Golden Tiger crouched atop the bed canopy, observing the duel between the two.
Bode Gray's attacks were heavy and forceful, while Audrey relied on agility and finesse.
Although Audrey's magical power was slightly weaker than Bode Gray's, he dared not rely on brute strength alone.
Golden Tiger could see clearly: if Audrey switched to her Fire Dragon form, Bode Gray would definitely lose.
Audrey was no longer the helpless Hydra from five years ago, despite having formally studied magic for only four months!
The ancient spells she now wielded were so advanced that Golden Tiger couldn't even comprehend them.
He sighed. His "protection" of the girl had amounted to little more than a single roar. But now… Audrey no longer needed his protection.
With today's experience, she would likely be far more cautious when sleeping. Anyone attempting the same trick again would be in for a rude awakening.
And as for now… he had already alerted her great-uncle before the intruders arrived. By now, the older wizard was probably outside Hogwarts.
Elsewhere, Ethellyn's sleep was light. She faintly heard footsteps in the hallway and sat up.
At this hour… who could it be?
Quietly approaching her door, she cracked it open and saw shadows rushing toward the common room.
"This Astley girl is a real troublemaker!"
"I hear she's a new fifth-year!"
"When did new students get this strong?"
"Heh, only three like her in history," someone said.
"It's ridiculous—we can't even counter a single move!"
"Stop chatting. Guard the door! The master is invincible; that brat is ours!"
Ethellyn quickly retreated. Someone was after Audrey!
She grabbed her school uniform and a small communication disc from her pocket, pressing the button hard. A voice responded:
"Miss Windsor, it's late… I hope you have a valid reason to disturb your professor."
"Professor Snape! Intruders have broken into our dorm! They're targeting Audrey!"
There was a brief pause, then Snape said, "Lock your door. Do not leave. I'll handle it."
Ethellyn sat on the edge of her bed, heart racing. Reason told her to obey Snape, but her worry for Audrey was overwhelming. She fidgeted nervously with her nightgown, staring at the darkened doorway as if a monster lurked behind it.
Her best friend was in danger!
Ethellyn stood, marching to a corner of her room to rummage through a trunk. As a royal, she had the privilege of a single room at Hogwarts, free to search as she pleased without disturbing others.
After a clatter of metal, she emerged wearing gleaming silver armor trimmed with ruby lines. Clearly, this was no ordinary suit—it was fairy-forged wizard armor.
Cautiously, she made her way toward Audrey's room, her heartbeat almost in her throat.
Audrey's ancient magic was not yet perfected, but it was enough to handle Bode. After all, he only knew two ancient spells.
Whoosh! Sizzle!
Lightning, fire, ice, and fierce wind—Audrey moved like a flash of light, weaving through the attacks. Her magically enhanced reflexes proved invaluable.
Bode Gray could no longer land a hit. All his focus went into defending against her attacks from all directions. He cursed internally—he had expected to easily overpower her, but in just a few days, she had grown so much!
Audrey was struggling too. Though her lightning-speed movement gave her incredible mobility, it consumed massive amounts of magic. Using it repeatedly was taxing.
She silently switched from her Unicorn form to a Domestic Sprite form. While the spell's power decreased, it allowed her to draw upon ambient magic, letting her two heavily strained magical circuits rest.
Bode Gray, ever cunning, noticed her attacks losing strength and realized her reserves were running low.
He fired two consecutive thunderbolts. As Audrey dodged, Bode attempted to flee.
But just as he rushed out, he collided with a small armored figure.
Only about 1.6 meters tall, yet the armor was deceptively heavy. While it allowed a wizard to move freely, it retained its true weight of over a hundred kilograms—a magical property of the suit.
Normally, Bode could adjust his balance if he ran into someone, but with only one leg, he was helpless.
Crash!
Ethellyn staggered but remained upright. Bode Gray was far worse—he tumbled to the ground, his body aching as if it were about to fall apart, spitting out several teeth.
Seizing the opportunity, Audrey's wand crackled with electricity. Five years ago, Bode had struck her from high above with a thunderbolt. Now… she would return the favor.
Suddenly—
Stun!
A red light hit Bode, and he collapsed unconscious.
Audrey retracted her wand—Snape's voice echoed in her mind. He already doubted her; if he saw her kill someone, things would get complicated.
A giant bat appeared, lighting the hallway lamps one by one like a traveling king followed by torch-bearing subjects.
"Back to bed, all of you!" Snape's commanding voice rang out, driving away curious students peeking from doors.
He approached Bode, glancing down. "Hmph. Bode Gray." Then, he looked at armored Ethellyn.
"Miss Windsor, I told you to stay in your room," Snape scowled, clearly irritated by her recklessness. "Bode Gray, a notorious fugitive and dark wizard. Do you really think fairy-forged armor can protect you?"
Ethellyn lifted her visor timidly. "Sorry, Professor… I was just worried about Audrey…"
Snape stopped her further explanation with a gesture. He entered Audrey's room and immediately froze.
The dorm was utterly destroyed—marks of lightning, wind, ice, and fire everywhere.
"Miss Astley," Snape said, "this is how you protect school property?" He gestured to the scattered Galleons. "You think wealth excuses destruction?"
He scrutinized her spells. "And I don't believe you learned these in class—you…"
"Severus, that's enough," Dumbledore's apparition appeared, accompanied by a tall wizard.
"It's late, and Miss Astley needs rest," the tall wizard said, waving his wand to restore the room.
"But Headmaster, her magic… it's…"
"That's my teaching," the wizard said. "Over the two months before school started."
Dumbledore introduced him: "This is Gale Depp, an old friend who tutored Miss Astley during the summer."
Snape snorted and left.
Ethellyn handed him the communication disc. She had feared Snape disliked Audrey—but he whispered, "Keep it… and well done."
Ethellyn secretly smiled. Snape, harsh as he seemed, had a soft heart.
Outside, Snape announced: "Audrey Astley bravely repelled the fugitive, protecting her classmates. Slytherin gains fifty points."
Dumbledore smiled. "Fifty points are not enough. I'll give Slytherin an additional twenty."
Snape's mouth twitched—was it a smile or disdain? He still had to deal with the Serpent's Fang sprawled across the floor.
Dumbledore waved his wand. Bode Gray was firmly bound. Turning to Ethellyn, he said: "Miss Windsor, return to your room. I have some words to speak with Miss Astley alone."
"Yes, Headmaster Dumbledore," Ethellyn replied.
Audrey winked at her "bestie," and Ethellyn blushed, leaving.
"Are you alright, Audrey?" Dumbledore asked, concerned.
"What could happen? If not for Snape's timely arrival, Bode Gray would be done for," she said.
Dumbledore frowned. "We agreed not to take lives…"
"Enough, Albus!" Grindelwald's voice rang out.
He had already cast a silencing charm. "This is not Miss Astley's fault. If someone messes with her, she has every right to strike back!"
Dumbledore shook his head. "I'm not against defending oneself, but there's no need to take a life once you've won."
"The hypocrisy of the strong!" Grindelwald fumed. He noticed strange powder on the floor. Dumbledore explained:
"Many impossible events occurred today. Outsiders infiltrated the dormitories. This demands investigation."
He turned to Audrey: "Child, get some rest. It's late."
Before leaving, he gestured at the scattered Galleons: "I believe you can easily earn hundreds of thousands every year now. Bode Gray's capture restores the reputation of Hydra Lestrange. Are you ready?"