Outside Hogwarts.
"Wham!"
Hagrid, with his towering and burly frame, swung his axe at the dark barrier that enveloped all of Hogwarts like a fragile eggshell.
It felt like chopping into tough rubber.
The sharp blade slid across its surface, leaving not a single mark.
"Blast it!"
Hagrid panted, gripping his axe as he stared anxiously at the barrier before him, sweat drenching his face.
"Can't you see you're wasting your time? Can't you just stay still for one second?"
A drawling voice came from behind him.
Hagrid turned and met Lucius Malfoy's irritating smirk.
Also present were Minister Fudge, a few Aurors, and a reporter from the Daily Prophet named Mike McArthur.
And one of Lucius's house-elves, Dobby.
They had originally come to arrest Hagrid.
Because Hagrid was the "culprit" identified when the Chamber of Secrets had opened fifty years ago.
Although there was no evidence linking Hagrid to the current attacks.
The Ministry of Magic was just that decisive.
But at this moment, Minister Fudge clearly regretted the decision entirely.
They had only seen a massive shadow, like twisting vines, coiling around Hogwarts.
Then, from top to bottom, Hogwarts was completely swallowed by this dark barrier.
—Could it be a Death Eater attack?
Everyone present thought the same thing.
However, no one voiced it aloud.
After all, an era of peace had arrived, hadn't it?
Fudge: "Headmaster Dumbledore is inside... What could possibly happen? Nothing will happen!"
"Yes! Perhaps all of this is within Headmaster Dumbledore's predictions! He's doing this precisely to lure the snake out of its hole and catch them all in one fell swoop!"
"Hmm."
Lucius grunted through his nostrils, noncommittally.
He gazed at the eerie barrier, a name surfacing in his mind—Mr. Lamp.
Or rather, Ethan Vincent.
The one who disguised himself as a new student, but was actually the leader of a certain evil organization, a Khorne-chosen with the dual bloodline of Satan and Merlin!
A dark glint flashed in Lucius's eyes as he tightened his grip on his snake-headed cane.
He was sure.
The one who opened this Chamber of Secrets, the mastermind behind everything happening now, was Ethan Vincent!
"Is he declaring war on Dumbledore? How daring—or rather, a bit reckless..."
Lucius muttered almost inaudibly.
"Although I don't want to admit it, that old geezer does have some strength. Suppressing this attack would be more than enough."
"Right now, he's probably fighting Ethan."
"Hmph, to be caught with a handle so early, it makes one doubt the intention of Ethan's move..."
Also, has the ground been shaking since just now?
Lucius frowned slightly.
He didn't notice the terrified expression on Dobby, the house-elf beside him.
"Look at the barrier!"
The reporter suddenly shouted, snapping photos. From the top, it began.
Like a stage curtain drawing open, the dark barrier slowly started to disappear.
Everyone: !!!
Hagrid, Minister Fudge, Lucius, and the Aurors all held their breath, nervously watching as the school reappeared.
...From the outside, it seemed no different.
Fudge let out a long breath and smiled at the others:
"I told you, how could the great Albus Dumbledore let evil forces succeed!"
Lucius said nothing, only shaking his head inwardly.
"Hooray!"
Hagrid shouted even louder.
He joyfully swung his axe, nearly chopping off Minister Fudge's head.
Only the house-elf Dobby keenly sensed something.
His round eyes widened even further.
It's... it's coming—the next second.
Golden light burst forth!!!
"Whoosh!"
A field of golden, plump sunflowers, like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, sprouted continuously from beneath their feet!
They clustered in front of Hogwarts's main gate, swaying in the wind.
In the dark night, they emitted a dazzling golden light!
"W-what is this?!"
Minister Fudge cried out in terror, unable to move his body, fearing he might trigger some magic.
Even though these sunflowers looked very sunny and righteous.
However, for some reason, in the dead silence of the night wind, they appeared so bizarre.
Each dark flower head was like a demon's eye.
Swaying and staring at them.
Fudge: "Th-this is also part of Dumbledore's plan... right?"
The others had not yet responded.
A voice, rumbling like thunder, echoed from the castle!
"—I am Mr. Lamp."
"Here, I pay my respects to the Savior Harry Potter and the Enlightenment Society to which he belongs."
"You made me change my plan to destroy Hogwarts."
"The Enlightenment Society is truly not to be underestimated."
"Next time we meet, it won't be so gentle."
"Now, I wish you all a good day."
As the words fell, those golden sunflowers began to burn under the dense night sky.
Like some kind of sacrifice, some ancient ritual.
Orange-red flames swept over the petals, charring and curling the blooming flowers.
Yet, no thick smoke emerged.
Nor did it harm anyone.
It merely burned quietly under the starry night.
Everyone was stunned.
They stood rooted to the spot, unable to believe what they had just heard.
It was Mr. Lamp.
And not Headmaster Dumbledore?
Why was it this Mr. Lamp speaking to them?
And what was that Enlightenment Society?
It sounded like it played a big role?
"Impossible, absolutely impossible..."
Minister Fudge began to tremble, a bone-chilling terror appearing on his pale face.
"The greatest white wizard of this century, the dignified Headmaster Dumbledore, actually... How is this possible...?!"
For some reason, a name leaped into Minister Fudge's mind—Ethan Vincent.
That eccentric young painter who frequently appeared in the newspapers.
But he was Mr. Lamp... No, he was only a second-year student!!
Minister Fudge's mind was a mess, and he subconsciously looked at Lucius.
But he saw the latter, already stunned to stone!
As if he had received some violent shock.
Lucius, usually so arrogant and conceited, now had wide eyes, a gaping mouth, and his entire body was rigid.
He looked somewhat comical in this state.
It took a full two or three seconds before he sharply inhaled!
Looking at Hogwarts, a deep sense of awe and apprehension appeared in his eyes.
Hmm?
Awe?
Fudge was startled, and looked closely.
He saw that Lucius's face was expressionless.
However, for some reason, he looked even more conceited.
As if he had just learned he won a hundred million Galleons.
At this moment, Lucius was thinking:
I was too dull.
How dare I question the plan of Mr. Lamp—the omniscient Ethan Vincent!
Perhaps there's a hidden agenda? Did Dumbledore condone it?
Even better!
Even more backing!!
They are righteous companions!
It's just, I wonder why Ethan would make such a big fuss?
All that talk about pursuing art, it's just a facade!
Behind it, there must be a greater plan.
Lucius was certain of this.
He couldn't help but murmur with emotion:
"Indeed, a mortal like me is still too dull, too short-sighted, unable to comprehend Lord Ethan's profound foresight..."
If Minister Fudge hadn't been there, Lucius would have rushed in and knelt to embrace Ethan's thigh.
"I heard Ethan doesn't have a son yet, I wonder if I have the honor of being Ethan's son..."
Dobby: ???
Even more terrified.
Only the reporter Mike McArthur was so excited he almost flew.
Just then, Hagrid suddenly rushed out, storming into Hogwarts like a whirlwind.
Then, he let out a heartbroken roar of rage:
"No—!"
!!!
Everyone was startled.
Minister Fudge and Lucius exchanged glances, gritting their teeth.
Under the protection of the Aurors, they entered the main gate.
First, what greeted their eyes was the cracked floor!
As if the foundation had been bombed.
Cracks the width of fingers ran across the corridor.
Making it impossible to imagine the dreadful state of the underground classrooms.
Then.
There were the students, lying haphazardly.
As if desperately trying to escape through the door.
But at the last moment, they were swallowed by darkness.
The student closest to the door had even stretched out a hand.
This overwhelming despair instantly choked everyone's breath.
It would have been better if it were a Death Eater attack.
Fortunately, upon investigation, it was found that they had only fainted.
And, there seemed to be an invisible force protecting them; they were not injured.
No one died!
Minister Fudge almost wept with joy.
He was only one Killing Curse away from being relieved of his duties!
In the dead silence, only the pattering footsteps of everyone could be heard.
It was as if they had arrived in the underworld.
The "corpses" scattered everywhere were a shocking sight.
They even saw the unconscious famous wizard, Mr. Gilderoy Lockhart.
At this moment, he was sprawled on the ground like a boneless octopus.
On his face, there was a strange smile.
Minister Fudge: "...Did you all see that? He's provoked us to our faces! Why aren't you going to catch him quickly?!"
Aurors:
?
I'm fighting Mr. Lamp, for real?
"...I've never heard of this 'Mr. Lamp' before, where did he come from?"
"This devil must have been in hiding before!"
"He wants to wait until everyone forgets the danger, then suddenly appear to shatter the peace and drag the world into hell with even more suffering!"
"Hiss—so deeply cunning, and knowing how to endure, this Mr. Lamp is terrifying!"
"He has the demeanor of a Dark Lord from a past generation..."
Lucius, hearing this from the side, couldn't help but curl his lips.
Malfoy was stable.
I wonder if ten thousand Galleons could buy a position as Ethan's son?
Just then, a figure flashed out.
It was the panting Savior, Harry Potter!
In mid-air, a fiery phoenix was also flying.
Seeing Hagrid and the others, Harry's eyes lit up, and he said eagerly:
"I saw Mr. Lamp! He blew up the entire Hogwarts underground!!"
Fudge was greatly alarmed: "What?! You saw Mr. Lamp? Quick, quick tell me what kind of person he is!"
Harry pondered for a moment.
All the memories from just now flooded his mind.
Then, he said with certainty:
"He is not human."