Chapter 1518: Acting on One's Own Impulse
Chapter 1518: Acting on One's Own Impulse
"Severus, any news from the Dark Lord?"
Yaxley was under immense pressure, especially after receiving the news that Snape had brought earlier. He had chosen not to reinforce Voldemort with their forces but remained steadfast in his position.
A voice in his heart kept telling him that the Mudblood would likely fail to harm the Dark Lord, and it was more crucial to keep a close eye on the Auror forces formed by the European countries. He must not give them any opportunity to gain an advantage.
"No, but I've sent people to gather intelligence."
Snape glanced at the Dark Mark on his arm and murmured, "Before I came here, I paid a visit to the Dementors. With those Dementors causing chaos, the Dark Lord should be safe, and at the very least, he can escape if things go awry."
"Everything tonight feels sinister." Aleecto Carrow pushed open the door and entered the temporary war room.
"What's the situation?" Yaxley asked.
"We couldn't find the Dark Lord. The mansion has completely vanished, leaving only a huge crater in its place." Aleecto couldn't fathom what kind of battle could have caused such a ruckus.
"What about the Dementors?" Snape suddenly asked.
"I inquired with the Dementors, and it seems the Dark Lord emerged victorious. But... the Dark Lord soon left using Disapparition."
The Death Eaters in the room couldn't understand what Voldemort was thinking. Why wasn't he reuniting with them to crush the foreign Auror forces?
"You mentioned that the members of the Order of the Phoenix and the Defense Association are occupying Hogwarts. Do you think they're really waiting for the Auror forces to join them?" Aleecto muttered, "It feels more like a decoy. Those guys are probably plotting something else."
"Regardless of their plans, we can't let them succeed." Yaxley, however, had faith in Voldemort.
"No, that's not what I'm talking about..."
Before Aleecto could finish her sentence, the door was crashed open again, and Walton McNair rushed in.
"We've likely been deceived!"
The Auror Office Director looked flustered as he impatiently shared the latest intelligence he had received.
"My sources just revealed some shocking news. The so-called Auror forces from Europe are a trap. Those Aurors are just putting on a show to make us suspect that they intend to intervene in Britain. In reality, they're helping the Order of the Phoenix stall us."
"Are you certain that your source isn't under the Imperius Curse?" Aleecto interrupted, "Don't forget, our enemy is the despicable and treacherous Albert Anderson. We can't be sure if he's feeding us false information to lead us into a trap."
"As things stand, the Auror forces from the European countries pose a far greater threat than the motley crew at Hogwarts."
Yaxley and Snape exchanged glances, and together, they silenced the commotion in the room.
"As long as we can hold out through tonight, everything will turn in our favor. As for whatever plot the Order of the Phoenix is hatching at Hogwarts, it has nothing to do with us as long as we ignore them. No matter how grand their scheme is, it won't affect us."
Yaxley's words resonated with the Death Eaters present, but they also knew that things were unlikely to go as smoothly as he suggested.
They couldn't afford to be sandwiched between two fronts; that would spell disaster for them.
"The enemy might not give us enough time. We should find the Dark Lord first."
Snape's proposal gained support from the others. After all, the Dark Lord was their pillar of strength. With him, they could maintain morale and focus their forces on dealing with one side first.
How they wished they could find Voldemort! Unfortunately, they had no idea where he had gone.
The Death Eaters' hearts were filled with resentment, but they dared not voice it, especially at such a critical juncture. Why was the Dark Lord still gallivanting around instead of crushing one side to gain the upper hand? Many matters required his personal decision, and even Yaxley and Snape, his right-hand men, didn't have the authority to act on their own, as they couldn't bear the consequences of failure.
Just then, another person burst into the room.
Everyone turned their heads simultaneously to see the new Minister, Scrimgeour, who was in charge of monitoring the Wizarding Wireless Network.
"What is it, Scrimgeour?" Yaxley asked directly.
"Big news!"
Scrimgeour's face was grim as he shared the latest revelation from the Wizarding Wireless Network.
"It seems likely that the Aurors from the Ministry have turned to the side of the Order of the Phoenix."
The faces of the Death Eaters turned ugly. The Aurors from the Ministry numbered in the dozens, and they were all experienced fighters. If they joined the Order, they would be a formidable force.
The room quickly descended into chaos as the Death Eaters realized the situation was spiraling toward the worst-case scenario.
"It seems like Scrimgeour's plot. That guy knew he would be killed by the Dark Lord, so he used his life to protect those Aurors and secretly told them that this day would come, asking them to join the Order of the Phoenix to fight us." Scrimgeour had assumed those cowards would choose to remain neutral and watch from the sidelines, but he never expected them to be drawn into the fray as well.
As the others were about to respond, they instinctively reached for their arms, feeling the Dark Marks burning on their skin—Voldemort was summoning them.
"What now? Are we going?" someone asked in a lowered voice.
"If we all go, what about this place? Who will stay behind to manage these Dark Wizards? If something unexpected happens, the situation could turn ugly."
"Let's go first. Nothing will happen here for the time being."
Aleecto placed her hand on the Dark Mark and Disapparated.
Of course, they knew, but they dared not take the risk.
"Why won't the Dark Lord come here himself?"
The Death Eaters grumbled in their minds, but seeing Aleecto take the lead, they too Disapparated to Voldemort's side.
Only a few newcomers remained, hesitating.
But one after another, they succumbed to the call of the Dark Mark and Apparated beside their master.
"My Lord."
The Death Eaters gathered around Voldemort like a swarm of large bats.
"It seems everyone is here." Voldemort surveyed his followers and explained the reason for his summons: "I need you to gather our forces and attack Hogwarts."
"My Lord, our people are busy keeping watch over the Auror forces from the European countries. If we want to amass our forces to attack Hogwarts, it will take some time. It might be better for you to lead the attack on the Auror forces instead, my Lord. Crushing them swiftly shouldn't be a problem."
"You're questioning my decision." Voldemort turned to face Yaxley.
The latter immediately lowered his head in submission.
"My Lord, what about the Auror forces from the European countries? If we withdraw our forces, they will surely..."
Before Scrimgeour could finish his sentence, a flash of green light appeared in his eyes.
"Avada Kedavra..."
A jet of green light shot from Voldemort's wand, striking Scrimgeour and taking the life of the Minister, who had tried to offer his input.
This display of power struck fear into the hearts of the Death Eaters, silencing them.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
