Chapter 12
There was a strained silence on the Hogwarts express as it left Hogsmeade; Albus sat next to a window, his face pale and drawn as he stared into the surrounding countryside, ignoring the greetings as others joined him. Hugo sat opposite him and adopted the same pose, his thoughts surrounding the previous night's dream. The consequences of which had left him confused.
Lily and Rose joined them out of habit, but were uncomfortable in the company of the boys' expressions. Any attempts at gossip were frowned at by Albus, whose grimace worsened whenever the carriage passed over an uneven rail joint. He closed his eyes, hoping sleep would come.
Ogranak did not need to study the bushes to know a priest of Dedun was watching him; the priests had long given up on subterfuge and had taken to almost escorting their targets. Only in Gringotts was he not watched, though the
prefect chosen to replace Griphook, one Hrolfgar, was clearly a highly regarded member of the Dedun sect.
Ogranak had returned from South America the previous day, bringing with him several aztec blades and gold sculptures, each of them depicting a legend of Dedun. The artifacts had been taken by Krull's men, bypassing the usual procedure that recommended further study in Gringotts' hallowed halls.
Bill Weasley had convinced him that siding with Krull was the wrong option, even if it meant Goblins would 'take their rightful place' - the magical world had suffered enough from war in recent years.
Ogranak paused, suddenly aware of another presence in the forest, just to the south of the Black Mountains. He studied the surrounding trees closely, a small grin when the Dedun priest quickly dropped from view behind a fallen oak. He could not find the other presence. Sighing, he broke from the oppressive cover of the ancient groves, only to find himself in an area that reeked of black magic; a short distance away, a red haired man fell through the ground; the clouds changing colour to suggest foul play. Rooted to the spot in fear, Ogranak jumped when a black shape emerged from the treetops, landing on the Dedun priest, not allowing that goblin to even open it's mouth to scream before leaving it's decapitated body to tumble toward him.
Ogranak could not move; his fear rendered him totally immobile, his limbs not even protesting when the priest's body rolled to a stop next to him: blood still spurting from it's jugular. Blood which had caused the priest's scarlet robes to become almost black, and which now did it's best to soak Ogranak's shoes.
Tearing his eyes away from the horror at his feet, Ogranak blinked when he saw a mighty castle emerge from the ruins that had previousy dominated the landscape. Aside from the winged serpent that doominated the gatehouse, it put him in mind of the muggle fortress at Harlech. A castle designed to inspire fear in the locals.
Forgetting his mission, Ogranak instantly turned and fled in the direction he had come; not even worried about whatever had killed the Dedun priest.
Ron stared, shocked to see James Potter sneering at him - the young wizard's profile lit by a green flame, giving his skin a serpentine pallour - struggled ineffectively at his bonds.
"James? What are you.... Why are you doing this?"
"Silence."*James' leather-gauntlet covered hand whipped across Ron's face, turning his world black.
Eventually used to the morose silence from the boys, Lily and Rose began discussing the new set of boys that were interested in them, though Rose could tell that Lily had her heart set on the absent Cei.
Albus picked up on it, ignoring his pain to rub salt in his sister's wound, "Cei is gone Lily. No one could have survived that kind of goblin assault." He flinched as Hugo kicked him in response. Only the sensation that the train was slowing stopped a fight from breaking out. Staring out the window, they realised they in Kings Cross and, as if by magic, their dark moods lifted - the holidays had truly begun.
Ginny beamed as the four teenagers ran toward her, enveloping each in a big hug, she asked seemingly inconsequential questions about school and homework, all the while promising at least a week of fun at the Burrow.
Attracted by the sudden change in the sky, a small group of centaurs had gathered near the edge of the forrest. It had been decades since the Seneschals had greeted quests in such a manner. It made them uneasy, they could not afford to be dragged into another wizard conflict. One of them, not watching his footing, laid a heavy hoof on the decapitated body of a goblin, a startled neigh of terror escaping his lips as the corpse shifted under the new weight, causing the group to panic and flee in various directions.
None of them had noticed a dark, immobile shape above them, staring in the direction of the castle's gate.
Several hours passed before the shape moved - the clouds had dissipated, showing a moonless night, shadows caused by the far off orange glow of a muggle settlement.
A Barn owl , it's hunt finished for the night, landed near the shape, it's beak clicking affectionately as a metal covered hand petted it. "Hail, Seren, well met." a deep voice spoke from the shadows. The hand took a package from the owl's left leg before follwoing it's owner to the forrest floor. A soft grunt as his feet hit the leaf mould the only sign of unaccustomed stiffness.
Comfortable in the darkness, he removed his black dragonhide top, wincting as the stiff, thick leather caught a bruise. Carefully unwrapping the bundle he had taken from the owl to reveal a small amphora, he broke the wax seal and carefully poured half the contents onto his upper body, swallowing the rest and rubbing the mixture over his various cuts and bruises. He relished the sudden increase in heat on his skin as the mixture began to work, easing his muscles and healing the injuries. He was slow, out of practice, hi sinjuries mute testament to that fact. Reaching to his jacket, he pulled a short asian sabre from a hidden pocket and stood, shaking his limbs in a final attempt to relax before settling into a fighting stance. Holding the sword in his left hand, a modified shuriken in the other, he began the battle movements drilled in since he was old enough to walk.
Despite the darkness and the cold, it was possible to see perspiration rise from his bare skin.
Ron drifted in and out of consciousness, his body awash with pain. All he could hear was James' mocking laughter and the crack of a whip as it was sent towards his exposed back.
He recognised another voice that seemed to be cheering James on; the way he was bound, however, meant he could not turn his head to find the source. All he could see was the corridor he had been walking in, now brilliantly lit by green flame, the serpents on the walls seemingly coming alive.
Hermione was first to greet the kids when they entered the Burrow, excited about the holiday, they did not notice how careworn and tired she looked. They crowded round the kitchen table, somehow not disturbing their grandmother while she cooked. Chatting about boys, quidditch and planned activities.
Ginny held Hermione back, a comforting hand steering the older woman into the living room, "Harry's gone looking for him, I'm sure they'll be with us for christmas day." Ginny pulled Hermione into a hug, a brief look of irritation crossing her face when she noticed Fleur putting up decorations while humming along to Celestina Warbeck. Ginny presumed the frenchwoman's presence meant that Bill was still out of the country and promptly did her best to ignore her sister-in-law for the remainder of the evening.
The evening was uncomfortable for Hermione and Ginny; Bill had returned and the lovey-dovey attitude he and Fleur displayed made the two younger witches feel their husbands' absence all the more keenly.
"Would you consider taking Scorpius back?" Lily and Rose were leaning on the windowsill in Ron's old Room - now decorated with shades of purple and red to match their tastes - staring at the stars.
"I don't know," Rose's forehead creased in concentration as she considered her answer, "sometimes yes, but I think that's because I miss being in a relationship. He was so nice at first."
Chapter 11 Chapter 13