Chapter 31: The Fourth Spell I Learned Was Avada
"Fire Shield!"
A ring of blue flames erupted around Audrey.
The fire was vivid and burning intensely, yet not a single speck of the living room carpet was harmed.
Seeing this spectacle, Rick waved his arms excitedly, and even Golden Tiger's eyes showed surprise.
"Impressive," Grindelwald nodded. For such an advanced spell, Audrey had succeeded on her first attempt—her talent was something he had rarely seen in his life.
"This flame has limitless applications," he continued. "You can fuse your emotions, willpower, and even other spells with it to create a variety of effects."
Audrey had read Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them—she knew just how powerful the Fire Shield was.
Yet the thought that Grindelwald had taught her this as his second spell stirred a small sense of gratitude.
Has this old man really gone all out for me?
Would his third spell be… Avada Kedavra?
Hmm… probably just her imagination. Dumbledore wouldn't allow him to act recklessly.
"Audrey, your magical aptitude is exceptional. Next, I will teach you a very common spell—one with strong destructive power," Grindelwald said.
"Avada Kedavra."
Whoa! There it was! The classic first-year joke—learning Avada Kedavra!
She absolutely could not learn this. If she did, Dumbledore would never forgive her! Clearing her name and lifting her wanted status relied on that white-bearded old man!
Audrey quickly said, "Professor Daep, I'm a little tired. How about we take a walk outside before learning any new spells?"
Grindelwald tilted his head slightly in confusion, but Audrey called upstairs to Rick, "Brother, you've got nothing to do? I'm going to study for years, and you'll be the one earning for the family! How dare you waste time like this? Even the donkeys in the production team wouldn't rest like this!"
Rick laughed foolishly and returned to his room.
My sister is an incredible magician! Even now, he felt dizzy with awe. Next time he went to a wizard gathering, he'd bring Audrey along—imagine the prestige!
Stepping out of the villa with Grindelwald, Audrey went straight to the point:
"Professor, I really want to know—how did you escape Nurmengard? Are you teaching me the Killing Curse because you want me to become your prison buddy?"
Grindelwald paused for a moment, then understood.
He knew this girl had sharp insight—but how did she learn of these secrets?
The Lestrange family?
Ah, that made sense. Hydrus Lestrange's nominal great-grandfather was Grindelwald's cousin. Born into the Lestrange family, knowing her own affairs wasn't surprising.
Grindelwald smiled slightly. Without ambition weighing him down, he seemed free of pressure. During his time in Nurmengard, he often recalled his youth—summer of 1899, the laughing boy he once was.
He felt no awkwardness at being recognized, and his attitude toward Audrey remained unchanged. His voice was even gentler:
"Nurmengard? I imprisoned myself there," Grindelwald said proudly. "If I didn't want to be confined, even Azkaban wouldn't matter. Leaving would be as easy as flicking a finger."
"And what's wrong with learning the Killing Curse?"
"Learning it doesn't mean using it. There's a difference between having a knife and using it."
Whoosh!
A white-bearded old man in purple robes appeared before them, interrupting Grindelwald's lesson.
"I didn't expect you to reveal yourself so quickly, Gael."
Audrey rolled her eyes. Reveal? This notorious dark wizard hadn't been hiding his identity at all!
"I also didn't expect this child to be so clever," Grindelwald laughed. "Being her teacher is truly a pleasure."
Dumbledore sighed. "But you cannot teach her Avada Kedavra!"
Audrey froze. Before Grindelwald could answer, she asked, "Headmaster Dumbledore, how did you know he planned to teach me the Killing Curse?"
This was crucial—it concerned her privacy. If Dumbledore could monitor her every move, that would be bad news!
Grindelwald seemed to understand. He pulled a small two-way mirror from his pocket. "This allows two-way communication," he said. "I agreed with Al to keep it active while teaching."
Dumbledore sighed again. "I just fear you'll teach Audrey reckless spells. It seems my worry is justified."
"No," Grindelwald countered, "you only know part of it. I saw a scene months into the future—this child would be in danger."
He frowned, clearly concerned about the future. "If I don't teach her combat skills, she will face real danger—life-threatening danger."
Audrey and Dumbledore's expressions immediately grew serious.
Grindelwald was a seer; he could foresee the future. Compared to Audrey's ability to glimpse only a minute ahead, his foresight was immensely stronger.
When he was certain something would happen, it truly would.
"Even so, you shouldn't teach her the Killing Curse," Dumbledore insisted. "There are many ways to subdue an enemy; Avada Kedavra is not necessary!"
"But it's the most effective!"
"But also the most dangerous, with the heaviest consequences!"
"No, if her will is strong enough, the negative effects are trivial!"
"But Audrey is only sixteen!"
Watching them argue, Audrey had a strange feeling. This was like parents fighting over their child's education.
"Fine, enough," Grindelwald finally conceded. "If you won't allow me to teach the curse, I won't. But I must teach her combat skills—no negotiation."
"Agreed, for her safety," Dumbledore said.
Grindelwald smiled brightly. If this were a youth, we'd call him a sunny boy. But now… a radiant senior? A blazing sunset?
"I just got a bottle of fine wine! Let's have a bit first."
"All right, just a little," Dumbledore said, holding out his right hand. A stack of books appeared, which he handed to Audrey.
"Autonomous study time, Audrey. Professor Daep and I will rest first."
Audrey: …
Rest, my foot! You go enjoy yourselves while I study!
The books were first- through fifth-year spell textbooks. She saved money on buying books, but the weight of this knowledge nearly crushed her spirit.
…
Dumbledore drew a practice area on the Astley lawn, casting Confundus and Muggle-Repelling charms, even creating two targets with Transfiguration, letting Audrey practice spells by herself.
He and Grindelwald went into the villa to drink. The most infuriating part? The wine snacks were rare Xuanwei ham she had specially imported from China!
"Wingardium Leviosa!" [Levitation Spell]
"Old man, you evil old man!"
"Flipendo!" [Knockback Spell]
"Always bullying me, a little girl!"
"Incendio!" [Fire Spell]
"Burn! Burn you all! May hemorrhoids rot your…!"
As Audrey Lestrange learned spells and cursed simultaneously, she noticed someone walking straight toward her.
The person was unaffected by the Muggle-Repelling charm—a wizard.
Fifty meters from the villa, the figure stopped, took out a wand, and gestured.
Within a minute, he had dispelled Dumbledore's Confundus charm and walked over.
His attire and bearing were flawless.
When Audrey recognized him, she laughed.
Oh, an old acquaintance!
Former Head of the Magical Law Enforcement Department, Bartemius Crouch.
Two years ago, after his son's Death Eater affiliation was exposed, he was transferred to the International Magical Cooperation Office—a demotion.
He had lost his chance at becoming Minister of Magic, giving Fudge an unexpected advantage.
Audrey had laughed at this for days.
"Audrey Astley," Bartemius Crouch said, standing firmly before her. "I am Bartemius Crouch of the Ministry of Magic."
He stared intensely at her eyes, as if trying to discern something from her pupils.
"Uh… hello, Mr. Crouch. How may I assist you?"
Crouch stared for a moment before saying, "I strongly suspect you are Hydrus Lestrange, the fugitive from five years ago. You are to come with me to the Ministry for investigation."