Chapter 661: Waiting
Chapter 661: Waiting
"This time we were quite lucky", Lupin said after Liam finished explaining his plan. "At least it's not a full moon tonight, or else Voldemort could bring a pack of Werewolves, and that would really complicate things for us."
"The Dark Lord wouldn't call Werewolves for a large-scale attack", Hermione said. "In the past, once Werewolves transformed, they couldn't control their actions. Mixing them with Death Eaters would likely result in them fighting each other before they even started."
"Oh, we forgot about that", Lupin chuckled. "It seems that life as those old Werewolves wasn't worth much before we got your help."
"By the way, did you notice anything unusual when you arrived?" Liam quickly changed the subject, noticing that Lupin and the Werewolves seemed to be recalling some unpleasant memories. "I mean, since the Death Eaters are preparing a large-scale attack, they must be doing some preparations now."
"A few kilometers away, there's a group of Wizards gathered who look very suspicious, as if they're waiting for something", a Werewolf from behind Lupin said. "I Apparated to the small hill on the edge of town and saw a plume of smoke in the distance. After climbing a tree and using a telescope, I confirmed it was a group of Wizards I hadn't seen before."
"The Death Eaters might attack tonight", Hermione said. "But I don't understand why they would set up a camp near Hogsmeade when, as Wizards, they can Apparate directly to the town's surroundings."
"But it's not easy for a group of Wizards to Apparate to the same spot simultaneously, especially with Hogsmeade's magical defense system causing some interference", Liam explained to Hermione in a low voice. "While it doesn't create dimensional disturbances to completely eliminate intruders, it can cause Apparition to be off target."
"That makes sense! No wonder I thought I'd end up in the grass behind the house but ended up on a hill nearby. I thought I was just nervous and Apparated wrong", a thin, brown Werewolf said. Liam remembered him as Peter, who was good at Apparition and had been handling procurement.
"Exactly, most Wizards' Apparition skills aren't as good as yours. Especially those Death Eaters from all over Europe, who have no coordination. They need to set up a meeting point outside Hogsmeade to ensure they can launch a coordinated attack", Liam said.
"But I have to admit, the Death Eaters have found a brilliant strategy", Liam said, spreading his hands. "With our limited numbers, even knowing their current position, we can't launch a preemptive strike. Instead, they can gather and organize their forces in a place where they can see Hogsmeade."
"I always thought Wizard battles involved constant Apparition and fighting in various places, with no fixed positions or territories", Hermione said, her eyes wide. "I never imagined they would need a staging area, let alone fortifications, just like a regular war."
"Fortifications?" Liam turned his head in surprise at Hermione's words and saw Percy leading several Wizards using magic to dig trenches on Hogsmeade's main road, piling the earth toward the town's outskirts.
"That should be useful", Lupin said, placing his paw on the windowsill and looking out. "Magic doesn't bend, so standing in a trench with half your body exposed is harder to hit than being fully exposed."
That makes sense, Liam realized. Most Wizards use straight-line spells, so the methods Muggles use to avoid bullets can also help avoid magic.
Moreover, Percy wasn't just digging a simple trench around the town. With the help of magic, they created a simple but complete trench system, allowing people to move through the town without being visible on the surface.
In addition to this, the entire town was mobilized. Many wizards hastily cleared away their belongings from outside their rooms and cast fire-resistant spells on their buildings, before boarding up all the windows and doors with wooden planks.
As the sun set, the Death Eaters outside the town became more active. Even Liam, standing by a window that the Weasley Twins had just nailed shut, could see figures moving in the distant forest through the gaps in the boards.
Ryan and the others took advantage of the final moments before the battle to have dinner, while Lupin and the others took turns going down to the only underground laboratory that could shield magical power fluctuations to transform into human form and eat their evening meal. If not for the basement being too small, the werewolves would have transformed there and waited.
Just before it got dark, Percy and the others finally completed all the fortifications. A group of wizards from the Ministry of Magic then entered the defenses.
"Most of them are new recruits", said a gray Giant Wolf, who was larger than the other werewolves. Liam recognized him as the former Auror, William. "But with experienced Aurors and Hit Wizards leading them in fixed positions, they should be able to hold their own against the more individually powerful Death Eaters and Dark Wizards."
"So, this is the best the Ministry of Magic can do right now, isn't it?" Hermione turned to look at the massive gray wolf and asked. "It sounds like our side is in a very passive position."
"It's not just that it sounds that way; we are indeed in a passive position in this battle", William nodded.
"But it's the best we can do. Individual combat skills can't be improved in a short time. Even though the wizards who have volunteered to join our side are full of courage and determination, and we have given them professional training, they are not a match for the battle-hardened Death Eaters in one-on-one combat. Not to mention the Dark Wizards who have been summoned by money, all of whom are skilled fighters."
"But I don't think they will storm into Hogsmeade", Liam pointed to the houses from which light was seeping through the windows and door cracks. From where Ryan and the others were, they could faintly see figures moving in each house.
"These townsfolk will show incredible ferocity when defending their wealth and homes. Don't forget, most of the residents here are native wizards who have lived here for generations. Their strength should give them an advantage against the scattered Dark Wizards who might try to enter the town."
"Besides, the primary target of this Death Eater attack is the Shrieking Shack on the hill outside the town, where the Ministry of Magic has set up a base. I think their main force won't be sent here. That's why only a few experienced wizards are leading a group of new recruits here, because both the Ministry of Magic and the Order of the Phoenix have their elite forces focused on the main base at the Ministry, ready to counter the enemy's main force", Liam explained.
"So, the real reason Professor Dumbledore sent us here is—" Hermione paused, looking at Liam, who nodded. "You're right. He put us here to protect the innocent townsfolk, and also to serve as a reserve force ready to provide support. From Hogwarts Castle, we wouldn't be able to monitor the situation here in real-time and respond accordingly."
"Let's hope everything goes smoothly tonight", Hermione said, glancing at the boarded-up window. By then, the last rays of the sunset had disappeared, and the night had completely enveloped the world.
(End of Chapter)
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