Return to Hogwarts
“Really, you guys, you didn’t have to come,” Skull mumbled.
”And trust Reborn to take care of you?” Verde scoffed. “I don’t think so.”
Reborn bristled, glaring at the green haired scientist.
”I can take care of him well enough, thank you,” he snapped.
”The only thing you can make is coffee and pasta,” Viper said flatly. “When you tried to change his bandages, you ended up blowing up shit when you saw his injuries. Then you started yelling about how you’d bring the Death Eater’s back to life and torture him. Then you went into a very detailed description of what you’d do to Voldemort.”
”The food doesn’t need to be cooked,” Reborn pointed out. “And Skull has healed rather well.”
”Still don’t trust you,” Lal said.
”Oh look!” Skull said before Reborn could start shooting. “We’re here!”
The ex-Arcobaleno all looked up at the giant, looking castle. None of them looked very impressed. Instead, they all clambered out of the carriage and started to point out various blind spots and possible sniping positions. Skull rolled his eyes as he made his way out, only for Verde to give a loud ‘hey!’
”What?!” Skull yelped.
”Wheelchair,” Colonello said.
”Oh for the sake of- I’m fine! Like Ren said, I’ve healed nicely!” Skull wailed.
”In our defence,” Fon said, “the last time you tried to walk unaided, you collapsed after taking six steps.”
”I’m fine now though!” Skull whined. “It’s been three days since then!”
”Really? Try walking now then,” Verde said sceptically. Skull nodded enthusiastically and stepped off the carriage carefully. He winced a little as he strained the stitches. While most of the wound had healed, the topmost layer of flesh still had a bit to go.
Skull took a deep breath and walked forward a few steps, until Verde shook his head.
”You’re too tense,” he said. “You’ll pop the stitches at that rate. Wheelchair.”
Skull slumped, mumbling something about ‘damn overprotective Family.’ However, when Fon unloaded the wheelchair from the back of the carriage, he didn’t protest too much as he sat down.
”Hey, Skull,” Colonello said as the carriage was driven away. “What are those horse things anyway?”
”Huh?” Skull asked, looking towards where Colonello was pointing. “Oh... those are thestrals. Only people who’ve seen death can see them.”
”Seen death? You mean, seen people die?” Lal asked, and Skull nodded.
”Mou.... how long have you been seeing them?” Viper asked and Skull shrugged, thinking.
”I think... for as long as I remember.”
Viper hesitated.
”Who...”
”Oh... dunno their name, really. Or their gender. They didn’t suffer much though. Looked relieved, in fact. Though, I bet I’d be pretty relieved too if I was her,” Skull said carelessly as Reborn wheeled the chair towards the entrance.
His friends faltered momentarily, and Skull caught their gazes. He waved a hand in the air.
”It’s nothing to worry about,” he said. “It’s all gone and done. Dad got me out of there. I was lucky. Some didn’t make it out. Just... just drop it. That chapter of my life is closed, okay?”
Though obviously reluctant, his family dropped the conversation and walked in silence. McGonagall was waiting for them by the door. She nodded.
”Skull. Reborn,” she said curtly, then eyed the extra entourage. “And I don’t believe you said anything about any extra people?”
”Ah, sorry. They insisted when they heard we were coming back,” Skull said sheepishly. “This is Lal, her fiancé Colonello, Verde, Fon, and Viper. Viper comes from a Wizarding family, but the rest are muggles.”
McGonagall nodded, and sighed, motioning them inside.
”The ceremony is just about to start. Come on.”
They trooped in and walked/rode in a wheelchair towards the Great Hall. McGonagall opened the door, stepping aside to let the (partially) injured in first, before coming in after them. All eyes turned to them and Harry and Cedric shot up from their seats.
”Professor!” they called and Skull waved cheerfully, grinning.
”Awww, Renato, I’m so feeling the love!” he said and Reborn nodded, patting Skull’s head.
”Sir down, Potter, Diggory,” McGonagall said. “You can talk afterwards.”
Dumbledore stood up to welcome Skull and Reborn back. He looked at the new people, but nodded in understanding when McGonagall whispered the explanation into his ear. The ex-Arcobaleno all sat down as Dumbledore literally drew a couple of chairs. Then the headmaster turned to the watching students and cleared his throat.
“It is now, once again, the end of the year,” he said. “There is very much I’d like to say to you all tonight, but for now, please join me in thanking Beauxbaton and Durmstrang for journeying all they way here for the Tournament.”
People began to clap along with Dumbledore. While Skull clapped enthusiastically, and Reborn politely, however, the rest of the ex-Arcobaleno didn’t move. Skull didn’t bother to try get them to clap. They didn’t know what’d happened anyway.
”And now,” Dumbledore said as the clapping died down. “A round of applause to the winners of the Tournament, Harry Potter and Cedric Diggory who tied in first place.”
Another loud applause, though this time the Hogwarts students clapped harder than ever. Dumbledore allowed himself a small smile before continuing in a far more somber note.
”I do not wish to ruin this good mood... however, I do not think, it would be wise to keep exactly what happened from you. When Harry Potter and Cedric Diggory disappeared from Hogwarts grounds... they were summoned to another place via portkey. There... they saw the rise of Lord Voldemort.”
There was a panicked whisper that ran throughout the entirety of the three schools. Some people looked at Dumbledore in disbelief. Some in horror. They talked themselves into silence as Dumbledore watched them calmly.
”Thankfully, due to Skull and Reborn’s quick thinking on several matters, the two students were brought back safely-” at this, Colonello snorted not so quietly, and Skull elbowed him to shit up. “-Magic does not wish for me to tell you this. It is possible that some of your parents will be horrified that I have done so. It is my belief, however, that the truth is generally preferable to lies- however harsh it may be.
”Every guest in this Hall will be welcomed back here at any time, should they wish to come. I say to you all, once again, in the light of Lord Voldemort’s return, we are only as strong as we are united. As weak as we are divided. The Dark Lord’s... gist, for spreading rifts and enmity is great. And I hope, we can fight it, if only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust. Thank you.”
There was a moment of silence, and then Reborn stood up, slamming his hand down onto the table, several people flinched.
”Bullshit,” he said flatly. “Utter bullshit. You’re scared? Of what? Those idiots crusading around in masks and flashing green light? You’re all a bunch of spineless cowards.”
”Professor Reborn-” McGonagall started to say in shock and he held up a hand. The transfiguration teacher looked at Skull for help, but the stuntman only shook his head. The people of the Wizarding community needed to get their heads and priorities straight.
”In my line of work, I’ve faced more people scarier than a noseless, bald man,” Reborn said. “And what- Voldemort?” Several people flinched again, and Reborn sneered. “A name is not something to be feared.
”People fear me, but only because they’ve truly got something to fear. Old Voldemort’s killed, what, seven people? For what? For immortality? Pah, I’ve killed hundreds- thousands more in cold blood- for money. Fon could kill you with a flick of his wrist. Verde could experiment on you in a thousand different ways and make you wish you were dead. Lal and Colonello could have a bullet in your head before you could even open your mouth to beg for your life.
”So fucking get. A. Backbone. Or I’ll give you something to really be scared about,” Reborn said, finishing off with a dark glower and stalking out of the Hall.
Skull sighed and motioned at Fon to start wheeling his chair. He bowed his head towards Dumbledore, who looked rather shocked.
”My apologies,” Skull said. “But he only said what the lot of you needed to hear. The Wizarding community really are far too much of cowards. Good day. Come on guys.”
The remaining five all got up abruptly as one and walked out, Fon behind Skull’s chair. The stuntman sighed, leaning his chin against his palm. He hoped the wizards and witches of the world listened to Reborn’s words. Or... well, they were doomed. And he wasn’t just talking about Voldemort.