The entire Knockturn Alley fell silent in an instant; now, no one doubted the Fire Dragon was real anymore.
When the crowd finally recovered from their shock, the Wizards who had gathered, hoping to pick up a bargain, turned and ran, disappearing into the dark street in the blink of an eye.
Rustling sounds rose from the surrounding shops as well, but soon everything went quiet again; it was impossible to tell whether they were hiding, or had slipped out through some other exit.
The Werewolf Wizards wanted to run too, but they couldn't. As the Fire Dragon's primary targets, just standing there was already draining all their strength.
"Can you tell me now?" Kael stepped out from under Norbert and asked, word by word, "That Werewolf, Tolu—where is he?"
Norbert obligingly lowered his head and opened his mouth; a thick stench of sulfur washed over them.
The Werewolf Wizard he was questioning snapped on the spot; his eyes rolled back and he fainted dead away.
Kael turned to another Werewolf. The man wasn't in much better shape, but since he wasn't facing Norbert head‑on, he managed to raise a trembling hand and point at the house behind him.
Just then, a dark figure suddenly shot out through the doorway and bolted toward the distance without looking back.
He moved fast, but Kael still saw his face clearly—it was the same man he had met earlier at the door of Borgin and Burkes when he went to investigate the Vanishing Cabinet.
"Lucky day," Kael said with a smile, then reached out, ready to send Norbert after him.
But someone was faster than he was.
More than a dozen Charms flew in from different directions, red and green alike, showering down on Tolu like fireworks.
Tolu collapsed to the ground on the spot and stopped moving.
"Consider that our greeting gift," a man stepped out of the shadows.
It was the owner of Borgin and Burkes. Leaning on a cane topped with a skull, he stood by a narrow side path, watching the two of them.
"Long time no see, Mr. Scamander. I truly didn't expect to meet you again here in Knockturn Alley."
"You're Herbert Burke's son?" Newt asked.
"That's right. I'm surprised you still remember me," Borgin said. "I assume you also remember the rules of Knockturn Alley. Stirring up this much trouble… are you trying to start a war with us?
"The Fire Dragon may be powerful, but we aren't exactly few in number either."
As soon as he finished speaking, more people emerged from the shops on both sides.
The people of Knockturn Alley never meddled in others' business, nor did they care about anyone else's life or death—but the Fire Dragon's destructive power was too great. If they really let it loose, at least half the street would be destroyed.
When their own interests were at stake, that was something they couldn't accept. That was why they had all struck together, taking out the Werewolf who might become the Fire Dragon's target before anything else.
"Don't misunderstand. I've no intention of starting a war," Newt said calmly. "And this Fire Dragon isn't mine, either."
Clearly, Borgin didn't believe a word of it.
After all, besides Newt Scamander, who else could summon a fully grown Fire Dragon anytime, anywhere? Did he take Borgin for a fool?
Still, he didn't press the point. He just kept his eyes on Newt and said, "In that case, I must ask you to leave. Knockturn Alley is no place for people like you."
Newt didn't rush to answer; instead, he looked at Kael.
Kael nodded. He could clearly feel that among those Charms just now, there had been Killing Curses—and more than one.
Unless that Werewolf Wizard's name was Tolu Potter, he was as good as dead.
Kael opened the case. Norbert let out a dissatisfied whimper, but went back in all the same.
When Borgin saw that case, he became even more certain of his guess… The one who had released the Fire Dragon had to be Newt Scamander. The old bastard just refused to admit it!
"Leave," Borgin said again. "Knockturn Alley does not welcome you."
"Of course. Believe me, if it weren't necessary, we wouldn't have come here," Kael replied.
"All the better, then."
Kael and Newt retraced their steps, heading toward the entrance of Knockturn Alley. Compared to when they came in, there were far more eyes on them now.
Kael walked in front, seemingly calm, but his hand was clenched tight around his Wand, not daring to relax for a single moment.
Fortunately, the people of Knockturn Alley didn't do anything foolish. Not until Kael and Newt were back on the street of Diagon Alley did anyone even consider attacking them from behind.
When Kael turned to look back at Knockturn Alley again, all those people who had been shadowing them had vanished as well, as if they had never been there at all.
…