After receiving Madam Hooch's report, several figures arrived at the scene almost immediately.
Albus Dumbledore.
Severus Snape.
And Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt, who had already been at Hogwarts investigating Rita Skeeter's disappearance.
The moment they saw the devastated section of forest, even Snape's usually expressionless face showed a flicker of surprise.
The magic responsible for this destruction was undeniably powerful.
Without saying a word, Dumbledore raised his wand.
The enormous stone mass crushing the forest trembled.
Then, under the Headmaster's control, the hill-sized meteor slowly rose into the air before being moved aside.
The scene beneath it was gruesome.
Trees had been flattened.
The ground had collapsed.
And among the wreckage lay what remained of a human body.
Or rather, what had once been a human body.
The corpse had been crushed beyond recognition.
Blood and flesh were scattered everywhere.
Madam Hooch immediately turned pale.
A second later, she stumbled away and vomited beside her broom.
Dumbledore's expression darkened.
The remains were wearing Slytherin robes.
"Oh."
Kingsley rubbed his forehead.
"As expected of that kid."
His tone carried a trace of helplessness.
"When he strikes, he really doesn't hold back."
A cold voice suddenly came from behind him.
"If I held back, how would I guarantee nobody else got hit by a Killing Curse?"
Liam walked toward the crater calmly.
His silver eyes were colder than usual.
"You're an Auror."
He looked directly at Kingsley.
"Yet a Dark Wizard capable of casting the Killing Curse managed to reach Hogwarts grounds."
"What exactly are you people doing?"
Kingsley winced.
He couldn't really argue.
After all, Cassandra had nearly died.
Dumbledore intervened before the Auror could respond.
"This isn't Kingsley's fault, Liam."
The Headmaster's voice remained calm.
"He came here to investigate Rita Skeeter's disappearance."
He gestured toward the corpse.
"The attacker was wearing Slytherin robes."
"It's likely someone infiltrated the school disguised as a student."
"Then perhaps you should search more thoroughly."
Liam's voice remained icy.
"Maybe this missing reporter is connected to the attack."
"Rita Skeeter."
Dumbledore corrected gently.
"The Daily Prophet reporter who tried to interview you."
Recognition appeared in Liam's eyes.
"Oh."
"That woman."
His expression immediately soured.
"The one as irritating as an insect."
Kingsley silently relaxed.
One of his suspicions had involved Liam.
Now he was far less convinced.
The dislike sounded genuine.
Combined with the appearance of a Dark Wizard wielding the Killing Curse, the evidence seemed to point elsewhere.
"Has the victim been identified yet?"
Liam stepped closer to the remains.
He examined the ruined corpse carefully.
Kingsley grimaced.
"You know, there were probably cleaner ways to stop him."
Liam looked at him as though he were stupid.
"Auror Shacklebolt."
"Yes?"
"Try thinking."
Kingsley frowned.
"The attacker was hidden in the forest."
"He launched a Killing Curse."
"I didn't know his exact location."
Liam pointed toward the devastated landscape.
"If I hadn't used large-scale destruction magic, he might have escaped."
Kingsley opened his mouth.
Then closed it again.
Unfortunately, Liam wasn't wrong.
"Severus."
Dumbledore turned toward Snape.
"Gather the Heads of House."
"Have every House conduct a roll call."
The Headmaster's expression grew grave.
"There may already be additional victims."
Snape nodded once.
Without another word, he swept away toward the castle.
Dumbledore then turned back toward Liam.
"You saw the attack firsthand."
"What can you tell us?"
Liam thought for a moment.
"The attacker was skilled."
"How skilled?"
Kingsley asked immediately.
"The Killing Curse causes noticeable wand drift."
Liam answered.
"Especially at long distances."
He looked toward the destroyed section of forest.
"Yet he almost hit Cassandra perfectly."
"That level of accuracy requires exceptional wand control."
"In terms of precision alone?"
He paused.
"Probably among the ten best Dark Wizards I've encountered."
Kingsley's face changed.
That was not praise Liam handed out lightly.
"What about magical power?"
"I can't say."
Liam shook his head.
"I only witnessed a single spell."
"But someone capable of controlling the Killing Curse that accurately has almost certainly cast it many times before."
His voice remained calm.
"I doubt his magical power is weak."
The atmosphere immediately became heavier.
A highly skilled Dark Wizard.
Inside Hogwarts.
Targeting students.
None of them liked those implications.
Kingsley finally sighed.
"I'll have to notify the Ministry."
"Additional Aurors may need to be stationed here."
Then he looked at Liam.
"And I'd like you to come with me."
Liam raised an eyebrow.
"To the Ministry?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Kingsley hesitated.
"Well..."
"You killed someone."
Liam laughed.
The sound wasn't pleasant.
"So now we're discussing me?"
His eyes narrowed.
"The attacker used the Killing Curse."
"He threatened students."
"And your first instinct is to drag me to the Ministry?"
Kingsley immediately raised his hands.
"Calm down."
"You acted in defense of others."
"I'll testify to that."
"But there are procedures."
"Someone died."
"We have to document what happened."
Liam's smile vanished.
"The Ministry of Magic truly is impressive."
Kingsley sighed internally.
This conversation was already going badly.
"Other Aurors will investigate the attack."
He tried again.
"I'm simply following regulations."
"Regulations?"
Liam's voice grew colder.
"A group of Aurors who only managed to catch me because they outnumbered me want to investigate?"
Kingsley visibly twitched.
"That was years ago."
"You needed over twenty Aurors then."
Liam continued mercilessly.
"And now you expect me to believe you'll solve this?"
Kingsley suddenly missed dealing with ordinary criminals.
"Regardless."
He forced himself to remain professional.
"You need to come with me."
"No."
The answer came instantly.
"I won't leave Hogwarts until the person behind this attack is found."
Kingsley's expression tightened.
"Liam—"
"I'll save you some time."
Liam folded his arms.
"I am resisting arrest."
The words landed like a bomb.
"Kingsley."
"If you want to take me to the Ministry, bring more Aurors."
His silver eyes gleamed.
"And if they try forcing me?"
A faint smile appeared.
"I won't be gentle."
Kingsley immediately turned toward Dumbledore.
"Headmaster?"
There was no shame in asking for help.
Everyone present knew the truth.
One-on-one, Kingsley had no confidence whatsoever in defeating Liam.
The boy had once required over twenty Aurors to capture.
And judging from the crater around them, he was significantly stronger now.
Only Dumbledore could realistically stop him.
To Kingsley's surprise, however, the Headmaster shook his head.
"I agree with Liam."
Kingsley stared.
"What?"
"He should remain at Hogwarts."
Dumbledore's tone was firm.
"His abilities are exceptional."
"He has already protected students once today."
The Headmaster glanced toward the castle.
"With a Dark Wizard targeting Hogwarts, having Liam here increases everyone's safety."
Kingsley looked utterly defeated.
For once, Dumbledore wasn't helping the Ministry.
He was helping Liam.
And unfortunately...
Kingsley couldn't even argue with the reasoning.
....
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