Chapter 111: Greater Interests
Chapter 111: Greater Interests
The Stunning Spell struck from behind, giving Fleur no time to react. She was hit by the spell and immediately collapsed on the ground.
“Kreel” walked up to the fallen Fleur with a cold sneer, his entire head undergoing a terrifying transformation.
His face twisted like rubber, his features blending together before reshaping themselves. His hair changed color, length, and curl, all within seconds.
In a matter of moments, his entire face had transformed, settling into that of a man.
It was Jonathan, the male wizard Fleur had suspected in Long Alley of being involved in the theft of her wand!
"You bitch, it took me a lot of effort to catch you", Jonathan spat, shedding his previous demeanor of innocence. As he reached out to lift Fleur, the tender grass beneath his feet suddenly transformed into snake-like vines, rapidly spreading up his legs.
By the time he realized something was wrong, the vines had already reached his waist. Before he could raise his wand, they had tightly bound him like a mummy.
Sherlock dispelled his Disillusionment Charm from behind a tree.
Since he had become more adept at transfiguration, he preferred not to use direct spells during ambushes.
Regardless of the type of offensive spell—whether it was a petrification charm, a Stunning Spell, or a disarming charm—the basic steps always involved casting the spell and waving the wand.
Even if he could cast non-verbal spells without affecting their power, the wand movement and the spell's impact still required a moment. For an ambusher, even the briefest moment could be a critical flaw.
However, transfiguration, though more technically demanding, had no such concerns. As long as his magic power could influence the area, he could directly apply the effect to an object, causing it to change. Most transfiguration spells, once mastered, could be cast without the incantation, without compromising the transformation's outcome.
Thus, Jonathan had no chance to resist.
"You're quite bold for a wand thief", Sherlock said as he approached Jonathan, picking up his wand.
Jonathan glared at Sherlock with fierce eyes.
"When did you figure it out?"
Sherlock loosened some of the vines binding Jonathan, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a bag.
"Yesterday in Long Alley, your necklace and tattoo were quite distinctive. I thought I had seen them somewhere before. Could you tell me more about them?"
He opened the bag, which was clearly enchanted with an Extension Charm. Using such a spell on unauthorized items was illegal in any Ministry of Magic, as wizards couldn't ensure the reliability of the charm. If something went wrong, the items inside could be violently ejected, potentially harming the wizard or those nearby.
Inside the extended space of the bag, Sherlock found about fifty wands. They were arranged in five wooden boxes, with ten wands in each. One of them was likely Fleur's lost wand.
Upon hearing Sherlock's explanation, Jonathan chuckled coldly.
"You don't recognize that symbol? It seems few remember the great lord who once swept across the entire European Wizarding World, almost single-handedly changing it."
"Oh? The great lord?" Sherlock tilted his head in thought. "Could it be the one whose head can catch fire?"
Jonathan was taken aback by his question.
"Head catching fire?"
"Sorry, sorry, I got mixed up. Please continue", Sherlock waved his hand dismissively and placed the wooden boxes containing the wands on the ground.
Jonathan's face darkened.
"I advise you not to meddle in things that don't concern you. Let me go, or you'll regret it. I'm with the Saints!"
"Saints?" Sherlock finally recalled some details. He stroked his chin, recalling the records in magical history. "Wasn't that a wizard organization active in the early twentieth century, led by Grindelwald? The man who was called a Dark Lord before the Dark Lord himself?"
"Since you know, you should also know whether you can afford to provoke me!" Jonathan threatened.
Sherlock shrugged.
"I acknowledge that Grindelwald's aspirations were far more noble than those of his successors, but that doesn't change the fact that he is now part of history. He's still imprisoned in Austria, isn't he?"
"Moreover, given your young appearance, you're likely not a leftover from his era, just a delusional fan?"
"Reading about Grindelwald's deeds and the Saints' symbol in some history book, you fantasize about joining them? Do you really think they would want a wand thief like you?"
Sherlock's words made Jonathan's face turn red with embarrassment, clearly striking a nerve. He roared in anger.
"You don't understand anything! A Wand is the noblest piece of art in this world! Especially those used by excellent Wizards, they are the epitome of magic's subtlety! You vulgar Wizards can never comprehend such art!"
Sherlock blinked, having already guessed that this man was a thief with an extreme fondness for Wands, but he hadn't expected the obsession to be so intense.
But then again, without such a deranged love, how could he have dared to impersonate Nicolas Flamel and trick so many talented young Wizards out of their Wands?
"Since you love Wands so much, why did you go after Fleur? Are you that brazen?" Sherlock asked, puzzled.
He hadn't expected Jonathan to be so forthcoming.
Jonathan sneered coldly.
"A half-Veela is worth much more on the black market than a pure Veela! A high-quality one like her, especially if she's still a virgin, can fetch a six-figure price if sold through the right channels!"
Before he could finish his sentence, Jonathan was sent flying through the air!
Sherlock's face was cold as he retracted the foot he had kicked out, then walked back to where Jonathan had landed, rolling several meters on the ground.
"So, you're a human trafficker on the side."
Sherlock's kick had hit Jonathan squarely in the face, causing blood to pour from his nose and mouth, covering his face. He looked utterly miserable.
But even now, he still managed to laugh and taunt.
"What? Do you find me disgusting? If you have a noble goal, does it matter how despicable the means are to achieve it?"
"Do you know Grindelwald's motto? 'For the Greater Good!' That's something you, with your self-righteousness, will never understand!"
Sherlock stepped on his face, causing Jonathan to let out a pitiful wail.
"That phrase sounds even more disgusting coming from someone like you! Even with the limited history I've read, I know that Grindelwald's 'Greater Good' was never about his personal gain, but the benefit of the entire Wizarding World."
"To use such a noble goal, fought for by others their entire lives, as an excuse for your petty desires—how absurd."
"I should apologize; I misjudged you. You're not just a fan of the saints; you're a detractor, using their names to tarnish their reputations."
Jonathan's wails grew weaker, and Sherlock continued to rant, but there was no response. When he lifted his foot, he realized Jonathan's nose had been broken, causing him to faint from the pain.
He stared at Jonathan's face, covered in blood, snot, and tears, and curled his lip.
"Fainting like that is too easy for you."
Sherlock walked over to Fleur, confirming she was only unconscious and hadn't been harmed, then looked at her right hand.
Her hand was tightly clenched, and through her fingers, a blood-red crystal was visible.
Sherlock shook his head and smiled.
This girl is quite stubborn.
Just as he was about to levitate Jonathan and Fleur and leave the forest, a bright red spell shot out from a corner and hit Sherlock!
Instantly, Sherlock's Wand and the fifty-odd Wands he had put back into his pouch were forced to fly out, landing three meters away from him!
An ugly Goblin stumbled out from the bushes, pointing at Sherlock and growling.
"Don't move."
Sherlock calmly raised both hands and gave a military salute, indicating he was not a threat.
"I thought Harry had taken care of you."
The Goblin, looking unsteady, staggered over to Jonathan to check on him, casting a binding charm on Sherlock, entangling him in magical ropes.
"Your student's Stunning Spell is terrible!"
Sherlock raised an eyebrow in Harry's defense.
"He's only in his third year; you can't expect too much. The fact that he managed to use it and it was effective shows he has talent."
The Goblin, clenching his teeth, carried Jonathan and Fleur over to Sherlock.
"Are you planning to take all three of us?"
"Shut up, you disgusting Wizard!"
"Fair enough, according to your race's standards, I do look quite disgusting."
Sherlock shrugged, glancing at the dozens of Wands now floating in the air, their tips pointed at him.
He blinked and whispered the spell.
"Petrificus Totalus."
(End of Chapter)
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