Chapter 137: Ancient Magic
"Look at those the three boys over there. It is almost like seeing the Marauders when they were kids." Lily commented jokingly. The three boys, about ten years old were climbing up the tree with such agility and competing on who climbed the highest.
"Yeah." Stefanie chuckled at the thought of James and Sirius when they were kids. "Time passes so fast. Childhood felt like such a long time ago." Both of them were walking in the town, hoping to gather some inspiration and taking a break from all the stress on world peace. James and Remus decided to visit Godric again while Sirius and Harry felt the necessity in having some harmless fun in Hogsmeade. They were all taking turns to stay with Arabella just in case anything happening since she had no magical powers, and right now it was Ginny's turn.
"Wow, these bows look absolutely gorgeous." Lily bent down to take a closer look at the array of bows and arrows on display. "The engravings are so intricate." She mumbled to no one in particular.
"Miss, you have very good taste." The seller told Lily. "These are all individually made, filled with the greatest magical powers you can ever imagine. Muggles uses these things for war while the rich community uses these for hunting."
"Sounds fascinating." Stefanie and Lily nodded agreeing, while continued looking through the arrows.
"These arrows are made from the world's finest metals; one arrow can kill an elephant." The seller was commenting on his products. "It consists of all magical metals, and the wood has carvings that make each and every individual unique."
"I see." Lily nodded approvingly. She looked around to see if anyone was stopping by to check out these exquisite bows and arrows, but apparently it seemed like they were the only customers.
"People rarely stop by to even view my bows and arrows because they are too expensive for most of them. Most of my bows are bought by the royal family as they insist that every single bow must be exquisite and I am the only bow maker in this village." The seller was telling them, seeing both ladies are wiling to listen.
"Then you could sell them to the imperial army, since they may have more use for the bows than commoners." Lily asked out of curiosity.
"Slytherin has been creating more powerful weapons and potions, people go to him with ordinary hunting arrows, so that they can increase the magical ability of it. Since then, I haven't been able to do much."
"Oh, sorry to hear that." Stefanie apologized. "But these bows and arrows are really pretty. Right down to the arrow head."
"This arrow head consists of the hardest structure on earth, diamond." The shopkeeper was promoting his products. "It is unbreakable and able to penetrate all animals, both magical and non-magical."
"How much is this?" Lily asked, holding up the arrowhead the shopkeeper was promoting.
"Twelve knuts." The shopkeeper said, looking on the ground as though being apologetic about the price.
"I'll take it." Lily smiled. The shopkeeper looked up and beamed gratefully at both of them.
"I'll pack it for you right away." He took the arrow head gently and packaged it immediately.
"By the way, what kind of weapons and potions are Slytherin creating?" Stefanie asked nonchalantly, as if making small talk.
"I'm not too sure. I didn't want to go against him as he is too powerful. But I heard it has something to do with dark arts." The shopkeeper said in a low voice. "Don't go looking for trouble. He is not someone you can deal with."
"Thanks. We won't." Lily smiled innocently and the two girls left the shop.
X
"So we are proceeding on with this plan?" Remus asked again. After another week of procrastinating brain-storming session, they decided that it was better to take action than doing more planning.
"The risks are enormous, and the outcome is.. shady." Stefanie pointed out.
"I think we should proceed on." Lily voted in agreement. "James has a point. It is useless if we keep brainstorming about what to do. We should just go on and face it. The solution might just come to us at that point."
"We should check out if the Unforgivable Curses are in existence at this point of time first." Harry added. "It wouldn't be useful if they do."
"That's a good point." Sirius added enthusiastically. "We could always ask-"
"Remember, your great-great-great grandma?" James commented teasingly.
"I wasn't going to say Rowena." Sirius defended. "I was going to suggest Godric. What are you guys thinking of?"
"Right." Remus muttered. "So let's carry on with the preparations so we can carry out the plan in three days time."
"Nothing beats a good supply of transfigured timed-dungbombs." Sirius started transfiguring the pile of twigs in front of him to dungbombs.
"I will-" A knock on the door interrupted Harry. "That's probably Liz." Ginny, being the nearest to the door, opened it.
"How is it going?" Elizabeth asked the moment she entered the room while changing the appearance back to her real self.
"We intend to get prepared and just proceed on with the plan." James told her. "There's a question we wanted to know."
"What is it? I will tell you everything I know."
"Have you heard of the Killing Curse, the Cruciatus and Imperius Curses?" Stefanie asked.
"What does the Curciatus and Imperius Curses do?" Elizabeth frowned. "I've never heard of them. What are the incantations?" After a moment of silence, James placed the wand away from him, for fear of mis-firing, and said the incantations of the Unforgivable Curses in a low voice.
"These three curses are considered Unforgivable Curses, and the usage of any one of them will be imprisoned in Azkaban, not too sure if you heard of the wizarding prison." Remus told her.
"Honestly, I've no idea about these curses. And I haven't heard of Askaban prison." Elizabeth said. "Leave it to me. I'll check it out and get back to you tomorrow. Is there anything else?"
"Not for the moment. Thank you so much for your help." Arabella said. "Do be careful."
"Don't worry about me. We will all do our best." With the exchange of thank-you and goodbyes, Elizabeth metamorphosized and left the room.
"Fire-proofing charm." Lily flipped the advanced Charms book that she bought along with her from the modern times. Apparently, it did come in handy now.
"How about Curse-reflecting charm?" Stefanie suggested to Lily, turning the page to the 'C' section.
"What do you think of smoke bombs for distractions?" Sirius asked no one in particular and conjured up one of their pranking equipments. "Maybe water-guns could come in handy too."
"We need to have back-up wands." James told Remus as they conjured up duplicates of their own wands.
"Not-forgetting an Unbreakable charm on our wands." Remus reminded.
X
"There are no Unforgivable Curses known now. I've checked the books and asked the royal advisors, there are no curses for killing, torture and control over people's action till now. Perhaps they've yet to come into existence." Elizabeth told them. "And, the prisoners are locked in the dungeons not too far from Hogsmeade, and not in Askaban Island or something."
"Could Slytherin be the creator of these curses?" Harry asked. "We never really know the origins of these Unforgivables."
"Harry has a point there; there are a lot of risks involved especially we don't know much a lot about our enemy." James added.
"I'll go with you tomorrow." Elizabeth told them.
"No, you can't." Arabella protested. "You can't risk your life."
"That's right." Lily agreed. "Your father and your country need you."
"Alright." Elizabeth sighed. "You all must succeed. Otherwise there will be chaos all over the country, not just here. Disaster will strike again and innocent lives will be lost."
"Again?" Remus asked. "It had happened before?"
"I don't know the full story because it is something no one wants to talk about it or be reminded of." Elizabeth started. "Ten years ago, Slytherin threatened Father and wanted him to transfer the title and land to him, but Father refused. Following that, he created a flood to destroy the land and villages around this area. All other non-magical communities perished in the flood, and Hogsmeade is the only surviving village left. To others, the flood was a natural disaster, but Father and I know that is not the case. My mother had sacrificed in order to save us."
"Sorry to hear that." Arabella said apologetically.
"It's alright." Elizabeth took a deep breath. "Just tell me if you need anything else. I'll try my best to assist all of you in this mission."
X
When one is born, one is only considered half. Sometimes, they will have a feeling of incompleteness. Till the day when one meets another person, suddenly everything seems completed. It is a feeling like meeting someone close whom you have lost contact with for many years. When both of you are together, ultimate happiness prevails. This person is your other half. With this person, then one is considered completed.
Elizabeth flipped a few more pages and skimmed through the contents of Ancient Magical Myths and Legends.
By using two ordinary items with extraordinary significance, combine with a couple's undying love for each other, and a willingness to sacrifice, a strong force from Mother Nature will rise to alter the dimension.
"Could this be the solution?" Elizabeth's voice echoed in the empty royal library.
X
"Is everyone ready?" James asked as he zipped up his jacket and inserted three spare wands on the newly created wand-pockets at the right side of his pants. They had been preparing for the battle in silence for almost an hour after dinner, and right now they were in the girls' room waiting for Elizabeth's arrival.
"More or less." Sirius answered in a rarely heard serious tone. He buckled the waist pouch on and sat down by the table. Just then, a knock interrupted.
"Hey." Arabella opened the door.
"I found some information from the books, but I'm not sure if it works." Elizabeth said in one breath.
"What information?" Sirius asked anxiously.
"Firstly, I can transfer my magical powers to Bell for twenty-four hours. So she can battle alongside with all of you."
"How?" Arabella asked.
"By mixing our blood together." Elizabeth said simply. "It can work only because we're the same person, having the same soul. But in exchange for this day of magical powers, both our lifespan will be shortened by ten years. Are you alright with this?" Everyone turned to Arabella.
"Yes, I'll do it." Arabella nodded without hesitation. "What's ten years compared to our entire future?"
"I'm not a hundred percent sure about this. But this information was found in a book I came across. How many people have the opportunity to meet their incarnate to do something like this? There're a lot of uncertainties and risks involved as not much details was given."
"At least it's a chance, if we don't do this; it is zero hope for us."
"Alright, let's do it." Elizabeth opened her filled bag and took out a short dagger. After casting a Painless Charm on both hers and Arabella's hand, she gave a cut across her left palm. With that, Arabella followed suit and gave a cut on her left palm parallel to Elizabeth's.
"Now." Arabella clasped her hand against Elizabeth.
"Aahhh." The two girls looked like they were in pain as they gripped each other's hand tightly and started breathing heavily while keeping their eyes closed. After five minutes, or what felt like eternity, they repelled each other and fell backwards. Everyone rushed forward immediately.
"How are you feeling?" Arabella shook her head to get the giddiness sensation off.
"I'm fine. How about you?" Arabella asked Elizabeth who was being supported by Stefanie and Ginny.
"Not too bad." Elizabeth smiled. "Give this a try." She threw her wand over to Arabella.
"Accio pillow." Arabella's pillow flew over immediately to her hand. "It works."
"That's great." Elizabeth grinned. "You should be able to metamorphosize too." With that, Arabella closed her eyes and changed her appearance.
"That's pretty good for a start." Lily laughed; looking at Arabella who looked like her but was still wearing her own clothes.
"How are you going to take care of yourself now?" Stefanie asked Elizabeth. "You can't go around looking like this."
"I've got all my stuffs here." Elizabeth shook her bag. "Oh, one more thing."
"What is it?"
"Take a look at this." Elizabeth took out a think square book from her bag.
By using two ordinary items with extraordinary significance, combine with a couple's undying love for each other, and a willingness to sacrifice, a strong force from Mother Nature will rise to alter the dimension. At this point of time, when both parties make a sincere wish, be it any kind of wish, it will definitely come true. Only with love, the world can be saved.
Most couples usually share the same wish, which is to be with each other for eternity. They will spend a hundred years together, creating love and harmony among many descendents, and passed on together after that.
"This.." Lily looked up and caught James' eyes.
"I think this could be what Zeus referred to as 'a sacrifice of love defeats an evil mind'." Remus said what was in everyone's mind.
"What ordinary items could it be?" James asked.
"I believe we'll know when the time comes." Stefanie said, giving Remus a nod of understanding.
"No, you two are not allowed to be sacrificed." James protested. "This could just be a myth or something. All of us have to make it back safe and sound." This time his assurance was not as confident as before.
"I don't know if I'm doing the right thing by showing you all this." Elizabeth said in a low voice. "I couldn't find any other information. If anything ever happened to anyone of you, I'll be guilty for the rest of my life."
"Don't be." Arabella gave her shoulders a squeeze. "We're all doing our best. You've done yours, leave the rest to us."
"Of course." Elizabeth mustered up a smile despite getting all teary eyed. The five girls huddled together and gave a group hug.
"I want a hug too." Sirius opened his arms and wrapped around the five girls. Despite at such ominous moment, everyone could not help but laughed at Sirius' juvenile gesture.