The train's rumbling gradually subsided as it approached the valley. Among the shadowy trees, bloodsucking insects with empty bellies clung to the wizard's exposed skin, indulging in one final feast while his blood still held some warmth and had yet to congeal-apart from the wounds scratched by branches, there was not a single mark from a sharp weapon on his body.
Beside the wizard, a witch leaning against a tree spat at his corpse. She glanced at the restless Dementors hovering not far in front of her, then turned back and said mockingly:
"What a coward. I thought you were a madman willing to trade your daughter for money, someone utterly heartless-you've really disappointed me. I simply can't understand how that cunning woman Umbridge ended up with an idiot like you working for her.
"If Umbridge can strike a deal with the Dementors, why can't I? Did you really think Dementors were nice gentlemen who followed rules and respected who came first? Umbridge did offer them the terms, 'Don't kill anyone; everything else is up to you.' Naturally, I could offer them 'Do whatever you please.' Guess which they would choose?
"And to think, for a moment, I actually thought you were a half-blood worth recruiting, whose brain wasn't beyond saving-but of course, a half-blood is a half-blood. So quick to trust others, endlessly saying, 'Thank you, thank you!'-begging me? How stupid! Oh dear, now that you're like this, you certainly won't have a chance to serve the great Dark Lord. Oh, and naturally, you won't get to see your daughter again, either. Should I feel sorry for you?
"Hmm-not necessarily. If the road of death really is long enough and wide enough, perhaps you and your daughter will meet again along the way-ha, hahahaha!"
At this, the witch covered