"Danger lies before you, while safety lies behind,
Two of us will help you, whichever you would find,
One among us seven will let you move ahead,
Another will transport the drinker back instead,
Two among our number hold only nettle wine,
Three of us are killers, waiting hidden in line.
Choose, unless you wish to stay here for evermore,
To help you in your choice, we give you these clues four:
First, however slyly the poison tries to hide
You will always find some on nettle wine's left side;
Second, different are those who stand at either end,
But if you would move onwards, neither is your friend;
Third, as you see clearly, all are different size,
Neither dwarf nor giant holds death in their insides;
Fourth, the second left and the second on the right
Are twins once you taste them, though different at first sight."
"What's that meant to mean?!" Usagi sighed at Michiru.
"It means that one of these bottles can get us through to the stone... but which?"
As soon as they had stepped into the room the door had slammed shut behind them and disappeared, they were trapped. The only way out was the fire which flickered bruise-like mauve at the end of the room. Its flames like tongues, lapped the light and hope out of the room as the students struggled to work out the conundrum.
"I have it!"
"Me too!"
"I can sense it, it hums with energy!"
"It's that one!"
"It has enough for two people."
"I must go!" Harry spoke first.
"I think Usagi should go!"
"What?!" Hermione shot at Ami.
Ami: "Usagi you are the strongest senshi, so you can protect Harry to the full most!"
Usagi: "Why meee?!"
Rei: "You're the strongest for goodness sake!"
Usagi: "Fine."
Makoto: "We're right behind you."
Haruka and Michiru: "Princess, we will not let harm come to you."
"Death awaits..."
Minako: "Is that you Saturn?"
...
"Yup Usagi you go with Harry."
"Go on Usagi!"
"She's stronger than she seems."
"Urmmm, when we're in there will she?.."
Before Harry could utter another word Makoto shoved the bottle into his mouth, and then Usagi's indignant mouth. Haruka dragged Usagi and Harry by their robe's collars and with an almighty push landed them in the violet flames.
"I HATE YOOUUU HARUKAAA!"Haruka chuckled, then her face darkened,
"We need to see if Dumbledore's in: Hermione, Ron you go! Minako you look hurt, stay still!"
Minako fainted, causing a few nervous gasps. Her blonde splayed out around her head and her eyes slowly closed. Although it was a by no means Oscar winning performance, it was believable enough for Hermione kneel beside her and check her pulse and breathing. Ami wore a mask of false concern, she knew immediately Minako was acting, as she touched Minako's carotid.
"Hurry get Madame Pomfery!" Rei's face was white, a perfect mask of false fear, like a kabuki.
"Why us? Are you trying to get rid of us, are you hiding something?"
"I'll go with you." Ami sighed retiringly.
"Me too." Rei continued wearing her mask
"Alohamara!" Hermione pointed her wand at the lock, which turned its rusty padlock, and the quartet rushed out.
"Great acting Minako!" Minako gave meek thumbs up to Michiru.
"VENUS CRYSTAL POWER MAKE UP!"
Venus was first to transform, as secondary leader, into her gold gauntlets and armour, followed by the others.
"Time to kick some voldybutt!" Makoto growled, snapping her fingers, causing a spark of lightening to crackle out of her.
"Now lets teleport! Usagi needs help!"
