SOLSTICE

047

Harry came to a narrow passageway off to the right and paused, gesturing quickly for Ron and Lockhart to follow him. The three of them stepped into a cavern-like chamber. The air was cooler here, and the walls echoed faintly with their footsteps. The moment they entered, their eyes were drawn to a massive, lengthy object stretched out across the floor.

It was pale and leathery, and it shimmered faintly under the dim light.

Ron frowned, following closely behind Harry as he walked along the object, his expression a mix of awe and disgust. “What’s this?”
Lockhart, trailing behind nervously, hesitated before answering. “It looks like a... snake.”
Harry crouched down slightly, examining the object. “It’s a snakeskin,” he said quietly.
Ron took a step closer, eyes wide. “Bloody hell. Whatever shed this must be sixty feet long. Or more.”

“Please… just run away. You still have time,” Lily pleaded, her voice cracking, anxiety rising like a storm tide in her chest.

Harry looked at his mother.  She looked like she could tip into full-blown panic at any moment.
A reassuring smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “Don’t worry, Mum,” he said gently. “We’ll be fine. Look — I’m sitting right in front of you, aren’t I?”

As if the very words had knocked the wind out of him, Lockhart gave a soft gasp and fainted dramatically, collapsing to the floor in a heap.
Ron glanced over his shoulder at the limp professor and added, deadpan, “Heart of a lion, this one.”

“Well, what can you expect from that stupid twat,” Regulus scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain as he shot a glare at Lockhart.
Evan nearly snorted as he eyed Reggie with a knowing smile.

But Lockhart wasn’t done. In a sudden burst of movement, he shot up from the floor and snatched Ron’s wand out of his hand. His face twisted into a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes—too wide, too fake—and he pointed the wand straight at Harry.

“The adventure ends here, boys,” he said smoothly, breathing hard.

“But don’t fret. The world will know our story. How I was too late to save the girl,”—he shifted the wand toward Ron—“how you two tragically lost your minds at the sight of her mangled body. So...” His gaze returned to Harry. “...you first, Mr. Potter. Say good-bye to your memories.”

“Oh, you better not dare. Merlin, he makes me want to kick him right in the bollocks,” Isabella seethed, narrowing her eyes at the younger Lockhart, who was awkwardly trying to duck behind a group of unsuspecting students.
Regulus, watching her with amusement, let a proud, satisfied smile tug at the corner of his mouth.

He raised the wand high and shouted, “Obliviate!”

Cue to the GASPS

A burst of green light erupted from the wand’s tip—then, with a violent crack, the spell rebounded.
Lockhart was blasted backwards across the chamber, slamming into the stone wall and crumpling to the floor.

The chamber shuddered. A low rumble grew louder and louder, and before they could react, massive rocks began crashing from the ceiling.

“Take cover!” Harry yelled as debris thundered down. He flung himself aside, narrowly avoiding a huge slab that slammed into the ground where he’d just stood. Ron backed against the wall, coughing as dust billowed through the room. The falling rocks formed a high, impenetrable pile, splitting the space in two.

“Harry!” Ron called out, still coughing.

Harry yanked his robe free from under a rock and scrambled toward the divide. “Ron! Ron, are you okay?”