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Sirius Black tossed and turned on the couch where he was spending most of his days. He was staying in Remus Lupin's flat in the muggle world while Remus was at Hogwarts. He hadn't heard from Vyrna in almost a week, and even though he knew there was no need, he was still worried about her. Noel and Kimo turned up three days ago. It turned out that the other waypoint was heavily guarded, so they had no other option but to travel by walking, which took longer than it usually did as they were dodging Voldemort's men at the same time.

When Sirius met them at Hogsmeade, he immediately informed them of his concerns about Vyrna. Noel reassured him that when Vyrna does reconnaissance, she makes sure she does it thoroughly and does not leave any detail out. And also, there's the fact that Valkyrie was perfectly safe.

The two warriors explained to him that Vyrna and Valkyrie were somewhat symbiotic. If Valkyrie dies, Vyrna would lose a considerable amount of energy, although it is possible to regain it. But Vyrna's death would automatically counter the summoning of Valkyrie.

"It's probably why Vyrna sent her with you, I have to admire her guts, facing that mission without her faithful servant," Kimo mentioned.

"Again, information that would have been very helpful," Sirius thought.

Feeling restless, he sat up on the couch, planting his bare feet on the floor and setting his sweaty palms on his thighs. He looked at the muggle wall clock to his left. "10 o' clock in the morning," he thought.

He got to his feet and headed towards the kitchen, grabbing a white T-shirt that was draped on the arm of the couch, and threw it over his left shoulder. As soon as he reached the kitchen, he immediately approached the refrigerator door and opened it, peering inside to look for something to eat.

"An apple," he thought, "A werewolf has apples in his refrigerator."

He chuckled to himself as he grabbed one and took a large bite, closing the door afterwards. He returned to the living room and had to blink several times when he saw the mess he's made. "Remus is going to kill me if he sees this."

He sat himself on the couch once more, lifting his feet up on the coffee table. He was contentedly munching a bite of apple when he heard a tapping noise. He shifted his attention to where it was coming from. Outside the window, he found a small brown owl knocking its beak on the glass. He quickly stood up to let the owl in. The small owl fluttered happily to his stretched arm, there was a note tied to its left leg. Sirius hastily tore it off.

Sirius

There's something I need your wizard expertise for. I need you to come down the town of Gabon just outside of Forest Gholein. I believe you have been here before, so you can just apparate. It is imperative that you come here at once.

Vyrna

Sirius could feel the gravity of the situation radiating from Vyrna's letter. He quickly put his trousers on, picked up his robe that was lying on the floor, and grabbed his wand from the table. He quickly pulled a chair and dragged it by the fireplace. "Remus Lupin, Hogwarts," he said clearly. After about a minute, Remus' gray streaked hair came into view.

"Sirius, what is it?" he asked concerned.

"I've just received word from Vyrna, she wants me to apparate to the Town of Gabon."

"Yes, I know that place, it's purely inhabited by warriors and their mercenaries. Is anything the matter?"

"I believe so, but she didn't include any specifics, she's being careful about the letter getting intercepted," said Sirius, "I just wanted to inform you that I am leaving here, and my future whereabouts, tell Dumbledore as well."

"Alright," Remus answered, "Be careful, if you sense any danger lurking about, contact us immediately."

"I will," Sirius agreed. At this, Remus nodded and disappeared from view. Sirius quickly stood up and apparated out of the flat.

-----------

Harry was sitting on the floor behind one of the shelves in the library. Ron was 'studying' with Padma, and Hermione was still in Arithmancy. She was going to meet him there after her class. He had Creatures of the Sea: How to Swim Out of Danger by Wanda Waruda propped open against his left thigh and a roll of parchment on the other one. His eagle feathered quill doubled as a scanner for the book. He was in the middle of writing about gundergalls, which were far relatives of the grindylows, when a shadow fell over his book. He turned to see who was blocking his light and found Tamerlane smiling down at him.

"Oh, hello," Harry said.

"Am I bothering you?" he asked as he sat down beside Harry.

"No, it's all right, I needed a break anyway, and Hermione's going to be coming around soon, and well, she's not a firm believer of study breaks," he said, returning his smile.

"I see, Hermione," Tamerlane said with suggestion.

"Yes, Hermione,"

"Is something bothering you?" Tamerlane asked, peering into Harry's face, "Your mind seems clouded."

"Have you been reading my mind again?" Harry asked nervously.

"No, I promised I wouldn't. Palladins keep their promises."

"Then would you please," Harry asked. The Palladin looked at him quizzically.

"I just wanted to make sure what I'm thinking is what I'm thinking," he explained.

"As you please then," Tamerlane looked intently at Harry's face, "You're thinking about her all the time."

"Just lately," he admitted, turning slightly red, "But I don't know why."

"Because something's changed, at least you believe so," Tamerlane explained.

"What's changed?" he asked.

"I can only read what's on your mind, and you haven't figured that one out for yourself," he answered, "Did that help?"

"At least now I know that I really am constantly thinking about her," Harry said.

"Thinking about who?" Hermione said, peering behind a stack of books.

"No one," Harry said, unable to hide the guilt in his voice. It was a good thing Hermione wasn't paying much attention, as she was busy organizing the stack of books on the floor.

"Oh Hello, I didn't see you there," she said, smiling at Tamerlane.

"Hello too, young lady, you have quite a number of books there," he said, staring at the myriad of books that lay before his eyes.

"Well, I've decided that I better start making study schedules and arranging the reading references I need for the O.W.L.'s and I'm sure that Harry would be very happy if I help him get organized early on as well," she replied in one breath. Harry marveled at this particular skill of Hermione.

"You're quite the diligent student aren't you? Good for you, I'm sure you'll be a successful witch someday. Harry, you are very lucky to have a beautiful and intelligent friend, who can find the time to help you out with your studies," Tamerlane said, and smiled when Hermione blushed at his words.

"Well, I best leave you to do your schoolwork, the best of luck to both of you," he said, standing up and turning to leave, "I've been helping Madam Pince here in the library, quite tedious work I must say, I do miss the battlefield."

"He is such a nice person, it's hard to think that he would ever hurt another soul," Hermione commented.

"So I guess we should start cracking on this study schedule you've made for the both of us," he said with obvious lack of anticipation.

"Oh yes, but before that, I have to show you something," she pulled out a small, thin, leather bound book from underneath the stacks, "I nicked it from the restricted section, I borrowed your invisibility cloak by the way."

"You did what?!" Harry said, his face turning red, he remembers quite well that his invisibility cloak was hidden under a pile of his underwear inside his trunk.

"Don't be such a baby, It's not like I saw anything, my eyes were closed," she said, waving her hand impatiently. She flipped through the pages, careful not to tear any of it off.

"But you must've touched them," Harry continued to complain, but Hermione didn't acknowledge him.

"Ah-hah! I've found it, look here," she said as she moved closer to Harry so he could see the page as well, "It's called a bladewielder."

"What's this book?" Harry asked, noticing that the opposite page consisted of a diagram of a strange looking weapon as well.

"It seems to be a book about the different weapons that the warrior's use. I saw Noel's flail as well as Vyrna's spear, they all appear to have magical attributes," she explained in excitement.

He looked at the bladewielder once more. It looked like a strangely like the blades in the food processors. There were six, crescent shaped blades that were joined by the ends to form a circle. According to the diagram, the configuration of the blade allows you to throw it to your left then it could wield its way around, maiming everyone in its path and return promptly on your right hand.

"Wow," Harry said, in an inability to form any coherent thoughts.

"I know," Hermione said, "It's supposed to be the most powerful weapon of the warriors. It was first used by Vyrna's mother, Queen Myrene, and according to this, it aided Dumbledore when he went in the battle against Grindelwald."

"It did?"

"You know what that means, Harry?" Hermione said, beaming at him.

Harry nodded at her, "It could help us defeat Voldemort," but he was still sober, "But Voldemort's far more powerful than Grindelwald, and we really don't know how exactly it aided Dumbledore." Hermione's face fell when he finished, and Harry wanted to kick himself.

"I'm sorry, I know you're trying to help, it's just that, there isn't much information on this bladewielder, we don't even know if it exists," Harry explained. Somehow, he still felt wretched about it.

"It's alright, I should have thought about that before I jumped on the idea," she said with a smile. Harry was glad to see her smile was genuine.

"Still, don't you find the book interesting?" she said, running her soft little hands on the cover.

"I know, there are some very curious weapons that's drawn in there, maybe we should keep it and show it to Tamerlane or Vyrna when she gets here," Harry suggested.

"Good idea," she agreed as she slipped the book in her bag, "Now let's get started."

"I was thinking of taking a break," Harry suggested.

She tutted, "Harry, you take a break whenever I turn around."

"Fine, so where should we start?" he began to ask, but he noticed Hermione looking at his right hand.

"Harry, your quill?" she began.

"What about it?"

"Is that the same one I gave you when we were in first year?" she asked.

"Yeah, I've been taking good care of it," he beamed at her.

"You could've thrown it away, it's not a particularly special quill," she said.

"But it's from you, that's reason enough to keep it special," he said.

"You're just so sweet sometimes, Harry," she said, after a pregnant pause, she continued, "I cannot imagine Ron doing anything like that."

She was looking at him like she has never looked at him before, as if she was considering him. He felt himself blush under her intent stare and decided to avert his eyes to the books in front of him.

"We should get back to studying," he said.

Hermione suddenly snapped out of the trance that came over her, "Oh, of course."

She took the book lying on top of the heap in front of them and opened it on her lap. Harry took a deep breath; once more they were just friends.

-----------

Sirius Black walked inside the Osianu's tavern inside the Town of Gabon. His eyes searched for any sign of a well-built blond woman and found her sitting at a table located at a dark secluded corner. He walked up to her and sat at the chair across her.

"What seems to be the problem?" he cut to the chase.

"You're here, good. I would have asked Albus, but I cannot risk him being in such perilous territory," she said, "Have you ever heard of the Fortalecimiento?"

"Yes, it's the charm that sustains the wards at Hogwarts," he said. A frown of worry descended upon his face, "It has something to do with this?"

"From what I gather, Voldemort found a way to break through that charm," she said solemnly.

"But how?" he asked.

"This town is known for being the fort of warriors, but a number of dark wizards have been rumored to have stayed here as well," she told him, "A dark wizard named Grindelwald was apparently working on a way to break the protection that surrounded Hogwarts. I believe it is very special as Albus himself designed that charm. Am I correct?"

Sirius nodded and she continued. "But he was defeated even before he got the chance to use it. We all thought that his underground laboratory was just a myth, apparently it's not and Voldemort found it and he took the knowledge that was needed."

"That means he can get to Harry in Hogwarts, and he won't be safe with the Dursley's either," Sirius concluded.

It was Vyrna's turn to nod.  "Is there anything we can do?" Sirius asked frantically.

"The least we can do is try to find out when Voldemort will strike. That's where you come in, I need you to help me investigate Grindelwald's workstation. I don't know anyone in this place who knows the kind of magic your people use."

"Then let's get to work," he said with resolve. The two stood up and quickly walked out to the streets of the Town of Gabon.

-----------

The first signs of winter could be felt around the grounds of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry, Ron, and Hermione stood outside the door to Hagrid's hut, with scarves wrapped tightly around their necks. Hermione, who stood in the middle, knocked on the door. After a short while, the door opened to reveal a bruised and swollen Hagrid.

"Oh my! What happened? Are you hurt? Are you all right? You should go to Madam Pomfrey," she exclaimed as she rushed to his side, inspecting the bruises on his face.

"Don' fess abou' it, Hermione. Jus' a li'l bruise 'ere an' there, nothin' I'd die of," Hagrid said, brushing Hermione gently aside.

"But what happened? How did you end up like that?" Harry asked.

He began to breath heavily and grumbled, "Why don' you ask that barbarian, Erik, with the dumb hat?"

"You were in a fight with Erik?" Hermione asked slightly amused. "Over what?"

"Space constrictions," he answered curtly.

Ron let out a snort and Hermione shot a warning look his way. "I better take care of those bruises for you, if you won't go to Madam Pomfrey. I've been practicing healing charms since the start of the school year," she said. She took her wand out of the pocket of her robes and pulled up a stool, setting it in front of Hagrid, and sat on it. She pointed her wand at his left cheek and muttered, "Brino!" A soft purple glow began to circulate around the contusion and it began to resume its natural color.

"There, good as new!" she said, beaming at her work.

Hagrid looked relieved, the pain was probably gone as well. "Come ter visit me, eh? Bin a long time since I las' saw the three of ya' down 'ere. Gettin' too old for ya', am I?" he said good-naturedly.

Hermione responded immediately, "You'd never get too old for us! We were just busy with schoolwork, that's all. Fifth year is harder than it looks."

"Jus' playin' wid you, don' get all worked-up 'bout it," he said as he patted Hermione's head, "That's righ' what yer doin, focus on yer school an' all. Care for some rock cakes?"

The three shook their heads vehemently at the memory of the rock cakes. Ron moved to the window to look outside the Forbidden Forrest. "It's hard to believe that there are hundreds of warriors camping out there right now," he said.

"Gotta admire them warriors," Hagrid said, "I tell ya' not one of 'em flinched when they entered that place. Nothin' could scare them, they've bin in there for the past week."

"Not surprising," Harry answered, "Have you met Vyrna? She must be the toughest person I've met. Right after Hermione." He winked at her at the last part.

"What do you mean by that?" she asked.

"Just that I should've known you had Amazon blood in you even before," he grinned.

"Wait, Hermione, you have Amazon blood in you?" Hagrid intercepted.

"At this rate, everyone will know," she mumbled.

"Oh, come on, it's just Hagrid," Ron whined.

Harry was reminded of the many times Hagrid slipped information to them, and he understood immediately why she wasn't too happy. "I'm sure no one else would know, it's not like all the students spend as much time with him as we do," he whispered in her ear.

A small grin played across her face and she calmed down. "I suppose you're right."

"If you two are finished playing googly-eyes with each other, we better get back. It's getting dark," Ron said in an irritated tone. He waved goodbye to Hagrid and brashly left the hut, leaving Harry and Hermione staring at him with open mouths.

"Well, I suppose we should go too," she said, and she waved at Hagrid, "Bye, we'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah, bye Hagrid," Harry followed.

Once they were outside the hut and walking a safe distance towards the castle, Hermione asked, "What's wrong with him?"

"I don't know," he said. But in the back of their heads, they knew, and for some reason, they felt guilty about it.

-----------

Sirius looked up to see a thin ray of light coming down upon them. They had just climbed down an old well at the back alley of the Osianu's tavern. The well was dank, dark and reeked of moss. Vyrna pointed to a small arch that was enough for one person to crawl through while crouched on fours.

"We go through there," she said simply. She immediately went down on her hands and feet and climbed inside the archway. Sirius followed after.

It seemed as if their journey lasted hours, Sirius was very close to developing claustrophobia, but luckily he managed. The only problem now is the way back. His heart jumped when the light at the end of the tunnel became bigger and clearer. Vyrna got out first and soon after, Sirius was out as well. Both took deep heavy breaths, thankful for the cool air. The room wasn't very big. There was a table made of limestone in the middle, and wooden shelves were set up against the walls. The jars on them were empty. In between the two shelves of the center wall, he could see a vault made of black granite.

"Let's check there first," he said, pointing towards the vault. He held on to his wand as he walked towards it. He first put a shield charm on both of them, in case the vault had protective curses on it that takes effect when you open it.

"Alohomora!" he said, pointing his wand at the lock. The door to the vault immediately opened, and there were no evident curses that came out with it.

Inside, there were around twenty rolls of parchment. Vyrna and Sirius brought them out, settling them on the floor and began sifting through them. Each parchment was as blank as the next. Sirius took them one by one and used the Aparecium spell, still nothing.

"I think these parchments really are blank, Voldemort may already have all that we need," Vyrna expressed her sentiment.

"Don't give up just yet," Sirius assured her, "There are small dents on this paper." He held up a parchment from the pile on the floor. Vyrna looked at him quizzically.

"He may have had this parchment underneath the one he was writing on, if that's the case, then we have a chance to retrieve the information," he explained. He pointed his wand at the parchment and whispered, "Sombracio!"

They held their breaths as they waited for the effect. At first, nothing seemed to happen, but slowly, the ink sprouted from the paper, forming words and shapes.

Sirius smiled contentedly; "I knew it."

They saw what appeared to be an instruction manual on how to perform the counter spell of the Fortalacimiento. There were also notes on the side, apparently, the spell wasn't perfect yet.

"So?" Vyrna asked, absolutely baffled at the information at hand.

"The spell can be countered by an intensified Fortalacimineto charm," he said.

"That's good, isn't it?" she asked.

"It takes one month to be able to complete that task," he answered.

"And?" she asked; now sharing his worry.

"It only takes sixteen days to make this one," he said, pointing to the spell that Grindelwald created.

"Voldemort had hold of that parchment a two weeks ago!" Vyrna exclaimed, her veins popping out of her neck.

"We only have two days left, everyone at Hogwarts has to be relocated," Sirius decided, "We must go to Dumbledore at once."

With that, the warrior and the wizard hastily stood up, desperately trying to fly against time.