CHAPTER 24

RON

"Plan is simple, Nott is taking an unconventional approach towards this ritual but we are going to overturn it on its head when we stabilise the altar's ambient magic conditions." Ron addressed his team members.

The entire group had moved to a magical Gringott's issued tent near Stonehenge and were discussing the minute details before the rescue operation tonight.

"But the ambient magic of the Ley lines which intersect the main altar still will pose a hindrance, there is a reason why the Ministry requires Permits to visit the Druidic site" Angelina was the first to reply with concern written on her face.

Padma then said, "Nott only is a Blood Mage who happens to be good at Arthimancy; he is still not taking into account the Runic Magic of the Celtic Runes which have been carved on the stones for centuries, Nott has the Ley lines in his mind which he thinks would give enough magic after he uses Victoire's Blood to open the box."

Ron was about to suggest another approach but then Zabini interjected by saying,

"Rituals like this need a correct timing like on a full moon, midnight is the best time to invoke deities who have a connection with death, so the crow would be very easy to handle but there is a catch, which I believe Theo also knows, Morrighan is a Celtic Goddess meaning, she can only be invoked as a Triple Goddess, so two other major Celtic Goddesses who are on power with the Phantom Goddess should have their Runes activated at the same time as the seal of the Crow is broken."

Ron was impressed by Blaise's deduction, so he said, "Merlin forbid even if Nott manages to spill the blood of even a single child before he is stopped, the ritual will be initiated regardless of correct circumstances as maybe the seal on the box might not break but Stonehenge has not received a single drop of magical blood on its ground for many centuries, the magical backlash of that replenishment would be very dangerous.

Nott according to me is going to counter that backlash by spilling more blood of the other children who are the age of nine, the most important multiple of three according to the Celts."

Lavender gave Ron a rather curious look before saying, "I agree with your theory but you are only seeing the Celtic aspect and not the Egyptian one on the box, the main focal point of this entire ritual. I am not an Egyptian expert like Padma here, but I am familiar with Egyptian mythology, Anubis would be the God who would have the most power along with Osiris at night, but the box has the symbols of the Sun Gods protecting it.

Ancient Egyptians were very particular about how a God or Goddess was worshipped and invoked during magical rituals, Nott is irrational and insane there is no denying that but is he that stupid to break open a box protected by the symbol of Atum-Re on a full moon without taking a single precaution about subjecting himself and the whole world to the infamous ancient Runic curse of the demon snake Apophis. This is a basic in runic magic that even Hogwarts teaches."

Everyone including Ron was stunned at Lavender's new observation, 'How could I forget about that,' Ron thought when heard Padma say, "Lavender is right, Ra, Atum or even Amun are all gods of the Sun but Ra according to the myths fights with Apophis every night till the break of a new dawn, forget the curse of the Phantom Queen or the Curse of the Cat goddesses, Curse of the wretched snake will destroy all of us before anything else.

I know Nott was good at Runes but not so good to avert the most deadly and ancient runic curses in magical history. He has found a way around the creature blood on the box by matching the bloodlines and ages of the children but no child has enough magic to contain the backlash of the Demon snake, even if Nott has some ace up his sleeve that would just delay the effect, Nott experimented with these type of schemes like a mix of Ancient Sanskrit and Sumerian but both those scripts did not need this type of massive consideration to be kept in mind.

I will not deny that both those languages have their own set of nasty curses but Egyptian priests practised magic which would grant a pleasant afterlife or immortality, so they loved to come up with fatal runic schemes which invoke evil demons and forsaken gods. Nott like Ron has forgotten about the Egyptian aspect entirely, that is why he chose Stonehenge as the location for opening the box, now it all makes sense."

Others look horrified at the conclusion Padma had drawn now, Ron was able to gather his wits first, "Angelina please inform Team Alpha and the other team leaders what we just figured out. The stakes have now risen to an all-time high."

Angelina then swiftly got up and dashed to the other room of the tent. A tense silence settled between the remaining members of Team Beta which was finally broken by Blaise, "I agree with Brown and Padma, I never thought Theo could be such a dunderhead, depressed psychopath sure but this is just plain arrogance. If we are going to see the sunrise tomorrow we need to come up with countermeasures fast to contain the damage if we do not rescue the kids on time."

Ron felt uneasy but said "There is no Rune Master in the world who would research stopping or reversing the Runic curse of the Demon Snake. As you all know we do not discuss that topic as an unwritten rule. Curse of the Phantom Queen has its superstitions, my mentor's tragic death solidified that further, but that even pales in front of this. Nott may have found a way around the rarest Celtic curse but to counter the Runic Curse of Apophis is impossible.

If we are to come up with countermeasure to stop it we would need a strong enough magical conduit with a soul, which will bear the curse but that is akin to making a Horcrux, an abomination of magic."

Both Witches were shocked at Ron mentioning the word Horcrux but Blaise was also giving him a judgy look but then the Italian said with a smirk on his face, "I like how you think under a crisis Weasley, soul magic is forbidden under ICW law and if you are found guilty of practising it you would be tortured to Death by the Cruciatus. Herpo the foul created those soul containers, a crime against magic itself just like the deadly Basilisk but Egyptian Pharaohs loved Horcruxs, maybe it can be a possible solution."

Padma then shrieked at Ron and Blaise, "Have you both lost your mind! Creation of those vile objects even if as a backup solution is not an option; cold-blooded murder of an innocent is required to split the soul and that is why soul magic is a forbidden magical art, let me remind you again we are witches and wizards not soul-sucking Dementors for Merlin's sake."

When Padma mentioned the word Dementor something clicked in Ron's brain, "Padma you are a freaking genius." Ron shouted.

"I know that Ron, but why are you complimenting me after I called you and Blaise Dementors?"

"Dementor is the answer to the current situation, a being of pure evil and darkness which engages in soul magic regularly. It will be the perfect conduit to suffer and take the curse if the need arises as the monstrous Egyptian Snake would be satisfied with a Dementor filled with punished souls, and one less Dementor is just a bonus." Ron answered with a smile on his face.

The other three were surprised by Ron's innovative idea and he heard Lavender say, "Dementor needs to be transported her and bound by heavy Patronus Charms, but this is a revolutionary discovery Ron, you have to publish this after we stop that horrible maniac."

Padma also gave her approval by kissing Ron on lips and Blaise also nodded his head.

Ron was about to discuss the specifics of how to use the Dementor and when to use it when Angelina came back with Harry in tow.

"Angelina told us about this new problem, you guys need to come up with something as if Nott succeeds not only our children are at danger but every soul on the British Isles," Harry said with a grave voice.

Blaise then perfectly summarised their meeting, "No need to state the obvious Potter, but Weasley here has come up with an idea if the worse does come true, but we need to avoid that scenario in any case as the way we have just come up with has never been tried before so it might work or could a total failure. So you just arrange us a Dementor and leave the rest to us."

Ron then added, "Tonight Nott is going down no matter what, but we have to make sure that we don't accompany him."

Disclaimer: Harry Potter is owned by J.K Rowling and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

P.S: Please do leave a review. Hank1967 thanks for the review on the last chapter. The final chapter is up next with Harry's perspective and then an Epilogue. Word count was less on this one but the next one is going to be very long in comparison.