The sky darkened in an instant. Rain began to fall, but before it could touch the ground, every drop solidified into jagged spikes of ice, hurtling toward Dumbledore.
The onlookers gasped, a collective sound of fear. Sirius Black stammered, "What... what is this?"
Remus Lupin shook his head, his face pale. He had no answer.
Dumbledore watched the incoming barrage, his expression calm. "I never imagined," he said, his voice carrying over the wind, "that you could master such magic in such a short time. Truly extraordinary."
Erwin's lips curled into a sneer. "There are many things you haven't expected!"
Dumbledore didn't flinch. He swept his wand through the air, and a roaring wall of fire materialized. The ice spikes vanished into steam the moment they touched the flames.
But Dumbledore didn't stop. His wand continued to move, weaving the lingering steam back into water. The liquid surged forward, forming a massive sphere that crashed toward Erwin.
Before Erwin could react, he was completely submerged.
The water sphere tightened, the pressure immense, threatening to crush him.
Erwin's eyes flashed. He knew this spell—the Aqueous Prison. It was one of Dumbledore's signature techniques, famous for its inescapable binding rather than raw destruction.
He wouldn't be trapped that easily.
Erwin's hands moved in a blur of practiced motion. Suddenly, flames erupted from within. The water sizzled and boiled, turning into thick clouds of steam that swirled around Erwin like a cloak.
He hovered there, wreathed in fire and mist, resembling a figure from mythology.
Dumbledore frowned, genuinely impressed by the display. He was intimately familiar with the wizarding world of Britain, having dueled many accomplished wizards over the decades. Yet, he had to admit, Erwin's control over his magical energy was superior to almost anyone he had met.
The wall of fire met the water prison, and the clash generated a massive screen of steam, completely obscuring the duelists from the crowd. Only the thunderous explosions and flashes of light pierced the fog.
After a tense minute, the steam finally cleared.
Erwin and Dumbledore hovered where they had been, separated by distance. On Dumbledore's shoulder sat Fawkes, while Ebony coiled on Erwin's.
A bloody gash ran down Erwin's cheek. Dumbledore's robes were torn in several places.
A heavy silence fell over the platform. Neither side seemed to have secured a decisive victory.
The dark clouds dissipated, and sunlight broke through, illuminating the two. Slowly, Dumbledore descended to the ground. He turned to Harry Potter.
"Come, Harry."
Harry nodded, casting a wary glance at Erwin before following.
Erwin landed beside Snape. The Potions Master looked at him with concern, but Erwin offered a calm smile.
"Dumbledore," Erwin's voice rang out, clear and commanding. "Do not return to Hogwarts before the new term begins. And take this—it is a letter for you."
Erwin tossed the envelope Sunny Finch had given him. Dumbledore paused, catching it deftly.
"I understand," Dumbledore replied quietly. He grasped Harry's wrist, and with a faint pop, they vanished.
Hermione and Draco stood frozen.
Wait—they hadn't even boarded the Hogwarts Express yet!
Erwin turned his gaze to them. "Go back to the castle, Draco. Return to the common room and reflect on your actions today."
Draco lowered his head, intimidated. "Yes, Headmaster."
Hermione and Draco hurried away without a word.
Erwin shifted his focus to the remaining two figures: Sirius Black and Remus Lupin.
"Now then," Erwin said, his voice dropping. "It's your turn."
Sirius and Lupin's hearts hammered in their chests.
Erwin flicked his sleeve. A brutal force slammed into their shoulders, forcing them to their knees. Their faces burned with humiliation, but they couldn't rise.
Erwin looked down at them with cold indifference. Humiliation was meaningless—their lives were entirely in his hands.
He glanced at Snape. "Godfather, you decide their fate. Don't worry about Dumbledore. He cannot protect them anymore."
Snape stepped forward, his eyes filled with disgust and long-suppressed rage. He stared at the two men who had tormented him in their youth.
Sirius and Lupin remained silent. They knew begging would do no good.
Snape's expression was complex—a mix of long-awaited vindication and the weight of the moment.
Erwin didn't rush him. He would support whatever decision Snape made. If Snape wanted them dead, Erwin would shoulder the blame. No one would dare touch the Potions Master.
After all, Dumbledore's withdrawal spoke volumes. He knew he couldn't win—not really. Even if he believed he could eventually overpower Erwin, killing him was another matter entirely. Harry was a piece in the game against Voldemort, but Erwin was essential to the entire wizarding world. Too many powerful forces would intervene.
Besides, Dumbledore sensed Erwin still held cards he hadn't played.
While the tension thickened outside, Harry Potter found himself in the Headmaster's office.
He barely took a seat before blurting out, "Professor Dumbledore! Sirius Black... you're just leaving him? Mr. Erwin wants him dead!"
Dumbledore looked at Harry over his half-moon spectacles. "And you, Harry. Do you believe Sirius deserves to die?"
Harry opened his mouth, but no sound came out. He fell silent.
---
Don't go anywhere! Today's 5 daily chapters are officially live. Another 5 Bonus Chapters are coming SOON!
I'm dropping them shortly, so make sure to Push on Your Notifications so you don't miss the second wave!
Want to keep these double-drops coming? Smash those Power Stones right now and let's show everyone the strength of this community!
— MrGrim