presence no longer the oddity it once was. He pushed forward toward the newly built building at the heart of Hogsmeade—an Infirmary specifically for those injured in battle or by dark witches and wizards. St. Mungo's was still available, but this new facility, tucked away in a more secure part of the resistance's territory, felt like a safer bet.
Dean wheeled himself into the makeshift lobby and rolled down a narrow corridor. He stopped at an open doorway and knocked lightly on the frame. Inside, a young woman sat at a desk, scribbling on parchment.
Daphne looked up from her writing and smiled warmly. "Dean, hi," she greeted, signing the parchment and rolling it up with practiced ease.
Dean wheeled himself into her office, his eyes scanning the space. "Nice office," he said, his gaze landing on the nameplate on the door that read Assistant to the Head Healer. "Did you get a promotion?"
Daphne nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Scott noticed how much my healing magic has improved. He thought it'd be nice to give me my own space for research and practice in Healing Magic." She glanced at Dean, catching the playful gleam in his eyes. "And it's not like that, either."
"I think he likes you, though," Dean teased, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, well, I've got enough on my plate right now to worry about dating anyone," Daphne replied, her tone more serious. She opened one of her drawers and pulled out a picture of her and Josh smiling and laughing together, frozen in a moment of happiness.
"Josh," Dean said softly, finishing her thought.
Daphne paused, her fingers still lingering on the photo. "What?" she replied, her voice uncertain. "No, I mean... I don't know." She trailed off, clearly lost in her own thoughts for a moment.
Dean rolled his eyes with a small grin. He knew where her heart truly lay. "Like I said, I have too much to worry about," Daphne repeated, setting the photo aside and pulling out a book. "But I've been looking into this. It may hold the answer to what kind of curse you were hit with."
Dean smiled faintly and wheeled closer to her desk, eagerly taking the book from her hands. "Great," he said, his voice filled with a quiet optimism. Then, as an afterthought, he asked, "When was the last time you spoke with Josh?"
Daphne paused, a pensive look crossing her face. "A few weeks ago, I think," she answered, her brow furrowing in thought. "Remember when we had that big dinner?"
"But you haven't seen him since?"
Daphne half-shrugged, a distracted look on her face. "Not really, now that I think about it," she murmured, her voice trailing off. She had occasionally caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of her eye, but never fully. It always felt like he was avoiding her. Her thoughts shifted uncomfortably as she added, "He may be avoiding me."
Dean raised an eyebrow, his expression knowing. "Really?"
Daphne didn't respond right away. She sat back in her chair, lost in thought, and then sighed softly. "I don't know. It's like he's there but... not. It's strange."
Dean studied her for a moment, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips. "Well, if he's avoiding you, he's doing a terrible job of it."
Daphne shook her head, trying to dismiss the thought, but the feeling lingered. "I just... I don't know anymore."
"What makes you say that?" Dean asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.
"Well, the last time we spoke, it was awkward," Daphne confessed, her voice dropping slightly. "It felt like we were both holding back. We both wanted more, but neither of us could admit it. So we just... held back our feelings, and everything became super awkward. At least, that's how it seemed to me."
Dean raised an eyebrow, his expression softening. "So, you still have feelings for him?"
Daphne narrowed her eyes, suddenly suspicious. "Did he send you to spy on me?"
Dean quickly raised his hands in defense, his face serious. "I promise, I'm just here for the book. I just got a little curious. We're all worried about you. After... well, things are so different now. We've lost so many people already." His voice faltered slightly as his mind drifted to Seamus, his best friend, who he had lost the year before. Dean cleared his throat, focusing himself again. "Anyway, I've got some research to do. I'll see you later."
Daphne gave a small nod, watching him leave the office. As the door closed behind him, she sank heavily into her chair. The quiet of the room settled around her like a weight, and she sighed deeply. Of course, she still had feelings for Josh. She loved him dearly. But with the war raging on, could she really afford to focus on that? She knew what her heart wanted, but her mind... her mind told her that now wasn't the time.
Healing had become her career path, her calling. She wanted to help others, to take away their pain. Maybe that was enough for now. The war would take everything it could from them, and she couldn't afford to be a distraction. Neither could Josh. She knew he had his own part to play in this war, and if they gave in to their feelings, what would it cost?
Daphne pressed a hand to her forehead, feeling the weight of it all. A break felt necessary—necessary for both of them. Once the war was over, maybe then, if Josh still wanted to... Maybe they could try again.
But who was she kidding? Of course, he would want to, right?
Josh walked through the second-floor corridor, lost in thought. He wondered how the Order planned to get Harry out of Privet Drive when the Death Eaters were lying in wait, ready to strike as soon as Harry's mother's magic faded on his seventeenth birthday. Josh sighed through his nose. Harry was turning seventeen in just a week. It felt like only yesterday they were eleven, eagerly awaiting the chance to learn magic for the first time. Six years later, everyone he knew was skilled in various types of magic. Even Neville, who was running toward him at that very moment.
"Josh," Neville huffed, finally stopping in front of him. "I've got some bad news."
Josh raised an eyebrow. "What's going on?"
"Well, it seems someone's interested in Shaun," Neville replied, quickly briefing Josh on what he'd learned from their spy within McLaggen's crew. "I think they're after his dad."
Josh nodded in agreement. "It makes sense. They'll go after Shaun through his dad."
"What can we do?" Neville asked.
"We'll tell Shaun what we know," Josh said. "Then we'll find his dad before they do. We'll move fast. He'll probably want to go, so you should lead this one. See if anyone here has experience with vampires."
Neville nodded. "Got it. I'll see what I can find." He spun on his heel and hurried off in search of monster hunters.
Josh turned back, only to hear approaching footsteps. He looked up to see Sirius and several familiar faces coming his way, stopping when they reached him.
"Shall we?" Sirius said, gesturing toward a nearby girls' bathroom. The group entered, and Sirius quickly cast a series of charms to prevent eavesdropping. He turned to the group—Josh, Ron, Hermione, Tracey, and Regulus—all of whom knew about Voldemort's Horcruxes.
"This brings back memories, doesn't it?" Ron said, gazing around the bathroom. He walked over to the sink that led to the Chamber of Secrets. "Fighting a giant snake and wandering through the sewers with an amnesiac professor... it all seemed so much simpler back then."
"You fought a giant snake?" Regulus asked, wide-eyed.
"Well, not exactly," Ron replied. "Josh and Harry did. Harry killed it."
"I thought he just killed a regular snake," Regulus said, puzzled.
"It was a Basilisk," Tracey said simply.
"A what?" Regulus gasped. "You're kidding. How did you even fight one of those?" He turned to Josh in disbelief.
"I'm afraid that's a story for another time," Sirius cut in, scanning the room for any signs of unwanted visitors. "We've got more pressing matters to discuss." Everyone nodded.
"So, any sign of Mundungus?" Josh asked, crossing his arms as he leaned against the sink.
Sirius shook his head. "Nothing. He's a slippery one. I've got two low-ranking Aurors on the lookout, but no luck so far."
"What now?" Tracey huffed.
"We should focus on finding the other Horcruxes," Regulus said. "We already know Mundungus has one, Dumbledore destroyed the ring, and Harry destroyed the diary. But how many more are out there, and where?"
"Harry said there could be seven," Josh interjected. "That leaves four more to find."
"Harry did mention the memories he saw last year," Hermione said. "He talked about Hufflepuff's cup and Ravenclaw's diadem."
"What's a diadem?" Tracey asked, frowning.
"It's a crown," Ron explained.
"As for the other Horcruxes," Hermione continued, "Dumbledore and Harry agreed they'd likely have some personal connection to Voldemort. Dumbledore also suspected the snake."
"Which means there's still one unknown Horcrux," Regulus said, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "And most of their locations are a mystery."
"We're looking for places with significance to Voldemort," Hermione said. "Like the cave he visited as a child or his family's shack in Little Hangleton."
"I thought it was Lucius who gave Ginny the diary," Ron said, remembering. "So we don't really know how it ended up in his hands."
"Before we get ahead of ourselves," Josh interjected, "I think Harry should be part of this conversation. He's the one who'll be hunting them down."
"You're right," Sirius agreed. "But we won't be able to reach him just yet. The day before his birthday should be our best chance."
"Do you think anyone will suspect him leaving then?" Tracey asked.
"I'm expecting that once Harry turns seventeen, he won't be hidden by his mother's magic anymore," Sirius explained. "That will make him an easy target for the Death Eaters. They'll find him in no time."
"So, just before his birthday," Josh said. "But how are we going to get him out if the Death Eaters find out he's leaving?"
"The Order's been discussing a few ideas," Sirius said, his voice lowering. "We have some plans, but there's one crazy idea that came from a very unlikely source."
Josh's curiosity piqued. "What's this crazy idea?"
Sirius smirked. "You'll see."
William sat by the window, gazing out at the Hogwarts grounds as a cool breeze stirred the curtains. It had been months since he'd seen his parents. He'd been told they had returned to their homeland to seek help in the war. He'd also learned that it was Sirius who had convinced his father to reach out to other Wizarding countries for aid. William couldn't be prouder of them—but it didn't make the silence any easier to bear. He hadn't heard from them since they left. Worry had begun to creep in, but he forced himself to push it aside. His father was skilled—he could take care of himself and his mother.
"Or they could be dead."
The voice pierced the silence, and William flinched, a bitter taste rising in his throat. He turned to the reflection in the window, where he saw a figure leaning against the wall, covered in soot, smirking. Barty Filch.
It was a hallucination. It had to be.
This strange apparition had started appearing a few weeks after William had woken up from the coma he'd fallen into. At first, he'd dismissed it as a fleeting symptom. But it hadn't gone away. In fact, it had become a constant presence. William had finally realized it was some kind of side effect from the magic and potion he'd taken to retrieve Barty's last memories. It had been a foolish thing to do—but he'd needed the information, and there had been no other choice. He hadn't told anyone—not Josh, not even Pansy. He didn't want them to think he was losing his mind.
"Come on, buddy," Barty's voice taunted. "Think about it. It's been months. If they were alright, they'd at least have sent an owl—or left a note. They didn't. So what else could it mean?"
"I said shut it!" William snapped, turning back to his book, trying to block out the hallucination. "You're not real."
"Oh, I'm real alright," Barty shot back with a grin. "I'm in your head. And just because I'm in your head doesn't mean I'm not real."
William squeezed his eyes shut, hoping the illusion would vanish.
But before he could even collect himself, the door to the dormitory crashed open, and a Ravenclaw student burst in, panting heavily. "Nielsen!" he called out. "Your mum... she's here. In the Hospital Wing!"
William didn't wait for another word. He shot to his feet, heart racing, and bolted from the room, not bothering to grab shoes or a sweater. His mind was consumed with one thought: his mother. He hadn't seen her in months.
Minutes later, he skidded into the Hospital Wing, breathless. His eyes immediately scanned the room, landing on Madam Cece, the new Hogwarts Healer, tending to a patient. But William's gaze quickly shifted to the bed, where he saw the person he had been yearning to see—his mother.
But the sight was almost too much to bear.
She was lying there, bruised and battered, her face streaked with dirt. Small cuts marred her features, and she looked as though she hadn't eaten in weeks. The sight of her, so fragile and broken, made his chest tighten with anguish.
"Mum," he whispered, his voice trembling as he knelt beside her bed. He took her hand in his, his fingers trembling, and buried his face in her palm, his tears falling freely.
For what felt like hours, he stayed there, his body freezing against the cold stone floor, lost in his sorrow. He hadn't even noticed he was without shoes or a sweater until a soft touch on his shoulders made him look up. Pansy had quietly draped a blanket around him, her presence a silent comfort as she sat down next to him, offering no words—just her steady, patient support.
William stayed where he was, his hand clasped tightly around his mother's, wishing he could somehow make everything right again.
Footsteps approached William and Pansy. Pansy looked up to see two wizards from the Resistance Wizarding Corp. The Resistance had formed shortly after the Battle of Hogwarts, made up of men and women who had lost everything and were determined to fight back against the dark forces threatening their world. The Auror Assistance program had fallen into obscurity after the battle; the citizens had lost trust. If Hogwarts could be infiltrated, then nowhere was safe. In response, a small group of refugees had banded together, creating their own group—a resistance that fought the Death Eaters without any jurisdiction or permission. It grew over time, and when Arlo Cortez and Isaac Underhill joined, offering leadership and stability, it became a true force. Though still young, the Resistance had made an impact. Most of their missions had been rescuing captured families or defending against smaller Death Eater attacks. It had been months since the last major attack—Hogwarts. The Death Eaters, for now, focused on harassing those who refused to join them. The Resistance, though still small, had grown to 150 members, a fraction of Voldemort's strength, but they were still recruiting.
The two men stood nervously, glancing down at William and his mother. "Mister William Nielsen?" one of the men asked. "I'm Dorian Knox, and this is Jason Victus. We were the ones who found your mother."
William shifted slightly at the mention of his mother. Dorian continued, "We found her unconscious along the coast of the North Sea. It looked like she had been running for days. It's a miracle she found her way to the coast."
Jason spoke next. "Your mother did wake up briefly on her way here. She spoke a few words—some in Danish. She said your name and another word we believe was 'leaf.' Does that make sense?"
William knew exactly what that meant, but he didn't respond. Pansy, however, did.
"She was probably asking for her husband, Leif," Pansy said, her voice steady. She looked up at the two men. "Did you see a man with her?"
Jason shook his head. "We searched the area thoroughly, but she was the only one there."
Pansy turned to look at William, whose position had shifted uncomfortably. She continued speaking with the two Resistance soldiers while William tuned them out. His mind kept wandering back to his father.
Then, a voice cut through his thoughts.
"Dear old daddy didn't make it."
William looked up to see Barty leaning over his mother's bed, his smirk cruel. "And don't think she'll make it either. Looks like you're going to be an orphan."
"Sh-" William bit his lip, clenching his teeth to stop himself from responding. He glanced over at Pansy, but she was still speaking to the soldiers. He locked eyes with Barty, anger flashing through him. Barty only smiled wider.
"I'm only joking," Barty said, his tone mocking. "Well, only about your mother. Your father? He probably didn't make it. Torn apart by Death Eaters. Maybe tortured first—Death Eaters love that. His death was probably slow. Magic probably didn't even kill him. Muggle means, maybe. Slowly and painfully..."
"Shut up!" William roared, his voice booming across the room.
The words echoed in the Hospital Wing, and everyone stopped what they were doing, their attention shifting to William. The two Resistance wizards exchanged a quick glance before Jason cleared his throat.
"Sorry for the intrusion, Mister Nielsen," he said, taken aback by the outburst. "We'll leave you to take care of your mother."
Jason and Dorian gave a quick bow before leaving, and the door clicked softly behind them.
Pansy turned toward William, her brow furrowed with concern. "Are you okay?" she asked gently, placing a hand on his shoulder.
William avoided looking at Barty, turning to Pansy instead. He could see the worry in her eyes. When he glanced back toward his mother's bed, Barty had vanished. William hesitated for a moment, considering whether to tell Pansy about the hallucinations, but he ultimately decided against it.
"I'm okay," he said, forcing a small smile. He turned to Pansy, trying to reassure her. "Really. I'm worried about my dad, but I'm just glad my mother's here."
Pansy gave him a soft, understanding smile. "I'm glad she's safe, too."
After an eventful day, Josh entered his room. It resembled a smaller version of his Hogwarts dormitory: a red and gold four-poster bed sat in the center, his trunk tucked underneath. To the right, a nightstand rested next to the bed, and across from it, a cupboard held his clothes and trinkets. By the window, his Phoenix, Blaise, perched, ruffling his feathers with a soft chirp.
As soon as Josh closed the door, a soft glow emanated from a pyramid-shaped object on his nightstand. The air seemed to ripple, and the ghostly figure of Josh's ancestor, Ominus Gaunt, appeared in the room. Ominus was a striking figure—young, handsome, with brown hair and pale, almost ethereal eyes. Josh had learned that despite being visionarily impaired, Ominus had become a remarkably successful wizard.
"Well, did it work?" Ominus asked, his voice tinged with curiosity as Josh tossed a bag next to his trunk.
Josh shrugged off his jacket and tossed it onto the bed, smirking. "It did. Not perfect—my crew didn't draw the runes exactly right—but the result was still beautiful. Though, I did tweak it a bit."
Ominus's brow furrowed. "You added dark magic to it, didn't you?"
Josh didn't answer, but his silence was all the confirmation Ominus needed. Josh walked over to the window. Blaise gave a soft hoot, a note so pure it almost sounded musical.
"Joshua, you can't use dark magic," Ominus said, his tone serious. "No good will come from it."
Josh sighed, leaning against the windowsill, staring out toward the Forbidden Forest. "I understand," he replied. "But sometimes, dark magic has its advantages. It's not always dangerous."
"Dark magic is always dangerous," Ominus countered, his voice firm. "It attracts the worst and corrupts the best. It taints the soul—eventually, it splits it."
Josh's mind flashed back to the image of his boggart, its words still echoing in his mind: This is what you're going to become.
He let out a long breath. "What if my soul was already tainted to begin with?" he muttered, almost to himself.
Ominus tilted his head, confused. "What do you mean?"
Josh turned, his gaze distant. "Nothing. Never mind," he said quickly, forcing a smile. "I'm tired. Big couple of days ahead of me."
Ominus gave a nod of understanding. The pyramid glowed once more, and in the blink of an eye, Ominus disappeared, leaving Josh standing alone in his room, the soft hum of the night the only sound that remained.