The Children of Salazar had never faced a real battle, nor were they accustomed to the concept of "coming out in the open." Aster and Stella were desperate. They had settled into life at the Ministry, had a salary, felt useful as spies, and now they discovered they would have to give up their daily serenity forever. Fighting against the special squads terrified each one of them, but none dared to rebel. They sensed Scorpius" danger in his honeyed and calm voice, and in his grotesque good mood, even before his hybrid appearance.