Chapter 1125: A Trap
Chapter 1125: A Trap
"The next Minister of Magic will be Scrimgeour."
"The master will surely be displeased."
"What of Yaxley's infiltration plan?"
"It's likely failed."
"Who knows which fool used a clumsy Imperius Curse on Herbert Jolley. The Ministry has taken notice."
The parlor was filled with hushed whispers. Similar meetings had been held more than once since Voldemort's return, and they rarely ended without quarreling, with the Death Eaters offering few reliable solutions.
At that moment, the door opened, and Voldemort walked in. It was as if a pause button had been pressed in the parlor, as all arguments abruptly ceased.
Voldemort sat in the master seat at the long table and surveyed the silent Death Eaters. In a hoarse, indifferent voice, he said, "Let the meeting begin."
After he finished speaking, he turned his scarlet eyes to Yaxley.
"Master, although we successfully dealt with Bones, the newly elected Scrimgeour is also a problem." Yaxley paused, then continued when Voldemort didn't interject, "The decision for Scrimgeour to become the new minister cannot be changed unless we kill him, but that may make the situation worse."
"It seems you already have a plan," Voldemort signaled for Yaxley to continue.
"According to my latest intelligence, Piers Thicknesse is likely to succeed Bones as the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. If the master permits, we can invite Piers Thicknesse to join us." Yaxley elaborated on his plan, "If the plan succeeds, we will not only have a high-ranking spy in the Ministry, but we can also use Thicknesse to mold others, and then we can work together to oust Scrimgeour. By then, Piers Thicknesse will take over as the Minister of Magic, and we can gradually insert our people into the Ministry until we have complete control."
"Very well, go ahead."
Voldemort was quite satisfied with Yaxley, as there were truly few capable and trustworthy Death Eaters.
While Snape always completed his tasks, he was still under Voldemort's observation. As for his former right-hand man, Lucius Malfoy, Voldemort was deeply disappointed after his successive failures and the diary incident.
"Yes, master."
Yaxley looked excited, not only because he had received Voldemort's praise but also because Snape was absent from this meeting.
This meant that the Dark Lord did not fully trust Snape.
"What about you, Lucius?"
Voldemort turned his gaze to his former right-hand man. If Lucius Malfoy could kill that Mudblood called Anderson, he would regain his trust and favor.
Yes, to Voldemort, that Albert Anderson was a threat second only to Dumbledore.
Not only could he predict the future, but he also possessed terrifying talent and aptitude.
From the start of the school year to the present, in just seven years, the Mudblood had grown at a frighteningly rapid pace.
Voldemort saw his former self in Anderson—no, this person was more terrifying than both him and Dumbledore in their youth.
Therefore, he must be eradicated before he became a formidable foe. One Dumbledore was enough; he did not want another.
Albert Anderson must die.
"The metal card that Severus gave me reacted not long ago." Sensing the murderous intent emanating from the Dark Lord, Lucius quickly said, "That Mudblood will be getting married on the 12th of this month at an estate in Devonshire."
"Hopefully, you weren't discovered." Voldemort said hoarsely.
"No, Master. After discovering that the area was protected by protective magic, I immediately retreated. It's almost impossible to break through layers of magical protection without alerting the enemy, and I..." Lucius Malfoy's words trailed off as Voldemort suddenly spoke, and he could only shut his mouth.
"McNeill, I promised you something better to destroy." Voldemort turned to another wizard, his eyes flashing dangerously, "Since Connelly Fudge has refused our offer, we will let the Ministry face reality. The plan to attack the Muggle world can begin."
"Yes, Master. We can start at any time. I think the giants will be very happy." McNeill replied excitedly, "In the next two days, we plan to start from Somerset. I'm sure the giants will give the Ministry a big surprise."
"I need you to temporarily tie down the Ministry's attention." Voldemort stated his request to McNeill, then turned to Malfoy, "At that time, I will personally deal with Dumbledore to create an opportunity for you. Regardless of the method, killing that Mudblood is my only requirement."
"Yes, Master." Malfoy lowered his head even further.
...
"What a rare visit. You two busy bees actually have time to come home."
Mrs. Weasley, who had just finished feeding the chickens in the yard, stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at her two sons.
"Mom, we're your sons, and you're not welcoming us home." Fred bent down, picked up a pie from the table, and took a bite as he protested.
George sat on the nearby sofa with a smile, also eating a pie.
"Come on, what's the matter this time?"
Mrs. Weasley obviously wasn't buying it and asked directly.
If it weren't for something important, Fred and George wouldn't have come home. They would rather spend all their time in their shop in Diagon Alley.
Not long ago, Mrs. Weasley had worried that they were working too hard and not taking care of themselves, so she brought them homemade food. But when she arrived, she realized she had overthought it.
Within the confines of a quaint shop, a house-elf named Dobby tended to the twins' every need, providing them with better food and accommodations than they had at home. It was no wonder that they had little desire to return to their humble abode.
"We're looking for Bill," Fred replied without hesitation, swallowing a mouthful of pie.
"Or, to be more precise, Fleur," George added. "I heard she's planning to stay with us for a while? Has Bill mentioned when they're getting married?"
Indeed, the Weasley family had moved back into their old, cramped home, as staying indefinitely at Number 12, Grimmauld Place, despite Sirius Black's indifference, was not a viable option. It simply wasn't their home.
"Fleur is staying with us?"
Ginny, having just descended the stairs, overheard the twins and stood there wide-eyed, astonished by this surprising news.
"How come I didn't know about this?" Mrs. Weasley frowned slightly, suspecting that they might be pulling her leg.
"They're getting engaged, aren't they?" Fred looked quizzically at George. "But, we do need to talk to Fleur about something."
"Bill didn't tell me about this. He told you two before me?" Mrs. Weasley was a tad annoyed.
"He'll probably talk to you and dad about it tonight," George reassured her.
"I dislike Fleur," Ginny muttered under her breath.
"I do not dislike her!" Mrs. Weasley hissed, keeping her voice low. "I just think their decision to get engaged so soon is rather hasty."
"Mom, you should be happy for Bill," George reminded her. "At least he's found someone he cares about."
"What do you two want with Fleur?" Ron, who had been rather quiet until now, suddenly piped up.
"It's about Albert's wedding," Fred replied.
"What does Fleur have to do with Albert's wedding?" Mrs. Weasley asked, perplexed.
"Isn't his fiancee that Ravenclaw girl?" Ginny's face lit up with admiration. "I remember she had beautiful red hair, too."
"Yes, Isabelle," George confirmed. "Was Fleur also invited by Albert?"
Sensing his mother's less-than-pleased mood, George quickly continued, "Albert originally wanted to invite our whole family, but in the end, he decided against it to avoid causing us any trouble."
"Trouble?" Mrs. Weasley scowled.
"Albert is on the Death Eaters' and Voldemort's hit lists," George explained with a hint of resignation. "If he invited our entire family, it might bring us unnecessary trouble. In fact, all the invited guests are being kept strictly confidential to prevent any unwanted attention."
"Why was Fleur invited, then?" Ginny was curious to know more.
"Probably because of their friendship during the Triwizard Tournament," Fred speculated. "I recall they even took a picture together and signed each other's autograph books. They must be pretty good friends."
"They're not home. Bill is probably tutoring Fleur in English. They should be back by dinnertime," Ginny said, only to fall silent as she spotted Bill and Fleur walking hand in hand towards them.
"Mom, I've discussed it with Fleur, and we've decided to get engaged first," Bill announced without preamble.
"You can talk to dad about it tonight," Mrs. Weasley said after a moment's silence. She turned to Fleur and asked, "Have Mr. and Mrs. Delacour been informed of this decision?"
"They like Bill very much," Fleur replied in her still-awkward English.
"Albert is getting married much sooner than you two," George interjected, sensing the tense atmosphere. "In fact, his wedding is just a few days away. You should have noticed the specific time and location appearing on the silver card by now."
"I've discussed it with Bill," Fleur said with a smile.
"Actually, the time and location on the silver card are false," Fred suddenly announced.
"False?"
Fleur's eyes widened in confusion as she pulled out the silver card Albert had sent her, scrutinizing the details once more before looking questioningly at Fred and George.
"Albert suspects that Voldemort and the Death Eaters are after him," George explained. "He's concerned they might crash the wedding, so he fabricated a false time and location to throw them off the scent."
"The actual wedding will take place after the 12th, and it won't be in Britain," George continued. "Fred, Lee Jordan, and I are in charge of contacting our friends in Britain and informing them of the real time and location."
Everyone was perplexed by this revelation.
"In any case, ignore the time and location on the silver card. It's probably a trap set up for the Death Eaters," Fred said with a mischievous grin. "If they get their hands on one of those cards, they're in for a nasty surprise."
"Umm..."
"We'll let you know the real time and location after the 12th," George said. "Until then, keep this under your hats."
"Can I invite Bill to come with me to the wedding?" Fleur asked as Fred and George prepared to leave.
"Of course," George nodded.
"Won't you stay for dinner?"
Mrs. Weasley frowned, displeased to see Fred and George about to leave.
"Mom, we have other things to do, and we're meeting someone," Fred explained.
Fred and George had more invitations to deliver—or, more accurately, they would be inviting Albert's friends from Hogwarts to discuss what gifts they should get for him.
Of course, they wouldn't directly tell them about the wedding; instead, they would invite them under the pretext of discussing potential gifts for Albert.
"Lately, things have been a bit hectic, which is why my updates have been so delightful," the author added with a self-deprecating laugh.
(End of Chapter)
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