Even among the Order of the Phoenix, most had never personally seen Voldemort transform into an enormous basilisk. That was even more true of the people from the Ministry of Magic.
Hearing someone describe it and seeing it firsthand delivered impacts on entirely different levels.
Thus, when the vast majority of those present saw Voldemort transform into an enormous basilisk, they instinctively froze, somewhat at a loss.
And that was undoubtedly fatal.
Eight bolts of lightning slammed into Voldemort's giant basilisk form. Despite the basilisk's formidable magic resistance and the protection of the purple-red flames around his body, the lightning still tore his flesh open.
Yet before anyone could look pleased, a whole swath of wizards suddenly dropped from the sky like dumplings tipped into a pot, then lay silent.
"Instant Death Solidification! Everyone, watch out! Voldemort's eye power reaches farther after he transforms!" Scrimgeour's voice rang out, though his tone sounded somewhat strange.
At that moment, the current Minister for Magic's heart was practically bleeding.
Of the dozen or so wizards who had fallen in that instant, the vast majority were members of the United Kingdom's Ministry of Magic. Only a few were reinforcements from Greece and the French Ministry of Magic.
They had initially used Holy Spirit Barrier too-those who could not cast it themselves had received help from others-but after the purple flames forced them back, they had remained rather far away.
Once Harry swallowed the purple-red flames, they attacked again. However, wary of the terrifying magical power Voldemort had displayed earlier, and with so many people around that crowding closer would be inconvenient, they kept a certain distance.
At that distance, they believed Voldemort's Instant Death Solidification could not hurt them.
And things were indeed as they had expected: the Serpent King's Instant Death Solidification differed