" He is not Black --"
The first to break the silence was Severus Snape, who gazed at Amortice, draped in a black cloak indistinguishable in any way, on the steps across the square. The chill emanating from his somber expression could freeze water into ice.
Well, actually, by now, even the Aurors like Kingsley and Dedryan might have made some judgments in their hearts. They have been dealing with criminals for many years and have 'smelled out' that this guy is likely to be from that place through his outfit and bold actions. However, they can't make such a definitive conclusion as Snape.
Dumbledore made no response to Snape's hint, but it was not the usual serene composure people saw in him as if he knew everything. He half-closed his eyes, as if always lost in deep thought.
Does Dumbledore know that he is wearing a disguise?
On the other side of the square, Amortice pondered this question in his mind. By all accounts, he believed that Dumbledore did not have this ability since he had completely disguised his magical nature. However, he could not be completely certain either. In the contemporary wizarding world, with the exception of the confident Voldemort, nobody dared claim that they could completely see through Albus Dumbledore.
"Albus—"
Kingsley lowered his deep voice, "Whether this person is Black or not, we must catch him. Otherwise, the Ministry of Magic will have no explanation."
"Yes --"
A streak of light once again swept across the half-moon lenses, masking the thoughts and feelings of the piercingly blue eyes behind them. Dumbledore's tall, slender frame, which had previously exuded an air of distress, now seemed less oppressive, and his voice became lighter as well.
"The situation is clearly like that."
Speaking, Dumbledore lightly waved his wand, a rope ghostly appeared in front of Amortice, which possessed binding magic, prevented escape and apparition transportation, and also had the ability to conceal traces. It flexibly wrapped around him.
Bang--
With a low, short, muffled thud, a dark, ominous air erupted with an eerie flash of pale white fire, flickering out of sight in an instant. Amortice's arched eyebrows and wand slowly descended as he roughly came to a conclusion. Dumbledore must not have recognized him; otherwise, he wouldn't have resorted to such second-tier magic to deceive him.
The 'low-level' magic in Amortice's perception is not so simple for others. At least, the Ministry of Magic's stormtroopers, upon seeing this scene, were all caught off guard in a state of great shock!
Because, although they saw Dumbledore waving his wand, they didn't quite understand what he did. However, from the subsequent movement, they at least knew that this dark wizard had defended against Dumbledore's attack!
This is simply incredible!
In contemporary magic, it is incredible that there are people who can match against the great Albus Dumbledore. This is simply alarming. In everyone's concept, except for the mysterious person who leaves no trace, no wizard should be able to withstand Dumbledore's magic. Even Severus Snape cannot help but tilt his head and glance at Dumbledore!
"Hahaha..."
Amortice 'snarled' again, standing firmly on the steps with an elegant stride. His proud chin exuded a rebellious audacity.
"Isn't this just a bit of what the great Albus Dumbledore has?!"
The mysterious black wizard's mockery plunged everyone into anger. Among the witches and wizards present, not everyone was a 'believer' of Dumbledore's, but there was no doubt that Dumbledore was the strongest wizard in their hearts. The black wizard's mockery was nothing short of a harsh slap to their faith!
The angry crowd did not elicit any change on Dumbledore's weathered cheeks. He flicked his sleeve to reveal his wand-wielding wrist, and smiling, he replied with a cheerful voice.
"In fact, I have always believed that people have given me a bit too much praise. I need to thank you for making them realize that I am not all-powerful."
Amortice, whose face was hidden under the hood, subtly rolled his eyes and did not want to comment on Dumbledore's words.
A massive surge of magical energy reactions appeared on the perimeter of Grimmauld Place, and at the same time, the neon lights of the police cars and fire engines from the Muggles had stopped moving towards the inner circle. This meant that relevant departments of the Ministry of Magic had begun to mitigate the impact of the disturbances caused by him.
Amortice knew that if he hadn't planned to wipe out the entire magical world tonight, he should be thinking of a way to get himself out of this now.
"I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused tonight--"
Amortice said in a hoarse, world-worn voice, bowing politely to Dumbledore and the Ministry of Magic's stormtroopers.
"If there are no further instructions, then I will now leave."
"Foolishness!"
Dedalus Diggle, in charge of the overall task plan to monitor the Black family's estate, glared fiercely at the dark wizard who had humiliated him, and said venomously,
"You'll never get anywhere, not even Azkaban!"
But others didn't take any action, just focusing their gaze on Dumbledore, whose stature was like a mountain range and whose concentration was on the dark wizard. They were restraining their turbulent thoughts and waiting for Dumbledore to give instructions.
"It seems they all want you to stay, sir..."
Dumbledore playfully said, "Personally, I would much prefer to find a quiet place and have a drink with you. We can talk about your reasons for trying to break into the Black family's old mansion."
Originally expecting to directly eliminate Black tonight, but upon arrival, he found that it was not his at all. Snape, with a grim face, pondered his own thoughts. After hearing Dumbledore's words, he remained motionless. However, he glanced over with a suspicious expression.
Find a quiet place for a drink...
Amortice narrowed his eyes, was Dumbledore's words really meant something? Could it be that he had indeed unmasked his disguise and knew who he was?
By all accounts, this should be impossible. Dumbledore is indeed powerful, but he is not divine; there is no reason for him to be able to see through such layered magical disguise so quickly. However, these are things that cannot be predicted. No one knows the true limits of the abilities of the greatest wizard in the present era.
After a moment of contemplation, Amortice decided to leave as soon as possible. His gaze fell on the Phoenix, Fawkes, perched on Dumbledore's shoulder. This phoenix was not to be trifled with, as it could freely move through any restricted area unaffected by the Banishment Charm. If Dumbledore was determined to catch him, he would indeed have to put in some effort to escape with the help of this powerful phoenix.
"Thank you for your sincere invitation, Mr. Dumbledore, but there are many troubles you have to deal with tonight. Therefore, I think it would be more appropriate to change the time."
Amortice gracefully bent his body, and as Dumbledore's gaze gathered, a chilling malevolence like an icy wind swept across the room, causing all the Ministry of Magic's enforcers to be petrified. The earth and the air began to shake, and the agitated magical energy was like withered wood without a drop of moisture. But in an instant, the star-like sparks at the tip of Amortice's wand ignited it!
Boom!
A massive crack opened in the ground, several dozen feet wide, engulfing everyone, including Dumbledore. The dark fissures leading to hell suddenly spat out a towering wall of pale flames over a hundred feet high. The overwhelming heat and the faint roars from the flames scared more than half of the Ministry employees to sit down on the ground!
Even Severus Snape, who had once come close to confronting Voldemort, was shocked by this inferno. He instinctively threw a few of his favorite spells, trying to cut through the flames, but those sharp transparent blades were swallowed by the turbulent firewaves, producing no effect at all.
"You can't handle this, Severus."
Dumbledore, who was also surprised by this magic, quickly regained his composure. He raised his wand and slashed downwards in the air, as if a space knife had appeared out of nowhere, directly towards the firewall!
***
Reading Library
