Chapter 989: Astonishing News
Chapter 989: Astonishing News
Harry's relocation plan went smoothly. After receiving Snape's urgent report, Voldemort was not very interested in ambushing Harry Potter along the way, mainly because of the tight timing and the lack of reliable helpers by his side. The Death Eaters all had their own tasks.
Of course, exposing himself as still alive would be a bit detrimental for Voldemort at this point.
Cornelius Fudge was currently in a complete fallout with Dumbledore over the matter of whether Voldemort was truly alive, and he was dedicated to causing trouble for Dumbledore.
Having Fudge occupy Dumbledore's attention undoubtedly served Voldemort's interests. Moreover, before figuring out the content of the prophecy, Voldemort temporarily did not plan to make a move on Harry Potter. He intended to use this time to amass power and restore his former strength.
Without Voldemort's interference, Harry safely arrived at Number 12, Grimmauld Place.
At this moment, the young savior was pouring out his grievances, insecurities, and anger about the summer to his two best friends.
"Hello, Harry."
Outside the room, Fred and George waited patiently until Harry finished his rant before appearing through a Disillusionment Charm, startling him.
"We heard your melodious speech," Fred said with a grin.
"What are you both doing at Sirius' place?" Harry asked in confusion.
"Sirius lent this place to Dumbledore as the temporary headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix," Ron said with a smile. "My family has moved here temporarily as well."
"What's the Order of the Phoenix?" Harry turned to ask Hermione.
"It's an organization founded by Dumbledore specifically to oppose Voldemort," Hermione explained.
"So, you've all joined the Order of the Phoenix?" Harry grumbled in dissatisfaction. "Am I the only one being kept in the dark?"
"We wanted to join the Order as well," George said as he draped an arm around Harry's neck. "But they said we're not old enough yet and have to wait until after we graduate from school to meet their recruitment standards."
Fred chuckled and draped his arm around Harry's neck from the other side. "We know no one is more qualified to join the Order than you."
"Harry, I think you should be more concerned about the trial," Ginny said as she pushed the door open and entered, offering a friendly reminder.
"No, I'm not worried about that..." Harry said stubbornly. "I'm more concerned about where Voldemort is and what he's planning. Has the Order of the Phoenix taken any measures to stop him?"
"We're not sure. The Order doesn't let us attend their meetings," Hermione said anxiously, glancing at the Weasley twins.
Harry seemed to think of something and turned to look at Fred and George as well.
"To be honest, we don't know much either," Fred said, glancing at George. "According to Albert's speculation, the Dark Lord... well, he's probably amassing power." They briefly relayed what they knew: "Right now, Fudge is doing his best to hinder Dumbledore, tying up a lot of his energy so he can't focus on dealing with the Dark Lord. We suspect that Fudge is in cahoots with the Death Eaters."
"Amassing power?" Harry frowned.
"Probably recalling his original followers and recruiting werewolves, giants, and Dementors," George shrugged. "Maybe they're also planning to take over Azkaban and release the prisoners held there."
"You actually managed to eavesdrop on their meeting?" Ron asked in surprise.
"How could we? Mum put an Anti-Intruder Charm on the kitchen door," Fred glanced at Ron. "These are just Albert's previous judgments."
"Albert predicted the Dark Lord's return long ago," George explained to Harry. "He thinks that what we're seeing now is just the beginning of the chaos, and that the entire wizarding world will become even more turbulent."
"That guy seems to know everything," Harry said self-deprecatingly. "I'd like to have him make a divination for me to find out who sent the Dementors to attack me, and whether or not I'll successfully pass the Ministry's trial."
"The Dementors that attacked you were most likely sent by someone from the Ministry," George suddenly said. "Albert believes that as long as you have Dumbledore defending you, you should be able to pass the Ministry's trial smoothly."
"Is that guy here as well?" Harry asked in surprise, looking at George.
"No, according to Sirius, Dumbledore personally invited Anderson to join the Order of the Phoenix, but he refused," Ron said with a dissatisfied pout. "That guy thinks the Order isn't safe enough."
"Then how do you know all this?" Harry asked in confusion, looking at Fred and George. "Did Sirius pay for a divination again?"
"No, not this time."
"Oh, right, Harry, the Dark Lord went to Spain not long ago, apparently to try and kill Albert," Hermione said, remembering the news that had worried her for a while.
"Voldemort went after Anderson?" Harry asked with a strange expression. "Because Anderson took out his left and right hands?"
"It seems it was because the Dark Lord knew that Albert can predict the future," George said in a low voice. "Anyway, the Dark Lord failed in the end."
"Sirius said the Dark Lord disguised himself as a vicious dark wizard and had a big fight with Albert, eventually being forced to leave," Hermione added.
As soon as she finished speaking, she noticed Fred and George staring at her, and asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Fred said, a little glum that he had been beaten to the punch.
"Anderson defeated Voldemort?" Harry exclaimed, his eyes wide in shock. He could hardly believe his ears. Voldemort, defeated?
"Probably not," Ginny said, sharing what she knew. "According to Sirius, they had a duel that nearly destroyed the entire dueling arena. Later, Dumbledore also joined the duel and, together with Albert, drove the Dark Lord away."
"Anderson also became the youngest Duelling Champion because of this," Ron said admiringly. "And Sirius won a large pile of Galleons from his bets."
"It's a pity Dad didn't bet on it as well," Ginny said, feeling the same regret. "Many people now regret not listening to Sirius and betting along with him."
"Duelling Champion?" Harry scoffed. "That guy really likes these exaggerated titles."
"Oh, right, Harry, Peter Pettigrew is dead," Hermione suddenly said, as if she had just remembered something.
"Peter's dead?"
Harry felt like his brain was about to overload. The news he had received today was truly astonishing.
"He was killed by Sirius."
"I feel like I've missed out on a lot," Harry mumbled.
"Okay, Harry, let's go downstairs for dinner first. I think their meeting should be ending soon," Hermione suggested, interrupting the conversation. "If you have any questions, I suggest you go and ask Sirius. He knows a lot of secrets."
(End of Chapter)
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