https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-841-No-Matter-What-I-Want-to-See-You-Again-/13454744/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-843-Silence-The-Dark-Lord-is-Not-Your-Tool-/13454746/
Chapter 842: Hufflepuff's Cup
Chapter 842: Hufflepuff's Cup
A week passed in the blink of an eye, and the assassination of Dumbledore by the Dark Lord had sent shockwaves through the Wizarding World. Many found it hard to believe that the most powerful wizard of their time had fallen so abruptly.
A sense of panic began to settle over the hearts of the people.
The formidable Dark Lord seemed unstoppable, and some pessimistic wizards despaired, believing that the British Wizarding World had lost all hope!
Fortunately, the new interim Minister of Magic, Pierce, did not lose heart. In this time of crisis, he displayed an unexpected level of resolve. On the day of Dumbledore's funeral, he declared Voldemort the Ministry's topmost wanted criminal and dispatched a large number of Aurors to search for him, determined to capture him at any cost.
Any wizard who provided information on Voldemort's whereabouts would receive a substantial reward.
However, as many feared, Pierce's strong measures soon provoked a backlash from the Dark Lord.
A week after Dumbledore's funeral, "Voldemort" took action again, personally leading a large group of Death Eaters in an attack on Gringotts, which was reputed to be impregnable. Over a hundred goblins were injured, and several Gringotts officials were killed by the Dark Lord's Avada Kedavra.
Fortunately, the Ministry of Magic's Aurors arrived in time, thwarting the Dark Lord's plans and dealing another blow to Voldemort's forces, capturing over a dozen Death Eaters who were unable to escape.
Pierce made the most of this victory, publicizing it widely to boost the Ministry's image. The Daily Prophet also published numerous articles to bolster the confidence of British wizards, emphasizing that as long as they stood united, the Dark Lord could be defeated!
Thanks to this relentless propaganda, the Ministry of Magic's actions quickly gained support from various sectors. Taking advantage of the personnel shortage at Gringotts, Pierce forcibly assigned some Ministry officials to fill the vacant positions, ensuring the bank's normal operations.
Additionally, the twenty Aurors Pierce brought with him remained at Gringotts to handle daily security, preventing any further attacks by the Dark Lord.
This series of actions, fueled by the threat of Voldemort, significantly expanded the Ministry of Magic's power. As the interim Minister, Pierce basked in the newfound authority. It could be said that no Minister of Magic had ever wielded such extensive power.
Thankfully, Pierce did not let his newfound authority go to his head. The Magic Mark on his arm constantly reminded him of his position. After securing Gringotts, Pierce immediately headed to a Safe House in Knockturn Alley to meet with Ivan.
"Lord Hals, I have obtained the item you requested", Pierce said, placing a box on the table before him. "As you instructed, I had the Department of Mysteries create a Magic-Proof Storage Box. I placed the item inside immediately upon discovery, and no one has touched it since."
"Excellent, your caution is well-placed, Pierce!" Ivan nodded, gently waving his wand to remove the protective charms on the storage box. A golden cup with an ancient, ornate design appeared before them. Despite the passage of over a thousand years, this Hufflepuff's Relic remained resplendent, its golden surface adorned with intricate Magic Runes that gleamed in the afternoon sunlight.
Ivan did not touch the cup, merely admiring it for a while.
Pierce, waiting patiently, inwardly scoffed. To him, Ivan Hals was simply using the Dark Lord's name as a pretext to claim this valuable Magic Item for himself.
Just as he was thinking this, a wisp of grayish-white flame suddenly ignited on the wand Ivan held in his right hand.
A jolt of unease surged through Pierce's heart. Before he could react, Hufflepuff's Cup, which was placed on the table, began to tremble violently as if sensing a threat. Immediately afterward, an endless stream of Dark Fog burst from the cup's mouth, enveloping the entire room in a dense mist.
Pierce was taken aback by this sudden anomaly. In a panic, he drew his wand but found that he could see nothing but the Dark Fog, making it impossible to determine the source of the danger.
The eerie Dark Fog seemed to have a magical quality, reflecting Pierce's deepest desires. This caused him to harbor a sudden, intense urge to destroy everything in the room, even to the point of killing Ivan Hals.
Kill him, and I'll be the true Minister of Magic... Just kill him!
Pierce's malice grew stronger, but before he could act, a shrill scream echoed through the room, causing the dense Dark Fog to dissipate, and within about five seconds, the room returned to its original state, as if nothing had happened.
Pierce stood frozen in place, taking a while to regain his composure. As he recalled the thoughts that had flashed through his mind, he shuddered involuntarily, his gaze filled with fear as he looked at Hufflepuff's Cup.
"Lord Hals, what just happened...?" Pierce asked cautiously.
"Clearly, Voldemort placed a powerful Dark Magic on this object, capable of stirring the darkest desires within a person's heart..." Ivan didn't mention the Horcrux, casually explaining before putting away his wand.
On the wooden desk in front of them, Hufflepuff's Cup now had a circular burn mark, and the once intricate magical engravings had become extremely dim. The magical artifact was now completely damaged.
Ivan regretfully placed the golden cup into a cabinet, hoping it might be repaired in the future.
Meanwhile, Pierce was gripped by a lingering fear, grateful that he had some self-control and hadn't been completely swayed. Otherwise, the consequences of acting on those urges would have been catastrophic!
However, Pierce didn't realize that Ivan was fully aware of his every move and thought. Ivan wasn't concerned, though.
After all, he had witnessed the Horcrux's ability to influence emotions. Additionally, this acting Minister of Magic had been under his control for a long time, so it was only natural that he would have some thoughts.
But as long as Pierce had any sense, he would realize that rebelling against him would lead to certain death. The high officials of the Ministry of Magic were all his people, and the most elite Beaters were under Fenrir's command. Without Ivan, Pierce, the so-called acting Minister of Magic, would be nothing more than a figurehead, with no one listening to him.
Not to mention, after Dumbledore's death, Ivan had become the undisputed most powerful wizard in the Wizarding World.
His strength alone was enough to rival an entire army of wizards, and this was the reason Ivan felt comfortable allowing an outsider like Pierce to wield such power...
(End of Chapter)
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