https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-503-The-Baiting-Operation-Begins/13461370/
Chapter 502: Bait
Chapter 502: Bait
Newt looked both surprised and fascinated.
He stared at the unusually large Avian Serpent, his gaze intense and burning, muttering, "Am I dreaming? I hope Tina doesn't wake me up in the middle of this." He cautiously approached, but the Avian Serpent seemed startled by his demeanor, flapping its wings to create a strong gust of wind that pushed him back a few steps.
"Whoa, calm down—"
Newt fished out a jar from some hidden pocket, filled with beetles, "I know you like these. No harm intended, see, it's food—uh—" As he spoke, he tried to slowly unscrew the lid, only to find the Avian Serpent gradually shrinking.
"Felix?" he said, clearly puzzled.
Soon, the Avian Serpent was only the size of a hatchling, coiled up. Valen hopped off the table, locking eyes with the Avian Serpent, his bright black eyes gleaming. The two small creatures were about the same height.
"Chirp!"
Just as Valen was about to reach out, the Avian Serpent darted to the side, and with a misty cloud, Felix reappeared. He waved his hand, and his robe covered him, repairing the damage with a quick "Reparo."
"The show is over."
Felix snapped his fingers, and the mist quickly dissipated.
Newt's face showed clear disappointment.
"You don't want to study me, do you?" Felix said warily.
"Oh, no, of course not—" Newt said, somewhat flustered, his gaze still fixed on him, "Of course not—I can tell the difference. There are no Avian Serpents this size in the real world, at least not that I've seen. Is it because of you?" He awkwardly changed the subject.
To be honest, Felix also breathed a sigh of relief. Just now, Newt's eyes had looked at him as if he were a favorite Magical Creature, and a new species at that.
"It's probably because of me", Felix said, sitting on a rock. "I've tried a few times to transform into Magical Creatures recently, but the Avian Serpent transformation is the easiest and most complete. I think it's because I have a very good grasp of the Size-Altering Charm."
"The charm you used on the Blast-Ended Skrewt?" Newt asked sharply.
Felix nodded.
"No wonder", Newt said, "Ancient Runes and Magical Creatures are deeply connected—your essay was quite insightful—but, well", he chose his words carefully, "you should understand that they are different. I mean, the talent for Ancient Magic and the talent for Magical Creatures are different."
"I understand", Felix nodded, "perhaps at the beginning, Ancient Runes did mimic Magical Creatures and plants, but once Wizards created the first entirely new magic through pure Runic Symbols, the two became distinctly separate."
"Still, I'll try to replicate their abilities."
His light blue eyes sparkled with infinite longing, "Some of the talents of Magical Creatures are truly mesmerizing." He glanced down at the Invisibility Beast, which, besides being invisible, also possessed the ability to briefly predict the future. He then thought of Fawkes the Phoenix in the Headmaster's Office, rising from the ashes... It must be incredibly difficult.
"You're the one with the most right to say that", Newt also sighed, "everyone underestimates the potential of Ancient Runes... When will you come next? I can't wait to see the new transformations."
"When I hit a bottleneck", Felix said regretfully, "I need time to digest what I've learned, and the next couple of years will be quite busy."
"The war", Newt murmured.
...
After leaving Newt's house, Felix took a tour of the company headquarters in Diagon Alley.
The 'Future World' Company was on the right track, and to Felix's surprise, most of the employees were young, with many being recent graduates from Hogwarts.
"We currently have 267 employees, as per your request, we've maintained the current level of development in Britain and are rapidly expanding and establishing outposts abroad", Clemmy said, holding a thick stack of documents.
"How is the plan to introduce Alchemy basics progressing?"
"Those with a foundation in Ancient Runes are picking it up quickly, but the rest are progressing more slowly."
"No rush", Felix nodded, "what about defense training?"
Clemmy sighed.
"Not all Wizards enjoy fighting, especially since the Duelling Class has only been around for a few years. You know the level of Dark Magic defense classes back then... more than a third of the employees can't even cast a single dueling spell, let alone have any combat awareness. They know a few minor hexes, but those are mostly for pranks."
"Pranks can be useful too", Felix said, "but the company's employees must learn basic self-defense. The Runic Script Shield Charm..." He paused to think, "never mind, not everyone has taken Ancient Runes, so just the Shield Charm and Stunning Spell. These two spells must be mastered as soon as possible. Apparition and the Flame-Freezing Charm can be delayed. Orders can be postponed or handled by employees abroad. We have no competitors right now."
Clemmy quickly noted it down.
"What about the progress on the Thief-Repelling Waterfall?"
"Remus is still negotiating with Gringotts, but the goblins are not very cooperative", Clemmy said, frustrated.
"The goblins want to remain neutral, or perhaps they enjoy the conflict more..." Felix said, "what about the Ministry of Magic?"
"The Ministry has the technology, but it hasn't been used in centuries", Clemmy said with a strange expression, "they can't find the right people to build the Thief-Repelling Waterfall."
"Didn't the Alchemy Association send anyone to assist?" Felix asked curiously.
"Considering it's a magical organization spanning Europe", Clemmy shrugged, "many people are reluctant to come during this sensitive time. As for the alchemists in Britain... there aren't many famous ones, unless you count Zonko."
"Zonko..." Felix was a bit speechless.
Zonko was the owner of Zonko's Joke Shop in Hogsmeade. He was once an alchemist, but his business wasn't doing well at first. After struggling for a few years and barely making ends meet, he almost starved to death. Later, he reluctantly switched to researching prank and trick products, and unexpectedly found great success, eventually focusing entirely on this field.
So, what can we do? Felix fell into deep thought. As his goals grew larger, he was worried that Voldemort would turn his attention to the employees of the Future World Company. Besides the usual protective magic, the Thief-Repelling Waterfall seemed more strategically valuable. It could wash away all spells and magical disguises, and its effective range even covered Polyjuice Potion and the Imperius Curse.
"Professor..." Clemmy raised her hand, her eyes sparkling.
Felix's heart stirred, "You want to give it a try?"
"Exactly", Clemmy said, relieved, thinking she and the professor were on the same page. "We have over fifty research wizards, each skilled in two or three areas and experienced in developing multiple new products. I can't think of a more cohesive team."
Felix pondered the feasibility of the plan. The Ministry of Magic had the technology, and they had a mature team with ample brainpower. It seemed like a win-win situation, but it was uncertain whether the Ministry of Magic would agree to share the technology. It wasn't clear, especially since the Ministry of Magic had collaborated with The Daily Prophet during the First War.
The Daily Prophet had also experienced rapid growth after the war.
"Professor", Clemmy said eagerly, "this is a great opportunity."
"Alright", Felix agreed. "I'll talk to Madam Bones. If she doesn't have a better option, I'm confident I can persuade her. Is there anything else new?"
"There is!" Clemmy said, "But they're just minor things."
She quickly flipped through the files.
"The Weasley Twins are interning here, and—"
"Wait, Fred and George Weasley are here? In the company? Right now?" Felix asked, surprised.
"Yes", Clemmy nodded. "On the first day of their break, they came over with a head full of strange and unusual ideas... Remus took their spell-resistant hats and cloaks very seriously, appointing them as team leaders and even assisting them personally." She pursed her lips. "However, Remus rejected their Dark Lord joke series, like the scare boxes and constipation beans... Fred kept complaining that Remus didn't appreciate their ideas and said you were very impressed with them—was that true?"
"Uh, I admire their design concepts, but joking about Voldemort... is indeed inappropriate. The Death Eaters would chase them down with killing curses..."
Clemmy scrutinized Felix's somewhat uncomfortable expression, looking suspicious.
"Cough, let's continue."
"...Due to the Ministry of Magic's endorsement, the sales of Runic Script cards have skyrocketed. At this rate, it won't be long before every household has a set... In fact, everything related to Runic Script promotion has been selling well, from Andis's comic spin-offs to Runic Script booklets, which have been reprinted multiple times... Many people have written letters asking about the casting techniques for Luminos. Penelope has been working overtime recently."
Felix wasn't too surprised by this.
"Luminos is one of the simplest and safest forms of Ancient Magic", he said.
"It might not be the reason", Clemmy said strangely, "the Anti-Dark Magic Alliance recently published a list of effective spells against dark magic. Besides the Light Fire Spell, which topped the list, Luminos also made it, recommended for its ability to drive away shades on a large scale..."
"Uh—so that's the reason? I thought it was due to the love for Ancient Runes", Felix joked.
"Professor", Clemmy said sternly, "shades are no trouble for you, but during the First War, the Dark Lord created a large number of shades to spread terror. It's a nightmare for many wizards."
Felix scratched his chin. She had a point. He had never considered shades a threat, as he could deal with them in various ways. But upon reflection, shades weren't easy to handle—they moved quickly, felt no pain, and could resist conventional spells.
For wizards who couldn't Apparate and had families to take care of, they were indeed a nightmare.
Combine that with a Dementor army, and it was even more terrifying.
...
That day, he went to the Ministry of Magic to discuss the collaboration on the Thief-Repelling Waterfall. Madam Bones readily agreed, "I'm tired of those goblins' attitudes." The entire process went smoothly, except for a side show of Sirius and Madam Bones bickering.
The cause was the return of the Longbottoms from their travels.
The Ministry of Magic had recently recruited a batch of probationary Aurors and enforcers, resulting in a decline in the average combat level. Madam Bones was in dire need of experienced Auror team leaders and was deeply troubled by this.
"Then the Order of the Phoenix quietly absorbed two key combatants", Madam Bones said, discontented.
Sirius adamantly denied it.
"Is that so? I didn't notice. I've been busy here with you, dizzy from all the work... And you haven't even paid me yet!" He stuffed one hand in his pocket and gave a sideways glance, his tone quite provoking. "And are you sure Frank and Alice are members of the Order of the Phoenix?"
"Sirius Black! My brother was one of the first members of the Order of the Phoenix! Do you think I don't know?" Madam Bones shouted at him.
Sirius immediately fell silent, unusually without a retort. His expression was complex as he said, "Edgar... he was a brave man and a reliable comrade. I am sorry for what happened to him."
It took Madam Bones a long time to calm down.
"I'm sorry, I lost my composure—Felix, let's discuss the arrangements for the award ceremony. Dumbledore is worried that the Death Eaters might launch an attack that day. Sigh, to boost morale, we have to make a big show of it... Many people already know about it."
If even the Ministry of Magic's cleaners are aware, it would be hard for the Death Eaters to remain oblivious.
"On the day of the ceremony, we will have Aurors on full alert throughout the event. They are all trustworthy, and with Dumbledore and you here, the chances of danger are low. I even think..." She hesitated for a moment, then said, "We can take the initiative and lure in a group of Death Eaters."
"Absolutely not!" Sirius objected, "I can't let Harry and the others be used as bait."
"Not them."
"What?"
"Not them as bait, but our people", Madam Bones clarified, "I am one of them."
Sirius stared at her in shock.
"What? Do you think I became the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement during your years in prison for nothing?" Madam Bones said calmly.
Sirius was taken aback by the confidence in her words.
"Crybaby turned into a cool girl..." Felix, sitting in his chair and flipping through a comic book, said. Both of them glared at him, and Felix closed the book nonchalantly, saying, "Madam Bones, I'm quite interested in the bait part. We can discuss it further."
...
When Felix returned to 12 Grimmauld Place, it was just in time for dinner. The dining table was surrounded by a large group of people: Sirius, Tonks, Mad-Eye Moody, the Weasleys, Bill Weasley, Fred and George Weasley, Ron, Ginny, Harry, Hermione, and—
"Hello, Professor", Neville said shyly. The Longbottoms, seated on either side, smiled and greeted him, "Mr. Heap, we last met at Neville's birthday party, almost a year ago."
"Indeed", Harry couldn't help but say, "I only found out today that my birthday is just one day apart from Neville's."
"Looks like we'll have to prepare two birthday parties in a row", Mrs. Weasley said with a smile, "Felix, I've prepared your favorite soup."
"Oh—"
"Moody, Felix has only had one of your meals", Mr. Weasley reminded his wife.
"It will happen more often", Mrs. Weasley gave her husband a gentle tap and said to everyone, "Eat quickly, the children are all exhausted."
"Thanks, Mom", Fred and George Weasley said in unison.
"That's not who I meant", Mrs. Weasley shot them a stern look and turned to Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville with a smile, "You've been staying in the basement these days, which isn't healthy. You should breathe fresh air more often. Staying at the Burrow for a few days would be good. Being cooped up for too long can lead to depression."
"Right", Mr. Weasley added, "You can't expect to match the adults in one summer. We'll be the ones in the front. The war might be over before you graduate. You can play Quidditch with Cedric; his family has moved near the Burrow... for mutual support."
"Is that so?" Sirius asked.
"Indeed, we even tried to convince the Lovegoods to move, but they refused—"
"No", Sirius frowned, looking at Harry and the others, "You've been confined here all this time? Practicing magic all day? What are you planning to do?"
Harry silently stirred the vegetables in his soup bowl, while Hermione looked around and then lowered her head.
Ron mumbled, "You don't let us attend Order of the Phoenix meetings, so we had to find something to do."
"Darlings, you're not old enough—" Mrs. Weasley said.
"About that, we might be able to help a little..." Fred and George Weasley exchanged glances and said slyly, "There's something called Extendable Ears—"
"Shut up, you two. I haven't finished with you yet!" Mrs. Weasley said sharply.
Ron shrugged and said to the others, "You see, even Fred and George Weasley are driven to leave home. They're adults, not much younger than Tonks—"
Across the table, Tonks made a face, a real one.
"They want to fight the Dark Lord and the Death Eaters!" Ginny said sharply, her red hair abruptly whipping back, "I want to join the training, but they don't want me. They even chased me away."
"Oh, shut up, Ginny", Ron said.
"I hope this is just a long-term goal, children", Mr. Weasley put down his utensils and said with a serious tone, "Otherwise, we need to have a serious talk."
Newt adjusted his glasses and looked at Tina.
Tina sighed, her expression filled with worry.
(End of Chapter)
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