Chapter 1191: A Fierce Analysis
Chapter 1191: A Fierce Analysis
Soon after their phantom forms returned to the safe house, the group settled on the sofas by the fireplace to warm themselves. As they attempted to contact Albert via their communication bookmarks, they discussed the recent events in Hogsmeade.
"Who do you think is behind this incident?"
"Draco Malfoy."
The simple response caused the others, who had been conversing in hushed tones, to fall silent.
"Does Albert also think it was Draco Malfoy?" Cedric flipped through the 'Self-Defense Guide', his eyes fixed on George, awaiting an answer.
"Albert hasn't replied yet, but it's definitely Malfoy." George placed the communication bookmark meant for Albert on the table and took out a vial from his pocket, popping a purple pill into his mouth.
"What's that?" Cedric asked curiously.
"Cerebrum Enhancers. They help make your mind more agile." George passed the vial to Fred, who took a pill as well.
"Albert specially made these. They're quite effective."
"Sometimes we need a little help to quickly make sense of chaotic thoughts and figure out what's going on." Lee Jordan popped a pill into his mouth too.
"So..."
Cedric picked up a Cerebrum Enhancer, pinching it between his thumb and forefinger, still hesitating to take it.
He knew about Cerebrum Enhancers, but these pills... they didn't look like the enhancers at all; they resembled suspicious tablets.
"That opal necklace must be priceless. Ordinary dark wizards wouldn't spend a galleon on such a thing because they're not wealthy enough, nor do they have a reason to, let alone send it to Hogwarts." George tapped his fingers lightly on his forehead. "I think only wealthy Death Eaters would be willing to spend that kind of money, and it's hard to imagine anyone else doing so. Moreover, the intended recipient is undoubtedly their arch-nemesis, someone still at Hogwarts, other than Harry..."
"Aside from Harry, it could only be Dumbledore." Fred analyzed, "Harry was right there in the pub, and Katie, controlled by the Imperius Curse, could have easily handed the package to him, but she didn't, which implies that Harry wasn't the target."
"Aside from Harry, Dumbledore is probably the person the Death Eaters hate the most."
"I think Albert could try to win him over as well." Lee Jordan joked.
"Could it have been done by Bellatrix?" Shan'na speculated.
"Perhaps. That crazy woman might have controlled Madam Rosmerta."
"Bellatrix is related to the Malfoys." George reminded them.
"You think it's the Malfoys, there must be a reason for it?" Shan'na asked directly.
"The Malfoys need this achievement. They have their reasons." Fred continued, "And their assassination of Dumbledore might not be their own initiative."
"Are you saying the Dark Lord gave the Malfoys orders?"
Everyone was astonished by this conclusion.
"Malfoy is only sixteen." Cedric pointed out, "Wizards come of age at seventeen. Even if he wanted to replace his father, Lucius, as a Death Eater, I still feel..."
"I suspect the Dark Lord wants Draco Malfoy to die." George raised his hand to stop Cedric from speaking further and put forth an even more startling conjecture. "If Malfoy's mission was to assassinate Dumbledore, I don't think he has any chance of success."
"But..."
"Why would the Dark Lord want that?"
Shan'na couldn't comprehend why the Dark Lord would want Draco Malfoy dead.
"This is likely retaliation against the Malfoy family." George analyzed, "Remember, Lucius Malfoy indirectly caused the deaths of many Death Eaters."
"It's not a sufficient reason, but it's definitely related."
If the Malfoy family wanted to regain the Dark Lord's trust, this would undoubtedly be the best way for them.
"Are you sure this isn't the worst way?" Cedric couldn't help but interject.
"If Draco Malfoy's real intention was to kill Dumbledore?" Shan'na fiddled with her scarf, unable to resist asking, "Don't you think that assassination plan was extremely foolish?
"How can you expect Malfoy to do any better? He's just a sixteen-year-old kid."
"Are you mocking him?"
"Even we have to admit that the plan was extremely foolish."
"Even a foolish plan can accidentally harm someone." Fred reminded them, "And if they had smuggled the opal necklace into the school and hidden it immediately, Filch wouldn't have found it at all."
"You're right, Katie almost got killed." Lee Jordan, who had been taking photos outside, was warming himself with a cup of hot mulled wine, trying to regain his body temperature.
"I think there's no point in us discussing this matter here." Cedric interrupted, "Even if Malfoy really wanted to kill Dumbledore, what could he do? He has no chance of success."
"That's not the point, but do you remember Albert's prophecy?" George suddenly said.
"What prophecy?"
Although Albert had never mentioned that something would happen to Dumbledore, they could glimpse a corner of the future from his prophecies.
"You think Malfoy succeeded." Shanna raised an eyebrow, obviously not believing that Dumbledore would be killed by Malfoy.
"I think it's Snape." Fred exchanged a glance with George, "To be precise, Albert suspects it's Snape, which is why he's so guarded against Snape, and his prophecies have never been wrong."
"We have no evidence, it's just everyone's speculation." Cedric found it absurd and wouldn't believe it unless Albert admitted it himself.
"You don't understand Albert." Lee Jordan shook his head, "That guy would never reveal any information until he deems it appropriate."
"But we can get some hints from his prophecies, especially the formation of the Defense Association. Don't you find it unusual? After all, Albert dislikes trouble, yet he established the association and even intends to teach everyone Dark Magic Defense."
"You guys are all annoying puzzle solvers. I think your worries are completely unnecessary. It's more important to mind your own business." Shanna wrapped the scarf she had knitted around her neck, feeling its comfort, and was quite satisfied with her work.
"If you're really that bored, then help prepare the materials for the next Hogwarts gathering, or you can come with me. I heard that quite a few people are willing to join the DA party."
No one responded, and an eerie silence filled the air.
"How's the communication with Sirius going?" Fred awkwardly changed the subject.
"He's probably busy, haven't gotten in touch yet. If you're in a hurry, you can run over there yourself, and maybe you'll get an evening meal tonight."
"Never mind, it's not that urgent anyway." George did intend to tell Sirius about this matter and chat with him.
As for dinner, he'd pass. Lupin's cooking was average, and Sirius' dishes were barely edible.
"Do you think the Death Eaters will target Zacharias after this incident?" Lee Jordan suddenly asked.
"Yes, so you want to contact Sirius, don't you? Are you planning to use Zacharias as bait?" Cedric realized what this group was up to.
"With the attention from the Ministry and the Aurors' surveillance, Zacharias can be provided with some invisible protection."
"That makes sense."
"Who did you learn this from? Albert?" Cedric blurted out, "I think he's less deceitful than you guys!"
"That's because you don't understand him." George shook his head, "And this isn't deceitfulness."
Cedric thought Zacharias was unlucky. Not only did he have to work for others for free, but he had also become someone's bait.
Hmm, he thought of himself, but at least there were people who would save him. As for Zacharias, he could only rely on those unreliable Aurors.
"I wonder who they learned this from. Could it really be Albert?" In Cedric's impression, Albert didn't seem like someone who would scheme like that.
(End of Chapter)
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