Chapter 1281: Embracing Death
Chapter 1281: Embracing Death
As Voldemort laid eyes on the large magical barrier blocking his path, he realized Scrimgeour's true intentions, and the murderous intent in his heart intensified.
Scrimgeour must die! He raised his wand and fired a dazzling spell towards the front.
With a loud bang, the barrier, which had already been torn open by Albert, shattered like a mirror.
Under the watchful and reverent gaze of the Death Eaters, Voldemort strode towards the Weasley family's humble abode.
The destruction of the barrier immediately caused quite a stir, but Scrimgeour remained calm, standing his ground as he faced the crimson eyes shining in the darkness.
"Is this your plan?" Voldemort asked, his eyes fixed on Scrimgeour as he took in the fallen Death Eaters and dark wizards lying on the ground. His voice was cold enough to make one's blood run cold.
"Kill all my men," Scrimgeour replied.
"Isn't it normal for people to die in war?" Voldemort asked, his voice dripping with malice.
Facing Voldemort's murderous intent, Scrimgeour showed no fear. Instead, he stepped forward, his aura as an Auror radiating confidence.
"However, you have arrived just in time. I was just about to burn these guys to a crisp," Scrimgeour said, taking the initiative to draw the majority of Voldemort's hatred, intending to convey to him that most of the dark wizards were still alive to prevent unnecessary bloodshed.
"The blood of wizards is precious. Every drop spilled is a loss and a waste," Voldemort said, his wand already raised as he prepared to eliminate Scrimgeour.
"Oh? But I think you've never really cared about them, have you?" Scrimgeour countered, raising his own wand and mocking without hesitation. "They are merely your servants, are they not? And servants, in your eyes, are dispensable—you can have as many as you desire."
"Do you think those Aurors will be able to protect your life?" Voldemort sneered, glancing at the dozens of Aurors standing behind Scrimgeour.
"I've never thought that," Scrimgeour replied. "However, I agree that there's no need for a bloodbath. It would be a meaningless sacrifice."
Scrimgeour raised his hand to stop the Aurors who were ready to engage in battle, addressing Voldemort, "So, let's duel. Just the two of us, settling all our grievances. I know you've always wanted to kill me, and now I'm giving you the chance to do so, along with the opportunity to control the Ministry."
"Minister, Minister!"
The Aurors were stunned by Scrimgeour's sudden decision.
They couldn't understand why he would willingly walk to his death, but Scrimgeour gestured for them to step back, creating space between them and providing room for the impending duel.
When Albert left without hesitation and Scrimgeour realized he had been blocked by the mysterious man, he knew he had lost his bet and that there would be no coming back.
Although Scrimgeour regretted not leaving earlier, he understood that regret was pointless at this stage.
There were no do-overs in life.
He had to accept the outcome of his gamble.
"Very well, a duel it is. Just the two of us," Voldemort agreed, granting Scrimgeour a final shred of dignity.
To be honest, he was quite pleased that Scrimgeour had chosen to face him directly instead of hiding behind the Aurors and letting them fight to the death for him. At least this way, they could avoid further bloodshed.
"Step back and give us space," Scrimgeour instructed the Aurors behind him. He wasn't afraid that Voldemort would launch a surprise attack. If Voldemort wanted to rule the Ministry, killing him fairly in a duel was clearly the better option.
The Death Eaters and Aurors moved back, creating a large enough stage for the two opponents.
"I know it's absurd, but I knew this day would come eventually. I've never feared death, and if I die, please scatter my ashes over the Black Lake at Hogwarts," Scrimgeour said, turning resolutely to face Voldemort.
"Have you made your final arrangements?" Voldemort asked, suddenly unsure of Scrimgeour's intentions.
"Yes, let's begin," Scrimgeour replied.
Both men drew their wands and bowed to each other in the customary wizarding duel etiquette, their eyes never leaving each other.
In almost the same instant, they raised their wands, pointed them at each other, and shouted the deadliest curse in history: "Avada Kedavra!"
Due to Scrimgeour's actions, the two Killing Curses did not collide but instead veered off toward their respective targets.
The night was illuminated by the blinding green light, and the spectators watching the duel were left stunned and speechless.
A direct exchange of Avada Kedavra! In that moment, everyone could sense Scrimgeour's determination to kill Voldemort, even if it meant sacrificing his own life.
However, Kingsley, who had already grasped Scrimgeour's intentions, was alerting the other members of the Order of the Phoenix and the guests, telling them to leave while Voldemort was occupied.
Perhaps this duel was destined to be recorded in the annals of history, but Scrimgeour's defeat had been predetermined.
If the others didn't seize the opportunity to flee, they would likely face an even more terrible catastrophe.
Kingsley hadn't forgotten how Scrimgeour had just executed all the Death Eaters with a single spell. Once Voldemort realized that his trusted aides had been slaughtered, who knew what horrible things he would do?
So, Scrimgeour chose to embrace death, creating an opportunity for them to escape.
As for proving themselves in a duel, without anyone to hold Voldemort back, their defeat was inevitable.
The outcome might be even more dire.
After the green light faded, both men were still standing.
Scrimgeour looked a bit ragged as he dodged the Killing Curse.
Voldemort shed his previous contempt, realizing that the man before him stood there with the intention of taking him down with a mutual death.
But he was Voldemort.
Countless snakes poured out from his sleeves, forming a chilling wave of serpents that rushed towards Scrimgeour.
Being bitten by one of these venomous snakes would undoubtedly lead to a swift end.
Scrimgeour, quick as lightning, sent several fireballs towards the oncoming tide of snakes, causing a series of explosions that aimed to wipe them out.
Many snakes indeed turned to ashes, but even more broke through the smoke and dust, continuing their relentless pursuit of Scrimgeour.
What's worse, the smoke and dust from the explosions were suddenly engulfed by a sinister black flame, and a fire snake composed of devilish fire pressed down on Scrimgeour, swallowing the snakes that had been rushing towards him.
Facing the evil infernal flame, Scrimgeour swung his wand with all his might, cleaving the fire snake in two. However, the devilish fire didn't disappear; it merely paused for a moment before splitting into two and rushing at Scrimgeour again.
As the onlookers cried out in alarm, Scrimgeour chanted spells rapidly, nearly exhausting himself as he struggled to suppress the infernal flame.
But how could Voldemort give him a chance? A Cruciatus Curse pierced through the devilish fire, landing on Scrimgeour without a sound, causing him to grunt in pain and gradually lose his hold on the infernal flame.
Yet, Scrimgeour didn't fall from the Cruciatus Curse. Seeing that he was about to be engulfed by the infernal flame, he raised his wand once more and, with his last ounce of strength, uttered one final spell:
"Avada Kedavra!"
The green light of death pierced through the devilish fire, speeding towards Voldemort.
This unexpected ambush nearly took Voldemort's life.
However, in the end, he, too, used Avada Kedavra to block it, and the two spells connected, entering a new round of struggle.
Watching the approaching green light, Scrimgeour realized he had no chance of escape. He gave up resisting and allowed the deadly green light to consume him. The infernal flame engulfed his body, which had been knocked aside by the spell, turning it into a blazing pillar of fire.
A chilling silence fell, and the remaining Aurors stared in horror at the blazing pillar, understanding all too well that Scrimgeour was dead!
Killed by Voldemort, his body turned to ashes by the most evil of dark fires.
"Scrimgeour is dead," Voldemort declared, spreading his arms wide. "You are no match for me. Give up your resistance and surrender; I do not wish to kill you, nor do I desire the blood of wizards to be spilled."
"You have won, but we will only ever be loyal to the Minister of Magic," Gardwen Lobaz said, stepping forward and bowing slightly to Voldemort.
After speaking, he removed his hat, scooped up some soil from where Scrimgeour had fallen, and placed it in his hat. Then, he led the Aurors towards the outskirts, intending to fulfill Scrimgeour's final wish—to have his ashes scattered over the Black Lake at Hogwarts.
Voldemort didn't stop the Aurors from leaving because their intentions were clear. They would only ever be loyal to the Minister of Magic, and at that moment, the Ministry was under his control.
After the Aurors left, the remaining guests were stunned, as they now had to face the darkest Dark Lord in history alone.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
