"Enough!"
Seeing Dumbledore looking somewhat dazed, Professor McGonagall was the first to attack.
Her wand traced a sharp arc, sending a red spell straight at Beamon Rosier as she approached Cedric.
The light from her wand tip illuminated her tense face. Rare fury burned in the eyes of the Head of Gryffindor, who was usually known for her stern composure.
Cedric might not have belonged to her house, but having any Hogwarts student abducted right under her nose was an insult she could not tolerate.
"Hahaha, did you think we'd just sit here and wait to die?" Beamon Rosier reached for Cedric, who lay on the floor.
Her fingers were only inches from Cedric's collar, a crazed smile on her face.
No matter what, I have to complete the mission.
Before her fingertips could touch Cedric's school robes, another, faster spell shot from the doorway.
"Stop right there!"
Dumbledore waved his wand, and Beamon Rosier's body froze abruptly, as though an enormous invisible hand had seized her. She remained poised to grab Cedric, even the crazed smile on her face frozen in that instant.
Beamon lost all control of her body. She could not even move her eyes; only the rise and fall of her chest proved she was still alive.
Professor Sprout seized this rare opportunity to rush forward, scoop up Cedric, and retreat to a safe distance.
Her rough hands, accustomed to years of working with soil, gently patted Cedric's cheeks. Her voice trembled with tears. "Child, wake up. Please, wake up."
"Stop calling him. He's been given the Draught of Living Death. I'll deal with it when we get back. You could shout yourself hoarse now and still not wake him."
Snape bent down and lifted Cedric's eyelid with his slender fingers to examine his pupil. His