Launch

Hastings, Holiday Park.

Kingsley hid behind the bushes and took a deep breath, the damp, rotten stench lingering at the tip of his nose and growing stronger by the moment. The temperature nearby was dropping rapidly. All the signs pointed to one thing—the Dementors were approaching.

He held his wand upright before him. As he recited the incantations in a steady voice, invisible barriers gradually spread outward:

"Safe Haven"

"Muggle Shield"

"Muggle Repelling"

"Muffliato"

"..."

In the park's open ground, some Muggles suddenly snapped out of the frenzied holiday atmosphere. They rubbed their arms to ease the goosebumps brought on by the cold. Some looked up at the heavy black clouds overhead and were abruptly overcome by a feeling of listlessness. Muttering a few complaints, they began leaving in groups.

In just a few minutes, the once lively and crowded event grounds had become empty.

The cloaked, hooded figures also sensed that something was wrong. Someone threw back his hood and let out a savage laugh. "Why's the party ending already!? The real party is only just beginning!"

"Bone-Growth Charm"

With a shrill cry, an unregistered wand pointed toward the thick black clouds. Brilliant light erupted, green radiance gathering into a giant serpent that slithered through the eye sockets and gaping mouth of a horrifying colossal skull. In an instant, the Dark Mark blanketed the sky.

Some of the Muggles who had yet to leave cried out in alarm, staring dumbfoundedly up at the sky. Some even stood frozen in place.

The Dark Mark was like a publicly issued invitation. Hidden Black wizards and Werewolves saw the signal and came one after another to attend the feast. Amid the continuous cracking sounds of Apparition, more and more hooded figures appeared throughout the park.

Some quick-witted young people sensed that something