Late at night, the Room of Requirement.
Draco Malfoy sat in a battered armchair, holding a Two-Way Mirror as he quietly asked Bellatrix on the other side for the latest news.
Through Bellatrix, he had learned from the Death Eaters' informants within the Ministry of Magic that Dumbledore was currently at Azkaban Prison, discussing with Minister of Magic Scrimgeour how to deal with Voldemort's possible prison break.
Draco knew he had to wait until Dumbledore returned to Hogwarts before acting. Against an old man who had spent the whole day busy and exhausted in body and mind, they would hold a greater advantage.
After all, their opponent was Dumbledore. There was no such thing as being too cautious.
Draco waited for a long time, until deep into the night, until everyone had returned to rest, before Bellatrix finally told him that Dumbledore had left Azkaban and was heading back to Hogwarts.
Gently nudged along by Felix Felicis, Draco knew the best moment had arrived. It was time to act.
Bellatrix's side responded quickly. Before long, noises began coming from the Vanishing Cabinet. Draco knew someone was coming through it, so he hurriedly stepped back to give them more room.
A few seconds later, the Vanishing Cabinet door opened, and Bellatrix stepped out. She wore none of the masks Death Eaters used to conceal their identities, and the malice on her face was undisguised.
"Welcome to Hogwarts, Aunt Bellatrix."
As one masked Death Eater after another emerged from the Vanishing Cabinet, Malfoy could not help letting out a breath of relief. Though Snape was the core of the entire plan, having more people made him feel safer. Perhaps they could kill Dumbledore through sheer numbers.
What surprised Malfoy, however, was that there were quite a few unfamiliar faces among the Death