Episode Sixty-Eight
"Desert Creature"
Naomi and Ally stand on the sidewalk outside the Leaky Cauldron.
"Okay, what was the plan?" Naomi asks, looking around for any people.
"Dumbledore," Ally says firmly.
Naomi nods, then looks up at the door. "Is he here?"
Ally shakes her head. "He shouldn't be. School is in session."
"Right," Naomi replies in thought. "How do we get there?"
Ally thinks for a moment, then snaps her paw. "Floo."
Naomi is confused. "Illness?"
Ally thwaps her. "No, Floo. Powder."
Naomi nods in comprehension. "Will that work?"
"It should," Ally shrugs. "People put their heads through all the time."
Naomi recalls this fact as well. "Well, first things first." She looks up at the door again. "How do we reach the doorknob?"
Meanwhile, in the Desert
"I don't like this." Ashlee looks to the side as she walks up the dune behind the boys. "I really don't like this."
Reese rolls his eyes. "You're a very negative person."
"What don't you like?" Taylor asks. He knew she'd say it whether he asked or not.
"We're in the middle of the Desert," Ashlee says, flinging her arms out.
"Egypt is hardly the middle of the Sahara Desert," Reese points out. He brushes his blonde hair out of his face.
"Must you contradict?" Ashlee snaps.
Reese sticks his tongue out at her but his eyes are teasing. "Usually yes."
Ashlee gestures with her hand. "I am attempting to make a point here."
"Which would be what?" Taylor calls back.
"Where is the wind?" Ashlee asks pointedly. "Isn't the desert supposed to have a constant motion of air?"
Reese looks around. "It is a bit too calm."
Taylor looks up at the sky. "Eye of the Storm."
Ashlee shudders. "Please don't say that. I don't like what that implies."
"I don't have to imply, we already know it's coming," Taylor reminds her.
"Well it can't be too soon,"Reese adds and continues on up the dune.
Taylor glances back over his shoulder. "What makes you say that?"
Reese grins up at him. "You're still sane."
"That is so relative and debatable." Ashlee puts her hand up to steady Reese.
"Love you, too, baby," Taylor retorts. He reaches the top of the dune and stops. "It's here."
Ashlee and Reese exchange looks. "Where?" They hurry up to stand by him. "Oh."
Alia Atreides stands on the dune across the dip and smiles. Which would mean enough on its own, if she wasn't also dead.
To Be Continued...
