The idea came to Marcus one afternoon, weeks later, while flying above the ocean. The concept started small but grew and took shape with each burst of speed on the broom. In order to retrieve the Powder of Life, he'd sneak into Flint Manor and steal it. It has to be done. The only issue with that was he'd have to know the combination to his father's safe, which he does not. That's problematic.
Marcus began thinking of solutions as the broom landed in the backyard. Deep in thought, he trudged through the lush fauna of his Australian oasis. When the wizard entered his house, he called for Topsy, who joined him immediately. "Master called for Topsy? Topsy is being eager to serve the noble and kind Master Marcus," the attentive elf said.
The muscular athlete patted the elf's head and then asked, "Topsy, I have a predicament and need your help. I must get the combination to the lock of father's safe. You know, the one in his study behind the picture. It's crucial that I obtain it."
Topsy tugged on his ears, a worried look on his face. "Master Marcus not needing his mean father's safe. Young Master will stay secure here with Topsy," he articulated.
Although Marcus was thankful for his elf's concern, the fact remains he must acquire the Powder of Life. So he explained the situation to Topsy, which made the elf squeak at the details. "And that's why I have to have it. Topsy. You're the only one who can help me."
The older elf made nervous noises as he pulled at his ears. His large round eyes looked at Marcus and made the wizard feel small. Then he spoke. "Topsy lives to serve Master Marcus. Topsy wishes to help Mistress Mione against the bad, bad, nasty man. Topsy will being find out the secret safe code."
With those words, the elf snapped his fingers and popped out of the room. Marcus supposed he went to Flint Manor, which confused him since it's in England. But no one really knows the limits of elf magic, only that they can do things wizards and witches cannot. Interestingly, he didn't have to wait long because the elf popped back in to stand in the same place before he left. In his slender, big-knuckled hand, he clutched something. The elf held it out as an honorable gesture.
"Topsy gives Master the code. He gots it from Tiny, who cleans Master Maxwell's study. Tiny is a good elf; she is. Tiny not be wanting harm to Young Master and being hating the nasty bad men Master Maxwell is being attached to. Tiny helps Topsy. Topsy helps good Master Marcus," the elf explained. Happiness rolled off the elf in waves because he did something noteworthy and helpful.
Before his elf left, Marcus patted the elf's head and thanked him for the service. Topsy beamed from ear to ear as if he had won House Elf Bingo, which Marcus never knew was a thing until Topsy informed him of it one day. Apparently, there are prizes, food, and everything similar to elderly wizard bingo. Topsy turned his nose up, crossed his spindly arms, and told him, "The Malfoy elves always wins. They cheats, they does." It did not surprise the young wizard to hear that, as the Malfoys usually employ cheating tactics in all they do.
Once alone, Marcus sat down and viewed the code. Then he waited until his friends came over for dinner. These days they eat at one house or the other since the guys purchased a beach cottage not too far from his own. It gave Marcus time to formulate the details of the plan running around in his mind. There's not much to it except get in, get the powder, and get the heck out. Bypassing Flea seems to be the main agenda item (besides the powder itself). Avoiding his father's grumpy elf will need more consideration because the hostile critter appears to have eyes in the back of his head. The mean old elf knows everything that happens in Flint Manor.
After showering and dressing for dinner, Marcus decided to question Topsy about Flea. As the elf worked to prepare the meal, he chatted with the wizard. According to Topsy, Flea utilizes the house elf system of command that's in place in every pureblood household. Cleaning elves are stationed on each floor, alerting the head elf to visitors. That's something else the youngest Flint didn't think about, the warding on the estate.
Just as he was about to map out the details of the heist, the floo activated. His friends stepped through and dusted their clothes off. As Adrian adjusted his black polo shirt, he declared, "Is it too early to whine about the Australian heat?"
The guys chuckled because it was true. The climate's much different than in England, that's for sure. Then he expressed, "The best thing about the heat is giving the illusion of exercising. I darn near had sweat stains under my armpits the other day. That's not helpful with attracting the ladies." His friends full-on laughed because that's true too.
Their conversation moved to the dining room where Topsy had laid out the food. Even though they could have used magic to dish out the meal, they're not too lazy to do it themselves. So while they ate, Marcus began describing the situation with the Powder of Life.
"It's stowed in my father's safe, which is located in his study. With everything that we know regarding Voldemort and his lust for eternal life, I think I need to retrieve that magical powder. My gut tells me it's important somehow," the brawny athlete contended.
Between heaping bites of cheesy lasagna, Warrington agreed. "I could easily see the evil demon resorting to using that if everything else fails. I also think we need to look into potioners with the ability, or knowledge, to brew the Preeminent Elixir."
So, Graham noted, "We have our work cut out for us then. Who's going to accompany you to Flint Manor?"
That task fell to Pucey, who pointed to himself. His reason being, "My father's a death eater, same as Flint's. Between the two of us, we can use their despicable tactics against them if we're caught. We can also last longer in a wand fight. Plus, I'm a terrific lookout, unlike you, Cassius." His fork pointed at their curly-haired friend.
Warrington's green eyes narrowed. "Now see here. It was only one time! I admitted that I became distracted by a pair of long legs in a short skirt. But I've been competent ever since," he grumbled.
Before Adrian could respond and get into a war of words with Cassius, Graham asserted, "It only takes one time to get a person killed. But despite that, yes, Cass. We all agree you have been better at being a lookout than in the past." His attention turned back to Marcus. "With Adrian going with you as backup, Warrington and I will research potioners while you're gone. Do you have a plan for reaching the safe? It would also be helpful to discuss all obstacles with us before you leave."
Marcus had already thought of that. He shared his plan, the Flea dilemma, and the warding with them. "The warding is least of our worries. I have Flint blood in my veins. That, along with my signet ring, should provide me access unless my old man changed them to exclude me back when he cut me out of the inheritance. The main issue standing in the way is Flea." He speared a piece of lasagna and ate it as he listened to his friend's thoughts.
Warrington wondered, "If your father's elf follows the house elf command system, then we might have a way around him. Going off the elves at my family estate every Tuesday, the head elf is busy overseeing purchase orders, assigning new tasks, and preparing for any upcoming parties. Our head elf, Sprinkle, is rarely seen because she's undertaking all those duties. I would think it would be the same with Flea."
That gave the boys encouragement. There's only one way to find out. Marcus called for Topsy, who greeted everyone kindly. "Young Master Marcus and Master's friends, what can Topsy being do for you?"
Warrington explained his thoughts to the elf and waited for the response. Topsy twirled his ears and smiled. "Oh, Young Master Warrington is being smart. Yes. Flea is being busy every Tuesday. Flea is being so busy he never leaves his room. But Thursday is being another good day. Flea is leaving for house elf bingo, and Kitten is being in charge. Kitten is hating the evil bad man like the young Masters do. Kitten is a good elf." Then he popped out.
That answer left the guys with a lot to think about, mainly Thursdays. The group decided that Marcus and Adrian would portkey to Flint Manor the upcoming Thursday evening. In the morning, they would send Topsy to speak with Kitten. It needed to be discovered if Flea would leave for bingo and Marcus's parents would be home. If either were at the manor, the mission would have to be delayed. In the meantime, the boys secured a port key, assisted Cassius with the memory restoration potion, and procured texts on competent potioners.
Soon enough, the day dawned, and Marcus began worrying. The minute Topsy had been sent to Kitten, the anxiety settled in his stomach like a big rock. Every few minutes, the elf was gone, he looked at his wristwatch. Adrian picked up on this and told him, "I'm nervous too, but it doesn't help to worry over it. Whatever is going to happen will happen regardless if you worry or not. Same with Hermione. You can't let her mission distract you from yours or from living, which is what she wants you to do and why she sent her parents to you."
The dark-haired wizard supposes his friend is correct, but worrying gives him something to do instead of feeling like he can't do anything. As Marcus began to go over the plan once more, Topsy returned. Everyone stopped what they were doing to listen. "Topsy is bringing good news. Flea is being gone to bingo, and old Master and Mistress is being gone to a filthy revel at Malfoy Manor. Kitten is being looking for young Master," the elf announced.
Marcus thanked him and took a deep breath. Now the only thing to do was wait for the night to fall on England. That's when he determined waiting to be the toughest thing in the world. Yet somehow, he managed it because the minute night fell over his mother country, he and Adrian got ready. Graham stated, "Cass and I will be here waiting for your return. Remember, you have an hour to get in and get out before the port key reactivates. Otherwise, you'll have to apparate to your chateau or your grandmother's to get back here. And I can almost promise you the death eaters are watching both places. I cannot prove that, but it's highly probable."
Cassius handed over the quaffle port key. Both Adrian and Marcus held onto it. They nodded to Graham, and the quaffle lit up and activated. In a matter of seconds, the two Slytherins were transported into the foyer of Flint Manor. The youngest Flint's stomach lurched and knotted. His pulse raced and thrummed in his body. Thoughts of Flea catching them came to mind, but instead, the high-pitched voice of a different elf greeted, "Welcome, young Master Marcus. We being waiting for you."
Kitten motioned with her boney hand around the room. Different house elves poked their heads out from hiding and looked toward the two wizards with kind faces. It was reassuring to know they had the elves on their side. Then Kitten pushed them to the stairs, where they began to ascend. The same chilling feeling flooded the air as it did the last time Marcus came home.
With Pucey walking behind him, the two were in lockstep. A loud wail pierced the air from the cellar below as they walked. Adrian's eyes grew large, and as a reaction, he jumped. The dirty blonde almost screamed in fright until Marcus clapped his large hand over his mouth. In a low voice, he reminded his friend, "Don't wake the portraits."
The portraits! In all their planning, they had forgotten about the Flint family paintings. Glancing around at the pictures lining the walls, Pucey noticed they were either asleep or resting in their frames. Adrian's heart calmed, and the pair returned to the quest with a shared look of understanding.
Carefully and silently, they crept down the second-floor hall and into Maxwell's study. Marcus cast a quiet spell on the room and double-checked the portrait of his grandfather hanging above the fireplace. Luckily, the old bat was asleep, too, making it easy to pull back the picture in front of the hidden safe. When the youngest Flint had accomplished that, the time came to enter the code. After taking out the piece of paper Topsy gave him, Marcus cast the code on the front and wordlessly prayed it was correct.
Slowly the safe opened. Marcus peeked at Adrian, who let out a sigh of relief. Now came the task of taking the powder, which should have been easy, except it wasn't. Peering into Maxwell's safe revealed something Marcus hadn't prepared for at all. Now the wicked magical objects were all accounted for, including the Powder of Life. However, there was a thing unaccounted for in the safe with them- a sleeping head. Marcus's heartbeat grew faster as his oversized hand flew to his mouth to cover the shock of seeing it. A real-life head of a man was sound asleep in the safe. Not wanting to dwell on the fact his father kept someone's head, or he'd vomit his lunch on the floor, he returned his attention to the task. His shaking hand came off his mouth and started to reach into the home vault. But he pulled it back.
In order for this to work, a steady hand was needed. Shaking it out and taking a deep breath, Marcus tried again. This time it worked much better. The confident hand maneuvered its way past the creepy sleeping head, around bottles, papers, and magical objects, until it came to the powder's container. Everything was working out as they had hoped. He almost had the jar in his fingers. Hope sprang anew. And then it all went to hell.
His stupid pinky finger tipped over a bottle of something. Of course, it made a clanging noise. He froze on the spot, hand and all. Just like that, it was enough to awaken the sleeping head. The head's fearsome dark eyes snapped open instantly and looked right at him as if it knew who he was. In a menacing voice, it called out his name, "Marcus Flint!"
Chills ran down the young wizard's spine, and gooseflesh appeared on his arms. Suddenly from out of nowhere, screams rang throughout the manor. Shrieks were coming from the portraits. Every portrait, big or small, yelled in terror. It was almost enough to make him wet his pants... almost.
The head kept calling, "Marcus Flint!" Jolting into action. His hand snatched the Powder of Life but not before the head hissed at him. Slamming the safe closed, Marcus replaced the picture in front of it. With the powder secured in his grasp, the two wizards ran out of the room and down the long hallway of blood-curdling, wailing portraits. The young men could hear the head hollering, "Get the Powder of Life! Get it!"
Marcus felt the Flint wards tingle as they continued running. Time could not wait. "We've got to hurry," he called over his shoulder to Adrian.
The two ran into an empty room and activated the port key. Screams and shouts blared from every direction, including his name from the headless man. After what seemed like hours, the port key was ready to use, but not before the room door wrenched open. The light turned on in the darkness. Eyes wide as the full moon, the two friends held onto the quaffle. Adrian had his wand ready as well. As the port key lit up to take them away, the shadow of Maxwell Flint remained staring at his youngest son.
The two landed safely in the living room of the Australian beach cottage, where Adrian caught his breath, leaning over with his hands on his knees. That's when the world started spinning out of control around Marcus, making him dizzy, as another unintended sight greeted them. Paul and Jean Granger helped to welcome the duo back. "Hello, Marcus," Paul grinned.
A sickness washed over the wizard. His stomach started to give out like Pucey's and compress into some kind of black hole. Like the waves outside, a crashing wave of nausea began making its way from his guts to his head. Color drained from his face as everything finally got to the athlete- everything from worrying over Hermione, the severed head in the safe, the screaming portraits, almost getting caught, and now the Grangers. With his heartbeat blaring in his ears and his vision going fuzzy, the quidditch star took one look at his girlfriend's parents and collapsed on the floor in a heap.
Luckily the two doctors in the house knew exactly what to do. Even though they're dentists, they have been trained for things of this nature. And it's not uncommon to have patients faint before oral surgery. Jean instantly rolled Marcus onto his back, keeping his head in her lap. Meanwhile, her husband ensured the young man was breathing and checked his vitals with Graham's assistance. Pucey, who had recovered, quickly did a vital check with his wand.
Jean called for one of the remaining two boys to lift Marcus's legs above his heart level to stimulate the blood flowing back into his brain. Cassius did this task. She also asked for a cold, wet cloth, which Topsy produced. Jean placed it on her daughter's wizard's forehead to cool him down. Then Graham cast a cooling charm on Marcus's body to help as well.
Slowly Marcus began to regain consciousness. The room came into focus once more. He saw his friends and his girlfriend's parents. His insides felt queasy and his muscles weak, but the gentle fingers running through his hair helped. The cooling charm also assisted in making him comfortable, as comfortable as one could be lying on the floor. As time ticked by, the fit wizard realized he must have fainted.
When the doctors felt he was ready, they aided in getting him up and moving him to the sofa. It was Cassius who used his wand to levitate Marcus after seeing the trouble they all went through, just positioning him to stand. Once on the sofa, with the cool cloth on his forehead, he asked, "Where is the Powder of Life?" Everything they went through would be for nothing if they didn't have it.
The guys looked around and saw it had rolled off to the side. The jar was resting beside the baseboard where the built-in shelves are housed. With a swish of his wand, Graham accioed it and placed it on the coffee table. Everyone stared at the canister, unsure of what to say. But Mr. Granger dared to wonder, "What is that?" Then as soon as that question was asked, more followed. The dependable, rational doctor had many things he wanted to know, things like "Where is my daughter, and why are we here in Australia?" That was followed by, "Marcus, why are you in Australia, and what caused you to pass out? Would one of you tell us what's going on? And what happened to your teeth? Last I recall, they were still crooked."
And so a long conversation began involving everything from Slytherin and Gryffindor politics, blood purity, Voldemort, the death eaters, the new quidditch rules enacted, why the Grangers are there, how their memories were locked and restored, and everything in between. Mrs. Granger stared at the bottle of powder. "So, you're telling me that there's this evil man trying to take over the wizarding world. Your fathers are part of his hate group, and your father, Marcus, has stored this Powder of Life in his home for safekeeping. Our daughter is on the run with her friend Harry trying to track down the filthy pieces of the monster's soul to destroy it, and you're here remotely helping to do the same thing."
The four young men nodded and kept quiet as the Grangers digested all the information. Then Topsy popped back into the room with a tray of appetizers. The two Muggles eyed the elf with curiosity. They had seen him before, but now with everything they had learned, the elf seemed more profound to them. Jean's shaky voice called his name, and Topsy went to her side.
"Yes, Missy Jean? How can Topsy help you," the energetic elf inquired? His big eyes looked to her for an answer.
But Jean only mused, "You're Marcus's elf?"
Topsy's ears flapped in happiness, and he clapped his hands. "Topsy is young Master Marcus's elf. He is. Topsy lives to serve the noble House of Flint and Master Marcus. Master is being a good wizard, and Missy Mione is a good witch. They're not being bad like that nasty Voldy."
Jean's heart calmed at the elf's words, and a wistful smile graced her kind face. She looked around the room at the young men assembled. Her hazel eyes landed on Marcus, who returned her smile. Hermione's mother's attention returned to the little elf. She questioned, "My daughter, she's fighting this bad man. Is she alright?"
Topsy took Jean's hand in his own cold one. He patted her tanned one and told her, "Missy Mione is being helping the great Harry Potter. Missy Mione is being brave and smart. Topsy is proud to know Master's Miss. Master Marcus will takes good care of Mistress. It will be alright, you see."
The little elf brought her comfort, and Mrs. Granger patted his head. She returned to sit beside her husband, who looked around the room and asked in his baritone voice, "You say you're trying to figure out who this Voldemort person might employ to make an everlasting life potion. Well, I think you should start with the head in your father's safe, Marcus. That would provide you with answers you might not have thought of. I realize Jean and I are Muggles, but our daughter is out there trying to stop this lunatic. We would like to help you if we can. We're doctors. We're good at research."
The boys gave their consent, and so every evening after work, the Grangers found themselves in the company of Slytherins. In doing so, they got to know the boys better, including Marcus, who they've come to love. When Jean learned Cassius was fond of chocolate cake, she baked him one herself- her mother's famous recipe. After all, it's not every day that one can thank a person for restoring their memories.
Together they formed their own little research group. When the team learned things that might be of value to Hermione, Marcus would send them to her via the watch and necklace system. It continued like this, everyone working in tandem, and then it happened- a breakthrough. Mr. Granger figured out who the severed head person was. The facts surrounding it were astonishing and held an intriguing repercussion, which made Marcus throw up.