Chapter 412: The Burned Field

Chapter 412: The Burned Field

Disclaimer:

Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to J.K. Rowling. I own nothing but the original characters I make.

"Dialogue"

'Thoughts'

-Author notes-

Chapter 412: The Burned Field

The members of the Order of the Phoenix shielded their faces, casting heat-resistant charms as the heatwave washed over them.

The blazing inferno lasted only ten seconds but felt like an eternity. When it subsided, everyone was left shaken.

"Merlin, that hurt!" Mundungus Fletcher groaned, poking his head out from behind a charred brick fence. His face was flushed red from the residual heat, his charms insufficient to fully protect him.

"A little warning would've been nice..." muttered Dedalus Diggle, still patting out small embers on his robes.

"Whoa..." Hagrid rubbed his wide eyes, staring at the scorched field in front of him.

The once-vibrant landscape had been reduced to a barren expanse of blackened earth. No vegetation remainend..it was as though life itself had been burned away.

"He got them all?" Kingsley Shacklebolt asked, scanning the horizon for any signs of movement. "I thought he was only going for the giants."

"Not all of them," Moody growled, his magical eye swiveling. He pointed with his wand. "There are a few left crawling around. Over there."

Remus Lupin followed Moody's gaze and nodded grimly. "Let's finish them off. Don't waste this chance!."

But Aberforth Dumbledore's sharp voice interrupted him. "Where's my brother?"

Everyone stopped and looked up, expecting to see the Headmaster still hovering above the battlefield like they last saw him. But the skies were clear, with no sign of Dumbledore or his flying carpet.

"There's something over there!" Mundungus called out, pointing to a dark shape on the charred ground.

The specks of white in the dark bundle stood out against the ashen field.

Aberforth wasted no time, rushing toward the figure.

"Albus!" he called while running but got no answer.

Hagrid and Remus followed closely, while Moody barked orders at the remaining Order members to handle the crawling undead.

"Professor!" Hagrid shouted as they approached.

"More?" Mundungus looked horrified. "You think there's more out there?"

"With the one behind all this? Always possible," Dedalus said darkly.

Before anyone could respond, Hagrid's voice roared across the field.

"Found him! I found him!"

"What's he yelling about now?" Kingsley asked, watching as Hagrid sprinted to the center of the field.

"He was looking for something, I suppose" Dedalus replied with a shrug. Although he had no idea what the giant had been trying to find.

But the air suddenly grew tense as Moody silenced them with a raised hand. "Hold it. I heard something..."

The group froze, scanning the charred landscape. Expecting to find more of those horrid creatures.

For a long minute, all was silent. Then a deafening roar shattered the stillness.

"What was that?!" Mundungus shouted, covering his ears.

"A beast," Kingsley said, his voice grim. "That sounded like a beast roaring."

"It came from..." Dedalus turned toward the distant silhouette of Hogwarts Castle.

"GET OUT OF THERE!" Hagrid's frantic scream made their blood run cold.

Before anyone could react, a massive shadow passed over them, followed by a thunderous crash.

The ground shook violently, nearly toppling them, and the sound of the impact rang in their ears.

When they recovered, they turned to see an enormous object embedded in the ground just feet from where they'd stood.

"What in Merlin's name?" Mundungus stammered, staring at the massive shape. "Who threw a rock at us?!"

"That's no rock," Dedalus said, stepping closer. "It's..."

"Bones," Kingsley finished, circling to the other side. His voice dropped. "That's a dragon skull."

"A d-dragon skull?!" Mundungus exclaimed, his face pale.

"Whats going on in Hogwarts?" Remus said with concern.

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