Chapter 37: The Magic Carpet

"FORWARD!" yelled a voice. There was a jolt, and Harry felt himself being carried upwards and forwards. The floor seemed to be moving. He watched as Amarenox was knocked over backwards, together with his cauldron and the contraption to destroy the Sun. The potion spread all over the floor and the Orb of Light was thrown into the air, landing next to Rudolf. Everything tipped sideways, and they were out of the door, out into the night, going higher and higher and higher …

Ron seemed to have regained the ability of movement. He was sitting cross-legged at the front of the carpet, which only a few seconds before had been on the floor in the pavilion. "That was lucky," he said.

Harry tried and found that he too could move, apart from his broken leg. "How did you know this was a magic carpet?"

"Just guessed, really. Couldn't think of any other reason for one to be in the pavilion. Are there any Indian sports which use carpets?"

"Der might be, I suppose," said Rudolf, speaking for the first time. "How do you know how to fly it?"

"Harry and I went to the World Cup in Turkey last summer. This man showed us how."

Rudolf nodded.

"Er –" said Harry. "Where exactly are we going?"

"London, of course," replied Ron. "We need to take the Orb back to Gringotts, don't we? Still got it, Rudolf?"

Rudolf nodded, and held it up.

"Aren't we going to tell anyone?" asked Harry.

"Oh," said Ron, looking back. Andros was just disappearing over the horizon. "Oh, well, it's too late now. We'll ask Hermione to send an owl when we get there. Right a bit … good … forward."

After a couple of exhilarating hours of flying over fields, farms and towns, they finally arrive at the capital. It was still dark, but the massive web of lights made it only too clear where they were. They landed softly on a large area that was devoid of lights, and Ron hurried off to check for a sign to tell them where they were.

He returned a few minutes later. "We're in Hyde Park," he said. "It's not far, less than two miles. Let's go."

"Oh no we don't," said a voice. A wizard was standing before them, his face illuminated by wand-light. "Are you aware that this vehicle is illegal?"

"Er –" said Ron. "It's an emergency."

"That doesn't make it all right," said the wizard.

"My brother's the Minister for Magic," said Ron hopefully.

"Do you expect me to believe that?" answered the wizard. "I've been with the Magical Law Enforcement Patrol for thirty years."

"He is, you know," put forward Harry.

"And you are –?"

"Harry Potter."

"Really? Well, gentlemen, I think you ought to be coming with me. Up you get."

"Harry's got a broken leg," argued Rudolf.

"Let's see it," said the wizard, shining his wand on Harry. "Oh, yes. Nasty. What's that?" He pointed at the Orb.

"Der Orb of Light," replied Rudolf. "It vos stolen. Ve're taking it back."

"The Orb of Light!" said the wizard incredulously. "There was talk about that at work. It got stolen, so they say."

"Yeah," said Rudolf. "Ve ver taking it back."

"I believe you," said the interrogator, "and I'm sure Adam Confessus does as well." The elderly Auror nodded.

Ron, Rudolf and Harry thanked him and left the office. They had recounted the entire story to a member of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, with Professor Confessus, who was somewhat annoyed at being called down to London so early in the morning, also present. Harry's leg had been mended and they were now on to return the Orb to Gringotts, it having been decided that they were trustworthy.

The goblins took the Orb without so much as a 'thank you', which, said Rudolf, wasn't surprising considering how they tended to act. They then Apparated back to Andros, where Professor Confessus called them to his office.

"I suppose I must say well done to all of you," he said. "Despite doing some very stupid things, it seems as if you have saved the worlds of wizards and Muggles alike. This Lord Amarenox seems to have been a very big threat."

"Have you caught him?" asked Ron.

"He seems to have disappeared. We have taken the equipment with which he planned to destroy the Sun. We will catch him, I am sure, especially with your help. I will award you each fifty personal points."

The three young men smiled at each other, then muttered their thanks.

"It's okay. You may leave, except Mr. Potter. Thank you."

Rudolf and Ron left, and Professor Confessus leaned closer to Harry.

"You lost your wand, is that correct?"

"Yes," said Harry, who had, in all the excitement, totally forgotten.

"It may still be possible for you to get it back. It will test your capabilities as an Auror. By the way, Albus Dumbledore sends his congratulations. You may go."

"Thank you, sir."

"Oh, and tell your friends – I still expect you to sit your exams."

Harry nodded, and left.