Struggling to survive at Hogwarts

Chapter 364 Horse Racing

When the tearing sound of a sharp blade piercing flesh became the opening act of this duel, the silent stillness became the prelude to the confrontation.

Even faster than the blood hitting the ground was Thea's rapidly retreating figure.

Looking at his "daughter" who was desperately trying to distance herself from him, Voldemort was momentarily dazed, but the blood and pain eventually turned into boundless rage.

How dare she?

What a coward! What a wimp!

What a useless piece of trash who hesitated for so long even to kill someone!

"Avada Kedavra!!!"

Voldemort in his enraged state is far from his usual peaceful state. With a single strike, the soaring green light cleaved a giant crater in the spot where Thea had landed just seconds before!

Thea pressed down on her heart, which was pounding with excitement.

Like a brave warrior, she single-mindedly raised her wand towards Voldemort.

A great battle was about to break out, but strangely enough, all of this earth-shattering commotion was shrouded in an invisible net, with only a faint smell of blood announcing what was happening.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

At 4 a.m., a delayed communication woke up the Death Eaters stationed near Hogwarts.

Half an hour later, the Death Eaters launched the first attack.

Hogwarts also switched to battle mode amidst a series of warning sirens.

At this point, a full three hours had passed since Thea and Voldemort's duel.

Two hours until dawn.

The enormous machine called Hogwarts was running at full speed at this moment, as if it had been rehearsed many times in advance, with every screw turning precisely.

In a daze, Harry, who had just stepped into Hogwarts, looked at the scene before him and seemed to hear the sound of factory gears turning.

"Harry!"

"You're really back!!"

"Great!"

The sound of their reunion was so real, but Harry didn't get carried away. He nodded to his two friends, and the three of them immediately split up and went about their own business!

Slytherin was not idle either. Zabini and his men kept their eyes glued to the monitor screens, paying close attention to the Death Eaters' movements. Every sound of the battlefield situation transmitted to McGonagall gradually formed his entire understanding of this great battle.

Daphne was also very busy at this time. She could hear the sobbing and unease of the younger students. Never before had she felt that the deterrent power of her green school uniform was so effective. At least under her intimidation, no young wizard fell behind on the way to the sanctuary.

Aside from Slytherin, the other houses didn't hesitate either.

Simo, who always causes various explosions in class, finally found his purpose today. He is leading a group to blow up the bridge to avoid being attacked from both sides.

Neville is no longer that chubby little boy. He carries his wand and charges resolutely toward the enemy. Behind him are a group of comrades who are ready to die for their cause.

Ginny also returned to Hogwarts, where she and Luna were ambushing the Death Eaters and traversing the battlefield, "floating" the wounded towards the Great Hall.

If the students are this brave, imagine how courageous the professors must be.

Ignoring the horrified look on his colleagues' faces, Snape, with a cold and indifferent expression, raised his hand and, at the speed of deducting Gryffindor points, sent all the Death Eaters around him falling to the ground.

Professor McGonagall also put away her upturned lips at this moment, and with a wave of her wand, she would accurately take away a Death Eater;

Professor Flitwick was not to be outdone. He picked up the fighting champion's routine again and, relying on his agility, weaved through the Death Eaters. Wherever he went, severed limbs and screams flew.

Even the usually mild-mannered Professor Sprout had lost her smile, and the mandrake became her most readily available weapon.

In addition, the ever-smooth and calculating Horace Slughorn pulled out all the stops, the Weasley family arrived in full force, and Hagrid brought his brother and his group of magical creature friends…

Everyone is fighting.

Bloodshed and wailing became the norm on this land.

In this battle, Albus Dumbledore's "resurrection" became the final straw that broke the camel's back for the Death Eaters.

The roles of offense and defense have shifted.

Even though things are going smoothly for them now, a deep shadow still hangs over the hearts of the students, professors, and members of the Order of the Phoenix.

Judging from the Death Eaters' desperate stance, it wasn't difficult to determine that this was a decisive battle with all their forces deployed. What was truly alarming was a dark shadow.

A figure who single-handedly shrouded the wizarding world in darkness for over a decade.

Voldemort!

Why hasn't he shown up yet?

Does he have any other tricks up his sleeve?

Dumbledore pursed his lips, overwhelmed by doubts and a sense of crisis, but he could only suppress his unease and continue fighting.

Thea, Voldemort has his backup plan, what about you?

What's your backup plan?

I truly hope you're safe and sound. I hope this irresponsible professor will have the chance to see you again, even though you can be really unlikable at times...

By this time, Thea, whom Dumbledore was after, was covered in blood, not to mention her clothes, which were already soaked in blood.

"...You're a madman!"

Voldemort fiercely wiped the blood from his lips. Thea couldn't tell how much blood he was bleeding from his wide black robe, but judging from his stagnant movements, he was in bad shape.

Voldemort's verbal attack officially began after he called the man a "madman".

"You think you can turn back?"

"You think what you're doing now is atonement?!"

You're wrong!

"No one will forgive you! Even if you grovel at their feet and beg for forgiveness right now, they'll only spit on you!!!"

Voldemort was met with a powerful blow from Thea after she had gathered her strength. The dust and fresh blood clashed in mid-air, becoming the only color in Thea's eyes.

Voldemort's verbal attacks continued, but now they had been replaced by bribery:

"Thea, come here..."

"If you put down your wand and turn around, I swear to Merlin I won't kill you!!!"

"Once we take over Hogwarts, you will be my heir! All my power, wealth, and immortality will be shared with you!"

"Thea! It's not too late!"

"We still have the advantage!"

Upon hearing the last sentence, Thea finally stopped. She moved her aching and exhausted body, which was only supported by willpower, while Voldemort waited for her answer.

She finally spoke:

"I heard a story..."

Voldemort: "???"

I didn't understand, but I listened patiently nonetheless.

Thea looked up at the rickety soundproof netting, her thoughts drifting to the battlefield not far away.

She murmured:

"Inferior horse against inferior horse..."

"A superior horse against a mid-range horse..."

"A mid-range horse versus a top-class horse..."

"So what is the overall win rate...?"

"The overall situation..."

Thea rearranged her formation, muttering to herself, but her eyes remained resolute:

"The advantage is on our side in this battle!!!"