Nascent

April 9, 1993, 9:30 pm, Woolworth Building, New York

Porpentina Goldstein 

Tina was tense and high-strung, the kind of tension that settled deep into her bones and refused to be shaken off. She was on her fourth coffee that morning, and it was only just half-past nine. The sharp, bitter taste of the brew barely registered anymore, serving only as a routine to keep her hands busy and her mind from spiraling into worry.

The office was as quiet as it ever was, and thankfully so— the turbulence outside was not at all welcome in her current state. The cases she had been working on for months were reaching a critical point, and she’d be damned if she allowed anything to get in her way.

Kidnappings, human sacrifices, a shadowy group led by a mysterious witch uniting the previously disorganized gangs of Outsiders— it all seemed to be converging. The discovery of six locations, each forming part of the Ursa Major constellation, had been the breakthrough they needed.

Her partner, Caboldie, was out scouting the seventh location— but quietly.

Discreetly.

She hadn’t heard from him yet, and the silence was gnawing at her. She trusted him; he was a competent and eager rookie, but the stakes were too high for comfort. Every minute that passed without news felt like an eternity.

Porpentina glanced at the clock on the wall, the steady ticking being the only constant thing in her life recently. She stood abruptly, pacing the length of her office. Her mind raced through possibilities and contingencies.

What if something had gone wrong? What if Lewis was caught? What if they were too late and those poor people were already gone? What did the Outsiders intend to use the energy they were building up for?

There had been no reports of anything out of the ordinary; no great feats of magic or any mention of destruction on a scale hitherto unseen. But Tina knew that it was coming, and by the looks of it, very soon.

She couldn’t believe that the majority of the MACUSA didn’t seem to care about their investigations, overmuch. She was long past the point of trusting them with anything. For all of their supposed cooperation, none of the higher ups— not even the President, himself— seemed to care about the issues happening.

As far as they were concerned, all was well, and these upstart troublemakers would be brought to heel soon enough.

None of them knew how this would happen, but that it would. Such was the way of things, after all. Tina could not comprehend their sheer laxity.

Had they learned nothing from the past failures of their predecessors? Why had the President even asked for her help, in the first place? Was it simply for show— a way to humor her and Newt to curry some form of political favor with Albus and the Confederation?

To make matters worse, the Head Auror, her erstwhile protégée, Everhart, had been bogged down with so much busywork that she was never able to do much of anything.

Likely she realizes it too. Tina thought. Someone in the MACUSA is deliberately dragging their feet, stalling our processes for as long as possible.

If only she knew who the traitor was.

She paused by the window, looking out at the city beyond; they had no clue what was coming. Taking a deep breath, she turned back to her desk, determined to maintain her composure. There was still work to be done, and she couldn’t afford to let her anxiety get the best of her.

She’d have plenty of time for that when all was said and done.

Just as she sat down, her enchanted journal began to glow, signaling an incoming message. She snatched it up, her heart pounding as she flipped it open to see Caboldie’s handwriting materialize on the page. 

“Seventh location confirmed. Returning to report.”

Porpentina’s heart skipped a beat. Relief mingled with a renewed sense of urgency, and she prepared for Caboldie’s arrival, making herself yet another cup of coffee.

The fight was far from over, and they needed every piece of information they could get. A knock came on her door a few minutes later. Porpentina looked up sharply.

So soon?

“Come in.” She called, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside. 

The door opened to reveal Caboldie, and she saw him for the first time in a week. He looked haggard, like he hadn’t slept or shaved in a long time. His robes were wrinkled, his hair disheveled, but in his tired eyes was a look of satisfaction.

“You look like you’ve been through a lot.” Tina commented, a note of concern in her voice as she cut to the chase. “I assume you found something.”

She gestured to her as-yet untouched cup of coffee. “Here, you need this more than I do.”

Lewis Caboldie confirmed this with a small nod, accepting the cup and taking a long sip before sitting down with a sigh. He leaned back in the chair, letting the warmth of the coffee seep into his weary bones. 

“The location was full of activity.” He began, his voice rough from exhaustion. “But I managed to avoid detection. As we suspected, there were seven kidnapped people held there by a group of fifteen Outsiders, all from different banners.”

Tina’s expression hardened, her mind racing with the implications. “How many banners?”

Caboldie nodded. “A few. Some were from the Blackjays, others from the Yellowclaw tribe. There were a couple of smaller groups I couldn’t identify, but they all seemed to be working together, despite their usual animosities.”

“That confirms our suspicions.” Tina said, her voice grim. “Did you manage to gather any information on their plans?”

Caboldie shook his head. “No, I didn’t have time to get close enough for that. But from what I overheard, they’re planning something big, and it’s going to happen soon. We’ll need to move quickly.”

Porpentina nodded, her resolve strengthening. “Thank you, Caboldie. You’ve done well. Get some rest; we’ll need you sharp for what’s coming next.”

“What’s coming next, huh.” Caboldie managed a tired smile. “No true rest for the wicked.”

“Only some.” Tina said good-naturedly. “Get out.”  

As he left to get some much-needed relief, Porpentina turned back to her desk, her mind already working on the next steps. The clock was ticking, and the fight was far from over.

Tina took a few minutes to go through the information Caboldie had provided. She did not doubt his report for a moment. His actions over the last few months had demonstrated that he was loyal to one cause and one cause alone: justice.

She had made sure of it; his acceptance of Queenie using her Legilimency on him had cemented this fact. He had nothing to hide and everything to fight for.

The way forward, as it happened, was quite simple.

They needed to raid that location. But how would she be able to do it with all the pointless red tape that had been placed in her way? The bureaucracy was stifling, and every step required multiple approvals and endless paperwork.

Tina wasn’t sure.

Her thoughts drifted back to a conversation she had long ago with Albus, during the height of Grindelwald’s power. He had advised her that sometimes, what was right involved stepping on her superiors’ toes.

“Do what’s right, not what’s easy.” Tina murmured the old words spoken to her an age ago.

A smile tugged at the corners of her lips. She felt like the reckless witch she used to be when she was younger. It was time to embrace that part of herself again.

She decided then what she needed to do. Grabbing a slip of parchment, she wrote two words which she knew would get the Head Auror Everhart’s attention: “Angelo’s Basement.”

With one last look and a smirk, she made her decision and placed a charm on the parchment, causing it to seek out Everhart.

Fifteen minutes passed in silence before the door opened, revealing the young woman in question. She had come alone and looked cross.

“I thought you would never mention that incident again.” Everhart said, her tone accusatory.

Tina smiled. “It was the only way I thought I could get your attention.”

Everhart sighed, her expression softening slightly.

“I’ve been swamped with meetings and mountains paperwork.” She said pointedly. “What’s going on, Tina?”

Tina gestured for her to sit, and once Everhart was settled, she began to explain. She told her everything— about the kidnappings, the human sacrifices, the shadowy group uniting the Outsiders, and the locations forming the Ursa Major constellation. She detailed Caboldie’s report on the seventh location, the kidnapped individuals, and the Outsiders guarding them.

Everhart listened intently, her brow furrowing deeper with each revelation. When Tina finished, there was a moment of silence.

“We need to raid that location tonight.” Tina said, her voice firm. “But we can’t go through official channels. The President has clearly shown he has ‘bigger concerns’, and is content to let them operate with impunity.”

Everhart nodded slowly, her mind working through the possibilities.

“The President is concerned with quite a few things, and he’s right to be so. I can’t tell you what it is exactly, but suffice to say that we’ve been dealing with something more important— honestly, just that I’m telling you this could get me fired, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t ask.” She said, holding up a hand when Tina was going to interrupt.

Everhart leaned forward, a plan forming in her eyes. “Here’s what we will do, though. I’ll mobilize the Auror force under a false pretense. We’ll say we’re conducting a raid on a large stash of dark artifacts at a different address. The true address will be revealed to the team at the start of the mission itself. This way, whoever is informing the Outsiders won’t have time to react.”

Tina felt a surge of relief. “Thank you. That just might work, though I’m sure they’ll be prepared regardless. They are at the end stage of their plan, after all.”

Everhart gave a tight smile. “Wouldn’t hurt, would it? Let’s gather our team and brief them.”

Together, they began to coordinate the raid, ensuring every detail was in place. Everhart used her authority to spread the word about the false raid, while Tina reached out to trusted operatives to prepare them for the real mission.

As the hours ticked by, Tina could do nothing but wait. Five cups of coffee later, she was notified that the chosen Aurors and officers began to assemble in the briefing room.

Tina made her way there, doing her best not to give anything away as she passed by the day-to-day officers. She exchanged nods with people, struck up a conversation with someone on break before finally reaching her destination.

Everhart was already there, standing before the Aurors and officers. Tina felt a renewed sense of purpose. They were finally doing something, for once.

A few exchanged looks, while some officers were whispering questions about what was going on. Everhart stood at the front, her expression grim and resolute.

“All will be explained in time.” She said, her voice cutting through the murmurs. The room fell into an uneasy silence, the tension palpable.

The door opened, revealing Lewis. He walked over to stand by Porpentina, their eyes meeting in a moment of silent understanding.

“You look better.”

“I feel better.” He said with a smile, looking around. He had rested a fair amount and seemed to instinctively know what was about to happen later that day. Tina could see the resolve in his eyes, mirroring her own. “So it’s time…?”

“Just about.”

One disgruntled law enforcement officer continued to murmur, but she quickly shut up when she saw how serious Everhart looked.

Everhart cleared her throat, drawing everyone’s attention.

“We have received intelligence about a significant threat.” She began, her voice steady but urgent. “Due to the sensitive nature of this operation, details will be limited until we are en route. Suffice to say, the situation is critical, and time is of the essence.”

She paused, letting the gravity of her words sink in.

“We will be conducting a raid, as you have all surmised. The official briefing states it’s a raid on a large stash of Dark artifacts in the East Coast. However, the true target will be disclosed only once we are underway. This precaution is necessary to ensure the element of surprise and prevent any leaks.”

A ripple of unease ran through the room, but no one voiced their concerns. The seriousness in Everhart’s demeanor quelled any objections.

“Prepare yourselves.” Everhart continued. “We depart in the afternoon. This will require utmost vigilance and coordination. Lives are at stake, and failure is not an option.”

As the meeting ended, the assembled law enforcers began to move with purpose, gathering their gear and readying themselves for the mission. Porpentina and Lewis shared a final look, the weight of their responsibility heavy on their shoulders. A sliver of doubt nagged at her. She just hoped they wouldn’t be too late.

After everyone left, Tina looked toward Lewis.

“I suppose you’ll get more rest than you’d initially thought.”

“All good.” Lewis said. “The more, the better— besides, this’ll let me get as prepared as I can.”

“True.” She said. “I’ll need you to watch my back when the time comes, rook. No— Lewis.”

Lewis nodded, eyes wide. “Not rook anymore?”

“You’ve done an outstanding job, you know.” Tina made sure to say, giving him a smile. “I’m proud of you.”

“Don’t have to talk to me like I’m about to die, y’know…”

Flashes of the faces of the people she’d known appeared in her mind’s eye, and Tina favored Lewis with a wistful smile. “I know.”

“Right…” He said, then added with a slight grin. “Do you want lunch? One shouldn’t go to their potential demise on an empty stomach, after all.”

Tina laughed at the ridiculousness of his comment, the tension easing slightly. “You’re right about that. Get me some gyros, would you?”

Lewis gave a mock salute. “Coming right up.”

As he left to fetch the food, Tina allowed herself a moment of calm. She sat down and closed her eyes, gathering her thoughts. The task ahead was daunting, and the risks were high, but she knew they had no choice.

When Lewis returned with the gyros, the smell of the warm, savory food filled the room. Tina took a bite, savoring the taste.

It had never tasted so good.

oooo

April 9, 1993, 4:00 PM, Great Hall, Hogwarts

Adam Clarke

The Great Hall buzzed with anticipation as I savored the sweet taste of my éclair. The afternoon light filtered through the tall windows, thankfully none of it spearing into my eyes. My mind wandered to the upcoming event— the final night of the tournament that had consumed so much of my time and energy.

Fourteen contestants remained, myself included. The prospect of multiple duels in a single evening both thrilled and daunted me. How would they manage to fit all those matches into one night?

The logistics for one-on-matches seemed impossible. No one was going to hang around for half a day to get all of that d0ne, especially if they started at night.

But then again, Wizards could be crazy and actually do that. Weren’t there a few Quidditch games that lasted much longer than they should have?

Tony’s voice drifted in and out of my consciousness as he chatted beside me. His words blurred together, failing to penetrate the fog of my preoccupation. It wasn’t until I felt a sharp jab in my ribs that I snapped back to reality.

“Ouch!” I yelped, turning to face Su with an indignant expression.

She fixed me with a stern look. “Adam, you’re being terribly rude. Tony’s been talking your ear off, and you haven’t heard a single word, have you?”

Guilt washed over me as I realized how distracted I’d been. I turned to Tony, ready to make amends and rejoin the conversation that had been going on without me.

I apologized to Tony, feeling genuinely contrite, but he waved it away with a good-natured smile. His excitement about the finale seemed to match my own, leaving no room for hard feelings.

“No worries, mate.” Tony said, leaning in conspiratorially. “We were just speculating about what you’ll face tonight. What do you reckon it’ll be?”

Su chimed in, her eyes bright with curiosity. “Do you think they’ll stick to the tournament style? Or maybe they’ll throw you all into some kind of fourteen-way battle royale?”

I listened as they bounced ideas back and forth, their theories growing more elaborate with each passing moment. The Great Hall hummed with similar conversations, snippets of wild speculation drifting to my ears from every direction.

Shaking my head, I set down the remnants of my éclair.

“Whatever it is, the Ministry’s sure to make it memorable.” I said, a hint of wry amusement in my voice. “Such is the way of things. They’ve got the Wizarding World’s attention, and they won’t waste this chance to put on a show.”

As I spoke, I couldn’t help but wonder what spectacle awaited us all when evening fell. The anticipation in the air was almost palpable, and I found myself both eager about what was to come.

Despite the excitement around me, a nagging feeling of unease settled in the pit of my stomach. My mind drifted to the events that had unfolded— or rather, hadn’t unfolded— over the past year.

The Chamber of Secrets, a pivotal moment in the original timeline, had remained dormant. No petrifications, no whispers in the walls, no messages written in blood. Yet, I knew the Diary Horcrux had not been idle.

I recalled my conversation with Harry, his unwitting confirmation that Lockhart had indeed come into possession of the Diary. The story of Harry and his friends stumbling upon Lockhart entering the Chamber flashed through my mind.

It had seemed like a fortunate turn of events at the time, a chance to nip a potential disaster in the bud.

But then… nothing.

Lockhart had done nothing out of the ordinary. No students were attacked, no cat was petrified, no threatening messages appeared on the walls. It was as if the Diary’s influence had simply taken hold.

I furrowed my brow, puzzled over this mystery. Even Lockhart’s soul thread, which I had been carefully monitoring during his classes, showed no signs of possession. It was baffling. Had Lockhart, of all people, somehow overpowered Voldemort’s Horcrux?

The thought seemed absurd, yet I couldn’t dismiss it entirely. This deviation from what I had expected left me feeling unsettled. As much as I had changed the timeline, this particular twist caught me off guard.

And yet… It makes sense. I thought. The competence, the sheer power he’s displayed in his classes, the knowledge he would impart.

It suggested that he’d been in possession of the Diary for a very long time. Had Lucius attempted to cause havoc in the school through a manipulation of Gilderoy? He must have supposed that, since the man seemed weak-minded, the Diary would manipulate him into closing the school down, allowing him to gain a better foothold in the current political climate— and when Hogwarts inevitably re-opened, Lucius would be the one at its head, guiding the new generation.

Same plan as in canon, but with a slightly different twist. I thought. Likely his motivation is to lead the fight against Grindelwald— or perhaps join him, I don’t know how well he got on with the man.

I glanced around the Great Hall, at my friends chattering excitedly about the tournament, and felt a weight of knowledge and responsibility that set me apart. Whatever was coming tonight, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more at play than just a magical competition.

The mystery surrounding Lockhart and the dormant Chamber of Secrets, my ongoing conflict with the Blackthorns, the complex web of international wizarding politics, and the looming threat of Grindelwald’s resurgence— it all swirled in my mind like a perfect storm.

I felt as if I were perched atop a super-volcano, the pressure building beneath me, ready to erupt at any moment.

Despite the gravity of the situation, I found myself smiling.

A quote from a different world, a different story, came to mind. I muttered it under my breath. “Things are now in motion that cannot be undone.”

Tony, ever attentive, caught my whispered words, his curiosity piqued. “What was that, Adam? What can’t be undone?”

I looked at him, momentarily startled out of my reverie. Realizing I’d spoken aloud, I quickly shook my head.

“Oh, it’s nothing.” I said, trying to brush it off. “Just thinking out loud.”

But as I turned back to my half-eaten eclair, I couldn’t help but feel the truth of those words. The pieces were set, the players in motion. Whatever was coming— be it in this tournament or in the greater scheme of things— there would be no turning back now.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself. The finale of the tournament was just the beginning, I suspected. The real challenges, the real battles, were yet to come.

Feeling the need for solitude, I excused myself from Tony and Su.

“I think I’ll go for a walk.” I told them. “Clear my head a bit before tonight.”

They nodded understandingly as I rose from the table. Making my way out of the Great Hall, I acknowledged the well-wishes from my housemates with brief nods and smiles, my mind already drifting to my destination.

The Whispering Grove called to me. I’d found myself drawn to it more and more lately— have to thank Tonks again for it at some point.

The journey there was long, winding through lesser-known corridors and passages of Hogwarts, but I knew the solitude and view would be worth it.

As I emerged from the long tunnel into the grove, I was surprised to find I wasn’t alone. Helena was already there, her ethereal form shimmering in the dappled light filtering through the leaves.

A smile spread across my face. If there was one person whose company I wouldn’t mind at this moment, it was her.

“Hello, Helena.” I greeted her warmly.

I reached out, taking her ghostly hand in mine. As my fingers intertwined with Helena’s, warmth spread through our touch. Color blossomed in her cheeks, transforming her from the Grey Lady to a vibrant, almost living presence.

Helena’s face lit up with a brilliant smile, her eyes sparkling with a life that belied her ghostly nature.

“Zero.” She said, her voice carrying a warmth that matched her touch. “I had a feeling I might find you here.”

Helena and I stood in silence for a long moment, our hands intertwined, before she finally spoke.

“Are you ready?” She asked, her voice soft but laden with meaning.

It was such a charged question. Helena knew everything I did about the state of the world. She was aware of the visions I’d had— glimpses of an eldritch creature seeking to cross into our reality.

She understood the fragile state of Wizarding society, with various factions poised to cause havoc at the slightest provocation. And like me, she had noticed the growing tensions among the Chinese and Brazilian delegations.

I didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, I gazed out at the distant horizon, my mind racing through all the scenarios that could unfold in the next few hours. The tournament tonight was just the beginning, a mere prelude to the greater conflicts looming on the horizon.

Yet, as I stood there in the Whispering Grove, Helena’s ghostly warmth beside me, I felt a surge of determination. I had come so far from the person I was when I first arrived in this world. I had knowledge, power, and allies— friends, even.

Whatever comes next, I will face it head-on.

I turned back to Helena, meeting her expectant gaze with a resolute expression.

“I will be.” I answered firmly. “For anything.”

“Then go.” Helena said, smiling in amusement. “You’ll be late at this rate.”

“What?” My eyes widened as I quickly pulled out my pocket watch. “Half an hour!? But I just got here…”

She was right; I’d truly lost track of the time. The final event of the tournament was approaching faster than I’d realized.

I turned to leave, my mind already racing with preparations I needed to make, but Helena’s ghostly hand caught my arm, stopping me. Before I could react, she leaned in and pressed a soft, ethereal kiss to my lips.

“For good luck.” She whispered, her eyes twinkling. “Absol and I will be ready for anything, so don’t forget to call on Alef to tell us, all right?”

A warm blush spread across my face, accompanied by a smile I couldn’t suppress. “All right.”

With one last grateful look at Helena, I rushed out of the grove, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement, nervousness, and something else I couldn’t quite name.

One thing was for sure, though: I was ready.