Mayhem - G.Weasley

78. History Lesson

"Weapon? War? What in Godric's name are you blabbering about?!" Fred kept a careful distance next to his brother.

Aramis bore a weary expression, his eyes telling nothing of the thoughts running through his head.

Not a cricket chirped in the tense silence that filled the forbidden forest. Even Castian, the notoriously loud-mouthed centaur kept his lips sealed. Though he kept shooting Aramis a concerned look.

"Is he working with he who shall not be named?" Ginny asked the question they had all been pondering for a while now.

Aramis let out a deep sigh. "Though a worthy adversary. He who shall not be named pales in comparison to the Dark One." His eyes hovered over towards the towering tree no one else seemed to notice. "The war on the horizon, I am afraid, concerns the very existence of the world."

"Always fucking riddles." George swore to himself.

"Great. . . Two wars." Ron rolled his eyes.

"Dark times are upon us." Was all Aramis had to say.

George felt like a bubbling tea pot, he wouldn't have been surprised if steam escaped from his ears. He was beyond angry, if such a word existed. He was furious at all the puzzles. He had heard them ever since he stepped foot in Hogwarts, and it seemed he'd never escape them. All he wanted was a direct answer so he could plot his next course of action.

Beyond the anger, he was upset. He was worried. There was no trace of Ivy. And Aramis ominous greeting hadn't left him feeling any better.

Ivy would never abandon Shadow, especially in such a critical state. The odds continued to stack against his favor. He couldn't catch a goddamn break.

He and Ivy had finally reunited. They had put aside all the stupid drama between them and came together at last. He had held her in his arms just hours ago.

Now. . . He just felt cold. Empty. Longing for what was missing from him.

Shadow stood abruptly, interrupting his inner anguish.

"Easy." Castian cooed, his palms open and exposed.

Shadow paid him no attention as he circled the unique tree they all seemed to have ignored, before lying against its ashen trunk.

They have no idea of the sacred ground they so callously stand on, Aramis wanted to scream.

"Enough!" George barked out into the quiet.

His brother next to him tensed.

"Without any riddles, whatever you can tell us. . ." George ground out through his teeth. "What happened here? And where is she?"

Aramis' surprisingly toned body flexed as his hands came to rest behind his back. Castian, sensing the emotions, rose to stand by his leader, hands casually and strategically placed to his sides.

"This. . . Is where the beginning of the end started." Aramis gestured to the tree. And before George could interrupt with a snide comment, he continued. "Though wizard-kind tends to blissfully ignore, there is a hierarchy among all magical beings. Cliché as it is, the ruling monarchy are of the most powerful and closest to the core of magic then you and I might ever be." He paused as he continued to look at the tree.

"How can there be magic royalty and no one know about it?" Hermione crossed her arms over her chest. "Nor any books mentioning it?"

"What a tricky thing magic is!" Aramis loosed a breath. "There are many who remember. . . And even more who do not." Castian laid a hand on his elder's shoulder. "There once was a time where magic ruled above all, including the muggle world."