Regarding this point.
Snape had long realized it.
The scene of the Forbidden Forest rapidly retreated in the fog, but the more he flew, the heavier Snape's expression became. No matter which direction he headed, it seemed impossible to escape this dead silent maze.
"Damn it!"
Snape's exclamation was filled with rage, and before Hermione could understand the situation, the black fog suddenly halted, and Snape reformed his form and landed on the ground.
Hermione staggered again.
But this time, she didn't fall.
She was prepared in advance.
"Weren't we going to find Dumbledore?" Hermione looked puzzled at Snape, who stood still, his gaze firmly fixed on a particular area ahead.
Following his direction, Hermione was also taken aback—a charred tree trunk maintained a twisted posture, with dark red embers flickering amidst the ashes, right at the clearing they had passed half an hour ago. The air still retained the burnt smell from the Fiery Fire, mixed with the scent of damp rotting leaves, making one nauseous.
They had returned to that scorched earth!
"Professor... have we come back around?" Hermione noticed something amiss, Snape had flown for so long, at such speed, they should have reached the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
Why have they circled back to this place now?
Faced with the little witch's confusion.
The Professor of Potions was in no mood to reply.
"It's impossible..."
Snape muttered.
His voice was so low it was almost hoarse.
The man looked around, waved his magic wand, and the leaves on the ground were swept away by an invisible force, revealing clear footprints—the ones they had left when they departed before.
Yes.
One could even see the footprints they made when they paused at this place earlier, shattering the possibility that they had arrived at a similar location.
Hermione stared at those footprints, her throat tightening: "Are you lost?"
"Lost?" Snape spun around, the tip of his wand nearly poking Hermione's nose, the glow casting shadows on his ominous face. He paced the edge of the scorched ground, the breaking leaves under his boots conveying frustration, each step seemingly trying to stamp a hole into the ground. "Miss Granger, do you think I'm one of you little giants who can get lost in the castle's stairs?"
It has to be said.
Snape was skilled in sarcasm.
His mood was truly terrible now, not being someone who cared about image, he certainly wouldn't bother how Hermione viewed him at this moment.
"Professor, what I mean is..."
Hermione's attempt to argue was cut short by a cold glance.
"Miss Granger," Snape's voice was like a poisoned icicle, every word filled with frost, "if your head is stuffed with Gryffindor's stupidity, then please do shut your mouth."
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, "I understand this situation very well without your speculation or guidance, we're trapped in a maze constructed by Ancient Magic, these paths will continuously reshuffle based on our actions. In fact, we've likely just been circling the same spot."
Snape's brows furrowed deeply.
"We're stuck."
He said through gritted teeth.
"Stuck?"
Hermione's voice trembled slightly.
"Stuck by what?"
The little witch's face instantly turned pale.
"You're asking me! Who am I supposed to ask!?"
Snape raised his magic wand and unleashed magic violently in a direction, countless lifeless trees toppled down, somewhat releasing a fraction of his inner negativity.
This sight made Hermione's heart skip a beat.
"So what do we do?"
She cautiously asked.
Snape was silent for a long while.
His wand idly twirling in his palm.
"There's no way, this situation is beyond my scope, it's not ordinary Space Magic, but a product of Ancient Magic, and my research on Ancient Magic is not extensive."
His voice was low and hoarse, with a hint of frustration. To be honest, his words were not entirely true. If he didn't know much, he wouldn't be able to identify the situation so clearly.
Compared to other modern wizards.
Surely Snape knew more about Ancient Magic.
Not only because he had a magical notebook from a legendary ancient wizard, but also because the field of Potions itself required studying and understanding certain ancient magical knowledge.
Snape, as an expert in seeking cheap alternatives, could hardly be unfamiliar with ancient magic systems. And precisely because of this, Snape felt even more powerless.
"Damn it!"
Snape wasn't someone to sit still and await doom.
Snape's wand carved a glaring light into the darkness. In an instant, dozens of ancient trees exploded, splinters flying, thick trunks torn into pieces, the ground blasted into a blackened groove.
"What magic is this!?" Hermione instinctively covered her ears, her pupils constricting in shock—she had never seen such explosive and hair-raising magic.
It was as if even the air could be torn apart.
Snape was not in the mood to answer.
He continued to unleash magic.
"Boom!"
Snape attempted to tear a path open using magic.
However.
He quickly discovered.
The debris of the trees he had blasted apart suddenly hovered in mid-air, as if pulled by invisible strings, reassembling, broken branches reconnecting themselves, charred bark peeling to reveal fresh textures. Within mere breaths, all destroyed trees stood complete again, not a single leaf out of place.
The eerie restoration.
Stopped Snape's futile rage.
"What... what is this?"
Hermione's breath nearly ceased, a chill crept up her spine.
"It's us being trapped, unable to escape."
Snape's knuckles turned white gripping his wand so fiercely, he swung it again, Dark Arts erupted like venomous snakes, transforming the area ahead into a sea of fire.
Yet.
It was meaningless.
The flames couldn't thoroughly ignite those trees.
"Will we die here?" Hermione's voice was so tiny it was nearly inaudible, yet in the silent Forbidden Forest, it was especially clear, her heart now sinking to rock bottom.
"I don't know."
Snape's eyes subtly flickered.
"If we want to survive, we can only hope Dumbledore notices something amiss here and comes to rescue us." His words were filled with overwhelming concern and intense regret.
It wasn't just worry for himself and Hermione.
He also felt that Ian might be unsalvageable.
"Doesn't Dumbledore usually go to bed early at night?" Hermione had observed the old headmaster's biological habits, so she felt at that moment their chances of survival alongside the hated professor weren't high.
"Ha."
Snape looked at the little witch.
"The dragon's roar from just now, it must've been heard from the direction of the castle, if lucky enough, he should already be on his way, never underestimate our headmaster's sensitivity to disturbances."
One must admit.
This man was still very trusting of Headmaster Albus Dumbledore.
However.
Just as the words faded.
A gentle voice suddenly came from behind him.
"Severus, were you waiting for me to come to the rescue?"
It was that familiar voice, Snape and Hermione turned around simultaneously. They saw Dumbledore stepping out from the shadows of the trees, a slight bitter smile behind the half-moon glasses.
"Apologies... I've been trapped here earlier than you."
He said softly.
Not just Hermione was dumbfounded.
Even Snape's face showed an incredibly unbelievable expression.
"How is this possible!?"
His voice trembled.
Finding it truly terrifying.
Even Dumbledore got trapped in this crisis?
How could such a thing even exist in this world!
It's not a collapse of beliefs.
But more like feeling his dear nephew—might already be out of luck.
"Nothing is impossible." The headmaster's blue eyes gleamed with a tiring smile, yet they remained as bright as stars: "Looks like we'll have to put our heads together to solve this ancient puzzle."
The elder's words.
Sounded not so worried.