When Voldemort was mentioned, the first thing people thought of was the mad, brutal Death Eaters under his command.
Then came the Dark Lord's signature spell, the thick and powerful Avada Kedavra (Killing Curse).
And finally...
The Dementors, creatures that could frighten young wizards into silence and make most adult wizards go pale at the mere mention of them, unwilling to go anywhere near them.
But in truth, these Dementors were not actually Voldemort's subordinates.
Perhaps because they had caused such terrible destruction during the First Wizarding War, most wizards instinctively linked them together, which was how this misunderstanding had taken root.
In reality, their relationship was more like the former arrangement between the Ministry of Magic and Azkaban.
They followed whoever was stronger.
Especially after Dumbledore's death, when Voldemort gave them greater freedom, these Dementors, whose minds held nothing but food, turned on the Ministry of Magic without hesitation, though it had already fallen long ago.
Just as everyone could see, the sky above the square in front of the Hogwarts gates had been completely covered by a dense swarm of Dementors.
Dark figures circled overhead.
They brought darkness and cold, as if they meant to suck the souls out of everyone present.
The bone-deep chill and despair made the faces of the wizards on the Hogwarts side turn extremely grim.
"Damn it, they couldn't have picked a worse time!"
"Minerva!!"
"I know! I know!!"
The anxious shouts ringing in her ears made Professor McGonagall, who always showed her students a stern face, snap back irritably.
Of course she knew what those dark figures overhead were.
She also understood exactly what terrible consequences this new force of enemies would bring to the current situation.
...
Whether it was the professors from Hogwarts, the members of the Order of the Phoenix led by Lupin, or even the noble wizards under Lucius Malfoy's command, to be honest, in another place and at another time, these attacking Dementors would not have been much of a threat.
Although the Patronus Charm was indeed advanced magic, and without a certain level of mastery, it would be difficult to kill these flying Dementors, it had to be said that stopping them and driving them away was still possible.
As long as they could spare the effort to deal with them.
And obviously, the Werewolves, Death Eaters, and even Giants in front of them were not going to give them that chance.
As the Dementors flying in the sky made their move, Barty Crouch Jr., seeing his opportunity, immediately gave the order. "All of you, press forward! For the great Master!"
"Yahaha!"
"As long as we keep them tied down, the Dementors will create chaos behind their lines."
"Don't let them fall back!"
Their response was extremely fast.
The Death Eaters and dark creatures charged forward at the first opportunity, giving the wizards opposite them no chance to cast the Patronus Charm.
And this tactic struck Lucius and the others exactly where it hurt.
After all, a difficult spell like the Patronus Charm was not something that could easily be cast in such a dangerous situation.
Unlike ordinary magic, the Patronus Charm required one crucial condition.
When casting it, the wizard had to concentrate and think of the happiest thing in their heart in order to successfully summon a Patronus.
Not to mention, only a small number of wizards could summon a Patronus with a complete form through the Patronus Charm.
Just as the Dementors swooped down and were about to descend upon the rear of Hogwarts, a sheet of silver light appeared before everyone's eyes.
At the same time, the voices of many people rang out together.
"Expecto Patronum!!"
"Expecto Patronum!!"
"Expecto Patronum!!"
That was...
The incantation for the Patronus Charm!!