Category: The Magic Quill

Spanky’s tale continued…

“’So it’s all up with me, it is,’ said the first Death Eater. ‘I’m done for.’

“’Aw, don’t put such a sour face on things,’ said the other. ‘That’ll only make sure the worst happens.’

“Fancy that,” said Endora. “As soon as Merlin starts telling the story, suddenly he’s the one with the excitable bladder.”

“It must be something they put in the firewhisky,” Sadie observed. “Whoever runs off at the mouth the most also has to get up to use the privacy.”

“Well, while we wait for him to come back from the Three Broomsticks,” Endora began.

“Just tell us about the maze,” said Joe impatiently.

“Fine,” Merlin sniffed. “To begin with, it was made of eleven-foot hedges of Devil’s Snare, which made it dangerous to get close to the walls, until we started carrying balls of magefire.

“Then there was the size of the labyrinth. It covered several acres and was absurdly complicated, but every turning looked the same. I think there were spells on it to prevent anyone from getting out without the leave of its owner. Or at least, there were booby traps that would cause you to become disoriented, or that would transport you instantly to a different point in the maze. The four-point charm wasn’t much help, because we had no idea which direction led to the way out. And then there were the creatures.”

“I think it’s time for one among our number to reveal his true face,” Harvey said over the second round of drinks, the next time his party gathered in their dingy parlor in the back of the Hog’s Head pub.

“Not if you mean me,” said Joe Albuquerque, appearing this evening in the disguise of a Jamaican beachcomber.

Sorry, but the Hog’s Head story line is back on standby status. I really need some ideas from you guys! Such as: what is the potion that Harvey wants to steal, and why is it so important that he get it? And, what is the plan for using the unique gifts of all the wizards and witches in Harvey’s circle? And, what other weird magical happenings could our characters tell about in between planning sessions?

Meanwhile, this week’s column returns to our Riddles….

With a loud pop, Harvey disapparated.

“Hang on,” cried Sadie, puffing out a cloud of acrid smoke. “You never told us anything about those things Rigel bought. Did he use them all on the way into Gringotts, or did they come in handy getting through the maze?”

“Yes,” said Merlin.

the Quill is enjoying its seasonal overhaul at Scrivenshaft’s, and I am wearing out my broomstick traveling for the holidays. Meanwhile, I hope you will ponder and enjoy these puzzlers about the continuity of the Harry Potter series. My theory is that Ms. Rowling has purposely left some details vague in order to limit the exposure of the magical world. But your guess is as good as mine…

Dear reader,

The holidays have come. Both the Quill that authors this column (based on your suggestions) and I, its humble assistant, are in need of a bit of a break. The quill has been sent, by certified owl, to Scrivenshaft’s for a much-needed tune-up (tip replacement, reservoir cleaning, polishing, brushing, etc.) while yours truly has a lot of broomstick hours ahead of him. So I hope you will bear with us as we replace two weeks’ worth of columns with a bit of something different.

The witches and wizards listening to Merlin’s tale were becoming restive. At one point, Sadie pulled an hourglass out of her pocket, glared at it through her veil, and shook it next to her ear. A few minutes later, Spanky shined his wandlight on a sundial strapped to his wrist. Even Joe Albuquerque sneaked a look at a complicated pocket watch that had seven hands moving at different speeds, and in different directions.