When January arrived, we were slowly getting back into the sa rhythm we had before the start of the tournant. Well, not precisely, as now we were having etings with the sa group who helped and stood with when Qunicy got abducted.
"You need to be quicker!" I chuckled, helping up a sixth-year student from the ground after my disarming spell hit him.
"I need to perfect my wordless casting!" He smiled, shrugging as he patted the snow off from his Slytherin robe.
It wasn't just us who dueled; all of those who were part of our group took up a big chunk of the grounds. As I looked around, spells flew from one to the other, colliding in mid-air as students from all houses participated in the activity. I watched Quincy fight against two second-year students and triumph over them, making smile proudly. Our recent dueling practices were seen by the teachers as an excellent example to the guests, displaying our dedication to the magical arts. We were even comnded for it.
In reality, we were making sure everybody was on the top of their ga when the ti ca to flee. We all knew what was coming, and nobody wanted to be caught by a stray spell. Most of those who were in the fourth year or lower were told to focus on learning shield charms, while the more experienced students were exercising attacking spells.
"It is kinda cheating, going up against the best duelist in school!" The others joked, making smile.
"Am I? I don't know about that!"
"Duh!" A Gryffindor student laughed, patting my shoulders, "We all saw your duel with the Malfoys! I would have been dead before realizing what was happening!"
"Then you should have seen my Father! I couldn't count how many tis I was pumlled into the ground in the sumr!"
With our little training session going on for another hour, we were about to finish it when Professor Slughorn appeared. I watched as he approached Quincy, talking with her, and although I saw her remain smiling, kind, and cordial when the head of our house left, he looked disheartened.
"Okay, guys!" I clapped, turning towards the rest, "Keep practicing when you can, and we will et again next Friday and have another group exercise! I know it is cold, but those who are ready for it, bring your brooms, as we will practice while flying!"
"Isn't that... dangerous?" A girl from Ravenclaw asked while her friend elbowed her hurriedly.
"What do you think?! Would the enemy wait for you to walk around and initiate a proper duel? This isn't the 18th century!"
"It's okay!" I chuckled but agreed with her friend, "I am not forcing anyone to take part in it. But I want those who are brave enough to try."
With that, today's training was finished, and when I remained with Quincy, walking towards the castle, I finally had a chance to ask what Professor Slughorn wanted.
"He is trying to butter up to ." She shrugged, shaking her head, "But by now, I refused his invitation to his parties twice, and I keep doing it. I do not bla him for not helping you, but I also don't want to act as if nothing had happened. From all of them, the fact that only Professor Lockhart stood with us says a lot!"
"Yeah... that also surprised . I'm just happy he looks to be in a better mood nowadays. I think he finally ca to terms with the fact he will have to escape with us."
"He began planning, which in turn cald him." She added with a giggle, holding my hand as we entered the castle. "Are you thinking of bringing him along with us?"
"No, not really. I... I don't know. I still haven't even considered where to go..." I admitted it with a heavy voice. "The thought of our lives, our normal lives, ending just like that hasn't settled in. I don't know if it ever will until it happens."
"We will deal with it as it cos! I am sure that after that battle, your Father... Our Father will contact us! He may be in the Order, but we have both seen how he acts! There has to be sothing we don't know, or at least not yet!"
"That is what bothers . Haaah... But you are right! We will see what happens. After escaping, we can lay low in London and disappear within the crowd."
"You have hidden properties sowhere?"
"No, but we can confuse so muggles for the ti being."
"Hmmm, yeah, that's true! But we will also need to keep moving amongst them! It will be exciting!"
"Quincy, you sound as if we are going to go on a holiday or an expedition!" I laughed, leaning in and kissing her face.
"Staying positive is very important!" She answered with a proud grin, tilting her head, "That reminds , have you been thinking about what I said?"
"Yep, and I am browsing Salazar's books. I won't rely only on the potion. I have been searching for a spell that helps dominate a beast's mind or at least confuse it. The Confundus Charm may work on smaller, dumber beasts, but I don't know if it works on this specific Cerberus. What kind of willpower does it have? Would it even function?"
"Then use the Imperius Curse."
"Yes, but that also could be shrugged off. House-elves have a natural resistance to it, for example. What if I use it and the dog remains functioning? It has three heads!"
"Hmmm..."
Both of us fell silent as we walked not to the Common Room but to our little base in the North Tower. With a flick of my wand, fire was quickly warming up the room while Quincy picked out so snacks and butterbeer.
"If not against the dog, we could use spells against the others. It will be a free-for-all all to get the vial."
"I was thinking of the sa thing." I agreed, picking out the two potions, fiddling with them, and giving one to her.
"Why?"
"I will need only one. I was playing with the idea of being the bastard in the round."
"Huh?" She flinched, looking into my eyes questioningly.
"I would work on harassing the others. I don't think they will be fair about it either; just think about it! Every school has two Champions, and the goal is to get one little vial. The writing is on the walls! The ideal solution is that the Champions work together. Not everyone can win; sotis, you must sacrifice personal gain and glory."
"So, while you attack the others and draw the beast's attention, I should sneak in and steal the vial."
"That is the gist of it. I will cover you against their ddlings and also try to hamper their progress in the anti. You can drink the potion, turn yourself into an owl, swoop down, and disappear with the prize! Easy!"
"If it will be that easy... but yes, that does sound good!" She nodded, slurping on her butterbeer.
"Glad you agree! I will use my potion when I need to escape or if the beast goes directly after . So, one vial will be enough! On the other hand, you can keep yourself hidden for longer! If you get the vial, don't even stop! While the potion is in effect, head straight for the room of requirent and hide it!"
"They would have a hard ti finding it there, ahaha!"
"Not just that!" I grinned, leaning closer to her, "I plan to create a counterfeit if we get the original. I want to lose it to one of the other Champions. Let them fight over it! We can sotis 'try' to steal it back to not rouse suspicion, but it would make our following months much more leisurely!"
"You are being evil... again!" She whispered, leaning closer, kissing my lips, "But it suits you~!"
"Says the girl who helped get rid of Umbridge! You are just like ~!" I answered with my own kiss, and soon, we were lying down, lost in each other's embrace.
...
....
.....
"Charlie, please. Sit." Dumbledore said amicably as the red-haired man walked into his private room.
"Thank you, Professor." He whispered, bowing a little before sitting down, trying to hide the pain that every move of a muscle sent through his body.
"Here." The old wizard said, placing a mug filled with hot tea before him. "It will help ease the discomfort. Using your blood is not sothing I would ask of you lightly; I hope you understand that."
"I'm fine, Professor. I am glad to be of service."
"I know... You are just like your parents. They would be proud of you!"
"I hope..."
"How's Fluffy?"
"Professor, you know that Hagrid will be furious when we return to our base without his dog." Charlie warned him, but in his eyes, there was no place for doubt. He simply wanted Dumbledore to be prepared for it.
"His anger will be directed towards the necessary targets; don't worry about it. I would trust Hagrid with my life. He is loyal beyond reason!"
"I see. I sneaked into the enclosure," Charlie continued, no longer trying to warn Dumbledore, "It is still hard to believe music is all it needs to beco docile. I injected him with so of my blood, and for now, it lays dormant within its body. My draconic mutation will drive the beast into madness the mont it activates. Its bloodlust will be overwhelming and push its body to its limits, probably killing it in the process. It may be a Cerberus, but the dog doesn't have the willpower to control a dragon's blood. It. Will. Die."
"If all goes well, it will trigger the conflict. The death of Tom's little disciple has to draw him out. I know he must be hiding close by, watching, looking for ."
"Do you think he will care about the boy?"
"Oh, no. He won't!" Dumbledore answered, laughing, "He doesn't care about him, but he does care about his reputation. He announced Conrad to be his first personal disciple, a wizard who he teaches himself! He will appear when he dies."
"And the kid's demise will fuel Angus just as well."
"Mhm. He must not fail and give us enough ti to destroy the Horcrux hidden in the Room of Requirents. That is what matters! Maybe he can get lucky with consuming a Felix Felicis."
"Even if Angus manages to kill him, he will co back. He still has so that we couldn't locate."
"Yes, but if he dies, he has to use one up to return!" Dumbledore smiled, looking at Charlie's mangled face from behind his half-moon spectacles. That equals as another Horcux gone."
"And brings us a step closer to victory..."
"Exactly. The mont Tom is gone, peace can finally return to the Wizarding World, and all those who sacrificed everything can be made to rember as heroes! People who gave up their lives for the Greater Good!"
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