On the Astronomy Tower, because of the distance, even if Hermione's group ran into trouble, they had no way to notify Pansy and the others.
However, after waiting so long without seeing Hermione and the others appear, even the slowest person would have realized that something must have happened on Hermione's side.
At the very least, they had not simply gotten lost.
Looking down at the battlefield below, everyone who had still been able to calmly wait for the right moment now had a trace of impatience on their faces.
It was anxiety over a battle that remained deadlocked, mixed with worry because Hermione and the others had still not arrived.
Among them, Pansy, who was usually completely at odds with Hermione and would always trade a few sharp remarks whenever they were together, was now the one who found it hardest to stay calm.
Her serious expression and tightly furrowed brow made it clear that Pansy was nowhere near as composed as she seemed.
The fingers gripping her wand had even gone slightly pale from the force.
Even though Penelope and the others were not in the same tower, they could hear that heavy breathing through the Draco Constellation Emblem.
Penelope and Luna were both quick-witted girls, so naturally, they could easily judge the current situation and realize that Hermione might have run into trouble.
Once Penelope understood that, she could not help worrying that Pansy might make the wrong call because of it. "Parkinson... are you all right?"
"Don't worry. No matter what, I'm still the commander of this team."
"...I understand."
Penelope opened her mouth, but in the end, she said nothing.
Instead, Luna, who rarely spoke, unexpectedly said something at that moment. "If it's Hermione... she'll definitely be fine."
"Huh?"
"..."
Her voice was airy and carried a hint of innocent daze.
Even though they were about to face a dangerous enemy, there was no tension in her voice at all.
It had to be said that, in a certain sense, Luna speaking up was even more unexpected.
Even Pansy, who had been weighed down with worry, could not help freezing for a moment.
But because of what Luna did, the atmosphere that had been so heavy just a moment ago eased a little.
Perhaps that was Luna's strange kind of magic.
...
As time gradually approached midnight, the situation that had been locked in a stalemate also began to change.
Even Pansy and the others, far away on the Astronomy Tower, could clearly feel that the enemy was making another move.
Not to mention, Pansy and the others were standing on a tower with an excellent view.
After forcing down their worry about Hermione, Pansy and the others seemed to notice something and suddenly looked toward the Death Eaters' camp.
"What's that!?"
"Parkinson!"
"I know. Those bastards... they're making their move!"
What kind of feeling was it?
A sharp drop in temperature.
As if an invisible hand were tightening around everyone's heart.
Cold.
Despair.
Only those things could create such an obvious disturbance the moment they appeared.
At that moment, aside from the Death Eaters, every wizard instinctively looked up at the sky.
A vast shadow blotted out the heavens.
They were the symbol of despair.
Beings that knew nothing of mercy.
You could describe them with every negative word imaginable.
And in the wizarding world, they had a name that struck terror into anyone who heard it.
Dementors!!