*** Last time, on everyone's favourite radio play, Lucius and Severus set off to inform Narcissa of their leaving, only to come up against her mysteriously vehement opposition! And when they turn to leave, who should be standing on the doorstep but Arthur Weasley? What on earth is going on? Please enjoy tonight's episode of ***

*** LUCIUS AND SEVERUS AND THE CASE OF THE HAND OF VICTORY ***

CHAPTER THREE: Lucius and Severus are Forced to Take Public Transportation

"I suppose," said Lucius, "that it is common knowledge that, for travelling short distances, it is best to use the Apparation spell. Now the Louvre, being a fair distance away, will take a little effort in getting to, but I think we'll manage. Now -"

"Lucius, no!" cried Severus, grabbing his lover's arm, as a simple yet undeniable truth dawned on him.

But it was too late; Lucius had already cast the spell and they were standing in the entrance hall of the Louvre. For a while, all was silent. Then the room around them was thrown into chaos, as frightened Muggles ran for their lives while making the sorts of sounds one might expect them to make after seeing two men suddenly appear out of thin air.

"Oh bugger," said Severus. He rummaged around in his pockets and produced, after much searching, a clear crystal orb.

"Obscura!" he said loudly, flinging the orb to the floor, where it shattered into a million glittering pieces and released a thick, grey smoke. Moments later, the smoke cleared, the crystal shards had gone and the Muggles were calm once more, if a little confused.

"That was an Obscurity Orb!" exclaimed an incredulous Lucius.

"My only one, too," said Severus ruefully. "It was a present from Flitwick for not releasing incriminating documents." He paused. "Now that we've got no means of covering our tracks, I suppose we'll have to use rather more mundane modes of transport."

"Do you mean to suggest we travel like Muggles?" asked Lucius without really expecting an answer. "Certainly not. Surely we can find another way to get around without being seen."

Severus sighed. "You heard your wife. France is awfully busy this time of year. Do you have any idea how much trouble we'll cause if we're noticed? We'll never get the Ministry off our backs."

After a considerable effort on Severus's part, Lucius was finally convinced that using Muggle transport would be in the best interests for both of them. And so, after first strolling up the Daru Staircase to check that the Hand was, indeed, gone, it was on an RATP bus that the two of them left for the home of Lucius's acquaintance Rémi Beauchard.

*** Who is Rémi Beauchard and how will he be able to help our heroes? Will Lucius continue to suffer the indignities of public transport? What new exciting twists will develop in the plot? Find out next time on ***

*** LUCIUS AND SEVERUS AND THE CASE OF THE HAND OF VICTORY ***