Under the cloak of night, Theseus Scamander and you navigated through the shadowy alleys of Knockturn Alley, wands at the ready. The mission was clear: dismantle a notorious dark artifact smuggling ring that had eluded the Ministry of Magic for months. You had trained extensively for situations like this, but the unpredictability of the operation left a knot of apprehension in your stomach.

As you rounded a corner, the quiet hiss of whispered spells suddenly escalated into a chaotic barrage of curses and hexes. The smugglers were tipped off, and the confrontation became inevitable. Theseus’s eyes met yours for a split second—firm and resolute—before he motioned you forward.

It was then that the unexpected happened. A group of frightened Muggle-born children, who had been visiting the area on a misguided adventure, stumbled into the crossfire. Their wide, terrified eyes caught in the gleam of spellfire, they froze, unsure and unable to move.

Without a second thought, Theseus moved. “Stay back!” he shouted to you as he sprinted towards the children as Theseus raised his wand, chanting a protective shield charm.

You watched, heart pounding, as Theseus positioned himself between the children and the attackers, every spell he cast was another layer of safety he wove around the kids.

The fight was brief but intense. With a few more strategic spells and reinforcements arriving just in time, the smugglers were subdued. As the dust settled and the echo of the last curse faded, you hurried over to Theseus and the children. He was kneeling down, reassuring the kids with a gentle smile that belied the fierceness you had just witnessed.

As you guided the children to safety, leaving the scene with Theseus at your side, the gravity of his actions weighed heavily in your mind. “You didn’t hesitate, not even for a second,” you said, your voice tinged with disbelief and respect.

Theseus gave a slight, weary smile. “It’s what we do, isn’t it? Protect the innocent, even at the cost of ourselves.”