Chapter 1380: Sir, Times Have Changed
Chapter 1380: Sir, Times Have Changed
"Alright, that was easy!"
Lee Jordan clapped his hands, looking down at the sprawled and disheveled members of the Investigative Action Team strewn on the ground below, satisfied with his latest accomplishment.
As expected, compared to the Defense Association members who had undergone formal combat training, the lambs in school were indeed weak, pitiful, and helpless.
Of course, the most important thing was to let them experience the kind of pleasure, both physical and mental, that came from crushing weak opponents.
Bullying the weak was fun.
"Stop toying with them; let's go help Arthur and the others!"
Dumbledore had an urge to facepalm. He had been cautious of the Investigative Action Team, but Lee Jordan had used a cheap inflatable doll to create a distraction, luring and capturing all the team members in one fell swoop. This was the first time he felt that their enemies were incredibly stupid.
"Don't worry, Fred and George will definitely find a way to rescue them. Actually, the most troublesome part of this operation isn't dealing with this bunch of waste, but convincing the rescued hostages." Lee Jordan was never worried about the mission going awry. Those two had often ventured out to mess with Dark Wizards in the past, so they had ample combat experience. There was no need for concern, especially with the help of numerous Defense Association members and the live-feed map. Those Death Eaters wouldn't be able to stir up much trouble.
"Maybe the biggest problem on their end will be not having enough Dark Wizard heads to share." Lee Jordan shrugged at his companions, "It's rare for us to participate in an action like this. If we don't defeat any enemies, I'm sure we'll be feeling blue for a long time after returning."
The group that had just finished bullying the weak with Lee Jordan couldn't help but laugh, except for Dumbledore, who felt a bit bewildered.
Things unfolded as Lee Jordan had predicted. To more efficiently complete the sweep of the surrounding Dark Wizards (and claim their heads), Fred and George decided to temporarily split up the team and deal with the Dark Wizards lying in ambush in the castle, intending to capture Dumbledore's army.
Although the enemies had detected their presence and caused some trouble, when faced with such skilled and cheating opponents, the level of skill displayed by these Dark Wizards wasn't much better than that of ordinary wizards.
Especially when both sides used Disillusionment Charms to hide themselves and prepare ambushes, the Defense Association members, who were adept at using such spells to ambush others, were clearly more adept at it than most Dark Wizards.
The Weasley twins, in particular, had extensive experience in dealing with enemies.
Those Dark Wizards, who thought they were well-hidden, were ultimately taken down with ease by the Defense Association members using various unsportsmanlike tactics.
After the Dark Wizards were knocked out one by one, the Weasley brothers finally led their team toward the dungeons of the castle.
The five hostages held captive here had never been tortured from the start. Apparently, the rumors that they were suffering under the Cruciatus Curse were false, spread with the intention of luring their children, hiding in the Room of Requirement, out of hiding.
Of course, it was also possible that the Dark Wizards had released false information.
"So it really is like that!"
Looking at the four men and one woman talking to Mr. Weasley, Fred and George exchanged glances, both seeing the same trace of uncontrollable disdain in each other's eyes.
"Alright, this isn't a good place to chat. Let's leave first." Fred and George spoke in unison, interrupting the conversation.
An eerie silence fell upon the dungeon.
One of the ladies wanted to say something more, but she was hit by a red spell and fell to the ground, unconscious.
"Hurry up."
George, who had just opened the briefcase, reminded with a slightly raised eyebrow.
"What?"
Just as the other hostages present were still filled with bewilderment, they saw the people around them point their wands at them.
The next moment, the four hostages were engulfed by the Stunning Spell.
"It's not safe here, and we don't have much time to convince them. I think you know that, so don't hesitate."
George looked at the bewildered Mr. Weasley and, after hesitating for a moment, whispered, "If necessary, we will even abandon them directly. We won't let their stupidity harm us."
Mr. Weasley fell into a long silence. He also realized that trying to persuade them from the beginning was a foolish act. No wonder Albert always knocked people out first when rescuing them.
That way, there was no need to waste words, and efficiency could be improved.
"So it really is like that. I really don't know why they would compromise with the Death Eaters and harm their own children." Lee Jordan and his team also arrived, looking at the hostages being loaded into the briefcases, and he couldn't help but sigh, "Don't they know that the Death Eaters' words can't be trusted?"
"They just don't have a choice."
Arthur sighed, clearly understanding why they had made such a decision. It was all in the hopes of getting a stable job at the Ministry of Magic.
As for who controlled the Ministry, it wasn't that important to most wizards as long as they received their salaries on time.
"Let's leave first."
Cedric stopped this meaningless exchange. After putting the hostages into the briefcases, they took turns getting into the briefcases themselves and were then carried directly back to the Room of Requirement by the house-elves.
Once they returned, everyone could breathe a sigh of relief, and the rescue operation would be considered a success.
The room buzzed with excited chatter as people discussed the spoils of their mission. Those who had finally gotten the chance to participate didn't forget to mock the Death Eaters for being too weak.
"I've already sent messages to Sirius, Lupin, and Kingsley. They'll be joining us here soon."
Shana seemed to be in a good mood. In her opinion, the successful completion of this rescue mission was, without a doubt, a great victory.
However, the group's cheerful mood was soon shattered by a heated argument. Evidently, not everyone was willing to accept their rescue.
Among them was Seamus' mother, Mrs. Finnigan.
Shouting at each other under the strange gazes of countless onlookers, Seamus ultimately failed to convince his mother.
What an idiot! And thus, Mrs. Finnigan was branded an idiot by most of those present.
In their opinion, it was incredibly foolish to believe Voldemort and the Death Eaters, only to turn around and harm one's own child.
Even if one's brain had been squeezed by a door, it would still be difficult to do such a thing.
However, most adults, once they believed they were in the right, were usually hard to persuade.
The simplest solution they could take was the one Shana had suggested earlier during their break.
If they couldn't convince the relatives to join them in standing against the mysterious man, then they should send them away from Britain, far from this place of right and wrong.
Any wizard who remained in Hogwarts had already been dragged into this war, there was no such thing as staying neutral.
Those who thought they could remain neutral and protect themselves were simply those who had not yet been affected by the war.
"It seems you need help!" George glanced at his watch and offered kindly, "I suggest you deal with this problem as soon as possible to avoid further complications. Don't forget, your family is still at home. If the Death Eaters find out what happened here at Hogwarts, who knows what they'll do. Don't look at me like that, this isn't a threat. The Death Eaters have zero credibility, they're capable of anything."
"I won't leave Britain..."
Mr. Michael was about to say something more, but his son pointed his wand at him.
"Alright, I understand what you're trying to say, but I have to disagree. Maintaining neutrality is foolish. Go ask the mysterious man and the Death Eaters if they'll respect your neutrality." Michael fired a red spell from his wand, knocking his father unconscious, and muttered, "I'm sorry, but I think it's best for you and Mom to leave the country for a while. Come back after the Wizarding War is over!"
"At least, your family is still alive and well." Bones patted Michael on the shoulder in consolation.
Michael's actions certainly shocked the other relatives! "Don't look at me like that, I'm just making the right choice for him." Michael noticed the astonished gazes of the others and shrugged, explaining, "Those who believed the Death Eaters' lies before ended up in the underworld during the recent Hogsmeade skirmish. I just want my family to survive, that's all."
"Don't be stupid, do you really think the Death Eaters will let you off the hook if you try to stay neutral?" Hannah thought these people were incredibly foolish.
"Just like those twenty-eight unlucky souls," Michael glanced at the Weasley twins, not bothering to hide his words, "They were already branded the moment they were rescued. So, give up those foolish fantasies. The Death Eaters will never let us off easily."
"You're wrong," Shana corrected kindly, "Their deaths had more to do with their own choices and the brutality of the Death Eaters. They chose to leave, so they had to take responsibility for their actions. We had warned them, but they didn't listen. We can't be blamed for their choices."
"After all, they were adults, responsible for their own decisions. We can't baby-sit them. As for those twenty-eight unfortunate souls, we did try to remind them, but they refused to listen. We couldn't possibly force them to stay, that would have been a thankless task."
"As Albert once said, those who seek death have no value to be saved." Shana smiled at the remaining four relatives and continued, "If you don't even have the courage to resist, I suggest you leave Britain temporarily and hide. That way, the mysterious man and the Death Eaters won't bother to find you. Of course, if you want to stay, I suggest you join us in standing against the mysterious man."
Mrs. Finnigan pointed at Shana, so angry she couldn't speak.
"The Portkey to leave Britain will cost you fifty galleons." Fred suddenly spoke up, his words making the others even more depressed.
"Actually, it's up to you how you want to proceed. We're just offering some suggestions, not forcing you to make a choice." George explained with a smile.
"They're here." Shana suddenly spoke up.
Lee Jordan immediately went to open the door to the Room of Requirement to let Sirius, Lupin, and Kingsley in.
"If you want to leave Hogwarts, it's best to come with us." Cedric offered kindly.
He knew that the more they tried to explain, the less willing these relatives would be to listen. People were stubborn that way, often rejecting the most correct advice.
After the door to the Room of Requirement opened, Sirius and Lupin entered, both looking a bit dejected. Kingsley greeted Lee Jordan and then stepped into the room, closing the door behind him.
"Did you fail?" Diggory asked.
"Snape escaped through the fireplace." Lupin explained to the group.
"We should leave as soon as possible. I'm worried Wormtail will gather a bunch of Death Eaters and come back for revenge." Sirius warned.
"We'll leave in ten minutes."
Shana began making arrangements and giving instructions for their departure.
"You're right, staying alive is the most important thing!"
Seamus muttered, raising his wand and stunning Mrs. Finnigan.
(End of Chapter)
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