INTERLUDE V
The last year had been the best of Jeremy's life.
While he was still unsure as to how he'd ended up in Muggle London that day last July, he considered it to be the best decision of his life. On his way home, he caught sight of a casino and his curiosity had been enflamed.
While he wasn't much for wand-based magic, Jeremy had excelled at Rosewood's in Divination and Muggle Studies, at least enough to take NEWT classes on both subjects. Unlike Wizarding Casinos, Muggles had no way of defending themselves from a sorcerer who could foresee the way the cards would play and the dice would roll.
He knew he had to be careful, just a few big wins here and there in each gambling establishment, otherwise he would attract the attention of the Aurors. The self-restraint was the hardest part, but the fact that he was now able to afford whatever he wanted and drop out of Rosewood's while he was at it made it easier to control his greed.
He had been an average student and a bored part-time shop assistant in the Wizarding World, but he was able to live like a king amongst Muggles. The life of an independent Rogue suited him.
He had all but given up on maintaining his bonds to the world he'd been born into, much to his family's dismay. He now enjoyed the company of Muggles who were of a similar age. They had been born into wealth and assumed he was much the same.
Upon his return from another holiday with his flavour of the week, one of his friends had recommended The Hotel Babylon for his stay while he searched for a more permanent residence in the city. However, just as he began to enjoy the room and the company he'd brought with him, the door to his suite was kicked open. He was shot with a dart before he even managed to get a finger on his wand.
After an indeterminate amount of time had passed, Jeremy awoke strapped to a table, wearing a breezy hospital gown. Whatever he'd been shot with left him too sluggish to care, but when a figure appeared over him and waved its wand, his mind snapped back into sharpness.
He immediately began screaming for help when he saw who was looming over him.
"No magical restraints, I'm afraid," Dolohov said apologetically. "The Mana would only interfere with the transfer process."
"W-what?" Jeremy stuttered, giving up on screaming when no one arrived to help him.
"What happens next will propel you into legend, my young friend," Dolohov promised. When he stepped back the table began to move backwards. It was hard to see as his neck had been strapped to the table as well, but he caught a glimpse of a silver tunnel before he was forced into it.
"Wait! Please-!" He kept shouting and pleading, even though he knew it was useless.
The table stopped moving when his entire body was submerged in darkness, but only for a moment, as red runes suddenly flared to life before his eyes.
Then his entire world became agony.