Perhaps his return caused some sort of deterrence for those young wizards who love nighttime excursions.
On his way to Dumbledore's office after sending off Lucius Malfoy, Amortia didn't find any young wizards loitering around the castle at night. Only Peeves' cackling and Filch's desperate shouts could be heard echoing through the empty halls.
As he entered the Headmaster's office, Dumbledore was sitting in his office chair, his gaze fixed on the circular dome, lost in thought. On his desk was the Hogwarts meditation globe, which was emitting a starry river of light.
As he passed by the fire where Fawkes resided, Amortia paused to take a few moments to admire the sight.
Fawkes, reborn in New York and still not fully recovered, had scattered bits of brilliant feathers on his small body, which was lying in the warm ashes.
"Is there a possibility, Headmaster Dumbledore..."
Gently rubbing the soft fluff on Fawkes' forehead with one finger, Amortia smiled.
"Assuming, I mean assuming one day..."
"That's not for me to say, Amortia."
Dumbledore gave a serene smile.
"You have to consult Fawkes' opinion."
Amortia shrugged and walked away from the fire basin towards the slim-legged desk, his gaze directed towards the meditation globe. Without waiting to be asked, Dumbledore volunteered an explanation.
"I'm reverting to some memories. These are the memories of the trial undergone by Tom's Death Eaters after he lost his magic."
Amortia nodded slightly, understanding that Dumbledore's reminiscence was for a purpose.
"I've talked with Lucius Malfoy, and from the information he told me, our previous guesses are possible."
"Besides the Horcrux, what else could make Tom feel anxious now? He's not the little boy he was at the orphanage anymore. Wealth is no longer his pursuit, and all he wants is eternal life."
"I asked Lucius for his opinion on who among the Death Eaters other than him is most trusted by Voldemort, and he did give some suggestions --"
Amortia recited the names of the Death Eaters that Lucius had told him about, then spoke calmly.
"We cannot determine the correct answer, Headmaster Dumbledore. In order to find the Horcrux that may exist in the Gringotts underground vault, we can only open the vaults of those who are loyal to Voldemort."
"But you know this is impossible, Amortia—"
Dumbledore's gaze was laced with subtle warnings.
"Currently, it is indeed inappropriate,"
Amortia responded calmly.
"As the situation becomes dire, and the magical world enters into an open state of conflict, some plans that are normally unacceptable may be understood by people."
Dumbledore didn't say anything else, just rubbed his forehead wearily.
There were some things that were absolute taboos to him, but they couldn't bind Amortia's hands and feet. Even if he had been overly alert to the bad consequences of destroying order that all ordinary wizards would suffer from, Dumbledore had to admit that some rough means could indeed solve the problem faster.
On the issue of dealing with Voldemort, Dumbledore and Amortia were not on the same path.
Strictly speaking, the actions of the Order of the Phoenix were more targeted. For example, while Voldemort is eagerly strengthening his own power, the Order of Phoenix is counter-attacking Voldemort's plans.
And some of Amortia's arrangements. In the short term, it may seem unrelated to dealing with Voldemort, but it is more directly pointing at the core.
So, even though Dumbledore saw through Amortia's intention to push for greater independence for Hogwarts at such a time, he did not prevent it.
After listening to Amortia's instructions for Lucius to do those things, Dumbledore sighed.
"I have no doubt that you can achieve your goals, Amortia, but you should know that once Fudge realizes that Hogwarts is further slipping away from his control, he will go completely mad."
After searching in his pocket for a moment, Amortia took out a letter and placed it in front of Dumbledore.
"There's something you may have already known, Headmaster--"
Amortia's expression became slightly cold.
"The British Ministry of Magic has been secretly threatening the International Confederation of Wizards with the budget for the next quarter through intimidation, in order to hold a vote to suspend your and my positions in the Confederation. Sirius is currently fully coordinating this matter and is writing a letter to the German Minister of Magic, asking him to express his own position as well."
To maintain power, Fudge has already fallen into madness, not about to fall into it. Do you really think it is a responsible action to let such a governing body exist in the magical world?
Dumbledore picked up the crescent-shaped frame that was in front of him. He didn't pick up the letter, but instead focused his gaze on Amortia.
"You know I don't care about that, Amortia."
"But you should care about it, Headmaster—"
Amortia said calmly.
"It has nothing to do with power. These titles will make you appear more authoritative in the eyes of ordinary wizarding people. If we cannot unite our ideology, we cannot win this war completely."
Looking at Dumbledore, who was slightly frowning and pondering over his words, Amortia let out a breath, his tone heavy as he spoke.
"Fudge has committed some unforgivable sins. You will know, Headmaster, but not now."
"I'll never be able to get anything out of you that you don't want to say, Amortia--"
Dumbledore helplessly shook his head.
"But I think I should remind you, Lucius Malfoy is not as skilled in Occlumency as Severus is; if Tom questions him, he may not be able to keep his secrets hidden."
"Oh--"
Amortia leaned back in his chair, and the faint smile on his handsome face, flickering in the candlelight, was both alluring and dangerous.
"But Lucius Malfoy is quite adept at acting, isn't he? Of course, some precautionary measures are necessary, and I think he understands that himself."
Only after leaving the massive, history-laden iron gates of Hogwarts, standing beside the wild boar statue at the entrance, and the pins-and-needles feeling on his back finally disappeared did Lucius dare to stop and turn to look at the towering castle on the cliffs, its lights like stars.
The pale moonlight cast a hint of sorrow on Lucius's face.
Pulling off his shirt collar, Lucius leaned his head to look at his shoulder. As if sensing his gaze, a bizarre golden flying snake slowly emerged from his left shoulder under the moonlight, twisting and darting a few times before gradually vanishing back into the skin.
A sigh dissipated into the howling wind and the rustling of trees in the forest that smelled of its pristine nature. Lucius started walking towards Hogsmeade.
The "richer than a nation" Malfoy family naturally wouldn't have no interests in Hogsmeade.
After a moment of flickering firelight, Lucius Malfoy returned to the Malfoy estate, which had effectively been stripped of its sovereignty.
The mansion was quiet at night, not even the sound of insects or birds could be heard. The servants who used to come out to clean after Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy went to bed were all fired when Lord Voldemort moved into their estate. This wasn't a demand from the Dark Lord, but a decision made by Mr. Malfoy himself.
Because Lucius was well aware that if these unremarkable and lowly citizens of the magical world with little magical power appeared before the Dark Lord, their fate would be death, and his own family would also be punished by the Dark Lord for 'neglecting' him.
In comparison, household goblins, who are lowly and legitimate in the magical world, are more acceptable to the Dark Lord.
Pushing open the door to the study, Lucius didn't even bother to remove his pillow and walked out. Under the gaze of the pale portraits on the walls, he walked to the hall and took a spiral staircase up to the top floor of the mansion.
The Dark Lord was not in the study and sitting room he had prepared specially, but he could faintly hear the voice of the Dark Lord from another side of the terrace.
"I thought you had already retired, my honored master--"
Before stepping over the doorway leading to the terrace, Lucius nervously tugged at his collar.
"Oh, you've returned, my dear Lucius--"
Dressed in a wide black robe, Lord Voldemort lay half-reclining on a comfortable armchair. His long fingers moved slightly, causing the chair to slowly turn, positioning Voldemort facing Lucius.
Lucius quickly glanced at his wife, who was holding a tea tray and pale-faced, next to Voldemort. Her lips moved, but before she could utter a word, Voldemort's red snake-like eyes revealed a chilling smile. Lucius held his breath as he knelt down and kissed the hem of Voldemort's robe.
"I have completed the task you instructed me to do, my honored master--"
(Chapter ends)
