---
Chapter 54 – Audrey's Guard
The green curse shot straight toward Audrey—
and the moment it left his wand, Bode Grey regretted it.
If Audrey died, all his plans involving ancient magic would go up in smoke.
Before the Killing Curse could reach her, a streak of blue light tore through the air, unfurling into a delicate yet brilliant shield in front of Audrey.
The green light slammed into it—and vanished.
An old man in a purple robe stepped forward, his long white beard stirring gently in the wind as he looked toward the battlefield.
Audrey smiled.
This time, it was a real smile.
So it hadn't been for nothing after all—using her fire shield to transform into a fire dragon and storm the Headmaster's office to deliver a message.
Dumbledore, you old fox… you're finally here.
---
Meanwhile, back in Hogsmeade, Professor McGonagall and Snape arrived at the scene together with Itheline Windsor. Wizards and students alike were crowding around, pointing and whispering excitedly about the place where the lightning had struck.
"Sizzle—!"
"Sizzle—!"
With a sharp crack, the two Heads of House Apparated near the edge of the battlefield.
Bode Grey's face drained of colour.
"Damn it," he spat.
Without hesitation, he swung his wand.
The leg ensnared by the Venomous Tentacula was severed cleanly.
With a sickening rip—
The Dark wizard fled.
Decisive. Merciless.
Like a lizard sacrificing its tail to survive.
---
Dumbledore appeared beside Audrey at once, lowering her carefully to the ground.
"My child," he asked urgently, voice tight with worry, "are you hurt?"
Regret weighed heavily on him. Gail had warned him that the girl would be in mortal danger—yet he hadn't taken it seriously enough, allowing her to leave Hogwarts alone.
Audrey's eyes stung. "Why did you take so long?" she snapped, her voice trembling. "I almost died!"
Dumbledore sighed softly. "I promise—it won't happen again."
He produced a piece of chocolate and gently placed it between her lips.
"Have this. It'll ease the pain."
Audrey barely tasted it before she knew.
Potion of Life and Death.
Of course.
She relaxed instantly. Fine. I'll sleep, then. Old Deng wouldn't hurt me.
Her eyes slid shut.
---
Snape and McGonagall approached, both stunned by the scene before them.
The enormous Devil's Snare—thicker than ancient tree trunks.
The gigantic, charred Chinese Chomping Cabbages, big enough to serve as a main course.
More unbelievable still—
Every blade of grass within several hundred metres had withered into decay.
"Venomous Tentacula…" Professor McGonagall muttered, staring at the plant swaying gently in the breeze, its vines curling as if trying to ingratiate itself with Audrey.
In her eyes, it was the embodiment of tragedy.
Half a lifetime of grief boiled over.
"Incend—"
Snape caught her wrist sharply.
"Professor McGonagall," he said urgently, "do you have any idea how rare a Venomous Tentacula of this size is?"
"One leaf alone is worth ten Galleons. This entire specimen is worth at least three years of both our salaries."
McGonagall's expression remained icy—but she lowered her wand and turned away.
"Albus," she asked quietly, walking toward Audrey, "how is she?"
"She was struck by the Cruciatus Curse," Dumbledore said, watching the girl sleeping peacefully. "I've let her rest. We'll take her to Madam Pomfrey shortly."
"Oh, Godric…" McGonagall covered her mouth, eyes wide with horror.
"Who would use an Unforgivable Curse on a child? That's utterly depraved!"
"Bode Grey," Dumbledore replied softly.
---
Audrey wasn't seriously injured.
The Cruciatus hadn't lasted long. After a nap, a cup of revoltingly bitter calming draught, and a day in the Hospital Wing, Madam Pomfrey finally discharged her.
Monday morning was meant to be Ancient Runes.
But Audrey had already earned an exemption after casually showing Professor Babbling her research on Versailles-era rune texts.
So she spent half the day blissfully sprawled in her dormitory.
She was planning to eat lunch there as well, when a knock came at the door.
"Audrey? Are you awake?"
She rolled off the bed. Her pyjamas shimmered and transformed neatly into Slytherin robes.
"It's Gemma," Audrey said, opening the door. "What's wrong?"
"Audrey!" Gemma Farley looked genuinely relieved. "We were terrified! Everyone was so worried about you!"
"…Right."
That's a lot of enthusiasm for a Slytherin.
"I'm fine. Madam Pomfrey is incredible."
Gemma seized her hand and tugged her forward.
"Then you should come down at once. Let everyone see you're all right!"
Audrey really didn't want to go to the Great Hall.
Ghosts ruined everything—hot food turned cold, spicy food lost its bite, and worst of all, it was psychologically disturbing.
That was food ghosts had floated through and licked.
Still, since Gemma had come personally…
She went.
---
The moment Audrey stepped into the Great Hall, thunderous applause erupted from all four tables.
She froze.
"Audrey Astray!" "She's a hero!" "She led the Dark wizard away to protect us!" "How brave!" "Praise Audrey Astray!"
A Hufflepuff student rushed up to her, face flushed.
"Thank you! You saved me on Saturday!"
Audrey was completely lost. She had only followed the plan—Grey letting the chubby girl go had been pure coincidence.
She glanced toward the staff table.
Dumbledore was smiling serenely, eyes half-mooned, clapping gently.
So this was your doing, old man.
You set me up—and you're applauding? Applaud your foot!
"Audrey," the girl said again, "I'm Daphne Spencer, third-year Hufflepuff. If you ever need help, just tell me!"
"You're too kind," Audrey replied with a polite smile.
"Helping classmates is only right."
More applause.
Then Snape's voice cut cleanly through the noise.
"Audrey Astray successfully rescued a fellow student from a Dark wizard.
Slytherin—fifty points."
Audrey: …
McGonagall: …
The other three Houses: …
The Great Hall's enthusiasm dropped by three-quarters instantly.
Audrey returned awkwardly to the Slytherin table—only to be surrounded by ghosts.
The Fat Friar beamed. "Audrey! I missed you terribly!"
I didn't miss you at all, thanks.
Nearly Headless Nick floated closer. "As did I!"
The Bloody Baron snarled. "Get away. This is the Slytherin table."
The Grey Lady hovered silently.
"I wasn't talking about you, Helena," the Baron snapped.
Dumbledore flicked his wand. A shimmering force swept the Hall, pulling every ghost toward the walls.
"Dumbledore, you can't—"
Silence.
Audrey exhaled in relief and shot him a look.
"If you do that every meal, I'll stop eating in my dorm."
Dumbledore smiled. Are you sure?
Isabel made space beside her.
"You scared me half to death!"
Audrey smiled. "I should thank you for fetching the professors."
Isabel laughed. "When you pushed me away, I knew something was wrong. And luckily, I knew where Professor McGonagall lived in Hogsmeade."
"And Snape?"
Isabel smiled mysteriously. "That's a secret."
---
With the ghosts gone, Audrey finally ordered a mountain of spicy food and dug in happily.
"Did you hear?" a seventh-year whispered across the table.
"The Grey family was attacked yesterday. Over thirty dead."
"What happened?"
"No idea. Whoever did it was terrifying."
"Serves them right. The Grey family deserves it."
Bang!
A Slytherin slammed his hand onto the table.
"Bode Grey was expelled from the family long ago! What he did has nothing to do with them!"
"Alan Ash, I wasn't even talking about you!"
"Shut up, Thomas Dawson!"
Alan stood and stormed off.
A younger Slytherin sighed.
"Alan's mother was from the Grey family. She was visiting the manor yesterday."
Thomas fell silent.
Audrey felt nothing.
She was only mildly curious which powerful figure the Grey family had offended—aside from herself.
How tragic. Amitabha… may you rest in peace.
…So why did she feel slightly pleased?
Am I really becoming a villain?
---
Just then, Dolka Yaxley stood abruptly, voice ringing through the Hall.
"Miss Audrey Astray is the pride of Slytherin—and she is clearly in danger!"
The pride? The flower?
Audrey's eye twitched.
"As her classmates, we must protect her!
I propose the formation of Audrey's Guard!"
The Slytherin table erupted—every boy and half the girls cheering.
Audrey pressed a hand to her forehead.
Protect my foot.
If I stopped pretending, I could feed all of you to Chinese Chomping Cabbages.
Across the Hall—
George Weasley jumped up. "Gryffindor should have an Audrey Guard too!"
Fred: "I'm in!" Ron: "Me too!"
Hufflepuff followed.
Daphne Spencer stood. "Even if it's just me—I'll protect Audrey!"
Cedric Diggory rose calmly. "You won't stand alone."
Audrey wanted the floor to swallow her whole.
And then—
Penelope Clearwater stood at the Ravenclaw table.
"I believe protection should be organised," she said coolly.
"I propose a unified Audrey Guard—across all four Houses."
Applause followed. One table after another.
Dumbledore beamed.
"See? United at last. What a wonderful thing."
Audrey glared at him—
and then froze.
Someone was missing from the staff table.
---
.