章 395: Chapter 395: The Final Preparations
Disclaimer:
Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to J.K. Rowling.
I own nothing but the original characters I create.
"Dialogue"
'Thoughts'
-Author notes-
Chapter 395: The Final Preparations
"Come in…"
Harry stepped through the office door after hearing Dumbledore's familiar invitation.
The Headmaster sat behind his desk, as he often did, looking weary and burdened.
"Not going to enjoy the feast?" Dumbledore asked, a faint trace of a smile on his face.
"I'm not hungry… and we need to talk," Harry replied.
Dumbledore nodded. "How are the families holding up?"
Harry shrugged. "They're being patient, given the situation. Have the teachers started asking questions yet?"
"Only Minerva, for now. But having an entire family of redheads vanish is bound to attract attention sooner rather than later," Dumbledore admitted.
"You can always claim ignorance. Let the Ministry of Magic fabricate an explanation...it won't matter anyway," Harry said calmly.
Dumbledore frowned. "She is my friend, Harry, and a member of the Order. I hate having to keep things from her."
"You can tell her everything once it's done. For now…"
"I know. The fewer people involved, the better," Dumbledore sighed, his exhaustion clear. "This will already be a delicate plan to pull off."
"Did you find the man we need?" Harry asked as he took a seat, glancing at the perch where Fawkes rested.
The phoenix let out a soft, melodic cry.
"Hello to you too, Fawkes," Harry greeted before turning back to Dumbledore.
"I have," Dumbledore replied. "He doesn't have much time left and is asking for compensation for his family. A poor old man…"
"His family will be ten million pounds richer, and he's going to save countless lives. I don't pity him that much," Harry said coldly. Sacrifices were inevitable, he had learned that lesson long ago.
Dumbledore looked deeply troubled. "I still have doubts about this plan…"
"Which part? You won't be at risk, so is that what worries you?" Harry asked, his tone slightly sharper.
"Don't patronize me, Harry," Dumbledore snapped, his blue eyes flashing. "It's not my safety that concerns me. I would die a thousand times to protect the children in this school. It's them I worry about."
"They won't be at risk," Harry assured him firmly.
Dumbledore slammed his fists onto the desk. "You want to lure an army inside the castle walls!"
Harry remained unfazed. "An army that will swiftly die by my hand before they have the chance to harm a single innocent student. I can guarantee Voldemort's defeat if he comes here. But I can't make the same promise if it happens anywhere else."
"Can you really guarantee it?" Dumbledore pressed. "After hearing Severus's report? Voldemort is not even human anymore. We don't know the extent of his protections. The only certainty we have is that he's no longer using Horcruxes. He must have found something far more secure…"
"That's why I need him here. I know I can defeat him in this castle. Nowhere else," Harry said with unwavering confidence.
"You always seem to have something hidden up your sleeve…"
Dumbledore murmured, studying Harry intently.
Harry met his gaze without flinching "Of course I do. Will you trust me with this?"
After a long moment, Dumbledore's expression softened. "I will trust you, Harry. I will trust you with everyone's fate. And I can only hope that I won't regret it."
"Good." Harry stood. "Finish the preparations on your side, and I'll do the same on mine. We shouldn't meet again unless absolutely necessary...I don't want to take any unwarranted risks this close to the goal."
Dumbledore nodded. "That's probably for the best."
"How is Professor Snape holding up?" Harry asked, changing the subject.
"Not well…not after being forced to commit such atrocities. But I know him...Severus will not fail, he will do his duty until the end as he wants this to be over as much as we do." Dumbledore said quietly.
"Let's hope so," Harry replied, though there was little sympathy in his tone.
Dumbledore hesitated before adding, "He's made a curious request. He wants asylum for Narcissa Malfoy."
"Draco's mother?" Harry raised an eyebrow.
"From what I understand, she only joined Voldemort to protect her son. Severus says she's looking for a way out."
Harry shrugged indifferently. "As long as she's not too involved with the Death Eaters, I won't pursue her. Just tell Snape to ensure she doesn't participate in the battle."
"I'll pass along the message," Dumbledore agreed.
"If there's nothing else to discuss, I'll take my leave," Harry said, heading for the door.
"Aren't you going to eat anything?" Dumbledore asked.
"I'll visit the kitchens later," Harry replied. "For now, I think I'll spend some time in the Room of Requirement and break a few dummies."
After Harry left, Dumbledore turned to Fawkes. "It's going to work…right, Fawkes?"
The phoenix let out a loud, echoing cry.
<><><><><><><><><><>
Meanwhile…at a distant gloomy manor.
"He's waiting for you, and he's not happy," Bellatrix said with a wicked grin.
"I hope you brought him good news, or you may not survive the night."
Snape nodded. "Open the door."
Of course, Voldemort would be in a foul mood. He had been that way since the night of the attacks when he lost many of his most loyal followers.
The worst blow, however, was that he still hadn't uncovered the culprits.
"Severus…" Voldemort's chilling voice greeted him. The Dark Lord was seated on his throne, his skeletal face illuminated in the dim light.
Red eyes, glowing with a terrifying light, fixed on Snape. "What do you have for me? Speak!"
Snape knelt before him, lowering his head. "I have succeeded in my task, my Lord."
"You mean…?" Voldemort's voice quivered with anticipation.
"The liquid curse we prepared for Dumbledore...I've successfully made him drink it. In less than six weeks, the old wizard will completely lose his magic."
Voldemort's lips curled into a ghastly smile, his red eyes blazing with triumph.
"Albus Dumbledore…you are mine now!"
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