The place they arrived at is desolate and lifeless, with no vibrant green trees or plants anywhere within their sight, painting the scene black and white.
The trees are dry and withered like a mummified, bony hand, casting eerie shadows on the ground under the red-orange light of the setting sun.
The wind seed chilly, trying to freeze their thoughts and bodies. The snow blanketed the ground, with the exception of one place, where the ground seed dry and cracked, as if life and moisture had been sucked out of that place.
No life seed to be visible at their sight; not even an insect's sound could be heard on this silent evening in such a desolate place.
Other than Dumbledore, everyone looked around at the place they arrived at, trying to find a clue as to where this place might be or see what kind of place Dumbledore brought them to.
As Andy looked around, the place looked a bit familiar to him. When he tried to recall, he noticed a cetery, and a na clicked in his mind. Then he felt a familiar power and slight chill coming from the cetery, which pretty much confird his guess.
Andy wasn't sure why Dumbledore visited this place later. But one thing he is sure of is that Dumbledore had found the thing he hid under the cetery, and the lesson he was referring to is related to it.
While he doesn't give a damn whether Dumbledore finds it or not. He cares about Hermione finding out that he was the reason Dentors rampaged and hard innocent people.
Just as he was feeling anxious and didn't know what to say, a voice was heard.
"This is where Voldemort took , right?" Harry's eyes trembled as he looked at the cross in the distance. Taking a deep breath, he asked, "The place where Voldemort resurrected?"
Although the place changed so much, he would never forget this place in his life. The pain, agony, helplessness, and powerlessness he felt at that ti are still etched on his heart.
"Yes." Dumbledore looked at Andy for a split second before turning toward the cetery. Then he replied in a soothing voice. "Before and after his resurrection, I checked this place all over for Horcruxes but found nothing."
"But, the previous year, when I had decided to defeat him once and for all, I checked every place related to him once more for any missed clues."
"That was when I found many powerful enchantnts here. Confundus, Muggle-repelling, Illusion, Forget , and many other similar enchantnts."
"After breaking all the enchantnts, I found an evil, dark magic artefact sealed under the cetery that was capable of taking the life of anyone who touches it."
"If the seal got broken, anyone who ca near it would lose their lives. After sensing the danger, I didn't open the seal and hid it after placing even more enchantnts."
"If muggles or any other wizards ca near this place, they would avoid this place for so random reason or would make a detour."
"Even if so powerful wizard found this place and couldn't hold their curiosity and decided to open the seal, they would die the instant they undid it."
With a serious look in his eyes, Dumbledore looked at everyone, smiled, and said, "What I am trying to say is... there should be a limit to curiosity."
"You should never approach the unknown without adequate preparation."
"Never take any action without weighing the consequences and making necessary preparations to deal with them."
"Because you would never know whether your action could endanger your life or other innocent people's lives."
Dumbledore gave everyone a warm smile and concluded in a calm but firm tone, "Take this as one of the last advice from an old man."
"Always think before doing things."
Silence pervaded the scene at his words; everyone had their own thoughts.
For others, it might be just advice and a lesson from Dumbledore.
But for Andy, Dumbledore was pointing out the fact that Dentors rampaged, searching for that mirror and hurting many defenceless people.
He was reminding Andy of the consequences of excessive curiosity and thoughtless actions, reminding him of the lives that were endangered because of his actions, and warning him of the danger and losses involved.
Andy sighed in relief and felt a bit thankful that he didn't ntion what happened back then in front of Hermione.
Because he can't think of any justifiable reason other than selfishness and greed.
"Thanks for the advice, Professor. I will rember it." Andy said with a smile, causing everyone to snap out of their musing. Then Harry and Hermione said their thanks and promise as well, which made Dumbledore smile even more.
Then Andy asked, "Now, can we start the duel?"
Which made everyone look at Andy weirdly, and Dumbledore smiled wryly and said, "Let's go."
After saying that, Dumbledore led them toward the cetery and stopped outside, on the snow-covered ground.
Looking around, Dumbledore pointed opposite him and said to Andy, "Andy, please stand at a distance where your normal spell can reach ."
Seeing Andy making his way, Dumbledore turned to the other three and said, "Harry, Hermione. Please stay near Professor McGonagall."
Thinking of the misfire that took his sister Ariana's life, Dumbledore said to Professor McGonagall in a serious tone, "Minerva, stay at a distance and protect the children."
He didn't want another accident to happen because of his carelessness.
In response, Professor McGonagall nodded with a stern face and led them so distance from here, where they could still watch the duel. She then cast Protego Maxima around them.
When everyone took their spot, Dumbledore turned to Andy and said the rules, using an Amplifying Charm. "In this duel, Unforgivable Curses and other dark magic aren't allowed."
"Lethal spells that can kill soone instantly can't be used on the opponent."
"The duel will end when soone surrenders, loses their wand or gets incapacitated."
"Are you clear?"
Under their gazes, Andy said in a firm but eager tone, "Yes, Professor."
To which Dumbledore took out his wand and replied, "Take out your wand. Minerva will start the duel."
After Andy held his wand and stood in a duelling stance, Professor McGonagall said, "Bow."
When they both finished the duelling etiquette, Professor McGonagall inford them, "The duel will start at the count of three."
"Three!"
"Two!"
"One!"
"Start!"
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