A/N: I don't own anything you recognize.

This is for the Harry Potter Fanfiction Challenges forum

Are you crazy enough to do it Challenge

2. (Book title) Untamed

The jungle seemed more overgrown than last time Bill had been here. He chopped at the underbrush sending leaves flying everywhere.

"Are you sure this is the right place?" someone asked.

"Yes, I'm sure, Higgins. We just passed the rock shaped like a heart." The group continued walking, Bill leading the way. He tried not to let his mind wander to the last time he'd been on this same expedition. They had heard rumors of an ancient temple, one protected by various curses and booby-traps. Bill had been younger then, more cocky at his abilities as a curse breaker. A young Gringotts worker had lost her legs because of him. He wasn't going to let the same thing happen this time.

He raised his hand stopping everyone. They were about the enter the clearing surrounding the temple.

"There's the temple. Last time, the clearing held several traps. I do not know if they were reset since I was last here or not. I'm hoping not, but we need to move carefully. Keep your eyes open," he warned as the group stepped into the clearing. An arrow shot past Bill's ear, causing his earring to move slightly.

"Looks like the traps were reset after all," Bill grumbled. Thankfully no one got hurt as the group continued to move closer to the temple. The temple itself was pyramid in shape, made of deep emerald colored stones. Bill wouldn't be surprised if they were actually emeralds. Last time he hadn't made it close enough to find out.

"How far did you get last time?"

"Almost to the first step. That's when Li Su was injured. I've been studying since then," Bill said gravely. Once they reached the edge of the clearing, Bill pulled out his wand waving it slowly revealing several lines in the air.

"I thought so, okay, here goes nothing," Bill announced chanting a language none of the others could understand. Within a few rounds of the chant the lines faded and disappeared entirely.

"Is it safe now, Mr. Weasley?"

"No. That was just one curse, I am sure there will be many more." Bill kept his wand out, casting as he walked. Every few steps he'd pause, chant something the same language.

"Do you understand anything he's saying?" Higgins asked one of the others.

"Not a word of it, but it he knows what it means, and we're not dead, maimed, or otherwise harmed, then he could be speaking gobbilygook for all I care," she answered.

They had reached the center of the temple, an alter stood in the middle. Sitting on the alter was a large emerald, this one cut in the shape of a lotus blossom.

"There it is, the Hand of Hope," Bill whispered looking around the room. There were holes in the walls, he wondered if they shot arrows, let in water to drown everyone, had poison darts, or some other insane booby-trap.

"Stay here," he ordered his team. "If I die, do not come to get me, get out of here, understand." They nodded holding their breathes as Bill made his way to the center of the room, chanting loudly. Light flooded the room as he took a step near the alter. Higgins watched as Bill Weasley lifted the Hand of Hope holding it tightly. He made his way down as darts flew through the air. Higgins cast shield charms over him and the rest of the expedition. Bill did his own.

They escaped from the temple, as it started crumbling around them, emeralds flying through the air. Higgins grabbed one, Bill ended up with several small pieces in his hair, his pockets.

"We did it," he whispered once they made it back to the meeting point, where their portkey was waiting.