The Phoenix Appeared

"Wingardium Leviosa."

Luo Bin cast another Levitation Charm. Once Ager had climbed onto the roof, he shouted, "Robin Sear, how are you getting up here?"

Was he supposed to cast a Levitation Charm on himself?

"Don't worry. I have a way!"

Luo Bin pulled a black umbrella from the Blue Cloth Pouch, but before he could open it, a vast shadow blocked the sun.

The vampires, already desperate to attack, shoved and jostled one another. Then... the black-haired, dark-eyed boy vanished beneath a sea of corpses.

"Hagrid, what have you done?"

Tears filled Ager's eyes as he demanded an answer.

"Er, I saw the Experimental Base shaking and heard gunpowder exploding. I got worried, so I brought Norbert to help. Where's Luo Bin? Why can't I see him?" Hagrid craned his neck, looking confused.

Dragged down by hundreds of vampires, the best anyone could hope for was... to recover a few bones.

Edward wiped his eyes and choked out, "I'm sorry. It's all my fault. If I hadn't touched that mechanism, it wouldn't have gone off, and Luo Bin... wouldn't have died!"

At the word "died," Hagrid froze. He clambered awkwardly off Norbert's back and gripped Edward's shoulders with both hands.

"Edward, that isn't funny!"

"I'm not joking. Robin Sear... he really is dead!"

"You're lying! Luo Bin is clever and brave, and he's got guts. He's the finest Slytherin student of his year. He was fine just a moment ago. How could he be dead?"

"Hagrid, let go! You're about to crush Edward! Look down there. The corridor's full of vampires. Luo Bin... there's no way he could have survived!"

Edward wasn't the only one blaming himself. Ager felt wretched too. If he hadn't been so curious, if he hadn't picked the best room as their temporary Dormitory, a