Future Concerns

January 28, 1992, 5:45 PM, Room of Requirement, Hogwarts

Adam Clarke

I stood on edge, my heart pounding in anticipation of the next onslaught to come.

The first wave of attacks erupted from all angles, and I sprang into action, doing my best to stave it off. Projectiles of various sizes, shapes and colors came at me like a relentless tide, pushing me further and further with each passing moment.

I dodged and deflected, but no matter how fast I moved, I was always a few beats behind my own mind. Frustration gnawed at me, but I pushed the feeling aside, instead focusing on my practice. Still, despite my efforts, the room seemed to mock me, its walls closing in as if to suffocate me with my own inadequacy.

With a grunt of exertion, I deflected a few more projectiles coming in from behind, but several others found their mark in my side, striking me with sharp pain. I winced, the impact jolting through my body as I stumbled backward, my resolve wavering and allowing me to get struck once more.

Cringing, I gritted my teeth against the pain and pushed through, summoning every ounce of determination within me. Each spike fueled my determination to do better, to be faster, to be stronger.

As the training session wore on, however, I felt the weight of exhaustion settling over me like a heavy blanket. Still, I didn’t want to call it quits. Through my determination to succeed alone, I was going to overcome my limitations and emerge victorious against this relentless assault.

I have to!

Anyone else might have given up by now, but I refused to succumb to defeat. It was sheer stubbornness that kept me going, one born from years of perseverance and resilience.

The pain grew considerable, each successive strike sending shockwaves of agony through my body. But I had learned long ago how to push through such discomfort, to endure and persevere in the face of it.

With each breath, I repeated the name ‘Blackthorn’ in my mind, the mere mention of them igniting a fire within me. The memories of past struggles, of battles fought and won against impossible odds, also surged to the forefront of my mind, fueling my determination further, and renewing its intensity.

The pain became a distant echo, drowned out by the fierce, righteous anger coursing through my veins.

I will not falter. Failure is not an option. I thought, taking heart in the certainty of my words. As the attacks continued to rain down upon me, I shifted my focus, no longer content with just defending myself.

My performance needed to go up a notch; I began to deflect the incoming projectiles with more precision in mind. Using the momentum of the launched bits and bobs, I sent the projectiles flying back towards their origin or towards the targets set on the far wall.

Each Banishing Charm I cast was infused with the full force of my steel will. The targets buckled as they were struck, the sound of cracks filling the air and encouraging me to go further, to move faster.

I can do this. With every reflection and redirection, I felt a sense of empowerment wash over me, fueling my determination to push through the exhaustion and emerge victorious.

I managed to keep this up for another two or three minutes before my body finally couldn’t keep going; falling to one knee, I raised my hand, surrendering this round to the Room.

Alef buzzed in my mind, and I felt he was concerned, but I brushed him off, though not with an injection of gratitude for it. No matter how harsh he’d been, I needed this.

With the session over, for now, I took a moment to catch my breath, the adrenaline still coursing through my veins as I made my way towards the study area. Tony was already there, immersed in his studies.

As I approached, I noticed a gourd of water in my path, just floating in the air; a thoughtful gesture from the boy. With a nod of gratitude, I reached out and took the gourd, drinking deeply from its refreshing contents. The cool water soothed my parched throat, revitalizing me after the intense training session.

“Thanks, Tony.” I said, offering him a grateful smile as I handed the gourd back to him. “I needed that.”

Tony looked up from his book and gave me a strained smile, his eyes filled with some understanding, but mostly concern. “Anytime. You were doing very well, out there.”

I settled into the study area, ready to unwind and recuperate after the grueling training session.

“Thanks, Tony.” I replied, acknowledging his praise with a nod of appreciation. “But there’s still so much I need to do, even with everything I’ve done.”

Tony’s concern increased, flickering in his eyes as he gestured towards the welts and bruises that were beginning to form on my body.

“Though… You’re pushing yourself too hard, Adam.” He said, agitated. “Look at you, you’re covered in bruises.”

I glanced down at my body. The pain was growing far more pronounced now that I had begun to rest, but it still wasn’t particularly bad. Despite Tony’s concern, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride in what I had accomplished.

“It’s just a few bruises and scrapes.” I admitted, a wry smile playing at the corners of my lips. “Sometimes you have to push yourself to the very limit if you want to improve.”

Tony shook his head, a frown creasing his brow.

“I know that— just be careful, okay?” He said, sending me a serious look. “You don’t want to push yourself too far and end up hurting yourself even more.”

His words struck a chord within me. I understood where he was coming from, but I also understood that this needed to happen.

“I know you’re right, Tony.” I conceded, though a note of heavy reluctance stayed in my voice. “But I also can’t afford to be underprepared for my upcoming match.”

I paused, the weight of the challenge ahead settling heavily on my shoulders. “My opponent, as Hien mentioned, is one of the best— if not the outright best— duelists of Mahoutokoro.”

Tony didn’t say anything, so I continued. “They call him ‘Oni’, or ‘Demon’ in Japanese. Hien said that he got that name because of his vicious nature.”

“Yes, but didn’t Hien also say that he was honorable in combat?”

“That doesn’t mean he’ll fight me at my level, or give me any special treatment.” I said, shaking my head. “I can’t afford to slack off for this match.”

Not to mention for any future threats waiting for me out there. I thought. The Blackthorns— Hell, that family would be the least of my concerns, considering the true players of the greater game of the world.

I’d met many wizards and witches from many walks of life when I’d been in Grindelwald’s little boot camp. The world truly was a wide place, full of people, all of which had a different take and method on the way they used magic, no matter how slight the differences were.

Who knew which people were friends and which would be foes?

Tony’s expression softened, understanding dawning in his eyes.

“I get it, Adam.” Tony said, though he still looked somewhat concerned. “Just promise me you’ll take care of yourself. Winning the match won’t mean a thing if you’re too injured to celebrate.”

I smiled a little.

Tony’s concern was amusing, considering the wonders of healing magic. Still, I was grateful for his words, and so I nodded. “I promise, Tony. I’ll find some sort of balance.”

He considered my words for a moment and then nodded. The two of us settled into a comfortable silence. 

“Have you considered meditation, by the way?” Tony’s question came out of the blue.

“What?”

“Meditation.” Tony said again. “My dad says it helps him center his thoughts.”

I paused, considering Tony’s suggestion.

I did meditate from time to time, of course, but not at the frequency that he was suggesting.

“I haven’t really given it much thought.” I admitted, a hint of surprise in my voice.

“Really, Adam?” Tony said in a deadpan voice.

“What?”

“You just had to go and make a pun.” He said.

“I did?” I said and went over what we both said in my mind, smiling as I understood. “Meditation, given it much th— oh! That’s great. That was unintentional; I really haven’t thought about it, and you’re right. I should definitely meditate more often.”

Tony’s smirk was unmistakable as he caught my admission, so I quickly added. “But don’t get used to it. You still have much to learn, young grasshopper.”

Tony chuckled, his smirk widening. “Of course, of course.”

I rolled my eyes in mock exasperation, but a smile tugged at the corners of my lips.

Now was as good a time as any to start, I supposed. I began to set up for meditation, but before I could sit down and immerse myself in the practice, Tony’s interruption broke my concentration.

“You’re doing it now? Come on.” He said, gesturing towards the exit. “It’s already six o’clock.”

“What? Dinner time already?” I muttered, glancing at Tony with a furrowed brow. “How long have I been training?”

“If you have to ask, then it’s been too long.” Tony said and rolled his eyes. He nodded towards the door again, eagerness entering his voice. “Yeah, let’s head to the Great Hall together. You need a break, don’t you?”

I considered his suggestion for a moment, but then shook my head.

“Actually, I think I’ll stay here.” I replied, gesturing to the quiet study area. “I was planning to meditate like you suggested, so I might as well eat here, after the fact. You’re welcome to hang around if you want; the Room will bring us food.”

Tony let out an exasperated sigh, his frustration evident. “Didn’t you just say you were going to take a break?”

I shrugged, offering him a sheepish smile. “I guess this is my way of taking a break. Besides, I’ve been needing to clear my head anyway, so it all works out.”

Tony shook his head in bemusement, but ultimately relented. “Fine, suit yourself. Just don’t overdo it, okay? And don’t think that, just cause I’m not here, you can resume the torture you seem to call ‘training’.”

Not that you could stop me, kid. I thought in mild amusement mixed in with a generous helping of fondness.

“Of course.” I said and watched him gather his things and head towards the door. “And Tony?”

He stopped and turned to me. “Yeah?”

“Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it.”

With Tony’s departure, I settled into my meditation practice, allowing the tranquility of the room to wash over me as I focused on finding inner peace and balance amidst the chaos of my thoughts.

I allowed my thoughts to drift and my breath to steady, but a few moments later, a sudden voice pierced through the tranquility of my mind, startling me out of my reverie.

“Hello.”

Blinking, I found myself momentarily disoriented, the remnants of my meditation fading as I refocused on Helena’s face.

“Helena!” I said, and made to get up, but was stopped by the woman’s raised hand, keeping me in place.

“Don’t get up.” She said, gesturing for me to resume my former position. “We’ll speak after you’re done arranging your thoughts.”

I gave the woman a grateful smile before focusing on my task once more.

In. Out. In. Out…

With each breath, I let go of the lingering surprise, allowing myself to sink into a trance again. I focused on my recent memories, analyzing the training exercise and learning all I could from every single exchange.

With a far better clarity of mind, I was able to notice things I hadn’t been able to in the heat of the moment. There had been moments in which I could have used a barrier, or perhaps dodged a projectile but didn’t. I was also still not as light on my feet as I had hoped, despite my dancing practices.

It wasn’t just that, I realized as I watched myself, in my mind’s eye, get hit by projectiles simply because I dodged or deflected when I shouldn’t have. The very movements I had made to reach safety had instead put me in greater danger.

Sometimes, it was best to take a weaker hit to avoid taking a more lethal one.

All in all, it was a work in progress, and I wasn’t very sure if the speed training would be enough, considering I only had a week left until the fateful day of the confrontation. Still, I had some clear weaknesses to work on, and so I would.

I would analyze the practice more firmly later tonight, just before I slept, but for now, I had a new visitor. I opened my eyes, and there before me floated Helena, her presence comforting and familiar. A smile graced her lips as she met my gaze, her eyes filled with warmth.

“Hey.” I said slowly, returning her smile. “How are you?”

Helena’s smile widened, a glint of mischief dancing in her eyes.

“I’ve been enjoying my days of late.” She replied in a cryptic tone.

“Oh?” I furrowed my brow in confusion, curiosity piqued by her enigmatic response. “Why’s that?”

But Helena remained coy, her smile teasing as she offered no further explanation. I sighed inwardly. I guessed that’s what it looked like from the outside in, when I was being secretive with others.

With a resigned smile, I decided to press the matter. “You’re killing me— what’s going on?”

“Well…” She said, looking somewhat pleased with herself. “The other ghosts have finally stopped bothering me. Ever since I accompanied you to the Yule Ball, they’ve been fixated on me, as you know.”

“Oh; that’s right, but you didn’t seem too bothered by it at the time.” I said, scratching my forearm. “Did they do something?”

“They have not.” Helena said, floating closer to me, placing a firm hand on my shoulder and smiling at the protectiveness in my tone. “No need to worry about that; I just wished for them to stop.”

“All right, if you’re sure.” I said, nodding in acceptance. “How’d you get them to clear off, then?”

“I may have called in a favor with Peeves.”

That had not been what I was expecting her to say.

“You got favor from a Poltergeist? How?” I said, smiling widely at the sheer ridiculousness of the prospect. “That’s a story I’ll have to hear, sometime.”

“Perhaps I’ll tell it to you, then.” She said, though she sighed, her gaze turning distant as she spoke. “They can sense that something is different about you, if you didn’t know. Just like me, they can feel it. But unlike me, they haven’t been enhanced by your presence or Alef’s. They have been trying to get answers out of me, but I got them to give up for the most part. A few others didn’t seem to accept my words, so I had Peeves pester them, and as a result, I would allow him a few… liberties.”

“Liberties.” I repeated. “What kind of liberties?”

“I would advise our friends in Ravenclaw to sleep lightly, come the next few days.”

“…” I nodded slowly, digesting Helena’s words. “I’ll be sure to tell Su and Tony, later; what about me?”

“Peeves also can sense the difference in you.” Helena said. “He would not dare, though perhaps his penchant for mischief may override his sense of self-preservation, in this instance.”

“I’ll keep it in mind.” I said wryly. “I suppose it can’t hurt to be safe.”

Helena hummed in agreement, leaving the both of us in a companionable silence. The realization that my presence had stirred curiosity among the other ghosts left me feeling both intrigued and apprehensive. But as I met Helena’s gaze, a sense of gratitude washed over me for her decisive response.

“Thank you for telling me this, Helena.” I said, offering her a small smile of appreciation. “I’ll know to watch it around them. I’m definitely glad they’re leaving you alone now, too.”

Helena returned my smile, her expression softening with genuine warmth. “Of course. Anything for you.”

I took in a sharp breath at the sheer amount of dedication in her voice. You should be careful of what you say… but damn if it doesn’t make me want to move the world for you, woman.

Keeping my cool, I gave her a nod of gratitude and got up, taking a seat in the study section and gesturing for Helena to join me.

“I sense that there’s more you want to tell me.”

Helena’s expression shifted into surprise before a look of disgust contorted her features.

“There is one ghost who has been paying far more attention to me lately; far more than the others.” She admitted, her voice tinged with disdain. “One who Peeves does not dare anger.”

A surge of apprehension washed over me as I realized who she was referring to. She only ever spoke poorly about one man.

It had to be the Bloody Baron— the ghost whose presence inspired fear and unease among the other spirits of Hogwarts.

“The Bloody Baron.” I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper.

Helena’s eyes blazed with fury, a simmering anger bubbling beneath the surface, confirming my suspicions.

“He’s been watching me, much as a hawk would.” She spat, her voice filled with contempt. “I can’t stand the sight of him.”

I nodded solemnly, understanding the gravity of Helena’s words. The Bloody Baron’s unwanted attention was not to be taken lightly.

After all, he was not just any ghost, but the one who had ended Helena’s life a millennium ago. To think that even after all this time, he still continued to bother her was a chilling thought.

“Still obsessed?”

Helena nodded, her eyes filled with pain and resentment.

“All my life, his attentions were on me.” She admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “And even a thousand years after the fact, he still watches me. It’s almost as if he can sense the life in me… At times, I wonder if he will simply take it all away, again.”

A surge of anger rose within me at the mere possibility of something like that.

The thought crossed my mind: could I somehow exorcize the Bloody Baron, banishing him from Helena’s presence once and for all? The other ghosts would thank me profusely for the service; I’d have Peeves’ allegiance unto perpetuity. Before I could voice my thoughts, Helena shook her head, her expression grim.

“No.” She said firmly, her voice tinged with resignation as she clearly read my intent. “Exorcizing him would only bring more trouble. We must endure his presence, no matter how much I despise it.”

“You sure?” I said. “I could definitely figure out a way to—”

“No.” She insisted, shaking her head.

I stared at her for a moment.

“Well, all right.” I said and nodded, accepting her decision. “Better the devil we know, I suppose. But then again…”

As I pondered Helena’s words and the unsettling presence of the Bloody Baron, a thought flickered through my mind— a tantalizing notion of using my void-infused Disillusionment Charm to annihilate the ghost’s existence once and for all.

As quickly as the thought emerged, I pushed it aside, a wave of guilt washing over me.

I hadn’t touched the void since the incident with Alef Ard last year, and the memory of the pain I had caused him still bothered me. The void was a dangerous and unpredictable force, and I knew that dabbling in its powers could have dire consequences.

Despite my reservations, the allure of unlocking its secrets lingered in the back of my mind. The recent discovery of Absol’s herd’s response to the soul threads had piqued my interest, igniting a curiosity that refused to be quenched.

“Still plotting his exorcism?”

“No, it’s something else.” I said and raised my hand to forestall what she had to say in order to focus my thoughts again.

Perhaps the herd possessed knowledge on the matter— insights that could help me understand the nature of the void and its connection to the soul threads.

“It’s about the Thestrals.” I finally said.

“What of them?”

I stared at her for a moment before taking a deep breath and confiding in her about the recent revelations regarding Absol’s herd and their potential knowledge concerning the soul threads and the void.

“Judging from their reactions, they could have some useful knowledge or insights on either the soul threads, or maybe even the void itself.” I explained, my voice tinged with excitement and curiosity, which was snuffed out by a sigh of disappointment. “But I have no idea how to gain their allegiance or even approach them. They don’t seem too trusting, even of me.”

Helena listened intently, her expression thoughtful as she considered my words.

“Perhaps you should consider reaching out to them in a way that soothes their concerns.” She suggested, her tone encouraging. “Show them that you seek knowledge, not power, and they may be more willing to assist you.”

I nodded, grateful for Helena’s advice, but uncertainty still lingered within me.

“I know, but I guess I just don’t know how to approach them.” I admitted, a hint of frustration creeping into my voice.

Helena smiled reassuringly, her gaze meeting mine with unwavering support.

“Trust yourself, my friend.” She said gently. “You have a way with words and a genuine thirst for knowledge. I have no doubt that you’ll find a way to gain their allegiance.”

“Maybe…”

“Perhaps a gift?”

I looked at her for a moment before looking down at the ground.

A gift, huh… I found myself considering the merit in her words. A gift could serve as a gesture of goodwill, a token of my sincerity in seeking their knowledge and assistance. Yeah, that just might work!

Still, the question remained. “What could I possibly offer the Thestrals? What would they want from me?”

“Perhaps something practical yet symbolic.” She offered after half a minute of pure silence, her tone thoughtful. Her suggestion prompted a spark of inspiration within me.

I nodded, the idea taking root in my mind. Practicality and symbolism— both good criteria and together would make for an excellent offering.

After a few moments of contemplation, it struck me.

Gubraithian Flame: not only was it a practical gift, providing eternal illumination and warmth, but it also held profound symbolic significance.

The Gubraithian Flame represented eternal life and resilience, qualities that clashed deeply with the mysterious nature of the void, and its connection to death. Though I knew it had both aspects of life and death, it always seemed to focus on the ‘death’ part more.

“A Gubraithian Flame could do it.” I mused aloud, the idea solidifying in my mind.

Helena’s smile of approval mirrored my own thoughts.

“Yes, that could work.” She agreed. “It demonstrates your understanding of their nature and honors their tribe by fostering its safety from the elements and the darkness which comprises the void. But remember, the gesture must be heartfelt.”

“Heartfelt.” I repeated Helena’s words.

She was right; I just needed to figure out how to get it done.

oooo

Same Time, Cairo, Egypt

Unknown

In the lively streets of Cairo, the late evening sun cast warm hues upon the bustling scene. People of all walks of life hurried past, their conversations blending with the ambient noise of the city.

A nondescript man stood amidst the crowd, dressed in casual attire that allowed him to blend seamlessly into the crowd.

As the throngs of people moved around him, he remained unaffected by the infectious energy of the city. His gaze swept over the passing faces with detached interest.

The air was thick with the scent of exotic spices and the sound of vendors hawking their goods filled the air. Colorful fabrics hung from market stalls, their vibrant patterns catching the eye of passersby, while the rhythmic beat of music drifted from nearby cafes.

The man, however, remained focused on his purpose. This was not a place he cared for, nor did he have any interest in the lives of the Muggles who populated the city. For him, Cairo was simply a waypoint, a temporary stop on his journey to meet someone of importance.

After several more painfully dull minutes of waiting, he finally caught sight of the man he was supposed to meet. With practiced nonchalance, he subtly adjusted his posture on the bench in the plaza, creating just enough space for another person to sit beside him. 

 They exchanged no words as the man settled onto the bench beside him, their silence punctuated only by the ambient noise of the market around them.

For a long moment, they sat in quiet vigilance, their eyes scanning the throngs of people passing by, searching for any telltale signs of surveillance or unwanted attention. Each glance, each movement, was executed with precision, a testament to their years of experience detecting enemies in their midst.

The man broke the tense silence, his voice low and laced with a hint of irony.

“It takes balls for you to show your face here, after everything that’s happened. Balls… Or is it stupidity?” he remarked, his words carrying a weight of both admiration and skepticism.

His contact met his gaze, a wry smile playing at the corners of his lips.

“I suppose there’s a bit of both.” He replied in kind, his own tone tinged with amusement and defiance. “But honestly, my troubles here are much smaller than you imagine.“

“So…” The man said in English, giving a nod of acknowledgment. “Rafiq Rahman, the Butcher of Ayn Sehr himself, comes to visit. It must be important.”

His contact— Rafiq Rahman— shook his head, his weathered face scrunching in bemusement; a wry smile played on his lips.

“Don’t play coy, Fouad.” He scolded, his tone firm but tinged with familiarity. “We both know that there’s no room for games in our line of work. You already know exactly what I’m here for.“

Fouad nodded, his expression grave. He spoke, his voice tinged with solemnity. “The Eye of Truth.“

Rafiq’s features contorted in disgust at the name.

“It’s called the Eye of Ra.” He corrected sharply, his tone carrying a hint of frustration. “And you know as well as I do the significance it holds in our heritage. I didn’t think you’d grown so dismissive of our people’s long history, Fouad. It is disheartening.“

“One does what one can to maintain his position in the constantly changing hierarchy.” Fouad said, entirely unbothered by the older man’s attitude.

“They’re having trouble keeping things together, then?” Rafiq said. “One could perhaps say that the fruit is ripe for the picking.”

“Hmph. Ripe, he says. There is no ripeness to be had when the tree itself is tainted and rotten by corruption, down to its roots. Many things have changed since the golden days of our home. You can’t expect…“

“No, I do not.” Rafiq said, and Fouad was surprised by the look of regret on the man’s face. “My apologies.”

“…Accepted.” Fouad said, sighing. “It must not have been easy for you, either.”

A long moment of silence passed before Fouad reached into his coat’s pocket, producing a small sheaf of parchment, holding it up for him.

Rafiq took it without hesitation, smiling at the younger man. “Gratitude.”

“…” Fouad looked at him for another, impossibly long moment, before turning away. “I was never here. You are a traitor to my family, my government, and I denounce you and all that you have done.“

“Of course. You would be stupid to say otherwise, in this broken world of ours.“

Fouad got up, and began to move away before he stopped. “…It was good seeing you again.“

Rafiq Rahman watched the only family he had left walk off into the distance, disappearing into the throngs of the crowd. He looked down and opened the parchment, smiling at the boon of information provided to him.

“The feeling is mutual… Nephew.“

But his nephew was not there to hear it.