Fighting (Part Two)

"Watch out!"

Just as they were about to leave, Neville cried out in terror. He was staring at the Death Eater whose head was inside the bell jar.

The three of them raised their wands again, but none of them attacked. They stood there with their mouths open, staring in horror at the changes taking place in his head.

It was shrinking rapidly, becoming increasingly bald. His black hair and beard stubble withdrew into his skull, his cheeks grew smooth, and his head became round, covered in a layer of fuzz.

As the Death Eater struggled to get back to his feet, a baby's head had bizarrely grown atop his thick, muscular neck.

Yet just as they watched in stunned disbelief, the head began swelling back to its former size, thick black hair sprouting again from his scalp and chin.

"It's time," Hermione said fearfully. "Time."

The Death Eater shook his ugly head again, trying to clear it, but before he could recover, his head began shrinking back into infancy once more. A shout came from a nearby room, followed by a crash and a scream.

"Ron?"

Harry shouted, immediately turning away from the bizarre scene before him. "Ginny? Luna?"

"Harry!" Hermione screamed.

The Death Eater had pulled his head out of the bell jar. He looked grotesque, his tiny baby head shrieking while his powerful arms flailed wildly about. It was dangerous—one of his blows nearly hit Harry, who ducked.

Harry raised his wand, but to his surprise, Hermione grabbed his arm.

"You can't hurt a baby!"

There was no time to argue about it!

Harry heard more footsteps coming from the Hall of Prophecy, growing louder and louder. He realized he should not have shouted so loudly and exposed their position, but it was too late.

"Come on!"