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Among all forms of magic, only one could truly be called inextinguishable magical fire: Fiendfyre.
It was the most powerful magical flame in the wizarding world. It could burn almost anything, even things normally used to defeat fire, such as water.
Fiendfyre also grew stronger as it burned.
It was an extremely typical form of Dark Magic.
In Ministry records, it was even listed as Dark Magic second only to the three Unforgivable Curses.
That was not because Fiendfyre was weaker than the Imperius Curse, the Cruciatus Curse, or the Killing Curse. Rather, Fiendfyre's destructive power was direct and forceful. It was not as subtle and unpredictable as the Imperius Curse, not as torturous as the Cruciatus Curse, and it did not have the instant-death nature of the Killing Curse.
In terms of learning complexity alone, Fiendfyre was, strictly speaking, not as difficult as Occlumency or the Patronus Charm. Simply summoning Fiendfyre was not that hard. Dudley himself could already summon it.
The two old wizards at the castle also knew Fiendfyre, but they were not good at controlling it.
The hardest part of Fiendfyre was control.
Controlling Fiendfyre's path was a mark of a powerful Dark wizard.
If one merely summoned Fiendfyre, the most likely result was being harmed by one's own spell.
This magic did not distinguish between friend and foe. It would not show mercy simply because someone was the caster.
With the slightest carelessness, the first person burned to death would be the wizard who summoned it.
Examples like that were common in the wizarding world.
Professional matters required professional people. Who understood Dark Magic better than a Death Eater?
Of course, that was not entirely accurate.
In Dudley's memory, there was one living master who could truly make Fiendfyre perform miracles.
Unfortunately, Dudley could not guarantee that person would be willing to teach him.
The next best option was the "Professor Moody" standing in front of him.
"Inextinguishable magical fire? Good, boy. You asked the right person."
Just as Dudley expected, Moody agreed very easily.
"I have fought Dark wizards who used Fiendfyre many times. I have some experience with the spell."
"Normally, I should not teach you magic this dangerous. But since you have become a Hogwarts champion, you may face it in the near future."
"So prepare yourself for brutal training. I can teach you on the first evening of every weekend."
Moody took a drink from the flask at his waist, which held a muddy liquid. A distinctive potion scent entered Dudley's nose.
Dudley recognized the scent at once: Polyjuice Potion.
Moody had not gone far on his staff before he suddenly turned back. "And bring Harry when you come. As another Hogwarts champion, I think he should learn some techniques for dealing with Dark wizards too."
That final sentence was the real point.
On Saturday, after Dudley and Harry finished their required morning training, they arrived early at Moody's professor quarters.
Compared with Dumbledore's Headmaster's office, Moody's room was much smaller. The room was simple. Unlike Lockhart, he had not filled every wall with portraits of himself. Unlike Quirrell, he did not grow piles of garlic in his quarters. Unlike Lupin, he did not keep dangerous Dark creatures in his room.
Aside from a few hanging clothes, there were only a cauldron, a teapot, several cups, and a few other items.
The most eye-catching object was a huge iron trunk beside the bed.
It was locked with a large padlock and looked mysterious. No one knew what was inside.
"Good. It seems you two are taking this lesson seriously."
When Dudley entered the room, his gaze deliberately or not paused on the large trunk. Moody shouted to draw his attention, took another drink from the flask he carried, then beckoned the two of them forward. "What are you waiting for? Come here."
Looking at the two students, both a head taller than him, Moody silently stepped back a few paces so he would not have to tilt his head up to speak to them. Only then did he continue.
"I assume both of you have heard the incantation for Fiendfyre before coming here. Still, I will repeat it."
"Fiendfyre. That is the incantation."
"Remember it. Now cast it in front of me."
Moody took another drink of "water." "One at a time. First, Harry, you begin."
"Cast it? Here?"
Harry was visibly stunned after hearing Moody's words.
This was Fiendfyre, not Aguamenti. Was he not afraid of setting the castle on fire?
Sensing Harry's doubt, Moody spoke with faint disdain. "Do not worry. With your ability, you will at most summon a tiny flicker."
He held out his little finger and pinched the nail with his thumb.
Although Fiendfyre was said to burn anything, air could not fuel it. In other words, it could not burn its way through empty air.
"I would not even need a wand. One breath and I could put it out."
You may study hard, progress quickly, and have strong talent, but you are still beginners in Dark Magic. How much trouble could you possibly cause?
Moody was completely unconcerned. Dark Magic was what he was best at.
Just as he had said in his first Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson, even if the young wizards in class cast the Killing Curse at him, he would at most get a nosebleed.
He was very confident in himself, and also very confident in Dudley and Harry.
Could students be stronger than the professor?
"But..."
Dudley remained silent, but Harry tried to explain. Unfortunately, the moment he opened his mouth, Moody interrupted him.
"No buts. I said cast it here."
Seeing Moody's firm attitude, Harry could only say helplessly, "All right."
He drew his wand and pointed the tip at the ceiling, where there were the fewest objects.
"Fiendfyre!"
Harry spoke the incantation. The instant he finished speaking, a fist-sized dark crimson flame surged from the tip of his wand. The flame leapt three feet high and slammed into the ceiling, igniting it at once.
Fiendfyre could burn almost anything. Even materials that should have resisted fire became fuel. The moment it touched the ceiling, it spread at terrifying speed. Before long, it was already crawling along the ceiling toward the nearby desk, as if it intended to consume the entire room at once.
The fire spread too quickly.
Moody, who had originally planned to instruct Harry properly, froze for a moment. Then he hurriedly drew his wand and pointed it at the spreading Fiendfyre.
"Finite Incantatem!"
Unfortunately, that spell could only slow the spread of Fiendfyre. It could not remove the threat.
But slowing it was enough.
Moody cast another spell.
"Fire's Quietus!"
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