Chapter Ten: The Last Competition

Everyone started when the three girls disappeared.

"The gods did not like the interference," Odin explained. "The witches will have their next task without any help."

The three judges disappeared.

"We have to do something," Merlin said. "They probably took the girls back to the starting point."

"I have the broom," Harry said. "I can get two of us back there within the hour."

"I still have Hermione's wand," Joe pointed out. He handed the wand to Harry. Then, sitting down on the grass, he opened the case.

"What are you doing?" Harry asked.

"I've been thinking. Something's going on that they're not telling us about. But I think they're trying to give us hints."

"Hints?" Merlin Langspear asked.

"My father is very good at identifying patterns and I have his brain pattern. I also have the brain pattern for Tiffany's friend. The gods are having this contest but it's obvious that not all the gods agree. The biggest clue is this task."

"I don't follow," Merlin admitted.

"I think I do," Harry Potter told Merlin. "They took the idea for this task from Joe's world, and then Joe appeared instead of that boy, Roland. And they couldn't tell the difference between the two of them because Joe had Roland's brain pattern."

Merlin smiled as he adjusted his glasses. "And they chose Joe because of Hermione's specified preference."

"Exactly," Harry answered, adjusting his own glasses as well. "The question is, Joe, how did you get to that world in the first place."

Joe removed his own glasses. Both pairs of shims were removed and placed into their slots in the storage compartment. He then took another pair of shims out and inserted them into the glasses. While he was doing this, he explained himself.

"I didn't notice the pattern at all, but dad did. Remember what I told you earlier, about the trans-dimensional pirates? I think that was all a lie. I think I was deliberately taken to that world specifically to get Roland's brain pattern."

"Someone wanted you to come," Merlin said in awe, "but why you?" He looked at the box and understood. "You have somebody's brain pattern in there."

Joe smiled. "The man claimed to be Dad's assistant in a parallel world. But he made it a point to let me take his pattern first. Then he grabbed me and transported me to the disc world. I think the man was a god, and I think I know which god."

Harry nodded. "And which god do you think this Doctor Key is?"

Joe smiled wryly. "His name is Leo Key. And I couldn't help but notice that he looked like an older version of that god, Odin."

As Joe put on the glasses, Harry and Merlin looked at each other and said the same word. "Loki."

"Good. You finally figured it out," Loki said as he appeared suddenly, still dressed in the suit he was wearing when he kidnaped Joe 90.

Joe was looking at them with fear. "Harry. Merlin. They want every world the same. Every universe to have the same shape and the same rules. And this contest. It doesn't matter who wins. The contest is to prove that one world can be better than another world." He took the glasses off. "The disc worlds will all be turned into globes. Land masses will change instantly. And if you're in the wrong place . . ."

"Millions will die," Merlin Langspear concluded.

"You're thinking small," Loki said with a chuckle. "The universe is vast. There are millions of worlds with people of some sort on them. All of them will be changed. And that will occur in all the universes."

"It doesn't matter," Odin said as he suddenly appeared. "Zeus and Jove have changed the rules. They are having the witches fight each other's last defeated enemy."

"NO," Harry yelled. "That means that Tiffany will be fighting Voldemort. If he doesn't kill her, it's because he's going to kill Mildred Hubble."

Merlin looked around. "The pictsies? They're gone."

"Then there's still hope," Joe said, crossing his fingers.

"No," Odin told them. "The powers that be sent them back to the disc they came from."

"I would say there is more than hope," a new voice said, as Miss Hardbroom suddenly appeared.

"Miss Hardbroom? How?" was all Merlin could say.

"Hermione Granger told me how the gods weren't paying attention. I assumed, correctly it seems, that if they did not see me they would assume that I left when I was supposed to. Now you, Harry Potter, give me Hermione's wand. I'll return it to her. Then we can help Mildred."

"Can she defeat Mildred's enemy quickly enough?" Harry asked.

Miss Hardbroom gave him a smile that reminded Harry of Professor Snape. "It is obvious that you don't know Mildred very well. Merlin will explain it to you while I'm gone."

Miss Hardbroom disappeared.

"An amazing woman," Loki said appreciatively.

"Thank you," Miss Hardbroom's voice said from nowhere.

Loki laughed. "Harry, why don't you have Merlin explain things to you while you fly him back to the starting point." He looked at Joe. "I'm afraid you're not that important anymore. You've already told them what I, as a god, am forbidden to tell. That is all we needed you for." Loki shrugged his shoulders. "Dad, if you need me, I'll be with Thor and Freyja."

"I should be going, too," Odin told them as he faded away. "I need to monitor Hermione Granger."

"This is great," Harry Potter said angrily. "They leave us . . ." Harry grabbed his forehead and crumbled to his knees in pain. "He's here," Harry gasped.

Merlin rushed to Harry's side as the older boy continued to grunt in pain.

"Never . . . this . . . strong."

"A gift from the gods," Joe said wryly. "Loki knows about his scar. Harry always feels pain when Voldemort is near. The gods turned up the volume, so to speak."

Merlin grimaced. Harry Potter was lying still, occasional twitching but otherwise not moving, and he could do nothing to help. "And that guarantees that we can't help Mildred or the others. We can't run fast enough, and only Harry can fly the broom."

"But you're a wizard, too," Joe pointed out.

"A shapeshifter. And I know I can fly his broom. But I don't know how."

"I do," Joe said suddenly, and grabbed SMALL RAT. He raised the antenna and pointed it at Harry. He placed two blank shims in the recording slots and turned the machine on. "I will know how in five minutes."

"What can I do?" Merlin asked, then answered his own question. "I'm a shapeshifter."

Joe noticed a sudden glow and Merlin held his staff out and disappeared to be replaced by a falcon. He smiled out of sheer delight at seeing magic.

"Go ahead if you like. I'll follow with Harry as soon as I can. Which won't be long."

The falcon gave out a cry and flew away. Joe watched him until he was out of sight. He then removed his glasses and took the shims out, replacing them in the holding try. And waited for two more minutes.

Once they were ready, the shims were placed in their slots and Joe put on the glasses. He blinked a couple of time then looked up. With practiced skill he packed SMALL RAT back into its case, throwing the strap over his shoulder.

Walking over to Harry, Joe knelt next to the near comatose boy. He reached and grabbed the wand that was thrust under Harry's belt. "This will help," Joe said lightly as he pointed the wand and shouted, "Petrificus Totallus."

Harry Potter went rigid, frozen into place. Joe sighed. Harry may not be able to move but at least he was no longer in pain as the spell blocked all feeling.

"I have to leave you, Harry. And I KNOW you will understand. I KNOW you would do the same thing. I only wish I could make sure you'd be safe."

"We'll watch tha lad," Daft Wullie said as he popped his head up from behind Harry.

"WE?" Joe asked incredulously. "But Odin said that all of you were sent back home."

"He missed the tay o' us," Rob Anybody said as he appeared next to Daft Wullie. "An' we ken wha' ye did, Wizard. Ye best see them hags is safe."

Joe smiled gratefully. He went to the broom and mounted it, flying after the falcon. You could tell by the way he handled the broom that he was a natural flyer.

"He's gone," Daft Wullie said.

"Then we'll be goin'. We owe it to help the hags."

"And wha' about him."

"Grab his 'ead," Rob Anybody told him. Grabbing his feet, Rob shouted "Let's go."

Running almost as fast as a flying broom, the pictsies and the frozen wizard disappeared into the forest.

"He is here," Voldemort said. "I can sense him." He turned with a snarl toward Mildred Hubble. "And before I have my fun with you, my little witch, you will tell me everything I want to know. IMPERIOUS."

Tiffany Aching stared in horror at the monster that stood before her. The monster was shaped like a man but looked more like a dragon. It even had eyes like a dragon would be expected to have. She continued to stare but her horror changed to confusion when the Dragon Lord spoke.

"What just happened? Did you summon me? And who are you?" The Dragon frowned. "Do your parents know you're here, little girl? I don't see any adults around."

"Do you happen to know, um," Tiffany asked apprehensively, "um, Hermione Granger?"

The Dragon Lord looked confused. "No. Should I?"

Tiffany bit her lip. "Mildred Hubble?"

The Dragon Lord smiled. "Mildred? A wonderful child. Are you a friend of hers? Is she in trouble? Is that why you summoned me here?"

The girl hesitated. "Mildred may be in trouble but I wasn't the one who summoned you here." Tiffany introduced herself and explained everything to him, in an abbreviated form.

"You are lucky, Tiffany Aching. Mildred defeated me, yes. Not by her skills in magic but by her honesty and integrity. She made no demands on me but gave back to me what was stolen so long ago, and ASKED for the release of her friends whom I unfairly threatened." The Dragon Lord sniffed the air. "She is near to us. I will go to her and defend her if needs be."

"The gods will be angry if you interfere."

The Dragon Lord sneered. "The gods can destroy me for daring to help a true friend."

Tiffany smiled. "If that is the way you feel, then you'll have to take me with you."

"But you are young, child."

"But my friend may be in danger, and my being there might make a difference."

"Then we shall go," the Dragon Lord commanded and took Tiffany's hand. Their bodies glowed for a second and they were gone.

"Miss Hardbroom," Hermione said with no hint of surprise.

"I brought you your wand, Miss Granger. I thought you might need it."

Hermione took the wand. "Yes, I can feel it's power. I believe now I can defeat anyone."

Miss Hardbroom stared at Hermione. She then asked, carefully, "The enemy you're supposed to fight. Do you know what it is or where it is?"

"The battle is already over. It was a battle of words. It lasted less than a minute."

Suspicion was evident in the potions teacher's voice. "And you won."

Hermione Granger paused, as though in conversation.

"I would call it a tie. And I know what you're thinking, Miss Hardbroom. I am not possessed. Not really. And I know something else. I know who Mildred Hubble is fighting, I know she is losing and I know where she is. Can you follow me if I apparate?"

Miss Hardbroom's emotions change from suspicion to fear to wonder and now to deep concern. If Mildred were in trouble and needed help . . .

"If I can't follow you, I'll find her myself. Lead on."

Mildred stood still and answered every question as fully and completely as possible. Voldemort was surprised and amazed at learning of the different forms of magic. As quickly as he learned of them, he knew how to incorporate their capabilities. Had Harry Potter confronted him at that moment, Voldemort would have slain him instantly. Mildred explained about the gods and he knew at once that his sudden skills were their doing. They wanted him to win this contest.

And Voldemort laughed. This girl was so pathetic he could kill her without any problem at all. He raised his wand and called, "Aveda Kedavra."

The Dragon Lord appeared at that moment, directly in front of Mildred Hubble. He unclasped Tiffany's hand and pushed her away the instant before the blinding green flash hit him. The Dragon Lord roared as if in pain and a great fiery flame shot from his mouth directly at the Dark Lord. Voldemort shielded himself at once.

"Attack again and you will die," the Dragon Lord threatened. Voldemort sneered and then laughed as he looked around him. "Hello, Miss Granger, how nice of you to appear. When did you manage to learn an invisibility spell?" He turned to the woman who had also appeared. "And you must be Miss Hardbroom. Mildred is very much afraid of you, except I think that now she is more afraid of me. Or she would be if I let her." He turned to Tiffany. "And you are the little witch from the flat world. What an interesting character you must be. I think I'll save you for last. No, I'll save Harry Potter for last. I know he's here and he can't get away. The gods have assured me of that. You will have to be next to last."

Tiffany looked at Hermione, who winked at her. The young girl suddenly understood. As the Dragon Lord threatened Voldemort should the man drop his shielding spell, Tiffany tested her plan. If she was right, they had a chance to stop this man.

Voldemort was saying he did not have to drop his shield. Then, he chanted a spell in the manner of Mildred Hubble. The Dragon Lord staggered as though from a heavy blow. Voldemort was clearly surprised that the monster was still standing but was satisfied to learn that the creature had its limitations. He frowned briefly as Miss Hardbroom started casting spells of her own in an effort to break his shield, but the gods had made him too strong.

That was when Tiffany Aching whispered a little too loud to Hermione Granger that the Dragon Lord could withstand any blow as long as . . . Tiffany paused. "I don't think he knows about the 'see me' spell."

"You foolish girls," Voldemort said with disdain. He launched another blow at the Dragon Lord, who staggered and fell to one knee. "The gods are kind to me. Having told me of the spell, I know it and know how to use it."

Hermione smiled.

A falcon landed by Mildred, glowed briefly, and became Merlin Langspear. At once he raised his staff and began to chant a spell at Voldemort. He knew it would not be effective but it would be an added distraction.

The Dark Lord sneered. The added attack did nothing to hurt him. He did not even need to strengthen his shield. He raised his hand to Merlin and began a chant of his own when he heard a shout from above.

"Impedimentia," Joe 90 shouted from the broom he was flying, Harry's wand pointed directly at Voldemort. But the Dark Lord was not fazed. He recognized Harry's wand and knew what effect it would have, but he did not know the skill of the wizardling attacking him. The shielding spell cast by the wand was dispelled at once, and a new protective spell, cast by the magic of Mildred Hubble's world, took its place.

Hermione looked at Joe and determined what he had done, guessing correctly that Voldemort's appearance had affected her friend. And it gave her the opening she was looking for. "Tiffany," she whispered anxiously, still watching Joe, "If he finds Harry . . ."

"He can hear us," Tiffany warned Hermione, giving her a smile that Voldemort could not see. The Dark Lord took the bait.

Knowing his spells would hold, the Dark Lord cast himself out of his body, much more easily than Tiffany Aching could ever have done, using his sense of Harry Potter to locate him quickly. He smiled when he saw that Harry was coming toward him, helpless, as he was carried by two very strong, very fast and very ugly fairies. He went back to his body to await the newest arrival.

"Sorry, it's occupied," Voldemort said to the invisible spirit next to him. "Oh yes, Finite Incantatum." Voldemort turned back to the invisible spirit. "You can stay with me if you want. Now that I can apparate, I'm going back where I came from."

The spirit of Voldemort gave a scream that made no sound and disappeared along with his body.

Everyone turned to Mildred first. Hermione was on one side and Tiffany had rushed to her other side.

"Thank you," Mildred said gratefully. "It was horrible. I felt so nice that I told that man anything he wanted to know." Mildred began to cry. "And I couldn't stop myself."

"It wasn't your fault," Hermione assured her while giving her a hug. "It was the Imperious Curse. Better people than you or I have been its victim. But it's over now."

"And happily so," Tiffany said as she caressed Mildred's shoulder.

"And now one of you girls will explain how," Miss Hardbroom insisted.

Hermione smiled. "I'm sorry, Miss Hardbroom, but I couldn't tell you before. It said it was a Hiver. It could possess bodies and use them to their full potential. It also said it owed Tiffany a favor. I suggested one."

Miss Hardbroom nodded, then turned to Tiffany. "And what was this favor?"

"I showed the Hiver how it could die. They're immortal and . . . it hurts them."

The Dragon Lord, all this time, had been resting on one knee as he recovered. Having caught Mildred's eye, he stood up to greet her, but groaned. "Excuse me for complaining but my chest and shoulders are aching."

Tiffany couldn't help but smile as she remembered her father's favorite joke. "I've been Aching all my life and it hasn't bothered me."

The Dragon Lord gave another groan, then turned back to Mildred and smiled. "You've won out again, Mildred. Congratulations."

"Won? But I didn't do anything."

"Didn't you? You made such true friends in so short a time that they risked angering the gods to come to your help."

"Even if some of us were late," Merlin Langspear said as he pointed.

"Ach, Crivens. We missed it." Rob Anybody let his disappointment show as he and Daft Wullie came over the hill carrying Harry Potter.

"He knew you were coming and panicked," Joe told the pictsies. "That means you still helped." He pointed the wand at Harry. "Finite Incantatum."

Tiffany gave Joe a curious look, noting that he had his glasses on. Joe smiled back, then flew down to Harry and returned the wand. Tiffany gave Joe a grateful smile. "The Nac Mac Feegles are congratulating themselves. Joe, this is a friend of Mildred . . ." She stopped. The Dragon Lord was gone.

"ENOUGH," Zeus was heard to shout. "ALL OF YOU. APPEAR."