After learning about Hagrid being set up, Kyle retrieved the two Chomping Cabbages from the Room of Requirement and placed them in his modified lizard-skin pouch.
The pouch — a Christmas gift from Newt last year — was a custom model that could hold magical creatures like his suitcase. Plants fit easily inside too, though space was somewhat limited.
During his earlier escape, Kyle had hidden the Chomping Cabbages in nearby bushes. He'd originally planned to use them against the witch, but fate led him to deploy them against Oren instead — a fortunate turn of events.
The Professor writhed on the ground, his immobilized legs leaving him no choice but to roll away from the Chomping Cabbages as they snapped and lunged like rabid dogs.
While dodging the vicious plants, he also had to defend against Kyle's relentless stream of Expelliarmus and Stupefy spells.
"Damn it!" Oren deflected another Expelliarmus, but a Chomping Cabbage caught him with a bite. Finally, he cast his first spell.
✭ Incendio ➜ Fire-Making Charm ✭
Though casting the Fire-Making Spell would give away his position, he no longer cared.
Crimson flames erupted from his wand, scorching both Chomping Cabbages until they fell still.
"I admit, I underestimated you."
Perched atop a platform of gathered leaves, Oren's eyes turned cold as he raised his hand, transforming the leaves into sharp blades that whistled through the air toward Kyle.
✭ Confringo ➜ Blasting Curse ✭
Kyle aimed his wand at the ground, triggering a violent explosion that filled the air with dust.
"Trying to block my vision?" Oren sneered, "Clever, but where can you hide?"
The blades rained down into the dust cloud. With such a wide-ranging attack, he didn't need to pinpoint Kyle's location.
His lips curled into a slight smile, "It's over..."
✭ Stupefy ➜ Stupefying Charm ✭
A voice suddenly came from behind, making Oren's heart skip a beat. He recognized Kyle's voice — but how could the boy possibly be behind him?
He was screaming internally, but it was too late to turn around.
Bang!
With a muffled impact, a green creature appeared behind Oren like an opened umbrella, blocking what would have been an unavoidable charm.
Kyle felt a sharp pain in his chest and, fighting through his discomfort, gritted his teeth and said, "A Swooping Evil... it didn't chase after Kanna!"
"Heh, who told you it went after that little girl?" Oren turned his head, speaking playfully, "I just made you guess where it was. First the Chomping Cabbages, then Apparating during battle... I must say, you've given me quite a few surprises today, Kyle! Compared to you, I was just wasting time in my first year. As a reward, I'll spare your life — you can go now..."
"Spare my life..." Kyle laughed, "You think you can kill me?"
Oren said nothing. It wasn't apparent before, but now he realized this kid wouldn't be easy to kill. Though he might have a chance if he pressed on, the Ministry people would arrive soon, and time was running out.
But he couldn't leave like this. Failing to kill an eleven-year-old wizard and being forced to retreat? If word got out, his reputation would be ruined.
"You're really not leaving?"
"Can't leave." Kyle shrugged, playing with the Billywig that had just landed on his shoulder.
If this had been five minutes ago, he would have fled without hesitation, but now everything was different — he couldn't swallow this insult. Being threatened, deceived, and mocked... he'd never been so humiliated in his life. He wouldn't rest until he got his revenge.
Besides, he wasn't the one who needed to worry now — this was the Forbidden Forest after all...
"You're asking for death!" Oren's mouth twitched frantically — that Billywig was the one he had thrown earlier!
He raised his wand as green light began gathering at its tip.
✭ Avada
Whoosh!
An arrow whistled through the air, forcing Oren to withdraw his wand to avoid having his arm pierced.
Clip-Clop, Clip-Clop...
The thundering of hooves drew closer as a group of centaurs burst from the thicket, their bows drawn with sharp arrows aimed at Kyle and Oren — though mostly at Oren, as several centaurs recognized Kyle.
Firenze approached with caution, "You're a student from the castle. Why are you here, and who is he?"
"A dark wizard!" Kyle shot back, "He's the one who stole the unicorn foal, and he even used an Unforgivable Curse!"
In an instant, every centaur's arrow was trained on Oren.
At that moment, a series of loud cracks echoed through the forest as the Ministry officials apparated around them.
"How fortunate for you!" Oren's face broke into a smile, "Very well, I surrender."
He tossed a pouch to Kyle. Inside, the golden unicorn foal lay curled up peacefully, fast asleep.
"It's you!" A Hit Wizard stepped forward, teeth clenched, "Morris Oren!"
It was the same Hit Wizard captain who had attempted to arrest Hagrid earlier.
"We meet again, brave and noble Mr. Hit Wizard." Oren said with a smirk, "You had your chance to catch me before, and I was grateful for your mercy... Oh, my apologies — I forgot you fools only knew about the Swooping Evil and never discovered my identity. Consider that gratitude withdrawn, brave Mr. Hit Wizard."
"You won't escape this time!" Hardy leveled his wand and growled, "I'll personally escort you to Azkaban. Let's see if you can still smile when facing the Dementors."
"Sorry, Dementors aren't my cup of tea. Might I pass?" Oren sighed, "If possible, I'd rather stay at Hogwarts. Being the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor was quite entertaining."
"That's not up to you!"
At Hardy's signal, every Hit Wizard raised their wand.
✭ Stupefy ➜ Stupefying Charm ✭
✭ Expelliarmus ➜ Disarming Charm ✭
✭ Incarcerous ➜ Incarceration Charm ✭
...
A barrage of spells hurtled toward Oren from every direction.
"What a shame, I haven't even graded the exam papers yet..." He sighed again as the leaf platform beneath him suddenly dissolved.
As Oren plummeted downward, his fall allowed him to evade the barrage of spells.
The next second...
Crack!
A familiar explosive sound thundered through the Forbidden Forest as Oren vanished into thin air.
✭✭✭
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