The Scars We Leave Behind

Chapter 17: A Little Bit Cunning

It was late morning when they left the INN and followed Duke over the hills to find the nursery.

Samantha's feet were exhausted when they finally reached it in the late afternoon. They were up to their ankles in mud but from the hill they stood on, they had a view of the castle. It was smaller than Samantha expected. There were two small towers flanking the main entrance and from a distance it didn't look like much. She was sure it might look different if they got closer.

Duke landed on her shoulder as they looked over the hills at the infamous Nursery. He began climbing up one of her two tailed braids. His claws dug into her neck slightly when he missed braids. 

"Really Duke?" She side eyed the dragon as he pulled some of the hairs out.

Neville mentioned watching Duke climb. "You used to wear your hair like that when you were on Potterwatch."

Samantha exclaimed, a little taken back that he remembered her old hairstyles. "It was convenient, still is."

He mentioned as she pulled Duke off of her braid, "I like it."

Samantha laughed, "I'll remember that."

They both looked out over the castle and Samantha's heart was in her throat. She prayed this stupid plan was going to work. She knew if it didn't, she was probably going to die. 

"I'll be here, waiting for Duke." Neville nodded as he put his bag down.

"Yeah, at dusk I'll send him." Samantha nodded as she fixed the braid Duke had messed up. "And then you will both meet me at the tower"

He nodded. "Got it."

"I kinda liked it when you called me your wife yesterday." She mentioned softly grabbing his hand. "I'd like to hear you call me that again, for real. So don't die."

He laughed before kissing her hand. "Don't worry about me."

Their hands released and she pulled her cloak over her head, tucking her braid inside. She took her long trek down to the nursery following Duke again. She expected enchantments, but she was taken aback when there were none.

She made it to the left tower and looked up. She pulled her rope out of her bag, "Wingardium Leviousa." She whispered.

The top of the rope flew to the top of the tower. Samantha climbed up carefully and quietly.

She made it to the top and laid down for a moment. Her arms were screaming in pain. She wasn't a young kid anymore, climbing wasn't as easy as it used to be. She found a somewhat bigger window and swung inside. It was just an empty stone tower now with hay lining the inside. She wondered what it had used to be. There was a window facing into the first courtyard and a window facing out onto the grounds.

She laid there, out of sight for a few moments, while Duke laid at her feet in the hay. She watched the sky through the window looking out from the castle. She hoped Freya hadn't suspected anything yet.

The sun began the annual descent and she whispered to Duke, "Go light them up."

He danced a little in a circle before flying off like he was excited for his next task. She recognized the crackle and the explosive noise. Duke was blowing fire.

The whistling followed and she smiled remembering how much she liked Weasley fireworks.

Between the explosions She heard a door slam and swearing from Freya.

Samantha kept her cloak over everything but her eyes and looked out the window. Freya and who Samantha assumed was Kent ran out into the first courtyard. He was a stocky man with no hair.