The Black Lake at night was dark and profound.
Looking out from the dormitory window, there was nothing but endless darkness as far as the eye could see, just like Rita Skeeter's heart at that moment.
An unfamiliar magic was invading her body, preventing her from returning to human form. She could only watch helplessly as a fair, slender hand picked up the glass jar containing her and placed it on the table.
Where did he learn my secret? He was deliberately vague—he wanted me to come to him after transforming into an Animagus so he could capture me. Damn it, damn it! Why was I so careless, why did I cling to such foolish hope? What was I thinking?
Beetle Rita frantically and helplessly paddled her forelegs, but the smooth glass made every struggle futile.
Then, a pair of eyes drew close before her.
"Ms. Skeeter, please look into my eyes."
Rita instinctively looked over, staring at them through the glass. From a beetle's perspective, those enormous eyeballs held a faint blooming light.
A sudden wave of dizziness hit her. When Rita regained consciousness, she discovered in delight...
She had actually returned to human form!
Get out of here!
I need to find my wand and cast a Memory Charm on him!
The secret absolutely cannot be exposed!
Roaring inwardly, Rita lunged toward the door.
It was only two or three steps away, but she was destined never to reach it. A voice softly asked behind her, "Madam, would you like me to open the door for you?"
"Of course—"
Rita abruptly froze, both because of the voice behind her and the sight before her—
Starting from the door engraved with a serpent-and-shield crest, the world suddenly began to collapse, like rotten wood weathered and eroded for a thousand