At this moment, the camp had descended into complete chaos.
Countless Fire Salamanders that had consumed the magical fireworks were running wild throughout the compound. Wherever they ventured, brilliant explosions erupted in spectacular displays, painting everything around them in fiery reds and oranges while completely obscuring everyone's vision with dense, colourful smoke.
In the confusion, the dark wizards had no idea what they should be doing. Since Fire Salamanders were expensive but relatively easy to capture under normal circumstances, they had caught more of these creatures than any other species.
This tactical decision now meant that the current fireworks display had become almost overwhelmingly spectacular.
"Finite Incantatem! Aguamenti! Damn it all, what the hell is happening here?"!
The rough-looking leader burst from his tent, staring at the brilliant explosions lighting up the camp without any mood for appreciation of their beauty.
Right now he wanted nothing more than to skin alive whoever had caused this catastrophe, then throw their remains to his pack of Crup dogs as feeding time entertainment!
Beside him, the young man squinted and carefully observed the Fire Salamanders flying chaotically through the smoke-filled air, speaking with grudging admiration:
"Very ingenious tactical approach. I never would have thought Fire Salamander abilities could be exploited this way."
As someone extensively familiar with magical creature behavioural patterns, he needed only a moment's consideration to understand the underlying strategy.
Feeding explosive fireworks to Fire Salamanders to achieve complete visual obstruction. Whoever had devised this plan must possess remarkably deep knowledge of these creatures' biological habits.
So they had encountered fellow professionals in the field?
"I don't care how genius it might be! If this continues much longer, all those creatures we worked so hard to capture will escape!" Roaring with barely contained fury, the rough man pressed his wand firmly to his throat.
"Sonorus!"
Then he drew a deep breath and shouted at maximum volume: "Everyone calm down and begin recapturing the merchandise! Don't injure them unnecessarily!"
"Then find whoever caused this commotion! Take them alive! I want to kill them personally!"
Having delivered these orders, he cancelled the Amplifying Charm and looked expectantly at the young man beside him.
"Second brother, do you have any method for tracking those intruders?"
He was genuinely about to explode with rage. Those magical creatures had required over two months of dangerous work to capture successfully. Now, just as they prepared to return with their profits, every single specimen had been released. How could he not feel murderous?
With vision blocked to this extreme degree, even if they deployed every available person to recapture the animals, at least half would inevitably escape into the surrounding wilderness. Just thinking about his potential earnings being cut in half made his heart bleed with anguish.
Moreover, they had established their camp in such a carefully hidden location. Why would anyone still manage to discover their operations?
Who possessed so little regard for their own safety that they would venture into such remote depths of the Forbidden Forest?
However, these burning questions couldn't suppress the rage surging through his chest. Looking at the fireworks still continuously exploding overhead, he swore a silent oath.
He absolutely would not allow those responsible to escape alive!
"Tracking people..." The young man considered for several seconds, returned to his tent, and emerged half a minute later carrying a trembling Niffler, gently stroking its back with deceptive tenderness.
"I think you should be able to help me locate people, shouldn't you?" He lifted the terrified creature, gazing gently into its eyes. But beneath this seemingly caring gaze, the Niffler's body shook even more violently. Its small black eyes were filled with pure terror, yet it didn't dare struggle or show any sign of resistance.
Placing the Niffler carefully on the ground, the young man spoke with quiet menace:
"Find those escaped magical creatures, or locate the wizards who created this chaos."
"If you fail to find them, you already know what the consequences will be."
In a concealed position near the camp's rear gate, Hermione clutched a large pile of items while staying with two other female club members under cover of the ongoing fireworks display, her expression carrying obvious worry.
"Will this approach really work effectively?"
In her arms rested a substantial collection of roughly carved wooden sculptures. More such carvings were arranged on the ground before them. The wooden figures showed slightly different artistic styles, but upon closer examination, these sculptures had all been carved to resemble various magical creatures, though executed rather crudely, making their specific species unclear to casual observation.
"Creatures created through Transfiguration magic won't be able to use their natural talents, will they? Even if we transform them all into those animals, they probably won't delay the enemy for very long."
"We don't need to delay them for an extended period." Though Della's voice maintained its characteristically soft quality, she patiently explained their tactical reasoning: "Percy and Penelope should have already planted Blasting Curses near the main gate. They'll continuously create the illusion of someone conducting a fierce battle at that entrance, drawing some dark wizards to provide reinforcement."
"Meanwhile, we just need to make it appear as though a large group of magical creatures are escaping through this rear gate to draw additional personnel, helping the others safely transfer the real animals from the camp interior."
"With that Demiguise's assistance, they won't need to use the main gate at all. Once they've withdrawn a sufficient distance, Cedric and the others will help create another wave of diversionary chaos. Then we'll attempt to collect the Fire Salamanders and escape directly via broomstick according to our originally planned route."
"As long as we withdraw fast enough, those people shouldn't be able to organise any effective pursuit."
"But don't they still have two exceptionally powerful dark wizards?" Hermione remained somewhat apprehensive. "What if they discover our tracks and follow us?"
"Don't worry about that possibility." Della placed the sculpture in her hands carefully on the ground, patted the head of the Bowtruckle that was helping with transportation, and turned to look directly at Hermione.
"The timeframe allocated for our plan isn't particularly long. If we're discussing potential flaws, they definitely exist in our strategy."
"But..." She displayed a gentle, seemingly harmless smile, though her words carried distinctly less innocent implications.
"Didn't Professor Kahn specifically tell us that no matter what mistakes occur during the operation, he can handle any necessary fallback measures?"
"If someone actually manages to discover our location, then they'll be the truly unlucky ones in this situation."
Having delivered this reassurance, she looked toward the chaotic camp once more, rare anger flashing in her typically gentle eyes.
These damned poachers deserved to be buried six feet underground!
Time crawled forward with agonising tension. When a series of dense explosions erupted at the camp's main entrance, Della drew her wand with practised precision.
"Let's begin the deception."
"Right, I'm ready." Nodding with determination, Hermione also drew her wand and pointed it at the wooden sculptures they had carefully arranged earlier.
The originally lifeless wooden carvings suddenly seemed to gain authentic vitality. Their surfaces became covered with the realistic colours and textures of actual magical creatures, and their movements began growing gradually more flexible and natural. Those rough, artificial edges disappeared entirely, replaced by soft fur or gleaming scales that appeared completely genuine.
All three young wizards present possessed excellent Transfiguration skills developed through rigorous academic training. The magical creatures they created appeared remarkably lifelike. Though lacking any real combat capabilities, if those dark wizards didn't want to risk harming these supposedly valuable specimens, the illusions should be able to create substantial delays.
"Next comes finding a way to ensure those people actually see them."
Holding her wand steady in the air, Della closed her eyes with intense concentration. The wooden sculptures arranged before her suddenly moved together in coordinated formation, charging toward the rear gate. After reaching that exit point, they began scattering in multiple directions, perfectly mimicking the appearance of frightened creatures fleeing in panic.
Before long, dark wizards discovered the apparent exodus and began shouting throughout the entire camp.
"Over here! At the back gate! A large group of merchandise is about to escape!"
"Damn it, the main gate must be a diversion! Don't let them fool us!"
The already chaotic camp became even more frenzied with confusion. Amid the continuous explosion of magical fireworks, countless disorderly footsteps rushed in their direction.
Just then, Nana at Hermione's feet suddenly lifted her head and sniffed the air with obvious curiosity.
How strange... it seemed like she could smell the distinctive scent of her own kind somewhere nearby.