Gloria's Mansion

"Sounds good to me." He smiles. "D'you think we should be heading back to Hogwarts soon? We've been out of the loop for a while now."

OOC: 'My mum's a dealer, I can get you somethin'.'

"Yeah probably... You feeling okay?"

"Fit as a fiddle." He smiles. "So... a boy, huh? Been thinking about any names?"

"No, not yet. I haven't really thought about that at all. But come on, let's get back to school."

He nods. "Alright then." He casts a couple of extra protective spells on the house just to be safe before preparing to apparate to Hogwarts.

She looks up at the house one last time then takes his hand. They apparate back to Hogwarts.

Darcy: He smiles as soon as he sees the house. "Come on, no time to waste..." The brief moment of strength he found is already failing. He stumbles but manages to catch his balance, whereas Shadow almost trips completely.

Darcy: He doesn't thank her for her support. He forces Jay in front of him up to the door.

Jay: He opens it and steps inside, turning towards the small library on the ground floor.

Darcy: "What are we looking for, Hawkeye?"

Jay: "A red leather book with gold runes on the front. It's in here somewhere. Gloria might have hidden it, but I know it's definitely in this room."

Darcy: "You four-" he points at Jay, Oliver, Grace and Sabine "-look for it."

Darcy: "Let me rephrase that." He grabs Oliver and puts his wand against the boy's temple. "Find it or I'll make him die a more painful death than this curse could ever give him."

Jay: "Merlin's beard..." He gives Oliver an apologetic look then goes over to the nearest book shelf.

Darcy: "Just look for the book!" he snarls.

All 5: They each feel the tingle of pain in their nerves, signalling the little time they have left.

Grace: She hurries to look in another book shelf.

Grace: She doesn't find it either.

Jay: After a few minutes of searching and enduring the illness's effects, he cries out in triumph. "It was hidden down there." He points at a panel in the side of the book case. "I found that the first time I came here, but I didn't think she'd actually use it."

Darcy: "Bring it here. Hurry."

Darcy: "How do I do it?"

Jay: "Draw your wand and read out the words on the page. All of the people that are still alive and were under Gloria's rule will live. If you don't read it exactly, the failed attempt will immediately kill us all."

Jay: He chuckles and puts an arm around Grace, holding his sister close.

Darcy: He clears his throat and begins to read out the spell.

Shadow, Oliver, Grace & Jay: As Darcy speaks, they feel their strength returning. Smiles of relief come onto their faces.

Darcy: He says the last word and gasps, falling to his knees. Darcy wraps his arms around his torso. "What... What is happening? The spell worked... didn't it?"

Jay: He smiles cruelly. "Oh, I forgot to tell you something. The spell sucks the curse into the caster... That is the only way to cure everyone. There is no way of saving you now."

Darcy: "You... tricked... me!" His breaths become wheezes, and then gasps.

Darcy: "Get away from me!" he hisses.

Jay: "I think it would be best if you four left. It's not going to be pretty." His expression is cold as he watches Darcy's torture increase.