Gabrielle sulked beside Leonie, her wrinkled face a study in misery and amusement. Fleur, meanwhile, was regaling Hermione Granger with the history of the Seine. Even the know-it-all seemed to be learning something new, judging by her soft gasps of understanding. Luna Lovegood, however, appeared to be in a daze, lost in her own world.
"Does Tom Riddle think it's pretty?" Cassandra Volle asked, glancing at him.
Tom Riddle, who had been staring out at the river, paused, then gave a slight nod. "Yes. It is aesthetically pleasing."
"I think so too," Cassandra Volle said, snuggling against him like a cat.
Nagini, watching this display, was momentarily speechless, her gaze fixed on them in silent contemplation.
...
Tom Riddle wordlessly extended his other arm, and Nagini moved closer, nestling in as well. She glanced discreetly at Cassandra Volle, surprised by the young witch's sudden display of affection. When did she become so adept at this?
Severus Snape, observing the trio embracing, felt a familiar wave of black humor wash over him. I shouldn't be by the river; I should be at the bottom.
Tom Riddle, if he knew Snape's thoughts, would have been quick to point out that someone already was at the bottom.
Passersby couldn't help but stare at the strikingly handsome young man with an air of extraordinary power, embracing two young women, each beautiful in her own unique way. Men were envious, and women were admiring.
Harry Potter and his friends, who had been minding their own business, were also drawn to the scene. Their expressions were varied, but all reflected a sense of complex curiosity.
Before anyone could say anything, Tom Riddle rose to his feet, leading Nagini and Cassandra Volle away from the riverbank. "Let us move further inland," he said, his voice carrying a hint of warning. "I would hate for your clothing to become saturated."
Everyone was dressed in Muggle attire, as robes would have been too conspicuous. But Muggle clothes, unlike wizarding robes, were notoriously not waterproof.
Hearing Tom Riddle's words, Harry Potter and the others followed without question, moving away from the river's edge. Even Fleur and Gabrielle joined them.
Leonie, however, remained confused. "What's wrong? Why are we leaving?"
"Come on, Grandma! Trust Tom Riddle!" Gabrielle urged, tugging at her hand.
Fleur chimed in, "Yes, Grandma. Just come with us."
But Leonie Delacour, naturally headstrong, hated being forced to follow without explanation. Before she could protest further, Gabrielle Delacour had released her hand and was running towards her sister.
"Hmph! Then Gabrielle Delacour won't bother with you!"
...
Leonie Delacour fell silent, about to stand up.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The river suddenly surged, the inky black water rising rapidly, engulfing her!
...
Leonie Delacour, now soaking wet, hung her head, her face obscured. But the rapidly drying clothes and the noticeable rise in temperature revealed the truth: she was furious.
Splash! Splash!
The water that had flooded the banks receded. The Muggles, who had been enjoying coffee and conversation, gasped and scrambled away, cursing and screaming, their wet hair plastered to their faces.
Then, a huge black shadow emerged from beneath the riverbed—a boat over twenty meters long! Dozens of small figures leaped from the boat, bounding towards the shore. Clad in heavy armor, wielding battle axes and giant hammers, with pale grey skin and short stature... it was goblins!
"Where is the target? Where is she?!" the lead goblin snarled, his small, grey-black eyes scanning the overturned tables and chairs.
"Uh… sir…" A younger goblin with darker skin nudged him cautiously. "I think… she should be over there."
"Hmm?"
The goblin squad leader turned his head in the direction his subordinate was pointing, only to be met with a raging heatwave. A tall, bird-headed banshee, engulfed in flames, stared intently at him with ferocious, beastly eyes.
...
No way? Already in the second stage? Though momentarily taken aback, the goblin leader quickly regained his composure. It was clear that this was their target: a pure-blooded Veela.
"Go! Grab her!" he barked, unfazed. They had thirty or forty goblins! They had even captured a fire dragon, once! A Veela was nothing.
"The master wants her alive!" he added as a final warning.
The small figures howled and charged towards the banshee.
Leonie Delacour opened her beak and unleashed a torrent of scorching fire. A wave of heat swept through the area, but several goblins wielding magically forged metal shields rushed forward, bravely charging into the flames.
When the fire subsided, the ground was charred black, and the waterlogged tables and chairs had been reduced to ashes, yet the goblins had suffered no losses. Clearly, they had come prepared.
Or rather, the goblins always came prepared. It was just a pity they were often spectacularly unlucky. Otherwise, their various magically forged items would have been incredibly useful. This time was no different. As far as the goblins were concerned, if nothing unexpected happened, this pure-blooded Veela was a sitting duck. All her struggles were in vain!
Even with wings, the fairy-like creature couldn't escape... after all, the other party truly had wings.
Meanwhile, the goblins were already halfway through popping champagne in their minds.
"Hahaha... just give up!"
"Being caught obediently will hurt less! But I can't guarantee I won't hold back and kill you later!"
"Hey, we still have time to get back, want to grab a drink?"
"Or maybe eat some more. We already caught a lot..."
Seeing his subordinates getting carried away, the goblin squad leader angrily kicked one of them. "Shut up, you imbeciles! We'll celebrate when we get back! Now, get her!"
He turned back and grinned menacingly at Leonie Delacour. "Don't worry, it'll be quick. You can struggle, you can scream... but unfortunately, it's useless."
It just goes to show that when you think there won't be any surprises, there's a high probability that there will be. Unlucky goblins always seem destined for annihilation after their arrogance.
Leonie Delacour, as if heeding the goblin squad leader's advice, called out to the side.
"Oh? Someone else?" A hint of interest flickered across the goblin leader's hideous face. "I'd like to see what you can summon..."
A towering dark demon stepped out from the shadows.
...
Are you kidding me?
What a joke!
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