"Ah, well, if it's Malfoy's…" Harry drawled. "Though I do feel sorry for the bird. It's not its fault its owner's a complete git."
"To hell with the owl," Richard said, losing interest in the bird. He pulled a compact pistol with an unusually wide magazine from his bag and handed it to Harry. "You're the only one among us who knows how to shoot."
"Richie…" Potter stared at the weapon in horror. "You're not suggesting I shoot the Cerberus, are you?"
"It's a veterinary dart gun," Grosvenor explained. "The ammunition is tranquilliser darts with enough sedative to knock out an elephant."
"Phew!" Potter exhaled in relief. "Do you think it'll work on a Cerberus?"
"It works on elephants, so it should bring this mutt down as well," the young aristocrat shrugged. "Nowhere in magical literature does it say Cerberuses are immune to sedatives."
Several seconds later, they stood before the opened door. The sight of it reminded all three boys what awaited them ahead. And waiting for them were three enormous snarling heads belonging to a gigantic three-headed dog, taller at the shoulder than any of the boys.
Harry turned first to Richard, then to Ron.
"Lads, I just thought of something," he said. "Why didn't we send the soldiers in instead of ourselves?"
"Because we intended to keep everything secret, Harry," Richie replied, unable to tear his frightened gaze away from the Cerberus. "Besides, they aren't wizards."
"But do Muggles in Hogwarts and secrecy even go together?" Weasley asked logically.
"Sort of," Richie answered. "You'd better not ask what it cost me to reach an agreement with the 'Muggles'. I had to waste the entire Easter hols on it and make certain promises. Harry, what are we waiting for?"
"Oh, right!"
Harry snapped out of it, raised the pistol, and took aim.
He had expected a loud bang, but instead, when he pulled the trigger, there came only a soft pop and a faint hiss. A small dart struck the Cerberus's middle head in the neck, and the beast was clearly none too pleased by the jab.
The dog let out a thunderous growl, but the Silencing Charm Richard had cast just in time ensured their privacy remained intact.
Ron pressed himself fearfully against the wall.
"Erm… lads, how long's it going to stay like that?" he asked nervously. "What if the chain snaps…"
"We'll have to wait a couple of minutes," Richie replied. "It's not poison, and we're not butchers. Though…" He cast a sidelong glance at the owl.
"It's Malfoy's owl!" Ron snapped. "And anyway, you'll thank me for it later when it saves our lives."
The growling gradually grew quieter until it finally ceased altogether. The dog swayed, lowered itself onto its belly, and then collapsed onto its side. There was no doubt whatsoever that it was fast asleep.
The boys slowly approached the trapdoor guarded by the Cerberus. The hot, foul-smelling breath pouring from its three maws became increasingly noticeable.
"Lads, we need to retrieve the dart," Richard said. "Can't leave evidence behind."
"Want to do it yourself, Richie?" Ron asked.
"No, the thought never even crossed my mind," Grosvenor replied, shaking his head.
Richie and Harry turned almost simultaneously to look at Weasley.
"Why's it always Ron?!" Weasley protested indignantly. "I'm holding the owl!"
"Excellent excuse, Ron!" Richard said sarcastically, giving him a thumbs-up.
"I'll do it," Harry Potter declared bravely as he stepped towards the Cerberus.
"Harry, did it never occur to you to use a Summoning Charm?" Richard asked.
"I don't know that one," Harry admitted honestly as he yanked the dart out of the Cerberus's neck and hastily jumped back.
Richard bent over the trapdoor and pulled on the iron ring.
"What's down there?" Ronald whispered excitedly.
Harry Potter leaned over the opening as well and answered first.
"It's darker than the Devil's arsehole down there! I can't see any stairs either. Looks like we'll have to jump."
"Harry, I know your head hurts, but surely not enough for you to smash yourself to pieces in the first random pit you find," Richard remarked dryly. "Give us some light."
"Oh, right. Light." Potter smacked his palm against his forehead. Pulling out his wand, he cast, "Lumos!"
The bright orb shining from the tip of Harry's wand illuminated the darkness below.
"So what's there?" Weasley asked again.
"Some sort of fucked-up plant nightmare," Richard said, his eyes widening.
"Eh?" Weasley looked at him blankly.
"I said there are some plant tentacles crawling around the corners now that Harry lit the place up."
"Richie, don't tell me you don't know the name of this… erm… plant?" Potter said. "You're a genius!"
"Oh, really?" Richie exclaimed sceptically. "Well, perhaps I am, but it hardly befits an aristocrat to muck about with plants like some gardener or farmer."
"You could've just said you didn't know!" Weasley snorted with laughter.
"We jump," Potter declared. "The grass looks thick enough to soften the fall."
"Harry, are you sure you haven't hit your head?" Richie grabbed him by the shoulder. "That's at least fifty yards down. Why break our bones when we can fly safely?"
Richie quickly pulled a glider from his pocket, restored it to full size with a flick of his wand, and stepped onto it.
"What are we waiting for? Let's fly down!"
Harry and Ron climbed onto the glider beside Richard. Their feet immediately stuck to the surface of the artefact — a safety feature designed to keep the rider from falling. The glider angled sharply as it swooped into the trapdoor, forcing the boys to lean forward and duck low.
(End of Chapter)
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