Ch. 1881Loyalty to the Point of Acting Without Permission

Snape and Wizet entered the Department of Mysteries after concluding that Voldemort had sent someone to infiltrate it. At Durmstrang, Calchas revealed that Barty Crouch Jr. had appeared at the Ministry, leaving Voldemort to suspect either disobedience or betrayal as he learned that the Ministry might have been infiltrated.

  • Snape argued that Barty Crouch Jr.'s attempt to lure them away meant someone had infiltrated the Department of Mysteries, and Wizet agreed they should investigate first.
  • Wizet cast more spells on the unconscious Barty Crouch Jr., then followed Snape through the Department of Mysteries entrance.
  • Calchas used the Eye of Heaven to tell Voldemort that Barty Crouch Jr. had appeared at the Ministry and been knocked unconscious by the Guardian.
  • Herpo suggested Barty Crouch Jr. might have acted without permission out of excessive loyalty, while Voldemort considered betrayal but chose to believe his servant had acted unnecessarily.
  • Calchas reported that Snape had explained his actions to the Guardian and that the Guardian inferred the Ministry might have been infiltrated.

Ch. 1882Is That Something You Can Tell Voldemort?

Calchas monitored Snape and Wizet’s conversation and repeatedly distorted Snape’s assessments of Voldemort to avoid angering him. Voldemort accepted the fabrications and remained confident that the plan would destroy the Guardian.

  • Herpo praised Snape’s cleverness, while Voldemort’s remarks deepened Herpo’s resentment at being treated like a servant.
  • Calchas reported that Snape had analyzed Voldemort, but softened his words to portray Voldemort as hidden, powerful, and capable of infiltrating the Ministry of Magic.
  • Calchas fabricated an account of Voldemort’s past clashes with the Guardian, claiming the Guardian had escaped by luck and feared Voldemort.
  • When Snape’s comments described Voldemort as suffering repeated defeats, Calchas changed them into warnings that the Guardian should stay alert while Voldemort devised more terrifying plans.
  • Voldemort believed Calchas’s report and declared that the plan would destroy the Guardian completely.

Ch. 1883That Guardian is Finished!

Calchas relayed Snape’s account to Voldemort, carefully reshaping the details to avoid angering him. Watching Wizet and Snape enter the Department of Mysteries, Calchas finally announced that an explosion had occurred and the Guardian was finished.

  • Calchas told Voldemort that Snape expected the Guardian to seek greater power in the Department of Mysteries.
  • Calchas described the Guardian considering a warning to Dumbledore, then claimed he had been persuaded to follow Snape after binding the other servant.
  • Calchas reported that Wizet and Snape entered a room containing a glass tank and brains, while Voldemort demanded only the outcome.
  • Calchas watched Wizet and Snape pass through the Department of Mysteries and excitedly announced that an explosion had occurred and the Guardian was finished.

Ch. 1884Really! Completely! Finished!

Wizet and Snape explored the Department of Mysteries until Wizet entered the Time Chamber, where a blinding light swallowed him. At Durmstrang, Calchas reported that the chamber had exploded and that he could no longer see Wizet through the Eye of Heaven.

  • Snape decided not to reveal Voldemort’s plan as he and Wizet entered the Department of Mysteries.
  • Wizet and Snape explored the shifting rooms, including the Thought Chamber and the room with the tattered archway.
  • Wizet opened the door to the Time Chamber, and Snape struggled with whether to warn him or let him enter.
  • Wizet stepped into the Time Chamber and was swallowed by a brilliant light.
  • Calchas told Voldemort and Herpo that the Time Chamber had exploded and that the Eye of Heaven could no longer see Wizet.

Ch. 1885Magic Still Exists

Snape watched the Time Chamber erase everything inside it, including Wizet, but discovered that Wizet’s spells still worked and concluded he had survived. After Snape found Barty Crouch Jr. and encountered Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt, he began explaining how they had uncovered the infiltration.

  • Snape saw the explosion in the Time Chamber fade into ash, leaving the chamber empty, and his spells could not restore anything.
  • Snape left the chamber and confirmed that Wizet’s magic on Barty Crouch Jr. remained active, which showed Wizet had not died.
  • Snape removed Wizet’s magic from Barty Crouch Jr. and cast the same magic himself.
  • Kingsley Shacklebolt arrived, disarmed Snape, and asked why he was in the Ministry.
  • Snape told Kingsley that he and Wizet had investigated something unusual and found Barty Crouch Jr. infiltrating the Ministry, prompting Kingsley to send word to Mr. Crouch.

Ch. 1886Barty Crouch Jr. is in the Time Chamber

Snape told Kingsley Shacklebolt that he and Wizet had tracked Barty Crouch Jr. into the Department of Mysteries, where Wizet vanished in an explosion in the Time Chamber. Barty Crouch Sr. arrived and began investigating his son and Snape’s account.

  • Snape explained that he and Wizet had followed unusual magical traces into the Department of Mysteries and found Barty Crouch Jr.
  • Snape said Wizet subdued Barty Crouch Jr. before an explosion in a room of clocks erased everything inside, including Wizet.
  • Kingsley Shacklebolt questioned Snape about investigating without notifying the Ministry and about what had happened in the Department of Mysteries.
  • Barty Crouch Sr. arrived, examined his unconscious son, and asked Snape whether he had cast all the magic restraining him.
  • Barty Crouch Sr. ordered two Aurors to analyze the magic on Barty Crouch Jr. and told Kingsley Shacklebolt to use the Flashback Charm on his wand.

Ch. 1887What would Mr. Crouch think?

Kingsley Shacklebolt and Barty Crouch Sr. investigated Snape’s magic and confirmed that Barty Crouch Jr. was Crouch Sr.’s son. They went to the Department of Mysteries to inspect the Time Chamber, where Kingsley began examining the traces left behind.

  • Kingsley used Prior Incantato to identify spells on Snape’s wand, and the Aurors reported that their findings matched the recorded spells.
  • Snape explained that he had tried spells to bring Wizet back, then mocked Barty Crouch Sr. about his son and his position.
  • Barty Crouch Sr. confirmed Barty Crouch Jr.’s identity and ordered the Aurors to take him to the Auror Office and restrain him.
  • Barty Crouch Sr., Kingsley, and Snape went to the Department of Mysteries, where Kingsley matched Snape’s magical traces to the marks on the Time Chamber doors.
  • Barty Crouch Sr. identified the Hall of Prophecy and opened the empty chamber Snape had indicated, where Kingsley began examining the remaining magical traces.

Ch. 1888Wizet Lovegood is Already Dead

Kingsley Shacklebolt confirmed that Wizet Lovegood had vanished in the Time Chamber and could not be restored. Barty Crouch Sr. told Dumbledore at Hogwarts that Wizet was dead.

  • Kingsley Shacklebolt reconstructed the Time Chamber’s magical traces and confirmed they matched Snape’s account, but found no way to undo the effects of time.
  • Barty Crouch Sr. released Snape after the investigation, and Snape mocked Crouch over his treatment of his son and suggested he was covering for him.
  • Barty Crouch Sr. brought Snape to Hogwarts to report the incident to Dumbledore.
  • Barty Crouch Sr. explained that Wizet Lovegood had disappeared in an explosion in the Time Chamber while stopping an intruder.
  • Dumbledore asked whether he could help, but Barty Crouch Sr. told him that Wizet was dead.

Ch. 1889Ran Away Because the Act Couldn't Continue?

Dumbledore heard Barty Crouch Sr. report that Wizet had died in the Time Chamber and struggled to hide his grief. Snape suspected Wizet was still alive and realized Dumbledore and Fawkes knew more than they were letting on.

  • Barty Crouch Sr. told Dumbledore that Wizet was dead and that even his body had disappeared, leaving Dumbledore and the portraits stunned.
  • Snape doubted the report because magic on Barty Crouch Jr. convinced him Wizet was alive, and he noticed Fawkes flee into the flames when watched.
  • Barty Crouch Sr. revealed that his son had escaped Azkaban, returned to the Dark Lord, and caused the accident that led to the Time Chamber's destruction.
  • Snape confirmed that Wizet had subdued Barty Crouch Jr. before the chamber exploded and said the time magic had erased everything inside.
  • Dumbledore mentioned the new phoenix at Hogwarts and appeared grief-stricken, while Snape concluded that Dumbledore and Fawkes had discovered clues about Wizet's true situation.

Ch. 1890Wizet, You've Really Improved!

Dumbledore and Barty Crouch Sr. discussed concealing Wizet’s apparent death and suspected that Voldemort had used Snape and Barty Jr. as part of a trap. The chapter ended with Barty Jr. accusing Snape, while Dumbledore prepared to defend him to Amelia.

  • Dumbledore urged Barty Crouch Sr. to keep news of Wizet’s death from spreading and arrange to see Amelia.
  • Dumbledore suggested Voldemort had used Snape’s Death Eater knowledge and Barty Jr. as bait in a trap for Wizet.
  • Snape inferred that Dumbledore, Barty Crouch Sr., and Wizet might have helped Barty Jr. escape and were working around Voldemort’s Eye of Heaven.
  • A lynx Patronus delivered Kingsley Shacklebolt’s message that Barty Jr. had awakened and accused Snape of carrying out Voldemort’s plan.
  • Dumbledore told Barty Crouch Sr. that he trusted Snape and would explain Barty Jr.’s accusation to Amelia.

Ch. 1891I've Always Looked Forward to This Day!

Calchas watched Dumbledore learn that Guardian was dead and reported his grief to Voldemort, who delighted in seeing Dumbledore's confidence collapse. The chapter left Dumbledore recovering enough to plan to ask the Minister for Magic to temporarily withhold the news.

  • Calchas used the Eye of Heaven to watch Snape and Dumbledore meet in Hogwarts Headmaster's Office.
  • Calchas told Voldemort that Dumbledore had cried after hearing Guardian was dead, and Voldemort celebrated the news.
  • Calchas described Dumbledore's grief and weakness as the portraits fled and the phoenix vanished from the room.
  • Dumbledore regained his composure and began considering countermeasures.
  • Dumbledore decided to find the Minister for Magic and discuss temporarily withholding news of Guardian's death.

Ch. 1892Igniting the Tinder of Chaos

Herpo and Voldemort planned to exploit Wizet’s death by spreading the news and stirring Muggle leaders into chaos, undermining Dumbledore’s efforts to contain the fallout. Herpo eagerly prepared to help bring about My Lord’s descent, while secretly anticipating revenge on Voldemort.

  • Calchas told Voldemort and Herpo that Dumbledore intended to meet England’s Minister for Magic and suppress news of Wizet’s death.
  • Voldemort and Herpo agreed that they could use Wizet’s death to destabilize Dumbledore’s presidency and disrupt trust between wizards and Muggles.
  • Herpo explained that Wizet’s reputation had made him a bridge between the magical and Muggle worlds, and that his death could turn that reputation into fuel for conflict.
  • Herpo revealed that he planned to use Canaan’s Muggles and their connections with wealthy Muggles to spread news of Wizet’s death and secure cooperation from other rulers.
  • Voldemort ordered Herpo to act quickly, hoping to ignite a new war and bring My Lord closer to descending.
  • Herpo vowed to help, but privately looked forward to taking revenge on Voldemort for his past abuse.

Ch. 1893Barty Crouch Jr. Actually Betrayed Me

Calchas told Voldemort that Barty Crouch Jr. had been exposed as the servant truly carrying out Voldemort’s mission, revealing that Barty had betrayed them. Voldemort ordered Calchas to monitor Dumbledore and then watch Barty until he met his father.

  • Calchas reported that Dumbledore believed Barty Crouch Jr. was bait and had vouched for him to Barty Crouch Sr.
  • Calchas revealed that the awakened Guardian had accused Barty Crouch Jr. of carrying out Voldemort’s mission.
  • Voldemort realized Barty Crouch Jr. had betrayed him, while Calchas sensed the discovery had not been part of Voldemort’s plan.
  • Voldemort ordered Calchas to use the Eye of Heaven to find Dumbledore, then to watch Barty Crouch Jr. until he met Barty Crouch Sr.
  • Calchas located Barty Crouch Sr. at the Ministry of Magic, and Voldemort told him to stop reporting trivial details and keep watching.

Ch. 1894Snape, Most Loyal to Voldemort

Calchas reported Barty Crouch Jr.'s threats and revelations to Voldemort, who learned that the traitor intended to expose the plan and lead Barty Crouch Sr. to Durmstrang. Voldemort welcomed the prospect of their arrival with murderous intent, while Calchas feared he would take the Cruciatus Curse in Barty's place; a knock interrupted them.

  • Calchas told Voldemort that Barty Crouch Jr. had demanded to see his father and threatened to reveal a secret about Barty Crouch Sr.
  • Calchas explained that Barty Crouch Jr. had used the secret of his escape as leverage and had intended to expose his father later.
  • Voldemort declared that Barty Crouch Jr. was no longer his servant, and Calchas reported that he had tried to sabotage the plan and named Herpo and Calchas.
  • Calchas said Barty Crouch Jr. had revealed that Voldemort's followers were entrenched in Durmstrang and could bring Barty Crouch Sr. there.
  • Voldemort welcomed their arrival and promised them a grand gift as Calchas feared being punished in Barty Crouch Jr.'s place.
  • Someone knocked rhythmically at the door.

Ch. 1895A Clever Compliment

Snape returned to Voldemort after completing the plan to destroy the Time Chamber, and Voldemort praised his loyalty while dismissing the threat posed by Barty Crouch Jr. Snape then indirectly asked why Lily was absent, leaving Voldemort to consider her inability to adapt to the cold.

  • Snape entered and reported back to Voldemort, who praised him for the Time Chamber's destruction and Wizet's disappearance.
  • Snape told Voldemort that Aurors had taken Barty Crouch Jr., and Voldemort confirmed that Barty had betrayed him.
  • Voldemort reassured Snape that Barty could not expose their secrets and praised him as his most loyal servant.
  • Snape avoided making a direct request and asked why Lily was not present, suggesting she might be struggling with the cold.

Ch. 1896A Final Favor for Dumbledore

Voldemort placated Snape over Lily Evans’s absence and asked him to return to Dumbledore’s side. He left Snape prepared to kill Dumbledore with the Killing Curse when Voldemort launched his attack on Hogwarts.

  • Voldemort told Snape that Lily needed time to adjust to the world and delayed their meeting because she had not returned.
  • Snape offered to help Lily with her task, but Voldemort told him there would be time for them to be together later.
  • Voldemort ordered Snape to return to Dumbledore’s side, saying he would need Snape’s help when he attacked Hogwarts.
  • Voldemort instructed Snape to cast the Killing Curse at Dumbledore at the critical moment, and Snape agreed without hesitation.
  • Voldemort imagined the shock Dumbledore’s death would cause and vowed to punish Dumbledore, Wizet, and Barty Crouch Jr.

Ch. 1897This is something Dumbledore would do!

Snape persuaded Voldemort to let him return to Hogwarts and continue pretending loyalty to Dumbledore. After Snape left, Voldemort tortured Herpo for breaking his promise to bring Circe back sooner, while Circe hurriedly approved the punishment.

  • Snape warned Voldemort that Barty Crouch Jr.'s testimony might make Dumbledore suspect him and asked to return to Hogwarts.
  • Voldemort praised Snape, lifted restrictions so he could Apparate, and watched him leave.
  • Herpo brought Circe, disguised as Lily Evans, back to Voldemort's office and believed he had kept his promise because Snape had already left.
  • Voldemort repeatedly cast the Cruciatus Curse on Herpo, stopping only when Herpo was near death.
  • Voldemort explained that he was punishing Herpo for breaking his promise, and Circe nervously agreed that the punishment was deserved.

Ch. 1898A Tailor-Made Punishment for Voldemort

Voldemort interrogated Circe about her absence and learned that Herpo had contacted her through soul-based magic. As Circe and Herpo tried to avoid provoking him, Herpo’s thoughts turned to the eternal torment he would inflict on Voldemort when My Lord descended.

  • Voldemort questioned Circe about why she had not been there when Severus needed her, and she said she had been causing chaos among Muggles in Canaan.
  • Circe revealed that Herpo had contacted her with magic that transmitted thoughts directly, prompting Voldemort to question Herpo about soul-based communication.
  • Herpo explained that souls could communicate if opened completely or if a soul fragment was torn off, while Voldemort showed suspicion toward magic involving souls.
  • Voldemort asked Circe how soon she could plunge the world into complete chaos, and she promised only to do her best as quickly as possible.
  • Calchas realized that Voldemort was using fear to drive a wedge between Circe and Herpo, while Herpo resolved to make Voldemort endure eternal pain after My Lord descended.

Ch. 1899The Past

Wizet accepted the invitation carried by goblin magic and was pulled backward through the past, witnessing events and places returning to earlier states. He arrived in a forest of World Trees, where he sensed the abundant magic source he had come to find.

  • Wizet recognized unfamiliar goblin magic in the Time Chamber and accepted its invitation.
  • The Time Chamber rewound around Wizet, and he returned to the Lovegood home, where he filled Pandora Lovegood's full moon with Ancient Magic Power brewed through time before the Car Castle exploded.
  • Wizet was swept backward through scenes of battles, Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald's youth, witch trials, settlements, and civilizations reverting to earlier states.
  • Wizet arrived in a forest of World Trees and sensed that the nearby source of its immense magical fluctuations was his destination.

Ch. 1900The Phoenix in the Palm

Neville, Hannah, Fred, George, and Luna arrived at the Hog's Head Inn for a meeting while Aberforth Dumbledore worried over rumors that Wizet had been in an accident. Luna showed Aberforth a Phoenix that he recognized as a clue from Wizet, and he answered with deliberately misleading speculation to help protect their plan from enemies using magic like the Eye of Heaven.

  • Neville and Hannah arrived at the Hog's Head Inn, and Aberforth Dumbledore sent them upstairs to join the others.
  • Fred and George arrived in unusually subdued spirits, asked Aberforth for a special mixed drink, and went upstairs.
  • Luna entered and showed Aberforth a Phoenix that appeared in her palm.
  • Aberforth recognized that the Phoenix was not Fawkes and inferred that it was a clue left by Wizet.
  • Aberforth deliberately made an ambiguous, nonsensical remark so that anyone using magic like the Eye of Heaven might be misled about the Phoenix.
Show
Page 95 of 104