Hogwarts Year Three: Dark magic returns pt1

[Britanania]

Caitie

What is even happening? Whose car is that? That can't be their car, can it?

The scene of chaos played so quickly Caitie had difficulty processing it all. She remembered the sound deafening her, looking at her father, then seeing another man rip the Royce's door open.

Did I pass out? I swear I was still in the car? , Caitie thought as she looked around the main hall of the Ministry building. People were moving quickly, much more quickly than she normally remembered.

What is even going on? Where is mum and Quintus and Martius?

Caitie looked over to see her Father talking to his cousin Draco. Draco looked like he was bleeding, and he had his wand out.

"This is precisely why, Draco, that we need to win, to prevent things like this from happening." Caitie's vision seemed to distort as she wandered over to a bench and sat down, trying to wrap her mind around everything.

The car was behind us, and then...oh my...

[Miekzhemy]

Lucas Ackerley

Almost on queue with Heather's explanation of his injuries, Lucas began to cast healing spells in rapid succession in an attempt to medicate Derek to the best of his ability. Healing magic was never his forte, but auror training made even the spells he considered mediocre in skill to be above average to your everyday wizard. When he believed Derek to be stabilized, she saw his mother get up and almost trail off outside of his shield charm, right as something appeared to be forming in the sky.

"Wait-- no!" he snapped quickly while taking her arm, at least stopping her from leaving the shield that appeared like a shimmering bubble of magical energy. From the rooftops, stunning spells began to rain down and strike various attackers. Some of the other aurors in the open got the same idea, conjuring shield charms above themselves to avoid getting hit. Occasionally a stray spell would impact Lucas's shield, causing ripples in the surface before eventually dissipating like a drop of water falling into a lake. When everything cleared, and most of the attackers had either fled or been stunned, Lucas spoke to Derek's mother again.

"He should be okay. Now listen carefully. Take him - apparate him to the Ministry Headquarters. We'll all be there eventually to clear things up. People will attend to you both there."

With that, he waited until they had left before retreating to a nearby alleyway just in time before the Obliviate began to come down on the area. By then, the aurors had retreated from the scene and any injured civilians had been apparated out. One that was over, a peculiar silence came over the area as the large team of aurors walked back through the street, observing and documenting the scene. Lucas approached the flaming car, pointing his wand at it and casting a nonverbal water-making spell. A jet of water spouted from the tip of his wand and began to douse the car.

'Was this the...oh no...'

By the time the flames had cleared, Lucas identified the car as the Mercedes Benz. It was a hunk of wreckage, with most of the back half completely obliterated and torn apart. There were no signs of corpses other than the stray bits of charred and burnt clothing and dried blood, but whether that was the occupants' blood was unknown. There clearly had been a bomb in the trunk. He stared at it blankly, knowing that Malvolio's wife and sons were definitely gone.

Lucas removed his now cracked and blood stained glasses, his head sinking in defeat. By that time, numerous reporters from the Daily Prophet had arrived with their blasted cameras and journals, preparing to bombard the aurors with questions and document every bloody detail - no pun intended. And that's what happened. Two of them approached Lucas near the wreckage, having recognized him. While one began to photograph parts of the destroyed Benz, the other pulled out a quill and notebook.

"Mister Ackerley, what does the Auror Office have planned for these perpetrators?" the man asked. Lucas stared blankly at him for a second, now beginning to feel the pain of the gash on his forehead. He certainly wasn't looking presentable at this point either. He wanted to hit the bastard.

"We'll find them--" he began crossly before the flash of a camera left him momentarily aloof. Squinting and rubbing his eyes, he then stepped forwards, raising his voice.

"Alright! Get them out of here, now! There's work to be done, damn it!" he shouted, and the two reporters were quickly sent on their way by another auror. As he watched them leave, Lucas turned back to the car.

'How did this happen? We checked the-- wait.'

Then Lucas remembered. The steward - the same steward whom he trusted to have checked the luggage.

'What have I done?'

Rachel
Ministry Headquarters

Rachel sat quietly in a bench, still rubbing her forehead. Luckily she didn't rupture an eardrum, but her ears were still slightly ringing - at least enough to cause a quite annoying headache. It's a wonder how she wasn't hurt badly. The cuts she had received were swiftly healed by the auror that apparated them there - and Andrew's injuries likewise. Andrew was still out cold next to her, but thankfully okay. But currently, she couldn't get her mind off of what happened.

'Those kids... He waved at me and then...'

She buried her face in her hands, in complete shock at what she witnessed. The final moments of that boy were branded into her brain. Above all else, however, at least he went out smiling. Rachel looked up and around, noticing a still and blank-faced girl sitting in a bench. It was Caitie. All of a sudden she felt even worse. Those weren't even random kids either - those were HER siblings. She got up slowly and made her way over before sitting down in that same bench. Even though Rachel's injuries were healed, she still looked like a wreck from the incident. After a very long silence, Rachel spoke solemnly.

"Every time..." she began. "Every time I believe things are returning to normal...it only gets worse...and worse..."

Meanwhile, on the Daily Prophet

Alongside the front page article about the bombing, another picture was placed somewhere under the large picture of Thomas with its respective footnote.

Lucas Ackerley, head of the Auror Office Investigation Department amidst the aftermath of the explosion. When questioned, he left the reporters with a single sentence before being sent away: "We'll find them."

[Britanania]

Caitie

They were in the car behind us...I spoke to them only a few minutes before. We are going to have cake at home and open gifts, just like Mum said.

No one says no to me. If you had only said yes, this last part wouldn't have happened

My mind exploded in an eruption of noise and pain

The blood, is that my blood?

Is that? Oh my God

The car, the car, the boys

"Every time I believe things are returning to normal...it only gets worse...and worse..."

Caitie turned her head slowly and blinked for several moments, not quite registering what was happening. She saw a brown haired girl talking to her. She blinked a few more times and squinted to get a better look at the girl in front of her.

Rachel? Why is Rachel here? Why is this so much like....

"Are they...all right?" Caitie asked slowly and vaguely, as if she were not quite certain she even knew what she was asking or even saying.

[Miekzhemy]

Rachel

Even the vague question hit her like a train, causing her stomach to lurch as her mind went right back to the moment of the explosion - the boy's smile. She gulped and opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Eventually, she simply shook her head very slightly before she looked down to the floor. There was nothing more she could say. There was nothing to say. Bringing up what Rachel saw in detail would only make her feel even worse, something she knew she didn't want to do regardless of the circumstances.

She went quiet for a while again, simply waiting if she would say anything at all. Then a thought occurred to her.

"Caitie...can I tell you a story?"

[Britanania]

Caitie

The brown haired girl's silence told Caitie everything she already knew, and told her more than perhaps she wanted. She gripped her kneecap as she looked down at her shoes.

Not even a straight answer? Where is Father? I saw his talking to cousin Draco, has he even asked to see me yet?

Caitie lifted her head when Rachel asked her question, and her blank, almost vacuous looked bored into Rachel's eyes. She nodded in response.

[Miekzhemy]

Rachel

She waited patiently to nod. Then Rachel looked up, looking over the bustling activity the headquarters was undergoing. Her voice went soft.

"You see all the magic being used down here? It's in everything. And I mean everything - every little activity around here. And there's so much that I can't even pull out a simple music player without the interference frying the bloody thing. Wizards and witches have manipulated it to make things easier...just like muggles have with electricity. They've experimented with it: created new spells...new ways to do simple tasks..."

"...new ways to kill."

She sighed. "And they say there are differences between wizards and muggles. Hell no...they're just too busy collectively killing each other over their "differences" to realize that they're all too alike."

Rachel then let her head sink down to stare at the floor again. "I grew up thinking all of this was make believe - that is was all a fairy tale. Dad never broke the real news until I received my letter from Hogwarts when I was eleven..." she tried to force a smile, reminiscing. "And God...was I so bloody excited. It was like a dream come true."

"And so I went to the wizarding world, marveling at every tiny bit of magic I saw like a little kid opening her presents on Christmas morning. I got this..." she pulled her wand from her jacket - her aspen wand that still looked the same as it did the first day she got it. "...this...damned piece of wood." She stared at it for a while. "Then I started my schooling at Hogwarts as giddy as ever. Not only did I find out the magic was all real, but I could USE it too - like a fairy tale come to life. Everything was sunshine and rainbows...and that the wizarding world could be a peaceful place to shelter me from the horrors going on in the muggle world."

She tightened the grip on her wand. Her hand trembled as she choked out her next words. "...and then I realized it was a fockin' lie."

"It eventually showed me that this was no different - that this world was just as violent in its own twisted ways. Murders in the school...a life-threatening field trip at the hands of an insane teacher...near fatal injuries...death... Persecution for my blood status..." A tear went down her face. "I only wanted to learn about magic and make friends," she murmured. "...and maybe show those stupid supremacists that we could co-exist peacefully."

Rachel wiped the tear from her face and put her wand away. "The shit I've seen already...it barely amounts to the violence many muggles could see in a lifetime. Even my friends here haven't seen or felt as much pain. And I don't want them to. That's why I protect them - so they too don't have to go through the same injuries I've endured. And seeing you...what's happened to you..."

She shook her head again. "What you've endured...I can say that - being on the receiving end of sectumsempra, stabbed, having broken just about every one of my bones at least once - none of my pain can hope to amount to what it feels to lose people this close to you. Your mother...your brothers...Andrew and his father... I don't know what I would do if I lost my own father, or my brother, or any of my classmates. That's also why I choose to protect them."

Rachel went silent, then made a forced smirk while recalling another memory. "It's taught me a lesson. I'll tell you something else - something else I've tried to live by..." She leaned back in the bench.

"When I was a little girl, I saw this movie. A muggle movie, mind you. I can't remember the name, but all I know is it's American and there's a bunch of 'em. Had to do with boxing I think, and the main character has this lecture he gives to his son or something. I don't remember it word for word, but it went almost like this: Life isn't about how hard you can hit, but how hard you can get hit. How hard you can get hit and get right back up and move forward... Because life hits people harder than anything, and it doesn't give a damn how tough someone thinks they are. And if they let it, life will beat them to a pulp."

She cleared her throat. "I've wanted to give up on it many times already, Caitie. After I found you in that shack...and when I had to take it upon myself to bring that bloody git to your house... I was afraid, Caitie. I wanted to just curl up and cry. I wanted to go home and be done with it all. But that's the thing - I CAN'T run away from it now. It all went against my better judgement, but part of me couldn't let him go free after doing that to you. I beat him senseless for the sake of justice...believing it to be the right thing..."

Finally, Rachel looked to Caitie, staring her in the eyes. "And I'm not saying that violence is the only way to go about justice. I know what you must be feeling about the people that did this. I know what you want to do to them. I can't stop you. And I won't stop you. But please, Caitie..."

She cleared her throat again, getting choked up from the situation and from speaking so much. "...try to do the right thing. If you let your passion turn to nothing but bloodlust, you'll grow just as vile as the muggle-born terrorists that caused so much death and suffering to everyone. You'll become the very thing we strive to fight against. Don't stoop down to their level, Caitie. You're better than them."

"We all are."

[The Flutterlands]

Alexander Markus

Immediately after fleeing the chaos, a paniced Esmeralda hurried both Alex and Theodore to St. Mangu's Hospital. Both boys were immediately checked out by doctors and though the injuries, bleeding and otherwise, weren't very serious. It didn't take long to heal and patch up, Alexander and his brother. However, both brothers, were still quite shaken by the attack earlier. Theodore was sobbing, clutching onto a teddy bear, while Alex remained simply stunned and silent. All the while, Esmeralda sobbed in great worry. "W-will they be both okay, doctor?" she asked, for more than the first time so far, "Nothing's broken right?"

Alex and Theodore's doctor nodded patiently. "Of course, Mrs. Markus." he said calmly, as he patched up his two patients, "Our healing techniques are top notch here."

Afterward, Alex, his crown and arms bandaged, began to wander around the hospital while Esmeralda and his father, who lives who came badly damaged from the fight, got themselves checked out. He wondered how his friends were doing and have learned that while Caite and Rachel gave already left, Derek was still here and wide awake. Alex was escorted to Derek's room and he blinked at the sight. His friend didn't look as badly damaged as he himself looked months ago, but did look badly messed up. Alexander quivered and smiled weakly. "H-hey, Derek." he greeted, "How are you? Feeling better than earlier?"

Alex chuckled and added jokingly. "You think that almost getting blown is, going to be habitual now?"

[Skylus]

Derek
Nothing made sense anymore.
It was like....nowhere was safe.
The attack at the rally....
When that car blew up, my life flashed before my eyes.
But, here I was, in this bed, staring up at the ceiling.
I wonder if everyone's okay. I hope so.
A voice caused me to jolt from my thoughts and I slightly moved my head to the left.
It was Alex.
I don't know how long I merely looked at him for before attempting to sit up.
"Hi."
For some reason, it hurt to speak but I did so anyway.
"I think I'm alright...What about you?"

[CoraSpia]

Ava Burnside

All Ava could see was grey, a pitted sheet of grey; but what she could feel was pain all over her body. She tried to move, but that made the pain worse and so she stopped, just looking at the grey.
What had happened? Ava had no idea: a loud crash far too close, light...and then this grey. Something was touching her now, and she was lifting, the grey departing from her vision: the grey floor fading into the background...that was what it was, she thought happily, just the floor, she just fell is all...nothing worse; but then the pain hit her again and all thoughts of 'nothing worse' evaporated from her mind.
"You're going to be alright, alright Ava, we just need to get you out," the voice was panicking, and the arms were shaking. Ava looked up into the face of the person who had lifted her up: and who it was, and the state he was in made her know all the more that this situation was bad.
"Gregory?" she asked blearily.
Her thuggish brother didn't even react, just placing her down gently on her feet as he turned to help the injured. Ava swayed a little but managed to stand up as a man she didn't recognise set about healing her injuries.

Scanning around she spotted what had happened: an explosion, one of the Glacies' cars had gone up in flames, and a fight was brewing. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted her Dad descending on a group of hooded figures with a look of simple rage on his face: he was bleeding from several places but judging from the expression that had overtaken his face, he would not be feeling the pain for a long while yet.
His mouth was howling something, but through the ringing in her ears she could not make out a word, somehow she did not think that she wanted to.

Other men, aurors, broke up the fight and pushed him out of the way just in time, as stunning spells rained down on the crowds. She turned her head to spot her mother vanishing, with her little sister clutched like a precious parcel to her chest, blood pouring from numerous small wounds that covered he sides and back...but right now Ava couldn't think of anything more than the pain which even with the best efforts of the healers was still overwhelming her.
She felt a hand on her shoulder, just before blackness took her.

She did not know how long she had been out for, but when she awoke the pain had been replaced by a strange numb sensation, and she was sat curled up on a stone bench. All around her, the injured sat, lay or feebly stood; aurors and healers walked around doing what they could, however the scene was one of barely managed chaos. Near to her sat two girls, she felt she should recognise them, but right now nothing made sense; her thoughts moved as if through some sort of mental tar pit, taking far longer than they should to reach a conclusion.
All she could say, as she basqued in the strange almost pleasant numb sensation, leaning back on the bench which right now was the most comfortable surface of all, was "Where did my brother go?" For amongst all the injured, the whole and the severely wounded, Gregory Burnside was not in sight.

[The Flutterlands]

Alexander Markus

Alexander Markus smiled weakly and brushed his exposed hair. He still felt aches in his joints but things were much better than they were earlier. "Comapred to the last time I nearly got blown to smithereens, could be worse. I'm concsious and my face isn't fucked up. Theodore's okay, too, as well as the rest of my family, I think." Alex said with a chuckle, before sighing and looking at Derek with sad eyes, "I heard that this was the work of muggleborn terrorists. My mom and dad are furious and I quite believe this will make Malvolio unstoppable in the elections."

Alexander sighed and glanced down at the floor for moment as is he caught sight of it. He looked back at Derek with a small smile before walking towards a chair and sitting down. "At least Caitie and Rachel are okay." he said assuringly, "They have already left the hospital and I'm glad that Raphael wasn't involved in this. What do you think of all this?"

[Skylus]

Derek
"...That's good...."
I looked around the room a bit before glancing towards Alex.
"Ava's in the other room. have you seen her yet?"
I then decided to check myself over and the first thing I noticed was that my left hand was covered in bandages.
That was strange.
Did I get burnt?
No....
I felt fine.
So, what happened?
I decided to think about this later and I attempted to get out of the bed I was in, even though I knew that it was a stupid idea.
I didn't know why, but...
I just had to make sure that Ava was okay.
I didn't know why I had this feeling like I had to see her, though.
Shortly after I realized that I couldn't get down by myself and I glanced towards Alex.
"...Do you mind helping me down? I want to see Ava."

[The Flutterlands]

Alexander Markus

Alex shook his head as he rubbed his shoudler. Truthfully, he was looking on checking out on any fellow students who came to the rally. "I didn't even know she was at the rally, to be honest." Alexander said, as he got up from his chair, "But of course I could help you out of bed and take you to her. I would've checked on Ava anyway, if I knew she was here."

Alexander walked over to Derek's side and helped him out of bed onto his feet. He placed a hand accross the other boy's shoulders as he escorted him out of his room and in to Ava's. The two boys would walk into their friend's room and knocked on door before walking in. "Um... Is it okay if we come for a visit?" asked Alex with a weak smile, "How are you doing Ava? Is your brother alright?"

[World Anarchic Union]

William Darkenstone

Jonathan Barrow entered the badly-lit room carrying a tea tray that was the only shining item in the whole house. He laid it on the table, having found his wand in the meantime. William held his own nearby, ready to attack should the frail man attempt anything and Fenry seemed to look forward to such an opportunity. Barrow wheezed and sat down at a nearby armchair, dust leaving it at the same time. He coughed before taking his tea and sipping it quite loudly before turning his sight towards the young wizard in front of him.

"So, ole Arthur is dead. I will miss him." the man said, before jumping backwards as Fenry yelled.
"LIAR! You hated the master. You tried to jail the poor master!"

"Calm down, Fenry. I prefer to hear it from Mr. Barrow. Please continue." William nodded.

"Well, I may not miss him. But once, yeah, once we were good friends. Me, ole Arthur, Charlie, Bill. But, not anymore." Barrow drank again. "I am nothing more than a merchant. Once wandering, now stranded in this damn place."

"Fenry tells me you are a smuggler, Mr. Barrow." William added.

"It ain't different than a merchant." Barrow murmured before coughing once more. "We all came from England with nothing more than a few pennies and a bloody house elf." Fenry growled at the mention of herself. "We were all poor 'cept Arthur. But he was disowned by his family due to his interests and only managed to take the elf. We came 'ere in search of a new beginning. We other three were wanted for petty crimes and so traveled in this bloody country under the guise of the night. Arthur, Charlie and Bill wanted to do...nasty stuff. They had gotten into contact with some pretty bad fellows. And..."

"YOU BETRAYED MASTER CHARLIE AND BILL!" Fenry screamed, grabbing her dagger and rushing forward before being stopped by William.
"Hush, Fenry. What did you do, Mr. Barrow? "

"I... I informed the authorities. It was my civic duty." Fenry growled again.

"The rat did it for the money. The master knew. The master hated him."

Barrow coughed.
Anyway, they came to catch Charlie and Bill but suddenly spells had started flying. They...fell dead. They couldn't find anything on Arthur or his money. But, they banished him to the small store in Occitany. Arthur hated me since. But, he...knew incriminating stuff. And, oftentimes I'd do...chores for him. In the last few years he had lost any incentive, however. And I got involved with trading."

William smiled. Barrow was shaking visibly often during these last minutes.

"What were they planning? All these years ago?" he inquired, looking at Barrow.

"I... I don't know. It was pretty bad stuff. They wanted to... do very bad things to lots o' poor souls. " he started whimpering again. "I don't know anything. I am just a petty crook. Even Arthur figured it out. Just leave."

"Mr. Barrow- can I call you Jonathan? I know you are nothing but a pathetic smuggler. But even someone like you can serve a meaningful purpose. Even you can be useful with your connections. But, trust me you will know when you are but a liability. Don't forget, Fenry has shown me the incriminating evidence her master held you with. I hold his accounts and his journals. So, you don't really have a choice, Jonathan. Come on, Fenry. There isn't anything else to discuss here." He stood up and so did the house elf, whose eyes had grown dark at the sight of the terrified man.

"You...You are bluffing, right? You...You don't hold anything. You don't know anything about me!" Barrow cried.

"Must I remind you of the incident in the Sharp Knife tavern?" he inquired as Barrow stepped backwards, turning red.

"No... I know nothing about you. Who are you?"

"I am William Darkenstone. And we will speak some more soon. Goodbye-for now." He turned his back to the old wizard and, alongside the house elf, exited the house into the empty street. He could still feel the eyes of the locals onto him. Soon...

[CoraSpia]

Ava

Ava had recovered just enough to be angry, and she was managing that one just fine. She was angry at her father for demanding to walk so close to the front, angry at the muggle-born extremests for doing what they had done, and angry at the Gods that she had to be born in such a shit time period.
She was also angry at the people who made her phone, as it hadn't been made to withstand explosions and the screen was now sporting a rather unpleasant crack, which she couldn't repare until she finally found her wand.

Standing, she saw too people walking up to her, and with her mind now not quite so concust she recognised them: Derek and Alex...pleasant enough company, better than the aurors who were wandering around.
"Afternoon," she said weakly, before her face dropped when they mentioned Gregory. "I have absolutely no idea where he's gotten to, I hpe he's alright...he should be," she smiled slightly, "A thought couldn't even make its way past his defences."

[Britanania]

A Week Later

Knockturn Alley...you will never find a more wretch hive of scum and villainy..., the cloaked figured contemplated as it coursed the crowded, cramped, and confined corridors paved with cobblestones and over-head candles. Similarly hooded figures lined the aisle as she navigated past them, searching for any lead.

He's been missing since that afternoon. I can't think of another place he'd run off to, and I need to find him before they do. Pure-blood sympathies aside, this is the perfect place to hide. We wouldn't expect to find him here.

The figure found the location and entered swiftly through the threshold, the little bell altering the shop-keeper that he had a visitor.

"Yes, what can I do for you?"

"I'm looking for a man I think might have come through here." A gloved hand produced a picture of a well dressed man--a steward. Mr Borgin chuckled as he scanned the image.

"Lots of people come through here, but I sell antiques, not people. I suggested you try--"

"I'm not asking, I'm demanding." The antiquer raised an eyebrow as he leaned over the counter.

"Now you listen here; I served three years in Azkaban for my crimes. I'm not one to give up a name just because someone asked."

"I thought not, but I have other ways than politeness and prison" the voice hissed. In half a moment a wand was drawn and he blacked out.

He awoke several moments later with a frustrating headache and was surely confused, the figure already gone.

---

The White Wyvern, the sign read. Entering in, the scene was a usual looking pub with all the shady characters one expects. Towards the back wall a creaky stairwell led to the tenants' rooms, and the darkly hooded figure was unnoticed in the popular destination, the patrons too drunk or too pathetic to notice. Slowly, the figure crept up, every creak and crunch crinkling the air, the sound crashing despite the sounds of the patrons below. Reaching the top, a line of doors were seen.

394. He's there.

Slowly the door opened, and inside the former Glacies family steward sat by the fireplace. Hearing the door close behind him, he stood quickly and drew his wand.

"Expelliarmus!"

The Steward's wand flew out of his hand and into the fireplace, causing the blaze to grow and turn a slightly greenish colour as he backed up.

"W-who are you? Are you with the makuzma?" He nervously asked as his assailant slowly approached across the wooden floors, not saying a word until within a metre the hood was thrown back and icy eyes pierced his heart.

"Legilimency!"

---

A few days later, after complains from the patrons of a horrible stench, the Steward's body was discovered. No cause of death was immediately ascertained. His body had been found naked with his chest opened and his organs lying about the room. His blood covered the walls, and his head was missing, until it was found outside in a garbage can, half eaten by wild animals. Aurors were called to investigate.

Meanwhile, back at Castle Glacies Caitie sat in her room reading a scroll, but her mind on other things.

Caitie. You're better than them

"Yes, I am which is why I have to do this. For Quintus and Martius."

[The Flutterlands]

Alexander Markus

Alexander smiled weakly and shook his head. Though he had a happy look on his face, he was quite disturbed by the attack, sine this was the third time he was almost killed and the fact that one of his own family members have gone missing too. There hasn't been any sign of one of his older brothers yet at the hospital, but he's assumed to be okay. At least they hoped.

"No, I gave notice seen Gregory yet, I'm afraid." said Alex, "However we can go around the hospital and look for him though. I think one of older twin brothers have gone missing too, but they're great wizards. Perhaps we can find him on the way?"

Alex turned to Derek, still smiling weakly. "What do you think, Derek?" he asked, "Want to go for a walk around the hospital?"

[New Roman Empire]

McGonagall

McGonagall sat at her desk in her office, After this attack, I think it would be best to keep the students home and close the year off. This year has been chaotic a fight at the castle and rogue wizards and who knows what else is to come from this. So I will keep the students home, they will be allowed to come back at he start of next year. But for now I think it will be best to keep to keep them home where they are safe, especially after recent events. She stood up and grabbed a quill and some paper, where she began to write a letter.

Dear Students and Family,

Due to recent events, I have decided to end the year early. I believe that some extra time at home will help calm people down while the professors and I work to improve the safety of the school in your absence. Classes will start as usually next semester and I look forward to seeing you all.

Sincerely,
Headmaster McGonagall

[World Anarchic Union]

William Darkenstone

William tightened his jacket, waiting in the train station. Fenly stood nearby, taking in the surroundings. It had been years since she had last been in London and enjoyed every minute of her return home. William, however, was more worried. Poor Caitie... That latest attack... Horrible but also dangerous. It can bring many bad things. And Hogwarts shutting down early... It doesn't signify good things for us.

As he was lost in thoughts, he didn't notice a familiar figure approach the two of them. The smiling woman coughed delicately as William and Fenly turned to see her. William's aunt and only legal guardian for him stood before them, her brown hair contrasting with the simple white blouse she was wearing. Immediately, she hugged William and turned to the house elf.

"Welcome back...to the both of you." she said, as she showed her hand to Fenly. "Nice to meet you...Fenly, was it? I am Elizabeth Darkenstone. Poor thing. Will told me everything."

Fenly gulped, unknown to the warm feelings the woman in front of her gave out. She shook the woman's hand, reluctantly, only whispering a shy "Nice to meet you."

Elizabeth then turned to William again.
"Horrible, what happened, right? It was right that the Headmistress stopped the school year early.
Anyway, how was France?"

William followed his aunt to get back to her house. He sighed, thinking about everything that had happened and what he had acquired form the trip.
"Great. Can't wait to get back there in the summer. A shame this all happened. Thankfully, Fenly wasn't hurt from the accident." William said, as he continued to follow her.

"Yes, too bad I won't be able to come with you. Work, dear." She laughed heartedly as she continued. "But I don't think you will miss me, right?" She smiled again as William understood what she was thinking about and turned red.

"Ava is a just a good friend, aunt. Anyway, it's glad to be home."

"I know, Will. You remind me so much of.. Nevermind. I am happy that you are here. But it's terrible that it is with these circumstances." Elizabeth replied as hey made their way back to William 's house for the last three years since that day. Poor Caitie...