The Adventures of the Junior Phoenixes, Part 3: The Pendant of Death

Chapter 33: The Preservation of Life

Chapter 33

"Protect the Minister!" Ron Weasley shouted. The detail formed a wall around Kingsley as the rest of the room was thrown into a panic. Most of the Wizengamot scurried and ran to the entrances, desperate to leave. Some had Apparated out of the room. Tiberius Ogden and Master Wolf stood beside Kingsley as Ron, Percy, and the security wizards walled the Minister out of danger.

"Teller!" Jinx screamed. She ran to him and helped him to his feet. "He needs help! Help!"

Sherman leaped to where Teller had fallen. He pulled out a little cloth-looking rag and placed it on Teller's right arm where his hand used to be. He wiggled his wand and muttered a small incantation and the rag wrapped around the stump, all the way up to Teller's elbow.

"That should stop the bleeding and ease the pain a little," Sherman said. "We need to get him to St. Mungo's now!"

"Go!" Rain Fox shouted. "Get him out!"

Sherman grabbed Teller by the arm. Another Auror helped Sherman carry Teller to the main entrance.

Antipater rushed at the guards holding Argent. They released Argent and tried to fend for themselves against Antipater's quick vampire attacks. They were overwhelmed by his ferocity. Once Antipater had tossed aside the guards, he picked Argent up and smiled.

He didn't smile long. From the gallery came a leaping and growling Star Saoirse. She landed on Antipater and dug her teeth into him. Antipater screamed and then tossed Star into a wall. She rolled and kicked her feet out. They landed on the wall and she cushioned her impact. She then somersaulted and got back to her feet. She drew her wand as Antipater drew his. The two began to duel with fierce and deadly curses.

"Remember me, pretty boy?" Star asked.

"I never forget a good snack," Antipater taunted.

Star growled and continued to duel with him. She hit him with a slashing curse that nicked his shoulder. He roared in anger, spun and threw a jinx at her that tripped her feet. Antipater rushed forward to hit her again but Dan and Sam jumped down and stood between the two.

"Touch her and you die!" Dan shouted. His wand glowed with the flames of the Incendio spell. Sam's wand wavered, her arm and nerves shaking noticeably.

"I remember you, my Precious Package," Antipater said to Sam. "I cannot forget a familiar face, especially one as beautiful as yours. Yet, despite your beauty, you look as though you haven't been sleeping well, my dear."

"Shut up!" Dan shouted at Antipater, "Stop talking to her!"

Antipater waved his wand at Dan and hurled a stunning spell but Dan blocked it with his wand. Antipater laughed and smiled.

"You don't get it, do you, boy?" Antipater chuckled. He walked teasingly towards Sam and Dan. "You don't see it, but she does. She sees it when she closes her eyes. She sees it when she dreams. She sees me! She sees me with her waking eyes! She will always see me!"

"Stop it!" Sam shouted at him, tears in her eyes.

"You can't stop it, my Precious Cargo!" Antipater laughed. "You see, when you killed that boy last summer, you cursed yourself! He was my anchor! He carried my soul with him. And since you killed him, you gained my soul. You see, when you kill the anchor, you become the anchor. You, my Precious Cargo, are my anchor!"

Dan looked at Sam with a horrified expression. "Is he telling the truth?"

"No!" Sam screamed, "That can't be true!"

"Of course it is true!" Antipater howled in laughter. "I saw it the first time I laid my eyes on her! I saw myself in her eyes, my soul anchored to hers! You're a part of me and I'm a part of you! Your blood keeps me alive! Your heart keeps mine pumping! Your soul fuels me! You cannot deny it! I own you! As long as you live, I live! You're mine! Your youth invigorates me! You will live a long and healthy life, which means I will live a long and healthy life! Full of vigor and death and watching your friends die one by one! Your boyfriend there? Not so much!" Antipater flung another curse at Dan. Dan again blocked it and sent a Stinging Jinx at Antipater. He dodged it and laughed again.