Demonic Obsession

Eli saw them clearly: Dementors hurtling through the air. He had not counted them, but there had to be around a hundred.

The instant Eli looked up, the two elite Aurors seized on the opening and launched a fierce assault.

Caught off guard, Eli staggered several times under their attacks. He was in grave danger.

Around them, the Hogwarts students gasped in waves, covering their mouths as they stared.

Fudge saw the Dementors pursuing Black, and his face lit up. Excited, he gave his hat a jaunty twist.

If that many Dementors caught up with them, Harry and the others...

Eli was frantic, but he could not break away. He had meant to hold the Aurors off to buy time; now they had him pinned down.

His panic shook his focus. Dawlish closed in, pressing him at every step.

Danger came from every direction.

"Seamus, Seamus! Go get Professor Dumbledore!" Ernie grabbed for Seamus beside him, ready to send him for help.

They hurried toward the castle, only to run into an equally frantic Cedric on the stairs.

"Out of the way!" Ernie shoved past Cedric and tried to run upstairs, but Cedric caught his arm.

"What are you doing?" Seamus slapped Cedric's hand away and demanded an answer.

Cedric did not lose his temper despite their frantic expressions. "Are you going to find Professor Dumbledore?"

"Of course! If Dumbledore doesn't get here soon, Eli's in danger!"

Cedric held them back. "Don't bother. Professor Dumbledore isn't here. Let's find the Heads of House!"

Seamus and Ernie exchanged a glance, then Cedric dragged them toward Professor McGonagall's office.

Outside the castle, Eli's emotions had unsettled his magic. Kingsley and Dawlish pressed him so hard that all he could do was keep his Shield Charm up.

In a one-on-one fight under normal