Ebony let out a sharp cry.
It shot into the sky, wings beating furiously.
Erwin felt the surge of residual magic rising from below, crashing toward him like an unrelenting tide. His brow furrowed—he'd underestimated the lingering power of that ancient ward. After all these years, it still packed such a punch.
The blue energy closed in, relentless.
Ebony was fast, but not fast enough.
Erwin glanced up at his familiar. "Ebony, stop!"
The creature braked sharply mid-air. Erwin released his grip, hovering as he stowed his wand in his enchanted ring. He extended his hands, forming an intricate gesture that hummed with power.
Bursts of purple light erupted from his body. His face paled instantly, sweat beading on his forehead. He channeled more, weaving streams of violet magic that coalesced before him.
When it reached critical mass, Erwin thrust forward. "Go!"
The purple shockwave slammed into the blue energy below. For a heartbeat, the world went silent.
Then, chaos. Ripples of raw power exploded outward from the clash. The sea roiled, waves crashing like thunder.
Fear flickered in Ebony's eyes, but it dutifully scooped up the now-unconscious Erwin and fled skyward.
The ocean rebelled. Waterspouts spiraled up from the depths, twisting between sea and sky, blocking every path.
Ebony hovered anxiously, scanning for a gap. With a determined flap, it dove toward a thinner cluster of the churning pillars, pushing to its limits. Its feathers darkened from crimson to jet black, tail igniting with ethereal black flames.
A final cry echoed as it accelerated, bursting free just before the spouts could trap them. Disoriented, with the storm raging behind, Ebony pressed on blindly.
Hours blurred into exhaustion. Ebony's magic reserves dwindled; its black plumage faded back to red, wings slowing to labored beats.
At last, a jagged coastline emerged. With a final surge, Ebony glided down, gently depositing Erwin on the pebbled shore before collapsing beside him. It shifted to its black cat form, curling against Erwin's chest and slipping into deep slumber.
Man and cat lay still, the rhythmic crash of waves their only companion.
Sometime later, two weathered fishermen trudged back from their boat, nets slung over their shoulders. In the fading light, they spotted the figures on the beach.
"Bert, look there—two souls washed up!"
"Aye, white hair on that one. Foreigner, maybe? Or some fool city lad. Let's have a dekko."
They jogged closer. "Blimey, definitely a foreigner. Looks half-drowned. We should help the poor sod."
The other nodded, and they approached cautiously.
Ebony's eyes snapped open. A low hiss escaped, fur bristling like a storm cloud.
The men jumped back. "Whoa, that's one feisty tomcat! Guarding its master, eh? Don't fancy a scratch—best give it space."
Ebony's gaze sharpened, confusion flickering. But recognition dawned; these were just locals, their intent harmless. As a highly attuned magical creature, it could read expressions and auras, piecing together their simple English despite the thick coastal burr.
The older fisherman—Old Bert—squinted. "Smart beast, that. Reckon it's safe now?"
"Aye. Cats know their own. Come on, let's get him up."
Ebony considered, then leaped aside.
The men exchanged awed glances. "Did it just... understand us? Wonders never cease. Remember that lad Jimmy who twisted his ankle up the cliffs? A stag carried him home once. World's full of oddities. Right, let's move him."
Old Bert hoisted Erwin onto his back, the other steadying. Ebony padded after them, its magic stirring faintly—enough to sense no immediate threat.
They vanished into the nearby village, a cluster of stone cottages hugging the rugged shore.
Minutes later, high above, two robed wizards materialized on Nimbus 2001 broomsticks, scanning the turbulent sea.
One drew a detection compass from his robes. "Apparition ward's lit up here—unregistered magical surge. But no sign of the source. Where'd it go?"
The other swept his eyes over the shore. "Footprints in the sand. Looks like locals found them. Muggles, probably carted off whoever triggered it."
The first pocketed the compass. "Doesn't matter. If it's an unregistered wizard from abroad, we bring 'em in for questioning. Dark wizard or rogue creature? Neutralize on sight, per the Ministry directive. No papers, no entry—can't risk exposing the Statute. Protect the Muggles at all costs."
"Agreed. I'll check the village; you comb the coast. Keep it subtle—no wands flashing about."
They nodded, veering off in opposite directions, broomsticks humming as they hunted for the mysterious intruder.
Meanwhile, in the village, Old Bert had laid Erwin on a simple bed in his cramped cottage. Word spread like wildfire through the tight-knit community: the old salt had fished out a pale stranger with a cat as black as midnight from the waves.
...
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