Chapter 1244: The Script and the Actors
Chapter 1244: The Script and the Actors
Charles sprinted up the stairs, furious and feeling deceived.
Indeed, damn Bellatrix Lestrange, that despicable woman had deceived everyone.
If it weren't for her concealing the truth, how could he have been greedy for their few Galleons and joined this damn assassination attempt?
It was too late for regrets now, and Charles could only hope that the battle at the top of the tower was over and that the madwoman had succeeded in killing Dumbledore with the Death Eaters.
Yes, that madwoman must have succeeded.
Not only did they use Felix Felicis, but they also had a numerical advantage. There was no way they could fail, absolutely none! However, when Charles rashly burst into the top floor of the Astronomy Tower, he witnessed a scene that almost drove him to despair. The Death Eaters were still attempting to besiege Dumbledore, but their original number of nine had been reduced to five.
Even with the aid of Felix Felicis, this was hardly a balanced fight.
Nevertheless, it was only due to the luck-enhancing potion that the Death Eaters were still standing and able to hold their ground against Dumbledore, instead of being knocked out with a single punch like children.
"It seems the battle downstairs must be over by now."
Dumbledore glanced at the Death Eater who had abruptly rushed onto the battlefield. After deflecting Bella's Killing Curse, he pointed his wand at the reckless individual and casually waved it at his opponent's cloak.
Charles was only momentarily taken aback before he found himself horrified as his head was covered by the cloak, and his clothes seemed to come alive, binding him tightly. He didn't even have a chance to utter a word before Dumbledore effortlessly took him down.
Seeing Charles being dealt with so easily by Dumbledore, Bella flew into a rage, cursing him incessantly.
However, the "sane" Alecto realized something, her face turning extremely ugly. Charles' appearance implied that the Death Eaters tasked with intercepting Dumbledore's reinforcements were close to being overwhelmed or had already been defeated by them.
Either way, it was not good news.
"Bella, we need to retreat!" Alecto shouted to Bella, "This has been a trap from the start. We must take the news of Snape's betrayal back!"
In fact, aside from the insane Bella who was still trying to kill Dumbledore, the other Death Eaters were more focused on self-preservation and helping to restrain Dumbledore, even going so far as to assist the fallen Death Eaters.
This was the reason there were still so many Death Eaters holding their ground at this point.
Nevertheless, it was all in vain. There seemed to be an insurmountable barrier between them and Dumbledore, one that they couldn't overcome no matter how hard they tried.
"Shut up!" Bella roared at Alecto, furious. "You damn coward!"
Bella's momentary distraction gave Dumbledore the opportunity he needed.
"You dare..."
Although Bella successfully blocked Dumbledore's disarming spell, she failed to notice his follow-up. Her robe came alive, coiling around her like a giant snake and binding her tightly, causing her to drop her wand due to the immense restraining force.
In battle, one moment of distraction could be fatal.
Bella had clearly made more than one foolish mistake.
Her curses abruptly ceased as Dumbledore lightly waved his wand.
After Bella was subdued by Dumbledore, the remaining Death Eaters retreated, despite their vicious nature, as they feared death and saw no hope.
Having believed that they had made all the necessary preparations, only to find themselves stepping into someone else's trap and facing the unbeatable Dumbledore, everything seemed utterly hopeless.
Without hesitation, Alecto transformed into a cloud of black smoke and leaped from the tall tower.
This action caused a brief moment of surprise among those on the Astronomy Tower, but the Death Eaters, guided by Felix Felicis, soon followed suit, jumping from the tower to ensure their escape.
As long as they held their wands, they wouldn't die even if they jumped from such a height. The unfortunate Death Eater who had fallen to his death earlier had lost his wand.
However, not everyone managed to escape successfully. Dumbledore, realizing their intention, shot a red beam of light from his wand, entangling one of the Death Eaters attempting to flee and pulling the unlucky individual back, turning him into a caterpillar-like bundle.
Never in their wildest dreams did they imagine that this heart-stopping assassination attempt would culminate in Death Eaters leaping from the tower to escape.
As Dumbledore cast the Reverse-Phantom Move Curse on the Death Eaters, Professor McGonagall and the members of the Order of the Phoenix finally burst into the Astronomy Tower.
"Professor, are you alright!"
Harry looked at the bound Death Eaters on the ground and then at Dumbledore casting spells on them, letting out a sigh of relief.
"You did well, Harry," Dumbledore said with a smile. "I thought you would wait a while longer before arriving."
"Albus, what in the world is going on here?" Professor McGonagall asked, unable to contain her curiosity any longer.
"This was a trap from the very beginning," Dumbledore explained to the group. "Albert foresaw this attack long ago, so I convinced Severus to work with Mr. Malfoy to lure this group of Death Eaters here for their so-called assassination attempt, allowing us to capture them all in one fell swoop."
The crowd gaped, momentarily speechless.
"But..."
"Striking down Death Eaters weakens Voldemort's power," Dumbledore said playfully. "Scrimgeour will surely be delighted to see this lot."
"Delighted? He'll go mad with joy! I hear the Ministry has been hunting down Death Eaters recently," Sirius remarked.
"Right, where's Severus?"
"I'm here."
Snape appeared out of thin air.
"Minerva, I'll leave that matter to you for now. They've breached the front gates of Hogwarts, and I'm concerned Hagrid might be in trouble," Snape said.
"What about you?" Professor McGonagall asked, her brow furrowed.
"I need to have a word with Severus and Mr. Malfoy before heading over," Snape replied.
"Oh, very well!"
With Dumbledore safe, the group felt reassured and hurried towards the castle entrance to deal with the Death Eaters and Dementors invading Hogwarts.
"Harry, would you mind taking Fawkes back to my office? He was a great help to me today," Dumbledore said, bending down to pick up the baby phoenix from the ashes on the ground and placing it in Harry's palm.
"Okay, sure!"
Harry took the baby phoenix, his expression complicated as he glanced at Snape and Malfoy, then strode towards the headmaster's office.
Although Harry still had his suspicions about Snape and Malfoy, as long as Dumbledore was fine, they wouldn't be able to stir up much trouble.
After the others had left, Dumbledore turned his attention back to Snape, "After this incident, it will be difficult for you to return to Voldemort's side and continue your spy work. I suggest you stay in a safe house protected by the Unbreakable Vow for a while. According to Mr. Anderson's prophecy, Voldemort doesn't have long to live. I believe that after some time, you can return to your position at the school."
"Don't worry, I have a way to regain the Dark Lord's trust," Snape refused Dumbledore's offer, shaking his head. "We'll discuss this matter another time."
"Oh, very well," Dumbledore turned to look at Malfoy. "Draco, let's discuss your options now."
"My options? I don't seem to have a choice," Malfoy said, glancing at Snape. "With so many Death Eaters dead here, the Dark Lord will probably want me dead too."
"You can hide together," Dumbledore said with a smile. "This war won't last much longer, and Mr. Anderson's prophecies are usually accurate."
"I truly have a way to regain the Dark Lord's trust, just like this." Snape's voice was soft but determined as he raised his wand and pointed it at Dumbledore.
"Severus, you..." Dumbledore's expression froze, clearly taken aback by Snape's sudden betrayal.
"Avada Kedavra!"
A jet of green light shot from Snape's wand, striking Dumbledore squarely in the chest, causing the elderly man to fall backward.
"You... you..."
The sudden turn of events left Draco Malfoy stunned and speechless.
Snape's gaze shifted from the fallen elder to Malfoy, his eyes hardening, "Wake up the surviving Death Eaters. We must leave Hogwarts immediately."
(End of Chapter)
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