Chapter Twenty

After regaining their composure (and changing Draco's socks) they continued down a narrow passage that eventually opened into a small round chamber. As they stepped inside a fire magically ignited in the center of the room, illuminating a series of closed doors along the far wall. As they moved towards the light, the opening behind them abruptly sealed shut leaving them trapped.

"Well...that's not ominous at all," said Draco.

Luna nodded as she warmed herself by the fire. "We have heat and light now though. Puts us ahead of where we were at least."

"Can't argue with that," said Draco, taking his place beside her. He scanned the room, observing that all of the doors appeared to be of a sturdy wood construction with intricate metal locks incorporated on each. "So a row of locked doors. I'm guessing this is where our key comes into play?"

"Must be," said Luna.

"So do we just try it in each lock until we find the right one?"

Luna shook her head. "No. They wouldn't have made it that easy. My guess is that we only get one shot at this so we'll need to narrow down which door before we try anything."

"How do we do that?"

"It looks like each one is inscribed with runes of some kind. Given what we've been through so far I'd say we have to translate them then solve some sort of riddle or puzzle. Only then will the key unlock the right door."

"Riddles for a Ravenclaw? This shouldn't be too hard," said Draco.

Suddenly a deep male voice spoke up from behind them. "Ooooo! Look who thinks they're so clever!"

Draco whipped around. "Who said that?"

Another male voice, this one a bit higher pitched, chimed in from the other direction. "Who said that?"

Draco wheeled about. "Stop doing that!"

More voices now joined in. "Stop doing that!"

Draco was becoming increasingly infuriated. "Show yourselves!"

The chorus replied, "Show yourselves!"

Luna began to giggle which only served to irritate Draco further. "And just what, pray tell, do you find so funny about this?!"

Luna gestured towards the doors. "They are showing themselves."

"What are you talking about?!"

Luna stood beside to one of the doors and pointed at the elaborate lock. "The keyholes. They've been charmed. They can talk."

She knelt down and spoke directly to the object in question. "Hello. My name's Luna. What's your name?"

There was a short pause then a distinctly feminine voice replied, "Hello, Miss Luna. My name is Sera. Very nice to make your acquaintance."

"Talking bloody keyholes." Draco ran his hands through his hair. "You know, for a cave that doesn't allow magic, there are a ridiculous number of enchantments in this place."

The deep voice from before said, "Only outside magic is off limits. For every rule there is an exception - especially when you are the one creating the rules."

A new voice joined the conversation. "Oh, like YOU created the rules, Clavis."

"I didn't say I did, now did I?" Clavis sniffed.

Sera spoke up, "Certainly implied it though, didn't you?"

"Oh, come on! I haven't talked to anyone other than you lot in centuries. Pardon me for trying to draw out the conversation a little."

An older female voice called out, "Step into the light a bit more, dearie. Yes, you. Little blond girl. Let's have a proper look at you."

Luna did as asked and the voice responded, "Oh! She's a pretty one."

A haughty male voice sniffed, "Ugh. Looks a bit common if you ask me. Plain features, stringy hair, tatty clothes..."

"Oi!" Draco snapped. "Watch yourself! I may not be able to use magic in here but I can damn well use a screwdriver and dismantle a bloody door if you don't mind your tone about her."

The remaining doors responded with a low, "Ooo..."

Luna raised an eyebrow and Draco shrugged. "What? You've sacrificed a great deal to get us this far. I won't stand around and allow you to be insulted by hardware."

"Okay! Calm down!" said the offending door. "No need to get violent. That won't get you anywhere."

"Vena's right. If the lad can't keep it together in here then how will they ever survive..."

"Shut up, Clavis!" shouted the others in unison.

"Sorry..."

Luna walked from door to door studying each one turn. She stopped suddenly and exclaimed, "Wait! It doesn't matter."

"What doesn't matter?" asked Draco

"We don't have to answer all of the riddles. We just have to answer the right one."

Draco took the key from his bag and made a quick pass down the line. "Got it!"

"What do you see?" asked Luna.

"This key is made of an incredibly rare alloy. There are thirteen doors here but only these two have locks made of the same substance as the key. We only have to figure out which of them is the correct one and..." Draco snapped his fingers and winked at Luna. "Hey, presto."

"Very clever," snipped Clavis, who happened to be one of the doors in question. "But here comes the tricky part. You can only try the key in one of us. If you choose the wrong one, all of us disappear and you are stuck in here - forever."

The second door chimed in. "The rules are simple. You may ask only one question – to either of us – to help you deduce which of us is the correct one. Sounds simple enough, but there's a catch. When it comes to questions regarding which of us can accept the key, one of us always lies, and one always tells the truth."

Luna pondered this then turned to Clavis, "All right. Answer yes or no." She gestured towards the door in front of Draco. "Would the other door tell me that you lead to the scroll?"

Clavis hesitated then answered, "Yes."

Luna lifted her chin triumphantly. "Then you are the wrong door and he is the one that will lead us to the scroll."

"What makes you so sure?" Clavis challenged.

"Simple. If you are the one who lies, then you would lead us astray by telling us, falsely, that he will point us towards himself. This makes him the correct answer."

Draco sidled up next to Luna and draped his arm over her shoulders. "However, if you are the one who tells the truth, you will tell us honestly that he would point us towards himself. This also makes him the correct answer."

Luna nodded proudly at Draco. "So you see, in both cases, the outcome is the same. To find the scroll, we must walk through the opposite door than what you've told us."

Draco and Luna smiled at each other, looking immensely pleased with themselves.

Clavis grumbled "Show offs," before reluctantly allowing Draco to turn the key and open the door, revealing another passageway on the other side.

Before they walked through Luna waved to the doors and said, "It was very nice meeting all of you. Thank you for your assistance. "

Once the door closed behind them there was a brief moment of silence then Clavis said, "A shame, you know. They were a cute couple. I actually liked them. Pity they're going to die."