blueteamnovel Chapter 96 Taking the Initiative
Chapter 96 Taking the Initiative
Chapter 96 Taking the Initiative
Crouch said no more and turned to leave.
The most pressing issue has now been resolved.
He needed to get back to the Ministry of Magic as soon as possible to prepare for the next move and, incidentally... to sort out his thoughts.
The reappearance of Voldemort and the Hangman are no small matter; they will undoubtedly have a huge impact on the wizarding world.
But Lynch spoke again, calling out to him, "Please wait a moment, Chief Crouch."
Crouch paused and turned around.
Lynch stood there, composed.
His gaze briefly met Dumbledore's, and a knowing glint flashed in both of their eyes—the timing of today's sudden "interrogation" was far too coincidental.
The visit of African wizards to the Ministry of Magic to demand answers led the Ministry to target Lynch... There must be Voldemort or Quirrell behind this, their aim being nothing more than to create chaos, temporarily remove Lynch, this threat, from Hogwarts, or at least hinder him, to buy time and space for their plan to steal the Philosopher's Stone.
Well then, let's just do as he wishes.
Lynch gave a meaningful smile and offered Crouch, "To show respect for the Ministry of Magic's investigation procedures and to avoid unnecessary trouble and international scrutiny, I can stay in this stone house for the time being until you have dealt with the African wizards and reached a formal conclusion."
He paused, looking calmly at Crouch. "You could even leave two Aurors—well, 'guard' the door. That would be more appropriate, both in terms of how you explain things to the outside world and in fulfilling your duties. What do you think?"
Crouch frowned. He had never seen anyone so willingly request to be imprisoned and guarded. There must be some motive behind this that he did not yet understand.
He turned to look at Dumbledore.
The old headmaster turned his head to look at Lin Qi's bookshelf, seemingly intending to find a book that contained the secrets of the universe.
"Okay." Crouch finally nodded, his voice cold and crisp.
Leaving two people behind was less about guarding them and more about Lin Qi offering a way out, a symbol that allowed him to temporarily save face. He had no reason to refuse.
"I'll arrange for two people to stay behind." He didn't say anything more, gave Lynch a deep look, and then glanced warily at Dumbledore.
He then stopped lingering, opened the door of the stone house, and strode out. Soon, his voice, issuing commands to the Aurors, could be heard from outside.
The door to the stone house was gently closed.
Only Lynch and Dumbledore remained in the room.
Lynch's voice broke the brief silence: "Once the news of my temporary 'imprisonment' gets out, Voldemort will start making his move. Given what you did to poor Professor Quirrell last night, I think Voldemort won't be able to wait more than a few days." Dumbledore paused, "Perhaps I should take the initiative to leave, lest he become impatient."
Lynch shook his head slightly, his tone grave: "To be able to cleverly mobilize African wizards thousands of miles away and use the Ministry of Magic's influence to attack me, this scheme couldn't have been a spur-of-the-moment decision. Since Voldemort went to such lengths to distract me, he must have considered you as well. Deliberately creating an 'opportunity' might only arouse his suspicion. Only when he's certain his arrangements have successfully hindered us will he dare to launch his attack."
Dumbledore stroked his long beard and nodded slightly. "That makes sense. Well then, it seems we can only patiently wait for Voldemort's next move."
"While we're waiting, there's something to do," Lynch said, changing the subject. "I have no intention of changing the defenses and traps you set up around the Philosopher's Stone, but perhaps we could install some observation devices in the outer area? I have some new ideas."
Dumbledore glanced at Lynch, his azure eyes gleaming with an enigmatic light: "You can make any changes you desire..."
When do you plan to start?
"This afternoon," Lynch answered crisply, "just in case he can't control himself tonight. Although, normally speaking, Professor Quirrell needs some time to recover, his poor life has never been in his own hands."
He paused, his expression turning serious. "So... one last question—how are you going to solve Harry's problem?"
"Last night in the Forbidden Forest, when Harry was close to Quirrell, I felt that unusually strong connection between him and Voldemort."
"Harry was in constant pain and even found it difficult to remain normal in front of Voldemort."
"If you don't have a solution to this problem, then I can't get Harry to face Voldemort; he'll just become easy prey."
Dumbledore's expression also became extremely serious: "I understand your concerns, Professor Lynch."
"The intensity and danger of this connection are indeed as extraordinary as you perceive them to be, and they have exceeded my expectations."
"But rest assured, I have prepared for the worst from the beginning, and this preparation has brought with it a practical and effective solution—Professor Snape has been brewing a powerful potion to protect Harry from harm for several months now."
Outside the stone house, Crouch's voice, which used to give orders to the Aurors, had long since fallen silent, leaving only the unique stillness of the Forbidden Forest.
Lynch nodded: "Then...see you this afternoon, Headmaster Dumbledore."
"See you this afternoon, Professor Lynch," Dumbledore replied. "Now, I should see Mr. Crouch off."
After saying that, Dumbledore pushed open the door and went out.
Dumbledore left the door open, allowing Lynch to see the view outside without having to move.
Two Aurors stood on either side of their doors on the stone path, while Crouch and Professor McGonagall chatted idly.
He seemed somewhat absent-minded, his gaze drifting aimlessly over Professor McGonagall's shoulder before settling on a clump of inconspicuous low bushes not far away, as if some unsolvable mystery was hidden in the tangled branches.
Dumbledore walked to Crouch's side, gestured for him to come, and the two walked side by side along the straight stone path out of the Forbidden Forest.
Professor McGonagall kept a half-step distance behind the group at the very end, where the dejected Aurors were—the same ones who had tried to attack Lynch earlier but were disarmed by the wolf.
Several of Crouch's colleagues, who had been following him closely, were also walking among them, occasionally casting glances at them that were a mixture of curiosity and a hint of barely perceptible relief.
Once their figures disappeared on the stone path, Lynch called out, "Totz!"
Just as the Aurors and Professor McGonagall left the house, the quick-witted Tots, who had disappeared on his own, ran out from behind the stone house.
"Mr. Lynch! Is there anything I can do for you?"
Lynch's gaze swept over the two Aurors standing guard by the door, a faint smile playing on his lips. He instructed Torts, "Torts, find these two gentlemen comfortable chairs and prepare some tea and snacks. It seems they'll be spending quite a while here; it wouldn't be good to leave them standing there doing nothing."
"Yes, Mr. Lynch!"
Thors responded loudly, his round eyes sparkling with excitement at being able to serve his master: "Thors will bring the best refreshments from Hogwarts right away!"
Then, with a soft snap, he used Apparition to disappear from the spot.