Days at Hogwarts

Chapter 746 The Death Eaters

Side hall of the Ephamoni Chapel.

Dinner is over.

Several figures sat around the long table.

Before Snape lay a silver metal tray, on which lay flesh and a few snake scales. He frowned slightly. "Once separated from the Serpent Tree, Crabbe's flesh will quickly wither."

"Um……"

Hermione and Nancy frowned, forcing themselves to look at the bloody, ripped-off pieces of flesh with gritted teeth.

Loren sipped his chilled ice cream, his expression remaining relatively calm.

When he first saw that body, he had already examined it with the Soul-Capturing Stone. There was no emotional fluctuation. The original soul had been completely devoured, and the body was just an empty shell. It was absorbing the vigorous life force of the snake tree to survive, and the evil magic power in its body was gradually assimilating and transforming the body and the snake tree.

Crabbe was not only made into a living Horcrux, but also the core Voldemort prepared for him. Once the assimilation and modification were completed, he could imitate Slytherin and create a brand new snakewood wand.

He wasn't surprised by the test results, but there was one thing he couldn't understand: why display these pieces of meat after dinner?

Loren sat in his seat, lost in thought.

Thinking about it carefully, this actually makes some sense. Showing it after dinner would only make people feel nauseous and want to vomit, while showing it before dinner would most likely make them lose their appetite for dinner.

"Crab has no consciousness, does not respond to external stimuli, cannot move, cannot eat, and is more like a plant than a snake tree."

Snape calmly stated the situation as he understood it, rationally and coldly: "If we were to forcibly separate Crabbe and the Serpent Tree, it would damage both of them. The Serpent Tree can slowly recover with its powerful life force, while Crabbe can only rely on potions to sustain his life, and his body will become weaker and weaker."

"Like a vegetative state patient in Muggle medicine?" Nancy asked tentatively.

"Yes."

Fontana's heart sank.

During Ilfamoni's stay, Dumbledore and Snape respected his ideas greatly. The investigations into Horcruxes and the Serpent Tree were led by him. Now, regarding Crabbe and the Serpent Tree, although they suggested postponing the decision for two days, they ultimately wanted to hear his opinion.

The principal's thoughts were somewhat complicated.

The Serpent Tree was Ilvermorny's most prized possession, and he didn't want it to suffer any damage. However, while protecting the Serpent Tree, he also didn't want to see a student's life perish. Searching the relevant records, he learned that this student was not only Vincent Crabbe of Hogwarts, but also Pierre Crabbe of Ilvermorny.

Fontana is currently in a dilemma.

After graduation, he chose to stay at the university to teach, and for more than ten years he has worked diligently, only encountering difficulties in teaching. There haven't been any dark wizards appearing in the magical world, and the Magic Council has maintained stability in the magical world. There haven't been any major upheavals, and he has steadily risen to the position of principal. He cannot abandon the life of a student in a short time.

There's still one day left until the deadline set by Dumbledore, let's wait and see.

"Albus..."

Fontana's voice was filled with expectation: "The family member you mentioned, will he be able to get there in time? Or, after witnessing Crabbe's current miserable state, will he be able to make a rational decision? The Magical Congress of America and the Board of Trustees have already become suspicious. Ilvermorny will be preparing for the start of the school year two weeks in advance. We don't have much time left..."

"I'm not clear on the specifics either."

Dumbledore's words immediately made the relatively inexperienced headmaster nervous. He turned to the student sipping ice cream: "Loren is in charge of communications. Loren, has there been any response from them?"

Loren pulled out a tissue to wipe his mouth: "I didn't contact Mr. Malfoy directly; Todraco relayed the message. Mr. Malfoy clearly stated his opposition to Voldemort, but their current stronghold is protected by the Faithful Charm, so the exact location cannot be revealed. The person keeping the secret could be Rodolphus Lestrange or Bellatrix Lestrange; she hasn't shown up for two months."

"What about the snake tree?"

"He has already relayed the message to Mr. Crabbe."

"I see. Let's wait and see."

"..."

Fontana nodded thoughtfully, as if he had learned something.

Hermione also lowered her head, a thoughtful expression on her face, a glint of light in her eyes. Compared to Potions and Alchemy, which she simply didn't understand, the old headmaster's methods were more thought-provoking. Careful thought revealed a few clues, and the deeper one thought went, the more cunning he seemed, offering some inspiration.

……

Summer nights flow through the spacious estate.

A crimson glow swirled on the outer fence of the compound, and reconnaissance and vigilance magic densely enveloped every inch of brick and stone. Only a few entrances and gates had gaps, where guards were stationed, and some fringe Death Eaters hid in inconspicuous tool sheds and guard booths.

Labastan Lestrange's patrol squad also patrolled back and forth.

This is the Death Eaters' new temporary base, a spacious estate in the suburbs of New York.

Since announcing the impending attack on Harry Potter, Rodolphs has been extremely excited, believing that he finally has a chance to play a role, and immediately added a series of security measures, claiming that this was to prevent leaks.

The previously perfunctory vigilance became strict. The Death Eaters responsible for guarding the area complained, but they didn't dare to complain to Voldemort. The core Death Eaters with higher status didn't participate in these tedious tasks, and Rodolphus's measures were implemented in this way.

They were all doing tedious and boring work, and all the Death Eaters secretly prayed that some blind Muggle thieves would sneak in to add some fun to the long, boring nights. If they really encountered a Muggle who broke in, they would have something to do for the next few days. There were such people at the Brooklyn base a while ago.

To prolong the pleasure, Rodolphus even forbade anyone from using the Unforgivable Curse.

Old Crabbe and Old Goyle were members of the guard. Although they were veteran Death Eaters, they escaped trial after their defeat sixteen years ago and did not serve their sentences in Azkaban, which made them feel guilty towards their fellow prisoners. They also failed to search for the Dark Lord's whereabouts for sixteen years, so they felt guilty towards the Dark Lord as well. Naturally, this kind of hard and tiring work fell to them.

The two were assigned to a security booth at the side gate, one responsible for the first half of the night and the other for the second half.

Around midnight, Old Gore arrived at the guard post a few minutes early to replace Old Crabbe. They were old friends, and the handover was completed quickly. But what happened next puzzled Old Gore. Instead of going back to his room to sleep, Old Crabbe prepared to leave.

"Going out so late?"

Old Crabbe paused. "Yeah, it's too stifling here. I'm thinking of going out to find some fun."

"Let's have some fun..."

Old Gore grinned, not doubting his old friend's excuse, and continued to ask with a smile, "Why didn't you go out in the first half of the night? Anyway, you were the only one guarding this place, no one would know when you went out."

"The Lestrange brothers are on patrol with their men, and sometimes they'll come over to say hello. I can't leave for too long."

"It's the Lestrange brothers again!" Old Gore said angrily. "They've only been in Azkaban for a little over ten years and they've already got the nerve to ride on our necks. A family of brainless lunatics who can't even keep their wives in check. Let's see how long they can keep laughing."

"Don't say these things in front of him."

"I'm not stupid."

Old Crabbe paused for a moment, looking at his old friend whom he had known since their student days, his expression somewhat complicated: "Really? Sometimes I think we're both pretty silly."

"He's just a little slow to react, a bit slow on the uptake, but not stupid." Old Goyle was very persistent about this issue. "Back when we were in Hogwarts, people always said that. After the third year, nobody said that anymore. You remember why? Because we were bigger than the seventh-year students. Anyone who dared to say that would get a beating from the two of us in the bathroom. After graduation, we joined the Death Eaters and pledged allegiance to the Dark Lord, and nobody dared to say that anymore."

"Join the Death Eaters, pledge allegiance to the Dark Lord..."

Old Crabbe muttered those words to himself.

"Alright, go have fun. If you find anything fun, bring me some too."

"Then I'm leaving..."

Old Crabbe walked a short distance out the side door, surrounded by desolation, unsure of his location. He stared blankly into the dim night, thought for a moment, then took out his wand and turned back to the guard booth.

"I suddenly remembered that there's something important I haven't done yet."

"What's so important?"

"【Forget everything】"

As he watched Old Gore's eyes gradually glaze over and his expression slowly become blank, Old Crabbe narrowed his eyes, and for a moment he seemed to be transported back to his student days, seeing his gluttonous, lazy, and short-tempered accomplice.

Even when he saw himself approaching with a wand, he was completely unprepared.

Those classmates are right, this guy is stupid.

He was a fool himself, only being smart tonight.

The burly, strong figure turned and walked out of the side door. Perhaps he was no longer young, because his back was somewhat hunched, but his steps were still firm, and he gradually disappeared into the dim night.

Behind the window of the second-floor room, Lucius glanced at the drunken Lestrange brothers, his expression calm and his eyes devoid of any emotion.

From a young age, they received the traditional Malfoy family education: there are no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests; between people, interests are the only unbreakable bond. The reason the Malfoy family has survived for so long is that it has been able to bring benefits to the majority most of the time.

The Goyle and Crabbe families do not actively seek to benefit others, but they are foolish enough to be easily swayed and obey orders. Therefore, their very existence benefits other intelligent people, who then allow these families to survive.

Old Crabbe inherited the Crabbe family's traditional virtue—foolishness.

During his student days, Lucius joined them and, by instigating two big guys, amassed considerable wealth.

Later, he joined the Death Eaters and supported the Dark Lord. Within the Death Eater circle, he also raised his own status by inciting Crabbe and Goyle. However, Lucius always adhered to the principle of exchanging benefits. While taking from them, he would also repay the two big oafs when appropriate.

Otherwise, with their abilities, how could they have survived the last Wizarding War and escaped judgment in the subsequent reckoning?

For decades, Lucius adhered to this principle. It wasn't until he had his own family and children that he gradually realized there were bonds stronger than self-interest, found between his wife, son, and himself.

He knew very well that, despite old Crabbe's stupidity and wickedness, the same bond existed between them.

With just a little tweaking, things will move in the direction we expect.

Besides, this isn't a deception.

Lucius picked up his goblet and drank it all in one gulp, then collapsed drunk beside Rodolphus, completely unconscious.

……

Mount Greylock, Massachusetts.

Loren woke up in the teachers' dormitory. The bright morning light streamed in through the balcony, the air was cool and moist, and the chirping of unknown birds could be heard outside. A set of Iphamoni school uniforms was placed on the bed.

After changing his clothes and tying the Gordi Knot, Loren looked at himself in the mirror. His handsome face was perfect for display in the school history museum.

When I stepped out of the room, Hermione was already awake. She was wearing a cranberry-red school uniform, which made her pretty face look even more beautiful. Her bright eyes were shining as she stood at the corner of the corridor reading the text under the portrait.

"Smack."

"..."

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing."

Hermione sighed and wiped the drool off her cheek, which still smelled fresh with toothpaste foam.

"What are you looking at?"

Loren's voice was light and cheerful. He placed his hands on her shoulders and leaned over to look at the text below the portrait, which recorded the life of an 18th-century wizard who established a sanctuary during the War of Independence, preventing many wizards from being drawn into the war.

He died from electrocution while repairing a light bulb with his bare hands at the age of 99.

"Emmm..."

Loren's expression was somewhat complicated. Just then, the wizard in the portrait awoke from his slumber and, hearing his sighing tone, immediately stared at him with wide eyes, clearly having been mocked many times before.

Hermione quickly pulled him away.

A dozen minutes later, Hermione pulled Loren into a side hall of the Great Hall.

Familiar figures sat around the dining table, and a steaming breakfast was already laid out. However, the presence of the waiter, Pukchi, made the room feel somewhat empty.

Hermione was somewhat surprised and sat down on the right. "Professor Fontana, are the Pukchers on holiday?"

"They have other things to do." Fontana turned his head and saw the two people in school uniforms. His eyes lit up and his smile became even more gentle.

Nancy and Pickley noticed their Goldie Knot wasn't quite right and quietly gave them pointers on how to adjust it. Snape, standing nearby, noticed the headmaster silently observing them, a smile playing on his lips.

Dumbledore paused briefly, then asked calmly, "Loren, can you teleport freely in Iphamonny?"

"Maybe...?" Loren was a little unsure of the principal's meaning.

"Then this task can only be entrusted to it." Dumbledore paused, then raised his voice slightly and called out, "Fox."

"squeak."

With a clear cry, a flame suddenly shot up, and Fawkes, with his dazzling feathers, emerged from the flames and slowly landed on Dumbledore's shoulder.

Dumbledore stroked its beak: "A guest has arrived halfway up the mountain. Bring him up."

A brilliant flame rose up, and the phoenix disappeared from the spot.

Pickley and Nancy, standing nearby, were stunned, their eyes sparkling.

Fontana opened his mouth, but then hesitated and stopped.

(End of this chapter)