Fred, George, and Lee staggered their way through the woods as best as they could given the uneven terrain and limited visibility. In their eagerness to reach the well both of the twins stumbled and fell at different points and had to be helped up by the other two. Lee kept trying to tell them to slow down, but neither would listen.

Suddenly Fred, who was leading the way, pulled up short causing George to nearly bump into his back.

"Little warning next time," complained George, stepping back slightly.

"I think we're here," whispered Fred.

They were stopped in front of a large tree whose trunk was easily the size of Hagrid. Fred pointed ahead of them and George and Lee leaned around the tree to get a better look. About a hundred or so yards in front of them the thick network of trees and bushes gave way to a clearing. They could see that there were a few flaming torches lit but at this distance with too many obstacles in the way they were unable to see much more.

"Let's get closer," advised George. He held up his wand. "Should probably put these out. Nox."

The light from his wand was quickly extinguished, as were Fred and Lee's as they followed his example. Moving slowly, and carefully, to try and avoid making noise, the three boys made their way closer to the clearing. As they reached the edge of the treeline they could now get a clearer picture.

The clearing was quite small, only about thirty feet across with the well located at the centre, and opposite their hiding place on the far side was a narrow pathway that disappeared around the corner and presumably led back to the main road.

There were already people in the clearing. On the path facing them the boys recognised Miro and Lexington who were aiming their wands towards the well where a man stood with his back to their hiding place. There was a thin silvery string-like beam emanating from the man's wand which went up and snaked around a long thick branch that was overhanging the clearing. The beam curled back around the branch and was wrapped around the fourth person's middle and holding them in place over the well itself.

"I don't think that's Ginny," whispered George, after a few moments of watching the scene.

While they couldn't tell much about the fourth person currently being dangled over the hole they could see enough to realise that whoever it was were a good deal taller than Fred and George's sister. The magical rope was tied around their arms holding them in at the waist but they didn't seem to be struggling much, although the boys weren't sure if this was because they were incapacitated or because they were afraid that the rope might break if they did.

"Not short enough for Ginny," agreed Fred, he peered around the clearing. "I can't see her."

"What do we do?" said Lee. "If we attack Wentworth, it'll probably make him drop that person down the well."

"I'd say that's why Miro or Lexington haven't done anything yet," replied George.

"How about we sneak out and grab that person?" said Fred, pointing at the person over the well. "Once they are safe the others will be free to attack without worrying about what will happen to them."

"We'll have to be really careful. If Wentworth sees us he'll just drop them," advised George.

"Lucky for us we're sneaky," replied Fred. "Let's do this."

A quietly as they could, and as quickly as they dared, Fred, George, and Lee made their way out from their hiding place and began to move towards the well.

"I'm not sure this is going to work," advised Lexington as he and Miro made their way out of Hogsmeade village.

"It's the best we could come up with," replied Miro. "Besides, you always said the best thing in a plan is the element of surprise."

"True," conceded Lexington.

It was dark but with the moon high and bright in the sky and the addition of their lit wands they were able to see clearly enough. The road out of Hogsmeade was winding and potholed but easy enough to navigate and they soon reach the point where a pathway branched off between the trees.

"Keep your eye out for any traps," warned Lexington as they slowly walked down the pathway. It was narrow with trees and bushes on either side that could hide a whole multitude of danger.

The pathway rounded a corner and head of them opened up into a clearing where they found Wentworth waiting for them next to the well. Either side of him were a couple of flaming torches staked into the ground. However, Ginny Weasley wasn't with him.

"Mrs Formby?" exclaimed Miro before remembering to keep his wand aimed at Wentworth.

"She's not really in a talkative mood, well not anymore," said Wentworth, grinning as he looked up at the woman.

"Let her go, Wentworth," ordered Lexington.

"You should really choose your words more carefully," replied Wentworth. He gestured towards his wand where a silver rope was protruding from the end which was wrapped around a branch above his head before coming back down and holding Mrs Formby dangling over the Eternal Well. She also had a cloth gag wrapped around her mouth preventing her from talking. "If I dispel this rope… well… I don't need to draw a picture for you, do I?"

"What do we do?" asked Miro out of the corner of his mouth. "We didn't plan for this."

"Stick to the plan, we'll think of something," said Lexington.

"Now now, speak up," said Wentworth. "I can't hear you when you mumble to each other like that. I'm sure you came up with a very thorough plan to defeat me but needless to say I hold all the cards at the moment."

"We just want her," said Lexington, nodding towards Mrs Formby. He put his hand into his pocket and pulled out the book. "You want this right? It's a simple exchange."

"Merlin's Beard," said Miro under his breath. He tried to keep his lips as still as possible. "Behind him."

Lexington adjusted his eyes to look passed Wentworth and Mrs Formby to the back of the clearing. Emerging from the trees were three figures in dark clothing. They were slowly making their way towards the well.

Miro groaned, and swore quietly, as he realised he recognised the new arrivals, "it's Fred, George, and Lee."

"Come on," said Wentworth loudly. "There's nothing to think about. Just throw the book here and I'll let her go."

"That's what we're afraid of," replied Lexington trying to think fast and hoping to keep the man distracted.

"I mean let her free," said Wentworth.

"Look," said Lexington carefully as he raised his voice, "the only thing we want is to grab the girl. That's the only thing we are concerned with. Everything else is unimportant. Just grab the girl."

Behind Wentworth Fred gave Lexington a thumbs-up to indicate he understood what had been implied.

"Good, at least we are all on the same page," said Wentworth. He pointed to the floor. "Now, throw your wands down onto the ground."

"How do we know you won't just kill us if we drop our wands?" asked Miro. The three boys were about half way to the well now; they just needed Wentworth distracted a little longer.

"You don't," replied Wentworth. "However if you don't do as I say I will definitely kill Mrs Formby here. Of that you can be sure."

"Okay, okay," said Lexington quickly. He went to put his wand down on the ground directly in front on him.

"No. Throw it to the side; so you can't just pick it straight back up," said Wentworth.

"It's okay, do as he says," advised Lexington. He threw his wand to the right while Miro did the same but to the other side. Lexington held the book up hoping that it would dissuade Wentworth from trying to attack them if he thought he might damage it in some way.

"Very good," said Wentworth, smiling. "It's not a nice feeling is it? Being at the mercy of someone else."

"Although I'm sure you are enjoying it immensely," replied Lexington. He could see that the boys had now reached the well and were hunkered down on the far side so that if he turned Wentworth would not be able to see them. Fred, or George, Lexington couldn't really tell them apart, peered over the side of the stone and caught the man's eye.

"Now throw the book over here," ordered Wentworth, beckoning towards himself.

"Okay," said Lexington, "I'll throw it… right… now!"

Lexington launched the book high in the air towards Wentworth as Fred, George, and Lee quickly stood up and wrapped their arms around Mrs Formby's waist and pulled her towards them. As the book was arching through the air Lexington and Miro each made a dive towards their wands. If everyone else hadn't been so distracted by the various events unfolding they would have wondered why Miro was repeatedly shouting 'pineapples' as he moved.

Wentworth's eyes, which had been firmly following the direction of the book, flashed down to register both Lexington and Miro making a move for their discarded wands. He instantly flicked his wrist and cancelled his rope spell. He heard Mrs Formby start to scream as she dropped, but he was too concerned with the two men in front of him to care.

Wentworth raised his wand and aimed it at Miro who was closest to retrieving his own wand. Wentworth smiled. He'd be able to kill the younger man before turning his attention to Lexington; neither would make it to their wands before he completed his task.

"Avada…"

Wentworth's spell stuck in his throat as he let out a surprised shriek. A grotesque face had suddenly appeared out of nowhere barely two inches from his own and was screaming incoherently at him.

"What?!" exclaimed Wentworth taking a few steps back.

"Arrrrghhh," continued Reg before stopping abruptly. "Sorry, I'm not entirely sure what to do next."

Fortunately the book, which had been lazily arching through the air, finished its journey which resulted in it striking Wentworth on the bridge of his nose. The blow disoriented him even more that the unexpected appearance of Reg and he staggered backwards again. This time he backed into the edge of the well, lost his balance, and fell backwards. He grabbed onto the stone well just in time to prevent himself from falling over the edge, however he was unable to dodge the Stunning Spell that Lexington had just sent his way. The red beam hit him squarely in the chest and sent him tumbling unconsciously over the side of the well and down into the hole.

"It's okay, we've got you," shouted Lee as Mrs Formby's feet still dangled over the side of the well. The three boys carefully pulled her over the stone until her feet were safely on solid ground.

"Thank you, oh thank you," said the woman. She looked around and saw Lexington and Miro approaching. "I am so glad to see you. That horrible man came to my home and grabbed me. Where is he?"

"Fell down the well," said Miro, leaning over the edge and pointing his wand into the darkness. He strained his eyes but couldn't see anything in the darkness even with the light from his wand. "It's bottomless or very deep, either way I think that's the last we'll see of him."

"Good work Reg," said Lexington, he went to pat the ghost on the shoulder but his hand passed straight through him. He turned to look at Miro. "Pineapples?"

"It's the word we agreed on for me to say so that Reg knew when to appear out of the ground," said Miro, pointing at the ghost. "He chose it."

"What?" said Reg as Lexington looked at him. "I like pineapples, not the taste of course. Never had one when I was alive but I've always thought they looked funny."

"What about our sister?" asked Fred. He turned to Mrs Formby. "Our sister? She has red hair like us. Probably wearing a Hogwarts' uniform."

"I'm sorry, I never saw her," said Mrs Formby, shaking her head. "He only grabbed me as far as I know."

"Perfect, just perfect," snapped George.

"It's okay George," said Miro, trying to calm the boy. "We'll head back up to school and Bernard and I will help the teachers look for her. There has to be something for us to find. She can't have just vanished."

"Is this it?" said Mrs Formby reaching down onto the ground and picking up the book. "Is this what he wanted? Is this what my husband died for?"

"Yes," confirmed Lexington.

"Do you need it?" asked Mrs Formby.

"No, although I think it would be best for everyone if it was destroyed," advised Lexington.

"Good, I agreed with that," said Mrs Formby, turning so that she held the book over the well. "I'd like to take a moment to remember my husband before I get rid of this."

"Of course," said Lexington. He beckoned the boys over. "We'll give you some space."

The two men, three boys, and one ghost moved a respectable distance from the well.

"I thought you said he had Ginny," said Fred harshly.

"I thought he did," replied Lee in a distraught voice.

"He just said he had taken the girl," explained Miro. "We all thought he meant Ginny because she'd gone missing."

"So where's Ginny?"

"No idea, but we'll help look," said Lexington firmly. "It turned out what transpired here had nothing to do with what's going on at the school."

"So we wasted a whole night when we could have been looking for her," spat George.

"You helped save a woman's life, that's not a waste," said Lexington, nodding towards Mrs Formby who had now joined them. "Now, let's head back up to the castle as quick as we can and see about finding your sister."

"Will you be okay getting home?" Miro asked Mrs Formby. "You don't have a wand on you, can you Apparate without it?"

"No, I never learnt any wandless magic," advised Mrs Formby. "It's okay I'll head back into the village and use one of the Floos."

"Try the Three Broomsticks, it's normally open quite late into the mornings," advised Lexington, speaking from experience.

The group walked briskly back through the village. There was a light on in the Three Broomsticks and Mrs Formby quickly bade them goodbye and hurried over to the pub, while the rest of them rushed towards the school. They half ran most of the way and were all out of breath as they reached the main doors.

"What's that sound?" asked Lee, taking in large gulps of air.

"It sounds like a party," wheezed Miro, bent over in half with his hands on his knees. He looked over at Lexington. "How are you not exhausted?"

"I run five miles every morning before work," said Lexington, who unlike the rest had barely even broken a sweat. "Don't you?"

"It's the Great Hall," said Lee, as they walked through the front doors of the school.

"Fred! George!" shouted an excited Alicia who had just left the hall and raced over to them once she had seen them. "We've been looking all over for you."

"What's going on?" said George, pointing towards the noise.

"They found Ginny! She's fine!" beamed Alicia.

"They found her?" exclaimed Fred, breaking into a grin. "Where?"

"In the Chamber of Secrets. Harry found the entrance, and he and Ron went down and saved her. I didn't realise your brother was so brave," said Alicia.

"Harry found the Chamber of Secrets? It's real?" asked Miro.

"Oh hi, Miro," said Alicia greeting him. "Yes, he found the Chamber and battled a Basilisk."

"A Basilisk? The Monster of Slytherin was some kind of giant duck?" said Miro cautiously.

"We really need to work on your magical creature knowledge," said Lexington giving his partner a sidelong glance.

"It's a giant snake," said Lee, slapping him on the arm. "Even I know that."

"So Ginny's fine?" asked George.

"Nothing a night in the Infirmary can't fix," said Alicia. "She's up there now resting, and Madam Pomfrey is giving out the Mandrake juice at the moment so everyone should be fine. Dumbledore called for a midnight feast and work everyone up. You three are probably the only ones not in pyjamas other than Harry and Ron of course but they fought a Basilisk. So, what's your excuse?"

"Oh you know us, just the usual sort of night," said Fred.

Lexington and Miro said their goodbyes and headed off into the night. Reg decided that he want to have a quick float around the school as he hadn't seen it for a long time. He immediately bumped into the Fat Friar who threw a hand around his shoulder the minute he found out Reg used to be in Hufflepuff and took him off for a tour of the grounds.

Fred, George, and Lee followed Alicia into the Great Hall and quickly found Harry at the Gryffindor table surrounded by food and covered in dried blood. He almost choked on the scone he was eating when George slapped him on the back and started thanking him for saving his sister.

Everyone was in a partying mood, especially those at the Gryffindor table since, for saving Ginny and defeating the Basilisk, Harry and Ron had been awarded Special Awards for Services to the School along with two hundred points each. This meant that for the second year in a row Gryffindor had won the House Cup.

Fred, George, and Lee sat down across from Alicia and Angelina at the Gryffindor table and started to tell them about their own evening adventures whilst gratefully eating whatever happened to be within reach. Their story was cut slightly short as a large cheer went up from the tables as the four Petrified students returned to the Great Hall completely returned to their normal selves. A smaller cheer went up, mainly from the Gryffindor table, as Nearly Headless Nick floated into the room and waved at the students. A smattering of claps which quickly petered out was started by the first years as Mrs Norris sauntered into the room. Most of the first years turned to ask the older students why they weren't applauding and everyone was swift to point out the reasons for not appreciating the caretaker's cat's return. Not that Filch cared, as he scooped the animal up into his arms and make cooing sounds while he cuddled her, a number of students in his vicinity pushed their plates away as their appetites suddenly disappeared.

At about half three another wave of merriment reverberated around the hall as Hagrid walked in with a wide grin on his face having returned from his confinement at Azkaban. The second loudest cheer of the night came after Dumbledore inform them that Professor Lockhart would not be finishing out the year due to a distinct lack of memory and that the remaining Defence Against the Dark Arts lessons would be converted into free periods for everyone. However, the loudest, longest, and most over the top cheer came when Professor McGonagall announced that the end of year exams had been cancelled. It was, generally agreed all around, the best feast that had been since in the Great Hall for many a year.

"Well, that was certainly a turn up for the books," said Lexington as he and Miro Apparated outside their office in Knockturn Alley.

"Bad guy defeated, damsel undistressed, resurrection of untold evil stopped," said Miro as he pushed opened the door. "To be honest, we've had worse days."

"I think I'll be breaking out the warlock-brandy for a quick drink before bed," advised Lexington. "You should join me. It'll put hairs on your chest."

"I already have hairs on my chest, at least five of them last time I check…" Miro's voice tailed off as they reached the top of the stairs. He slowly took out his wand and nodded towards the office door which was slightly ajar.

Lexington did likewise and they both stood either side of the door with their wands raised for a moment. Miro silently counted to three and the two men burst inside ready to attack.

"Bloody hell," exclaimed Enoch as the door slammed open. He had been snoozing softly in one of the armchairs whilst resting his feet on a desk.

"Enoch?" sighed Lexington, putting his wand away. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, I wanted to give you an update and I was rather tired so I thought I'd kill two gnomes with one spell," said Enoch, letting out a yawn.

"You could have just left us a note and gone to bed," said Miro. He ushered Enoch's feet off of his desk. "You're only staying at the Leaky Cauldron right?"

"Ah well, see me and Tom had a bit of disagreement over a bar bill," explained Enoch. "So, I'm sort of avoiding the Leaky Cauldron at the moment."

"I'm surprised to see you here at all," said Lexington. He opened one of the drawers on his desk and pulled out a dusty bottle and three slightly less dusty glasses.

"How come?" said Enoch, his eyes lighting up at the sight of the bottle.

"Because of Ginny," said Miro, sitting down at his desk. Enoch just gave him a blank look. "You did know about her? Didn't you?"

"What about her?" asked Enoch urgently, looking between Miro and Lexington.

"Firstly, she's fine, all safe and sound," said Lexington quickly to dispel any fears. "But she was taken by the Heir of Slytherin into the Chamber of Secrets."

"What?!" exclaimed Enoch.

"We originally thought that Wentworth had taken her," said Lexington, handing Enoch a glass with a generous portion of drink, "but he had actually kidnapped Mrs Formby. It's fine, she's fine. He wanted us to bring him the book in exchange for her but we were able to subdue him."

"With Fred and George's help of course," said Miro, taking his own glass. He sniffed the contents and wrinkled his nose at the strong flavour.

"Why am I not surprised?" said Enoch, shaking his head. "How did they get involved?"

"They thought Wentworth had kidnapped Ginny as well so went in search of her," said Lexington.

"Where's Wentworth now?" asked Enoch, taking a sip.

"Normally I'd assume he was dead, but he's a tricky fellow," said Lexington, leaning back on his chair. "He fell into the Eternal Well at Hogsmeade. We stunned him just as he went in but if it is a bottomless pit then technically he could Apparate out on the way down."

"Tricky git," spat Enoch. "What about the book?"

"Mrs Formby threw it down the well," said Miro.

"Well, at least there'll be no way to retrieve it," sighed Enoch.

"What about you? You mentioned something about an update?" asked Lexington.

"Oh yes," said Enoch, leaning forward and placing his glass down onto the desk. "I went to the Lysanders' house to see if I could speak to Sebastian. He wasn't there. Olivia had been poisoned and it looked like there had been a struggle."

"Poisoned? I'm assuming they took the husband into custody for questioning?" said Lexington.

"Couldn't," said Enoch, shaking his head. "He was one of the guards killed by Wentworth during his escape. And Olivia was poisoned after Thomas was killed."

"So Wentworth killed Thomas, then poisoned Olivia, and kidnapped Sebastian?" said Miro uncertainly. "Why?"

"Maybe Sebastian knew something about him," reasoned Enoch.

"But poison?" said Lexington frowning. "It just doesn't seem like Wentworth's style. And where's the boy?"

"No idea, but I don't hold out much hope at this stage," said Enoch, looking glum. "It's a shame too. From the sound of it he had a pretty miserable life until he got away from his mother."

"Well I guess that makes something else to add to the list of things I'm going to make Ardmore Wentworth pay for if I ever catch him," said Lexington darkly.

"There are two Ministries looking for him," advised Enoch. "There aren't many rocks he can hide under."

"What about the Lysanders?" asked Miro. "They got any family?"

"No, just each other, and then Sebastian," said Enoch, he pulled the photo from his inside pocket and handed it to Miro. "For what it's worth, they looked happy together."

"Er… Bernard?" said Miro, looking at the photo for a few seconds. He handed it over to his partner who frowned for a moment before swearing under his breath.

"What's wrong?" asked Enoch slowly.

"This woman, are you sure it's Olivia Lysander?" asked Lexington, tapping the photo.

"Yes, got it from an Auror investigating the house. Jenkins," said Enoch.

"Ah yes, he's a straight up man. No reason to doubt him," said Lexington. He held up the photo. "This woman is Elizabeth Formby, the one who hired us to find her husband."

"Her husband? As in Thomas Lysander?" said Enoch.

"No, a completely different person, worked for Gringotts," said Lexington.

"They could be sisters; twins," said Miro.

"No, I checked into Olivia," said Enoch, shaking his head. "She was an only child."

"They have to be the same person," stated Lexington. "Elizabeth Formby started all of this by getting us to look for her husband, because of that we found that book, a book which Wentworth wanted and was prepared to kill for. Then he escapes and kills Thomas Lysander, who just so happens to have been the guardian of the only other member of the Sect of Kai that we know about, and is married to Olivia, who is in actual fact Elizabeth Formby."

"But you said that Olivia had been killed," said Miro, pointing at Enoch. "We've seen Mrs Formby within the last hour. There has to be two of them."

"Olivia is definitely dead," said Enoch, grimly. "I saw the body myself when they were bringing her out. There's no faking that."

"Just what the hell is going on?" muttered Lexington, looking at the photo thoughtfully as he sipped his drink.

Wentworth groggily opened his eyes. It made no difference, everything was still black. There was a loud rushing sound like a waterfall all around him. He reached out a hand and suddenly pain shot through his fingertips as they scrapped off something in the dark.

That's not water I hear, it's air. I'm falling – realised Wentworth as he gradually got his bearings. He tried to work through the last thing he could remember. A hideous face. Stumbling backwards. A sudden red flash.

"Stunned," muttered Wentworth, the words lost in the wind which whipped around his body.

Must have fallen into the well – he thought. He was bleeding all over, and bruised too. Probably scraped myself off the stones.

Wentworth let out a laugh. He didn't have his wand but he was capable of Apparating without it. Those fools thought they had seen that last of… his thought was cut short given that the Eternal Well was not in fact bottomless; it was just very deep.