The instant its fingertip touched the bouncy ball, time froze.
The surface of the cheap-looking ball suddenly lit up with countless golden runes, finer than strands of hair, weaving together into a three-dimensional magical array of mind-numbing complexity.
A deep, resonant hum, as if from the depths of the cosmos itself, replaced all other sound in the valley.
The hand clutching the ball went rigid.The creature's body of pure light began to twist and elongate uncontrollably, like a wisp of cotton candy sucked violently into a vacuum cleaner, streaming frantically towards the tiny sphere.
Under the horrified gazes of everyone present, the immense and awe-inspiring construct of light was, amidst a silent shriek, crammed wholesale into a palm-sized orb.
Douglas snapped his fingers.The bouncy ball traced a graceful arc through the air and flew back into his waiting hand.
It was utterly transformed.The once-overbearing entity was perfectly preserved at the ball's core, frozen in its final moment of startled capture, incredibly lifelike.Its light no longer bled outwards. It was compressed into pure, flowing gold within the sphere, making the whole thing glitter brilliantly. A flawless piece of art.
Remus Lupin's wand hand trembled slightly. He lowered his arm, not because the threat was gone, but because his mind simply couldn't process what he'd just witnessed.He opened his mouth. A dry, rasping noise escaped his throat. "…What… what was that? It's like… like that thing for Peeves… the Peeves-Capture-Ball?"
Douglas examined his new artwork, his tone casual. "Similar principle. More advanced, though. Seems effective. I'll take it back for Galleon to play with. I think he'll like it."
A muscle in Lupin's jaw twitched.Yes. That figured.No Niffler could resist something so shiny and self-illuminating.
Behind Douglas, the werewolves stood in dead silence.Marco's eyes, which moments ago had been bloodshot with hatred, were now wide as saucers, fixed unblinkingly on the golden ball in Douglas's hand. His mouth opened and closed soundlessly.
A few of the younger cubs had slumped to the ground. Their gazes toward Douglas were no longer mere awe. It was the primal fear and reverence mortals held for a god who walked the earth.The terrifying presence that had threatened to vaporize their souls had barely faded, and that god-like monster had become… a pet's toy?The battle they'd thought would cost all their lives… was just… over?
Valerius lay on the ground, panting. The relief of surviving was quickly drowned by a deeper, colder dread.He was terrified of the creature's energy and its suppression of him. But he was even more terrified that Douglas had such an absurd magical artifact in his possession.Once again, he was reminded: the man he served was deeper, and his methods more unfathomable, than Valerius could ever imagine.
With the monster's disappearance, the suffocating, sanctified aura in the valley dissipated.The Apennines settled into an unprecedented calm.The wind picked up again. Birds resumed their songs. The distant forests seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief.
The hidden, watching eyes, whether from the Ministry or the Vatican, withdrew at the same moment.No one would dare extend their reach into this valley so easily again. A valley guarded by a monster of a different kind.
Two days later.
Inside the cavern, a small fire crackled.Douglas was finalizing plans with Lupin. A thick letter was already winging its way across the English Channel, clutched in an owl's talons.
"Let Marcus handle the specifics of the pack's organization. He understands that better than we do. You just need to be their symbolic heart and their shield. Work with Sirius on the business side."
Douglas nudged a branch into the flames. "Italy's quiet now. For a while. I'm heading to Egypt next."
Just then, a sentry wolf hurried in. "Professor. Someone's here."
Douglas and Marco exchanged a glance and headed outside together.
At the valley entrance, beside the 'Hogwarts Friendship Donation' tombstone, stood a figure wrapped tightly in a black hooded cloak. The figure seemed slight and was staring, motionless, at the inscription.
"Izzy?" Marco recognized his sister's silhouette and strode forward.
The figure pushed back her hood, revealing Isabella Rossi's face, etched with weariness. "Brother."Seeing Marco, some of the tension left her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a heavy, urgent worry.
"I just got back from Albania." Isabella's voice was hoarse. She looked at Douglas, her expression a tangled mess of scrutiny, wariness, and a faint, desperate plea. Her hand fumbled inside her robes for a moment before pulling out a newspaper, crumpled and damp with sweat. She offered it with visible reluctance.
"I got back to the Ministry. Didn't even have time to catch my breath." She gave a bitter smile. "Director Lorenzo said there was an urgent delivery. And that I… was the most suitable person to bring it personally."
Douglas took it. The latest issue of the Daily Prophet.
Front page. Dolores Umbridge's unpleasant face was smiling a tight, insincere smile at him. The moving photo made her look like a large, pink toad.
[Ministry Deputy Head Calls for Return of Hogwarts DADA Tradition][Daily Prophet] – Dolores Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister, has penned an article for this publication advocating a return to tradition regarding the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
She notes pointedly that Professor Douglas Holmes has held the position for two consecutive terms, a situation at odds with the school's long-standing customs, and calls for "restoring Hogwarts' traditions to Hogwarts" by resuming the practice of appointing a new professor each year.
In her article, Undersecretary Umbridge emphasizes that every Hogwarts tradition is the product of centuries of wisdom and proper order, with the annual turnover of the DADA post being a crucial part of that framework. "This tradition was not arbitrarily established. It is designed to expose students to a diversity of teaching styles and maintain academic vitality," she writes. "Disregarding such traditions risks fostering academic stagnation, which is detrimental to the comprehensive development of our young witches and wizards."
While not directly criticizing Professor Holmes's tenure, the Undersecretary's article conveys clear concern over the breaking of precedent. She asserts that no individual's appointment should supersede institutional tradition and that upholding such traditions is the duty of every member of the wizarding community.
This viewpoint has found enthusiastic support from Percy Weasley, a Hogwarts Outstanding Graduate and current employee of the Department of International Magical Cooperation. In an interview with this paper, Percy voiced his full backing of Undersecretary Umbridge's call."Hogwarts' traditions are our most precious heritage. Respecting them is a matter of reverence for the school's history and responsibility to future generations of witches and wizards," Percy stated firmly. He stressed that a new DADA professor each year provides students with varied perspectives and pedagogical approaches, essential for preparing them for the complexities of the modern magical world.
Hogwarts school authorities have yet to issue a formal response.Several prominent figures in the wizarding community have indicated they will be closely following developments, expressing hope that Hogwarts' traditions will be appropriately safeguarded.
Lupin leaned over to look, his brow furrowing deeply. "She always finds the most high-sounding reasons to do the most revolting things."
Douglas shrugged, unconcerned. "Don't worry about it. She can't change anything."
Both men, by unspoken agreement, didn't comment on Percy's statements. Lupin knew that Percy had sought a long, private conversation with Douglas shortly before graduation.
PS:
Fantastic Beast Capture SphereAlso known as "Douglas's Bouncy Ball." Created by Douglas Holmes. Extreme Hazard Rating (due to its conceptual nature and purpose).
Manifests as a transparent, palm-sized, highly elastic soft sphere, visually indistinguishable from a Muggle bouncy ball. Possesses exceptional camouflage capabilities.
Designed specifically for the hunting and live capture of magical creatures. Core function: Containment. Upon contact with a target creature, regardless of size or magical potency, the target is forcibly sealed within an isolated pocket dimension, completely separated from reality.
By channeling a minuscule amount of magic, the user can place the captured creature in a state of permanent suspended animation, perfectly preserving its vitality and physical state at the moment of capture, a form of 'temporal amber.'
Release requires a complex, proprietary incantation known only to its creator.
Note: Ineffective against beings in a fully human state. Targets must possess confirmed magical creature bloodlines.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
Read up to (120+ ) advanced chapters on Patre\on
Visit us here:
patreon.com/GoldenLong
Happy reading, everyone!