"Why are you here, Lucius?" The Death Eater's question was cut short as the person in front urgently commanded everyone to duck. In a frantic scramble, they barely managed to avoid a barrage of spells flying overhead in a precise, deadly pattern. The speaker's back was instantly soaked with cold sweat, and Bieber's face mirrored the terror. "The security team is back!" someone shouted.
"Run!" Lucius bellowed. One unfortunate Death Eater reacted too slowly; a red spell struck him, eliciting a painful howl as he crumpled to the ground. Lippi attempted to assist him, but a sleeping spell swiftly rendered the Death Eater unconscious. No one dared to linger; they all fled in a panic.
Upon reaching a secluded wooden pier, Lucius, panting heavily, instructed, "Put your hand on this." The others, minds clouded by fear, complied without question. A moment later, they were whisked away by the portkey, just seconds before Tang Mi and his team arrived on the scene. Tang Mi cursed under his breath and ordered a thorough search of the area. After his team dispersed, his demeanor shifted. "My lord's plan has succeeded," he murmured, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.
Back at Silverhand Manor, Tang Mi brought the captured Death Eater to the study. Inside, John was idly toying with a ring. Noticing Tang Mi's return, he remarked, "Your friend is quite the strategist." He was referring to Lippi, whose daring venture into the Death Eaters' den had not gone unnoticed.
Tang Mi offered a wry smile. "My lord, Lippi may have stumbled upon something significant." He was concerned that John might reprimand Lippi for his recklessness.
John waved off the concern with a chuckle. "The more Death Eaters we have, the better," he declared. His gaze then fell on the captive Death Eater. "Without rules, we're merely reacting," he mused. John retrieved a book from the shelf, and as he opened it, the pages fluttered wildly, eventually wrapping the Death Eater like a mummy. The book then absorbed the captive with a strange suction before John casually returned it to its place.
"Arrange compensation for the injured," John instructed, adjusting his collar. "Draft the paperwork, and I'll sign it." With that, he stepped into the fireplace, vanishing in a swirl of blue flames.
Tang Mi shook his head, amused by John's laissez-faire leadership. "What a hands-off boss," he thought, knowing all too well the challenges of managing such a unique leader.
Meanwhile, Lucius had successfully infiltrated the Death Eaters, a feat previously thought impossible due to their mistrust. His unexpected appearance during the escape had raised eyebrows, particularly from Bieber. Lucius retorted with a sneer, "Given my close relationship with Johnny Silverhand, do you really think he'd keep secrets from me?"
His words left a lasting impression, especially on a tall, thin Death Eater who had never considered Lucius a potential ally. Lucius's connection to Johnny Silverhand, evident in his ability to open the dungeon door, solidified his position within the Death Eaters. Furthermore, Lippi had also managed to infiltrate their ranks, becoming one of Lucius's men. Unlike Lippi's covert operations, Bieber was the one genuinely committed to their cause. With Lucius's support, a man of considerable influence, their plans began to take shape, promising a tumultuous future. In the shadowy world of magical society, John made a decisive move to seek refuge. The death of the locksmith Doug, a fellow Death Eater, was met with indifference; the bonds of comradeship were thin among Voldemort's followers. Lucius Malfoy, who had been lying low, provided John with detailed intelligence that revealed a surprising number of Voldemort loyalists still lurking in Knockturn Alley. John had mistakenly believed he had full control over this dark corner of the wizarding world, but the revelation of these hidden threats spurred him into action. He decided to let Lucius continue his covert operations while he shifted his focus to another strategic location: Hogwarts.
At Hogwarts, John was tirelessly active, never forgetting the presence of a master of confusion spells within the school's walls. The mermaid incident, though gradually fading into the background, had kept Professor Barty Crouch Jr. (referred to as "Old Batty") occupied in minimizing its fallout. Thankfully, there were no fatalities, but the incident attracted an unexpected visitor to the Ministry of Magic: Amelia Bones, the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Her involvement meant that the spotlight was no longer solely on Crouch Jr.; she would be attending the third event of the Triwizard Tournament, much to his chagrin.
Meanwhile, Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody, with his distinctive wooden leg, made his way through the castle's quiet corridors. His magical eye detected someone hiding around a corner, prompting him to call out, "Come out, or do you want me to invite you out?" Heinrich Edgar emerged, his pale face partly obscured by black hair, with one golden eye peering out. Moody, unfazed, recognized the darkness associated with the Edgar surname.
Moody, with a grimace that accentuated the scars on his face, remarked on the Edgar family's notorious history, mentioning Aldolph Edgar's fanatical end. Heinrich, provoked by Moody's disdainful recounting of his uncle's death, defended the man's ideals. Moody, however, laughed off the notion, equating the Edgars' misguided pursuits with those of Grindelwald and Voldemort.
Their confrontation was interrupted by Severus Snape, who reminded Heinrich of his upcoming Potions class. As Heinrich left, he warned Moody not to mock his family's ideals, a sentiment Moody dismissed, having seen too many like him end up in Azkaban.
After Heinrich's departure, Snape reproached Moody for his antagonistic stance towards the students, reminding him that Dumbledore had not invited him to Hogwarts to harass them. Moody, with his magical eye flickering, met Snape's gaze, hinting at the complex dynamics at play within the school's walls. Snape faced Moody, his expression solemn. "You should be aware of the impact the emergence of a new Dark Lord would have on the wizarding world. Yet, you willingly chose to become an undercover agent..."
"No, I don't...know," Snape replied, his voice deliberate and heavy with implication. He locked eyes with Moody, adding, "And Dumbledore is also in the dark about...the third Dark Lord."
Moody let out a derisive snort before turning to leave, his cloak billowing behind him. Snape, meanwhile, made his way into the classroom. However, as he stepped inside, the door slammed shut behind him with an ominous thud, echoing the gravity of their conversation and the uncertain dangers that lay ahead.
_________
If you are tired of reading I also have this converted to an audio novel on my youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge