Chapter 1372: A Moment of Silence
Chapter 1372: A Moment of Silence
"Is the Wizarding War finally coming to an end?"
Albert's mischievous hands paused on his fair skin as he asked softly, "Why do you say that?"
"If the Wizarding War wasn't coming to an end, you probably wouldn't have chosen to deal a heavy blow to those Death Eaters at this time." Isabelle had a hunch as she listened to Albert casually chatting about a few major events that had taken place in the British magical community.
Isabelle had always been an intelligent woman, more perceptive than most wizards in many ways. Moreover, she not only understood every inch of Albert's skin but also his style of doing things.
"Not that soon, probably another year or so. Once the issue with Horcruxes is resolved, the war will also be nearing its end."
"That's still pretty soon."
Isabelle held Albert's hand and gently placed it on her lap.
"Yeah, soon," Albert murmured. "After the war is over, we can go back to living the life we want."
"Katrina should be very happy. She's never liked staying... To be honest, I'm really surprised that you would even care." Isabelle stared at Albert's handsome face and smiled as she reminded him, "Don't let what you have slip through the cracks."
"I'm just... a bit at a loss."
Albert didn't want to discuss this embarrassing issue and stiffly changed the subject. "Things in Britain will probably be turbulent again soon, and who knows how long they'll stay crazy this time."
"Dear, you're so adorable."
Isabelle cupped Albert's face and kissed him. "The night is still young. We can sleep later; we don't have anything to do tomorrow anyway!"
"I truly don't mind; you know that," Albert emphasized again.
"But I do mind. Mom is a case in point. She actually wanted someone to carry on the McDougall surname, and that's one of the reasons she tacitly approved." Isabelle said with a smile, "She's quite satisfied with you."
"Because I'm excellent enough," Albert muttered.
"Of course, that's one of the reasons." Isabelle turned over and straddled Albert, leaning down to whisper in his ear with a voice still warm, "But men always need to be satisfied, especially when there are pretty girls around. I have to feed you first."
"You should have confidence in me," Albert said, raising an eyebrow.
"I do have confidence in you, but I don't have confidence in others." A shadow flashed in Isabelle's eyes as she recently learned some bad news.
"I always feel like you're hiding something from me," Albert said suspiciously.
"It's not me hiding it from you."
Isabelle blocked Albert's mouth again, intending to discuss other matters with him.
The next day, the young couple got up early for morning practice as usual.
After breakfast, Albert prepared to go to the headquarters of the Defense Association.
Katrina watched the disappearing figure and turned back to the radiant Isabelle, murmuring, "The Time-Turner shouldn't be used like that."
"The war is likely to end within the next year, and then you can do what you want." Isabelle put the well-fed Alice back in the baby carriage.
"We've lost count of how many times we've had similar conversations," Katrina said with a slight lift of her eyebrows.
"We have talked about it a lot," Isabelle agreed.
Isabelle didn't mind and shared with her sister what Albert had said about the major event last night.
"Isn't that a good thing?"
Katrina also believed that the Death Eaters' plight was entirely due to Albert's mischief.
"Not necessarily for you," Isabelle reminded her.
"I'm truly surprised," Katrina said, lifting an eyebrow. "This doesn't seem like your style. Has something happened?"
After all, no one liked to share their food, and Isabelle was no exception.
"I recently discovered a rather unpleasant big secret." Isabelle's expression was quite complex.
Albert wasn't sure what the big secret Isabelle was referring to was either. Soon after he arrived at the headquarters of the Defense Association, Shana showed up with trouble.
"So, the wizards who were left in another shelter are unhappy with their situation?" Albert wasn't surprised by this; humans were complex creatures, especially when they knew they were being treated differently.
"Yes, they are...ungrateful." Shana chose her words carefully.
"That means they no longer need our care." Albert put down his quill and looked up at Shana, "Let's bring back those who were left in the shelter. I think Britain's wizarding community will be quite unsafe for a while, so there's no need to stay out there any longer."
"Are they going to die?"
Shana understood Albert's meaning—let them fend for themselves.
After all, they weren't babysitters, and sometimes people needed to face the harsh realities of life on their own.
And often, a batch of people would die because Death Eaters were ruthless and would not give them a chance to regret their choices.
"So, we're just going to abandon them like that?"
Neville's eyes were filled with confusion and disbelief as he watched the few people who had previously agreed to join the Defense Association leave the shelter.
"We're not their nannies." Kenneth said coldly, "Giving them a reminder is the greatest kindness we can offer. Don't expect to convince others, especially when faced with harsh realities."
As he finished speaking, he gestured for Hannah to call over the other wizards taking refuge to witness the fate of those who had left.
"Why aren't we saving them?"
As they watched the unlucky few get ambushed and dragged away by Death Eaters the moment they stepped out, the stunned wizards finally couldn't help but ask.
"I already warned them, but they insisted on their path. What do you expect me to do?" Kenneth asked, his expressionless face infuriating the wizards around him.
"You shouldn't be angry with me, but with the enemy. Only cowards vent their anger on their own people." Kenneth coldly scanned the thirty or so adults in the room, reminding them, "You are all adults and can make your own judgments. We can only give you advice, whether or not you take it is your business. If your choices put you in danger, don't expect anyone to risk their lives to save you. If you die, it's your own fault. Just like those people, don't call us heartless. Think about the warning I gave earlier—they rushed headlong into their deaths. What else could I have done?"
"Are they really going to die? Won't they just be..."
"The Death Eaters and the Death Eaters have been enraged. I estimate that they will be brutally interrogated and tortured before they die."
"Do you have to be so blunt?" Hannah looked at the group of pale-faced adult wizards and soothed them like a child, "This shelter is very safe and has always been protected by the Fidelius Charm. The Death Eaters can't get in."
"Let them face reality. This is war, not a game. I estimate that there will be even more who won't listen on the other side, and their deaths will be even more tragic." Kenneth glanced at Hannah and added, "Also, you're still a student yourself."
With that, he turned and walked away.
The more you say, the less they want to listen. Only when you show indifference will they strive to find answers and accept reality on their own.
This was what Albert often referred to as 'asking for trouble'.
Sometimes Kenneth felt that Albert truly saw through people.
"Get some rest and take care of your health first." Hannah reassured them casually, "At least there are no Dementors here, and you won't go hungry."
The group exchanged bewildered glances, suddenly feeling lost.
In fact, as Kenneth had predicted, a cruel massacre was taking place outside another shelter.
After receiving a message from the Defense Association headquarters, the members followed the usual procedure and gave a final reminder and warning to the wizards who were still causing trouble. Then, with the help of house-elves, they evacuated the premises.
A group of wizards who didn't heed the advice were ambushed by Death Eaters as soon as they left the shelter.
Instead of taking them to Azkaban, the Death Eaters tortured and killed them with the Cruciatus Curse right in front of the survivors, intending to lure out their prey with this brutal display.
This series of tragedies eventually became a less-than-five-minute broadcast on the Wizarding Wireless Network the next day. Only those who had experienced it could truly understand the cruelty behind Lee Jordan's brief description.
"...Unfortunately, yesterday, 28 wizards ignored advice and insisted on leaving their place of refuge. They were unfortunately ambushed by Dark Wizards and met their tragic end. Let us observe a moment of silence for the deceased..."
(End of Chapter)
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