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Chapter 1405: A Cruel Choice
Chapter 1405: A Cruel Choice
Of course, Albert didn't think Ollivander would know any more secrets, but the signs indicated that there was some sort of special connection between the two wands, and this unique link was likely the key to Harry's victory over Voldemort. Now that this crucial key had been destroyed by Harry himself, it left a lingering sense of unease in many, including Ollivander.
"A similar opportunity won't present itself again, and Voldemort isn't foolish," Albert said, shattering Ollivander's unrealistic thoughts. "After suffering a setback, he'll surely first uncover the reason behind the backfire between the two wands."
As if seeing through Ollivander's thoughts, Albert spoke up.
Harry was waiting outside, and the two turned into an empty room next to them. Their conversation was soon interrupted by hurried knocking on the door.
Hermione and Ron appeared, requesting Albert's presence to discuss handling the capture of Mundungus.
"That guy is probably beyond saving," Albert said, providing an excuse not to rescue Mundungus. "With Voldemort's methods, after being forced to undergo Legilimency and having his mind probed, his entire being is likely ruined. Even if he's not dead, he's not far from it." In truth, he never intended to rescue Mundungus, with or without this excuse.
They were more concerned about the serious consequences of this incident, especially after Voldemort's return to Britain and his personal descent. Without a powerful wizard like Albert to help hold off Voldemort, the members of the Order of the Phoenix would undoubtedly face certain death if they encountered him.
Yes, Voldemort intended to wipe them out.
Fueled by mutual hatred, it had become a battle to the death.
Hence, they anxiously sought Albert's counsel, discussing not only strategies but also ways to cope with the impact of Voldemort's return to Britain.
Everyone was equally concerned that, with Voldemort's backing, the Death Eaters would rampantly increase the number of Inferi, leading to massive casualties among British Muggles and possibly exposing the wizarding world to them.
However, Albert felt that the members of the Order of the Phoenix had no clear understanding of the situation. Their worries were entirely unnecessary.
Ever since Voldemort gained control of the British Ministry of Magic, anything could happen.
The best course of action for the Order of Phoenix at this point was to lie low and bide their time.
During this period of waiting for the final battle, there were still many things they could do, such as helping to train members of Dumbledore's Army to resist the Death Eaters.
As for the British wizarding world, it had fallen under the control of the Death Eaters from the very beginning.
They could sense the changes brought about by Voldemort's return to Britain, but they couldn't adapt to them, or perhaps they were unwilling to let go of the slight advantage they had gained previously.
Albert didn't bother to explain the situation to those members of the Order of the Phoenix who didn't understand. Before leaving, he only asked Sirius and the others to help nurture the students in the sanctuary and guide Harry in mastering the Blasting Curse. As for those who wanted to coerce him into fighting Voldemort, Albert could only say they were thinking too much; he was certainly not the self-sacrificial type.
After that, Harry sought out Albert once more, wanting to talk further about the previous night's events.
However, Albert didn't wait for Harry to speak and instead brought up the subject of the Blasting Curse.
Ultimately, using Felix Felicis might enable Harry to wield the Blasting Curse in a short period, but it was still unreliable, and the upper limit of its effectiveness depended on the individual.
Harry had heard similar words from Albert several times and immediately indicated that he would continue to learn the Blasting Curse.
"You don't seem too keen on the idea of invading Gringotts to find and destroy the Horcruxes, do you?" Harry was somewhat puzzled as to why Albert wasn't willing to help. If he did, the chances of success would undoubtedly increase by several folds.
"I believe you will succeed because your luck is better than mine," Albert said, seeing through Harry's thoughts. This group always wanted to use him as free labor, expecting him to shoulder their burdens, whether it was the Order of the Phoenix or Harry himself. They either thought he was omnipotent or saw him as an easy mark.
Harry was left speechless by these words, but when he thought of the invitation from the Order of the Phoenix, he could understand Albert's annoyance and didn't dwell on the topic further. Instead, he asked about the previous night's events, suspecting that the strange connection between his wand and Voldemort's wand might be due to the fragment of Voldemort's soul that had latched onto him.
"I think along the same lines as you," Albert said. "It's likely related to your wands."
"However..."
"However what?" Harry asked, his curiosity piqued.
Albert gently tapped his finger on his forehead and continued, "I suspect that even if you were to use a different wand, something extraordinary would still occur. At the very least, it has to do with the scar on your forehead. The power of the Dark Lord is keeping you safe from being killed by him, and of course, there's also the power your mother left behind. He used your blood to resurrect himself, which has resulted in a closer connection between the two of you."
"So, this was also your assurance? If the Dark Lord wanted to kill me with his own hands, it wouldn't be an easy task, and it would only give me more chances to escape from him," Harry realized, his eyes widening.
"Didn't expect that to be the truth?" Harry said, reaching up to touch the lightning-bolt scar on his forehead. "You're right, that guy is pretty stupid. If he had let another Death Eater kill me, I probably would've been dead by now."
"Yes, so his decision to kill you himself to showcase his power was a mistake," Albert agreed.
"So, it was the Dark Lord who protected me all along. What irony!" Harry couldn't help but feel a sense of dark humor in the situation.
"He's not necessarily stupid," Albert explained. "He just doesn't understand these hidden intricacies. He wanted to kill you to assert his authority and intimidate the other Death Eaters."
"But why did he give up then?" Harry inquired, his brow furrowed.
"He probably feels that I'm more dangerous, so he's not willing to waste any more time on you!" Albert stated matter-of-factly.
"Indeed." Harry nodded, his eyes narrowing as the pieces fell into place.
"You still have a chance, Potter." Albert suddenly said, his voice taking on a more serious tone.
"What chance?" Harry asked, his heart skipping a beat.
"A chance to live," Albert replied, his eyes gleaming with a mysterious light. "So, you don't need to be too pessimistic. The connection between you and the Dark Lord is very close, and it presents certain opportunities." He paused, his eyes flicking to the scar on Harry's forehead. "As long as the Dark Lord uses the Avada Kedavra curse to kill you, you will still have a chance to survive..."
"Are you saying..." Harry's eyes lit up, and he reached up to touch the lightning-shaped scar on his forehead. "Are you saying that the fragment of the Dark Lord's soul attached to me will die in my stead?"
If possible, no one would willingly choose to die.
This undoubtedly gave Harry a glimmer of hope.
"Yes, but I can't guarantee anything," Albert said, his voice softening.
"I want to believe you," Harry said, his voice filled with determination.
"If the Dark Lord truly kills you with his own hands, he will also suffer a heavy blow in a short period of time. It has something to do with his Horcruxes being destroyed. That moment will be the best chance to end everything, and it's also what Dumbledore asked me to do," Albert explained, his eyes never leaving Harry's face.
"Did Dumbledore foresee all of this?" Harry asked, suddenly feeling a pang of pity for Voldemort.
Even the infamous Dark Lord had his fate orchestrated by others! "No, it was me who foresaw it," Albert corrected, his voice firm. "As long as you can complete your task, victory will be ours."
"I will," Harry said, a slight curve forming at the corners of his mouth. "Even if I die because of it, I won't regret it! As long as I can take the Dark Lord down with me, I will have no regrets."
"Who...who's there?"
Albert waved his wand, and the door to the room swung open. Ginny stood there, looking anxious and uncertain.
"Harry, is what Albert said true?" Ginny's eyes were misty, and she looked at Harry with a pleading gaze. "How much did you hear?"
"What?" Ginny looked at Albert, her eyes clouded with confusion. When she met his gaze, she shivered involuntarily.
"How much did you overhear?" Albert repeated, his voice calm.
"I...I only heard Harry's last sentence," Ginny stammered, her cheeks flushing.
"Good, you're not lying." Albert stared into Ginny's eyes for a moment, then turned to Harry and said, "She's your responsibility now."
"Wait!" Harry called out, feeling incredibly frustrated as he watched Albert leave without another word. He turned to Ginny, at a loss for what to say.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have eavesdropped," Harry apologized, his eyes filled with guilt.
Ginny bit her lip and said, "I don't regret it."
Outside the room, Albert looked at Hermione and asked, "Why did you do that?"
"I think Ginny has the right to know the truth," Hermione replied, her eyes steady. "Otherwise, it would be too cruel for her. And you didn't stop her, so you must have agreed, too."
It was undeniable that Albert had tacitly allowed Ginny to overhear part of their conversation.
"Sometimes, it's better to let things be. Forcing an issue can do more harm than good," Albert said, not intending to linger. He quietly left the sanctuary, his footsteps silent.
(End of Chapter)
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