Chapter 63
Catching a Turtle in a Jar
The tabby cat crouched atop the bed curtains, watching the battle unfold below.
Bode Grey's attacks were powerful and oppressive, while Audrey's were light, swift, and elusive.
Although Audrey's raw magical power was slightly inferior to Bode Grey's, he did not dare to take her spells head-on.
The tabby cat could see it clearly — if Audrey were to switch to her Fire Dragon physique, Bode Grey would lose without question.
This girl was no longer the Audrey who had been manipulated by Bode five years ago.
And that was despite the fact that she had only begun seriously studying magic four months ago.
The ancient magic she was using now was something even he could not fully comprehend.
He sighed.
He claimed he was here to protect her — yet all he had done tonight was shout a warning.
Audrey no longer needed his protection.
After tonight's lesson, she would certainly be far more cautious about sleeping arrangements in the future.
If anyone tried the same trick again, it would be like lighting a lamp in a latrine.
As for now…
He had already informed his great-uncle before these people arrived.
By now, his great-uncle was probably already outside Hogwarts.
---
Iselin was a light sleeper.
She vaguely heard hurried footsteps in the corridor and sat up at once.
Who would be out so late?
She crept to the door and opened it a crack. In the dim corridor, several figures hurried toward the Slytherin common room.
"That Astray girl is a real nuisance!"
"I heard she's only a first-year!"
"When did first-years become this terrifying?"
"Heh, fifth-year level, they say. Only three people like that in history!"
"Damn it — our men couldn't even last one exchange!"
"Enough chatter. Guard the entrance. The master is invincible. He'll deal with that little wench himself."
Iselin shrank back instantly.
Someone was targeting Audrey.
She hurriedly threw on her uniform, pulled a small disc from her pocket, and pressed it firmly.
After a moment, a displeased voice answered.
"Miss Windsor, it is well past midnight. I trust you have a very good reason for disturbing your professor's rest?"
"Professor Snape!" Iselin whispered urgently.
"Strangers have broken into the Slytherin dormitory. They're after Audrey!"
There was a brief silence.
"Close your door," Snape said coldly. "Do not leave your room. I will handle it."
Iselin sat on the edge of her bed, heart pounding.
Reason told her that obeying Professor Snape was correct — but Audrey was still out there, facing danger alone.
She clenched her nightgown tightly, staring at the door as though a monster lurked just beyond it.
Her best friend was in danger.
Iselin stood abruptly and walked to the large chest in the corner.
As a member of the royal family, she enjoyed special privileges at Hogwarts — including a private room.
After a series of clanks and metallic sounds, the chest opened.
She stepped out wearing a suit of silver armour, edged with crimson lines.
This was no ordinary armour.
It was fairy-forged wizard armour.
Iselin took a steadying breath and moved cautiously toward Audrey's room.
---
Audrey was not yet truly proficient with ancient magic, but it was more than enough to deal with Bode Grey — who only knew two such spells.
Lightning.
Ice.
"Ha!"
"Whoosh!"
Fire and lightning clashed.
Ice bloomed.
Wind howled.
Audrey grew more ferocious with each exchange, transforming into lightning again and again, darting across the room.
Her magically enhanced reflexes allowed her to maintain the advantage.
Bode Grey could no longer land a single blow. Every ounce of his focus was spent defending himself.
He cursed inwardly.
He had thought he could still manipulate her easily — yet in mere days, she had grown to this extent.
Audrey was struggling too.
She lacked experience. Turning into lightning consumed enormous magical energy — it was meant for emergency evasion, not sustained combat.
Using it repeatedly was rapidly draining her reserves.
Silently, she switched from a unicorn magic circuit to a house-elf circuit.
Her offensive power dropped slightly, but she could now draw on ambient magic, allowing her overloaded circuits to recover.
Bode Grey noticed immediately.
A shrewd veteran, he sensed her weakening.
Two lightning bolts fired in quick succession.
Audrey barely deflected them.
Bode Grey broke through the gap and rushed for the door.
Escape!
But the moment he burst into the corridor, he collided with a short figure clad in full armour.
The armour allowed for agility — but it still weighed over a hundred kilograms.
A magical marvel.
If Bode Grey still had both legs, he might have avoided it.
But he didn't.
Relying entirely on magic for movement, he had no time to adjust.
Bang!
Iselin was knocked backwards, staggering.
But Bode Grey fared far worse — crashing to the floor, bones screaming in agony.
Several teeth flew from his mouth.
Audrey raised her wand, lightning gathering.
Five years ago, Bode Grey had struck her from the sky with thunder.
Five years later —
She would return it.
Suddenly—
"Stupefy!"
A red beam struck Bode Grey squarely.
His eyes rolled back as he collapsed unconscious.
Audrey halted.
She recognised the voice.
Professor Snape.
If Snape saw her kill someone now, his suspicions would deepen beyond repair.
A tall, bat-like figure strode in, and the corridor lamps ignited one by one, as though welcoming a king.
"Everyone back to bed!" Snape barked, shoving curious students back into their rooms.
He glanced down at the unconscious man.
"Hmph. Bode Grey."
Then he turned to Iselin, frowning.
"Miss Windsor. I distinctly recall ordering you to remain in your room."
"This is a notorious Dark wizard. Do you believe goblin-forged armour makes you invincible?"
Iselin lifted her visor timidly.
"I'm sorry, Professor. I was worried about Audrey…"
Snape silenced her with a gesture and stepped into Audrey's room.
He froze.
The room bore scars of lightning, fire, ice, and wind — utter devastation.
"Miss Astray," Snape said coldly,
"Is this how you treat school property?"
He gestured to the scattered Galleons.
"Or do you believe wealth excuses destruction?"
His gaze sharpened.
"And this magic — you did not learn it at Hogwarts."
"Severus, that will be enough."
Dumbledore entered, followed by a tall elderly wizard.
"It is late. Miss Astray needs rest."
With a wave of the Elder Wand, the room restored itself instantly.
"But Headmaster—"
"I taught her," the old wizard said calmly.
"During the two months before term began."
Dumbledore smiled.
"This is Gale Depp, an old friend of mine."
Snape snorted and turned away.
Iselin handed over her communication disc.
Snape paused, then said quietly,
"Keep it. And… well done."
She smiled.
Snape announced loudly,
"Audrey Astray defended herself and apprehended a wanted criminal. Fifty points to Slytherin."
"Add another twenty," Dumbledore laughed.
Snape's lips twitched — disdain or amusement, unclear.
He still had to deal with the Hydra's Fang members littering the corridors.
---
Dumbledore bound Bode Grey and turned to Iselin.
"Miss Windsor, return to your room. I must speak with Miss Astray alone."
After she left, Dumbledore asked gently,
"Are you hurt, Audrey?"
"If Snape hadn't arrived," Audrey replied calmly,
"I would have killed him."
Dumbledore frowned.
"We agreed not to take lives unnecessarily."
"Enough, Albus!"
Grindelwald snapped, already shielded by a silencing charm.
"They hunted her in her sleep. Are you saying she isn't allowed to fight back?"
Dumbledore sighed.
"It is not retaliation I oppose — but excess."
Grindelwald scoffed.
"The hypocrisy of the powerful."
"If not for Audrey, you would regret tonight deeply."
Dumbledore, distracted, nodded.
"Something is wrong. Outsiders should never have reached the dormitories. I will investigate."
He turned to Audrey.
"Rest well."
Before leaving, he glanced at the Galleons.
"I believe you could earn millions a year with ease."
Then he added,
"Bode Grey's capture clears Hydra Lestrange's name. Are you prepared?"
---