The Hogwarts Emerald

Chapter 668 Before the War
On the windswept seaside in the far north of Scotland, there is an old castle that seems to have been forgotten by the world. It stands there alone, silent and silent in the cold, whistling wind of winter.

This old castle is made of solid stone. Whenever night falls, the castle becomes as silent as death, exuding a decayed and ominous smell that makes people afraid to approach.

Today, this castle that seems to have been forgotten by the world is welcoming guests one after another.

The rustling of cloaks could be heard in the cold air, beside the cold blue water, beside the huge black reef, on the green grass in front of the castle, and in the dark dense woods...

In every dark place, wizards were apparating. Each of these sudden visitors was wearing a black robe, with a large hood covering their face.

They walked quickly across the green grass and entered the gloomy stone castle one by one.

The whistling cold wind blew into the castle, causing the flames on the torches to flicker. The first few wizards who entered the castle fell to their knees after taking only a few steps and crawled forward on their knees.

Standing in front of the stairs was a wizard also wearing a black robe. His skin was extremely pale and his red eyes looked even brighter in the darkness.

Voldemort silently looked at each Death Eater who came in, watched them kiss the corners of their robes, watched them step back respectfully, and then watched them kneel silently in a semicircle around him.

More and more Death Eaters entered the castle, kneeling on the ground in a black mass.

It was not known whether it was because the room was too cold or because the Death Eaters were afraid of Voldemort's terrifying pressure, but from time to time there was a slight rustling sound among the kneeling Death Eaters, as if someone was shivering.

After a long time, until no one entered the castle anymore, Voldemort's scarlet eyes swept over the Death Eaters, and the Death Eaters kneeling on the ground lowered their bodies in unison.

"I went out for a few days, walking around and taking a look at the wizarding world." Voldemort said, his cold voice was colder than the November wind.

Voldemort continued, "I am very dissatisfied. I smell a foul stench in the wizarding world. That is the smell of mudbloods. Their existence taints the pure wizard bloodline and the noble magic."

The Death Eaters shuddered again, and it seemed that everyone wanted to retreat, but did not dare to move.

No one spoke, and no one dared to move. Everyone was waiting for their master to continue his unfinished words and for the master to issue new orders.

"I, we, we have achieved some small successes before this, insignificant successes." Voldemort said, "We killed the leader of the lowlifes, the protector of the mudbloods and Muggles, Albus Dumbledore."

"Severus!"

Snape in the crowd straightened up slightly and responded respectfully: "Master."

"You did very well, Severus." Voldemort's voice was still cold, and it didn't sound like a compliment. "Very good, but... it's far from enough. We wasted too much time."

Wearing a black robe, blood-red eyes, and a face so pale that it glowed, Voldemort turned and walked slowly up the stairs. He stood taller, looking down at the Death Eaters below, as if he was looking down at all the creatures in the wizarding world.

"It has been too long. We have delayed the great cause that should have been completed sixteen years ago until today." Voldemort said slowly. His tone was quite calm, and there was not a trace of anger in it.

But the Death Eaters kneeling on the ground suddenly became agitated. They wanted to ask for their master's forgiveness and begged him to give them another chance to atone for their sins.

Voldemort ignored the Death Eaters' pleas and begging. Surprisingly, Voldemort did not punish them, and he did not even say a word of rebuke.

"I admit that I am a little disappointed. Yes, your performance disappoints me." Voldemort said softly, "But I will not forget how you gathered under the Dark Mark, nor how you swore eternal allegiance to me."

He lowered his head and glanced at the agitated Death Eaters. His lips moved slightly - "Now, the merciful Lord Voldemort will give you a chance to prove your loyalty."

The Death Eaters suddenly became very excited, and their faces in the shadows of their hoods were filled with fanaticism, as if as long as Voldemort gave the order, even if he wanted the moon tonight, they would pick it and give it to him.

Everyone had the same expression, excited and fanatical, and they didn't dare to have any other expression.

The big snake that slid down the stairs was looking at them, and its scarlet eyes were also looking at them.

“Hogwarts. Take it to show your loyalty and bravery,” said Voldemort. “Tonight, in Hogwarts, use blood and killing to forge your glory! Forge the glory of the pure and noble pure blood!”

The hall was in turmoil again, and the faces of those diehard Death Eaters were flushed with excitement. They had been waiting for this day for too long! They were thirsty for blood and killing, and their desire for violence was rising wildly.

Bellatrix knelt down and crawled to Voldemort's feet. She said devoutly: "Master, my master, I will kill anyone who dares to be your enemy. I will offer you my loyalty and my glory!"

With Bellatrix taking the lead, the other Death Eaters began to offer their loyalty. They clamored to kill all enemies, clamored to rush into the Ministry of Magic, and offered the whole of Britain to Voldemort.

With a cruel smile on his pale, snake-like face, Voldemort said: "Very good, your attitude makes me happy. Now, go, call your allies and servants... and ignite the flame of cleansing the wizard bloodline to Hogwarts!"

"As you command, my master!"

The Death Eaters in the hall responded in unison, and they began to leave in an orderly manner, as quietly as they came, without making any sound.

After leaving here, some people will go to summon giants, some will go to gather werewolves, and some will go to notify Dementors... but their final destination is Hogwarts, and tonight is when the decisive battle begins!
One Death Eater after another left and rushed to the battlefield, but Bellatrix and others knelt there and did not leave.

Bellatrix Lestrange, Rodolphus Lestrange, Antonin Dolohov, Rabastan Lestrange, Thorfinn Rowle, Travers, and Severus Snape.

There are only these seven Death Eaters left in the castle hall, and they are the core figures among the Death Eaters.

There should have been more people kneeling here, but... those Death Eaters who couldn't come were either imprisoned, or died at the hands of Ada, and some even rebelled like Lucius Malfoy.

"I should not have separated you. I should have witnessed your glory in person." Voldemort said slowly, "But someone needs to go to Godric's Hollow. Thorfinn, are you willing to go on behalf of the great Lord Voldemort?"

"Master, I am willing!" said the big blond man, Thorfinn Rohr, excitedly. "For your great cause, I am willing to die!"

Voldemort laughed, a short, high-pitched laugh, and he said, "I do not need you to die, Thorfinn. All you need to do is go to Godric's Hollow for me, raze it to the ground, and kill the Mudbloods there. Can you do that?"

"Yes! My lord!" said Thorfinn Rowle, and then left the castle.

Voldemort looked at Travers again, and after a few words, Travers also left the castle. However, the place Travers went to was not Godric's Hollow, but Fertile Plains.

Similarly, Rabastan Lestrange was entrusted with an important task by Voldemort, and his target was Dingworthy.

These three places are temporary living areas for wizards built by the Ministry of Magic. The wizards living there are all Muggle-born wizards or half-blood wizards. There are Aurors stationed there to protect the safety of the wizards living there.

"Severus." Voldemort called Snape's name again, and he said, "How do you think we should attack Hogwarts? You have been in the school the longest among us. Do you have any good suggestions?"

(End of this chapter)