Thursday, April 14, 2012

Brian's 12th birthday had arrived; Athena brought in a letter from his mother, uncle Michael, and Alex wishing him a happy birthday. During March, Brian found out that Ilvermorny, unlike the No-Maj schools back home, didn't observe spring break.

Monday, April 30, 2012-Friday, May 4, 2012: Exam Week

In years to come, Brian would never quite remember how he managed to get through his exams when he half-expected someone to attack him. Yet the days crept by as exam week was coming.

It was scorching hot, especially in the large lecture hall where they did their written papers. They had been given new quills for the exam, which had been bewitched with an Anti-Cheating spell.

They had practical exams as well. Professor Triton called them one by one into his classroom to see if they could make a pineapple tap dance across a desk while Professor Rodriguez would watch them turn rodents into snuff boxes. Professor Drake watched as they made the Forgetfulness Potion from memory.

Brian did the best he could but couldn't help but hear his wand hum from time to time.

Their last exam was History of Magic. One hour of answering questions about some wizard who invented self-stirring cauldrons and they'd be free to enjoy the week before their exam grades were revealed. When Professor Carter told them to put down their quills and roll up their parchment, Brian couldn't help but sigh a sigh of relief.

"Well, we might as well enjoy the week until we see just how badly we did!" Merula said, relieved that test week was over.

Monday, May 7, 2012

As he made his way up the stairs, Brian could swear that he saw someone enter the forbidden corridor.

"What the?" He asked himself as he saw the hooded figure enter the room and close the door behind them. Brian's wand started humming that low musical note, alerting him of danger. He'd ask Rowan and Merula to accompany him into the room, but they had to sneak in… but how? Brian took a look at his map to identify the hooded figure.

"I Solemnly Swear That I'm Ready to Snoop," Brian whispered into the map. Unfortunately, it was a bit too late, as the map didn't show who entered the forbidden chamber.

"Darn."

Brian went back up to the Thunderbird tower to talk to Merula that night.

"So, you're planning on going in the trapdoor tonight?" She asked.

"I am," Brian whispered back.

"I just have one thing to say: I'm in."

"Are you sure that's a good idea? If we get caught, we might be expelled. Professor Drake told me that I got an A on my potions exams, but… I don't know if that'll protect me."

"Well, at least you won't get kicked out. I'll get Rowan and see if he can help us out. We'll have to go at night. If Carter or Rodriguez are after what I think they're after, then Ilvermorny itself is in danger."

"If Ilvermorny is in danger, then I would rather get expelled than let Ilvermorny fall. I'm willing to lose my position here if it means saving this school. …Are you sure you wanna come with me?"

Merula nodded. Nothing Brian could say could dissuade her.

After dinner, Brian, Merula, and Rowan all nervously sat in the Thunderbird common room. Nobody had bothered them; Rowan liked this, as this allowed him to skim through his notes in private, hoping to come across one of the enchantments they were about to break.

"I managed to buy an Invisibility Cloak from Jacob," Rowan whispered. "It was worth every Sprink… I hope." The trio mentally prepared themselves to leave without getting caught.

"I hope I don't have to use the Full Body-Bind Curse on anyone," Rowan whispered.

"What are you doing?!" Said a worried voice. It was Barnaby. "Don't go out! You'll get in trouble! Rowan, Horned Serpent can't afford to lose any more house points!"

"Barnaby, you don't understand-!" Brian tried to explain, but Barnaby wasn't having it.

"I won't let you do it! I'll — I'll fight you!"

Rowan looked on in horror… he knew what he had to do.

"Barnaby, I'm really, really sorry about this," Rowan said before pointing his wand at Barnaby. "Petrificus Totalus!"

Barnaby's arms snapped to his sides. His legs sprang together. His entire body was as stiff as a board. Only his eyes could move in horror.

"What did you do to him?" Brian whispered to Rowan.

"The Full Body-Bind," Rowan said miserably. "I'm so sorry."

"We had to do it," Merula said, looking upset. "Doesn't mean we have to feel good about it." The trio hid in the invisibility cloak and left the common room.

The trio slowly approached the door… and saw that it was opened.

"I don't think I need it anymore," Brian whispered. "If you want to use it to go back, I won't blame you. Heck, I think you should save yourselves before—"

"Don't be an idiot," Merula whispered back.

"We're coming with you," Rowan whispered.

Brian smiled. And the trio snuck into the room… and heard a harp playing a lovely melody. Next to a trapdoor was a massive, three-headed dog.

"That's… a hellhound," Rowan nervously whispered.

The trio used the music to their advantage and snuck to the trap door without waking the hellhound.

"Alohomora," whispered Rowan as he tapped his wand on the trap door, unlocking it and allowing them to open it.

"If I don't make it," Brian said, looking down the trapdoor and not seeing a bottom, nor a way back up, "send Athena to Alastor and Fontaine." He jumped down…

FLUMP. Brian landed on something soft and plant-like.

"Hey, it's soft down here!"

Merula and Rowan jumped down and met him in the next room.

"Wait… this isn't what I think it is, is it?" Merula gasped.

"What…?" Brian asked. The plant started to twist snake-like tendrils around their bodies!

"What is this?!" Rowan gasped.

"It's a deadly plant called Devil's Snare," Merula pointed out. "Some fourth-year Thunderbirds showed me it. Just remain calm, or we're dead!"

"WHAT?!"

"Just trust me!" As Merula took deep breaths, the plant began to loosen its grip on her until she fell below.

"Merula!" Rowan shouted. "Gotta get outta this…"

Brian decided to follow Merula's example and took deep breaths, allowing him to escape as well.

"'Devil's Snare… it's deadly fun, but will sulk in the sun!' That's it! Devil's Snare hates sunlight! But there's no window!"

"Are you a wizard or not?!" Merula shouted.

"Duh!" Rowan managed to grab his wand and shout "LUMOS SOLEM!" Rowan's wand shone a bright light that caused the Devil's Snare to coil back, freeing Rowan and allowing him to meet up with his friends!

"You ok?" Brian asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Rowan replied, panting.

The trio made their way to the nearby door and opened it into the next room. Brian could hear the trickling of water and was reminded of Lunar Bank.

The trio entered the next room, but not before they heard a soft rustling and clinking. They looked and saw what appeared to be small, jewel-bright birds fluttering around the chamber. At the end of the room was a giant wooden door. Speaking of which, the door they came through closed itself, trapping them in there. Brian covered his face and ran for the door, and he managed to get there unscathed. He tried opening the door, but it was locked. Not even the Alohomora charm could open it.

"Now what?" He noticed a broomstick or two next to the door and saw the glittering birds… glittering?

"They're not birds!" Brian said suddenly. "They're keys! Winged keys! I see what's going on; we have to grab a key and use it to unlock the door."

"Easier said than done," Rowan pointed out. "There's gotta be around hundreds of keys here." He got a look at the keyhole. "Okay, so we're looking for a big, old-fashioned key. Probably silver, like the handle."

Brian seized a broomstick and kicked off into the air. Brian had a knack for seeing things that others didn't see; after a minute of flying in the air, he saw a large, silver key that had a bent wing, as if it were caught and roughly used. Brian prepared to dive and catch it.

"Almost… got it!" Brian shouted as he landed near the door and gently used the key to open the door.

"Alright! What's next?" Rowan asked as the group ventured into the next room. The key flew out of the keyhole and joined its brothers.

The next room was so dark, they couldn't see a thing. But once they stepped inside, light flooded the room to an astonishing sight. They were standing in front of a massive chessboard, behind the black chess army, which were all taller than they were and carved from what appeared to be black stone. Facing them, way across the chamber, was the white pieces. The trio shivered slightly; the towering white chess army had no faces.

"Now what?" Brian whispered.

"I see," Merula said. "We have to play our way across and win."

Behind the white army stood the door to the next room.

"How?"

"We're gonna have to be the chess pieces."

She walked up to the black queen and touched her hand. Suddenly, the black queen sprang to life. Her blank face gazed upon Merula's.

"D-do we have to join you to get across?" Merula asked.

The Queen nodded her head.

"Hmm… Brian, you take the bishop, Rowan, you take the rook, and I'll be the queen, the most powerful piece on the board." The Queen gave Merula her black sword and black crown before leaving the board, which she put on… it was a bit too big for her, but at least it wasn't too terribly big.

One of the rooks and one of the bishops heard Merula and stepped off of the board as well, allowing Brian and Rowan to take their places.

"White moves first," Acting queen Merula said. "And then, we play."

A white pawn moved forward two spaces.

Merula started directing the black pieces. They silently moved wherever their queen asked them. Brian's knees were trembling.

"Brian, move diagonally four spaces to the right."

The first real shock came from when the other knight was captured. The white queen smashed him to the floor and dragged him off the board, where he lay still, facedown.

"Had to let that happen," said a shaken Merula. "Rowan, you're free to capture the bishop."

Every time one of their men was captured, the white pieces showed no mercy. Soon there was a group of limp black pieces slumped against the wall. Twice, Merula only just noticed in time that Brian and Rowan were in danger. She used her position to her advantage, taking almost as many white pieces as they had lost black ones.

"We're almost there," she muttered suddenly. "Let me think…"

The white queen turned her blank face toward her.

"Yes…" she said softly. "I have to be captured. It's the only way."

"NO!" Brian and Rowan shouted.

"There's no other way! If I get captured, Brian, then that'll leave you free to checkmate the king!"

There really was no alternative.

"Ready?" She asked, her face pale but determined. "Don't hang around once you've won." She stepped forward. "Check."

The white queen pounced! She struck Merula hard across the head with her stone arm, and Merula fell to the floor.

"MERULA!" Brian screamed before he noticed Rowan. "Wait, don't move! Don't forget, we're still playing!" The two watched the queen drag Merula to the side. She was completely knocked out.

Nervous, Brian moved three spaces to the left, putting the king in checkmate.

"Checkmate," said Brian. The white king took off his crown and threw it at Brian's feet. They had won! The white chess army had parted and bowed, leaving the door clear, while the black army raised their weapons in victory. With one last desperate look at Merula, Brian and Rowan dashed for the door.

"What if she's—?"

"She'll be alright," Brian said, trying to convince himself. "What's next?"

"We've had Harker's Devil's Snare; I'm guessing Triton charmed the keys; the chessboard is likely Rodriguez's doing; that leaves Van Helsing and Drake." The two reached the next door and opened it.

The two were greeted by a smell so dreadful that it made them pull their robes up over their noses. The two saw, flat on the floor in front of them, a troll even larger than the one they had tackled before, out cold.

"Good thing we don't have to fight that one," muttered Brian as he and Rowan made their way to the next door and entered the next chamber.

There wasn't anything frightening about this room; all it had was a table with seven differently shaped bottles standing on it in a line.

"Professor Drake's," said Brian. "What's his challenge?"

As soon as the two crossed the threshold, fire sprang up behind them in the doorway. It wasn't ordinary fire either; it was purple. At the same instant, black flames shot up in the doorway leading forward. They were trapped.

"Look!" Rowan seized a roll of paper lying next to the bottles. Brian looked over his shoulder to read it:

Danger lies before you while safety lies behind.

Two of us will help you, whichever you would find.

One among us seven will let you move ahead.

Another will transport the drinker back instead.

Two among our number hold only nettle wine,

Three of us are killers, waiting hidden in line.

Choose, unless you wish to stay here forevermore.

To help in your choice, we give you these clues four:

Firstly, however slyly the poison tries to hide

You will always find some on nettle wine's left side;

Second, different are those who stand at either end,

But if you would move onward, neither is your friend;

Third, as you see clearly, all are different size,

Neither dwarf nor giant hold death on their insides.

Fourth, the second left and the second on the right

Are twins once you taste them, though different at first sight.

Rowan smiled.

"This isn't magic," he said. "It's a logic puzzle! We just need to find out which bottle contains what. Two of them are wine, three are poison, one will get us to the next room, and one will get us back."

"Lemme see," Brian asked for the paper and read it. "Hmm…"

Brian and Rowan read the paper several times and looked at the bottles.

"I think I've got it," Rowan said. "The smallest bottle contains the potion that'll get us to the next room."

Brian looked at the tiny blue bottle with an angel on it.

"One problem," Brian said. "There's only enough for one. And it's just barely enough for one. Which one will get us back?"

Rowan pointed at the round purple bottle with a demon on it at the right end of the line.

"You take that one," said Brian. "Go back, get Merula, and use the broom to get out. Then, use Athena to contact Professors Drake and Fontaine."

Rowan hugged Brian.

"Rowan?"

"Brian — you're a great wizard, you know."

"Not as good as you," said Brian, very embarrassed, as Rowan let go.

"Me?" Said Rowan. "Books and cleverness. There are more important things, like friendship, bravery, cunning, and resourcefulness. Be careful, Brian."

"You first. Are you sure you know which one is which?"

"Positive!" He took the round purple bottle and drank from it before shuddering.

"It's not poison?"

"No, but it's like ice."

"You'd better go before it wears off."

"Good luck!"

"You too."

Rowan turned and ran past the purple fire.

Brian took a deep breath and picked up the tiny blue bottle.

"Here I go," he said, and he drained the bottle in one gulp.

Rowan was right; it felt like ice was flooding in his body. He put the bottle down and walked through the flames; he saw the black flames licking his body, but he couldn't feel them. For a moment, he only saw the dark flames, but after a while, he was in the final chamber.

There was somebody already there — but it wasn't Rodriguez.