With Lockhart leading the way, Harry and Malfoy—easily dismissed by the older women due to their youth—finally found themselves free.
Jim, the last young man to escape unscathed, seemed unusually thoughtful.
Jim had been envious of Lockhart's popularity. He even considered trying to market himself the same way.
Unfortunately, memories of his own "cookie boy" experience quickly brought him back to reality.
Besides, the "precious girl" being pushed by the older women didn't quite suit his tastes; she was worlds apart from Lenore.
Alas, a teenage cookie boy doesn't dream of vampire ladies.
With Lockhart clearing a path, the group was able to approach the church without further interruptions.
They could now see the old, dark building more clearly.
Despite its darkness and dilapidation, it was evidently a grand church, befitting a cardinal.
Just who built this in such a remote place?
"I advise you… don't go any closer!"
A passerby, noticing Tom and his group heading towards the church that supposedly sealed a demon, hurried to warn them. "Perhaps you're outsiders and don't know, but this place…"
"Alright, alright, the demon, yes, we know… but! Good sir…"
Lockhart smoothly stepped in, skillfully distracting the man until he forgot what he had originally intended to say.
...
"The entire church is old, except for the new lock?"
"…"
Malfoy observed the new lock lying on the ground and the completely rotten doorframe, falling into a rare silence.
Creak
The old church doors creaked open, releasing a damp, musty stench of dust.
The initial wave overwhelmed Harry, but fortunately, the odor dissipated once Tom entered.
"Wow, it must have been beautiful once."
The interior of the church brightened Jim's eyes.
Even with greenery creeping throughout, the magnificent murals remained tall and clear. Sunlight streamed through the dust-covered stained-glass windows, and the pulpit and pews in the spacious nave were still neatly arranged.
"Yes, it is beautiful."
Even Hagrid, who usually only appreciated raw power, couldn't help but marvel. "Muggles occasionally got this 'art' thing right!"
"Did I miss something?"
Lockhart, who had followed them inside, also began to survey the church's interior. "It looks alright, just rather old. Otherwise, it would be perfect for my next book launch."
"…"
Mr. Lockhart, you'd be crucified by the parishioners if they ever heard you say that.
Jim wanted to object, but he wasn't particularly devout, so he kept his thoughts to himself.
Even if he did speak up, it wouldn't matter. To Lockhart, the thought of Muggles wanting to crucify wizards was perfectly normal.
"Tom, it doesn't seem like what we're looking for is here?"
Nagini didn't detect any magic in the immediate vicinity.
Tom pointed upwards. "Indeed, it's up there."
...
The bell tower atop the church.
A large, ancient bell hung there; judging by its size, its sound could likely be heard for miles.
Below the hanging bell sat a strange coffin entwined with green vines.
It was entirely black, accented with red, giving it a deathly air – fitting, as it was a coffin.
However, the green vines clinging to it added a strange touch of life.
"This is it?"
Cassandra looked at the coffin with curiosity. "This is the demon you were talking about?"
"Uh… I don't know, I heard it from someone else."
Lockhart appeared surprised, but given the present situation, the "demon" must be inside the coffin.
Furthermore, the coffin was clearly no ordinary object, though they hadn't sensed any magical signatures.
But Tom had mentioned sensing "painful magic" from a distance.
This could only mean that the coffin was somehow isolating the "painful magic" contained within!
"Should we open it and take a look?"
Harry stroked his chin, curious about the contents of the coffin, but somewhat wary.
"Scarface, you go!"
Malfoy clapped Harry on the shoulder without a moment's hesitation. "If you get bitten to death by whatever's inside, I'll definitely avenge you! And look, there's already a coffin here that you can use! I'll carry your coffin all the way back to Hogwarts!"
"…"
Can't you even try to be nice?!
Harry was accustomed to Malfoy's incessant chatter, and the clock tower wasn't exactly the best place for a duel.
Just as Nagini was about to question Tom, she saw her companion lightly raise his right hand and flick his index finger.
Bang!
The coffin lid burst open!
The thing inside revealed its true form.
It was a female corpse, or more precisely, the corpse of a witch.
"A corpse?"
Cassandra appeared surprised. "The demon is… dead?"
She had been gripping her wand tightly, anticipating a potential sneak attack.
"No, not quite… not entirely dead."
As soon as Tom finished speaking, the withered female corpse abruptly opened its eyes, wisps of black mist spilling from them.
(A hysterical scream~)
Boom!
The female corpse transformed into a raging cloud of black mist wreathed in red light, blasting through the top of the clock tower and soaring away into the distance.
"What is that thing?"
Cassandra, still somewhat stunned, stared at the shimmering white barrier that protected her.
The entity felt more dangerous than even Annie (the sub-adult fire dragon)!
"An Obscurus."
Tom calmly watched the black mist violently thrashing against the distant clouds.
"An Obscurus?"
This unheard-of yet exceedingly powerful entity immediately commanded everyone's attention.
Nagini, however, seemed somewhat dazed before quickly regaining her composure.
I once had a friend with an eccentric personality. Although our friendship was brief, and we eventually parted ways, never reconciling before his death… the shared hardships and support made him a close friend for a time.
If it weren't for that green-eyed fool, perhaps he would have been the one who left the deepest mark on me. But meeting Tom changed everything, and Credence became a stranger.
---