The breaker of the branch stepped forward and was now visible to all expeditioners who stayed. In his medical practice Clifford sad seen a lot of injuries (mostly creature-induced) and he could tell one thing for sure now - this man clearly had wounds incompatible with life. With such sudden changes to human mortality, not only Clifford's magic but also his medical knowledge could be of little use.

The man asked, the Auror replied. Clifford could make sense of neither the question nor the reply, but Miss Connolly seemed to know what she was saying (he ignored the girl's wavering voice, he just wanted to think she had everything under control).

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