Chapter 711: Did You Defeat the Dark Lord?
Chapter 711: Did You Defeat the Dark Lord?
For a moment, everyone was stunned by the news, and the atmosphere in the room suddenly became tense.
Hermione was the first to recover, her curiosity piqued. "So, what about the Dark Lord now? You must have defeated him, right?"
"Yeah, the Dark Lord took a beating from us and suffered some serious injuries. Professor Dumbledore said he won’t be able to cause any more trouble for a while!" Ivan spoke up, trying to lighten the mood.
"Indeed, in the graveyard, the Killing Curse I cast almost hit him!" Sirius Black added, adopting a relaxed demeanor.
"Really? That’s incredible! You almost became the Wizarding World’s second Savior!" Lupin exclaimed, amazed.
"I know, it was so close!" Sirius Black said, raising an eyebrow.
"Once we get back, you’ll have to tell me the whole story of how you escaped from Voldemort’s grasp..." Lupin stepped forward, patting Sirius Black on the shoulder with a smile.
Amidst the laughter and conversation, Mcgonagall, Arthur, and the others gradually recovered from the shock of Voldemort’s resurrection. They felt much more at ease upon learning that Dumbledore and the others had already injured Voldemort once.
If they could defeat him once, they could do it again, and again, until they sent him to hell!
"By the way, Sirius Black. Hermione Granger and Mr. Weasley mentioned that you were the one who brought Harry out of Hogwarts. What’s the story? Did the Dark Lord use the Imperius Curse on you?" Lupin asked, puzzled.
"It was Peter who used Polyjuice Potion to transform into me and infiltrate Hogwarts..." Sirius Black sighed, then proceeded to recount the events in brief.
When Sirius Black described how Kreacher risked his life to infiltrate Riddle House only to be tortured to death by the Imperius-Cursed Sirius, Lupin, Mcgonagall, and Arthur’s faces were filled with horror. They felt both pity for Kreacher’s tragic fate and admiration for the house-elf’s loyalty.
Hermione, upon hearing this, buried her face in Ivan’s shoulder and sobbed softly.
Ivan gently comforted Hermione, his heart heavy with mixed emotions. In the original timeline, Kreacher’s betrayal indirectly led to Sirius Black’s death. Now, the house-elf had done the exact opposite, sacrificing his own life to save Sirius Black.
"He was a remarkable elf! We should have treated him better..." Lupin sighed.
Sirius Black’s expression was one of deep melancholy.
He had always detested Kreacher, viewing the house-elf as a vessel for his mother’s extreme Pureblood beliefs. Consequently, he had never shown Kreacher any kindness and never imagined that the house-elf would be willing to risk his life for him.
As everyone was lost in their somber thoughts, Mad-Eye Moody interrupted, somewhat tactlessly. "I have to say, Sirius Black... you’re far too conspicuous. That’s why the Dark Lord could easily track your movements and learn that you and Harry were going to the Quidditch match."
Sirius Black did not argue with Mad-Eye Moody, his face filled with guilt and regret. He knew Mad-Eye Moody was right.
During the time he successfully cleared his name, he was eager to make up for the more than ten years he had lost in Azkaban. Voldemort would have found it all too easy to investigate his movements.
After scolding Sirius Black, Mad-Eye Moody turned his gaze to Arthur Weasley, his tone laced with frustration. "And you, Arthur. I've warned you all many times to be meticulous in your investigations and to pay attention to every detail. If you had noticed something odd about Sirius Black and me earlier, things might not have escalated to this point!"
Arthur gave a bitter laugh. During the Quidditch World Cup, there was no sign of the Dark Lord. How could he have anticipated that Voldemort would appear in the camp and use the Imperius Curse on Sirius Black...
Mad-Eye Moody was about to say more, but Dumbledore interrupted him.
"Enough, Alastor. This isn't the time to discuss these matters. We have much to attend to..."
"Moreover, I don't believe this setback was caused by any one person's mistake. Even if you had been cautious at all times, Tom would have devised other plans to achieve his goals!" Dumbledore reassured them.
Lupin and the others nodded in agreement. The reason Voldemort caught them off guard this time was that no one could have predicted that Voldemort, with Peter's help, had already regained some of his strength. This led to a lapse in their vigilance.
"Albus, since Harry is safe, it's time we return to Hogwarts. The children need to rest", Mcgonagall urged. She had already heard from Hermione about the chaos at Hogwarts and was worried that if they returned too late, other incidents might occur.
Dumbledore, of course, had no objections and prepared to Apparate with the others.
"Wait, Professors..." Harry suddenly remembered something and spoke up. "Winky... Winky is still there!"
"Winky, the House-Elf Barty expelled? Isn't she working for Voldemort now?" Mad-Eye Moody asked, puzzled.
Mcgonagall and the others turned their attention to Harry. They knew who Winky was after hearing Sirius Black's account.
Harry quickly explained how Voldemort had used the Cruciatus Curse to torture Winky in the graveyard. He believed Winky had been forced to obey Voldemort, and with Barty Crouch Jr. dead, she was now a masterless House-Elf.
Now that Voldemort had been driven away, the Death Eaters were unlikely to linger in the graveyard. Winky, who was likely unconscious, might be abandoned there.
"Harry, though I hate to say it, the Death Eaters won't allow Winky to live. She knows too many secrets..." Sirius Black hesitated before reminding him.
Harry's eyes darkened at this.
Dumbledore, standing nearby, spoke up. "After I return you to Hogwarts, I will go and check on her. Perhaps in their haste, the Death Eaters might have overlooked her."
"Thank you, Professors!" Harry turned to Dumbledore, his face brightening with gratitude.
"For now, hold onto my wrist. It's time to go back, Harry!" Dumbledore said with a smile.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
