"What's going on?"
The acrid smoke stung Harry's nose, forcing him to cover it as he stumbled back a few steps.
By the time he regained his bearings, Christopher—who had been standing right in front of him—was nowhere to be seen.
"Where did Patrick go?!" Harry shouted. "What's happening?!"
The banquet hall had fallen into utter chaos. Screams rang out from every direction as guests fled in panic.
The somewhat prominent witches and wizards—former students of Professor Slughorn—were unable to Apparate and could only rush toward the fireplaces in a desperate attempt to escape.
Meanwhile, Hogwarts students shoved toward the main doors.
"Look over there!" Ron pointed toward the stage.
Professor Sybill Trelawney was huddled in a corner, trembling uncontrollably.
Not far from her, Durmstrang's Headmaster, Winston Vance, was locked in a fierce duel with Horace Slughorn.
At the very moment the explosion had sounded outside, Vance had drawn his wand and cast Avada Kedavra at Professor Slughorn.
Fortunately, Slughorn's reflexes were quick. He twisted aside just in time, the green light barely grazing past him. The two elderly wizards immediately launched into a merciless exchange of spells.
"We have to help Professor Slughorn!" Harry said, already reaching for his wand and preparing to rush forward.
"Wait, Harry!" Hermione grabbed him and lowered her voice. "Remember the explosion… Other parts of Hogwarts might be under attack too."
"And that Patrick guy's… 'terrible prophecy'…" Ron muttered, shivering.
But while they hesitated, Slughorn was already losing ground. In both magical finesse and reflexes, he was clearly outmatched for his opponent.
A sudden flash of red light struck his chest.
Professor Slughorn cried out and collapsed unconscious to the floor.
...
"Horace!"
A sharp voice rang out from the entrance.
Professor Minerva McGonagall strode in, still wearing her nightgown, clearly having rushed straight from bed.
"You despicable coward!" Her face was twisted with fury.
Vance, however, showed no intention of continuing the duel. He bared his teeth in a chilling grin and flicked his wand. Something small shot from his sleeve——
"You dare break into Hogwarts—don't think you'll escape!" McGonagall roared.
"Watch out, Professor McGonagall!" Hermione screamed from behind her.
McGonagall clearly sensed something wrong. Instead of charging forward, she stepped back cautiously.
Almost at the same moment, flames erupted in front of the Durmstrang Headmaster.
"Hahahaha!" Vance laughed wildly. "Enjoy it! A gift prepared for you by Lord Grindelwald!"
With another wave of his wand, he shattered a window and calmly escaped through it.
McGonagall did not pursue him. Her expression grave, she stared at the flames before her and slowly raised her wand.
"What's going on…" Harry asked, bewildered.
"This isn't ordinary fire…" Hermione whispered.
She was right.
The ordinary-looking flames began to twist unnaturally. They twisted and transformed into savage beasts—burning serpents, fire dragons, and Chimaeras. The blazing monsters spread rapidly toward every corner of the hall.
"Everyone back! Get out of here!" Professor McGonagall shouted without hesitation. "Now!"
...
High above, a strange symbol hovered in the sky.
It resembled a triangular eye, with a vertical slit for a pupil.
Before the inferno could fully consume the hall, McGonagall ordered everyone remaining inside to evacuate immediately. Harry and Ron hoisted the unconscious Horace Slughorn onto their shoulders.
McGonagall attempted spell after spell to suppress the raging flames, but her efforts were in vain. The fire spread at terrifying speed. Within minutes, it threatened to consume the entire hall.
"Minerva… what's happening?" Professor Flitwick and Professor Sprout hurried over, breathless, several Aurors close behind. They appeared to have come from the direction of the main doors.
"This cursed fire!" McGonagall's face was already smudged black with soot. She shook her head. "Filius, can you do anything? At least stop it from spreading through the entire castle—otherwise Hogwarts will burn down!"
"This looks like… Fiendfyre… Damn it, I'll try…" Flitwick replied, his expression grim.
Heavy footsteps thundered down the corridor.
Rubeus Hagrid arrived, Fang at his side and a massive stone crossbow in his hands.
"The enemies at the castle gates have been driven off—along with those magical creatures they brought!" Hagrid said loudly. "I even saw a Niffler—can't believe a wizard managed to tame one of those, they're usually—wait, what's going on? Professor McGonagall?"
Before he could finish, a violent wave of flames burst outward from the hall.
Professor Flitwick stumbled out from within the blaze, coughing violently.
"I'm sorry, Minerva… I can't control it," he said, shaking his head.
McGonagall pressed her lips tightly together. Harry had never seen her look so stricken.
"What's happening…" Hagrid asked quietly. Even he could tell something was terribly wrong.
"Hagrid, go to the Slytherin common room. Get them all out of bed and gather them at the Quidditch Pitch. I'll notify Gryffindor. Hufflepuff will be Pomona's responsibility, and Ravenclaw will be handled by Filius." McGonagall's voice was deadly serious. "Every student, every teacher, every ghost must evacuate Hogwarts Castle within fifteen minutes."
"…Otherwise, in fifteen minutes, this cursed fire will spread through the entire castle and burn every living being left inside."
Her voice caught slightly.
"Hogwarts Castle… is going to burn down?" Hagrid's voice sounded strained.
"Yes," Flitwick nodded. "There's nothing more we can do."
"Then hurry and notify Professor Dumbledore!" Hagrid stamped his foot anxiously.
"Professor Dumbledore rushed to London—there was an incident there as well. We've already informed him… but we don't know whether he can—" Professor Sprout began softly.
"Indeed, I have returned, Pomona."
A steady, reassuring voice came from behind them.
At the end of the corridor stood the familiar figure of Albus Dumbledore.
In his hand, he held the distinctive Elder Wand.
"Stand back, Minerva, Filius… Leave this to me."