Harry Potter and the Wizards of Malta
Chapter 22.
As much as he detested the thought of it, he'd have to approach Hermione with the message immediately. He could already imagine the anger of the precocious witch.
Harry, how could you have failed to know this? Was this all just a family dispute?
As incredible as it sounded, it did help Penny's weak story make a little more sense. People just don't stumble upon a treatise from the great George Ripley. Especially one that defines the making of the Philosophers Stone in a few easy steps that any idiot could follow. No, somehow the clue to look for the treatise must have originated from Lasaurus in the first place. And it also explained how she had managed to make an agreement with the wizard to lay off after she had cracked the code to make the potion.
And what to do about Hannah and Mundungus? The Ministry would have to agree to a meeting on Lasaurus' terms or they would risk losing them both. All this weighed heavy on his mind when he turned the corner and trudged down the corridor to Hermione's office. There were voices and it sounded like Ron was already there. As he poked his head in, the Ginger haired wizard was seated in the uncomfortable wooden chair.
"Harry," Hermione said after spotting Harry creep around door frame.
At this point Ron turned as well. Gloom and despair were written all over Harry's face and his arm drooped by his side with the message in hand. Ron looked amused, but Hermione knew instantly that something was wrong.
"What is it Harry?" A frown instantly fell across her face.
"Bad news really. At least we're all gathered together," he replied and handed Hermione the note.
Her face registered a range of emotions as her eyes followed the text and her head drifted slightly to and fro. At first, amusement and then surprise, followed by a stifled gasp, and then finally an Oh My God. She dropped the note on her desk as if it were poisonous.
"What is it?" demanded Ron.
"It's a disaster – that's what it is," Hermione replied with disgust written all over her face.
"What then?" Ron was clearly growing impatient for an answer.
"Lasaurus – he wants to exchange our prisoner for Hannah Abbot and Mundungus."
"You're kidding."
"No, I wish."
A numbing silence fell about the spacious office.
"What can we do?" Ron asked, rhetorically.
"We'll have to meet them," Harry injected. "With Penny."
"Like hell you will. We can't do that Harry. Not without approval from Kingsley."
"Can we get it?" asked Ron.
"Not until Wednesday – that's when he's due back," she replied.
"Look, it's got to be tomorrow. No later," Harry demanded.
"We don't have the authority to release a prisoner. None at all," she replied.
Harry grimaced and Ron ran his fingers through ginger colored hair.
"Of course we won't release her. We'll just meet them."
"Without Penny?"
"No, we have to take her. I didn't say anything about giving her up."
"And risk losing her." Hermione added with disgust.
"I'll take Lasaurus – and end this mess."
"You're still hell-bent on squaring things up with Lasaurus – aren't you Harry?"
"Bloody hell Hermione. What are we to do? Huh. Just let him kill Hannah and Mundungus? We're Aurors damn-it. This is what we do," he insisted.
"He's right Hermione," entered Ron. "Sometimes we have to stand up for what's right. No one said it would be easy."
Hermione now looked put out entirely. Even Ron was taking Harry's side in this. She sat there unmoving and looking for the whole world like she was ready to cry.
"Sorry Hermione," Harry spoke up, "but this is a job we have to do," he said and looked toward Ron for support.
With new found resolve, Hermione's eyes were two fiery slits.
"You take Ron and us both then."
"The instructions were for me to come alone."
"Oh to hell with instructions. You take us both or I'll personally go and find Kingsley."
Now it was Harry's time to sulk.
"You're doing great in practice, but you're not ready for this Hermione," Harry said, firmly.
"Okay – fine, I'll find Kingsley before tomorrow," she said and started out of the chair.
"Wait Hermione – just wait a minute – please," pleaded Harry. "Look, I didn't say we didn't need you. It's just that..."
"No! No Harry. No exceptions. And you're not running the show here. Okay?"
Harry threw his hands up in surrender.
"Okay Hermione have it your way. You two can come along, but you have to stay out of the way until I secure Hannah and Mundungus."
"And then what?" she asked petulantly.
"Then all hell will break loose," he fired back and turned toward the door.
"There's plans that need making Harry," she protested.
"Later. I need to talk to our prisoner."
‡‡‡‡‡‡‡
Having stood enough bullying from Hermione, he left immediately for the detention level. The whole situation with Penny had really done a number on his disposition lately, and he could tell things weren't about to get any easier. He went through the same motions with the security guard, whose name he still couldn't remember, and grabbed a seat in the small conference room. It was about five minutes later when the guard came back out with no Penny. Harry gave her a look like What the Hell?
"I'm sorry sir, but Miss Penthane doesn't want to see you."
Harry sat there quietly and then took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.
"Either Miss Penthane comes out or I'll have to go in."
"Men aren't allowed in the female detention area sir."
"Look, get her out here or I'll drag her out."
The guard puffed up and spun on one heel and disappeared.
A few minutes later Penny came out. She was dressed as before in dungarees and flip-flops. Reluctantly, she drug up a chair sat down at the small table.
"So what's all this about?" asked Harry.
"My solicitor said I shouldn't be discussing the case with you."
"Oh, he did did he?" asked Harry, mockingly and Penny nodded. "Well, I'm not here to discuss the case with you. Something else has come up."
"Oh yeah, like what?"
"Like your father has acquired two hostages and demanded we exchange you for their release."
She sat there mute and stoic. As if the statement had never been made.
"Did you hear me?" he repeated.
"Yes, what of it."
"Well, this is your big chance. He's threatened the hostages, and we've agreed to turn you over," he lied, as convincingly as he could.
"Turn me over – you're lying."
"Well, you're going, so be ready by eleven tomorrow."
She looked away as if following thoughts a thousand miles away.
"Is this the last wrinkle – the last surprise from you?" he went on.
She snapped out of the trance to glare back at the question.
"Yes."
"Will you explain it? After all this time – will you explain it to me?"
She closed her eyes and grimaced pain.
"My mother left my father when I was very young. It seems she didn't know much of the Order when she married him. She didn't know he'd be gone weeks or months." She shook her eyes and looked away. "I hated her for that. He tried to find us – for over a year. But she kept moving until he lost track."
Harry sank in his chair and relaxed as she trudged through the story.
"All I remembered of him was a big gentle man. I always missed him. Finally my mother got sick and died – and then there was no one."
"Your father never knew?"
"Apparently not."
"So then what – how did you..."
"As I told you before, a close relative claimed my mothers belongings after she died. After I became of age she got in touch and passed those things along. At first, I was curious about my father and I thought that if I could understand the treatise and the Order, then I might find my father."
Harry glared suspiciously.
"You don't believe me..."
"Go on – please," he asked in a gentle voice.
"There isn't much else to say. After doing my homework I dug up enough information to go looking for the treatise. I finally ran into Lasaurus – my father – just as I told you before."
Harry paused to size up the story.
"When did your father realize who you were?"
She looked bothered by the question.
"What does it matter Harry?" she replied bitterly.
"It matters a lot – so answer."
"Well it was after I found what I was looking for. I can tell you that."
"How much of your charm did you use to work your way with him?" he asked, rather dryly.
"I resent that implication."
"Yeah, so how much?"
"Not that much. He recognized the resemblance to my mother I think."
"So you fooled him into thinking you were a Muggle. So how exactly did you manage to steal the treatise? You never said." he continued.
"Sorry Harry, but I've said all I dare."
He nodded and bit his lower lip sternly.
"Okay, then this is how it's going to go – unless something changes. Get dressed in the things you had when you came in..."
"They're dirty Harry," she interrupted.
"We'll get them cleaned then – okay?"
She nodded.
"Be ready at eleven o'clock tomorrow morning. Other than that, I can't promise you anything," he said, firmly.
"What do you mean you can't promise me anything?"
"If it goes badly for your father – I can't promise you anything."
She nodded curtly.
"And what if it goes bad for you?"
"Same deal I guess," he said as he rose from the chair. "Have your arse ready by eleven tomorrow."
‡‡‡‡‡‡‡
When Harry made it back to the cubicle farm Ron was nowhere around. He was probably still chewing on details with Hermione, he thought. From now on, he would communicate details through Ron. He was tired sitting through bitch sessions with Hermione and finished with all her ridiculous mood swings. He was the one that had pushed so hard to get her on this case, and now he was sorry for it. She had dug up some useful information but nothing to warn him of the mess he was in now. Somehow he had lived through it and now it was time settle this business with Lasaurus – like he'd wanted to do in the first place.
Finally, the shuffling of feet around the corner.
"Oh Harry – you talked with Penny?" asked Ron.
"Yeah, I did and she'll be ready tomorrow."
"Did she tell you anything – anything more that is?"
"Very little. She claims it's the same story. Says she just left out the name. She claims she was really trying to find him when she stumbled on the importance of the documents and the treatise."
"What do think?" Ron asked and grabbed a nearby seat.
"I try not to. Not anymore. I'm ready to bring this embarrassing mess to an end. And not the way Kingsley wants to do it. Penny deserves a year or so in Azkaban for this caper, but that about it. It's Lasaurus we're after. He's the bastard that killed Jerry."
"Lasaurus could be a tough one to handle," Ron instructed.
"Yes, well – I believe in the instruction from Beollan and the two wands."
"I hope you're right Harry," Ron added through squinted eyes.
"Well, anyway – I'll go in first with Penny. I'd expect Lasaurus to be in the center of the music hall. His powers of division will be greatest there. I'll try to maneuver to the nearest wall and see what happens," Harry said, looking away into space.
"What about me and Hermione?"
"You shouldn't go in with us – I'd say just outside the door," added Harry, and Ron nodded.
A little inter-department memo flew about the room and crash landed on Harry's desk, breaking the icy stillness. Harry picked up the note and quickly scanned through it.
"It's from Quixwood. He must have a new toy he working on," he said and rose. Ron was passively seated and still with a few questions on his mind, judging from his expressions.
"Better go see," Harry added and scurried off.
Harry was happy to have an excuse to leave. He felt Ron would eventually try to push Hermione's position on him, and he would accept no part of it. He made his way to the Department of Magical Transportation and then took the almost hidden entryway to the new Department of Muggle and Magical Technologies. He browsed around through bench after bench of gadgets and gizmos until he heard a clicking sound coming from a remote corner. Sitting at a bench with his back to the door was Bradford Quixwood. So as not to startle the overly nervous and nerdy wizard, Harry cleared his throat lightly. In spite of his precaution Quixwood jumped and nearly fell off the stool.
"Oh – Harry, didn't expect you so soon." Quixwood never expected anyone in his claustrophobic workshop as was always surprised or startled when visitors braved their way into his shop.
"I got your note Quixwood – what's up?"
Without a word the energetic wizard spun on the stool so fast the tails of his powder-blue lab coat were flying straight out. He was off like a shot and returned a few moments later with a long black coat.
"Here – try it on Harry. Bet I guessed the size right."
Mystified, Harry tried on the coat, suspiciously. The coat felt right in the shoulders and sleeves. Quixwood backed up a few steps to survey the fit.
"It looks good," the wizard said. "How does it feel?"
"Well, it fits fine – but why a coat Quixwood?" Harry asked, genuinely perplexed.
"It's a new invention. The coat contains a shield charm," Quixwood boasted, proudly.
"Really, a shield charm heh. What spells does it block?"
"Most anything really," Quixwood replied. "Stunning spells, the Confringo, Confundo, Crucio, the Imperio curse, the Incarcerous curse, attacks from Dementors, and all the jinxes."
"And killing curses?" asked Harry.
There was an out-of-nature pause from the normally hyper and nerdy wizard.
"I'm still working on an effective shield charm for killing curses," he replied, looking rather deflated. "
Harry nodded slowly to consider the usefulness of the coat.
"Well, I'm sure it will help Quixwood."
The little wizard flashed a toothy smile.
"I thought so Harry – it beats going into combat with nothing at all."
Harry thanked the wizard and removed the coat to throw it over his arm. After a brief chat, Quixwood proudly went over his latest inventions and technological solutions. Harry pretended to be interested in the latest visions from Quixwood's head, and then reminded the wizard of business he had to attend.
As he left Quixwood's office, he couldn't help but think that Quixwood had already heard of the plan to meet with Lasaurus. Probably by now, as fast as rumors traveled, all of the Ministry knew of their plans.
With no further contact from Hermione or Ron, Harry left the Ministry early and sought out the comfort of Grimmauld Place. He took a long and humorous look at the long great coat and put it away. Maybe after Quixwood perfected the garment with the ability to block killing curses, he might consider it but for now it would hang in his wardrobe.
He slept restlessly all night and by the next morning Kreacher was suspicious something was going on. The old house-elf was either psychic or so attuned to Harry's every move, that he nearly always knew when Harry faced a dangerous assignment. Over coffee and breakfast Harry browsed through the paper but never stopping on a specific article. Kreacher was still watching him.
"Is you still going to Diagon Alley this weekend sir?"
"For sure Kreacher – was there something you needed?" He replied as casually as possible. He figured Kreacher threw the question out as a barometer to check his mood.
"Yes sir – we needs a few things for the kitchen," he replied with a croaky voice.
"No problem Kreacher – we'll get what you need," he went on, and Kreacher seemed okay with his reassuring and casual tone of voice. Eating enough to assuage Kreacher's suspicions, it was time to get to the Ministry. But before he left the house, he went back and dug through his dresser for Ms Tilliedaff's watch. After the close call in the tunnel, it felt like a charm now, and if the unthinkable were to happen, he'd want it on him. It was a crazy thought, and he didn't dare dwell on it, but a thought nonetheless.
It was Ron's turn for coffee, but he wasn't sure if the red-headed wizard would remember. Turning the last corner before the hitting the cube farm he began to smell Ron's blend of Arabbica. His cup was already on his desk and Ron was casually thumbing through the Daily Prophet at his own cube.
"Wasn't sure if you'd remember," Harry said and plopped down at his desk popped the top of the coffee.
"It's a big day for us Harry. If we lose Penthane, Shacklebolt will send us to Azkaban in her place."
"Ron... we're not going to lose her – so chill out."
"I sure hope you're right. If those formulas she's hidden ever get out..."
"Don't worry Ron. They're not, Okay?"
Ron sampled the coffee. It was still to hot and he gazed at the walls of green plaster, silently.
"Well... I know you want to make things right with Jerry," said Ron, breaking the silence. "But if they do get out, then this thing you've got with Lasaurus becomes very small. Very small indeed."
It was Harry's to to stare silently into space.
"Have you talked to Hermione," asked Harry. Suspicious now that Hermione had put these fears in his head.
Ron nodded.
"And, is she going?"
"No, she's not," he replied, quickly going from a nod to a shake.
Harry gawked in disbelief.
"Are you joking? She was sure as hell ready to go yesterday," he replied, sternly.
"I don't know. She doesn't feel right about it now."
"Well, be ready about eleven – that's when I told Penny to be ready."
"What do you know about the 'Roundhouse'?" asked Ron.
"The band's played there. The atrium is very large – a large round room."
"How does that play for us?"
"Not so good mate, he'll probably be in the middle. His powers of division will work best that way. Beollan warned me to stay away from places like this, but Lasaurus has picked it and we'll have to go with it."
"So whad you have in mind?"
"Not sure really, but I'll probably just stay a few feet inside the door. That way he can't get behind me. And you'll be able to hear me talking."
"So when do I come in?" Ron asked with a puzzled expression.
"I'm not sure yet. I'm not sure if Lasaurus will get there early or late."
"Well, he can't walk the hostages in. He'll have to use apparition and likely appear right in the center of the room."
Harry nodded. "Brilliant. There's a gents room in the hallway to the atrium. You could hear Penny and me walk by from there," Harry added.
"Cough twice when you pass."
"For sure."
‡‡‡‡‡‡‡
The last hours of the morning drug on forever, but finally Harry made it to the detention area, exactly at eleven. The big security guard, whose name he now thought was Eulinda, was just as stiff and proper as ever on this morning.
"Let me check," she said and ambled off.
A few minutes later, she appeared again.
"She's having some trouble getting ready – try back later," she instructed.
"We don't have much time," he protested, but the guard smiled unevenly and left him standing at the gate alone.
At a quarter past the hour, Harry was livid. He was now banging on the bars that made up the cage and shouting for anyone to hear. Finally footsteps announced the guards arrival and Harry unloaded.
"You bring her here at once. At once – do you hear?"
"I'm sorry sir," she apologized and furrowed her thick brows. "But her clothes are not ready yet."
"Send her out her in prison garb. Send her naked, I don't care. Just get her out here."
With an offensive expression, the guard withdrew into the bowels of the detention area as Harry nervously paced the floor.
At twenty five past the hour, Harry had waited enough and was ready to make good his promise; pointed the Holly wand at the lock on the detention cell door, he had 'Alohomora' on his lips when the shuffling of feet could be heard from somewhere inside the labyrinth of cells.
The big guard emerged with Penny in tow and wearing magical shackles. She unhooked the large keyring and unlocked the gate door.
"She's all yours," the guard grumbled and handed the chain between the shackles to Harry.
"We're late," he complained.
"Sorry," came the insincere reply.
"It was always something with you wasn't it?" he asked accusingly as they maneuvered through the narrow corridors and toward an open yard to disapparate from.
"What do you mean?" she replied defensively.
"You were always testing every limit – and the truth – it was always around the next corner for you – just out of sight."
"You wouldn't want a girl not looking her best on a last date," she quipped dryly.
"Let's go," he snapped and reached for her hand.
With a zip and a little pop, they settled in the parking lot of the Roundhouse. He looked around the car park and remembered all to well the fight with the two wizards and Jimbo falling victim to the killing curse. Subconsciously, he looked toward the spot where the big man fell. Casually and inconspicuously he led Penny to the side door of the deserted venue. With a quick 'Alohomora' they unlocked the door and started down the long corridor toward the entryway to the large atrium.
The pair paused in front of the Gent's lavatory where Harry cleared his throat and managed two dry coughs. He hoped Ron was there to hear them. Giving Penny's shackles a little tug toward the door, she responded tentatively. They pushed open the door to the Atrium to look over the rows of seats slanted downward and the empty wooden floor below. Lasaurus was nowhere in sight.
"Let's just hang right here," he said, and the pair eased a short distance from the door with the wall at their backs.
"It's not too late to call this off Harry," Penny said, softly over the silence of the deserted expanse.
"I wish..." he said at length and they waited quietly in the empty building.
Fifteen minutes later, there was no sign of Lasaurus or the two hostages. Harry felt the butterflies in his stomach, but now they felt like snakes. Penny too was showing signs of apprehension as she constantly shifted weight from one leg to the other and looked around for a clock that wasn't there.
"What time is it?" she asked.
"What do you care?" Harry fired back.
"I need to know."
Amused by this, Harry dug through his jacket for the pocket watch. He flipped open the lid and looked at the onyx black enameled face.
"It's twelve twenty. He's way late."
Harry, worried now with an unidentifiable anxiety, tried to convince himself that the fears were unwarranted. Lasaurus was late and that was all. But still, it lead to suspicions that the old wizard might have a card hidden up his sleeve.
He glanced toward his prisoner, about to suggest she take a seat, when a creaking door in the back of the auditorium broke the silence.
First footsteps, slow and sure, approached and then Lasaurus himself entered the room and stopped in the center, majestically. Again wearing the crudely woven robe that was a trademark of the Order, Harry was suspicious there was nothing crude or simple about the man. He looked about the room, instantly spotting Harry and his daughter.
With the hood pulled back the wizard had long black hair, tied in the back and showing wide streaks of silver grey. There was a swagger about the man as he moved to the stage-like wooden floor with confidence in every movement. Extended past the hem of the simple robes, Lasaurus wore polished blacks boots of the finest quality. Even at the distance between them, rings with large settings were visible on both hands. There was a stage-like presence about the man and Harry could see immediately the resemblance between the wizard and his daughter.
There were a few moments of silence as one wizard took the appropriate time to size up the other. Harry glanced toward Penny, who appeared unmoved by the image of the man.
"We meet again Mister Potter," he announced and raised his arms in a salutatory manner.
"Where are Hannah and Mundungas?"
"They are safe. For the time being," he said with the self assurance of someone who had lived so very far past his time.
"That was not our agreement," rebuked Harry.
"I think this note will satisfy our agreement," the wizard announced and reached slowly into his robe and withdrew a folded piece of parchment. "This is a map where you will find them."
"You mentioned nothing about using a map. If you want your daughter then bring them here," Harry replied, sternly.
Lasaurus cupped his huge hand over his forehead to help extract a thought.
"I know why you're here wizard, and it's not to exchange my daughter. You seek me to avenge the loss of an Auror. That was a mistake on my part, and further loss of life will not bring him back. Use this map – you'll find your friends in an old waterfront shack. Both are quite safe at the moment, but the tide is coming in as we speak. If you leave now, you'll have no trouble finding your friends," he said and waved his hand as if to conclude matters. "Now leave my daughter and go."
"Let me see the map – I brought Penny – so let me see the map," Harry demanded.
At that moment, the wizard simply tossed the map and it floated on a spell of magic across the room and into Harry's hand. Glancing at the map, Harry didn't have time to study it, but it appeared complete.
"RON – RON," he yelled for his backup with no response. He waited a few moments but Ron never appeared.
"I thought you might try something like this. Your friend won't be able to help you. Not now."
A hot flash of anger shot through his body, and Harry dropped the parchment. Before it landed both wands flew out of the jacket pockets and settled firmly in his hands with a little snap.
"Then your fate will be the same."
"He's uninjured – I assure you," the wizard assuaged and held his palms up.
"You haven't met the terms of the arrangement. And you and your daughter will go to Azkaban for your actions."
"I can't go to Azkaban and neither will my daughter suffer in that hell hole. There's no time for this – any of this. Go to your friends and let me leave with my daughter."
"You took matters into your own hands – that's why we're here."
"And your Ministry's charges against my daughter were false."
"If you stand trial for your own offenses your daughter won't have to."
"I've pleaded for reason and I've said enough – Penny come over here," he instructed and opened his robe with the left hand. Penny looked toward the tall wizard but didn't move.
"Penny..." he repeated.
Still, Penny failed to budge. She looked to Harry and a grimace began to form on her face. Suddenly a moan and the raven-haired witch doubled over, clutching her abdomen.
"Penny," Harry called, but the witch crumpled into a chair with her head in her hands.
"What is this?" demanded Lasaurus.
Gradually a transformation began to take place and the raven-black hair faded into a bushy mouse-brown hue. Her figure morphed into something smaller and the clothes fell about her in a baggy fashion. Slowly the head came up as the wave of pain faded.
"I'm sorry Harry," she confessed. "I couldn't let you take her."
"Hermione, what have you done?" Harry asked pointlessly, knowing her predilection for Polyjuice potions.
"You'll pay for this trick," Lasaurus warned, bitterly.
"I had no hand in it, but the outcome for you will be the same," Harry spit out the reply and took a step away from the wall.
"Bloody hell," the wizard said and pulled a gnarly wand as old as he was.
"I'll ask you officially now," Harry asked loud and clear. "Did you kill a wizard in London and injure another?" he asked with one more step forward.
"You're not up to this task – not this time," came the icy casual reply.
Nervous energy couldn't be restrained any longer, and Harry began the engagement with a pissed-off curse toward the burly figure. Instead of a parry, the huge man split into separate parts and the curse flew harmlessly between them. Immediately Harry began a ripost with both wands at both figures. Again each figure divided into mirror images and now Harry was facing four figures. Proud of his magic, Lasaurus and each one of his images smiled eerily. Clueless as to what to do next, Harry waited defensively.
"Nice trick. But your tricks won't save you," Harry taunted. He knew he had to get the wizard to attack. That was the only way to tell which image was real.
The wizard and his images smiled again, and then all appeared to conjure a curse, ubiquitously. But under artificial lemon lighting of the music hall the curses were nearly transparent. Unable to see the curses converge, a wave of panic swept over Harry. Forgetting his training he dove under a table to see the real curse fly overhead to explode against the wall.
Flushed with anger and embarrassment, Harry jumped up and quickly snapped a curse off at each image before the wizard could react. The curses went harmlessly through three images – one image parried. Knowing the position of the wizard now, he quickly jetted curses with both wands at the wizard only to see the wizard split into two parts to duplicate another shell trick.
Remembering his training now, he relaxed his left hand to let the black wand sort things out like a divining rod. He glanced over to see Hermione, now standing in Penny's baggy clothes with a wand in hand and free of the shackles. The black wand pulled toward the wizard, two from the left, and Harry shouted the only defensive spell known to defeat a killing curse.
"EXPELLIARMUS!"
A huge wave of red charged bravely to meet the curse – and then carried on as if had only encountered thin air. Somehow he must have fired at one of the duplicates. Conjuring a shield charm from under the table, Harry feared now for himself and Hermione. With fresh resolve and speed that even Beollan couldn't manage he arose again and managed a quick succession of five curses, one for each image. One curse continued through a mirage to explode against a cluster of electronics. The lighting and control console must have been hit as the overhead lights flickered and then changed from yellow to red. They were fighting now amid an eery red light that reacted with Lasaurus' spells to turn turn them a very bright violet.
Distracted for a moment by the exploding console, Harry missed identifying the real wizard among the imposters; but Hermione was firing a curse at a wizard on Harry's far left. Lasaurus jetted an evil violet curse toward Hermione, who did her best to parry and Harry assisted with a huge plume of shield charm.
Their combined defenses were not quite enough and Hermione was hurled back by the force of the attack. Realizing their attacks against the wizard were hopeless Harry swung to another tact.
"EXPULSO!" Harry conjured and a wide wave of energy erupted from both wands. The spells slammed harmlessly through the mirage doubles, but Lasaurus was thrashing wildly to block the curse. Harry glanced back at Hermione who was doing her best to get up and reenter the fray.
"EXPULSO!" Harry redoubled the attack and there were no more silly grins from Lasaurus. Whatever works was his only conscious thought.
"EXPULSO." Now Lasaurus was pissed and completely on the defensive. He managed to block the spell and then paused. A moment later the images vanished and the wizard had became one again.
"Tiring of your tricks?" taunted Harry as he took a few steps toward the robed wizard.
Lasaurus said nothing and stood motionless.
"You're better than the rest of the Order; I'll give you that – but the results will be same."
The wizard hissed venomously and extended the gnarly wand; a huge violet light exploded from the tip in the same instant.
Without wasting energy to create the duplicates, the now violet colored killing curse doubled in size.
"EXPELLIARMUS," Harry conjured from the Holly wand and the two curses collided with a thunder-like explosion that reverberated through the hall and shook the Roundhouse windows. Like two vipers the curses curled, hissed, and fought, each trying to overpower the other.
Hermione stepped in at this moment and fired a curse at Lasaurus. The wizard stepped forward and in one whip like motion, deflected Harry's attack to counter Hermione.
Once again Harry tried to help cover her by throwing a shield charm between the two wizards but it wasn't enough. Lasaurus' curse was still strong enough to drill through and slam the hapless witch against the wall. Harry, locked into watching Hermione fall, felt the pull of the black wand and instantly realized he was too late to intercept another curse sizzling through the air. He struggled to get the wand up and conjure another Expelliarmus, but it was too little too late. Lasaurus' curse slammed through to hit him like a sledgehammer. He saw stars and tumbled backwards over a row of chairs, then everything faded to black.
He heard voices. Sandy was urging him to get up. Ginny and Hermione were screaming for him to get up. Get up mate, he heard Ron pleading and realized they were just desperate voices in his head. He made every effort to heed the voices anyway and blinked and shook his head to clear the cobwebs. He opened his eyes and struggled to focus. Standing over him was Lasaurus pointing the gnarly wand toward his forehead. There was nothing left to do but wait.
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A/N: Intriguing comments from Chelsea08 and downright flattery from FlyorFight - many thanks. Grats for the new favs and follows. Thanks for reading and don't forget to review.