The golden-white light detonated inside the stone ring, raging through the blue energy field like wildfire.
There was no thunderous explosion, but the entire field shuddered violently. The floating runes across the ring flickered wildly. The black corruption staining Olaf's scales began to flake away and evaporate.
"No—!!!"
Solheim's scream tore through the air. He thrust the bone dagger forward, trying to redirect what remained of the energy toward Newt and the others.
A deep, resonant roar cut through everything.
Norberta's voice rang out again, and this time there was no barrier to stop it. The sound plunged straight into the energy field.
Olaf's massive eyes snapped open. For a split second, something flickered in those empty depths—his own color, his own will—pushing back against the corruption.
The golden-white light found its opening and rushed toward him in a torrent.
Then the young Norwegian Ridgeback moved.
Instead of lunging at Solheim, who still stood on his back, Olaf opened his jaws toward the ground beneath the stone ring—the true heart of the ritual.
He breathed.
A torrent of dragonfire, streaked with threads of that same golden-white radiance, slammed directly into the fissure at the ring's center.
Olaf's final roar rose to meet the rumbling from deep below and Solheim's desperate, inhuman shriek.
The three sounds crashed together.
BOOM.
Multiple columns of light erupted skyward, tearing the oppressive pressure field apart. Newt grabbed everyone and pulled them back.
Rock reached his grandfather's side. "What the hell was that?"
"Chaotic magic," Newt said quietly. "Anyone without protection would be wiped out instantly."
Norberta had already wheeled away. She'd felt the surge coming and wanted no part of it.
Rock looked up at the pillar of wild energy. The ancient site's magic was probably finished after this. He didn't need to see the pained expressions on the two Aurors' faces to know how much this place had meant to the Norwegian Ministry.
The blinding light swallowed every sound. When it finally faded, the world felt strangely quiet. The runes on the stone ring had gone dark and cracked. The fissure no longer leaked that sickly blue energy. Instead, it was sealed with a thick, murky substance that looked like cooled lava.
Solheim lay slumped at the edge of the ring, his skin dry and ashen. Olaf's body rested motionless in the center.
A breeze swept through the clearing.
Olaf's form crumbled into ash and scattered on the wind.
Thor Eriksson's mouth worked soundlessly. Newt stepped forward, examined the sealed fissure, and gave a slow nod of understanding.
"He used the last of his life force to cut the source off at the root," Newt said, voice low with something close to awe. "Self-sacrifice. Almost unheard of in dragons."
Thor moved into the center of the ruined ring. He took in the destruction, then turned, eyes blazing, toward the collapsed Solheim.
"You son of a bitch—"
"Director Eriksson," one of the Aurors cut in sharply, stepping between him and the prisoner. "This man is coming with us. We need him for questioning."
Both Aurors watched Newt and Rock with open wariness.
Rock tugged on Newt's sleeve. "Grandpa. Let's go."
This was clearly turning into internal Norwegian Ministry business. Someone higher up wanted Solheim alive so they could pick his methods apart. Better not to get dragged into it.
Newt nodded once. They Apparated away together.
They walked in silence until they were well clear of the site. Only then did Norberta's voice reach them again. Newt chuckled, set his case on the ground, and opened it.
Norberta dove straight inside without hesitation.
Newt turned to Rock. "Well? What did you make of the runes on the ring?"
"I saw them," Rock said, rubbing his jaw. "But they're not much use to me. Too chaotic. They'd scramble anyone who tried to work with them directly."
Newt accepted that with a small shrug. "Fair enough. Then it's time we left."
Rock blinked. "We're not going to check on the Chimera?"
"No." Newt's expression was calm but firm. "I think we should go back to the original plan. Just the two of us, seeing some sights, getting your mind off things. Norway's magical community is about to become very… complicated. And I'd rather not keep putting you in the middle of it."
They returned to the guesthouse and started packing. They hadn't been at it long when a knock sounded at the door.
Thor Eriksson stood there with Anders Mickelsen. The big red-haired director looked genuinely embarrassed.
"Mr. Scamander… I'm sorry you had to see all that. And that we didn't treat you with the respect you deserved."
Newt waved it off easily. "It's fine. At least I got to meet the two of you. If you ever find yourselves near my manor, you're welcome."
Anders stepped forward and held out a thick handwritten notebook. "Director Eriksson had this pulled from the archives for you, Mr. Scamander. Records on several ancient sites. Thought you might find them interesting."
He gave Rock a quick wink as he said it.
Rock and Newt exchanged a glance, then accepted the gift without argument. Free information was still free information.
They left Norway the next day.
This time Newt made no attempt to engage with the local magical community. He simply took Rock to several well-known Muggle mountain ranges—places that happened to have thriving populations of magical creatures as well.
The journey was quieter, more relaxed. They hiked, camped, and watched creatures Newt had only read about in books. For the first time in weeks, it actually felt like a proper trip.
Then another letter arrived from Dumbledore.
Rock read over Newt's shoulder as they sat by a small fire. The update was short but telling.
After they had left, Solheim had been attacked while being transported for interrogation. Several Aurors were injured. Solheim himself had vanished without a trace.
The Norwegian Ministry was in complete disarray and had no idea who to turn to for help.
Rock shook his head. "They really can't catch a break."
He was quietly glad they had gotten out when they did. Otherwise they probably would have been pulled right back into the mess.
Newt flipped to the last section of the letter and raised an eyebrow. "Dumbledore added a note at the bottom. Apparently Snape marched into Hogwarts and demanded that Albus pressure you into submitting your potion feedback as soon as possible."
Rock winced. "I forgot."
He had been drinking the potion on schedule. The report was another matter.
Newt closed the letter. "We've been gone long enough. You clearly have other things waiting for you. How about we head home?"
Rock nodded immediately. "Yeah. Before Snape decides to show up in person."
Newt chuckled. "Exactly what I was thinking."