Chapter 140: Escape and Kill Game 2
Wade tapped his wand against a nearby pumpkin leaf, and it instantly transformed into a brass-colored bell. He gave it a gentle ring, drawing the attention of whoever was inside.
"Well then," he announced, "let me lay out the rules."
"This is the first time playing, so our rules can be simple."
"Everyone inside will split into two teams. Me, Fred, and Harry—three of us—will be the Black Group, responsible for hunting."
"You others are the White Group. You may exile, hide, or even fight back."
"Hagrid will be the Referee."
"The game lasts thirty minutes. Once the whistle blows, you’ll have one minute to hide or prepare. After that, the Black Group begins the hunt."
"At the end of thirty minutes, if any member of the White Group survives, the Black Group fails. If the White Group is completely eliminated, the Black Group wins."
"Rules: No Dark Curses. No magical artifacts besides wands. Being hit by a spell counts as 'death.' Bodies cannot give any kind of help to their teammates."
"Any team that breaks the rules is immediately disqualified."
"Everyone clear?"
All nodded in agreement. Fred blew the whistle sharply.
"Let’s go! I’ve been waiting forever!"
Hagrid had already moved a large stone to the center and climbed atop it, giving him a full view of the entire field.
"Children, are you all prepared?"
"Ready!"
The young wizards, already divided into their respective teams, raised their wands and shouted in unison. Even Hermione and Padma couldn’t help but join in.
"Alright then," Hagrid grinned, tucked the whistle between his lips, and blew with a forceful breath.
Blare—
The clear, piercing whistle rang out. Instantly, members of the White Group scattered in all directions, darting through the cracks between the pumpkins.
They’d already had time during the last few minutes to plan their hiding and fighting strategies.
Hagrid kept a sharp eye on his pocket watch. After one minute, he blew the whistle again.
"Black Group, depart!"
The three members of the Black Group didn’t rush off immediately. Wade and Harry quickly cast Shield Charms over themselves. Fred gasped.
"Whoa! Shield Charm… I still can’t manage that!"
"Need help?" Wade asked, pointing his wand at Fred.
"Thanks," Fred replied. Once the charm settled over him, he glanced down and frowned. "Looks different from the ordinary one…"
"Wade’s Shield Charm lasts about ten minutes," Harry cautioned. "The regular version only holds up for a few hits."
"Got it," Fred said, then glanced at the towering pumpkin beside him. "Can I climb up here?"
"Were there no prohibition, it would be allowed," Wade said simply.
Fred immediately began scaling the giant pumpkin.
"Want to come with me?" Wade asked Harry.
Harry shook his head. "Only thirty minutes. Splitting up will be faster… I don’t want to lose."
"Good luck," Wade said, without hesitation, and strode off in one direction. Harry took another narrow path, moving silently.
The air was still. The tall pumpkins stood like tiny houses. The scent of plants hung in the breeze. Vines crisscrossed beneath their feet, forming a web-like tangle that felt almost like an invisible trap.
Harry didn’t want to lose. Wade certainly didn’t either. Even against a group of students, he’d give it his all.
Wade tapped his wand against the top of his head. Instantly, his body shimmered and vanished—becoming invisible, like a Color-Changing Dragon moving through the pumpkin maze.
He pointed his wand downward. The faint traces of his footsteps vanished into the earth.
He followed a winding path for just a few minutes when he suddenly heard rapid breathing—and a faint, unmistakable scent.
Padma was hiding behind a pumpkin, wand clenched tightly in her right hand, peering out occasionally to check if anyone was coming.
She didn’t see the wand until a red flash appeared right before her eyes.
Boom!
The thin, invisible shield shattered like a soap bubble. The girl collapsed, unconscious.
In her final moment, fury and confusion filled her mind: Why didn’t I see anyone?
…
"Just thirty more minutes… Just keep going for thirty more minutes!" Hermione muttered, frantically shoving a few pumpkins together to form a makeshift barrier. Then she pulled several vines into a tight bundle and peeked through the gap.
No matter who passed nearby, she’d be ready to strike first—gaining the upper hand!
"Petrificus Totalus!"
The moment she heard Fred’s low whisper, the spell came from above.
Hermione spun around in shock—frozen like a statue—just in time to see Fred crouched atop a pumpkin, grinning widely.
"Those pumpkins were too close together. From above, it’s way too obvious, Hermione!"
"Petrificus Totalus!"
Another spell shot from the side—this one hit Fred square in the chest.
George leapt out, ready to celebrate, when he was suddenly struck by the same spell. He fell, stunned.
"Thank goodness for the Shield Charm," Fred mumbled, plucking two leaves and placing them over George’s wide-eyed face.
"You’re officially a body now, brother," Fred said smugly, standing up to continue the hunt.
"Stupefy!"
Three spells came from the side at once. The iron-like armor shattered with a pop. Fred fell beside his brother, immobilized—only his eyes could move.
George grinned, blinking happily.
"Sorry, but we can’t free you right now," Theo apologized, already sprinting off in another direction.
He and Michael, Neville, and Liam had just split up, but they regrouped quickly.
"The Black Group’s small. Wade thinks we’re weak?" Michael said seriously. "We’ll teach them a lesson. Next time, we’ll be the hunters!"
The others nodded in agreement. No matter how close they’d been before, now they were enemies.
…
Hearing a voice from the other side, Harry immediately realized he’d taken the wrong path.
He paused, listened carefully, then crouched low and darted swiftly in the opposite direction.
When he turned the corner behind a pumpkin, he nearly collided with Liam.
The moment Liam saw him, he froze—then shouted, "He’s here!"
Harry didn’t know he could react so fast. His mind hadn’t even processed it—his limbs moved on their own.
"Expelliarmus!"
Liam’s wand flew from his hand.
Two spells crossed in the air. Harry dodged, but his foot caught in a vine. He fell, rolled instinctively—before even getting back up, he fired off a barrage.
"Stupefy! Stupefy! Stupefy!"
The spells streaked out. One shot skyward, another ricocheted off a pumpkin and struck Theo. The third hit Neville square in the chest.
"Surround him!" Michael roared, sprinting forward from one side while Liam charged from the other.
(End of Chapter)
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