Chapter 178
Fred, George, and Ginny had vanished into the chaos. Ron drew his wand nervously and muttered, "They can't have gone far." He lit his wand, and Hermione did the same. The narrow forest path ahead was barely visible.
Harry shoved his hands into his pockets, searching for his wand but it wasn't there. All he found was the pair of Omnioculars he had used during the match.
"I don't believe this… I've lost my wand!"
"You're joking!" Ron exclaimed.
"No it's not with me!"
Harry spun around, scanning the ground frantically, but it was nowhere to be seen.
"Maybe you left it back in the tent," Ron suggested.
Hermione nodded. "Or it fell out while you were running!"
"Yeah… maybe," Harry muttered, though he felt uneasy. He never went anywhere without his wand. Yet here he was wandless, in the middle of chaos.
---
Meanwhile…
Barty Crouch Jr. lifted his gaze sharply as footsteps approached. Someone had dared to step into the danger zone without hesitation.
But what he saw made him frown A boy. Barely seventeen.
Before Crouch Jr. could even react, Albert raised his wand and shouted,
"Expelliarmus!"
Crouch Jr. instantly retaliated with the Killing Curse "Avada Kedavra!"
The two spells collided midair with a deafening crack, meeting in a surge of golden and green sparks that showered the clearing. Neither combatant faltered.
Crouch Jr. narrowed his eyes in disbelief. This boy wasn't ordinary. Any other young wizard would have been dead already. But Albert had anticipated the Killing Curse and fired first forcing their spells to clash before it could hit him.
Then Barty realized something else that sent a chill down his spine Albert had cast the spell silently.
He could perform nonverbal magic.
Rage twisted Crouch Jr.'s face. He pressed forward, forcing more power into his curse, the green light trembling between them.
Albert didn't yield. He stepped forward as well, his wand vibrating with the same intensity as he pushed back using the Disarming Charm.
Abruptly, Crouch Jr. broke the clash, canceled the curse, and lunged toward Albert trying to grab him physically.
But Albert was faster. He cast another spell"Recudo!" a force blast that sent Barty Jr. flying backward into one of the tents.
Before the man could recover, Albert fired another spell this time a Stunning Spell, bright red light streaking across the clearing.
Crouch Jr., quick as a serpent, rolled aside. His counterattack came instantly another Recudo! and this time, Albert was the one thrown backward, crashing to the ground.
Yet even as he fell, Albert flicked his wand again, whispering a different incantation "Incarcerous!"
Thick magical ropes burst from the tip of his wand, wrapping around Crouch Jr.'s body and pinning his arms behind his back. His wand was trapped against his spine, useless.
Barty struggled furiously, but before he could break free, footsteps echoed from behind.
The Ministry had arrived with Mr. Weasley and Barty Crouch Sr. among them.
Crouch Sr. froze where he stood. His face drained of all color.
Before him stood his own son his lost son alive, masked, and unmistakably guilty.
The truth hit him like a curse. His son was responsible for this attack.
Barty Jr.'s eyes flickered with hate and panic. Muttering a curse under his breath, he pressed his wand tip against the Dark Mark on his arm.
In a blink he vanished.
The black smoke swirled and dissipated into the night.
---
When the air cleared, Mr. Weasley turned to see Albert standing amid the wreckage, his black shirt torn and dusty. The boy had clearly been the one dueling Crouch Jr.
Mr. Weasley ran toward him, voice trembling with concern.
"Are you all right, son?!"
Albert brushed the dust off his sleeves and answered calmly,
"I'm fine, don't worry."
He turned his gaze toward the right and saw the blonde girl and her family running to safety. They had escaped thanks to him.
A faint smile tugged at his lips. At least they're safe.
The Ministry wizards, along with Mr. Crouch, began sweeping the area for any survivors who might still need help.
---
At the edge of the forest, Ron's voice broke the silence.
"Come on, let's get moving again!"
Harry glanced sideways at Hermione, who was still shaken, and they started walking. Harry's eyes roamed the ground as he muttered,
"I think we can look here… we should be able to hear anyone coming from a distance."
Suddenly, a group of wizards burst through the trees, wands raised.
"Down on the ground!" one of them shouted.
Before anyone could react, Mr. Weasley's voice rang out, desperate
"Wait! Mr. Crouch it's all right! They're my children! My children!"
He rushed forward, wrapping an arm around Ron and Ginny.
"Are you all right?!"
Ginny nodded quickly, still trembling. "Y-yes, Dad."
Hermione, however, was glancing past them, scanning the Ministry wizards until her eyes landed on Albert, standing at the front of the group, staring thoughtfully at his wand.
Albert's thoughts were heavy.
> I'm still too weak… If that had been Voldemort, I'd be dead. And his return is only months away… I need to grow stronger fast. Damn it.
His brooding was cut short when Hermione smacked him lightly on the head.
"Albert!" she snapped. "What were you thinking?! Why would you run straight toward those masked maniacs?!"
Albert blinked, rubbing his head and for the first time that night, he laughed faintly.
To be continued…