Myrtle11

Try as Myrtle did to sleep, anything and everything was impossible. All she could do was sit and stare somberly at the wall, awaiting the terror she was sure would follow. Elli had been returned to her bed and Oliver was guarding the door, in case there were any attempts to escape. Myrtle knew that if Voldemort wanted Elli, he would have no trouble getting past Oliver. His presence was not as comforting as she would have hoped.

Meanwhile, Hermione had rushed to the woods near the Potter’s residence. Here, she was going to try a relocation spell that would bring Harry, Sirius and Lupin to her side. If this spell failed, Hermione would be alone in her quest to find baby Sirius.

“Locree de realm. Undeite imunday. Locree de realm. Harry Potter to Sirius Black to Remus Lupin. Locree de realm. Eill chido undeite. IMUNDAY!” She recited from memory. A ring of fire surrounded her as a look of empowerment rushed over her and a surge of wind blew in the distance.

The spell in question had not been used for centuries. It was an Ancient Celtic branch of magic only explored by the strongest of witches and wizards. Hermione knew of it because she and Dumbledore had sought it out many years ago to foil Voldemort’s evil by relocating this reality away from him. However, by that time, Voldemort had become more astute than ever and could detect any magic being used against him. The Celtic magic was banished to the far corners of the globe and had not been sought since. It was cut off to all magical peoples, but Hermione had to try.

After an hour of waiting, all hopes looked gone. Hermione would be alone.

***************

A flash of light made her turn around again as all three appeared just as she had given up hope entirely.

“Harry? How’d you get here? I didn’t think the spell worked.” Hermione was flustering in anticipation.

“For awhile we didn’t know what was going on. The magic had been divided in two when Voldemort banished it. It took longer for the second half to transfer itself into your spell. Our spirits were transported to you an hour ago. The magic to move our bodies didn’t show up until now. Of course, without our bodies, we couldn’t communicate with you.” Explained Harry.

“I tried to bind you to our spirits Hermione, that’s why you stayed here so long. With the approach of the Celtic magic, it was impossible to hold you to us anymore. Luckily our bodies got here in time.” Said Sirius.

“Enough talk,” Hermione, said exasperatedly. “I know where Sirius is but we have to hurry. I only know that Voldemort is rising at sunrise and he needs Sirius to do it.” She looked over at the others and read their minds. “We need to go to the zoo. They have a new case of snakes; Voldemort was Slytherin’s heir. It’s quite understandable that he would need snakes to rise again.”

Without another word, they left. Harry was convinced in his mind that Hermione would be better off at home. But in this mood, nothing could deter her from saving her baby. They all apparated simultaneously to outside the zoo. Its gates loomed sadistically ahead of them as the animals called restlessly, utterly aware that something was terribly wrong.

“Lumos!” all four whispered at once and their wands became bright glimmers of light. Lupin aimed his wand at the big wrought iron lock on the gates and it sprung open. The animal enclosures on either side of the footpath looked silent and deathly, as if all the animals were too afraid to stick their heads out or make a sound.

Harry led the way to the snake’s enclosure. He had had experience there in his youth and was the only one who knew where to go. They raced quietly and cautiously, all expecting something foul and dangerous to pop out at every turn.

***************

The glass enclosure housing the snakes was there no more. All that remained in the hull where the enclosure used to be was a tiny grass snake curled up in the corner. It was not bigger than a pen and was quivering in the cold. It hissed loudly.

An even louder hiss scared Hermione, Sirius and Lupin as Harry disappeared and was replaced by an enormous boa constrictor with one defining characteristic, a lightning bolt on his head.

“Don’t be scared. We’re here to help you. Just tell me what happened.”

The little grass snake hiccupped before whispering, “Itss not safffe for you here. He vill returrrn. And when he doesss, he’ll get you too.”

“What does he want us snakes for? Who is he?” Harry whispered back in turn.

“The master of the underworld. The God of all things slimy and dessspicable will be returning. We help him regain strengthhh. Nagini iss not strong enough by itselfff.” With that, the little grass snake slithered away into the night.

In a flash, Harry returned to his human form. “It is Voldemort. Who else could be the master of the underworld and all things slimy? Listen, when we do find him and Sirius, you have to get Sirius out of there. It seems that he is what is needed to bring about Voldemort’s rise so we don’t want him near.” Harry seemed to be stating what was blatantly obvious to all. “Hermione, get out of there as soon as possible. If we’re too late, we’ll just have to face Voldemort. Hopefully he won’t be at his strongest and we can get him straight away.” With that Harry turned back into his Animagus form, hoping to be captured and brought to the place of Voldemort’s rebirth.