Hogwarts: Homecoming

Chapter 16: Rampage

A dazzling array of deadly spell-light flashed and vanished in the darkness. Within the quiet, dense forest, the continuous, rumbling crash of breaking trees and the sharp crack of magical explosions echoed relentlessly.

The two combatants moved continuously and rapidly across the rugged terrain, using every broken log, vine, and bush to gain the slightest advantage.

Only thirty seconds had passed since the life-or-death duel began, but Amos had already confirmed two things.

First, the dark-robed witch he was fighting was indeed after him, and her intent to kill was terrifyingly strong. She had no qualms about using Dark Magic expressly forbidden by the Ministry, including the three Unforgivable Curses and numerous other restricted spells that maimed or killed on contact. Her only goal was to eliminate him as quickly as possible.

This was utterly absurd. Amos's face was livid, his eyes blazing with fury. Who on earth held such a deep-seated hatred for him that they would go to such lengths to kill him?

Second, the dark witch's combat experience was truly extensive. At the very least, Amos admitted, she was his superior. In their brief exchange, her dizzying, nimble footwork as she dodged his spells was like that of a master dancer. Beyond that, her skill in baiting attacks, her ability to launch sneak attacks even during high-intensity confrontations, and her seamless integration of Transfiguration, tactical spells, and Dark Magic left Amos in awe.

In comparison, Amos, who had only practiced dueling techniques in secret and had the occasional practical session with Professor Snape, was a complete novice.

Of course, he had his own powerful advantages.

If Amos were to describe this fight, it was a duel between an assassin and a master.

This dark witch of unknown origin was like a meticulously trained assassin. To her, all spells and attack techniques were merely tools for killing; she sought proficiency, not mastery.

But Amos was different. He had always dedicated himself to delving into the very essence of magic. On his path to tracing the origins of modern spells, he had already found a unique way forward. As long as he continued without slacking, he was certain to achieve results that would astound the world.

The vast majority of the spells he used were improved versions, born from deep thought and hundreds of experiments. They were incredibly powerful and difficult to block head-on. Their only drawback was their immense consumption of magical energy.

Amos was already beginning to regret the spell he had used at the beginning for intimidation. It had consumed a significant portion of his magic but had achieved nothing.

The dark witch had cast a Disillusionment Charm on herself during the duel. Although her magical presence couldn't be hidden, it made pinpointing her exact location difficult. This tactic, combined with constant movement and silent casting, made it possible for her to launch sneak attacks at point-blank range.

Fortunately, Amos was a quick learner. He copied her method and soon learned the trick himself. As a result, the duel in the forest now looked more like two invisible ghosts hurling spells at each other.

FWOOSH!

A surging torrent of Fiendfyre erupted from behind a half-shattered rock on the slope above. It grew in the air, instantly becoming a sky-covering wave of fire. Phantoms of dragons, sphinxes, chimeras, and other fiery beasts roared silently atop the crest of the inferno.

The dark witch had no intention of controlling the Fiendfyre. She let the terrifying flames expand wantonly, burning everything in their path, while she quickly changed her position and concealed her form.

Amos's lips tightened, his eyes filled with hatred.

At his current level, he couldn't directly extinguish Fiendfyre. But he couldn't just stand by and watch it spread and consume the forest. If he did, the unlucky Gryffindor cubs would surely perish in the cursed flames.

Amos waved his wand rapidly, casting a sheet of his own golden fire into the air. This fire was derived from Fiendfyre, but Amos had modified and restricted it. While not as devastatingly powerful as Fiendfyre, it had the advantage of being easy to control and would not corrupt the caster's mind.

Fighting fire with fire was an advanced form of fire prevention.

Amos controlled his flames, creating a barrier to contain the wave of Fiendfyre. He increased his magical output, intending to gradually consume the cursed flames.

"I don't want to imagine what's happening there, Severus! How many will be lost!"

Gazing at the interweaving golden and white flames that lit up half the sky in the direction of the Forbidden Forest, Professor McGonagall's lips were pressed into a thin line, her face terrifyingly pale. She had completely abandoned the dignity of her position as Deputy Headmistress and was running at a full sprint. She didn't even bother to fix her usually immaculate bun, which had come completely undone.

Snape's face was a waxy yellow, not much better than McGonagall's. For the first time in many years, since the night Lily had died, he found himself praying.

At the castle's main entrance, Professor Flitwick missed a step and tumbled down the stairs. Professor Sprout, whose hat had flown off, merely helped him up as she passed and then ran towards the forest without a word.

SWISH! SWISH!

After a long stalemate, unable to kill Amos, the dark witch resorted to a more despicable tactic. She transfigured a patch of shattered stones into sharp daggers and sent more than a dozen of them flying towards the unconscious Gryffindors Amos had moved to a clearing.

"Whoever you are, I will make you pay a price you will never forget!"

Rage practically shot from Amos's eyes. His right hand, suppressing the Fiendfyre, did not waver. With his left, he threw a milky-white ball of light.

The ball of light reached Bill and Charlie's location a step ahead of the daggers. In an instant, it expanded into a translucent, dome-shaped magical barrier, like an inverted bowl. In the nick of time, it blocked the incoming attack.

This move was completely unexpected, even by the dark witch. She froze in place for two crucial seconds.

And those two seconds decided the outcome of the duel.

Amos abruptly withdrew his right hand. His wand trembled rapidly, and the stones at his feet instantly transformed into a long spear with a patina of green verdigris. It shot out like a flash of cold lightning, appearing before the dark witch in an instant.

CLANG!

At the last possible moment, the dark witch summoned a wall of light wreathed in black mist. The spear and the wall collided with a deafening roar like a clashing gong. Then, both annihilated into specks of fluorescent light.

Although she had blocked it, the incredibly powerful impact sent a violent surge through the dark witch's magic, causing her consciousness to go blank for a split second.

"Sectumsempra!"

Finally seizing his chance, Amos let out the loudest roar of the entire battle. A sharp, metallic clang rang out from the invisible air. In that instant, Death itself swung its scythe, bringing it down on the dark witch's head with a cold, unforgiving fury.

On the other side of the forest, just stepping over the boundary, Snape heard the furious, violent roar in that familiar voice. His body swayed uncontrollably, and his face turned from yellow to black. The next second, he summoned all his strength and broke into a desperate, frantic run.