บท 117: Return to Hogwarts
Izzy felt a wave of nostalgia as she prepared to send a letter to Professor McGonagall. After spending months away from Hogwarts, the thought of returning to the castle brought a mixture of excitement and apprehension. She missed the hallowed halls and the endless opportunities for learning, but she also knew that the impending attack loomed over her plans.
With careful consideration, she set the date of the meeting for late on June 30th, aligning her return with the anticipated attack on Hogwarts. She wanted to be there to protect Luna and assist in any way she could, but she also genuinely desired to further her studies in Transmutation under McGonagall's guidance.
Sitting at her desk in Grimmauld Place, she began to write.
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Dear Professor McGonagall,
I hope this letter finds you well. After a period of extensive fieldwork and practical experience, I am eager to return to academic study, specifically in the area of Transmutation. Your expertise in this field is unparalleled, and I would be honored to study under your guidance.
Given your busy schedule, I am prepared to undertake a significant portion of the study independently, with regular check-ins and guidance from you. I believe this approach will allow me to make substantial progress while respecting your commitments.
If it is convenient, I would like to arrange a meeting with you late on June 30th to discuss my study plan and any necessary preparations. I am looking forward to your response and hope to contribute positively to the academic environment at Hogwarts once again.
Yours sincerely,
Izanami Black
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She sealed the letter and handed it to Kreacher, who had been quietly observing her. "Please send this to Professor McGonagall," she instructed.
Kreacher nodded, taking the letter with a solemn expression. "Of course, Mistress Izzy."
As Kreacher departed, Izzy felt a sense of anticipation. The next few weeks were filled with preparation. She organized her notes, reviewed her knowledge of Transmutation, and ensured she was ready to present her plans to McGonagall.
The day of her departure arrived quickly. She made her way to Hogsmeade and from there to the gates of Hogwarts, feeling a rush of memories flood back. The familiar sight of the castle brought a smile to her face.
Upon entering the castle, she was greeted by Professor McGonagall herself. The stern but kind expression on McGonagall's face was comforting.
"Izanami, welcome back," McGonagall said, her voice warm but formal.
"Thank you, Professor. It's good to be back," Izzy replied, genuinely happy to see her.
They walked through the halls of Hogwarts, the echoes of their footsteps mingling with distant student chatter. As they made their way to McGonagall's office, Izzy felt a deep sense of belonging.
Once inside, McGonagall gestured for Izzy to take a seat. "I've read your letter, Izanami. I'm impressed by your dedication and your willingness to study independently. Transmutation is a complex field, but I believe you have the potential to excel."
Izzy nodded, grateful for the opportunity. "Thank you, Professor. I'm ready to put in the work."
"Good. We'll set up a schedule for your independent study and regular meetings for guidance. I'll also provide you with some advanced texts to start with," McGonagall said, handing her a stack of books.
Izzy took the books, feeling a surge of excitement. "I appreciate this, Professor. I won't let you down."
"I'm sure you won't," McGonagall replied with a small smile. "Now, let's discuss your study plan."
They spent the next hour outlining Izzy's study regimen, the areas she needed to focus on, and the resources available to her. McGonagall's meticulous approach and depth of knowledge were inspiring, and Izzy felt more motivated than ever.
As the meeting concluded, McGonagall looked at Izzy with a thoughtful expression. "There's something else, isn't there? You seemed eager to set the date for today specifically."
Izzy hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yes, Professor. I have reason to believe that an attack on Hogwarts may occur tonight. I wanted to be here to help protect the school and its students."
McGonagall's expression hardened. "I see. I had heard rumors, but I hoped they were unfounded. Your presence here is reassuring, Izanami. We will need all the help we can get."
"I'll do whatever it takes," Izzy replied, determination in her voice.
"Very well. Let's prepare," McGonagall said, rising from her chair. "I'll alert the staff and ensure that we are ready for whatever comes."
Izzy and Professor McGonagall made their way through the corridors of Hogwarts, the sounds of students and staff echoing through the stone walls. They were heading towards the Grand Hall, where dinner was in full swing. The evening felt charged, an electric anticipation crackling in the air.
As they approached the doors of the Grand Hall, a loud, echoing crash reverberated through the castle. Izzy's heart skipped a beat, and she exchanged a tense glance with McGonagall.
"Stay alert," McGonagall instructed, her wand already in hand.
Izzy nodded, her own wand at the ready. They burst into the Grand Hall just as chaos erupted. The enchanted ceiling flickered, darkening as if a storm was brewing within the hall itself. Students screamed and scrambled for cover as figures in dark robes and masks emerged from the shadows, their wands drawn.
"Death Eaters!" McGonagall shouted, her voice cutting through the panic. "Protect the students!"
Izzy's eyes darted around the hall, quickly assessing the situation. She saw Luna near the Ravenclaw table, her eyes wide with shock but her wand already in hand. Relief washed over Izzy briefly before she focused on the task at hand.
"Form up! Defensive positions!" Izzy yelled to the students who were capable of fighting. "Everyone else, get to safety!"
A group of older students, led by Harry, Hermione, and Ron, quickly moved to form a protective line in front of the younger students. Spells flew across the hall, illuminating the space with flashes of light.
"Confringo!" Izzy shouted, sending a blasting curse towards a group of Death Eaters. The spell hit its mark, throwing them back and buying some time for the students to evacuate.
McGonagall was a whirlwind of magical power, her transfiguration spells turning tables into shields and suits of armor into protectors. "Stay together! Do not let them divide us!" she commanded, her voice strong and unwavering.
Despite their efforts, the Death Eaters pressed on, relentless in their attack. Izzy moved through the chaos, her wand a blur as she deflected curses and countered with her own spells. She spotted Luna, who was helping a group of first-year students get to safety.
"Luna, keep them moving! I'll cover you!" Izzy called out, sending a stunning spell at an approaching Death Eater.
Luna nodded, her calm demeanor a stark contrast to the pandemonium around her. "Stay close to me," she told the younger students, guiding them towards a side door.
Just then, a familiar, chilling voice rang out, amplified by magic. "The headmaster is not here to protect you. Hogwarts will fall tonight!"
Izzy's blood ran cold as she recognized the voice of Bellatrix Lestrange. The sheer malevolence in her tone sent a shiver down Izzy's spine.
"Bellatrix," Izzy muttered, her grip tightening on her wand. She knew that facing Bellatrix would be a challenge, but she couldn't let fear control her.
She spotted Bellatrix near the entrance of the hall, her wild eyes gleaming with a manic glee as she hurled curses at anyone in her path. Izzy took a deep breath, her mind racing through the spells she had mastered.
"Professor, I need to go after Bellatrix," Izzy said urgently to McGonagall.
"Be careful, Izanami. She's dangerous," McGonagall warned, her own battle continuing without pause.
Izzy nodded and moved through the fray, her focus locked on Bellatrix. As she got closer, she saw Bellatrix dueling fiercely with Tonks, their spells colliding in bursts of light.
"Avada Kedavra!" Bellatrix screamed, her spell narrowly missing Tonks, who ducked and rolled to avoid it.
Izzy saw her opening and acted quickly. "Expelliarmus!" she shouted, her spell aimed at Bellatrix's wand.
Bellatrix deflected the spell with a flick of her wand, her eyes snapping towards Izzy. "Well, well, if it isn't the little Black," she sneered. "Come to play, have you?"
Izzy didn't respond with words. Instead, she launched into a series of rapid spells, her wand movements precise and calculated. Bellatrix cackled, enjoying the duel as much as the chaos she was causing.
"Protego!" Izzy shouted, deflecting a dark curse from Bellatrix. She countered with a Stupefy spell, which Bellatrix dodged with ease.
"You're going to have to do better than that, darling," Bellatrix taunted, her voice dripping with malice.
The chaos of the Grand Hall seemed to fade into the background as Izzy faced Bellatrix Lestrange. The sight of Bellatrix, the witch responsible for so much pain and loss, ignited a fire within Izzy. Memories of her father flashed through her mind, fueling her determination.
Bellatrix's taunting laughter echoed in her ears, grating against her resolve. Izzy's grip tightened on her wand, her anger bubbling just beneath the surface. She knew she had to remain focused, but the fury gave her strength.
"You'll regret ever crossing paths with me, Bellatrix," Izzy spat, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions raging within her.
Bellatrix's eyes gleamed with a manic light. "Oh, do try, little girl. Let's see what you've got!"
With a flick of her wand, Bellatrix sent another curse hurtling toward Izzy. "Crucio!"
Izzy dodged, the curse narrowly missing her. She retaliated immediately, her wand movements swift and precise. "Oppugno!" She conjured a swarm of enchanted birds that attacked Bellatrix, pecking and scratching at her.
Bellatrix snarled, dispelling the birds with a blast of magic. "Pathetic! You think that's enough to stop me?"
The sight of Bellatrix's smirk fueled Izzy's rage. She decided to use her expertise in Transmutation to her advantage. With a series of intricate wand movements, she transfigured the floor beneath Bellatrix into a mass of writhing vines, which shot up and wrapped around her legs.
Bellatrix's eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly blasted the vines away. "Clever, but not clever enough!"
Izzy didn't give her a chance to recover. She unleashed a flurry of powerful Transmutation spells, each one designed to disorient and confound. She transfigured nearby suits of armor into giant, animated warriors that lunged at Bellatrix. She turned broken tables into snarling wolves that snapped at her heels.
Bellatrix struggled to keep up, her wand movements becoming more frantic as she defended herself against the onslaught. "You insolent child! I'll make you suffer for this!"
Izzy's anger reached a boiling point. She focused her magic, channeling it into a single, powerful spell. "Transmutatio Ignis!" she shouted, transmuting the air around Bellatrix into a fiery vortex.
The flames roared to life, engulfing Bellatrix in a swirling inferno. For a moment, Izzy thought she had won. But Bellatrix's maniacal laughter rang out from within the flames.
"Is that the best you can do?" Bellatrix taunted, stepping out of the fire, her clothes singed but her spirit unbroken. "Let me show you true power!"
With a furious scream, Bellatrix unleashed a torrent of dark magic. The spells collided with Izzy's defenses, shattering them and sending her sprawling to the ground. Pain shot through her, but she gritted her teeth and pushed herself back up.
Bellatrix advanced, her wand raised for the killing blow. "Avada—"
Izzy's heart raced. She knew she couldn't block the Killing Curse with any ordinary spell. Her mind worked quickly, her thoughts a whirlwind of possibilities. As the deadly green light hurtled towards her, she acted on instinct.
"Confringo!" she shouted, aiming her spell at the floor between them.
The explosion was immediate, blasting debris into the air and creating a smokescreen. The force of the blast sent Izzy and Bellatrix flying in opposite directions. Izzy landed hard, her body aching, but she was alive.
Through the dust and debris, she could see Bellatrix struggling to her feet, her face twisted with rage. Izzy didn't waste a second. She gathered her strength and pushed herself up, her wand steady despite the pain.
Bellatrix's eyes locked onto Izzy's, pure hatred burning in them. "You think you can stop me with tricks? I'll end you!"
Izzy stood her ground, her voice strong. "You're not invincible, Bellatrix. You're just a bully hiding behind dark magic."
Bellatrix's fury exploded. She unleashed a barrage of curses, each one more vicious than the last. Izzy deflected what she could and dodged the rest, using her agility and quick thinking to stay one step ahead.
Drawing on her Transmutation skills, Izzy transformed the broken pieces of the Grand Hall into a swarm of magical creatures that swarmed Bellatrix, distracting her just long enough for Izzy to cast another powerful spell.
"Fulguratio!" Izzy cried, sending a bolt of lightning towards Bellatrix.
The lightning struck Bellatrix, throwing her back with a scream of pain. Izzy pressed her advantage, summoning all her strength for one final attack.
"Incendio Maxima!" she shouted, directing a wave of intense fire towards Bellatrix.
The flames roared, engulfing Bellatrix and forcing her to retreat. The Death Eater's screams echoed through the hall as she desperately fought to extinguish the fire. In the chaos, Bellatrix managed to Disapparate, escaping the inferno.
Silence fell over the Grand Hall, broken only by the sounds of crackling flames and the heavy breathing of those who had fought. Izzy stood amidst the wreckage, her body trembling with exhaustion but her spirit unbroken.
Professor McGonagall rushed to her side, her expression a mix of concern and pride. "Are you alright, Izanami?"
Izzy nodded, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "I'm okay, Professor. Is everyone safe?"
McGonagall surveyed the hall. "Thanks to you and the others, we managed to protect the students. You were incredible, Izanami."
Izzy felt a surge of relief and gratitude. "We did it together."
As the defenders of Hogwarts began to regroup and tend to the injured, Izzy's thoughts turned to Luna. She found her friend helping a group of younger students, her calm presence reassuring them.
"Luna," Izzy called, her voice filled with relief.
Luna looked up, her eyes lighting up when she saw Izzy. "Izzy! You're okay!"
They embraced, the tension of the battle melting away in each other's arms. "I'm so glad you're safe," Izzy whispered.
Luna smiled, her usual serene expression unwavering. "Thanks to you."
As the night wore on, the aftermath of the battle became clearer. Hogwarts had been attacked, but it had not fallen. The strength and unity of its defenders had prevailed. Izzy knew the fight against Voldemort was far from over, but tonight they had won a crucial victory.
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