Chapter 1272: Reenacting Old Tricks
Chapter 1272: Reenacting Old Tricks
In the pitch-black night, several eerie shadows flitted across the sky and abruptly descended upon a secluded wizarding village. Without hesitation, they brandished their wands and blasted open the wooden door of their target house, rudely barging in. The deafening explosion instantly roused the dormant town.
"What are you doing?"
A man's roar pierced the midnight silence.
A flash of green light—the symbol of death—illuminated the window, followed by a piercing scream.
"Target confirmed," said the leading Death Eater, knocking the screaming woman to the ground and turning to his companion.
"Yes, it's him. He was bragging about it in a bar," the man nodded.
"Good. Take him away," ordered the leader.
Two Death Eaters stepped forward, grabbing the woman by her arms and dragging her out, intent on leaving before the other wizards could react.
The last Death Eater, about to Disapparate, raised his wand and fired the Dark Mark into the air above the house. He glanced at the hastily gathering wizards, a sneer curling his lips, and then vanished without a trace.
Everyone stared, transfixed, at the floating image of the skull hanging over the house.
The same day, news of the Dark Mark's appearance in France spread like wildfire through the wizarding community via the newspapers. The next day at noon, Scrimgeour, having just received the intelligence, gazed at the photograph of the Dark Mark headlining the front page of Le Roi-Soleil, momentarily silent.
Of course, he guessed what was happening.
But that guy was hiding in France?
"Minister, they're here," Percy whispered.
"Show them in."
Scrimgeour looked up at Percy and said, "If you want to take a day off to attend the wedding, I understand."
"Never mind," Percy shook his head and walked out. Soon, he returned with two others in tow.
Scrimgeour handed the newspaper to his Auror Office Director, "Take a look at this paper. Those guys have caused quite a stir again, but they've picked the wrong target this time."
"With such a ruckus, will the French side..."
Robards looked at the Minister expectantly. If the French Ministry of Magic joined the fight against the Death Eaters, their burden would be significantly reduced.
"Don't count on those cowards," Scrimgeour replied, knowing those people too well. He would do the same. It was just a matter of a few deaths. If the French Ministry of Magic were truly drawn into this wizarding war, more lives would be lost.
As for public opinion, it had never been a priority from the start.
Unless the French Minister of Magic provoked widespread anger like Fudge, there would be no repeat of the embarrassing situation of a minister being ousted.
Kingsley, who had been silent since the beginning, took the newspaper and turned to the other side, where there was a picture of a burned-down house. Suddenly, he asked, "Are those Death Eaters looking for Anderson?"
"Obviously. But that guy is well-prepared," Scrimgeour replied, confident that the Death Eaters would never find Albert.
"What should we do now?" Robards frowned, his concern solely for the Ministry's current situation. His old friend Scrimgeour had only told him that a major operation was imminent and instructed the Aurors to be ready for battle at any time.
"Proceed as planned. The operation should take place in the next few days. You should get ready," Scrimgeour instructed. As his Auror Office Director turned to leave, he added, "You can start spreading rumors that the French Ministry of Magic is furious and is discussing sending Aurors to deal with the Death Eaters, in collaboration with us."
Scrimgeour pointed to the newspaper on the table, indicating that his Auror Office Director could take it with him.
"We must first calm the public and feed misinformation to the Death Eaters' spies."
"Leave it to me!" Robards grabbed the newspaper and, before leaving, glanced at Kingsley one last time.
After Gawain left, Scrimgeour turned to Kingsley and asked, "About your previous suggestion, I've agreed. When is Bill Weasley's wedding?"
"In two days," Kingsley replied.
Kingsley was surprised, as he never expected Scrimgeour to agree so readily.
"Will Anderson be attending the wedding?"
"Most likely," Kingsley said.
"Make sure Arthur sends me an invitation. You know, the Ministry can't openly deploy Aurors to protect a wedding, but I don't mind finding some perks for them. They've been working tirelessly over the past year."
"Are you planning to reenact the old trick?"
Kingsley's eyes widened as he immediately guessed Scrimgeour's intention. It was similar to how they had used Albert's wedding as a trap, decimating a large number of Death Eaters. Now, the Ministry intended to use Bill and Fleur's wedding as bait to lure the Death Eaters.
Even if the Death Eaters didn't take the bait, the Ministry had nothing to lose.
No, Kingsley believed that the Death Eaters would definitely not let this opportunity pass.
After all, Harry was likely to attend, along with the Weasley brothers, and even Albert might make an appearance. The Death Eaters had no reason to miss this chance to capture them.
But if this actually happened! Kingsley couldn't even begin to imagine Bill's joyous wedding turning into a battlefield.
"Things will happen one way or another, won't they?"
Scrimgeour appraised Kingsley up and down, shaking his head with disappointment. "After the Dark Lord's downfall, according to Anderson's prediction, you have a high probability of becoming the next Minister of Magic. But in my opinion, you're far from ready for that seat."
Kingsley opened his mouth, astonished that Scrimgeour would say such a thing outright.
"I don't deny your capabilities, but to become the Minister, you're lacking in certain aspects." It was something Scrimgeour had only come to understand after becoming the Minister himself.
"If I die, remember to ally yourself with Anderson. The Order of the Phoenix has become completely unreliable after Dumbledore's passing. Without an extraordinary wizard to support us against dangerous foes like the Dark Lord, we end up in situations like this."
"If the Ministry falls, you'll be the one to rally the remaining forces. As for Anderson's side, I doubt they'll be of much help. And make sure to kill more Death Eaters to avenge me. By letting them off easily last time, we've sown the seeds of our current troubles, especially now that Dumbledore is no longer with us to keep them in check." Scrimgeour regarded Kingsley's astonished expression and suddenly broke into a peculiar smile.
"Are you surprised?"
"A little," Kingsley admitted.
He was more than just surprised; his mind was in turmoil.
"Anderson's predictions are usually accurate. It's a pity he hasn't matured enough to fill Dumbledore's shoes, or I would have definitely been able to... Never mind." Scrimgeour's self-deprecating tone continued, "The Ministry is probably riddled with Death Eater spies by now. Even Gawain might not be entirely trustworthy. You are my last resort."
"Why?" Kingsley asked, perplexed.
"Because I trust that as a member of the Order of the Phoenix, you wouldn't betray us so easily. And I trust his judgment."
Scrimgeour wasn't lying, but he was also using this opportunity to dangle a carrot in front of Kingsley to fully win him over.
The Ministry was gradually being infiltrated, and Scrimgeour didn't have many people he could truly rely on. So, he intended to use Kingsley to draw in the Order of the Phoenix and hopefully deal a severe blow to the Death Eaters, buying himself some time.
If Scrimgeour ultimately failed and perished at the Dark Lord's hands, he believed that Kingsley, who would consolidate the remaining resistance within the Ministry, would continue to cause trouble for the Death Eaters.
Even if he died, they wouldn't have a peaceful day.
Moreover, Scrimgeour trusted that Albert would find a way to take revenge for him.
(End of Chapter)
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