Man of Archives

Time seems to fly when you're immersed in something both fascinating and significant. When that something also brings you joy, it's even better. For me, that was magic, especially Transfiguration.

 

Each day, I discovered something new, expanding my understanding. My spells grew more complex and refined. In short, my skills were advancing not just daily, but hourly. Every Tuesday, without fail, the Headmaster would review my progress and introduce new material. If there was something I didn’t fully grasp, he would gladly explain and demonstrate it. Sometimes, McGonagall would step in to help, which was a welcome bonus. The Transfiguration Professor always had something intriguing to share.

 

"So, once again," I said, breaking out of my thoughts and turning my attention to the group of first-years gathered for an extra Transfiguration lesson, "this is how the correct spell looks."

 

I slowly waved my wand, pointing it at a small needle. It gradually transformed into a new needle with a slightly larger eye. I levitated it with magic, allowing all the students to examine it. As a professor’s assistant, I handled tasks like organizing extra classes for students who struggled with practical Transfiguration assignments. I didn’t teach Transfiguration as a whole, but specific spells and topics that were sure to be on the exams. And I must say, I’ve had some success in this role.

 

Of course, I also held similar lessons for second- and even third-year students. Occasionally, students would request one-on-one sessions, which I could manage less often, but I still tried to accommodate them.

 

The most interesting thing was that none of the seventh-years sought my help, although they likely knew I could assist with their questions too. I certainly had enough knowledge for that.

 

“No, no,” I said, looking at a short, slightly chubby Gryffindor girl. “You moved the wand too sharply. It should be softer, like this.”

 

I demonstrated, and she followed my lead, repeating the movement. After several tries, she finally managed to execute it correctly and cast the spell.

 

“Great,” I nodded approvingly. “You did it. Now you just need to practice and reinforce it.”

 

When the extra lesson ended, and all the students had left, I also stepped out of the classroom. Isolda, Dorsani, and Nymphadora were waiting for me.

 

“Great job,” Isolda said.

 

“Thanks,” I replied.

 

Our relationships were solid, and I often helped the girls with various Transfiguration assignments. But my help didn’t mean doing the work for them. Instead, I focused on explaining the topics until they understood. Additionally, Isolda and Dorsani received extra lessons from me in Spatial Magic, which was crucial for passing the Apparition exam and obtaining a license. I was confident in my teaching, so I wasn’t particularly worried.

 

Of course, Nymphadora was a bit jealous of me, but she never mentioned it because we were much closer than I was with Isolda. Our Valentine's Day kisses certainly helped strengthen that bond. We didn’t go further, as I understood that Nymphadora wasn’t entirely comfortable with it.

 

Spring arrived quickly and unexpectedly. One day, warmth spread across the school grounds, and the snow began to melt. The first spring flowers emerged, the forest and its many creatures came to life. By the end of the first week, the Headmaster summoned me to his office.

 

“You’re making excellent progress, my young friend,” said the Headmaster after our usual small talk.

 

“Thank you, Headmaster,” I nodded. “I’m really trying.”

 

“And it shows,” he replied. “What do you think about registering for the Transfiguration Bachelor’s exam?”

 

“I think it’s a great idea,” I said after considering it. “But when?”

 

“The end of May should be perfect for you,” the old man suggested after some thought. “What do you say?”

 

“Is there any other time?” I asked.

 

“Yes,” Dumbledore nodded. “The Bachelor’s exam takes place on the last Sunday of each month. The fee is six hundred and fifty Galleons.”

 

“Wow,” I exclaimed.

 

“Yes,” the Headmaster agreed. “But it’s a way to filter out candidates. The Guild believes that if you can’t earn enough as an apprentice to qualify for the next rank, then you’re not ready to participate.”

 

“Then I’d like to try registering for the end of April,” I said after some thought.

 

I was eager to earn the new title quickly so I could start preparing for mastery. It would mean working harder, but it was worth it.

 

“Are you sure?” Dumbledore asked.

 

“I think so,” I replied.

 

“May I ask why?”

 

“The sooner I complete this stage, the sooner I can begin preparing for mastery,” I explained. “When I study under Edwin Jansen, I want to have a solid foundation to build on.”

 

“Very well,” Dumbledore nodded. “Then we should go and register.”

 

“When?”

 

“Next Saturday.”

 

On Tuesday, the Headmaster continued testing me on both theory and practice, assigning new material for further study and practice.

 

I awaited Saturday with a mix of anticipation and nerves. It would be another step forward in developing my abilities and having them recognized by official bodies. One step would lead to another, and then another.

 

That morning, I found myself in the Headmaster’s office, eager to get this done as quickly as possible. Money wasn’t an issue—I had some on hand, and I could withdraw the rest from Gringotts. The Headmaster was already waiting for me.

 

He Apparated us directly to Diagon Alley, right in front of the bank. I withdrew the additional funds, feeling a slight discomfort at the sight of the decrease. It was small, but noticeable.

 

The Transfiguration Guild building is located on Diagon Alley, a large structure with a unique architectural style. I had seen similar designs in Era—beautiful columns, strange statues, large windows, and white stone with golden lines forming an intricate pattern. It was easy to assume that everything here had been Transfigured and was regularly renewed.

 

The entrance to the Guild wasn’t guarded, but I felt a subtle, almost instinctual gaze on me. Inside, the Guild was just as impressive as its exterior. The floor was adorned with colorful tiles, and several statues stood in the corners or near the large, well-decorated columns. Surprisingly, there were hardly any wizards around. The only one I noticed was an old wizard lounging on a Transfigured bed, reading Playboy. My attention was also drawn to a tall witch with snow-white hair, who was looking at us expectantly. As soon as we approached, a smile appeared on her face.

 

“Good day, Headmaster Dumbledore,” she greeted in a soft, melodious tone. “It’s a pleasure to welcome you.”

 

“Thank you, Elantra,” he nodded.

 

“What brings you here today?” she asked.

 

“We’re here to register an apprentice for the Bachelor’s exam,” the Headmaster replied calmly.

 

Elantra nodded and quickly retrieved several papers from her desk.

 

“For which date?”

 

“The April exam,” the Headmaster specified, aligning with the date I had chosen.

 

“Ah,” she nodded. “Excellent. Here’s the application. Just place your ring on this square.”

 

She pointed with a manicured finger at a small square on the form. Without hesitation, I revealed my ring and placed it where indicated. In the next moment, all the fields on the application filled with my information—a remarkable spell at work.

 

“Perfect,” she said. “Now for the payment.”

 

I handed her the money, and she swiftly tucked it away in the desk, never breaking eye contact and maintaining her smile. It was charming at first, but after a while, such a fixed smile began to feel a bit unsettling.

 

“Here’s your registration ticket,” she said as a piece of paper appeared on the table. “When you arrive for the exam, present this to the exam supervisors. And make sure not to be late; otherwise, you’ll have to register again.”

 

“Understood,” I nodded. “Thank you.”

 

“And thank you for being a member of the Guild,” she replied, still smiling. “I wish you good luck.”

 

“Thank you,” I said with a smile.

 

The Headmaster and I left the building and stepped back onto the street. There were already a few more people around now.

 

"Headmaster, do you know this Elantra?" I asked.

 

"Of course," he nodded. "She’s been working here for several years, but she’s not a full-fledged witch."

 

"A Squib?" I asked, surprised.

 

"Yes," Dumbledore replied. "She’s a distant relative of one of the Masters, so she got the job without any trouble."

 

Nepotism at its finest, I thought. But as long as the employee fulfills their duties well and isn’t just there because of connections, I don't see an issue.

 

"Shall we head back?" the Headmaster asked. "We’ll just make it to the game."

 

Today was a match between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. I don’t usually attend Quidditch games since they don’t interest me, and the fact that I’m preparing for the Bachelor’s exam doesn’t change that. I still manage to train in dueling, study the material Dumbledore assigns, and maintain top grades in my other classes.

 

We arrived at the same spot from where we had departed. Only two hours had passed, and the day was already in full swing. The light warm air was drifting into the office, scattering the curtains in all directions. I hadn’t paid attention to them before, although I should have. They were large and thick enough to conceal an adult person.

 

“Thank you for helping me,” I thanked the Headmaster. He just nodded at this and smiled.

 

Being a lone sixth-year from Gryffindor, it’s clear that I can’t have many friends. Only a few from other Houses and lower years. But can you call underclassmen friends at this stage of life? Probably not. In the future, when they’re thirty years old, then maybe. Now... the difference in age and knowledge is very noticeable.

 

“Hey, Timothy!” Isolda called out to me. “Are you going to the game?”

 

“Probably,” I replied.

 

“Don’t be such a bore,” the girl sighed. “You need to take a break from studying sometimes.”

 

“Tch.”

 

I can’t disagree with her, though, in reality, I’d rather be practicing some spell. I really enjoy magic. But okay, it’s important to rest sometimes too.

 

“Alright, I’ll be at the game too.”

 

“I’ll be waiting,” she nodded.

 

I changed in the room, adding the colors of the House to my attire. The red and gold were interesting and pleasant, but I didn’t want to dress up like a Christmas tree. Then I joined the small stream of students heading towards the Quidditch pitch. The Hogwarts students know how to have fun, as seen by the various decorations they wore. Flags, scarves, hats, and other magical fan tools.

 

The Quidditch pitch is a popular spot among students on weekdays. If there’s no practice or game, students can come here to relax or practice on their own. You can sit in the stands and chat, which is also quite popular, or chase away the ghost bound to the field, which first-years especially love. In general, there’s plenty to do for fun. Most students attend these games, even if their House isn’t playing. Sometimes, Hogsmeade residents or other wizards join the students.

 

Finding Isolda and Dorsani, I headed straight for them. Isolda was currently talking to a sixth-year girl from Hufflepuff. I didn’t join the conversation, just dropped into an empty seat. People were still getting ready for the game, so they could chat freely. The stands were, of course, decorated in Gryffindor and Ravenclaw colors.

 

Enterprising students were selling drinks and snacks. Many bought them, and even the professors weren’t shy about grabbing something. On a small platform in the stands, a short, dark-skinned boy was setting up some equipment with the help of Professor Flitwick and Professor McGonagall. The equipment resembled a gramophone. I didn’t understand its purpose since there’s a spell for that... Ah, to Zeref with all these questions.

 

“Ahem,” the young man’s voice sounded. “So, let’s begin! I’m Lee Jordan, and I welcome you to the Gryffindor vs. Ravenclaw game. As you know, this is the first match of the spring season, where we’ll find out our champion. Of course, the teams have trained hard, and they’ll be showing their best game.”

 

He spoke loudly and energetically to capture the attention of almost every spectator.

 

“By the way,” he continued loudly. “Did you hear about the new trick Hodges McMartl from the Wimbourne Wasps pulled off? I saw it, and let me tell you, it was something else! Oh, what a move, what a move! Doing that on a Nimbus Nine-Nine isn’t easy, but still possible... I can’t even imagine what will be possible on the next version of the Nimbus!”

 

He kept talking for another five minutes on all sorts of topics without stopping. He discussed past games, interesting facts or events, new players on the world stage of this sport, broomsticks, their care, and much more. It was clear that he enjoyed the topic.

 

“And now, our referee brings out the chest with the Quaffle, Bludgers, and Snitch. The captains approach each other and shake hands. Now that’s what I call a handshake. Who will get the Quaffle? The coin is in the air and... Ravenclaw will start the game. Gryffindor has chosen the hoops.”

 

The team captains returned under the shelter, waiting for the referee’s signal. The woman stood still for a while, looking at her watch. Then she summoned her broom and blew the whistle sharply.

 

“And first to fly out is Gryffindor, look at those beauties!”

 

He started calling out the players’ names, focusing especially on the young ones. The young players turned out to be the Weasley twins, who had become Beaters. Their job would be to bat away the aggressive Bludgers toward the opponent, hindering their play. The Seeker was a seventh-year student, for whom these would be the last games. The Keeper was a boy named Wood. He took position at the hoops and stood ready.

 

Next out were the Ravenclaw players. They already had the Quaffle, so they took their positions, ready to attack. The referee put on her goggles and pressed the first button.

 

“And the Snitch is in play!” Jordan announced. “And now it’s gone. The Seekers will have to sweat to find it.”

 

Madam Hooch pressed another button, and a moment later, two Bludgers shot out into the air like corks from a champagne bottle. At the same time, the referee blew her whistle and took off. This meant the game had begun.

 

The Bludgers picked their targets, ready to strike, but the Beaters on both teams didn’t sit idly by and immediately went to work. The Chasers manipulated the Quaffle, trying to trick their opponents into making hasty decisions, while the Beaters directed the Bludgers at the opponents. The Seekers hovered above the game, searching for the Snitch.

 

The game slowly began to pick up pace. The Chasers fiercely battled each other, occasionally launching attacks. But no one could score yet. The Seekers sometimes changed positions, searching for the target, but they weren’t successful.

 

The legend of this game is very interesting. The game itself existed during the Roman Empire and emerged when the first stones of London were laid. For over a thousand years, the game evolved and gained popularity. Initially in the Roman Empire, and then beyond its borders. If I’m not mistaken, in 1269, the head of the Wizards’ Council, a precursor to the Ministry of Magic, a wizard named Barbarus Bolttown, proposed a bet to the players. Whoever caught the Golden Snidget, a tiny but agile bird, would receive 150 Galleons. In those days, that was a huge sum of money. But at that game, there was also a lady named Modesta Crawley, who had some connection to Bolttown—no one knows exactly what, but rumors suggest it was an intimate one. In any case, this lady, to spite the head of the Wizards’ Council, saved the bird. This marked the game’s rebirth into something resembling what is known today.

 

Of course, birds are no longer used, and instead, wizards created golden balls—Snitches—that can mimic Snidgets. All the Snitches used in many countries are made in Godric’s Hollow by the Wright family. The ancestor of the current Wrights, Bowman Wright, developed the first Snitch, and it made him and his family rich. The creation of the Snitch isn’t a secret, but the magical technology is difficult to replicate, so no one else particularly tries to take over this niche. The Wrights don’t overcharge, so they still maintain a monopoly on production.

 

A new Snitch is needed for every game because this artifact has the ability to remember who first touches it. This helps in deciding who caught it and earns 150 points. But this doesn’t mean the team with the Seeker who catches it wins. If the other team scores more points by making goals, they’ll be the winners. With such rules, games can last from several tens of minutes to several hours or even days.

 

“And Gryffindor scores! Ten-nil!”

 

The cheers from the first goal were deafening. Students blew trumpets, clapped, and even sang. Everyone knows that a team’s victory earns points for the House. Everyone feels they have something to lose and gain, so many try to support their team in any way they can. The most intense rivalry is between Gryffindor and Slytherin. It sometimes escalates into fights, both among the players and fans in the stands. Surprisingly, no one uses magic in these brawls, relying instead on good old-fashioned fists.

 

After Gryffindor opened the score, the game became even more active and gained momentum. Bludgers flew and were batted away. The Quaffle also flew from player to player. If someone dropped it to the ground, its magic would activate and instantly shoot it up to the level of one of the hoops, where the players had to catch it and continue playing.

 

I was genuinely caught up in the crowd and its emotions. I didn’t shout, but I was rooting for the team. Of course, their victory or defeat wouldn’t change anything for me personally, but it was still interesting.

 

“Casey saw something!” the commentator immediately drew attention to Gryffindor’s Seeker.

 

The Ravenclaw Seeker also rushed to intercept the opponent. They accelerated to the maximum, as did the other players. Holding their breath, all the fans waited to see how this chase would be resolved. In a moment, all the players collapsed into a pile, but somehow Casey emerged ahead, holding his hand above his head. In his fist, a tiny golden body was visible.

 

Madam Hooch immediately flew over to him.

 

“And Gryffindor wins! Hooray!”

 

The stands erupted in a storm of joyous cheers. For a moment, I even thought I might go deaf. But that wasn’t the case. A small drop of magic, and it all passed, allowing me to truly enjoy the different emotions.

 

Afterward, all the students headed back to their common rooms for a big celebration. This party involves all the students of the House, from first-year to seventh-year. In the past, I skipped these celebrations, but not today. It was genuinely interesting and, I’d say, fun to celebrate the victory.

 

Then everything returned to its usual routine. Students studied, did their homework, and practiced magic. For sixth-years and some seventh-years, it was time for Apparition certification. Everyone who wants the right to Apparate must obtain a license. Of course, no one can stop you from Apparating without one, but if something goes wrong, getting help from the Ministry will be impossible or very expensive. Every year, you have to pay a small fee to renew the license.

 

In general, that’s how wizards live. You also have to pay for the exam itself, and if you don’t have the money, you can’t get the license. The fee is small, of course, but I know there are students at the school who would strangle their own mother for a few Knuts.

 

Registration was quick because not many students came to take the license test. The Ministry officials didn’t even have time to get bored. The test was held in the Great Hall, which, as always, was spacious. The tables were pushed to the walls. Some wizards were walking around taking measurements. The students were just chatting among themselves. Everyone was confident in their abilities because during the last lessons, everyone successfully managed to Apparate from one circle to another and back.

 

“So, good morning,” said Elgic Longbottom. “Today we’re all gathered here to conduct the Apparition test. Once completed, I hope all of you will receive your licenses and be able to Apparate to the places you need. I wish you good luck; I’ve done everything I could to teach you how to do it.”

 

“Good morning,” said another wizard in a black Ministry of Magic robe with a small “M” badge. “My name is Colin McDermott, and I will be your examiner. The task is simple. You must Apparate from here to Hogsmeade, go to Honeydukes, grab a candy, and Apparate back here with the candy. You will Apparate from here,” he drew a large green square, “to here.”

 

A second yellow square appeared. This would be easy.

 

“Any questions?” Mr. McDermott asked. “I see there are no questions. So I’ll add that any splinching, no matter how small, will be considered a failure. You only have one chance, one opportunity to do your best on this exam and get your license. Who wants to be the first to test their skills?”

 

Without thinking twice, I raised my hand.

 

“Excellent,” the wizard nodded and called me over. “What’s your name?”

 

“Timothy Jody, sixth year,” I answered him. His eyes showed a hint of recognition, but he held back his questions and just nodded.

 

“Well, Mr. Jody, you know what to do,” he said after making a few notes. “Begin when you’re ready.”

 

I stood in the green square. I pictured the place in my mind, focused slightly, and spun on the spot. In the next moment, I was sucked into a tube. The journey was quick and smooth. A second later, I landed on the cobblestone road almost in front of Honeydukes. I walked inside and immediately noticed a few more Ministry officials.

 

“Name?” a wizard asked, looking at some papers.

 

“Timothy Jody,” I replied.

 

“Excellent,” he nodded. “Take a candy.”

 

He handed me the cheapest sugar candy they sold there. Almost anyone could afford it.

 

“You can head back,” he said right away. “But not from inside the shop.”

 

I stepped outside. A moment to focus, and then another Apparition. I ended up in the yellow square, just as the task required. McDermott pointed his wand at me. I prepared myself just in case, but he only used a diagnostic spell.

 

“Perfect,” the wizard nodded. “You passed.”

 

“Phew,” I sighed. “Thank you.”

 

“Now you can stay here and wait for your license,” the wizard said and turned to the crowd of students. “Who’s next?”

 

Next up was Isolda, followed by Dorsani. The girls quickly passed the exam without any problems. Neither had any splinching, which was very good. After them went Nymphadora, and she also managed to pass the exam without issues.

 

Then the students formed a line, creating a living queue. There were a few who couldn’t pass because they experienced minor splinching. Someone’s hair got half cut off, someone lost part of an eyebrow... But even such a small and barely noticeable failure cost them the license. Understandably, this immediately killed the festive mood for the group. As for me, it didn’t really bother me much.

 

When the last student returned to the yellow square with the candy, McDermott clapped his hands.

 

“Excellent, friends,” he said. “Today you are one step closer to becoming qualified wizards. And for those who failed, don’t be discouraged. You can retake the exam and get your license. You just need a little more practice.”

 

Afterward, we all received our licenses, which were small cards stating that the bearer was authorized to Apparate and that the license was active. Then we could celebrate a little. Since the weather was warm, we could hold the celebration outside. Isolda invited me and Nymphadora to a small friendly get-together. From a small bag, she pulled out some food, a light blanket, and some mild alcoholic drinks disguised as regular juice.

 

“So, what are your plans after Hogwarts?” Isolda asked after we had relaxed a bit. “What about you, Timothy?”

 

“I’ll continue studying magic,” I replied without much thought. “Maybe I’ll get involved in some magical research. I’m not sure yet.”

 

“And what about you, Tonks?” the girl asked.

 

Nymphadora, by the way, I was the only one allowed to call her by her name, thought for a while.

 

“I was planning to join the Auror Office,” she said. “But now... I’m not so sure. What about you, Isolda?”

 

“I’ve got everything planned out,” she waved her hand. “I’ll go study as a Charms apprentice, then for a Bachelor’s, and then a Master’s.”

 

“And you, Dorsani?” Nymphadora asked the second girl.

 

“I’ll follow Mistress,” she answered after some thought. Though, I doubt anyone expected a different answer from her. If she had given any other response, she might have faced some punishment.

 

“Hmm,” was all Nymphadora said.

 

At that moment, a third-year Gryffindor girl, who often talks with Isolda, ran up to us. Isolda seems to mentor her, giving her light tutoring. In any case, this girl often hovers around Isolda. And if it weren’t for some important news, she would never have interrupted our conversation.

 

“Have you heard?” she asked, trying to catch her breath.

 

“What happened, Anne?” Isolda asked. “Catch your breath and tell us.”

 

The girl threw a newspaper at us and tried to catch her breath. No one reached for it, so I picked up the paper. It was a special edition, which they don’t publish very often. Interesting... what happened?

 

The headline read, “Magical Battle Between a Coven of Dark Wizards and Ministry Officials Strengthened by the Hunters’ Guild. Heavy Casualties.”

 

There was an image from the battle site, and I could easily tell that strong spells were used there.

 

“The Auror Office, along with the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and strengthened by the Hunters’ Guild, raided a den of Dark Wizards. Information about its location was obtained from reliable sources. But then our brave wizards faced a tough challenge. The town of St. Florence was completely destroyed. All the Muggles were used for the darkest of rituals to summon a being from beyond. The total loss among Muggles was five thousand sacrificed. Among wizards, twenty-three Ministry officials and forty-one members of the Hunters’ Guild were killed. A truly dark day in England’s history.”

 

Next came the names of the Ministry wizards who were killed, followed by the Hunters. After that were the names of wizards presented for awards. One name caught my attention. It was very familiar to me. Brock Tennerberry. Sighing, I closed my eyes for a moment and mentally smiled. Honestly, I was glad he survived this carnage. I’ll be able to celebrate my title of apprentice with him.

 

“Exclusive Footage from the Battle Site”

 

Next were these exclusive shots that some wizard managed to capture. The first thing that caught the eye was the strange demonic creatures, whose eyes didn’t just glow... no, they blazed with a poisonous green color. The Dark Wizards didn’t look particularly human either... They had the same eyes that blazed green. But there was something else that drew attention. It was the green fire they were throwing without using wands. For some reason, it reminded me of other worlds. A strange feeling, to be honest.

 

“What’s there?” Isolda asked, realizing that I had read the paper and was deep in thought.

 

“You’d better see for yourself,” I handed her the newspaper.

 

The girl immersed herself in reading, nodding her head as she did. Then she passed the paper to Nymphadora, who was also very interested in what had happened.

 

“Yeah.”

 

***

 

Brock Tennerberry felt a slight tremor of nerves. The situation was complicated now because the Ministry of Magic had hired them to support an operation. Yes, he knew he was a strong and experienced wizard, but today, his premonitions weren’t the most positive.

 

A perimeter had been set up around the completely Muggle town, so no one would escape unnoticed. But they weren’t strong fighters, so breaking through was possible. Then the entire town was covered with an Anti-Apparition barrier, preventing the Dark Coven from escaping.

 

“So,” said a tall man with a mane of hair that made him resemble a lion. He was an experienced Auror aiming for the position of Head Auror. “We know these bastards are holed up in this town hall.”

 

He pointed to a map of the area.

 

“We also know there are just over twenty of them,” the wizard continued. “There are more of us, but that doesn’t mean we can take their threat lightly. They’ll definitely pull some dirty trick.”

 

“I have news,” said a member of the Department of Mysteries. They were here too, ready to help in the fight if something critical happened. Department of Mysteries staffers are definitely not weak fighters, so their help in a critical situation would be very welcome. “You’ll need to move quickly because we can’t delay any longer.”

 

“What’s going on?” the Auror asked.

 

“The Dark Coven has just sacrificed all the Muggles in the town to something unknown.”

 

This news was met with a heavy silence. All the wizards were processing the information and trying to grasp the scale of the problem coming their way. Brock understood that in an instant, a difficult situation had become unpleasant. He also realized who would be in the front line of the attack. It would be him and his fellow Guild members. They would face the unknown first.

 

“Damn Mordred,” swore a witch.

 

And Brock completely agreed with her. So did all the other wizards. Even the Department of Mysteries staffers.

 

“Then, yes,” Rufus Scrimgeour said slowly. “We really need to hurry. So, our goal is this… Find and destroy that scum. We’ll deal with other issues as they arise. Everyone got it?”

 

He was answered with nods. The wizards were now rearming themselves with their best gear. Everyone understood that now was not the time to hold back their trump cards because their lives were at stake. No one was going to run because it would not only be shameful but also carry a magical curse. Light chainmail, belts with potions, and much more. Some were now chugging down various potions to give themselves even a moment of strength or just a little more power.

 

Brock wasn’t far behind because he knew this mission would be the most challenging for him. After checking his wand one last time, he exhaled and closed his eyes. Now there was only waiting and then getting to work.

 

“Move out.”

 

The wizards quickly jumped on their brooms and instantly took to the skies, heading towards the house. The force was massive, enough to conquer a small country. In general, the squad was enormous.

 

As they approached the house, several things happened. The house exploded in some kind of green light, and then a giant troll figure formed in that light. But this troll was nothing like the trolls in the books. It was a monster with huge tusks, evil eyes blazing with green fire, and two clubs ready to destroy everything around.

 

“Gruar!” the roar was deafening, but it didn’t scare the wizards.

 

They began bombarding it with various spells, assessing and testing. No one was ready to unleash big and intense spells just yet. It quickly became clear that its skin was thick and well-protected from magical influence. This meant there had to be something else between the magic and the monster’s body. And Transfiguration was just the perfect weapon for that.

 

Brock briefly recalled his apprentice, who had just recently won the Transfiguration Olympiad and became an apprentice. Then he pushed the thought out of his mind because now was not the time to be distracted.

 

The ground slowly engulfed the troll, taking away its freedom of movement. It tried to do something, but with each moment, its situation worsened until, in one moment, the Transfigured earth crawled inside it, expanding and simply tearing the monster’s body apart.

 

Next, the Ministry wizards were bombarded with Dark Wizards’ spells. They were so intense that the wizards had to land and engage in direct combat. All plans could be thrown out the window as Aurors, the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and Hunters attacked together.

 

There were the first casualties. Spells flew from all sides. They destroyed buildings, tore up asphalt, uprooted trees, or Transfigured some scarecrows that charged into battle. Then everything just kept escalating.

 

Brock had to give it his all, twisting and turning like never before. All his knowledge and skills showed that he had spent most of his life developing them wisely. But it still wasn’t enough.

 

The Dark Wizards summoned someone else. These were small creatures that breathed fire, leaving behind molten surfaces. They became a big problem, instantly killing three Hunters Brock knew.

 

He had to work even harder to avoid being hit by the Dark Wizards’ spells and take cover from these small monsters. In general, it was tough, and the Anti-Apparition barrier prevented them from using their mobility.

 

In the last moment, Brock caught some powerful spell on his Protego. His shield shattered, and the impact was so strong that his body was thrown several meters. The next spell was supposed to follow right after, but somehow, in a mysterious and inexplicable way, he managed to dodge it. The spell hit the ground, leaving a deep pit, which slowly began filling with water due to damaged pipes.

 

A wave of his wand, and part of the water rose, taking another attacking spell. Then he went on the offensive. A step forward, and a powerful blasting ray nearly destroyed the Dark Wizard. He somehow managed to deflect the spell. It crashed into the ground, leaving a wide and deep crater, but Brock didn’t stop. Now he was working like an amazing Muggle invention—artillery. Powerful and dangerous spells flew from his wand, demolishing houses, walls, cars, and much more. And he wasn’t the only one. Without saying a word, the other wizards also unleashed their heavy spells and didn’t hesitate to use them.

 

The Dark Wizards had a tough time because they weakened with each strike. The unluckiest left only bloody pieces behind. No one intended to spare them. They needed to do something, anything.

 

Everyone understood that they wouldn’t leave here alive, so they started doing what would kill them. They wanted to take as many wizards with them as possible. Their brains were so washed that the inner voice, radiating with hatred and fear, mixed with their desires, often replacing them.

 

All the Dark Wizards in the Coven knew a spell that didn’t belong to this world. They thought they were burning their souls for power, but in reality, what they were doing was selling them to a demon at an unfavorable rate.

 

Green fireballs struck wizards, often killing one or another. The Ministry wizards slowly cornered the Dark Wizards and prepared to end this once and for all.

 

Brock was unlucky. Somehow, he found himself at the forefront of the attack and had to do everything to keep the assault from faltering. He was giving it his all, not holding back. At one point, he found himself facing the head of the Coven. The sight of this wizard surprised him for a moment, and that was a mistake.

 

An evil, green fireball hit Brock, destroying his most precious artifact. He was thrown a dozen meters, but it was enough. The other wizards took this as an opportunity. Spells tore the Coven leader’s body apart like vultures. Brock silently thanked himself for not being stingy and buying this artifact when he was in Europe. Although everyone told him that no one uses such powerful spells anymore that would require such an artifact. The artifact allowed him to defend against almost any spell once.