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Chapter 1094: Scheming
Chapter 1094: Scheming
On the eighth floor of Hogwarts, the DA gathering was in full swing within the Room of Requirement.
Harry had grown accustomed to his role in these gatherings, moving among the crowd and offering assistance to students who were less familiar with the Patronus Charm.
"Everyone, quiet down for a moment."
Harry stepped out from the group and, wand in hand, addressed the others, his voice amplified by a spell.
The students fell silent, their attention captured by Harry's voice. The few Patronuses that had been summoned began to dissipate, transforming into silvery mist. The Room of Requirement grew darker than before.
"The end-of-term exams are approaching, so it's time to bring the DA activities to a close." Harry delivered this disappointing news without preamble.
"Will there be DA gatherings next semester, Harry?" Luna asked. She was one of the few students who had successfully cast a Patronus.
Harry hesitated, then shook his head. "I'm not sure. Maybe, maybe not. After all, we'll definitely be rid of Umbridge next semester, and the school might get a competent Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. If that happens, there won't be a need to continue these gatherings, right? Don't worry, though. Albert's 'Self-Defense Guide' will be officially published soon, and you can all purchase the book to continue learning on your own."
"I really enjoy the DA gatherings. It's a great opportunity to learn so many useful things." Neville's face fell, as he had grown fond of these meetings and believed that there was no harm in acquiring more knowledge.
"I think the DA gatherings should continue, Harry," Hermione suggested, earning nods of agreement from many others who encouraged Harry to persist with the meetings.
"Don't be too quick to refuse, Harry," Ron added.
"I'll consider it," Harry said, not outright rejecting the idea. "But even if we do continue the DA gatherings next semester, we won't be able to meet as frequently as we have this term."
"That's great!"
Hermione breathed a sigh of relief at Harry's concession, well aware of the significance of these gatherings. Harry needed these meetings to unite the students of Hogwarts and garner their support.
Amidst the students' cheers, the DA gathering officially came to an end.
Many approached Harry to express their gratitude and their hopes that he would turn the DA into a formal club, leaving Harry feeling both gratified and helpless.
"I think it'd be nice to keep the DA going if you don't mind, Harry," Ginny said, turning to him. "Everyone loves the gatherings and the chance to learn something new."
"There's not much more I can teach you all," Harry sighed helplessly, a wry smile on his face. He didn't have much to offer them, and he wasn't sure what he would have done if it weren't for the 'Self-Defense Guide.' "We can follow the content in the 'Self-Defense Guide,'" Hermione suggested without hesitation. "Most of the book's content is carefully crafted by Albert, and it's all very practical magic."
"That's true," Harry said softly.
"Are you still in contact with Fred and George?" Ron asked curiously, watching Lee Jordan distribute the mail packages.
"Yes, we're still in touch," Lee replied.
"Where are they hiding?"
"I don't know," Lee shrugged. "They usually contact me."
"Mom's worried sick about them. She's afraid for their safety," Ron said helplessly to Harry and Hermione.
"They're safe, but I don't know where they're hiding either," Lee assured Ron after carefully checking the names on the parchment and tucking it into his robe pocket. "They're probably holed up in one of Albert's safe houses. Don't worry, those two rascals are doing just fine, and they even have a house-elf taking care of their daily needs."
"A house-elf?" Hermione picked up on Lee's mention of the creature.
"I think his name is Dobby," Lee explained to Hermione. "Albert mentioned that he might not have much time to help manage the shop, so he hired a house-elf to assist. The shop isn't ready yet, so the elf is taking care of Fred and George's daily needs for now."
"See, Harry? I told you someone would be willing to employ a house-elf. They don't have to worry about not finding a job," Hermione said, pleased that Dobby had found work.
"No, I think they can only find work with Albert," Ron said, unable to resist a bit of self-mockery at Hermione's words. "He has more Galleons than he knows what to do with. If you earn money from a job later on, try hiring a house-elf to take care of you. Then you'll realize how luxurious it is."
Hermione was about to retort when a piercing, horrible scream suddenly rang out from the castle.
The group didn't react much to the sound, and some even found it rather pleasant.
These days, the students had no further complaints about Umbridge's continued presence at Hogwarts, and some even hoped she would stay until the end of the term before getting kicked out. Unfortunately, it seemed the Ministry of Magic intended to suspend her and launch an investigation.
"That toad finally got what she deserved!"
Whenever something unfortunate befell Umbridge, it brightened everyone's mood for the entire day.
"No, Hermione, she hasn't gotten what she deserves yet," Harry said, not willing to let the vile woman off the hook so easily. Her just desserts would be to spend the rest of her life in Azkaban.
Just then, Harry suddenly felt a burning sensation on his forehead, his scar, and instinctively raised his hand to cover it. It felt as if something was invading his mind.
"Harry, are you alright?"
Hermione rushed to steady Harry, who had nearly fallen, her face filled with worry. Ron quickly joined her side to help support Harry and prevent him from collapsing to the ground.
Hearing the commotion, Ginny and Luna, who hadn't wandered far, turned back. Seeing Harry clutching his forehead, they asked with concern, "What's wrong, Harry?"
"I think you should take him to the hospital wing," Luna suggested kindly.
"Oh, yes, let's go to the hospital wing," Hermione said, taking a deep breath to calm herself.
"I'm fine!"
Harry opened his eyes, struggling to stand on his own. He looked like he had just recovered from an illness, his face pale.
He fished a bottle out of his pocket, popped a few Pepper-Up Potions, and soon felt his weakened body regain some strength.
"You don't look fine," Luna remarked, eyeing Harry up and down. "Maybe you should get checked out at the hospital wing."
"No, it's alright, I'm fine," Harry insisted, taking a deep breath and quickening his pace. Ron and Hermione hurried to keep up with him.
"What happened, Harry?" Hermione asked anxiously.
"I saw Voldemort," Harry whispered, his voice tight. "He's torturing Sirius at the Department of Mysteries in the Ministry of Magic. He wants to use Sirius to get the prophecy, and he said he'll eventually kill him!"
"But... how could this happen?" Hermione paled, as if she had just realized something. Although Harry had mentioned this possibility long ago, she always felt it wasn't a good idea.
"It's a trap," Harry stated with certainty.
Although the trap seemed laughable to Harry, he understood what it meant.
"Are you really going to take this risk, Harry?" Ron asked weakly.
Harry shook his head. "I have no choice. Some things can't be avoided. Even if we dodge this one, there will be another time. Right now, this is the best chance I have.
"But it's strange, isn't it? How did the Death Eaters get into the Ministry of Magic without being noticed by the employees?" Hermione was still trying to persuade Harry. "It could also be a trap set by the Death Eaters to lure you in. I think Fudge would be happy to expel you."
"It's no secret that the Ministry has been infiltrated by Death Eaters," Ron said, not finding this strange at all.
With people like Lucius Malfoy working for the Ministry, one could only imagine the state of affairs within its walls.
"Don't worry, Hermione. It's not as bad as you think. We're prepared!"
Harry reached into his robe pocket and pulled out a pouch, from which he took a carefully protected box containing a bottle of golden potion.
"Liquid Luck!"
Ron's lips quivered slightly as he uttered the name of the legendary potion.
"Yes, I think this will ensure my safety." Harry broke the seal and took a measured sip. "This Felix Felicis will last me a whole day, but I don't need that long. Four or five hours should be enough."
"Don't be silly, we're not letting you go alone," Hermione muttered.
Ron licked his lips. "I've always wanted to taste Felix Felicis."
"Where are you going?" Neville suddenly appeared, joining the conversation.
"What's going on?" Ginny asked as she hurried over, looking anxiously at Harry. "Where are you going?"
"It's nothing, just a little trouble," Harry said casually.
"A little trouble?" Luna raised an eyebrow. "Your expression says otherwise."
"You definitely need help, Harry," Neville asserted.
"No, not for now," Harry shook his head. "Okay, we should get going."
"How are we going to get to the Ministry of Magic!" Ron grumbled. "Are we riding on flying brooms?"
"The Floo Network in Umbridge's office should still be usable," Harry suggested.
Numerous ideas for reaching the Ministry flashed through his mind, but he quickly dismissed each one, needing to give the members of the Order of the Phoenix enough time to react.
Harry seemed to remember something and raised his wrist, on which a chain was hanging, to send a notification to Sirius' group. If they rushed to the Ministry now without giving the Order members time to react, they might walk into a big problem.
"Maybe we can use the Floo powder to get to Grimmauld Place first and discuss this with Sirius," Hermione suggested, still hoping to deter Harry from acting rashly.
"Let's meet with Sirius at Grimmauld Place first, I think they should be gathering there," Harry finally decided, leading Ron and Hermione toward Umbridge's office.
Neville, Ginny, and Luna felt that the whole thing was a bit strange, but they knew that something important must have happened, so they followed Harry and the others to Umbridge's office.
The situation there was not optimistic; the room was still in the mess it had been left in after the fireworks explosion. Harry found the shattered pot that still contained some Floo powder.
Hermione had already used her wand to ignite the firewood in the fireplace.
Harry picked up some Floo powder and threw it into the fire, which turned emerald green. He stepped into the dancing flames and shouted, "Grimmauld Place!"
Watching Harry disappear, Hermione and Ron followed suit. Ginny was about to do the same when she was stopped by Neville and Luna.
"Did Harry say something just now?" Neville asked, puzzled.
"A place name," Ginny replied, a little annoyed, but she stayed to explain to her two relatively close friends.
Places protected by the Fidelius Charm remained completely hidden from others until the Secret-Keeper revealed the secret.
"I think they said someone was captured, and they're planning to go to the Ministry..." Neville felt that Harry was in big trouble.
"You guys go back first, I'll follow them and see what's going on," Ginny said, grabbing a handful of Floo powder and disappearing into the flames, leaving Neville and Luna staring at each other.
In Grimmauld Place, Harry, Hermione, and Ron were talking to Sirius.
"Harry, what's going on?" Ginny asked as she stepped out of the fireplace, looking confused.
"Harry, how... how are you here?" Lupin suddenly pushed open the door, looking equally confused as he had just received the news and rushed over.
"To discuss the next steps with Sirius. Have you contacted Professor Dumbledore?" Harry asked.
"Not yet," Lupin shook his head. "But I believe he will receive the message soon."
"We must find Dumbledore. Only he can deal with Voldemort," Sirius said seriously.
Ginny, standing nearby, was stunned. Was Harry plotting something against Voldemort?
"It takes about two to three hours to fly from Hogwarts to the Ministry of Magic on a broom," Hermione frowned and asked, "How long will it take to fly from here to the Ministry?"
"Half an hour should be enough," Lupin replied, though he wasn't entirely sure.
"Potter, take this."
Mad-Eye Moody, who had just arrived, handed Harry a fake prophecy orb and instructed him, "After you've seen what's inside, quietly destroy it so that Voldemort doesn't find out about the prophecy. If things get critical, bring out this fake as a decoy."
"It won't be easy to pull this off," Harry mumbled as he took the fake prophecy orb.
"Just cast the Undetectable Extension Charm on your robe pocket," Moody said as he walked up to Harry and waved his wand at the pocket, casting the spell.
"Have any of you contacted Dumbledore yet?" Kingsley and Tonks asked as they walked through the corridor and into the room.
Everyone knew that Dumbledore was key to ensuring the success of the plan.
"Not yet," Arthur replied.
"Sirius, you must make sure that Kreacher doesn't leak the secret," Arthur reminded, out of breath, as he carried a package. He had hurried home to get the package that Fred and George had sent to Harry.
"Don't worry, Kreacher has been punished, and to be sure, I knocked him out. I've also forbidden him from leaving this house," Sirius glanced at Hermione and continued, "Plus, I don't think he'll be causing any more trouble."
"Sirius..." Hermione began.
"Okay, Hermione, now is not the time for that discussion. We must ensure Harry's safety first," Lupin interrupted.
"The others should be arriving soon," Moody suggested, "I think we should take this opportunity to discuss the entire plan again and come up with other backup plans to ensure everything goes smoothly."
"Timing is crucial. We must force Voldemort to show himself, and the wizards at the Ministry must witness him in person," Kingsley said, knowing the two key points of the plan.
Destroying the prophecy orb would cut off Voldemort's access to the prophecy. Additionally, they needed to expose Voldemort to the public to turn the tide of negative opinion against Dumbledore and to force the Ministry to acknowledge Voldemort's return and take appropriate action. If the Ministry failed to respond correctly, the situation would only worsen.
(End of Chapter)
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