A/N - I hope everyone likes this chapter. It has quite the cliffe at the end there, and I know some people will hate me for it. :)
It's great to see so many reading, but please remember to review folks!
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
The Tomb of the Prince
`I'm telling you Ron, I've just been writing to him' Hermione restated to Ron tiredly as she, Ron, Harry, Professor McGonagall, and various other students and faculty waited on the shore of the Black Lake Saturday morning. Ron had hounded Hermione about the whole writing business with Viktor, and she was getting quite annoyed with it all.
`You kept writing to him all this time and didn't tell us?' Ron asked, pushing his luck.
`Excuse me? I don't need to tell you who I am writing to, now do I?' Hermione snapped back. Harry had to admit he didn't think she still wrote to Viktor, and he felt odd about it all; but he did not need this argument.
`Can you two stop it? They'll be here any moment' Harry interrupted. Hermione huffed at Ron, and he turned back to watching the Black Lake.
`Hey, did Snape or Malfoy ever say where Vol- . . . Voldemort was?' Ron asked. He was still getting used to saying the Dark Lord's name, but Harry was happy that he was at least saying it now.
Harry shook his head, and sighed. `No, they can't. Snape tried, but he started having convulsions. Remus thinks Voldemort put a spell like a Fidelius Charm on the place he is. The only thing he could say was "near."'
`Near?' Ron said, looking at Harry questioningly.
`Yeah, that was it. Don't have a clue what it could mean' Harry exclaimed, looking over at Hermione as she watched the lake with a dull expression.
`Maybe he was saying it was near Grimmauld?' Ron wondered.
`Maybe he meant near Hogwarts' Hermione said quietly, continuing to look at the lake. Harry felt there was something on her mind other than the impending trip.
`Well, either way, we don't know where Voldemort is. Everyone was excited that they might know, but that idea flopped pretty quickly' Harry admitted despondently to Ron.
`What about the Order? Do they have any ideas?' Ron inquired.
`No. They've been looking everywhere, but don't really know. They thought he was near Sheffield, but they couldn't find any trace of him. He's been staying pretty low all this time, and most of the Order think he's waiting to come out until he attacks the strongest place' Harry attested.
`What, the Ministry?' Ron asked.
`Hogwarts' Hermione answered bleakly, turning to give Harry a worried expression. Harry moved closer, and took hold of her hand, trying to give her comfort. He knew just as she did that the safest place in England would sooner or later probably become the deadliest. If he was waiting for Hogwarts, when he did act, he would hold nothing back.
Ron talked quietly to Luna for a moment, as Harry spoke to Hermione. `Don't worry Hermione, things-` he stopped for a moment, as his scar singed. `Things will be alright' he finished, smiling pleasantly.
`I need to check on my parents. They haven't written back since last week and I'm worried' Hermione whispered to Harry. He hugged her warmly, and nodded.
`We'll check when we get back tonight' he assured. She looked up at him, her brown eyes full of worry-with a dwindling amount of hope-and she nodded. Harry leaned down and kissed her sweetly, and she pressed her hands into his back like she was holding on for dear life.
For a moment, Harry forgot about the other people there and closed his eyes, feeling only Hermione and the brunt of her concern and inner turmoil through her lips and her hushed breath. He slowly and unhappily pulled back from Hermione, and looked into her auburn eyes; the reminder of all his love for her being remembered in that instant on the banks of the Black Lake. He smiled as her eyes seemed to brighten a little, and the worry faded.
`There's a mast!' Neville exclaimed from behind them, pointing out to the middle of the lake. Harry dejectedly tore his gaze from Hermione, and looked out over the calm surface of the water.
In the middle of the lake, there was indeed a mast poking out. Soon enough, the booms and eventually the hull of a ship sprouted out of the depths, and slowly rocked back and forth regaining its direction. The sails unfolded and took their shape and as Harry remembered, were emblazoned with the double-headed eagle.
In the day time, the ship looked much better than at night in the dim moonlight. The hull of the ship was made from long and heavy wooden beams, and the intricate inlay on the front gave the ship some majesty to it. It still, to any normal person, looked like it was ready to lie down on the bottom of the lake for much needed rest, but it floated peacefully and stopped a few hundred feet away from the shore. A small boat was lowered to the surface of the now calm water, and several people boarded it, and started across to the waiting group.
The approaching boat had several younger boys in it, all wearing dark red jackets. Harry could easily make out Viktor Krum standing at the stem of the boat as it moved closer. His thick black eyebrows were visible from even this distance. He was watching the water carefully, and his inclined head made his already overly-curved nose look even more arched.
Sloping onto the bank of the lake, Viktor walked out of the boat, and greeted Professor McGonagall. He gained a few pounds, and his face was a bit fuller, but Harry thought it was a good change. He looked a bit happier now, although that could be because he was smiling as well. He was never a fan of smiling last time Harry saw him.
`Hello Professor' he declared, shaking her hand while his students brought the boat farther onto to shore.
`Hello Professor, and thank you for coming. I trust the journey went smoothly?' she asked casually.
`It vent good, thank you Headmistress. Ve always get a nice greeting from the squid. Now, vhere are my passengers?' he asked, looking around. Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Topher all approached, along with Remus, Tonks and Baldric. Baldric had to place another Auror in charge to coordinate the Auror patrols, but he managed it. When Remus told him of the trip, he made it his goal to go with Harry and the others to help out.
`Harry! It is vonderful to see you again' Viktor declared, coming over and patting him on the shoulder. His extra weight put a bit of power behind his arm, and Harry stumbled from the friendly greeting.
`Herm-own-ninny, I've missed you' he professed, giving her a hug.
`I missed you too Viktor-Sorry, Professor.'
`Please keep it to Viktor. Even I am getting used to "Professor Krum."' He admitted, chuckling a bit.
`Ah, this is your friend Ron, right?' he asked shaking Ron's hand, then turning to meet Topher and the others.
`He remembers my name!' Ron whispered, causing Harry to roll his eyes.
`So, are ve ready to leave?' Viktor asked as he finished with the pleasantries.
`Yes, I believe we are. Thank you again Professor' Harry said to Professor McGonagall as they began to enter the boat with the others.
`You must return to the grounds before supper time tonight, all of you. Yes Professor Krum, that includes you. You and your crew are invited to dine with us in the Great Hall' Professor McGonagall announced. Viktor bowed his head appreciatively, and entered the boat last.
`If ve are dinning here tonight, ve will definitely return before! My students have never been to Hogwart's Grand Hall' he smiled. He gave a flick of his wand, and the small boat gave a jolt; beginning to move across the water at a gradual pace.
Harry did not think the boat would hold so many people, but they all sat comfortably as the Durmstrang students kept an eye on the water while the boat moved itself. Harry glanced at Ron about half way to the ship, and could see his face turning green.
`Are you alright Ron?' he asked, Ron shaking his head slowly.
`I don't like boats' was his short reply, looking back at the shore longingly. Hermione took out her wand and pointed it at his midsection.
`Immotus'
Ron turned around quickly, and stared at Hermione as she smiled and put her wand away. `Better?'
`Much, thanks' Ron answered. Everyone kept quiet as they moved farther away from the shore. The group of students and staff on shore watched the boat reach the ship, and started back towards the castle.
`Up the ladder' Viktor said, motioning to a rope ladder that hung over the side. It was a tough climb, and Tonks almost fell into the water, but everyone eventually made it to the deck.
The floor planks were worn, but clean of debris. The masts towered over the crew and passengers, and the flag on the top flapped leisurely in the light wind against the overcast sky. The crew seemed very accustom to the ship, and immediately began rigging the sails, and tying down ropes to the cleats on the bulkheads. Viktor, who boarded the ship first, came out from a cabin near the back, and greeted everyone.
`Velcome to the Dobrynya Nikitich, the finest ship in all of Europe. My crew is ready to cast off, so can you tell me now vhere are ve going?' Viktor asked, sounding a bit unhappy at being kept in the dark. Professor McGonagall wanted to tell the Durmstrang High Master where his ship was going, but Harry and Topher stressed the secrecy of it all.
`The Nile River, in Egypt' Topher answered.
`The Nile! It is a long river, so how do you know vhere you vant to be exactly?' Viktor asked, his thick eyebrows furrowed as he paced the deck while his students continued their rigging.
`As close to the Wizard's Valley as possible' Hermione specified.
`Ah, that will be easy. Ve vent there last month' Viktor informed cheerfully. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, however Hermione's jaw dropped in astonishment.
`Your students go to Egypt!'
`Yes, for both our Magical History and Transportation classes' Viktor remarked, smiling at Hermione's enthusiasm. Harry frowned a bit at Viktor's glances at Hermione, but it lifted when Hermione came over and began berating Harry about why Hogwarts did not do a trip like that.
`I mean, that is such an experience! Actually going to Egypt and learning the history!' she exclaimed to Harry as they moved into an open area of the deck while Viktor set the helm.
`Been there, done that' Ron yawned as he gave a stretch, and scratched his stomach. `Hey, do you know exactly how we hold our breath when this ship goes underwater?'
`Dunno' Harry said, as Viktor came back down from the stern of the ship where the wheel was.
`Ve are set. It is very simple; just hold your breath. Ve will be undervater for only a few seconds. Just hold on to the ship, and trust me; do not let go. The last student who let go . . . vell, ve are still looking for him' he informed with a nervous chuckle. The group nodded, and moved closer to the centre mast as the crew continued to prepare the ship.
`James would have loved this ship I think' Remus offered to the group, staying close to the mast. Harry smiled at him, and turned when Viktor yelled out to his crew to dive the ship. Harry could see Viktor taking his wand, and placing the tip on the wheel.
The whole ship began to vibrate intensely, and the crew hurried to batten all the sails. Harry worried the old ship would fall apart against the increasing shaking, and he became startled when the floor boards began to rattle.
Suddenly, just as the sails reached the booms and magically tied to them, Harry's stomach-and the ship's deck-gave out from underneath him, and the ship began to descend rapidly, as if the water had been removed from underneath it. The feeling reminded him of the one Muggle rollercoaster he had tried when he was a child, which had just a few too many hills and turns for Harry's liking.
Harry held on tightly to the centre mast with one arm, while the other was slowly being crushed by Hermione's monstrously tight grip. He looked at her and laughed at how her expression was a mixture of fear, and excitement. Harry beamed at her, and luckily took a breath just when the frozen cold water of the Black Lake stormed the deck of the ship, and plunged the group and the ship into the depths.
The group of students on the shore watched as the mast disappeared, and they slowly continued their way back to the castle.
Meanwhile, watching from a nearby mountain-top, a black-haired woman moved a set of odd looking binoculars away from her face, and smirked. A round, and untidy man came running up quickly from the beaten path that meandered through the boulders and rocks strewn about.
`Did you see the ship? I wonder where they went to' Wormtail pondered, looking at the calm and collected woman. She sighed, and leaned against the rock next to her.
`I have a good idea where they are headed' Bellatrix commented, looking at the strange binoculars. `It's a shame we had to kill one of those blood-traitors who made these; their listening range is excellent.' She moved off the rock, and Wormtail backed away to let her take the lead.
`Pity the Mudblood hasn't learned about her parents' she quipped, looking back out towards the lake. `Come, we must tell the Dark Lord of this new predicament.'
*
Keeping his eyes closed, a roar unlike any he ever heard rushed passed Harry's ears, while the water surrounded him and the others. The ship continued to fall, and Harry dared not to open his eyes. Just as his gulp of air began to wane, and the need to air started to scratch at the back of his throat, the ship gave an almighty push upwards, and began to rise.
The move surprised Harry, and with the jolt, all his remaining air shot out of his mouth. Opening his eyes, he could see the blueness of the water surrounding everyone as if suspended in time. Bright sunlight sparkled down through the surface of the water as the ship seemed to rise at an incredible speed. A few fish zoomed past Harry as his lungs cried for air, and began to burn.
Just as he began to panic for air, his face broke the surface, and he gratefully inhaled warm and humid air.
As the ship rose out of the water, everyone opened their eyes, and adjusted to the bright sunlight and colourful wildlife that surrounded them. Water sloshed about on the deck as the ship rocked angrily as it gained its equilibrium, causing Harry and the others to loose their grip on the mast.
Viktor's voice rang out, and the Durmstrang students began unfurling the sails, and drying off the water from themselves, and the deck. Harry and the others slowly stood, and looked about the ship, and the river they stood on.
They arrived in Egypt. Harry had never been outside England before, and even though a small amount of vegetation hid the vast expanses of desert, Harry was smiling at his first trip outside his home country. The green delta, followed by the sandy hills; both overlaid with the perfectly blue sky gave the sight a simplicity to Harry.
`Velcome to Egypt!' Viktor called, coming down the steps from the bridge and smiling at his friends. `The Vizard's Valley is over there. Ve should meet with the Gringotts officials first.'
Harry went ahead and told Viktor about meeting Bill, and that the group going to shore agreed to meet with Bill rather than go through the officials. Viktor understood the need to keep their trip quiet, and the crew lowered the small boat onto the surface of the Nile. A few crew members moved down into the boat, and Harry and the others followed.
Viktor spoke to the remaining crew in Bulgarian, probably leaving orders, and came down the ladder as well. Tapping his wand, the boat again gave a jolt, and started across the river. Harry continued to look about, as did Hermione and the others, and he smiled at a Heron flew across the delta gracefully.
Reaching the shore, the crew jumped out, and levitated the boat onto the bank. Viktor stepped out, and offered his hand to Hermione. She smiled, and took hold of it as she exited the boat and stepped on the sandy ground. Harry wondered if he was seeing these simple acts in a blown-up way, but shook his head, and took his first step onto Egypt.
`So, where are we to meet Bill?' Remus asked, stepping out and helping Tonks.
`He said he'd meet us here' Harry stated, looking back at the ship. The remaining crew were securing the sails, and lowering a massive iron anchor.
With a loud crack, Harry turned to see the tall and slender form of Bill Weasley come towards the group. He had discarded some of his grunge-like clothes for lighter garb. He still wore his dragon-skin boots, and his long ponytail and fanged earring. The scaring on his face still looked ill, but Harry smiled at Bill's determination to not let it bother him.
`Hey there everybody! Sorry I'm late, had to make sure my shift was covered. How was the trip?' he asked as he approached and shook everyone's hand.
`The trip was great, thanks to Viktor here' Hermione exclaimed, motioning to Viktor.
`Well I'll be, Viktor Krum! I heard you're teaching at Durmstrang now.'
`I am, thank you' Viktor responded, shaking Bill's hand.
`So, you're the crazy git that wants to go to the Death Tomb?' Bill asked turning the Harry.
`I think so. Topher thinks what we're looking for might be there.'
`Oh hey Topher, didn't see you there. I trust Ron isn't giving you any troubles?' Bill asked, making Ron feel humiliated.
`No more than his girlfriend' Topher responded with a smirk, making Ron blush at Bill's reaction.
`Oh, our Ronny has a girly-friend' Bill chuckled, giving Ron a playful shot to the arm. `Does Mum know?'
`Yes, she knows! Now can we get going already to this bloody tomb!' Ron ranted, putting everyone back on track.
`Right, the tomb, it's a bit of a hike, but it shouldn't take long' Bill attested, as he started off towards a path that led through the wilderness near the delta. The Durmstrang students stayed with the boat, and Viktor decided to come with the group.
As they walked along, everyone stayed fairly quiet, but Harry felt the need to ask Bill how things were going.
`Well, they aren't that grand Harry, not at all. I was enjoying that desk job in London, but they ordered me back here to guard the tombs. Fleur wasn't too happy as you'd expect, but I've been Apparating back every two weeks or so to see her, Mum, Dad, Charlie and George.'
`How is George by the way?' Harry asked.
Bill sighed as he moved a branch in the way of the path. `He's alright; about as well as can be expected. He's been working mad on those things you ask him for, and all the orders he's been having from people. He's not even charging people anymore, and you should see the people working for him.'
`He hired more people?'
`No, people volunteered, dozens of them. Of course George had a few Order members go through them, but they all checked out. He's been so focused on helping people out . . . it's a good thing though. He needed focus after . . . after Fred' Bill admitted crestfallenly as they came to a clearing in the trees.
`Alright folks, now to get to the Valley, we need to use these' Bill announced to the group, flicking his wand at what appeared to be nothing than sand. The sand sifted away, and two large carpets popped out of the ground and hovered. They were both very inticately woven, with shades of sky blue, golden yellow, ivory white, sea grass green, and vibrant patches of red.
`Flying carpets!' Tonks expounded joyfully. Bill smiled, and easily slid himself onto the nearest one. He turned, as everyone still looked at him surprisingly, and he laughed.
`Oh com'on, they don't bite-well, at least these models don't. Just slide on, and hold onto the edges. Just don't lean too much to the sides' he emphasized.
Viktor gladly slid onto the front of the second one, and everyone found space on the two carpets. Harry, Hermione, and Ron went with Bill, while Topher, Remus, Tonks, and Baldric went with Viktor. Both carpets dipped with the new occupants, and everyone made sure to stay in the centre.
`Now, hold on!' Bill said loudly as he pulled on the edge of the carpet, and with a speed almost equal to Harry's Firebolt, it carried the four of them high over the tree line.
Harry, along with the others held on tightly to the sides, and huddled closely as they soared over the delta, and out into the desert. The group had to lean forwards to maintain balance, but luckily no one slipped or moved too abruptly. Hermione held onto Harry tightly, and he smiled at being reminded of her dislike of flying.
It had been a while since Harry had been flying, and the experience reminded him how he sorely missed it. The sand dunes and the odd colourful bird or slow moving camel passed beneath them as they continued along their way under the bright and hot sun. The wind was as dry as the landscape, but the feeling of it through his hair and across his face made Harry relax a little, even if they were in grave danger during this trip.
Speeding up, Harry saw Bill smiling as he turned the carpet gently and began towards a winding valley in the distance, surrounded by rocky outcroppings. Bill changed his grip on the edge of the carpet ever-so slightly, and it began to descend to the valley floor. Harry could see numerous people walking around the area, with deep looking caverns cut out of the rock strewn about the valley. The carpet slowed down as they came close, and stopped-hovering a few inches off the ground.
`Here we are' Bill announced, as he turned and Harry looked to see Viktor pulling up his carpet next to theirs. The look on Remus' face made Harry smile.
`Not a fan of carpets?' Harry asked him as they stepped off.
`Even I'm no good at riding a broom, and would prefer it to one of these' he maintained, Tonks laughing at him.
`Oh they aren't that bad Remus' Baldric put in chuckling.
Leaving the carpets, Bill escorted them along one of the many paths that wound through the valley between the rock and sandstone. Some of the passer-bys took careful look at Harry and the others, as they were definitely not dressed for the climate. Harry was already sweating after only two minutes of walking, considering he was wearing black pants and a black cloak.
Walking around the valley for a few more minutes, they turned a corner and found a rock face with two English wizards standing guard in front. Both wore sandy-coloured clothes, and had thick leather belts on. One of them, the taller of the two, put up his hand and the group stopped.
`What is your purpose here?' he asked.
`We come to visit the tomb of Nefrekeptah' Topher explained. The guard looked over the group slowly with his bright brown eyes, stopping for a moment on Harry.
`There is no tomb here by that name' the guard replied straightly.
`Oh com'on; I work here, and we all know this is the Death Tomb' Bill insisted.
`This is the tomb of Nefrekeptah' Topher maintained.
`You cannot enter the tomb' the guard stated roughly to the group, giving up his short and pointless fight to prove no tomb existed.
`You don't understand, we need to get inside. It's very important we go inside' Hermione insisted.
`No, you cannot. No one has entered this tomb in over a century, and we are not about to make an exception' the guard responded harshly.
`What are we going to do?' Harry asked Topher worriedly.
`I'm not sure Harry. Perhaps we should ask the Gringotts officials' he suggested. Bill agreed it would be the best option, but before they left the guards halted them.
`Stop! You cannot leave without giving us your names for record' the second, smaller guard professed loudly. His voice was much more higher pitched than the other's. No one was keen on giving their names, but did so since the guards would not let them leave otherwise. Both guards looked at Harry when he gave his name, but they reacted far stranger to Topher's.
`Terrwynebas? Did you say your last name is Terrwynebas' the tall guard asked.
`Yes, I did' Topher answered despondently. Both guards looked at each other surprisingly, and Harry wondered what was going on.
`If I was to say I have found the ultimate treasure-` the tall guard stated oddly.
`Then I would ask what name you gave to your new child' Topher suddenly spoke back monotonously. The guards were just as surprised by the response as the rest of the group. The two guards conversed for a moment while Harry looked at Topher in astonishment.
`How did you-`
`My mother told me that riddle when I was a child' he answered, sounding unsure of what was going on. The tall guard turned back and approached Topher.
`Please show me your wand' he asked. Topher hesitated for a moment, but handed it over. The guard ran his own wand from the handle to the tip of Topher's wand. When he finished, strange contrastive markings appeared within the knots woven into Topher's wand, and the guard looked surprised at Topher, who looked to have as much understanding about it all as Harry.
`We are allowed to open this tomb to Chamber Members of the Order of the Veneforbis Guard. You may enter, with three companions only' the guard proclaimed, bowing his head to Topher. Everyone, even the second guard, was still astonished by this.
`Harry, Hermione, Ron; come with me. Everyone else, we will be back momentarily' Topher exclaimed briskly before anyone could ask. The tall guard moved back to the stone face, and with the other, tapped their wand on the rock. Nothing happened, and the four visitors looked at the tall guard.
`You must complete the stage' he explained to Topher. Topher hesitated for a moment, then placed the tip of his wand on the rock face. The markings, which shone icy-blue against the birch wood, appeared again, and a small portal opened into the depths of the valley rock.
Wasting now time, Topher plunged himself into the darkened tunnel, and Harry gave a quick and worried glance to Hermione and Ron, before running in after him. The remaining two swiftly followed, as the rest of the group watched in awe.
`Does anyone know what that was about?' Baldric asked as he turned to Bill.
`Something tells me there's more to Topher than we thought' Remus stated, looking at Tonks.
Meanwhile in the rocky cave, Harry, Ron, and Hermione caught up to Topher, who was waiting a few feet down.
`Topher, what's going on? How were you able to get us in here?' Harry asked, looking about the cave. The narrow walls were flat and smoothed, as was the ceiling which stood less than six feet from the sandy floor. Ron had to bend quite a bit, while Harry and Topher had to hunch slightly; but for Hermione it was alright.
Topher, who had brightened the tunnel with his wand, looked down the tunnel, and sighed. `If my mother told me that riddle, and only Veneforbis members can get in here with that riddle-`
`Then your mother was a Guard' Hermione finished, Topher staring at the rock face for a moment before nodding.
`Maybe that's why she was killed?' Harry suggested. If Topher's mother was killed for not giving up a secret, it could easily fit she was in the Veneforbis Guard.
`Perhaps. It could explain why my wand can open the cave. She had a Griffin Feather core too. We have other pressing matters though. We need to be careful in here, so keep your wands out, and watch your feet-and your heads' he advised. The three students cast Lumos spells to better light the tunnel, and they began down the tunnel.
Walking down into the depths, Harry saw several scorpions crawling along the sand, startling Ron due to their resemblance to spiders. They continued for several moments with no troubles until they came to a fork in the tunnel. Both paths looked identical, and Topher looked down one, and then the other.
`Which way should we go?' Harry asked the others.
`Whichever way is more north' Topher offered. Hermione smiled at Harry, and motioned him to use his wand.
`Point me' he said, after placing his wand on his open palm. His wand instantly pointed down the path to the right, and the others smiled at him.
Moving farther down, they came to part of the tunnel that opened up. Writing appeared on the wall next to them, like the kind on the scroll Topher had. The wide chamber ahead was wider than the tunnel before, but perpetually dark. The light from the three wands did not moved into the chambr ahead at all.
`Find your way through the . . . the netherworld, with the thought-spirit that guides your path' Topher read from the inlaid writing.
`The netherworld? That sounds encouraging' Ron quipped, keeping close eye on the ground.
`"Thought-spirit that guides your path?"' Hermione reiterated, biting her bottom lip and thinking. `A Patronus.'
`A Patronus?' Harry asked.
`Yes, they were once called "thought-spirits". There must be Dementors, or Lethifolds ahead' she figured. Ron rolled his eyes, and looked at Harry.
`Beautiful. Can't we go anywhere were the passageway is just a passageway?' Harry clapped him on the shoulder, and nodded understandingly.
`Alright, Patronus it is. Pick a good memory, it may be your last' Topher said in mock cheerfulness, raising his wand.
Harry thought hard of his waking on Christmas Day, with Hermione nestled so closely to him. Hermione took hold of his hand, and he smiled at her warmly.
`Christmas morning?' she asked, Harry nodding with a smirk. They both raised their wands down the darkened tunnel, and smiled at each other.
`Simula Expecto Patronum!' they both yelled. A bright sphere enveloped the two of them, and brilliant white light expanded into the tunnel ahead in massive pulses.
`Expecto Patronum!' both Topher and Ron yelled. Out of Topher's wand a beautiful alabaster snowy owl flew out and soared into the tunnel ahead, while Ron's brave terrier leaped out of his wand and began bounding its way around the chamber. Topher glanced back at his students, and ran forward into the chamber, jumping from side to side as the floor seemed to reach up at him. Ron quickly followed, jumping up higher than Harry had ever seen him before as the floor continued to reach upwards. Harry and Hermione-keeping their wands pointed forwards, followed quickly as Topher and Ron moved farther down.
It seemed the instant they entered the chamber, their minds turned to dark memories. Topher was still moving ahead, his owl Patronus flying down at black, rug-like objects that slithered across the ground, and Ron was moving forward too, but Harry and Hermione were slowing.
Their Patronus Sphere died within moments, and the two of them were plunged into darkness. As memories of Sirius' death began filling into Harry's mind, he focused as hard as he could on Hermione's hand, and her presence near him. His Occlumency began forcing the painful memory out, and as he began feeling a disgusting fur-like creature begin up his leg, he pointed his wand at the ground.
`Expecto Patronum!' he yelled, and a white phoenix came out, and pounded the black rug-like creature away. Harry moved his wand towards Hermione, and the phoenix cleared away more of these creatures as Hermione was continuing to struggle with her memories.
`Legilimens' Harry charmed, pointing his wand at Hermione. He could see the memory of himself falling off his broomstick; lying in the hospital wing, flashing in front of him. He pulled her out of those memories, and looked into the memory of Christmas night.
`Com'on Hermione!' he encouraged as he forced the memory in front.
`Expecto Patronum!' she yelled as she squeezed Harry's hand, and her silvery otter blasted out of her wand, and moved around the two of them with Harry's phoenix.
`Com'on you two! Ron, help them' Topher called from farther down, his owl still circling. Ron bound back to his friends, and grabbed Harry's arm. Harry started running towards the end of the chamber with Hermione in tow, while he kept his good memory forward and his Patronus flying ahead of them with Hermione and Ron's. They reached the end, and as their Patronus' dissolved, Topher cast light along the tunnel again, and smiled at the three of them.
`Thanks mate' Harry panted.
`Just another walk in the park' he replied happily, smiling at Hermione who was also gaining her breath. Harry was going to ask why Ron and Topher were not hit with evil memories like him and Hermione, but Topher moved farther down the tunnel.
`Alright, let's keep going' Topher insisted, moving down. The chamber behind them quieted instantly, and returned to its peaceful darkness. Ron followed behind Topher with his wand lit, and Hermione smiled at Harry; giving his hand a gentle squeeze.
`Thanks for the help back there.'
`Not a problem. That was worse than dementors' Harry admitted. He was not looking forward to the trip back up.
`I know, and Ron and Topher didn't seem affected' Hermione observed.
`Perhaps it's the magic in the cave' Harry offered.
As they descended farther into the cave, the air became thick and dusty, like it had not been breathed in thousands of years. Moving along a bend in the tunnel, the group stopped as a torch, bracketed against the side of the wall, erupted into flames as they approached.
`We must be close' Topher whispered, pointing his wand down the passageway as they slowed their pace. The torches continued to light as they walked, and looking down, Harry saw a strange blue light emanating at the end.
`Did I mention I'm not a fan of old and creepy tunnels?' Ron mentioned as they moved towards the blue light and their footsteps sounded in the silent tomb.
`I don't think any of use are fans of this tunnel' Harry admitted.
Moving closer, the four of them stayed together as they reached a stone-cut room at the end of the long passageway, which contained thousands of pots and statues, most made of either shinning gold or amber clay. The ceiling rose a few more feet here, and Ron and the others gladly stretched their backs fully, however not taking deep breaths as the air was tinged with the odor of decayed animals and death. The blue light came from a tiny blue flame burning above what appeared to be a sandstone tomb, flanked by two smaller ones.
Moving their wand-light around, they found the walls covered in ancient markings, hieroglyphs, and strange looking runes. Several large statues-life size-of warriors and guards stood around the room, protecting the three tombs that lay together. Hermione moved around towards the front again, and screamed when her wand-light fell upon a dead and rather decayed body.
Harry and Ron immediately jumped, and ran over. The body was an ill shade of grey, and the skin was gone. The skeleton was about all that remained, along with the tattered remains of the person's clothes.
Looking to the left, Harry found another body similar to the first, though this one was obviously a child. Topher came around from behind as his eyes scanned the walls eagerly.
`Alright, we need to look for the Book. It'll be a scroll, not very big, and possibly with a gold circlet around it' he stated, looking again along the walls, trying to read the writing. Harry still held on to Hermione, as they turned and looked at the walls as well.
`You will not find the Book here Harry Potter' a ghostly voice whispered behind Harry. Now all four of them screamed as they turned to see the ash coloured skeleton on the right standing somehow, as well as the other child-sized one on the left. Its eye holes looked right at Harry, and he felt nothing more than utter terror at the site.
The skeleton's just "looked" at Harry and the others, seeming to wait for a response. `How- . . . how do you . . . how do you know my name?' Harry asked very carefully. Skeletons were something they neglected to teach defenses against in class.
`We know the name of all who seek the Book of Thoth' the skeleton answered in its raspy voice, still looking at the three of them.
`As well as the fate of those who use it' the smaller skeleton added, Ron jumping at the second voice. This skeleton's voice-though not as aged as the other-still sent shivers down Harry's spine. The notion of just turning and running back to England seemed very entertaining at the moment.
`For we are the Kas of Nefrekeptah, his wife and son' the ka of the woman spoke.
`We . . . we need the Book, to defeat an evil wizard' Harry stated shakily. Hermione was still holding onto Harry's arm tightly, and her eyes continued to dart between the two skeletons. Ron was holding onto Harry's other arm, and Topher stayed close to the group while still looking about the chamber.
`Seeking the Book is not the answer to your question Harry Potter' the ka of the woman asserted. Harry looked at Topher for some help, and he cleared his throat.
`We're looking for the Oroborus Light' Topher professed weakly. The woman ka's skull snapped towards Topher, and tilted as it examined him while the child ka pointed at him with a bony finger.
`You do not seek the Oroborus Light Topher Terrwynebas. What you seek will find you soon, and you will be faced with a choice that leads to the same result' the child ka told Topher quietly.
`Is the Oroborus Light in the Book of Thoth?' Topher asked, looking down at the child skeleton.
`All magic is within the Book' the woman ka explained from the other side of the room.
`Is the Oroborus Light what we need to kill Voldemort?' Hermione asked, speaking for the first time to the kas. The woman ka scanned Hermione, and gazed at her for a moment.
`The love that drives the power' the ka whispered.
`And the one that protects the wielder' the child ka spoke, looking at Ron.
`Can the Oroborus Light help me kill Voldemort?' Harry asked, frustrated without getting a clear answer.
`You cannot kill Voldemort Harry Potter, and that is not what you seek. The Oroborus Light has only the power to reflect prior acts.'
`So what is it I seek if not to kill Voldemort?' Harry asked, his tolerance for the skeletal guards waning.
`To destroy him, wielding the Oroborus Light with the power he knows not' the child ka responded, looking up at Harry.
`So where is the Book of Thoth?' Harry asked hurriedly, hearing that in fact they were on the right path.
`Taken by those who should not have. The fates of those terrible, but returned not to where the scroll should be' the woman ka expressed darkly.
`Where?!' Harry almost yelled at the kas, loosing his patience. His voice echoed up the tunnel, and Hermione squeezed his hand to try keep him calm.
`You already know Harry Potter. You did not come here to ask where it is. You came here to ask the results if you use it' the woman ka spoke. Harry turned to Topher, and understood the wording.
`It's in the Department of Mysteries like Aberforth figured' Harry asserted.
`Aberforth?' Hermione asked.
`Not now, we have to leave, and get back to Hogwarts' Topher declared, however Harry taking a step forward towards the woman ka.
`So . . . what is the result of me using the Book?' Harry asked shakily. The woman ka turned its head to its long ago living child, before looking back at Harry.
`What you fear the most, for whether you use the Book or not, the same result will come to pass' the woman ka spoke darkly. The comment did not boost Harry's confidence at all, knowing it could mean many things, none of which were good.
`Is there anyway, I can . . . change the result?'
`Only one, and it will lead back to here' the child ka told Harry.
`When?'
`When the world is lost, and the snake is broken' the woman ka spoke. Harry's mind turned to dark thoughts and unhappy predictions. "When the world is lost" could only be taken in so many ways, none of which where that bright. Coupled with "the snake is broken" just confused Harry more.
`Come on Harry, Hermione, Ron; we need to get back to the surface' Topher encouraged.
`Yes, you should; for eight of you set foot on Egypt, but only seven will depart' the woman ka informed darkly.
`The last will fall to the sand and never rise again' said the child ka.
The group glanced at each other quickly with the warning, bowed to the kas, and turned to head back up the tunnel when the woman ka spoke once more.
`Know Harry Potter that the sign of the golden feather upon the stone will mark the beginning of the end.'
Harry stared at the ka for a moment, before turning and running with the rest of the group as fast as possible back up the tunnel towards the outside. The group quickly moved through the darkened passageway, and past the chamber filled with the moving floor. Reaching the entranceway again, Remus, Tonks, Bill, and Baldric all looked worriedly at the group coming out.
`Harry, Topher, Ron, Hermione-is everything O.K.?' Remus asked as he looked at Harry who was looking about frantically.
`We need to get back to the ship, now!' he stated quickly. Remus looked at Bill, and he lead the way as the group left the two puzzled guards, and started back towards the carpets.
`What happened Harry?' Tonks asked as they ran.
`Not now, we have to get back!' he maintained, trying to stay with Bill as he reached the carpets. The guards and other wizards and witches walking about looked at the group with mixed emotions as they reached the area they first landed in.
`Harry, for the love of Merlin, why are we running?' Baldric asked as he panted.
`They said someone wouldn't make it back to the ship' Hermione answered for Harry.
`Who said?' Remus asked, looking at the group.
`The kas! We need to-` Harry started, but was cut off by a blast that smashed into the sand next to the group. Everyone fell to the ground as panic broke out, and spells began firing from the hilltops down on the group.
`Get on! Get on!' Bill yelled out as Remus, Viktor, Tonks, and Baldric tried to fire spells back and protect the students. Harry moved and helped Hermione and Ron to the carpet, but Ron slipped on a rock and fell hard on the ground.
`Ron, com'on!' Harry yelled at his friend as he scrambled on the ground. Remus and the others were still firing spells, but were moving backwards towards the carpets.
As Harry and Hermione reached the carpet with Bill, they shouted at the others to move. Ron got up from the sandy ground quickly with blood on his chin and started running for the carpet just ahead of the others, when the hollow face of Bellatrix Lestrange showed itself from around a corner of a nearby rock wall, and smiled evilly as she held up her wand at the running group.
`Avada Kedavra!'
Spell / Name Meanings:
Immotus - L. immotus - unmoved
Dobrynya Nikitich - In Slavic mythology, dipicted as a dragonslayer who killed Zmey Gorynych, a green
three headed dragon that spit fire. (Source: Wikipedia)
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