46 The man with the blue eyes
A/N: Sup yall, uni was a shitshow, just finished my 2nd year. I will be a third year starting from 17th of march! Enjoy this chapter, wrote it after a while so I am not in my groove yet, sorry.
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A milky sky, the countless stars shimmered, their light illuminating the lush highlands. Clouds crawled and winds raced above the tall hills, a misty fog descended upon the low plains.
The space near the hills fluctuated abnormally, as a sudden influx of magic caused it to twist and bend, spitting out a group of wizards from the other side.
Zagreus's hand immediately shot up, commanding silence. The wizards immediately acted on this gesture as faint whisps of magic poured from their wand, enveloping them, as it muffled their movements and voices to the outside.
Seeing this action completed, Zagreus eased up slightly,
"Split to three teams, Andrei get the scouts to scan the perimeter and take the ward specialists to set up a concealed encircling ward. We need to restrict the targets movement." Zagreus issued orders immediately.
Andrei was not a step slower as his body immediately faded into space towards the lower plains, a few figures from each team followed him.
Dmitry peered down towards the faint embers emitting light from the campsites, "They haven't slept yet. The fire's still going. Do you want to wait in place for a few more hours?" He suggested.
"Waiting will be useless, the moment the wards are placed down, we have the upper hand. Each team will take a few guerilla fighters and pick off the target at the perimeters of the ward. No one will be able to escape our cage." Zagreus declared resolutely.
"How are you so sure? I thought wards that complex required hours of excruciating work to put down." Zack pondered, he had recently been very interested in magical applications, hence he couldn't help but ask.
"Since its your first time on the squad, I will answer it. However, next time do not question orders while executing the task. It's best to remain focused in the operation." Zagreus reprimanded harshly.
Zack could also tell that his usual calm demeanor was no where to be seen. He slowly nodded his head in agreement, and stayed quiet.
"A concealed encirclement ward is just an invisible cage. One that conceals those outside from the ones trapped inside. As for the duration, naturally this type of ward cannot be maintained for long. Each ward specialist must sacrifice their full attention towards operating the cage. Rendering them defenseless. In essence, the wizards themselves group together and create the complete ward." Zagreus looked back towards his squad as he explained.
"This is where the strike team comes in, while we do have the advantage, we do not have time to waste. The faster we finish, the safer it is for all teams involved. Remember, although the enemy is trapped, do not let your guard down. If given enough time they will eventually realize their predicament and try to break out. End them mercilessly before they get a chance." Zagreus's eyes went cold.
His expression was sober, a pressure almost emanating from his gaze. The squads stood in dreadful silence as they waited patiently. Everyone had taken Zagreus's words to heart, as many hands were seen tightly gripping their wands. Zack felt it too as his fingers wrapped around his wand.
The tension in the air was cut short abruptly as Andrei's figure slithered back Infront of them.
"The wards are in place, we've scouted everything. In total, fifty-seven death eaters, thirty-two of them are asleep, ten stand guard on shifts, and the remaining eight are huddled around campfires preparing food. The enemy, is still clueless."
His face tilted towards Zagreus, black sunglasses rested on his face, obscuring his eyes.
"The first priority should be the thirty-two incapacitated death eaters. Ensure they keep out of this engagement. Take the first squad and make sure they never wake up." Zagreus chimed in.
Andrei nodded swiftly.
"As for the ten standing guard, our vanguards will face them in direct confrontation." Zagreus's eyes shifted towards Dmitry, who shuffled towards the front.
"Lastly, the eight around the fire, my team will take care of them swiftly and join the vanguards. Ready your respective squads and position yourself to the best of your ability. Surround the barrier, wait for my signal. we all enter at once."
The team captains shared a few glances, Dmitry and Andrei's figures silently apparated away, as their teams followed suit.
"Zack, you're with us." Zagreus said, shuffling his hands into his pockets as he deftly put on a pair of black gloves.
"Let's go."
He whispered, faint crackles reverberated in the air as their figures vanished.
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In a village within the Scottish highlands, it's thatched cottages and cobbled rural roads were drenched in murky water as a vicious downpour overwhelmed the skies.
The whole village seemed deathly still, but deep within the winding muddy roads, through the sharp nooks and crannies, a steady whisp of smoke slithered out the chimney's of one particular cottage.
The shack seemed to be exquisitely decorated with rich mahogany wood, peculiarly three broomsticks hung as an ornament above it's door.
A surge of voices clamored inside, it seemed that an august crowd had gathered within the shack to enjoy the cozy fire, hence, It wasn't long before hearty songs and tunes were echoing through the walls as mugs of ale and plates of food bobbed through the air to their tables while the rain continued to pour.
The merry gathering continued to the late hours of the night as the rain showed no signs of stopping.
But strangely, for just a brief second, the rain drops seemed to halt, as a vague disturbance stirred the air. What followed were light footsteps of a tall and thin wizard who had seemingly appeared from nowhere.
He had a crooked nose, a luxurious grey beard and donned majestic silver robes that gave of a noble aura. His eyes were sharp blue, and he held a soul piercing twinkle in his pupils masked beneath his warm smile.
The man seemed to fit perfectly wherever he stood. He was neither too eye catching nor too obscure, but a strange charisma enveloped his every move.
As he heard the loud surging crowd, the man smiled, his eyes shifted upwards, peering into his past. But a moment later, his gaze returned to the door, as he gracefully stepped forward.
The man paused, his hands stretched towards the door. But just before he opened it, he stopped.
With a strange motion of flicking his left hand, the man seemed to be enveloped in a faint fog. Peculiarly, it seemed now as if he was a phantom.
The old wizard swiftly nudged the door open and walked inside, but despite his arrival, no one batted an eye.
Almost as if he didn't exist. The wizard slipped inside and bemused. He observed the one's sitting around the table and his ears perked up as he heard one man. among them
"The way I see it, no place is safe anymore." The short man barked, and chugged his mug.
"What nonsense, it's true he is strong, but don't forget who we have on our side." A lady chimed in.
Their voices weren't hushed, but due to the massive crowd inside the bar, no one else could tell what they were talking about.
No one, except of course the sly old man. He silently stood beside the table as he watched them.
"Listen, I am tired of all this bullocks. I didn't come here to hide like a rat. I thought we had a resistance." The man spoke, but held his tongue as he leaned in to the table.
The man looked silently glanced around, as the words finally slipped from his lips.
"I thought Dumbledore could win, but the way I see it, he's just buying time by hiding in the castle."
The moment he uttered these words, the man's eyes immediately darted around, afraid that someone else would hear him.
The words he had whispered were enough to completely shock everyone sitting around the table. It wasn't long before the lady next to him lost her patience.
"Have you gone mad? Perhaps you've drunk too much butterbeer. You think you can question Dumbledore's methods? If not for him, we wouldn't even be sitting here." The lady chewed him out slowly.
The man cleared his throat, clearly disgruntled.
"So what? Am I supposed to be thankful? Do you think we haven't sacrificed our families, our future to this war? Yet all we get is vague instructions, and orders to stay back. I don't know who he thinks he's trying to outsmart. It's clear that his plans are always hidden"
Despite his words, the man's face had gotten slightly sober as he realized what he had just said.
He snorted, not wanting to talk any further he pursed his lips and looked down.
The whole table had gone eerily quiet.
The old wizard stood beside the table, silently listening, no one yet aware of his presence. He smiled a bit as he stood beside the group, his eyes glanced towards a young man sitting opposite the two.
It was strange, the old wizard smirked and walked away to one of the rooms in the back as the twinkle in his gaze caught the young man's eyes.
The young man was slightly startled unable to explain what had happened, he fiddled with his cup restlessly.
"Is everything alright Frank?" The lady asked softly.
The man took a sip from his mug, and contemplated before he spoke
"Dumbledore isn't a coward, if anything he's brave. It's true he keeps us in the dark, but...I think it's best to be secretive in these times. You know who, it's said that he has many spies there."
"You're right Frank, Dumbledore is the only one who can face him. If there are some secret he needs to keep it's ok." The witch agreed.
"Thank you Alice." The man smiled pleasantly.
The short man sitting opposite him grunted
"Of course that's what you two love birds would say, I heard the old crook has you wrapped around his fingers." The short man chuckled as he downed the last of his butter beer.
Frank was slightly annoyed at his words, and unable to help himself he smacked the mug on the wooden table
"That's enough Fletcher. Last I heard, Dumbledore's the only reason you're walking free, you should be thankful you're not rotting in Azkaban right now. If not for him, I am sure you know where you would be."
Frank's voice raised some curious glances towards their table, at which point the short wizard coughed repeatedly.
"Alright alright, keep it down now, I think Alice was right. You know me, maybe I've just drank a tidy bit too much eh." The man coughed once more as he pushed himself off his stool.
"Right then, I will leave you two to enjoy the rainy night together, how about that. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some business to attend to."
Frank and Alice couldn't help but stare as the wizard walked away, disappearing into the crowd, they weren't pleased with his words but it couldn't be helped. Just like them he was an important member of the order.
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The short wizard glanced around and swiftly made his way inside the room, silently closing the door behind him as he took a deep breath.
"So? I tested them like you asked. Seems like they're both quite loyal. "
The wizard seemed to be talking to himself in an empty room, but his eyes kept darting around.
"Indeed, good job Mundungus. Your ways are quite effective."
A voice came, and soon followed strange fog that shed to reveal the man with the blue eyes.
Mundungus took a deep breath, after all, the man in front of him was none other than the strongest wizard of his generation. Albus Dumbledore.
"So? Is that all then?" Mundungus calmed himself and spoke.
"I am afraid not. You have some information that I require. I heard the Dark Lord is trying to make some moves in Romania."
Dumbledore's gaze landed on mundungus as his deep aura demanded an answer.
"We-Well, I heard some stuff from some smugglers in the Scandinavian routes you know. The Durmstrang ships were moving strangely and all. Some even swore they saw alot of people aboard. Slightly strange if you ask me, smugglers prefer working with the least number of men on deck."
"The Dark Lord is ambitious. He wishes to use the old routes to transport his men. But what about the other side, have they made any moves? " Dumbledore mused thinking deeply.
"Err, I am not sure about their side, but I don't think so. The smugglers haven't exactly been active and all that. The information is really slow."
"Is that so, well I would like to thank you for your help. Of course, I expect that you're going to continue searching. After all, we would want to be blindsided by something unexpected."
Mundungus flinched a the last words, but he readily agreed.
"Of-of course, Dumbledore, you know me. I won't let anything go by don't worry." He replied, slightly adjusting his clothes as he muttered.
"I trust you mundungus, now, if you may excuse me, I will need the room for something else."
Dumbledore replied, gesturing slowly towards the door, his fingers spreading out to open it slightly.
"Yes yes of course, I will see you around Dumbledore."
Mundungus muttered a few more words as he quickly excused himself from the room and disappeared into the crowd.
"You can come in now", Dumbledore voiced out.
At his words, the windows slightly flicked open and a black tabby cat jumped in. The feline seemed, peculiarly distinguished, with strange marks near it's eyes.
The cat jerked it's body slightly as the water dried off it's skin, as it looked directly at Dumbledore.
"I must say, I didn't expect for it to rain, otherwise I would never have suggested you go today. My apologies Minerva." Dumbledore bowed his head slightly.
The feline licked its paws and then it's gaze shifted towards Dumbledore.
With a twirl of it's tail, the cat began to transform, it's petite figure slowly morphed into a tall witch, donned completely in black robes and a grand hat.
"That's alright Albus, I suppose I can't blame you for everything." She replied, her hands dusting off her robes.
"Allow me", Dumbledore flicked his wrist as a cool pulse of air flushed through the witch, drying her clothes completely.
"Thank you." She nodded.
The witch smiled as she fished out a small scroll from her robes and handed it over.
"But, it looks like you were right Albus. You know who, he is planning something big. The ministry has been broken into. I don't think they can be trusted." She said, a frown forming on her face.
Dumbledore grabbed the scroll, his eyes skimming through the contents.
"Ah, yes it seems so. I suppose the minister of magic is quite susceptible to the eager advances of the purebloods. I might have to pay the wizengamot a visit. Please, Minerva help yourself to some refreshments, consider it on me. I must excuse myself."
Dumbledore flicked his fingers and the scroll burned to ashes.
"Ah but Albu-"
Before Minverva could get a single word in, Dumbledore's figure quietly slipped away into nothingness, leaving her tongue tied alone in the room.
She could only sigh as she picked up a goblet next to her and took a little sip.
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A/N: Hope you enjoyed the chapter, I am not exactly back in top shape so the chapters aren't really up to par but I hope it wasn't too bad.
