Chapter 746: The Enemy at the Gates
Chapter 746: The Enemy at the Gates
"More than 3500 people, where could Voldemort get so many followers?" Sirius Black whispered in shock after his subordinate finished reporting to Liam. "Especially since Vampires, Werewolves, and Giants, those dark creatures, haven't joined his ranks this time."
"Let's not worry about that for now", Lupin interrupted Little Wolf's complaint and then turned to Liam. "Can you confirm this reconnaissance result? Could there be a significant error? I'm not doubting your ability; it's just that this number is just too—"
"I can confirm this number, and it won't be any less", Liam replied solemnly, cutting off Lupin. "But you don't need to be overly worried. The 3500 we've detected only indicates the number of individuals, not all of them are Wizards."
"The situation is dire, but at least we have ten minutes of warning", Lupin said, turning to the Werewolf behind him. "Get everyone outside the town walls back inside. The enemy's numbers are too great; we need to abandon the plan to intercept them outside the town."
As Lupin issued his orders, Hermione also used the Metal plaque to send a retreat order to the guerrillas outside, and they began to prepare for battle. When Ryan and the others climbed up onto the Hogsmeade wall to set up defenses, they saw groups of Wizards riding brooms out from their hiding spots and, after verifying their identities, joining the town's defenses.
"By the way, what about the non-combatants in the town?" Liam suddenly remembered the Muggles living in Hogsmeade and those in the Hospital Wing who couldn't participate in the battle. "I don't think our forces can keep all those people out of the town."
"Don't worry, we moved them yesterday", Lupin explained to Liam. "We relocated them to the clearing where the Quidditch World Cup was held. We were concerned that Voldemort might attack while Headmaster Dumbledore was away, but we never imagined the enemy would be this numerous."
"Penelope, what are you doing here?" As Lupin spoke to Liam, a large group of Muggles emerged from the houses and walked onto the street, then split into several smaller teams and headed towards the walls in different directions. The group approaching the main gate where Ryan and the others were stationed was led by Penelope and about seven others.
Liam recognized some of them, including the waitress from the Three Broomsticks and the attendant from Elegant Robes. He was surprised to see these non-combatants here.
"Because we want to protect our home", Penelope smiled. "Some of us are unwilling to abandon the place we've lived for generations, and others just don't want to retreat anymore after moving here from London. So, about a month ago, we started training to defend our new hometown, Hogsmeade. And today is when our training will be put to use."
"Alright, every bit of help counts right now. I hope you will follow our Commander's orders and do your best", Liam nodded. "By the way, what exactly did you learn during your training?"
"Just the basic combat magic you taught in the newspaper", Penelope replied. "Everyone here can use those spells correctly and follow orders to cast them at designated targets."
"Very good." Hermione smiled and hugged Penelope. "You will stand together in the rear. When you hear the command, use the specified magic in the designated direction."
After quickly setting up the town's defenses, unusual activity began outside Hogsmeade: a large flock of birds suddenly flew out of the forest, like a dark cloud. At the same time, many branches in the distance began to sway, indicating that a large group of something was rushing towards Hogsmeade.
"Stay calm", "Stay calm", the villagers and some of the professional combatants who had just reached the wall showed some unrest at the sight outside the town, but they were quickly calmed by others on the wall. Meanwhile, a transparent protective shield slowly rose, enveloping Hogsmeade.
"Look", someone on the city wall suddenly pointed towards Hogwarts. Just as Hogsmeade raised its protective shield, Hogwarts Castle also enhanced its Magic Shield.
"Hogwarts is ready for battle, and so is Azkaban", Sirius Black, who had been preparing to contact others, hurriedly ran up to the wall and walked over to Ryan and the others. "But London is a problem. All communication was cut off five minutes after Professor Dumbledore entered the Ministry of Magic. The personnel outside speculate that the Death Eaters inside the Ministry have activated its defenses, and even Dumbledore can't get out quickly."
"How is that possible?" Liam asked, puzzled. "I remember the Ministry of Magic's defenses can't stop a Phoenix. Headmaster Dumbledore could easily use his Phoenix to fly out."
"Not right now", Sirius Black said with a bitter smile. "There are a group of Voldemort's loyalists inside the London Ministry of Magic, and they are ready to destroy it completely. Only Dumbledore can ensure that he neutralizes or kills them before they can activate their Magic."
"Why would they wait for Dumbledore to neutralize them? This is a deliberate delay", Hermione immediately realized. The Death Eaters' loyalists weren't trying to hold the Ministry; they were using the lives of everyone inside, including Ministry employees and the wizards attacking, as leverage to stall Dumbledore.
"Damn, looks like it's up to us", Liam gritted his teeth, summoned a pair of pink wings, and flew above the wall. "All Guards, this is a battle to defend our home, our hope, and our future. Let's fight with all we have today. I am honored to stand with you."
After boosting the morale of the Hogsmeade Guards, Liam landed back on the wall. In the distance, a large area of eerie blue flames suddenly ignited in the forest. With the sound of snapping trees, a Giant Wolf made of obsidian, with joints and features emitting a pale blue flame, emerged from the woods.
The Giant Wolf paused once it left the forest's cover, cast a human-like glance at Hogsmeade and the Guards on the wall, and then raised its head to emit a shrill howl, like nails on a chalkboard.
This howl was a signal. As the sound faded, more and more massive figures appeared at the edge of the forest. Among them were various obsidian Gargoyles and Obsidian Golems clad in metal armor, holding staffs. Wearing pointed hats and silver masks, Death Eaters in black robes stood among these obsidian puppets, but compared to the huge puppets, they looked like mere dolls.
"At least we've evacuated all non-combatants", Professor Lupin said with relief, watching the giant obsidian puppets continue to emerge from the forest. "Otherwise, many innocents would have been harmed."
The puppets, Gargoyles, and Death Eaters quietly marched out of the forest and formed ranks. There was still some murmuring on the wall, but as the ranks grew, the noise gradually diminished until the entire town fell into a deathly silence.
"The Death Eaters and their puppets number at least 5,000, and many of these puppets are incredibly powerful", Liam communicated to Hermione through the Phoenix Mark. "This is going to be a real problem."
(End of Chapter)
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