Spectre of Death

The joyous shriek was wholly unexpected from such a dignified man. The headmaster ignored the looks from the portraits on the wall. Armando held out Albus' letter and planted a kiss on it. "Albus did it! He did it!"

"You have finally lost your mind, Armando," said Dilys Derwent from her position on the west wall.

Armando laid out Minerva's acceptance letter on his desk. "Maybe I will someday but not today, Dilys."

"My portrait is still shaking from your yelling. What's has Albus done this time?"

"He has secured this school's future." He made a copy of the acceptance letter then put a protection spell on the original. "Miss Minerva McGonagall will become a Hogwarts professor."

"The youngster who's had you in a dither the last few days?"

"The very same." The relief that filled his body was profound. The tension in his gut dissipated. "She's important. I don't know why ... just that I know we need her."

"Your hunches have all proven correct and fortuitous," commented Phineus Nigellus. "Is she the last? The last piece in your grand design?"

Armando laughed in happiness. Then he glanced at Phineus' portrait. His finding talent flashed something into his consciousness. "No, Phineus, I think there is one more. One of your house."

"A Slytherin?" Nigellus looked thoughtful. "Whatever you offer him or her, it will cost you dearly."

"Very likely." Armando closed his eyes trying to recall the fleeting insight. "Hmm. The vague form is a man, old and young at the same time."

"Old and young? You contradict yourself." Nigellus snorted.

"A man with an old soul. That seems right."

Dilys commented. "A soul with no form means he has yet to be born."

"I think you're right, Dilys. I sensed no substance of body or mind just a presence."

Nigellus paced in his portrait. "A future born then. I shall begin to pay more attention to my house, Armando. That I promise you. You are certain of your ... your vision that he will be needed?"

"Yes, I am." Armando reread Albus' letter again. "Do what you can, Phineus. In the meantime, I have preparations to make and a letter to Theodore to write. Today is very much a good day. Yes, it is."

Minerva rushed through the morning meal. The food was as usual splendid but her mind was on the excavation. The sooner it was over, the sooner she could start her new life with Albus. Upon her instructions, all the workers were brought to site four. Claude's night time magical scan had revealed that they were almost right on top of the entrance. Claude had instructions to fetch her immediately when the entrance was breached.

Minerva surveyed her belongings. She planned to focus her energies at the dig site yet still begin preparations to leave quickly. She had decided to begin packing early. To earn extra money, Khalil had eagerly offered his help. She knew why he needed the money and so she had given in easily.

Beside her Khalil waited patiently. He had much to think about. His father had said that he would take him to market in a few days so he could select a proper gift for Albus. He had yet to make a decision on a gift.

Minerva positioned two large empty trunks to the center of the room. She took a fountain pen and wrote down a list of things intended for which trunk. After she had finished she gave the list to Khalil. "Now, there is no rush on this, Khalil. Do a little every day."

"Yes, Miss Minerva." Khalil quickly read the list. "Should I start wrapping the mirror, too?"

"No!" Khalil was startled by her too-quick response. Minerva took a calming breath. "The mirror should be the last thing packed. I need to see it, to use it every day, don't I?"

Khalil nodded. "I will do this when I have time, yes? I will not miss Albus so much if I keep busy."

Under her breath she said, "That is the general idea."

"My mother always makes us children clean our house when my father is away for a long trip." Khalil began to arrange her past journals and papers into the first trunk. "You miss Albus so you make more work at the site."

Minerva was astonished at his insight. "Khalil, why do you say such a thing?"

"You like each other and you said you would be together at the school. Because of that you are packing. What else should I believe?"

"Does, ah, does anyone else see things the way you do?"

Khalil stopped his task and looked at her solemnly. "I have told no one of what I saw."

Minerva quickly ran through her memories trying to determine if she and Albus had behaved loosely around the boy. She kneeled down to eye level. "What do you mean, Khalil?"

"It was an accident, Miss Minerva, truly. I came to say goodbye to Albus but you were there ... with him ... doing ... giving him your goodbye."

Minerva covered her flaming cheeks. "I ... we ... oh ... I don't know what to say. We should have been more careful."

"I have many brothers and sisters. I know that men and women, when they care about each other, share of themselves. That is what my parents do and Allah blesses the ... the sharing with more love and children."

Minerva was taken aback. "You know that I am engaged to Piers."

Khalil shrugged his shoulders. "You share with Albus now. Mr. Rampal should find someone else."

From the mouth of babes. Minerva stood up. "You're absolutely right, Khalil. Life does not stand still."

A figure rushed into her tent. Claude wiped his brow and said "Minerva, come quickly. The entrance ... the tomb is ... is nothing like I've ever seen! I've given the workmen leave to have a long rest."

"Khalil, where's my helmet?" Khalil scrambled searching the small tent for the elusive helmet. It was under the bed.

Claude leaned close and whispered. "Bring your wand. We are preparing the tomb now."

Minerva put on the helmet. "Khalil, please help your father to bring refreshments and food to the site. The men have worked hard and well today."

As Khalil departed, Minerva opened a locked case, removed her wand and slipped a small notebook into her pocket. "Is it all we hoped it would be?"

Claude grinned. "More, Minerva, much more."

The shelves were clear. Books and shattered decorations littered the floor. Furniture was upturned and torn. The once tidy and comforting home had been ransacked. Piers banged his fist against the wall.

Since last night he had searched for the port key that would have taken him to a location only a day away from Abu Sindel. But the missing port key was not the thing that drove him to near madness. He could not find the charm. The charm that he was to invoke as Minerva drank the potion had not been written down anywhere that he could find.

With disdain, he looked at Abdul's body. In the morning he had dragged Abdul and Hema's bodies into the living room. Next to them was a container of flammable liquid. A clock on the floor showed the time as early afternoon. His fruitless search had wasted too much time.

"I'll do it without the charm, then!" He shouted at the bodies. "I only need her to forget him! Once we're married and bound nothing else will matter! She will love me and only me!"

Piers gathered his bag making sure the potion was secure and protected. He placed the bag at the door then went back in. He began to spill the liquid on the bodies, the floor and the furniture. When he was done, he slung his bag over his shoulder and threw a lit match into the room. He spared a second's glance to make sure the flame had started to burn. It had already tripled in size.

He quickly loaded his camel and rode away. He did not look back.