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Chapter 573: Preparations on Both Sides
Chapter 573: Preparations on Both Sides
Harry narrowed his eyes. The broomshed was pitch black, with only a few wands emitting a faint light.
Standing closest to them were three people—Angelina, the Quidditch team captain; and the other two, who Harry recognized as the peculiar couple he had seen at noon in the Great Hall. Harry couldn't figure out how they knew Angelina or why they were hiding in the broomshed, trying to pull them in.
"Angelina, what's going on? And who are they?"
Harry asked, Hermione nudged him from behind, drawing his attention to three or four more people standing in the shadows. Their faces were obscured by wooden crates, brooms, and cleaning tools, showing only parts of their bodies, making them look like monsters with multiple arms.
'Angelina' opened her mouth, but Ron suddenly interjected, "Be careful, it might not be her. She could be using Polyjuice Potion." Harry thought Ron had a point and his heart raced.
Someone chuckled in the darkness, and Harry noticed one of the large figures looking down at something.
"Don't be so suspicious, children." The tall student who had been looking down stood up and moved closer. Harry gripped his wand tightly, recognizing this build from the Slytherin Quidditch team. If Ron hadn't just warned him that Angelina might be an impostor, he would have thought the captains of the two teams were in cahoots.
In the darkness, the speaker's silhouette bent slightly and placed something on the ground. Harry realized it was a magical lamp, and the room lit up a second later.
The bright, soft light illuminated the small broomshed completely.
At this moment, Harry, Ron, and Hermione finally saw the full layout of the room.
Including them, there were eight people in total. On their side, there were three of them. Harry couldn't help but consider how they would fare in a fight, even though the others didn't seem hostile. However, he was certain that the 'Angelina' in front of him was not the team captain he knew.
"It's me, Tonks", 'Angelina' said, closing her eyes and making a thoughtful expression. Her face gradually changed, and her hair turned pink.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione gaped.
"It's really you! Then, then they—?" Harry stuttered.
Tonks seemed in a good mood. She pointed to the two people Harry recognized, "This is Frank and Alice, you've met them before in the Order of the Phoenix, although they're using different faces now..." She then pointed to the people in the corner, "Alastor and Kingsley Shacklebolt."
The others greeted them.
"Sorry, we might have scared you", Alice Longbottom said, "But you are quite impressive." She pointed to a bruise on her wrist and then waved her wand over the scratch, healing it instantly.
Harry felt that everything that had happened today was unbelievable, but at least one mystery was solved: the two people he had seen at the lunch table were the Longbottoms, and they weren't looking at him but at Neville beside him. However, more questions arose: why were they all at the school, and why were they disguised as students?
Hermione suddenly gasped and hissed, "Are you here to track down Umbridge and Avery?"
Harry and Ron were immediately enlightened.
"Sharp girl", the large student in a Slytherin green robe said. Harry saw a hint of Professor Moody in his gait. The large student waved the paper in his hand, and Harry caught a glimpse of dense lines and black dots.
"The Marauder's Map?" Harry exclaimed.
"You recognized it? No wonder, I heard you have a similar one, the original, in fact—this one was given to us by Felix", Moody said. His voice sounded younger, and his eye socket didn't have the spinning blue eye, which made Harry feel uncomfortable. But the next second, his now younger, intact eyes fixed on them intensely, "Kids, you almost messed up our plan."
The three of them immediately tensed up.
"Don't scare them, Mad-Eye", Kingsley Shacklebolt said with a smile. He still had a dark complexion and many small braids in his hair, which made him look a bit like the Quidditch commentator Lee Jordan. But Harry knew he usually had a bald head.
Harry felt like he was at a costume party.
Kingsley Shacklebolt said gently, "We are indeed here because of Umbridge and Avery, but we also have other tasks."
"What task?" Ron asked eagerly.
Kingsley Shacklebolt shook his head slightly.
"Is it related to Voldemort? Do you need any help?" Harry, recalling what he had just overheard in the abandoned girls' bathroom, tentatively suggested.
Kingsley Shacklebolt winked at him.
"Alright, alright, there will be plenty of time to catch up later—let's get the important stuff done first." Moody said, his gaze falling on Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Despite the different face, one that was much more regular than Moody's usual appearance, they still felt an overwhelming sense of pressure.
"I saw it all on the map. That ghost, Moaning Myrtle, led you to the girls' bathroom, didn't she?" He waved the Marauder's Map, and Harry, Ron, and Hermione murmured in agreement. Moody grunted and paced a small circle. "Your school life seems quite eventful, but you really shouldn't have disturbed them."
"But they forced Malfoy to make a contract—" Hermione said urgently.
"And it was an Unbreakable Vow!" Ron added, "That thing is deadly."
"Exactly, we can't just stand by and watch..." Harry muttered.
Moody stopped pacing, and the others exchanged surprised looks.
"This is unexpected", Moody said, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Tell me everything you know, and we'll analyze it together. Granger, you start." He pointed to Hermione.
"Oh, alright, Professor Moody", Hermione said, a bit surprised.
Moody's silent grin was just as unsettling, regardless of the face it appeared on.
"I was your professor, even if only for half a year, and your essays left a lasting impression. To be honest, I could have used an assistant like you at work—no more worrying about reports."
"Professor Hup probably feels the same way", Ron muttered under his breath.
"I helped you write a few reports, Alastor", Tonks reminded him kindly. "You gave me extra points for it."
"Yes, I did", Moody agreed. "It's strange I didn't ask for your help again."
After some light-hearted banter, Hermione cleared her throat and began recounting their experience. "Well—when we returned from the Library, it was around eight o'clock. On the way back, we met Moaning Myrtle, and she told us—"
Hermione finished her story.
For a moment, no one in the broom shed spoke, each lost in their own thoughts. This made Harry, Ron, and Hermione uncertain about their reception. Hermione softly asked, "Um—did we do something wrong?" She remembered Moody's mention of a 'plan' and worried she might have inadvertently interfered.
"No, you did well", Kingsley Shacklebolt reassured her. "We had already identified Umbridge and Avery, but we suspected there might be other informants in the school. We've been monitoring their movements with the map, hoping to follow the trail, as we did tonight. But we couldn't just sit under their noses to hear what they were saying, and we certainly didn't know they would force a student to take an Unbreakable Vow... You saved that child."
"A little Death Eater brat", Moody spat with disdain.
"But he's still a student here", Kingsley Shacklebolt nodded.
"He could become a Death Eater like his father, uncle, and aunt", Moody growled.
"Better specify which aunt, the one who married Lestrange", Tonks chimed in cheerfully. "To avoid any misunderstandings."
"Oh, right, my apologies", Moody grumbled.
Harry almost laughed, thinking of the 'Pureblood dilemma' Sirius had mentioned, but now wasn't the time for humor. The atmosphere in the broom shed was serious. Frank interjected, "But that child isn't a Death Eater yet. If we work hard, he won't have the chance to follow in his family's footsteps."
"Let's hope so", Moody's young face seemed disheartened.
"Alastor is just being grumpy, but he's actually more principled than any of us", Kingsley Shacklebolt reassured the slightly stunned Harry, Ron, and Hermione. "He would have made the same choice in your position, so don't feel guilty. You did a good thing today. I heard you and Malfoy don't get along well? That makes your actions even more commendable. Get some rest—"
At that moment, a knock came from the door, and Harry, Ron, and Hermione turned around in alarm. "Are there any others with you?"
"It might be Emmeline", Mad-Eye Moody muttered, picking up his wand and gesturing for the others to be quiet.
The door opened, and a girl with straw-colored hair and a round face walked in, carrying a cloth bag. "The kitchen had a lot more food than I expected", she said happily. Harry felt like he had seen her face somewhere before. He guessed she might be from one of the upper years, like Angelina.
"Hey, you're here too? Want some?" Emmeline Vance asked, taking food out of the bag and offering it to the others.
"No, thank you", Harry said, and Ron and Hermione shook their heads. "By the way", Harry turned to Tonks, "where is the real Angelina?"
"She's in her dormitory right now", Tonks said, taking a big bite of the pie in her hand. "I arranged it with her. I take over her identity when she needs to think about the match strategy alone. You know, I'm a Metamorphmagus. The others use Polyjuice Potion to transform. Alastor, Frank, and Alice used regular hair, and since the school is so big, no one can guarantee they know everyone... Emmeline has a relative in the school. Usually, the two of us gather information outside."
Harry nodded. Emmeline walked around and came back to him, holding the bag. Ron and Hermione each held a piece of chocolate sponge cake, grinning at him sheepishly.
"I've been doing homework all night and I'm a bit hungry", Ron said softly.
"Have some. I asked the House-Elf in the kitchen for extra sweets", Emmeline Vance said kindly.
Harry couldn't refuse the offer and picked up a jam-filled doughnut, eating it quietly.
"Why did you come back so late?" Moody asked.
Emmeline Vance sighed. "A club was having an event in the kitchen. They were sharing cooking tips with the House-Elves and having a great time. I barely managed to catch one alone to help me... It's quite a new thing, we didn't have that when we were here."
"Can I ask a question?" Ron asked.
Everyone looked at him, and Kingsley Shacklebolt smiled. "What do you want to know? We won't reveal anything confidential."
"What are they doing here—Umbridge and Avery?"
"You should ask what the Dark Lord wants. They don't make their own decisions. Causing trouble, stealing, gathering information... all are possibilities, but causing trouble is less likely."
"Why do you say that?" Ron asked, wiping the cake crumbs from his mouth.
The group exchanged glances, and Frank Longbottom carefully replied, "Because it wouldn't be worth it. We believe—those two are some of the Dark Lord's few spies in the Ministry of Magic. Now that we have the upper hand, not many are willing to join him. And unlike the last war—after the Anti-Thief Falls, it's no longer possible to use spells like the Imperius Curse to deceive. Headmaster Dumbledore has confirmed this."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanged meaningful glances as they continued eating. They had a good idea of Voldemort's purpose: Horcruxes... but Harry was puzzled. If Headmaster Dumbledore had a complete Horcrux, why hadn't he destroyed it yet?
"Um, can I ask a question too?" Hermione asked.
"Sure, one question each. Then you should go back to sleep", Kingsley Shacklebolt said in a soothing tone.
"How long do you plan to stay?" Hermione asked. Harry looked around excitedly and silently applauded Hermione in his mind.
"Not too long", Tonks said regretfully. "Whatever they plan to do, it has to happen in the next few days. That's why we were sent in—to have more eyes watching... If we wait longer, the Ministry of Magic people will leave."
"That's enough talk", Moody interrupted, looking at Harry. "Last question."
Harry stuffed the last bit of the jam-filled doughnut into his mouth and, almost against his will, asked, "Professor Moody, did you see Professor Snape on the map? What was he doing? And Sirius Black?" He added the last part guiltily.
"Snape's name isn't on the map. Felix mentioned when he gave it to me that it had been removed", Moody said calmly, seemingly oblivious to the implication in Harry's question. "As for Sirius Black, he's a bit upset that we didn't tell him right away. Right now—" he lowered his head and looked at the Marauder's Map, "he's pacing in his office, probably thinking."
He clapped his hands, bringing today's conversation to an end.
"Children, I must thank you for your noble behavior today, but you need to hurry back. The lights will be going out soon. Remember to keep this a secret. You've learned a lot of inside information because we consider you part of our own", he saw Harry about to speak and waved his hand, continuing, "Not as juniors, but as future comrades and allies. I've heard about the club you've set up, the Advance Guard... that's very good."
"Remember, Dark Wizards are never in short supply. There will be plenty of time for you to make a difference in the future. But not now."
Harry said somewhat disappointedly, "So we don't need to do anything at all?"
This question made Moody hesitate. He looked at Ron and Hermione, who were also eagerly awaiting his response, and said, "If there's any unrest in the school over the next few days, you can help maintain order. But it's likely that you won't even notice anything happening."
"Provided it doesn't put your safety at risk", Kingsley Shacklebolt added.
"Alright", Harry said. The three of them walked out of the broomshed.
Hundreds of kilometers away, Voldemort was walking down a long, dark, and eerie underground passage, flanked by green torches. Bellatrix Lestrange followed closely by his side.
"Master, will they succeed?" Bellatrix asked in a low voice.
"Whether they succeed or not is irrelevant", Voldemort said coldly. After all this time, he had completely calmed down, but his desire for his Horcruxes had only grown stronger with each passing day.
Especially after his attempt to create a new Horcrux failed.
After the Battle of Hogsmeade, Voldemort realized that the old Dumbledore knew the secret of the Horcruxes. While he was alarmed, he wasn't overly fearful. Upon reflection, he knew Dumbledore was cursed and would die within a few years. When that time came, only Felix Hep would remain, and Voldemort was confident he wouldn't fail. Even if it came to it, a life for a life was not out of the question, given that he still had a Horcrux to protect him and could create more.
But when he tried to use the death of the Ilvermorny Headmaster to create a new Horcrux, a violent tremor in his soul made him fear the worst, as if he might dissipate at any moment.
Voldemort realized he might no longer be able to split his soul.
If he couldn't split his soul, he couldn't create new Horcruxes, which meant that each existing Horcrux was now invaluable.
It wasn't just one life, but countless lives.
The news Severus brought back was mixed—there was no sign of the locket's remains from the Black Family Manor, but the House-Elf had indeed survived. This confirmed that a servant he thought was loyal had betrayed him and dealt a fatal blow.
But considering that Regulus Black was already dead, Voldemort could guess that Regulus hadn't managed to destroy the Horcrux but had exchanged his life for the House-Elf's.
He was confident in the magical traps he had set.
"What a fool", he said through gritted teeth.
"Master?" Bellatrix looked at him in confusion.
Voldemort ignored her and continued down the dark, winding corridor, delving deeper into the underground. The faint rustling sounds grew louder from the end of the passage.
The House-Elf had some tricks up its sleeve, and that was where he had slipped up... However, the House-Elf's power was too weak to destroy a Horcrux. If Severus hadn't found the locket in the old house, it was likely in Dumbledore's hands.
With two Horcruxes unaccounted for... Voldemort clenched his fists tightly, his eyes flashing with a dangerous red light.
Just as Dumbledore understood Voldemort, Voldemort believed he had seen through Dumbledore. He knew one thing: whether or not those two Horcruxes still existed, Dumbledore would destroy them all before he died.
Voldemort took a deep breath. "Bellatrix", he said softly, and Bellatrix looked up at him respectfully.
"Call all the forces together."
"But—"
Voldemort gave her a cold glance, and she fell silent.
To Voldemort, it didn't matter if all his servants died, as long as they died with purpose. In his mind, if they could slow down a few opponents and buy him some time for his plans, their deaths would be worthwhile.
(End of Chapter)
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