Erwin suddenly halted, a faint smile touching his lips. "It seems we've returned just in time for some entertainment." He glanced down at Ebony, who promptly landed on his arm. The next instant, they vanished, reappearing within the grounds of Hogwarts.
He materialized directly before the Whomping Willow. Sensing his arrival, the tree extended a branch, gently nudging him like an affectionate pet.
Erwin chuckled softly. "Not now, my dear. I have urgent business to attend to. We'll play later."
The Willow seemed to understand, retracting its limb and falling still.
From the shadows, Charlotte approached and bowed low. "My Lord, it has been some time."
"Indeed," Erwin replied, his gaze sweeping the area. "Is everyone in position?"
"Harry Potter, Mr. Malfoy, and Miss Granger have already entered," Charlotte reported. "I witnessed Professor Snape follow them inside."
"And Dumbledore?"
Charlotte shook her head. "Unknown. However, I suspect if you intervene, the Headmaster will undoubtedly appear. Few events at Hogwarts escape his notice."
Erwin nodded, his expression unreadable. "My Lord," Charlotte ventured hesitantly, "are you truly prepared to sever ties with Dumbledore? It seems..."
"It is not a matter of severing ties," Erwin cut her off, his voice cool. "It is a matter of time running out. I need to confirm something. Do not worry—Dumbledore will not easily discard me. Regardless of what transpires tonight, remain unseen. Ask no questions, intervene in nothing. And ensure no one knows of my return."
"Understood, My Lord."
Erwin straightened his robes. "Let us proceed."
Inside the chamber beneath the Whomping Willow, a vicious duel was raging. Spells flashed between Professor Snape and two figures—Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. Harry, Ron, and Hermione watched, paralyzed by the chaos.
"Remus, no mercy!" Sirius roared, dodging a stunner. "We end this now! If we fail, we've lost everything!"
"Have you gone mad?" Lupin shouted back, deflecting a curse. "Did Azkaban break your mind?"
"He is a Death Eater!" Sirius spat. "A snake at heart! We're avenging James!"
Lupin faltered, hesitation flickering across his face.
Snape, however, was relentless. His wand moved with lethal precision, yet he held back his most powerful curses. He despised these men, but murder in front of witnesses was a line he wouldn't cross. The result was a tense stalemate.
Hearing his father's name, Harry's panic spiked. His mind raced back to the Marauder's Map, to Peter Pettigrew, and to Sirius's desperate pleas. The scales tipped. Gripping his wand tight, Harry made his choice.
Hermione saw the shift instantly. "Harry, no! That's Professor Snape! Erwin's godfather! If you intervene, Erwin will never forgive you!"
"I have to stop them!" Harry insisted. "My mother trusted Snape, but the Map showed us the truth about Peter! I have to make them listen!"
While they argued, the duel reached its climax. Despite their efforts, neither Sirius nor Lupin could overpower Snape. He was simply superior—a master duelist against a fugitive and a weary teacher.
Before Hermione could stop him, Harry shouted, "Expelliarmus!"
A jet of red light slammed into Snape's wrist. Caught completely off guard, Snape's wand flew from his grasp.
Silence fell.
Snape froze, looking from his empty hand to Harry. Confusion warred with a sharp, hidden sting of betrayal. Hermione stared, horrified. Draco looked like he might faint.
"Harry, you madman!" Draco cried. "You attacked a professor! Dumbledore will expel you!"
"I had no choice!" Harry yelled, desperate. "I'll explain to Mr. Erwin!"
"Kill him, Harry!" Sirius screamed, scrambling for his own wand. "Remus, finish it!"
Suddenly, a beam of purple light shot from the doorway, striking Sirius square in the chest. He was lifted off his feet and slammed into the stone wall, crumpling with a groan. Lupin spun around, stunned.
A figure stepped out of the shadows, stopping beside Snape.
"Harry Potter," Erwin's voice cut through the air like ice. "I am dying to hear how you plan to explain assaulting your professor—and my godfather."
Hermione gasped, rushing forward. "Erwin! You're back!"
Draco stiffened. The air in the room grew heavy, suffocating. Erwin stood calmly, but a cold, lethal intent radiated from him, pressing down on them all.
Harry choked out, "Mr. Erwin, I..."
He never finished.
Erwin moved with blurring speed, appearing directly before Harry. His hand shot out, gripping the boy by the throat and lifting him slightly off the ground.
"Tell me," Erwin whispered, his eyes devoid of warmth. "How do you wish to die?"