Having done all this, Moody paused in midair, as though letting out a sigh of relief.
"We have to get where we're going. The Portkey has a time limit," he said. "You don't have to be so tense. I checked-only four Death Eaters caught up during that time, which means we're safe for now."
Su Er nodded lightly, lowering his wand, but his hand still gripped it tightly.
Strangely, however, nothing happened even as they passed through a thin membrane and landed in a courtyard.
"You're finally here." An unpleasant, ducklike voice rang out.
Seeing the man with the ducklike voice, Su Er suddenly remembered exactly how Moody had died.
Mundungus Fletcher!
Yes, it wasn't that the original story hadn't described Moody's death. In the original, Moody had been killed by Voldemort, at the very instant they passed through the protective boundary.
But where was Voldemort?
There had been no sign of Voldemort among those dozens of Death Eaters.
Where had he gone?!
As Su Er pondered this, his gaze kept sweeping over Mundungus Fletcher and the area behind him. Letting his guard down before they were truly safe was no different from offering up his own head.
Moody swiftly drew his wand and pointed it at Mundungus Fletcher.
"When did I catch you? I mean the first time!"
Mundungus Fletcher immediately raised both hands. "Oh, easy there. What happened?"
"Last chance. Give me your answer," Moody said coldly, a spell already poised at his wand tip.
"You've caught me far too many times," Mundungus Fletcher muttered. "Let me think, let me think. Yes, I remember. Glag's Curiosity Shop, a box of glittering gems..."
"Enough. Where's the Portkey?" Moody lowered his wand before Mundungus Fletcher could finish.
"Here." Mundungus Fletcher lowered his head and nudged the battered boot beside his