Harry Potter and the Orb of Slytherin

Chapter 6: The Chamber Once More

At the base of the stairs, Luna was still waiting for Harry when he came down. She had a conservative look to her as if she were waiting for instructions. Harry, deciding company was good for him, held up his invisibility cloak.

"Shall we?"

"Ooh, your invisibility cloak! Is this a real one? I know many counterfeit cloaks are being smuggled into Britain from Bavaria. They only make you look ghostly."

Harry and Luna made their way towards the first floor bathrooms. They made sure to keep quiet and Harry checked his map every so often to make sure no one was nearby. Luna, of course, was enthralled, having seen Harry's wonderful items only once before. Once they arrived, Harry took off the cloak and they stepped inside.

"Myrtle? Are you here?" Harry called out reservedly.

A splash and a moment later, Harry heard the familiar wailing that accompanied Moaning Myrtle. She rose out of her toilet and faced Harry and Luna, arms crossed and demeanor sallow as usual. Her face, however, was more than miserable - it was outright hostile.

"What are you doing in here? Get out of the girls' bathroom! I have nothing to say to you! You tried to murder my friend. GET OUT!"

Harry was angry at hearing these words. Didn't she hear what Malfoy had done? Harry's eyes began to burn a fiery green and his face contorted into a grim but controlled rage.

"Your friend?" Harry shot back in a cold voice. "Draco Malfoy provided the means that led to Albus Dumbledore's death!"

Myrtle tried to stop Harry by wailing at an even higher pitch, but Harry continued, speaking in a louder and more commanding voice.

"He now serves the dark wizard who was the cause of your very murder! What I did was stupid, but I have done nothing but try to bring this evil to an end. Why on earth do you defend him? WHY?"

Myrtle stopped abruptly at Harry's sudden wrath and both she and Luna were staring at him with fearful looks. His eyes were flashing like the greenest of gems, reducing Myrtle to mere whimpering.

"He was my friend," Myrtle said sadly. "He trusted me and visited me when he promised to - something others have done, but never kept. I'm sad and lonely, but he needed me."

Harry calmed a bit after hearing Myrtle's confession. He felt guilty because he was one of the people who had promised to visit Myrtle but never really did.

"Myrtle, I understand. I was one of those people who made that promise to you and broke it. I'm really sorry - I am... but you must see that Malfoy turned against us all and handed over Dumbledore to Voldemort. I need to know why he came to you and what he told you."

Myrtle's tears turned to sniffs and a remorseful look came across her pale, ghostly face. She floated up to the window and looked out into the morning sky.

"I-I don't know why he came in to my toilet. He seemed to be hiding from someone. I came up behind him hoping to scare him away but he wasn't scared of me. He told me to leave, but I told him this bathroom was my haunt and I'd do what I very well pleased. Well..."

"Yes?" Harry sat down on the bathroom floor, looking intently at Myrtle. Luna followed suit, looking at Myrtle placidly. Myrtle, having an audience, seemed much more enthusiastic about talking to Harry and she continued.

"He just began talking. I thought it was to himself, so I said nothing at first. I just watched him; but then he asked a question and I answered it."

"What question did he ask?"

"He asked me whether I knew what it felt like to be something I hated."

Harry's mind began doing somersaults and he began to feel very hot. So Draco actually has a conscious? When did that happen?

"What did you say?" Luna asked.

"I said, 'Of course, I do.' I'm a ghost who never got to live life and now I live in a girl's lavatory! We talked some more, but he soon left with the promise to come back. I stopped taking that to heart years ago, but he did come back, almost every week in fact. He felt he could trust me to keep his secrets when no one else could and I did. I was very good at keeping secrets. I suppose there's no use anymore, though."

"What did you talk about?" Harry began to ask rapidly. "Is he a full Death Eater? Do you think he wants to become good?"

"Oh, I don't know," Myrtle began crying again. "He was always so different each week. Some days he would be absolutely furious, especially when it was about you. Other days, he would be worried, because he thought He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named would come after him if he did not complete his task. Most weeks, though, he was sad. He didn't want to kill anyone... not really. He said he had seen him kill."

"Draco had witnessed Voldemort kill someone? Who?"

"Mr. Fortescue. He knew something that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did not want anyone to ever know. So he killed the man on the spot and told Draco to do likewise when the opportunity came to kill."

"If you knew this," Harry said angrily, "Why didn't you tell anyone?"

"Because I promised!" Myrtle wailed. "I promised him I wouldn't. He was my only friend. He didn't want to do it. I tried to convince him not to, but he wouldn't hear it. He said if I told anyone, he would never visit me again!"

"But he was out to destroy Dumbledore and basically the entire school!"

"He never told me who he wanted to kill!" Myrtle floated straight up to Harry with a pleading look in her eyes. "I swear I never knew. I never knew! I never knew! I thought it was..."

"Harry?" Luna finished for her.

Myrtle's cries became louder and she flew into her toilet and out of sight.

"I remember this Malfoy boy," Worthwhile hissed in Harry's ear. "He was evil to the core. I don't think we can trust that girl's story."

"I saw Draco when he was in the state Myrtle was talking about," Harry replied to Worthwhile. "Unless we're dealing with professional actors, her story must have truth to it."

"Even so Master Harry, a Malfoy is a Malfoy."

"Indeed. I'm not putting an ounce of trust into him or into Myrtle's account of Draco's emotional state, but I'd like to hope all good hasn't left him like it has his dad."

"What do you think Luna?" Harry turned to her and asked. She had been watching their snake dialogue with fascination.

"I think we should give Draco a chance. I don't think Myrtle is a liar."

"She may be deceived though. Draco was put in Slytherin for a reason. He can be devious and cunning. While stupid and arrogant at times, he still received high marks in all of his classes and planned the entire attack on Hogwarts - I simply don't know where he really stands."

"That's something you plan to find out on your journey, isn't it?"

"Everything must come to light before I return," Harry said somberly.

"I'm scared for you, Harry. I will miss you." Luna gave Harry a kiss on the cheek and hugged him. Harry had never seen that kind of emotion come from her, even when she had talked about her mum. Harry thought she was amazingly interesting and did not care what anyone else thought.

"I will miss you too, Luna," Harry said, getting up and pulling Luna up with him. "This is where we must part ways. The Chamber is not a fun place and I wouldn't want to put you in the danger it has a habit of dealing out when I am around."

"Harry you know I'm capable. I can't leave you now!"

"I know that full well, believe me," Harry said smiling. "This isn't about that this time and I hope you understand. I left Ron and Hermione because this is something I must do on my own - I must seek the vengeance the world deserves."

"Are you sure it isn't vengeance for yourself?"

Harry hesitated and looked into Luna's completely honest and straightforward eyes. That was one question he had always pondered but never voiced. When the day came that he finally faced Voldemort - the sinister man who had taken away so much of what he loved - would he be able to put his personal issues aside and fight for the loved ones he still had? Would love or hate rule the battlefield that day?

"I'll let you know," Harry finally said.

"Good luck. Should I let everyone know you are all right when they come looking for you?"

"They will know."

"Okay then, Harry," Luna said in her dreamy state. She hugged him once more and walked out of the bathroom, her head turning for one last glance before the door shut.

Harry turned to the sink that did not work and found the small snake etched into the faucet.

"Open," he hissed.

The sink sank into the ground, once again exposing the pipe that led down into the Chamber of Secrets.

"Are you ready?" Harry asked, not taking his eyes off the dark entrance.

"Just try not to land on your back," Worthwhile replied.

Harry jumped and slid his way through the winding, slimy tunnel. Harry was prepared for the bottom that time around and landed squarely on his feet. Lighting his wand and taking in his surroundings as he walked through the tunnel, Harry noticed Dumbledore had done some cleaning. The bones and giant molted skin were gone and the path was clear from the cave-in that had cut Harry off from Ron and Lockhart his second year.

"I've only ever heard of this place," Worthwhile said as he slithered around Harry's torso, taking in his surroundings. "Fellow snakes I knew were furious with you when they heard Salazar Slytherin's great snake had been defeated by the Boy Who Lived."

"Slytherin bested by Gryffindor - a prevalent theme if you ask me," Harry replied after he opened the doorway with the two snakes guarding the entrance.

The gloomy and foreboding entrance brought memories back to Harry: the giant Basilisk, the Horcrux within the diary coming to life, Fawkes coming to his rescue. Walking down the corridor, the intense and frightening feelings of the looming monster came rushing back, making his skin crawl. What made that twelve-year-old boy face such immense enemies? Where did his courage come from?

"It's like I'm revisiting my past Worthwhile. I can see the young wizard facing Voldemort with nothing but paltry second year magic skills. He's standing there, watching over his friends - protecting them. But really, he's the cause of the trouble."

"Master Harry, I don't understand your reasoning. Was it not the Dark Lord who inflicted the pain? Was it not Salazar Slytherin who built this place? Should they not be the ones at fault and them alone?"

Harry could not answer, his footsteps making the only noise in the soundless cavern. He knew Worthwhile was right, but somehow it didn't feel right. They finally came to the end where the giant statue of Slytherin stood daunting, full of authority. The monkey-like face was something Harry would never forget. The wizard looked powerful, but also judicious. He had a hard time believing someone who looked as wise as Slytherin could turn out to be so malevolent. Horcruxes must truly be ruthless tools.

It was not difficult to spot the room Dumbledore spoke of. Off to the side near the left base of the statue was the door he placed as a safeguard to entry. It was enormous, and colorfully decorated with red and gold hues. Taking out his small key, Harry walked over to the barricade and found the keyhole. Placing it inside, Harry turned and the door slid open immediately, like a sliding door muggles use with electricity.

The inside was little more than a large closet and was utterly empty, but Harry instantly understood what Dumbledore had talked about. He could feel the magic in the room or somewhere nearby. The only thing of note was a small hole, no bigger than a bludger and completely dark when closely examined.

"Dumbledore didn't know any magic that could discover this room's secret. How can I succeed where he failed? I wish Hermione were here. What would she do?"

Harry thought back to all the times Hermione had put her head to the task of solving a problem. He then remembered what Hermione had suggested the last time Dumbledore had set to Harry a task.

"Stick to what I can do that no one else can do," Harry whispered quietly to himself. He then asked Worthwhile more loudly, "What can I do that Dumbledore couldn't?"

"Not to be impolite, but I'm not sure there is much you could do that he couldn't," Worthwhile answered languidly. "Outside of talk to snakes that is."

"Snakes," Harry said thoughtfully. "Snakes! That's it! Talking to snakes was something Slytherin and I could do that Dumbledore couldn't. That's how I found this place and that's how the heir of Slytherin was supposed to get around as well. I would bet a thousand Galleons that being a Parseltongue is the key. In fact, would you be willing to try to slide through that hole? Perhaps, Slytherin had his then-younger Basilisk friend enter and open up some sort of passageway on the other side."

"I will do whatever is needed of me, Master."

Harry lowered his arm to the hole to allow the python to slither down to the opening. It was just large enough for Worthwhile to enter and Harry saw him slide in and out of sight.

After a few minutes, Harry began to worry and called his name into the small gap; there was a small snapping sound and the hole, as well as the rest of the wall, split down the middle and the two halves began parting slowly. What seemed like an ordinary stone wall was actually the front face of an enormous stone barrier, at least one hundred feet in depth. The large stones sliding apart were rectangular and smooth, except for the small half-circle grooves down the middle on either side that made the snake tunnel when the stone barrier was closed.

Harry walked carefully down the newly discovered tunnel with caution, raising his wand high to light the way, ready to make a run for it should the stones begin to close again, but they never did. Reaching the end, Harry found himself in a large room that was dusty and full of stale air.

Smiling to himself, he uttered, "Aether Viriditas!" Instantly, the air freshened and the dust cleared and Harry could see clearly into the dark room. It was small, but roomy, and seemed very old. A table and sole chair stood in the middle, groaning under a massive amount of books. Bookshelves along the walls also weighed heavy with hardbound volumes of various sorts. The room must have indeed been full of magic, for the wooden shelves and table were in good order despite the thousand-year slumber. Something else instantly caught Harry's eye as he scanned the study.

At the end of the room, placed in a pedestal for which it seemed to be made, was a long staff placed upright. It was narrow and at the top was a hollow with an edge on one side only as if it was topped with half of a small, strange, broken bowl of wood. Walking slowly, but deliberately to where the staff stood, Harry reached out and took it out of its base. The staff was extremely light and made of a smooth, tan-colored wood. The bottom was not flat, but was a sharp, slicing edge that was probably used to dig into earth when walking or fighting enemies in close combat. The hollow at the top had a small hole in the bottom, but besides that, it was a perfect waking staff in every way.

The magic that sliced up Harry's spine the moment he touched it was undeniable. He could feel the magic. Dumbledore had said that magic always leaves traces, but holding the staff was comparable to performing an everlasting spell. Harry felt completely energized and his eyes burned brightly as he examined its smooth form transitioned to a rough apex.

Worthwhile slithered up to Harry and climbed up his leg to his shoulders. In the corner of the room was a lever which he had used to open the passage.

"Great job Worthwhile. What do you think?"

"It's considerably less drafty now, but still ancient-feeling. If this chamber was Salazar Slytherin's doing, then this must have been his study."

"I gathered that as well. I'm thinking this may be the staff Beauregard told us about. He mentioned that Slytherin had a great staff that enhanced his magical abilities. It's too bad the orb he talked about isn't attached."

"I thought you said the orb was in the cavern we are to seek."

"That's what he said is most likely inside. It may be a hoax or a trap or nothing at all. The existence of this staff, however, may prove that Beauregard really is on our side. Either way, I had better be as best-prepared as I can be."

Harry walked over to the table. Waving his wand, the table cleared itself of the dusty books and, after animating Dumbledore's magic book, he sat down in the chair and began to read.

* * *

August 3rd

Leaves swirled around Harry's legs and the wind was blowing through the ones not yet fallen off the trees in the small park where he was to meet Ramses Beauregard. It was an unusually early fall season in its start, but that couldn't surprise many wizards, because Voldemort's presence was like an everlasting winter. Harry was sitting on the bench in the park down the street from Number Four, Privet Drive; his new staff was next to him, leaning against the seat. The place was familiar, but no one would think to look for him on that street. To Harry, it had become a place to think or be alone.

He had been studying both Dumbledore's and Slytherin's books for two solid days straight as he waited for his meeting with Beauregard. It was a world that was beyond him for the moment, but he needed to make sense of everything so desperately that he could do nothing but dwell on everything he had read. He stared straight ahead, eyes shifting everywhere in search of Beauregard, but with all thought focused on the Unforgivable Curses.

"They attack the mind..." Harry said quietly to himself.

Worthwhile had been sleeping on Harry's shoulders, but lifted his head in response to his whispers. Because Worthwhile had no eyelids, Harry had always had a hard time telling whether he was awake or not.

"Still can't get your mind off that page can you?" Worthwhile asked sleepily.

"I just can't comprehend it is all. I mean the Cruciatus Curse seemed so real."

"Well it is real. The mind is what creates pain in the first place, correct?"

"Yes, but pain is always inflicted on the body. The Unforgivable Curses, though, only attack the mind. The Cruciatus Curse makes the brain think it's in terrible pain. The Imperius Curse makes the mind do what the caster wants; and Avada Kedavra makes the brain cease to work altogether."

"How is it different than any other way of dying or being in pain though?"

"Because... because a strong mind can resist the curses while it can't resist actual outside forces! In my fourth year, I was able to resist the Imperius Curse. I wonder if with enough practice and will of mind you could resist the others."

"Albus Dumbledore is perhaps the greatest wizard in a thousand years, and he was felled by the Killing Curse. I don't see any reason to think that could be true."

"Dumbledore said something about it though: 'The peace of mind transcends the magical forces.'"

"I just presumed he was talking about Occlumency."

"Yes... yes, so did I, but I can't help wonder. Slytherin also talked about 'peace of mind' in his own book. Maybe he was just talking about the reading of minds as well, but in his book, he added a spell that can give ultimate tranquility to the weak of mind. It gives your brain a huge rest, but also puts it in some sort of timeout - it doesn't make it stop working, but Slytherin said it comes close."

"What on earth could that have a use for?"

"I wondered that myself. In his notes, Slytherin said it could cause a reset for the mind, allowing it to unburden itself and start anew... dormio adfectus."

"I fail to see the use. Trading a coma for a 'start over' button hardly seems like a good idea if you ask me."

"You may be right. Still, a starting point on how to become resistant or even immune to those curses, if it's possible, is a good thing."

They continued to sit and wait as the sun in the sky dwindled to its last lights. They had agreed to meet Beauregard that evening, but had arrived early in order to talk about what the next move was.

No sooner had they finished their conversation when Ramses Beauregard apparated with a tiny pop fifteen feet from where they sat. His round hat and lowered brim shielded his eyes from the setting sun, making him look as mysterious as ever.

He walked up to Harry, but instead of ordering him to get up or beginning to lecture, he sat down next to Harry, looking into the empty, expansive park as Harry was. For a few minutes, they sat, gazing into the darkening night, wind blowing through Harry's hair, but still warm and inviting. Finally Beauregard broke the silence.

"I suppose we're partners from here on out," he said gruffly, but serenely, not turning his head or twisting his body, but looking into the dark night with open eyes and alert ears.

Harry did not answer. He wasn't supposed to be there. He didn't want to be alone, but Beauregard was not the companion he had initially had in mind.

"I need something too Mr. Potter," he continued after a moment more of silence. "I need to be able to trust you as well. I've always worked alone, because I've never liked being dependent on others. However, I've become interested beyond curiosity to see just what you can do. If you help me, I will help you. Can you trust my desire to destroy...V-Voldemort?"

Harry finally turned to Beauregard, looking intently into his hawk-like eyes. There was no other option besides the path Harry had created for himself. He smiled slightly in approval and turned to look ahead again.

"What is our first move?" Harry finally said.

"We make for the cave. We absolutely must know what is inside. Have you perfected your talent of speaking snake tongue?"

"Yes, but it may be more difficult than that. You said Nagini entered the cave. It's possible that the cave may not just only allow Parseltongues to enter, but only snakes themselves. If that's the case, Worthwhile may be the one who will have to go in for us."

"Your friend?" Beauregard asked uncertainly.

"A friend I trust with my life."

"I don't much like his attitude," Worthwhile hissed quietly in his ear.

"It's alright. He has a lot riding on this like we do," Harry hissed back. "Let's give him a shot."

"That's a great staff you have there," Beauregard continued, his eyes running up and down the strong magical relic Harry had at his side.

"Well, Mr. Beauregard, I won't lie - this was a find I have come across that I am particularly proud of."

"Please, from here on, call me Ramses."

"Alright. Likewise, call me Harry."

"Where are your other two companions?"

Harry paused to consider what he should tell him. Harry had just lauded Ron and Hermione's trustworthiness and abilities one week before. Would he now tell Ramses he had decided they would be more of a liability?

"I have decided they are too valuable to risk losing. They must stay safe no matter what the cost."

"Do you really think not bringing them will keep them from the Dark Lord's reach?"

"Of course I do. He cannot touch the Order of the Phoenix."

Impossible.

* * *

November 30^th

Harry burst through the doors into the lobby of St. Mungo's hospital. He walked as fast as he could on his tired legs towards the front desk. He was dirty and bloody and had searing red burn marks on the right side of his head; sweat mixed with tears were running down his face and in his arms was an equally dirty and even more bloody and burned Hermione, unconscious and barely breathing.

"Help!" he yelled desperately, turning around in place, seeking anyone who might help but finding the hospital seemingly desolate. "Help me please! Someone!"

A nurse in the standard lime green robes who was walking down the hallway adjacent to the lobby rushed towards Harry and instantly relinquished Hermione from his control. She waved her wand and a stretcher appeared, levitating next to the three of them. Using her wand, the nurse placed Hermione on it as other nurses came to their aid. Only moments had passed by before Hermione was whisked off down the corridor. Harry didn't even contemplate about how quick the nurse was.

No, no, no! How can this be happening? He thought franticly as he watched her disappear from his sight. He wiped his forehead with his sleeve, but didn't remove it, instead pressing his arm against his eyes so as to see nothing but darkness. Hermione, please... Don't die... Don't leave me... Please, please don't be my latest wrong step, my worst mistake, my darkest fear... please, please, please."

"Sir?" came a quiet voice from the dark. "Sir, are you alright?"

Harry put down his arm and focused on the small receptionist who had come up to Harry. The woman's eyes instantly flashed to his forehead.

"Oh... oh my! Harry Potter! You're alive! You're here!" The nurse began jumping on her small feet and had a half-thrilled, half-anxious look on her face. "I can't believe you're alive! I have to find someone!"

"Please..." he interrupted her with a quiet desperation in his voice, taking both of her arms. "Please tell me, will she be alright?" Harry looked into the nurse's eyes with his own, pleading to fix what he had caused. He did not care one bit that he had shown his face to the wizarding public for the first time in more than three months.

"I-I don't know. They will be looking after her right away."

"Take me to her. I must look after her. I have to know if she'll be okay."

The nurse stood transfixed, eyes gazing into Harry's as if she could not resist the green gems that openly confided trust in the small woman.

"A-alright, this way," the small woman piped up, turning quickly towards the corridor. "But you cannot go in. The Healers must be allowed to work."

Harry followed the woman down the hall where Hermione had been levitated off to. They reached a door with a small window where inside, Hermione was being worked on. The Healers surrounded her, leaving Harry little to see. He put his hand up to the door as if trying to reach her; his forehead pressed against the window. He stayed there looking and hoping, his breath fogging the window but his eyes misting over even more.

The receptionist left him and Harry turned to lean against the door, his hand on his forehead and another tear sliding mercilessly down his cheek.

* * *

August 3rd

"No, they will be safer if they don't come." Harry got up and turned to Beauregard. "I trust them completely and I'm sure they would have been assets on our journey, but the costs outweigh the benefits enormously, so we go alone."

"You will find no objection from me," Beauregard said as he got up, towering over Harry's much-smaller form compared to his huge frame. "Now we make for the mountain ranges of Bulgaria."

"Bulgaria?" Harry said with surprise. "I was under the assumption the four founders were English."

"You would be right. Slytherin was English; he traveled abroad a great deal, however, before Hogwarts was formed. This is common knowledge of course."

Harry decided instantly he would get a copy of Hogwarts, A History if it was the last thing he ever did.

"I've never been, so we'll have to travel by another means other than apparating." Harry said.

"I am already prepared," Beauregard replied, reaching into one of the many pockets in his coat.

He pulled out a small item wrapped in a handkerchief.

"It's a portkey to the town at the base of the particular mountain we are traveling to - an old wizarding city called simply the Edifice. It's named after a famous structure that was a monument to the Gremlin Wars of 1057. Today it is a legendary city; Merlin was said to have been born there, although no one really knows. What I do know is that Salazar Slytherin spent much of his time in that city, it was where he first started to wage his war on half-bloods, and it was where he was vanquished by the other three Hogwarts founders."

"Let's go," Harry said determinedly. "We can get set up before nightfall and catch some sleep before progressing with our plan. We will want to get to that cave as soon as possible. I am assuming you have a broom?"

"It won't be a problem," Beauregard said as he unwrapped the small parcel.

Inside was a small hand-carved toy train. Harry figured it was probably from the region they were about to transport to.

As they were about to touch the portkey, a small noise emanated from Harry's traveling bag, like a very tiny hum. He opened it and discovered it was his two-way mirror. Stepping aside to be alone, he uncovered it to see Ron and Hermione looking back at him.

"Harry!" Ron exclaimed. "Harry, where are you? We can't find you anywhere! Are you hurt? Are you in trouble?"

"Ron, I..."

"Harry, tell us where you are so we can come to you!" Hermione piped when Harry was at a loss for words.

"I'm sorry you guys. I really am; but I've decided I must do this alone." Harry turned his head away. "I can't... I can't lose you. Please understand."

"Harry, you need us!" Ron said pleadingly. "We can help protect you! We need to be there for you!"

"Ron is right, Harry," Hermione continued with more desperation in her voice. "Don't shut us out. You only put yourself in danger by going this alone."

"I've already made up my mind, but this is not the end. I will kill Voldemort and end this."

"Damnit, Harry, you are so stubborn!" Hermione suddenly shouted. "Haven't you figured it out? People are willing to sacrifice themselves for you because it makes you stronger! I know you've lost so much in this life, but you need us!"

Harry turned to look at Hermione and Ron once more.

"You are a clever one Hermione, but you won't be able to find me," Harry said in a quiet voice as if pleading them to heed his words. "So stay safe - don't do anything... Harry-like."

Hermione looked both increasingly incensed and worried at what Harry was saying to them, but he continued.

"You will be able to keep in touch with me, but I've cast a spell that makes me untraceable, so please don't try to search for me. Not even Hedwig is able to find me. I need you both to understand that I've lost everything but you. I'm lost without you Ron. And you Hermione. I will talk with you soon, I promise."

Harry put the mirror away quickly, walked over to Beauregard, and, together, they touched the portkey, vanishing instantly and leaving a dark and empty park in their wake.

END Chapter 6