https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1518-Acting-on-One-s-Own-Impulse/12528500/
Chapter 1517: Welding the Car Doors Shut
Chapter 1517: Welding the Car Doors Shut
"This is so boring, I shouldn't have come here."
At that moment, in a house near the safe house, dozens of members of the Defense Association who had followed Kingsley were patiently awaiting the outcome.
"Do you think they'll start fighting?"
"Don't be ridiculous. If a fight breaks out, we won't have the upper hand either."
"I don't think those Aurors will have the courage to stand up and resist the Death Eaters with us."
Everyone was aware of Kingsley's plan, which was why they were there. However, it was hard to say if they could force those Aurors to join them.
"I wonder how Harry will persuade them?"
"Who knows."
Their hushed whispers were interrupted by a series of crackling sounds, and Harry appeared with his house-elf, Dobby.
The group immediately surrounded them, and Harry felt like he had flies buzzing in his ears due to the barrage of curious questions.
"Quiet!"
Cedric raised his voice to hush the noisy crowd.
"Harry, why are you alone? Where are Hermione and Ron?" he asked, furrowing his brows.
"Hermione and Ron are dealing with the effects of Polyjuice Potion. I came here first to handle the situation, and we'll meet up at Hogwarts later," Harry explained.
Harry couldn't have shown up in someone else's form, but thankfully, Albert had prepared a way to counteract the Polyjuice Potion, although the process was a bit troublesome.
"It looks like you were successful."
Cedric didn't know what Harry, Hermione, and Ron had been up to at Gringotts, but he knew it was a crucial part of defeating Voldemort. Their success was a relief, indicating that tonight's plan was still on track.
"Yes, we were. What's the situation here? Hasn't Kingsley convinced the Aurors yet?" Harry asked.
After destroying Hufflepuff's cup, Harry felt a weight lift from his shoulders. All he had to do now was face his sacrificial death to fulfill his mission.
"Kingsley is still in the safe house. I assume they're waiting for you," Cedric said, curious about how Harry planned to bring the Aurors on board.
To be honest, Cedric looked down on those cowards a bit, but as Albert had said, it was necessary to bring them along before the final battle with Voldemort. Their participation would significantly increase the survival rate of the others.
Even though the Defense Association was powerful, they only had about forty members. Facing a large number of Death Eaters, they didn't have much of an advantage.
Hence, recruiting allies (cannon fodders) was essential.
"I'll leave Hermione and Ron in your care, Cedric," Harry said, turning to the house-elf. "I'll need some more time here."
"Dobby understands. Dobby will come back to fetch Harry Potter later!" the house-elf squeaked.
"Let's go, then."
After Dobby left, Harry turned to Cedric and asked him to lead the way.
The safe house was located discreetly, and thankfully, Cedric knew how to get in. However, the atmosphere inside was tense, and it seemed like both parties were at a stalemate.
This wasn't surprising, as anyone would instinctively be on guard seeing Harry appear with two dozen fully armed young people.
"It seems you haven't reached an agreement yet?"
Harry greeted Kingsley, breaking the heavy silence in the room.
"We've been waiting for you. Where are Hermione and Ron?" Kingsley asked, relieved to see Harry, as it meant the night's plan was still on course.
"They went on to Hogwarts first," Harry replied.
Harry looked at the Aurors staring at him intently, unfazed by their scrutiny.
"Kingsley said you'd persuade us?" one of the Aurors suddenly spoke up.
"That won't be difficult," Harry said casually.
Without paying further attention to them, Harry turned to Cedric, who immediately understood Harry's intention. After a moment's hesitation, Cedric led the members of the Defense Association outside to stand guard.
Although many were curious about what Harry was about to say, they obediently followed Cedric out of the cramped room.
After all, they knew Harry was about to reveal something significant to convince the Aurors, and by excluding them, Harry was probably trying to spare them potential trouble.
After the door was closed again, Harry turned his attention back to the Aurors, wearing an expression that suggested he knew more than he let on. "I think I know what you're hesitating about, but Kingsley has probably already told you that we've found a way to kill Voldemort."
"There's no need for doubt. I, along with my partners, are indeed working towards killing Voldemort, and the plan is going smoothly, without a doubt."
Before the other Aurors could interject, Harry added meaningfully, "Of course, if you want to know more, I could tell you, but I'm not sure if you can handle the weight of the truth."
"Harry, time is precious right now. Just spit it out," Kingsley said, eager to know the secret.
"Go on, stop being so mysterious," the Aurors urged, leaning in to listen.
"The reason Voldemort has been able to cheat death is that he created several Horcruxes," Harry began.
"Some what?"
"Horcruxes," Harry explained, seeing the confused looks on their faces. "They're dark magic containers that serve the purpose their name suggests—they hold a piece of one's soul."
"In simple terms, it involves separating a fragment of a person's soul from their body and storing it within a container. When the person is killed, their main soul can survive by latching onto the separated fragment, and through certain evil means, they can resurrect themselves. As you might have guessed, I just returned from destroying one of Voldemort's Horcruxes."
"Wait, you said several?"
Harry nodded.
"You mean we have to deal with more than one Voldemort?"
"To be precise, there were six Horcruxes, and Voldemort himself makes seven," Harry clarified.
The number undoubtedly struck a chord of despair.
"So, we need to destroy five... Horcruxes?"
"Not quite," Harry said. "Dumbledore and I have already destroyed five Horcruxes, and the last one is hidden within Hogwarts Castle." Harry surveyed the anxious Aurors in the room. "Currently, Hogwarts is under our control, and I need you to buy me some time. Find and destroy the last Horcrux; otherwise, if Voldemort hides it again, we may never get another chance to kill him."
"If you knew about it, why didn't you destroy it already?"
"We need that Horcrux as bait to lure Voldemort to Hogwarts," Harry explained. "Otherwise, if he realizes that all his Horcruxes have been destroyed, he'll go into hiding, and we'll lose our chance to defeat him."
Seeing the doubt in their eyes, Harry sighed. "This is also the main reason Dumbledore didn't want to tell Scrimgeour. The Ministry's record-keeping is notoriously poor, and if Voldemort found out, we would lose any advantage we have."
"However, the time is right now," Harry continued. "This is the opportunity for the final battle that Albert spoke of, and I think this should be enough to convince you." Kingsley fixed the Aurors with a steely gaze, demanding that they make their decision.
However, no one answered.
The room was filled with the weight of their deliberations.
"Actually, you should also be aware that ever since we learned of Voldemort's secret to eternal life, we've had no choice but to act," Kingsley said, a cold smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Voldemort certainly wouldn't want anyone to know his secret to immortality. You realize you have no choice now."
"You did this on purpose," one of the Aurors said, glaring at Harry, feeling like they had been manipulated.
"You wanted to know," Harry shrugged. "I told you, sometimes the truth is too heavy for some to bear."
"Also, let me remind you, don't even think about trying to make your own Horcruxes," Harry added. "Splitting your soul will only drive you insane, and without Voldemort's level of skill, you'll likely fail to resurrect even if you create a Horcrux. In the end, you'll only suffer the curse of the Horcrux, living a pathetic existence like a mayfly."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
