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Chapter 1352: The Fallen Death Eaters
Chapter 1352: The Fallen Death Eaters
As the Death Eaters shed their false disguises, a silent panic engulfed the entire British wizarding world. Everyone was bewildered and helpless in the face of the sudden upheaval, worrying that their families might be targeted by Death Eaters and fearing for their loved ones' safety.
For a time, Albert's previously published "Self-Defense Guide" suddenly gained popularity again, along with the latest Dark Magic defense products introduced by Fred and George.
Everything seemed so normal, yet strangely uncanny.
A cloud of panic and anxiety hung over Britain, refusing to dissipate.
If there was one place seemingly unaffected, it was Hogsmeade Village. Far from being impacted, the village had become even more bustling, Once a quaint wizarding village, it had now transformed into Europe's most notorious black market, attracting more and more dark wizards who favored conducting their illicit trades here.
Of course, they, too, couldn't help but discuss the situation in the British wizarding world, and many found the current state of chaos intriguing, seeing it as an opportunity to make a fortune in Galleons.
Where once there had been strict Ministry of Magic controls, now those shackles had almost entirely vanished, and numerous powerful dark wizards had made a killing during this time.
This was evident from the transaction postings on the bulletin board inside the Hog's Head pub.
"If I were you, I wouldn't be discussing this matter here."
Aburforth, who had been polishing glasses with a cloth, looked up at the guest in front of him, who was talking about the recent public execution, and had no choice but to interrupt his tactless remarks.
Lately, there had been quite a few outsiders who had gotten into conflicts with Death Eaters over this matter, resulting in the need to repair the pub's old tables and chairs.
"Is discussing it here forbidden?"
The outsider, with a hint of alcohol on his breath, raised an eyebrow at the old man behind the bar, his strange tone laced with sarcasm.
"It's not so much forbidden as it is ill-advised. Many have gotten into trouble because of it." Aburforth's tone turned resigned as he saw who was approaching the counter, "Oh... must you all settle your disputes inside my pub?"
His words had barely left his mouth when someone grabbed the drunk outsider from behind, slamming his head viciously onto the bar.
"Bang!" The sound echoed through the Hog's Head, causing all the patrons to turn their heads.
"Damn it." Aburforth covered his forehead with his hand and complained, "In the past few days, you've ruined five of my tables and eight chairs."
"I was just teaching him a little lesson."
The Death Eater spoke casually to Aburforth as he reached into the outsider's pockets, his expression turning annoyed as he saw the scant few coins within. He slammed the man's head onto the bar again, spat on him, and then threw him off the bar, causing him to crash into a table and elicit angry glares from a few dark wizards.
"What a poor sod."
Sensing the angry gazes of the two outsiders, the Death Eater replied without an ounce of apology, "Oh, sorry mates, but the tab for today's drinks will be covered by the bloke lying on the floor."
"Perhaps I should ban you from the Hog's Head."
Aburforth would never allow anyone to skip out on their bill.
"They'll pay up, I assure you."
But to everyone's surprise, the downed outsider struggled to his feet and delivered a powerful punch to the Death Eater's ugly face, flattening it and sending him crashing to the ground.
This time, the roles were reversed.
A one-sided beating began without warning.
The guests, far from being averse to drama, started to cheer excitedly, with a few even applauding the spectacle.
However, the duel didn't continue for long, as the outsider, after pummeling the Death Eater, quickly snatched the Galleons from his pockets and disapparated with a crack, using a Disillusionment Charm to make his escape.
"I didn't expect him to be such a coward!"
Those who had been expecting a good show began to hurl insults, and the Hog's Head erupted into chaos.
"Things sure are lively around here!"
Another outsider took a seat at the bar and ordered a hot whiskey from Aburforth.
"I'd rather things were a bit calmer, to be honest."
Aburforth drew his wand and repaired the overturned tables and chairs.
"Perhaps it's time for new furniture."
"I'd be delighted to get new furniture if you're willing to chip in. But if not, then kindly keep your mouth shut, Pocival."
Aburforth placed the hot whiskey in front of the wizard and asked curiously, "What have you got for me this time?"
The man who introduced himself as Pocival took a sip of his drink and proudly pulled out a bottle from his pocket, seemingly filled with some sort of liquid.
"What is that, some kind of poison?" Aburforth inquired as he examined the bottle.
"Eight-Eyed Giant Spider venom." The outsider replied gleefully, "There's a whole bunch of those things in the nearby forest. Turns out the rumors were true."
"That's quite a valuable find. Looks like you're about to strike it rich."
Aburforth pulled out a quill and a piece of parchment from a drawer under the counter and handed them to the wizard.
"But I've heard that the Dark Lord has ordered the Death Eaters to recruit those giant spiders. If I were you, I wouldn't keep messing with them. Be careful, because those things are worth a lot, and the Death Eaters won't take kindly to you poaching their allies."
Pocival caught the unspoken warning and shrugged nonchalantly, handing the completed note back to Aburforth.
"I was just testing my luck in the forest. Besides, it's not like those spiders are exclusive to the Death Eaters."
As for the Death Eaters, he didn't particularly care. If things went sour, he could always take his business elsewhere. There were plenty of other black markets in Europe besides Hogsmeade.
If Hogsmeade's reputation took a hit, no one would want to come here anymore.
"I just heard that someone punched that idiot, Rolf, and knocked him flat."
A burly, blond-haired Death Eater strode towards them, his wand already drawn and pressed against the head of the outsider Aburforth had been chatting with.
"Good afternoon, Robert." Aburforth greeted the newcomer.
"I just heard about it."
The man named Robert narrowed his eyes at the owner of the Hog's Head, issuing a cold warning, "If I were you, Aburforth, I'd keep my mouth shut."
"I'm just trying to prevent you lot from ruining my business." Aburforth was unfazed by Robert's threat.
"Hand over the Eight-Eyed Giant Spider venom, sir."
Ignoring Aburforth, Robert fixed his gaze on the stranger, "Those spiders are currently our allies. Killing and selling them on the side isn't allowed here. If there's a next time, it won't be me coming to remind you—it'll be the Dementors.
“You shouldn't be robbing my customers.” Aburforth scoffed, his lip curling in disdain. “If you have a private matter to settle, take it outside.”
“Shut up, Aburforth.” Robert glared angrily at the bartender, his wand pointed at the captive outsider. “Do I need to repeat myself, sir?” “No!”
The outsider shrugged and handed the bottle to the Death Eater named Robert.
The latter was quite pleased with the outsider's compliance and reached out to take the bottle. However, the outsider suddenly let go, allowing the bottle to fall to the ground.
The bottle of spider venom didn't shatter, merely rolling a few times on the floor.
Robert's expression froze as he found himself at the wrong end of a wand. The next second, the unfortunate Death Eater was sent flying across the bar, creating quite a ruckus.
"Are all Death Eaters this pathetic?"
Pocival straightened his disheveled clothes, looking down at Robert with contempt. He waved his wand, pinning the struggling Death Eater to the ground.
The patrons of the Hog's Head went wild, well aware that the obnoxious Robert had finally met his match.
Amidst the cheers, applause, and jeers, Aburforth reminded the outsider from behind the bar, "Don't kill him, or you'll surely be in trouble."
"What trouble?" Pocival scoffed. "The worst that can happen is that I won't come here again. There are other black markets in Europe besides Hogsmeade. Who does he think he is, trying to rob me?"
Pocival strode forward, looking down at the Death Eater with contempt. A cruel smile curved his lips as he said, "You know, I hate being robbed more than anything."
With that, he lifted his foot and stomped on Robert's hand, grinding his heel down viciously.
"You worthless piece of scum."
After immobilizing Robert with a spell, Pocival raised his foot and stomped on his face, venting his anger and hatred.
"I suggest you stop now," Aburforth said, frowning. "I don't want Dementors coming here and scaring away my customers."
Aburforth was concerned that the outsider was taking things too far, and he didn't want any trouble in his pub.
"Consider yourself lucky," Pocival said, stepping back.
The outsider crouched down and began searching Robert's body for his valuables. He had already decided that he would leave Britain immediately afterward.
As for retaliation?
He wasn't worried.
While the Death Eaters were influential in the British wizarding world, their reach didn't extend much beyond its borders, and he didn't believe for a second that Voldemort would go to the trouble of chasing him abroad. As for this particular Death Eater, he wouldn't dare.
In his opinion, these so-called Death Eaters were nothing but bullies riding on Voldemort's coattails, and they weren't even worthy of shining his shoes.
Suddenly, a jet of light hit Pocival, sending him flying and overturning a nearby table.
The commotion in the pub came to an abrupt halt as all eyes turned to the entrance. Three figures had just rushed in—a Death Eater responsible for Hogsmeade's security and two dark wizards.
However, before the one who had just struck Pocival could even savor his moment of triumph, a flash of blinding green light hit him, wiping the smug look off his face and replacing it with sheer terror.
The Death Eater was dead, killed by the Avada Kedavra curse, his fear forever etched on his face. As for the two dark wizards who had accompanied him, they were quickly taken care of as well.
"That really stung!"
Pocival climbed to his feet from behind the overturned table, straightened his clothes, and waved his wand, causing the table legs to impale the unfortunate man he had knocked down earlier.
The patrons of the Hog's Head were stunned into silence. They couldn't comprehend how this stranger dared to do such a thing, brazenly taking valuables from a Death Eater and then disappearing right before their eyes with a Disillusionment Charm.
Wow! The pub erupted into chaos as everyone tried to figure out who this mysterious wizard was. How dare he be so bold as to kill two Death Eaters in plain sight without batting an eyelid? This was big news! Since Hogsmeade had turned into a black market, there had never been such a brazen act of defiance against Voldemort and his Death Eaters.
However, today, the Death Eaters had been ruthlessly slaughtered, their faces metaphorically and literally smashed in, and their false sense of superiority shattered. It was as if someone was telling the world that they were nothing but bullies hiding behind Voldemort's name.
The news spread like wildfire through Hogsmeade, and many dark wizards chose to leave, wanting to avoid the impending storm. They all knew that the Death Eaters wouldn't let this slide.
Yaxley only learned about the incident the next day, and he was furious. If they couldn't use the bodies to intimidate the other dark wizards in Hogsmeade, similar incidents would surely follow.
However, the wizard named Pocival had already fled, and they had no idea where to find him.
Yaxley had no choice but to publicize the incident and offer a bounty, hoping that the lure of Galleons would bring the culprit to justice.
But he had no idea that this incident had completely exposed the Death Eaters' true nature.
While outsiders might fear Voldemort's power, they didn't fear his followers.
And once a dam breaks, there's no stopping the flood.
Ever since Hogsmeade had become a black market, the arrogant Death Eaters had made plenty of enemies.
Now that the waters had been muddied, everyone with a grudge came out of the woodwork. The once relatively peaceful Hogsmeade descended into chaos, and it seemed that neither side could back down.
Yaxley was seething with rage.
He didn't dare involve Voldemort in such matters, and with most of their forces searching for the Order of the Phoenix, the Death Eaters were stretched thin and couldn't spare any manpower to deal with the influx of foreign dark wizards.
Those who dared to venture into the black market were truly fearless and could be considered true dark wizards.
They were in a different league from these bullies who only preyed on the weak.
Of course, the recent deaths of several Death Eaters at the hands of outsiders didn't help matters, and it seemed that someone was deliberately targeting them.
Yaxley's suspicions were correct; someone was indeed stirring up trouble for the Death Eaters in Hogsmeade.
Even Albert was surprised at how one-sided the situation had become. He had expected a back-and-forth struggle, but this?
Were the Death Eaters just going to roll over and give up?
This wouldn't do.
If Hogsmeade didn't descend into complete anarchy, how could he proceed with his plans?
(End of Chapter)
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