Draco's POV
"Owww…" I groaned, hissing as pain shot up my back.
Damn it. I need to learn runes and seals soon, enchant my clothes so this kind of thing doesn't happen again. At least he didn't do anything too serious.
With Loid's skills, dodging should've been easy. But the speed of that attack… it was unnatural. No, supernatural. He's a wizard with millennia of experience. Of course he had tricks hidden up his sleeve. After all, according to Balthazar, he was only caught ninety years ago.
From where I lay, I glanced toward the trio. Horvath was pressing Dave into a corner, forcing him to make a choice.
Interesting. If Horvath could've taken the ring by force, he would've already done it. That means there's some kind of curse or restriction tied to it. Maybe it needs the owner's acknowledgement to pass.
Good thing I didn't try to snatch it. Who knows what would've happened to me.
Just like in the movie, Dave gave in and handed over both the ring and the Grimhold. Horvath kept his word, releasing the girl… only to casually fling a spell right after. Dave managed to dodge it, barely.
But Horvath didn't kill them. Why?
Back when I first watched the movie, I never thought much about it. But now, seeing it play out right in front of me, I can't help but question it. Did Horvath actually have bigger plans for Dave? Or was it simply because of that stubborn display of love he just witnessed?
If it's the latter, then it's a foolish decision. Unless, of course, it is tied to the former. Otherwise, there's no reason to keep your enemies alive. Clear them out from the root. That is what I would have done if I were in his place.
You don't leave a weed half-pulled. It only grows back stronger.
"What happened?"
I turned my head. Balthazar was back.
"Horvath… he took the ring. And the Grimhold." Dave's words carried a weary sigh.
I dragged myself toward them, each step heavy, my back still aching from the fight. Tonight, I'd need real rest, or something stronger than rest.
"He had rings," I muttered. My voice made the older sorcerer glance at me. "In his staff. There were two, before he grabbed Dave."
Balthazar's frown twisted into understanding. His expression hardened. "Then we don't have time. We need to stop him."
He was already turning to leave when Dave's voice cut in. "Wait, Balthazar."
The boy's words froze him in place. All eyes shifted to Dave.
"He… he was going to kill Becky. I'm sorry, but I can't go with you." His voice cracked with guilt as he squeezed the girl's hand tighter, like letting go meant losing her forever.
Balthazar said nothing. He just studied him in silence, as though weighing the boy's resolve. Finally, he gave the faintest nod.
"Then you should leave."
He turned and walked away, his cloak dragging shadows across the floor.
I didn't hesitate to follow. That alone made him pause, surprise flickering in his eyes.
"Aren't you leaving too?"
"Of course not." I shook my head, denying his assumption without hesitation.
"Why? Don't you fear losing your life?" His voice was curious, almost testing me, as we climbed the stairs.
"I do. That's exactly why we have to stop him. Who knows what Morgana will do once she's freed?"
I couldn't just abandon the fight halfway and run back to my world. If I could, maybe I would have dumped all of this onto him. But that's not how the card works.
"That is why I will stop Horvath," Balthazar said again. Sometimes it felt like he was speaking more to himself than to us, as if he was still trying to convince himself to choose duty over love.
"Balthazar!"
We both turned as Dave sprinted toward us, his face pale with urgency.
"You can't defeat them both!"
"I have to try."
Balthazar's voice was steady, but I could hear the weight behind it. Dave didn't want him to die, but he didn't understand. This was what Balthazar had been living for all along.
"But—"
"There is no need to think about it," the elder wizard cut him off sharply.
A piercing metallic screech split the air, and in the next instant, a giant steel eagle swooped down before us.
The girl froze in awe, rooted to the spot, while Balthazar and I climbed onto its broad back without hesitation. The eagle's wings snapped open, and with a thunderous gust of wind, we were airborne, cutting through the night sky.
"Animation magic," I muttered, running a hand along the cold metal back. "It really isn't much different from the real thing."
My eyes narrowed as I studied the construct with growing fascination. I'll start learning it soon.
Golem magic and animation magic were two sides of the same coin. Both sought to breathe life into the lifeless. But where golem magic demanded you craft a vessel from scratch, every line and rune carved by your own hand, animation magic was far more opportunistic. It simply bent what already existed to your will—statues, carvings, constructs—making them move, fight, obey.
A dark thought flickered across my mind. Should I steal every sculpture in the city before returning? There must be hundreds, thousands. An entire army waiting in stone.
My lips curled. It was a good idea. I would not get the freedom to try something like this once I was back.
"We'll land here," Balthazar said suddenly, his eyes snapping open after what felt like a long silence. Perhaps he had been gathering the resolve to do what he believed was inevitable—sacrifice himself. "Horvath is in the park. We'll approach on foot and catch him off guard."
"Alright," I nodded as the eagle tilted into its descent.
With a heavy thud, the steel construct touched down. We leapt from its back, boots hitting the earth in unison. A single beat of its wings sent dust swirling before the eagle launched skyward once more.
"So, what's the plan?" I asked as we closed in on the park. Ahead, beneath the dim glow of scattered lamps, a woman moved in strange, deliberate patterns. The way Balthazar's steps faltered told me everything. She wasn't just anyone. She was Veronica, or rather, Morgana wearing her face.
"Morgana is locked in the ritual," Balthazar said grimly. "She can't stop halfway. That gives us an opening. I'll take Horvath. He and I are nearly evenly matched, so his focus will stay on me. You," his eyes flicked to mine, steady and commanding, "wait for my signal."
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3rd Person POV
Unlike in the film, Balthazar didn't waste time skulking in the shadows. He strode straight toward Horvath, making no effort to hide his presence.
The old sorcerer turned at once, lips curling into a smile. "I expected you to come."
Balthazar's gaze dropped to the staff in Horvath's hand. Just as Draco had warned, rings gleamed along its length. His eyes narrowed, recognition sharp as a blade. One of them was Merlin's ring.
"Stop this, Horvath," Balthazar demanded, his voice ringing with authority. "You know the consequences."
But Horvath only chuckled, dismissing Balthazar's words like smoke in the wind.
"Where's your student? Hiding?" His sneer dripped venom. "Looks like the boy doesn't dare face me. You must regret wasting so much time on him."
Balthazar's eyes narrowed. Words would not cut it anymore. "You forced me," he muttered, raising his hand.
Lightning crackled to life in his palm, condensed into a blazing orb of electricity. With a snap of his wrist, he hurled it forward. The bolt ripped through the air with a deafening crack, slamming against Horvath's conjured shield. Sparks scattered across its surface, but the barrier held firm.
Horvath retaliated instantly, his staff flaring crimson. He spun it overhead, conjuring a massive fireball that howled as it streaked across the field.
Balthazar did not waste mana on defense. He pivoted, cloak snapping as the inferno roared past, searing the air where he'd stood. Without pause, he thrust both hands forward. Chains of living lightning erupted from his palms, lashing toward Horvath like striking serpents.
Horvath slammed down his staff. The ground surged upward, a jagged wall of stone intercepting the electrified chains. The impact detonated, blasting rubble into the air.
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Choose MC for another HP fanfiction
1. Grindelwald
2. Snape
3. Hermione
4. Someone else (your suggestion)