FOREWORD: about the moon dance...

The Moon Dance occurs when a wizard or witch uses a pure lithium/moonstone wand to harness the Moon's energy. This wand causes a lunar eclipse and the moon appears as if it is dancing. Using the power of the lunar eclipse and the wand, the wizard or witch is able to harness the energy and become endowed with extreme power. It is also rumored to rejuvenate as well, but this is as yet undocumented.

Effect:(what it does to the opponent): By using the Econtra Luna Chorea and Double Carbonate Wand (a black carbon shaft with a white diamond), the combination thwarts anyone trying to cause a Moon Dance. It re-focuses the Moon's full energy rendering the evildoer powerless. A possible side effect is that the person the Econtra Luna Chorea is used against might disintegrate into tiny atoms.
 
 

Special Agents Sebastian Nitehawk and Darnell Locke-Wynthrope were assigned to track down Baron Karl Egon Tanhausen who had stolen a Lithium Wand from Queen Victoria's Wizard and had also usurped a pure moonstone from the private collection of Lady Agatha Lewis-Thornton.

Agents Nitehawk and Locke-Wynthrope tracked Tanhausen to the edge of the Forbidden Forest on the grounds of Hogsworth School where Tanhausen was to use the Lithium Wand mated to the Moonstone in order to provoke the Moon Dance.

Agents Nitehawk and Locke-Wynthrope arrived in time to see Tanhausen use the Wand to bring forth the Moon Dance. Agent Nitehawk used his personal wand in an attempt to stop the fiend, but was unsuccessful. However, Agent Nitehawk had a second wand, a Double Carbonate with black carbon shaft and clear diamond. With the Ravenclaw energy provided by Agent Locke-Wynthrope, Agent Nitehawk incanted the Econtra Luna Chorea causing his wand's jewel to turn blood red and emitting a fierce red energy bolt to defeat the fiend Tanhausen.

As a consequence, Tanhausen's body was never found, just a crater remained. His illicit wand was recovered and safely dismantled then returned to its rightful owners.

The Muggle Bureau of Investigation deemed this case officially closed, however, with the body of Tanhausen never recovered, the possibility loomed that he was still on the loose and caution should be exercised.
 
 

And So, Our  STORY...
 

At the behest of my family, I am putting my memory down on quill and parchment before old age takes the last of it. I do not want our story to be lost to eternity.

The year is of no consequence. I never kept track of Muggle years, but it was sometime during the reign of our Queen Victoria, before her jubilee in fact.

One stormy night, Sebastian Nitehawk called on me at home and requested that I accompany him. He merely stated, "It is a matter of life or death, Darnell."

Knowing better than ask for details, I dutifully followed Sebastian out the door and into the waiting carriage pulled by horses as dark as midnight hour.

"Any details you wish to impart?" I asked once we were underway.

Sebastian stayed mute, preferring to spend the time peaking out the curtain at the scenery as it passed. It was close to midnight, he could see nothing except the treetops illuminated by the moon. The carriage driver had the horses running full out and I could hear them straining as we rocked back and forth on the uneven ground.

Finally, he spoke. "Baron Karl Egon Tanhausen was spotted near Hogswarts, outside the forbidden forest.

"The Baron is still alive?" I mused aloud. "I thought he died centuries ago."

"Apparently not."

"It could only be the missing philosopher's stone."

Sebastian fell quiet. I knew what he was thinking. It was one of the few cases we weren't able to solve and it bothered him greatly.

"That it could be," Sebastian finally continued, "But that's not our concern right now. Intelligence reports that he has in his possession a  Lithium Wand and is planning to mate it to a moonstone. He stole the wand from one of Queen Victoria's wizards and the jewel from Lady Agatha Lewis-Thornton."

"Lithium wand?" I shrugged, unconcerned. "Witches use them. With a black opal, it enhances their future sight. No gentleman would touch one."

Sebastian turned to stare at me, his jaw hard. "This is a pure lithium rod. Add a perfect moonstone and chaos reigns."

"Chaos?"

"Full moon tonight."

I felt my eyes grow large and an "Oh!" pulled from my lips. "He doesn't plan to invoke the Moon Dance?"

"Yes."

We rode the rest of the way in silence. Sebastian fell deep into his private thoughts and I did likewise. While the Muggle Bureau of Investigation had sent us on many adventures, this was likely to be the most dangerous. But as I glanced over at Special Agent Sebastian Nitehawk, I knew he was the best. I would trust my life to him.

After all, Slytherins were used to working in such environments. I suppressed a shudder. As an old boy Ravenclaw, I had been initially distressed over having to work with a Slytherin old boy, but the longer we worked together; the more I admired his Slytherin attributes.

Tonight, he would need them all.

"We have arrived."

Sebastian jerked the door open and jumped out, using his wand to cast a quieting spell over the horses. Soon their snorting and stomping ceased, they stood munching the wild grass surrounding them. He nodded to the driver who disappeared into the thick mist.

"This way," Sebastian ordered. "Lumos vicus."

"Why quarter power?" I asked.

"We can not afford detection. I hope he will not be able to see us coming." Sebastian paused. "A futile expectation to be sure."

Our wands extended, we tramped through the outskirts of forbidden forest. It was difficult; I stumbled over the thick roots and the branches continually kept me off balance. The air was heavy with mist, making it difficult to breath and when I was finally able to take a breath, odour of decay invaded my nostrils. Above me, I could hear the rustling of owls delivering messages punctured by the occasional hoot of an owl that had lost its way. Suddenly, Sebastian tossed his hand up. We stopped.

"This way," he pointed with his wand. "From here on out, we use our senses as our guide."

I nodded, following Sebastian closely, watching my step as the dread began to seep into my soul.

There he was.

Tanhausen wore a black cloak with silvery moon symbols scattered about it. His wand pointed upwards and his long grey hair fell limply on his shoulders. He seemed more skeletal than man or wizard. His gaunt piercing blue eyes caught sight of Sebastian Nitehawk. He grinned, his shrivelled lips forming a sinister smile.

"So good of you to see my greatest triumph, Nitehawk," he crowed aloud.

"No glory, only defeat, Tanhausen," Sebastian replied calmly.

"We shall see."

The clouds parted and the moon shone down brightly, illuminating all three of us. Tanhausen took his wand and pointed it upward. All at once, the moon took on a curious burnt-orange appearance.

"No lunar eclipse was scheduled tonight," I muttered.

"His doing," Sebastian reported.

As the moon took on a deeper rust color, it began to gyrate with wild abandon. Tanhausen smiled then shouted, "You are too late, Nitehawk! The moon’s  power is mine!"

"It is never too late," Sebastian retorted, pointing his wand in Tanhausen's direction.

A shaft of light jumped from Sebastian's wand and hit Tanhausen straight on, pushing him back a step. The moon lightened in colour and sat still in the night sky.

"Nitehawk, I shall have your bones for this!" Tanhausen shouted.

"I doubt it," Sebastian said with a sly grin.

Undefeated, Tanhausen straightened himself and continued pointing his wand upwards. This time, the moonstone changed from milk white to bright orange.

"We have such little time," Sebastian breathed heavily, indicating to me that I needed to follow him as we crept closer to that fiend Tanhausen.

"Do your best, Nitehawk!" Tanhausen shouted. "It is almost done!"

With us a few meters away from Tanhausen, Sebastian removed a second wand from his jacket. With a black shaft and clear jewel at the tip, it seemed unimpressive. Plain, in fact. Sebastian pointed this new wand at that fiend again, but this time, nothing happened. Tanhausen smiled in triumph.

"I knew you could not do anything to me. The Moonstone draws its power from my lady Selene above. I am impervious. You have lost, Nitehawk. Admit defeat."

"You know me better than that. I yield defeat to no wizard."

Sebastian pointed his wand once again at Tanhausen, this time it took effect. But it wasn't enough to break Tanhausen’s  hold on the moon. Sebastian frowned and glanced around, finally grabbing me and holding on tight.

"What are you doing, Sebastian?" I shouted.

He had me in a death grip and held his wand towards Tanhausen, then finally answered. "Dar, channel all your Ravenclaw energy though me."

"What?"

"Do it!" he shouted.

I did as commanded and felt the energy of my inner eagle flow from my body to his.

Sebastian slowly and precisely incanted, "Econtra Luna Chorea."

Suddenly, Sebastian's wand glowed red, as red as the blood that was flowing cold in my body. A great crimson flash bolted from his wand and hit Tanhausen square in the chest. It did not waiver his stance but it bathed him in a reddish glow that extended from his feet to the tip of his wand.

Tanhausen's wand began to glow a fire red and a bolt of white light fell from the moon and bathed all three men in an uncanny blush. A loud bang was heard, so loud it made my ears burn. I shut my eyes to stem the pain. When I opened them after a good long while, Tanhausen was nowhere to be seen. All that was left was a large crater where he had once stood. His wand impaled in the ground.

Sebastian walked over and retrieved Tanhausen's illict tool.

"Where did he go?" I asked.

"I do not know."

"Is he dead?"

"I do not think so. Evil like him will not die so easily."

"More is the pity," I remarked as I closely examined Tanhausen's wand. "Nice work. Too bad it can only be used for evil."

Sebastian nodded. "Yes." After a few moments, he said, "Let us be gone. Our work is done here."

I put the wand in my pocket and used my own wand at full power to illuminate our way out of the dark woods.

Once we had gone through debriefing, Sebastian and I never discussed the case again.

As for Baron Karl Egon Tanhausen, that was the last time he was seen. MBI was convinced he was dead, but I have my doubts. However, there is a persistent rumor that he'd actually buried or perhaps hidden some kind of treasure at Hogswarts. At the time I write this missive, details are not known though I do not doubt that the MBI will unearth any additional information in time.

This is for someone else to take care. I am now an old man and my days running around the countryside for the Queen and Wizard are long over.

But as long as I draw breath into my body, I shall never forget the night of the Moon Dance and the bravery Sebastian Nitehawk showed.