Chapter 1291: The Wizarding Watch
Chapter 1291: The Wizarding Watch
"There are at least two blokes out there keeping an eye on us."
Ron, who had been observing the surroundings through the window, put down his binoculars and turned to Harry and Hermione, who were fiddling with the radio. "I think we should take this opportunity to put our training into practice and teach those guys a lesson."
"So, what do you plan to do? Go out there and beat them all up?" Hermione raised an eyebrow at Ron and countered, "What's the point of that besides alerting them to our presence?"
"Of course it makes sense," Ron argued, throwing a few air punches. "We can disarm them and teach them a lesson. We need to show those Death Eaters that sending too few people to watch us is a stupid decision, and we can also..."
Ron paused, recalling what Fred had said earlier, "Well, I mean, we can help draw their attention. Those blokes already have their eyes on us, so we shouldn't let them get too comfortable."
"That's not a bad idea."
"Harry!"
"We can ambush them using the Invisibility Cloak."
Harry didn't object to Ron's suggestion. "Don't be like that, Hermione. This kind of thing was bound to happen sooner or later. You can't expect us to avoid conflict with those guys forever. It won't hurt to gain some experience now."
"If you make a move before the Trace on you disappears, they'll have another reason to arrest you." Hermione knew that Harry was right, but she still felt it was unnecessary to stir up trouble. She thought it would be better to leave them be and deal with them if necessary. Besides, "The Invisibility Cloak won't be able to hide us anymore," Hermione pointed out helplessly.
"We can use a Disillusionment Charm. I've been practicing it for a long time," Ron said without hesitation. All he wanted right now was to take out his frustrations on the unlucky guys outside.
He couldn't help it; Charlie had recently lost his life, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were still bedridden due to the Cruciatus Curse.
Bill and Fleur had also fallen into depression over their wedding plans.
"We can wait until after the broadcast from the Wizarding Watch to take action," Harry proposed, understanding Ron's feelings. Besides, it wasn't like they were seeking death. Their training needed to be tested in real combat, and the men outside were undoubtedly a good choice.
"Shh, it's starting."
Hermione gestured for quiet and turned up the volume on the radio.
A familiar voice rang out.
"It's Lee Jordan," Harry mumbled.
The former Quidditch commentator was now a broadcaster, reporting on recent events.
"...The latest intelligence indicates that the mysterious person has become the true Minister of Magic. This happened just a few nights ago when he took control of the Ministry of Magic with his henchmen and staged a coup. As for the current minister, Piers Thicknesse, he is merely a figurehead responsible for handling daily affairs... We cannot rule out the possibility that Thicknesse has been controlled by the Imperius Curse, or that the former Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement has, after Scrimgeour's sacrifice, chosen to play both sides to protect himself and his family. Regardless, this new minister is not to be trusted, unless you plan to join the mysterious one or be sent to Azkaban to keep the Dementors company."
"Which do you think it is?" Harry asked suddenly.
"He's probably been put under the Imperius Curse," Hermione speculated. "After all, Piers Thicknesse used to be against the mysterious one, so it makes sense that..."
"The Ministry is full of turncoats; just look at those Aurors and you'll know what they're made of," Ron interjected, expressing his dislike for the Ministry's Aurors. If it weren't for Scrimgeour, his family might not be in such a dire situation. After Scrimgeour's brave sacrifice, facing Voldemort alone, those Aurors had simply accepted the control of the Death Eaters over the Ministry. They had gone from being at the forefront of fighting Dark Wizards to becoming lackeys of the mysterious one, a disgrace to the Auror office.
"They're just afraid," Harry said softly. "It's not hard to understand."
"Even though the Aurors have always been at the forefront of fighting Dark Wizards, they too have families," Hermione added, thinking of Albert, who had shown foresight by hiding his family. Scrimgeour's family had also been hidden, along with the families of the Aurors. But... Scrimgeour was dead, and they had lost their leader, becoming disorganized.
"...Expecting everyone to bravely stand up against the mysterious one like Kingsley is unrealistic, but we still hope that the Aurors will secretly support Harry in his fight and lend their strength when the time comes."
"Do you think that's really okay?"
Hearing Lee Jordan mention Kingsley and intending to hold him up as an example, Ron became concerned for the man's safety.
"He probably has Kingsley's consent, and Kingsley is already being watched by the Death Eaters anyway. He can't return to the Ministry, at least not until things return to normal," Hermione said, recalling that Albert had mentioned that Kingsley was a likely candidate to become the new Minister of Magic should they emerge victorious in the end.
"Tonks isn't going back either," Ron said suddenly.
"Tonks is pregnant, Lupin told me," Harry explained, noticing the looks they were giving him. "I promised Lupin I'd be the godfather to their child."
"Harry, if you have a kid in the future, I can be his godfather," Ron said, patting Harry on the shoulder.
"Oh, sure, no problem," Harry shrugged nonchalantly. "Assuming I survive this war, that is."
"Don't say that, Harry," Hermione said sadly. Ever since Harry had concluded from the tale of the three brothers that his ultimate opponent was Death itself, he had begun to doubt if he would live to see the end of the war.
"I think you'll make it, and don't forget that Anderson said you'd defeat the mysterious one. Maybe you can ask him to predict who your future wife will be," Ron said, suddenly turning his head towards the door as the bedroom door was pushed open.
"Ginny, is something the matter?"
"Is the radio here? Fred told me that the Wizarding Watch would be broadcasting today..." Ginny tried her best not to look at Harry as she sat down next to Hermione to listen to the broadcast.
The bedroom soon fell silent except for the voices of Lee Jordan, Fred, and George.
"What's the latest policy from the Ministry of Magic?"
"Oh, that disgusting Muggle-born registration?" Fred's voice was filled with thinly veiled disgust.
"This newly established Muggle-born Registration Commission will be headed by Dolores Umbridge, the pink toad, as a part-time director," Lee Jordan unveiled the secret like a Santa Claus unwrapping a present.
"Isn't the pink toad serving a life sentence?"
"She's been reinstated as the Deputy Head of the Ministry."
"Her reinstatement certainly showcases the unique taste of the mysterious one," George mocked.
"His taste is indeed unique. Don't forget that the mysterious one has no lips or nose, and he also has a nickname..." George deliberately drew out his tone, "Noseless."
"Ahem, let's end the idle chatter and get to the point. After all, the Dementors have returned to Azkaban."
"That's truly awful news."
"Indeed. It's said to be related to the Muggle-born registration."
"Damn that Muggle-born registration! It was all the pink toad's idea. Let's curse her to turn into a toad forever and never have the chance to pop out and harm people again."
"Get to the point."
"Ahem, as we were talking about the Muggle-born registration, anyone who fails to verify their pure wizarding lineage will be defined as a criminal."
"A criminal? Are you sure?"
"Yes, they will be charged with 'stealing or violently acquiring magical abilities' and sent to Azkaban to keep the Dementors company."
"Oh my! How could they allow such a thing to happen?"
"No one can stop it. It's supposed to happen in the next few days, so let's wait and see. If it doesn't..."
"I thought you'd say let Umbridge eat sht."
"I recall Albert mentioning this issue a long time ago. He even tried to warn and help Muggle-born wizards in various ways."
"Those who didn't buy the 'Self-Defense Guide' must regret it now. I heard that the book has been banned."
"I have a hunch that many people will end up in Azkaban, but whether they can get out is another question. After all, Death Eaters take pleasure in tormenting Muggles and Muggle-born wizards, and Umbridge also has a penchant for torture, which many Hogwarts students can attest to."
"You'll scare everyone with that," Lee Jordan muttered.
"It's still better than ending up like Professor Quirinus Quirrell," George said.
"I bet it won't be very effective," Lee Jordan said, changing the subject. "Now, let's move on to another latest news."
"According to inside information from the Ministry of Magic, the old bat, Snape, will replace Professor Dumbledore as the new headmaster of Hogwarts."
"What a disaster."
"So, will Hogwarts become a Dark Arts school like Durmstrang?"
"Not on the surface, but now that the Muggle Studies and Defense Against the Dark Arts positions are vacant at Hogwarts, two Death Eaters will fill these roles, which means Hogwarts will usher in the era of the Dark Lord."
"So, will the Dark Arts course be changed to Dark Magic?"
"Why are you so interested in that?"
"No, I'm just curious if the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor can withstand the curse on that position."
"I think it will be challenging. According to my information, the reason why there's always trouble with the Defense Against the Dark Arts position is that it has been cursed by the mysterious one. I don't think the Death Eater who takes on this role will be exempt from the curse just because he's the mysterious one's servant. Only when the mysterious one is completely finished will the curse on Defense Against the Dark Arts be lifted."
"Looks like that Death Eater is on his own."
"You're veering off-topic again. What people are more concerned about is..."
"Of course, the Death Eater will teach Dark Magic. Do you expect him to teach you Defense Against Dark Arts? I doubt he even knows Defense Against Dark Arts."
...
The broadcast continued, and it was clear that they were trying to make it as engaging as possible.
Harry also felt that this approach was more effective than directly telling people the "truth."
"How many people do you think will believe it?"
After the broadcast ended, Hermione turned off the radio and looked at Harry, Ron, and Ginny.
"There should be quite a few. Everyone is eager to know the truth now," Ginny said, trying to put herself in their shoes.
At the very least, it was more reliable than the 'Wizarding Wireless Network' and the 'Daily Prophet.' "Most people are in a state of doubt right now, unsure of whom to trust and where to discuss these matters. They may not entirely believe what they hear on the broadcast, but I think they will definitely believe what they see for themselves, especially after the events discussed on the broadcast unfold. The mysterious one will no longer be able to control the flow of information through newspapers and broadcasts," Hermione said, believing that the broadcast would play a more significant role in the future.
"Once they come to their senses, they will realize that what was said on the broadcast is true, and they will increasingly trust the content on the Wizarding Watch."
"Harry's supporters will also grow in number."
"Maybe. Perhaps Albert will indeed have a way to organize them by then," Harry said, having heard from Fred that they were planning to do so.
The most important task at hand was to find and destroy the remaining Horcruxes, turning Voldemort back into a mortal man.
"Now that the broadcast is over, shall we go out and..." Ron made a slashing motion across his throat.
"I'll go tell Sirius about this, and then we'll go out together." Harry opened the door and walked towards the living room.
Most of the time, Sirius remained at the headquarters, not only to look after Harry but also to teach everyone combat skills.
After hearing Harry's plan, Sirius did not refuse this seemingly reckless move.
All members of the Order of the Phoenix knew that once Harry came of age, he would leave to fulfill the mission Dumbledore had entrusted to them, and stepping onto the battlefield was inevitable.
"Do as you wish, but Harry, I hope you'll use your brain before taking action. Although I know it's a bit difficult for most Gryffindors," Sirius said, placing a hand on Harry's shoulder.
"I will."
Harry donned his Invisibility Cloak and left the safe house with Ron and Hermione through the back door, ready to test the results of their recent training.
(End of Chapter)
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