Romeo || James Potter

14 - The Beginning of an End (Onus)

February 25th - lots of dialogue but this is where it all falls apart. this chapter will probably be like 2 or 3 parts.

Aspen and the rest of the group were starting to get a lot of information out of the Slytherins. For one, Aspen now knew Regulus was going to be returning home very soon. Through some friendly ways, Mary revealed that Silas already had the mark. This meant that whatever was going to happen was going to be very bad.

Then Sage mentioned something that added everything up. Apparently, Severus was on the lookout for an old necklace. While she couldn't get the details by talking to him, she got it using James' cloak (she stole it for a few hours). She traveled to the library and stayed near Severus' desk. There, he was looking at diagrams. It looked like a simple chain with a stone carved like a heart dangling off of it. There was more that she couldn't make out, but it would all come to light soon.

The end of the world was near-- in multiple ways. But, before that could happen, Aspen had to have one of the worst conversations in her life. It started on the night of the 25th. She had been having tea and biscuits with her mother.

"I've been thinking a lot about dad." Aspen began.

Minerva looked at her daughter with raised brows. "What about, darling?"

"Well, Fleamont told me about his book."

McGonagall smiled softly. "Yes, he was a curious man." She cleared her throat and set her glasses on the table. "He dedicated a very long time to figuring out the science of magic. It took a while for me to convince him to drop the subject."

"And did he?"

"No." Minerva laughed. "No, he did not. Your father... he died trying to create his own source of power. Perhaps jealousy was too much for him."

Aspen sighed. "Yeah." She swallowed, trying to figure out the best way to say what she wanted to say. "Did you ever figure out how he was going to do that? And if he ever did?"

Minerva furrowed her brows. "I- I am not sure, sweetie. If he figured out a way to create something like that, you must understand that would not be good. There would've been repercussions for his actions. Your father was a genius, but his ideas overtook his better judgement most of the time."

Aspen looked at her mother. She was fidgeting with her fingers; her smile seemed less than genuine. For the first time in a while, Aspen was caught thinking about her dad again. So, while she simply asked her mother if she knew anything about the attack, Timothy never left her mind.

"We know that Mrs. Rosier and Mrs. Archer took their sons home yesterday. The Headmaster has granted them permission. And, from the reports we've seen from members, they've been preparing."

Aspen bit into a biscuit. "So, it's starting soon." She said through a full mouth. She swallowed and frowned. "I can't believe it's already happening."

Minerva sighed and took off her glasses, folding them and setting them on her desk. "Trust me, no one is more disappointed than I. The headmaster is refusing to send students home because, so far, this is apparently all superstition. I respect that man, but sometimes his hubris puts us all in danger. One day, it will put the students lives at risk."

"Yeah." Aspen sighed. "Do we have anyone in the Order coming to help?"

She nodded. "Gideon and Molly Prewett are getting a group of wizards together. We expect to have at least 10 members arriving tonight and staying in the basement."

"Where all of those abandoned dorms are? I found those when I was thirteen."

"Those are deserted for officers or aurors, possible overcrowding of students. If this school is truly under threat, we'll be slightly prepared. If danger arises, more will come." Minerva smiled softly and grabbed her daughter's shaking hand. "We will be okay, my vixen. Inform the others for me."