Stowaway *Harper*

Drew was itching to get out there again so badly that he was starting to wear a depression in his carpet from pacing. It had only been a few weeks since his last excursion, but he was prone to getting stir crazy. Drew was born to go on adventures. Sitting at home in his boring, lonely apartment was just not enough to keep him occupied. He felt his skills and talents were best used when he was breaking curses and searching for treasure. It wasn't that he was interested in the money; quite the contrary. He didn't see much of it anyway, the goblins were not extremely generous. No, he just loved the adrenaline rush and the sense of accomplishment that came along with his chosen profession.

So he had filled his pack with the essential items, made sure he had his wand, and had gotten in his car. This wasn't his preferred mode of transportation. But because of the high volume of magic in the mountain area he was researching, he couldn't risk announcing his arrival through apparition or portkey. No, today he would do things muggle style until he was sure that he wouldn't give himself away.

Two hours of driving later, Drew had finally arrived in the designated area. He double-checked his bag again, just to be sure he had all he needed, and then he was off. On the hike to the suspected cave, he was almost thinking that someone was following him, but he couldn't see anyone when he had turned around. So he continued on.

He could sense that this was the right place almost immediately. There were curses all around this cave, permeating the air around him. Not only that, but there would possibly be dark creatures lurking about to protect their treasure. He would have to take great care this time. He could not afford for anything to go wrong if his life could be at stake. This was the rush he craved for, but he still valued being alive. So he began setting his traps. The spells he placed would only stun and trap the creature that set them off, but they were still strong enough to give him proper warning to defend himself. He knew what he was doing, this was not his first time around the block. And now that his traps were set, it was just a waiting game. He found a secluded place close by so that he could observe the outcome of his hidden defensive spells. There was a delicate balancing act here, and he was not one to disturb that balance. He may have been laid back in general, but when it came to his career, he was anything but relaxed. And in the long run, his focus would pay off.

Harper took a deep breath and put his wand to the sickle. He whispered the incantation that would turn it into a portkey. He hoped this would work. Strictly speaking, he wasn't supposed to make portkeys. Well, strictly speaking, he wasn't supposed to be able to make portkeys. It was supposed to be far too advanced for a third year, but Harper had always been quite good at learning new things, especially things he wasn't supposed to know. This wasn't even his first one. He'd made several over the past few days, testing it out to make sure it would work.

He picked up the sickle. The world swirled for a moment until he landed in his brother's kitchen. He wasn't planning to stay long; he just wanted to see Drew. Just for a little while. Harper had mostly given up on convincing his brother to let him move in, though he still thought it would be brilliant. Sure, Drew was gone a lot, but Harper could take care of himself. He was thirteen, for crying out loud!

He heard rustling in the living room and went out to say hello, but stopped short. Drew's back was to him. It looked like he was packing. Maybe he was going off to break curses and find treasure. This was perfect! Harper could go along and help him. If Harper could prove to Drew that he could handle this, that he was good, then Drew would have to admit that Harper could handle curse breaking, and then he'd have to let Harper travel around with him. He'd just have to!

Harper put his wand over his head and set a disillusionment charm. Another spell he wasn't supposed to be able to do, but he'd learned it his first year. It was the sort of spell that came in awfully handy. He couldn't risk letting Drew see him, or he'd never let him come along.

When Drew went out the door, Harper slipped out, too, and climbed into the trunk of Drew's car and waited.

Harper thought Drew would never stop driving. He scrambled out of the trunk while Drew stopped to check his bag, being careful not to make a sound. It hadn't been bad in the trunk, really, but Harper was glad to be back outside where he could stretch his legs and get some fresh air. Despite the confidence the disillusionment charm gave him that he wouldn't be seen, Harper still followed on tiptoe, hiding in shadows and behind trees. Twice, he stepped on something and was sure Drew would hear him. Another time he tripped and let out a little grunt when he fell. Drew turned, and Harper closed his eyes, sure he'd be found out, but the charm did its work, and Drew continued on.

They stopped at the mouth of a cave, and Harper climbed a tree to get a better look. He couldn't tell what Drew was doing, but there was definitely something foul in that cave. Whatever it was made the little hairs on the back of his neck stand up. Dark magic. He was sure of it. Excitement bubbled up inside him. Finally, he was going to get to do something! Finally, he could prove himself to Drew and Noah and all of them. Having to sit in class all day every day was torture! He couldn't wait to get out and flex his fingers in the real world.

Harper watched Drew carefully, but he didn't seem to be doing much at all. What was he waiting for? This was Harper's chance. He could go in ahead of Drew, clear out whatever curses were in there, and come out with the treasure. He could almost imagine the look on Drew's face when he realized what Harper had done. He'd be so proud. Harper tiptoed forward, watching every step carefully. It wouldn't do to be caught when he was this close to his moment of glory. He held his wand poised and ready for whatever might come his way, but he was sure that, whatever it was, he could handle it. He was a third year now, after all, and not only that, but he was at the top of his class.

Harper's heart beat faster and faster in his chest as he got closer to the mouth of the cave. He wasn't sure now if it was excitement or fear, but either way there was no turning back now.

Harper was nearly there, two steps away from the mouth of the cave, when he heard a small click and felt a rush of magic surround him. He lurched forward, and his wand went flying. He reached for it, but quickly realized he couldn't move. His head was free, but his body wouldn't obey him. He looked down and saw that the disillusionment charm had been lifted. That must have been part of whatever trap he'd been caught in. He hoped it wasn't a curse, though it didn't feel like dark magic. This felt lighter, more familiar. Like Drew. He'd been caught in his own brother's trap. Now Drew would find him here, and he hadn't had a chance to find the treasure at all.

Harper couldn't see where Drew was, couldn't tell if his brother had seen him yet or not. He was paralyzed, facing the mouth of the cave, and his wand was gone. He could see it, but he couldn't get to it. He tried to summon it to him, wondering if that would work, but the wand just laid there like a twig. Some wand it was, abandoning him in his hour of need.

"Come on. Accio wand!" Harper whispered, just as movement his eye. Something was in the cave. Something big. Harper narrowed his eyes at it, trying to make it out, but it was too dark. It made a shadow on the wall in the light from the sun, and Harper studied that instead, but couldn't figure out what it was. About two seconds later, he didn't care what it was because whatever it was, it had seen him. It reared on its hind legs and opened its mouth to spit a large ball of fire at Harper's head. Harper struggled as hard as he could to get out of the spell, but it held fast. The fireball was going to hit him, and there was nothing he could do. He couldn't get to his wand. He couldn't move. He could hardly breathe. He was stuck here. He was going to die here. So close to getting the treasure for Drew.

Harper sucked in a breath. Drew. Drew could save him. Terror laced his voice as he screamed out his brother's name.

"DREW!"