Chapter 591: Derailed Hogwarts Express - Timeline’s Trickery!!!
Over a thousand miles away from the ruined Nurmengard Castle, the Hogwarts Express was whistling its way toward the Hogsmeade Station.
It was already well past evening. Dark, rainy clouds claimed the sky overhead, promising rain and thunder. There was little to no wind now, but you could feel its presence as the cold kissed your neck now and then.
For a moment, it was quiet.
Then, right at the top of the train, above the clouds, a giant portal opened up.
From the portal, the undead Zouwu leaped out, carrying Merlin's Staff in its belly.
As the elephant-sized magical creature began falling, the Staff rattled against his bones. Just as it crossed the clouds, though, the Zouwu opened its bony maw and spat the Staff out.
Everything that happened next, happened simultaneously and inevitably.
CRACK!
Scores of cracks resounded together as if a giant thunderbolt had slithered through the clouds.
The only unfortunate thing was that, as Merlin's Staff was still free-falling, the locations of several Apparations varied considerably.
Being the closest to the Staff, Madam Villanelle apparated right next to it.