Harry Potter and the Orb of Slytherin

Chapter 7: The Edifice

Harry and Ramses had arrived in front of a dilapidated toy store that was on the edge of what seemed like a small town. There were a few shops, but little else on the dirt road that sliced into the settlement. It was foggy and completely dark as they had just gained hours of nighttime from their instant trip past a few time zones.

"This is the Edifice?" Harry asked skeptically. "I thought you said the city was famous. Surely you can't mean this?"

"No. This is an urban outcropping. That..." Ramses said, turning around and spreading his hands out, "is the Edifice."

Harry followed Beauregard's move and looked down from the edge of a precipice to lay eyes upon an enormous city at the bottom. Even in the darkness, the lights throughout the large wizarding capital lit up the area like a million motionless fireflies. Harry thought it was magnificent. The streets of the Edifice were what caught Harry's eyes instantly. The city seemed to be circular and there were many streets that made perfect circles parallel to the town limits, like the rings in a tree stump. Then, other streets went from the outer part of the city to the middle, all perfectly spaced and even, converging towards the same point in the middle. Through the darkness, Harry couldn't see where they met, but the entire city looked like a perfect, symmetrical wheel.

Focused on the center, something high in the sky above it caught Harry's eye: a bright light, almost like an enormous lighthouse beacon. It almost seemed to Harry that it was just floating, smaller than the moon, but much brighter. As he concentrated, he almost thought he could see a building that led up to the light, but a building that big seemed ludicrous and he assumed his eyes were playing tricks on him.

"We will stay here for the night," Beauregard said turning back towards the small town where they arrived. "Tomorrow, we make for the cave."

The toy store itself was quaint and lonely, but it was evident it was being kept in use. The toy-making tools in one of rooms, however, seemed to have gathered dust over a period of time. Another room in the very rear of the shop was empty. Ramses took off his coat and hat and conjured two small mattresses with a blanket and pillow each.

Harry instantly felt tired and started to put aside his things. He made a bed for Worthwhile out of his coat and got in, but didn't lie down right away. He had his staff in his lap and was using the end of his coat to polish it down; he was considering how best to approach what he was about to ask Beauregard.

"Ramses?" Harry asked quietly, not taking his eyes off his staff.

Beauregard turned over in his bed and concentrated his sharp eyes on Harry.

"Did you ever kill anyone in your service to Voldemort?"

There was a long pause. The only sound that could be heard was the occasional flip of Worthwhile's tongue, who had become deeply interested in not falling asleep. Harry looked up and met Beauregard's eyes. The former Death Eater looked like he was glaring, but Harry knew that it was just the look Beauregard would never be able to do away with, even if he wanted to. Finally, he lay on his back, looking up at the ceiling, and answered.

"Yes."

"How do you live with it?"

"Day by day."

"Are you sorry?"

Beauregard's eyes were like a book. They constantly shifted into new dimensions, unfolding a story that was much more intriguing than at first glance. They began to show a small amount of remorse as opposed to the usual poker face and Harry pressed the matter.

"Harry," Beauregard said throatily. "Let's just say I was blinded by my own foolishness. I let everything I put myself to achieving get in the way and, along that path I followed, I did a lot of things I shouldn't have."

"You haven't answered my question. Are you sorry?"

Beauregard remained silent but he kept opening and closing his mouth as if he was ready to say something, but couldn't bring himself to do so.

"If you are sorry, then what will you do should we defeat Voldemort and bring back peace to this chaotic time?"

"What do you mean?"

"Will you redeem yourself? Will you go and make up for the things you did in the name of money... of evil? Will you have that courage? Do you have anything to believe in... to hope for despite what you've done?"

"I..." Beauregard paused and seemed to be thinking furiously. "I don't know. I used to love hearing my father talk. He was one of the smartest men I ever knew. When I was a young pup, he would sit me on his lap and tell great tales of wizards and witches who did great things. His favorite subject was Slytherin and Gryffindor. When I grew into a young man, I left my hope and disregarded my old man's dreams and fairy tales. I became a sailor and spent many years living my life the way I wanted and making my own destiny. I destroyed those who were in my way and never looked back until the ones I destroyed under Voldemort's service looked back at me with those dead, lifeless eyes. After that, I knew what I had become - a monster."

"How did you come to work for him?"

"I was approached by him. I knew much about magical history from my father and it was apparent that was what he was after. In my arrogance, I haughtily offered my services for a price, even when he threatened my very life. He could have killed me on the spot, but because what I knew was so valuable, he allowed me to think I was worth it and he paid me for what I did for him... paid me well too."

He breathed deeply and continued.

"When I had returned from the Edifice after finding the cave, he approached me immediately. He saw right through me and knew I was hiding something from him. I was able to hide what it was, but when I refused to submit to Veritaserum, he demanded complete servitude. I ran... he threw a curse that completely shattered my body, but I was able to transform into a bird and fly out."

"You're an animagus?" Harry said surprised.

Beauregard simply smiled and continued.

"I wasn't able to stay that way very long. I flew until I could no longer fly and I landed on the ground and slipped into unconsciousness. They never found me and I spent weeks recovering. When I had indeed recovered, however, disaster awaited me. I came home to find my family annihilated. My father was a fine toy maker and this was his shop. He did nothing to anyone and Voldemort killed him for my stupidity. I realized that I was no better and vowed to destroy him in redemption of myself."

"Ramses," Harry said quietly. "Don't you see that redemption is found in restoring what you yourself are responsible for? I am after my own revenge, it is true. I can sit here and tell you honestly that I don't know if I will be able to resist killing Snape outright for what he did... to resist killing Voldemort, even if he somehow ends up powerless before me; but I'm seeing each day with the destruction all around us that revenge doesn't solve anything... just as Dumbledore wanted me so desperately to understand. Your redemption won't come when Voldemort is dead... and neither will mine."

Beauregard squeezed his eyes shut and looked miserable. He quickly got up and walked out of the room. He exited out the front door, muttering something about taking a walk.

"He really does seem sorry," Worthwhile said curiously. "For a tough wizard like that - I didn't think I'd ever see him act that way."

"At the same time," Harry said, propping his staff against the wall, "Dumbledore believed that was exactly what happened with Snape and we know how that turned out. I've got to keep my guard at all times."

"Get your rest Master Harry," Worthwhile said, laying his head down. "I will wait until Beauregard returns and will warn you should his intentions while you are sleeping be sinister."

"You're a good friend. I'm glad you're here with me."

"You've given me a new life, Master. Perhaps, I can return the favor."

Lying down under the covers, Harry couldn't help but think his desire to believe in people as Dumbledore had was a weakness. He couldn't even trust his friends not to be duped or killed by Voldemort. How could he trust Voldemort's former servant, a murderer? Becoming even more tired, he closed his eyes and drifted off to dreams of Ron, Hermione, and Hogwarts.

* * *

August 4^th

The Edifice was indeed a magical city. Throughout, merchants lined the streets with various magical items and goods. Harry even purchased a few items he thought might be useful along the way including an everlasting candle, a self-refilling canteen, and some mice for Worthwhile; he made sure to keep his hood up and show his face as little as possible. Allowing his scar to be spotted was the last thing Harry wanted.

Harry followed Beauregard as they walked towards the center of the city. He had told Harry he needed to take care of a few things before they left for the cave and Harry had no objections. He wanted to explore the astonishing metropolis.

The city was very clean and orderly, but that did not surprise Harry, because he had seen from afar that structure and order were key attributes of the city. There were so many streets, however, that Harry assumed he could easily become lost had he lost track of where Beauregard was going. Looking up at the street signs, Harry noticed they were in English, which surprised him, and he figured they must have been enchanted to translate in the language of the reader.

The grandest miracle of the city however, was the Edifice itself - the building after which the city was named. It was an immense structure and it was in plain view even as Harry and Beauregard descended the hill towards the city early that morning. As they reached the epicenter of the city, Harry was able to take in its full grandeur.

At the base was a pyramid made of a charcoal-black stone that did not taper at the top as a usual pyramid would. Instead, it was cut off halfway and topped by a massive tower, dark and ominous, which seemed to scrape the very heavens. At the top of the colossal construction, high in the sky, were what seemed to be large beams twisted to form a diamond-shaped cage of steel. In the center was the light Harry had seen from the outskirts of the city - an intense ball of luminescence that stood out even in the morning sunlight. Harry figured the building's base must have been longer than the entire town of Hogsmeade and much taller than any other monument or structure in the world.

"In 1057, Gremlins had almost consumed this city, once called Falknard," Beauregard said, looking up into the sky with Harry. "Night approached and without light, the wizards of the town were all but defeated. However, a powerful wizard cast a spell that lit the sky ablaze and saved them. This was built in remembrance of that day."

"Who was the wizard that saved the city?

"Salazar Slytherin," Beauregard responded ominously, a smirk plastered on his gravelly face.

"You weren't lying when you said your family was a group of keen historians."

"My father was a humble toy maker, much like many of our ancestors, but their obsession for knowledge had gotten them into trouble. Access to the Edifice's great library had never helped - my father was there constantly, always reading... always searching."

They silently looked at the Edifice a while longer before they came to their senses and continued walking.

"I have business inside the Edifice. Take this," Beauregard said as they reached the large entrance, tossing Harry a small bluish crystal. "It will hum when I'm ready to go. I will meet you here in an hour or so. Try not to get lost."

"Yeah, yeah. Save it." Harry smiled and saw him off.

He began walking around the large area that encompassed the Edifice, where even more merchants were selling their wares. It took Harry more than five minutes to walk to one corner of the building.

Nearing the north end, Harry saw a large stage set up where many people were gathered. Curious about the assembly, Harry walked over. It didn't take long to discover what it was for. Amidst the blazing scarlet colors that dominated the clothing of the people attending were signs in support of the Bulgarian National Quidditch Team. A picture of Viktor Krum looking proudly into the sky dominated all of the promotion posters.

"Well, well, well," Harry said with a smirk. "This should be interesting. It must be some sort of rally. They probably have a big match coming up."

"The sign says they have a match against Italy in a few days," Worthwhile spoke up, pointing his head to a banner on one side.

No sooner had he finished speaking when a roar went up through the mass. They followed the crowd's attention to where the Bulgarian team took the stage with great shouts and huzzahs. Among them was the burly Viktor Krum. He was broader and more mature-looking than when Harry had last seen him. He also had a more likeable face - he wasn't scowling, but he wasn't gleeful either. He just looked confident and Harry couldn't help but admire him as he had three years previous.

Krum took the front of the stage and used his wand to magnify his voice.

"Thank you for being here! Ve haff a very big match this week and ven our team vins," he smiled a smirk to the crowd who crowed and shouted in glee at his pause, "Ve vill haff a perfect season for the third straight year! Your support has been great and Bulgaria vill not be disappointed! Come out to the match and share in the history!"

As he finished his last sentence, his eyes fell on Harry. His large eyebrows furrowed and Harry realized he had been spotted. Krum, however, quickly turned his attention back to his team and handed off the spot to another teammate.

Harry, knowing he was recognized by his former Triwizard rival knew he had to talk with Krum to make sure word of his arrival in the Edifice was kept a secret. He made his way to the side of the stage and waited while the rally came to an end and people scattered.

As expected, once Krum had finished with his responsibilities, he stepped down off the stage and met Harry.

"I knew I saw you. It has been a long time, Harry Potter." He smiled and offered his hand. Harry shook it and smiled back with a confidence to match the Bulgarian seeker's.

"Yes it has. I wasn't planning on being noticed. Your eyes are sharper than ever."

"I von't deny that. I must say I am surprised to see you in such a large crowd. Rumor is spreading like vildfire - it vould seem Harry Potter is missing. Come, let us go somewhere vere ve can talk."

Krum led Harry to a small restaurant in the city and, over coffee, they continued.

"I am not surprised to see you in this city, however," Krum began once more. "After the Trivizard Cup, and everything that happened to me, I became an enemy of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named as well. You are searching for him, no?"

"Your mind is a bit sharper as well Viktor. Yes, I am out in search of Voldemort. I'd like to keep my whereabouts quiet if you could."

"Of course. I am doing my own vurk against You Know Who, so I understand the importance of secrecy."

"Really? What kind of work?"

"Underground information is all really. I am a leader in a Bulgarian netvurk that is aiming to undermine him. Hopefully, ve vill bring him to his knees if ve all vurk together."

"I am with you there. You have my utmost admiration and that's not including my infatuation with your seeking skills."

"Vell, I vould like to think I am still improving. So, where are you heading to?"

Harry smiled a significant smile in lieu of an answer.

"Ah, top secret is it? Vell, vithout specifics, I'm not much help, but you can owl me anytime should you decide I might be more useful."

"I appreciate that. I just might take you up on that should I find myself in a bind."

They sat sipping their coffee for a few moments before Krum once again spoke.

"How is Hermione?" he ventured with eyes looking away.

"Wow. You got her name right!"

"Yes," Krum chuckled. "It took me some time, but I finally managed it."

"She is good. She was upset when I left without her and Ron, but I couldn't let them be involved in this anymore."

"I am surprised you ver able to get away from her. She is very spirited. She admires you and has taken after you. That vas always self-evident."

"Why do you ask me about her? Don't you still keep in touch?"

"Every so often. Ve are just friends now."

"I found out you two snogged without my knowing. Hermione doesn't keep much from me. I'm interested in knowing how that happened if you don't mind my asking."

"She visited me and ve spent a veek together up north near my home. I showed her my homeland and at the end of her stay ve, well..."

"Say no more. But if things went along so great, why didn't it work out?"

"Even the man least capable in the vays of love could tell she vas in love with another. I knew it soon after and ve talked and came to our mutual agreement."

"Ah yes, well, she and Ron are together now, although their relationship, as well, seems to always be shaky."

"Ron? I don't think she ever spoke of Ron in that vay. I vas referring to..."

Harry cut Krum off when a hum in his coat alerted him to Beauregard's call to go.

"Sorry Viktor, perhaps we can finish what we were talking about soon enough. Right now, though, I have to be meeting my companion."

Viktor looked up as if he was surprised Harry didn't want to finish hearing what he was saying, but finally he nodded, stood up, and offered his hand once more.

"Now that ve are allies, Harry Potter, ve are that much closer to defeating He-Who..." he paused and then smiled. "Voldemort."

Harry stood with a smile and shook Krum's hand.

"Indeed, my friend. Indeed."

Harry walked away and apparated to the Edifice entrance. Spotting Beauregard, he started to walk over.

He was thinking about his conversation with Krum. He, in fact, did know deep down who Krum was going to say was the actual object of Hermione's affections, but he didn't want it voiced, because he just didn't understand it. How could he? It was so quick and so unexpected. Nothing was working out how he had planned only a few months before and for some reason, he didn't mind. Why didn't he have feelings for Ginny any more? He was frustrated by what was a real problem to him. He didn't think of himself as an insensitive person - just a confused one. The situation confronting him, however, made no sense at all. He was kind of a prat considering and it was much beyond anything he had ever experienced when it came to the realm of women.

Harry was glad to see Krum again. After Cedric Diggory's death, Harry had almost forgotten that he and Fleur had been there that dreadful night as well. They knew of the intensity, of the competition, of the stuff it took out of a person; and then they witnessed the devastation of seeing one of their fierce rivals die - and it was completely outside of the spirit of the Triwizard event. It was inwardly offensive to Harry and it must have been to the other two. They worked so hard for everyone and Voldemort killed Cedric without any regard to anything people cared about. Krum and Delacour were kindred spirits to Harry and Cedric in a very big way.

* * *

August 28th

Harry stepped out from behind a tree to look down the hill from where he was perched. It was a perfect day - the temperature was surprisingly warm despite being next to the ocean; the sky was a cloudless blue, and the birds in nearby trees were cheerfully chirping merry tunes, but the grassy knoll below was the focus of Harry's attention.

Near the bottom was a large gathering of people, all seated in chairs. They were all silent and rapt with attention as a wizard in white robes was marrying Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour. Harry had promised he would be there and he didn't want to break that promise, so he had apparated from his dilapidated hideout and was watching from a distance.

Though far away, Harry could see the ugly scars on Bill's face still shimmering rose red, although they were not nearly as grotesque-looking as the night he acquired them. He had large, scruffy sideburns streaked down the sides of his face that Harry assumed must have been a side effect of his attack; yet he had a smile on his face to match his bride-to-be's and Harry was glad to see it.

Fleur was wearing a flowing gown that was much different than traditional Muggle wedding dresses. It almost appeared to be shining a white glow - making it seem that she was the very center of everything important on earth. Harry smiled to himself, glad to know he had overcome her Veela talent of making him lose his train of thought at the sight of her. He could see many others in the crowd were not so lucky, including Ron, whose attention was much more engrossed than Harry would have ever given him credit for at a wedding.

Everyone Harry could have thought of was in attendance. Ron and Hermione were sitting in the front row along with the Weasley family - Ginny was a bridesmaid, looking very beautiful in a light pink dress that sparkled in the sunlight. Professors, friends, as well as many people Harry had never seen before made up the rest of the gathering, making the whole event appear to be happy and joyous.

Around the rims of the area were cloaked wizards who were watching the wedding from the outside with straight faces. Harry guessed they must have been Ministry Aurors sent to keep guard - a smart move if he ever saw one. Why shouldn't anyone assume Voldemort would seek out the little happiness left in the world and attempt to destroy it?

As Harry was scanning the sightlines below, his eyes rested on a peaking face in the cluster of trees on the far end of the grove. Squinting, Harry could make out a head of red hair and the unmistakable face of a proud man down on his luck. Harry had mixed feelings of pity and disgust for Percy; it was wrong for families to be broken during the tough times everyone had to endure.

He focused his attention and apparated a few paces behind him.

"Percy, why are you still doing this?" he asked quietly, looking out at the wedding with his arms folded.

Percy turned startled from his hiding spot behind the tree. He looked wide-eyed and didn't seem to immediately register who it was.

"H-Harry! What... what are you doing here?" Percy was struggling to catch his breath.

"Forget about what I'm doing here Percy. Look at what you are missing."

Percy made a harrumphing sound, but looked deeply depressed. "They don't care. They didn't even bother sending an invite."

"Why would they send an invitation to someone they knew would throw it into the fire? Give it up Percy. This whole fight is breaking your family apart."

Percy's shoulders sagged and he gave a mighty sigh that had probably been inside his chest for over three years.

"Harry, I've been a great big stupid prat, but there's no going back now."

"Oh yes there is," Harry snapped. "Give up your foolish pride and go to the family that needs you. Yes you were wrong, but do you honestly think anyone in your family cares?"

Percy looked down at his feet and Harry's anger subsided. He placed his hand on Percy's shoulder in a comforting gesture.

"Percy..." Harry said quietly, "Go home. They love you... go to them. Don't leave now or you will regret it for the rest of your life."

Percy lifted his head, took a deep shaken breath.

"You know... you're absolutely right," Percy said with a shake of his head. "Forgive me Harry. Forgive me for everything."

"I'm not the one who you should be saying sorry to."

He nodded and began walking quickly towards the ceremony. He stopped and turned around, finding Harry looking at him serenely.

"Are you back now? The world has been searching for you Harry."

"No," Harry answered simply, looking back beyond Percy to the wedding. "I will be back in time. Meanwhile, my whereabouts will be revealed when I wish them to be."

"Percy," Harry said as Percy turned to walk again. He turned and looked back at Harry once more. "Make sure you see your mum first."

Percy nodded and walked towards the clearing where the wedding was just finishing. Bill and Fleur were walking down the aisle, smiling as loved ones stopped them a few at a time to wish them luck and happiness. Harry smiled and felt his heart grow warm. It was a good day.

He traced his eyes to where Percy finally reached the crowd and slowly approached his parents. He had his head down and seemed to be saying something to them as the family and Hermione looked on. It didn't take more than a few moments before Molly Weasley rushed at Percy and nearly tackled him in a tearful hug. The rest of his family followed suit and Hermione looked on with a great big smile on her face and tears in her eyes to match Mrs. Weasley's.

Her eyes looked past the reunion and suddenly spotted Harry in an instant - a sharp black-cloaked contrast to the green foliage surrounding him. As their eyes met for the first time in long while, she brought her hand up to her mouth and gasped. At first, she wasn't sure if what she had seen was real, because he had disappeared the moment their eyes met, but once she was sure she hadn't seen a mirage, her eyes narrowed and her face became determined.

"Alright Harry," she said resolutely. "You can avoid me, but you can't keep me from finding you. Just you watch... I still have a few tricks up my sleeve."

* * *

August 4^th

"Have you finished?" Harry asked, coming up to Beauregard and tossing him his crystal.

"Yes. We should make for the mountain immediately. It's quite a trip without apparating and I would rather we get to the cave before night breaks."

"I agree," Harry said with a smirk. He pulled out his wand and animated his Firebolt. "Where is your broom?"

"Just be ready to follow me," Beauregard replied with a gruff voice and almost condescending smile.

He reached into one of the larger pockets in his coat and pulled out a tiny golden charm crafted in the shape of a hawk. Squeezing his fist tightly around the item, he pulled his brim down and seemed to be concentrating. Bringing his fist up, he squeezed the charm while muttering something incoherent. His body began to sparkle and in just a few blinks of the eye, Beauregard had magically transformed into an enormous brown hawk and took flight immediately.

"That's a nice trick," Worthwhile piped in a half-sarcastic, half-awed tone as they watched him fly higher up in the sky.

Harry had little time to register what had happened. He took off on his broom after Beauregard. They flew up above the clouds and soared over the Bulgarian landscape. The land was green, but the air had the hints of an approaching fall season. Worthwhile crawled under Harry's coat to avoid the cold air and Harry settled in for the trip.

As the sun began to die to the west, Beauregard began descending and Harry followed suit. A lone mountain top loomed in the distance and Harry could sense an ominous feeling coming from it. Beauregard took a few turns flying around before finally leading Harry closer. After a few minutes, Harry spotted the cave they were heading for. It was small, but fairly easy to spot. The catch, however, was that it was not accessible by foot in the slightest. It was merely a hole in the side of a wall with a ledge. Harry figured it would have been easy for Beauregard to get in, but he had no idea how Nagini managed to find it or get to it.

Harry alighted into the cave entrance and Worthwhile crawled out of his coat and back onto his shoulders, taking in his surroundings. Beauregard followed Harry in and transformed back into his normal self. He placed the charm back in his pocket as Harry and Worthwhile watched.

"Alright," Worthwhile asked, "If he can transform into animals, why couldn't he transform into a snake?"

"Hey!" Harry exclaimed. "That's true! Worthwhile asks why you couldn't just turn into a snake if you can turn into different animals."

"These charms are an ancient magic and cannot be made any longer. In my travels, I have searched high and low for them as well as for the magic needed to use them. I have quite a few useful ones, but a snake is not in my collection."

"Good thing for us. You might have been doing this alone and we'd still be in the dark."

"Oh, I doubt that, Harry. I'm beginning to see this is more your fight than mine." Beauregard pointed behind Harry. "There is the door."

Beauregard was pointing out the wall at the end. The cave wasn't actually a cave. There were no tunnels or paths. It was actually just a small room that had a flat wall near the back with the outline of an arch and a strange language etched into it.

"What can you make of it Worthwhile?"

Worthwhile began taking a closer look. Harry and Beauregard watched him as his head moved back and forth between the symbols. He looked as if he was pondering its meaning and he looked up repeatedly as if he wasn't sure he was reading it right. The snake finally turned his head towards Harry.

"The entrance requires the same incantation used to open Slytherin's magical container."

"Liberate te ex inferis?" Harry asked blankly.

The ground began to shake and the arch carved into the wall began to gleam brightly. The arch itself moved slowly into the ground as if it were half a wheel. Once it had sunk into the ground completely, the entire wall underneath it disappeared revealing a dark passageway that led winding into the bowels of the mountain.

"Yes... that," Worthwhile said blandly. "But there is more. Only one can enter at a time. The protection was placed there by none other than Godric Gryffindor. I don't believe it's something you can bypass."

"I see. I wonder if that includes you or just wizards."

"I don't think I want to find out. I'll stay behind and keep watch."

A timely fake cough by Beauregard brought Harry and Worthwhile back to their senses.

"Well?" he said gruffly, crossing his arms.

Harry needed to be the one to enter, but he didn't think Beauregard would be up for Harry taking what really was his rightful choice. Thinking quickly, Harry crouched to let Worthwhile crawl onto the ground. He immediately walked towards the entrance and passed under the archway. As he did so, a bluish fog sprang out of thin air, separating him from the outside, amidst shouts from Beauregard.

Beauregard walked towards the barrier of blue mist and put his hand out. No matter how hard he pushed his hand in, however, his hand was stopped by an invisible force before it reached the gate.

"Harry?" Beauregard shouted. "Can you hear me?"

"Yes. What is this Ramses?" Harry feigned ignorance.

"It's some sort of barrier. I suppose only one person is allowed to go in. What can you see in there?"

Harry took out his wand and pointed it at the top of his staff.

"Lumos maxima delego," he whispered.

The staff's empty cup instantly lit up into a flame of light that hovered slightly above it. While putting his wand away, he lifted the staff and lit his way ahead.

"Not much. I can't see the end of the tunnel. It goes down deep."

"Are you up for this?" Beauregard called back.

Harry turned his back and looked into the darkness beyond. After he exhaled deeply but calmly, he walked forward.

"You have no idea."