[123] The Unforgivable Gate

A beam of red light shot towards the three-headed dog. One of its heads breathed flame and blocked it.

Hall's heart sank. He had to deal with this monster quickly, or they would all die here.

He took a deep breath. A resolute glint entered his eyes.

"Avada Kedavra."

Without hesitation, green light erupted from his wand, transforming into a dazzling beam in the narrow passage. It crashed head-on into the three-headed dog. The creature did not even have time to react before it was sent flying by the force, crashing heavily into the centre of the cave with a pained howl.

"Run!"

Hall seized the opportunity, grabbing Krum and Fleur, and sprinted down the passage.

At the end of the passage was a stone door. Hall kicked it open. The three rushed through. With a bang, the stone door slammed shut behind them, cutting off the three-headed dog's roar.

The three collapsed against the wall, panting heavily.

"Huff... huff..."

Krum was pale. He pointed at the stone door, still shaken. "That was —" He turned, pointing at Hall. "That was the Unforgivable Curse!"

Hall's gaze was icy. "If you utter a single word, you'll be next."

Fleur was so frightened by Hall's gaze that she took a step back, clutching her chest, and nodded hurriedly. Krum swallowed hard, thought for a few seconds, then nodded. Durmstrang was more lenient towards dark magic than other schools, but this was different — one of the three Unforgivable Curses. Hall had used it without the slightest hesitation. Krum chose to nod and keep Hall's secret.

Hall wasn't worried about them leaking information. No one would believe them. Besides, if his guess was correct, even the curse marks on the three-headed dog wouldn't exist.

"What — what should we do now?" Krum's voice trembled in the darkness.

They found themselves in unfamiliar surroundings. Only a faint moonlight streamed through a crack in the ceiling, casting cold light that offered no solace.

"Let's find a safe place to rest first. Then figure out how to get out."

They groped around and found a relatively dry spot, sitting down against the wall.

"Hsss —"

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Helena!

Hall was about to sit down when he heard the familiar sound. He looked around. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of strange patterns etched on the walls — appearing and disappearing in the darkness.

Hall stood and walked to a wall, carefully examining the patterns. "The marks here are strange —" He ran his hand along the wall.

His hand pressed against a protruding stone.

A loud click echoed in the silent darkness.

A stone slab in the wall caved in. Hall hesitated, then pushed it. The slab slowly moved to one side, creaking like an ancient door groaning in pain. A dark opening appeared before them, and a musty, decaying smell wafted out.

"It's open!" Hall raised an eyebrow.

"What is this?" Krum and Fleur approached, their eyes filled with fear and curiosity.

"Hsss —"

The familiar sound came again, from the depths of the doorway.

"I don't know," Hall shook his head. "But we have no other choice."

He took a deep breath, gripped his wand tightly, and slipped inside. Krum and Fleur exchanged a glance and followed.

Beyond the opening was a narrow passage. At intervals along the walls on either side, an oil lamp cast a faint glow. Hall led the way, the light from his wand flickering in the darkness. The passage wound its way through, its destination unknown.

They walked for what felt like hours. Time had lost its meaning here. Their nerves were on edge; every slightest sound made them jump.

Finally, a glimmer of light appeared ahead. It shone like a lifeline in the darkness.

Hall quickened his pace, nearly running. When he reached it, he found a wooden door — old and worn, covered in scratches and stains.

"Hsss —"

Helena's voice came again. Hall pushed the door open without hesitation. The hinges creaked, echoing in the silent corridor.

He stepped through. Krum and Fleur followed.

They were stunned by what they saw.

The third-floor corridor of Hogwarts.

"We're out?" Krum couldn't believe his eyes.

"It looks like it."

Fleur breathed a sigh of relief. "Hall, thank you. If it weren't for you —"

"Enough of that. Let's hurry back. It's getting late."

They started down the corridor. Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded ahead. Hall's heart skipped a beat. He gestured for Krum and Fleur to hide behind the wall, while he cautiously peeked around the corner.

At the end of the corridor, a familiar figure was walking briskly towards them.

Snape.

Hall was startled. What was Professor Snape doing here? Was this the real Snape, or the one from that strange arena? He ducked back quickly, lowering his voice. "It's Professor Snape. Hide."

Whichever Snape it was, hiding was the best option.

Krum and Fleur pressed against the wall, barely daring to breathe. Snape's footsteps grew closer — the sound of his shoes on the wooden floor remarkably clear in the silent corridor. Hall could hear his own heart pounding.

Snape walked briskly, his face grim, a roll of parchment clutched tightly in his hand. Lost in thought, he walked straight past the wall where they were hiding.

Hall breathed a sigh of relief.

"Hsss —"

Oh no.

Snape stopped. He sensed something and turned abruptly, his gaze sweeping across the corner where Hall and the others were hiding.

"Come out," Snape's icy voice echoed in the corridor.

Hall knew there was no escaping it. He sighed and stepped out. "Professor..."

"Mr Weasley, Miss Delacour, Mr Krum. What are you doing here?"

"We..." Hall stammered. He could hardly tell Snape they had seen strange things — like Snape laughing heartily and applauding Dumbledore.

"I'll ask you once more. How did you get here? Don't test my patience. You know the consequences of deceiving me."

Fleur stammered, "Professor Snape, we — we just —"

"Shut up. All of you — come with me now." Snape turned and strode ahead.

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