"Now then!" exclaimed Dumbledore, rubbing his hands together eagerly. "Off we go to see the Lord of the Underworld!"
Sirius scowled sullenly at Dumbledore's energetic tone, but nevertheless, he followed Dumbledore's brisk footsteps. After striding down the hallway, the old wizard suddenly stopped.
"Hrrm. And where would he be?" he asked, grinning at Sirius, who shook his head. "I heard he's on the third sub-level."
"Ah! Wonderful," replied Dumbledore.
After winding corridors and some neon signs, they came upon a heavy door, carved with ancient runes and decorated with a big tree.
"The Tree of Life," remarked Sirius. "So it is true."
Dumbledore adjusted his hat and knocked on the door. A short witch opened it. "Who is it?"
"Ah, I wish to speak with the Lord of the Underworld," said Dumbledore, politely lifting his hat.
"Do you have an appointment?"
"Well, er, no—"
"Then you'll have to wait," she said curtly. "Sitting room's right inside."
"But he's Albus Dumbledore!" exclaimed Sirius, a bit impatient.
The witch did a double take. "Who? Albus Dumbledore?" she looked shocked. "What in the world are you doing—I mean—why are you—how—"
"I would prefer," said Dumbledore, clearing his throat, "that you could call me Alberto. And please, I am here on secret business. It would be most agreeable to the situation if you would keep my presence a secret."
"Why, why, yes, of course, Alberto," nodded the witch a little breathlessly. Alberto cleared his throat.
"Ah! Okay! I'm sure the Lord has time to see you, just a moment!" she ushered them into the waiting room and disappeared behind a purple curtain, casting some somewhat shocked glances back over her shoulder.
A few moments later, a tall wizard appeared, wearing a Hawaiian shirt, Bermuda shorts, and a straw hat. "Bertie! My man!"
"Ah, my old friend! How nice to see you again!"
The two elderly wizards slapped high-fives, and did their special handshake.
Is that Nicholas…Flamel? Sirius' eyes widened. Not the man who made the sorcerer's stone…
"…and I'd like to introduce you one of my former students, Sirius Black," Alberto said.
Sirius shook Nicholas' hand. "Please to meet you, Mr. Flamel!"
"No no no," said the wizard. "Please call me Nicky! Or Jolly Old St. Nick is fine too!" he chuckled. "Now what can I do for you two?"
Dumbledore smiled. "I'd be much obliged if you could provide us with 2 one-way tickets back to the world of the living."
Nicholas raised his eyebrows in surprise, yet there was a twinkle in his eyes. "Ah, I knew you two weren't here to stay for long! Always on the run! Well, well, let me see your files…" Two manila folders appeared and he flipped through them. "Let's see… Sirius… ah yes quite an accident of a death… usually you would have to stay here, but seeing that Bertie has come to find you… Well Bertie," he straightened. "If I let Sirius go you'll have to sign some papers… you know, responsibility, liability documents, that kind of thing."
"No problemo," nodded Bertie, sucking on a lemon drop.
"Now onto Bertie… ah, a requested death, performed by… Severus Snape?" Nicholas glanced at Dumbledore, who responded with an innocent gaze. "All right, all right, no question asked," Nicholas laughed. "You and your secret missions," he chuckled a laugh that seemed to fit Jolly Old St. Nick better than the Lord of the Underworld.
He snapped his fingers and two tickets appeared, which he stamped with red ink, reading, "Approved by Nicholas Flamel, Lord of the Underworld."
"Anytime you're ready, just step into the Departure Elevator with these and you should be fine."
"I can't thank you enough," said Dumbledore, shaking Nicholas' hand.
"It's nothing," responded Flamel. "Is there anything else I can help you with, or is that all?"
"Well, we are trying to locate a certain house-elf by the name of Hokey…"
"Hokey…" Flamel tapped his fingers together. "The house-elf of Hepzibah? You'd have to find the second floor. I believe that's where all the house-elves are."
"Thank you," said Dumbledore. "Well, we'll be leaving you now. Take care my good friend. Until we meet again," he smiled.
Nicholas winked at them. "Until then."