Chapter 1508: Saving Snape
Chapter 1508: Saving Snape
"So, you just abandoned Hogwarts and fled back here by yourself?"
Voldemort stared at Snape, who hung his head low, his scarlet eyes flashing with danger. Thankfully, he wasn't foolish enough to fly into a rage and kill Snape on the spot.
"Master, the attack on Hogwarts by the Order of the Phoenix and the Defense Association was premeditated," Snape said, lowering his head further to show humility and deference to Voldemort, hoping to avoid incurring his wrath over the matter of the wand. "Our people were caught off guard and stood no chance against them. I only escaped by breaking through a window when they cornered me."
Undeniably, Snape's words were partly an attempt to shift the blame, but they still left a bad taste in the mouths of the Death Eaters who had remained at headquarters on standby. It wasn't so much the fact that Hogwarts had been occupied by the Order of the Phoenix that troubled them, but rather the implications of the Order and the Defense Association's sudden large-scale operation, which they all understood clearly.
After a bout of whispering, an eerie silence fell over the meeting room.
Snape cautiously lifted his head and, seeing that Voldemort wasn't speaking, waited a little longer before sharing his suspicions. "I believe that today is the day they mentioned in their broadcasts recently..."
"Enough!" Voldemort interrupted impatiently.
He was sorely tempted to find an excuse to get rid of Snape right then and there. Something significant was clearly happening that night, and he needed the power of the Elder Wand. However, Voldemort was also aware that it wouldn't be wise to do so in front of the other Death Eaters; it would only make matters worse.
Just then, there was a knock on the door, and Alecto Carrow entered. She bowed slightly to Voldemort, showing respect for his position as leader, before returning to her seat and beginning her report on the current situation at Hogwarts.
"Master, the Order of the Phoenix has brought a large number of people to seize control of Hogwarts, and even some of the Hogwarts professors have joined them," Alecto said.
Sensing the tense atmosphere in the room, she paused briefly before continuing, "Hogsmeade Village is also under their control. Our people were ambushed, and Severus, I thought you..."
Well! The current situation was certainly not just Snape's personal problem. In the end, they only had a small number of people at Hogwarts, so it was already quite an achievement that Snape and Alecto had managed to escape. Losing control of Hogwarts couldn't be blamed on them, given the vast disparity in numbers between the two sides.
Before Voldemort could fly into a rage, the door to the meeting room was pushed open again, this time by Yaxley. He hurried toward Voldemort and respectfully reported, "Master, the situation doesn't look good. Kingsley and his group are using their broadcasts to call on all witches and wizards in Britain to rise up against us. Moreover, our people have noticed unusual activity from Aurors in other countries. I suspect that the Order of the Phoenix has colluded with foreign Aurors. They're creating such a ruckus now to provide an opportunity for the foreign Auror coalition."
"Oh? So, according to you, they plan to finish us off in one fell swoop?"
Voldemort's expression remained exceptionally calm, but it was all just an act to keep the Death Eaters under control. If Yaxley hadn't guessed wrong, the situation was dire.
For so many things to erupt at once was undoubtedly a targeted strike against him.
But where did they get the confidence that they could succeed, and why would they risk putting all their chips on the table at once?
This didn't fit with Albert Anderson's usual cautious style! This was something Voldemort couldn't understand.
"Yaxley, what's your plan?"
Voldemort turned his gaze toward Yaxley, who had previously mentioned the possibility of such a scenario.
"We do have a similar contingency plan," Yaxley replied. "If the International Confederation of Wizards truly intends to send an Auror coalition to interfere in Britain's affairs, it would be best for us to strike the coalition with lightning speed and cripple them before they can join forces with the Order of the Phoenix. We need to make them retreat and leave Britain of their own accord."
"And then," Yaxley continued after a brief pause, "we can turn our attention back to those at Hogwarts who are jumping for joy." His voice dropped to a whisper as he added, "But this plan requires the Master's personal involvement. Otherwise, it will be difficult for us to make those Aurors back down in a short period."
"Master, I believe this is a carefully orchestrated plot by that Mudblood," Alecto interjected, glancing at Snape. "Only he would create such a spectacle, and everything he does is aimed at us.
"Whether or not this alleged Auror coalition is real, I fear it's all a trap set for us."
"Severus, what are your thoughts?" Voldemort asked, his tone turning amicable as he addressed Snape, almost as if they were back to the time when Snape had killed Dumbledore.
"I believe we should prioritize eliminating the threat of the Auror coalition, but we must also find a way to disrupt Albert Anderson's plans and avoid falling into his traps," Snape replied, his thoughts still clear, though he suspected that the coalition was mostly a ruse.
However, if he were to follow the Death Eaters' train of thought, he should side with Yaxley, as they truly could not afford to lose.
"As long as we aren't interfered with by the International Confederation of Wizards, the group of witches and wizards gathered by the broadcasts will likely scatter, and the Order of the Phoenix and the Defense Association won't be able to stop you on their own, Master."
"Yaxley, I need you to continue sending people from the Ministry to investigate the movements of the Auror coalition." Voldemort turned his gaze to Macnair. "I need you to gather all the Death Eaters and some of the Dark Wizards. This time, we must teach them a harsh lesson and make them understand how foolish it is to meddle in Britain's affairs."
"Yes, Master!"
Just as most of the people in the room were about to leave, Voldemort suddenly called out to Snape, who was also preparing to depart.
"Severus, stay for a moment. I have an important task for you."
The two men locked eyes for a moment, and after all the Death Eaters had left headquarters, Voldemort finally spoke.
"Severus... Do you know why I asked you to stay?"
"No, Master. Is there an important mission that requires my attention?" Snape inquired, though he already knew the reason. He had to feign confusion and ensure that Voldemort didn't detect any flaws in his act, even if it meant risking his life.
"There's a very important task that only you can accomplish, and it will determine whether or not we achieve final victory." Voldemort stroked his wand with his pale fingers. "We are so close... so very close."
"Master, you know I am loyal to you," Snape assured him, reaffirming his allegiance.
Boom! Without any warning, a thunderous explosion rocked the room.
The protective magic shielding Voldemort's headquarters was mercilessly torn apart, and the mansion that served as their base was reduced to rubble by a terrifying force. Those unaware might have thought the area had just been struck by a powerful earthquake.
The sudden "upheaval" didn't end there. It was followed by a series of relentless attacks, leaving the two of them reeling from the onslaught.
The enemy's target wasn't Voldemort, but Snape, who was standing beside him.
Was this an attempt to get rid of Snape in one fell swoop?
It all happened so fast that Voldemort barely had time to process his thoughts. Instinctively, he raised his wand to protect Snape, preventing him from falling to the assault.
"Albert Anderson!" Voldemort recognized his attacker and understood why he was targeting Snape.
That man must have known the secret of the Elder Wand, which was why he was trying to stop Voldemort from fully mastering it! Perhaps he should kill Snape immediately and pin his death on that Mudblood.
Unfortunately, Albert's assault was like a raging storm, leaving Voldemort no room to breathe.
He had to not only resist Albert's fierce attacks but also divert his attention to protecting Snape, ensuring he didn't fall to Albert's curses.
"Go and join the others." Voldemort wanted to get rid of Snape directly, but he couldn't take the risk at the moment.
If Snape were to die at the hands of the Mudblood before him, everything would be lost.
"Yes, Master!" Snape didn't hesitate for a moment, though his expression was unusually complex. After Voldemort blocked a deadly curse aimed at him, Snape disappeared without a trace, using the Disapparition spell.
What remained was a ravaged mansion in ruins, with Voldemort and Albert facing off amidst the wreckage.
The stage was set for the most powerful duel between two wizards in history, and it was about to begin.
(End of Chapter)
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