Chapter 18 - Portkeys

***** First Bonus Chapter ***** A/N: Was travelling yesterday to my Parents house, since its Easter weekend. They live in the country with super slow internet, so uploads might take a little while lol. 2nd Bonus Chapter coming tomorrow. Anyways, Hope you all enjoy. *****

"I'm here professor."

"Ah! It appears we are almost ready to depart." Professor Fig greeted Khan, as he prepared the magical horseless carriage they were taking to Hogwarts. "It's a pity we didn't have a bit more time to spend on spell-casting. I presume you've been practising the spells we worked on?"

"I have professor." Khan stated, holding out his 2nd-hand wand with delight at finally using magic.

"Well.... I'm quite sure I've never seen anyone take so quickly to a 2nd-hand wand." Fig said in observation. "You'll be a force to be reckoned with when you get your own."

"Thank you, Professor Fig." Khan replied. "I appreciate your working with me before the term begi-"

*CRACK*

Khan was interrupted with a loud twisting CRACK, as a new gentleman apparated into view.

Looking all around, to gather his bearings, the new arrival soon spotted Professor Fig and greeted him.

"Oh! Eleazar!"

"George!" Fig happily replied. "Glad my rather cryptic description of our location did not thwart your finding us."

"I've apparated to more vaguely defined destinations that this." The newcomer, George, replies chuckling, as he shaking Figs hand with vigor. "Though, I must confess I may have miscalculated slightly on my first try. Gave quite the fright to some theatre-goers in the West End."

"It's been much too long." Fig was feeling quite sentimental seeing his old friend. George was quite close to his recently deceased wife, and Fig couldn't help but remember her. "When I received your owl, I must say I-"

"Best not speak here, Eleazar." George interrupts Fig, looking around suspiciously.

"Oh, of course." Fig hurried corrects himself. "Why don't we speak en route to Hogwarts? We have a start-of-term feast, and a sorting ceremony to get to."

"Wonderful idea!" George agrees. "As long as your young charge here doesn't mind me tagging along."

"Not at all, sir." Khan replies politely.

The 3 of them board the carriage, as George states enthusiastically. "Ages since I've been to the castle. Would be good to see the old pile of rocks!"

Moments later the carriage takes off in flight towards Hogwarts.

Unnoticed by the 3 companions, they had been overheard while talking in the streets of London. Muttering to himself angrily watching the carriage fly away, Rookwood soon disappeared in a twisting-like *CRACK* as he apparated away.

***

Time passed, as the 3 flew via carriage to Hogwarts exchanging pleasantries.

Eventually however, George got to the real reason he wanted to find Fig, as he took out a newspaper asking. "Have you seen this?"

Khan saw the headlines 'RANROK'S GOBLIN REBELLION. TRUTH? OR GOBBLEDEGOOK?'

"I have." Fig gravely replies. "Opinions differ as to how great a threat Ranrok really is."

"Although I've yet to convince my colleagues at the Ministry, I believe he is a significant threat." George states worriedly. "And... it was your wife, Eleazar, who alerted me to his activities months ago."

"Miriam?" Fig states in wonder. "How?"

Sighing in regret at Miriam's death, George replies. "She wrote to me about Ranrok before she died.... Wondering what the Ministry knew about his activities."

Taking out a small cylindrical case, he continues. "Before I could respond, I received this. It was the last thing she sent me Eleazar. It came via her owl, but with no correspondence. I can only assume-"

"That she had to get rid of it quickly to keep it safe." Fig finished, as he took the cylindrical case from George to get a better look at it.

"Presumably to keep it safe from Ranrok." George continued explaining. "I cannot open it. Whatever magic protects this, is powerful indeed."

Examining the cylinder, Fig comments aloud. "It looks to be made of Goblin metal... and what is that Symbol?"

Khan leans forward to get a better look as well, as he notices a glow coming from the symbol. "What is that glow?"

"I don't see a glow." Replies Fig.

"Nor do I." Concurs George.

Taking the cylinder from Fig, Khan touches the symbol intending to show the gentlemen where exactly the glow is showing. This touch from Khan however, activates the cylinder mechanism, as the glow moves from the symbol, to the rest of the cylinder, eventually opening to reveal a large key, with that same symbol on the key handle.

"Merlin's beard!" Exclaims George. "How did you-"

"Wait!" Fig interrupts George, as he notices Khan reaching to grab the key out of the cylinder. He quickly takes the cylinder back as he replies "We do not know what-"

Suddenly, their carriage was attacked by a giant dragon, with red-glowing eyes.

"RAWRRRR!" cried the dragon, as it took a giant bite of the carriage ripping it in half, and eating George in the process.

Khan, seeing George die, was feeling quite sick to his stomach. He had never even witnessed combat, let alone seeing someone lose their life.

Turning to the front of the carriage, he noticed that he could see a new creature pulling the carriage, as they all ran away from the dragon.

Thestrals!

Having read and studied a lot, Khan was familiar with the beasts. He was however, previously unable to see them, as only those who have experienced death, can look upon the magical beasts.

Khan shook his head, as this wasn't the time to remember his studies.

Especially since, it looked like the dragon was coming around for another bite attack.

"Jump!" Fig cried.

Jumping out of the carriage, Khan and Fig began to drop, successfully escaping the dragon attack, as it crushed the remainder of their carriage.

This move however, left them in freefall, accelerating them towards the ground far below.

Flailing, Fig felt the cylinder slip out of his robes, as it began to also freefall away from him, the key falling out of the now open cylinder.

In a panic of losing his last clue to Miriam's death, Fig grabbed Khan as he casted Accio on the key.

Grabbing it, the 2 of them disappeared in a magical flash.

*****

The group landed in a heap suddenly. They got to their feet as a voice sounded out '7 past 5, from Stoutshead Hill.'

2 wizards, both dressed like muggles, though very inexpertly, greeted them.

The large group had just taken a portkey to the World Cup site, something called a muggle 'campsite', early in the morning.

Needless to say, Khan was not exactly in the best of moods. And not just because of the early morning wake up call.

Khan's experience with a Portkey was not exactly the greatest. It was the entire reason, he had set off on this adventure in the first place with Professor Fig.

Thinking back to the journey to Hogwarts, he couldn't help but think, that if it wasn't for that ancient magic cylinder and portkey, he probably wouldn't have been involved in the Goblin Rebellion at all.

Perhaps, he wouldn't have slipped into a coma, and awoken 100 years in the future.

Perhaps, someone else would've saved them, and he would've been able to still be with his friends and family.

Perhaps, he wouldn't feel so lonely.

That in itself, was a new and weird thought to Khan.

Growing up, he wasn't exactly the most social kid, spending most of his time reading.

Even upon attending Hogwarts, while he was friendly with most of the school, he only had a 3-5 people he could call his true friends, preferring to spend time either adventuring alone, studying in the RoR to catch up with the rest of the year, or with his beast friends.

And here in the future, it wasn't like he's been alone. Ever since he had awoken, he has received help and goodwill from the current professors of Hogwarts, and even made some new friends close to his own age. And it had only been a few days.

So it wasn't like.... he didn't have anyone.

Its more like...... nobody has him.

And that was a lonely thought.

In contrast to his last Portkey, at least this particular item, was an old rotten boot.

Hopefully this portkey did not result the same way as the last one did. Or else by the end of this adventure, he might find himself another 100 years in the future.

*****

The group had spent part of the morning attempting to pitch a magical tent, as Arthur wanted to do it the Muggle way, utilizing magic. This slowed the group down, but thanks to Harry and Hermione who had some knowledge of muggle technology, they were finally able to complete their task.

Settling down for lunch, they were soon joined by Percy, Bill and Charlie as they apparated over from the Burrow.

As the large group ate lunch, they were often interrupted by Arthur's Ministry Colleagues, as they all greeted him, while passing by their campsite.

Eventually, they were joined by 2 gentlemen, who Khan was soon introduced to as Ludo Bagman, and Barty Crouch, high ranking members of the ministry.

While Bagman was a giant man-child, dressed in old Quidditch robes, Khan was very suspicious of Mr. Crouch.

A stiff, upright, elderly man, Barty was dressed in an impeccably crisp suit and tie, with highly polished black dress shoes.

Every word he spoke was professional, and it was clear he could pass for a muggle bank manager.

No, what had Khan interested was the trace of dark magic Crouch had lingering around him.

Khan, with his vision, could see a dark green glow, coming from Crouch, almost like he had either an artifact, or a dark magic spell currently activated.

It was similar, Khan noted, to the feeling he was getting from Sebastian, while he was controlling the relic and inferi.

'Why would a high ranking ministry member be actively using dark magic spells, so close to a world event?' Khan wondered to himself. 'Did this portkey set me on another adventure?'

Khan's thoughts were interrupted by Bagman exclaiming joyfully. "Eh Barty? Plenty left to organize right?"

Crouch, looking upset, replied. "We agreed not to make the announcement until all the details-"

"Meh details." Bagman interrupted, waving his hand at the word, like it was the plague. "I bet you these kids will know soon enough anyways. I mean, its' happening at Hogwarts-"

"Ludo!" Crouch loudly interrupted Bagman, eyes giving the death stare. "We need to meet the Bulgarians."

Turning to Percy, he pushed the undrank tea back, thanking him. "Thank you for the tea, Weatherby."

He turned and grabbed Bagman, before apparating away with a loud crack.

"Whats happening at Hogwarts dad?" asked Fred.

"What were they talking about?" Finished George.

"You'll find out soon enough." Replied Arthur, smiling.

"Its classified information. Mr. Crouch was right not to disclose it before the proper time." Percy added on pompously.

"Shut it Weatherby!"

*****

Eventually all the visitors left, as the time of the match slowly approached.

The group had gone to spend some money on souvenirs, as salesmen were everywhere.

Luminous rosettes, pointed greet hats decorated with dancing shamrocks, Bulgarian scarves adorned with Roaring lions, Country flags that played their respective National anthems as they are waved, even tiny collectible figures of the famous quidditch players, complete with a tiny firebolt.

Khan meanwhile, was surprised at how cheap everything was.

He was used to paying 150 Galleons for common potion ingredients at Hogsmeade.

Some of the Spellcrafts he had purchased from Tomes and Scrolls, were over 3000 Galleons themselves.

Thus, during his time at Hogwarts, he had eventually carried upwards of 20,000 Galleons at a time, just in case he found some rare item for sale travelling all the various shops in the surrounding hamlets. And that was simply for his own use, to say nothing of how rich his Family was.

But now Khan was looking over this new piece of wizard tech, he had just purchased for a measly 10 Galleons. It was called 'Omnioculars', and according to the saleswizard, it could record and replay action sequences, slows everything down; it even breaks down quidditch play-by-play.

If a piece a technology this complex is only worth 10 galleons, Khan really had to examine the state of the current world economy.

Khans thoughts were interrupted as a deep booming gong sound rang out through the campgrounds. Red and Green lanterns blazed to life, eventually illuminating the way towards the quidditch pitch.

"It's time!" Arthur shouted, looking just as excited as his kids. "Come on! Lets go!"