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Chapter 1307: Supplemental Income
Chapter 1307: Supplemental Income
Outside of Godric's Hollow, three figures concealed by Disillusionment Charms were scouting the area with telescopes and a detection watch.
"We've got company," Hermione murmured, noticing three red dots appearing on the detection watch.
"The lack of mist in Godric's Hollow suggests these are likely Death Eaters rather than Dementors," Harry speculated.
The detection watch typically indicated the presence of Death Eaters or Dementors with red dots.
"Probably the same group Sirius and Lupin encountered before," Hermione anticipated, knowing that the mysterious man would have eyes on Godric's Hollow.
"The village seems peaceful, no signs of Death Eaters so far," Ron commented, handing the telescope to Hermione while examining the detection watch. Curious, he asked, "Is that the one Anderson gave you?"
"Mhm," Hermione replied nonchalantly. "It seems to be a modified version he crafted himself."
"Fred and George really only sell inferior products, don't they?" Ron lamented.
"There's not much choice in the matter. Albert's creations are expensive, and most people can't afford them. So, they stick to selling mass-produced items; even if they fall into the wrong hands, it won't cause too much trouble," Harry explained, having a decent understanding of Albert's work and the necessity of cost-cutting measures for mass production.
"So, what's the plan? Are we sticking to it?" Ron steered the conversation back on track.
"Let's stick to the original plan and take them out first," Harry decided, confident in their advantage of having three targets in Godric's Hollow while they also had a team of three.
If they couldn't handle this, their efforts up till now would be for naught.
"If the Death Eaters are hiding, there's a good chance there are alert spells set up in Godric's Hollow," Hermione noted, putting away her telescope and glancing at the detection watch in Ron's hand. "But that won't be a problem for us."
She then pulled out three silver badges from her bag, selected one she liked, pinned it to her chest, and offered the other two to Harry and Ron.
"If Albert weren't already married, I'd think he was pursuing you," Harry teased as he chose the stag badge.
"That's not even remotely funny. He already has a daughter," Hermione rolled her eyes, her thoughts wandering momentarily.
"It seems like he knows our Patronuses," Ron interjected, attempting to change the subject. "By the way, what do these badges do?"
"They're enchanted with a powerful Concealment Charm. Once we put them on, we won't have to worry about being tracked, targeted, or triggering certain spells. Not even Harry's Marauder's Map will be able to reveal our locations," Hermione explained.
"That guy really has thought of everything," Harry marveled, looking at the badge on his chest.
"After all, he's a master prognosticator, seeing far beyond us," Hermione added, putting away her bag and drawing her wand. "However, the Concealment Charm on these badges will only last a few months."
"We'd better not make too much noise. If those three are a trap..." Ron trailed off, putting away the binoculars Hermione had given him.
"Then we retreat immediately and go to Plan B," Harry asserted.
"Got it," Ron replied instinctively. "Let's stick to the plan for now."
And with that, the trio vanished with the Disillusionment Charm and set off.
According to their original plan, they would only take action at night, and this was merely a reconnaissance trip.
Hermione prepared a late dinner using their stored provisions. After a small cup of butterbeer each, they retired early, only rising again as night deepened. They sipped strong tea and munched on biscuits to energize themselves before setting out.
Harry, cloaked in his Invisibility Cloak, led the way, with Hermione and Ron, under Disillusionment Charms, trailing a short distance behind. They opted to forgo the Polyjuice Potion and instead used the cover of darkness to stealthily approach the location of the red dots on the detection watch.
It was a Muggle house, its windows shut tight and curtains drawn, clearly intending to keep its occupants hidden.
Just a few days before Harry's birthday, two Death Eaters had occupied this house, using it as a base to monitor Godric's Hollow.
Should a wizard approach, they would use the Floo Network to call for reinforcements and ambush Harry Potter together.
Sirius and Lupin had run into this very situation, inadvertently testing the waters for Harry.
However, they had been cautious and managed to escape the trap.
If Harry, Hermione, and Ron had approached disguised by Polyjuice Potion, they would have likely faced the same treatment.
Fortunately, the concealment badges that Albert had given Hermione prevented them from triggering any perimeter alert spells as they entered the village.
Those Death Eaters probably never imagined that the famous Harry Potter was eavesdropping right outside their door.
Upon confirming that they were indeed enemies, Harry signaled to Hermione and Ron, who were trailing behind. He pointed to the front door, made a knocking gesture, and then indicated the back door, dividing their tasks.
A few seconds later, the low murmurs within the room were abruptly interrupted by a series of short, sharp knocks on the door.
Ron was at the door, ready to knock.
The unexpected sound immediately raised the vigilance of the two Death Eaters inside, but to their confusion, their alert spells remained dormant, leading them to assume it was an acquaintance of the homeowner dropping by.
After a quick glance at each other, a middle-aged male wizard rose, wand at the ready, and approached the entrance, his ears straining to listen.
Instead of opening the door, he listened intently.
"That's odd. No one's there," he muttered, prompting Ron to knock again.
This time, the door swung open, and the Death Eater inside found himself face-to-face with—nothing.
"What's going on?" His companion frowned, stepping forward.
"I don't know. There's no one out..."
Both Death Eaters were cautious and didn't rush outside, but they never expected that someone had already slipped into the room and was standing right behind them.
Using the distraction provided by Hermione and Ron, Harry, concealed under his Invisibility Cloak, seized the opportunity to strike. With a swift Stunning Spell, he effortlessly took down the two Death Eaters, not giving them a chance to react.
"Is that it? I thought we'd have a real fight on our hands," Ron commented, looking at the two stunned men.
"We had the upper hand, so it's only natural that it was easy," Hermione replied, taking their wands as she turned to Ron, who was rummaging through their pockets. "What are you looking for?"
"Spoils of war, of course," Ron replied, emptying the pockets of the unconscious Death Eaters. However, his efforts yielded little.
"Ron, I don't think we should..." Hermione began, her brow furrowed as she tried to stop Ron's pilfering.
"We need a large sum of Galleons to buy concealment badges from Albert. Since they're the enemy, there's no need to stand on ceremony. Fred and George call this'supplemental income,'" Ron justified his actions without a hint of shame.
Harry didn't mind Ron's behavior; after all, they were enemies, and there was no need to be courteous. Besides, it was their spoils of war.
"Supplemental income?" Hermione's expression was peculiar.
"The Defense Association needs funds for maintenance, and we all need to eat. We can't rely on Albert, Fred, and George to donate Galleons all the time," Ron stated matter-of-factly.
(End of Chapter)
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