Chapter 1306: Targeting Azkaban
Chapter 1306: Targeting Azkaban
The tragedy that befell Nelson ended up as mere minutes of news broadcast in the Wizarding Wireless Network, failing to garner much attention.
Countless similar tragedies had unfolded since Voldemort gained control of the British wizarding world, and people had become numb to it all.
Only a small number of Outer Association members were pleased that the Defense Association had rescued Nelson in time, feeling reassured that they too could rely on the association's aid should the need arise. It was for this very reason that they had chosen to join.
However, the displaced students taking refuge in the shelter were the ones who felt the most impacted by Nelson's ordeal. His experience struck a chord with them in a way that the distant news reports on the radio never could.
This incident, happening so close to home, made everyone keenly aware of the changing landscape of the British wizarding world and the looming threat of the Death Eaters. They had to admit that the shelter truly offered them protection.
And yet, because of this very reason, Nelson, whose personal tale instilled fear in everyone, found himself ostracized within the shelter. It wasn't just because he shattered their illusions, but also because he was from Slytherin.
It was common knowledge that Slytherin had tense relations with the other houses. Ever since Voldemort rose to power, the divide between them had only widened.
Of course, Nelson's situation also stemmed from the fact that he was alone.
The number of Muggle-born wizards in Slytherin could be counted on one hand, and it stood to reason that anyone with a sound mind wouldn't choose to be in this position. Here, you'd find yourself without any familiar faces or friends to speak to, and your circumstances wouldn't be any better. This was one of the reasons why Nelson himself had been reluctant to come here.
To be honest, Slytherin wasn't the most welcoming house for Muggle-borns, and Nelson's years at Hogwarts hadn't been particularly pleasant. Even though he had made some friends who didn't care about his background, there were still many challenges.
Looking at the group of unpleasant individuals before him, Nelson had no intention of engaging in any conflicts with them. That would be irrational, especially since he was alone.
"To be honest, I used to think like you guys, believing that those damned Death Eaters wouldn't come after me."
Nelson's voice remained calm in the face of their provocations, as if he were simply recounting a story.
"Two Dark Wizards broke into my home and killed my family with the Avada Kedavra curse. They said they were going to take me to the Ministry of Magic to exchange me for Galleons. I didn't ask how many Galleons I was worth, but I knew it wouldn't be much."
Nelson's words left the room in stunned silence.
"Apparently, the information came from the Muggle-born Registration Commission at the Ministry of Magic," Nelson continued, looking at the group with a strange expression. "Or perhaps, the Ministry got our home addresses from our dear Headmaster Snape."
"How can you talk about all of this so calmly?"
Nelson's reaction made everyone's hair stand on end. They couldn't comprehend how he could recount such horrors with such composure—it was bizarre.
"It's because I avenged my family by killing those two wizards," Nelson added. "I stabbed them to death with a kitchen knife."
His words sent shivers down the spines of the young wizards present, and they instinctively moved away from the madman before them.
However, Nelson's situation improved slightly after he joined Dumbledore's Army. He was surprised to find that the atmosphere here was much better than what he had encountered outside. At the very least, no one treated him with scorn because of his house affiliation.
Nelson felt a sense of camaraderie with Dumbledore's Army.
While he didn't support Harry Potter personally, that didn't mean he supported Voldemort and the Death Eaters.
"I don't think Umbridge got the information from Hogwarts," Hannah said, aware of the recent events. She shared what she knew with the members of Dumbledore's Army. "As I understand it, Professor McGonagall hid the student records, and the information at the Ministry of Magic has also been missing for a while, thanks to Mr. Anderson's foresight."
"So, that pink toad must have gotten the information through other means?"
Colin and his younger brother also requested Mr. Tonks' help in sending a message to their family, urging their parents to temporarily relocate.
"Maybe someone they knew reported it to the Ministry of Magic," Nelson speculated.
"I doubt that," Hannah said, clearly reluctant to believe that someone would betray their friends for Galleons.
"Why not? They'd kill for those Galleons," Nelson retorted, his face hardening at the memory. He didn't have many "friends" who knew where he lived.
"I think it's more likely that someone was forced to give up that information to protect their family, rather than doing it for Galleons," Dean interjected. He didn't believe their friendship was that cheap.
Everyone fell silent, as they couldn't be sure they wouldn't do the same in such a situation.
"Are you okay? You don't look so good."
"I'm fine, just thinking about some unpleasant things," Nelson assured Hannah with a nod, before changing the subject. "What are we practicing today?"
"The Reducto Curse."
"I already know that one."
"Well then, you can practice the Patronus Charm. Mr. Anderson said it's important, and there are Dementors everywhere outside."
"I'll master it as soon as I can." Nelson moved to the side to practice on his own. He hadn't worked on the Patronus Charm before, as he didn't consider himself a good person.
Even after taking the lives of his family's murderers with his own hands, Nelson still couldn't erase the hatred in his heart.
Especially now that he knew about the pink toad, he wanted nothing more than to kill her and those so-called "friends" who might have betrayed him.
If anyone had indeed done so, he would make them pay.
...
Tempted by Galon's offer, the Death Eaters hadn't given up their pursuit of Muggle-born wizards, and tragedies like Nelson's continued to unfold.
But to the wizards who had become numb from countless similar incidents, as long as the tragedy didn't befall them personally, it was just another piece of news.
"What are you guys talking about?"
Albert reached out to pull Truman up from the ground and turned to ask the group whispering among themselves.
"Professor Lupin said Harry and the others didn't go to Godric's Hollow," replied Lee Jordan, handing the communication quill to Albert. "They encountered Death Eaters there and got into a fight."
"Everyone assumed Harry would visit his family first after regaining his freedom."
"We can guess, and so can the mysterious man," Albert said, glancing at the message. "I think Harry probably guessed as well. Even if he didn't, Hermione would have reminded him. Since that's the case, he definitely won't walk into a trap, and even if he did go, he'd probably use the Invisibility Cloak. Without Dementors around, it's not easy to detect someone hidden under an Invisibility Cloak."
With Albert's guidance, the Harry Potter of today was no longer the same iron-headed boy he used to be, especially with the Invisibility Cloak as a powerful tool. Sneaking out to visit his parents' grave wouldn't be difficult.
Moreover, they had a bunch of detectors with them, so even if they did go to Godric's Hollow, they wouldn't easily fall into an ambush.
A strong blocking curse could certainly block the detection of a time turner, but very few people were capable of doing so.
Voldemort wouldn't waste much time laying traps for Harry Potter.
As Albert handed the communication quill back to Lee Jordan, a new message appeared, this time from Kingsley. He informed them that the Ministry of Magic was about to transfer a group of Muggle-born wizards to Azkaban and asked Albert to help divine whether it was a trap.
"It's obviously a trap," Albert said without bothering to divine. "This is as clear as it gets. Those people are just bait."
"So it is a trap?"
His words dampened the enthusiasm of the group, who had been eager to take action.
"If you ask me, it'd be easier to save those people by attacking Azkaban directly, instead of trying to intercept them on the way," Albert said calmly.
"Why would attacking Azkaban be easier?"
Everyone was taken aback, unable to follow Albert's line of thought.
"Because no one would expect us to attack Azkaban prison," Albert explained. "As long as we rescue them before the mysterious man arrives, there won't be a problem. But if we try to intercept them like we did with the Weasley couple, they'll definitely be on their guard. We can't keep relying on that strategy."
"Are we really going to attack Azkaban?"
Hearing Albert's words, the group became excited at the prospect.
Attack Azkaban? Well, if the mysterious man could break someone out, they could do it too! "Summoning a Patronus here and facing the Dementors of Azkaban are two completely different matters," Albert continued. "With your half-baked Patronuses, I dare say many of you won't be able to summon your Patronuses at all when faced with a large group of Dementors.
Albert did have plans to attack Azkaban, but not now. Something like that could only be done once, and the others weren't ready either.
"If you don't believe me, go find some Dementors and try it out," he added. "And remember to find a secluded place where you won't be disturbed."
The group exchanged glances, knowing that Albert must have a good reason for his suggestion, and most of them indeed hadn't tried summoning their Patronuses in the presence of Dementors. So, they started discussing going out in pairs to give it a try.
Yes, pairs. If they encountered any danger, they couldn't always rely on Albert to save the day.
After all, Albert might not always be around, and there was strength in numbers—a lesson they had learned firsthand.
As the group discussed where to find Dementors to practice their Patronuses, in a secluded forest not far away, Harry and his friends, who had been camping there for several days, were also discussing their plans to visit Godric's Hollow.
That's right, Harry hadn't gone to Godric's Hollow yet.
Since he suspected that Voldemort might have set a trap there, Harry wasn't about to rush into it headlong.
That would be incredibly foolish! He would wait a few more days, let everyone's guard down, and then make his move. That way, he'd be less likely to walk into an ambush.
Now seemed like the right time.
...
(End of Chapter)
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