Chapter 6
The stone of Merlin
Justarius and Waros stormed out of the house and quickly Dissaparated leaving Jon paralyzed on the living room floor. Luckily Jude came quickly and released the spell allowing Jon to sit up.
"That ass! I just wanted to help!" Jon yelled. Jude helped Jon stand up and they both sat down on the couch waiting for everyone to return.
"What did you mean when you said you heard them talking?" Jude asked. Jon considered what to say and what not to say for a moment before continuing.
"I overheard Justarius and Horbey talking earlier, I don't think that I was supposed to, but they were discussing a stone, and someone who was supposed to retrieve it. I think that person is me." Jon finished. Jude did not answer he just stared down at his hands.
"Do you have any idea what the stone could be?" Jon asked. Jude thought for a moment before he answered.
"Well, no not really. I mean there are plenty of magical stones. But none that could help our situation that I know of." Jude said. Jon muttered a curse under his breath and stared down at the floor. He knew why he could not leave the house. Apparently he was needed. They couldn't risk him getting hurt, or doing anything to ruin his "purity". "A load of bull" Jon thought as he sat on the couch. After several minutes Portnoy bounced happily in the room.
"Can I get ya anything masters?" the funny little elf asked before he bounced to an unknown beat into the kitchen.
More minutes passed without any body returning. Jon didn't even know where they had gone; he was as always stuck in the house unable to help at all.
"I can't stand this! They could all be dead by now, and we have no way to help!" yelled Jon. Jude did not seem to hold the same emotions. Perhaps he feared any kind of danger after his mother's death, or perhaps he did not care about anything anymore. Jon could not be sure, but he knew that if no one came back after 10 more minutes he would storm out of the house and start fighting anything that came in his way.
At that moment the door burst open and a man rushed in the house. Jon and Jude stood up quickly and the man ushered them out of the way. Three more figures were coming through the doorway. Two men holding up a man that was clearly injured.
"Horbey! Is he gonna be ok?" Jon asked quickly. Teges pushed back Jon giving Horbey more room to breath. Waros and Justarius lowered him slowly onto the couch. Horbey moaned in pain before he finally was able to take a deep breath.
"What happened to him?' Jon yelled. Teges turned and led Jon out of the room by the arm. Waros and Justarius stayed by Horbey with Jude. Once they were safely in the kitchen, Teges muttered something and the door made a slight noise.
"What I am about to tell you is what happened, but you can't tell the entire story to anyone who is not in the inner circle understand?" Teges demanded impatiently. Jon nodded and Teges continued. "Horbey had snuck into the ministry to use the library researching a certain topic; I can't tell you the topic at the moment Horbey will tell you eventually. But he was researching when he was discovered by Drakan and several death eaters. He managed to take some of the death eaters but eventually was overpowered, he would have died if I hadn't arrived with Waros when we did, we could hear the screams as we walked by on the way to leaving. We managed to fight them off, but Horbey was horribly wounded. Justarius came to help us heal him enough so that he could be moved. But we were attacked again by more death eaters. We barely managed to escape this time; there were nearly 15 of them! Those bastards won't fight unless they vastly outnumber us the cowards!" Teges finished quickly. Jon was awestruck.
"He's gonna be ok right?" Jon asked.
"He will be fine; he will need about a week to rest before he will be able to go about doing anything though." Teges said. "Any other questions?"
"No, thanks." Jon said as he turned to leave the kitchen. The door wouldn't open, Teges waved his wand and the door swung open quickly. Jon left and walked to the couch. Waros had not left Horbey's side. Justarius was sitting on a chair opposite the couch, and Jude was no where to be seen.
"How are you there Horbey?" Jon asked forcing a smile. Horbey fixed his glasses and scratched his face.
"Well I have seen better days, but I will manage of course." Horbey said smiling. The smile quickly faded into a wince and Horbey clutched his side.
"So what's this subject you keep researching that I can't find out about?" Jon asked. Horbey straightened his face and looked at Justarius.
"I think he should know, I can't find out its precise position until I am able to sneak back into the library and research some more." Horbey said.
"Very well, perhaps if he knows, then he won't be so inclined to leave." Justarius said folding his arms over his chest.
"Alright then, Jon you might want to sit down, this will be a long story." Jon agreed and took a seat on the coffee table near Horbey. "How much do you know of the great wizard Merlin?" Horbey asked.
"Nothing short of the fact that he was one of the greatest wizards who ever lived and honored by both muggles and wizards alike." Jon answered. Horbey nodded.
"Yes that is what everyone knows. But very few people venture to wonder why he was so honored; he discovered many things, least known of which is the moon stone. You see Jon over the years stories turn into rumors and rumors into legends and legends into fables. The story of the moonstone goes way back to Merlin's younger days, when he was in his early 20's he was walking along a deserted road in the country side when a meteor struck right in front of him. Merlin ventured down into the crater and found a stone; the stone was a bright white and seemed to illuminate everything. The stone was pure magic. How wizards get there magic has been under study by wizards for nearly as long as there has been wizards. No one seems to understand how there came to be magic. We know that at sometime far off in the past there was no wizards, but then it's as if they suddenly poof into existence. Some believe that magic was an alien power from a distant planet discovered by humans and used to create the first wizards. The stone that Merlin discovered was what seemed to be a stone of pure magical power from an alien planet, how it came to earth no one knows. But Merlin had the stone in his possession, he learned quickly that the stone could waver between light and dark magic, at times when he grew angry the stone would turn black and instead of giving light it seemed to take it. Merlin knew that this power should it come into the wrong hands could give a dark wizard the power to rule the entire world, so he told few people of its existence and hid it, using his best magical spells to guard the moonstone he tried to make sure that no one could use it. Few people know of this story and fewer people believe it actually exists. But I have discovered that it does in fact exist and know in what region it lies. But where exactly I can't be sure, that is why I must do more research." Horbey finished and Jon was trying to take it all in.
"So why do I have to get this stone and why do I have to use it?" Jon asked Horbey took a breath before answering.
"You see Jon you are the only wizard powerful enough and pure enough to find it. We all have the power, but we have committed crimes, we have killed, we have used darkness to fight darkness, you are pure, you have not killed so you are the best candidate. You will find the stone and you will have to use it to defeat Drakan." Horbey said.
"Alright, but I kill Drakan won't I become as impure as everyone else?" Jon asked quickly.
"Well, the stone is raw untapped magic, it has the power to give the gift of magic to anyone, and if it can give it I suspect that it can take it as well. But the only trouble is how we go about doing that, but one step at a time; first we must get the stone then figure out how it works." Horbey said.
"What do we do with the stone afterwards?" Jon asked.
"Well we will either find someway to destroy it, or we will hide it so that no one can use it for evil." Horbey answered. Jon understood the plan.
"How long do you think till you will be able to find the stone?" Jon asked.
"Well I can't be quite sure, I imagine it won't be long, at least when I get out of this house and am able to search. Do you understand why you are now one of the most important men in the country right now? Do you understand why you cannot leave this house?" Horbey asked.
"Yes I understand, I still wish that I could get out on occasion." Jon said lowering his head to think things over quickly. He had to get this "Moonstone" and figure out how to use it, and then use it to bring down Drakan. He had his work cut out for him that was for sure.
"Well you can't leave, if you get hurt or somehow become impure than we will have to scrap the entire plan." Teges said quickly.
"Please relax Teges. Sorry Jon but my brother has always been a bit high strung when he is stressed out." Horbey said smiling.
"It's alright, I understand, you just please hurry up and find the damn stone, I am sick of this house." Jon said as he got up to go to bed.
The next day seemed brighter, for the first time there was hope. And hope was enough to turn a bad day good. The sun was up when Jon woke up, it shone brightly on his face. Though Jon could not go outside he no longer felt upset. He was proud to be given the chance to save everyone. He had always wanted some excitement in his life, and though life was uneventful at the moment it would not be for long. After a yawn and a long stretch was ready to go get something to eat for breakfast.
As he descended the stairs he could hear raised voices coming from the living room. Stopping at the door Jon pressed his ear to the wall.
"Horbey how else could they have known that you were in the library?" Jon could hear Teges voice, it seemed lower and less relaxed than Horbey's always had.
"Brother I do not believe for a second that someone inside my inner circle has betrayed me." Horbey said calmly.
"How do you know? And how do you know that the betrayer had to be in the inner circle? Jude hasn't been seen out of his room for a week, and as far as eye I know he isn't an incapable wizard, he could have overheard us talking easily!" Teges said. Teges footsteps could be heard stomping back and forth across the living room angrily.
"I am appalled Teges!" Horbey said, the calm was gone from Horbey's voice and was replaced with anger. "How could you suspect Jude? He has been faithful, and has lost his mother. I am positive he hasn't betrayed us!" at this another voice entered the argument.
"Horbey, as awful as it sounds to believe that someone in the order has betrayed us you must look at the facts. Too many things have been going wrong, there is no other way." Waros said.
"What about the boy? How do you know that he hasn't betrayed us?" Justarius asked. Jon was appalled, how had he presented any reason to think he would betray Horbey and the rise.
"No, Jon is another that I am positive hasn't betrayed us." Horbey said without hesitation. Jon smiled glad that Horbey had such faith in him.
"Well what about Obeth? Has anyone talked to her at all lately?" Teges said. Once again Horbey spoke up quickly.
"I have known Obeth for most of my life. She would never betray me!" all the other voices sighed. "Please, I would never believe that any of the rise would betray me. Will you all please dismiss the thought of a betrayer." Horbey pleaded.
"I would Horbey, but there is too many things going wrong, it's the only explanation." Waros said quickly.
"I am not gonna argue you with any of you anymore." Horbey said firmly. There was a moment of silence before anyone said anything else.
"We have to go Teges, we need to find Obeth and see if she has any information." Waros said standing up.
"Be careful, they know who you are, helping me has given you two away, so please be very careful." Horbey said.
"You don't have to worry at all." Said Teges. After a minute Jon heard the door open and close. They had left. And Jon figured now was a good time to enter. He pushed the door open and proceeded into the living room.
"How ya feeling Horbey?" Jon asked happily. Jon had decided to try and stay as positive as possible.
"Well I am feeling much better thanks." Horbey answered. "You don't feel pressured do you? Or blackmailed?" Horbey asked as Jon took a seat in the chair Justarius had been sitting in. Justarius had left the room for the kitchen.
"Neither, but why would I feel blackmailed?" Jon asked.
"Well we kind of told you that because of the stone you cannot take revenge on your father, something that I am sure you really wanted to do." Horbey said.
"Oh, I am still gonna kill my father, I will just wait till I no longer have the stone." Jon answered quickly. Horbey's face turned to stone.
"Jon why won't you understand, revenge isn't right." Horbey said.
"Horbey, he killed my mother, I am willing to forget my father till we have dealt with Drakan but once Drakan is gone I will pursue my father and kill him. I don't care what anybody says." Jon said sternly. Horbey lowered his head in disappointment.
"I just think that you should forget your father, once Drakan is overthrown he will most likely rot in Azkaban." Horbey said.
"That's not good enough, he needs to die, and by my hands." Jon said, his voice had gone cold as ice. His tone even scared himself a little. Horbey had given up on trying to convince Jon out of revenge and lied his head down.
"If you will please excuse me I must sleep, I am very tired." Horbey said coldly. Jon was sure that Horbey wasn't tired, only upset. He didn't care though, Horbey didn't know what it was like to have a father betray you as his had, did not know what it felt like to have the man you should be able to put complete and total trust in kill you mother, and almost kill you as well. Jon didn't care what he became so long as he killed his father in the process. Even if it meant dabbling a little in the dark arts to accomplish his goal.
Jon entered the kitchen and sat down at the table. Portnoy turned from doing the dishes and happily asked if he would like anything to eat.
"Just some waffles, thanks Portnoy." Jon said before he drifted away into his own thoughts. So there was most likely a traitor in there midst. Why hadn't anyone considered Justarius? He could have been put under the imperious curse before coming to headquarters. Jude seemed definitely out of the question. He could not, his mother was loyal to Horbey, and to betray Horbey would be like betraying his mother. Jude wasn't the traitor, Jon was sure of that. But who else? Surely I couldn't be Horbey's brother. Teges wouldn't sell out his own flesh and blood, but his father had done so, who's to think it couldn't happen twice. But then why would Teges push the traitor issue? He would want to stay clear of that if he could help it. Perhaps he was blaming other people so no one would suspect him? Obeth could. Jon knew nothing of her, only met her once the day he arrived. But according to Horbey she has been one his best friends for most of his life. Life long friends don't often betray you.
Thinking of life long friends brought Jon to the topic of his friends. He had not thought about his best friend for a month. Chris would be out of school now and probably wondering what happened to him. Perhaps he was already and auror at the ministry. If so that would practically make him the enemy. That wasn't a happy thought. What if he would have to fight his own best friend? He would have to bring the topic of Chris up to Horbey.
Thoughts were rushing in and out of Jon's head. He was so engrossed in his thoughts he didn't notice that Portnoy had set a plate full of syrup covered waffles in front of him. Only when he nearly put his elbow on the plate did he notice and quickly dug into his breakfast. As he finished off his second waffle his thoughts drifted like they always did to his task in front of him.
The moonstone; Jon could practically see it staring him in the face. It was guarded by extreme protective spells, recovering it would be dangerous. Even then learning how to use it. According to Horbey the stone was extremely dangerous. How could He figure out how it worked, learn its powers and use them without hurting either himself of someone he knew. Taking Drakan's powers seemed like a cheap shot. Stealing Drakan's only defense seemed unfair. But it was Horbey's decision. Drakan seemed like an immoveable wall in front of his biggest objective. His father, he could see the wizard who had brutally murdered his mother standing there in front of him. Jon could see himself killing his father. And the satisfaction grew from there.
Having a plan made everything seem up. The rest of the week passed quickly. After a few days Horbey was well enough to get off the couch and walk around. Most of the time he spent in his study. Looking over old papers about the moonstone. He rarely left, it was as if the exact position of the stone was there and he had just missed it. That seemed not to be the case, after hours of looking over the same papers Horbey would come out of this study exhausted and not in a cheery mood.
Since there slight disagreement on the topic of revenge Jon and Horbey spoke little; only when they needed to. Jon has asked about his friend Chris later the first day that Horbey had been there.
"Sorry Jon but contacting him would be much too dangerous. I am not saying he is evil." Horbey added quickly after seeing Jon's gaze become stern. "I am just saying, it is hard enough to contact him without the ministry finding out. And even if we manage that he could be imperioused. I am sorry Jon, I know he is you friend, but we really can't" Horbey finished. Jon slowly and sadly said ok before leaving the room.
The next day Obeth stormed into the house. She looked exhausted and not in a particularly good mood.
"Damn ministry!" She yelled only seconds after coming through the door. She had seemed a delightful witch when Jon had first met her, but now she seemed rather bitter, most likely she was just under a bit of stress.
"Drakan's making it so damn hard to do anything. I can barely make it to my house without being followed. Everyone keeps getting questioned about you and Justarius, and on top of that I have been given so much extra work. They keep giving me assignments to capture muggle borns." Obeth said and then seeing Horbey's eyes light up quickly added. "I let them go when I can, but I can't always let them get away, it would be way too obvious." Horbey offered Obeth a seat and she took it. As she sat down she took off her cloak and kicked off her shoes making herself more comfortable.
"I see that you have been under a lot of stress. Can you stay for dinner? Portnoy is making us roast beef. I promise that it will be delicious." Horbey offered.
"No I really can't stay longer than a few more minutes. I managed to sneak out but I am sure those who are always tailing me will notice I am not sleeping soon. I just really wanted to check in make sure you doing good. That attack was really awful, good thing that you are ok though, really good thing. I was absolutely terrified when I found out. Really wanted to help you right away, but sadly I was unable to." Obeth said.
"Well I am quite alright, thanks for stopping by though Obeth, you company is always welcome." Horbey said cheerfully. Obeth stood up and said farewell to everyone before she walked out of the door. A few days passed and Horbey seemed like he was ready to leave the house.
"You're sure your feeling perfect? Not in any kind of pain?" Justarius asked. Horbey twisted and took a couple of hops up and down to show that he was in no kind of pain. Horbey's old age seemed to clinging to him though; the hops seemed to hurt Horbey's knees. The short grey hair on Horbey's head made him seem nearly ancient. He had not aged as well as Justarius had. They were practically the same age and yet Justarius still had a head full of brown hair, he never seemed to week to do anything. He was in perfect health.
"Justarius I am perfectly healed. Now I have no time to waste. Ever moment that passes is another moment wasted. The sooner we find the stone of Merlin the quicker we can remove Drakan from office, and put you back in it!" Horbey said patting Justarius on the shoulder.
"I don't know if I want to take office again, I think perhaps you should." Justarius said. The mood no longer seemed light and cheery. Horbey's face lost its smile.
"Justarius, you are the minister. I am not." Horbey said dismissing the thought.
"But it's my fault we lost the ministry. I am the one who didn't believe your advice." Justarius returned quickly.
"We all make mistakes and we are all forgiven for those mistakes. The ministry would have fallen no matter what. Whether you had listened to me or not." Horbey finished. "Now no more of this kind of talk I am off." Horbey said turning and exiting the house before Justarius could answer anything back.
With Horbey gone everything seemed to be sad and unhappy again. As the days passed Jon began to once again lose hope. Days went by, three boring uneventful days and nothing seemed to ever happen. Life was once again horribly boring, but things would not stay that way, only four days later Jon was sitting on the couch thinking about absolutely nothing when the door burst open, and in stormed Horbey.
"I have found the stone!" Horbey said excitedly. Jon stood up instantly fueled by excitement. Justarius rushed in.
"You found it? That's amazing." Justarius said. "Where?"