A/N: Welcome comments from HaywireEagle and grats for the new favs and follows.

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Harry Potter and the Wizards of Malta

Chapter 18.

There was a special number at the ministry that existed for emergencies of a magical nature. Dialing that number, Harry waited for what felt like an eternity for an answer.

"Ministry of Magic – Situations – Eminelder speaking..."

"Eminelder – this is Harry Potter."

"Yes sir."

"We have a problem at the Roundhouse on Chalk Farm Road."

"What kind of problem sir?"

"A wizard and a Muggle are dead. Have another wizard tied up. I need to get out of here. Send a couple of Uniforms damned quick."

"Right away sir."

"Eminelder, hear me, I've got to leave, so get them here quick."

"Yes sir", the wizard said and rang off.

Eminelder was as good as his word. Within moments there was the usual zip and a pop, and three Uniformed wizards were standing in the car park with wands drawn. There was an icy cold moment until recognition was complete, and then the three uniformed officers of the Ministry of Magical Law Enforcement relaxed and walked toward Harry Potter.

"What happened here sir?" the nearest officer asked.

"This group I was protecting," he said and paused, "was jumped by two wizards." Harry looked down at Jimbo. "This bodyguard was killed before I could intervene," he added and shook his head. "Well – I killed the attacker, and secured the other one – over there," he said and pointed to the wizard struggling against the vines of the Incarcerous curse.

"You want us to take em in?"

"Yes, lock him up and take care of the bodies. This thing, it could still be going on you see – I've got to go."

"Don't worry, we'll take care of it," said the wizard and nodded.

"Thanks," Harry replied and pulling both wands, vanished with a hiss and a pop.

:

The terrace behind Penny's flat was dimly lit and very quiet as Harry took corporeal form in a blast of tangled light and hot air. A Jay let out a startled call and then disappeared behind the beating of wings. There was no sound and no leaves tumbling in the gentle breeze. At the edge of the terrace, the street-side of the complex was barely visible. There was no sign of the coach or the limousine carrying Penny and Harley. On cue with his concern, the mobile phone began playing Penny's tone.

"Hello..."

"Harry – you Okay?"

"I'm fine – where'r you at?"

"We're almost at my flat. Should we wait for you?"

"I'm already there. I'll be down front."

"Bye."

Harry magicked the terrace door open, and inside Penny's flat everything looked normal and boringly routine. Taking the lift to the lobby, he pushed his way through the large glass doors to the sidewalk. Nervously pacing the sidewalk, he scanned the street for any sign of the car. Within minutes the black limo could be seen turning the corner and slowed to a stop by the front entryway. Harley was still pale as a ghost as he got out of the car and held the door open for Penny. Her eyes and mascara were a dripping mess.

"Let's get off the street," Harry instructed and helped Penny out of the car. She said nothing but looked washed out and weak from emotion.

"Harley, we'll talk about this later," he lied as they entered Penny's flat. Harley nodded and disappeared quietly into his and Jimbo's adjoining apartment. Harry knew Harley would require memory modification but didn't have the heart to trick the poor bastard tonight.

"Penny, I think you need to get a few things together, and we need to clear out."

"Do you think they'll try again?"

"Why take the chance? You'll be safe at Grimmauld Place."

She nodded but said nothing. A few minutes later, she came out of her room, fully changed and had a small bag of extra things over her shoulder.

"Let's go," she said, dryly without hint of emotion. Harry grabbed her by the hand and after a brief glance pulled the apparition trigger, and they went spinning through the morning darkness toward the safety of Grimmauld Place.

‡‡‡‡‡

The next few days at Grimmauld Place were nothing like the week before. Penny blamed herself for Jimbo's death and her mood turned somber and morose. She had nightmares and dreamed she would appear to wake up in the orphanage again. Mewling under the effects of the dream like a child, Harry would wake her up and assuage her fears as best he could. Several times they would go down to the kitchen and sit at the long table while Harry tried his best to comfort her and Kreacher made tea or coffee.

Forced to cancel the next show, and then sit through a break of two days, the band was growing restless and desperately wanted get back onstage.

"It'll do you good," Harry explained over breakfast.

"Yeah, I know you're right. I just... don't feel up to it," she explained.

Harry nodded and then shook his head. He knew Penny preferred to go on 'feelings' and seldom used logic when it came to matters of entertainment.

"We're making progress with the wizard we captured – I think he'll talk very soon now," he explained. "And when he does – well, maybe we can end this mess," he added and cupped his hand gently over hers.

She nodded, smiled unevenly, and tried her best to put on a pretty face.

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Kingsley had been patient but wanted a full update with the incident at the Roundhouse. After the second note landed on his cubicle desk, he figured it was time to report to the Minister For Magic. Quickly making his way toward the Minister's office, he stepped under the gilded archway and into the waiting area. Tracy Tolley's blonde head was down and laboring over paperwork of some kind. Kingsley's receptionist jumped back at the sound of Harry's footsteps, and then did her best to assemble a professional countenance.

"Oh, Harry – you here to see Kingsley?"

"If he's available Tracy," Harry replied with a smile.

She jumped up from the desk in powder blue robes and went to peep into Kingsley's office. He heard some soft mumblings and Tracy popped back out.

"He'll see you now Harry."

"Thanks Tracy."

Harry pushed open the heavy leather padded door to find Kingsley in the middle of a cloud of pipe smoke. He waded through the heavy smoke and found the comfortable padded leather chair.

"So... Harry – glad you could finally make it."

"Yes sir – been rather busy lately."

"What... at the office?" he asked sardonically.

"Here and there sir."

Kingsley waved a hand to dismiss his feelings of derision.

"Anyway – what happened at the Roundhouse?" he asked and sat the pipe down. "I've read the report but I wanted to hear it from you."

"There's not much to tell sir," Harry said, apologetically. "I was in the car park and several paces away from the limo when Penny and her bodyguards were jumped by two wizards."

"Then what?" asked Kingsley with a wicked smile.

"Harley, one of the guards, spotted the wizards and called out. Jimbo – the bodyguard that was killed – stepped in front of Miss Penthane and drew his gun on the first wizard," Harry explained as if it pained him.

"That wasn't too smart."

"It was typical of the man. But he had been bested by wizards in Amsterdam, so maybe he was trying to get the jump," Harry explained. "Well, at that time the wizard pointed his wand and Jimbo fired."

"Was the man thick?"

"The wizard blocked the gunshot and hit Jimbo with a killing curse."

"So how'd you end it?"

"The black wand was already out and aimed – it just happened naturally – I mean when you see green killing curses flying, it changes things," Harry said, firmly.

"Yes, I know. Did you consciously use the killing curse?"

"No, not really. The wand responds to my emotions, fear, and anger, I guess."

"So the attacking wizard was on your left – and you hit him after he cursed Jimbo."

"Yes sir, before the light of his curse had dimmed," he answered as a matter of fact. "An instant later, the second wizard was stunned after a very brief exchange."

"Well, I suppose that ends this business. I don't believe there will be an inquiry."

Harry nodded, solemnly and Kingsley stared off into space for a few moments.

"What is it then?" asked Kingsley, stymied. "What the bloody hell are these wizards after?"

Harry thought about whether to answer the question and paused. "She has something they want." he said as last.

"Yes, but what?" Kingsley asked but not expecting an answer.

"A treatise," Harry replied calmly and Kingsley's head snapped around.

"Really, what kind of a treatise?"

"I don't know – she claims it belonged to her father and she's trying to unravel it's meaning."

"What do the wizards say?"

"They say she stole it."

"Then someone is certainly lying," Kingsley exclaimed and reached for the pipe.

"Yes sir."

"Harry, I realize you were pissed when I called you back. To be honest, I never really wanted you to go in the first place."

"Then why sir... why send me?" Harry asked, clearly intrigued.

Kingsley paused to light the pipe.

"I liked Jerry – he was a good kid and a damned good Auror. I hated to lose him. I thought the trail would go cold if we didn't stay on this thing. I was sure if we didn't follow her then we'd never catch Jerry's killer."

"We know it's Lasaurus now," stated Harry, emphatically.

"You're sure he wasn't in that group the other night?" asked Kingsley.

"He wasn't there. I'm quite sure of it."

"You've been briefed by Hermione on the man?"

"Yes sir."

"Good, and you're working with Beollan?"

"Every day."

"Good, these powers of division he has – it sounds damned nasty if you ask me – so keep at it."

"We're working every day now."

"Good. I've got a feeling this Lasaurus will try and stick his nose in and very soon now," Kingsley said and reached for his pipe.

"We'll be ready for him," Harry said, assuredly.

‡‡‡‡‡

Once again, signs of normalcy were creeping back into Grimmauld Place. Penny was using the sitting room as a dance studio, much to the chagrin of Kreacher. In conversations about the next performance dates, she showed a genuine enthusiasm in getting back to work.

Then there were days that were a little out of the ordinary. Harry had been working long hours with Beollan every day, and he had many whelps from the stinging jinxes to prove it. It was after one of these long days that Penny grabbed him after a day at work. He flinched a little when she hit a spot still tender from a stinging jinx.

"What is it?" she pulled back to say.

"Oh, it's nothing," he said, trying his best to brush it off.

"No really – what's wrong?"

"Ahh, it just some sore spots – from Beollan's stinging jinxes," he replied and shook his head.

"Stinging jinxes? I thought no one could touch Harry Potter," she quipped.

"Well," he said and smiled. "It's not like that. He's devised some training devices to mimic Lasaurus' dividing attacks. And a few spells still get through."

"Oh, I see," she said, unable to hide her concern. "How does he manage that?"

"Mainly with the use of mirrors. He's managed to conjure a dividing charm, but it's pretty crude. Hence the need for the mirrors."

"Sounds like you guys are working pretty hard."

"Well, no one's used this kind of magic for hundreds of years – at least none that we knew of."

"I see," she replied, ice cold, and turned for the sitting room.

Harry had instructed Kreacher to keep a watch on Penny while he was out. In his heart he halfway expected to come home someday to find her and her things cleared out. Penny had changed and he assumed it was tied to Jimbo's death, but he wasn't completely sure. One day, when she was practicing to dance music in the sitting room, Kreacher grabbed his hand and led him into the walk-in cupboard.

"Miss has left the house today," the old house-elf said. "And Kreacher doesn't think it to be the first time."

"How long was she out Kreacher?"

"A couple of hours sir – maybe more," he replied and waved his arm helplessly.

"Well, we can't keep her here forever – but continue to watch her and thanks for telling me."

"Yes sir – Kreacher will."

‡‡‡‡‡

The mustachioed warrior stood bare-chested in the training room, partially hidden by a ring of mirrors. A thick perfume of Ozone tickled Harry's nose from the lightning like jinxes splitting the air.

"Begin!" Ordered Beollan, and few moments later, "Dividam." As he cast the spell and he disappeared and then resumed form in two sides of the room. The numerous mirrors reflecting many times more images. Going immediately to guard, Harry awaited a flurry of spells, all aimed at him.

An instant later there was a flash from one side of the room and jinxes were coming at him from all angles. Held as loose as a divining rod to find water, the black wand sorted out the imposters to find the real wizard.

"Expelliarmus," he shouted and the red waved jumped from the wand to meet a stinging hot jinx. The other curses, imposters but looking very real, faded like candles in the wind. He waved off the Expelliarmus and waited for another attack.

They continued this was for almost an hour and Harry had only failed to catch the stinging jinx one time. Still, one time would be all it took to lose the fight and his life against a real opponent.

"You have to feel it," Beollan instructed. "You have to know it – with no uncertainty."

"Yes sir – I'll try."

Beollan glared at him for his use of the word 'try'. "We'll pick up again after lunch," he said and threw his shirt over his shoulder and vacated the practice room.

Feeling better after a quick shower, he trudged on to the Auror office. Waffling on lunch, he was thinking of something quick at the canteen or zipping off to Grimmauld Place to check on Penny. A little interoffice memo interrupted his thoughts and floated past his ear to crash land onto his desk.

Harry,

Some new developments with the wizard you brought in.

He's talking. You'll want to hear this. Get down to

interrogation when you can.

Hermione.

P.S. Don't be late – he may clam up.

Lunch would have to wait. The little tingling announcing itself in the pit of his stomach wasn't hunger. Interrogation was in the a wing on the lowest court level and he hadn't been down there since he and Sandy interrogated Bubby Dinkens.

Hermione was in the interrogation room with Kingsley pacing around the table. The wizard was gripping the arms of the chair, white knuckled. All heads turned as he clicked open the door handle.

The wizard looked nervous as Harry sauntered into the room.

"Can you repeat the statement you told us for Harry?" Hermione asked, calmly.

The man fidgeted in his chair and looked away from Harry.

"We only went there to talk – we didn't plan to kill anybody," he protested. "The big man – he fired first."

"Sure – we understand that," Hermione said. "The reason you went to the Roundhouse. Can you tell us that again?"

"Yeah – sure. We went there to make a deal with Penthane."

"What kind of deal?" Harry asked.

"The arrangement was – if she returned what she took and agreed to a memory modification, we'd leave her alone and give up Lasaurus."

Harry ran his hands over his hair and shook his head.

"Did Lasaurus agree to this?" he asked.

"No – not exactly – no."

"Well then what made you think he would agree to this?"

"The Order – they would insist on it," he replied, convincingly.

"Why would they insist on it?"

"They say this is all his fault," the man said and looked like he regretted the words.

"Why was it all his fault?" Harry asked with hands on the table.

"I can say no more on that."

Harry nodded, abstaining.

"Okay, so why wait until now – to tell us all this?" asked Harry.

"The message was intended for Penthane. That's who we were supposed to tell. Not the authorities."

"Okay. So what changed your mind then?"

"Azkaban. I don't want to go to Azkaban. And I was no accessory to murder."

"That's for the courts to decide," Kingsley injected.

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The wizard agreed to correspond with the Order, by Owl, to arrange the meeting. By the time the interview had ended the canteen was closed. Hermione suggested they grab a sandwich at the Leaky Cauldron and discuss the situation. He didn't really want to talk it over, but the persistent witch wouldn't take no for an answer. Charlie was the only one there and quickly took their order. Harry guessed Hannah was off spending time with the gent from Durmstrang.

"Will she agree to it Harry?"

"I don't know. I doubt it, but I'll do my best to convince her."

"You can't protect her forever Harry. She's got to see reason."

"Reason? She claims it's all she had left of her father. What would you you do? Would you give it back?"

Hermione didn't answer but focused on a spoonful of beef from her soup.

:

Tentatively entering Grimmauld Place through the back door, Harry looked around, but Kreacher and Penny were nowhere in sight. Thirty minutes later and getting worried, he heard the familiar sound of apparition in the yard out back. Penny had and armful of bags and Kreacher's was almost totally obscured by packages.

Harry's stern expression said it all.

"So where've you been?"

"Back to my place – I needed some things," she replied, dismissively.

"Look Penny – you could have waited till I got back," he argued.

"Yeah, well – I didn't know you'd be early. Sorry."

Harry nodded and paused. He hated to broach the pressing subject of his concern.

"Look Penny – we need to talk..." he demanded, and her casual and nonchalant attitude immediately stiffened.

He repeated the story the wizard told as best he could. Finally he asked the difficult question and waited for her reply. She paced around the room. No matter what the situation, he always enjoyed watching her every move. Even when stressed, her sexy demeanor were still over the top.

"Harry, I know you've tried to help. And I appreciate you looking out for my safety. I owe you a lot."

Harry nodded and waited for the answer.

"Now let me do you a favor," she added.

"A favor?"

"Yes, a big one."

"What's that?" he asked and pulled a face.

"Just let me go – this can't go on forever Harry – so just let me go."

"It's not that easy Penny. It's not all about you," he said and immediately regretted the remark.

"What's it all about then?" she asked, indignantly.

He immediately got up and grabbed her by the shoulders, and she rebuffed him.

"I didn't mean it like that," he pleaded. "So what – I let you go and just forget the whole thing? And then what? "

"I'm trouble Harry. It would be best if you just..."

"I can't just walk away. And then what? I get a call some night to hear you're dead – killed by an Order. Then I'm back into this again and it's much worse."

"No, you need to think about this Harry..."

"Look, if you want to go back to your flat – I could understand – but I can't just walk away," he stated, flatly.

"Why not Harry?"

"Look, I can't go through this again – there's things you don't understand."

She looked at him hard until a look of resignation swept across her face.

"Okay Harry – I'll think about it. I'll try."

‡‡‡‡‡

"What, no coffee? It's your turn you know." Ron shuffled into the Auror office waving his hands.

"Oh yeah – sorry Ron. Had two cups at Grimmauld Place," apologized Harry.

"How are things at Grimmauld Place," he asked with a sly grin. Hermione may not have told Kingsley about his situation with Penny, but apparently she held nothing back from Ron.

"Not so great right now."

"Oh I see. Well I need that coffee. Can we talk in the Canteen?"

Harry shrugged and got up. "Sure. Why not."

Conveniently, the canteen was empty on this morning and there were no holdups along the line.

"Bloody hell. They're out of Arabica again," tutted Ron.

"The other stuff is alright."

"Ah, it tastes like motor oil this time of the morning," added Ron.

"Your Mum has you spoiled."

They paid the little wizard at the end of the line and found a suitable table opposite the door.

"So what's new?" Ron asked and pulled a chair from the table.

"Ah, it's this Order we've been following. They've offered up a deal."

"For sure? What kind of deal?"

"They offer up Lasaurus for Penny's package," Harry replied and tested the coffee.

"What package? What's she got?"

"Something she claims belonged to her father, and she doesn't want to give it up."

"What could an Order possibly want with something like that?" asked Ron after a sip of coffee.

Harry shook his head. "I don't know and she claims she doesn't either. But it sounds like he stumbled on a treatise of some kind. It's the only thing of her father's she has left – or so she says."

Ron looked stymied. "Sounds like you don't believe her?"

"Don't know what to believe. She says she's trying to unravel it's meaning by finding clues. Somehow the Order discovered she had it. And now they want it back."

"The deal you mentioned – you think she'll take it?"

"It took all night trying to convince her... but I think she will," he said with a sigh.

Ron nodded.

"We'll get the captured wizard to set up a meeting. When they Owl back we should have a place and time."

"You don't suppose it's a trap – you should take Hermione and me along."

Harry smiled. "You think Hermione is ready for trading killing curses now?" he mocked.

"You might be surprised. She been working out with me every day – to help me get back in shape."

"Yeah..."

"She's really kicking arse now. You should come see for yourself," bragged Ron.

"Well. In any rate – we'll have to see how they play it – but I'm sure they'll insist we go alone."

"It's your call Harry," Ron said and finished the last of the coffee. "But you should take us anyway."

‡‡‡‡‡

Neither Kingsley or Hermione approved of a meeting in any form or fashion. Kingsley said you should never strike a deal with the enemy, and Hermione thought the whole thing sounded suspiciously contrived.

"If they alter the arrangement in any way – get your arse out Harry – you come right back," she had cautioned.

Penny was not too happy either. When she looked his way there was no light in her eyes and if she smiled it was was painted on. He had a sick feeling in his gut that when this thing was over she would move back to her flat, and that would be the end of it. He wondered if he would ever see her again. He really couldn't see how things could go on. With her on tour and him stuck at the Ministry, there didn't seem to be a way.

No matter the consequences of his actions, he couldn't or wouldn't lose another beautiful witch. He couldn't live with another loss like that. He did his best to explain this to Penny, but was certain her heart was unmoved by his feelings. It was almost dark magic, but he dug through his top bureau and found Miss Tilliedaff's watch. For this meeting he would need every magical advantage he could muster. Although the watch had betrayed when he needed it most, he felt a strange desire to take it with him. Taking a few practice draws with each wand, the pulls were neat and consistent and he left the bedroom to meet Penny, already downstairs.

She was dressed in a simple cotton top, tucked into jeans that weren't too tight. Her hair was plaited behind her and she had on a worn pair of trainers. The choice of dress was perfect for their mission. If she could only put on a real smile. The leather bound journal with loose papers between the pages was tucked inside a large plastic zip-lock bag.

Their instructions were to meet a representative of the Order at the Kings Cross and St. Pancreas tube station. When they got to the busy station they waited for five minutes until a young man of about twelve years of age ran up to the couple.

"Mister Potter," the young man addressed Harry.

"Yes?"

The young man smiled, handed Harry a note, nodded briefly, and then ran off. Harry quickly glanced at Penny to gauge her nerve and then opened the note.

Take the tube immediately to Oxford Circus.

"Says we're to proceed on to Oxford Circus," he announced.

"Swell."

He looked back to see Hermione and Ron seated nearby and casually reading over the Times. Hermione insisted that they hide about in the station and look out for Harry and Penny. Ron looked up, puzzled about what to do next. He got up to follow but could get only as far the platform before Penny and Harry were pushed by the crowd into the train for Oxford Circus.

They sat silently as the train proceeded along it's southwest route to Oxford Circus. Penny looked morosely into her lap with emotions wiped from her face. If only he could had brought matters to an end before Kingsley had removed him from the case then things might have been different. But they weren't, and he looked at the Raven haired witch and struggled to find the words that could change things, but he couldn't. The train was gliding along electrical rails with little noise except the clicking and clattering of the metal wheels in a regular rhythm. This clatter began to slow as the train approached the station at Oxford Circus.

His mood was becoming as gloomy as Penny's as they unboarded and looked about the station for their next sign or clue. He reached for her hand but she wouldn't take it. Hearing an unusual pattern of shuffling footsteps he turned toward the noise. An old woman dressed too warm for the weather was hobbling their way.

"R'you Arry Paher?" the old woman asked in heavy Cockney.

"I'm Harry Potter – and who are you?" he answered.

The old woman smiled but didn't respond. she withdrew a note from somewhere inside the endless layers of clothing and handed it to Harry as if it were very precious.

"Bes be on yu waay ser," she said and turned around to hobble off and then vanished into the crowd. He watched the woman until she disappeared and then carefully tore open the note.

Proceed on to Charing Cross and await further instructions.

"Says here we're to proceed on to Charing Cross," he read aloud.

Penny nodded and they made their way quietly to the platform for Charing Cross. The moments drug on until they spotted the train they were looking for. Penny looked as if she were headed to the hangman's noose and made no attempt at conversation of any kind. It was at this time that Harry almost cracked. He almost gave in. Nothing could be worse than the icy cold treatment he was receiving from the beautiful witch.

"Okay..." he said, ready to cave in, but when he looked around all he saw was Penny's bum, out of her seat, and headed toward the door as the train slowed for Charing Cross station. He followed the sullen witch out and onto the platform.

"Wonder who they'll send now?" he asked, curiously.

"Couldn't say," was her reply and first words out of her mouth.

"Someone's bound to show up," he said and craned to look about the station.

"I tired of this game," she said at length.

He turned to look at her. Behind her and approaching the pair was a tall and determined man holding onto the top of his hat as if he was afraid he would lose it. Harry pushed Penny aside to face the man.

"Sorry to keep you old man, but I've a message for you," the stranger said with a kind smile.

"What – no notes this time?"

He shook his head and chuckled. "Only this message. Make your way to the old Jubilee Line platform." He tipped his hat and disappeared into the crowed platform.

Harry looked at Penny, and both were puzzled. They searched until they found an employee of the station and asked him how to find the Jubilee platform.

"Jubilee platform?! Well there ain't been no Jubilee platform here in years," he exclaimed as if explaining to children.

"No platform?" Harry asked, to no one in particular.

"Oh no sir, the Jubilee line – well it's been abandoned for years," he said with furrowed brows. He raised in index finger as if to announce a thought. " The escalators are still here. The film people – they still use them," he boasted.

"You don't say?" Harry quipped. "Can we have a look?"

"Sure. Just round the corner and to your left," he replied and pointed the way.

"Thanks," Harry said and grabbed Penny's evasive hand and led her toward the escalators.

The deserted halls were well lit, clean, and quiet as a tomb. The escalators led eerily downward to the old platform and the deep tunnels of the Jubilee line. The escalators were no longer running but were clean and functioned suitably as a staircase to the disused platform. A makeshift wooden wall had been erected in the entryway to the platform. A set of double doors were off to one side of the wooden wall and meant for maintenance crews and employees. The doors were locked with a long chain and padlock.

Harry paused a moment by the door.

"Look, I won't drag you in. Are you still up for this?"

She nodded.

"You're never going to quit – so yeah, let's do it," she replied, bitterly.

"Alohomora," he conjured and the lock opened and fell to the floor.

He pushed the door open to peep inside. Generators, welding equipment, and unrecognizable machines were strewn about the disused platform. He stepped inside and held the door for Penny.

"What now I wonder?" he asked to no one.

They ventured out to the edge of the platform where the light gave way to darkness. Harry looked down both ways down the tube shaft and there was a small light in the rube to the right. Tinkering sounds of something moving were coming from the same direction.

"Down this way. Did you bring your wand?" he asked and turned to see her nod.

"Lumos," he conjured, and they continued cautiously by wand-light down the narrow walkway beside the tracks. Up ahead, there was a cutout in the tunnel and a light was emanating from the small compartment.

Just about even with the edge of the opening, he paused to listen but there was nothing but sepulchral silence. He glanced round the corner and saw a small make-shift compartment. A small naked light bulb hung from the ceiling over a small wooden table with two weather-worn chairs.

He looked around for any sign of life but saw none. There were no sounds except for a faint drip of water striking the floor in a regular cadence.

"Homenum Revelio," he conjured the spell to reveal humanity, but it also turned up nothing.

A little more relaxed now, he proceeded to the table. There was a note on the table, and he reached out for the note and almost had it in hand when a flash of light exploded directly behind him.

A hammer blow of a curse had struck him in the back, racing through his body like an electrical charge. He saw a flash of stars and tasted aluminum foil. His vision narrowed into a small tunnel and the floor began to move. Dizzy and feeling drugged, the floor gave way and everything went black.

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