Chapter 7: Reaching Out
Author Notes:
Hi everyone it's me your favourite author the Mandalorian terminator coming to you with another brand new chapter of my popular story Tales of The Wheeler Family! Yesterday was my birthday so consider this a belated birthday present. I want to thank everyone who has read, reviewed and is following this story. It means so much to me. Now I know a lot of people were VERY upset about me killing Lucas. I'm sorry but I did it. Lucas Sinclair is dead. This chapter will follow up with Max and the introduction of her aunt Queenie Goldstein from Fantastic Beasts. Also this is not the same Queenie from the films she will be different in terms of personality no longer as flirty as she was. Why is this? You'll find out in this chapter. Hope you like it and please remember to read and review!
"Lucas? Lucas look at me! Stay with me Lucas!" Max practically begged as Lucas lay in front of her, his shirt still stained in blood. Max had already done CPR on Lucas several times and no result. There was no pulse and the ambulance still had not arrived.
"Come on come on!" Max fumed as she tried dialling 911 again. She couldn't lose him.
Suddenly she felt a presence behind her. Turning around she saw a tall older woman standing above her. The woman had grey curly hair and bright blue eyes. She was dressed in a black pantsuit.
"Aunt Queenie your here!" Max said a mixture of relief and surprise in her voice.
"Niece," Was all Queenie said. It had been a long time since Max had seen her aunt. The last time had been at Christmas in California in whole family gathered around the table, Max, Susan, Sam, her other Aunt Tina, Tina's husband Newt Scamander. All smiles and celebrations. It was the last Christmas Max had had with her whole family. After that her father had divorced Susan and moved from San Diego to Los Angeles. Before Max knew her mother had married Neil Hargrove and she had a step-brother Billy Hargrove.
Following her mother's new marriage she never saw Tiana and Queenie again. She knew neither approved of Neil but that Neil had forbad Susan to see them again.
"Aunt Queenie I need you to–" Max began but Queenie cut her off.
"I already know what you want, niece. I'm a Legilimens remember? I can read minds. And the answer is no," Queenie replied.
"What?" Max was in disbelief. She had thought that surely her aunt Queenie would jump at the chance to help her.
"Bringing back someone from the dead is against the Laws of Magic." Queenie said in a matter of fact tone of voice.
"Since when have you cared about rules?!" Max snapped.
"Trust me, niece you don't break ANY of the Laws of Magic unless you've got a death wish and want to be shipped off to Azkaban. Been there done that. Not going back so no, I'm not going to use magic to bring your husband back," Queenie said her voice firm.
"You came all this way just to tell me that in person?"
"Yes. So you would understand the serious nature of what I'm saying, niece. Your husband is dead and magic can't save him," Queenie replied.
Max gave her aunt a look. "You really are a cold-hearted bitch. What, because you didn't get the guy everyone else has to be miserable too is that it?" She retorted.
Queenie cut her off with a quick turn of her head, her attention on her now. "How do you know about…" She bit her lip and Queenie gave her a humourless smirk. "You've spoken to Teen. Did she tell you all my deepest darkest secrets then?"
"If you're asking if I know about Jacob then yes I do. You joined a fanatic just because you couldn't marry Jacob?!" Max replied. (1)
Queenie scoffed. "Congratulations. You know. Oh and there was more to it than that. American wizarding laws forbid marriage between wizards and no-Maj's. Teen always held that against me. I made one bad mistake and it cost me everything. My sister, Jacobi, even my own freedom for a brief period of time."
"So now's your chance to make up for it. I can't lose Lucas. Please you have to help him!" Max declared.
Queenie looked fed up. "I've already told you I can't help you. Why don't you ask Teen instead?"
"I already have. Aunt Tina was the first person I called. All she did was offer her condolences. She said she wouldn't break the Laws of Magic."
"Of course she did. She's always been Miss Prim and Proper, always the responsible one. So when she said no you thought about asking me instead. Right?" Queenie said with a small smile.
"I didn't even call you though how could you know that I would ask you for help?"
"Mind reader remember? I knew you would ask me to use magic so I decided to arrive in person to tell you no," Queenie replied.
"So that's it then? You're just going to leave now? Wow thanks aunt Queenie. Great job!" Max said sarcastically.
Queenie glared at her niece. "I am not going back to Azkaban understand? The Fifth Law of Magic says quite clearly "Thou Shalt Not Reach Beyond the Borders of Life". (2) That means no necromancy. I'm sorry but there's nothing I can—" She paused, a thought occurring to her. A smile began to form across her face.
Max noticed the change and frowned. "What is it?"
"Bringing someone back from the dead may be forbidden by the Fifth Law of Magic, but it doesn't say anything about a God doing it," Queenie explained, her smile growing wider.
"What does that mean?" Max asked confused.
Queenie approached Lucas's body, took out her wand and waved it around his body. As she did his body seemed to shimmer with a brief white light.
"Good. He's only half gone. Plus he hasn't been dead for a full hour which means we should still be able to get it back," Queenie explained absentmindedly talking to herself as she examined Lucas's body.
"Get what back?" Max asked.
"Your house doesn't happen to have a fireplace does it?" Queenie suddenly asked, looking up from the body to stare at Max.
"Yes why?"
"Perfect! Right show me niece!" Queenie said manically as she leapt to her feet like a child at Christmas time.
Max obeyed and went inside their now bullet-ridden living room to where the old fireplace stood to the side of the living room, untouched by the bullets and the flames still raging. Queenie began searching her pockets and after a while took out two lumps of a small greyish powder. "Knew I still had some left," She said triumphantly.
"What is that?" Max asked as she eyed the strange powder in her aunt's hands.
"Floo Powder. Wizards use the Floo Network to travel to different locations or for communication. Very effective trust me. You and I are going to use it to travel to Los Angeles," Queenie explained. (3)
"Why? What's in Los Angeles?" Max asked.
"Underneath the DOA Recording Studious is the entrance to the Underworld. That's where we're going." (4)
"The Underworld? But that's just a story. It's not real," Max protested.
"Of course it's real. Where else do you think the dead go?" Queenie retorted as she stepped up to the fire and threw the powder into the flames.
With a roar, the fire turned emerald green and rose higher. "Now this is very important. You need to copy exactly what I do understand? Once you get into the fire, say where you're going and you'll instantly be transported there. Watch and do exactly as I do. You're going to love this, niece," Queenie said a smile on her face as she stepped right into the emerald flames, shouted, "DOA Recording Studious!" and vanished.
Max gasped. Her aunt was gone. Literally. Taking a deep breath, Max walked to the edge of the fire, scattered her own powder into the flames and stepped forward. The fire felt like a warm breeze; she opened her mouth and shouted exactly as her aunt had, "DOA Recording Studious!"
It felt as she was being sucked down a giant sink hole. Falling fast…..Down and down she went, falling faster and faster… She closed her eyes wishing it would stop, and then – she fell, face forward, onto a cold floor.
Dizzy and bruised, Max got gingerly to her feet. Queenie stood in front of her. "Huh? What do you think? Was that fun or what?" She asked excitedly expecting Max to be just as excited.
"You could have warned me about that drop!" Max replied giving her aunt a playful shove.
Queenie shrugged. "Must have slipped my mind. Anyway we're here!" She gestured around them. They were in a large empty pitch black house. The scurrying of rats echoed against the walls; their sharp toes scratching across the cracked concrete. In the distance was the humming sound of the interstate. A few late night rigs making their way across the country, passing by the city without a second thought.
"Oh my god! We've…..moved!" A bewildered Max said as she looked around her surroundings.
"Yes we have. We are now in Los Angeles. And right opposite this very house is the DOA Recording Studious where we need to go," Queenie said as she led a still bewildered Max out of the house, across the street to where the recording studio stood.
The doors in the lobby said: NO SOLICITORS. NO LOITERING. NO LIVING. Inside the lobby, muzak music played over speakers surrounding the lobby and the carpet and walls were steel gray. There was black leather furniture and an elevator towards the back of the lobby.
A tall, elegant, and handsome man, with chocolate-coloured skin and bleached-blond hair, shaved military style stood on a raised podium. He wore tortoise-shell shades and his eyes were empty, full of death and despair Max noticed.
He wore a silk Italian suit that matched his hair. A black rose was pinned to his lapel under a silver name tag. It read: "Charon". (5)
"Who dears enter the entrance to the Underworld?" Charon asked in a British accent.
"We seek to recover a recently dead soul from here," Queenie answered.
"Name?" Charon asked.
"Lucas," Max replied.
Charon turned and almost seemed to be looking into Max's very soul. It was unnerving. "There are many Lucas's here. I take it he has a last name, mortal?"
"Sinclair. Lucas Sinclair."
Charon seemed to accept the answer. "Do you have... payment?" He asked slowly.
Max pulled out $200 dollars in cash from her pocket and handed it to Charon. All of a sudden Max could smell smoke. It was coming from the cash she had just handed to Charon. It had burst into flames! Before Max's very eyes the cash was reduced to ash as if it was never even there.
"Mortal money is worthless. The Underworld requires proper payment," He said glaring at Max as the remaining ash vanished from his hands.
"I'm sorry but who are you again?!" A frustrated Max asked
"Charon, Daimon of Boundaries at your service, mortal. I'm the ferryman," He introduced giving Max a mocking bow.
"He carries the souls of the newly deceased across the River Styx, that divides the world of the living from the dead," Queenie explained to Max as she reached into her pocket and took out a coin. "Here. For safe passage to the Underworld."
Charon eyed the coin greedily then nodded. "But of course," He said bowing his head in acknowledgement.
Queenie tossed the coin to Charon who immediately snatched it away. He seemed to look it over, then satisfied with it, greedily shoved it into his pants pocket.
"Mortals and Witches are not usually allowed in the Underworld but I guess the Master is making an exception today," Charon noted out loud as he beckoned Queenie and Max to the elevator.
"Where does this led too?" A curious Max asked Charon as they stepped inside. There was only one button marked "DOWN".
"The Underworld of course," Charon replied matter-of-fact. "By the way you might want to hold on to something."
"Why?" Max asked.
Charon pressed the Down button and immediately the elevator began to plummet down, throwing Max and Queenie to the ground. Charon meanwhile stood firmly where he was unmoved by the plummeting speed.
Finally the elevator suddenly jerked to a stop. Charon looked down at Max and Queenie. "For the drop," He said calmly.
Queenie and Max glared up at the ferryman. "You could have warned us!" Max screamed as she rose to her feet.
"Where's the fun in that?" Charon shrugged as he gestured for Max and Queenie to step out.
It took a while for Max's eyes to adjust to the darkness surrounding her. Once she did the first thing she noticed was how vast the River Styx actually was. All around Max was nothing but the river stretching out for as far as her eyes could see. A small wooden rickety boat stood by a dock in front of them with one paddle on it. Charon beckoned for them to climb in.
"Please keep all arms and legs inside the boat otherwise the souls will get you," He explained as the boat began to disembark for the dock.
Max couldn't help but stare at the waters around her. It was nothing but dark, dismal and murky and if she looked close enough Max swore she could see what looked like a body floating underneath!
"They're lost souls," Queenie whispered to her noticing the disturbed look on Max's face.
"For thousands of years, you humans have been throwing in everything as you come across–hopes, dreams, wishes that never came true. Irresponsible waste management, if you ask me," Charon said to them from his place at the front of the boat. He turned to face Max, who let out the biggest scream of her life.
Gone was his chocolate-coloured skin and bleached-blond hair instead now he resembled that of a skeleton. His Italian suit was also gone instead Charon wore a black cape robe.
"Relax, calm down, niece. It's just his natural form," Queenie said in a calming tone hoping to shush her panicked niece.
"Natural?" Max whispered as Charon turned away from her and resumed paddling the boat across the rivers.
"What's Azkaban?" Max whispered to her aunt hoping to pass the time. It felt like hours had gone by and they were still no closer to wherever they needed to be to rescue Lucas.
They had already passed a glittering blue lake with three small islands like a vacation resort in the Bahamas. Queenie had explained it was the Isles of the Blest, reserved for people who had chosen to be reborn three times.
"It's a wizarding prison. Nasty place. Trust me you do not want to go there." Queenie responded grimly.
"You were in prison? No way! How did you escape? Was it like Shawshank Redemption?" Max asked clearly interested and excited about hearing the epic story, her eyes light up as she waited for the answer.
Queenie shock her head. "No. Newt felt sympathetic towards me and felt I deserved a second change so using his older brother's connects and influence was able to get me released from Azkaban. Teen didn't approve of this and she and I parted on bad terms," She said a hint of sadness in her voice.
"But you too were always so happy together whenever you visited me, mom and dad for Christmas and Thanksgiving," Max remarked.
"That was for your benefit. Susan had Teen and I play happy families for your sake. She didn't want you to know that your aunts couldn't stand one another," Queenie replied.
"So all that time you were both what faking it?"
"No. I can't speak for Teen but I enjoyed seeing you grow up truly. I deeply regret that my sister doesn't want anything to do with me all because of a simple mistake. It's only because of Newt's belief in second chances that I'm even here. Newt Scamander is one of the kindest people I have ever meet in my life and I will forever be grateful to him," Queenie said sincerely.
"So what did you do after Newt got you released?"
"I travelled. Been all around the world. Fought vampires in Romania. I was even there during the Second Spanish Civil War in the 70s," Queenie boasted.
"But there wasn't a second Spanish Civil War," Max interrupted confused.
"According to no-Maj history maybe. But wizarding history is much more detailed than yours. Trust me; there was a second Spanish Civil War in the 70s. Nasty little war too. And before you ask no, I had nothing to do with it. I was just there running my bakery next thing I know it's a war zone!" Queenie recalled.
Max smiled. "So you're still cooking then?"
"Of course, it's my passion," Queenie said proudly. "So since we have a long journey ahead of us tell me what's been happening with you, niece?"
Max preceded to launch into how her family had moved from California to Hawkins, Indiana, how she had meet Mike, Will, Lucas and Dustin, how Will had been possessed by a creature from another dimension called the Mind Flayer, and how El had closed the Gate single-handily trapping the Mind Flayer or so they had thought until the following year it had possessed Billy after the Russians had opened their open portal to the Upside Down.
After her niece had finished telling the story and the adventures she and the Party as they called themselves had had, Queenie leaned back scoffing. "Typical no-Maj's. Always messing with things they don't understand. Why do you think us Wizards hide away from your kind?" She said with disdain.
"You know we're not all like that Aunt Queenie," Max replied.
Queenie thought of Jacob and nodded. "I know but even still wizards have had bad experiences with no-Maj's, especially here in America. The Salem Witch Trials for example. But despite all the threats we've faced throughout history, wizards and witches are still here. We're indomitable," She reminded Max. (6)
"This other no-Maj you've married….Lucas. What's he like?" Queenie inquired.
"Amazing. The kindest, bravest, most loyal person I have ever met," Max responded.
Queenie nodded in understanding and looked to Max's baby bump. "Do you know if you're having a boy or girl?" She asked.
Max shock her head. "I want it to be a surprise."
"I could find out if you want." Queenie suggested taking out her wand only to be stopped by Max.
"Don't you dare! I told you I want it to be a surprise," She replied playfully.
Queenie nodded then paused before she asked her next question. "How-how was the…wedding?"
"It was good, one of the best days of my life. Of course you'd know that if you had showed up," Max answered, her tone of voice more bitter than she'd intended.
Walked into that one, thought Queenie but before she could reply Max continued. "I always wondered why you never showed up. Maybe it was because you didn't approve of Lucas or because you thought I was too young to marry. No instead it was because you and Aunt Tiana couldn't put your feud aside for one day."
Queenie sighed and looked down ashamed. She had wanted to go to the wedding; she really had. But her past with Tina had taught her that even if she did all it took was her to say the wrong thing and Tina would lose it and rehash about her past again. "It was your special day. I didn't want Tina or myself to ruin it with an argument. So I decided not to come and I'll always regret I never got to see you walk down the aisle, never heard you say your vows. I'll always be sorry for that," She said.
There was a brief period of silence after that remark. "So um…..why don't gods and wizards get along?" Max asked finally hoping to change the conversation.
"It's always been that way. Wizards see gods as aloof, out of touch, selfish powerful beings who only get involved in affairs unless it directly concerns them while the gods despise the wizards for not being under their control and running around with magic that they believe wizards shouldn't have been born with. It's been like that since ancient civilization, since the time of Sauron and Morgoth and the One Ring and the Age of Elves and Kronos," Queenie explained.
"Now I know your bullshiting me. That's all from Tolkien's Lord of the Rings," Max replied. She'd read the Hobbit before as part of her official "initiation" into the Party – Dustin's idea of course.
Queenie looked at Max with a smile. "Yes that's the name he went by when he was living amongst you no-Maj's."
"Who?"
Queenie raised an eyebrow. "Gandalf of course."
"Gandalf was Tolkien?!" Max couldn't believe what she was hearing. It all sounded so…well fanciful.
"Yes. One of the greatest wizards in history. Most notably known for sending Frodo to Mordor to destroy the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom. But he also fought alongside the four future founders of Hogwarts Salazar Slytherin, Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, and Rowena Ravenclaw during the Great Vampire–Wizard War in the 6th Century. Gandalf even met and become friends with Merlin himself during the War," Queenie continued.
"Vampires? They're real too?" Max asked eyes riveted to her aunt.
Queenie nodded. "The natural enemies of wizards or at least they used to be. Vile creatures they were. Vampires would ambush wizards at night and drain their blood until they were nothing but empty husks. The War was horrific and long; considered at the time to be worse than any of the battles previous fought against Sauron and the White Witch. For a while it even looked like the Vampires would win until according to the history books at least a stranger appeared on the battlefield. He said he was from the stars, a place called Gallifrey. Oh what was his name again? Anyway, he said the vampires were an old enemy of his people and he had come to help us vanquish them once and for all. He helped us drive the vampires back to what would later become the country Romania, where together they killed them all. During the victory celebrations he and Merlin got along very well but Gandalf was weary of him, said he sensed darkness in his heart. Rassilon! That was his name! Anyway after the celebrations he left to return to Gallifrey. The last time he visited Earth was during Merlin's funeral. Perhaps it was the pain of losing his friend but whatever the reason Rassilon never visited Earth again after that. Gandalf was also there at Merlin's funeral, even gave his own eulogy. It was said that the eulogy he delivered was so heartbreaking and raw with emotions that everyone in attendance burst into tears," She recalled to a spellbound Max. (7) (8)
"Woah!" Was all she could say.
"As for Gandalf, he was a true pioneer for the rights of no-Maj-born wizards and Half-bloods. He believed in wizards and no-Maj's living together and learning from one another. He disagreed strongly with Salazar Slytherin's preference for pure-bloods and the two apparently developed a nasty feud. It was so bad they couldn't even stand to be in the same room as one another! Gandalf in particular wanted no-Maj-born wizards and Half-bloods to be taught at the Hogwarts School the Four were planning to build but Salazar refused. The last time Gandalf was ever seen was the official opening of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. While at the opening of Hogwarts, the White Council offered him the position of the Merlin but Salazar protested and spread rumours accusing Gandalf of being a mud-blood and as a result of pressure put on them from Salazar the White Council rescinded their offer. After that he vanished and was never seen from again. Not even Odin's two ravens Huginn and Muninn could find him. It was only after his death that the wizarding community was told what Gandalf had been up to. He changed his name to J.R.R Tolkien, met and fell in love with a no-Maj woman named Edith, even was one of the few wizards to fight alongside no-Maj's in the First World War. He always felt a special kinship with no-Maj's. After the War he wrote about his past adventures concerning the One Ring and passed it off as a simple series of fantasy novels for no-Maj's. Little did they know it was actually history they were reading and not fiction. He was a remarkable man and though his dream for no-Maj's and wizards to live and learn together was foiled at every turn, he never lost hope," Queenie said wistfully.
"I-I can't believe it," A stunned Max said.
"Trust me this little blue planet of ours has been turning for a very long time. It's had many names. The Gods call it Gia, the dwarfs called it Narnia and early Man called it Middle-Earth. But regardless of which name, it has had a long and remarkable history," Queenie mused.
"And all this time I had no idea," Max remarked.
"Of course not. No-Maj's like you don't know Wizardkind even exist because of the Statute of Secrecy." Queenie replied.
"But why? It doesn't have to be like that anymore aunt Queenie. I'm sure times have changed and wizards and non-magical people can now work together," Max suggested.
Queenie shock her head. "We wizards have a long memory, niece. We do not forget how paranoid, suspicious and dangerous no-Maj's are against wizards. We do not forget how they use to kidnap and burn our kind. Once maybe we lived together but that time has long since passed. Now we are separate and we will stay separated just as Wizards and gods stay separated from one another!" Queenie responded.
Max nodded sadly. "As you wish," She said.
"It is for our continued survival, niece. This is The Way." Queenie softly said to reassure Max. (9)
"We've arrived!" Charon, who had stayed silent for most of the journey, suddenly called out.
Max immediately rose to her feet. "Arrived where?" She asked.
"Hades palace." Charon replied.
In front of them was an enormous palace. It was made of glittering black obsidian, with a black marble portico, and the entry hall had a polished bronze floor.
But it was what stood at the entrance to the castle that caught Max's attention and made the hairs on the back of her neck stick up: a gigantic black and mahogany three-headed Rottweiler dog!
The dog growled and barked at the small boat as it docked near the palace. "What is that?" A terrified Max asked as the dog came rushing towards them, the ground practically shaking as the giant dog approached, spit and drool dropping from the three heads. Max could see its enormous blood red eyes staring down at her, its mouth in a snarl.
"Cerberus. Guardian of the Underworld and Hound of Hades," Charon explained to her as he reached into his pants pocket and took out a red ball. "Here Cerberus," He called out waving the ball in front of the dog. Cerberus seemed to notice the ball and the 6 pairs of eyes immediately become glued to it. "Do you want the ball, Cerberus? I know you do. Ok fetch!" Charon threw the ball as far as he could and Cerberus immediately bolted after it.
Queenie and Max took this opportunity to quickly rush into the entry hall. "What about Charon?" Max inquired.
"He's keeping the dog distracted so we can meet with Hades and hopefully get your husband's soul back." Queenie replied as she hurried her niece along.
As they walked deeper into the palace they came across a vast beautiful garden. The air was cool and damp. There were many luminous plants littered around the garden. Max could see numerous subterranean trees glowing in the dark and white birch trees soaring into the air like frozen ghosts, along with orange blossoms, multi-coloured mushrooms and in the centre an orchard of pomegranate trees, the overwhelmingly sweat tart smell wafting through the air.
A dark veranda stood overlooking the garden with a silver throne, a table and a shadow fountain in the corner. A pair of thrones, one bone and one silver sat on the veranda. Seated on the bone throne was a very tall, imposing and muscular man with albino white skin dressed in black flowing robes. He had shoulder-length black hair with bangs covering most of his forehead.
"Come mortals don't be frightened. The Lord of the Underworld welcomes his guests," The man called out and with a snap of his fingers Max and Queenie found themselves standing right in front of the throne.
Upon close inspection Max could see that the throne was actually decorated with many skulls.
"I am Hades, Lord of the Underworld and master of this realm. I must say I haven't had a witch or mortal in my realm before," He introduced looking intently at the pair.
Queenie, without preamble, spoke up first, "Lord Hades we are honoured to be in your presence and humbly ask for the return of –"
Hades held up his hand silencing her. "I already know why you're here, Queenie Goldstein. You came here to get your dead niece's husband's soul so you can bring him back to life. Do you really think anyone can just waltz into the Underworld without me knowing it? I allowed you to enter my realm," Hades explained.
"So you'll help us?" Max asked.
Hades's eyes focused on her. Max could see how intense they looked and how they seemed to glitter like frozen tar. Max wasn't sure whether these were the eyes of a genius or a madman.
"On this occasion, yes. I will help you." Hades snapped his fingers and a small ring appeared in Max's palm. "This ring has been enchanted to protect its wearer from dangers while you are here in the Underworld. Wear it." He ordered.
Max nodded and slipped the ring on. It glowed a bright blue hue. "As for your deceased husband his soul is in Elysium, a so-called paradise reserved for good mortals, heroes and demigods who have died a hero's death and lived a good life. Since he has only recently died, you may be able to leave with his soul should he decide to come with you." Hades continued.
"What do you mean should? Why wouldn't Lucas come back with us?"
"Elysium is a paradise where the souls of mortals and demigods get to remain after death to live a blessed and happy eternal death and indulge whatever they had enjoyed in life. Should he decide not to return with you then this soul will remain in Elysium forever. It must be his choice whether to stay in the Underworld or go with you back to the land of the living," Hades finished explaining, stapling his fingers together.
"You can't be serious?" An incredulous Max asked.
"The rules are the rules, Max Mayfield. You would be wise to follow them." Hades replied in a stern tone.
"Fine then." Max turned to Queenie, "Let's go."
Hades snapped his fingers a third time and Max vanished from where she had stood.
"What did she go? Bring her back now!" Queenie demanded.
"Relax all I did was send your niece to Elysium. If she can convince her husband's soul to return with her then you all get to leave here without a problem. In the meantime you and I can have a proper talk, Queenie Goldstein." Hades said.
"Auntie Queenie? Hello? Can anyone gear me?!" Max shouted at the top of her lungs as she rose to her feet to observe her new surroundings. All around her was neighbourhoods of beautiful houses from every time period in history such as Roman villas, medieval castles and Victorian mansions. There was also flowers of silver and gold blooming on the lawns and grass rippling in rainbow colours.
"Hello? Is anyone there?" Max called out.
"Max?" A voice responded. Max swung round to see where the voice was coming from and saw that the door to one of the Victorian mansions was open. She squinted her eyes to see a figure approaching her. At first she couldn't see who it was but as the figure became clear Max could see exactly who it was.
"Lucas?" She asked, tears beginning to well in her eyes. He looked the same as before he was shot. No evidence of the bullet wounds anywhere. He was instead dressed in white. He gave her a warm and welcoming smile.
"I knew you'd come." He said as he embraced her.
"I'm here to get you back." Max said as she looked deep into his eyes.
Lucas seemed to frown. "Back? Why would I want to go back? I'm happy here. Everyone here is happy. And you will be too."
"Take me back to my niece, Hades. Now!" Queenie demanded as she stared down the God of the Underworld.
Hades dismissed her with a wave of his hand. "You really have come a LONG way from being a lovesick fool to this," He said pointing to her black pantsuit.
Queenie shrugged. "People change."
"You clearly did. Siding with Grindelwald, betraying your own sister and that non-magical mortal you were infatuated with. I guess love really does make mortals crazy," Hades said, gazing at her for a reaction.
"Shut up! I know what I did! I made a mistake and it cost me everything!" Queenie snapped.
Hades leaned back in his throne, a smirk on his face. "There's no one else here now; just you and me. I know you didn't just came here to help your niece."
Queenie paused, her eyes briefly tightening for a second as though she was searching for something. "How did you–"
Hades held up his hand just as he had with Max to silence her. "Don't bother trying to read my mind. It doesn't work on Gods even for a Legilimens such as yourself. So go on then. Ask me what you want to know."
Queenie took a deep breath before answering: "Is Jacobi here?"
Hades clapped his hand together in mock congratulations. "See now how hard was that, Queenie?" He asked.
Queenie didn't have time for games. "Just answer the question! Is Jacobi dead? Is his soul here?"
"Yes and no. Yes he's dead. No he's not here. He is in Elysium enjoying a peaceful life there." Hades answered.
Queenie gasped. She'd known of course that there could be a possibility that Jacobi had died. She'd searched during her travels around the world looking for some small trace of him, just to see him again, see his smile. Maybe even make up for joining Grindelwald…..
"I tried to find him after getting released from Azkaban. I never thought…." Queenie said her voice barely a whisper as she stood frozen trying to process the information.
"He lived a good life, had a family, children, even grandchildren. He passed away peacefully surrounded by them," Hades replied.
Queenie smiled at the news. So he had moved on after all. "Well that's good. I'm glad and happy for me. Jacobi deserved a good life even if it wasn't with me." She said sadly.
Hades studied her reaction to the news carefully. "Would you like to see him Miss Goldstein?" He suddenly asked.
Queenie shook her head. "It would be too painful and bring back bad memories for me. At least I know he's happy. That's enough for me."
Hades seemed to accept the answer. He nodded his head. "Of course. I do wonder though how you would go with seeing say…Gellert Grindelwald." He mused.
Queen's eyes widened a bit at the mention of his name. "Grindelwald is…..here?" She faltered. She knew of course that he had been captured after a duel with Dumbledore during the end of World War 2 and that Lord Voldemort had killed him for information about the Elder Wand. But to see him again after everything…..
"Why? Why would you care if I were to lay eyes on Grindelwald again after all these years?"
"Call it curiosity."
"I call it mind games and they won't work on me. Now, take me to my niece now," Queenie demanded.
"You know what? I'll do you one better. Bring the mirror," Hades commanded as an undead solider dressed in the uniform of a British Redcoat lumbered towards them carrying a large mirror.
Hades gestured for Queenie to look at it. As she did, the glass seemed to shimmer for a second before becoming transcalent. But Queenie wasn't looking at her own reflection. Instead she saw Max standing in front of what looked like Lucas! Behind them was a large Victorian mansion.
"She found him." Queenie whispered as she and Hades gazed at what was taking place.
"Lucas do you remember what happened to you? You were shot remember protecting me? I came to get you back. See, my aunt well she's a witch and she helped me get into this place so I can bring you back. Do you understand what I'm saying? Lucas?" Max asked as Lucas continued to gaze at her, an almost unnatural looking smile plastered on his face.
"Max why would I want to live? I'm happy here. Everyone is happy here. This is paradise," Lucas said gesturing his arms around the neighbourhoods of beautiful houses surrounding them.
"Lucas what about our baby? You want him or her to grow up without their father? Please come back with me," Max begged.
"Look around you. Can't you see how beautiful it is?"
Max did look around. There was nothing to hear, no sound, just the sound of wind chimes. It was eerie.
"Lucas what about your family? Your mom, dad and sister? You're just going to abandon them?" Max inquired this time adding more urgency.
Lucas's smile seemed to falter upon hearing his family be mentioned. As if a switch had gone off inside his mind. "Erica," He said quietly.
"Yes! Erica your sister. Remember her? How she used to drive you crazy? Always going into your room?" Max continued. She was getting through to him she know it.
Unbeknown to Max or Queenie, Hades, who was still observing what was going on through the mirror, snapped his finger behind his back.
"Max? Is that you?" A familiar voice suddenly interrupted them. Max turned to see a figure approach her and gasped as she saw who it was.
It was Billy.
Surprise! I know I said Lucas was dead but I never said it would stick! Ha! I bet you weren't expecting that were you? There was a LOT of dialogue in this chapter I tried to make it all flow as much as possibly while at the same time exploring and detailing more of Queenie's history and the history of wizardkind in general.
Queenie and Max are clearly estranged at the start of the chapter and Queenie has obviously been through a lot. I tried to reference a few things from Fantastic Beasts so you would at least having a starting point. Writing her was a lot of fun especially her constantly referring to Max as "niece" to show again that she and Max aren't close at all but also to show that Queenie is closed off emotionally not even bothering to call Max by her own name due to events mentioned in this chapter. That might change next chapter who knows?
Also I placed a few sneaky mentions throughout this chapter of certain characters did you catch them huh?
And the introduction of the Underworld and Hades. I did a LOT of research into both to make sure it all worked well.
And yes Billy showing up at the end! Again bet you weren't expecting that!
(1)This is referring to in Fantastic Beasts 2: Crimes of Grindelwald where near the end of the film Queenie shockingly joins with Grindelwald.
(2)This is taken from The Dresden Files series of novels
(3)Floo Powder is first used in the second Harry Potter book Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
(4)The DOA Recording Studious being the entrance to the Underworld is taken from Percy Jackson books. I've recently started reading them and I'm hooked. For those wondering DOA stands for "Dead on Arrival"
(5)Charon is the ferry/boatman of the Underworld in Geek Mythology. His look is all based off how he was described in Percy Jackson.
(6)The Salem Witch Trials took place in and around the town of Salem, Massachusetts in people, mostly women, were executed on spurious evidence (another five died in prison); several dozen more were accused but exonerated or never brought to trial.
(7) Vampires appeared in Doctor Who in the episode from the Classic Series "State of Decay". They fought a war against the Time Lords.
(8) Rassilon is also a character from Doctor Who. He is the founder of Time Lords on the planet Gallifrey and its first leader, as Lord High President who developed the technology for Time Lords to travel through time with his colleague Omega.
(9)"This is The Way" is a phrase from the Star Wars Disney plus show "The Manadalorian" as the way of the Manadalorian people
Please enjoying reading and don't forget to read and review!