Erwin was both impressed and slightly amused by what he observed.
Studying, he realized, truly required the right atmosphere. Hogwarts now felt like it had transformed into exam season. During breaks, no one was strolling the corridors. Students were either in classrooms preparing for upcoming lessons or buried in the library. Even meals were quiet affairs, punctuated only by the rustle of pages and the clink of cutlery.
The professors were pleased with this shift. Erwin was too—this competitive environment would undoubtedly sharpen the students' skills. But the silence in the Great Hall was eerie compared to the usual chatter.
Of course, the intensity had its casualties. The Weasley twins were practically climbing the walls. No one was talking to them, and their frustration was palpable. It didn't help that Professor McGonagall had cornered them with a stern warning: cause trouble during this period, and they would learn the true meaning of consequences. The twins had wisely backed down, but their prank business had taken a nosedive.
The next morning, Saturday, Erwin left Hogwarts with Charlotte. They headed straight for Germany, arriving in Berlin and going directly to Vinda's residence.
Vinda opened the door, looking surprised to see them. "Why are you here?"
Erwin's gaze swept over her. Her face was pale, and a faint, metallic scent of blood clung to her. "Aunt Vinda," he said, his tone sharp, "your injury sounds far more serious than you let on."
"It's nothing, just a scratch from that dragon. Magic can't heal it, so I'm receiving treatment at a Muggle hospital. I'll recover quickly."
Erwin nodded, though his eyes remained wary. "As long as you're certain. Don't push yourself."
"I know how to take care of myself, Erwin."
Charlotte moved to Vinda's side, wordlessly offering her support. Vinda didn't shrug her off.
"Come inside," Vinda said. "You must be hungry."
"We're fine," Erwin replied, stepping into the living room.
A house-elf materialized with two cups of tea, placing them on the table before retreating to stand silently by the wall.
"Thanks to you for dealing with those goblins," Vinda said. "When Charlotte raided their camp last time, I managed to secure one. It wants to live, so it's… cooperative."
"Useful," Erwin replied, shifting gears. "Let's get to business. What did you find?"
"The opposition is cautious," Vinda said. "After the attack, I sent people to track them. We confirmed they headed south, but the trail went cold in Württemberg."
"Württemberg?" Erwin frowned. "The Black Forest?"
This Black Forest wasn't the one in Albania where dark creatures congregated. This was a vast, mountainous woodland in southern Germany—a popular destination for hikers and tourists.
"I've been thinking," Vinda continued, leaning forward. "We've searched everywhere in Germany for the Solent family, but found nothing. When you went to America, Erwin, I even thought they'd migrated overseas. But this attack changes things. The forces they deployed—including a dragon—would be nearly impossible to move across the ocean without detection. Not even the Cavendish family could manage that silently."
She paused, letting the implication sink in.
"They've been here all along," she concluded. "Hiding right under our noses. The Black Forest is massive, and with Muggle-repelling charms and concealment wards, they could easily hide their base."
Erwin leaned back against the sofa, processing her analysis. It was logical. But a problem nagged at him: Alan Solent. This wasn't Erwin's first encounter with the man. Alan was sharp—making it unlikely he'd leave such an obvious trail.
Was this a trap? Erwin's mind raced. Or is he baiting me into the Black Forest?
Vinda and Charlotte watched him, silent. They knew Erwin bore the weight of everyone's safety. The final decision was his, and he had to weigh every angle.
The right decision had to be the right decision for everyone.