"Faster, faster!"
In the camp, Harry and the twin brothers were leading a group of magical creatures through the maze of tents. Thanks to the attention their teammates had drawn on both flanks, few people remained in the camp's interior now. As long as they could create a breach in the chaos, they could successfully transfer these animals to safety.
Although their teammates had diverted most of the attention, their procession remained too large and would inevitably be spotted by some passing dark wizards.
But besides the Demiguise, they had gained a temporary ally.
Near a shabby tent, a dark wizard heard the commotion and emerged from the shadows.
Seeing the large group of magical creatures moving past, he licked his lips with obvious excitement gleaming in his eyes.
"I didn't expect to find you here. Perfect timing for—mmph!"
Endless darkness suddenly covered his mouth and nose, rendering him unable to speak or take any action.
On Fred's back, Little Cloak was excitedly manipulating the shadows, thoroughly enjoying this powerful feeling that wouldn't last much longer.
However, amid the excitement, it also felt some regret.
Though using its abilities now proved extremely satisfying, it clearly understood that after this adventure, the magical power it had accumulated over half a month would probably be completely exhausted again.
Perhaps sensing Little Cloak's conflicted emotions, Fred continued creating chaos with obvious enthusiasm while offering comfort:
"Don't worry about that! I'll definitely get you enough food after we return!"
At worst, he'd borrow some supplies from Charlie. Their dragon feed contained quite a few magical materials, perfect for feeding Little Cloak's energy requirements!
With Little Cloak's assistance, even when they encountered dark wizards along their escape route, they could rely on the shadow creature's ability to blind opponents or have the Demiguise directly knock them aside.
Under their overwhelming advance, they soon reached the perimeter wall they had agreed upon earlier.
On the other side of that barrier, Ron, Wood, and Cedric had prepared large nets for reception. As long as the Demiguise broke through the wall, they could use the nets to catch the nearby Fire Salamanders and some slower magical creatures, then escape directly via broomstick.
Standing beside the wall, looking at the Demiguise that had materialised and was gathering its strength for the breakthrough, Harry breathed a slight sigh of relief.
The operation was proceeding too smoothly, which made Harry somewhat worried about unforeseen complications.
Until now, she hadn't encountered either of the two powerful poachers. Hopefully nothing had gone wrong with the others.
"Alright, let's proceed."
Hearing a large group of chaotic footsteps approaching their position, Harry withdrew her wand in preparation.
The three prepared to withdraw according to their original plan, but just as Hermione conjured a large net intending to scoop up the Fire Salamanders in mid-air, Nana's abnormal behaviour caught her attention.
She observed the Niffler suddenly stand upright, sniffing around with an unusually strange expression.
Had it detected some treasure nearby?
Hermione knew Nana's habits intimately. Without Nana's assistance, she wouldn't have mysteriously gained access to Hufflepuff's inheritance during Professor Kahn's previous challenge.
But now wasn't the appropriate time to search for treasure.
"We need to leave immediately, Nana. You can't go looking for your treasure right now." Hermione crouched down, explaining softly to the agitated creature.
"Squeak!" Nana shook her head emphatically, her small face displaying unusual seriousness.
She hadn't detected treasure. She had sensed the scent of her own kind, very close now.
At that same moment, a Niffler's anguished scream rang out from behind the wall.
In Nana's ears, the cry's meaning was unmistakably clear:
"Run!"
Hearing her companion's desperate warning, Nana's eyes rarely showed genuine anger. She could smell the bloody scent clinging to her fellow Niffler. This companion must endure torture on a daily basis.
The grey-black Niffler looked toward where the sound originated, and a silver-white mark slowly illuminated on her side.
Just then, two people's conversation drifted from ahead.
"It's giving a warning. It must have found them."
"Warning? Interesting. Looks like your tracking creature isn't very obedient."
"As long as it can locate people effectively. It probably detected its companion's scent and is trying to warn them."
Along with these voices, two figures appeared before the Magical Creatures Club members. One possessed a rough face with a fierce expression, while the other looked remarkably young but wore a sinister smile.
"Three students. Should sell for quite a substantial sum." The rough man looked somewhat excited by this prospect.
"Be careful with that assumption. These should be Hogwarts students. Selling them carelessly might attract professors from that school." The young man's expression carried obvious caution. "Better to eliminate them, then we leave quickly."
"Tch, no fun in that approach." The burly man shrugged helplessly, then casually waved his wand and cast "Protego!" to effortlessly block Harry's silent Stunning Spell.
"Nice silent casting practice, but your attack intent is far too obvious. Too academic in approach."
Casually waving his hand to knock the wand from Harry's grip, the burly man stopped focusing on the three students and turned his attention to the rigid Niffler on the ground.
"You still want to tip others off?"
The rough man picked up Nana, regarding her like a completely disposable object.
"I want to take this one to feed Baru and the others. No problem with that, right?"
"Whatever you prefer."
Getting the young man's agreement, the burly man's expression became even more vicious. But just as he prepared to torture the Niffler in his hands as preliminary entertainment, a voice suddenly rang out behind them.
"Sorry, I originally planned to let these kids experience some genuine danger, but my friend needs my help, and I can't hold back anymore either."
"Carl, attack."
As the words concluded, before the burly man could turn around, a bat-like creature covered in spikes suddenly pounced on his face. Along with sharp stinging pain from his neck, he felt his consciousness gradually becoming blurry, and the memories in his mind began constantly fading.
Everything that had happened today shattered like soap bubbles in his mind, and his consciousness grew increasingly fuzzy.
Just as he was about to lose consciousness completely, he vaguely heard the young man beside him release a piercing scream.
"Evans Kahn?"
With deep shock written across his features, the young man looked in complete disbelief at this wizard who appeared roughly the same age as himself. There was no helping it. This person had left far too deep a psychological scar on him. After all, it was Evans who had single-handedly brought a group of magical creatures and turned their headquarters into absolute ruins.
The intelligence reports he'd heard earlier claimed this person had gone to America to cause trouble. How was he supposed to know Evans had returned to Britain?
If he'd known Evans was back in England, even with several times the courage, he wouldn't have dared venture into the Forbidden Forest!
"Oh, you know me?" Raising an eyebrow with obvious interest, Evans carefully observed the young man's features and suddenly displayed a knowing smile.
"From Egypt, I'd guess? Let me think. Are you remnants of Anhseti or survivors of the Hunting Association?"
"Actually, it doesn't matter which organisation you represent."
Spinning his wand with casual precision, Evans extended his hand, and a deep red light shot directly at the terrified young man.
"Either way, I'll know everything once I examine your brain."