The Phoenix Prophecy

Chapter Seventeen: The Return

Monday – Evening - July 21^st

“Bloody Hell! Not again,” I screamed to the emptiness that surrounded me.

“Don’t despair. I’m here too,” a familiar voice called out from behind me.

Sirius: 9:25 PM.

“Walt, that is the most amazing sunset I have witnessed in many a moon,” I said, staring at the magnificently colored sky.

“I would have to agree; it is beautiful,” Walt replied.

“Grand Wizard Dumbledore, permit me to go and check on the condition of the injured,” Lemke said solemnly, snapping my attention from the sunset back to the realities of the events that had befallen us.

“Lemke, please do so with our most sincere appreciation for all that you have done,” Albus answered bowing just his head towards Lemke.

“The entrance to your accommodations is just past the small gathering of birch and cedar trees off to your right,” Lemke added and was gone with a snap of his fingers.

The air was cool and refreshing, especially after having been cooped up inside Marcus’ house for most of the day. As much as I would liked to have stayed outside I fell in step with Albus and Walt as they headed off towards the clump of trees Lemke had indicated.

Ten feet from the entrance, Madelyn came bursting out of the entrance on a dead run. Her face, which should have been red from her exertion, was as white as a sheet. I didn’t even have to look at her face to know that something was dreadfully wrong.

“Oh Lord, Ron didn’t make it, did he?” Walt asked, visibly drained over the thought of losing Ron.

“Huh, No…no, Ron is still just barely alive. It’s Harry…and Hermione,” Madelyn cried out in anguish.

“What has happened to them,” Albus asked before I could recover enough to ask the same thing.

“They collapsed the instant we arrived. The elves quickly took them inside and tried to revive them, but couldn’t. Mystie, the head nurse, or whatever they call themselves, told me that…that Harry and Hermione’s spirits are not in their bodies,” Madelyn said, having trouble getting her words out.

“Albus, you don’t think…

“Yes, I do think,” Albus replied, cutting me off. “Harry and Hermione have been hexed so that their spirits could not leave Marcus’ island. And if I am not mistaken, I know how and by whom.”

“No, this can’t be happening,” I wailed. We had suffered too much already. It was time for us to experience some good luck.

“Do you think Luther and Eliza are behind this?” Walt asked. At the mention of their names, I felt bitter hatred bubbling up inside me.

“Yes, Walt. That is exactly who I think is behind this,” Albus replied, his voice cold and hard. “Not only that, but I think we have been deceived by their apparent deaths when I subjected them to ‘The Lamp of Truth and Justice.’ Unless I am terribly mistaken, Luther and Eliza’s spirits are still roaming Marcus’ house.”

“They are going to rue this day, or my name is not Sirius Black,” I promised myself.

“Harry and Hermione’s spirits are in grave danger,” Albus snapped so suddenly that the three of us jumped.

“We must return Harry and Hermione’s bodies to the island at once,” Albus continued, looking at Madelyn and me. “I will place their bodies inside protective cocoons so that Luther and Eliza cannot enter them once we arrive. I would not be surprised to find that Luther and Eliza have prepared an equivalent to polyjuice that will make their spirits indistinguishable from Harry and Hermione’s spirits. This is a truly dark night. We must be on our guard for every form of trickery and deception that Luther and Eliza can throw at us.”

“Madelyn, take me to Harry and Hermione,” Albus said to her. “Sirius, find Lemke as quickly as possible and meet us where Harry and Hermione’s bodies are resting. Walt, I think it best if you remain here with Martha and your family. I know that you and Martha will do everything possible to help Ron and Gretchen recover.”

“Certainly, we will,” Walt replied. “You can count on us for anything. Please be careful. I fear that Luther and Eliza are much more powerful and dangerous that we gave them credit for.”

“Yes, I am afraid that I truly underestimated their power,” Albus replied. “I shall not make that mistake a second time.”

“Take care of yourselves,” Walt said, and giving Madelyn and me a hug, set off to find his family.

“Madelyn, let’s hurry, we don’t have a moment to waist,” Albus said, prodding her to lead him to Harry and Hermione.

Hoping that Lemke would hear me calling him, I called out his name and waited.

“Yes, Master Sirius Black, what is the problem?” Lemke asked, from behind me, nearly causing me to jump out of my skin. Why is it that elves take such delight in sneaking up on a person?

I quickly repeated what Madelyn had told us and that Albus wanted Lemke’s help in returning to Marcus’ island at once. Without any reply whatsoever, Lemke reached out and touched me. Instantly we were standing beside two beds on which lay two mummies.

“I have cocooned Harry and Hermione so that no spirits may enter their bodies,” Albus began as soon as I showed up. “To remove the cocoons simply touch the cocoon with your wands and say ‘sweet tooth.’ Do not remove the cocoons until we are absolutely certain that we have identified Harry and Hermione’s true spirits. Is that understood?”

“Yes, Albus,” Madelyn and I both replied.

“Lemke, I am truly sorry to be such a burden, but it appears that we need your assistance once again,” Albus said, turning to face Lemke.

“Lemke will decide when you have become a burden,” the elf answered.

Lemke had us stand between the beds so that we could hold hands while two of his brothers picked up Harry and Hermione’s cocoons. The instant Lemke laid his hand on top of ours, we found ourselves back in the Atrium of Marcus’ house. I was really beginning to hate the sight of that magnificent fountain with it’s dazzling lights.