When two worlds collide.

Dementors.

"Tonight? But we have to plan. We have to figure out what-" George starts but Alex cuts him off.

"Honestly, George, when have any of our plans actually worked? We plan, we get there and all hell breaks loose.." Alex mutters, shivering as the cold wind hits her drenched body.

"'Fraid she's right. One problem..Snape's Headmaster now. We can't just walk in the front door.." Fred runs his hand through his brown locks, the dye comes off which reveals his ginger hair.

"We'll go to Hogsmeade. To Honeydukes. Take the secret passage in the cellar." Alex looks off then, over the lake, in the direction the dragon flew off. "There's something wrong with him. In the past, I could always follow his thoughts. Now everything feels disconnected..."

"Maybe it's because of the Horcruxes. Maybe he's growing weaker. Maybe he's dying!" George tries to give Alex a glimmer of hope.

"No. It's more like he's wounded. If anything, he feels more dangerous."

. . .

Posters of Alex Barnes—

"UNDESIRABLE NUMBER ONE"

Droop from every light post. Shops, shuttered at this hour, sit silently, shrouded in a thick fog. Only the three broomsticks evidences life, where yellow light and course laughter drift from greasy windows. Just beyond lies Honeydukes. Suddenly, there is a disturbance in the mist and the trio apparate into view. They glance about when a scream rents the air. An inhumane shrill. The laughter dies inside the three Broomsticks, a mob of shadows fills the windows. Instantly, the trio pelt for Honeydukes.

. . .

As the trio close in on Honeydukes, Death Eaters spill from the Broomsticks.

"THERE! Right there!!" The first death eater yells.

The trio turn on their heels and vanish into the mist.
Alex leads the way, the trio running wicked fast through the twisting streets, glancing down alleyways for signs of pursuers, the mist both friend and foe. Suddenly, a dark figure appears on the roof above. He whistles. "I've got them!"

"Down here!!"

Alex, Fred and George race down a side street and stumble into an alcove, lungs burning.

"They were ready for us.." Fred whispers.

Suddenly beams of light fracture the mist.

"We know you're here, Barnes. There's no getting away!" A voice cackles.

Alex slips the mirror from his pocket and angles it. Her own face slides briefly over the surface, then the end of the alley comes into view. A death eater stands there, wand glowing in the mist.

"Perhaps you need some convincing.."

"What's he mean by that?" George whispers.

Alex gasps, eyes looking upward, following her gaze.

Just above the rooftops, barely distinguishable from the night, dementors drift like smoke. As Alex draws her wand, Fred's hand covers his.

"No, you'll give us away!" He warns.

The night grows darker, the streetlights dim. The trio's breath drifts visibly in the gathering chill. As the Dementors descend, the trio grimace, beset by bleak thoughts. Finally, Alex cant take it no more.

"Expecto Patronum!" A silver wolf bursts from her wand and charges down the street, scattering the Dementors before vanishing around the other side of the Hogs head inn.

"She's down there!"

Footsteps clatter on the cobblestones. Alex, Fred and George glance desperately about when, suddenlyc bolts grind, hinges squall and a door opens. A cat slithers out and a man appears in silhouette, the profile familiar.

"In here, Barnes!"

Alex, Fred and George slip quickly past the man and inside. He gestures toward a rickety wooden staircase, brings a finger to his lips "Shhhh."

Alex enters a room with a threadbare carpet and a small fireplace, above which hangs a large oil painting of a brunette girl with a sweet, but vacant stare. She steps to a grimy window and peers down to the street, where half a dozen death eaters glance about in confusion. Just then, Fred and George enter the room.

"Did you get a look at him! For a second I thought it was-" Fred starts.

"I know.." George sighs.

Hearing this, Alex slips the mirror from her pocket. Footsteps sound from below.

"Alex! We can see you! In here!" Hermione yells.

Alex turns and watches Hermione take a jagged shard similar to her own from the mantel. He glances down at the piece in his palm, sees Hermione's eye looking out at him.

Harry, Ron and Hermione had been here, waiting for the trip.

Just then, Aberforth's hulking form appears on the landing.

"You bloody fools! What were you thinking coming here? Do you have any idea how dangerous it is?!" He gasps.

"You're Aberforth.." Alex breathes out as room goes quiet.

The man turns and eyes Harry.

"Dumbledore's brother. It's you I've been seeing here. It's you who sent Dobby.." Alex holds up her shard.

Aberforth eyes it briefly.

"Where've you left him?" Aberforth hums.

"I'm not sure where he is." Alex shrugs.

"I like that elf." He sighs.

"'how'd you come by it?" Alex nods to the shard in Hermione's hand.

"Mundungus Fletcher, 'bout a year ago." Aberforth states.

"Dung had no right selling you that. It belonged to-"

"Sirius. Albus told me. He also told me that you'd likely be hacked off if you ever found out I had it. But ask yourself where you'd be if I didn't.." He looks at Alex.

Alex doesn't respond.

"Right then. Reckon you're hungry. Let's get you fed, then think of the best way to get you out of here."

. . .

A tray of food is set down on the table. Fred and George set to it, they haven't eaten for days. Hermione, Harry and Ron begin to eat too.

Aberforth pours himself a glass of mead. Not his first.

"Do you hear much from the others? From the Order?" Fred questions.

"The Order is finished. You-KnowWho's won. Anyone who says otherwise is kidding themselves.." Aberforth scoffs.

The six of them exchange glances. Alex doesn't touch the food, just stares quietly at Aberforth.

"We need to get into Hogwarts. Dumbledore gave us a job to do.."

. . .