struggle

In the desolate public cemetery on the outskirts of London, those homeless people and those who died in charities are buried. There are no flowers for offering sacrifices and no visits from relatives. Day by day it went downhill.The pale hand of the resurrected Voldemort lightly caressed the broken tombstone, sliding down the name "Merope Gaunt Riddle" engraved on it stroke by stroke, with a sarcastic expression on his face: " Stupid and cowardly woman, your only role is to give me life for the second time."

In this quiet and even somewhat depressing atmosphere, a slight "cracking" sound suddenly appeared in the surrounding air, which was obviously the sound of space-shattering caused by apparition.Gradually, more and more wizards emerged from among the tombs, all of them wore long hoods, and covered their faces with silver hideous masks. They walked over cautiously, knelt down one by one, and kissed Voldemort tremblingly. The hem of the black robe. Voldemort didn't do anything, just looked at them coldly, and for a moment he could only hear the rustling sound of the Death Eaters' cloaks being rubbed against each other.

After everyone bowed and stepped aside, stood up and silently formed a circle, Voldemort said softly, "Welcome, Death Eaters. It's been 12 years, since our last meeting, But you still heed my call just like yesterday... that is, we are still united under the Dark Mark, aren't we?"

All the people were silent and did not dare to answer. Those nobles who knew about Tom's return even lowered their heads deeply, hiding their puzzled expressions in their long hoods.And Voldemort said: "During the time I was away, some of you slipped back among our enemies, and some of you still insisted on our ideals, and only recently returned from Azkaban. For those who have been Those who are loyal to me, I will give you rewards beyond your dreams. As for those who betrayed me..." Voldemort suddenly stopped, with a ferocious expression, his bright red eyes swept across the Death Eaters with their heads bowed in front of him, "I think, I'm really disappointed." At the same time, he instantly burst out a powerful magic pressure, moving towards the Death Eaters in front of him to suppress them.

A Death Eater in the circle seemed unable to bear the pressure, and suddenly fell to the ground, trembling all over, crawling forward, trying to kiss the corner of Voldemort's robe: "Master, forgive me! Forgive us!"

But Voldemor didn't even look at him, just raised his wand with a sneer: "Crucio!" Amidst his painful screams, Voldemort's voice became softer: "This is the price of betrayal, I tell you Never take chances." As the last word fell, Voldemort raised his wand again, and a thick green light shot into the body of the Death Eater on the ground, causing him to stop all convulsions instantly, and stared blankly at eyes, lying on the ground stiffly.

Voldemort looked at the increasingly pale faces of the crowd with satisfaction, and smiled indifferently: "Recently, I heard that someone pretended to be my name and was summoning Death Eaters. Let me tell you now, this is a scam. That is a disgraceful betrayer, I will not let him go, I will let you all witness his death with your own eyes, just like him." He said, pointing to the Death Eater who just died, "And you , will know how to choose?"

All the Death Eaters knelt down again: "Master, we understand." Voldemort slowly walked to the right side of the circle, looking at the three people he had relied on the most: "Lucius, Bella, Severus, do you understand?"

Lucius lowered his head first, and kissed his robe again: "We all understand, Master. Thank you for your generosity. We will definitely serve you more faithfully in the future." Although he was not very clear about the current situation, he was cunning His natural instinct still made him choose to swear allegiance for the time being. After all, he didn't want to be like the corpse lying in front of him, and become the chicken being warned.

Snape didn't say much, but he followed Lucius and kissed the corner of Voldemort's robe, and replied briefly: "I understand, Master."

Only Bella raised her head and looked at Voldemort suspiciously: "Master, is that person a fake? A traitor?" After seeing Voldemort nodding, a look of guilt flashed in her eyes: "Master, I'm sorry for you. I thought it was the real you who came back, so I have given him the golden cup that you entrusted to me for safekeeping."

"Stupid woman!" Voldemort waved his wand in a moment of fury. Under the effect of Cruciatus, Bella fell to the ground in pain, rolling and screaming, while Rudolphs beside her didn't dare to go to help her , could only keep pleading to Voldemort: "Master, we didn't mean to betray you. Master, we were just deceived. I beg you to forgive Bella this time."

When Bella was in so much pain that she couldn't scream on the ground, Voldemort finally stopped the spell and looked at her coldly: "Bella, I'll give you another chance. From now on, you can only obey my orders, If there is any disobedience, it will not be forgiven." Bella's face was pale, panting heavily, unable to make a sound, she could only nod repeatedly.

Voldemort glanced at everyone one last time: "I hope you don't let me down again this time. We must ensure the real victory this time, and completely eliminate those dirty bloodlines in the wizarding world until only wizards with pure bloodlines remain !” After speaking, he took Nagini and Peter and disappeared in front of everyone.

After Voldemort left, Rudolphs rushed forward, trying to help Bella who fell on the ground.But Bella shook off his hand, got up staggeringly, and looked at Lucius angrily: "Lucius, the person you said is the master, and he is the one who came back, what happened now?" thing?"

"I don't know what's going on. After all, you have seen him yourself, and you also believe what he said. How can you blame me now?" Lucius replied in a long tone. , All of a sudden Bella choked back.However, he was obviously upset, so he didn't argue with Bellardo any more, but immediately turned his attention to Snape: "Sev, what do you think?"

"The so-called betrayer didn't come to me, and I'm not sure what the situation is. After all, both of you have had contact with him face to face, and neither of you found his fake or abnormal, and I have no way of speculating The truth." Snape was not prepared to tell them the real situation, after all, this was internal information of the Order of the Phoenix, and without Dumbledore's consent, even his best friend Lucius, he could not disclose it in private.

Therefore, he just raised his eyes and glanced at them: "If there is nothing else, I will leave first. After all, I am still under Dumbledore's eyes at Hogwarts. At such a sensitive time, it will arouse his suspicion." After saying that, after nodding goodbye to Lucius, he immediately Apparated and left.

Lucius looked at Bella who was obviously still a little irritable: "Bella, you and Rudolphs should go to Malfoy Manor first, let's discuss it together and see the situation." He is currently not sure about this. Which of the two people said is true, but he is not prepared to find out the matter himself, after all, the risk is too great, no matter who is true and who is false, these two people are not easy to offend.So he tried to keep Bella, because he believed she would be a good tester.

Bella obviously didn't suspect him, and she really had nowhere to go at the moment, so she could only nod: "Okay, then let's go back first." As she spoke, she half leaned against Rudolphs, and followed Lucius in the phantom Apparated.

However, none of the three of them expected that when they arrived at Malfoy Manor, it was Tom whom they had suspected all the way that was waiting for them leisurely in Lucius' study.The moment they saw him, the three of them immediately drew out their wands and aimed at him, but Tom still smiled casually: "Lucius, Bella, Rudolphs, are you going to attack me?" The tone, but accompanied by a strong pressure, came towards the three of them, making them all froze in place immediately, unable to move, and could only look at Tom in horror.

"It's a pity that you actually believed the words of a lunatic, but not your real master." Tom shook his head slightly, as if full of regret.He got up and walked in front of Lucius, pulled up his sleeve, and pressed the Dark Mark on his left hand.Lucius suddenly felt a piercing pain, as if the Dark Mark was burning, and Rudolphs and Bella next to him were not much better, the pain was so painful that they could only feel cold sweat streaming down their foreheads, but they were still unable to move. , unable to scream.

Seeing that the three of them were almost unable to hold on, Tom let go of his hand and waved it casually.The three of them immediately collapsed to the ground, trembling.But Tom walked back to the desk and sat down again indifferently, looking at them: "Now, do you know who to trust?"

"Master, what the hell..." Bella finally couldn't help asking, but was stopped by Tom with a smile: "This is already obvious, isn't it? He is the betrayer, the impostor, otherwise, he How come it didn't show up after my return? See what he's looking for? All the people who were Death Eaters, he's looking for them all, and he doesn't ask if they're still loyal, if they're still loyal to our cause, you Thought I would make such a mistake? After I came back again, I had already figured out which ones were loyal and which ones were traitorous, so I didn’t gather the former followers on a large scale, but only collected those who were truly Standing up for our cause, and that's exactly what the traitor won't know."

Thoughts flashed across Lucius' eyes. Even though he wouldn't fully believe what he said, there was no doubt that the person in front of him was much more rational and resourceful than the one just now. Based on this alone, he calculated the possibility Following him has a better chance of winning.Bella was shaken again, and looked at Tom with a tangled face.

Tom smiled slightly, pulled out his wand and said a spell to Bella softly.After a burst of soft white light flashed, Bella was delighted to find that she was much more comfortable, and even the pain left over from the Cruciatus she suffered just now disappeared.Tom still looked at Bella's grateful eyes calmly: "I said that I will not treat those who are truly loyal to me badly. I believe Bella can judge who is true and who is false."

"Yes, master, I swear, I will be loyal to you, past, present, and future, I will be loyal to you—our real master." Bella's eyes finally became firm, and she knelt down respectfully and swore .Rudolphs, on the other hand, consistently followed Bella's every choice, and also knelt down to take the oath.

"Very well, I will never treat the Lestrange family badly." Tom nodded with satisfaction, "Then Lucius, what is your choice?"

"I'm also willing to follow you, master." Lucius knelt down immediately. Since it seems that the master has a better chance of winning, the Malfoy family will certainly bet on the more promising side.Moreover, now that Snape has followed another one, he can also use him to keep abreast of the situation there, and if there is a change, it will not be too late to change the direction in time.

"That's it first. If the traitor assigns you any tasks, you should report to me first, and I will tell you what to do." After Tom ordered, he stood up and left amidst their respectful farewell Malfoy Manor.

He understood that many nobles, like Lucius, must still be hesitant to wait and see, and would not fully believe what he or the main soul said.But it is not wise to choose to face the main soul immediately, it will only cause panic and division among the Death Eaters.Therefore, he was only going to gather the Death Eaters who could be gathered in the dark, and gradually devoured the power of the main soul.Moreover, he believed that due to the violent and unpopular behavior of the main soul, it would be a matter of time before everyone dispersed, so he would patiently wait for the day when the opportunity would come to his door automatically.

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The author has something to say:

Both Voldemort and Tom said that the other party was a fake and a traitor, so, Death Eaters, got entangled...

Also, thanks to Deirdre for the extra points, I love you~~

Chapter 44. Prohibited whereabouts...Harry tries to find out what Dumbledore is hiding

The forces of Tom, Voldemort, and the Order of the Phoenix, under the mutual containment of the three parties, temporarily maintained a delicate balance.Even though Voldemort immediately imagined the magic world to announce his return in a high-profile way after his resurrection, under Tom's deliberate sabotage and the suppression of the Order of the Phoenix, it failed to cause a big impact, making the magic world temporarily maintain a calm appearance.However, Harry at Hogwarts has become a little more and more anxious because he has not received a positive answer from Dumbledore, and is troubled by not knowing the situation of his fateful enemy.

When another Hogsmeade weekend came, the time had entered the end of June, which was also the last Hogsmeade weekend of this semester.Ron, who had been affected by Harry's low air pressure for several days, finally found a new topic, trying to talk to Harry about his plans to go to Hogsmeade village this weekend and where to go, and for the first time he was very generous to Ginny said that she would bring her some Duke of Bee candies back for her.Perhaps thinking of the excitement of Hogsmeade, Harry finally had a smile on his face. He no longer had a sullen face as he did a few days ago, but also planned to invite Ron and Hermione to drink with the Three Broomsticks. A glass of butterbeer.Because he found his godfather Sirius and got his signature before the start of school, he was allowed to spend the weekend in Hogsmeade like other students this school year.

However, after the Transfiguration class on Wednesday morning, Professor McGonagall stopped Harry and told him with a serious face that due to special reasons, his Hogsmeade weekend was canceled and he could only stay in Hogwarts. It's over this weekend.Harry asked a little puzzled: "What about the others? Did all the classmates cancel Hogsmeade weekend, or was it just me?"

"It's true that you are the only one, Potter." A sympathetic look flashed across Professor McGonagall's usually stern face, "The other students are still going as usual. If you need anything, maybe you can ask Mr. Weasley and Mr. Miss Granger brought it back for you."

Harry looked at his dean angrily for a moment: "Why, Professor McGonagall, why am I the only one who is forbidden to go to Hogsmeade village for the weekend?"

Professor McGonagall just pursed her lips tightly, and shook her head resolutely: "Potter, I'm sorry, I can't tell you the specific reason, but this is what Principal Dumbledore meant, so I'm very sorry." After she finished speaking, she patted With a sharp shoulder, he took the textbook and left.

Harry stood there blankly, with complex expressions on his face for a moment, anger, sadness, unwillingness, mixed into a final face full of disappointment.Hermione and Ron on the side looked at each other, and finally tried to go up to comfort them, but unexpectedly, Harry picked up the book first and ran out of the classroom.

When they finally found him, he was sitting by a black lake, throwing stones into it angrily.Hearing the voices of Ron and Hermione, Harry didn't look back: "Why? Why did you keep it from me, and didn't tell me what happened. Now I even want to control my whereabouts, but don't tell me the reason." Just , but his voice was full of unwillingness and hurt.

"Harry—" Hermione tried to comfort him, but he interrupted: "Don't tell me anything about my safety. I defeated Voldemort again in the first year, and I was in the Chamber of Secrets in the second year." I escaped from him again, I believe that I have the ability to bear possible dangers, why don't you tell me anything now?"

"Maybe, the time is not ripe yet?" Ron also tried to comfort him, but even he himself knew how weak his words were.But Harry stood up suddenly: "I don't care, when I go to Remus's training tonight, I must ask clearly." Saying this, he left the two of them again and strode away.

After dinner that night, Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione came to Lupine's office as usual.After finishing the day's training, the four of them sat on chairs and rested drinking the black tea prepared by Lupine as usual.In the silence, Harry suddenly asked, "Remus, why can't I go to Hogsmeade this weekend?"

Lupine was obviously not prepared for Harry asking him this question suddenly, with a hint of embarrassment on his face: "Harry, it means Principal Dumbledore, he is doing it for your own good."

"I know you are all doing it for my own good, but have you considered my feelings for hiding it from me like this?" Harry's voice amplified a little, and he shouted unconsciously, "Just for my own good Just restrict my actions, and hide all news about Voldemort from me. Remus, I am a Gryffindor, a Gryffindor like you."

After Harry finished speaking, his body was still trembling slightly, and his face was flushed with excitement.At this moment, Sirius' voice came from the fireplace: "Well said, Harry, you are a real Gryffindor, the same Gryffindor as us." Obviously he came to find Lupine , happened to hear Harry's words.With a proud expression on his face, he looked at Lupine: "Remus, I have long disapproved of hiding everything from Harry. I think Harry should at least know what he should know. Only after knowing the current situation In order to be prepared to face Voldemort in the future."

"But Sirius, Harry is still young after all, and some things are too complicated for him to bear." Lupine still had his usual gentle tone, "Besides, if Harry knows everything, there is no guarantee that he will not be impulsive, That might mess up Professor Dumbledore's plans."

"I won't." Harry said eagerly, "I will never be impulsive, I will obey your arrangements, and I will never disrupt your plan. I just don't want to be kept in the dark like this, and I don't want to be treated like this." Sensible children are protected and don't know anything about it."

"You are indeed a child, Harry—" Lupine wanted to persuade, but Sirius interrupted him: "Remus, Harry is not one of those simple children anymore, think about it, he has been a child since the first grade Already confronted Voldemort head-to-head, his experience is not comparable to those of simple children, I think he can withstand some situations. And, Remus, you remember that at his age, we have basically violated All the school rules, and even started to try to learn the transformation of Animagus, together with you, accompanying your monthly transformation."

"But that was wrong, it was our mistake at the time. I can't even believe how much damage I would have done to you if I hadn't controlled it well." Lupine still refused to let go, shaking at Sirius head.

"Who's to say that's wrong? If we don't try, we'll never know what we can do. Remus, think of James, he never flinched from any danger, he's always been better than us Be brave." Sirius also raised his voice slightly, staring at Lupine unrelentingly.

"But he's Harry, Harry, not James." Lupine suddenly stood up and looked straight at Sirius, "Don't forget, Sirius, he's not the James who can get into trouble with you, he It's James' son Harry. And you are his godfather, your first priority is to ensure his safety, not encourage him to violate school rules and disobey the teacher's arrangement."

Sirius took a step back suddenly, his eyes glanced over Harry's face in confusion, and finally sank down on the chair beside him without speaking.Harry stepped forward and called him worriedly: "Siris!" But he just forced a smile: "I'm sorry, Harry, I lost my composure. Maybe, I'm really not a qualified godfather."

"No, Sirius, I think what you said is right, I really want to know what happened." Harry stretched out his hand, wanting to touch Sirius, but he suddenly trembled and looked at Harry again. Li glanced at him: "Let's talk about it later, Harry, I'm leaving first, goodbye." Saying this, he stood up in a hurry, rushed into the fireplace, and disappeared.Lupine sighed, and waved his hand feebly, indicating that their training for today was over.

In the next few days, Harry has been out of his mind.When all the classmates in the Gryffindor common room on Friday night were excitedly talking about tomorrow's arrangements, only Harry sat on the sofa sullenly.Hermione and Ron looked at him a few times, tried to say something, but couldn't, just sat with him.In a somewhat dull atmosphere, Ginny pretended to be brisk and said, "Harry, I'll still be here tomorrow, why don't we go practice flying?"

"No, I'm not going." Harry said a little angrily, and then suddenly realized that it was Ginny who was talking, and smiled at her apologetically, "Sorry, Ginny, I'm not interested."

"Hey buddy, how about we bring you some butterbeer back tomorrow?" Ron also tried to ease the atmosphere.But Harry still shook his head: "No, it's impossible to bring it back. It will be checked when entering and leaving Hogwarts. If Filch finds out, he will tell Professor McGonagall again."

"It's okay, you lend me the invisibility cloak, and I'll use a pack of it tomorrow, won't you be able to see it?" Ron suggested.

"How troublesome is that? No need." Harry still couldn't cheer up.But then, he jumped up suddenly: "By the way, the invisibility cloak, I have an invisibility cloak. Don't worry, I will sneak out with you tomorrow. I want to find out whether Professor Dumbledore won't let me go to Hoag The reason for Maud Village."

"Harry, that's not good, what if you are in danger?" Hermione disapproved.But Harry's expression was very firm: "I must go, otherwise I have been unable to figure out the answer these days, and it will drive me crazy."

Hermione wanted to say something more, but Harry, with an expression of great determination, blocked everything she had to say.And Ginny sighed: "Well, Harry, if you must go, don't go with them in the morning, I have a way, I will go with you." She was indeed a little curious why Dumbledore would The reason why Harry was so determined not to go to Hogsmeade this weekend, but she guessed it must have something to do with Voldemort or Tom.Moreover, she also needs to find out the latest situation outside, and Hogsmeade Village, where pure wizards live, is undoubtedly the best choice.

Therefore, she stood up, and under the puzzled eyes of the other three, she walked in front of the twins: "George, Fred, come here."

"What's the matter, little princess?" The twins followed her to the place where they were sitting, and asked with a playful smile, "Did you fancy something and want us to buy it for you tomorrow? Absolutely no problem, as long as Whatever the little princess wants, we will definitely satisfy."

"No, I want to ask you for one thing—the Marauder's Map." Ginny smiled slightly seeing the twins' astonished expressions, "I saw you played with this thing, but in fact, it should belong to Harry Stuff. I heard Sirius mention it last summer, it was made by him and Harry's father when they were students, and you should return it to the original owner now."

"Okay, okay, we will believe what the little princess said." George took out a worn parchment from his pocket and handed it to Ginny. "You know how to use it, don't you?"

"Of course, I heard from Sirius." Ginny pulled out her wand and touched the parchment lightly. "I solemnly swear that I have done nothing wrong." Then, a thin line of ink like a spider's web immediately flowed from the wand. The places I had just touched began to appear, and finally became a complete map, plotting the entire terrain of Hogwarts, including the secret passages and so on.

Harry picked it up in surprise: "I've been wanting to see it since I heard Sirius talking about it, so it's in your hands."

"Yes, yes, but now that the little princess is here, we can only reluctantly part with each other." The twins made a look of reluctance, then looked at each other, and suddenly put their hands on Harry's shoulders one left and one right , "Harry, someday help us think of a way, let Sirius teach us, and make a new map. I have to say, without it, our night activities will be much less fun."

"No problem." With this map and the invisibility cloak, it meant that he would be able to go to Hogsmeade village smoothly tomorrow, so Harry was in a very good mood.He carefully folded the map, glanced at Ginny gratefully, and then said generously to the twins, "When I'm on summer vacation, I'll tell Sirius to make another one for you."

"Okay, then it's settled." The twins cheered and ran back to their place.And Ginny smiled and whispered to Harry: "Tomorrow morning, after they leave, we will set off." She hoped that tomorrow would allow her to learn as much as possible about the current situation in the wizarding world, so as to avoid Tom and Voldemort in time Danger in melee.

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The author has something to say:

Forgive me, every time I write about the dog godfather, I will yy him and Harry's father, orz