Chapter 164: Thunderstorm Unleashed

"Show yourself!"

George found Moddox's reaction strange but didn't let it stop him from seizing the perfect opportunity to attack. While dispatching two dark wizards with a combination of his wand and light magic, he simultaneously summoned his blade using his psychic powers, aiming to quickly deal with the last dark wizard and restrain Moddox.

But before he could act, a witch suddenly leaped out from the side and launched an attack on Moddox.

"Expelliarmus!"

It was Amy, who, like George, had followed Lena here. After seeing Moddox take hostages, she predicted he would retreat with them toward the tent's exit. Thus, during the negotiation between the Auror captain and Moddox, she quietly slipped to the exit and hid behind some clutter.

When George suddenly appeared to rescue the hostages, Amy decided not to stay hidden. She joined the fight to help take down Moddox.

If Amy and George succeeded, Moddox and his last remaining lackey would undoubtedly be subdued.

However, Moddox, a seasoned dark wizard, was no easy prey. Even as he continued chanting an incomprehensible incantation, he activated a defense mechanism embedded in his robes with a simple tap. The robes instantly cast a Protego Maxima shield.

Clearly, his robes weren't ordinary but enchanted with defensive magic. Unfortunately, his fellow dark wizard wasn't as lucky. George's blade severed one of the man's hands, rendering him incapable of casting spells.

Despite the Protego Maxima blocking Amy's Disarming Charm, Moddox managed to escape the tent.

"Amy! George! We've warded the entire street with Anti-Apparition spells. He can't escape! After him!" Lena's voice called out.

Amy wasted no time and dashed after him. George, however, paused briefly to check on Hermione.

"Are you hurt?"

"No," Hermione replied, still dazed.

She had come to Paris with her parents after receiving George's letter, eager to see him again. But what was supposed to be an exciting trip turned into a nightmare. Seeing a dark wizard kill someone with the Killing Curse was horrifying—a level of terror far beyond the basilisk incident at Hogwarts.

She never imagined George would appear like a divine hero to rescue her again.

"Hermione, my dear! Are you alright?"

Hermione's parents, who had been among the hostages, rushed toward her. Two of the three adult hostages were her Muggle parents.

"Do you know the boy who saved us?"

The question came from one of the other rescued girls. The older one, with a mix of awe and gratitude, looked at Hermione as she spoke.

Hermione nodded with pride. "We're both Hogwarts students. He's my best friend."

"I'm Fleur Delacour, a fifth-year student at Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. This is my sister, Gabrielle. Thank your friend for saving us—he's incredible!"

Fleur's voice brimmed with appreciation as she introduced herself. She had brought her much younger sister to see the magical creature performance, only to encounter this nightmare. If not for the boy who looked younger than her, both she and Gabrielle might have died.

"He's George, a first-year at Hogwarts. I'm Hermione Granger, a second-year. He's the most talented wizard at Hogwarts," Hermione said, her pride swelling as Fleur praised George.

Meanwhile, outside the tent, George and Amy caught sight of Moddox standing in the middle of the street. He hadn't fled but was instead looking at them with a sinister grin.

"Finally done! Ancient magic sure takes its time, but now you'll all witness its power!"

Moddox raised his wand above his head, twirling it in a deliberate pattern. Above the magical street, storm clouds rapidly gathered, and bolts of lightning began streaking across the sky.

"Ancient Magic: Thunderstorm Descent!"

A torrent of lightning rained down, enveloping much of the magical street in a destructive storm.

Moddox had suspected from the start that the Aurors might use Anti-Apparition charms to prevent their escape. As a precaution, he had begun chanting an ancient lightning spell while retreating with the hostages.

Although the spell required a long incantation, its power was unparalleled. His plan was simple: the lightning storm would incapacitate his pursuers, allowing him to escape unchallenged. The boy and the female Auror's earlier ambush had nearly disrupted him, but he had managed to complete the spell just in time.

"What is this? It's not a Weather Spell!"

George immediately cast Protego to shield himself as lightning bolts struck. Amy and the other Aurors who had rushed out did the same, but they were visibly bewildered by the massive spell.

Weather Spells could change the weather—bring rain, snow, or sunshine—but they didn't summon lightning storms capable of such destruction.

"Watch out! The tent's collapsing!"

The relentless lightning destroyed the tent housing the magical creature performance. Its occupants—people, magical creatures, and various items—were flung out onto the street, scattering everywhere.

"Hahaha! I'll kill you all! Every last one of you!"

Moddox's maniacal laughter echoed as he continued to wield his wand, unleashing bolt after bolt of lightning upon the street. He targeted everyone in the area, including Hermione, her Muggle parents, Fleur, Gabrielle, the magical creatures, and the performers.

The storm's sheer scale overwhelmed most present. Many couldn't even cast Protego, a spell beyond the abilities of most wizards outside the Ministry's Aurors.