Love In Translation

Chapter 13. ROME

I was staring at the magic mirror again. Suddenly, my image disappeared in a vortex of light and fog, and the ethereal figure of Albus Dumbledore appeared in front of me.

"I knew that you would get this far. Soon, events will put you to the test," he said with seriousness, but I didn't understand what he meant.

"Professor Dumbledore! When am I going to find Harry?"

"Pay attention to the stars, always follow your heart," he added, as he disappeared into the smoke.

I woke up abruptly, feeling an odd sensation in my heart. It was the middle of the nights. My thoughts turned to Harry, and I hoped with all my strength that he was still alive.

"Please, Harry. Don't lose strength. We're coming to rescue you," I whispered, before falling asleep again.

The following morning, we said goodbye to Maria and got in her friend's car. Paolo was a really nice boy who had offered us a ride to Rome. He explained that he was going to Rome for the solar eclipse since one could see it best from there.

The trip passed by quietly, and in the early afternoon, we arrived. Just like the pervious day, Angy remained silent for most of the time, and Marco and Paolo entertained themselves by talking.

We got off at the railway station and decided to go to the Coliseum straight away. We had already lost enough time, and I desperately wanted to find any clue that could lead to Harry. I left all my belongings, including Crookshanks, at the luggage deposit, and we took a bus.

When we reached the Colosseum, the sun had nearly set. I was astonished as I looked at the majesty and beauty of that 1000-year-old monument; the rays of the sinking sun lit up the ancient stone walls, and a group of tourists were crowding the place.

The attendant informed us that we should be quick because the building was only open until sunset. We entered the monument through a small secondary entrance, and shortly, we found ourselves inside a huge labyrinth of corridors and stone archways.

"It's better if we split up. If one of you gets into trouble, throw red sparks in the air," I suggested, looking around, slightly worried. Then I realized that Marco wouldn't be able to use this safety measure.

"If I find myself in danger, I'll use the traditional method. I'll shout for help!" he said simply. Then each one of us took off down a different path.

The corridor I choose was deserted, and I was be able to see the center of the Colosseum: a huge, circular arena covered with ancient stone ruins. It was really fascinating, but then I thought that at in the time of ancient Rome, innocent people were sacrificed and killed there with no mercy. A chill went up my spine.

I started walking again, faster this time, and I noticed a few strange inscriptions on the wall to my right. I moved closer to see it better, and I was astonished when I saw they were ancient runes.

I stretched out my arm to touch the magical signs engraved in the stone wall, and suddenly heard a noise coming from the opposite side of the corridor. I turned, my heart beating faster, but then I realized that it was only a dove that had just flown off.

I looked around. I was completely alone, in a surreal silence. I turned again to the wall in front of me, trying to decode the few words that were still readable; the inscription had been almost completely eroded by the effect of time.

I was concentrating so hard on the inscriptions, that I didn't hear the strange squeak coming from the floor under my feet. I stepped farther and then--

"Aaaaaah!"

Suddenly, the ground crumbled under my weight, and I was swallowed by darkness.

***O***

A hooded Death Eater opened the cell door, carrying the usual bowl of dry bread and a glass of water.

The cell was empty. The bowl and glass fell from his hands. He was already running out to give the alarm when suddenly, something hit him hard on the head, and he fell heavily on the dusty ground.

The Death Eater turned around to see what had just hit him, and his mouth dropped open. Harry was standing in front of him, his eyes blazing with all the anger he was feeling inside.

The young man focused his gaze on the wooden bowl on the floor, and it suddenly darted through the air at great speed, hitting his jailer in the head, leaving him unconscious.

Losing no time, Harry slinked away and slowly started walking down the dark corridor, his wrist and ankles still tied with magical ropes. He heard a noise, and hid himself behind a column. A group of Death Eaters passed close by without noticing him.

"Is everything ready for tomorrow's ceremony?" asked one.

"Yes, just like the Dark Lord ordered," replied another.

"And the Mudblood? Have you caught her?" asked the first Death Eater.

"Not yet, but our spy has just informed us that she's going to fall in our trap soon," replied a third Death Eater, ending the sentence with a chilling laugh.

The group disappeared behind the corner.

It's just like I thought. Voldemort has a diabolical plan, and in order to fulfil it, he's going to perform a ceremony. I wonder who the unlucky person they were talking about is, Harry thought. He continued walking slowly down the dark corridor.

***O***

Hermione had had a really bad fall and was lying on the ground, completely covered by dust and debris. She coughed and tried to stand up, removing pieces of rock and cobwebs from her shoulders. She looked around and realized she was in a humid and grim place, and there was a strong scent of musty. The little light that was filtering through came from the hole she had just fallen through.

Losing no time, she took out her wand and threw red sparks in the air, hoping that Angy or Marco would notice them.

"Lumos!"

She wallked around and noticed several alcoves were dug into the stone walls, alcoves that contained skeletons dressed in clothes from ancient Roman times.

"Hermione? Are you all right?" The voice of Marco made her jump.

She walked back to the exact point where she had fallen and looked up; Marco was looking down through the hole above.

"I'm fine! Is Angy with you?" she called.

"No, I'm alone. Do you need me down there?" he asked in a slightly trembling voice.

"Wait a minute! I'm going to help you get down here!" Hermione shouted again; she looked around and noticed a long iron chain wrapped around a column.

"Wingardium Leviosa!" she ordered, and the chain flew through the air until it reached the hole in the ceiling. Immediately, Marco climbed down it, jumping lightly onto the ground.

"What the hell is this place?" he asked, inspecting the dark corridor.

"It looks like an ancient catacomb, but the spooky thing is that there are magical inscriptions on the walls," Hermione explained, lighting up the ancient runes with her wand.

"Are you able to read that?" Marco asked, curious.

"I'll try. It looks like a sort of prophecy, and it says, more or less:

The power beyond any other power, the one that is able to defeat death...

Though thousands search for it, only one shall find it...

Though thousands have found it, only one knows it...

And died the death, which feeds itself of men,

There won't be death anymore..."

"Wow, but what does it mean?" Marco seemed completely confused.

"It's a riddle. The power beyond any other power, the one that is able to defeat death... I know someone who could be really interested in finding this power," she said, thinking of the only wizard who had always done the impossible in his quest to conquer death: Lord Voldemort.

Suddenly, they heard the sound of footsteps.

"Nox!" Hermione switched off her wand and grabbed Marco's arm, pushing him aside.

Soon, they were able to distinguish a figure, slowly moving towards them. The person stopped right in front of them, looking around warily. Hermione's eyes accustomed to the dim light, and she looked at the stranger intensely.

He didn't look like a Death Eater; he had no cloak or hood. He was tall and slim with messy hair. His arms were tied behind his back. He wore glasses...

Hermione's heart started beating faster.

"Harry, is it really you?"

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