Days at Hogwarts

Chapter 749 Chaos at New York Airport

As the plane descended below the clouds, the sky became overcast and the cabin dimly lit in a very short time. A light rain began to fall outside the window, and the brightly lit New York airport in the rain resembled a giant candlestick. The steel behemoth swooped straight towards the candlelight.

Lucius smelled the damp air and looked out through the terminal's floor-to-ceiling windows; the outside world became hazy.

He was still wearing a cloak and hood, with a mask on his face. This standard Death Eater outfit was of little use to old Gore beside him. His size was too large. In the past, when old Crabbe was around, it could confuse people, but now it was completely meaningless.

Crabbe's escape caused some commotion, and Voldemort tortured the patrol members with the Crucifixion Curse, but that was all; the attack plan proceeded as scheduled.

Lucius casually glanced at the snake-faced man standing in front of him; he could sense that the fear the Dark Lord instilled in the Death Eaters was waning.

The engine roared, stirring up a whirlwind, and the propellers slanted the rain curtain, like a monster carrying wind and rain howling.

The runway was neither too long nor too short. After taxiing for a distance, the passenger plane came to a stop. The lights in the cockpit window and cabin went out, and the entire airport suddenly became quiet, as if only the howling wind and rain could be heard.

Harry descended the gangway from the cabin, letting the raindrops streak across his cheeks, leaving a cold touch. The Aurors and Order of the Phoenix members around him remained silent.

The silent airport was filled with a terrifying and oppressive atmosphere, making it hard for them to breathe. Then, a sharp, piercing sound came from afar, like a python hissing in their ears, the venomous snake whispering:

"Welcome, Harry Potter."

"Voldemort, it's been a long time."

Harry felt he hadn't performed well; his voice was hoarse from the cold and tension. He squeezed his wand slightly, and his tense body gradually relaxed. This feeling often occurred before a Quidditch match, when he was in the best state for battle.

The group faced the passageway not far away, where stood a group of wizards whose faces were veiled. Their cloaks, soaked with rain, clung tightly to their bodies like some kind of shroud. The rain deliberately avoided the snake-faced man at the front, whose long robes did not conceal his face. His pale face bore several pinkish scars—that was Voldemort.

Voldemort tilted his head slightly, his lipless mouth twisting to reveal a strange and gloomy smile: "Just yesterday, one of my servants escaped. I thought the news that worm brought would frighten you into hiding, back in the crib Dumbledore prepared for you, just like that night sixteen years ago."

Harry felt anger, but this anger did not overwhelm his reason; instead, it made him even calmer: "After Easter night, I thought Dumbledore and Loren would scare you into hiding, back to the Albanian forests, just like that night sixteen years ago to three years ago."

"Sixteen years ago...sixteen years ago!" A ghostly green light appeared in Voldemort's pupils: "I hope you're lucky enough tonight to survive again. I'm sorry, you have no family left to sacrifice."

"But tonight we are here, Voldemort! The Ministry of Magic will arrest you!"

Scrimgeour suddenly took a step forward, his slightly lame leg still trembling. As he stepped forward, many Aurors simultaneously raised their wands, followed closely by the members of the Order of the Phoenix. Spells of various colors quickly coalesced and shot out.

Disarming spells, repelling spells, stunning spells, splitting spells... It was impossible to distinguish what kind of spells those dense beams of light were. Various colors of light briefly illuminated the airport runway, and the light and shadow in the rain were particularly dazzling.

A hint of mockery flashed in Voldemort's eyes. He elegantly waved his wand and pointed it in front of him, and a gleaming silver shield appeared out of thin air.

The incantations landed on the silver shield, producing a low, slight tremor that sent chills down one's spine.

The incantation and the gleam of the silver shield illuminated Voldemort's face, revealing his scarlet vertical pupils, the nostrils that concealed his nose, and the sinister smile that clung to his lips, making him appear like a demon from the depths of hell, exuding a chilling and eerie aura.

Scrimgeour's breathing became somewhat labored. He tried his best to remain calm and prepare to direct the Aurors to connect the spells, but the next moment he saw Voldemort move.

The man gracefully waved his wand, not at them, but at the night sky beneath the rain. The silver shield transformed into a ghostly green flame and was swung into the sky. The flame evaporated the torrential rain, turning countless raindrops into white mist. The emerald light floated in the mist, forming a pattern of a giant skull and snake.

The Dark Mark hung high in the sky, pressing heavily on everyone's hearts.

Harry stared intently at Voldemort's movements. He keenly noticed that even after the Dark Mark had taken shape, Voldemort still held his wand aloft, and he heard him softly chant, "Avada Kedavra."

The Black Demon Mark instantly dispersed, like clusters of phosphorescent flames suspended in the air, emanating a strong ominous aura, and the ghostly light became even more sinister.

It was a chilling scene as Mad-Eye Moody screamed at the top of his lungs, "Cover! Find cover!"

The Aurors and members of the Order of the Phoenix had no other thoughts and scattered and fled.

The cold rain fell on Harry's shoulder as he stared intently at Voldemort and the wand in his hand. The wand was shaped like a branch broken off from an old tree, its decorations and tung oil color were ordinary, yet it gleamed with a terrifying green light.

The Killing Curse, which enveloped the entire area, was such powerful magic that Harry didn't believe his casting speed was the same as usual. Besides, while others feared the Killing Curse, he wasn't that afraid. Instinctively, he unleashed the spell he knew best.

"Expelliarmus!" Harry roared.

A dazzling red light burst forth, arriving in the blink of an eye, and slammed heavily into Voldemort's front.

Whether they were Death Eaters or Aurors, everyone held their breath—just as the spell was about to hit them, Voldemort's wand emitted a shimmering green light, stalemating the disarming curse.

In an instant, the dark demonic mark that shrouded the sky above transformed into the flames of the Killing Curse. Losing its magical support, it fell to the ground, the flames turning into raindrops that still lingered with a chilling, ominous aura—the power of the Killing Curse.

Snape only showed it to him once, and Voldemort mastered the application of this aura of death and incorporated it into his Dark Mark.

Although he had never personally experienced death, he knew more about the Killing Curse than any other wizard.

The Aurors scattered in terror, and Scrimgeour witnessed a water ant trapped by the rain touch the green flame, its entire body instantly ignited, turning into yet another faint wisp of green fire.

Harry remained locked in a stalemate with Voldemort, as if some hidden protective force was causing all the deadly flames to veer away from him, and raindrops to avoid Voldemort at the other end of the magical beams.

The green light gradually swallowed up the red light.

On one side was the most powerful dark wizard in centuries, and on the other was a student who had not yet graduated. The balance of power in this contest quickly tipped in Voldemort's favor.

Sirius and Lupin and the others immediately sprang into action, dodging the flames while attempting to distract Voldemort. However, they were spotted by numerous Death Eaters, and the two sides clashed and became entangled. The falling flames burned silently, unnoticed by anyone, and the battlefield was gradually divided.

……

In front of the right-hand aircraft engine.

Lukwood squinted at his former colleague: "Rufus, you're old and your legs aren't what they used to be. Why don't you just stay put?"

"You're getting old, why don't you stay in Azkaban?"

"I did think about it, but I dropped the idea after three days in Azkaban. Those Dementor guards drive people insane, more unbearable than execution." Lukewood's eyes darkened. "Now that you're the one making the rules, perhaps you should give it a try."

"The rules have changed."

"Changed?"

Scrimgeour dodged a ball of fire that landed at his feet, and Lukwood didn't seize the opportunity to launch an attack. He felt something was off, but couldn't quite put his finger on it, so he continued, "Azkaban is now a prison for Dementors, a prison re-established by the Ministry of Magic. Surrender immediately, and I will propose to the Inquisition that your sentence be reduced."

"But I've had enough of prison. Those who have been imprisoned crave freedom even more..."

Scrimgeour didn't hear the murmur that followed; he only saw Lukewood raise his wand, the tip gleaming brightly, and he quickly swung his wand to meet the attack.

The surrounding rainwater, under the influence of the transformation magic and flames, evaporated into a thick white mist.

……

Below the tail section of the aircraft.

Professor McGonagall waved her wand while dodging the flames, manipulating her transmutation magic to transform nearby blades of grass into tiger and leopard puppets with sharp teeth and claws, single-handedly holding off Selwyn, Gagson, Mulseber, and several other Death Eaters.

Perhaps the professor was too conspicuous, or perhaps some Death Eaters found the battle here easier, Avery slowly moved closer, attempting to ambush Professor McGonagall, who was focused on fighting. Just as he passed under the gangway, Mad-Eye Moody suddenly jumped out, lifted his wooden prosthetic leg, kicked it over, took away his wand, and casually cast a Stunning Curse.

Remember to stay vigilant at all times!

Mad-Eye Moody muttered a word of advice, his demonic eyes darting around before fixing their gaze on another Death Eater faction, and he quietly moved closer.

……

Under the wing.

The veteran Auror Kingsley is dealing with a Death Eater named Coban Yaxley, a criminal who escaped trial years ago and later infiltrated the Ministry of Magic. The long years have worn away the Death Eater's ferocity and dueling skills. Kingsley, like a seasoned hunter, keeps approaching and increasing the pressure, waiting for him to reveal an opening so he can capture him in one fell swoop.

Unbeknownst to him, in the shadows beneath the hatch, an inconspicuous wand was quietly aimed at him. The burly Antonin Dolokhov, huddled in the shadows, seemed to already see him perish under the green light, a cruel smile playing on his lips.

Just as Dolokhov was about to unleash the Killing Curse, he suddenly caught a glimpse of a red light coming from the corner of his eye, and then heard the sound of chanting.

"【Eliminate Your Weapon】"

The wand flew out of his hand, and Dolokhov turned his head to see a rough fist growing larger and larger in front of him. With a loud bang, it made his vision go blurry.

Two somewhat familiar red-haired figures stood in front of him. The one on the left had a small braid and wore frivolous earrings. The one on the right was slightly shorter and fatter, with a broad, honest face that looked weathered and covered with freckles, almost turning it brownish-black. He had strong arm muscles, and with his other hand, he rolled up his sleeve, revealing a large, shiny burn scar.

"I surrender, I surrender..." Dolokhov cried out, his head spinning from losing his wand. "I am willing to accept judgment. I was forced by the Dark Lord. I am under the Imperius Curse."

The honest-looking young man on the right asked, "Your name is Antonin Dolokhov, right?"

"That's right!" Dolokhov nodded quickly. Although he was big and strong, he didn't have the toughness of a burly man.

The instant he finished speaking, a powerful knee strike landed squarely on his abdomen. Dolokhov winced and convulsed, gasping for breath in pain. The two red-haired youths continued their relentless punches and kicks, and Dolokhov could no longer hear their voices.

"Didn't you eat, Bill? Go easy on me."

"Do you think everyone's like you, you savage dragon keeper Charlie?"

"If we beat him so badly he can't go to court, Mom might be happy and then hold it against us for coming out without permission."

"That despicable bastard actually killed two of his uncles! Bah!"

……

Edge of the tarmac.

"[Fainted and collapsed]"

"【Fragmented】"

"..."

A barrage of spells rained down, and the four Death Eaters, though hastily prepared, were overwhelmed and forced to retreat while fighting. But a wall lay not far behind them, and they were soon cornered.

The four Death Eaters are two pairs of blood relatives. The two brothers, Rodolphus and Rabastein, are plotting a counterattack with grim faces. The two brothers, Alecto and Amicus, are constantly activating the Ironclad Charm to defend themselves.

Lupin waved his wand continuously, warning without turning his head, "We're almost at the wall. Watch out for their counterattack, especially the Lestrange brothers; they're all lunatics."

"Believe me, no one knows this better than me. My sister married into their family."

"And my aunt."

"Speaking of which, Remus, now that you're with Tonks, what should you call me?"

"Shut up!"

Sirius and Tonks chatted back and forth, and for a few moments Lupin felt they weren't on a duel battlefield, but rather at a family dinner table.

The two Defense Against the Dark Arts professors worked closely together, with Tonks providing support from the sidelines. The three of them gradually cornered the four Death Eaters, waiting only for the final moment to close the gap.

In the brief interval between their next spell, the Lestrange brothers pushed the Rohr siblings out. Taking advantage of the moment when the two siblings used their bodies to block the spell, Rodolphus and Rabastan simultaneously unleashed their most proficient spells.

"Heart-wrenching and excruciating"

Two beams of red light struck Lupin and Sirius respectively. Tonks reacted hastily, only managing to shield Lupin from the Cruciatus Curse.

Lupin didn't look at his companion beside him. His expression was serious and stern. He cast four stun spells in succession, all of which hit their mark, eliminating the enemy's threat. Only then did he have time to check on Sirius's condition.

Just as the Cruciatus Curse was about to strike, Sirius Black's eyes widened, and his cloak and hood shook violently as if he were in great pain. Then he slowly calmed down, and blue smoke rose up, in which Peeves's tongue-out graffiti appeared.

"I understand the smoke was used to cover the retreat."

Lupin was somewhat speechless: "Couldn't they have used a more serious design, like the Ministry of Magic or the Hogwarts logo or something?"

Tonks shrugged: "George and Fred said the Ministry of Magic was too aggressive in its purchasing decisions, so consider the discount a 'GG fee' (meaning it's a loss)."

"I will definitely file a complaint against them when I get back."

Sirius coughed loudly, choking on the smoke, and kept waving his hands to disperse it.

(End of this chapter)