"Would you care to join me for afternoon tea?"
"My apologies, beautiful lady. Thank you for the invitation, and while I am tempted, I already have other commitments."
"Oh ho ho ho... You're a smooth talker, aren't you? Be sure to keep in touch."
Another middle-aged lady was successfully charmed and sent on her way.
Grindelwald glanced at the small piece of paper thrust into his hand, a string of numbers utterly meaningless to him.
Sigh, being too handsome is sometimes a curse.
Even an aging Ferrari, it would seem, was still a Ferrari.
Despite his age, Grindelwald's charisma still drew the attention of many "mature women," many of whom wouldn't think twice about trading partners again.
"Is Tom Riddle over there?"
A blue flame consumed the slip of paper, reducing it to ashes.
Grindelwald stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the somber sky in the distance.
Muggles might not notice, but to him, the atmosphere was anything but ordinary.
"No, just those pesky children."
Grindelwald shook his head. The surrounding Muggles gave him a wide berth, their faces blank, seemingly oblivious.
With a crackle, Grindelwald's figure twisted into nothingness, and he vanished.
...
Within the confines of the hemispherical golden chain net, desolation reigned. Ruined houses, shattered walls, scorched earth, and unnerving traces of ice marked the landscape.
"I am at a loss for words! Would you please stop running away?!"
Malfoy and Harry pursued Voldemort's remnant soul relentlessly, brandishing their weapons and unleashing a furious assault.
Unfortunately, the Flight Charm proved too advantageous; Voldemort's remnant soul effortlessly evaded their attacks.
Harry and Malfoy could perform the Flight Charm—they had recently learned it from Tom—but they were far from proficient.
Alas, one cannot have their cake and eat it too.
In their transformed state, their magic was consumed as stats, precluding their use of the Flight Charm.
They would have to deactivate their transformation to use it.
But even then, their magical reserves were too limited to sustain the Flight Charm for very long.
It was far better to remain transformed to last longer and be more effective.
"I wouldn't run if you didn't attack me."
Voldemort's remnant soul's eyes flashed menacingly. "I remember you. You're Lucius' son, aren't you? What do you think he'll do when he finds out you attacked me?"
"He'll be proud of me!"
Malfoy retorted loudly without hesitation. This was a task assigned to him by his master. His father would be nothing but proud.
Lucius would proclaim, "See, that is my son! He has inherited the Malfoy family's loyalty and courage!"
Malfoy was absolutely certain of it!
"Damn it!"
Voldemort's remnant soul cursed under his breath. Once I become second-in-command, I'll make Lucius pay! And Draco too!
Most importantly, Harry Potter! Death is too good for him! He needs to be shrunk into a baby!
"Achoo!"
Harry, in the middle of swinging his sword, was interrupted by a sneeze.
"You idiot, Scarhead! How many times have I told you not to kick off the blanket at night!"
"Such a terrible sleeping posture! What would you do without your master to tuck you in?"
Harry and Malfoy were roommates, but they had slept in separate rooms last night.
"..."
Voldemort's remnant soul stared speechlessly at the two imbeciles, still bantering in the middle of a battle.
He transformed once more into black mist, dodging an incoming Freezing Spell.
As he solidified back into a recognizable form.
"Shatter to Pieces!"
Facing the incoming spell, Voldemort's remnant soul swung his wand, casting Protego (Shield Charm).
He didn't put much effort into it; after all, it was Hermione whose magic was only mediocre who had fired the spell.
But Hermione knew full well that her magical power was about the same as Harry, and she had never use unorthodox methods like Harry. She also wasn't as strong as Cassandra.
Therefore, she was clear about her role in this battle:
Interference and support!
Boom—!
A violent bolt of lightning struck from behind.
Voldemort's remnant soul's eyes widened. Hermione's attack had been a feint, intended only to force him to defend, immobilizing him for a fraction of a moment.
It all happened in a split second!
Voldemort's remnant soul didn't even have time to react!
His hastily erected defense shattered instantly beneath Cassandra's powerful, charged lightning.
Boom!
Scorching lightning exploded behind him!
His crimson eyes widened. Voldemort's remnant soul had been injured again!
Enraged, he was driven into a frenzy!
But all he could do was get serious. He had to unleash his full power. Injuring these brats wasn't the priority; if things escalated, he would face a far greater problem.
"Ha—hiss—"
Voldemort's remnant soul swung his wand forcefully, sending Harry and his companion, along with the surrounding debris, flying!
"Heh, a bit too..."
"Sandstorm!"
"Enough!"
"Thunderous explosion!"
"..."
Voldemort's remnant soul was enraged, but he refused to lose his composure.
He understood Hermione's strategy: control and force movement, followed by rapid-fire attacks. He was unsure who she was attacking, him or her fellow comrades.
But it no longer mattered.
He would never give them the chance to hurt him again.
"I was careless. I failed to dodge."
Voldemort's remnant soul cracked his neck, producing a sharp snapping sound. "But no longer."
"I'm going to get serious!"
"Don't blame me if you get hurt!"
"It's not too late to run, kids! I advise you to be careful!"
Voldemort's remnant soul shouted, his confidence unwavering.
All subsequent attacks were effortlessly blocked by his shields.
Haven't you seen those two cross-dressing Harry Potter wannabes hammering on the door for ages without getting anywhere?
"Harry Potter, I hate you. I've hated you since before you were even born."
Staring at Harry, so close yet held at bay by the shield, Voldemort's remnant soul's eyes glinted with malice. "So, I'll start with you... Expelliarmus!"
Though he shouted fiercely, he couldn't afford to kill Harry.
Considering the formidable Gryffindor Sword clutched in Harry's hand, Voldemort's remnant soul decided to disarm him first.
The distance was too short, and with the spell being cast by Voldemort's remnant soul, Harry had no time to react.
The Gryffindor Sword trembled slightly in his right hand, but thankfully stilled after a brief struggle.
On the other hand, the pink longsword in his left hand was instantly wrenched from his grasp.
Harry was thrown back several meters.
---