NOVEL NEXT Chapter 226: Chapter 223 - The Labyrinth of Cnossos (2)
Easily dodging the dagger in the hands of the traitorous mouse, Luna turned her wrist and a Bombarda exploded in the air, but didn't hit the mouse. Although there was no magic, Neville certainly wasn't weak, especially in hand-to-hand combat. He could attack and retreat with ease with his incredible reaction speed and physical strength.
"Are you going to keep running, Squib? I wonder what your parents would say when they found out they had an squib child. War heroes, but with a son so useless he can't even throw a Lumos." Luna looked at Neville circling her like a wolf, waiting for the right moment to attack her. Her voice was tinged with sarcasm and provocation. The young woman's silver eyes shone with a phosphorescent glow.
Neville's face was cold, he looked like a wounded animal at Luna's words, but he didn't attack immediately. But he wanted to attack her, to make her pay for every word she had said to him. He wanted to see her scream in pain as his dagger pierced her heart. However, he refrained, who he thought was the weakest member, proved to be a difficult and tricky opponent.
Seeing Neville still staring at her with no intention of attacking even with her humiliating words, Luna was not disappointed, she could see the future and that included what was about to happen. Unfortunately, although an extremely strong power, it was beginning to weigh on her body. Especially after the night before.
"If you keep hesitating, other people might be drawn into our fight." Luna commented, bringing her wand close to her body. Her lips lifted in a very sly smile. "Imagine if Rose comes, or worse, Asterion."
'Asterion, although what I'm about to do will cause chaos, I know you and Rose will manage.' Luna thought, looking at Neville with a cold stare. She was becoming more and more exhausted by the continued use of her Gift. If the fight continued, her ultimate fate would be to be killed by the Squib in front of her.
When his name was mentioned, Neville's face darkened, although he knew that Luna was provoking him to attack, as she had said, he had no choice. Other participants could come at any moment and if Rose or Asterion arrived, he would definitely be dead.
Sleshhh!
Without any more hesitation, in an instant, Neville disappeared from where he was and reappeared in front of Luna, his dagger violently tearing through the air at speeds that broke the barrier of sound. The knife was heading for Luna's heart, the blade ready to penetrate her body.
Boom!
With the thunderous sound of air breaking, the scene Neville had expected to happen didn't happen at all. What appeared before him was the tip of Luna's wand pointed at him!
The girl smiled sinisterly at him as she made a very specific movement with her wand. It pulled to the side, descended slightly downwards and continued to the right and then upwards!
Neville watched in slow motion as the demonic blue fire gathered at the tip of his wand and exploded into a great quantity of blue flames in the air. In a mere instant, his instincts alerted him to the great danger of the blue flames.
Mustering the strength of his body, Neville managed to stop his forward momentum and threw his body desperately to the side, but he was still hit. The flames touched half of his left face. The heat and pain the flames caused was so great that Neville couldn't help but let out a pained groan.
The blue flames had taken the form of a grotesque chimera burning everything in its path, including the very walls of the Labyrinth of Knossos, which only served to further increase the demonic flames that got out of control in an instant.
Seeing Neville's opening, Luna smiled and swung her wand again, this time a blue beam of energy ripped through the air towards Neville. Fortunately, Neville was still conscious despite the pain and managed to dodge away from Luna while holding the left side of his face.
Luna was finally able to get a glimpse of Neville's true appearance, or at least part of it; half of his face showed features that were completely different from Hans Weiss'. But that other half was completely burnt by the Fiendfyre.
"I'd say a mark worthy of a traitor." Luna commented, her voice very happy with Neville's burnt appearance. At the same time, her entire surroundings were gradually being scorched by the demonic blue flames she had summoned. The air was thin as blue sparks hovered around her.
"I'm going to kill you, you bitch..." The words that came out of Neville's mouth sounded like a growl, the humiliation and pain made his face completely distorted by the intense emotions. He had almost been killed by the person he considered the weakest on the team, yet he had almost died and so far, he hadn't even been able to touch Asterion's clothes!
"I think you need to worry about yourself before you worry about killing me, mongrel. You'll become a roasted dog just like in China," Luna said, gesturing to their surroundings, which were being devoured by Fiendfyre's flames. It wouldn't be long before they were both engulfed by the blue flames. Not just him, but the entire Labyrinth of Knossos would be consumed by the demonic flames.
Neville realized this and gritted his teeth, the flames were getting closer and closer and from the burn on the left side of his face, he knew how powerful and painful those flames were.
He had two options in front of him, die fighting Luna or run away and live to get his revenge. Neville made his choice in a mere instant.
He turned around at top speed and fled the scene, anyone could see the veiled hatred on the fourteen-year-old's face.
Luna didn't move to stop Neville's escape and watched him disappear, and as soon as his back disappeared from her view, the Ravenclaw Representative didn't hesitate to flee as well, her face pale while her steps were weak and staggering. If anyone looked into her eyes, they would see that the blue color had completely disappeared, replaced completely by the silver color.
Wiping the blood dripping from both eyes, Luna ignored the agonizing pain in her body and quickly disappeared into the greyish mist, leaving behind the flames still burning fiercely in the Labyrinth of Knossos.
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At the Quidditch Pitch, sitting in the VIP seats, Dumbledore's face might look kind, but there was a deep coldness in his gaze. He wanted to laugh, but found himself unable to laugh at the betrayal of someone he had helped with all his might.
Neville Longbottom had always been someone Dumbledore valued because of the boy's steadfast character and determination, which was why the Hogwarts principal had helped him and his grandmother survive the threat of Asterion, but it seemed he had been completely mistaken in thinking that he would be repaid with gratitude.
However, there were things he should be worrying about more at the moment. Turning to face Joseph Weiss, Dumbledore asked in a gentle, warm tone. "Can the Minister of Magic explain to me why someone else is taking part in the tournament instead of his son?"
In all honesty, Dumbledore had underestimated the German Minister for Magic's courage and boldness, Hans Weiss not taking part in the Third Test was in breach of the terms used in the Goblet of Fire! In other words, Hans Weiss was deprived of his magical energy and innate technique.
It wasn't just Dumbledore who was looking at Joseph, all the Ministers of Magic and the President of MACUSA were also looking at Joseph Weiss. The consequences of such actions were naturally clear to everyone present, they couldn't imagine why Joseph would sacrifice his son's talent at this moment.
Joseph sat indifferently in his chair, ignored the eyes of the six Special Grade Wizards and Witches in the room and focused entirely on Dumbledore. He spoke in a calm tone and spoke directly. "Unfortunately, my son fell ill and was unable to take part in the last Test."
The German Minister of Magic's words left everyone speechless. They had expected a highly important reason, not a lie so blatant that it made everyone roll their eyes. Disease? There were few diseases in the Wizarding World that couldn't be cured with a potion, so Joseph's excuse was lazy and full of loopholes.
However, contrary to what everyone thought, Dumbledore looked as if he understood Joseph's words and spoke in a gentle, compassionate tone.
"I see, I wish young Hans well, I hope he stays safely at Weiss Castle in Frankfurt. After all, the world has been very chaotic recently, no one can imagine what might suddenly happen. Perhaps the sun will explode in the next moment."
The faces of the Ministers of Magic and the President of Macusa couldn't help but show strange expressions. Although Dumbledore's words seemed kind and concerned, everyone heard the brazen threat in the words of the Strongest Man in the World.
Joseph's face still remained indifferent in the face of Dumbledore's gentle gaze, the man didn't hesitate to speak his next words. "The sun is often eclipsed by the vastness of the world."
As Joseph's words faded, everyone present sensed that something was very wrong, the exchange of threats too clear for all to see. It made them realize that something big was going on, something they had no idea about.
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Author's thoughts: Penultimate chapter of the Second Volume!
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Next Chapter Second Volume: Chapter 224 - The Labyrinth of Cnossos (3).
Next Chapter of the Third Volume: Chapter 225 - A Dark Day (1), Chapter 226 - A Dark Day (2), Chapter 227 - A Talk Between Two Monarchs (1), Chapter 228 - Preparations for War (1), Chapter 228 - Preparations for War (1), Chapter 229 - Preparations for War (1), Chapter 230 - The French Battlefront (1), Chapter 231 - The French Battlefront (2), Chapter 232 - The French Battlefront (3), Chapter 233 - The French Battlefront (4), Chapter 234 – Battle Between Special Grade Wizards (1), Chapter 235 – Battle Between Special Grade Wizards (2), Chapter 236 – Battle Between Special Grade Wizards (3), Chapter 237 – Battle Between Special Grade Wizards (4), Chapter 238 – Battle Between Special Grade Wizards (5), Chapter 239 - Occupation of the Principality of Andorras (1), Chapter 240 - Occupation of the Principality of Andorras (2), Chapter 241 - City of Calais (1).