2

"Hey, I heard you're the best guard in Azkaban. Want to test your skills against an Auror? Don't worry, I'll hold back."

As Braud Kuhl pondered which spell he should focus on as his main attack, a voice with the unmistakable tone of a classic antagonist interrupted his thoughts.

It was Delis.

Delis had the look of a typical Londoner , he was conservative, rigid, and carrying an air of unwarranted arrogance. He lightly tapped the ground with his wand, conjuring a stretcher-like bed. With a provocative smirk, he addressed Braud, "When it's over, you can rest on this for a while."

Mad-Eye Moody, sensing the tension between Delis and Braud, barked out, "Delis! What do you think you're doing?"

Braud, slightly bewildered, asked, "What's this about? If we're going to duel, there should be a reason."

Delis first bowed slightly, offering a superficial apology to Moody. "I just want to test our Azkaban colleague. The mission is dangerous, after all, and I need to gauge the strength of my comrades. Of course, if he doesn't want to, I won't force it."

Then, standing tall with his right hand behind his back and his left hand holding his wand to his chest, Delis faced Braud with a haughty look. "To be honest, I'm just curious how you ended up on a mission with Aurors. We're all wizards who have been rigorously selected and have seen countless battles. I think it's only fair to ensure your skills won't compromise our plans."

Braud frowned at Delis. "You seem to be overstepping. If there were concerns about me, Mr. Moody would have suggested a test. Why take it upon yourself?"

Delis shouted, "Everyone has the right to voice their concerns, right?"

"I don't care for your games," Braud said, his irritation growing. "If you're willing to back down, I'll pretend this never happened. But if you still insist on a duel, I'll oblige."

Braud gripped his wand tightly, his expression stern. "You'll soon see whether I'm qualified."

Delis suddenly felt the atmosphere shift. Braud's demeanor had changed, leaving Delis feeling uneasy and trapped in a situation of his own making.

Delis had merely sought attention, hoping to provoke someone weaker to regain some self-esteem. He was, after all, an Auror, the elite of the Ministry of Magic. He assumed an Azkaban guard would be terrified and plead for mercy.

But Braud's unwavering resolve caught him off guard, leaving him no choice but to follow through with the duel. Backing down now would make him a laughingstock.

"Alright, let's have a little fun," Delis said, trying to downplay the confrontation as a friendly spar.

In truth, Delis already felt like he had lost by even engaging in this duel. The risk of losing was too great, and he knew he had to give it his all.

"Incendio Tria!"

After they bowed to each other, Delis launched the first attack with a fire spell, sending large balls of flame hurtling toward Braud.

But Braud remained unfazed. Despite it being his first real combat experience, he had countless ways to evade the fire curse. With a wave of his wand, Braud vanished, using Apparition to teleport to the ship's mast, like a sailor scanning the horizon.

Delis, despite his arrogance, was a seasoned Auror with strong combat skills. He quickly analyzed Braud's move and began to consider what spell Braud might cast next.

Within seconds, Delis had calculated numerous scenarios and countermeasures, even considering how to handle a particularly challenging spell.

Delis sprang into action. He pointed his wand at the nearby benches, casting a Transfiguration spell. The benches twisted and morphed, their wooden frames softening and expanding until they became a giant bird.

Grabbing onto the bird's leg, Delis soared into the sky.

Delis knew his Transfiguration spell wouldn't last long, especially to create a bird strong enough to carry a human. But this was all part of his plan. He pointed his wand at Braud and cast his next spell.

"Bombarda Maxima!"

Braud dodged swiftly, evading the blast. But Delis was relentless.

"Expelliarmus!"

The spell hit its mark, and Braud's wand flew out of his hand. Delis felt a surge of triumph—victory was within reach!

With a smirk, Delis transformed back to the ground, grabbing Braud and his wand as they landed.

"As an Azkaban guard, you did well. But against an Auror like me, you were bound to lose," Delis said, his pride evident.

Braud retrieved his wand and bowed, signaling the end of the duel.

Seeing Braud concede, Delis turned to Moody, ready to be declared the winner. "I think you should announce the winner of the duel," he said confidently.

But as Delis looked around, he noticed something was off. Moody's face was a storm of anger, the Longbottoms exchanged awkward glances, and his partner, Rufus, wore a smug grin as if enjoying a private joke.

Moody, barely able to contain his fury, growled, "You fool! There's been a sharp wooden spike hovering behind your head since the duel began—you lost long ago! And you still want to be declared the winner? Do you even realize how ridiculous you look right now?"

----

At the end of the duel, Moody handed the dejected Delis over to Rufus, instructing him to keep an eye on the restless troublemaker.

Harvey and the Longbottoms approached Braud Kuhl to congratulate him.

Harvey was particularly impressed with Braud's performance, praising him enthusiastically. "Well done! You exceeded my expectations. I didn't expect you to think of using a Levitation Charm to directly drive an object to attack the wizard's body!"

Braud, however, was critical of his own performance. "I still need more actual combat experience. I should have anticipated he'd disarm me."

The Longbottoms, equally impressed, engaged with Braud. "Braud, your strategy was brilliant! Most wizards rely solely on casting spells directly at each other, and it never occurred to us to enhance our offensive capabilities in other ways."

Braud responded humbly, "It's nothing special, really. I got the inspiration from Mr. Harvey. Like most people, I used to think within the same box, but since applying Muggle knowledge to magic, I feel like I've unlocked a whole new world."

"Oh? What do you mean?" Harvey and the Longbottoms leaned in, clearly intrigued.

Braud understood that sharing his experiences would strengthen the team for their upcoming mission and help ensure their safety. He was also acutely aware that this battle might be the one where Bellatrix Lestrange captures and tortures the Longbottoms into madness.

Having enjoyed Mrs. Alice Longbottom's exquisite lunch and her thoughtful insights into magic, Braud was keen to give back. He explained, "Mr. Harvey once told me that physically, wizards are no different from Muggles, so it's worth considering how we might use magic to directly affect a wizard's body."

"But this method has its limitations. For instance, a defensive spell like Protego can block most direct spell damage."

"So, we need to find ways to increase the potency of our spells when targeting a wizard directly!"

Frank Longbottom raised a hand, asking, "But the power of a spell still depends on one's practice and magical ability, which can't be improved overnight."

Braud nodded. "True, but we can increase the power of our spells without raising our proficiency or magical ability!"

Harvey and the Longbottoms immediately perked up, sensing that Braud was about to reveal something important. Even Mad-Eye Moody, who had been eavesdropping, stopped pretending and joined the discussion. Frank conjured a plush sofa for his boss.

Braud revealed his secret: "The answer lies in Muggle science."

"Muggle science?"

"What kind of magic do Muggles know?"

"Can Muggles really do this?"

Except for Braud and Moody, the others were all pure-bloods with limited knowledge of the Muggle world. Even Warden Harvey, who had previously shown some prejudice against Muggles, was intrigued.

Braud explained patiently, "Muggles don't have magic like wizards do, so they've developed a deep curiosity and respect for nature. Their enthusiasm for studying natural phenomena far surpasses that of most wizards."

"They've studied fire, electricity, light, and so on. Take something simple, for instance—they discovered that wind can fuel a fire."

As he spoke, Braud took out his wand to demonstrate.

Incendio!

A flame appeared out of thin air, flew towards Braud's target, reduced a small stool to ashes, and then disappeared.

Braud touched the charred stool with his wand, and it returned to its original state.

"Now, this is a rule discovered by Muggles."

Incendio!

Another flame appeared, but this time, Braud didn't just watch; he followed up with a Wind Curse.

Ventus!

The strong wind fueled the flames, sending them toward the stool at more than twice the speed before. The stool was not just burnt; its remains were scattered far and wide.

The wizards present, all seasoned spellcasters, quickly calculated the amount of magic required to achieve a similar effect with a single spell. They were surprised to find that Braud's combined spell required significantly less magical energy than casting a similarly powerful spell on its own.

Seeing that they understood, Braud was pleased. He continued, "Muggle research is incredibly insightful. Wind fuels fire, and the kinetic energy of the wind itself can increase the speed and force of the flames—mainly, it increases the speed."

"But what if we're up against a more powerful wizard, and we need to increase the flames' power? That's when we need to think about what can make the flames stronger."

"Based on Muggle research, they developed the concept of a dust explosion."

"In a confined space, if combustible particles are dispersed in the air, a single spark can trigger a massive explosion!"

Braud decided not to demonstrate this concept due to its danger but knew the idea was clear.

He only provided a few examples; truly mastering these techniques would require a wizard to delve deeply into Muggle studies.

Harvey, dismissive, believed that great wizards didn't need to learn from Muggles—these were just simple natural phenomena that could be understood with some observation and study.

Moody, on the other hand, found the concept practical and worth promoting. He planned to consult with Muggle-studies experts immediately after returning, tasking them with identifying more useful phenomena from Muggle science that could be adapted to strengthen spells at the Ministry of Magic.

The Longbottoms found Muggle research fascinating and decided to study various Muggle works upon returning to see if they could glean more ideas.

Seeing the different reactions, Braud wisely chose not to press the matter further. The gap between wizard and Muggle understanding was vast, and such changes wouldn't happen overnight. Pushing the issue might only cause resentment.

Moody stood up and shook Braud's hand. "Thank you, Mr. Kuhl. Your suggestions are invaluable. I'll have everyone in the Auror department give them a try when we get back."

After the discussion, Braud continued his combat practice with Warden Harvey, which proved immensely beneficial.

Now, Braud was confident that if he ever faced Delis again, he would thoroughly defeat him.

With that, the group enjoyed Mrs. Longbottom's excellent cooking while refining their training tactics, and soon arrived near Durmstrang Institute.

---

The tension on the ship heightened as they neared Durmstrang School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Everyone knew that the battle ahead would be against the most ruthless of Death Eaters.

In the movies, the Death Eaters were portrayed as formidable, but the true terror they brought to the Wizarding World was unimaginable. It was a time when people lived in constant fear, reading about the death or brutal murder of someone they knew nearly every day. The dread was relentless because no one knew when their time would come.

Even a powerful Auror like Mad-Eye Moody had lost a leg and an eye while capturing Death Eaters. Sensing the team's spirits flagging, Moody called out in a gruff voice, "Stay sharp. Stick to the plan, and we'll be fine. Don't let fear take hold."

The ship suddenly lifted, causing the sea to churn as if it were boiling. The weather outside was clear, with the sun shining brightly—seemingly a good day for a fight.

Braud Kuhl thought to himself, It's a strange irony, having such beautiful weather for what's about to happen.

The ship soon docked at a small port, and Moody led the team off, continuing to brief them on the plan. "Durmstrang is in the valley ahead. The Death Eaters know we're coming and are likely lying in ambush. Flying is too risky; we'll be sitting ducks up there, so we're walking Igor to Durmstrang."

"The school is protected by a powerful magic wards. Once Igor is inside, it'll be difficult for the Death Eaters to get to him. They'll try to stop us before we reach the school, so stay alert and be ready."

Braud, attuned to magical wards, felt the restrictions around them. "It seems we can't Apparate here."

The others tried Apparition but quickly realized it was blocked.

Moody's expression darkened. "This isn't our doing. The Death Eaters have set up anti-Apparition wards. They're definitely here, waiting for us. Those Ministry agents must have failed."

The Auror Department had suspected an ambush, so they'd sent another team ahead to lay traps. However, it was clear now that the Death Eaters had overpowered them.

"Something's off here," Moody warned. "Everyone, be on guard."

Harvey subtly pulled on Braud's sleeve. "Stay close to me."

Braud glanced at Harvey but swallowed the words, I'm stronger than you now, and instead followed quietly.

The group split into teams as planned, slowly advancing toward Durmstrang. Braud knew this was a two-way hunt.

Bellatrix Lestrange and her Death Eaters likely had no idea this was a carefully planned capture operation by Moody. Yet they had no choice but to attack, as Igor held too much valuable information about them. Both sides were fully committed, and only one would win.

The oppressive atmosphere thickened as they advanced, and soon, they encountered their first obstacle.

After climbing the mountain, they should have seen Durmstrang School, but all they saw was a dense fog blocking their view.

Frank Longbottom stepped forward. "Hurricane Curse!"

A strong wind swept through, rustling the ancient trees, but the fog remained undisturbed.

"This fog is heavily enchanted. They spent a lot of time setting it up. It'll take at least half an hour to clear it."

Everyone grew more cautious, especially Igor, who clutched his wand tightly. The thought of falling into Bellatrix's hands terrified him more than returning to Azkaban.

A chilling, maniacal laugh echoed around them, filled with a madness that could only belong to Bellatrix Lestrange.

Her voice, amplified by magic, seemed to come from all directions at once, making it impossible to pinpoint her location.

This crazy woman could cast an Avada Kedavra at any moment, Braud thought, feeling uneasy as he glanced around like a nervous cat.

"Moody! Hand over Igor, and I might just let you live a little longer!" Bellatrix's voice rang out, dripping with sadistic glee.

Moody and Harvey exchanged a glance, ignoring her taunts. They drew their wands and pointed them at the gravel on the ground.

"Transfiguration."

The gravel morphed into small stone mice, which scurried off in all directions under Moody and Harvey's control, searching for signs of the Death Eaters.

Moody then used his wand to amplify his voice, making it rough and booming. "Bellatrix! How about you surrender now, and I'll consider letting the Dementors take it easy on you!"

Bellatrix's furious scream echoed back, "Damn you!"

A green jet of light shot from the left, but Alice Longbottom quickly levitated a large stone in front of Moody, blocking the Killing Curse. The stone shattered into pieces.

"We've found them," Moody growled. "Three of them to the north! Disperse and regroup a hundred meters north!"

With that, Moody took Igor and veered off on his own. Though it was risky to separate from the group, Moody knew that staying together made them an easy target. Splitting up was their best chance.

Harvey immediately grabbed Braud and headed in another direction. Braud cast Protego on himself for extra protection, nervously scanning for any sign of the Killing Curse that could break through his shield.

"We need to clear this fog," Braud whispered.

"It's fine. The fog blinds them too. This is a test of who has better reconnaissance skills," Harvey replied, his breathing heavy.

As they hurried along, Braud sensed something was off. "Wait… we might be lost.

--------

Harvey, a seasoned veteran of many battles, quickly sensed something was amiss around them. He and Braud had walked at least several dozen meters, yet the surrounding scenery remained unnervingly familiar, as if they were either trapped in an environment with identical features or were simply running in circles.

"Stay alert. Something's definitely wrong here," Harvey said, drawing his wand and directing his transformed stone mouse to explore the area.

Is this some kind of magical barrier? Braud began to speculate.

His unease grew, an instinctive reaction that seemed almost feline in nature—a predator's aversion to danger. Cats, as some of the world's most perfect hunters, are powerful yet solitary creatures, making them highly cautious of injury. Being hurt could lead to hunger, which in turn could make hunting more difficult, creating a vicious cycle.

Braud's own aversion to danger was simpler: he was afraid of pain and didn't want to get hurt.

Harvey's stone mouse soon returned, revealing the truth: "Bella and her gang have created a magical maze. We need to be careful. The boundaries of this maze seem to be formed by these ancient trees. We should—"

"Sectumsempra!"

Harvey was cut off as Braud suddenly cast the advanced spell, slicing through one of the ancient trees blocking their way. The cut was as clean as if a hot knife had passed through butter.

"What are you doing? You'll give away our position!" Harvey rushed forward to stop him.

Braud turned and gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Warden. We can clear a path much faster this way than by creeping around."

With that, Braud unleashed a flurry of Sectumsempra spells, and the invisible blades tore through every obstacle in their path. The ground and trees within a 20-meter radius were cleared in an instant.

Braud then cast Protego on himself and looked at the stunned Harvey. "This way, we won't have to worry about ambushes."

Harvey stood there, dumbfounded. "How... how is your magic so powerful? Clearing all these obstacles in one go— even I can't do that!"

Braud scratched his head, trying to explain. "I told you, didn't I? I'm stronger than I look."

"Stronger? Your magic is on par with Moody's!"

"Maybe," Braud replied modestly. "But Moody has far more experience than I do. I can hold my own, but I wouldn't underestimate him."

Harvey's expression shifted, filled with curiosity and suspicion. "If you're this powerful, what were you doing in Azkaban? A young, skilled wizard like you should have been... well, you should have been with him."

"With who?"

Harvey sighed, his gaze distant. "It's all in the past now. That man was defeated by Dumbledore. No point in dredging up old memories."

Braud had a vague suspicion that Harvey was referring to Grindelwald, and suddenly everything made sense. Harvey's pride in pureblood lineage, his disdain for Muggles, yet his tolerance of half-bloods—it all fit Grindelwald's ideology. It seemed he had been a follower of the Dark Lord who had lost long ago, explaining why he hadn't joined the Death Eaters.

"Let's keep moving. Moody is waiting for us," Braud said, steering the conversation back to the present.

As they moved forward, Braud's Sectumsempra spells cleared the path, easing some of his earlier anxiety.

Meanwhile, several Death Eaters who had been tracking them exchanged uncertain glances.

"Uh... you go first."

"No way! Bella said I'm here to support you. You go first!"

"Why me? You go first!"

Despite their vicious reputations, the Death Eaters were also human, and the sight of Braud, mowing down obstacles like a force of nature, made them silently reconsider their chances. They took a collective step back.

But as Braud and Harvey continued moving away, the Death Eaters grew anxious. They had orders to kill these two, and they knew that if they let them slip away, Bella's wrath would be far worse than whatever Braud might do.

Reluctantly, they came to a consensus: "Let's at least try to slow them down."

The Death Eaters pursued, their wands slick with sweat.

Harvey's stone mouse quickly detected the trailing Death Eaters. "There are four of them behind us. I'll handle two; you take the other two. Watch out for the Killing Curse. Protego won't stop that one."

Braud closed his eyes and waved his wand, casting a Lumos charm that multiplied his vision. Dozens of eyes appeared on the tree trunks that had been cut by Sectumsempra, taking in every detail of the surroundings.

The Death Eaters were up to something, preparing to launch an attack.

With another flick of his wand, Braud caused the severed tree trunks behind the Death Eaters to transform rapidly. The round, thick trunks reshaped into sharp spikes with pointed ends.

With a powerful combination of Wingardium Leviosa and an Acceleration Charm, the spiked branches shot toward the Death Eaters like arrows.

Before they could react, the spikes struck with a thud, pinning the Death Eaters to the ground. The sharp wood pierced through their defenses, and their wands fell from their hands as they were immobilized, heads forced to the dirt.

In an instant, three of the Death Eaters were disarmed, and a smaller spike followed, completing the assault.

--

The three Death Eaters who had lost their wands tried desperately to reach for them, but their heads were pinned to the ground by wooden spikes, making it impossible to move. They kicked and thrashed, struggling in vain to grab their wands.

Suddenly, the air was pierced by another sharp sound, and the legs and arms of the three Death Eaters were impaled and fixed to the ground. Now completely immobilized, they could do nothing but tremble in fear.

Their faces contorted in terror. Where had this wizard come from?

The fourth Death Eater, who still had his wand, immediately cast Protego on himself without hesitation. He then attempted to use the Levitation Charm to lift the wooden spikes pinning his comrades down.

"This one isn't behaving well," Braud Kuhl muttered, frowning as he watched the Death Eater's defiance. Deciding to teach him a lesson, Braud focused on the massive trunk of a nearby ancient tree.

With a booming sound, the tree trunk was ripped from the earth, soared into the sky, and plummeted back down, crashing into the Death Eater with brutal force.

The wizard, moments away from casting his spell, felt as though his lungs had been crushed by an elephant. The intense pain and suffocating pressure forced his wand from his grasp, interrupting the spell.

The only thing that saved him from being crushed into pulp was the lingering effect of the Protego charm. But as the protective spell faded, Braud lightly tapped his wand, sending several smaller wooden spikes flying towards the Death Eater's hands.

"AAAAAHHHH!"

The Death Eater screamed in agony as the spikes pierced through the backs of his hands, pinning them to the ground. Blood gushed from the wounds, the pain so intense it made him wish for unconsciousness.

He had always wondered what kind of pain made his enemies beg for mercy when he used the Cruciatus Curse. Now he finally understood.

But Braud wasn't finished. A cornered cat is ferocious, and Braud was no exception. He needed to completely subdue his enemy before he could feel any sense of safety.

Two more spikes shot through the air, this time impaling the Death Eater's feet. Just like before, the spikes drove into the earth, causing blood to pour from the wounds. His screams echoed through the forest.

The other three Death Eaters, lying helpless on the ground, watched Braud and Harvey approach, their terror mounting. These two men were monsters!

For a moment, it felt like facing You-Know-Who himself.

The entire skirmish had been over in less than ten seconds, from the moment Braud had closed his eyes.

Harvey, stunned by how quickly Braud had subdued the Death Eaters, struggled to process what he had just witnessed.

"Goodness, Braud, you really remind me of the time my mentor raised hell at the U.S. Ministry of Magic," Harvey muttered in disbelief.

Braud, ever modest, replied, "There's still a gap between me and a legendary wizard like that. Here, take their wands."

As he gathered the wands from the fallen Death Eaters, Braud turned to Harvey. "Warden, we don't have any Veritaserum on hand, so I'll leave the interrogation to you."

Harvey stepped forward, his wand drawing a threatening semicircle in the air. "I trust you won't make me embarrass myself in front of my men, right?" he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Meanwhile, the Longbottoms weren't faring as well as Braud and Harvey. They had the misfortune of encountering Bellatrix Lestrange and her husband, Rodolphus.

Bella, with her wild hair, gaunt face, and stick-thin figure, looked every bit the madwoman she was known to be. Her shrill, cackling voice only added to the image. In stark contrast, her husband had the appearance of a dignified gentleman.

"Oh ho ho ho, look what we have here—damned Aurors and members of the Order of the Phoenix!" Bella sneered, clearly recognizing the Longbottoms.

Rodolphus, his voice a low, raspy growl, added, "I remember him—he was a Gryffindor a couple of years below us."

"These two traitorous cousins!" Bella's eyes gleamed with a savage fury. "How dare this pure-blood couple defy the Dark Lord and side with that old fool Dumbledore?!"

To the Lestranges, the Longbottoms were the ultimate betrayers. They were pure-bloods who had chosen to fight against Voldemort—an unforgivable offense in Bella's eyes.

Frank Longbottom stepped in front of his wife, shielding her as he calmly addressed the Lestranges. "There are things in this world that are more important than blood purity—things people like you could never understand."

Bella cackled maniacally. "Oh really? Then let's see how righteous you feel when you're on your knees, begging for mercy!"

Without warning, Rodolphus cast Avada Kedavra, the Killing Curse. A flash of green light shot towards Frank, who quickly transfigured the dead leaves and branches on the ground into a thick barrier. The wall blocked the curse, disintegrating instantly upon impact.

"Try this—I'm sure you'll enjoy it!" Bella shrieked with glee as she conjured a tiny flame at the tip of her wand. The flame twisted and expanded, transforming into a fiery serpent that slithered toward the Longbottoms with terrifying speed.

Frank's heart sank—this was Fiendfyre.

Fiendfyre was a deadly curse that conjured a magical fire capable of consuming anything in its path. The flames could take on various shapes, hunting down their target with relentless ferocity.

"We need to retreat!" Frank urged. Neither he nor Alice had yet mastered the countercurse for Fiendfyre, and facing it head-on would be suicide.

But Bella wasn't about to let them escape so easily. With a maniacal laugh, she fueled the flames, causing the fiery serpent to grow larger, its jaws snapping at the retreating couple.

Rodolphus, intent on keeping the Longbottoms from fleeing, pointed his wand at them. "Obscuro!" he shouted, casting a spell that plunged them into temporary blindness. They stumbled, unable to see the Fiendfyre closing in on them.

--------

"Fiendfyre Curse!"

Frank saw the Fiendfyre approaching him and his wife, so he used the fire spell in desperation, hoping to resist the Fiendfyre for a while and allow his wife to escape successfully.

But the blazing flames were no match for Fiendfyre. Fiendfyre is a powerful dark magic that cannot be compared with ordinary flames.

The huge fireball created by Frank was about to be swallowed up by Bella's fire snake. Suddenly, he remembered the conversation he had with Braud Kuhl on the boat two days ago.

The wind is strong and the fire is strong!

Frank and Alice looked at each other, understanding each other, and raised their wands at the same time.

"(Spell for Oily Eruption Conjuration)!"

"Hurricane Curse!"

A black, oily, sticky liquid appeared on the tip of Frank's wand. As soon as the oil touched the flame, it was immediately ignited by the high temperature of the fireball. Huge energy burst out instantly, and the entire fireball became enormously large!

A strong wind blew over at the same time. This was the Hurricane Curse cast by Alice with all her strength. The wind was extremely strong, and the surrounding maze trees swayed their bodies crazily, as if they were about to leave the earth that raised them in the next second and fly to freedom.

The enormous fireball, blown by such a strong wind, seemed to turn into a powerful, burning flame sword, fiercely stabbing the Fiendfyre snake attacking the Longbottoms.

Hey!

The head of the Fiendfyre snake was pierced by the flaming sword. It raised its body high and roared silently at the sky.

Seeing that the blazing flames after the mutation temporarily blocked Fiendfyre's offensive, Frank also lifted the obstacles in front of him, pulled his wife, and ran back.

Although the blazing flames were now blocking Fiendfyre, ordinary flames were no match for Fiendfyre. Fiendfyre would not extinguish before it burned all the targets it could consume.

Frank knew this very well, and he also understood that he and his wife were no match for the Bellas and could only seek support from their teammates.

"Damn it! Ahhhhh!"

Bella saw the Longbottoms trying to escape and wanted to control Fiendfyre to catch up, but Fiendfyre was temporarily held back by Frank's blazing flames.

She tried to overtake the fierce fire and catch up directly but was scorched by the high temperature in the middle of the battlefield and couldn't get close. She could only wait for the Fiendfyre to slowly devour the opponent's flames.

"It's okay, keep chasing. They can't escape!" Rodolphus comforted his wife and immediately chased after Fiendfyre devoured the blazing flames.

"They can't escape!" Bella said viciously. "I'm going to catch them and torture them!"

Fortunately, the Longbottoms were not injured and ran quickly to the agreed location. At the same time, they set some traps behind themselves to prevent the enemy from pursuing them.

"The method Braud Kuhl suggested really works! The power of the flames has become much stronger!" Frank said happily.

Alice did not relax her vigilance and was always observing the surrounding situation. "I think we owe him a favor. But my dear, you looked so impressive when you used the fire spell just now. The last time you made me feel this way was at the wedding."

Frank blushed a little. Alice was shy in front of others, but when they were alone, Frank was the one who felt shy.

"Hey! It's still very dangerous. Find Moody quickly. He can counter the Fiendfyre. Only he can handle Bellatrix!"

The two moved through the jungle, quickly leaving the Lestranges behind, and then encountered Delis, who was panicking.

Delis had a horrified expression on his face. After seeing the Longbottoms, he ran up to them crying, "Devil! Devil!"

Alice saw that Delis seemed to be mentally traumatized and felt that something was not right. Just as she was about to approach and ask what happened, she was stopped by Frank.

Frank raised his wand and pointed it at Delis: "Back off! Don't get close!"

Alice also realized at this moment that when separated from companions during battle, one must be sufficiently wary of them, as these individuals might be affected by dark curses and no longer be the companions you know.

Delis stopped for a moment and looked at Frank in disbelief. "Frank? What do you mean?"

"I'm not sure, Delis," Frank said, "You need to let me check it out."

Delis seemed insulted, his face turned red. "You... how dare you insult me like this?"

Frank and Alice looked at each other and immediately knew that the Delis in front of them was no longer the Delis they knew.

According to the guidelines of the Auror department, one must check one's identity in such situations. Even if Delis is not an elite Auror, it is absolutely impossible to forget this rule.

Therefore, the Delis in front of them was definitely not their former teammate. Alice waved her wand without hesitation: "Quickly imprison him!"

From the tip of Alice's wand, a purple rope flew out and tied Delis directly.

She was not sure whether Delis was transformed by the enemy or under a imperious spell. She did not dare to use a highly damaging spell and wanted to subdue him first.

Seeing that he had been discovered, Delis touched his neck with his magic wand and made a very loud call: "Here! Everyone, come here!"

The expressions of both Longbottom and his wife changed. They didn't expect that their position would be exposed by him.

Delis's voice spread very far, and two Death Eaters immediately rushed out. They were the Death Eaters who used the Imperius Curse to control Delis. When they saw Longbottom and his wife, they showed their fierce looks.

"crucio!"

"Avada Kedavra!"

The two Death Eaters did not hesitate to use Unforgivable Curses to capture the Longbottoms.

In this way, they might have a chance to exchange hostages with the Ministry of Magic and have them hand over Igor.

The Longbottoms could only run away. They had expended a lot of magic power dealing with Fiendfyre and had to be careful with the Bellas who were following them. If caught by these two Death Eaters, the consequences would be dire.

The ropes on Delis's body were loosened, and like the two Death Eaters, he joined the team chasing the Longbottoms.

However, after such a delay, the Bellas behind them arrived at the scene. Four Death Eaters and an Auror controlled by the Imperius Curse joined the pursuit of the Longbottoms.

The enormous fire snake snaked across the ground, leaving countless flame scars, and the scorching air was gradually approaching the Longbottoms.

Facing the pursuit of five people, the traps set by the Longbottoms had no effect at all, and the distance between the two sides grew smaller and smaller.

Eventually, both sides ran into a dead end.

This is the wrong exit of the maze. All the ways out are blocked. The Longbottoms are in a huge crisis!

---

"Sectumsempra!"

Along with Braud Kuhl's clear voice, invisible cutting spells sliced through the tree maze, clearing the obstructing trees and forcibly opening a path.

"Harvey, do you know? It's said that there's no road in the world, but it becomes a road when more people walk on it. This saying contains both philosophical and practical implications…"

Braud's conversational tone suddenly faltered, drawing curious glances from everyone present and making him a bit self-conscious.

Bella was accompanied by two Death Eaters and Delis, who was under the influence of the Imperius Curse. Behind them, a massive fiery snake, restless and voracious, sought something to consume to sustain itself.

The Longbottoms looked pale, their faces a mix of despair and relief.

Reinforcements had arrived, and it was a relief not to be fighting alone!

"Who are you?" Bella asked, eyeing Braud with curiosity. This young wizard seemed formidable despite his youth.

It was evident from the power of Sectumsempra used just moments ago.

Sectumsempra was a spell Professor Snape had developed during his time at school. After Snape joined the Death Eaters, many wizards learned this spell from him, and Bella was quite familiar with it.

"It seems it's 4 against 5 now." Braud whistled nonchalantly and raised his wand.

"Be careful with that fire snake, it's a fire curse and very difficult to deal with!" Frank Longbottom warned.

Harvey stepped forward confidently, "I know the Fiendfyre Curse Extinguishing Spell, leave that madwoman to me."

Braud regarded Harvey with skepticism, "Old man, you're making bold claims. Why do I find you so unreliable?"

Harvey merely grunted, sounding somewhat off.

The Death Eaters were hesitant, their fear evident. They had witnessed Braud's large-scale Sectumsempra, which had cleared their path like a bulldozer. Who wouldn't be intimidated?

But Bella remained unfazed. She was a powerful and ruthless wizard and commanded the Fiendfyre Curse to attack Braud and his group without restraint.

" Ignis Maleficus Vincire!" Harvey shouted as he stood against the fiery snake. With a flick of his wand, the snake began to shrink rapidly.

"Damn old man!" Bella cursed. Seeing someone dare to oppose her, she intensified the Fiendfyre Curse, leading to a standoff with Harvey.

Braud knew that the Death Eaters were formidable enemies and needed to be dealt with decisively to avoid casualties.

With a flick of his wand, Braud cast several spells—transformation, levitation, and acceleration. Soon, sharp wooden thorns materialized out of thin air.

Whoosh whoosh!

The wooden spines flew faster than bullets, but this time, Braud did not have an easy time clearing out the minor threats.

Rodolphus, Bella's husband, deflected the wooden thorns with precision, using a disintegrating spell to obliterate them.

Braud considered two aspects that needed improvement: First, the acceleration spell wasn't quick enough for this opponent to react. Second, crafting special weapons was preferable to using fragile wooden thorns.

Rodolphus was surprised. This was the first time he had seen such an attack. Braud's magic was impressive, yet Rodolphus had never heard of him.

Is he a wizard from another country? No, he appears to be local, and he's quite young. Who could he be?

Filled with doubts, Rodolphus continued to use various offensive spells—such as Splitting Curse, Heartbreaking Curse, and Bone-Cutting Curse—to test Braud's defenses.

Braud remained calm, knowing he had many tricks up his sleeve. He aimed his wand at Rodolphus and cast a Petrifying Charm.

This was one of the basic spells Braud had mastered, capable of petrifying both people and creatures, though its effectiveness depended on the opponent's level.

After a brief evaluation of his opponent's magical abilities, Braud assessed that the advantage was his.

After several rounds of testing, Braud prepared for a full-scale attack.

"Sectumsempra!"

Braud waved his wand, and an ancient tree nearby was instantly shattered into countless fragments. The sharp wood shards began to take on deadly edges.

Guided by the transformation spell, the sawdust in the air coalesced into sharp glass spikes!

Go!

Braud flicked his wand, and a storm of glass spikes hurtled towards Rodolphus!

Rodolphus had never witnessed such a spectacle. Fearful, he drew a semicircle with his wand, creating an invisible barrier.

The glass spikes clashed with the barrier, creating a cacophony as they shattered and fell to the ground.

The intense friction noise filled the space, and Rodolphus shouted, increasing the protective magic while preparing a defensive counterattack.

But Braud did not give him a chance. Following the hunter's rule of not allowing any respite, he pressed his advantage.

The glass fragments in the air swiftly reformed, gathering into a dark cloud that covered the sky.

Everyone stared in awe at the sky, and the two Death Eaters were filled with dread.

Could a wizard really do this?

"Rodolphus! Get out of the way! This wizard is beyond your capability!"

Bella, recognizing the threat, quickly swapped positions with Rodolphus to avoid her husband being harmed. She knew this opponent was not to be taken lightly.

Harvey stared at Braud's back in astonishment, as if seeing a familiar figure.

"The fourth giant..."

Harvey murmured, astonished that someone so young could display such immense power—an echo of the other three giants!

Bella screamed in fury, her face contorted with rage, and cast her wand to its fullest extent.

The Fiendfyre Curse, now massive and serpentine, swirled and expanded, consuming the surrounding forest and growing into a roaring fire dragon!

The fiery snake reared its head and roared silently, seemingly venting its fury at the dark clouds overhead.

The scene turned into a dramatic showdown between Bella and Braud. The dark clouds loomed menacingly, and the fiery snake's destructive dance continued!

The Fiendfyre Curse grew ever larger, and the surrounding forest fed its flames. Braud could no longer stand idly by and watch this inferno escalate.

"Fall!" Braud commanded, pressing his wand down firmly.

The overwhelming power of heaven descended abruptly!

--------

Hot air waves blew across everyone's faces. Except for Braud Kuhl and Bella, no one could get close to the battlefield. They could only stand outside and worry about the two of them.

The dark clouds in the sky were growing smaller and smaller, while the "heavy rain" continued to pour down. Not only could the Fiendfyre Curse fire snakes not advance an inch under such a relentless assault, but they were also being driven back, as if they might collapse any moment.

Bella became increasingly hysterical, roaring and activating her wand, trying to make the Fiendfyre snake consume more fuel. As long as the Fiendfyre had something to burn, it would remain an unquenchable blaze!

As long as Braud's magic was exhausted, Bella could kill everyone!

The two sides were still at a stalemate, but the dramatic scene had already drawn everyone's attention, including Mad-Eye Moody, who was far away.

When Moody saw the massive fire snake and what appeared to be dark clouds in the sky, he felt a growing sense of unease and wanted to rush over immediately to understand what was happening.

However, he couldn't move right now because there were still two Death Eaters in his way.

One of the Death Eaters had revealed his face. Moody recognized him as Rodolphus Lestrange, Bella's husband, and a pure-blood. The other Death Eater was still masked, so his identity remained unknown.

But it was this unidentified Death Eater who put Moody under significant pressure. This Death Eater was as powerful as he was!

Even slightly better than him!

This was somewhat unbelievable for Moody.

Moody himself was the most formidable Auror. He had captured nearly half of the prisoners in Azkaban. His professional skills were among the best in the wizarding world.

The fact that this unknown Death Eater had superior abilities was a disturbing revelation!

"Damn, I don't think I've heard your name before!"

Moody waved his wand, trying to find clues while contending with the Death Eater.

Since Moody lost one of his legs, his wand had been transformed into a crutch. This made him look somewhat comical and intimidating, but it significantly enhanced his practicality.

Igor, standing nearby, was also sweating. To be honest, he had no idea who the powerful Death Eater was, but this meant he was extremely dangerous!

After Voldemort's fall, Snape, the most powerful Death Eater, had defected to Dumbledore. Apart from die-hards like Bella, few Death Eaters were willing to fight.

Such a powerful and reckless Death Eater was precisely what traitors like Igor feared the most!

The unknown Death Eater remained silent, his gaze fixed on the dark clouds and fire snakes, puzzled over what could have gone wrong.

According to the Death Eater's original plan, he was supposed to stop Mad-Eye Moody, while the werewolf Fenrir and Rudolph would handle the others, leaving the rest to his subordinates.

Afterward, Bella and her husband were expected to quickly eliminate everyone else and then join forces. How did it end up causing such a commotion?

Could it be that Moody had some backup plan?

The Death Eater was deeply confused and began to test: "Did you summon Mr. and Mrs. Weasley here? Otherwise, Bella wouldn't have been stopped."

Moody was momentarily stunned, then realized and laughed: "You'll find out soon enough!"

The Death Eater leader suddenly felt reassured. Judging by Moody's reaction, it wasn't the Weasleys over there, and Bella should be safe.

However, the Auror department still had unknown combat power, so he needed to be cautious in future calculations.

Moody and the Death Eater leader moved toward the fierce battle scene, both sides were curious and confused.

At this time, on the frontlines, the battle between the two sides was reaching its climax.

The overwhelming dark clouds gradually dissipated until they were almost gone, and Bella's Fiendfyre snake shrank in size, losing its former grandeur.

When the last burst of 'heavy rain' ended, the Fiendfyre Snake was only the size of a palm.

Amidst the non-combustible glass scattered everywhere, the Fiendfyre Snake trembled and struggled twice before disappearing without a trace.

This intense magical duel came to an end.

The Death Eaters and Aurors looked at each other and prepared to resume their battle.

The spectacle just now had drawn everyone's attention, and soon, everyone arrived.

Moody brought Igor and the opposing Death Eater leader to the chaotic battlefield. The werewolves Fenrir and Rufus also arrived and took their respective positions to confront each other.

The Death Eater leader looked around and, finding Mr. and Mrs. Weasley missing, felt slightly relieved. He then turned to Bella and Rodolphus: "What happened?"

Bella was panting and did not answer. Rodolphus pointed at Braud: "This guy I've never seen before!"

Braud remained calm, observing the masked Death Eater who seemed to be Bella's leader, mentally trying to determine his identity.

"Are you sure you can defeat him?" the Death Eater leader asked Bella.

Bella snorted but did not respond.

Mad-Eye Moody looked at Braud in surprise. He hadn't expected this young wizard to turn the tide and cause such an uproar.

How was this possible? His information indicated that Braud had just graduated from Hogwarts!

He was able to fight so effectively against Bella, a vicious Death Eater. Even judging by the expressions of Bella and Braud, it seemed Braud had the upper hand!

This was an extraordinary talent!

Moody was reminded of the legendary three giants in the magical world. When they were young, they must have been as remarkable as this young man!

But why would such a talented person be relegated to a minor guard in Azkaban?

The two sides fell into a brief silence. Moody had not expected the opponent to be so formidable, and he regretted not calling Kingsley and the Weasleys.

The opposing side also felt intimidated by Braud's sudden appearance. When the strength of both sides was nearly equal, a high-end combatant like Braud could often be the decisive factor in the battle!

Both sides began considering a retreat.

But retreating is an art. It's most effective when you make the opponent believe you're going to fight desperately.

"Go!"

"Catch them!"

Both the Death Eater leader and Moody looked fierce and confident of victory.

But both of them gestured to their followers, indicating they would retreat after a short while.

Braud noticed Moody's signal but didn't take it seriously.

If they were here now, wouldn't it be a big problem if they didn't capture a few Death Eaters and return?

Moody was surprised to find that while everyone was trying to fight and retreat, Braud Kuhl bravely stepped forward.

Braud's most powerful spells at this moment were Animagus Transformation and Expecto Patronum, but these were not particularly useful in direct combat with wizards.

Instead, Braud focused on using simpler spells to gain the upper hand.

First, he cast Protego to shield himself, then used a transformation and levitation spell to turn all the broken glass on the ground into sharp projectiles, which he aimed at the Death Eaters.

He then cast Acceleration to increase their speed.

Thousands of glass spikes flew like galloping horses, hurtling toward the Death Eaters with fierce intensity.

The Death Eater leader, seeing the overwhelming storm of glass, was not intimidated by Braud's impressive display and cast a powerful hurricane spell.

The strong magic caused the natural environment to change dramatically. A massive hurricane formed and grew to a height of ten meters in an instant, making everyone present stagger under its force.

The powerful wind swept all of Braud's glass projectiles and trapped them around the eye of the storm, causing no harm to the Death Eaters.

At the same time, Moody and Rufus also took action, and the two sides engaged in a chaotic melee.

Melee combat is clearly more challenging than one-on-one fights. It requires coordination with teammates and avoids being overwhelmed by multiple opponents. Originally, everyone was working in pairs, but the situation had changed drastically.

Delis had been controlled by the opponent's Imperius Curse.

As a result, Delis's teammate Rufus was now fighting alone, surrounded by three Death Eaters.

In the confusion of battle, it was hard for anyone to distinguish friend from foe. Occasionally, someone was hit by an unknown spell, causing their head to turn into a frog or croak in confusion.

Some were affected by the Confusion Curse or Oblivation Curse, while others were completely bewildered by the situation.

One Death Eater even released two giant acromantulas from his extension bag. Their massive bodies scurried across the battlefield, searching for prey.

Rufus was confronted by Fenrir, a pure-blood werewolf who retained his sanity even when the moon was not full.

At this moment, Fenrir appeared as a full-fledged werewolf with black and gray fur, a powerful build, bloodthirsty eyes, and sharp claws that clearly indicated his true nature.

Fenrir lunged at Rufus, who had just neutralized spells from two Death Eaters, preparing to bite him viciously on the neck.

Fenrir initially only had a craving for human flesh when in werewolf form, but over time, he had developed a taste for it. Now, he could act as if nothing happened after devouring a human.

The claws and saliva of a werewolf are poisonous. If caught or bitten, the victim would also turn into a werewolf, much like the unfortunate Lupin.

Rufus was in a dire situation but was rescued in the nick of time.

Braud seized the opportunity and used the levitation spell to make an ancient tree strike Fenrir, then added a Petrification spell.

Fenrir was knocked away, rolling several times on the ground before getting up awkwardly. Though he was a magical creature with high resistance to spells, Braud's Petrification had restrained him.

Fenrir glared at Braud with hatred. As a small-minded werewolf, he remembered Braud's face and vowed to seek revenge in the future.

Braud immediately sensed the danger. His body tensed, his hair standing on end.

This person harbored deep hostility towards him!

Braud resolved not to let Fenrir escape. He vowed to never allow someone with such intense malice towards him to get away.

He still had a family!

Years ago, Fenrir had crawled to Lupin's house in the middle of the night after Lupin's father said something that displeased Fenrir. He bit Lupin and turned him into a werewolf.

This demonstrated how cautious and vengeful Fenrir was!

Braud declared, "Fenrir! You despicable scavenger, a filthy dark creature, why do you think Voldemort accepted you as a Death Eater?"

"He just wanted you to serve him. Voldemort would never respect a dirty and despicable dark creature like you!"

"You only deserve to live in the shadows of darkness, even if Voldemort conquers the entire Ministry of Magic, you filthy beast!"

Braud's words struck with precision, hitting all the points that enraged Fenrir, breaking down his defenses.

Fenrir's eyes reddened, his limbs trembled slightly, and anger filled his mind. Poisonous mucus began to drip from the corners of his mouth.

He was losing control!

Fenrir no longer cared about anything else. He only wanted to tear the loathed wizard in front of him into pieces, and then chew and swallow him bit by bit.

Fenrir even imagined turning Braud into a moving portrait, capturing Braud and his family to eat them one by one in front of the portrait.

Even as the Death Eaters began to retreat, Fenrir was determined to stay and fight. The more he thought about retreating, the angrier he became!

Braud noticed the Death Eaters' intention to retreat and knew he had to intensify his efforts.

"Werewolves like you don't deserve to live in this world..."

Before Braud could finish his taunt, the crazed werewolf Fenrir lunged at him.

Fenrir had completely lost his mind!

"Fenrir! It's time to go!" Rodolphus prepared a Portkey and shouted to Fenrir above.

"Don't worry about that filthy scavenger." Bella grabbed her husband's hand, touched the Portkey, and vanished instantly.

The Death Eaters departed one by one, leaving behind many casualties.

Fenrir was the only Death Eater who rushed forward.

Braud flicked his wand, transforming the surrounding glass back into wood and then into huge ancient trees.

The massive ancient trees, like pillars from the sky, slammed into Fenrir, who had lost his mind.

Boom!

Fenrir's body flew into the air before being crushed deeply into the soil.

Meanwhile, Moody captured Rodolphus's younger brother with a swift Binding spell, and several other unknown Death Eaters were also apprehended.

The battle ended.

--

At the end of the melee, everyone in the Ministry of Magic was more or less injured.

Delis was rescued and the Imperius Curse was lifted, but he was still not very clear-headed and would likely need to stay at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries for ten days or so.

Perhaps due to his old age, Harvey accidentally fell victim to a repulsive spell and was continuously vomiting up a vile, sticky substance.

The Longbottoms had suffered some superficial injuries, which were quickly healed with a spell.

In the final melee, Mad-Eye Moody and Rufus faced the main forces of the Death Eaters, including the unknown Death Eater leader and Bellatrix Lestrange.

As a result, both were seriously injured.

Moody's arm bones had vanished due to a curse, requiring him to remain in the hospital for a few days, while Rufus had sustained a wound from a curse that couldn't be healed with ordinary spells. Both Moody and Rufus were sent to St. Mungo's Hospital.

Only Braud Kuhl and Igor were unharmed, and their clothes remained clean.

Igor was unharmed due to his own skills, and Braud was spared because the opposing werewolf, Fenrir Greyback, was not as strong as his reputation suggested; the disparity was too great.

Despite the injuries sustained, the operation by the Ministry of Magic was overall a success.

First, the strategic goal was achieved. The effort was focused on capturing Death Eaters, and five or six were taken into custody, including high-ranking members like the werewolf Fenrir Greyback. This was a significant victory!

The news of this success would surely excite the entire wizarding world!

Second, Igor, an important bargaining chip, was unharmed and remained in their custody.

Next, the Ministry of Magic would continue negotiations with Igor.

As long as Igor was willing to cooperate and keep revealing the names of Death Eaters, the Ministry of Magic was even willing to allow him to continue as the headmaster of Durmstrang Institute of Magical Arts!

"Goodbye, Mr. Longbottom and Mrs. Longbottom. I'm heading back to Azkaban to resume my duties as a guard." Before leaving, Braud also bid farewell to his new friends.

"Come on, you're a young man with a bright future." Frank Longbottom gave Braud a hearty hug. "You saved our lives. You're welcome to our home for dinner anytime. We'll always be glad to have you."

Alice Longbottom took her husband's hand and extended an invitation to Braud. "If you're interested, Braud, we could help introduce you to the Auror Department."

Braud smiled and declined. "I don't think I'm ready to be an Auror yet, and I have other interests beyond being an Auror."

"Oh? Do tell us, and we'll certainly assist if we can."

As members of a prominent pure-blood family, the Longbottoms had faced Voldemort three times and had significant influence in the wizarding world. Arranging a position for Braud would be straightforward.

They were grateful for Braud's life-saving actions, and even if Braud made difficult requests, they would do their best to fulfill them.

Braud declined their generous offer. "Actually, I'd like to be a professor at Hogwarts, but I currently lack the experience for such an important role. I plan to continue my studies while working at Azkaban... We can discuss it further in a few years."

The Longbottoms felt a tinge of regret. It was a pity that an excellent wizard like Braud couldn't become an Auror.

However, they soon became optimistic again, thinking about their child, Neville Longbottom, who was just under a year old and would undoubtedly attend Hogwarts in the future. They hoped he might grow into an excellent wizard under Braud's guidance.

As they watched Braud Disapparate away to return to Azkaban, they began to dream of the future. "Do you think our child will become an outstanding Auror under Braud's mentorship?"

"Perhaps," Mr. Longbottom replied. "Great wizards these days tend to go to Hogwarts, like Dumbledore. Even You-Know-Who wanted to attend Hogwarts, and now Braud does as well. Maybe our child will also end up teaching there."

"Really?" Mrs. Longbottom asked with a smile. "But I'd prefer him to be brave, like you..."

Frank Longbottom felt his face flush.

Back in Azkaban, the familiar smell of decay made Braud feel right at home.

To maintain his dignity as a warden, Harvey had expelled all the disgusting substances he had been vomiting on the island outside Azkaban before returning with Braud.

Harvey even suggested making an Unbreakable Vow with Braud to prevent the exposure of his embarrassing condition.

Fortunately, Braud firmly declined.

Upon returning to Azkaban, Braud took a refreshing shower and then began to tally the prisoners he had on hand and the rewards they might bring.

Aside from the primary system reward, Harvey informed Braud that the Ministry of Magic would soon issue a bonus.

The werewolf Fenrir Greyback was a notorious Death Eater and had been registered with the Ministry for a long time. The bounty on him was as high as a thousand gold galleons. If Braud was the one to capture Fenrir, the reward would certainly be his.

Moreover, Braud learned that he had gained some notoriety within the Ministry of Magic. If he continued to assist in capturing Death Eaters and make significant contributions, the Ministry might even consider awarding him the Order of Merlin.

A few days later, the captured Death Eaters were brought to Azkaban.

When Braud received the news, he hurried to the prison and was the first to put several of them into their cells.

The reward for imprisoning them for the first time was minor. The one with the highest skill was the werewolf Fenrir Greyback.

[Successfully sent the prisoner Fenrir Greyback to the cell.]

[Crime level: B+]

[Criminal evil degree: S]

[Guarding time: less than 1 day]

[Reward: Physical fitness is significantly improved]

Seeing Fenrir's data, Braud was shocked.

S-level criminal evil!

This was the first time Braud had encountered a prisoner with an S-level criminal evil rating!

But on further reflection, Braud found it understandable.

Fenrir Greyback had always harbored a deep hatred for wizards, often taking revenge and consuming numerous victims in his werewolf form. His insatiable hunger for human flesh even extended to his normal state.

It wasn't surprising that Fenrir had achieved such a high criminal evil rating.

-----

When he saw Fenrir's data, Braud Kuhl had already stripped this individual of all his legitimate rights as a prisoner.

The data was simply beyond human comprehension!

Though, to be fair, Fenrir wasn't human to begin with.

Braud stared at Fenrir, who was shackled and dressed in prison garb, with a cold, unyielding gaze. Fenrir, in turn, glared back with a fierce, defiant look.

It was hard to fathom the extent of the atrocities this man had committed.

Fenrir's expression suggested he was glaring at the enemy who had slain his father. He ground his teeth and spat, "Damn wizard, just wait. When I get out, I'll find everyone you care about and kill them one by one..."

"What?" Braud's expression turned to one of mock anger, as if he was incensed by Fenrir's threats. "You lowly werewolf, how dare you?!"

Fenrir was taken aback. He hadn't expected this wizard, who was slightly stronger than himself, to be so easily provoked.

Braud gripped the railing tightly. "No! I will never allow you to harm Dumbledore!"

Fenrir looked puzzled. "Why would I harm Dumbledore?"

Ridiculous. Even Voldemort avoids a confrontation with Dumbledore, so why would I?

Braud looked both angry and concerned. "You actually dare to target Headmaster Dumbledore, who is someone I hold dear! This is utterly unforgivable! I'm sentencing you to three days of confinement with dementor, and you will receive a Dementor's embrace every day! I'll starve you for an additional three days! And..."

After delivering a list of harsh punishments, Braud turned and left without a second glance, leaving Fenrir bewildered and confused.

After a long moment, Fenrir realized he had been tricked by Braud. He slammed his fist against the cell bars and howled in frustration.

"Pfft, hehehe, what an idiot."

From the opposite cell, a man's mocking voice reached Fenrir's ears.

"Who?!" Fenrir demanded angrily.

In the cell across from Fenrir, a young man with long black hair emerged from the shadows. He appeared in high spirits and even whistled cheerfully at Fenrir.

"Is it you?!" Fenrir recognized the man. "Sirius?"

The Marauders had joined the Order of the Phoenix after graduating from Hogwarts and were sworn enemies of the Death Eaters. Fenrir knew Sirius Black well, having clashed with him multiple times.

However, Sirius's shocking betrayal—defecting to the Death Eaters and abandoning his friends, the Potters—had stunned everyone.

The Death Eaters praised their fallen leader's cunning, noting how even a wizard like Sirius had been swayed. His manipulation was both impressive and infuriating.

Members of the Order of the Phoenix were in disbelief. They knew Sirius and James Potter were like brothers, inseparable friends. Even if Dumbledore had betrayed the Potters, Sirius was expected to remain loyal. The betrayal was shocking.

"You traitor, why are you laughing?" Fenrir's anger flared. He now considered Sirius one of his own.

"You pathetic werewolf, who are you calling a traitor? You and I are nothing alike, so don't make such comparisons," Sirius said contemptuously.

Fenrir: I **, you **, are you **? ****! ****!

...

After handling the Igor escort incident, Braud returned to his regular duties of guarding prisoners and tracking his rewards.

However, this event brought about some changes at Azkaban.

For instance, Braud introduced a new personal pastime: tormenting Fenrir.

Braud would find any excuse to punish the notorious werewolf.

If Fenrir made noise while snoring and disturbed other inmates, he was put in solitary confinement for three days!

Daring to glare at Braud? Make a Dementor give you a hug during night!

What? Reaching for food with your left hand first? No meal for you today and none for the next three days!

Braud's rationale for tormenting Fenrir was straightforward. Fenrir was a vile creature, and Braud had no qualms about inflicting punishment.

The main reason, however, was Fenrir's persistent hatred toward Braud. This beast actually dared to hold a grudge?

Ramp up the pressure!

Braud had no intention of using kindness to influence Fenrir—that was a plot for children's cartoons. He wanted Fenrir to submit completely and never harbor ill will toward him again!

Creatures are highly sensitive to malice!

Braud's torment of Fenrir had become a topic of interest among wizards. Many sent letters of support to Braud.

The Ministry of Magic issued a formal complaint about Braud's methods, suggesting that he find a more humane approach to managing the wild wolf.

Braud responded by quoting passages from "Twelve Ways to Train Wild Dogs" to justify his actions. The Ministry of Magic did not follow up on the complaint.

Most of the letters from other wizards were filled with praise.

They commended Braud for his treatment of Fenrir and encouraged him to maintain his current level of effort and never lose sight of his goal.

They urged Braud to continue his efforts and strive for even greater results, raising the level of his torment to new heights!

This was because, during Voldemort's reign, Fenrir was one of Voldemort's most fearsome weapons.

Many wizards would rather die than surrender after being captured by Death Eaters. However, when Voldemort threatened to unleash Fenrir on their families, turning them into werewolves, most surrendered.

For those who refused to yield, Voldemort kept his promise.

Anyone bitten by Fenrir while in his werewolf form would become a hybrid werewolf. Like Lupin, these creatures lost their sanity during the full moon, attacking anyone in sight.

The transformation of a loved one into such a monster could devastate an entire family.

He ate human flesh and has sexually assaulted minors .

Thus, Fenrir's reputation in the wizarding world was one of deep-seated hatred, which explained the thousand-galleon bounty on his head.

Even Harvey, Braud's colleague and commander in the prison, ignored the matter and showed no concern for Fenrir's fate.

----

Somewhere in the unknown mountains, a group of Death Eaters were gathering.

All those present were Death Eaters, and everyone knew each other's identities, so no one wore a Death Eater's exclusive mask.

Among this group of Death Eaters, the most conspicuous were the furious Bellatrix and Rodolphus Lestrange.

During the plan to kidnap Igor, the brother of Bellatrix's husband Rabastan, he had been captured by the Aurors. Now, he had passed the trial at the Ministry of Magic and was sent to Azkaban to be imprisoned.

Bellatrix blamed it all on the architect of the plan, the current temporary leader of the Death Eaters.

"Barty Crouch, congratulations, you're about to become the Minister of Magic," Bellatrix said sinisterly.

Barty Crouch Jr. and his father share the same name. To avoid confusion, Barty Crouch who joined the Death Eaters is referred to as Barty Jr.

Although Barty Jr. is a die-hard loyalist to Voldemort, his father is currently one of the most prestigious figures in the Ministry of Magic.

Barty Crouch Sr. is the Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. He was the one who captured Sirius Black and sent him to Azkaban.

Because Barty Crouch Sr. has a very tough style, even allowing the Unforgivable Curses to be used on Death Eaters, and has the merit of sending Sirius, the great traitor, to Azkaban, Barty Jr.'s becoming Minister of Magic is almost a certainty.

That's why Bellatrix made such a statement to deliberately anger Barty Jr.

"Shut up, Bellatrix," Barty Jr. scolded directly. He was not known for his patience.

Bellatrix's eyes immediately widened, and a hint of madness flashed in her eyes, as if she were about to draw her wand and duel with Barty Jr. at any moment.

Rodolphus quickly grabbed his wife. With Voldemort's fall, the Death Eaters were at an unprecedented disadvantage, and now was not the time for internal strife.

Seeing Bellatrix calm down, Barty Jr. stuck out his tongue. "Let's start this meeting. Let's discuss our situation first."

A Death Eater sighed. "Ever since those werewolves learned that Fenrir was captured by the Ministry of Magic, they are unwilling to follow our orders. This is a serious problem."

The Death Eater glanced at Barty and Bellatrix with some trepidation. "We used werewolf venom to coerce many people into working for us. If they know that werewolves are out of control…"

"Continue," Barty Jr. said, his expression unchanged.

"The giants want to withdraw from this war. The new giant leader seems to have heard about the disappearance of the former leader, so he wants to remain neutral."

"A batch of magical creatures we were escorting was taken by someone named Newt Scamander."

A Death Eater said excitedly, "Ah! I know him. He's the author of 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,' right? We used his book as a textbook when we were in our first year…"

The Death Eater's voice trailed off as everyone present looked at him disapprovingly.

The irritation in Barty Jr.'s heart reached its peak. He wished he could cast Avada Kedavra and end the life of this person who couldn't grasp the situation.

Unconsciously sticking out his tongue and licking his lips, Barty Jr. looked at Bellatrix. "Have you found out the identity of that person?"

Bellatrix glanced at him and said nothing. Rodolphus said helplessly, "Someone recognized this person. He seems to have been a student of Ravenclaw before. He just graduated from Hogwarts last year and is now a guard in Azkaban."

Barty Jr. was furious and finally couldn't tolerate it any longer. "Can a wizard who just graduated last year be capable of fighting like this?"

Bellatrix finally spoke with a sharp tone, "You saw what happened that day. Are you sure you could win against this person?"

Barty Jr. was momentarily speechless. Judging by the situation that day, he wasn't entirely confident of defeating the opponent!

"Damn it, why would such a monster be content to be a guard in Azkaban?"

"Find him!" Barty Jr. gritted his teeth. "Find all his relatives, and use them to coerce him into working for us!"

This was a common tactic used by Death Eaters. When Voldemort was still around, this approach was the fastest and most effective way to expand their ranks.

But times had changed. Many Death Eaters exchanged glances, unsure of what to do.

The veins on Barty Jr.'s forehead twitched. "Is there a problem?"

"We are now… because this person was a loner at Hogwarts. He had almost no friends. No one knows about his family situation. Moreover, our power is rapidly shrinking. Many of our previous methods are now useless. Some people under our control have started to escape, and the Aurors are closing in on us. It's difficult to coerce this person…"

Barty Jr. realized the Death Eaters' biggest problem was that Voldemort was no longer around!

Previously, Voldemort's power had gathered many originally neutral people into a formidable force. Except for Hogwarts, there was no place they couldn't infiltrate.

But with Voldemort's fall, the Death Eaters lost their strongest leader, and their situation had naturally worsened.

"Then change your strategy. The main goal is to find the leader."

"But… but the leader…" A Death Eater hesitated.

"What do you want to say?"

Before Barty Jr. could speak, the face of the deranged Bellatrix suddenly turned dark.

The Death Eater was immediately frightened into silence, cold sweat pouring down his face.

Bellatrix was an outright lunatic; no one wanted to cross her!

Barty Jr. and Bellatrix were among the staunchest Death Eaters. They had always believed that Voldemort was not dead, but was hiding for some reason.

"Okay, stop arguing. Finding the leader is our top priority."

"But how should we find him?"

Barty Jr. already had a plan: "If there is one wizard in the world who might know the whereabouts of the leader, it must be him."

The Death Eaters fell silent. Everyone knew who Barty Jr. was referring to, but no one dared to provoke that person.

"We have no way to deal with Dumbledore," even the crazed Bellatrix admitted.

"Yes," Barty Jr. agreed. "But we can start with the members of the Order of the Phoenix. They are all Dumbledore's allies. Maybe someone will have some useful information."

"Call everyone who can be called. Next, all actions must focus on capturing members of the Order of the Phoenix alive!"

------------

The days in Azkaban were always dull and monotonous.

In the blink of an eye, more than half a year had passed.

If it weren't for the new prisoners arriving every few days and the monthly enhancements to his abilities, Braud Kuhl felt he might not have lasted this long.

The prison was filled with extremely vicious inmates, rigid and corrupt guards, and competitive colleagues. It was the kind of work environment that Braud loathed most.

Yet, every time system rewards were announced, Braud felt inexplicably pleased.

[Reward: Weather Spell Proficiency Improvement (Current Proficiency: Entering the Hall)]

[Reward: Improved Animagus Proficiency (Current Proficiency: Entering the Hall)]

[Reward: Magic Level +19 (Current Magic Level 497)]

[Reward: Obtain Wolfsbane Potion Formula proficiency]

[Reward: Understand the 13 Uses of Dragon Blood]

...

Another month had passed, and Braud could sense a significant increase in his strength and the expansion of his unusual knowledge.

He carefully reviewed all the spells he had mastered, paying particular attention to those beyond the entry level.

The entry-level spells Braud had mastered were: Petrification Totalus, Levitation Charm, Transformation Charm, Fire Charm, Weather Charm, Acceleration Charm, Apparition, Protego, Expecto Patronum, and Animagus.

What left Braud speechless was that the spells that led him to mastery were the three Unforgivable Curses.

This was far from what Braud had hoped for.

But there was no help for it; there were too many Death Eaters in Azkaban!

Now Azkaban frequently received new groups of Death Eaters. These Death Eaters were essentially fanatical terrorists.

Almost every Death Eater knew the three Unforgivable Curses, and many of them used them with considerable skill.

It seemed that these Death Eaters resorted to the Unforgivable Curses at every opportunity.

This had caused Braud's proficiency in these dark spells to increase dramatically, outpacing all his other spells.

'If I joined Voldemort's team now, I could probably become his second-in-command.'

Braud felt that his expertise in dark magic had reached an incredibly formidable level, making him one of the most knowledgeable wizards in black magic, second only to Voldemort himself.

Braud estimated his current strength roughly. Only three wizards in the world could certainly defeat him, and two of them were currently semi-disabled.

However, catching up to these three was still a distant goal.

To put it plainly, there was a vast gap between these three legendary archmages and other wizards.

Braud still remembered the scene from "Order of the Phoenix" when Dumbledore casually subdued Bella with a single spell. The difference was like the chasm of an ocean!

There was no hope of surpassing these three archmages in terms of spell skill and magical power, so Braud decided to start studying some new techniques.

Braud didn't need to be on duty today. He walked to the outskirts of Azkaban and arrived at the rugged, rocky coastline with lapping waves, ready to experiment with the hybrid spell he intended to develop.

Reviewing the entry-level spells he had mastered, the most powerful was undoubtedly the Fire Making Spell, but the easiest to use was the Acceleration Charm.

During his previous battles with Bella, Braud had been dissatisfied with his fighting methods.

Currently, Braud's best attack method involved imparting strong speed and kinetic energy to an object, which could directly damage the opponent's body.

Anything with sufficient speed could deliver tremendous destructive force!

He could imagine the impact if a meteorite, only one-tenth the size and weight of the Earth, crashed from the sky.

But when fighting Rodolphus, Bella's husband, Braud found his attacks lacking in both speed and force.

Braud needed to propel an object at extremely high speeds, but his opponent was not a fool and wouldn't just stand still.

Rodolphus had used a spell to deflect Braud's Accelerated Wood Thorn.

"But what substance is best to choose?"

Braud looked at the coast, where most of the rocks were simply rocks.

With a flick of his wand, Braud levitated a stone.

With another wave, the stone flew towards the stone wall at an incredibly high speed, shattering into pieces.

Braud shook his head; the stone still didn't meet his requirements.

What about using metal?

Braud cast the Levitation Charm, and several stones floated before him. With another wand, he transformed these stones into various metals.

Iron, copper, aluminum...

Let's go!

Braud directed the metal blocks to fly toward the stone wall.

Bang bang bang!

The metal blocks were embedded deeply in the wall.

Braud nodded; the metal was indeed hard and durable.

But there was another issue: the metal was not fast enough!

In Braud's offensive system, strong kinetic energy was crucial and directly related to the power of the attack!

Moreover, increased speed would reduce the opponent's reaction time, increasing the likelihood of a hit.

"Physics should help solve this problem."

Braud missed his old phone. If he could search online, he could design a metal shape with the smallest stress-bearing area.

Now, Braud could only experiment on his own.

The smaller the stress-bearing area, the less air friction, but the initial weight's impact on power must also be considered.

Braud immersed himself in the experiment for a long time. Soon, he had transformed the cliffs into craters and used up all the nearby stones.

What to do when raw materials run out?

For a wizard, this is not an issue.

Braud waved his wand and cast the Restoration Charm.

In no time, the area was restored to its original state, as if nothing had happened.

Braud took a deep breath, continued to wave his wand, and practiced repeatedly.

Higher, faster, and stronger—this is what Braud was striving for!

----

After countless experiments, Braud Kuhl was still a bit dissatisfied with the power of his latest spell.

It wasn't that there was something wrong with his levitation and acceleration spells, but he was not satisfied with the substance and shape he used to launch the attack.

He had tried various shapes of metal blocks, and while the results were usable, they were not particularly impressive.

Seeing that it was getting late, Braud decided to end today's experiment and plan ways to improve it for later.

After tidying up his somewhat messy clothes, Braud returned to Azkaban, intending to review Muggle academic creations again, hoping they might provide some inspiration.

As soon as he reached the door of his dormitory, he saw Daniel waiting there with a look of resentment.

"What are you doing here?" Braud asked suspiciously.

"The warden asked me to deliver a message for you to go to his office," Daniel said sourly. He had been working very hard lately, but Harvey's focus had been on Braud, leaving him feeling somewhat unbalanced.

Braud sighed, not eager to go.

"What's the matter? Aren't you thrilled to be asked to work at the Ministry of Magic?" Daniel's jealousy was palpable.

Since the last mission involving escorting Igor, Harvey had been trying to transfer Braud to the Auror Department of the Ministry of Magic.

Braud had firmly refused the proposal, preferring to stay in Azkaban to continue strengthening himself. If he were sent to the Auror department, it would interfere with his progress.

Although Braud had rejected the idea, Harvey had not given up and continued to persuade him from time to time.

In the Auror department, due to Braud's outstanding performance previously, officials like Moody and Rufus had agreed to his transfer. The current situation was that as long as Braud agreed, the paperwork between Azkaban and the Ministry of Magic could be processed immediately.

Braud looked at Daniel and said weakly, "His honey is my arsenic. I'm heading to the warden's office now."

Daniel watched Braud leave and silently vowed to work ten times harder. His efforts would definitely be noticed by the warden!

"It's decided. Find ten prisoners today and have them clean all of Azkaban!" Daniel clenched his fists and roared inwardly.

Braud walked to Harvey's office and knocked on the door.

"Come in," Harvey's dry voice called out.

Braud opened the door and entered. He saw Harvey holding a quill, writing and drawing on a piece of paper.

Harvey looked up, saw Braud enter, and set the quill aside. It floated gently into the quill box, which then closed automatically.

"Braud…"

"Mr. Harvey, I have no intention of leaving Azkaban just yet," Braud quickly said before Harvey could begin his usual pitch.

Harvey was momentarily stunned by Braud's unexpected declaration. A faint smile appeared on his dry face, causing a multitude of wrinkles.

"Hahaha, it seems I've been mentioning this matter too often lately, which has left a negative impression on you. But today, I'm not here to talk about that. Please take a look at this document."

A letter floated into Braud's hand.

Braud opened the letter and read it briefly. His eyes grew colder as he absorbed the contents.

Harvey shifted uncomfortably.

"Is the news reliable?"

Harvey nodded. "Yes, it is very reliable. This letter was personally sent by Mr. and Mrs. Longbottom. The Ministry of Magic has investigated, and there are indeed werewolves haunting your uncle's house."

Braud read the letter carefully. It mentioned that a member of the Order of the Phoenix named Lupin had recently been approached by his werewolf companions. It was reported that the werewolves were planning something significant and intended to summon their allies.

Braud's mind raced, analyzing the werewolves' potential plans.

Were these werewolves planning something major?

What was this significant move?

Why had they appeared near his uncle's house?

Was it because of him?

Was it related to his capture of their leader, Fenrir?

The more Braud thought about it, the more sense it made. This group of werewolves was likely seeking revenge for the capture of their leader and the punishment he received in Azkaban.

Braud felt it was necessary to have a serious conversation with these werewolves: "Warden, can I take a few days off?"

"No," Harvey flatly refused. "I have already arranged a joint operation with the Auror Department for you. The task is to investigate the movements of these werewolves. How could you do that if you're on leave?"

Braud was moved.

It was clear that Harvey knew he would want to investigate but was concerned for his safety, so he arranged for him to be involved with the Auror Department to ensure his protection.

"Go back and prepare. Remember to report to the Ministry of Magic tomorrow."

"Thank you, Warden." Braud bowed to Harvey, appreciative of the consideration.

As Braud reached the door of Harvey's office, he suddenly turned around and said, "By the way, Warden, after I report to the Ministry of Magic, my work files will not be transferred directly, will they?"

Harvey glared at Braud angrily. "No! Get out of here!"

"Good, I'll go back and prepare!"

When Braud returned to his room, some daily necessities and a change of clothes magically appeared. He packed them neatly into a box that had been expanded with the Extension Charm.

Braud put on his shirt, vest, and coat. The newsboy hat on the hanger flew to his head, and he adjusted it carefully. Braud stepped into his Martin boots, picked up his suitcase, and headed toward the cell.

After passing through various cells, Braud arrived at the deepest part of the prison where he was stationed.

The two most important prisoners, Sirius and the werewolf leader Fenrir, were held here.

Given the importance of his seven-year-old sister's safety, Braud was determined to gather all useful information.

Fenrir was boredly counting the ants on the ground when a dark shadow fell over him, causing him to shiver.

He knew that the devil was coming again.

Braud's face was so grim it seemed like he could shed tears. He unlocked Fenrir's cell door and walked in purposefully.

With a flick of his wand, Braud conjured an ancient and elegant wooden chair and sat down. He stared at Fenrir, who had retreated to the edge of the wall.

"Now, dear Mr. Werewolf, I would like to ask you some questions. I hope you will cooperate."

----

In the dim cell, a faint light filtered in from behind Braud Kuhl, casting his silhouette sharply against the darkness. The outline of his figure was clear, but his face remained obscured, making it hard to discern his expression. An oppressive atmosphere enveloped Fenrir, making the air heavy with tension.

Though werewolves are creatures that thrive in darkness, the presence of a more terrifying enemy can make even the bravest among them reveal their cowardly and despicable nature.

"What are you talking about?" Fenrir's voice was weak and uncertain.

Braud placed his left hand on his knee, lightly tapping the wand in his right hand. Fenrir felt an immense pressure bear down on him.

Thud, thud!

Fenrir abruptly sank to his knees, as if invisible chains were tightening around him.

"Raise your head," Braud's voice was icy. He sat on the chair and looked down at Fenrir.

Fenrir cursed Braud a thousand times in his mind, but dared not disobey. Under the crushing gravity, he summoned all his strength to lift his head just enough to meet the gaze of the man who seemed like a god.

Braud sat upright, resting his hands on his knees. "I've received news that the werewolf clan has been making significant moves recently. As the former leader of the werewolf tribe, you must know something about this."

Fenrir mentally berated Braud: What a lunatic! I've been imprisoned in Azkaban for so long that I've lost all contact with the werewolf tribe. If you ask me now, I can't tell you anything, okay?

But given Braud's demeanor, it was clear he wouldn't be satisfied with any evasive answers. Fenrir had no choice but to strain his mind for any useful information.

What could these greedy and foolish werewolves be up to?

In truth, pure-blood werewolves like Fenrir are rare. Most are hybrids transformed by other werewolves. These hybrids lose their sanity during the full moon and become monstrous creatures that attack humans indiscriminately.

So Fenrir truly had no idea what these creatures might be planning.

The atmosphere grew increasingly tense. Fenrir could sense that Braud's patience was wearing thin. Knowing Braud's reputation for cruelty, Fenrir broke out in a cold sweat.

"Wait! I remember!" Fenrir exclaimed, relief flooding him as he managed to recall something before Braud's anger fully erupted. He felt like a child who had just been given candy.

Braud adjusted his position, placing his left leg over his right, and clasped his hands together, attempting to ease the oppressive mood in the cell.

Fenrir struggled to speak under the pressure of the spell, gasping out, "It's an uprising! The werewolves are planning to revolt against the wizards!"

Braud's frown deepened. He touched his suitcase with his wand, causing a potion bottle, a piece of paper, and a quill to float out.

Three drops of liquid from the potion bottle swirled towards Fenrir's mouth. He hesitated but swallowed the potion in one gulp.

The quill and paper hovered in mid-air, poised to record.

"Tell me more about the rebellion," Braud's tone left no room for negotiation.

Fenrir knew he had been administered Veritaserum and that he could no longer lie.

"You see, because most werewolves cannot control their minds and attack humans indiscriminately, they are classified as dark creatures."

"Hmph." Sirius, who had been eavesdropping, snorted in disdain. He was irked by the fact that Fenrir, who had caused so much suffering, was still shamelessly speaking.

Both Braud and Fenrir ignored Sirius and continued.

"Before Voldemort came to me, the werewolf tribe was in a dire situation," Fenrir said, his eyes burning with hatred. "You wizards are so arrogant! You treat house-elves as pets and have a deep-seated hostility towards us werewolves. Every year, countless wolves are hunted. Werewolves must keep their secrets well-guarded."

"Most of us live in isolation, surviving only in desolate wilderness or dark sewers!"

"We are humans too! We have the right to live! You evil wizards ruined everything for us!"

Fenrir's recounting of his experiences was laden with bitterness. His life as a werewolf had not started with bloodthirstiness; he had been shaped by the wizarding world's discrimination and hatred. Fenrir had retaliated with cruelty, but now his claws were ineffective, and he was a prisoner at Braud's mercy.

Braud's expression remained grim. He extended his wand, applying more pressure to Fenrir.

"Ugh..."

Fenrir collapsed under the weight of the pressure, his limbs weakly sprawled on the cold ground, a sense of humiliation overwhelming him.

"You are hated by wizards; you seek revenge. But what does that have to do with me?"

Braud approached Fenrir, his Martin boots stopping just in front of Fenrir's nose, casting a long shadow over him.

"Do you think I care about your tragic past? All I want to know is the details of your werewolf tribe's plans."

"It seems that you dark creatures are quite resistant to magic. Three drops of Veritaserum might not be enough."

Fenrir had never heard a voice so oppressive. He wanted to reveal everything he knew but found himself paralyzed by fear, making only incoherent noises.

"Relax, I'm not unreasonable. If you share your information, I will reward you accordingly."

Braud returned to his chair, his wand moving gracefully through the air.

Fenrir noticed the pressure easing slightly. He lifted his torso off the ground and was surprised to see a glass of water floating in front of him.

Fenrir was astonished to feel a pang of gratitude.

"Drink. It's just plain water. It will soothe your throat. After you drink it, please provide me with a detailed account of the werewolf's plans. Don't make me ask you a third time."

"Yes, Mr. Kuhl," Fenrir responded almost automatically.