HPNSA - BOOK TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
IN THE HOUSE OF WU PENG



DECEMBER 12, 1992 – TIBET – Wu Peng was a hundred and fifty two years old with slanted smiling eyes almost covered by thick white bushy eyebrows. He had a tall sharp nose from which a mustache, white and braided into an intricate weave, erupted meeting a long white beard that covered almost three quarters of his small, thin face. He wore a multi-coloured robe that was encrusted with several beads of pure Jade at the chest, and had the picture of a bright red Phoenix on the back. A hat shaped like an anvil covered his round head, the mantle of hair upon it was also weaved into a white, rope-like braid that reached his ankles. A small tinkling sound seemed to follow him wherever he went-- possibly coming from the handle of the ivory wand that he held with a bony right hand. This tall pale man, almost as enigmatic as his British twin, was the only known Sorcerer in this part of the world.

Twice larger than similar temples in the east, The Temple had been here for nearly three thousand years, kept by the sorcerer of the era and, for the last century, the sorcerer known as Wu Peng, was its owner. It had been the seat of the Keeper known as Kroi, and it was by his power that this temple had remained secret even from other Keepers.

The Temple had kept a law of silence since it was founded. The dragon named Qi, its guardian, would never allow a voice to disturb the singing of the wind – the only thing that calmed it down. Therefore, when a loud male voice with a plethora of profane words disturbed the sanctity of its ancient walls, Wu Peng was naturally alarmed.

[”Please keep your voice down!”] Pleaded the helper, a man of about fifty, was waving his pale hand up and down to get the message across, making his dark brown beard swish around almost in a comical manner. The round man, now deep red in anger, just kept on crying out in a language foreign to his ears (which was a blessing considering the obscenities he could have heard) and did not show any signs of stopping.

“Vernon! Stop! Please!” Begged Petunia, covering the face of a small child in her arms that neither squirmed nor made any sound in spite of Vernon’s loudness. “Vernon! He does not understand you! Vernon!”

“It worked! It worked!” Said Arabella, waving the golden ticket in front of Dudley who was looking at the golden sculpture behind him with keen interest and was oblivious to anything else. “I knew I could make it work somehow! It worked!”

“I don’t understand him either! Where the fucking hell is this? That blinkered, bloody, son of a whore! We are trapped! Trapped in this—this—“ Vernon bellowed.

“This sanctuary for those who are in peril,” A calm voice said in answer.

Vernon reeled; Dumbfounded, he now gapped at the tall figure as the redness of his face faded completely. Dudley ran towards Petunia who seemed relieved, while Arabella fixed her spectacles to have a better look at the man. The helper bowed low before him and left, walking slowly towards the large door.

The man calmly approached them, hiding his hand in the sleeves of his varicolored robe. He neither smiled nor made any gestures– just a blank, expressionless look. After a while, the sound of large flapping wings was heard outside then a rumbling sound, like muffled thunder, followed making the three newcomers huddle closer. Wu Peng took out his hand, waved his ivory wand and a large string instrument started playing. The music brought the sound of a whistling wind and soon, the rumbling outside had stopped. Something had perched on the roof and the old man sighed heavily in relief.

“Wh-who are you?” Petunia said softly, pushing back the small hand that reached out the moment the tall man spoke.

“I am Wu Peng,”

“Are ye a friend of Dumbledore’s?” Arabella asked, still holding the golden ticket in her hand.

Wu Peng looked at her, noticing the ticket, he closed his eyes and nodded curtly. “I see you have been given this gift,”

“Gift?” Said Vernon, who finally conquered his fears and was beginning to get anxious again. “Gift, that bloody thing brought us---Where are we?”

“You are in my house.” Wu Peng answered.

“Yes, I figured as much,” Said Vernon sardonically, “But where is this house of yours located? Are we still in Britain?”

“My house is in Tibet.” Wu Peng replied.

“TIBET!” Cried all three Dursley’s in chorus; their voices echoed loudly in the cavernous hall that Wu Peng had to motion them all to be silent. Arabella, though, seemed delighted and said nothing; she just kept smiling and moved closer to the old sorcerer.

“I advise you not to speak so loudly whilst you are here, for the guardian of the temple does not appreciate loud noises,” Wu Peng said slowly.

Vernon twitched; his agitated face crumpled like paper, was again reddening with the rising of his temper. “We want to go back,”

“That is obvious, and you shall be returned, though I have to know from whence you came.” Wu Peng answered.

“Haven’t you been listening? We come from Britain, that is obvious as well!” Vernon cried loudly, making Wu Peng close his eyes shortly.

“What year do you think it is?” Wu Peng asked.

“What do you mean, what year?” Vernon asked.

Petunia was not as slow as her husband and now she looked at the floor with horrified eyes. Her mouth quivered, then she looked at her husband and said, “Vernon, we time-traveled,”

“Wha—?” Vernon gapped.

“Time-traveled, Vernon! It means you leapt to the past—or the future,” Arabella answered.

“Time travel is impossible!” Vernon cried.

Wu Peng closed his eyes tightly. “If you raise your voice one more time, I will allow the guardian to come and devour you.” Wu Peng stressed the last word so finely that Vernon closed his mouth with a snap.

[“Wang Ghou, please escort our guests to the waiting chamber and give them food.”] Wu Peng called calmly. A young boy, bald and wearing white robes tied at the waist by thick brown beads came running in the room from out of nowhere. When he reached them, he made a low bow before Wu Peng, then turned and bowed to them as well. “I will be with you all shortly. For the meantime, please enjoy the hospitality of my house.”

***


Vernon Dursley had found more things to complain about when the meal was served. There was soup with fish lips and eggs, rice, egg noodles with cabbages and carrots, and fried duck. Petunia was given a small basket with lots of soft blankets to place Archer in while she ate. She was also given a bottle of milk to give to the small child, which she had to taste to make sure it was good. Vernon winced at her display of concern for the baby; to him he was as loathsome as Harry, and as despicable as Ron.

“Petunia, I certainly hope you are not thinking of bringing that child back with us when we are returned.” Said Vernon through gritted teeth. He turned livid when his wife just raised her eyebrows in answer. “Petunia…”

“Vernon, I cannot turn my back on this child. This is after all, well…sort of my grandchild,” Petunia replied. Smiling sweetly at the baby who was now greedily sucking the milk that she decided was all right to drink.

“GRAND--! Look, Petunia, I have been tolerant when we took in that freak of a nephew you have. I don’t think that I have enough to allow his son---just the thought of him makes me sick!” Vernon whispered angrily, throwing the silk napkin onto the table.

Petunia’s lips quivered but no words came out. Vernon waited furiously for her to respond but she just sat there, her eyes transfixed on the child, her lips moving every now and then, as though she was engaged in some internal debate.

“Petunia? You are not to bring that child!” Vernon belched.

Petunia hissed; her eyes filled with tears were now glaring at her husband. “I am being punished!”

“What are you talking about?” Vernon frowned.

“Harry was Lily’s son. She was my sister.” Petunia whimpered.

“She was a witch!” Vernon bantered.

“She was my sister! My only sister…” Petunia retorted. She was crying heavily now and drew Archer out of the small basket and held him close. “He---he looks like her somehow,”

Vernon looked at his wife and wondered if she had lost her mind. She was acting very strangely and he blamed the child for this odd behavior. The more his wife was around the baby the more she is attached to him. He needed to be rid of this baby for good, because for some reason, he has not been charmed him. In fact, Vernon, as far as he could remember, had not felt this much contempt for any child, not even Harry, that he feels threatened by the mere presence of him in their lives.

“Stop it now, Petunia! You are to leave that child when we are returned! You understand me? Or I will leave you.” Vernon threatened.

For a minute, Petunia seemed unsure of whom she’ll choose – the child or Vernon Dursley. Her glaring, tear-filled eyes accused him so much that he had to divert his attention toward the plate of duck in front of him. Snorting loudly, he looks at Dudley and was surprised to see him looking at him as though he had slapped him across the face.

“What’s the matter with you?” Vernon grumbled.

“They have something you don’t, Vernon! That’s what’s the matter with them!” Arabella commented.

“What are you talking about?” Vernon said, looking at the old woman confusingly.

“Conscience! Vernon! Conscience!” Arabella answered waving a half-eaten duck leg in front of his churning round face.

“I will use mine when I get back home. Right now, it is difficult to feel guilty when you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere eating FISH LIPS!” Vernon groaned. He looked at Petunia again, and she was still bawling her eyes out. “We will not go back with him, that is final!”

***

[“Wang Ghou,”]

[“Yes, Master!”] The servant replied.

[“Have you noticed anything odd about the child?”] Wu Peng asked.

[“No master! Only that he does not share the same hair color as his parents.”] Wang Ghou replied.

Wu Peng nodded; he playing with two marble balls that chimed as they swirled around his left hand, never touching each other as they swirled. The balls had pictures of dragons hand painted onto its black base. He turned around and dismissed the servant. He then went to the waiting chamber where he found Vernon looking livid while his wife sat in the corner holding her face that had a red handprint across the left cheek. Dudley was by his mother while Arabella sat on the opposite corner. Wu Peng more or less read what had happened in the room while they waited.

He walked inside and looked at Vernon, who appeared not to notice him, and shook his head. “Pity.”

“I beg your pardon?” Vernon glowered.

“I said you are pitiful!” Wu Peng answered sternly. He looked at Vernon directly now with eyes bright enough to pierce his mind, trying to warn him with his glare. Wu Peng has never been tolerant of abuse, and clearly, Vernon was capable of it. “You bully your own family. Has she been unfaithful to you?”

“What?” Vernon said.

“Is that why you harm her, because this child is not yours?” Wu Peng asked. He had concluded that perhaps Vernon wasn’t the father.

“Of course the child isn’t mine, it’s not hers either!” Vernon retorted, standing up and brushing off rice from his vest and trousers. “What is wrong with you people?”

“Whose child is that?” Wu Peng asked.

“That is --- ”

“This is my grandchild!” Petunia butted in.

“Grandchild? Where is the mother? Where is his father? Is he the father?” Wu Peng pointed Dudley who shook his head violently.

“No! This is---this is my nephew’s child.” Petunia answered.

“Your nephew’s? Where is he now?” Wu Peng asked.

“He’s dead. Got killed by some---some wizard!” Vernon grimaced. “He was a wizard and he gave---gave birth to this child!”

“Gave birth? You mean he sired the child.” Wu Peng corrected.

“No! He gave birth to him. He’s a freak! He has a male body but his reproductive organs are a woman’s! He’s been a burden to us since,”

“He’s a Nymphrodite!” Wu Peng exclaimed. “This is the son of a---”

Wu Peng walked towards Petunia and knelt in front of her. “May I have the child, please?”

Petunia handed him the baby hesitantly.

Wu Peng gazed into Archer’s sea-green eyes and read a tale, which confirmed the suspicion that he held some kind of power. Wu Peng gasped and looked at Petunia with wide eyes.

[“The son of the Bearer…the child of the Iranna”] Wu Peng whispered in fluent Mandarin. Then he stood and walked out of the room in haste.


***

Wu Peng went to the very heart of the temple. The doors, guarded by Quirins, were about fifty feet tall. This room has never been entered by anyone save the keeper of the Temple. Wu Peng walked in between the guardians that turned to face him and nodded. The large amber doors slowly opened to reveal a cathedral-like room the walls shimmered in blue waters. Wu Peng entered and the doors slowly closed behind him.

There was a large basin made of crystalline material at the very center of the room. All around there were warriors clad in ancient armor standing motionlessly upon blocks of dark marble. Above, there was an opening, a hole about three thousand feet in diameter, with white waves around the rim, and it seems that an ocean lay beyond it, the waters calm and still. The room was filled with ornaments from the sea; giant corals and shells hung from the dome ceiling above, while around there were carvings of plants and merpeople and a chariot of pearl pulled by seven gigantic Sea Horses was suspended across the doors.

Wu Peng approached the basin, the mouth matching the diameter of the hole above, lighted eleven blue candles that surrounded the bottom, and spoke the incantation to open the Gate.

“Custodis Porta!” The waves churned and crashed against the rim of the portal. Wu Peng cut his left palm, and let the blood drip down to the waters of the basin, the red tint swirling around not joining the still blue waters. [“I call upon Kroi, Keeper of the gates of Life, to grant me audience.”]

A pillar of water poured down upon the basin and a being fifty feet tall emerged from the waves. Kroi had descended upon his request. The breathtaking image of the Keeper of the gates of Life made Wu Peng bow lower to the ground, hiding his eyes from his crown made corals and pearls.

[“I have come. Why do you call?”] Kroi asked.

[“I seek your guidance, oh benevolent one, for a child had been taken to my house. He is the son of the Bearer. The child of the Iranna.”] Wu Peng replied.

There was a loud thunderclap followed by lightning. The room, now darkened by a storm that erupted from Kroi’s hand, shook with the thrusts of wind and water that the Keeper had unleashed in his fury. He cried aloud and his voice was like the sound of thunder and the crashing of waves against a mountain.

Wu Peng trembled in fear and covered his ears.

[“Servant of the Temple, what recklessness! You have openly spoken the answer to the Prophecy of the cosmos! For this I will castigate you until you have learned to keep your lips sealed!”] Kroi chastised, stretching forth his hand and was about to strike.

Wu Peng lifted his arms and waved it wildly. [“MERCY! MERCY MY LORD! I ask forgiveness for my folly! I have been hasty! I ask that the Keeper of life stretch forth his hand in mercy and grant his loyal and faithful servant forgiveness for his actions!”]

Kroi stretched his had and it destroyed the ornaments around the room shattering them to myriads of unrecognizable debris.

[“Your faithfulness will be rewarded with clemency. As a consequence for your error, I will remove the basin upon which you, and those before you, have enjoyed protection, for I cannot be part of this sin which you have committed. The Prophecy that was spoken is against both of my sisters, and I will not be forced into choice! I will not be part of this Prophecy! Be wary, Servant of the Temple, let this be the last of your mistakes! The war is beyond your capacity to endure, you will not be shown mercy by those whom you may betray with your words.”] Kroi replied; a strong gust of wind enveloped the room and Wu Peng was blown against the doors where he clung to the large bronze handles as a whirlpool of water cleansed the room.

When the tempest disappeared, Wu Peng slowly stood, breathing heavily. He looked around the room; the basin disappeared and so did the opening above and the room that was once adorned as though an extension of the sea was now again a dull white marble. Still badly shaken he walked around and picked up the book where the basin used to be. The red leather that covered it now cracked and peeling at the edges, was brittle to the touch. He picked it up and opened the pages.

[“Perhaps I can call a new Keeper to use the Temple as his house.”] Wu Peng said, and he paged through the book. Only K’Yun, guardian of the sun, was the sanest choice. Wu Peng was about to call upon him when something had hit the temple, making the whole room shake.

Wu Peng ran outside and saw that large beasts were attacking his house.

[“Master!”] Cried one of the younger wizards. [“Someone has opened the gates of the Abyss! The monsters are ---”]

The young wizard fell dead before he could finish, for he turned around upon hearing a loud hissing sound approaching him. The Basilisk had killed him with its eyes. The gigantic serpent now feasted on the bodies that lay on the ground.

[“Li Yang!”] Wu Peng cried his eyes shut tight. [“Everyone close your eyes! The Basilisk will kill you with its eyes!”]

The wizards took out their wands and stood still with their eyes shut tight. They stood in silence, listening intently. When they felt the serpents approach, they pointed their wands accurately at them and cried aloud in unison.

“CALIGUS!”

The Basilisks – all five of them – let out a loud screeching sound as the spells melted their deadly eyes through the sockets.

Vernon Dursley had stepped out when the chamber started jolting from the attack. He panicked when he saw the Basilisks and the Dragons that swarmed around the Temple, gearing for attack.

“NOOOO!” Vernon cried.

Petunia and Dudley called out to him, but he wouldn’t listen. Arabella was banging her stick on the ground, calling Vernon with her frail voice.

A dragon swooped low and spewed a breath of red flame towards him. A wizard had jumped in between him and certain death and was nearly burned beyond recognition. Vernon, shocked by the terror of nearly being barbecued alive, looked back at his wife and son unable to say anything intelligible and unable to move from where he was. The flames had singed his entire backside. The dragon had reeled and was about to attack again.

“Vernon!” Petunia whined. “Vernon! He’s coming around! Run! Run!!”

Wu Peng ran to them as soon as he heard Petunia wildly screaming. Using only the sound of her voice as guide, Wu Peng was able to reach the location with incredible precision. Standing in front of Petunia, Wu Peng pointed his wand in front and conjured a freezing charm – literally encasing Vernon inside a block of ice.

The dragon swooped down once more and disgorged a breath of fire at Vernon’s frozen figure. The ice melted immediately. Wu Peng pointed his wand upward following the sound of the dragon’s flapping wings and conjured the freezing spell. The dragon, suspended inside an iceberg, came crashing down, the frozen lizard shattered to pieces as it hit the solid side of the mountain.

Vernon was no longer speaking; he was barely breathing, and Wu Peng knew, by the look of his screwed face, that he was having a heart attack.

“Petunia!” Wu Peng cried, finally opening his eyes. “When did you leave Britain?”

Petunia could not answer, too horrified to think straight. Dudley took the liberty of answering the question.

“About February the second, around midnight, or early in the morning. I think it was dawn! Yes, dawn it was, about 4 am.” Dudley replied.

Wu Peng took out a dark marble with a dragon painted on it and turned it counterclockwise several times. When the ball had been turned satisfactorily, Wu Peng told them to hold onto him. Dudley had to carry his father and force his limp arm to hold onto Wu Peng’s outstretched arm.

“Now, tell me exactly where we need to go?” Wu Peng asked. The Temple shook again.

“Number 4, Privet Drive!” Dudley cried.

"I said EXACTLY!" Wu Peng stressed. The dragons were reeling around again, the Wizards have congregated on the grounds and were fending them off with all their abilities, and Wu Peng knew, if they stalled any longer, there will be nothing left of the Temple.

"Number 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey, ENGLAND!" Dudley cried.

Wu Peng tapped the ball with his wand and moments later they were in front of a heap of rubble that Petunia recognized used to be their house.

“Lycans!” Wu Peng said in disgust as his eyes scoured the area and found marks of the Lycan attack.

Petunia shook terribly looking at her house, now a pile of debris. The sound of gasping for air called their attention.

“He needs a doctor!” Dudley cried.

“Where is the child?” Wu Peng asked noticing for the first time that Petunia’s arm was empty.

“I---I—“ Petunia sobbed.

“She left it in your Temple!” Arabella worried. “The baby is still back there!”

Wu Peng now shaking in fear turned the ball again and was about to leave when Arabella stopped him.

“I’m coming! Don’t leave me with them!”

Wu Peng nodded after a moment of thought. He looked at the Dursley’s and pitied them greatly, especially Petunia.

“The streets of this town will be filled with Lycans very soon. If you can, leave this place. Leave the country.” Wu Peng said. Then taking Arabella’s hand, he tapped the ball again and vanished.

Once they were back in the Temple, he ordered Arabella to look for the baby, while he helped the other wizards fend off the attack. He called to Le’or – the red dragon guarding the temple, mounted him as he landed on the ground and flew in the air.

As he did he took out his wand and cried, “Expecto Patronum!” A Phoenix spewed from his wand and flew out into the open sky, flying with great haste towards the west.

***


December 12, 1992 – SCOTLAND – Dumbledore had been laboring over the issue of the Chamber of Secrets for many months now. He’d been meaning to tell Harry the truth about his past for he had learned about the abuse he suffered in the hands of a Demon. He had alerted the Bureau about Lars, and the Chancellors promised to search for him and keep him under their watch when arrested. Satisfied that the demon will be found before Harry’s return to the Dursley’s, Dumbledore decided to concentrate on the matter of the Chamber.

He paced his office pondering on the events that have nearly pushed the school into closure. He was about to leave his thoughts for the night, when a streak of white light illuminated the darkening skies outside and soon a white bird-like image could be seen – slowly flapping its magnificent wings, beckoning him to answer.

“Wu Peng,” Dumbledore whispered.

He immediately stood and went in search of Professor McGonagall.

“Albus?” McGonagall said, fixing her spectacles. “What is the matter?”

“I need to leave. Can you see to matters while I’m gone? I won’t be longer than two nights.” Albus asked.

“But Headmaster, the issue of the Chamber lies heavily upon the school. To leave now--” McGonagall argued.

“Wu Peng calls. He has sent his Patronus to call me, Minerva.” Albus replied.

McGonagall frowned and nodded curtly. “Very well. I will see to things, until you return.”

Dumbledore nodded in reply and slowly walked away. He passed by Hagrid’s hut and informed him about his leave before he went to the gates of the castle. Once he was clear out of Hogwarts, a loud crack was heard, and he vanished.

He was soon upon a huge mountainous region in Romania – hidden from muggle view on all sides. He knocked on the large wooden doors made of several Sequoia trees. The doors opened slowly with a loud creaking sound and two figures came to welcome him.

“Charlie!” Albus bellowed. “Craig!”

“Professor Dumbledore!” Charlie cried, waving massively to the old Wizard. When he was near enough he reached out and shook Albus’ outstretched hand vigorously.

“Albus Dumbledore,” Said the hulking man beside Charlie. His name was Craig Wolfenstein, a German wizard who was also in Romania studying Dragons.

“How are the dragons?” Albus asked.

“They are well.” Charlie answered.

“Good! You wrote to me that one is already capable of human speech.” Albus said.

“Ah! So you’ve written about Knossos!” Craig grinned. “He is an achievement, Albus! Even by wizarding standards. Not since Drako the great have we met a dragon who has learned the art of speech.”

“Indeed! He is a marvel.” Charlie added.

“You think your masters will allow me to use him for a day?” Albus asked.

“I’m sure they will, however...” Charlie replied a bit perplexed at Albus’ inquiry. “Why do you need a dragon, Professor Dumbledore?”

“I need one to take me to Tibet.” Albus replied.

“Tibet?” Charlie asked, frowning.

“Yes. There is a pressing matter that I need to attend to---in Tibet.” Dumbledore replied.

Charlie nodded and looked at Craig.

“Come, let us go inside, and get everything ready.” Craig said.

The three wizards then headed for the Office of the Master Trainer and Head of the Dragon Committee of the Ministry of Magic. Dumbledore had to convince them that Wu Peng existed of course, him not being part of the ICW, nor registered to be among the wizards of the world. In the end, Dumbledore was given leave to use Knossos only if Charlie went along.

Hesitantly, Dumbledore agreed, and soon, they were flying high above the skies on top of the marvelous white dragon named Knossos. It took the dragon six hours to reach the mountains of Tibet. As they got nearer, Dumbledore realized why Wu Peng had sent the signal so urgently. Around the temple, he could see several carcasses of large beasts (Basilisks among them) that attempted to enter. Part of the temple was destroyed and hundreds of young wizards lay dead on the grounds below.

“Look!” Charlie exclaimed, pointing at the battle below.

“What in Merlin's beard---!” Dumbledore replied.

Charlie lowered Knossos and after Albus dismounted, he followed suit, and both of them walked towards the huddled wizards who were tending to the fallen.

[“What has happened here?”] Dumbledore asked.

[“This is the second wave of attack! The Keeper has left the temple! Master Wu Peng rides above to kill the Griffins that were sent to destroy us!”] Came the answer, the man pointed towards the clouds that covered the tip of the mountain and Dumbledore and Charlie could see it was crowned with varicolored lightning.

[“He has taken Le’or!”] Cried the other who had joined them, pointing towards the now empty roof of the temple.

“Professor Dumbledore?” Charlie said clearly unable to comprehend the situation for the language was too foreign to his ears.

“Stay here, I will take Knossos and help Wu Peng! Draw your wand, Charlie, and make sure that none enter the temple!” Albus instructed. He ran towards the white Dragon, mounted it, and geared Knossos to fly towards the top of the mountain.

On top, he found Wu Peng fighting a horde of Griffins that have gone wild. Their eyes gleamed bright red and attacked without hesitation, as though controlled by some other force.

“Wu Peng!” Dumbledore cried.

“Albus!”

“Who sent these beasts?” Dumbledore yelled.

“They are under the control of Lun!” Wu Peng cried. “We need to bind them! The stronghold will keep until the spell turns!”

Dumbledore nodded and both wizards pointed their wands on the magnificent creatures that swooped around them attacking the dragons they rode upon. Dumbledore had to order Knossos not to use his flames for the Griffins were to be taken alive.

Both cried incantation after incantation, rendering the beasts immovable, until all the Griffins have fallen from the skies. Wu Peng and Dumbledore bound them with magical ropes, and with Knossos and Le’or’s might, brought them all down – all fifteen Griffins – to the temple grounds, where Charlie and the other wizards have stopped the attack.

[“Hwang-Di! Bring the beasts to the stronghold. Let the beast masters keep them, and tend to them.”] Wu Peng ordered. The young wizard bowed low and mounted the red dragon.

“My gratitude for the aid, Albus.” Wu Peng said. “But this is not why I have asked you to come.”

“What has happened to the Keeper that protected you, Wu Peng? Why did he abandon you?” Dumbledore asked.

“Let us not speak in the open. Come, you must come with me.” Wu Peng said. Then he stopped and turned to Charlie. “What is your name?”

“Charlie. Charlie Weasley.”

Wu Peng looked at him and Dumbledore noticed that the old Sorcerer was studying Charlie intently.

“Is there something wrong?” Dumbledore asked unable to contain his curiosity.

“They share a distinct resemblance.” Wu Peng replied.

“They?” Dumbledore asked again, his wonder growing by the minute.

“I cannot speak in the open. You have to come inside.” Wu Peng insisted. “Follow me, both of you! Come! Come!”

Dumbledore and Charlie followed him through the cavernous hall down several flights of stairs, until they reached the very heart of the temple. Dumbledore saw the familiar Quirins that guarded the entrance to the room that none save the Keeper of the Temple was allowed entrance.

“You may go in, the Keeper has left.” Wu Peng said.

The doors opened and both Dumbledore and Charlie gasped as the room yawned before them. Wu Peng went straight to the basket that was in the middle of the room, took a small bundle inside, and then walked towards them.

“This is the reason why I called for you, Albus.” Wu Peng said, showing Dumbledore the contents of the bundle of white silk and linen in his arms.

Dumbledore drew the soft cloth away from the small face, and saw a child, with flaming hair and emerald eyes. The eyes immediately reminded him of Harry.

“Who is this child?” Dumbledore asked.

“He is the son of the Bearer.” Wu Peng answered.

Dumbledore’s eyes grew wide with fear. He turned immediately to Charlie, and back to Wu Peng, breathing heavily.

“How did he come here?” He finally asked after several minutes of fearful gasping.

“Someone had used the ticket. They arrived here with him,” Wu Peng replied.

“They? I only gave the ticket to one person? Can you describe who these people were?” Dumbledore asked.

“Yes, an old woman, a man, loud and stout, his wife, middle aged and quite unattractive, and a boy, their son, about sixteen years of age, also a bit round, though not so noisy.” Wu Peng described.

Dumbledore tried to place the description: of course, the old woman had to be Arabella Figg, for he gave the ticket to her, in case she needed a quick escape. The man, the woman, and the young boy that were described fitted no wizarding family. Albus feared that Wu Peng had met the Dursley’s, which would mean that Harry was not there when the child was transported.

“Did they say anything about the Bearer?” Dumbledore asked.

“Yes. He is dead. A wizard had killed him. The old woman also said that the Defender had gone mad. About the only thing she said before I modified her memory.” Wu Peng replied.

Dumbledore closed his eyes gripping his wand tightly. Harry dies and his Defender goes mad. He swooned and Charlie kept him from falling over.

“Albus, I have less than a day to call upon another Keeper to protect the temple from Nin.” Wu Peng added.

“What do you want me to do?” Dumbledore groaned. Wu Peng’s eyes darted to Charlie and Dumbledore understood that they should be alone. “Dear boy, I think you should stay with our friend. Having two dragons around might be a bit intimidating.”

“Of course. But…won’t the guardians harm me?” Charlie hesitated, referring to the Quirins that guarded outside.

“No, they will only attack upon my order.” Wu Peng assured him.

Charlie then took his leave and went outside.

“Where are they now?” Dumbledore said.

“They left, I have transported them back to their time, though the old woman insisted to stay with me. I had to erase her memory of the past before admitting her to the temple.” Wu Peng answered.

Dumbledore closed his eyes tightly. Arabella could have told him who the father was, though it was obvious, by the look of the child, that he was from the Weasleys. That was why Wu Peng noticed the resemblance to Charlie. Dumbledore now wondered if Harry would end up with one of the Weasley’s – who among them would father the child, was still unknown.

“You have to tell me the Prophecy, Wu Peng. I have to understand the purpose of this child.” Dumbledore said.

“I cannot unless you denounce the Keeper of the Dead!” Wu Peng cried. “She is not to be trusted Dumbledore!”

“She allowed me to parley for my life. I am here solely because she permitted me.” Dumbledore advocated.

“Then it was useless to have called upon you. You bring with you the eyes and ears of Ji, treacherous fiend!” Wu Peng fumed. “She won you over by allowing you to stay, when it was she who pushed you to nearly cross the veil!”

“Death is a natural occurrence, Wu Peng. She has afforded me more time to see the fulfillment of the Prophecy against the Dark--” Dumbledore retorted.

“The Bearer was entrusted to you!” Wu Peng cut in.

“I have protected the Bearer with all my powers,” Dumbledore said. “He is safe in my castle, beyond the reach of our enemy!”

“Yet, the child ends up here, under my protection, and the Defender, according to the old woman, has gone mad.” Wu Peng said. “Albus, does the bearer know about his kind?”

“I mean to tell him when he has reached the right age.” Dumbledore replied.

“When do you think that is?” Wu Peng asked.

“You have not answered my question, Wu Peng. What is the purpose of this child? Answer me that and I shall work with you and revere the Keeper of your choice!” Dumbledore cried.

“Leave, Albus. Time is running out. I have to call a Keeper, and may I make the right choice, or all will be lost.” Wu Peng said.

Dumbledore knew he could not persuade Wu Peng to listen to him. He was too involved with the affairs of the Keepers to bother about small conflicts in the wizarding world. It was for this reason that he has kept the whole temple and all of its constituents out of reach from both magical and non-magical folk. Charlie’s memory of this place will be modified before he leaves. Knossos alone will remember they were ever here.

As they left Tibet, Dumbledore could not shake the feeling of dread knowing that something was about to happen in the future that would result in this desperate move to safety. The words of Wu Peng burned him: The Defender alone was there when the ticket was used. The Defender had a close resemblance to the Weasley’s; whom among them would Harry bear a child for? Who killed Harry? How did he die? So many questions burned inside his head as the white dragon swooped tirelessly across the skies.

Soon, he was in Romania again, saying his goodbyes to Charlie and Craig. Then he walked away from the large wooden doors of the encampment and, with a loud crack, had dissaperated.

***


Wu Peng knelt in the middle of the room, choosing the Keeper he’d call. He paged through pages and pages of old manuscripts, finding the incantation to call the Keeper of Light, K’Yun. When he found it, he realized he couldn’t conjure it without the sacrifice needed, which was a star. Owning none, Wu Peng, now desperate for help turned to the child once more. The basket upon which the baby slept was now empty.

“Where…?” Wu Peng gasped. He took out every single blanket and found nothing. Afraid that the child was taken, Wu Peng ran hither and thither looking for him, crying out his name. “Archer! Archer!”

He then noticed that the whole room was now drenched in gold, and around there were ornaments also made of gold that decorated the room. Large spheres filled the walls, and the golden statue of a woman with her hands held out surrounded by many children had been placed where the chariot was.

Then the sound of a soft giggle reached his ears from above. Wu Peng looked up and saw that Lai was there and she held the baby in her arms. There was no light about her, save for the soft bisque light from her hair. As she slowly descended from the opening above, a new expanse opened up, its rim was made of molten gold, but beyond it, Wu Peng saw another world. She settled a few feet above the golden floors in a sitting position, cradling the baby lovingly in her arms.

Wu Peng immediately bowed low before her.

“Arise.” Lai said softly. Her voice was soft like cotton.

Wu Peng slowly stood and walked towards the Keeper whose eyes seemed to have cried a million tears.

“My Lady!” Wu Peng said, bowing in reverence.

“I am Lai, Keeper of Magical Beings, Queen of Wizards, Keeper of the Stones of Immortality. I will not claim your Temple for my house has been founded elsewhere. My son has chosen your house as his abode until he is called in to walk before Aum. I will protect this house until my son is strong enough to protect it on his own. His time has not yet come.”

Wu Peng could not have asked for anything better. Lai was the most powerful Keeper he could ask for. The only one who could contend against Nin - her twin and the very reason for her rebellion.

“Leave us. Rest your mind and be at a peace. Your house is well protected.” Lai commanded.

Wu Peng bowed low and left them there, Lai and the child that was stolen from her, reunited by fate, bonded by love.