Chapter 536

"Voldemort chose that location, using natural thunderstorms as a barrier and energy source," Lupin said, stepping in. "Furthermore, according to the magical imprints remaining in the Silver Mirror, a large number of disguised spatial magic fluctuations have been pointing towards that area over the past few months, coinciding with the flow of materials used for large-scale spatial stabilization and energy conduction in the Silver Fox's supply list. What he's doing there is probably the true core of the Return of All Souls Ritual; the Thorned Holy Grail Altar may just be a preliminary energy collection and filtering station."

Everyone's hearts sank.

This means they have just gone through a fierce battle, but what they destroyed may not have been the final target, but rather an outer node.

The real challenge lies atop that mountain shrouded in thunderstorms.

"How much time do we have left?" Harry asked.

"I can't be sure," Kingsley shook his head. "But judging from the flow of supplies and the construction progress seen in the Silver Mirror, the core of the ritual is probably almost complete. Voldemort used the Horcrux Altar as bait and a test to delay us. He's likely accelerating the final stages of preparation now."

"We must act quickly," Harry said without hesitation.

"But we need a more detailed plan, more thorough preparation, and more manpower," Kingsley pointed out the practical difficulties with remarkable precision. "A direct assault on a mountaintop fortress heavily defended by natural thunderstorms and Voldemort's main force is completely different from our previous infiltration of the canyon; it will be a frontal assault."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Our current forces, even combined with the Rapid Response Force the Confederation can mobilize, may not be enough. Furthermore, Harry, your new abilities need time to be familiarized with and tested. We need to know exactly what you're capable of and how to integrate them into tactics."

Harry understood that Kingsley was right; impulsiveness and recklessness would only lead to more unnecessary sacrifices.

"Give me two days," Harry said. "I need to adapt to and test this new power. In the meantime, Hermione, Bill, could you continue to dig deeper into the information about Storm Fortress? Any information might be useful. Kingsley, Professor Lupin, please assess what other reliable forces we can mobilize and begin drafting preliminary attack plans, taking into account terrain, weather, and the enemy's possible defensive configurations."

After assigning tasks, Harry left the study and went to the enclosed courtyard at the back of the mansion.

This place is relatively quiet and suitable for practice.

His first attempt was to manipulate the earth's forces more precisely.

Concentrate and feel the ground beneath your feet—frankly, it's clearer than being in your bedroom.

He tried to raise a small patch of ground to form a mound the size of a fist.

It was a success, but the magic consumption was greater than expected, and controlling the shape and stability of the mound required a high degree of concentration.

He also tried condensing moisture from the air to form a small water ball, or slightly raising the temperature of a small area.

These fundamental manipulations involving other elements are far more difficult than influencing the earth itself, and their effects are weak and highly unstable.

It seems that the main affinity direction is indeed related to soil or Ley Lines, and the range is limited; accuracy requires practice.

Next, he tested several elemental Charms he had used in previous battles.

Summon a sharp stalagmite as thick as an arm from the stone pavement of the courtyard, or briefly double the gravity around a stone bench.

It's certainly not as satisfying as Avada Kedavra, but the key is that this ability is activated almost Silencio and usually originates from the ground or the environment in which the target is located, making it extremely difficult to defend against.

He also discovered that when he infused the Protego with new magic, the shield would take on a warm, earthy yellow hue, and its defensive capabilities seemed to have an extra boost against physical and some energy impacts, as well as a significant increase in resistance to certain elements such as lightning and fire.

He even discovered that this shield could actually withstand the Killing Curse.

That's pretty impressive.

"Adapt to the environment, manipulate a part of the environment—perhaps, I could even try to blend into the environment?" Harry suddenly had a thought. He walked to a tall tree in the corner of the courtyard, leaned against the trunk, and tried to synchronize his aura and Magic Fluctuation with the tree and the ground beneath his feet.

It was difficult at first, as the nature of his magic differed naturally from the fluctuations of plants and the earth.

But he patiently adjusted, mimicking that calm, slow, and ever-renewing feeling.

Gradually, he felt as if he had become part of the tree. His breathing slowed, his heartbeat seemed to become more and more in sync with the faint rhythm of the tree roots absorbing water, and the Magic Fluctuation became extremely weak and peaceful, almost blending into the background environment.

A sparrow even landed on his shoulder without any warning, as if he were a tree.

"Not bad stealth skills." A calm voice rang out.

Harry snapped out of his daze, the sparrows fluttered away, and he turned to see Cassandra standing at the courtyard gate.

"Sorry to bother you," Cassandra approached. "You seem quite focused on your practice. How's it going?"

"Still figuring it out." Harry stretched his stiff body. "It does help me hide better, and the effect might be even better if combined with Disillusionment Charm or something. But maintaining this state is mentally taxing, and it's difficult to keep it up when moving."

"That's already amazing. This ability to Environmental Synchronization could have unexpected effects in reconnaissance, infiltration, and even defense and recovery in certain specific environments."

Cassandra commented as she handed Harry a glass of water.

"Veratia just sent another message. Through her guild master privileges, she retrieved some records about Tornador Peak and ancient thunderstorm worship from ancient libraries and secret societies in several neutral countries. These records mention that the ruins atop the mountain may not be a place of worship, but rather the remains of a giant magical device used to guide and tame heavenly lightning."

"Voldemort chose that location not only to utilize the thunderstorm barrier, but more likely to restart or even modify that device as the energy furnace for the final stage of his ritual."

How to guide and tame heavenly thunder?

If this is true, the scale and danger of Voldemort's plan have risen to another level.

"We have to stop him, no matter what." Harry gripped the cup in his hand tightly.

"Of course," Cassandra said, glancing at the tree, "but before that, you need to fully master your new powers. We need a foolproof plan. Also—"

She paused for a moment, then continued, "Veratia said she'd return as soon as she'd finished dealing with the Confederation's urgent matters. She wants to see you in person, and she might have other ideas about attacking Storm Fortress."

For the next two days, Grimmauld Place, Number 13 once again entered a state of readiness.

Harry underwent various ability tests and adaptation training in the courtyard, the basement, and specially reinforced rooms, while Kingsley and Lupin repeatedly rehearsed attack plans with Veratia, who was on remote contact, and several trusted military advisors.

Bill and his team practically lived in the study and the makeshift analysis room, piecing together the ever-increasing fragments of intelligence into an increasingly clear map of enemy defenses and capability assessments.

Ron and the Twins continued to improve their equipment, developing a series of strange but potentially useful gadgets to address thunderstorm conditions, high-altitude combat, and potential encounters with dark creatures and Dark Arts traps.

Anne also joined Hermione's work, and she made a special trip to Hogwarts Castle to bring back Sebastian's ghost.

To break the curse on Anne, Sebastian studied a lot about Dark Arts and curses.

It should be said that no one understands Dark Arts and curses better than him.

Occasionally, during breaks, there are brief moments of relaxation.

For example, Ron tried to amuse everyone with his newly developed lightning-proof socks, but accidentally triggered static electricity, causing his hair to explode into a mushroom cloud; Ruby tried to make a traditional Andes Mountains hot drink according to Bill's description, but the taste was so strange that everyone frowned; and one evening, Anne and Harry leaned against the fireplace in the Living Room, unusually not discussing tactics, but quietly watching the fire and talking about their Hogwarts past.

Of course, Sebastian didn't have time to deal with them; out of sight, out of mind.

Cassandra often stayed quietly beside Harry, sometimes reading, sometimes just gazing out the window at the gray London sky.

On the evening of the third day, Veratia returned to Grimmauld Place, travel-worn and exhausted, via the Floo Network.

She looked slightly tired and, without much small talk, went straight to a meeting with the core members.

That's basically the situation.

Veratia got straight to the point, projecting a three-dimensional magical image of Tornador Peak into the air with her wand, marked with many red dots and defensive lines.

"Voldemort's main force, including his core guard, as well as a large number of South America native Dark Wizard and dark creatures who had been bewitched or controlled, were concentrated there. The mountain itself was shrouded in a triple defense: the outermost layer was a perpetual natural Thunderstorm Zone, interspersed with magically enhanced lightning and hurricanes; the middle layer was a magical labyrinth and trap zone that Voldemort had modified using ancient ruins; the Core Zone was the main ruins at the top of the mountain, which was also the core of the ritual."

"A direct assault would come at a very high cost," Kingsley said gravely.

"Therefore, we can't just rely on a direct assault." A glint of light flashed in Veratia's eyes. "Harry's newly acquired ability has given me an idea. Since he can sense and influence the Ley Lines to some extent and blend into the environment, perhaps we can try a strategy that combines internal destruction with a direct external assault."

She elaborated on her plan: to assemble a light, elite squad, led by Harry, who would use his sense of Ley Lines and Environmental Synchronization to find relatively weak points in the magical flow of the Thunderstorm Zone or natural passages in ancient ruins not fully controlled by Voldemort, and secretly infiltrate the vicinity of the Core Zone to sabotage key ritual nodes or defensive systems from within.

Meanwhile, Kingsley and Veratia themselves command the main force, launching a frontal assault after the Infiltration Squad successfully creates chaos or opens a breach, thus tying down the enemy's main force and coordinating an attack from within and without.

"This is too risky!" Hermione objected immediately. "If the Infiltration Squad is discovered, it's like going deep into enemy territory alone—a certain death!"

"Every option carries risks, Hermione," Veratia said, "But this is currently the option with the highest success rate."

A direct assault would result in incalculable casualties for us, and we would likely be unable to break through all the defenses before the ritual is complete. The key to infiltration lies in Harry's abilities and absolute secrecy.

Everyone looked at Harry.

Harry remained silent for a while, then suddenly looked up.

"I'll go by myself," he said resolutely.

Veratia immediately stood up and said, "No! You go to Tai yourself—"

"No, I'll go by myself," Harry said firmly. "Actually, if I'm alone, I'll be a smaller target, and—I won't need to worry about anyone else, don't you think?"

"But that's too risky!" Cassandra objected. "How can you do it alone? I will never agree to such a risky plan!"

"I'll go with you, buddy," Ron said.

"Ron, your strengths lie in direct combat and equipment support." Harry shook his head. "Infiltration requires absolute silence and quick thinking—"

"I object," Veratia said, frowning. "Listen to me, I think Dedalow Dyg should go with you. His knowledge of dangerous environments and ancient mechanisms is unparalleled. Besides— Tonks ' ability to Metamorphmagus and his resourcefulness will definitely come in handy."

Tonks, whose name was called, paused for a moment, then nodded vigorously. "No problem!"

Kingsley frowned, clearly troubled by the arrangement, but he also understood it was the best option. "Dyg and Tonks are both top-notch fighters. But there are still too few of them. I'll add another one."

Elena Silva, an elite Auror from the Brazilian Ministry of Magic. She is familiar with the South America jungles and mountains, skilled in tracking and counter-tracking, and has some knowledge of Voldemort's methods in South America. She was urgently dispatched by the Confederation to assist us.

"Then it's settled. Infiltration Squad: Harry, Cassandra, Dyg, Tonks, Silva. Five people." Veratia finalized the decision. "The main force will be commanded by Kingsley and me. The specific timing of the attack will be determined after you infiltrate, based on the situation via Encrypted Channel communication."

The plan was initially finalized, and Harry's objections ultimately proved ineffective.

Cassandra gently pushed open the door and walked to his side.

"Are you nervous?" she asked.

"A little," Harry admitted, "But it's something I have to do."

"Destiny?" Cassandra asked, tilting her head.

"Perhaps it's a responsibility," Harry said, turning to look at her. "For those who have already sacrificed themselves, for the future we might be involved in, and to put an end to all of this."

Cassandra paused for a moment, then said softly, "You will succeed, Harry. You always manage to work miracles."

"This time, we need more than just a miracle; we also need everyone's hard work and luck." Harry smiled, a hint of weariness in his smile, but more so, determination. "Get some rest; we have to leave first thing tomorrow morning."

Cassandra nodded, but did not leave immediately.

She suddenly reached out and gently squeezed Harry's wrist.

"Come back safe and sound," she said, then turned and left the room.