by Jemima Pett
* * *
At Castle Vexstein, the Buckmore party had met Lords Darcy and Smallweed in a small salon with a view of the mountains, where snow was twinkling in the moonlight. Although Fred and George were overjoyed to see each other again, they merely grinned at each other and sat down side by side, to listen intently as Lupin and Smallweed discussed the general situation. Midnight came and went before they agreed that it was the production and import of Diet Wozna that was responsible for the Energy Drain. It then took further long-winded discussion before they decided it was imperative that they should find Hugo as soon as possible in order to ensure that he ceased his import business. George shifted in his seat.
“Pardon me, my lords,” he said, “But if we are to find Hugo, we may need to go down the time tunnel. And if we need to persuade Mariusz that his export trade and Diet Wozna are to be closed down, we need to have some good business alternatives for him.” And when we do close Diet Wozna production down, he thought, I want to be on this side of the time tunnel.
All agreed that this was sensible. Lady Nimrod then rose and suggested that although we might think of some options for alternative trade opportunities, the problem was that Hugo’s, or Mariusz’s, trade options depended on being able to use the time tunnel. This was also agreed and everyone sat in silence for a while trying to think of a way out of the problem.
“Victor said that not many people drink Diet Wozna,” said George.
“Perhaps we could look at bringing Wozna in through the normal trade routes in our own time,” said Fred, almost as if George had continued speaking.
“Wouldn’t that mean we changed the history in his own time?” asked Lady Nimrod. They all sat back gloomily and tried to think harder.
The clocks in the castle struck the quarters and then the hour of one. Lord Darcy looked up.
“We are making little progress,” he said, “I propose we adjourn to our beds and sleep on it. Perhaps morning will bring new counsel.”
They murmured agreement with him and went to their assigned rooms.
“I’m a bit too tired for talking,” said Fred, “Although I’m dying to find out all about your adventures.”
“I feel exactly the same,” replied George, “and you seem to have had just as exciting a time.”
And they laid their heads down and fell asleep without another word.