Chapter 722: Sudden Change
Chapter 722: Sudden Change
Liam proposed a plan for the Greengrass family to relocate, but Hermione rejected it. To set an example, Liam needed to ensure the safety of the Greengrass and Malfoy clans, who had pledged their loyalty to him. However, the houses in Hogsmeade did not meet the security requirements.
"The current defenses in Hogsmeade can hold off a large-scale attack or a small-scale infiltration by the Death Eaters, but if the Dark Lord decides to target someone, I don't think Hogsmeade can withstand an assault by their elite squads", Hermione said, shrugging her shoulders.
"Then where do you think it would be best to place the Greengrass family?" Liam asked. "After all, they've become a dangerous source and can't just be left to bring disaster to others."
"Of course not", Hermione said, biting her lip. "What I mean is, we could let the Greengrass clan temporarily stay in this Manor. I believe we can ensure their safety here."
"If you decide that, then let's do it", Liam nodded. According to British tradition, matters within the household were decided by the female head, so he did not oppose Hermione's decision. The Manor was large enough to accommodate the four members of the Greengrass clan, and there were separate buildings where a guest room could be prepared to keep them away from the main house.
That afternoon, Liam ordered a few Handyman Bots to prepare an independent cottage within the Manor. He then went to several worlds to gather enough weapons for a small-scale battle.
At six o'clock the next afternoon, Liam and Hermione appeared three kilometers from the Greengrass Manor. For safety reasons, Ryan and the others planned to walk the rest of the way.
"There are people around", Hermione suddenly stopped, her guard up, as they emerged from a small forest. She and Liam were dressed in clothes similar to school uniforms, carrying backpacks to blend in as Muggle couples on a winter vacation. They had chosen this disguise because they had discovered the Greengrass Manor was close to a hot spring resort, making it easier to hide their true identities.
"There are always people around here because it's a tourist spot", Liam replied through the Phoenix Mark. "It would be strange if no one was around, as long as we stay outside the Greengrass Manor's perimeter."
"Don't look to the right; there are two guys in suits standing within the Greengrass Manor's grounds", Hermione whispered, pulling Liam forward while communicating through the Phoenix Mark. "It feels like they're targeting us."
Liam immediately understood Hermione's point. If they turned to look at the two men, who should be invisible to Muggles, the Death Eaters would realize something was amiss.
"How could someone be monitoring this place?" Liam asked silently as they continued walking. "Our previous communications were very discreet. How did those Death Eaters figure out something was wrong?"
"I don't know, but things won't be simple today", Liam muttered softly. He had just caught a glimpse of the two men standing a dozen meters away, and they were clearly skilled Dark Wizards, with the aura of magical artifacts emanating from them.
After confirming that there were no other ambush points, Liam and Hermione cast a Disillusionment Charm and moved back into the forest. Communicating with the plants, Liam detected a third person hiding about seven to eight meters behind the two men.
The third person was concealed in a one-meter-deep pit, covered with branches and leaves for camouflage. If not for the proximity of the pit to a tree root, it would have been extremely difficult to find him.
"A very targeted trap", Liam thought after confirming there were no further ambushes. Anyone familiar with the Greengrass Manor would enter through the main entrance, and these hidden figures were clearly set up to intercept any intruders.
It's important to note that while Greengrass Manor is quite large, the area around it is protected by a Spatial Disruption Spell. The only exception is the side near the Muggle road, where the spell's effects are weakened to prevent wizards from accidentally appearing in front of Muggles. This area also has fewer defensive spells to avoid harming Muggles, making it a common choice for infiltration.
Fortunately, once they had determined the positions of the three individuals, dealing with them was simple. Liam and Hermione used magic to conceal themselves and slowly approached. On Liam's command, they struck simultaneously, and three green flashes of the _Avada Kedavra_ curse ended the lives of the intruders.
Next, Liam prepared a simple Ritual Magic to summon their souls for interrogation. However, the information they provided was grim. Voldemort had personally dispatched them to investigate any potential intrusions into Greengrass Manor, and they had been stationed there for three days.
"That means our actions have likely been discovered by the Dark Lord, and this entire situation might be a trap he set up", Hermione said, her lips pressed together after Liam sent the three souls to the World of the Dead. "Should we continue?"
"Of course, we should", Liam replied. "We underestimated the Dark Lord. Even though his soul is fragmented and barely remains within his body, his cunning is as sharp as ever. Remember, Harry once saw in a dream that the Dark Lord had found something important. I believe this Jumping Cauldron and the entire conspiracy are real."
"So, the Dark Lord is using the Jumping Cauldron to lure us in and eliminate us", Hermione concluded. "It makes sense that he chose you. Compared to Professor Dumbledore, you are still slightly less experienced, and your age means you have less accumulated power. Killing you would be easier."
"While you speak the truth, you could be a bit more tactful next time", Liam joked, then grew serious. "But I think he doesn't realize how quickly I've gained strength. So, it's not clear who will be ambushing whom this time."
Upon entering Greengrass Manor, their suspicions were confirmed. The place was empty until they reached the Reception Room, where they found Mr. Greengrass's body lying face-up on the sofa, his expression one of shock, as if his death had taken him by surprise. The room was in disarray, with furniture overturned and broken, indicating a struggle.
Near the coffee table, the body of a House-Elf lay, surrounded by shattered teacups and a teapot, the spilt tea staining the carpet a dark brown.
"They died about a day ago", Hermione said after a brief examination of the bodies, her necromancy skills providing an accurate assessment. She then reconstructed the events based on the scene.
"Yesterday evening, around six o'clock, there were seven people and a House-Elf in this living room. The three guests were known to Mr. Greengrass, or at least familiar to him. Greengrass even called his wife and children to join them in welcoming the guests."
"But as everyone gathered in the living room, the guests suddenly attacked, killing Mr. Greengrass and the House-Elf who could Apparate. They then kidnapped Greengrass's wife and her two children." As Hermione spoke, she conjured a blue image in the air, replaying the events in full detail.
"Those uninvited guests seem to have left us something", Liam remarked, noticing a flicker of light in the corner of the room.
(End of Chapter)
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