Chapter 21 The ride of a life time
The Blackhawk ride was a first for Hermione, far faster than any broom. The pilot pulled the nose down and kicked the speed up to 160 knots. The ground speed by in a blur of green and brown as they raced to the air base. The chopper didn't even land, it hovered inches off the ground in front of a very large hanger. As soon as Hermione and Jack were off the chopper speed away.
"Sir, its good to see you again," yelled a tall blonde haired women.
"Carter, it's been to long," said Jack as they saluted each other. "This is Hermione, my girlfriend."
"Nice to meet you. Jack's talked about you," said Carter as she shook Hermione's hand. "Your X-302 is ready to go inside the hanger."
"Time to fly," said Jack. He walked towards the hanger with the others following.
Hermione was amazed to see the hanger was completely dark. "Hermione," said Carter. "This is the X-302 fighter interceptor." When Cater flipped the lights on, Hermione staring at a forward swiping wing pointing down at an angle. Jack walked over to the plane and slowly moved his hands over the cold metal, his eyes closed.
"Sir" said Carter. "You better go."
With Hermione following, Jack climbed into the duel cockpit and closed the canapé when they were seated. He reached down into the cockpit and tossed Hermione a helmet with an oxygen mask
"You'll need it," said Jack, placing his helmet on. "Now, I know I sound like a mother, but don't touch anything." Hermione nodded. A few seconds later, Hermione heard the jet engines start up. "Sorry about the engines being so loud, but we need to get off the ground as fast as possible," said Jack, giving Carter a thumb's up as the hanger doors opened up.
The X-302 shot like a rocket out of the hanger but Hermione couldn't even feel it. Soon, she was in the sky climbing, punching through the clouds as they leveled off. Hermione looked out of the window to see nothing but clouds. "Hell of a ride, right?" asked Jack.
"How high are we?" she asked, looking out of the window.
"About 80,000 ft. Ready to go higher?" said Jack as he flipped the stick for the rocket booster. Hermione was pressed into her seat as they went even higher. They passed through cloud after cloud until there were none.
"Hermione," said Jack. "Welcome to outer space." Hermione looked out to see the earth below.
"We're really in space," said Hermione in complete wonderment. "Yup, but we have to get to Hogwarts." He pushed down on the stick as the fighter punched back down over Great Britain. Hermione looked out of the window and saw the railroad. "Jack, I see the railroad," said Hermione. "It's to the right."
"We'll follow this to Hogwarts," said Jack as the fighter zoomed over the tracks. A few minutes later, Jack spotted the North Tower in the distance. "Hang on tight, I'm going to land by the lake," said Jack as he lowered the fighter's speed and landing gear.
At Hogwarts classes were canceled due to the second war beginning and the death of the headmistress. Dumbledore was sitting in his office when he heard the sound. Dumbledore walked over to the window just in time to see a black plane land on the grounds. Dumbledore knew it had to be Jack. He watched as the plane rolled to a stop by Hagrids cabin. Two people dressed in black jumped out and ran towards the lake.
"That wasn't too bad of a landing," commented Jack as he and Hermione walked towards the lake. "What do we have to do get the last sword?"
Hermione looked down at the file. "It says to throw the three swords into the lake then the temple will raise what ever that means." said Hermione as they reached the edge of the lake. The doors to the castle burst opened as students started coming out in droves.
"What time is it Hermione?" asked Jack as students gathered around them. Hermione looked down at her watch. "11:59 a.m." Jack reached into his pack and pulled out each sword and threw them into the lake. When the last one was thrown in the lake started to boil over.
Everyone stopped and watched as a temple looking just like Stonehenge rose from the lake. The Hogwarts students looked on as a red beam of light shot straight up into the air then spread out in a dome covering the lake and some land around it.
"You have awakened the guardians of the Temple. If you wish to turn back, leave through the wall of fire," cried a booming voice from the temple.
"Get back to the castle," he shouted at the onlookers. He loaded his P-90 as he turned back to the temple. The students looked on as several dark clouds whirled around them.
"Get back, if you want to live!" yelled Jack at them. Suddenly, screams filled the air. Two pale, humanoid creatures appeared, and extended their hands onto the chests of two boys. Jack fired at the creatures, but the moment they were hit they disappeared into dark clouds. Everyone left except Hermione, Harry, and Dumbledore. They ran to Jack and the two dead students.
"Jack, what were those?" asked Hermione, as she gazed at the aged remains of the teens.
Jack just turned to face them and said only one word, "Wraith."
Well another chapter down. I am sorry to see it go. That means that there are about three chapters left in part 1. However I have finished chapter 16 in part 2. So in the end I see part 1 end to see part 2 come. Well back to business. Thank you for the reviews. I hope they keep coming. Until we meet again have a good day.