Disclaimer: All previous disclaimers apply.
Chapter 20: To the Rescue!
Halliwell Manor Attic
1329 Prescott Street
San Francisco, CA, USA
December 11, 2031
1:00 pm
As soon as Aisling's feet land on the creaky wooden floorboards of the attic next to the pedestal upon which lies the open Book of Shadows, her first instinct is to let go of Paige's left hand and run into Chris's arms and cry. She can't believe that she has just killed someone. It doesn't matter that the brown-eyed old man with the jagged scar across his cheek was a witch hunter and that he would have murdered her without a second thought. All she can see is an old man who could have been someone's grandfather. What was he like before he became a witch hunter? Was he born a witch hunter? Why did he attack her? Was it because she was the last living O'Neil heiress? If so, how did the old man know about the O'Neil family? Why was he murdering every member of her family? Was he working for someone else?
Aisling's thoughts are interrupted by Captain Morris who asks, "Did you find Mrs. O'Keeffe's and Mrs. Jones' murderer?"
"Take a look, Captain," Phoebe says as she holds the trashcan containing the now dead witch hunter out towards Darryl.
Darryl pulls a pair of large white vinyl gloves out of the right pocket of his pants and slips them onto his hands. Next, he takes the trash can Phoebe is holding toward him and dumps the contents of the trash can out on the floor. Then, he sifts through the trash until he sees a little blob of red that looks like blood.
Darryl gets on his hands and knees to get a better look at the blob of red.
"May I have a magnifying glass?" Darryl asks.
"Magnifying glass," Paige says and the magnifying glass on the wooden bench that is used for scrying and upon which rests a map of the world sails into her outstretched hand.
Paige hands the magnifying glass to Darryl.
Darryl puts the magnifying glass up to his eyes and studies the blob of red. He stands back up and pulls out a pair of steel tweezers from the pocket of his solid green long-sleeved dress shirt and a small evidence bag. Next, he gets on his hands and knees, picks up the blob of red with the tweezers and drops the blob of red into the evidence bag. Then, he stands up and faces Aisling and the Charmed Ones.
"What is the meaning of this?" Darryl asks in clipped tones.
"That's your murderer," Piper says.
"Again, what did you do?" Darryl shouts.
"I am a witch and that man has been hunting my family. He murdered Mom and he was going to stab me with a knife if the Charmed Ones hadn't arrived when they did. They used a spell to make him six inches tall and put him in the trash can. I murdered him when I stomped on him for murdering Mom. Do what you will with me," Aisling quietly says as she lets go of Paige's hand, steps forward and holds out her hands.
Instead of pulling out a pair of handcuffs and arresting Aisling, Darryl laughs.
"You (laugh) made him (laugh) six inches tall," Darryl says between bouts of laughter.
"Why aren't you arresting me, Captain?" Aisling asks Darryl.
"You did it out of self defense," Darryl replies.
"Besides, we don't have a cell that will hold a magical being," Darryl adds when Aisling is about to protest.
"The Captain is right. It is time for you to forgive yourself," Phoebe says.
"How can I? Every time I close my eyes, I see that old man running around in the trash can and I can hear his screams as I stomp on him. I can't help thinking that he could have been someone's grandfather," Aisling says.
"It will be hard, but we will stand by you," Phoebe says as she hugs Aisling.
"Besides, your guilt proves that you are human," Paige says as she places her left hand on Aisling's left shoulder.
"Captain, have you completed your investigation, yet?" Piper asks.
"Yes," Darryl replies.
"Then, it is time for you to leave," Piper says.
Darryl walks out of the attic and Piper escorts him out of the manor.
After Darryl leaves, Piper returns to the attic and says, "It is time to get back to business and search for Emily."
So, Phoebe sits down at the wooden bench and spins the crystal around the map of the world, hoping that the crystal will land somewhere soon. While Phoebe scrys for Emily, Paige goes to Magic School to find out what potion Bianca threw at Wyatt and Piper and Aisling go downstairs to the kitchen to make lunch.
After the ladies exit the attic, Chris becomes visible again and orbs Wyatt to his bed. Next, he visualizes the mirror Harry gave to Wyatt on Wyatt's 18th birthday sailing through the air and landing in his outstretched hand. When the mirror lands in his hand, Chris grips onto the mirror and says, "Harry Potter."
Harry's face appears in the mirror.
"How may I help you, Munchkin?" Harry asks.
"Vesperto kidnapped Emily on Bianca's orders and I think I know where Emily is, but I need your help to rescue her," Chris says.
"What do you want me to do?" Harry asks.
"I think Emily is in the same cell I was in 10 years ago. Please flame in there and rescue her," Chris says.
"I will see what I can do. Is there anything else?" Harry asks.
"Take me with you. Emily might not scream if she sees a familiar face," Chris says.
"I will be at the Manor in fifteen minutes," Harry says.
"See you then," Chris says and visualizes the mirror sailing back into the top drawer of Wyatt's dresser.
Ailin Callahan's Dungeons
In an Undisclosed Location
December 12, 2031
4:00 am
Emily's POV begins.
I sit here in the corner of this dark cell with my knees pulled up to my chest. My arms wrap around my knees and my head is bent down. I have no idea how long I have been sitting here. It could be hours or days or even weeks. I have long ago given up on finding a way to escape. I tried to escape earlier, but my captor found me, returned me to my cell and stationed two guards outside my cell. If jail is like this, I do not ever want to be there. I wonder if the Halliwells have ever been captured like this.
Speaking of the Halliwells, where are they? I would think that they would have already found me. What is taking them so long to find me? Is it really the Halliwells I want to see? Or is it Wyatt?
Speaking of Wyatt, why can't I tell him that I love him, especially after that kiss? The moment keeps replaying over and over again in my head like a broken tape recorder. I wonder if it means as much to him as it means to me.
Emily's POV ends.
Emily's thoughts end with the thud of the guards' bodies falling to the floor.
"Who is there?" Emily asks as a shiver crawls up her spine.
"Whether or not he says it, Wyatt loves you Em," Chris says as he unclenches his fist and lets go of Harry's phoenix form's tail feathers.
Emily looks up and sees Chris.
"I didn't realize that I said that aloud," Emily says with a blush.
"What's up with the emerald green-eyed bird with black plumage?" Emily whispers.
"I will explain later. Just grab onto the bird's tail feathers," Chris says.
Chris quickly pulls out his cellular phone and takes a photograph of the potion bottles on the shelf in Emily's cell and another photograph of the potion bottles on the shelf along the limestone wall across from Emily's cell using the camera feature on his cellular phone. Next, he slips the cellular phone into his pocket and grabs Emily's hand. Then, he grabs onto Harry's phoenix form's tail feathers and Harry flames them back to Hogwarts milliseconds before Bianca arrives at Emily's cell and sees the guards' corpses sprawled out on the floor.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Somewhere in Scotland
December 12, 2031
3:00 am
Chris, Emily and Harry in his phoenix form land on their feet on an ivory rug in the middle of a guest bedroom at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In the center of the rug is a picture of a male peacock that is proudly showing off its feathers. Miniature versions of the same peacock adorn each corner of the rug. The rug lies in front of a four poster cherry wood bed. A handmade quilt with a series of male peacocks on them lies on the bed. A pillow case with a peacock on it covers a down pillow full of goose feathers. The pillow rests against the headboard of the four poster bed. On either side of the bed sits an end table with a desk lamp on it. Along the left wall is a window. Ivory curtains hang over the window. There is also a window seat under the window that is full of children's books and games. Next to the window is a cherry wood desk. Along the wall across from the bed is a small vanity table with a mirror. A wardrobe jewelry box sits on the vanity table. Hair brushes, combs, and various hairclips and lengths of ribbons lie in the drawers of the vanity table. Along the right wall is a closet full of various-colored wizarding world robes and a muggle nightdress. Next to the closet is a bathroom.
"This room is very nice," Emily says as she plops down onto the bed.
"I am glad you like it, because this will be your room until Wyatt gets his magic back," Chris says.
"What? Wyatt lost his magic?" Emily questions.
"While you were in your cell, Bianca came by the Manor. She took Wyatt by surprise and took away his powers. Then, she threw a vial full of pink liquid at Wyatt. Uncle Harry told the Charmed Ones, Dad, Wyatt and me that the pink liquid will turn Wyatt into a muggle, which is a non-magical person. What Uncle Harry didn't tell us in Mom's presence is that Wyatt is dying. Bianca has the antidote and I think that she is planning to trade the antidote for you. As long as you stay here, you should be okay. If you are not all right, Uncle Harry will escort you to the Chamber of Secrets," Chris explains.
"Who is Uncle Harry?" Emily asks.
Harry transforms back into his human self, approaches Emily, holds out his hand for a handshake and says, "I am Uncle Harry. My name is Harry Potter. It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss."
Emily shakes Harry's hand and says, "My name is Emily Blake. It is nice to meet you, too."
Then she turns to Chris and asks, "What happened back there?"
"I pushed on the windpipe of each guard and choked them to death," Chris replies.
"That explains the guards. What about the bird?" Emily asks.
"The bird is called a phoenix and Uncle Harry can transform into a phoenix," Chris replies.
"Oh," Emily says.
"Do you need anything, Em?" Chris asks.
"No, thank you," Emily says.
"Then, I will see you later," Chris says and orbs back to the Halliwell Manor attic.
After Chris leaves, Harry says, "Miss Blake, you must be hungry."
"Call me Emily, Mr. Potter. Yes, I am a little bit hungry, but first I need a bath," Emily says.
"Then, Emily, you must call me Harry. I'll get one of the house-elves to bring you some food," Harry says.
Before Emily can protest, Harry shouts, "Misty!"
A little white creature with big floppy ears and blue eyes pops into the room. The creature is wearing a white apron over a little red dress with puffy sleeves. The apron depicts a badger, griffin, raven and snake surrounding a shield.
"What may I do for you, Master Harry Potter, sir?" Misty asks.
"This is Miss Emily Blake. Please bring some food for Miss Blake," Harry says.
"Very well," Misty says as she pops back into the kitchen.
After Misty leaves, Harry says, "You will find a nightdress for tonight in the closet and a pair of slippers next to the bed. Tomorrow, I will take you shopping. Do you require any further assistance?"
"No, thank you," Emily says.
"See you later, Miss Blake," Harry says and apparates back to his warm bed at Potter Manor.
After Harry leaves, Emily approaches the bed and slips her feet into the soft bunny bed slippers. Next, she enters the bathroom and looks around. To Emily's left is a linen closet. Next to the linen closet is a hot tub. Next to the hot tub is a shower with blue tiles. Across from the hot tub is a huge walk-in closet. Along the wall in front of Emily is a mirror and vanity with a sink. On the other side of the wall next to the sink is a small room that contains the toilet. After looking around, Emily walks on the thick blue rug that covers the white vinyl floor and steps into the shower. She closes the shower door, turns on the water and lets the hot water wash over her and soothe her aching muscles.
After showering, Emily slips into the muggle night dress and sits down at the desk, where Misty has left a picnic basket containing some pancakes with packets of maple syrup and butter, sizzling sausage, scrambled eggs, bacon, and some apples. Emily eats what she can. Then, she brushes her teeth and goes to bed.