Last time, the mysterious Stranger reappeared to inform Harry that the key to destroying Voldemort once and for all, lay with the sword of Godric Griffindor, as well as a certain book in Dumbledore's office. The Stranger also told Max and the other Ramblers where to find the Necronomicon, as well as something unexpected. And now, on with the show!
Chapter 42: Sword and Spell
"The Stranger said I'd know the book when I saw it," said Harry, "But nothing seems to stand out." He, Ron and Hermione were in the office of the late Professor Dumbledore. Harry, having already found the sword of Godric Griffindor, (it was waiting for him on the mantel over the fireplace) was now searching for the book mentioned by The Stranger. After three hours of looking, they still hadn't found what Harry was looking for.
"Did The Stranger say anything else that might give us a clue?" asked Hermione. "No," said Harry, "He just said that I'd know it when I saw it." "I'm starting to think Steve was right about The Stranger." Said Ron. "How so?" asked Hermione. "Maybe The Stranger is just having fun with us," said Ron, who was leaning against a bookcase, "I'll bet that he's laughing at us right now from wherever he's hiding." He leaned against part of the bookcase, and the bookcase flipped around, taking Ron with it.
"A secret panel!" exclaimed Hermione. Hermione began to tap the panel, trying to duplicate what Ron did. She eventually found the right place to press, and the panel opened. Ron was standing on the other side in the beginning to a long passage. "Took you long enough!" said Ron but was silenced by Hermione as she kissed him. "Ron," said Hermione, "You're a genius!" "I am?" asked Ron as Hermione kissed him again. "Well, I guess I am."
"How long has this been here?" asked Harry as he peered down the hidden corridor. "Probably since Hogwarts was built." Answered Hermione. "Well," said Ron with much enthusiasm, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained." They began to walk down the corridor. They reached the end in less than a minute. They found themselves in a small, stone room. In the middle of the room, on a stone platform, was a white book.
"This is it!" exclaimed Harry as he reached for the book. There was no barrier blocking his hands, and he picked up the book. "How do you know it's it?" asked Ron. "I just do." Answered Harry truthfully.
Later…
"This is incredible!" exclaimed Hermione. Back at McGonagall Manor, Will had managed to unlock the means of reading the recovered book, with the help of The Heart of Candracar. "It's fantastic!" exclaimed Hermione. "What's fantastic?" asked Ron. "This book was written by Godric Griffindor himself well over a thousand years ago," said Hermione, "Quite possibly the only remaining words written by him!"
"Well don't keep us in suspense, what's it say?" asked Will. "It speaks of what happened to Godric Griffindor," spoke Hermione, "As well as the other three founders: Helga Hufflepuff; Rowena Ravenclaw; and Salazar Slytherin. This was before they founded Hogwarts. Apparently, the four fought a great evil, an upper-level demon called Cthulhu. Cthulhu had assembled an army of demons and attempted to conquer the world."
"I've heard of Cthulhu," said Bloom, "Cthulhu was a being of immense power, a creature so hideous that to look on its face would lead to madness. Cthulhu disappeared about a thousand years ago."
"Now here's where it gets interesting," continued Hermione, "Godric spoke of five young women arriving in a circle of blue light. These five joined forces with the four to face the demon hoards." "The Guardians!" exclaimed Will. "Our predicessors came here a thousand years ago?" asked Taranee. "Apparently so," said Hermione, "The four and the five managed to defeat Cthulhu's army. Yet when they faced the master demon, it was Godric Griffindor who defeated, not destroyed, but defeated Cthulhu." "And how did he do it?" asked Harry.
"It says here," said Hermione, "That Godric combined his sword with a spell." Hermione handed the book to Harry. "'In order to cast the spell," read Harry, "'one must hold their wand in their wand hand, and the sword in the other. One must then hold the faces of the ones he loves in his mind.' That should be easy. 'With wand and sword at the ready, and the faces of your loved ones firmly in mind, speak the word: Diamba!'"
"Diamba," said Hermione, "I've never heard that spell before." "It must be very powerful to be kept secret for so long." said Bloom. "Well," said Ron, "Aren't you going to try it out?" "Try what out?" asked Harry. "The spell of course." Answered Ron. Harry hadn't even thought about trying out the spell. Before he could decide, there was a teleportation flash. Max and The Ramblers had returned.
"We got it!" exclaimed Steve, "We go it! We got it!" "Got what?" asked Irma. "The book!" said Fay, "We finally found the Necronomicon!" "We got it! We got it!" exclaimed Steve. Harry noticed that both Steve and Fay were covered in small scratches and bruises. "What happened?" asked Harry. "The enemy fought tooth and nail for the book," said Fay, "But a few cuts and bruises are well worth the price of getting the book away from Voldemort."
"We got it! We got it!" exclaimed Steve. "We know!" exclaimed Virgil. He had a cut lip and was limping. "What happened to you?" asked Ron. "Just twisted my ankle, that's all." Answered Virgil. "I'll be the judge of that!" said Aaron Spartan as he rushed over to Virgil and the others.
Max was holding what appeared to be a leather-bound book. "It that it?" asked Hermione eagerly. "Yes," said Max, "This is the Necronomicon. Once again, I've recovered it from someone who used it for evil. And once again, I can't destroy it." That last part, Max spoke with much disgust.
"That's not all we found today," said Jill. Her limp was much less noticeable. "You're walking much better." Said Will. "Thanks," said Jill, "It's times like this I'm glad I'm a Meta-Human. Anyway, I've got a surprise for you, Harry."
D.P. and Skeater were holding a large burlap sack. Something was struggling inside it. "What's in there?" asked Harry. "That's the surprise," said Jill. "Guess who we caught trying to defect to the Death Eaters. Go on, guess." Harry tried to guess who would be that stupid as to try to join the enemy. "I don't know," said Harry truthfully, "Who?" "Show him," said Jill with much glee.
D.P. and Skeater undid the string holding the sack close. They upended the sack, and out tumbled Dolores Umbridge, who was bound and gagged, a look of absolute terror on her face, which was replaced with rage at the sight of Harry. "You're right, Jill," said Harry, "This is a surprise."
The end of chapter 42. Next chapter, Hermione get to take a look at the Necronomicon. See you next time!
