Chapter 43

Hogsmeade Village.

The Hog’s Head Inn was as filthy and ramshackle as ever, sawdust scattered across the cracked wooden floor. Behind the bar, Aberforth Dumbledore was idly turning a small wooden token over in his hand.

Crack.

Four figures Apparated into the room.

Skoll strode forward, threw back his hood, and said, “Show us the way, Aberforth.”

Aberforth lifted his head, his gaze falling on the scar that slashed across Skoll’s face. Unlike Anne’s own scars, which had faded to a faint silver line, Skoll’s was raw and jagged, lending a dangerous edge to his expression. Aberforth’s eyes flicked past him to the three young people behind. His voice was rough and complicated when he finally spoke.

“You’re really willing to risk everything, for my brother, that self-righteous fool who only ever cared for the greater good? And you three, children still wet behind the ears, do you understand this isn’t a game? This is war.”

“We’re of age!” Ron shot back hotly. “Not children anymore!”

“You’re Aberforth, right? Dumbledore’s brother?” Harry asked.

Aberforth gave a small nod, moved out from behind the bar, and led them toward the rickety wooden staircase at the back. As they climbed, he said over his shoulder to Skoll, “Why not just disband the Order of the Phoenix? You know as well as I do, it’s over. Voldemort’s already won.”

“How can you say that?” Hermione snapped, anger flashing in her eyes. “You’re part of the Order of the Phoenix too, aren’t you? You’ve fought on the front lines with us!”

“We have a mission,” Harry said firmly. “A mission your brother entrusted to us, and we’re going to finish it.”

Aberforth gave a bitter laugh. “Oh, I’m part of the Society. But that doesn’t mean I liked my brother. You think he ever told you the truth? I know him. He learned secrecy sitting at our mother’s knee. Secrets and lies, that’s what we were raised on. And Albus… was born for them.”

“Secrets and lies have their time and place,” Skoll said quietly, his deep voice steady and strangely comforting. “Aberforth, I understand your resentment. Dumbledore made mistakes. But right now, the mission comes first.”

Aberforth gave him a long, measuring look, then huffed a laugh. “You’ve got a silver tongue, I’ll give you that.”

They reached a dingy little sitting room with a tattered rug and a small fireplace. Above it hung a large oil portrait of a blonde girl with gentle, vacant eyes gazing softly into the room.

“The Order of the Phoenix,” Aberforth said with a sigh. “Having someone like you at the helm, I almost feel better about it. Shame, really. I can’t imagine how my brother talked you into this.”

“Shared goals,” Skoll said calmly. “Even if our reasons differ, we want the same end.”

Aberforth chuckled and turned to the portrait. “You know what to do,” he said softly to the painted girl.

She smiled faintly, then turned and began walking away, not vanishing from the frame as most portraits did, but stepping into a painted corridor that stretched deep into shadow. They watched her slender figure grow smaller and smaller until the darkness swallowed her whole.

“Skoll,” Aberforth said, clapping him hard on the shoulder, “I don’t admire many people. But you, if you come back alive, I’ll open my best bottle for you.”

“Your best?” Skoll grinned. “I’ll hold you to that. And if you don’t finish your end of the job, I’ll send a team to empty your cellar. I’ve heard plenty of people would be happy to help.”

Aberforth made a very rude gesture. “Don’t underestimate me. Now get out of here!”

The portrait swung open like a small door, revealing the mouth of a real tunnel beyond.

“Let’s go,” Skoll said.

Hermione stepped forward first, wand raised, followed by Ron, Harry, and finally Skoll.

The tip of Hermione’s wand glowed white, casting light along the narrow earthen passage.

“So… where exactly does this lead?” Ron asked, scratching his head. “And, uh… maybe I should’ve asked this sooner, but what are we actually doing?”

Skoll gave a small, amused huff. “You came along without knowing?”

“Harry and Hermione didn’t say anything!” Ron protested. “So what’s the plan?”

“It’s quite obvious,” Hermione said, her voice echoing faintly through the tunnel. “It’s bold, maybe reckless, but brilliant. Voldemort’s on his way to the cave right now, to check on one of his Horcruxes. If Harry Potter suddenly appears at Hogwarts… what do you think he’ll do?”

“He’ll think we’re going after the Horcrux hidden here,” Harry said. “If he finds out it’s gone, and that I’m at Hogwarts, he’ll panic. He’ll come himself.”

“And he’ll bring Nagini,” Hermione added. “He’s too afraid to leave her unguarded now, especially if he suspects she’s the last one.”

“And the Death Eaters will come with him,” Harry said grimly.

“But… we still don’t know where the Horcrux here actually is,” Ron pointed out.

“You’ll find it,” Anne’s voice came from behind them, steady and sure. “Those fighting outside will buy you time. Ron, you and Hermione take the Sword of Gryffindor and search for Ravenclaw’s diadem. Take Luna with you, she’s a Ravenclaw. She can help you find the Grey Lady, Helena Ravenclaw.”

“Wait, Helena? You mean she’s, ?” Ron began.

“Yes,” Skoll said. “Rowena Ravenclaw’s daughter. She’s the ghost who haunts the castle. If anyone knows where the diadem is, it’s her. But I can’t promise she’ll tell you easily, the diadem’s been lost for centuries.”

“What about the Horcrux in Gringotts?” Ron asked.

“If we win this war, I’ll handle that one legally afterward,” Skoll replied smoothly.

Ron gaped. “So when you said we were gambling… you really meant it. This is insane—”

“It’s the boldest, and fastest, plan we have,” Skoll said. “And right now, it’s our best shot. Miss this chance, and things will only get worse.”

A faint light appeared ahead of them.

Ron licked his dry lips. “And if, just saying if, we don’t find the diadem?”

The others’ footsteps faltered.

Skoll’s voice remained calm. “Then there’s still another way to win. We kill both Voldemort and Nagini. Without them, the Death Eaters will crumble. Once the battle’s ours, we’ll search the entire castle, every corridor, every wall, until we find the diadem and destroy it.”

Ron wanted to say that’s impossible, but the words stuck in his throat. All he could do was pray that he and Hermione found it in time.

The light grew brighter. They stepped out of the tunnel, and froze.

“This… this is—” Harry stammered.

“D.A.? The Room of Requirement?” Hermione gasped.

“Exactly.” Skoll smiled faintly. Behind them, the tunnel vanished back into the wall.

“Before we head to the Great Hall, I’ve got something for you,” he said, stopping. From his pocket, he drew the small oak box again. Inside were four glass vials, each filled halfway with glimmering golden liquid.

He handed one to each of them, giving Ron two.

The three exchanged puzzled looks.

“Felix Felicis,” Skoll said lightly. “Four hours of luck each. Take it when the time feels right. We’ve had a run of terrible fortune lately, might as well tip the odds in our favor. A little luck could change everything, right?”

“But why do I have two?” Ron asked.

“One’s for Fanny,” Skoll replied, passing him a folded letter. “Give it to her with the vial. I can’t see her myself, she doesn’t know who I really am.”

“Anne, what about you?” Hermione asked, clutching her vial, eyes searching for him.

“I’ve got a full one. Twenty-four hours,” Skoll said, patting his bag. He checked his watch. “Time’s up. Let’s move. We need to reach the Great Hall now.”

He broke into a run.

“Oh, Merlin, it’s really Felix Felicis?” Ron shouted as he sprinted after them. “We’re actually going to win this! And I get to see Fanny? Talk to her? Maybe, maybe she’ll even hug me?”

The enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall loomed black and star-flecked above them, flickering with faint light. The hall was packed and buzzing with confusion, no one knew why Professor McGonagall had suddenly summoned all four Houses together, nor why Headmaster Snape was nowhere to be seen. Even the ghosts, pale and translucent, had gathered silently along the walls.

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The complete release can be accessed through[P]atreon.[c]om/Crimson_Lore [remove brackets]