"Captain Mary, the Grand Canyon is just ahead." Outside the Grand Canyon, six or seven American Aurors dressed as Muggles sped along on broomsticks.
"Stay alert! We're facing an internationally wanted criminal. Proceed with caution!"
"Yes, Captain!"
Several team members answered.
Suddenly, someone pointed ahead. "Didn't the Muggle weather forecast say there wouldn't be a cloud in the sky today? What's that?"
In the distance, black clouds gathered, spiraling through the air like a funnel to form a pillar of cloud that stretched from heaven to earth.
"I've never seen clouds like that!"
Something was wrong. Mary frowned. "Come on! Let's take a look!"
Pain.
Rage.
Death.
No, I won't die!
Suddenly, a sliver of clarity emerged from the chaos.
Countless images, pieces of information, facts, words, emotions, and concepts flashed through his mind like raging flames, destroying every network of logic.
Thunderbird.
Crow.
Dittany promoter.
Petrification potion.
Mandrake juice...
So that's it. Mandrake juice...
Saliva, lightning, mutation...
Animagus!
Mandrake juice is an ingredient in the Animagus Potion, but it should only have reversed the petrification...
But the dittany promoter activated the cells and stimulated their magic, putting them into a state of extreme activity...
Lightning is the drumbeat of transformation...
A half-finished potion...
The most terrifying mutation...
The dittany promoter had accelerated the mutation, turning him into a grotesque monster whose tissues proliferated wildly...
All his magic would be drained, leaving him a lump of flesh and bone...
I'll die...
No!
Live!
Don't die!
Live, live, live, live!
Whatever it takes...
I want to live!
Around the enormous black-winged monster, the crows cawed wildly.
"Caw! He killed the divine bird..."
"Gah! We should make him our king."
"Goo! But he looks dead..."
"Gah, gah! He's already dead!" Gugaji sounded rather pleased with himself. "Moga's dead! Bugs Are