King of Lightning [HP FANFIC]

To Anduin's eyes, the match had become a farce. Slytherin's Seeker wandered aimlessly across the field, trying to disrupt the opposing players yet failing repeatedly to catch the Golden Snitch. Several times, the Snitch darted right past him, but he ignored it. Meanwhile, the Gryffindor players, fearing that further attacks would drag the game out indefinitely, huddled defensively in front of their goalposts, while the remaining Slytherin players attempted to attack and defend simultaneously, desperate to break the stalemate.

Anduin pressed his lips together. This match wasn't going to end anytime soon, and he had no intention of wasting more time here. He muttered a few words to Vivian, who stood beside him, then turned and left the field alone.

In the distant stands, Travers noticed Anduin's departure and let out a sinister smile. He whispered a few words to Landel Rosier at his side, and both of them also rose and slipped away.

As Anduin walked ahead, he quickly became aware of the commotion behind him. The tracking attempts of these youngsters were laughably amateurish; it was blatantly obvious.

Seeing this, Anduin knew Travers was definitely looking for trouble. Since someone was so eager for death, he could hardly deny them. After a brief moment of thought, he changed his direction, not toward Hogwarts Castle, but instead heading for the Owl Shed.

Travers and Rosier, seeing the change, didn't think much of it. Instead, they sneered and quickened their pace to follow.

When the two watched Anduin approach the Owl Shed without entering, choosing instead to circle around it to the rear, Travers assumed the man had discovered their tail and was attempting to flee. Tugging Rosier along, he hastened to catch up.

Yet as they rounded the back of the shed, they found Anduin leaning casually against the wall, staring straight at them, as if he had been waiting.

Seeing that Anduin hadn't fled further, Travers curled his lip in disdain and stepped forward. "You filthy Mudblood, why don't you run . . . ?".

Before he could finish, a spell shot out, striking Travers squarely and sending him flying. He crashed to the ground unconscious.

Rosier froze in panic as he watched Anduin attack without saying a single word. Fumbling frantically, he reached for his wand.

Anduin couldn't help but purse his lips at Rosier's clumsy movements. 'Coming to pick a fight without even having your wand ready . . . How utterly unprofessional. How does someone with such a pitiful level even dare to play the bully?'.

Anduin didn't attack immediately. Instead, he walked forward with calm, measured steps.

Rosier finally managed to draw his wand, clutching it in both hands as he shouted nervously, "Y-you, don't come any closer! If—if you do, I—I'll . . . ".

Anduin gazed at Rosier's pitiful state with growing disdain. "And what will you do if I come closer? Kill yourself?".

Rosier's face blanched even more at Anduin's words, convinced now that Anduin intended to kill him. 'Did he lure us here to murder and silence us?'. Panic rising, Rosier squeezed his eyes shut, gripped his wand with both hands, and let out a scream as he fired a spell.

The spell's aim was atrocious, sailing several meters wide of Anduin. Still, Anduin noted with mild interest the strength of its blast.

"Oh? So fear and adrenaline can amplify spell power too?" he mused, stroking his chin. Then, glancing at the still-screaming Rosier, he said, "Stop yelling. Even if you scream your lungs out, no one's coming to save you".

Instead of calming down, Rosier screamed louder, sending wild, misdirected spells flying haphazardly past Anduin.

Annoyed by the shrieking, Anduin flicked his wand, disarming Rosier effortlessly. Then he stepped forward, kicked Rosier to the ground, and planted his right foot firmly on his chest. Leaning down, he pressed his wand to Rosier's throat and said coldly, "Do you want to die?"

Rosier, writhing in pain from the kick and unable to breathe under the pressure on his chest, could only cry out in desperation, "Please don't kill me! It, it's all Travers! It was his idea! I had nothing to do with it, I was just dragged along!"

Anduin sighed, feeling a flicker of frustration. 'Why are these pure-blood families so impossible to reason with? Is it inbreeding that's made their brains so dull?'.

"Shut up. I told you to shut up. Don't make me repeat myself." The icy stare Anduin gave him made Rosier's hair stand on end. He swallowed hard and finally stopped babbling, coughing violently as his throat burned from screaming and his chest still heaved under Anduin's weight.

Seeing this, Anduin lifted his foot, crouched beside Rosier, and asked calmly, "Are you scared?"

Rosier gasped for breath and croaked, "Y-yes, I'm scared!".

"Will you dare to provoke me again in the future?" Anduin asked.

Rosier shook his head furiously. "No! Never! I'll stay far away from you from now on, and I'll warn Travers too!"

"Heh . . . there's no need for that. If he wants to cause trouble for me, encourage him. Don't be shy," Anduin said with a faint laugh.

Rosier thought Anduin was mocking him and quickly stammered, "No—I wouldn't dare! I'll keep him away from you!"

Seeing that the boy was already trembling in terror, Anduin helped him to his feet. Rosier's legs were so weak they nearly gave out again, but Anduin held him steady. Brushing the dust from Rosier's robes, he smiled and said, "I'm serious. If Travers wants to make trouble in the future, don't stop him. But if you like, you can give me a heads-up."

The implication hit Rosier instantly. He wants me to be his informant! But with Anduin's gaze growing colder, Rosier had no choice but to nod rapidly. "A-alright . . . okay! But if I get caught, I'm finished!"

"Don't worry. If you behave, I'll protect you, Rosier. Ever heard of a 'protection fee'?" Anduin asked with a smile that made Rosier's stomach twist.

Rosier's confusion deepened at the unfamiliar term. Nervously, he asked, "P-protection fee? What does that mean?"

"It means," Anduin said with a grin, "you pay me ten Galleons every month, and I'll make sure nothing bad happens to you."

Rosier stiffened in horror. 'Was this extortion disguised as a protection fee? Did he really have to spy and pay too? Was there no justice left in the world?'. But seeing Anduin's smiling face and feeling his crushing grip, he could only stammer, "And, what if I don't have that much money? What if I can't pay?".