The Shopkeeper of All Worlds in the British Wizarding World

Chapter 661 Waiting
"We're lucky this time," Lupin said after Ryan finished telling him his plan. "At least today is not a full moon night, otherwise if Voldemort sends a group of werewolves we'll be in real trouble."

"You-Know-Who wouldn't call in werewolves for this kind of large-scale attack," Hermione said. "In the past, werewolves couldn't control their actions once they transformed into wolves. If they were mixed with the Death Eaters, it would be more likely that they would start fighting before they took action."

"Oh, we actually forgot all this." Lupin laughed. "It seems that before we got your help, our life as werewolves was really not worth reminiscing about."

"By the way, when you came here before, did you notice anything wrong around you?" Seeing that Lupin and the werewolves seemed to have some unpleasant memories, Ryan quickly changed the subject. "I mean, since the Death Eaters are preparing for a large-scale attack, they should at least make some preparations now."

"A few kilometers away, there was a group of very suspicious-looking wizards gathered there, as if they were waiting for something." A werewolf walked out from behind Lupin and said, "Because I landed on the hill next to the town after Apparition, and I happened to see a wisp of smoke in the distance. Then I climbed to the top of the tree and observed carefully with a telescope, and confirmed that it was a group of wizards I had never seen before."

"The Death Eaters will most likely attack at night," Hermione said, "but I don't understand why they would prepare a camp near Hogsmeade, when as wizards they can teleport directly to the vicinity of the town."

"But it's not easy for a group of wizards to teleport to a certain point at the same time, especially when the magic defense system in Hogsmeade can cause some interference to the surrounding teleportation." Ryan explained to Hermione in a low voice. "Although it is a low-energy operation and cannot create space turbulence to completely eliminate those uninvited guys, it can cause some deviations in various teleportation methods through interference."

"So that's how it is! No wonder I was thinking about the grass behind the house but was teleported to the surrounding mountains. I thought I was too nervous today and teleported to the wrong place." said a skinny brown werewolf. Ryan remembered that his name was Peter. Because of his good Apparition skills, he had been in charge of purchasing.

"Yeah, you have to know that most wizards' Apparition level is not as good as yours. Especially that group of Death Eaters from all over Europe, there is no tacit cooperation at all, so they must determine a gathering point around Hogsmeade and gather in advance to ensure that they can launch an attack on Hogsmeade town at the same time." Ryan said.

"But I have to admit that these Death Eaters did find a very good idea." Ryan said, spreading his hands. "Because we have too few people, even if we know the enemy's current position, we can't attack them in advance. Instead, they can organize their troops little by little where they can see Hogsmeade."

"I used to think that wizards' battles were just about constantly Apparating and fighting in various places, without positions or spheres of influence. Apart from the attack and defense of a few key points, it was completely a large-scale field battle and mobile warfare." Hermione said with wide eyes. "I didn't expect that it would require a starting camp and even fortifications just like ordinary people's wars."

"Building fortifications?" Ryan turned his head in surprise after hearing this, and through the glass window behind him he saw Percy and several wizards using magic to dig trenches on the main road of Hogsmeade, and piling all the soil towards the outside of the town.

"This should be of some use." Lupin said after he put his paw on the windowsill and took a look. "Magic doesn't have any turns. Standing in the trench with half of your body exposed is at least a little harder to hit than being fully exposed."

That's right, Ryan suddenly realized. After all, most of the magic used by wizards is straight-line ray magic, so the method used by Muggles to dodge bullets can also be used to dodge those magics.

And it seems that Percy did not simply dig a trench around the town. With the help of magic, they dug a simple but complete trench system that allowed everyone to move around the town without having to be on the ground.

In addition, the whole town was mobilized. Many wizards put away the things outside the room, added fireproof spells to their buildings, and finally sealed all the doors and windows with wooden boards. As the sun set, the Death Eaters outside the town became more active. Even Ryan, standing in front of the window that the Weasley twins had just nailed with wooden boards, could see some figures moving in the woods in the distance through the gaps in the wooden boards.

Ryan and his friends took advantage of the last moment before the war to have dinner, while Lupin and his friends took turns going to the only underground laboratory that could shield against magical fluctuations to transform into human form and eat dinner. If the basement wasn't too small, the werewolves would have transformed into human form and waited there.

Before it was about to get dark, Percy and his team finally completed the construction of all the fortifications, and then a group of wizards walked out of the Ministry of Magic and entered the fortifications.

"They are basically newcomers." A huge grey wolf, which was a size larger than the other werewolves, spoke in human language. Ryan recognized him as the former Auror William. "But if they are led by experienced Aurors or strikers in a fixed position, they should be able to fight against Death Eaters and dark wizards with stronger combat power."

"That means this is the best solution the Ministry of Magic can come up with right now, right?" Hermione turned her head and looked at the huge gray wolf and asked. "It sounds like our side has been in a very passive position."

"It's not how it sounds, but we are indeed in a passive position in this battle." William nodded.

"But this is the only solution. An individual's combat skills cannot be improved in a short period of time. Even though the wizards who volunteered to join our strikers are full of courage and determination, and even though we have conducted professional training, they are no match for those battle-hardened Death Eaters in a one-on-one fight. Not to mention that the dark wizards who were summoned by money are all good fighters."

"But I don't think they will rush into Hogsmeade." Ryan pointed to the houses where light was shining through the windows and door cracks. From where Ryan and his team were, they could vaguely see human figures swaying in each house.

"These townspeople will demonstrate strong lethality when defending their wealth and homes. Don't forget that most of the people in Hogsmeade are native wizards who have lived here for generations. They should be at an advantage against the scattered dark wizards that rush into the town."

"Besides, the primary target of the Death Eaters' attack this time is the Ministry of Magic located in the Shrieking Shack on the hillside outside the town. I don't think their main force will be sent here. That's why there are only a few experienced wizards and a group of novice guards here, because whether it is the Ministry of Magic or the Order of the Phoenix, their elites are mainly placed in the Ministry of Magic to prepare to meet the enemy's main force." Ryan finally explained.

"So the real reason why Professor Dumbledore asked us to come here is..." Hermione looked at Ryan halfway through her words, and Ryan nodded. "You're right, he put us here to protect the innocent people in the town, and as a general reserve ready to provide support at any time. We can't grasp the situation here in real time and respond accordingly in Hogwarts Castle."

"I hope everything goes well tonight." Hermione said as she looked at the window nailed shut with boards. At this time, the last ray of sunset outside the window had disappeared, and the night completely enveloped the entire world.

(End of this chapter)