Capítulo 219: Terrorist hunting
A/N: spells in *spell name* are to be treated as silently cast, as most adult trained wizards don't yell every spell
*Narrator pov*
The Auror and hit wizard team moved cautiously toward the back garden of the manor, approaching from the south. The soft patter of light drizzle against their cloaks barely masked the tension in the air. Shadows shifted as they passed under the thick canopy of trees lining the estate's edge, the leaves slick with rain, glistening under the muted moonlight.
Their steps were measured, each one deliberate as they navigated the rain-softened grass and uneven stone path. The Aurors, with wands drawn, led the way, their eyes scanning the dimly lit garden for signs of movement. Their dark robes blended seamlessly into the night, but the subtle shimmer of protective enchantments around them hinted at their readiness for conflict.
The hit wizards followed closely behind, their demeanor more rugged, wands gripped firmly but low. Unlike the Aurors, their methods were less bound by protocol, their eyes trained for danger with a predatory focus. The drizzle dripped from the hoods of their weathered cloaks, the moisture clinging to their faces as they advanced silently.
A distant crack of thunder rumbled through the sky, a reminder of the storm looming on the horizon.
The lead Auror held out his fist signaling the others to stop, "Prepare the tunnel," The Auror ordered quietly
The Aurors broke off from the group moving closer to the garden. Each carried two flat wardstones in their hands, "Lay the stabilizer," one muttered
"Copy, stabilizer laid," the other parroted laying down the first wardstone
"Alright, prepare the shift. Be careful remember only two paces," The more experienced one ordered while putting the second ward stone on top of the first and
"Alright I'm set," the younger said
"Alright on my count,"
"Three,"
"Two,"
"One,"
"Move,"
They twister the second ward stones slowly the older Auror moving his clockwise while the younger moved his counterclockwise. Unseen to all but those with mage sight or enchanted glasses the weaker wards around the garden began to shift separating into two different directions.
The experienced Auror looked up, his mage sight allowing him to see a faint outline of the wards, "Alright stop, the tunnel is done," the younger one nodded backing away as they rejoined the others
The leader of this raid nodded in appreciation before addressing the others, "Move through the wardstones do not under any circumstances move from the path. Once we are inside you will follow your orders. Be safe,"
The Auror and hit wizard team exchanged brief nods, their faces grim with the weight of the task ahead. The leader of the raid, Auror Captain Greaves, raised his hand in silent command, and the group moved forward in a tight formation through the gap in the wards. The air shimmered faintly as they crossed the invisible boundary of the protective enchantments, the path narrow but secure.
Once past the outer wards, the team silently reached the rear door of the manor. Greaves signaled, and two Aurors moved swiftly to disable the lock with a silent *Alohomora*. The door creaked open, revealing the dimly lit interior of the manor. The musty smell of old wood and the faint scent of dark magic lingered in the air.
"Raid formation," Greaves whispered, and the team split into groups with seamless precision.
The Aurors, trained for such moments, took the lead, wands at the ready in a spread formation. Greaves stayed at the center, issuing quick, silent hand gestures. Two Aurors flanked him, moving low and wide as they advanced. The hit wizards followed closely behind, their movement more deliberate but no less deadly. Their focus was on offensive tactics, ready to act the moment the raid transitioned into combat.
The Aurors moved like ghosts through the hallways, scanning each corner, every shadow. Silence reigned, broken only by the soft shuffling of boots on the stone floor and the distant sound of the storm picking up outside. They passed through long, narrow corridors, ornate carpets muffling their steps. Chandeliers swayed gently, casting distorted shadows from the occasional flicker of a torch.
As they approached the main foyer, Greaves gave the final signal. The teams split. The first group of Aurors moved to the left, toward the drawing room, while the hit wizards and a second Auror team moved toward the grand staircase. Their goal was to surround the main group of terrorists suspected to be using the manor as a safehouse.
Suddenly, a low hum filled the air—dark magic thrumming from the room ahead. Greaves caught the faintest glimpse of movement beyond the open doors. They had the element of surprise.
"Now!" Greaves barked, his voice sharp and low, just as the doors blasted open with a burst of raw magic.
The Aurors surged forward. Greaves cast a quick *Petrificus Totalus* at the nearest figure, dropping him before he could react. The hit wizards moved in unison, throwing offensive spells that crackled through the air with deadly force, cutting down the initial defenses. They had caught the terrorists off-guard.
But it didn't last.
From the far corner of the room, a robed figure raised his wand high, yelling, "pared de llamas" A swirling, dark barrier of fire erupted in the center of the room, forcing the Aurors back.
"Take cover!" one of the hit wizards shouted as the flaming shield expanded, spitting embers into the air.
The terrorists, now fully alert, fired back. Spells ricocheted off the walls, bursts of green, red, and blue lighting the room like a warzone. The Aurors ducked behind overturned furniture and statues, casting protective shields and retaliating with stunning spells. Greaves, positioned behind a marble column, called out orders through the chaos.
"Team one, get that barrier down! Team two, push them from the stairs!"
Auror Sykes, leading the second team by the staircase, deflected a *Crucio* curse with a hasty shield charm before returning fire with *Confringo*, blasting a section of the wall to rubble where one of the terrorists had taken cover.
The hit wizards, less constrained by defensive tactics, moved aggressively. One leaped over a fallen sofa, wand raised, shouting, "*Bombarda!*" The explosion rocked the room, sending one of the robed figures flying back, but the flames of the dark shield still burned strong.
"Keep pressure on the left flank!" Greaves commanded, casting *Expelliarmus* at another terrorist, disarming him before hitting him with a full-body bind. Another Auror fired off rapid *Incarcerous* charms, wrapping ropes around the legs of an enemy attempting to flee.
Suddenly, a surge of power from the far end of the room caught Greaves' eye. A dark-haired figure, clearly the leader of the group, stepped forward, his wand glowing ominously. With a quick slash of his wand, he sent a barrage of "Fiendfyre!" toward the team. The twisted, fire-breathing serpents raced across the floor, devouring everything in their path.
"Break formation!" Greaves shouted, diving out of the way just as the inferno swept past. The Aurors scattered, barely avoiding the flames.
"Get that shield down, now!" Greaves bellowed, his voice hoarse as he deflected another hex aimed at his chest.
One of the hit wizards, gritting his teeth, drew a dagger engraved with runes from his belt. Muttering an incantation, he hurled it directly at the barrier. The blade struck the magical fire with a loud crack, destabilizing the shield for just a moment.
"Now!" Greaves roared. Three Aurors raised their wands in unison, blasting the weakened barrier with raw magical force. The shield shattered in a burst of violet light, and the remaining terrorists were exposed.
"Move in!" Greaves ordered.
"Move in!" Greaves roared, and the Aurors surged forward, spells firing from every direction.
The battle intensified in an instant. The remaining terrorists, now fully exposed without their magical shield, retaliated with fierce, wild magic. Green flashes of "Avada Kedavra" streaked across the room, narrowly missing their marks as Aurors and hit wizards dodged and deflected with precise shield charms.
Auror Daniels was first into the fray, hurling a powerful *Stupefy* that sent one of the robed figures crashing against the far wall. Another Death Eater aimed a sickly yellow *eruere* toward the team aiming to gouge them, but Auror Michaels deflected it with a swift *Protego*, the spell fizzling out in mid-air. Without hesitation, he returned fire with *Expulso*, the impact blasting the Death Eater off their feet.
Suddenly, a masked Death Eater near the far window raised his wand, his face contorted with fury. "Confringo!" he screamed, aiming at the cluster of Aurors advancing toward him. The spell exploded between them, sending Auror Collins sprawling to the floor, blood trickling from his forehead.
But the Aurors weren't done yet.
Greaves, seeing an opportunity, sprinted toward the Death Eater by the window. With a swift flick of his wand, he cast *Depulso*, the force of the spell slamming into the masked figure and sending him hurtling backward. The Death Eater crashed through the glass, shattering the window as he tumbled out into the rain-soaked night.
For a heartbeat, there was only the sound of breaking glass and the storm outside. Then, in the distance, a loud *CRACK* echoed—he had Apparated before hitting the ground.
Greaves cursed under his breath and Apparated after him in a flash, vanishing from the room with a deafening *pop*.
Outside, the battle had moved to a chaotic new front. The Death Eater had reappeared at the far end of the garden, already sprinting for cover under the trees. Greaves materialized mid-stride, not far behind, the rain drenching his cloak as he gave chase through the slick grass.
The two exchanged spells as they ran, curses and hexes slicing through the air. The Death Eater sent a *Reducto* crashing into a nearby statue, shattering it into jagged stone shards that flew dangerously close to Greaves' head. The Auror ducked, rolling to the side before firing back with *Incarcerous*, ropes flying toward the terrorist. The Death Eater spun, narrowly dodging, then disappeared with another *pop*.
Greaves Apparated just behind him, appearing in mid-air and landing on the roof of a nearby gazebo. As he raised his wand to strike, the Death Eater cast *Bombarda* directly at him. The explosion tore through the structure, sending wooden beams flying, but Greaves had already Apparated again, appearing a few feet away on the ground. He fired a rapid series of hexes, forcing the Death Eater back.
Their duel turned into a deadly game of cat and mouse, the sound of rapid Apparitions cracking like thunder between each exchanged spell. Each time Greaves closed the gap, the Death Eater would vanish again, appearing just far enough away to launch another volley of curses. But Greaves was faster, his instincts sharpened by years of fieldwork.
As the Death Eater reappeared near the estate's old fountain, Greaves anticipated his next move. He Apparated behind him before the man could react, slamming into him physically, knocking his wand aside. The two grappled for a moment in the pouring rain, fists and elbows landing hard before Greaves thrust his knee into the Death Eater's stomach, throwing him off balance.
With a quick, decisive movement, Greaves raised his wand and yelled, "Expelliarmus!" The Death Eater's wand flew out of his hand, spinning through the air before landing in a nearby puddle.
But the Death Eater, desperate and cornered, reached out with his hand and yanked Greaves' arm, pulling him off balance. With a sharp twist, the Death Eater Apparated again, pulling Greaves with him.
They both appeared mid-air above the manor's outer courtyard, the sudden disorienting rush of gravity pulling them downward. Greaves barely had time to register the fall before the Death Eater cast *Diffindo* toward him, the slicing spell cutting through the air. Greaves twisted in mid-fall, narrowly avoiding the curse, then retaliated with viverra, yanking the Death Eater upward just before they hit the ground.
The Death Eater was flung upward, dangling in mid-air, flailing as rain poured over him.
Greaves landed in a crouch, his boots splashing in the courtyard's flooded stone. Breathing heavily, he pointed his wand at the hovering figure.
"Give it up," Greaves growled, his voice low and steady. "It's over."
But the Death Eater, bloodied and hanging upside down, still had fight in him. With a hoarse scream, he flung out his hand and cast *Accio* on his wand, summoning it back to his grip.
Before he could react further, Greaves snarled *Reducto* into his chest. The red blast of the spell hit him squarely, and the Death Eater felt cold as he looked down seeing the giant hole in his chest, dropping into the flooded courtyard with a heavy thud the death eater died.
Back inside the manor, the battle was winding down. The other Aurors had gained the upper hand, disarming and capturing the last of the terrorists. Auror Michaels had one pinned to the floor, bound in conjured ropes, while Daniels and the hit wizards surveyed the room, breathing heavily but triumphant.
Greaves re-entered the manor, soaked and grim, dragging the dead Death Eater behind him. He dropped the body unceremoniously at the feet of the others.
"It's done," he said quietly, wiping rain and blood from his brow. His team nodded, the adrenaline still pumping through their veins.
"Add him to the count," Greaves motioned to the body
"All accounted for," one of the Aurors supplied helpfully
Greaves nodded in thanks, "Casualties?" he asked hesitantly
If the young Auror wasn't wearing a mask Greaves would have seen a beaming smile, "None on our side sir! Some heavy injuries but no deaths."
"And then" Greaves gestured to the body once more
"Including him, nine dead terrorists."
"Good lets bring them in for interrogation,"
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