"Lumos! (Lighting Spell)"
A white ball of light shot from the tip of his magic wand, swirling to illuminate half the night sky. By this light, Lupin could see the shadowy figures looming in the sky—
Their forms were shrouded in pitch-black cloaks, silently floating several meters above the Black Dragon's head. Surrounding them was another group of people, seemingly protecting the wizards at the center. Seeing the slightly curving tails of their black cloaks, Lupin guessed that each was riding a broomstick.
Enemy attack!
For some reason, Lupin suddenly wanted to shout this phrase but restrained himself. He calmed his steed, Silver, cleared his throat, and said, "Ahem, who are you..."
"Crucio! (Crucio)"
"!"
Lupin instinctively dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the pale curse that flew past his cheek, its malevolent presence almost palpable.
"Expelliarmus! (Expelliarmus)"
Lupin cast a spell without hesitation. The other party didn't seem in the mood for a friendly chat. As soon as the spell left his wand, he squeezed his thighs against the Hippogriff beneath him. Receiving the command, Silver flapped his wings swiftly, carrying Lupin to the side—
A moment later, spells of various colors flew past where Lupin had just been.
...So many people.
Lupin's expression turned grim. His lighting spell hadn't revealed everything, but now it was worse. He realized not everyone had attacked, which meant—there were even more than he had imagined.
Should I run?
No, there's no way to escape.
"Norbert—"
A faint cry reached Lupin's ears with the sea breeze, awakening him to the fact that a little girl had just been caught by the Fire Dragon.
The man focused his gaze and saw that the Fire Dragon had released its claws. The small figure held on desperately to the talons, trying not to fall.
"Where did the child come from?"
Lupin wasn't the only one who noticed. The leading black-cloaked figure curiously looked at Norbert's claws. He hadn't given any command other than to fly up. Where did this little girl come from?
"What to do..."
"Bring her over—"
"Oh, Imperio (Imperio) —"
As the man spoke, several figures around the Black Dragon's head waved their wands. Pale pink curses surged from their wand tips, spinning into the Fire Dragon's eyes. In the next moment, as if under a spell itself, Norbert gently lifted its right leg, and the girl hanging onto its claws also rose into the air.
The girl spun in the air just as Lupin, waving his wand, attempted to advance—
"Impedimenta! (Impedimenta)"
A pale white ripple appeared out of thin air, but just as it was about to catch the girl, a figure appeared beneath the barrier. Next moment, the barrier shattered, and the startled girl fell into the arms of the leading figure in black.
"Alright, now—"
"Crucio! (Crucio)"
"Tch."
About to speak but cut off, Lupin couldn't help but frown. He turned Silver around. Now the hostage was entirely in the opponent's hands. Seeing the shadowy figures in the night sky, he didn't intend to play the hero. Negotiation seemed the only priority now.
But of course, someone wouldn't let him have it easy.
"Kill him—"
The leader in black casually tied up the struggling Astoria with a spell, turning his gaze away. It was clear capturing the hostage was not for negotiation. As he casually ordered, he swung his wand once more, forcing Lupin, who wanted to fly higher, to back down.
"…"
Seeing negotiation seemed impossible, Lupin's face turned grim. Even just dodging their attacks made him feel stretched thin. His many years without dueling and even suffering from prolonged malnutrition left him too weak to counter-attack.
Breathing in ever thinner air, Lupin knew he needed to change the situation; continuing as is would lead only to certain doom...
His gaze swept sharply over the figures, finally focusing on the wizards around the Dragon's head casting Imperio spells. They were clearly causing Norbert's problem—
"Protego Totalum! (Protego Totalum)"
"Protego! (Protego)"
Lupin took a deep breath, ensuring himself and Silver were well protected before charging directly into the crowd—
"Stop him."
A dozen spells flew toward him as the shout rang out, only creating wave after wave on the shield before him. Yet with each spell it intercepted, Lupin's face grew paler. As the crowd loomed closer, he clasped his legs tighter against the Hippogriff beneath him—
Seeing Lupin charge toward the Dragon's head, the leading figure frowned. He could see Lupin's intent. Clearly, he wanted to awaken the Fire Dragon they controlled... but after that? Would he have it burn everyone with Dragon Flame?
Lunatic.
Unaware of Norbert's special nature, the man didn't know Lupin's true intent. Yet he spurred his broom to intercept, slightly raising the wand in his hand—
"Avada Ke..."
"Poof—"
Colorful candy wrappers covered the man's face, swallowing the curse's final word. Freed from her bonds by her struggling hands, Astoria weakly released her toy wand. In the next moment, seizing the opportunity, Lupin charged in front of both of them. Silver was ready, unhesitatingly raising his talon like an eagle's hook—
"Ah—"
The man, his face covered, screamed, blood pouring from the gashes on his face. Stung by pain, he instinctively loosened his grip, sending Astoria plunging straight down.
Seeing the Fire Dragon so near, Lupin didn't hesitate, directing Silver's beak towards the falling girl, finally catching her after she had dropped over ten meters.
"Kill him!"
This command dripped with venom. The nearly blinded man struggled to open blood-soaked, candy-covered eyes, shouting sharply. Around them, the black-cloaked figures instinctively swung their wands against the fleeing pair.
This time, Lupin, just having caught the girl, had no time to dodge or block. All he could do was protect the girl in his arms, bracing himself against the oncoming barrage.
In the next moment, it seemed all the world's sounds suddenly vanished.
"Are they dead?"
Noting the surrounding quiet, the man, unable to see clearly, asked in puzzlement.
"…"
"…Avada Kedavra. (Avada Kedavra)"
A green light shot out like lightning, forming a vast ocean in the air.