Chapter 629: Surveillance Mission
Chapter 629: Surveillance Mission
Ron looked shocked, nervously whispering, “Who are you? A Death Eater? A Dark Wizard?”
There was no sound from behind. Ron swallowed hard and turned his head, but the wand pressing into his waist jabbed him sharply, and he immediately froze.
He stammered, “I—I think you might not realize something. If I die, you won’t get away. I’m a recipient of the Merlin Second-Class Medal—about to be upgraded to first-class. I’m also a full member of the Anti-Dark Magic Association. I’m Dumbledore and Professor Hep’s favorite student. You know the famous Harry Potter, right? He and I are best friends…”
A sinister laugh echoed behind him.
“Of course I know who you are,” a voice said, distorted as if the speaker was pinching their nose.
Ron felt a wave of relief, followed by a sharp pain on his right hand. “No funny business,” the voice warned. Ron’s hand, which had been reaching into his pocket, froze in place.
“Follow me!”
Ron was dragged to one side, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw Tonks’s clumsy figure disappear. His heart sank as they entered a dimly lit narrow alley. He was pushed roughly against a wall.
“Ron Weasley?”
“Yeah, that’s me,” Ron said, his voice steadier now.
“Oh, you’re in for bad luck, seeing what you shouldn’t have—” the voice said flippantly.
Ron suddenly felt a surge of confidence.
“Hmm, I don’t think so.”
“Behave! You—”
A twisted magic aura enveloped Ron’s body, forcing the wand behind him away. The magic expanded rapidly, like an inflated plastic bag, forming a spherical barrier that crackled with energy in the narrow alley.
Ron, wand in hand, slowly turned around (taking the time to smooth his hair) and looked at the person pinned to the opposite wall, a smirk on his face.
“You look pretty pathetic, Collins,” he taunted, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
“Think you’re cool, huh?” Collins snapped, her face distorted by Ron’s magic, making her voice muffled.
Ron stifled a laugh and released the magic.
“Human-form armoring charm?” Collins asked, straightening up and rubbing her face.
“Yeah, the first silent spell I mastered. Lucky you,” Ron said, tapping his wand against his palm, sparks flying from the tip. He wore a smug expression.
Collins stormed out of the alley.
“Hey, wait a minute, what’s going on?” Ron called out, following her. “I saw Tonks… that person was her, right? I recognized her by the way she moved.”
“It was her,” Collins confirmed, glancing around as they exited the alley. “Forget it, let’s take a break. It’s been freezing lately, and that old lady keeps running around… I’m starting to think she’s doing it on purpose.”
They headed toward the Three Broomsticks.
“Who are you talking about?” Ron asked curiously.
“Carlotta Pinkstone,” Collins said. “She was just released from Azkaban, and Tonks and I are on surveillance duty.”
“Is she a criminal?” Ron asked, surprised. “She couldn’t be—”
“No, not like you think. She’s not involved in the recent Dark Wizard trials,” Collins explained as they found a window seat in the Three Broomsticks. Madam Rosmerta approached them. “What can I get you, dear? Oh, Mr. Weasley?”
“Yeah,” Ron said in a low voice, “I’ll have a hot firewhisky, and for the lady—”
“Are you of age?” Collins asked skeptically.
Ron started coughing violently, his face turning red. He glared at her. “Less than five months, if you must know!” Madam Rosmerta giggled, her demeanor charming. “A hot firewhisky, coming right up. And you, lovely lady?”
“I don’t need anything,” Collins said curtly.
“She can’t drink, she’s on duty—ouch!” Ron winced, pulling his foot away from where it had been stepped on. He turned to Madam Rosmerta, “Could you get her a soda or something?”
"I recommend the pear juice soda", the bar owner said.
"Sure, let's go with that", Ron said, looking to see that Collins didn't object. Once Madam Rosmerta had left, he couldn't help but lower his voice. "That Carol—"
"Carlotta!"
"Alright, Carlotta", Ron shrugged. "What crime did she commit? Why are you and Tonks keeping an eye on her? To be honest, I don't think Tonks is suited for close surveillance, unless—"
"Unless we never intended to hide it", Collins said with an approving look.
Ron's eyes widened. He was about to say unless the person who gave the order was crazy, but he wouldn't admit that to Collins, unless his own head was also screwed on wrong. So he agreed, "Yeah, that's exactly what I was thinking. Tell me more!"
"She's an activist..."
Collins slowly spoke in the warm, subtly scented bar, the time passing as the glasses before them emptied. Collins stood up, put on a scarf, and said, "I need to go, to relieve Tonks. Oh, and if you see Cedric, say hello for me. I saw him with his little girlfriend earlier."
"Why don't you say it yourself?" Ron grumbled unhappily.
"I'm on a mission", Collins smiled, covering her face so only her eyes were visible. "I must say, your reaction today is impressive. I look forward to having you as my new colleague."
"Got it, got it", Ron's ears turned red, and he put on an air of what he thought was noble and profound. "I understand."
As dusk approached, young wizards from Hogwarts emerged from all directions, heading back to school. The door to the Three Broomsticks was pushed open, and a woman in a dark green double-breasted windcloak walked in. Though she was no longer young, her face still retained a hint of her youthful beauty and elegance.
Madam Rosmerta approached her.
"Welcome, ma'am, please come in. What can I get for you?"
The woman didn't answer immediately. She removed her hard, pointed hat, revealing short, grayish hair, and looked around before saying, "Prepare a room for me in a quiet corner. I plan to stay the night."
"Of course, ma'am", Madam Rosmerta replied. "Is there anything else?"
"I might be receiving a visitor tonight, so don't disturb me. I need no service other than a room. Understood?"
"Oh, um, yes", Madam Rosmerta hesitated. "According to Ministry of Magic regulations, we need to register your name for accommodation..."
"Of course", the woman said. "You can call me... Nicole Noll."
As night fell, the stars twinkled outside the window. The woman sat in a chair in the room, patiently waiting. She had been in this position for some time, her hands clasped together, her eyes reflecting the glow of memories.
Did that Hogwarts girl deliver the letter? Will he come? Why hasn't he contacted us since his escape? Is he disheartened, thinking that after that incident, no one will acknowledge his unshakable rule...
"Knock, knock!"
The woman stood up excitedly, but she retained her composure. "Is that you?" she asked in a trembling voice.
There was no response from outside.
Her heart sank. She quickly drew her wand and pointed it at the door. "Who's there?" she demanded, her voice now cold and stern.
"Felix Hep", the young voice outside said. "A lady who calls herself 'Nicole Noll' has come to see you. Can we talk downstairs?" As he spoke, the air around them seemed to freeze, forming an unbreakable whole.
The woman raised her wand decisively and fired a burst of flame, then she tried to Apparate.
"Bang!"
The door was Diffindo'd, and the fire blasted a large hole in the wall. The woman's figure disappeared at the last second, but she was quickly thrown out into a desolate field, surrounded by silent black shadows and rustling trees. The cold of the night seeped through the icy ground into her body. She shivered and climbed to her feet.
Nicole Noll caught a glimpse of light from the corner of her eye; it was the village of Hogsmeade.
She exhaled the cold air that had frozen in her chest, roughly estimating her location—on the outskirts of Hogsmeade. Then she focused on the man who had appeared silently before her. The moonlight illuminated his face, highlighting his youthful and handsome features.
"Felix Hep?"
(End of Chapter)
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