A/N: Sorry it took me over 3 years to update... I hope you enjoy the chapter. Reviews are welcomed!

Chapter 4

The forest was deep and still, moonlight swathing the clearing in cool white light. A middle-aged woman crouched by the stream, peering closely at an outcrop of purple-blue flowers.

'Aconite,' she called over her shoulder. 'Very rare nowadays due to over-harvesting. Really, it's quite remarkable that we happened to pick this spot to camp.' As she spoke she pulled a pair of thick dragon-hide gloves out of her pocket and tugged them on.

'Not so very remarkable,' replied her husband from a short distance away. He was sitting cross-legged by a small blue-flamed fire, over which a pot was bubbling. He gazed up at the clear sky overhead, seeming not to notice the branch jabbing into his calf.

'How so?' asked Mary Rodney, taking a little silver-bladed knife from her pocket and carefully cutting away a sample of the plants.

'Need a phial?' Lancelot Rodney was still gazing upwards.

'No thank you, dear. These plants are very hardy.' She stowed the plants away into a weather-beaten leather pouch. 'St Mungo's will be very keen to test these, if I ever return.' For a moment her expression grew sad. Then she rose to her feet, brushing grass off her jeans. 'Now what were you saying – about it being unremarkable that we're here.'

'Don't you recognise this clearing?' Lancelot's voice was quiet but clear.

His wife looked around at the shape of the trees, the river. Slowly her eyebrows lifted in recognition. 'Why yes, of course. We came here with Juliette.'

'The summer of '92.'

Mary smiled fondly. 'She was in a strop all afternoon. You know, for the life of me I can't remember why.'

'There was a concert on that evening that her cousin was going to.' Lancelot straightened up, stirred the pot. A delicious aroma of rosemary spread across the clearing.

'Oh yes, that's right. We wouldn't let her go,' Mary continued, remembering. 'She had a ticket for the following week, but she was despondent about not being able to go that night.' She walked over to the fire, her face lit up by the flames. 'I seem to remember she was very keen on the lead singer.'

'Myron Wagtail of the Weird Sisters.'

Mary laughed. 'Your memory truly is a marvel, Lance. Whatever would I do without it? That, and your cooking.' She bent down to kiss his cheek and he touched her hair briefly.

'I remember you told Juliette a story. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.'

'Yes.' Her husband smiled, ladling stew into two bowls and passing one to Mary. I though a story about my namesake's rival might cheer her up.'

Mary laughed, then sobered.

'What is it?'

'Her message. She said she was fine – but I know something was wrong. I could just tell.' She looked at her husband with wide, anxious eyes. 'What if something happened to her?'

He gripped her hand. 'She's stronger than you think. She told us to believe that she's safe – as she's doing for us. It's all we can do for her while we're so far from her. And we have our code. If she ever wants to tell us something she doesn't need to worry about anyone else understanding what she writes.'

Mary nodded, somewhat reassured. After a pause she squeezed his hand and gently let go, picking up her spoon. She took a sip, swallowed, and was about to speak when they both started.

A distant snapping sound, like a branch being stepped on. They listened, but no other noise followed.

'The protective enchantments are all secure. I triple-checked them,' said Mary.

'I don't doubt it,' murmured Lancelot, looking into the trees.

They waited another minute, but all was silent. Mary shook her head, turning back to the fire. 'An animal, probably. At least it's not a Snatcher.' Her eyes were deep with unhappiness. 'But how are we to know for sure? If they won't show themselves and we won't show ourselves? What if it's someone who needs our help?'

Lancelot beamed at her. 'And that is why I love you.' He rose to his feet.

She looked up at him in surprise.

'Let's go and look. To make sure.'

She took his outstretched hand and he pulled her to her feet. Side by side, wands outstretched, they stepped out of the bounds of their protective charms.

'Is anyone there?' called Mary.

There was no answer. Together they walked into the forest, disappearing into the shadows under the trees.

Somewhere an owl called. A breeze shifted the branches overhanging the clearing, and the fire crackled, blue flames dancing. Several long minutes passed. Then the Rodneys reappeared, wands now at their sides. Quietly they resumed their places by the fire. There had been no sign of anyone in the woods, but both remained thoughtful.

'This forest is so old,' Lancelot said softly. 'Merlin is said to have walked here. And knights came here on quests. Even then some of the trees would have been hundreds of years old.'

Mary waited, watching the fire, letting his voice wash over her.

'Those knights faced the same choice as us – that of whether to open up their hearth to strangers, or turn them away.'

Mary looked up. 'Hospitality, you mean. That was what the custom was called, wasn't it?'

'Yes. It's an ancient custom – going back as far as the Greeks. Hospitality fostered trade by providing safety to travellers. It created social ties – upheld culture. There was a belief that travellers might turn out to be gods in disguise. But there was also the risk that the stranger you invited to share your home would steal from you, or kill you, or let enemies in at the gate.'

'Or that the host might kill the trader for his wares.'

Lancelot smiled. 'Yes. The risk had to be accepted on both sides.'

'It's the same for us,' said Mary slowly. 'Will we call the Snatchers on our guests for being Muggle-borns or blood traitors? Or will they do it to us first?'

He nodded. 'Exactly. Never has hospitality been more important. The courage to let in the stranger, and accept that risk.'

They smiled at each other. The fire crackled gently.

The common room was empty when Juliette crept downstairs at five to midnight. Few students had the energy for socialising late under the Carrows' rule, and even the most studious of the Ravenclaws had put away their books and headed upstairs. Juliette was relieved: she'd dreaded having to come up with a plausible excuse about sneaking out after curfew. Lying had never been her forte.

Midnight arrived. She heard the clock tower toll the hours on the other side of the castle. Where was Luna? She hated the idea of having to cross the castle alone.

'Hadn't we better go?'

Juliette pressed a hand to her chest, heart racing. Like a pale shadow, Luna had risen from one of the tall winged chairs with its back to her, her hair glinting silver in the moonlight.

'Don't do that,' Juliette managed at last. 'Not tonight of all nights.'

Luna blinked slowly. 'Daddy always tells me I enter rooms too quietly. I hope you're not too shaken. Or I don't know that it's a good idea to go tonight after all.'

'I'm fine.' Juliette moved over to join Luna. 'I thought a Disillusionment Charm would be a good idea while we're crossing the castle. It should work – I hope. I've done it on myself, but I've never done it on anyone else before.'

Luna tipped her head slightly to one side. 'Only one way to find out.' She waited as Juliette raised her wand.

Muttering the incantation under her breath, Juliette tapped Luna on the head with the tip of her wand.

The spell spread downwards, beginning at the roots of Luna's fair hair, until it reached the tips of her shoes, and she disappeared entirely from view.

'Oooh,' breathed Luna and the space where Juliette knew Luna was standing seemed to shiver. 'That was colder than I thought it would be.'

Juliette smiled to herself, then cast the spell on herself. It felt like an egg trickling down over her body.

'Did it work?' she asked, looking down at herself. She seemed to have taken on the exact colour and texture as the bronze and blue chairs and silk curtains behind her.

'Yes. I can only see your outline when you move.'

'Good. Let's go.'

As they left the common room the eagle-shaped knocker spoke from behind them in its gentle, melodious voice. 'Fair fortune to you.'

'Thank you,' Luna said politely. 'We wish you the same, of course.'

Juliette stifled a surprised laugh and continued down the stairs.

They made it down to the Third Floor without incident, though they had to quickly duck behind a coat of armour when they saw Filch appear in the stairwell below them, wheezing horribly as he hobbled up the steps, passing close by their hiding place. They waited a good five minutes to be sure Mrs Norris was not following, then crept down to the Third Floor.

'Now for the difficult part,' muttered Juliette. They had to cross from the west side of the castle to the door in the clock tower on the castle's north side. At least six corridors lay between them and their destination, in which the Carrows might appear at any moment. Secret passages were of no use. The Carrows had sniffed them all out on the first day of term, aided by a few eager Slytherin students, several of whom had formerly belonged to Umbridge's Inquisition.

Painted figures slumbered in the portraits on the walls as they crept past, undisturbed by their muted footfalls.

It was at the junction between the Charms corridor and an adjoining corridor that they encountered their first test. Alecto Carrow was stalking past the Charms classroom, heading in their direction.

As she caught sight of her, Juliette gave a shudder and ducked back around the corner, forgetting for a moment that she was as good as invisible. Alecto Carrow was unpredictable and vicious. She was infamous for her habit of firing off curses at the slightest provocation.

Juliette felt a sudden pang of gratitude that Luna was with her. From her experience in the Ministry of Magic Luna ought to know a thing or two about duelling, if it came to that. Though Juliette desperately hoped it wouldn't.

'All right,' she whispered, taking a steadying breath. 'If we keep quiet, and stay close to the wall, she'll go right past us without noticing.'

'Yes,' Luna whispered back. 'It's lucky she can't see wrackspurts. I think I heard some following us just now.'

Juliette pressed her lips together, torn between amusement and irritation. To her relief Luna said nothing more as Alecto shuffled closer, breathing wheezily.

The Death Eater was only a few feet away from them when suddenly there was a bang and a glass vase shattered against the wall opposite Juliette and Luna, making them both jump wildly, only just managing not to cry out.

Alecto gave a wail of rage. 'PEEVES!'

Juliette heard a spell ricocheting off a wall. There was a gleeful cackle and Peeves shot into view across from them, making rude gestures at Alecto that made her shriek with fury.

'HOW DARE YOU?'

A red jet of light shot straight through Peeves and rebounded off the wall behind him, hitting a spot just beside Juliette's ear. Before she could stop herself she cried out.

'What was that?' Alecto's footsteps hurried closer. 'Show yourself!'

Juliette felt Luna fumblingly grab her arm, tugging her back in the direction they had come.

There was a loud bang behind them and Juliette put on a burst of speed. Running without being able to see herself was horribly disorienting. She felt her leg tangle with Luna's and suddenly they were both tumbling to the ground.

'I KNOW YOU'RE THERE!' screeched Alecto behind them. She fired off another spell, just missing them.

Juliette was struggling to get to her feet – beside her she heard Luna gasp as she tried to rise.

Another second and Alecto would be upon them –

'Fear not, young Ravenclaws!' cried a voice. It was Sir Cadogan, breathlessly skidding to a halt in the portrait beside them. 'I will head off the vicious Carrow sister, leaving you to fulfil your perilous quest!' There was a rasp of metal as he drew his sword. 'Now fly, and leave me to battle this vicious sorceress!'

He raced past them, shouting insults at Alecto, brandishing his sword. She hesitated, unsure whether to give up her chase, but finally his insults proved too much and she ran after him, alternately firing off curses and shrieking threats, Peeves following all the while, blowing raspberries and cackling at the top of his voice.

'I wonder how he knew we're Ravenclaws,' said Luna, as the cacophony of voices and explosions faded into the distance.

'Yes,' agreed Juliette. 'And he knew about the quest. But how?' They had both managed to get to their feet and were leaning against the wall, getting their breath back. 'How did he find us? The Disillusionment Charms are still active. And don't say he can see wrackspurts –' she added quickly.

'I wasn't going to,' said Luna with great patience. 'They were frightened away by the shouting.'

Juliette rolled her eyes. 'Well, we'll worry about it later. Let's get going before she comes back.'

They set off down the Charms corridor at a half-run, careful to keep some distance between them so they wouldn't collide again.

'Are you all right?' Juliette asked, slowing to a walk. 'I'm sorry I ran into you.'

'A little bruised, but nothing serious,' Luna answered calmly. 'Are you all right?' They both kept their voices low.

'Yes, I'm fine.'

'I wonder where Sir Cadogan's pony is,' Luna said absentmindedly as they reached the end of the corridor and paused to check for danger.

'I heard he once charged it up to a dragon, so it probably doesn't like him much,' said Juliette. She scanned the next corridor. It seemed to be free of potential dangers. She and Luna set off again.

'I always thought its tail looked a bit singed,' mused Luna.

'At least it didn't get swallowed, like Sir Cadogan did.'

There was a muffled laugh beside her. 'Oh dear. I shouldn't laugh, really. Getting swallowed must be awful. But the poor dragon! All that armour! It must have had terrible indigestion. However did you know about it?'

'My dad. He loves stories about the knights of the Round Table. Chivalry and romance – and occasionally some Chaucer for the bawdy jokes.'

There was a moment's pause. Juliette wished she could see Luna's expression.

Then Luna spoke. 'You're nice to talk to, you know. Usually you're very quiet.'

Juliette faltered for a second. When was the last time she'd talked like this to someone? Easily and without self-consciousness? Not since she'd said goodbye to her parents on Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. During her time at Hogwarts she'd only really had one friend – Marlene Baddock, a Slytherin in the year above who she'd met six years ago in Charms Club in her first week at Hogwarts. Marlene had graduated that summer and was now working in a junior position in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Magic, using what little privileged access to information she had to pass warnings on to Muggle-borns facing arrest. So far she had managed to evade detection, but Juliette feared for her safety.

But now it looked as though she might have made a new friend. Only a day ago she could never have imagined taking Luna with her on her quest.

'Thanks,' she said at last.

A whoop of rage made them both freeze.

Heart beating fast, Juliette peered into the next corridor. To their left, at the far end of the corridor, was the door to the clock tower. To their right, was Alecto Carrow. She stood with her back to them, wand outstretched, her hand shaking with anger.

In front of her was a human shape, dark and shadow-like, faintly translucent. Its arm was suspended in front of it, pointing straight at Alecto, one semi-transparent finger extended in place of a wand. Its hand shook, almost spasm-like, while the rest of its body remained stock-still, as though all its attention were entirely focused on the movement of its hand.

'STOP THAT AT ONCE!' Alecto advanced a step and fired a curse, which passed straight through the figure. The spirit seemed to deliberate a moment, then took one step forward, precisely the same length as Alecto's. There was something solemn about the motion, almost stylised, reminding Juliette of a passage she had once read about Japanese drama in a Muggle history of theatre.

'EXPULSO!' A streak of blue light shot through the spirit, exploding against the wall at the far end of the corridor. Slowly, the spirit faded from view, only to reappear further away from Alecto, its arm still raised as if in combat stance.

'Let's go, while our friend keeps her distracted,' whispered Luna, as Alecto marched toward the spirit, casting a succession of hexes, all of which passed through their target.

'Yes.'

Hoping with all her might that they wouldn't get hit by a rebounding curse, Juliette turned left and half-ran down the corridor as silently as she could.

At the far end she paused. 'Still here?'

'Yes,' came Luna's voice.

The door to the clock tower was plain and made of wood, entirely unremarkable, with a circular iron handle. Juliette reached out and turned the handle, quickly ducking through the open door. She felt Luna pass her, then closed the door behind them with a click.

'Lumos,' she murmured, and the tip of her wand glowed white. She saw Luna's outline move and lightly tapped her on the head, softly saying the incantation which undid the Disillusionment Charm, before repeating the spell on herself.

A hot trickling sensation ran from her head to her feet, and she could see herself again. Luna looked as unflappable as ever, tucking her long hair behind one ear.

A voice made them jump badly. 'A close escape, comrades!' It was Sir Cadogan, bent over with his hands on his knees, gasping for breath. He had appeared in a landscape picture on the wall next to them. His visor had fallen over his face, muffling his voice. 'The Carrow sister grew weary of my taunts and set off in pursuit of you. I feared all was lost – but – to my great relief – another took my place in keeping her at bay. Now we must hurry. It will not be long before the bells toll the three-quarter hour!'

Juliette stared at him. 'What do you know about the bells? And why are you here? How did you know where to find us?'

Sir Cadogan pushed up his visor. He looked annoyed. 'My dear lady, it is fortunate that I am a knight and am sworn to protect and honour the weak and defenceless or I might be offended by your apparent lack of gratitude.'

Juliette bristled. 'Weak and defenceless? Compared to you, you mean – an oil painting?'

Sir Cadogan trembled with anger, both hands on his sword hilt, looking as though one hand struggled to withdraw the weapon, while the other was clamping it down.

Luna spoke up in a dreamy voice. 'I don't mean to interrupt, but perhaps you should continue this conversation later. We only have five minutes left before the bells ring.'

'All right,' said Juliette, still staring hard at the knight. 'Let's go.'

They started up the wooden stairs, and were rejoined by Sir Cadogan on the next landing. A pendulum swung slowly to their left. They continued on to the next floor, passing a transparent clock dial, and finally reached the top floor of the tower, where five massive gold and copper bells of various sizes hung from the ceiling, somewhat oxidised.

Juliet surveyed the room. It was small and bare, but for a windswept landscape on the wall, in which Sir Cadogan had duly taken up residence.

'He said there would be a guide,' she muttered. 'But there's no one here.'

Luna was standing by the room's single window. It was small and round. Juliette went to join her. A half-moon hung over the lake, which gleamed silver in the night, fringed by the endless ranks of trees which made up the Forbidden Forest. Close to the Forest, so close it looked as though it was about to be swallowed up by the dark trees, was Hagrid's hut. The windows glowed faintly red.

Juliette turned back to Sir Cadogan. 'Well? Do you have an answer now?'

He pursed his lips. 'All I can tell you is that I was compelled to help you. That is all I know. By instinct I made my way to where you were being chased by the Carrow sister. And by instinct I came to this tower.' He looked around the room. 'What will happen when the bells toll?'

'We were hoping you would know the answer to that, sir,' said Luna, her pale eyes bright.

Juliette stared at the floor, thinking hard. Could Sir Cadogan be their guide? But what use was a guide who didn't know what would happen after the bells rang? Unless he was going to guide them by instinct, as he claimed to have done thus far.

'Any minute now,' she thought to herself, looking at the bells, which hung motionless on their ropes.

There was a movement in the corner of her eye, and she spun to face it, wand raised.

It was the spirit-being from earlier, materialising silently in the corner of the room, looking at them mournfully.

'Hello,' Luna said gently. 'It's nice of you to join us.'

Juliette looked at her in exasperation. Now yet another being – she didn't think the word 'person' applied here – knew about their quest. If the spirit or Sir Cadogan had been able to perform magic, she wouldn't have minded so much. They might actually have proven useful. Instead, neither of them seemed to have any ability other than shouting insults or mimicking actions.

She thought about telling the knight and the spirit to leave, but what was the use? They would probably just follow her and Luna anyway.

It was at that moment that the bells began to toll.