Chapter 1526: Marching to Death
Chapter 1526: Marching to Death
Most of the time, plans cannot keep up with changes.
Walton McNair, with a number of Dark Wizards far surpassing their opponents, was leading a formidable force towards Hogsmeade Village along with Alecto's impeccable plan, intending to annihilate the rebels entrenched there.
However, soon after the initial clash, the Death Eaters began to show signs of disarray and defeat! No matter what, Walton McNair could not comprehend how the situation had devolved to its current state.
No, this was definitely not his fault! Absolutely not! Things were not at all as Alecto Carrow had described.
This damn Hogsmeade Village had been a meticulously crafted trap set by Albert Anderson specifically for the Dark Wizards.
Indeed.
It was a trap designed to lure them in, and due to their own stupidity and arrogance, they had marched right into it, paying a painful price.
"No, I cannot die yet. Someone must bring news of this place back to the Dark Lord. He must be informed about what has transpired here," McNair muttered to himself.
Although he didn't know why, McNair had a very bad feeling about this. He suspected that everyone had fallen into a carefully woven trap set by Albert Anderson from the very beginning, and there was a high chance that the Dark Lord would perish here! As this thought crossed his mind, a sense of unnamed fear crept into his heart.
Just as McNair was about to act on his impulse to turn and flee, his body suddenly trembled, and he froze in place.
"Since things have come to this point, I will not tolerate failure, nor will I allow anyone to escape or dare to betray the Dark Lord."
Perhaps due to the consecutive failures, Alecto's face twisted into an extremely hideous expression. After quietly using the Imperius Curse to control McNair, she ordered the Death Eaters in charge of commanding and observing the battlefield, along with the remaining few dozen reserves, to launch a final assault.
Although Alecto was aware that even with the remaining Death Eaters joining the fray, it was unlikely to turn the tide of the battle, she still wanted to make one last attempt to see the outcome.
However, their opponent was Albert Anderson, along with the regularly troublesome Defense Association, and as expected, Alecto's forces were met with a wave of backstabs and flanking attacks.
"Isn't that our director?"
"Looks like we'll need a new director for the Auror Office."
Robards, accompanied by several Aurors, blocked McNair's path and swiftly disposed of the unfortunate soul who was under the control of the Imperius Curse.
Displaying bravery similar to McNair's, Alecto directly challenged Albert, the number one big boss. However, unfortunately for her, she did not perish at Albert's hands but was instead backstabbed by Nelson Tobin, filled with knives, and perished.
This renowned Death Eater died with her eyes wide open, her death an extremely frustrating one.
After the battle, apart from the group of Dementors that had been driven away by the Patronuses from the start, none of the hundred or so Death Eaters survived. They were all buried in this damn battle, falling to the schemes of a Mudblood whom they considered despicable and treacherous.
Of course, Albert had brought a portion of the Defense Association members along on this trip, not to deal with these hundred or so Dark Wizards, but to ensure the safe retreat of the Aurors stationed in Hogsmeade to Hogwarts (to serve as cannon fodder).
The consecutive victories had instilled hope in the Aurors for this nearly "unwinnable" Wizarding War. Especially after three engagements with the Death Eaters, they had emerged without any casualties, except for a few unlucky ones who suffered minor injuries in this overwhelmingly one-sided battle, becoming the talk of the town.
"Alright, stop dawdling. I estimate that Voldemort will arrive soon, and I don't want to fight an unprepared battle here. We must retreat to Hogwarts as soon as possible. The grand battle is about to begin!" Albert urged, opening the briefcase handed to him by a house-elf and prompting everyone to get inside.
Seeing the Defense Association members returning to the briefcase in an orderly fashion, the hesitant Aurors also stepped forward and entered.
When victory was within reach, even the timid Aurors were willing to risk their lives for it.
Indeed, they were a bit delirious with their consecutive victories, and their morale was significantly higher than before.
Who wouldn't want to live in a peaceful era without Voldemort?
And today might be the best and last chance to make that happen.
By the time Voldemort received the news and arrived at Hogsmeade with his Death Eaters, all that remained was a battlefield strewn with bodies.
He strolled through the pile of Dark Wizard corpses, his scarlet eyes cold and menacing, causing the surrounding Dark Wizards to lower their heads in fear, not daring to speak.
As Yaxley had predicted earlier, Hogsmeade Village had been a trap set for them from the start.
If Voldemort had listened to his advice and personally led the attack to eradicate the rebels in Hogsmeade Village, the situation might not have deteriorated to such a degree. But now that things had happened, no one dared to bring up this matter.
They could all see that Voldemort was in a murderous mood, and anyone who dared to open their mouth recklessly might become the next Pius Thicknesse.
That man had been the Minister of Magic, and even if he was a puppet, he still had some use. Yet, he was killed by the Dark Lord without a second thought. The rest of them didn't stand a chance.
"Are they all here?"
Voldemort suddenly stopped and turned to his trusted aide, Yaxley.
"Most of them are here, but we have a limited number of Inferi. We can start the attack on that turtle shell first. Breaking through Hogwarts' defenses will likely take some time," Yaxley replied, lowering his head and avoiding Voldemort's gaze.
He understood what Voldemort was thinking, but he didn't agree with it. However, if he wanted to stay alive, it was best not to go against Voldemort's wishes.
"Very well, commence the full-scale attack in ten minutes."
"Yes, I'll go make the necessary arrangements." Yaxley turned and left.
"Severus, there's a task I need you to undertake alone," Voldemort said as he made his way towards the Shrieking Shack on the outskirts of Hogsmeade.
This crushing defeat had instilled a sense of urgency in Voldemort, and obtaining the Elder Wand had become a pressing matter. If he continued to wait during this long night, the situation would likely only worsen.
Voldemort knew that he had to conquer this wand. Once he fully mastered the power of the Elder Wand, both Harry Potter and Albert Anderson would fall at his feet, conquered by his might.
(End of Chapter)
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