25 The Rescue

Theo, seeing that Draco was silent at his suggestion to report this incident to the aurors, sent an inquiring look his friend's way. He didn't understand what made the blonde's mind wander off for so long.

"What's wrong?" the dark-haired boy asked quietly, in order to not be heard by the poachers.

Draco glanced at the two injured men and shook his head silently. His hand was in the pocket, fingering his own communication mirror. With just one call he could inform his parents or Abraxas of the situation they were involved in. However, he knew better than anyone else that none of them would really care about the animals. After all, Lucius even tortured humans, not all of them muggle, during the war. So what were a few birds? His family may even come and steal those eggs for themselves…

For Draco, who enjoyed the peaceful surroundings and listened to the wonderful songs when he first came to the enclosure, the thought was a bit unbearable. In his opinion, some things couldn't and shouldn't be touched or disturbed by humans.

In the end, Draco removed his hand from his pocket with the mirror still inside. He turned to Missy and instructed, "Get Johan here, please."

The elf nodded without questions and popped away. Moments later she returned, accompanied by another wizard.

"Ugh, what is going on?" Johan asked as he looked around, unable to make out the situation that he got involved in. The wizard let out a sigh of relief when he spotted the familiar faces of Draco and Theo among the crowding phoenixes and two barely conscious men. "Don't tell me that you decided to kill these people, didn't manage to do it until the end and decided to get my help? Let me tell you, I am not really good at these things, though I have some friends, who are really professional in this area," he said half-jokingly.

Draco directly ignored him. "Thank you, Missy," he said to the elf and grabbed Theo's hand, going a bit further from the crowd. "Come, Johan, we will explain everything now," he said a bit impatiently, when he saw that the older wizard wasn't following.

Theo shot a glance at the dark-skinned wizard as he was dragged away by his friend. Johan understood the boy's annoyed look, which said to hurry up, and, after a moment of hesitation, decided to follow. Anyway, Theo's friend already said that they would explain and he wouldn't understand anything by standing around. As far as he knew, the children went to the enclosure to watch the phoenixes. So what was this situation?

After walking a short distance Draco stopped and let go of Theo's hand. He then proceeded in quickly summarizing their recent experience at the enclosure to the adult wizard. The blond also didn't forget to include his speculations about the Ministry's involvement in the poaching activity.

Johan silently listened to the whole story without interrupting even once. As soon as Draco finished, the man released a loud sigh and said seriously, "It would be better not to involve ourselves in this matter." He seemed very unlike his usual loud and talkative self.

Draco was a bit surprised - he thought that the older wizard was more easy-going and wouldn't understand the full repercussions of this event, which would make it easier to use him. However, reality proved otherwise. Actually, it also wasn't too unexpected - even a moron wouldn't want to get involved in a situation, which involved foreign Ministry's corruption.

Draco was at a loss - if he could use Johan, then he might be able to rescue the phoenix eggs without much problem. But if the other refused, then he also couldn't do anything.

Surprisingly, at this time, Theo decided to speak up:

"I don't believe that everyone in the Ministry knows about the poaching activity – it should only be a select group of people, most likely those, who are responsible for the preservation the Phoenix enclosure in the first place. With your help, Johan, we should be able to do something. I know you have a lot of connections in the Ministry, after all, not every British wizard can establish himself in foreign government so well, if at all."

The older wizard stared speechlessly at the boy and couldn't contradict his reasoning. Before he could think of an excuse, Draco spoke up:

"Actually, I already have a way to help, however, I am not sure whether it is feasible. That's why I told Missy to get you here to begin with," he turned to Johan. "If you listen to my plan, we may be able to at least check out the situation undetected. If there's any danger then we should be able to leave directly and think of another plan."

The man was resigned – it seemed that he couldn't avoid this matter without offending the two boys, who may remember his unwillingness to help in the future, when they became Lords. Anyway, they were asking to do a good deed and if the plan was alright, he didn't mind lending a helping hand. Besides, if Draco was to be believed, they could back out at any time.

"So, what's the plan?" Johan asked finally.

"You know a lot about curse-breaking, right? What with all your years spent analyzing various curses on ancient object here in Egypt, as well as your connections in Ancient Artifacts Research Department," said Draco calculatedly.

Johan nodded, looking warily at the young child. He felt that this boy really couldn't be underestimated, despite his young age and innocent appearance.

"I will grab one pendant, while you will get the other and we will go to the hideout, where they are holding the eggs. With pendants we should be able to get in and out undetected," the blond explained quickly. "The phoenixes will also help us if we are detected and give us time to get out if something happens."

"Isn't it better for me to go alone then?" wondered Johan.

"I have a mirror which is keyed to me and can contact Theo or my parents immediately if there is any danger. If you go alone and get caught, what will we do then?" Draco explained. He also knew that it wasn't the best solution but he couldn't think of anything better at moment's notice. Even though Theo also had the communication mirror, Draco didn't want a child to face so much danger. Anyway, he felt that as an adult, it was better for himself to go.

"Young master bring Missy with him. Save the birdies," interrupted Missy just as Draco wanted to continue talking.

The boy looked at his loyal elf and smiled helplessly, "I am sorry Missy, we can't bring you along. What if there's house-elf detection magic? And the pendants are needed to pass the wards - without one you will be detected anyway."

"Missy doesn't agree to young master's plan! Missy is told to protect the young master," protested the elf.

"You can come to Nuwameisa lake and if anything happens, you will only be few steps away," compromised Draco. The elf nodded agreeably.

After this no one protested the plan and Theo also didn't say anything like 'If you are going, then I will go too!' – like a Gryffindor would in this situation. The dark-haired boy felt that he would have his own role to play and seconds later his thoughts were confirmed.

Draco swiftly explained the rest of the plan. He also gestured for the phoenixes, who were still guarding the poachers and chirping at them angrily, to come closer and gave them some instructions to carry out.

"If that is all, then we better go. The longer we wait, the higher the risk that we will be discovered," Johan said finally.

"Alright," agreed Draco and went up to the poachers to get their portkeys, which were made in form of pendants. After giving one of them to the older wizard, he turned to Theo and said seriously, "Remember, your part is very important."

His friend nodded, "Don't worry, I know what to do."

Draco turned to Missy, who understood what her young master wanted and quickly turned him and Johan invisible. House elf's magic was a bit harder to detect so it was better to let her do it.

With quick activation of portkeys, two wizards, one older and one younger, vanished from the clearing.

If one looked around, they would see that there were only few phoenixes left guarding the poachers.

---

Draco reappeared in a brightly-lit tunnel, which was hidden near the lake. It was very damp inside and he had some difficulty breathing.

"Draco?" asked Johan, who was invisible and standing somewhere to Draco's right.

"Yes, I am here."

"Alright then, let's go and look for those eggs. I will go ahead, you go behind me…" Johan grabbed around with his hands, almost poking out one of Draco's eyes, until he finally managed to locate the boy. Making sure that the young wizard was behind himself, the blue-eyed wizard started walking, with Draco following behind him while holding onto his robes.

The cave wasn't well-protected if one had the poachers' pendants with them. Even though Johan detected some wards along the way, it was very easy to pass them. After few times of going in wrong directions, which led to the poachers' living and storing areas, the two intruders reached their destination.

Draco looked around as he entered into a wider area from the narrow tunnel they were in before. It was noticeably easier to breathe inside and it seemed that the cave had a ventilation system, charms or an opening somewhere nearby, to make the prolonged stay in there more comfortable.

Up ahead of them were two wizards, dressed similarly to the poachers who were caught earlier - wearing sandy robes and turbans on their heads. Maybe it was some kind of uniform?

Both wizards were guarding the door, which was behind them.

"Liam and Paul are not back yet? It's already been an hour since the expected return time. Maybe they have encountered some difficulties?" asked one of them in Italian while trying to hide a yawn.

The other wizard, who had a book in his hands and was casually reading it, glanced at his companion and answered, "What are you so worried about? Rocco already arranged everything with our Ministry contacts. Nothing will happen. Maybe those German dogs got lost, or something? Let's wait some more, if they don't return in half hour, we will notify the leader."

"Alright, alright. I won't disturb your reading anymore," said the other. But he still quietly grumbled to himself, "I knew we shouldn't have accepted them into the circle. Now those Germans don't even show up, as though they are the bosses here and can come and go whenever they please!"

The wizard was once again reading his book released an annoyed sigh but didn't say anything, directly ignoring his companion.

Draco could only understand a bit of what they were saying, since he didn't know the language they were speaking in. However, Johan could understand everything perfectly. He attentively listened to the two wizards, who seemed to be guarding the doors ahead, and when he made sure that there was no useful information that they would discuss, Johan quietly lifted his wand and cast a few stunning spells at them.

"Stupefy!"

One of the wizards, the one who was reading, was quickly frozen. Before the other could react, he was stunned too. Just to make sure that nothing would happen, Johan quickly cast binding charms on the two frozen bodies, tying them tightly with ropes, and summoned their wands. Then he searched the bodies for magical items and removed their portkeys. To make sure that the two guarding wizards wouldn't be able to move or summon help for the next hour, Johan made them invisible and levitated them to the side. If anyone came back during that time, unless they cast 'Homenum Revelio' – a charm which detected human presence – they would think that the two guards left their post.

Draco was secretly very impressed with the older wizard's efficiency. One couldn't really judge a book by its cover. When Johan greeted him and Theo at the Egyptian Ministry, and later brought them to various tourist places, it didn't seem as though the older wizard was very competent. Draco thought to use him in this situation only because the other was the only adult he could trust in this foreign country, and he did seem to be a bit reliable – to be involved in curse-breaking in the country, widely known for its ancient magic, was not something a common British wizard could achieve.

"Draco? Let's go," whispered Johan when he dealt with the guards. Draco once again grabbed at the older wizard's robes and followed.

To get past the doors which were guarded by the two wizards, one had to, once again, use the pendants. It seemed that they were very universal. Draco wondered, why these people didn't think about the obvious security breach when they designed this place. However, after thinking for a few seconds he understood – unless someone directly told outsiders that the pendants had to be used to get through the security, as well as the portkeys' password, no one would be able to take advantage of them.

When Johan and Draco stepped through the door, they entered a large room, which was completely empty of people. Johan cast the revealing charms on himself and Draco, as there was no longer a need to hide. After both of the intruders were finally visible, they turned to carefully observe the space around themselves.

On one side, there were bars with the phoenix eggs behind them. The eggs were placed on special pedestals, which had runes carved all over them – presumably, to prevent others from taking them, cultivating the eggs to hatch as well as restraining their magic. Johan released a startled sound as soon as he saw them – he knew that with his abilities, it would be very hard to get past all the protections.

In one of the biggest parts of the room there was a dark door, with small bars at the window. Draco couldn't reach it to see what was inside, so he asked the taller wizard to describe it.

"I also cannot make out anything inside," Johan said after taking a careful look. "However, based on what you said before, it should be the phoenix, which hatched two years ago and which the poachers were trying to subdue ever since."

Draco nodded.

"We should hurry up, someone may come very soon if they notice that the poachers haven't returned and the guards were not at their station," the boy said quietly.

Johan was already looking at the wards on the eggs and the door with barred window.

"I cannot pass this place without detection," he shook his head with disappointment.

Draco wasn't too surprised. This was just one of the smaller bases and it already held phoenixes and prevented them from getting out with their natural magic. It has to be said that almost no wards could prevent these rare birds from appearing or disappearing wherever they wanted. However, these poachers had some abilities to hold one phoenix, even though it was very young, for two whole years. As such, Draco knew that other bases may have even more protections.

"If we are detected, do you think we will be able to get out? And what about the phoenix eggs? Will you be able to get them out, ignoring the fact that we are discovered?" asked the blond boy.

"Yes, I just have to disable the most dangerous curses first. Don't worry, I may have no experience in avoiding detection – who cares if curse-breakers are noticed entering a pyramid of a long-dead Pharaoh, after all? – but I am confident about my ability otherwise. When the door opens I will check whether there are any curses inside. The alarms will sound only if we pass the threshold so we can take a bit of time to look around."

"Alright," agreed Draco readily.

"As for getting out if we are detected... I don't see anything, which would prevent us from leaving. There are anti-portkey and anti-apparition wards, however, the poacher's pendants are an exception. As long as we have them, we can get out whenever we want."

Draco nodded. As long as it was safe, they could take this chance.

Seeing that there were no protests from the boy, Johan started muttering a few spells at the closed door. Draco couldn't recognize any of them - some even sounded like they were not Latin, but cast in other languages. Soon the door opened and Johan cast few more curse detecting charms. "It's safe but it's still better not to go inside. There are some magic-dampening charms, which I couldn't disable," he said with a grimace.

Draco came to the door and observed the inside. It was very dimly lit, however, he could still make out the young phoenix. It looked really pitiful – its feathers were scattered around on the ground, there were even some blood droplets, though they were hard to see. The phoenix was unbound, however, it didn't move, only looking back at Draco warily with its half-closed eyes.

"Don't worry, we came to save you," Draco assured quietly. He felt completely unlike himself after seeing the creature, which should be magnificently flying in the sky and singing songs, brought to such state. "Just come to the door and we will get you out," he promised with an encouraging smile, bending down and outstretching his hands - waiting for the phoenix to come.

The young bird obviously tried not to react to these hard-to-believe words, however, the young boy clearly saw that the phoenix's eyes widened a little bit and hope flashed through them. The bird stared at the opening for a while, but it still hesitated to come forward.

At first, when it hatched from the egg, it didn't know its surroundings very well. The young bird saw humans, who were exclaiming happily around it, seemingly very satisfied with its birth. The phoenix also chirped happily, enjoying the attention. At first the humans tried to offer it a lot of nice things in order to subdue it, however, the young chick obviously felt no connection with any of those humans, so it refused. It also longed for the sky, which it had never seen before, though instinctively knew that it was something good. The young phoenix tried using its natural magic to teleport by fire, however, it soon discovered that it wasn't able to.

The humans somehow knew what it tried to do – they got angry and started calling the little bird ungrateful. The bird couldn't resist being taken by them and locked in this dreary room for two years, not knowing whether it was day or night, never having seen the sky. As days and weeks passed, it tried to use magic and other methods to leave – whenever the door to the room opened, the phoenix would try dashing out. However, when it neared the threshold, it would always be hit by unimaginable pain, which was harder and harder to withstand as time passed by. It soon knew that in order to avoid the pain, it was better not to go near the doors.

The young bird was never fed much and it was tortured with various methods because humans were trying to subdue it and make it someone else's familiar. But the phoenix was not a pet! It knew that nothing good would come out of the unwilling bond so it decided that when the burning day comes, it would be better to die for good and never be reborn.

Better be dead than live for hundreds of years in suffering.

So when two new wizards, who the phoenix haven't seen before, opened the doors of its prison, the bird didn't dare to believe their words.

Draco saw that the phoenix was not moving from its place. He tried to make himself look even more non-threatening and said:

"There is your family, waiting for you outside, and you will be able to see the sun and moon, feel rain and snow," he tried to gently convince the young bird. "You will fly in the sky, like the majestic bird you are, and sing wonderful songs, which can heal people's hearts."

The young phoenix carefully listened to the young boy's words, its eyes shining with more and more hope. It took a few steps forward, but as soon as Draco went silent, it retreated again. The blond could only continue to gently coax the traumatized creature, until it slowly hopped to the entrance and stopped before the boy.

The young phoenix had never used its wings before and it never learned to fly. Without half its feathers it would be even harder for it to fly, so it could only walk when the boy called it.

Johan saw that the little bird didn't dare to go near the threshold and he could guess why, since he disabled the wards which caused pain to creatures as soon as they neared it. The older man quietly went to stand beside Draco, in order to not startle the phoenix, and squatted down.

"You don't have to worry, there won't be any pain. Come, the family is waiting for you," he said gently.

The phoenix suddenly got a determined look in its eyes. With few quick steps it hopped into Draco's outstretched arms.

As soon as it passed the entrance, loud alarm could be heard going off in the whole cave.

The poachers were aware of the intruders now.