Chapter 1264: Losing a Pillar of Support
Chapter 1264: Losing a Pillar of Support
"What's going on?"
Hearing hurried footsteps in the corridor, Harry, who had been discussing the next Horcrux search with Hermione and Ron in the bedroom, poked his head out of the room and asked Sirius, who had just walked past the door.
"We just received word from Kingsley," Sirius replied. "A group of Death Eaters broke into Professor Burbage's home and took her away by force."
Sirius didn't feel particularly concerned about Professor Burbage's capture. He had heard other Order members mention her before, and he was curious as to why she hadn't left the country after Albert's warning.
While he might not have chosen to hide himself, he still thought that the Muggle Studies professor getting captured was her own fault.
After all, she hadn't heeded their advice. And if that was her choice, she would have to see it through, even if it meant shedding tears.
If she lost her life because of it, well, that was unfortunate but unavoidable.
"Professor Burbage didn't leave the country?" Hermione echoed his surprise.
After all, Albert had specifically warned her, and they had been present at the time. Yet, Professor Burbage hadn't taken Albert's warning seriously?
Didn't she know that Albert was a renowned Seer?
She should have! "No, she didn't go abroad. She remained in Britain but changed locations, it seems," Tonks said with a helpless smile as she rushed back to headquarters. "Professor Burbage did take some of our advice, but..."
"Are you alright?" Sirius asked.
"I'm fine," Tonks replied, her expression a bit gloomy. Ever since her marriage to Remus, the after-effects had started to show, and her situation at the Ministry had become increasingly awkward.
"When did this happen?" Ron asked, perplexed.
"This morning," Tonks guessed at their confusion and explained, "Since Albert had once made a prophecy about Professor Burbage, and knowing that she hadn't left the country, Kingsley thought we should pay special attention to her. That's why the Ministry found out about her capture by Death Eaters so quickly."
It wasn't that the Ministry officials weren't willing to provide protection for Professor Burbage, but the one assigned to keep an eye on her was just an ordinary member of the Crisis Response Team. Naturally, he wouldn't do anything foolish that might cost him his life.
The wizard on surveillance duty immediately contacted the Ministry, but at that time, Scrimgeour and most of the Aurors were meeting with Albert, so there weren't enough Aurors available for support.
Of course, even if the Aurors hadn't been occupied, they wouldn't have directly confronted the Death Eaters over Professor Burbage.
That would have been foolish.
Moreover, Scrimgeour wouldn't have allowed the Aurors to suffer heavy losses, as it would directly shake the stability of the Ministry and be the last straw to break the camel's back.
So, from start to finish, the Ministry only intended to use Professor Burbage as bait to lure out the Death Eaters and deal them a blow.
As for what would happen to Professor Burbage?
Well, the Ministry apologized, but they really didn't know. It would all depend on her luck.
After Professor Burbage received Albert's warning and still chose to remain in Britain, it was only to be expected that she might be unlucky enough to be captured by Death Eaters.
However, the biggest problem now was that the tracking mark the Ministry had left on Professor Burbage had, for some unknown reason, stopped working.
This unexpected development had caught the Ministry off guard, as they had intended to use this opportunity to strike at the Death Eaters.
"I think it's best if the Order doesn't get involved," Sirius voiced his opinion first. "The Ministry is fully capable of handling this matter."
"But..."
Tonks was about to speak up when Sirius interrupted her.
"Dumbledore is gone," Sirius said calmly. "The Order is already on shaky ground without him. We have to admit that he was the pillar of the Order, and without him, we've lost the strength to directly confront the Death Eaters.
"It's meaningless to put Order members at risk for a stranger who brought this upon herself. Our top priority now is to protect Harry and ensure that we can bring an end to this damned Wizarding War and prevent more people from losing their lives. That's what we should be doing."
"Little Sirius, you..." Moody began.
"Albert once said that Harry will eventually face Voldemort, and when that time comes, he will need help. If the Order isn't there, who do you expect to aid him?" Sirius countered. "The Ministry?"
"No, by then, the Ministry will have crumbled and possibly be under Voldemort's control."
"What about other wizards in the magical world?" Sirius' tone was laced with sarcasm. "They lack even the courage of Hogwarts students, or there wouldn't be just a handful of us resisting the Death Eaters."
"That doesn't sound like you," Moody remarked, somewhat surprised by Sirius' words. Of course, he didn't entirely agree with getting involved either.
"I don't deny that some things are worth dying for," Sirius said, surveying the group and shaking his head. "But it certainly isn't Burbage. So, let's face reality!"
Sirius looked calmly at Professor McGonagall. "Voldemort will eventually control Hogwarts. If you get involved, do you think you can remain at Hogwarts? If you leave, what will happen to the students? Are you going to let those Death Eaters teach them?"
Sirius sincerely hoped that Professor McGonagall wouldn't leave the school, as Albert had once said that the final battle would take place at Hogwarts.
"In a sense, Little Sirius is right," panted Kingsley as he pushed open the door and entered the room. "However, I still hope that the Order can get involved. Scrimgeour is also resisting the Death Eaters, even if his methods are a bit extreme. He's someone we can try to win over."
"But Scrimgeour is barely holding on himself," Sirius cut in. "I doubt he'll even make it through next month."
"That's true," Kingsley acknowledged, "but we can still try to bring some of the Aurors, members of the Crisis Response Team, and a few Ministry employees to our side. Even if the Ministry falls, we should..." He didn't understand why Sirius was so adamantly opposed to this.
"I don't think we can win anyone over," Sirius shook his head. "The Death Eaters won't kill off all the pure-bloods in the British wizarding world because they are the foundation of Voldemort's rule. This means most pure-bloods are safe. In a Ministry dominated by pure-bloods, how many do you think would be willing to risk their lives to join us?"
"No, they won't take that risk," Sirius continued, "because sitting on the fence is safer. Even if Voldemort takes control of the Ministry, they can stay neutral and continue on as before." Sirius had little faith in the Ministry officials.
No, he had seen it with Moody.
It wasn't a matter of who was right or wrong, but that was the reality.
For a moment, everyone fell silent, as this was indeed the reality. Perhaps they could win over a few people, but the number would undoubtedly be pitiful.
"But didn't Albert establish the Defense Association? Fred and George said..." Hermione tried to interject, but Sirius interrupted her.
"They are Albert's friends, and they joined the Defense Association mostly because of Albert's personal charisma and their belief that he can lead them to victory, just like Dumbledore once did," Sirius explained, seeing things more clearly than most in the room. "If Dumbledore were still alive, I would have supported you with all my heart. But he's gone, and I don't think those intelligent people will risk their lives to join us. The Defense Association is a more reliable choice for them."
"The worst that can happen to them is a Dark Mark on their left arm, and they'll have to bow to Voldemort," Sirius said bluntly. "Believe me, many Ministry officials would be willing to do that. When their lives and power are threatened, I have no doubt they will directly betray Scrimgeour. So, Scrimgeour's days are numbered."
This was followed by an even longer silence.
"Muggle-born wizards are the ones we should be trying to win over," Sirius continued, noticing that everyone wanted to speak but hesitated. "Because they have no other choice. If Voldemort takes control of the Ministry, given his hostility towards Muggle-borns, Azkaban will likely be their fate. Don't forget Albert's 'Self-Defense Guide'; he predicted all of this."
Sirius believed that if Dumbledore were still alive, the situation would have already turned around. But with Dumbledore gone, there was no one to back their actions anymore, leading to the Order's current awkward situation. However, many members of the Order hadn't realized that they no longer had anyone to rely on.
(End of Chapter)
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