Chapter 71: The Eve of Christmas Break

The Quidditch match was lost.

This didn't stop the Hufflepuff students from celebrating.

Because the Hufflepuff Quidditch team had gained a future star.

Hogwarts had issued a notice to all houses that every student would either return home or find somewhere to spend the Christmas holidays, as tonight would be the last feast of the year.

Strangely enough, the headmaster, Dumbledore, and the head of Slytherin House, Severus Snape, did not stay long. They only made a brief appearance at the feast before leaving the Great Hall.

Professor Minerva McGonagall presided over the feast. The deputy headmistress was somewhat relieved that the Weasley twins and Wilson had not caused any trouble.

The only problem was Hagrid.

The half-giant was begging Wilson to leave the Ice Phoenix, Anivia, at Hogwarts over the holidays. He hoped to be allowed to wake Anivia so she could fly freely in the sky, which was what a caretaker should do.

Professor McGonagall was almost frightened by Hagrid's idea.

The winter brought by Anivia was entirely different from a normal winter. The last time the Weasley twins recklessly woke the Ice Phoenix, Hogwarts was nearly frozen solid.

"Actually, it's not that big of a deal..."

While listening to Professor McGonagall scolding Hagrid, Wilson defended his pet, "If Anivia's environment is not suitable for her, she will release her magic to change it; now it's her favorite season, the only time Anivia can be free and active..."

"At least not now."

Professor McGonagall wouldn't relent on this matter.

It was no small issue.

What if the Ice Phoenix destroyed Hogwarts's wards again?

Hagrid and Wilson didn't know that Dumbledore planned to lure Peter Pettigrew during Christmas, and nothing could interfere with that plan.

Because the Christmas operation was crucial to the future of the entire wizarding world.

What Professor McGonagall didn't know was that Dumbledore was hesitating about the Christmas plan because he and Snape were examining a treasure in the headmaster's office.

Ravenclaw's diadem.

Finding Ravenclaw's diadem would be difficult for anyone else, but as the school headmaster, Dumbledore knew whom to ask, so he sought out the ghost of Rowena Ravenclaw's daughter, the Grey Lady.

The Grey Lady, active in Ravenclaw House, told Dumbledore the story of the diadem, including who had possessed it.

As a result...

Dumbledore received bad news. His former student, Tom Riddle, had already defiled the diadem with dark magic, turning it into a Horcrux.

Originally, Dumbledore intended to use an artifact created by his friend Nicolas Flamel as bait to lure Peter, but now that plan might need to change.

Because a fake might not lure him out.

"Peter is also searching for it..."

Dumbledore looked at the diadem on his desk and asked Snape, "Severus, do you think Peter is searching for the treasure or for Tom's Horcrux?"

"It's obvious."

Professor Snape glanced at the diadem and calmly explained, "That guy even knows the exact number of Horcruxes. I don't think he would be unaware of the diadem's fate..."

Theoretically, only the Grey Lady and Voldemort knew the diadem was a Horcrux, but Peter couldn't be judged by normal standards. Who knew what he might know?

Snape believed Peter knew all about the Horcruxes.

"Do you want to deal with this Horcrux?"

Snape looked at the contemplative Dumbledore and continued, "I think we should wait, because it could easily alert the Dark Lord..."

The Horcrux was right in front of them.

Snape couldn't afford to be careless with this matter.

"When we found the Horcrux, he probably already knew."

Dumbledore shook his head and sighed, "I don't intend to deal with it now because Peter is also searching for Voldemort's Horcruxes. Only a Horcrux can lure him out. We can't let him gain nothing..."

Dumbledore felt heavy-hearted.

He had hoped the Christmas plan would go smoothly, but now, before it even began, they had to use a rare Voldemort Horcrux as bait.

"Are you still continuing with the Christmas plan?"

Snape frowned and urged, "You know if a Horcrux of the Dark Lord goes out and causes trouble..."

"Severus."

Dumbledore nodded, explaining his reasoning: "We must do this for the school's safety. This will be an opportunity. Letting Peter roam free is very dangerous... In fact, there's no need to worry. Most people in this world have never heard of Horcruxes."

Apart from their generation of old wizards, many middle-aged wizards had never heard of Horcruxes because creating them was an extremely evil dark magic, and these books had been banned in Hogwarts.

"Let's do it."

Dumbledore decided, "Tomorrow, while the students are leaving for the holidays, I will send out invitations by owl. I'm sure Peter will get the message quickly."

One invitation to view and study Ravenclaw's diadem would go to Rita Skeeter, a reporter for the Daily Prophet. As a Ravenclaw alumna, she would surely write extensively about her house's diadem, meaning the entire wizarding world would soon know that Hogwarts had recovered Ravenclaw's diadem.

"Hope that guy takes the bait..."

Snape could only hope Dumbledore's plan would go smoothly.

Of all the people in the world, Snape hated Peter Pettigrew the most. The mastermind behind Lily's death made the Slytherin head despise him deeply.

"Severus, don't act impulsively."

Dumbledore furrowed his brow, softly reminding, "Our real plan isn't in Godric's Hollow but at Hogwarts. Don't let anger cloud your judgment... Given Peter's cunning, the likelihood of him choosing the diadem is low. He's most likely to appear at Hogwarts."

(End of Chapter)

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