Natsu Dragneel and the Goblet of Fire

The Parting of the Ways

Master Makarov stood up. He stared down at Briar for a moment with disgust on his face. Then he raised his wand once more and ropes flew out of it, ropes that twisted themselves around Briar, binding her tightly. He turned to Professor Connell.

"Alzack, could I ask you to stand guard here while I take Natsu upstairs?"

"Of course," said Professor Connell. He looked slightly nauseous, as though ge had just watched someone being sick. However, when he drew out his wand and pointed it at Briar, his hand was quite steady.

"Metalicana" - Master Makarov turned to Redfox - "please tell Porlyusica to come down here; we need to get Taurus Bull into the hospital wing. Then go down into the grounds, find Tome E. Fiore, and bring him up to this office. He will undoubtedly want to question Briar himself. Tell him I will be in the hospital wing in half an hour's time if he needs me."

Redfox nodded silently and swept out of the room.

"Natsu?" Master Makarov said gently.

Natsu got up and swayed again; the pain in his leg, which he had not noticed all the time he had been listening to Briar, now returned in full measure. He also realized that he was shaking. Master Makarov gripped his arm and helped him out into the dark corridor.

"I want you to come up to my office first, Natsu," he said quietly as they headed up the passageway.

"Weiss is waiting for us there."

Natsu nodded. A kind of numbness and a sense of complete unreality were upon him, but he did not care; he was even glad of it. He didn't want to have to think about anything that had happened since he had first touched the Triwizard Cup. He didn't want to have to examine the memories, fresh and sharp as photographs, which kept flashing across his mind. Mad-Eye Bull, inside the trunk. God Serena, slumped on the ground, cradling his stump of an arm. Acnologia, rising from the steaming cauldron. Simon... dead... Simon, asking to be returned to his family...

"Professor," Natsu mumbled, "where are Kagura and Mr. and Mrs. Mikazuchi?"

"They are with Professor Lasaro and Ultear," said Master Makarov. His voice, which had been so calm throughout the interrogation of Briar, shook very slightly for the first time.

"He was Head of Simon's house, and knew him best. And Ultear was his girlfriend."

They had reached the stone gargoyle. Master Makarov gave the password, it sprang aside, and he and Natsu went up the moving spiral staircase to the oak door.

Master Makarov pushed it open. Weiss was standing there. His face was white and gaunt as it had been when he had escaped Azkaban. In one swift moment, he had crossed the room.

"Natsu, are you all right? I knew it - I knew something like this - what happened?"

His hands shook as he helped Natsu into a chair in front of the desk.

"What happened?" he asked more urgently.

Master Makarov began to tell Weiss everything Briar had said. Natsu was only half listening. So tired every bone in his body was aching, he wanted nothing more than to sit here, undisturbed, for hours and hours, until he fell asleep and didn't have to think or feel anymore.

There was a soft rush of wings. Fawkes the phoenix had left his perch, flown across the office, and landed on Natsu's knee.

"'Lo, Fawkes," said Natsu quietly. He stroked the phoenix's beautiful scarlet-and gold plumage. Fawkes blinked peacefully up at him. There was something comforting about his warm weight.

Master Makarov stopped talking. He sat down opposite Natsu, behind his desk. He was looking at Natsu, who avoided his eyes. Master Makarov was going to question him. He was going to make Natsu relive everything.