While the students evacuated, Voldemort had not idled in the sky striking poses. He had launched a ferocious attack the instant Dumbledore appeared.
Perhaps he still remembered how Dumbledore had shown him up with the Reversing Charm during their previous battle at the Ministry of Magic, or perhaps he simply wanted to demonstrate his formidable magic power and mastery of unorthodox magic.
Almost none of the spells Voldemort used at that moment were conventional magic.
All manner of bizarre black smoke, lightning, flames of various colors, and magic in other assorted forms poured forth without end.
Even Harry, who had already acquired a wealth of ancient magic and ancient sorcery from the legacies of two Founders, felt a headache coming on as he watched Voldemort fling magic wildly across the sky.
Dumbledore, however, remained composed. No matter how strange the magic, he countered each spell in turn, allowing none of it to reach the Castle below.
Dumbledore's performance was spectacular, but Harry frowned slightly as he watched from below.
"Doesn't Voldemort seem... stronger?" Ron's voice came from beside him.
Well, he was not an obedient one either.
After his two older brothers, Fred and George, left school, Ron had become a leading figure among the students who broke the school rules, second only to Harry in his disregard for them.
Besides, his abilities really were among the very best of the students. When he chose to stay, the professors gathering the students to leave had tacitly allowed it.
"Not really, but he does seem more... unrestrained?" Hermione said with a frown.
Her words startled Harry and the others before understanding dawned on them.
Yes, that was exactly it.
Previously, Voldemort had always seemed to have reservations. Although his magical attacks against Dumbledore had been fierce, he had always held something