On The Brink

In the Scottish countryside

Dipping through and around clouds, Sybill, Cormac and Irma cruised on their brooms vigilant about possible pursuers. Irma and Sybill were not seeing eye to eye on strategy.

"I have to do this, Sybill," said Irma.

"We have a better chance with more numbers," said Sybill.

"I doubt that you and Cormac have been marked. Just keep moving," urged Irma.

"I have an idea," said Cormac pointing to the Aberdeen-bound train a little ahead of them.

Hogwarts

"What do you mean by inquisition?" asked Armando Dippet.

"I warned her. I did," said the Baron. "The desk probes deeply seeking your most ardent desires. Once it has deciphered what that is, it will begin to … to make it true. But its truth is literal. It has no subtlety or nuance in its mission."

"A sledgehammer approach is not ideal where the heart is concerned," said Dilys Derwent.

"We are all aware of what Minerva has undergone. Are you saying, Baron, that the desk has the power to override the effects of the Forgezi Desiro?" asked Phineas Nigellus.

The Baron nodded. "I know not what that is. I can only say that the desk enabled me to travel through time. I cannot imagine what it may do for Minerva."

"The two are linked together by the past and they are linked together by the school now. The school will be affected. How and what ought we do about it?" asked Quentin Trimble.

Looks of horror and concern replaced anger and dismay in every portrait. Here was a possibility no one had thought of.

"You've done more than enough, Trimble!" said Lucrezia.

Trimble had the grace to be contrite. "I did what I thought was best. It was wrong to not consult, to consider in the open. That I regret. With Minerva and Albus absent, their duty to the preservation of the school falls to us. We are faced with a very real threat. I have no soul but I tell you that I sensed a power unequalled while I was in that room."

Former headmaster Fortescue had been deep in thought and now spoke. "The school's preservation is paramount. The Founders saw to that. Recall Rowena's enduring prophecy that a champion would rise each time Hogwarts was truly imperiled."

"Are you suggesting that we do nothing?" asked Dilys. "Events are spinning out of control as we dither. How long before the Ministry discovers all is not right here?"

"Hasty action has landed us with this problem. Pray let us not add to it, Dilys," said Armando. "Baron, inform the head ghosts that we need to speak with them here."

"Yes, headmaster." The Baron left the office at a run.

Dippet continued giving orders. "We need two things - information and Albus. Everyone, go where you can. Delay any investigation however you may. Find a hint of where Albus could be."

"Fawkes has been quiet. Albus must be safe," said Nigellus.

"Minerva said that he and the others were returning by muggle means," added the Baron.

"I am relieved for Albus' sake," said Dippet. "However, we must know more. We cannot act properly in a vacuum of true knowledge. Everyone but Phineas and Trimble, go now!"

The other portraits all moved and disappeared. The remaining two looked ill at ease.

Dippet said, "We need a sentry in the dungeons to watch and report. Who will volunteer?"

Nigellus volunteered immediately. "I will."

"Quentin, how convenient that you retain access and, um, contacts in the Guild in Cairo and-"

"How do you know this?" asked Trimble. "I've not told a soul."

"How I know is unimportant. It is enough that I do," said Dippet. "Deliver news to Reza. Tell him what has transpired here. The Guild must watch over the Secret Keeper. Only he stands against the desk fulfilling Minerva's wish in the quickest manner possible."

Phineas mumbled, "All roads lead to Egypt."

"If anything happens to Khalil, it shall be a road to despair for Albus," said Dippet looking grave. "Long ago, my gift told me that Albus was critical to the school. His time as champion has not yet come to pass. Neither has Minerva's but she is essential to him. He will not, cannot be, the champion we will need him to be if she is lost to him. Do you both understand?"

"I do not. If the potion's work is removed, then they can be together. Surely that is a desirable outcome," said Phineas.

"But not for the Forgesi Deziro."

"In ancient magic, there was always a heavy penalty, a consequence, of breaking the natural result of a curse," said Trimble.

"The more fearsome the curse, the dearer the cost," said Dippet. "Hence the reason consequences fell out of favor and are no longer used."

"What kind of consequences?" asked Phineas.

Trimble shrugged. "It could be anything. Minerva may remember but reject him, blame him for what happened. If Khalil … loses the secret, then it will be as if she never loved him at all. She may stay here but their relationship will be lacking - respect without affection, perhaps not even friendship. Minerva herself may be changed to someone we do not recognize."

"There was a question I failed to put to the Baron," said Dippet. "What would happen if Minerva fought the desk's machinations? What then?"

Off the coast not far from Edinborough

Surrounded by Shades, Albus' vision swam. He was seeing double and triple of every blurry thing.

With his last reserves of strength, Albus cast, "Glacius!"

Mere inches away, the Shade froze then fragmented into shards of ice. Albus turned to see a blurry figure behind him.

In quickfire succession, freezing and reduction spells were cast in multiple directions. Blue beams of light hit every Shade around Albus. One after the other, they shattered. Irma rose from her crouched position and ran to Albus.

Unsure of the identity of his would-be rescuer, Albus kept his wand raised. "W-who are you?"

"Albus! It's … it's me. Need to get you out of here," said Irma. She tried to help him up. "Can you get up?"

Albus said breathlessly and rubbed at his chest, "No. Something … Hogwarts …"

"Call Fawkes."

"Hasn't worked at all."

"Try again. My broom won't be able to carry both of us," said Irma. "Call Fawkes."

"I ordered you to … go."

"We caught up with the train. They'll get off at the next station. Cormac has a cousin nearby. They'll stay with her and contact Aberforth." Irma pushed Albus to a sitting position. "This much magic will not go amiss. We have to go! Call Fawkes, try!"

"Fine, fine." Albus took a deep breath. "Fawkes, come to me!"

Minerva woke up disoriented. She blinked a few times to adjust to the dim light of the lantern. She sat up legs dangling over the side of the desk. She could hear a voice, a woman's voice.

She turned her head and saw a door open a crack. Bright light shone through the crack. Minerva got to her feet and walked towards the door. The voice became more distinct.

"Show me my love." It was her voice.

Hogwarts

In the lone occupied portrait in the office, headmaster Dippet squinted as the ball of light appeared. As it dissipated, he could see Albus holding on to Fawkes' tail with one hand. His other arm was draped over the shoulder of Irma Pince.

Albus leaned on Pince as he limped towards a short sofa. He sat down heavily.

Irma summoned an elf who she instructed to get Madam Pomfrey. "Just rest, Albus. "

Albus was agitated. He tried to remove his outer gown. "So … so hot. Can't breathe."

"We're home." Irma spotted Minerva's coat lying on the chair. She smiled and held up the coat. "Looks like Minerva's here. I don't know how but she's here."

Dippet began to say, "About Minerva, ah, we need to discuss her situation."

Aberdour Train Station, Aberdour, Scotland

Sybill and Cormac rested on a bench outside the station. They were waiting for Cormac's cousin's arrival.

"Are you all right, Sybill? You look peaked," said Cormac.

"Fine. Yes. No." Sybill had both hands on her valise. "I don't know."

He placed his own valise by a trash receptacle. "Time to be rid of this."

He turned back to Sybill in time to see her eyes ball roll to the back of her head and her body tense.

In a deep voice, the seer recited, "Champions, fall before Baphomet. Turn the darkness away, wielders of light, put away the heart for the sword. Beware Temptation's Tongue at the Gate of Souls. Oh, Champions, face thy peril true!

Author's Note: Warning - entering angsty times! Irma and Cormac will have their hands full. As for Minerva and Albus, well ... gonna get complicated.

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