Voldemort swooped down. The other wizards raised their wands and launched attacks at the oncoming Voldemort.
Before several streams of magical light could strike Voldemort, they were crushed by the surging black mist, dissolving into specks of starlight in the air.
Minerva McGonagall transfigured a sharp blade, which advanced alongside Professor Flitwick's spell and reached Voldemort at the same moment.
The black mist surrounding Voldemort had barely swept aside the other spells before it surged again, forming a barrier that blocked the incoming blade and spell.
With a muffled bang, the blade and spell were swiftly shattered nonetheless.
Neither professor was surprised. They waved their wands in unison.
The scattered fragments of the blade transfigured again, becoming a dense swarm of daggers.
The daggers gleamed coldly, moving even faster than before. Clearly, Professor Flitwick was enhancing them.
The swarm of daggers clashed with the black mist barrier again. This time, they tore open a gap in it, and a flicker of astonishment crossed Voldemort's eyes.
Blue flames appeared once more and slipped through the torn opening.
As though it possessed a will of its own, the black mist discovered the invading blue flames and boiled up, tangling with them in battle.
By then, Voldemort had reached Dumbledore. He suddenly raised his wand. "Avada Kedavra!"
As though Dumbledore had anticipated Voldemort's move, his wand traced a silver arc. The shattered dagger fragments flew toward him, gathering into several shields that spun rapidly around him.
The sickly green light of the Killing Curse followed close behind and struck one of the shields, dimming in the collision.
Voldemort's new wand in his left hand had already swung out. A chilling violet beam burst from its tip, aimed directly at Dumbledore's throat.
The shields around Dumbledore stacked together, merging into one as they blocked