The grayish-yellow buildings of Diagon Alley gradually receded amid the rhythmic rumble of the Hogwarts Express.
By the time the lush green wilderness came into view, the train had already emerged from beneath the cloud cover.
There were ten carriages in total. The seats in nine of them had been removed in advance, turning them into cargo compartments. Only the dining car had been converted into a temporary command center.
A paper airplane stamped with a winged seal darted through the open window into the steadily accelerating train. Alastor swiftly caught it and hurriedly unfolded it.
"A letter from Kingsley. He says they'll reach King's Cross Station in ten minutes!"
This was undoubtedly good news. Once the train reached London, Amosta would intervene. If the Death Eaters wanted to plot anything, they would have to think twice.
But as Alastor's deputy and trusted adviser, Remus did not look any more relaxed. Instead, his expression grew even graver.
"Don't you think something's wrong, Alastor?"
Remus said worriedly,
"Perhaps the Ministry decided to divide the gold among three trains to prevent too much of it from being stolen if an attack occurred.
But we all know Voldemort. We all know he'll definitely do something. And the only reason he would launch an attack would be to answer the Ministry's provocation, not to help the Death Eaters reclaim their wealth."
"You're thinking the same thing I am, Remus!"
Alastor's magical eye peered through several carriages and saw that the track ahead was clear, but his hand still clenched tightly around his cane.
"As I see it, he won't let any of the three trains go. That would fit his style—unless he has another plan!"
Remus immediately understood what Mad-Eye meant.
"You mean he wants to create a diversion and strike elsewhere? But the