In the world consumed by darkness, crimson flashes pulsed steadily. Glenn achieved complete magical transformation in the final instant before impact.
He became an Obscurus and crashed into the earth with devastating force.
Thunder split the night as the ground convulsed. Pulverized stone and soil erupted outward from the impact crater. Black-red essence bloomed like death lilies at Glenn's landing point before surging inward, collapsing into a writhing mass of Obscurus.
The Obscurus spun within its crater, violent tendrils lashing outward in predatory hunger, seeking anything to devour. But the mist-like appendages suddenly froze mid-strike, retracting toward the center as the entire mass condensed, reforming into Glenn's human shape.
Glenn had chosen the most energy-efficient landing method—allowing the Obscurus formed through complete transformation to absorb the physical impact directly, utilizing its supernatural properties to negate what would have been fatal trauma.
For Glenn, who could now control the Obscurus for brief periods, this proved effortless.
Far easier than magical cushioning spells.
Without pause, Glenn transformed back into Obscurus form and ascended skyward, where numerous Dementor survivors still fled in terror.
The remaining work would be considerably simpler. Fewer than two hundred Dementors remained—their elimination was merely a matter of time.
During a brief respite, Glenn diverted partial attention toward the forest inferno, sensing the environment through another device he'd positioned there.
"Hmm?"
Glenn's eyebrows rose slightly. His device detected an anomaly—the unconscious Aurors had vanished from the vicinity.
"Ministry response was that rapid?"
Dismissing the concern with a head shake, Glenn withdrew a small cube and crushed it between his fingers.
........................
Within the forest, beneath the carriage wreckage, a luminescent alchemical device responded to Glenn's remote command by shattering into powder. The thermal updrafts scattered the remains without trace. Beyond the debris, invisible barriers dissolved—their supporting force gone, the ruins underwent secondary collapse, completely burying the carriage remnants as flames consumed everything in their path.
........................
With the protective device self-destructed and evidence eliminated, Glenn observed his Patronus's exceptional activity overhead. The serpentine guardian devoured one Dementor after another with apparent relish, as if fully alive and celebrating a magnificent feast.
Glenn bore the true burden—while his Patronus gorged itself, he approached magical exhaustion. Not from insufficient total capacity, but from the Patronus Charm's enormous consumption rate.
Throughout this engagement, several hundred Dementors had perished within his serpentine guardian's maw.
Like an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Though calling it "free" was laughable—the little black snake's dining expenses came directly from Glenn's reserves.
The massive Dementor consumption was overwhelming Glenn's magical stamina. He felt his internal power draining rapidly. Three magical restoration potions had already been consumed, and successive doses dramatically reduced effectiveness. Glenn's natural recovery rate plus external supplementation barely matched his Patronus's voracious appetite.
Fortunately, this "intense battle" neared conclusion. During his contemplation, Glenn'sPatronus had eliminated roughly seventy to eighty percent of the stragglers—only double-digit Dementor numbers remained in scattered retreat.
Glenn expressionlessly consumed his fourth restoration potion and waited for his profligate guardian to complete its mission.
The little black snake proved admirably efficient. Within a minute—before completely draining Glenn's remaining power—it eliminated every surviving Dementor.
Sated and satisfied, the serpentine Patronus glided to Glenn's shoulder, circling affectionately before nuzzling his cheek. Then it dissolved into black smoke, vanishing into the night sky.
The fifth restoration potion provided half-strength effectiveness—sufficient for Glenn's remaining tasks. He approached the battle's epicenter, activated his enhanced perception, and systematically catalogued Dementor fragments and tattered robe remnants throughout the area. Battlefield cleanup awaited.
This served the same purpose as before: creating the impression that Dementors had defected to Voldemort's forces, abandoning Ministry control for Death Eater allegiance.
Though the deceased Dementors might harbor unprintable opinions about this narrative, corpses lacked speaking privileges. Even if they could protest, Glenn would ignore them entirely.
Perhaps cleaning up after one's Patronus's massacre seemed burdensome, but Glenn felt no concern. This constituted part of the plan—specifically, his responsibility—requiring thorough completion. Nothing else mattered.
First, however, he should reassure Hermione.
Selecting a convenient boulder for seating, Glenn gazed upward at the brilliant full moon—revealed by battle-generated air currents that had dispersed the concealing mist and clouds. He activated his earpiece, channeling magical power to establish connection with Hermione's frequency.
"Hello, Glenn? What's your situation?"
The communication request connected immediately. Hermione's voice carried obvious tension—she was clearly worried about him.
"If there's trouble, I'll send Professor Dumbledore to assist you right now..."
"I'm fine, Hermione. My situation is resolved—I just need to clean up the scene."
To alleviate Hermione's anxiety, Glenn briefly summarized his operation's successful conclusion. The earpiece fell silent momentarily.
"Oh, I see. That's wonderful."
Hermione pressed her hand to her chest, exhaling in relief as she settled on the Ministry fountain's edge, gazing up at the celestial orb above.
She'd been genuinely nervous earlier.
Just a little bit.
"Let's rendezvous at Hogwarts. Remember to return promptly."
"Understood. That's all for now—I'll provide details when we meet."
Glenn rose from his rocky perch and returned his attention to the horizon.
"Finish quickly and head home."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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