Dragging Them Down Again

"It's not just geothermal energy," Bill said. "Volcanic activity causes dramatic changes in the Ley Lines. If we can accurately grasp the cycles of those changes, we can extract the Ley Lines's energy at its peak with minimal cost."

This is much more efficient and discreet than a direct, forceful extraction.

Lupin walked over and asked thoughtfully, "So he's waiting for a specific time?"

"Very likely," Bill nodded, "And based on cycle calculations, the next energy peak is probably in about six days."

The Living Room fell silent.

Six days.

That's all the time they have left.

Kingsley put down his pen, his voice steady. "In other words, we must complete all preparations within six days and reach Tornador Peak before that time to stop him."

"Or," Cassandra said, "To attack while he's drawing energy. That's probably when he's most vulnerable and easily disrupted."

"But it could also be the time when the defenses are at their strongest," Tonks said. "He certainly knows that's the most crucial time, and he won't be unprepared."

Everyone remained silent, each lost in thought.

Hermione broke the silence. "Anyway, time is of the essence. We need to break the plan down to every day and every hour— Bill, could you compile the data for those energy cycles?"

"It's already underway," Bill said, pointing to the pile of Crystal shard in front of him, which were currently flashing in a certain pattern. "It should be finished tonight."

"Kingsley, what's the status of the main force's assembly?" Hermione asked again.

"The Confederation has already made arrangements," Kingsley said. "The Rapid Response Force 300, plus elite Auror volunteering from various countries, bringing the total to around 500. Equipment and supplies are also being prepared and should be ready within three days."

"Harry, how did your aptitude test go?" Hermione asked Harry.

Harry thought for a moment, "I'm already quite proficient with the basic controls. Large-scale attacks consume a lot of magic, but precise interference within a small area can be maintained for a longer time. As for Environmental Synchronization, as long as I concentrate, I can completely blend into the surrounding Ley Lines. Even Voldemort himself would have a hard time detecting me unless he deliberately searches for me."

"That's good." Hermione nodded. "What about the person to Infiltration Squad?"

"Cassandra and I are committed," Harry said. "Dyg, Tonks, Silva are all willing too."

Also, Anne, you shouldn't go—"

"I'm not going," Anne said immediately, her tone firm. "I know my own limitations. In a fight of that level, I would only be a hindrance. I'll stay here and provide support, alongside Hermione."

Harry glanced at her, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes.

Anne has grown up and is no longer the little sister who needed his protection.

Sebastian's ghost drifted over and said in a low voice, "If you need advice on soul magic or ancient black Magic Array, I can offer it. Although I can't personally participate in battle, I still have theoretical knowledge."

"Thank you, Sebastian," Harry said. "Your notes were a great help."

Sebastian waved his hand reservedly, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up slightly.

At lunchtime, Ruby used all her skills to prepare a sumptuous meal.

Roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, baked potatoes, stewed vegetables, meat pies, and a large plate of her prized cream pudding.

The aroma filled the entire Living Room, and everyone stopped working and sat around the dining table.

Ron's eyes widened. "Ruby, you're simply God of Cooking in the Magical World! No, God of Cooking among God of Cooking!"

Ruby was so flattered that she almost spilled her soup.

"This beef is grilled really well," Kingsley exclaimed. "Much better than the Ministry of Ministry of Magic's dining hall."

"Ruby used a secret sauce!" Ruby proudly, "It's a recipe passed down from Ruby's grandmother!"

"Bill, you really need to get some rest after you finish your crystal research," Phoebe said softly. "Your dark circles are practically down to your chin."

Bill smiled and said, "Okay, darling."

"Ron, you have sauce on your lips." Hermione handed him a napkin with a sigh.

Ron wiped himself haphazardly and continued eating.

Tonks ' hair had turned a cheerful pink as he ate and chatted with Kingsley about the Auror Office. Lupin ate quietly, occasionally interjecting with a word or two, a gentle smile on his face.

Anne and Harry sat together, whispering to each other, while Sebastian's ghost hovered behind them, staring at them with resentment.

In the end, it all turned into a long sigh.

Damn it, that Potter!

Cassandra sat next to Harry, gracefully slicing beef.

She occasionally looked up at the people in the room, her gaze gentle; this atmosphere was one she had never experienced before.

Dining at the Malfoy Manor is always a serious and etiquette-conscious affair. The father and brother sit at opposite ends of a long table, occasionally exchanging a few words of business, but otherwise only the soft clinking of knives and forks can be heard.

No one will laugh out loud at the table, no one will get sauce on their mouth, and no one will exclaim in surprise at a piece of pudding.

But it's different here.

It was chaotic, noisy, and utterly rude, but there was also something here she had never experienced before.

That is warmth.

She suddenly understood why Harry cherished this place and these people so much.

Because this is home.

After lunch, everyone returned to their posts, but the atmosphere was noticeably more relaxed than in the morning.

It might be the food, or it might be the sense of security that comes from having everyone around.

Hermione continued organizing the documents, but this time she allowed herself to lean back in her chair and read while sipping tea.

Bill was forced to rest on the sofa by Phoebe. At first, he struggled to look at Crystal, but under Phoebe's gaze, he quickly gave up and obediently closed his eyes for a nap.

Kingsley and Lupin moved the map to the fireplace and continued their discussion while warming themselves by the fire, but their tone was no longer so serious, and they occasionally cracked jokes. Tonks ' hair had turned a warm orange, and she sat next to Ron, helping him examine the boots—this time it went well; the boots didn't explode, but instead began to emit a faint, protective glow.

Ron jumped up excitedly. "It's done! It's done! Tonks, you're a genius!"

"You figured out the instructions yourself," Tonks chuckled.

"I didn't understand anything, but you did!" Ron said honestly.

Anne and Sebastian were still studying the book of soul magic, but their discussion had shifted from how to break the Dark Magic Curse to complaining about the barbarity of South America wizards.

Sebastian was giving a long-winded lecture on the Skeleton Aesthetics, which Anne listened to with a helpless expression.

Harry and Cassandra were still sitting on the sofa by the window, one lost in thought, the other looking at her phone.

"Do you think we can win?" Harry suddenly asked.

Cassandra put down her phone and turned to look at him. "You never asked me this kind of question before."

"That was then," Harry said. "Back then, I faced an enemy I could confront directly."

But now— Voldemort is no longer the Voldemort of the past. He has become more cunning, more patient, and more unpredictable. And what he plots is far more terrifying than mere killing.

Cassandra remained silent for a moment.

"I don't know," she said honestly. "No one can guarantee a win, but I'm sure of one thing."

"What?" Harry raised an eyebrow.

"No matter the outcome, you won't regret it." She looked into his eyes, "Because you've done your best, because you're not alone. There are so many people here who are willing to walk with you to the end. Even if you lose, it will be a worthwhile loss."

Harry looked at her and suddenly smiled.

When did you become so good at comforting people?

"I always have," Cassandra said, "I just don't usually say it."

The two looked at each other and smiled.

Veratia returned in the evening.

She appeared directly into the Living Room through the fireplace Floo Network, travel-worn but still with an upright posture.

She glanced at the people in the room and nodded slightly.

"It seems you had a very fulfilling few days while I was away."

"Veratia!" Hermione was the first to rush over and hug her.

Veratia paused for a moment, then reached out and ruffled Hermione's hair. "Okay, okay, I'm back now, aren't I?"

Others also gathered around, offering their greetings all at once.

Veratia responded to each of them, then walked to the center of the Living Room, took the hot tea Ruby offered, and took a sip.

"The situation has changed a little, but not too much," she said calmly, but everyone fell silent.

"Although the Confederation passed a resolution to expand the authority for Purification operations, several countries had reservations about directly sending troops to participate in the offensive. The final confirmed number of the main force was approximately 350 people, slightly less than expected, but not by much."

It's obvious that the American Ministry of Magic is the one dragging things down again.

Um?

Why did I say "again"?

Kingsley frowned. "Three hundred and fifty men, is that enough to storm a fortress that Voldemort has been building for a long time?"

"Not enough," Veratia admitted frankly. "So we need a more elaborate plan, and we need Harry and his Infiltration Squad to succeed. As long as we can create enough chaos inside, the main force can break through the defenses with minimal losses."

She turned to Harry: "How's your ability coming along?"

Harry gave a brief report on the progress of the past two days. Veratia listened and nodded, "Very good. Faster than I expected. This will increase the success rate of the Infiltration Squad."

She took a roll of Parchment from her bag and spread it out on the table.

It was an extremely detailed topographic map of Tornador Peak, much more accurate than the previous one, marking every ridge, every glacier, and every possible hiding place.

"This was compiled by the Confederation's intelligence department using all available resources, combining Muggle satellite data and the latest magic detection data," Veratia said. "While it can't be guaranteed to be 100% accurate, it's ten times more detailed than our previous information."

The crowd gathered around and examined it closely.

Veratia pointed to several key points. "This is the weakest window in the Thunderstorm Zone, occurring every forty-seven minutes and lasting three minutes and twenty seconds, twenty seconds longer than we previously estimated. This is the core of the middle layer of defense; Voldemort has set up at least three layers of composite magical traps, but most of them can be bypassed if the correct path is found. The most crucial point is here—"

Her finger pointed to the top of the mountain, the area marked as the Core Zone.

"The main body of the ruins is here. According to magical detection, there is a natural Ley Line fissure beneath the ruins, leading directly into the depths of the mountain. Voldemort likely placed the ritual core in that ley line, using Ley Lines power for direct energy."

"So we need to get into that rift?" Cassandra asked.

"If we can get in, that would be best," Veratia said, "But the entrance to the rift is definitely heavily guarded. Your goal is to create enough chaos on the perimeter, destroying at least two key energy nodes, giving the main force a chance to break through the outer and middle defenses. Once the main force reaches the outer perimeter of the Core Zone, we can use our numerical advantage to overwhelm Voldemort's guards, creating an opportunity for you to enter the rift."

Harry nodded. "Understood."

"There's another problem," Bill suddenly spoke up, "Based on my analysis of those Crystal shard, Voldemort might have another trick up his sleeve."

All eyes turned to him.

Bill took out the fragments and let them Leviosa in mid-air. At that moment, they flickered according to a certain pattern, forming a complex design.

"These crystals are not ordinary magic storage devices. They are imbued with a very unorthodox spell that allows the user to establish a resonance with the crystal. Once the crystal is destroyed, the user will immediately sense it, and—"

"And what?" Kingsley asked.

"And by following the Magic Fluctuation released the instant the crystal is destroyed, we can trace the location of the destroyer backward," Bill said. "In other words, the moment you destroy the defensive nodes, Voldemort will know where you are immediately."

A silence fell over the Living Room.

"In other words," Tonks said slowly, "We'll be exposed once we make a move."

"Yes," Bill nodded, "So we must be prepared to be detected while destroying the nodes."

Harry thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

"That makes things much easier."

Everyone was looking at him.

"Anyway, our goal is to draw attention and create opportunities for the main force," Harry shrugged. "If destroying the nodes will reveal our position, then we might as well not hide. Destroying the nodes will attract Voldemort and his guards to chase us, giving the main force more time."

"That's too risky!" Hermione immediately objected. "There are only five of you! How can you possibly hold out against Voldemort and his entire guard?"

"We have to hold on, even if we can't," Harry said. "Every minute we hold on, the main force has a better chance of winning. And I have a feeling that Voldemort wants me the most. Whenever I appear, he'll focus most of his attention on me, and the others will have a chance."

T

At this point, he added, "Of course, Voldemort's few rotten henchmen have no chance against me, not even if he himself came."