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Chapter 178: Fire Engulfs the Gaunt Shack
Chapter 178: Fire Engulfs the Gaunt Shack
Harry had always thought highly of Lupin, but now he appreciated him even more.
While Harry had offered Lupin a lot of help, he understood that some people, despite being on the receiving end of kindness, acted as if they were the ones owed. They liked to condescendingly "advise" or demand without considering reciprocation.
Then there were those who viewed being helped as shameful or were unwilling to reciprocate, choosing to avoid the helper altogether. More malicious individuals might even wish for their benefactor to fall into ruin, as if that would somehow balance the scales in their minds.
Lupin was different. He was as gentle and accommodating as flowing water. He never looked down on Harry for teaching him magic, nor did he act subservient just because he was hired.
If Lupin thought Harry was about to do something dangerous or harmful, he would gently and patiently persuade him otherwise.
But when Harry had made up his mind, even if his decision seemed bizarre, Lupin would wholeheartedly support him without prying under the guise of "having his best interests at heart."
This made their interactions very comfortable, especially for Harry, who had so many secrets.
For instance, right now, Lupin didn't ask about Harry's previous conversation with Dumbledore, the source of his information, or why he wanted to burn down this dilapidated shack, already half-engulfed by vegetation.
Instead, he immediately devised a plan and got to work.
Next to the shack was a large tree with intertwining roots and branches that had pierced through the roof, reaching downward.
The windows were all shattered, and stinging nettles grew wildly, obscuring half the window frames. Thick dust and grime coated the tiny windows.
Fortunately, the vegetation had already withered, making the cleanup less troublesome.
"Incendio!"
Harry and Lupin each pointed their wands, and the dry grass in front of them ignited with a 'whoosh.'
If they had let go of their control at this moment, the flames would have chased after combustible materials, spreading wildly like a natural wildfire.
However, the two maintained their control, directing the flames with their wands, closing them in from both sides to form a large circle of fire.
Lupin had already taught Harry how to control fire many times.
Some wizards employed various peculiar methods to enhance their control, such as shouting spells loudly, assuming specific postures, glaring at the flames intently, or using magical tools.
But the most fundamental aspect was having a firm, clear, and unwavering belief that was impervious to external influences.
After the circle of fire closed in, it gradually expanded outward, causing insects and small animals hiding in the grass to scurry toward the periphery in panic.
The flames didn't spread rapidly, allowing a wildcat to escape and observe from the nearby bushes for a while before dashing back to retrieve its kitten.
Thick smoke billowed upward, resembling a forest fire.
The circle of fire expanded to a radius of over ten meters before stopping and burning everything within it to ashes, gradually dying out.
Harry waved his wand, conjuring a gust of wind that blew away the soot, exposing the blackened ground.
Lupin then cast a Aguamenti spell, sending streams of water onto the ground to prevent the ash and dead leaves from scattering.
In the end, only the small house hidden under the tree and the surrounding weeds remained untouched.
From start to finish, neither Harry nor Lupin had approached the house.
Harry looked up at the smoke that was gradually spreading across the sky and said to Lupin, "Let's begin. Although everyone in Little Hangleton is asleep, someone from afar might still spot the fire and call the police."
"A wildfire in the mountains is no small matter," Lupin remarked. "Anyone who spots the smoke will likely call the fire department."
"Fortunately, the fire station in town is quite a distance away, and the road there isn't exactly smooth sailing, so we have ample time."
Lupin nodded. "Remember what I told you. Precise control is more important than its power."
"Yes," replied Ved, who then sheathed his wand and drew out the second-hand wand he had purchased, crafted from mountain ash and phoenix tail feathers. He took a moment to steady his breathing and clear his mind, focusing his full attention on the task at hand.
"Incendio!"
With a whoosh, a streak of orange-golden flame erupted from the tip of his wand, landing on the large tree next to the Gaunt shack and instantly igniting it.
Ved's gaze remained fixed on the dancing flames, his concentration intense as he faintly sensed the subtle, invisible connection between the fire and himself.
Lupin also gripped his wand, ready for any eventuality.
While the Blasting Curse was dangerous and difficult to control, it was a spell that could be countered. Should Ved's control slip, Lupin was prepared to temporarily shield him, buying time for the young wizard to regain mastery.
The flames continued to spread and rise, suddenly transforming into the shape of a hound as if seeking something to devour. Just as abruptly, the fire-hound dissipated, giving way to a winged beast with the head of an eagle and the body of a horse. Circling the shack, it ignited everything flammable in its path before merging back into the sea of flames.
The fire continued to morph and shift, taking on the forms of a dragon, a phoenix, a Sniffle, a Cockatrice, a wolf, and a Chimera...
Some flew, others ran, occasionally seeming poised to burst out, only to be hindered by the water barrier conjured by Lupin.
Gradually, the fire beasts' movements became more agile, yet they refrained from breaking out of the circle. Lupin glanced at Ved, his brow beaded with perspiration, and silently praised the boy's prowess.
Many witches and wizards never dared to attempt the Blasting Curse in their lifetimes, fearful of losing control. Magic was a product of the heart, and their fear of the spell only served to increase the difficulty of learning it.
Lupin himself had learned this spell when he was in his teens. Back then, he and his friends had embarked on numerous daring adventures together, fearless and indifferent to the dangers of dark magic, feeling only disgust rather than awe.
Even so, it had taken him numerous attempts on a beach, burning through various objects, before he had finally mastered the Blasting Curse.
Lupin had expected a similar learning curve for Ved, preparing himself for the likelihood of multiple failures and the need for a new wand. Yet, to his surprise, the boy had succeeded on his very first try.
The young wizard before him was truly a natural, destined to become as powerful as Dumbledore himself.
Perhaps even more so.
Lupin narrowed his eyes slightly as he watched the flames shape themselves into a golden bird, resembling a phoenix but distinct from Dumbledore's familiar.
It soared gracefully within the inferno, its fiery eyes seeming to fix upon them.
Amid the flames, the intermittent crackling of the fire was occasionally punctuated by the sharp tinkle of breaking glass or the explosive pop of some unknown object.
Lupin was unfazed.
Given that this had once been a wizarding household, it was only natural that various enchantments would be in place. However, the Blasting Curse was immensely powerful, capable of destroying most spells in its path.
But then, Lupin's calm expression shattered.
From within the flames, a familiar, agonized scream pierced the air!
(End of Chapter)
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