Departure

In the morning, Kingsley went to the Ministry of Magic, Lupin went to Diagon Alley.

Bill and Phoebe rested in their room, while Dyg and Silva continued studying the map in the backyard.

Harry practiced in the courtyard as usual, focusing today on the precision of his perception—not the environment itself, but what was hidden within it.

He closed his eyes and slowly extended his senses to the backyard.

He could sense the Magic Fluctuation between Dyg and Silva as they discussed something.

Dyg's magic is more loose, like a pile of scattered beads; Silva's magic, on the other hand, is very concentrated, like a sharp knife.

He continued to probe, sensing Ron in the basement.

He was fiddling with the equipment, a hint of excitement emanating from his Magic Fluctuation.

Going up further up is the second floor.

Hermione was reading, her Magic Fluctuation were stable; Cassandra was meditating, her Magic Fluctuation were almost imperceptible—she concealed herself very well.

He continued to extend his reach, trying to perceive things further away.

In the house across the street lived an old wizard whose Magic Fluctuation were weak but stable.

Further away, in the Diagon Alley, countless Magic Fluctuation intertwined, like a noisy ocean.

He withdrew his senses and opened his eyes.

"You've made rapid progress," Cassandra's voice rang out.

Harry turned his head and saw her standing at the courtyard gate, holding a book in her hand.

How did you know I was practicing?

"I sensed it," Cassandra said. "Your Magic Fluctuation just expanded outwards and then receded; it was quite obvious."

Harry was somewhat surprised. "You can sense it?"

"Of course," Cassandra said, walking over. "I'm practicing too, not just perceiving the environment, but perceiving the very act of 'perceiving' itself."

"What's the meaning?"

"It means that if someone uses magic to probe you, you can sense it," Cassandra said. "It's Family Secret Technique in the Malfoy family, allowing us to detect when someone is spying on us."

Harry asked thoughtfully, "Did you sense it when I was probing just now?"

"I sensed it," Cassandra nodded, "But I knew it was you, so I didn't pay attention."

"What if it's someone else being probed?"

"That way you can prepare in advance," Cassandra said. "You need to learn this too. On Tornador Peak, if someone is detecting you, you must be able to sense it the instant they discover you."

Harry nodded. "Teach me."

Over the next few hours, Cassandra taught Harry how to perceive "being perceived." This was more difficult than perceiving the environment because it required distinguishing between one's own Magic Fluctuation Magic Fluctuation and those of others.

At first, Harry couldn't tell the difference.

He tried to probe Cassandra, but he only sensed her, not her probing. Cassandra told him to close his eyes and feel the subtle difference with his heart.

"Imagine your magic as a pool of water," she said. "It's usually calm. If someone throws a stone in, you'll feel the ripples. Detection is that stone; you need to learn to sense those ripples."

Harry tried it again and again, just as she instructed.

Finally, during one of his probes, he sensed a faint fluctuation.

That wasn't Cassandra's magic, but rather her detection itself.

"I can feel it!" he shouted.

"Very good." Cassandra smiled slightly. "Keep practicing."

By the afternoon, Harry was able to sense being detected more consistently.

While it's not 100% accurate yet, at least we have a direction.

In the evening, they returned inside. Ron saw Harry looking exhausted and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Practice," Harry said. "Cassandra taught me how to sense being detected."

Ron nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

At dinner, Ruby brought out a plate of freshly made pudding.

This time it was chocolate flavored, and it was sprinkled with powdered sugar. Ron took a bite and praised it highly.

Ruby, you're a genius!

Ruby her eyes narrowed into slits.

The following morning, a special visitor arrived at Grimmauld Place.

It's Professor McGonagall.

She emerged from Floo Network, wearing her signature green robe, her expression as serious as ever.

But when she saw everyone in the Living Room, a hint of tenderness flashed in her stern eyes.

"Professor McGonagall!" Anne rushed over first. "What brings you here?"

Professor McGonagall gently patted Anne on the shoulder, then turned to Harry: "Potter, I heard you're going to South America."

"Yes, Professor," Harry said.

Headmistress McGonagall nodded, took a delicate little box from her pocket, and handed it to Harry.

"This is a gift from Hogwarts," she said. "Tail Feather from Fawkes, specially treated by Albus, that can summon the Phoenix's help once. Remember, it can only be used once, and only in the most critical moment."

Harry took the box, a warm feeling welling up inside him.

Although he did have a Phoenix, having another one would be a form of security.

"Thank you, Professor," he said. "And Hogwarts."

Professor McGonagall nodded, her gaze sweeping over everyone present.

"You are all the pride of Hogwarts," she said. "Regardless of the outcome, the school will be proud of you."

Ron muttered under his breath, "I thought she was going to say Gryffindor deducts ten points."

Professor McGonagall, with her sharp ears, immediately looked at him. "Mr. Weasley, I heard you."

Ron flinched in fright.

Professor McGonagall gave Ron a smile, something she never did before.

"But I won't deduct points this time," she said. "Good luck to you all."

She didn't linger; she turned and disappeared into the fireplace.

Ron let out a sigh of relief, "That was terrible, I almost thought I was going to lose fifty points."

"You definitely deserve a deduction for what you just said," Hermione said.

"But she said no!" Ron tried to argue.

"That's because you're going to war," Hermione said, rolling her eyes.

Everyone burst into laughter; the couple was just too funny.

In the afternoon, Harry opened the box; inside was a golden Phoenix Feather, radiating a warm glow.

He could sense the powerful magic contained within, the unique Life Force and healing power of the Phoenix.

"Fawkes— " he murmured.

Cassandra walked over and looked at the Tail Feather: "It is said that the Phoenix Tears can heal any injury or illness, but the Tail Feather can summon help. Dumbledore must have left this behind for a deeper reason."

"Hmm." Harry carefully put the box away. "Use it in the most critical moment."

In the evening, Kingsley brought back news: the Ministry of Magic had received another anonymous letter, with the same content as the previous one, but this time it included a map.

"A map?" Lupin took the Parchment and examined it carefully.

The map shows the detailed topography of Tornador Peak, including the specific extent of the Thunderstorm Zone, every trap in the middle layer of defense, the entrance to the Core Zone, and even a Safe Passage marked with a red dotted line.

"This is too detailed," Hermione frowned. "If it's true, our mission will be half as easy. But if it's false—"

"That could be a dead end," Kingsley said.

Everyone fell into deep thought.

Harry stared at the map, then suddenly closed his eyes, extending his senses into his memories.

He recalled the Tornador Peak he had perceived in his dream, the path of that red line—it seemed to match the direction of a faint Ley Lines he had sensed.

He opened his eyes. "It might be true."

Everyone looked at him.

"I sensed a Ley Lines before, very faint, but it extended all the way to the vicinity of the Core Zone," Harry said. "The path basically matched the red line on the map. If Voldemort had really laid a trap on that Ley Lines, I should have been able to sense it. But I didn't sense anything at the time—the ley Ley Lines very pure."

Kingsley pondered for a moment, then said, "Then let's plan along this route for now. But we must remain vigilant when entering."

"Clear."

August 13th, only one day left before departure.

Everyone got up early in the morning. Ruby an exceptionally lavish breakfast, but no one ate much—except for Ron, who, as always, ate two servings.

In the morning, Kingsley and Veratia confirmed the deployment of the main force for the last time. All 350 Auror had assembled, and all equipment and supplies were in place. The five members of the Infiltration Squad conducted a final check of the equipment.

Ron's Insulated Boots were a perfect finishing touch. He walked around the Living Room several times in them, beaming with pride, while Hermione practically rolled her eyes to the sky.

Dyg packed all his trinkets and neatly placed them in his backpack.

After studying the topographic map, Silva could recite every possible route and the location of every danger point.

Tonks ' ability to Metamorphmagus has been honed to the point where he can instantly transform into any form, making him indistinguishable even to Kingsley.

Cassandra had her Silver Compass and Meditation Technique ready. She sat by the window, quietly reading a book, occasionally glancing up at the busy crowd.

Harry stood in the courtyard, practicing Environmental Synchronization one last time. This time, he didn't close his eyes, but kept them open, feeling everything around him—the breath of the old tree, the trembling of the grass, the sounds of the distant street, and the faint voices of people upstairs.

He could sense that everyone's Magic Fluctuation were more concentrated than usual. It was a sign of impending battle—everyone was holding back their magic, ready to unleash it at any moment.

He withdrew his senses and returned to the house.

"Are you ready?" Veratia asked.

Harry nodded.

"Then let's rest," Veratia said. "We'll leave early tomorrow morning. We don't need to do anything today, just relax."

In the afternoon, everyone found something to do. Kingsley and Lupin played chess, while Ron watched from the sidelines, occasionally interrupting and earning several glares from Kingsley. Bill and Phoebe were cuddling in a corner, and Anne pretended not to see them, but glanced at them every now and then.

Dyg and Silva were sunbathing in the yard. Dyg recounted his experiences in Egypt, Silva listened quietly, occasionally asking a question.

Hermione, unusually, wasn't reading; instead, she sat on the sofa lost in thought. Tonks sat beside her, her hair a serene pale purple.

Harry and Cassandra sat by the window, looking at the gray sky outside.

"Are you nervous?" Cassandra asked.

"I'm alright," Harry said. "Actually, I'm quite calm."

"Calm?"

"Hmm," Harry said, "Like the calm before the storm. You know the storm is coming, but you're prepared."

Cassandra nodded without saying a word.

In the evening, Ruby one last lavish dinner. This time, no one discussed tactics, and no one talked about heavy topics. Everyone just ate, laughed, and chatted about random things.

Ron told another mischievous story about him and the Twins when they were kids, how they secretly put Fred's pet spider on Percy's bed, Percy screamed and ran for three blocks.

Kingsley recounted another Thunderbird he encountered in Africa when he was young. The Thunderbird stole his wand, used it to scratch itself, and then returned it, but it was covered in saliva.

Tonks recounts another person she met when she first joined the Auror Office —an Auror —who taught her how to use her Metamorphmagus ability to scare her colleagues.

Anne told another amusing story from her time at Hogwarts. Once, she and Leyes got lost in the Forbidden Forest and encountered a Troll. The Troll glanced at them, then turned and walked away, as if it thought they were too stupid to be eaten.

Laughter filled the air, but everyone knew in their hearts that this was the last night before departure.

After dinner, everyone went their separate ways. Harry returned to his room and did a final check of his belongings.

Everything is ready.

He walked to the window and looked out at the London night sky.

We're setting off tomorrow; this should be the last night before the decisive battle.

Pi Neng said he hoped Voldemort would stay put and wait there instead of running around everywhere.

Finally, the day of Yan's departure arrived.

Four o'clock in the morning, at Grimmauld Place, Number 13.

Everyone gathered in the Living Room. The five members of the Scythe Squad, dressed in combat uniforms and carrying packs, were ready to depart. The main force's commanders, Veratia, Kingsley, and Tonks, were also fully prepared.

The final farewell was brief.

Ron hugged Harry tightly without saying a word.

Hermione, her eyes red, hugged him back and whispered, "Go back to Yan alive."

1

Kingsley shook his hand. "Be careful."

Lupin patted him on the shoulder. "We're waiting for you to come back."

Bill and Phoebe walked past Yan, Bill said, "We'll be behind you, don't worry."

1

Dyg and Silva were already standing next to the Portkey, nodding to them.

Anne ran past the guards and hugged Harry tightly.

"You promised me," she said in a muffled voice.

"I remember," Harry said. "I'll get back to Yan."

Anne let go of him, her eyes red, but she didn't cry.

Sebastian drifted past Yan, unusually serious, and said, "Harry, take care."

"Thank you, Sebastian," Harry said. "Take good care of Anne."

Yes, it will.

Finally, there's Cassandra.

She walked up to Harry, and the two looked at each other for a moment.

"Let's go," she said.

Harry nodded.

Veratia held up the Portkey to the old candlestick. The five members of the Scythe Squad formed a circle, their hands on the candlestick.

The Blue Light began to flicker, and the others in the Living Room watched them silently.

The stricter the Blue Light emission, the brighter it becomes.

Then, the five figures disappeared in the light.

In the Living Room, only those who remained were left behind.

Anne stood by the window, staring blankly at the gray sky outside.