Helga's Cup

Afrim Ristani returned unharmed but he and his team hadn't found a Horcrux or any other dark object in the forest where Voldemort had been hiding in the past. They did manage to capture a British Death Eater called Walden Macnair however. He had obviously attempted to recruit wizards as well as magical beings for Voldemort's army in Albania. Frank was glad to hear about this success but he would have preferred it if the Horcrux had been destroyed. He hoped that Babic's information would lead them to the right place. The hints they had gathered so far did sound promising.

"I think it would be best if the three of us investigated," Auror Zoric suggested. "Mr Longbottom doesn't want to involve more people and the two of us are familiar with the problem as well as the nature of the object in question."

"Sounds reasonable to me," Ristani said. "You need to ask permission from your superiors though. I don't want to cause a diplomatic crisis with unauthorised actions in another country. The same goes for Longbottom himself by the way. Are you even authorized to do any Auror work at the moment? You're not in the service of the current British government, are you?"

"No, I'm not," Frank said quickly. "I'm still in the service of the rightful British government though. I do not recognize the usurpers."

"I'm going to check with the Head of Magical Law Enforcement and even the Minister if necessary," Zoric said. "I'll simply mention a dangerous dark artefact without going into specifics."

Frank wasn't glad about this delay. Every additional day gave the Death Eaters time to find out about their plans and threatened Frank as well as his allies. He was especially worried about Madam Jovanovic who wasn't an Auror and not really trained to deal with dangerous situations.

The Serbian Ministry of Magic didn't seem to work any quicker than the British one had done back in the old days but the waiting time passed without any incidents. Frank hoped that they really hadn't attracted any Death Eaters or that there might really be none in this country. When Zoric finally came back with the Ministry's okay, they lost no time to start.

"We need to protect ourselves during the mission," Zoric said. "Wizards who create Horcruxes shy away from nothing. I recommend the use of masks and we should use our first names if you don't mind, Mr Longbottom. This way, they won't be able to link us to our families if they overhear us."

Frank didn't mind, Nada Zoric's first name was easier to pronounce than her last name. He didn't really like the idea of wearing a mask like a Death Eater but he understood why they believed it was safer.

"I've brought the Basilisk tooth back," Afrim said. "If you have more of those, we should take one for everyone though. It's safer. Curse-proof gloves for everyone are necessary too."

"Not just gloves," Nada said. "I'll bring three sets of curse-prove robes and masks. These might be come in handy. We also have a variety of antidotes and anti-curse potions."

Frank was impressed by the equipment they had available here. The British Aurors had never had curse-proof robes and masks. Moody had suggested getting some but Crouch had considered it a waste of Ministry money. Situations where these became necessary had been rare in their work though, curse-prove robes didn't hold out against enemy magic in a fight very well. The situation was probably different here with all those dark magic underground organisations that tended to curse objects.

"We have to inform the colleagues in Bajina Bašta and install different means of emergency communication."

As soon as everything had been prepared, the small group made their way to Bajina Bašta via apparition. The town and the surrounding mountainous countryside were really pretty with lots of green, many varieties of fruits and herbs were grown here. If the situation hadn't been so dire, Frank might have considered staying here for recreation but this wasn't the time to think about that. There was a job to be done.

They met the four Serbian Aurors stationed here right after their arrival but none of them spoke much English. The conversation was held in Serbian which meant that Frank couldn't add much.

"We could really be onto something," Nada told him afterwards. "There definitely seems to be dark magic activity here. A stream that's being avoided by animals for no visible reason. It comes out of a cave but it seems to be completely closed off and they haven't been able to get in so far. According to the local Muggles, the problem has been around for about six years but the Aurors only learned about it recently."

She informed him about a spell that would allow them to contact the other Aurors in case of trouble. They were also given small metal beetles that'd scuttle off to find other Aurors when released. There was no need of a wand for this alarm. Nada showed Frank how they worked and afterwards, the three apparated to the place the Serbian Aurors had indicated. They cast Notice-me-not charms before putting on the curse-proof robes and gloves. All three of them could sense that there was dark magic in the water. Aurors were taught this kind of skill everywhere or so it seemed.

The three Aurors quickly reached the entrance to the cave and it was indeed sealed. Only a small slit for the water was left but not human could hope to pass through there. Afrim put the glove on his right hand off and touched the rock directly. Skin contact made it easier to sense magic even though it could prove dangerous of course. Frank and Nada watched anxiously. It was better if only one person got exposed to the danger, this would allow the others to help.

"The entrance has been sealed by dark magic," Afrim stated. "That much is obvious. The cave used to be open."

"Do you think the spell can be broken?" Nada asked.

"It requires a sacrifice to let someone pass," Afrim explained. "Blood. Not the most refined method but rather popular among dark wizards nonetheless."

"Do you think the curse can be broken?" Nada wanted to know.

"It might be breakable but I think this would weaken us more than leaving a few drops of blood. I'll do it."

"You don't have to," Frank said. "I can do this."

"That wouldn't be reasonable," Afrim said curtly. "Your family is well-known in your country; You-Know-Who might be able to recognise your blood. He doesn't know us. This option is safer. I won't discuss every step with you. This is about efficiency and not about heroics. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I do," Frank said, wondering which house Afrim would have been in if he had attended Hogwarts.

Afrim drew his wand over his finger and blood started to drip onto the rock. He had been right. The stone moved aside and allowed them to enter the cave now. The pathway wasn't very high but they could walk through if they bowed their heads.

Afrim healed his wound. "Let's go and see."

The three Aurors walked into the cave, Afrim continued looking for traces of magic with his hand while Nada did the same with her wand. Frank lit his new wand with the Lumos-spell and looked for people or creatures that might attack them. The others seemed to be better in sensing dark magic. Frank only noticed if something was there but Afrim was obviously able to recognise the curse and its strength. They hadn't taught them that in British Auror training, it had been focused on combat and resistance in case of capture. The officials had obviously believed that finding dark object wasn't the most pressing matter during a war. Getting the new Aurors ready to fight as quickly as possible had been the top priority.

The tunnel was devoid of either attackers or magic. That was true for the water as well. Inside the cave, it seemed to be pure.

Frank wasn't sure if he was supposed to be glad about that or not. He didn't like the idea that the cave had only been used to test the blood magic by some dark wizard and nothing beyond. He needed to find the Horcrux and this was the only clue he had. The pathway began to spiral upwards into the mountain slowly

"Wait," Afrim suddenly called.

The others obeyed immediately.

"There's a powerful curse on the passageway in front of us. I can feel its influence from here. I don't think we should walk into this unprepared."

"Surely not," Nada said and all three of them started to cast diagnostic spells to reveal the nature of the curse. It wasn't any spell Frank had come across before and neither had the other two or so it seemed.

Nada dared to make a guess however: "I think it's supposed to mess with our sense of balance. There will probably be more difficult passages and the spell will make intruders fall down. If anyone ever comes to investigate, it will look like a simple accident."

A quick spell from Afrim showed that this was indeed the case. The passageway became very steep and would require them to climb.

"Do you think your curse-prove cloaks will shield us from that?" Frank asked.

"It's hard to tell," Nada said. "If the spell directly interferes with our magic they won't, otherwise our chances aren't too bad."

Frank suppressed a shudder at the idea of magic that directly interfered with his own. The memory of how Lestrange had destroyed his resistance against the Cruciatus curse was still vivid in his mind. He didn't want to imagine experiencing anything like that ever again.

"Everything alright?" Afrim asked.

Had his discomfort been so obvious? Frank was ashamed. He wasn't supposed to act like a coward. "I'm fine."

"You don't have to come down there with us," Afrim said. "If you think you'll have trouble, better wait here and get help for us if we don't return."

"This problem has been created by my enemies and I will not let you face it alone," Frank said. Standing aside like a coward was out of the question.

"As you wish," Afrim said. "You know better than I do what you're capable of at the moment. I hope."

"If we cast a protective charm together, it might be enough," Nada said. "You-Know-Who probably didn't expect experienced Aurors to look for his things. The resistance in Britain wasn't mainly orchestrated by the Ministry but rather done by amateurs, am I correct?"

"Yes, that's true. There weren't many Aurors among us," Frank said.

Maybe things would have been better if there had been, he thought. As brave and enthusiastic as people like the Marauders had been, more members with a greater interest in strategy and more profound training might have improved their situation. The distrust between Dumbledore and the Ministry had been too great for that though.

The three of them cast a common protective spell. Their magic blended well and Frank hoped that it might really work in combination with the protective cloaks.

When everything was done, they walked on. The light on Frank's wand flickered and died as soon as they reached the cursed part of the pathway. So the curse had more effects than they had appreciated. Frank didn't like the thought but there was nothing he could do about it. They had to walk in the dark, carefully feeling were they were going. Frank started to feel dizzy.

"How are you?" he wanted to know from the others.

"Everything fine so far," Nada said and Afrim confirmed this. Frank wondered if he was the only one who was affected, if they didn't tell him the truth or if the dizziness was only there in his imagination. It seemed to grow worse however.

"We'll have to climb now," Afrim announced.

"Apparating up isn't an option?" Frank asked.

"No, he made sure of that," the Albanian Auror explained. "We can fasten ourselves with magic and don't panic if you do fall. Our magic will protect us in this kind of situation even without a spell. If we believe in it."

"Alright," Nada said.

Frank tried to fight the uncertainty he was feeling off. Afrim was right. A wizard could safe himself if he fell down and the dizziness was only there in his head. They were protected against the curse.

"Look out for the others," Nada added before they took out their ropes and fastened them to the rocks with both magic and knots.

It was much more difficult than Frank had thought. The dizziness grew worse and worse, the world seemed to turn around Frank and his hands grew sweaty and started to shake.

"We should have brought brooms," he heard Afrim say from far away. "How do you do."

"Everything alright," Nada said.

Frank wasn't able to answer. Keeping himself from falling off while he mechanically set one foot in front of the other was all he could do. He didn't know how long this was supposed to last and didn't know if he had any chance of getting it done. The gentle falling of the water seemed to be unbearably loud. He couldn't do it anymore, he couldn't walk on. Holding onto the rock and rope, hoping he wouldn't fall down was all he was capable of.

"Come on Frank, it's nearly done," Nada called but he wasn't able. He couldn't move anymore. He was going to fall. That was the end. Cold sweat was running down his body.

"Move on, we can't waste any time," Afrim called.

"I can't, I'll fall," Frank muttered, everything around him turning more and more quickly.

"Sorry, I have no choice," he heard Nada's voice. "Imperio!"

The panic and dizziness were gently wiped away, replaced by a calm and relaxed feeling. "Climb on," he heard a voice in his head say and of course he'd obey, it was the only sensible thing to do. Frank's feet and hands found the right places to step on and hold onto. He didn't feel the tiredness anymore.

When it was over, Frank felt as if someone had doused him with cold water. He said there sweating, his entire body was shaking. Afrim's wand was alight now and he collected the robes.

"I'm sorry for doing this but you were close to falling," Nada said. "My spells to hold you didn't work. There was nothing else I could do."

"It's alright," Frank heard himself say. Using the Imperius curse in life-threatening situations hadn't been banned for British Aurors in the past either even though Frank had never ended up in such as situation until now. He didn't blame Nada but he felt deeply embarrassed about his own behaviour.

"I'm really sorry. I've endangered you all. I don't know how that could happen."

"It is strange," Afrim said. "The curse seemed to affect you full foce but I didn't feel it at all."

"Neither did I," Nada said. "We were lucky. No one could have done anything if we had all been affected like this."

Frank knew that this was true and he wouldn't have blamed anyone else for needing help in such a situation but he had always preferred to give help rather than need it. Afrim's doubting look didn't make it any better.

"It's not really surprising. Extensive exposure to the Cruciatus curse damages the magical resistance," he said. "You probably have to build up an Auror's resistance again from the scratch. We should have thought this through earlier but it's too late now. We can't send you back on your own. Are you able to go on?"

"Yes," Frank said. He felt normal again even though his sweaty clothes made him feel cold in the chilly cave. That wasn't a serious problem though. After a few steps he remembered, that a simply drying charm would take care of it.

The rest of passageway was curse-free and they managed to get along relatively quickly. After about 500 feet, the cave opened into a large cavern. All three Aurors were using the Lumos-spell now and gazed upon many stalactites and stalagmites as well as an underground lake which had limestone structures swim around it that looked almost like water lily leaves.

Normally, Frank would have considered the sight beautifully but this wasn't the moment to admire it. Nada and Afrim were sensing some dark magic again even though neither seemed to be able to place it. Frank didn't notice it all but he believed in his colleagues' fine senses.

"I don't really like this," Afrim said. "We should-"

Before he was able to say what they should do, the dripstones started to attack them like spears thrown by invisible warriors. The Aurors quickly cast shield charms. At first, those seemed to be enough to keep the onslaught at bay but the attack became more and more violent.

Frank soon realised that the shield charms wouldn't hold out. They needed to think of something else. He attempted different spells to destroy solid object but for every stone he hit, two more came flying into his direction.

"Let's try a Restitution spell," Nada shouted.

The Restitution spell was used to return charmed objects or places to their natural state. Frank doubted that it would work here but it was worth a try.

The three Aurors cast the spell at the same time. The cave started to glow golden and the stone attack really seemed to slow down. The broken stones put themselves together again. For a moment, Frank feared they'd start attacking again but that wasn't what was happening. Instead, the stones moved back to their original place in the cave.

The attack stopped and the cave had returned to its beautiful state.

"Good thinking," Afrim said.

"Thanks. You-Know-Who obviously didn't take this into account. Dark Wizards don't expect someone to think of rebuilding a beautiful site while being under attack," Nada explained.

Frank didn't doubt that she was right. It hadn't occurred to him either if he was supposed to be honest. Nada however knew and loved this land; it wasn't too surprising that she was the one who had thought of it.

Another obstacle was mastered but Frank didn't doubt that there'd be more defences. The cave turned narrower again. Frank tried to chase away the memories of the last narrow pathway. He didn't want to make a fool of himself again. This one seemed to be free of dark magic which everyone noted with relief. The only unpleasant part was the fact that the pathway was turning smaller and smaller. At first they only needed to bow their heads but after a while, the ceiling became so low they had to crawl on all fours. Frank didn't like being in this position at all. It would be extremely difficult to react if someone suddenly attacked them.

They were lucky however. No dangers were lurking in the narrow passage way and it soon became wider again.

Something golden glittered in the light of their wands but this time, it didn't come from a charm.