Magical Pets of the Nirvana Research Center (1)

Madara's gaze passed through the walls, through Hogwarts' magical barriers, through the white walls and windows of the Hospital Wing, and fell upon the rows of beds. Colin Creevey. Justin Finch-Fletchley. Mrs Norris. And Nearly Headless Nick, suspended in midair like a horrifying cursed statue caught between life and death.

They lay there with rigid bodies, ashen skin, and wide-open eyes, like marble statues abandoned in a corner and covered in dust.

He looked at them, the curve of his lips unchanged.

Then he looked away. He no longer looked at those petrified bodies, at those frozen, wide-open eyes that would never close again. He looked farther afield—at those still walking through the corridors, still attending lessons in classrooms, still huddled together in their common rooms, still alive. Those students wearing glasses, carrying protective charms, clutching potions, and leading pets. Those wavering between fear and hope. Those who did not know they were being watched by a pair of scarlet eyes.

He watched for a while, then closed his eyes.

"Begin." His voice was soft, so soft it was like he was sharing a secret only he could hear.

The flames in the fireplace flickered, letting out a faint crackle.

Lucius had knelt on the floor for a long time before he slowly rose, inch by inch. His knees trembled. His fingers trembled. His entire body trembled. But he stood up. He adjusted his robe collar, smoothed his hair, then turned and walked toward the door one step at a time.

His steps were slow and steady, every footfall firm, like a child who had just learned to walk and was desperately trying to prove he would not fall again.

The door closed soundlessly behind him.

Madara was left alone in the room. Outside the window, dawn was approaching. A