Okay, as I promised, the chapter is ready, so no need to make you wait too long. I've done a huge re-work on this part, and I hope it does hold together. Don't hesitate to let me know. Hope you'll like it.

The Maze of Era

Somewhere off the Coast of Wales

They had materialized on a cliff, overlooking the sea. Right before them, a huge wall of rock was the basis on which stood a high tower. Behind them, the waves were raging against the rocky coast.

Into the wall, they were facing, seemingly cut right into the stone, a huge door was clear.

"What the hell is this place?" asked Joel, looking around.

"I don't know," said Kieran, doing the same. "Hopefully, it's the entrance of the Maze."

"Couldn't your thing drop us at the end of the Maze?" asked Terry, with a regretful wince.

"Very funny, Longwand," commented Kalindra, dryly. "It's already amazing that this device took us all the way to here."

"All the way?" asked Kenneth. "What do you mean?"

"I know this coast," said Kalindra. "I've seen it on a trip. My guess is that we're on the southern of Wales."

"South Wales? From Northern Scotland?" said Joel, impressed. "Wow. That's a hex of a blind jump."

"Yeah," said Ian. "Some serious wow, here! Now, do we have any idea on how to enter this place?"

"No, not yet," said Kieran. "Come on, let's have a look at this door."

She started toward the two huge panels of stone, but as soon as she had taken one step, the panels suddenly parted and swung open, with a loud rumble. They all stopped, stunned by the fact the enemy had just opened the doors for them. Everyone got their wands out, either out of reflex or out of fear. But no one stepped out the door. Beyond the archway, there was nothing but darkness.

"I simply can't be the only one to think this stinks," said Kalindra. "Why would the door even open?"

"It's a Maze," said Kenneth, darkly. "Basically, this is a huge trap for intruders. This is an invitation to step inside the trap."

"Are we going to take that invitation?" asked Terry, nervously.

"It's not like we have much choice, do we?" said Kenneth, before to walk under the arch.

Kalindra followed, lighting up the tip of her wand. The third years followed suit and as soon as Ian, who had been last under the arch, had passed the door, the large blocks of stone swung back on invisible hinges to close behind him, before anyone could try and do anything to stop them.

"Awesome," said Terry. "Now, what?"

No one could even answer, because the stone floor suddenly gave way under them, and they all fell down a slide of epic proportions. Ian could feel their descent more than he could see it. Suddenly he felt that they weren't on a slide anymore, but simply falling. He called to his will at once.

"Aresto Momentum!" he shouted.

They all stopped before to hit the ground, Ian saw, thanks to Kalindra's lit wand that they weren't far from the floor, so he released everyone from the spell, and they fell roughly.

"Nice catch," said Joel, coming to help Ian back up.

"Yeah, glad I did that in time, or we could have been seriously hurt," said Ian.

"I guess that's the way they greet strangers," said Kenneth. "Drop them into the maze. If they're wounded at the start, all the better."

"I guess you're right," said Kalindra, tensely, as she was pointing her wand at something.

In the feeble light it created, Ian could see bones littered on the floor.

They were in a large room. Given the echo created by their voices, they could tell that the place was huge. Kieran and Kenneth also lit up their wands and the light chased some darkness around them and revealed that the walls around them were tracing some circle around them. All around them, there were doors closed. More than eight doors. Ian raised his hands.

"Lumos Maxima!" he shouted.

A ball of light got out of his hands and reached the ceiling, exploding in the air, shedding bright light in the whole room. Kieran lowered her wand, and smiled.

"Nice," she said.

"A trick Alexander showed me," said Ian.

"Alright," said Joel. "I'll ask it one more time. What is this place?"

"Let's see," said Terry. "Dark room, with doors heading in every direction, I'd say we are in the middle of something. It looks like a dungeon. So the tower we saw may be a Castle, a fortress of some kind. How come no one has ever spotted it?"

"It has to be enchanted to remain hidden from Muggles," said Kalindra. "And from the regular wizard as well. I doubt people trying to take over the world would like to have visitors."

"Right," said Terry.

"Okay, so let's assume we're right in the middle of the Maze," said Kieran. "This looks like the centre of the Labyrinth."

"Can you use your device to lead us to Julie?" asked Kenneth.

"I don't think so," said Kieran. "I would need more energy from Ian, and still, that would be difficult. If I ask to get to the cells, or the Dungeons, It could take us back in to Hogwarts, near Snape's office, for all I know. I'm afraid we'll have to make our way through the Maze."

"We don't time to waste in a maze," said Joel.

"Let me try something," said Terry.

He pulled out his wand and enounced an invocation.

"Locatio Julie Carteret," he said.

His wand began to point to the right.

"She's that way," he said, triumphant. "She's very close."

"How come you know that one?" asked Kalindra.

"My Mum knows I always lose my stuff in the oddest places," said Terry, with a bright grin. "She insisted I knew that one before going off for my first year."

"That's handy," said Ian, with a smile. "And Julie's, indeed, somewhere in the maze."

"Once we get lost in the place, it won't matter where she is," said Joel, looking around.

"Point me!" said Terry.

His wand then pointed to another direction.

"North is this way," he said. "We must head East to get to Julie. As long as we stay in the direction of the West, we will be getting closer from her. Even if we're separated, we must focus on going East."

"Alright," said Kenneth. "Let's move on. Once we'll be inside this thing, we must be cautious not to be spotted. So we head East? We must find an open door among these three."

They headed for the doors. Kieran found an opened one heading right to the west. They all walked through it and engaged themselves in the Maze.

"Can someone think of leaving little pebbles behind us?" asked Terry.

"Terry," said Kieran.

"Yes, dear?"

"Shut up."

"As I said, it's very simple," said Alexander. "Now that Ian's there, wherever he is, we only have to find Ian. And we have a perfect mean for this."

"The Pharos spell," said Hermione, with a sudden gasp.

Alexander nodded with a smile.

"Exactly," he said. "We only have to focus on Ian and we will be able to reach the place where he is, and thus, the hideout of the Warlocks."

"But that supposes that Mr Malcolm is not only gone for a night ride while we're looking in another direction," said Snape. "You may be putting too much trust into this young boy."

"Maybe," said Alexander. "But given the company he has picked, I doubt he out there on a joyride. You don't trust our students enough, Severus."

"The voice of experience, maybe," said Snape, sarcastically.

"I don't like to show off," said Harry, dryly. "But may I remind you that without some students of your acquaintance, you would have failed to protect the Philosopher Stone? Don't give me your "students are a plague" line, right now."

"How dare you!" exclaimed Snape.

"Enough, Severus," said Dumbledore. "I will trust Harry and Alexander's decision in this case."

"So, who's coming?" asked Alexander.

"I'm in," said Harry and Hermione at the same time.

"Whoa," said Ron. "'Mione, can I point the obvious and say that you are pregnant?!"

"It's not like I'm embarrassed to move," objected Hermione. "Besides, Alexander cannot take everyone there, and I know the Pharos Spell. And before you even consider preventing me to go, I'll remember Egypt to your memory.

"Now that's unfair," grumbled Ron. "Alright. If she's coming, I'll tag along."

"You could need another wand," said Ginny. "I may be of some help."

Harry refrained from the urge to tell her to stay behind. He knew she was right. Ginny had to be with them. She was gifted with a wand, and they needed all the punch they could get.

"Once we get there, I'll call for reinforcements," said Hermione, holding out a coin. "I know Remus still got his."

"I will send a warning ahead to the Order," said Dumbledore. "They will be waiting for your signal."

"Perfect," said Alexander. "You're clear on the spell?" he asked Hermione.

"I can do it," said Hermione, nodding firmly. "No problem. I will take Ron and Ginny with me. You take care of Harry."

"Right," said Alexander, pulling out his wand from his robes.

They all gathered around Hermione and him. Harry put his hand on Alexander's shoulder, while Ron did the same with his wife. Ginny joined them. Hermione made the exact same wave as Alexander. The wave was familiar to Harry.

"PHAROS Ian MALCOLM!" said Alexander and Hermione at the same time, next to Harry.

Again the same sensation overtook Harry. His eyes suddenly didn't see the teacher lounge, but a vast plain, under a curious night sky, a plain that was lighted by lightning bolts. With each bolts, Harry heard the echo of a spell. He was back in what Alexander called the weft of Magic, seeing the Magic on the whole world. He had been there before, when Alexander had taken him after Tanith Lochley, two years ago. And still, the vision was a fantastic one.

At the horizon, he could see a light spot, that wasn't flickering at all. Harry knew what it was.

"Here you are, Ian," echoed Alexander's voice in Harry's mind.

And, again, the plain began to move at a gigantic speed. His gaze was speeding over the fields of Magic, as if he was flying. Although Harry knew that he was witnessing an apparation from the inside, it never ceased to amaze him.

"We're getting close," said Hermione at his side.

It then stopped. Something passed before Harry's eyes, and suddenly, his vision cleared. They were there!

"This is the third time we cross a door like this," said Terry, while walking. "How can we be sure it's not the same?"

"I've noticed different kind of stones each time we were crossing the door," said Ian. "They were different, so it wasn't the same door. We're not going in circles."

"That's already something," said Terry.

He was speaking nervously. And Ian could tell that he was throwing quick looks in every directions.

"What's wrong, pal?" he asked.

"Nothing!" said Terry, a little too nervously to sound convincing. "It's just that I don't like to be underground like that."

"Claustrophobia?" asked Kalindra, helpfully.

"Bless you," said Terry, looking puzzled.

"It's a Muggle term," said Joel, patiently, as Kalindra was laughing her head off. "People who don't like to be in too much closed areas. It can be very serious sometimes."

"I'm fine," said Terry. "It's just all these walls, without a window. It's getting on my nerves."

"Then the sooner we find Julie and get out of here, the better," said Ian.

Kieran put a reassuring hand on Terry's shoulder. Terry smiled weakly. They walked on. They found themselves in front of another door. Ian turned to Terry.

"Are we still going east?" he asked.

"We went a little north, since the last door;" said the young boy. "We must make a little right, as soon as we can."

"Okay," said Ian.

He opened the door. It led to a room with three doors. They were looking exactly the same. And on the centre of the room, there was large square slab of marble on the floor. It was engraved with words of old English.

Beware, Intruders who violate the Maze. Only the brave and the initiate can go through this place. Either you're a friend or a foe. The friend will know the way through the Maze, and how to get to the Sacred Heart of Atlantis. The foe will have to prove his worth before to meet his fate facing the Warlocks. Until now the journey was safe. From now on, the path of the foe will be watched by the guardians who neither sleep nor live. If they admit you to the second circle, you will make another step ahead, facing the most dangerous and feared, and the test of your wits. Only the smart and the strong will be able to pass the second circle, for the Warlocks won't bother with lesser foes. Find your way and face the trials. If you succeed, you may live longer, only to die by our power.

"Sounds welcoming, right?" said Terry.

"So from now, we will be in danger?" said Ian. "That's nice to warn us. And suspicious."

"It could be only a threat," said Joel. "Like a bluff."

"Given these guys' powers, we mustn't count on it," said Kenneth.

"Yes," said Kalindra, dead serious. "They could be boasting because they know how dangerous the Maze actually is. Which door, Terry?"

"Well, If we want to head back to the west, we must take this one," said Terry, pointing to the door right in the middle.

"Okay, let's go," said Ian.

They walked to the door. Kieran had to unlock it with some charm and they passed into the next room.

Harry, Alexander, Hermione, Ron and Ginny had apparatus in a strange rocky mountain scenery. Around them, the land was covered in dust, and there was a huge cliff in front of them.

"Where are we?" asked Ron.

"I would say right at the entry of the Maze," said Alexander.

Before them, a huge door made of metal was closed in the cliff. It was very well hidden, but the spot they were, it as apparent. Alexander walked to it and propped it with a finger. It opened suddenly, with a loud rumbling sound. Alexander made a surprised face.

"Well, seems like they don't fear visitors," said Ron.

"Maybe they don't have to fear anything," said Harry.

"Are we waiting for something?" asked Ginny.

"No," said Alexander. "We can't afford to wait for reinforcement before to rescue Julie."

"I've activated the coin," said Hermione, putting down her glowing coin on a rock nearby. "I'm setting it here as a beacon so the reinforcements who get her don't fall into a trap."

"Nice thinking," said Ginny.

Alexander walked into the threshold, quickly followed by the others, who had all their wands in hand. The door led only to a darkened corridor. They walked in, and then, the door shut violently behind them.

"Great," said Ron, checking the doors. "Now we are stuck in here, even if the kids aren't."

"Lumos," said Harry.

His wand emitted a light that showed them that they were in a dead end.

"What do you reckon?" Hermione asked Alexander. "You think it's just some trap?"

"I'm not sure…" began Alexander.

The floor suddenly opened right under their feet and they all fell in some kind of slide, in the darkness. Harry could see glimpses of his friends passing right before his eyes, thanks to his wand tip. Then he saw some light at the end of the tunnel, and heard some noise indicating that Ron had hit the ground, rather brutally, given the amount of swearing Harry was now hearing. He passed very close of some ball of light that was magically floating near a ceiling. He hit the floor quite hard, too.

"Ouch," said Alexander, lying on the floor, very calmly.

"Everyone is okay?" asked Hermione.

"I'm not," said Ron, angrily. "I just fell on a stone floor. And I'm covered in bruises. So no, I'm not okay. But I'll live."

"Ginny?" Harry asked eagerly.

"I'm here," said Ginny, whose hand reached for Harry's. "I'm fine."

Harry got up and faced her. Her hair was a mess, but she looked more like she was trying to catch her breath than like she was hurt. Harry threw a quick look at everyone. Alexander was slowly getting on his feet.

"Ouch," he said again. "This way of entering the place isn't my favourite."

"You're alright?" asked Harry.

"Yes," said Alexander. "But I'll have to speak with the architect. Couldn't he think of staircases like everyone else?"

"Alright, where do we go?" asked Hermione.

"Well we have some hints," said Alexander. "This light ball, up there, has been made by Ian." and they went through that opened door."

"Locatio Julie Carteret," said Harry.

His wand pointed to the door, which was opening on another dark corridor.

"The kids were right," he said. "Let's try to catch up with them. Julie is near. We must be in the Maze now. Julie should be beyond the exit, if we follow what the twins had said."

"If they were telling the truth, that is," said Ron.

"Yes," admitted Harry. "But, so far, everything they've told us appears true. We can at least work from that."

The group headed for the door.

"Let's just hope that Julie won't be moved until we reach her. We will have to check from time to time," said Hermione.

The door of Julie's jail opened. She looked up to the silhouette standing against the light of the corridor. She could tell it was Lilia.

"It is time," said the witch.

Two guards came into the room and unchained Julie. She tried to punch them, and to run out of the cell. But they were too strong. She saw Lilia wave her wand at her.

"Stupefy!" she said.

And everything suddenly stopped for Julie. She couldn't move. And her eyes were fixed on the same image all the time. She couldn't feel anything. The only thing she could see was Lilia's face, and her cruel smile.

It was the second time they were walking through a gate. They had made numerous turns and the maze seemed to try and prevent theme to get east. From time to time, they were getting back on the right direction, but it was completely elusive. This Maze lived up to its name.

Ian was trying to figure the lengths of the corridors they were walking in. This Maze must have run under miles completely unnoticed by both wizards and Muggles. This was, in itself, a huge feat. Without Kieran, they would have been completely unable to find this place.

They entered a large room, which was narrowing into a smaller corridor, on the other end from their entry. The light from their wands only allowed them to see the rough shape of the room, and not much more.

"I think I get it," said Kieran.

"You may be the only one, dear," said Terry.

"Each gate we pass leads us into a corridor that ends in many turns, and sometimes in a dead end. This corridor may be the right one until now, but it can stop right after the turn. But the direction is correct, because, there is another path running right alongside us, on the other side of this wall. It goes relatively straight, avoiding the turns. There must be a secret passage that goes straight form one Circle to the other."

"So if we don't find the right path, we only have to open a tear in the wall?" asked Joel.

"Somehow, I don't think that will be that easy," said Kenneth.

"Unfortunately, you're right," said Kieran.

Suddenly, something made a clicking sound under Ian's feet. He lowered his wand to the ground and saw that a slab was a little lower than the others. The slab was too wide to be avoided, except by flying.

"What is that?" asked Kieran.

"We've been warned that the path wouldn't be safe from now on," said Kenneth. "First trap…"

The room began to tremble lightly. They all stopped dead in their tracks, all of their senses on guard. The rumbling sound repeated itself.

"Am I the only one who thinks we have awakened something?" asked Terry.

"We have awakened something," said Joel.

"Thanks, Joel," said Terry. "I needed that kind of Cheering up."

"Shut up, you two," said Kenneth.

He was looking straight at the end of the tunnel, which was still plunged in the dark. The sound was coming from over there. Kenneth raised his wand. The others did the same, looking worried.

"What can this be?" asked Joel.

"Maybe the guardians this inscription mentioned," said Terry.

"Oh, that's perfect," said Joel. "What will it be then?"

"Guardians that neither sleep nor live," said Kieran, quoting the stone markings.

A silhouette emerged from the darkness of the corner. A gigantic silhouette... With each step, it made the ground tremble. Kenneth felt his tension rise some more. It was not really reassuring.

"Holy…" began Terry.

"A Golem," said Kieran, on a panicked tone.

"And what next?" said Joel, stupefied. "A Dragon?"

"Move!" shouted Kenneth.

They spread in the room, as the Golem suddenly charged right at them. It raised a huge stone club, and slammed it on the ground where they had been one second earlier. The floor cracked under the impact. The shock threw everyone on the ground.

"Alright," said Terry. "Now we are in trouble."

Kenneth summoned his fire whip and slashed right into the Golem. It only took some fragments of stone from its shoulder. The huge creature looked like a Troll, but it was entirely made of stone, and it was actually twice as big as a troll. The Golem turned right at Kenneth and charged at him. Kenneth took a huge dare and ran before to slide through its legs. He ran to take shelter behind some rock that had been brought down by the trembling. The Golem turned to Ian.

Ian raised his hands and shot a lightning out of it. The lightning rebounded on the Golem, and hit the Ceiling. Ian took hold of Kieran's shoulders, and pushed her far from him, sending her near Kenneth. Kenneth jumped out of his shelter and pulled her with him back behind the rock. He saw that Joel and Terry had found some cover as well. Kalindra had ducked behind a stone pillar.

The lightning opened a crack in the ceiling suddenly creating a rain of stones; falling right on the Golem… And Ian.

"Ian!" screamed Kieran in horror.

Mwahahahaha! There it is! THE Cliff-hanger! Don't worry, the next part will be soon behind.