HOGWARTS IN DETECTIVE COMICS

[ Chapter VIII (8): "MR. PENNYWORTH" ]

What have I done...

Alfred Pennyworth who could be seen having been tied up through mystical means, even though his arms don't have any physical bondage couldn't be moved by him, so well is his whole body in the process as he couldn't help but curse himself inside his head for what he did.

Unwillingly giving the information of the Wayne's as the old veteran was forced to drink a mysterious substance by some unknown assassin-like fellow with green eyes, the drink caused him to spell everything he knows off.

His basic information that includes his name, the Wayne's child age — 11, and the location of where they currently are at. Possible dooming them in the process.

What have I done...

Bind, tied up by something he hadn't seen before, Pennyworth the butler of the Wayne's couldn't help but shed a slight tear. The old man not being able to control it as he tries to get out of the bindings he found himself in.

The dark wooden stick that was aimed at him caused him to be in this situation as he wiggles out, trying his best to reach out the phone which is hidden inside the inner pocket of his dark-suit. But not being able to, as his arms stick to his side, and legs to one another.

In anger, Alfred tried to find a solution out of this predicament, not being able to figure out any as he could be seen leaning on the wall, near the entrance in which he was shot in the torso by a bright light that he couldn't react to.

In not being able to do a thing, Alfred could only wait in silence, praying to the deities above, if there is one to protect the Wayne's no matter the price. Even if it is his life on the line he wouldn't care, as long as his best friend is doing fine...

Damn it...!

The butler who was renowned for being stoic, and calm no matter the situation couldn't help but be annoyed in that moment, not being able to do a thing other than pray.

Minutes he was there, left immobilized through means he knows not. Magic, the only possible answer at that moment, but he knows that such things don't exist in this scientifically advanced world. But no matter what he thought of, that's the only thing that explains this predicament he found himself in.

If only I... No, no magic doesn't exist Pennyworth don't be stupid...

Staring at the ceiling, back on the stone cold floor behind him. Pennyworth was left there in disbelief if magic truly does exist, or not, not being able to phone anyone to help the Wayne's, as ten plus minutes passed by...

As a loud crack could be heard right behind him, the same sound he heard before opening the door to the mansion. This belongs to either the same assailant who did this to him, wanting to finish the loose ends, or to another w-wizard that is about to help him.

He hopes for the latter, as there is possibly still time for him to help the Wayne's. Wanting to open his mouth, Alfred could be heard wanting help, but only muffled sounds could be heard as he panics. Hopeful, hoping not that the man behind him is the same wizard who did this...

Footsteps, he could hear footsteps. And a woman talking far away, no, wait, this is a witch? No, no. He listened closely and could hear a child in excitement, then a man... All sounding familiar, no, wait those are...

[ "Finite!" ]

The Waynes!

Taking a huge sight of relief, like it was the first time of his life. Mr. Pennyworth could finally move his body around, the first thing he did was fill his lungs with air, having seemingly been starved from it for a long time — how did he live while immobilized? He doesn't know, what he does know is that he can finally move.

Pulling a mini pistol from one of his suits pockets, he turned around, meeting face-to-face with the man who done this to him. The wizard, who's looking at him weirdly, one eyebrow raised to the side. In seeing him point his gun at him, he raised his hands up; [ "Woah, woah, woah. Easy buddy, easy..." ]

Yeah right, like hell he'll believe in that. [ "What did you do to me." ] Sweating slightly, Mr. Pennyworth's eyes darted back and forth between the youthful face of the wizard, and at the stick, a wand, or short staff of some sorts that can spew out lights and immobilize people with practical ease.

The bright light not being faster than a bullet from what he could remember, but still. He wants to know which is faster, a bullet, or magic, which is which. But first; [ "Who the hell are...?" ]

[ "Alfred?" ] That didn't come out from the mysterious man's mouth, but instead from the young master of the family, staring at him through the doorway.

[ "Master Bruce! Your...?" ] Fine? What the hell is going on here. Mr. Pennyworth doesn't know, but something in him felt relieved in seeing his young master, the one he took care of since he was but a toddler, now safe. Being caught off-guard slightly, but not at the point of completely lowering his gun.

[ "Safe, yes, most definitely the kid's safe. The parents too. You're welcome, by the way." ] That reply came smugly from the man who's dressed in weird patterned clothes, one he didn't like. [ "Here, look over there, can you see them?" ]

He points at the side, at where Bruce Wayne is standing, noticing the tired figure of Mrs. Wayne, his friend sitting on the sofa, holding her forehead, as if stressed. Not far away from her is Thomas, Mr. Wayne who's the best friend of Alfred, comforting her. Wide-eyed, Alfred couldn't believe what was happening.

[ "What sort of sorcery is this?!" ]

[ "Your tricking me aren't you?"

[ "What did you do!?" ]

In seeing something so good to be true, Alfred a veteran known for his ruthlessness didn't easily be swayed. This man entered one of the most heavily guarded mansions in Gotham with ease, knocked him out with one word, and fed him something which is akin to a truth serum — something he doesn't know off. [ "What did you...?!" ]

[ "Petrificus Totalus!" ] But before he could react, or continue questioning. The man in shift motion pointed his wand, said something, "All Petrified" from what he could make out, causing him to fall face first on the floor in front.

Bruce, his young master comes to his side to see what happened. [ "Alfred!" ] Deeply worried, crouching down at his side shaking him slightly, [ "I'm a wizard Alfred, a wizard!" ] Seemingly worried about him being in that state, but not as much as him announcing the greatest news he heard of since the day he found out Santa Claus was real.

That is great yo... A what now?!

Mr. Pennyworth who landed face first, his miniature gun still at hand, couldn't believe what he was hearing. His insides which were panicking calming down slightly, even ignoring the fact that he landed nose first on the ground below, having hurt him greatly.

A WIZARD?! Master Bruce?!

His worries about the Wayne Family being hurt, or worse, killed due to him disappearing and instead replaced by excitement as he tries to look up at the smiling face of his young master.

One who's gloomy all the time, yet, in this moment seems to be like a kid, him only being able to see a small part of his young master's face due to him having been frozen by magic. Damn it, untie me!

[ "Hey, you. Mr... Pennyworth, yeah?" ] Who's calling?! [ "I'm Felix Harp, from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry — please sign here. I'm quite a big fan of you." ] What sign? Alfred was genuinely confused and could only make slight muffled noise in the process.

[ "Oh, yeah, that." ] What that...? [ "Finite!" ] Not long after, he could feel his arms and legs being free again, his head instinctively looking up, at the man who introduced himself to be Felix Harp smiling at him crouched down while holding a... quill?

What that?

A floating scroll of parchment right behind him, words slowly being written in it as time goes on. On the other side is Bruce, who's excitedly looking at him, so unlike the usual Bruce who's always in the study room, alone.

So you are fine... That is good.

[ "Alfred! This is a non-disclosure agreement, sign it, sign it." ] Huh? Why? His face which was calm became confused again as he looked at the parchment who was reaching down to the floor.

Felix, the wizard handed him the quill he is holding, reluctantly he was about to refuse it. But in seeing his young master's excitement, he instinctively grabbed it. The parchment floating right in front of him as he does.

[ "Read it first, you know." ]

[ "And then sign here, signature please. Full name above that, and another one in this side for extra measure." ]

Huh...? What...? How did things became like this? From home intruder to a house guest real quick, what's happening?!

[ ——— ] [ ——— ] [ ——— ] [ ——— ]

[ WRITTEN: 02/01/2025 ]

[ POSTED: 02/01/2025 ]