Chapter 91 "The Shadow Dragon"

As the afternoon waned, an electric anticipation permeated the camp, tangible like a palpable cloud.

Dusk arrived, and even the serene summer air appeared to quiver with anticipation.

Under the cover of night, the Ministry of Magic abandoned its reservations, seemingly yielding to the inevitable excitement.

Displays of apparent magic use flourished, with phantom vendors descending from the sky.

Their trays and carts boasted an array of peculiar items.

Luminous rose-shaped badges, differentiating Ireland (in green) and Bulgaria (in red), screamed out players' names.

Green high hats adorned with dancing shamrocks fluttered in the wind, while Bulgarian ribbons depicted roaring lions.

National flags proudly waved with accompanying anthems, and miniature flying firebolts added a touch of enchantment.

Small statues of renowned players, triumphantly walking in the palm of one's hand, were also on offer.

Skyler refrained from making purchases, but after returning to the camp, Gareth acquired a panoramic telescope for everyone.

Priced at ten Galleons, it could replay game screens and swiftly analyze match strategies.

Ludovic Bagman made a camp visit, aiming to collect bets for his betting game.

Gareth, enthusiastic about the Irish team, wagered ten Galleons on their victory.

Skyler contemplated betting but raised suspicions about Bagman's reliability, wary of a scenario akin to the Weasley twins' experience in the original book.

Despite Bagman's ire, he refrained from tangling with Skyler.

Skyler's young age belied the influence he wielded, and only insiders knew of his influential backers, leading to his unprecedented canonization as the youngest Sir Merlin by the Ministry.

After intense deliberations, Bagman reluctantly agreed to an unbreakable oath.

Skyler staked seven hundred Galleons on Ireland's victory, contingent on Victor Krum catching the Golden Snitch.

With a predetermined 4x odds, a successful bet would yield him 2,800 Galleons—a substantial wager that approached Bagman's four-month salary, excluding taxes and daily expenses.

(Note: The striker's salary is 700 Galleons, similar to lower director-level figures in the Ministry, such as the Sports Department.)

A distant and resonant gong echoed through the forest as the game concluded.

Thousands of lanterns, in shades of red, green, and blue, adorned the trees, guiding the way to the stadium as the entrance flickered to life.

The game unfolded according to the familiar narrative from the original book, and the details need not be reiterated.

Post-game, Bagman's pallid countenance betrayed the toll of his probable loss.

Despite the hardship, an unbreakable oath restrained him from deceiving Skyler with dwarf gold coins.

Skyler's magical eye would pierce any attempted deception, and Bagman was acutely aware of the dire consequences—death—for breaking such a binding vow.

[2800 Galleons has been Obtained!]

Upon returning to the camp, Gareth prepared to suggest retiring to their lodgings for the night and heading back to the manor the next morning.

However, Skyler intervened, urging them to delay their return.

He produced bottles of magic recovery and invigorating potions, proposing an alternative plan.

"Tonight may not be calm," Skyler shared his information. "I suggest we stay in the hall, chat to pass the time, and try the invigorating potion if anyone feels excessively sleepy. Uncle Gareth, Mr. Morgaddon, as men, we bear the responsibility of safeguarding the women. Let's stay vigilant with wands at the ready."

Gareth, the clan lord, comprehended Skyler's underlying message. "Skyler, are you suggesting..."

"In essence, some attention-seeking individuals with too much time on their hands may make an appearance," Skyler elucidated. "Rest assured, with enough caution, nothing will happen, and their focus is unlikely to be on us."

Gareth regarded Skyler with a meaningful gaze. "I find myself unable to decipher you more and more. This morning's bet with Ludo—my instincts tell me you were confident in winning. Now, it seems you possess knowledge even I haven't confirmed."

"Uncle Gareth, I don't believe that you have no sound at all. You just couldn't confirm it. Besides, as a member of the Malfoy family, my father has been busy every day and made a lot of noise. How could I not notice any abnormality?"

A few sips of Skyler's invigorating potion revived the group, and they gathered in the hall, chatting animatedly about the game's highlights.

Meanwhile, Skyler donned the attire of the Supreme Wizard—clad in the Night Star Cloak, Ravenclaw Diadem, and duel gloves.

He checked the dagger and wand in his pocket, standing at the tent entrance, invigorated and surveying the crowd, still reveling in cheers and song.

Gradually, the atmosphere in the camp shifted; the singing ceased, replaced by screams and the chaotic clamor of panicked footsteps.

Skyler acknowledged those in the tent, all armed and prepared.

Leading them out calmly, the two House-elves were entrusted to stay behind, safeguarding the camp amidst the chaos—an emblem of the ancient family status.

Besides the dwindling bonfires, Skyler witnessed a wave of people fleeing towards the woods, evading an ominous force advancing upon the camp.

This mysterious entity emitted an eerie glow and emitted gun-like sounds.

A cacophony of raucous jeers, wild laughter, and drunken screams accompanied their approach.

Suddenly, a brilliant green light illuminated the surroundings. Wizards huddled together, wands raised, advancing cautiously across the field.

Skyler squinted, observing hooded and masked figures. Suspended above them were four struggling individuals, contorted like marionettes.

The masked wizards manipulated them with invisible strings rising from wands below.

Two figures were notably small—the family of the camp manager, Mr. Roberts.

Attempts by Ministry of Magic officials to intervene proved futile against the overwhelming numbers of masked wizards. Even Mr. Weasley and his three sons, including the red-haired gentleman, rushed forward in a futile attempt to thwart the unfolding chaos.

The once-illuminated path to the stadium was now shrouded in darkness.

Figures staggered in the woods, children cried, and nervous voices echoed in the cold night.

Urged by Mr. Morgaddon, the group sought safety in the woods, escaping the chaos caused by the mysterious assailants.

As they ventured deeper into the forest, a dark mark shot into the sky, drawing Ministry officials to the scene.

The masked wizards scattered, seemingly vanishing into thin air.

Just when it seemed the ordeal had subsided and the group could return to camp safely, a Stunning Spell struck, rendering Mr. Gareth unconscious.

Six masked figures emerged, encircling Skyler's group with hostile intent.

Their figures hinted at a mix of five men and one woman, with one man and one woman vaguely triggering a familiar feeling in Skyler.

With Ministry officials and curious onlookers absent from this remote corner, Skyler and his companions drew their wands, ready for a confrontation.

However, Skyler's confidence wavered, especially with the safety of the three young ladies at stake.

Only Morgaddon knew how to Apparate, but changing shape while surrounded by enemies posed significant risks.

Moreover, leaving an unconscious Gareth in the hands of these unidentified individuals was out of the question.

Skyler broke the tense silence, attempting diplomacy: "Is there a misunderstanding? We are all pure-blood wizards, and we have no quarrel with you. Your actions seem to simultaneously challenge the Malfoy and Greengrass families. Are you declaring war?" Skillfully raising the flags of the two families, Skyler sought to intimidate the masked assailants.

One of the men in black responded, "Don't misinterpret our intentions. We are not aligned with the idle Death Eaters. Our purpose here is to invite Miss Shafiq to accompany us. If it's convenient for the rest of you, we'll owe a favor to the Malfoy and Greengrass families."

Observing with his magical eyes, Skyler detected a violent black aura surrounding the six individuals, reminiscent of the original betrayer, Peter Pettigrew.

He furrowed his brow, forming suspicions about the group's identity.

Addressing them, he inquired, "Are you part of the Shadow Dragon?"

The man in black acknowledged, "You must be the renowned Master Malfoy, right? If you're unaware of our organization, you should recognize our strength. Even the Malfoy family would have to reconsider challenging us!"

It became apparent that Peter Pettigrew's agenda included assisting them in capturing Meredith.

The question lingered: why Meredith? The Shafiq family, while once pure-blooded, had dwindled to near extinction.

Meredith was its last surviving member, and the family possessions were already dispersed among others.

The sole remaining valuables were the decrepit ancestral house and a House-elf.

Despite Skyler's self-awareness of his less-than-virtuous nature, his pursuit of power had always been motivated by a desire to protect those close to him.

He couldn't allow harm to befall Meredith.

Yet, he hesitated to involve the entire Greengrass family, especially when the safety of the other two girls was at stake.

Contemplating a solution, he proposed, "You can take her away, but on one condition: I must accompany you."

"Impossible! Boy, aspiring to be a hero requires assessing your own strength. Most infants like you meet untimely ends," retorted the black-clothed man coldly.

"Boss, let's not waste time with them; we might attract attention!" warned another tall man in black with a deep voice.

The initial speaker, evidently the operation's leader, was familiar with Skyler in appearance and voice.

It seemed they had crossed paths before, though Skyler couldn't recall the details.

The adversaries moved swiftly— the leader gestured, signaling the other six to take immediate action.

Unfortunately for them, they had gravely underestimated Skyler's strength.

Emerging from the shadows, the attackers initially targeted Gareth, and now Mr. Morgaddon served as the primary line of defense.

While they were familiar with Skyler's name, the disparity between a junior student and adult wizards led them to underestimate him.

A brilliant light erupted from Skyler, akin to a human-shaped flash bomb—a Flash Bang Spell.

Its effectiveness was magnified in the pitch-black surroundings, rendering everyone, except the three girls who shared an unspoken understanding, temporarily blinded, including Morgaddon.

"Curses! Deal with that kid first; he can cast spells silently without a wand!" the leader urgently commanded.

Blinded but undeterred, Skyler relied on instinct to defend against the direction of the attackers in his memory.

The vibrant spells scattered in various directions, lacking precision.

Focusing his mind, Skyler summoned Aquila.

With a scream, Aquila transformed into six clones, each seizing a masked assailant with razor-sharp claws.

Simultaneously, Skyler wielded his left-hand wand to cast Ventus.

A tornado spiraled up from the ground, lifting two masked men into the air.

Despite their roars and curses, their efforts proved futile. With a deft motion of his right hand, Skyler retrieved the wand from the third masked man, folding it in two.

In the blink of an eye, three out of the six assailants were incapacitated, their combat prowess nullified.

The men in black could only suffer as they rethink of Skyler's magical prowess...

His skill is something that no one should underestimate even though he is still young.

All the lessons he's been learning all this time have paid off, the teachings and guidance from his ancestors have shown results.