"Magnus here informed me that he heard some noise from here while he was returning from his boarding school.

"He first informed Mr Durand, who is a friend of Magnus' father. I was during that time trying to find the kidnapped daughter of Prosecutor Holmes. Magnus and Mr Durand found me and brought me here. We heard the sound of all the children coming from the basement. So we decided to take action, as there were no ways to contact the station.

"Mr Durand went in from the backside while I went from the front. But soon, loud gunshots started coming and it became total chaos.

"The criminals had pistols, knives and automatic rifles. We slowly and carefully cleared our way. During that time, I was pinned by a surprise attack by a knife-wielder, but thankfully Magnus came and helped me at that time.

"After that, we soon cleared off the whole floor. Then we proceeded downstairs, where 3 more assailants were waiting.

"After carefully planning and executing our plan, we were able to neutralise them and save all the kids," Tom spoke to a BBC reporter.

Then the mic turned to Adrian. He was asked about his side of the story. To which he answered, "My company often helps the police. This time, I was able to save all these children, I am very pleased. But, I must tell you, all these people caught today are not small-time criminals, they have been kidnapping kids for the past 30 years, their network spans the world with many powerful people supporting it. But I will not back down. MEDA is with the people and justice."

Of course, he was talking extra about the company.

Then finally, the mic came to Magnus. He replied, "I am very happy I could help them. I couldn't imagine what would have happened if we had not come.

"Now my only wish is that the criminals are given the strictest punishment possible."

Then he decided to use some big words to sound good, "I believe there is excessive evidence to substantiate the crimes. Wait... Uncle Tom, why are you standing here? You were shot, quick go and get medical help."

Tom had really forgotten it, and Magnus deliberately reminded him on camera.

Tom looked shocked and held his left arm, "Ah! I almost forgot. I'll go now."

There was a moment of silence as all the people there just dumbly stared at Tom leave.

Well, now his medal and promotion were guaranteed.

The next moment, the reporter asked Magnus about his past and Magnus boasted that he had gotten a George Cross when he was 9. From there, suddenly people started thinking that it now made sense for Magnus to so fearlessly help, as he had a previous record of doing the same.

Soon, as the police entered the building to arrest the people, they saw blood and brains splattered around. A few weak-hearted cops ran out and started vomiting.

~How did 2 and a half men do this much damage?~ they wondered.

Soon, they found the 6 criminals. As told by Adrian, they kept Oscar surrounded and provided higher security as he was the mastermind.

After that, they didn't wait and took him to the headquarters. Where he would be interrogated. Tom had also handed over the whole evidence folder to the Assistant Commissioner, but of course, Magnus had kept the original copy with himself. He didn't blindly trust people, be it wizards or muggles.

The news channels were showing live news to the viewers. It was a case like never seen before. 50 children were saved. People wondered why the police were not able to find them all this time and needed help from a kid and a private detective agency.

But, for now, the matter was still not as spread out, its true explosion will happen when everyone will know about the scope of Oscar's operation and the skeletons under his house.

*CAR SKIDS*

Magnus and everyone else looked towards the sound. Magnus though frowned.

~Mum? Why did she come here?~ He wondered.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt? Tell me where you are hurt, I will take you to the hospital quickly. Come," Grace started blabbering and patted his body.

"Mummy, everybody is watching. We are on live television and this is not my blood, I have no injuries. You know me, I'm not so weak, and Adrian was with me." He whispered the last part.

"What are you doing here? Why are you involved in this?" She asked.

"It's a long story, mum. I'll tell you tonight. But I have one thing to do before that. Will you please drop me at home?" He asked her with puppy eyes.

"Fine, I was worried for nothing because of that blood. I'm glad everyone's fine." Grace took a sigh of relief.

"No, Uncle Tom got shot in the arm. Let's go." Magnus replied, leaving Grace in a daze.

Adrian meanwhile drove the Range Rover and came to Magnus' home too.

Before leaving, Magnus had told Tom to contact him later and left him his number.

...

After he was dropped at home, Magnus let Adrian in. George was there, so Magnus called him. "George, come here. You will come with us, we're going to deal with an elf."

Magnus, Adrian and George then came to the house where the skeleton remains were present. It was Oscar's main residence. But, last time when Adrian was here, the house-elf must have run away.

This time, they expected him here. And soon enough, the elf opened the door.

But Magnus and Adrian were left speechless by what was in front of them. It was an old elf, much-much older than any elf they had seen. His back was hunched, his body was so thin he seemed like a skeleton. His eyes were grey and he walked using a stick.

"How old are you?" Magnus asked curiously.

"256 years old. Who are you?" The old elf asked back

"I am Magnus, this is Adrian and this is George. You are the elf of Oscar, correct?" Magnus asked him some questions.

When he was satisfied that this old elf was just responsible for keeping the place clean, he handed him a letter.

"This is from Oscar, you can look at the signature and the seal," Adrian suggested to him.

He did check it very closely, soon realising this belonged to Oscar. It was addressed to him. With his shivering hands, he opened it and took out the two items.

One was a piece of cloth and the other one was a letter. He read it silently.

"You are free, Sweeper. Take that cloth and don't show me that ugly face again." The letter said.

As if nothing had happened, the old elf threw the letter aside and focused on the cloth. "Am I free now?"

Magnus nodded, "Yes, you are. What do you want to do now? I can help you find a job that does not require much work and you can silently rest."

The old elf just looked at Magnus' face and answered, "Die,"

There was a moment of silence. Magnus didn't expect this reaction.

"Why do you want to die?" He asked.

"It's not why, it's when. I was bound to my master before, and it the life of all elfs that without their master's permission they couldn't die, even if I became a cripple. This is the life of a house-elf, we must obey all orders and not do anything against them.

"But now, I am free, and I can pass away in peace. I can die, finally"

"Do you want me to help you?" Adrian asked him.

The elf replied, "No, you won't need to. My life is drifting away. I will soon fall dead. I have seen many eras in my life, it's time to put these watchful eyes to rest."

Sweeper, this was his name given to him by the first family that bought him for cleaning the house more than 200 years ago. He had seen many wizards and had served a lot of them. But, his whole life, he only saw darkness, death and misery, inflicted by his masters.

Slowly, right in front of Magnus and Adrian's eyes, the old elf fell down.

He for the last time looked at Magnus and said, "Thank you, your majesty."

After a few more seconds, his body stopped moving and his eyes closed, his walking stick fell from his hands, making a noise, bringing Magnus and Adrian out of their stupor.

*Sigh*

"This is the fate of all elfs, they aren't allowed anything without the permission of their master. Be it living, eating, breeding or even dying." Adrian said in pity.

Magnus agreed, turning to George, "George, let's bury him, but not here."

George Washington didn't move and silently looked at the dead elf, there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. Magnus went ahead and patted his shoulder.

"In all his life, he saw all the wizards acting so bold, talking big words of days old. But at last, in his last breath, he felt calmer, because he knew he had fulfilled the purpose of his elf-life with honour. But by now he's learned his lessons, seen how much worth was his whole life, now if he's ever born an elf again, he'd hope it'd quickly end with a fall on a knife.

"Rest in peace, Sweeper." George said and got to work, helping Magnus bury the old elf.

[Discord - https://discord.gg/DgHkrAn]

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Special thanks to *Douglas Flower* *Umar Latif* *Julian Rocamora* *Darrien Steely* *Franklin Walley*

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