Dumbledore's figure vanished behind the door, but the atmosphere in the hall did not relax. Instead, the unknown beyond the doors made it even more solemn.
Vincent chose the most inconspicuous black door.
"Need a hand?" Moody hobbled over on his cane, his magical eye fixed tightly on the closed door before Vincent.
"Thank you, Mr. Moody." Vincent gently pushed the door open. "But I'm only catching a rat. I can handle it alone; there's no need to make such a fuss."
Moody's magical eye turned toward him and looked him up and down. His normal eye held a hint of appreciation. "Good lad! Remember, when dealing with rats, be ruthless. Never give them a chance to catch their breath."
"I'll remember that." Vincent stepped through the door, and the icy aura vanished completely as it closed behind him.
The light inside was exceptionally dim. He could only vaguely make out a vast, sunken circular structure, like an ancient altar or tomb.
Vincent walked toward the bottom of the central stone pit, his gaze fixed on a rough stone archway.
There was no wind here, yet the tattered black veil hanging from the archway stirred slightly, as though it were breathing.
Walden Macnair cowered in the shadows beneath the stone arch's base like a frightened rat. His wand was aimed at the entrance, and his whole body trembled.
When he saw that Vincent had entered, the fear in Macnair's eyes deepened, but desperation also brought out his ferocity.
"You filthy little Mudblood! You came alone?"
His shriek echoed through the chamber. "Dumbledore abandoned you? He actually sent you here to die!"
Vincent did not answer. He did not even look at him, instead pacing to the edge of the stone pit and studying the veil thoughtfully.
His mana tried to