Chapter 15: The Malevolent Dragon, Hydrus
Hydrus Lestrange had originally come to Diagon Alley for one purpose: to secure her own vault.
But now, a new mission had presented itself.
She would get her hands on the money the Gray family had withdrawn—and have a little fun at their expense while she was at it.
Silently, she tailed Selene Gray, the Gray family's finance director. Unsurprisingly, Selene entered Gringotts.
The process of paperwork, entering the underground vault, and withdrawing galleons would take around forty minutes to an hour. Plenty of time for Hydrus to prepare.
The entrance to Knockturn Alley was directly across from Gringotts. Clearly, the shady denizens there had their own financial needs.
Hydrus didn't hesitate. She stepped into the narrow, shadowed alley.
Immediately, several figures in black cloaks surrounded her.
"Well, a little wizard," one sneered.
"She's wearing Muggle clothes!"
"A Mudblood? Doesn't matter. The old perverts here aren't picky."
Hydrus sighed. This was the wizarding underworld in its purest form: barefaced survival of the fittest. If you were weaker than them, you were meant to be robbed, assaulted, or worse.
"Child, are you lost?"
An old woman with a hooked nose, pockmarked skin, and a mouth full of rotting yellow teeth approached. Her gnarled hand grabbed Hydrus's wrist, tugging forcefully. "Come with me, child! I have many fascinating things at home!"
Unknowingly, the old woman had triggered the hidden capsule in Hydrus's necklace. A mist of confusion potion wafted toward her face.
"Come along, come along!" the witch cackled.
The black-cloaked wizards muttered in frustration, having been outpaced by the old hag.
"Damn it, Ames got her first!"
"That old crone's always fast!"
"Next time, we won't hesitate. We'll strike immediately!"
Hydrus lowered her head, pretending to be affected by the potion. Ames was elated, thinking this young girl's life essence could extend her own life by months.
But when she tried to drag Hydrus along, the girl didn't budge an inch—like wrestling a giant dragon.
Hydrus raised her head, her golden vertical pupils gleaming mischievously at Ames.
The scales that now adorned her body confirmed one thing: Ames had bitten off more than she could chew.
Most importantly, Hydrus had swapped the disguised essence of Magnus for her own, restoring her true appearance. Though her body was partially dragonic, her features were unmistakable.
"Miss Lestrange!" Ames cried in horror, bowing hastily. "I didn't know… I didn't know it was you!"
The black-cloaked onlookers scattered into the shadows.
"That's Hydrus Lestrange, wanted by the Ministry!"
"She's killed two adult wizards and evaded Auror capture multiple times!"
Most of Knockturn Alley's dark wizards were low-level, unable to pose any real threat. To them, a young girl capable of killing two adult wizards was a formidable force—not to be trifled with.
Ames didn't dare move, still bowing low. "Forgive me, miss, please spare me!"
"I never said I'd hurt you," Hydrus tilted her head. "You only wanted to show me your 'fascinating things,' didn't you?"
"Yes, yes! I just wanted to please you!" Ames scrambled, eager to comply.
Hydrus nodded, a playful glint in her eyes. "I have an idea for some fun. Since you want to please me, I'm sure you'll cooperate, right?"
Ames's stomach sank. "What… what do you mean?"
"Have you ever played 'Fly High'?"
Before Ames could react, Hydrus grabbed her arm and flung her skyward like a rocket.
"Fun, isn't it, elder?" Hydrus called, looking gleeful.
Ames screamed in terror, flailing midair. She plummeted, nearly losing half the little life she had left. Using all her skill, she cast a Hover Charm at the last second, slowing her fall. She hit the ground hard but survived.
"Fun, isn't it, elder?" Hydrus asked again, walking over. Ames could only see her white shoes, knowing one wrong answer would invite a second, harsher lesson from the notorious killer in front of her.
"I—I dare not! Miss Lestrange, I won't ever dare again!" Ames knelt, utterly humiliated. "It's all my fault!"
Hydrus gave her a light kick and asked calmly, "Do you have any Galleons? Consider it compensation for your troubles."
Ames scrambled, producing thirty-two Sickles and twelve Knuts.
"Pathetic," Hydrus muttered, though she took the coins without hesitation. She turned and walked away, leaving Ames cowering on the ground.
But the old witch's malice did not end there. Her eyes burned with hatred as she watched Hydrus's retreating figure, vowing revenge: she would extract every drop of life essence, skin her for boots and bags, and bathe in her blood.
"Obliviate!"
A red curse shot straight at Hydrus's back.
It hit—but Hydrus didn't flinch. She spun, her dragonic eyes glowing gold. "These are the only two sets of Muggle clothes I own!"
Dragon scales offered magical resistance far beyond Ames's abilities. Her wand could not pierce them; it only damaged the Muggle clothes.
The thought of losing yet another outfit—and thus more money—triggered a violent reaction.
Hydrus exhaled a precise, controlled gout of dragonfire. The flames enveloped Ames without touching the wooden sign beside her, reducing the witch to a pile of smoldering ash.
The onlookers, peeking from the shadows, trembled. This was a humanoid dragon—a force not to be trifled with. From that day on, Hydrus became the untouchable taboo of Knockturn Alley.
A few minutes later, still fuming, Hydrus entered Borgin & Burkes.
"Welcome, Miss Lestrange," greeted Borgin, his oily hair glinting under the dim lights. Hydrus's dragonic form immediately revealed her identity—an impressive recognition.
"No need for surprise," he said smoothly. "I have many eyes in Knockturn Alley. News of you travels faster than your own footsteps."
Hydrus stepped into the light, like an ancient predator emerging from shadows, her golden dragon eyes gleaming and green scales shimmering.
Borgin, gazing at her, felt a strange déjà vu, recalling the young Tom Riddle he once knew decades ago.
"What would you like, Miss Lestrange?" he asked.
Hydrus pulled an empty box from her pouch. "Fill this with lead ingots. If you can rig a few minor curses inside, even better.
I also need an enchanted item with a Confusion Charm—so anyone opening this box thinks it's filled with Galleons."
"Ah, a prank, I see?" Borgin rubbed his hands. "Lead isn't required. Confusion charms alone are expensive, though. I suggest a simple, permanent Confusion Charm; everyone will think it's full of gold."
Hydrus nodded, trusting his expertise.
"Then for fun… how about everyone who opens it sprouts pimples all over?" Borgin suggested.
Hydrus approved. "Fine. Do it quickly. Also, find me a fitted wizard robe while you're at it."
"Consider it done, esteemed lady," Borgin bowed and accepted the empty box. "Seven Galleons in total."
Hydrus counted out the coins, wincing at the expenditure—but the thought of later picking the Gray family clean made the cost negligible.