Homecoming from Hogwarts

"Whether it's the Ministry of Magic or Dumbledore or Braine, it's not in our interest to help either side. I think it's in our interest to sit back and watch them both suffer losses."

Voldemort began to speak, and the chatter in the room died down immediately.

The gold-rimmed glasses flashed an arc of light. Adam Vogel was silent for a moment, and finally bowed respectfully to Voldemort.
"I am deeply inspired by your opinion. However, respected Dark Lord, can we consider moving our base?"

Transfer base?
The Death Eaters' gazes once again focused on Adam Vogel's face. There was anger, sarcasm, excitement and thoughtfulness in those prying eyes.

The Malfoys, who were sitting in the middle of the long table, suddenly clenched their hands hidden under the table, and lowered their eyes so that their colleagues would not see the desire in their eyes.

"Moving base, you mean, leaving Malfoy Manor?"

Voldemort opened his narrow red eyes.
"Why do you have such an interesting idea, Adam? Haha, you want to report to Lucius that he rescued you from Azkaban. After all, there are so many of us crowded here, and it cost Lucius a lot of gold?"

"Oh, Master!"

Lucius immediately jumped up from his chair, bent over and walked quickly to Voldemort's couch, his pale face the same color as the moonlight.

"It is the honor of my life to serve you. This mere gold is not even a fraction of your appreciation!"

"Take it easy, my friend--"

Voldemort laughed sharply.
"I was just playing a little joke on you."

"I am very grateful to your servant for saving us and Jasna from that hell, but my proposal has nothing to do with this, dear Dark Lord--"

Adam couldn't sit there any longer, he left his seat and stood next to Malfoy.

"It's just that... based on some of the information I've learned, we have to consider that if Brian defeats Fudge in this political struggle, I think Cornelius Fudge's wisdom is not enough to be compared with Brian and Dumbledore."

Adam looked earnestly into Voldemort's red eyes.

"If Fudge really fails and steps down, the person most likely to take over the position of British Minister of Magic is Amelia Bones. This woman is Brian's puppet. She will definitely follow Brian's orders and increase the intensity of her crackdown on us. This is very disadvantageous to us."

"Despicable scum, useless coward!"

Bella, who was two seats away from Malfoy, jumped up and cursed wildly.
"You are terribly afraid of Brian, right? Because you have failed at his hands before!"

Adam remained unmoved, but a deep hatred flashed in his brown eyes.

"Bella--"

Voldemort shouted, with a hint of coldness.

"Don't be rude to our new friends."

Bellatrix immediately shrank her head, but then she looked at Voldemort on the couch with blazing eyes and shouted fanatically,
"My Lord, if you think Brian is a nuisance, I am willing to get rid of him for you!"

There was a pause.

"I admire your courage, Bellatrix."

Severus's calm words caused Bellatrix to grin at him!
"Temporarily withdrawing from Britain will bring us many benefits, dear Dark Lord."

Adam spoke again.

"Here, Dumbledore and Braine will be our obstacles no matter what, and they will do their best to resist you.

Although the British Ministry of Magic is currently under the leadership of a foolish minister, if they change the minister, the situation will be more difficult for us, because most of the employees of the British Ministry of Magic have experienced the last war with you and are more experienced.

Once we choose to change a base, no matter which country it is, its magical government will be meaningless to us and will have no power to resist. We can develop our power with confidence.

In the end, our power will even be able to surround Britain, and Dumbledore and Braine will have no choice but to surrender!"

Adam's remarks sparked discussion again. Some Death Eaters looked at him and nodded frequently, while others expressed disgust at the proposal.

Severus' dark eyes shot out a gaze on Adam Vogel, who had the temperament of a scholar, but he looked away after only a second.

Perhaps it was a mistake that Amosta had imprisoned this man in Azkaban instead of executing him.

The discussion continued for a while and then gradually subsided.

The Death Eaters' attention returned to Voldemort.

"Your proposal is very interesting, Adam. I am almost tempted."

Voldemort said, and Adam frowned when he heard it, ready to make another suggestion. However, Voldemort raised a hand, which made him feel great pressure, and the red snake eyes that were looking at him suddenly became vicious.

"But have you overlooked one thing, my dear friend?"

Voldemort had a cold smile on his face.

"Will this... make the foolish world think that we retreated because we were... oh, afraid of Dumbledore and Braine?"

Wow!

Thunderous shouts rang out in the room, where the atmosphere had been restrained until now, and the Death Eaters left their seats and shouted loudly.

Bellatrix was even moved to tears.

"We are their nightmare!"

Alecto Carrow leaped onto a chair and roared.

With a cold expression, Jasna, who had not spoken a word, stared at these Death Eaters, her face gradually becoming stunned.

The Death Eaters are a bunch of lunatics, real lunatics!
"Anyway!"

Voldemort looked at his Death Eaters with satisfaction and raised his voice slightly.
"I have no intention of leaving England, Adam. But—"

Voldemort looked at the silent Adam.
"You are right. Amelia Bones will indeed be a problem for us."

The light in Adam's brown pupils lit up slightly.

"Find a way to get rid of Amelia Bones."

Voldemort's voice became grim.

"This is the first task Lord Voldemort has given you, Adam."

Under everyone's gaze, Adam slowly leaned forward and knelt on one knee.
"It is an honor to serve you, dear Dark Lord. Oh, one more thing."

"Ok?"

"Ekstad still holds many of our compatriots captive. Dear Dark Lord, I believe they will also be your staunch supporters."

"Go ahead, Adam, the Death Eaters will support you."

Voldemort said lazily,
"Voldemort also needs more supporters."

Lucius, Adam, and Bellatrix all returned to their seats, while Voldemort floated up from his recliner.

The moonlight was obscured by the gray fog. Voldemort paced back and forth in front of the fireplace. His body was shrouded in darkness, with only two spots of scarlet flickering around.

"I think my loyal Death Eaters will not forget that Voldemort's defeat in the past fourteen years came from a prophecy that was not fully known."

Severus' expression changed slightly as he sat at the conference table. The roaring emotions in his heart even made him dazed at this critical moment.

When vigilance pulled him back to reality, he found that the two red lights were facing him.

"Please forgive me, my Lord."

Severus was shocked. He left his seat, knelt on one knee, and said in a hoarse voice,

"If it weren't for that prophecy"

"Please don't misunderstand me, my dear Severus—"

Voldemort's eerie voice came from the darkness.

"Although he caused Voldemort to suffer for fourteen years, I still have to say that it was a crucial prophecy and I want to thank you for finding it out for me."

Severus breathed a sigh of relief. The surging emotions in his mind just now were understood by Voldemort as his regret for providing this prophecy, which led to Voldemort's failure.

"--The prophecy is housed in the Department of Mysteries, and only Harry Potter and I can access it. I can't expect Dumbledore to be so kind as to tell me everything."

The scarlet in the darkness froze, and the light enveloped all the Death Eaters.
"I have an idea. You need to find out its exact location for me." (End of this chapter)