At the shattered doorway, the air seemed to freeze.
The ominous green light dancing at the strange Dark Wizard's wand tip cast his bloodshot eyes in the likeness of a demon's.
He stared fixedly at Skofot behind Molly, breathing heavily, his gaze mingling bone-deep hatred with the greed of a hunter spotting precious prey.
Taking him alive would earn a higher bounty.
And besides, he wanted this little demon who had ruined everything to suffer a fate more painful than death.
Skofot cowered behind Molly, trembling like a fallen leaf in the autumn wind. His soft sobs came and went, every sound steeped in terror.
He clutched the fabric at Molly's waist tightly, his knuckles whitening from the force.
The Trace on Ollivander's wand had indeed been "dealt with" long ago through the channels of Prisoners, by means that were not entirely legal. He could fight back with magic now.
But that would mean exposure. It would mean the carefully crafted image of "Skofot Leoqi—
—a fragile victim" would completely collapse.
He could not make a move. At least, not now—not in front of the Weasleys. He needed to maintain this shell.
"Get out of my house!"
Molly Weasley's voice trembled with rage, but the hand holding her wand was steady.
Like a lioness protecting her cub, she stood firmly in front of Skofot, her wand pointed directly at the intruder.
The Dark Wizard pulled a twisted smile, clearly not taking a housewife seriously.
"Hand over the boy, old woman, and I might consider giving you a quick death."
"Stupefy!" Molly stopped wasting words, and a red beam shot fiercely from her wand tip.
The Dark Wizard reacted swiftly and dodged to the side. The spell struck the wall behind him, leaving behind a charred mark.
"Crucio!"
With a savage