The strategy Glenn proposed during his duel with the young Slytherin wizards indeed added some pressure on him, extending the duration of the duel to more than double its usual time.
However, that was the extent of it. Initially, when three young wizards attacked him uncoordinatedly, luck was on their side with their positions scattered. Glenn didn't need to use large-scale spells to deal with them individually—they could only hold out for two or three seconds. Still, this was already a significant improvement.
The Slytherin serpents dispersed in an orderly manner and entered a serious stance. Wizards from other houses exchanged glances, noticing how the Slytherins remained calm amidst the impending crisis. In contrast, their own actions appeared utterly disgraceful...
This realization embarrassed them, and shame overtook their fear. Gradually, the chaotic hearts of the young wizards settled into quietness.
Neville said nothing but silently walked to a position near the Great Hall's entrance. His friends, Harry, Ron, and others, exchanged determined looks and resolutely followed him, standing at what was likely the most dangerous spot.
Inspired by these brave individuals, more young wizards found their inner courage, dispelling much of the fear within. The prefects of each house seized the opportunity to organize and mobilize the young wizards to establish a defensive line.
There was no time left for them to consider house divisions. Under the prefects' arrangements, wizards from all four houses mixed together. After consulting the Slytherin students about the meaning of their special formation, the prefects quickly assigned each wizard their respective positions.
Though the scene was still somewhat chaotic, it was much improved compared to the initial panic.
Most of the young wizards present had little to no combat experience. Even though they appeared calm on the surface, their pale faces and trembling bodies betrayed their lingering unease.
It wasn't just the younger students who felt this way; even the older students shared the same anxiety. Yet, the upper-year students resolutely stood in front of their juniors, shielding them.
The ground trembled more and more violently. Wizards stood back-to-back, forming circles at the entrances of the Great Hall, nervously awaiting the unknown fatal crisis that could strike at any moment...
...
"Huff… huff…"
Hermione panted rhythmically, like a gust of wind as she swiftly ascended the stairs to the second floor. The ever-changing magical staircases of Hogwarts became the biggest obstacle to her ascent.
"Tsk… Ugh!"
She was late again. The staircase leading to the fourth floor had already shifted away, but the urgent situation left no room for her to stand idly and wait for the stairs to turn back.
"Diffindo!"
Hermione dashed toward the gap in the staircase railing, her wand swinging to unleash white streaks of cutting spells.
Several slicing spells shot toward the wall, precisely avoiding the terrified portraits that screamed at the potential danger.
Hermione's pace did not slow even as she approached the high-altitude gap where the staircase once stood. She leaped toward the empty space.
"Sorry—Transfiguration: Stone Steps!"
In mid-air, Hermione whispered an apology to the frightened portraits as her wand emitted white light, transforming the wall's cut-out fragments into stepping stones.
The fragments expanded upon contact with the white light, morphing into footholds wedged tightly into the wall cracks. Hermione landed lightly on them, just as she had calculated.
With a slight crouch to absorb the impact, her movements remained fluid. Hermione leapt again, heading toward the third floor.
Around her body, faint red light swirled.
Enhancement Spell: Strength Amplification.
Though Hermione's enhancement spell wasn't as effective as Glenn's, under the spell's effect and the wand's white aura improving her physical attributes, she could leap two or three meters high.
Her brown figure darted through the stairwell like a nimble cat, rapidly making her way to the eighth floor.
Truth be told, Hermione was anxious. The sudden danger and the thoughts swirling in her mind left her heart racing.
Not only did she need to inform Glenn, but she also had to find Crookshanks!
Poor Crookshanks had been confined to the dormitory for months due to the basilisk incident. Recently, with the matter resolved, she was finally allowed to roam freely, disappearing from sight daily until Hermione saw her during morning feeding time, when her furry little paw woke her up.
At this hour, the little creature was likely wandering somewhere in the Hogwarts castle, right?
But it's said that animals have keener senses than humans. Crookshanks should have already sensed something amiss. Based on Hermione's understanding, she would probably head toward the dormitory.
As Hermione pondered Crookshanks' possible whereabouts, she simultaneously considered several other matters.
The safety of the young wizards in the Great Hall, the professors' combat strategies, potential hidden dangers within Hogwarts…
Even with Hermione's sharp mind, her mental "CPU" was on the verge of overheating due to the sudden eruption of numerous issues.
"Hermione."
A voice so familiar it couldn't be mistaken came from above her, instantly clearing her mind of all other thoughts.
It was Glenn. Judging by the situation, he must have sensed the strange occurrences inside and outside Hogwarts, so…
…Wait?
Distracted by the sudden shift in focus, Hermione misjudged her leap, overshooting the stone steps she had transfigured. Her foot slipped, and she began to fall into the void of the stairwell leading straight to the first floor.
A dark shadow swiftly crossed her vision, and Hermione felt her body sink as she landed in a warm embrace.
In an instant, Glenn displayed astonishing explosive power, rushing toward Hermione's falling direction and catching her soft form with one arm.
The combined weight of the two, along with Glenn's downward momentum, accelerated their fall.
Hermione was momentarily dazed, making it impossible to cast a slowing charm in time.
Glenn's dagger appeared in his hand, its blade piercing the stone wall without resistance.
"Scrreee—"
The duo's rapid descent was forcibly slowed by Glenn's sheer strength. Held securely in his arms, Hermione quickly regained her senses and cast a slowing charm, followed by a cutting spell and a transfiguration spell, creating a stepping stone at Glenn's landing point.
The falling speed diminished. Glenn lightly pushed off the newly formed step, altering their trajectory significantly. Retrieving the dagger into his black ring, he protected Hermione with both arms, rolling to absorb the impact as they landed safely on the fourth-floor platform.
The story isn't over...
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