https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-444-Sacrifice-Always-Comes-at-a-Cost/13685496/
Chapter 443: Departure
Sirius Black’s words had barely finished when the Cloak snapped open, shielding Mabel completely. Beside him, Peter Two tugged at his hood, making sure it wouldn’t slip off his face. Sirius Black didn’t notice their small movements—though Remus Lupin suddenly glanced in their direction.
The wand pointed at a young wizard with a dusky complexion and wide, frightened eyes. He stared blankly at the cold-faced Sirius Black and asked, “Wade Gray… is he…?”
He was about to ask who exactly they meant when it suddenly struck him—he had seen that name in the newspaper. The rising star, the alchemy prodigy.
"...The inventor of the Communication Pea? You're looking for him?"
An older witch beside him interrupted, “We haven’t seen the person you’re talking about—he’s in Britain, isn’t he? Should be at Hogwarts now, right?”
Among the crowd, a woman with her hair coiled tightly at the back of her head flickered slightly, as if about to speak—but then held back. Not long ago, she had crafted that very Cloak for Wade. She was one of the few who knew Wade Gray was inside this castle.
But remembering the command to keep silent, she swallowed her words and ducked deeper into the shadow of the wall.
“Nonsense!” Sirius Black growled. “If he were at school, would we even be searching? It looks like you’re refusing to hand him over…”
“Then we’ll go in ourselves!” A long-haired witch swooped in, drawing her wand. “No more wasting time—while Dumbledore delays the Wizard Purity Party, we need to get that child out now!”
As they spoke, Phoenix Society members had already subdued the Muggle soldiers, tossing their weapons and vehicles into the flames. Only two wizards remained to guard the prisoners, while the rest soared toward them on their broomsticks.
Now, the two sides faced off across the window. Tension crackled in the air—ready to explode.
Though Phoenix Society was outnumbered, their power and spellcraft were unmatched. The remaining members of the Wizard Purity Party, however, were injured, some even still in pajamas, and none of them had wands in hand.
“Wait! Wait! Just hear me out!” Wovilet stepped forward, arms outstretched, blocking the path of the others.
The Wizard Purity Party was stronger in numbers, and might not have lost—if it weren’t for the silent girl beside them, and the increasingly radiant Firebird.
If those two also joined the fight, the young wizards behind them would barely survive.
Most importantly, Wovilet didn’t see them as enemies. They’d gotten along well before—after all, the letter had gone unanswered, not because of hostility, but because of silence. To kill each other over that would be foolish.
Wovilet locked eyes with Sirius Black, his voice steady and sincere: “Listen. Wade Gray isn’t in the castle. He’s—”
“Actually, he’s been found!” Remus Lupin interrupted.
He pressed a hand to his ear, his face lighting up with a mix of shock and joy. He nodded at Sirius Black and the others, silently mouthing: Dumbledore’s message.
Sirius Black’s eyes widened. His tense jaw relaxed, shoulders dropping slightly. “Found? Is he alright? Not hurt?”
Remus Lupin nodded again, smiling, as he spoke into the connection: “Yes… there was a Muggle attack, but nothing serious… No, we didn’t start a fight… Yes, we’ll return immediately… Also… uh… there’s something else. We’ll report it later.”
He glanced at Mabel and the others, then held back the final words: The Silent Shadow is here too.
After ending the call, Remus turned to the group. “Dumbledore says we must return at once.”
“What about the Muggles?” asked the long-haired witch.
“Well…” Wovilet stammered, “I… hope we can keep them here…” His voice wavered. After all, they’d just been rescued—by these two factions, not the other way around.
A member of Phoenix Society frowned, ready to object—but before they could speak, Mabel’s voice cut through the air.
“It’s okay,” she said, mustering courage. “I’ve heard what you’ve been doing lately… I’m a victim of that organization’s magic research myself.”
She paused, then added with quiet clarity: “But if you ever harm my friends… then we’ll be enemies.”
Though small and fragile-looking, the memory of the Muggle truck being flung into the sky and torn apart lingered in everyone’s mind. No one could dismiss her words lightly.
Or perhaps—because she was so young—her words carried even more weight. She was capable of doing what adults would never dare, whether for good or evil.
Phoenix Society members fell silent.
They had watched from the shadows. They knew just how powerful those strange, silent figures had been. If a battle broke out, Phoenix Society would suffer casualties.
And beyond that—though they followed Dumbledore—they were still wizards. Human beings with moral compasses. They despised the cruelties of that organization just as much.
They’d regrouped under Dumbledore’s call because the Ministry of Magic had failed. They feared the Needle would continue to victimize magical children. They feared the Wizard Purity Party would rise again, hiding behind justice while destroying magic’s peace.
But if they fought each other? Phoenix Society would be silently rooting for the Wizard Purity Party.
No more words were spoken. They turned, called for the two wizards guarding the Muggle soldiers, and activated their Portkeys, returning to Britain.
Just before departing, Remus Lupin turned—his eyes met Peter Two’s.
The man’s eyes were familiar. The shape, the frame… But his gaze was calm, gentle—like a deep starry sky or a still, clear lake. One could sense a warmth in those eyes, a soul full of quiet kindness.
Remus nodded at him, shattering the absurd thought that had just flickered in his mind.
Too long searching for Peter Pettigrew. Too many times seeing a similar figure. It was natural to doubt. But Remus was certain—no matter how much Voldemort twisted him, no matter how many times he was rebuilt, that rat could never have such eyes.
He gave a self-deprecating laugh, shook his head, and hurried to catch up with Sirius Black, who was already floating lazily ahead.
Before the Portkey activated, Sirius Black glanced back.
He lowered his voice. “We’re really leaving? That girl—The Silent One—is right there!”
“But you heard,” Remus replied in a whisper, “they came here for the same reason we did. If I’m not mistaken, those figures beside her are all Wade’s Magic Puppets.”
“Wade’s Magic Puppets… mixed with The Silent One?” Sirius Black blinked. “How did they even get involved?”
Remus shook his head. “Until we know the truth behind this connection—and Wade’s own stance—better not let anyone else know. Dumbledore already suspects something.”
A moment passed. Then Sirius Black spoke again, voice low. “I heard Dumbledore once wanted to send The Silent One to Hogwarts. Fudge refused. That’s why she ran… why she became a fugitive.”
Thinking of the minister who claimed peace while pretending ignorance was the answer, both men sighed.
…
Mabel exhaled slowly, watching the British wizards depart. Not a single one tried to capture her. Only then did she allow herself to relax.
“We should go back too,” said the Rubik’s Magic Puppet, bright with joy. “Fly fast—we might see Master tonight!”
“No problem!” the broomstick replied, shifting its body. “I’ll go at top speed!”
“Wait!” Wovilet called out, stepping forward. “I have something to give you. Please deliver it to Wade Gray.”
The broomstick had already turned to leave—now it stopped, circled, and returned to the window.
“What is it?” the broomstick asked. “Do you know my master?”
“I warn you,” the Cloak said, puffing up like a false lion, “the Cloak Master is clever! If you’re trying to trick us, you’re mistaken.”
Wovilet waved them off, sending the surrounding young wizards to tend to the wounded, repair the castle, and bring the bound Muggle soldiers to the dungeon.
When no one else was near, he took a cautious step forward—until he was nearly falling out of the window.
He looked past Mabel and the hooded man, his eyes fixed on the broomstick, the cube, and the Cloak.
“Are you all… creations of Wade’s?”
“Of course,” said the Rubik’s Magic Puppet. “Obvious.”
“Then…” Wovilet’s eyes lit up as he turned to the Firebird, Mihal. “Is it one too?”
The old man’s gaze locked onto Mihal, his hand instinctively reaching forward—as if wanting to touch it.
Mihal recoiled with a disdainful hop. Probably wants to steal my feathers, it seemed to think.
The Rubik’s Magic Puppet didn’t answer. Instead, it asked, “What do you have to deliver? If this is just a delay—”
Its left metal arm snapped open with a sharp click, revealing a glinting, icy blade.
Wovilet snapped back to reality. “Of course! Yes, I do! Just wait!”
He fumbled in his pocket, pulling out a thick, hand-bound notebook.
He touched the cover reverently, then handed it over. “This is my alchemy notebook. Give it to Wade. Tell him… I hope we can study alchemy together again someday.”
And if possible… please lend me the Time-Turner. And that strange Firebird too.
“Got it. I’ll pass it on,” said the Rubik’s Magic Puppet, slipping the notebook into its body. It tapped the broomstick, and the two vanished into the sky.
Wovilet watched them go, his eyes filled with a near-devotional focus.
If I’m not mistaken… that bird—half Inferno Flame, half Phoenix—bears alchemical traces. But it feels… alive. Not just a construct. A real life.
The Magic Puppets—whether in speech, thought, or presence—seemed more human than machines. The Firebird had not spoken, yet its movements were natural, lifelike.
But only it… only it wasn’t just thinking. It had a soul.
A real soul.
Life Alchemy… the forbidden art.
Mor—damn him—how could he teach such a dangerous thing to his student?
And more importantly… Wade actually made it? How? Even Mor could only master fragments of ancient, incomplete theories…
Wovilet’s brow furrowed, then relaxed. His mind raced through alchemical equations and ancient runes, lost entirely in the sea of thought. He forgot everything around him.
Time passed.
Then—suddenly—the Great Hall erupted in golden light.
Gellert Grindelwald returned with the Wizard Purity Party.
…
The last few Cloaked Wizards raised their wands. The entire estate was consumed by roaring fire.
This time, they didn’t leave the mess for the local Ministry of Magic. Instead, they used Inferno Flame to burn everything to ash.
The land around the estate was either buried under snowdrifts or reduced to ruins. With no combustible materials left, there was no risk of the flames spreading out of control.
Of course, the Ministry would come to investigate. But whatever consequences followed—let them deal with it.
More importantly, many Wizard Purity Party members had left bloodstains. Muggle footage might have captured some of their faces. To prevent future trouble, burning it all was the simplest solution.
Once everyone had departed, Voldemort smiled.
“Back to the manor.”
From the battle, Dumbledore still proved formidable—untouched by age, terrifying. But Gellert Grindelwald… he wasn’t nearly as strong as expected.
No matter, Voldemort thought with quiet confidence. Neither of them can match me.
He was certain he mastered spells Dumbledore had never even dreamed of. His knowledge surpassed the old man’s. He was the most powerful wizard in history—greater than any who came before.
He’d thought Gellert Grindelwald would be a worthy opponent. But seeing the man nearly killed in less than a minute—Voldemort almost laughed.
When I rise again… I’ll be stronger than ever. Phoenix Society. Wizard Purity Party. Dumbledore. Grindelwald… All of them will be stepping stones on my path to immortality.
A cruel smile spread across the infant serpent’s face.
Little Barty Crouch lifted the child, wrapping the cloak around him to shield from the wind. Then he reached for Nagini’s tail.
The great serpent snarled and bared its fangs—but it knew this was Apparition. It endured, not biting.
They vanished from the hillside.
Behind them, the once-grand estate collapsed into flames, smoke rising like a dark column into the sky.
Far away, in the Muggle city, the wail of fire alarms pierced the night—shattering peaceful dreams and jolting people awake.
(End of Chapter)
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