He couldn't use the Summoning Charm, couldn't use Impedimenta, couldn't use—
But there was still warmth in the fingertips of his right hand.
He slowly lowered his hand, his lips pressing into a thin line.
"Looks like the research center's information isn't accurate all the time," he said softly, only loud enough for the two behind him to hear. "This place has more than just Ground Dragons."
Deep within the canopy, a pair of golden eyes lit up.
Then came a second pair, then a third.
Dense golden points of light emerged from the darkness, forming a semicircle as they slowly and steadily closed in. The aura of those creatures was utterly unlike that of Ground Dragons—colder, quieter, more orderly.
Dartel gripped his short blade tighter, Daphne's breathing quickened slightly, and Montague stood at the very front, staring at the approaching golden lights. Suddenly, he smiled. It was such a small movement that neither of the two behind him noticed.
"Without my Dragon Transformation, my output isn't quite enough," he said, though it was unclear who he was speaking to. "Then I'll do it again."
He took a step forward.
The golden lights deep in the canopy paused for an instant.
Meanwhile, in the Forbidden Forest, at Draco's command, everyone began cleaning up. The Troll's corpse was cut apart and sorted into useful magical materials, which were bottled and taken away. The useless remains were buried on the spot. The ever-present Acromantulas would clean those up soon enough.
Nott closed his notebook and capped his pen.
"Caw, caw..." A low, rasping cry came from afar. He raised his head and watched a black speck fly in from the direction of Hogwarts Castle—a massive Raven. Its wingbeats were steady. Rather than circling at the edge of the Forbidden Forest like an