Merlin's treasure!
After midnight, Dana began summoning Merlin's XX. He was just testing it—Dana didn't expect failure; after all, a wizard as great as Merlin should have at least some savings, enough for the information he sought.
Sure enough, a moment later, a key materialized in his hand. It was silver from tip to teeth, with a golden thread inlaid around it, the pattern reminiscent of ancient runes. Dana sighed—having a key but not the treasure chest felt pointless.
Then he felt a tug at his belly button, as though hooked. Before he could react, he was pulled into a strange, indescribable space.
He floated within this void, but understood what was happening. The key was a portkey. "Nonsense," he thought—and yet it was true. A portkey is a charm for teleportation, transporting the user instantly to a predetermined location via a charmed object. It might be a key, a hat, even a spittoon or washbasin.
The sensation of weightlessness faded, and Dana landed firmly in front of a massive door. He heard waves crashing against rocks and smelled the unmistakable brine of the sea. It was a stone door embedded in a rugged seaside cliff. The only place to stand was a jutting shelf of rock—at least twenty meters above the sea.
A faint keyhole lay in the door. Dana didn't hesitate. He inserted the portkey and turned it.
This time, the portkey truly was a portkey.
The door rumbled and swung open, revealing a dark interior. Dana stepped inside and, after deciphering a series of magical riddles and mechanisms, found the treasure—at least, that's how he wanted to describe it. In reality, Dana walked to the cave's center, where solid stone ground suddenly became water, and he plunged straight in.
Submerged, he realized he wasn't in a pool, but entering another space—unlike the stone cave, he was upside-down, head-first into a watery void. Using his hands to steady himself, he righted his body and was blinded by a sudden flood of golden light.
Stacks of gold coins lay beneath him, but they were the least valuable: gemstones bigger than those in Queen Victoria's crown scattered about, tossed like pebbles in a courtyard. Sculptures, gold and silver artifacts from King Arthur's era—though their material value might pale, their age and craftsmanship were priceless. Alchemical devices cracked with potent magic lay strewn around. A broken sword caught his eye: its ivory hilt was etched with the letters "SIS"—Dana connected it instantly to Stonehenge, recalling Merlin's ties to King Arthur.
His attention shifted to a stone statue out of sync with the rest of the treasures. It was rudely carved, depicting a bald, long-bearded wizard in robes, clutching a massive wooden staff. Surely, this was a self-portrait of Merlin.
Around the statue's neck hung a silver chain with an apple-leaf pendant, gleaming even in the dim light of the cavern. Dana removed it. It felt neither gold nor silver. As he held it, strong magical energy buzzed against his skin before fading.
He admired the chain and, unlocking the adjustable clasp, threaded his mother's silver ring onto it. He placed it around his neck.
At once, the cave trembled. Treasures flew from their piles toward Dana, as though magnetized. He shielded his head, bracing for impact—but the pain never arrived.
When he opened his eyes, the treasure was gone, drained into the pendant as if the necklace had absorbed everything. Unlike the Undetectable Extension Charm, this alchemical artifact seemed connected to another realm. Dana estimated this space was roughly ten times larger than the cavern.
He had the treasure—but how to escape?
Turning back, he saw the stone door just as it had before—ordinary and unremarkable, as though the watery space had never existed. Stepping out, the door shut itself behind him.
He was back on the cliff, with sharp reefs down below. Jumping was a 50/50 chance of survival, too risky.
Dana had spent four years in Azkaban, learning nearly every spell Sirius and the Death Eaters had. But he'd never mastered Apparition—Azkaban had anti-Apparition wards, and forcing the skill risked dismemberment.
He closed his eyes, imagining himself as a bird flapping its wings. He felt the arcane power surge, lifting him into the air.
He opened his eyes and realized he had transformed into a raven.
Merlin's bloodline—amazing!
He flew high, riding the sea breeze to judge the mainland's direction. After about ten minutes, the sounds of the forest replaced the crashing waves.
Below, a small town shielded by a Muggle Confundus spell came into view. Dana's heart lurched—it was Livingston, a town he knew intimately.
So Merlin's treasure lay close to Livingston? It had to be.
Descending, he reached the cemetery just outside the town and perched on a fresh tombstone inscribed:Anna Avery rests hereDana felt a strange surge of emotion and shed two raven tears, before lifting off again. He needed to reach London—back to the Leaky Cauldron—before dawn. His revenge had to remain undiscovered.
As a raven, he could rely on magical instincts to find his path undetected. He flew all night, guided by moonlight and memory.
Before dawn, he transformed back into human form and arrived at his room in the Leaky Cauldron. His arms felt like they might break from the journey's strain; he was bone-tired but unable to sleep.
A sudden knock came at the door.
"Dana, are you awake? It's Hannah!"
He opened it. Hannah looked startled.
"Dana, what's wrong? You didn't sleep? Your eyes are so red, and you look exhausted!"
He forced a weak smile. "I'm okay, Hannah. Just can't sleep thinking about Mother."
"Oh… please accept my condolences." She hesitated, then handed him a breakfast tray. "Here you go."
He set it down, noticing the haul of French fries.
Before he could speak, Hannah's footsteps sounded again. She returned with a bundle.
"Here, Dana—these were my brother's clothes."
He took the bundle, warmth blossoming in his chest. "Thank you, Hannah."
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