*****
Somewhere inside Hogwarts Castle. One of many corridors.
-You c-couldn't catch him! - an ominous hiss, somewhat reminiscent of that of snakes, but different as the roar of a kitten and an adult lion. It was this sound that came from a secluded corner, not far from the entrance to the dungeons.
As you get closer and closer to those arguing, you can see a rather interesting picture, or more precisely, a dance of shadows that was cast by one single green (!) torch hanging right in the center of the wall.
Two shadows clashed in battle. One of them was completely distinguishable, it belonged to a giant snake, which at the moment, submissively lowering its head, listened to the "instructions" of its "master"... How many of them have there already been in the lifetime of the Snake King? And how many more will there be... and no one was like him...
The second shadow was...
- Why am I surrounded by idiots! — the barely legible silhouette, without any legible details except the eyes, continued to lament. "And this body is sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss for for my return!" — two bloody eyes of a madman looked around everything around, it was unclear what they were looking for in all this. And only real madness can be discerned in these hellish failures. - Impossible! Crucio!
A bright scarlet beam, just like the eyes of this magician, burst out from the suddenly appeared wand. Having covered more than five meters in an instant, it silently spread over the giant scales of the snake, and then completely fell in scarlet sparks onto the floor.
- R-r-A! - the madman howled to the animals when he saw this picture. As if responding to his madness, mana came into action, beginning to pour into space, corroding and "spoiling" by the very fact of its presence here. - I will destroy you! — many spells flew in different directions. The statue, the walls, the tapestries, the paintings... all of it fell under a magical barrage.
And only now was it possible to discern some chaos in the shadow of this madman. It was as if I didn't know who it belonged to, and was constantly changing its shape. The silhouette of an adult in a hood, a small child, a teenage girl, and also a certain old man... All this changed places, trying to take this place, but none of them was going to give up.
Suddenly, from the direction of the moving stairs, double steps were heard, approaching here at incredible speed. Their owners were clearly in a hurry to get to the site of the magical storm. But why?
- Mordred! "They're already here," the magician hissed angrily, calming down in an instant and regaining calm. - Open up! - and once turning to face the torch, he hissed.
The wall trembled, only to retract a moment later into one of the walls, making visible a large corridor that had only recently come into use.
- Get out! - the madman hissed to the snake waiting for him. Having listened to the magician, the Snake King crawled into the opened passage, and the magician himself disappeared behind him.
The wall reappeared in its original place, completing the picture of an ordinary dead-end corridor. And as if by magic, it was at that moment that a couple of teachers ran in: the Deans of Ravenclaw and Slytherin.
"What the hell happened here, Mordred?" - The Horror of the Dungeons said without addressing anyone in particular, as soon as he saw the devastation.
Broken statues, armor melted or turned to dust, burned paintings, of which there were not many here anyway. Rubble of columns scattered here and there. But the most important thing is mana. Its smell, taste and "will".
"I can't answer this question for you, colleague," the half-goblin said, carefully walking around this obscenity in a circle. "But I can say one thing for sure. I have never felt such mana, reeking of such concentrated madness. Except …
- Except? — Snape asked, raising an eyebrow questioningly.
"The end of the last war with the Dark Lord," Flitwick finished as if pronouncing a sentence.
There was silence. The half-goblin began to inspect the damage, and the potions professor only squeezed the forearm of his left hand with force. Each of them had their heads filled with their own thoughts.
And none of those currently awake in the castle paid attention to a drop of blood that incomprehensibly appeared in one of the corridors on the upper floors of the castle (if you close your eyes to the dent in one of the walls). And how that drop of blood disappeared in an instant.
Magic Castle, what to take from it. What is not happening here...
*****
St Mungo's Hospital. One of the chambers. The next day, after the "collision".
The visit to Smethwick went as usual. A "joyful" meeting, a small educational program, and then my departure from the head doctor's office with the help of a life-giving "pendal". And besides, a folder with data about another patient flew after me. Hmmm, I love the practice at Mungo's. Everything is short and to the point.
Walking towards the designated room number thirteen (how symbolic. And besides, the room is located on the first floor. While you go down there... well, at least not through the reception hall. My only visit to this room was enough for me) I immersed myself in the papers, reading carefully about what I have to work with.
Well, well, that means my patient will be one of the Aurors of the duty group. It's interesting that since he is with us, and not with the witch doctor on duty, it means they have plenty of wounded, and he himself cannot cope with it.
A cutting wound on the right side from a cutting curse. A small amount of evil eye, as well as a left foot pierced through. And where exactly did my patient manage to get such a "bouquet" of injuries? Hmm, maybe there was a raid. Although I don't really care about that.
Having gone down the career ladder, within three minutes (I just had time to read everything and think about the treatment plan) I was standing at the treasured door. Turn the handle until it clicks and I enter the room.
What can you say about my patient?
Well, first of all, it's her, not him. I admit that the stereotype affected me, which is why I decided that the patient would be a male.
Secondly, this person is very young. It's been about a year since I graduated from Hog. And this means a lot, because many cannot even dream of getting into the task force even after five years of service.
Thirdly, she is quite good-looking (although this is not very important). Pretty face, violet eyes, slightly thin body. In general, guys should run after her in droves. If not for one thing, but...
And fourthly, the name of this person is Nymphiadora Black. How did I know? I read it from a small tag that was lying on the bedside table. And this fact is also indicated by her obvious gift as a metamorph, because as soon as I entered, my once black hair instantly turned dark green.
Two violet eyes stared at me. They were full of surprise and incomprehension, but after a couple of seconds recognition began to emerge in them, and then their color changed from violet to orange.
- But you…
"Good morning, Auror Black," I began without letting her finish. "My name is Calder Wilson, and I will be your healing wizard." Therefore, if you have any questions, feel free to ask me.
A smooth, calm voice should have calmed her down. In principle, this is what happened, but I was not able to complete the result.
"You're the same little one from the faculty of ravens," this person exclaimed emotionally, and her hair changed its color again, this time it resembled ripe wheat. - How did you end up here, little one? Lost? Don't worry, now Aunt Nimfi...
I still didn't understand what exactly she wanted to say, because this person jerked sharply and then grabbed her right side. Scarlet blood began to appear through the applied bandages.
"Don't twitch, we'll start treating you right now," I said, taking out my wand and approaching the bed.
"What are you..." she rasped through clenched teeth.
"Somnus," a barely perceptible whisper and the weakened girl falls asleep in an instant, falling like a limp doll onto the pillow. That's great, less problems.
The next half hour could not please anyone with anything new. The usual routine that I have been doing here for several months now. Only occasionally do I come across cases with something new and unusual.
Twenty minutes later everything was ready. The patient was fast asleep, the wounds disappeared without leaving a trace. The only thing that seemed strange to me was her regeneration. At the rate she worked, her wounds should have healed long ago. However, this did not happen. Hmm, why would she slow down natural regeneration? Although, I won't get into that. There are already enough problems. Still have to figure this out.
I don't have the slightest doubt that she will tell Black about what happened (and she was not treated by a personal doctor, which the Black family definitely has). How will he react? What will he say? Eh, it seems like an ordinary patient, not the most difficult, but what a hassle.
With a slight wave I dispelled the spell that I had cast on the girl. After a moment, her eyelids fluttered and then opened. After carefully examining the room, the owner of these eyes came across me.
"The operation went without complications," I said, writing down the necessary data in the document. "This evening you will be able to begin your service," I finally finished writing and with a slight wave I created a copy of the sheet. — Here are the names of a couple of potions. I advise you to drink them so that the body quickly restores its resources.
Nodding at me hesitantly, the girl took the sheet of paper with my notes handed to her.
- Questions? - shaking the head from side to side. "Then sign," I hand her a folder with an enchanted feather. It takes part of the owner's mana and then infuses it into ink. The most important thing is that the signature is not forged. Even better, of course, is blood, but there are a couple of instructive themes associated with this...
Carefully taking the folder from my hands, and then reading the contents (well done, there's no point in signing something you have no idea about), she signed the document in one smooth movement.
"Great," I said, taking the folder. — The chamber will be assigned to you within another half hour. You'll just have time to get ready. Have a nice day.
So, our next plan is...
*****
Twentieth of December. Evening after dinner. Hogwarts Castle. Upper floors.
-Where are we going? — Nev asked me excitedly, looking around carefully.
- Well, you wanted me to show where I disappear all the time? - nod. - Well, let's go there now. Be patient, there's still a little time left.
Obediently falling silent, Nev followed me. And yes, of course we were hidden under a spell, otherwise you never know who would be curious. And we won't be late either. I don't want to run into the heir and his pet basilisk again.
Yes, you got it right. Now Nev and I are going to the rescue room. Still, in a year he was able to reach the level where, with the help of fairly powerful artifacts, he had a chance (quite large) to keep his knowledge to himself. And his artifacts, oh, are not simple, from one glance in magical vision my eyes begin to ripple slightly. There's so much going on there.
"That's it, we've arrived," I said with a slight grin, watching my friend. And I must say, his reaction did not disappoint me.
At first he looked around in confusion, and then turned his gaze to me. Not noticing anything, Nev looked around again. And then again, and again, and again. Finally, unable to bear it, he exclaimed:
- And it's all? Did you want to show me a picture of that ugly troll in a dress? - pointing a finger at the named character.
- Quite a cute troll. Why didn't you like him? — I said, stretching my lips into a dirty grin. Finally realizing something, Nev looked at me warily.
- Co-ol.
- What Kol? I am already one...
- Kol!
"Okay, okay, calm down," I said, raising my hands in a protective gesture. (I hope my game was convincing enough) - Walk in front of the picture three times and think about the greenhouse.
- Greenhouse? Are you serious? - Oh, how much distrust is in his eyes.
- Yes.
"Okay," he drawled.
Once again looking at me incredulously, he began to walk back and forth. Finally, after walking three times, he stared at me.
- AND?
"Look behind you," nods your head in the same direction.
He turned around and froze in place. Hah, I can understand. Carefully walking around it, I opened the glass door (just like in greenhouses).
— Welcome to the Room of Rescue.
*****