Dark magic.
Powerful and destructive spells, the kind Dark Wizards excel at, magic that cannot be used on other wizards and leaves a terrible impression.
That was probably what most wizards thought dark magic was.
But in truth, the key to judging whether a spell counts as dark magic is whether the harm it causes can be reversed.
And by reversed, that means healed.
Just like the three Unforgivable Curses, those vicious spells leave permanent damage on a wizard, or even cause death.
But if that is the case, why are so many other forms of dark magic not classified as Unforgivable Curses?
The main reason is actually very simple. Most dark magic has a corresponding counterspell.
Take Sectumsempra, which Snape and Draco both mastered. It has its own dedicated counterspell, one that can promptly heal the wounds it causes when used on a wizard.
In general, these counterspells are known only to the caster and are never handed over lightly.
Because once the counterspell is exposed, the threat posed by that dark magic drops by several levels.
That is why the three Unforgivable Curses are the three Unforgivable Curses. They have no counterspells.
In other words, nearly every powerful Dark Wizard knows a few Fiendfyre Curse tricks.
This kind of flame magic, the kind that almost never goes out...
...does have a counterspell.
...
Naturally, Ginny and the others had never truly come into contact with dark magic before, and they did not know much about it, so they had no idea such counterspells existed, or rather, no real understanding of them.
That was why they looked so confused.
"What do you mean? Didn't he already take care of them?"
"Mhm, they were taken care of."
Luna nodded a beat later, echoing Ginny's confusion.
But very soon, they had no room left to think about that question.
Boom!
The flames that had towered like massive waves just moments ago were now vanishing into the air at a speed visible to the naked eye.
No, they were not simply disappearing. If anything, they were being swallowed by something.
It was as if a black hole had appeared out of nowhere and was devouring every last trace of flame.
It was not just the Fiendfyre that was fading. The temperature was also dropping fast.
Even Ginny and the others, who had taken magical potions to withstand Fiendfyre's extreme heat, could clearly feel the change.
"That is..."
Realizing something, Ginny and Luna both turned to Draco at the same time, as if looking to him to confirm what they were thinking.
Had Draco expected this from the very beginning?
In the next second, Draco gave them the answer.
"That is the counterspell for the Fiendfyre Curse."
"A counterspell?"
"Ah... you did not actually think that Fiendfyre, the kind that never goes out once it is cast, has no way to be countered, did you?"
"I... I... of course I did not think that. Don't look down on me!"
Ginny's words, along with the way she lifted her chin, seemed full of spirit at first glance, but her stammer gave away just how guilty she felt inside.
She had absolutely no idea what a counterspell was.
Luna, on the other hand, admitted her ignorance without hesitation.
"This is my first time hearing about it."
Only then did the two girls finally see what was happening on the other side, along with the destruction Fiendfyre had caused.
At a glance, the ground was blackened beyond recognition, and in some places the soil had even crystallized from the heat. There was no need to check any further. Nothing living could have survived on that patch of land.
And that was not all. A nauseating smell had begun to spread through the air.
Or rather, it was a strange burnt fragrance...
"This smell... ugh."
"How awful."
The scorched stench hanging in the air made it clear that Draco's earlier attack had not been without results.
And the few figures slowly appearing through the air only proved it further.
"Five left... still within the expected range."
Lowering his body slightly, Draco murmured the truth under his breath.
That quiet remark made the figures opposite him sway faintly.
From where Ginny stood, she could already see Barty Crouch Jr.'s face twisted into something so distorted it was almost impossible to read any emotion from it.
...
Even though it was a counterspell specifically meant to stop the Fiendfyre Curse, using it was nowhere near as easy or simple as people might imagine.
Not to mention that Draco's Fiendfyre Curse had been far too sudden and far too well concealed.
With all those factors in play, Barty Crouch Jr., the strongest person present and forced to react in haste, had only managed to save five people in the end, himself included.
Of course, it was also possible that he simply did not care whether the others lived or died.
It was not total annihilation, but the losses were severe enough.
"Crouch, I owe you my life, damn it."
"I underestimated him."
"Crouch?"
Antonin cast an odd look at the companion beside him.
Maybe it was because the man suddenly seemed unfamiliar, but that calm voice gave them no sense of security at all. Instead, it sent a chill straight into their bones.
They all had the same feeling. If they got close to Barty Crouch Jr. right now, then even as allies, they probably would not come away unscathed.
"I have disappointed my master."
As he stared at the Fiendfyre at the tip of his wand, Barty Crouch Jr.'s expression was calm in a way that felt almost terrifying.
There was no rise or fall in his voice, yet that flat tone alone made Ginny and Luna's hair stand on end.
The girls instinctively edged closer to Draco.
"Draco."
"Get ready for the next step of the plan. This is only the beginning."
"I... I understand. We are ready."
If Draco had still seemed a little relaxed and in control at the start, then now he was finally becoming serious.
And clearly, that was entirely because of the abnormal aura now coming off Barty Crouch Jr.
...
The reason Barty Crouch Jr. had earned Voldemort's trust was not just that twisted devotion of his.
His overwhelming strength, enough to suppress most Death Eaters, and his skill in wielding the three Unforgivable Curses were what truly set him apart from the rest.
And among them, the fast and devastating Killing Curse was his specialty.
"Avada Kedavra!!!"
A thick burst of green light washed over everyone's faces, draining them of all color...