days at Hogwarts

Chapter 744 Death Eater Gathering

Chapter 744 Death Eater Gathering

Hermione and Nancy, who were present, endured the discomfort and stood by to observe the living Horcrux.

The fresh plant fragrance could not cover up the strong smell of blood. Their faces became paler and the acid in their stomachs was surging. They had to hold their breath to suppress the urge to vomit.

Several adult wizards gathered in front of the snake tree. Dumbledore withdrew his hand that was covering Vincent Crabbe's face. The vigorous vitality of the snake tree immediately poured in, dispelling the Transfiguration magic left on his face. The face that had been restored to its original appearance immediately degenerated and was covered with dense snake scales again.

The body kept its eyes closed throughout the entire process and seemed to be completely unconscious.

Dumbledore frowned slightly and said in a deep voice: "Voldemort has completely transformed this body. The snake scales have completely replaced his skin."

Fontana and Snape remained silent and continued to observe this twisted creation of black magic, but Fontana focused on the snake tree, while Snape was more concerned about Crabbe who was carrying the soul fragment.

Loren lowered his eyes and swept his strange gaze over the entire body. Crystal blue light and shadows floated, and the surging magic power in the body was revealed in his field of vision.

Light beams of three different colors flowed through it. The magic of the emerald green snake tree was the strongest, and it continuously flowed in from the umbilical cord of flesh and blood connecting to the core of the tree, repairing the injuries of the body and maintaining the most basic physiological activities.

The second is the black magic power lingering in the chest. Obviously, that is where Voldemort's soul resides. It is like the center of the whole body, transporting magic power to various parts of the body like a heart, and returning to the center after completing the cycle. It absorbs the life of the snake tree to strengthen itself, and at the same time slowly transforms this body.

In the end, the only thing left was a faint magic that was almost colorless, and it seemed to belong to the original owner of this body, Vincent Crabbe.

But now it is like a candle that is about to burn out, dim and weak, constantly being devoured by black magic, and may go out at any time.

"..."

There was a glimmer in Loren's eyes, as if he remembered something. He reached out and touched the pendant on his chest, took out the strange soul-stealing stone, and then looked at the body from a different perspective.

There was only deep black color, without any other emotional fluctuations, proving that the original soul of the body had completely disappeared. Now the inside of the tree hole was just an empty shell that allowed the fragments of Voldemort's soul to reside.

Vincent Crabbe is gone, just as Peter Pettigrew once was.

Fontana's eyes swept over Crabbe and the umbilical cord, and the structure of the entire snake tree unconsciously emerged in his mind. There were living creatures inside and magical wood outside. This twisted and strange structure made people feel inexplicably familiar... His expression gradually became serious.

"It's a magic wand."

Dumbledore spoke slowly, and after a long period of thought, his tone was somewhat complicated: "As a descendant of Slytherin, Voldemort considered himself the heir of Slytherin and has always been keen on pursuing Slytherin's relics. He also did not let go of the snake tree. During the time he was hiding in Ilvermorny, he must have tried to reawaken the snakewood wand, but he found that the core of the original wand had turned into part of the snake tree, and the original snakewood wand could no longer be awakened."

The others stared at this strange body, and the old principal's steady voice rang in their ears:

"So he planned to make a new core, a special and powerful one that could match the core of this snake tree."

……

The setting sun dyed the mountains red, the brilliant sunset glow seemed to ignite the forests, and the castle's outer walls and tower spires were coated with a layer of red light.

Loren leaned against the railing of the corridor and put the last slice of orange flesh into his mouth. Only a handful of orange peel was left in his hand. He rolled it into a ball and made a throwing gesture towards the bushes next to him.

He aimed several times but ultimately didn't make the move.

When visiting someone else's school or going out, you should still pay attention to etiquette.

If it were in the Forbidden Forest of Hogwarts, this kind of organic matter such as fruit peels, which are not difficult-to-degrade plastic waste, can be thrown under a tree to feed slugs and ants, and will be decomposed into plant nutrients in a few days, which is green and environmentally friendly.

Loren took a few steps and threw the orange peel into the trash can at the corner of the corridor. He returned to his original position and looked to the side. Hermione and the two Ilvermorny graduates were still sitting on the steps, the oranges in their hands intact. The three of them had dazed eyes, and it was obvious that they were still thinking about the snake tree.

After they found the living Horcrux by cutting open the snake tree in the morning, several professors did not deal with it immediately, but dismissed the students, leaving the three of them alone in the woods to study. They did not even show up for lunch, and it has been almost a day now, and there is still no result.

It's not like we haven't destroyed Horcruxes before, so we have some experience in dealing with them. The sword, snake's fang and Fiendfyre are the three old things. Can Ron handle them all?
What is there to study about this?
Of course, it was to find a way to save Vincent Crabbe and remove the fragments of Voldemort's soul without damaging his body. Apart from this, Loren could not think of any other reason.

He didn't really want to get involved in such trouble.

It had nothing to do with hating Vincent Crabbe, it was simply because the soul in that body was no longer there, and in a sense, he was dead. Unless Professor Snape performed a resurrection ceremony, Loren could not think of any other way.

Looking at the gradually darkening sunset, it was almost time for dinner. When Loren was hesitating whether to peel another orange, he heard steady footsteps beside him.

The four young wizards who were immersed in thought heard the voice and quickly raised their heads and turned to look at the white-bearded professor who was walking towards them, with the same curiosity in their eyes.

Dumbledore watched from afar, the fatigue on his face slightly relieved, and a smile appeared in the corners of his eyes:

"The most enviable thing about Ilvermorny is that the school is located in the mountains, and the sunrise and sunset are both beautiful sights."

"Principal Dumbledore, have you come up with any ideas?" Nancy asked.

Hermione was equally curious, not out of kindness, she thought Vincent Crabbe should be punished, but the crime he committed was not enough to warrant the death penalty.

"Unfortunately, we don't."

"In that case..." Nancy looked dazed and didn't finish the rest of her words.

"Many wizards have sacrificed their lives at the hands of Voldemort and the Death Eaters. In order to completely eliminate Voldemort and repair the snake tree, we have anticipated that we will have to pay a corresponding price." Dumbledore's tone was a little complicated. After a pause, he continued, "But I ask Gilbert to wait for two more days, because the one who will bear this price is Vincent Crabbe and his family."

Pickley and Nancy seemed to understand what was said.

Hermione had a thoughtful expression. Loren looked up at the headmaster, only to see the old man nod slightly at him.

……

In a single-family house in Brooklyn, New York, Lucius handed a key to Gringotts to Rodolphus: "This underground vault of Gringotts in New York was bought from someone else. It contains several thousand gold Galleons and some house deeds. They are all wizard residences. It should be able to be used as a base for the next move." Suspected to be the keeper of the Fidelius Charm and the current second-in-command of the Death Eaters, Rodolphus took the key: "Very good, Lucius, the Dark Lord will remember your contribution."

Watching him turn and leave, Lucius let out a long breath, pressed his chest and rubbed it a little, feeling that the depression that had accumulated from taking out a large sum of wealth again was slightly relieved.

In the water tank next to the cabinet, the ornamental goldfish was floating quietly, but its belly was turned up and its eyes were bulging. The water, which had not been changed for two weeks, was a little turbid, mixed with whiskey and wine, which was also the cause of the goldfish's death. The other Death Eaters could only destroy it, and could not pay Galleons to support their daily expenses in this strange country.

"I hope Old Gore and his people will drink less and not have any other expenses."

Lucius sat silently on the sofa. Only he knew that what he was muttering now was not what he really thought.

That thought cannot be spoken out loud and cannot be heard by anyone. If something unexpected happens, he will become the goldfish with its belly turned upside down in the tank.

As if sensing the treacherous thoughts in his mind, the moment those thoughts passed, a slight burning and slight tingling sensation surfaced on the inside of his arm, where the Dark Mark had been branded.

Lucius broke out in a cold sweat, suspecting that Voldemort's dark magic had improved and he could even spy on his thoughts.

Rodolphus, who had just gotten the vault key and walked out, also felt the burning pain. He immediately turned back, opened the door, and saw Lucius lying stiffly on the sofa. He couldn't help but wonder, "Why are you still sitting here when the Dark Lord summoned you?"

"It's the Dark Mark calling the gathering."

Lucius heaved a sigh of relief, realizing that he had scared himself. He stood up and walked to the next room with Rodolphus: "Convene all Death Eaters to a meeting. Could it be that someone has collected some important information?"

"We'll find out later."

The summoning of the Dark Mark was getting stronger and stronger. Before the burning and stinging sensation became unbearable, Lucius and others had arrived at the gathering room.

It was a spacious room decorated in Muggle style, with tiles fitting together tightly and walls that looked exceptionally white after being painted. In the middle of the room stood a long square table with neatly arranged chairs on both sides, creating a clean and simple look.

Those familiar faces were already waiting here, Rookwood, Rabastan, old Goyle, old Crabbe, old Nott... All the Death Eaters took their seats one by one, looking down at the table in silence.

No one looked up at the figure sitting in the main seat, except Lucius, who couldn't help but glance there subconsciously when he walked in.

He was wearing a loose black cloth robe, and his pale snake face seemed to have more scales. However, they were not scales, but mottled marks on the skin, scars left after being burned, and new pink tender flesh, making the face even more terrifying.

"Lucius, Rodolphus, my most loyal family, come sit next to me..."

The hoarse, mocking voice was somewhat distorted due to its high tone, like the hissing sound of a python exhaling forcefully, which made people shudder.

The two nodded in response and sat down obediently next to the main seat. Many thoughts flashed through Lucius' mind. He lowered his head and eyes skillfully to hide all his gaze and expressions.

This was originally the place where Snape and Bellatrix lived, but they are not here at the moment, which makes people miss them vaguely.

"How glad we can still be together here." Voldemort said calmly, "I know that after what you experienced that night, I believe there is still a more powerful magic, enough to defeat me and to protect you, in the hands of Albus Dumbledore, who protects the mudbloods and half-bloods.

"Those sanctimonious enemies did hinder my progress for a short time, through intrigue, deception, and power that did not belong to them.

"I know that many people are ready to make a move. Just like sixteen years ago, you think I am no longer capable and are trying to return to my enemy's side, saying that you are innocent, forced, and under the Imperius Curse...

"But I must remind you once again that I have found a way to circumvent death, and I have gone further on this path than anyone else."

There was silence in the room as Voldemort's eyes wandered over their faces. That extremely oppressive gaze seemed to be able to penetrate their minds and peek into their deepest thoughts.

Some Death Eaters were shaking constantly, fear was written all over their faces, and they couldn't help but bury their heads even lower. Some Death Eaters had already lowered their heads before their eyes could reach them, so their facial expressions could not be seen clearly.

Voldemort looked at a Death Eater who had lowered his head in advance and said, "Rookwood, I asked you to gather intelligence. Did you collect any useful information?"

Rookwood shivered slightly, his throat tightening.

As a senior Death Eater, he knew very well that if he could not provide information that satisfied Voldemort at this time, it would be used to warn other Death Eaters.

"Master, I bribed an employee of the Magic Congress, who is from the Law Enforcement Department, and obtained the internal structural drawings of the Woolworth Building."

"..."

Voldemort did not speak, but tapped the table lightly with his slender fingers. The slight sound echoed in the quiet room, and the sound seemed to knock on his heart. Rookwood's breathing began to rapid and his voice began to tremble.

"An editor of the New York Ghost has been under my Imperius Curse, and his sources can help us."

"..."

Rookwood's forehead was covered with large beads of sweat. "Also, next week I can meet with the staff of the Treasure and Crucible Management Department, which is now the Finance Department. Perhaps we can interfere in the election of the next President of the Magic Congress, so as to control the wizard government here and prepare for a counterattack."

"I am glad, Rookwood, that you appear to be still my faithful servant."

Voldemort stood up and slowly approached him, placing his hand on his shoulder: "I also have information to tell you, a surprising piece of news."

Rookwood felt relieved inwardly, but his body and expression were poised to appear frightened and respectful.

Voldemort was very satisfied with his reaction and paced slowly around the table. "I have a friend who works in the Department of Transportation of the Ministry of Magic. Just a few hours ago, she sent a letter to tell me that an acquaintance has completed the immigration procedures and will soon leave for New York. He is an old friend of ours. I think we should hold a welcome ceremony for him. What do you think?"

"Who?" Rodolphus asked tentatively.

Voldemort's voice suddenly turned cold: "Harry Potter!"

(End of this chapter)

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