The moment the command was issued, the Eastern students halted their assault in perfect synchronization. Without a word, they fell into a practiced rhythm, executing the Seven Star Step. Instantly, ripples of raw magical energy surged through the ground beneath Hogwarts' courtyard.
Ancient runes flared to life, etched into the stone.
"Merge!" Sunny Finch commanded.
Ten arrays spiraled together, converging into a massive, swirling vortex centered on her position. But before the spell could fully manifest, Charlotte slammed her wand into the cobblestones with a sharp crack.
The Hogwarts students mirrored the motion in a fluid, synchronized wave.
"Finite Incantatem!" the defenders shouted in unison.
A wall of golden light erupted from the ground, crushing down on the Eastern formation. The complex magical geometry flickered and dissipated under the weight of the counter-curse.
Sunny Finch's eyes widened. "Impossible."
Charlotte laughed, her voice carrying across the courtyard. "Did you really think we wouldn't notice you establishing a ritual array directly on our territory?"
"The 'Ten Thousand Spells End' formation should be absolute," Sunny Finch hissed, her composure cracking. "Nothing should suppress it!"
From the dormitory window, Erwin allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. Charlotte's tactical adaptability was truly formidable.
"My team studied formations as well," Charlotte called out, stepping back. As she spoke, intricate patterns bloomed beneath the feet of the Hogwarts students, amplifying their magical output.
In the Great Hall, the Eastern elders leaned forward, eyes gleaming with interest.
"Remarkable," one murmured. "She's mastered the amplification formation."
"That old instructor!" Sunny Finch cursed under her breath. "She actually provided you with private tutoring!"
The Hogwarts students glanced at the Eastern professors, barely suppressing their grins. The elderly professor in question merely rolled her eyes, muttering that Sunny Finch was becoming increasingly undisciplined.
"I had several lessons with Professor McGonagall," Charlotte admitted casually.
Sunny Finch smiled, a sharp, dangerous expression. "So you discovered our strategy."
With a flick of her wrist, a wand appeared in her hand. She slashed it through the air. Beside Charlotte, a stone gargoyle tore itself free from the wall, raising a massive stone axe.
Charlotte dodged backward, barely avoiding the devastating blow.
"You taught her that, Professor?" a colleague asked McGonagall, incredulous.
McGonagall adjusted her square spectacles, looking pleased. "Piertotum Locomotor. I've always found it elegant. I'm simply impressed she grasped the Transfiguration so rapidly."
The other professors looked baffled. McGonagall had always wanted to employ the spell but had never found a 'worthy' occasion.
Charlotte summoned her own stone guardian to intercept the gargoyle. The two constructs clashed, shattering stone against stone. "You didn't think I'd be defenseless against your constructs, did you?"
Sunny Finch observed her advance falter. It was expected; if Charlotte fell that easily, the wizarding world wouldn't be anticipating this confrontation so eagerly.
"A pity," Sunny Finch said, her wand tip glowing crimson. "The dawn raid failed. No matter. The real battle starts now."
She unleashed a Stunner, but rather than waiting for the result, she charged through the smoke, her wand morphing mid-stride into a massive iron war hammer.
It was the signal. The Eastern students surged forward, spells tearing through the air.
Charlotte didn't flinch. With a fluid gesture, she cast three Protego shields in rapid succession, the invisible barriers deflecting the initial barrage. She scanned the chaos, searching for an opening.
Suddenly, Sunny Finch broke off her attack, spinning around. The other Eastern students abruptly halted their offensive and shifted direction, converging on a single point.
"Harry!" Charlotte shouted.
The Hogwarts defense snapped into action. Penelope and Cedric stepped forward, wands weaving a dense network of Shield Charms. The other contestants opened fire, forcing the Eastern students to scatter.
Charlotte dissolved into purple smoke, reappearing behind an Eastern student.
"Retreat!" Sunny Finch commanded instantly.
The student obeyed, but Charlotte was faster. A hex flew from her wand, but the student flicked his wrist, throwing up a handful of enchanted parchment that exploded into a blinding flash mid-air.
The spell dissipated, but a fireball slipped through the gap.
Sunny Finch blurred into motion, swinging her heavy hammer like a bat. She deflected the fireball aside, the impact sending her sliding back several feet.
She looked at Charlotte, genuine surprise on her face. "You've actually mastered advanced combat casting?"
Charlotte looked disappointed the strike hadn't connected. "And your wandwork isn't inadequate either."
Sunny Finch glanced past Charlotte to where Harry stood, perfectly protected behind the defensive formation. Her expression hardened. "You're prepared for everything."
Charlotte smiled. "Erwin informed me that Eastern wizards possess an inherent advantage in combat. He said you'd target Harry specifically. So, I prepared a counter-strategy."
Sunny Finch gritted her teeth. "Erwin provided you with specialized training? That's playing unfairly!"
Down in the courtyard, the spectators—primarily younger students—were breathless.
"That was barely three minutes," one whispered. "Is that what Charlotte and the Eastern wizards are capable of?"
"Harry's holding his ground, too," another noted. "Did you observe that shield timing? Flawless."
"I want to attempt that sometime," a Hufflepuff muttered, eyes wide with awe.
Even the Beauxbatons students looked shaken.
"If those two ever collaborated," one whispered, "they could challenge the Ministry itself."