One figure after another fell. Blood stained the freshly repaired walls red, stained the newly leveled ground red, stained the newly carved runes red. Screams, incantations, and the low laughter of Death Eaters echoed through the ruins of Azkaban.
The stitched monster walked at the front, all of its eyes turning at once to watch every corner. It did not need to act—the Death Eaters were enough.
"The left flank is clear." A Death Eater ran over to report, blood splattered across his silver mask.
"There's still resistance on the right flank," another Death Eater said. "A few Aurors are hiding in the tower."
The stitched monster stopped. Bellatrix's voice emerged from one half of its fused face. "Deal with them."
The Death Eaters charged toward the tower. Spell-light flickered through the ruins—red Blasting Curses, green Killing Curses, purple binding spells. Walls exploded apart, rubble flew, and smoke filled the air. Several Aurors poked their heads out from behind cover and returned fire, but they were hopelessly outnumbered and were quickly suppressed. "Petrificus Totalus!" an Auror shouted. A gray beam struck a Death Eater, instantly freezing him rigid before he toppled straight to the ground. "Cruciatus Curse!" another Death Eater countered. Blue arcs of electricity struck the Auror, who screamed and collapsed, his body convulsing violently. The battle grew more intense. The Death Eaters held the numerical advantage, but the Aurors were better trained; each was a battle wizard who had undergone rigorous training. They formed groups of three, stood back to back, covered one another, and fired precise, lethal spells. One Death Eater was blasted away, another disarmed, and a third bound—but more Death Eaters poured out of the black smoke to fill the gaps.
"There are too many of them!" an Auror shouted, panic in his voice.
"Hold