The Prisoners of Hogwarts

Chapter 284 Success

Chapter 284 Success (5.4K) (2/2)

In the center of the room stood a complex observation device composed of brass lenses and magical crystals. A metal tube wrapped in insulating material extended from the top of the device, cleverly passing through a small hole in the ceiling, seemingly connecting to some hidden place on the roof—its principle was similar to that of a Muggle submarine periscope, but it was clearly incorporating magic to enhance the observation distance, night vision, and evade anti-spy spells.

A male wizard, also dressed in a dark robe, sat in front of the device, his eyes pressed against the eyepiece, his hands steadily adjusting the knobs on it.

Upon hearing the door open, he immediately released his grip, nimbly stood up, and gave Lin Qi the same chest-thumping salute.

"Thank you for your hard work," Lin Qi said again, his gaze already fixed on the observation device. "How's the situation?"

The sorcerer in charge of surveillance quickly reported: "Your Excellency, about an hour ago, the target, Barty Crouch, left home dressed formally. Since he left, there has been no sign of anyone entering or leaving the mansion; it is completely silent."

Lin Qi nodded, not surprised by the result.

"Continue monitoring and maintain the highest level of alert."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

At this moment, the wizard who had led Lynch up had moved a sturdy-looking chair from the corner of the room and placed it in a position that would not interfere with the observation but would allow Lynch to clearly see the door and the observer.

"Please have a seat, sir."

Lin Qi did not refuse and calmly sat down.

He leaned back slightly, his hands clasped on his knees, his gaze calmly sweeping across the room filled with an atmosphere of oppression and waiting, like a highly patient hunter patiently waiting in his lair for the moment his prey steps into the trap.

Time passed slowly in the somber monitoring room on the third floor of 312 Westminster.

Suddenly, the wizard, who had been pressed against the observation device, leaned forward slightly and whispered, "Your Excellency, there's something going on. A house-elf has appeared at the back door of Crouch Manor."

Lin Qi, whose eyelids had been slightly closed, suddenly lifted them, his gaze sharp as he looked at the speaker.

The wizard quickly adjusted the knobs on the observation device, adding, "It's holding a small gray bag—and looking around."

Lynch stood up, walked to the observation device, and gestured for the wizard to move aside.

He personally brought his eyes close to the eyepiece.

The magically enhanced vision clearly captured the scene outside Crouch's back door—the thin figure wearing a tattered pillowcase was none other than Dobby.

Its huge eyes were filled with tension as it nervously rubbed the inconspicuous little gray bag in its hands.

"Target confirmed, it's Dobby." Lynch's voice was calm and even. He took a step back, signaling the monitor to continue.

He then turned to another wizard who had been standing by, waiting in the wings: "Get ready."

Dobby stood outside the cold, tidy back door of Crouch's mansion, his heart pounding in his thin chest.

It clutched tightly the small gray bag that had been enchanted with a seamless stretching spell, containing the "thank you gift" that its owner had insisted on being delivered precisely.

The cold night wind made its thin body shiver slightly, but it was more from the fear in its heart and the tension of about to carry out a secret mission.

It took a deep breath, trying to recall its master's imposing demeanor, and then, with a hint of hesitation, gently knocked on the back door with its slender fingers.

Knock, knock, knock.

The knocking sounded exceptionally clear in the quiet night. Dobby held his breath, his large ears perked up alertly.

A short while later, faint footsteps could be heard from inside the door.

The door wasn't fully opened; it was just pulled open a crack, revealing a pair of equally large, but seemingly more tired and submissive eyes, encased in a relatively neat pillowcase—still befitting a house-elf.

It's Sparkle, Mr. Crouch's house-elf.

"Who are you? Why are you knocking on Mr. Crouch's door at night?" Sparkle's voice was wary, but she remained polite.

Dobby answered quickly and shrilly, trying not to tremble: "Dobby—Dobby is Mr. Malfoy's house-elf! Dobby has come on his master's orders to deliver Christmas greetings to Mr. Crouch and—and a little gift!" He held up the small gray bag in his hand to show his purpose.

Upon hearing the name "Malfoy," Gilgamesh's guard seemed to relax somewhat. As the house-elf who served as the Director of the Department of International Magical Exchange and Cooperation, Barty Crouch was known for his strictness and impartiality, but Gilgamesh was not entirely unaware of the unspoken rules among pure-blood families, especially during holidays, regarding the exchange of "gifts."

This is almost part of the work of these little sprites.

The door opened a little wider, and Sparkle gestured for Dobby to come in: "Come in. Mr. Crouch isn't home, but Sparkle can receive him on his behalf."

Dobby quickly slipped inside, secretly relieved that the first step was finally complete.

The interior of Crouch's mansion was as clean, tidy, and meticulous as the exterior, but it lacked a lively atmosphere and seemed somewhat deserted.

Sparkle took quick steps, leading Dobby through the simple corridor to a small storage room near the kitchen.

This is clearly where Shining handles chores and temporarily stores items; everything is well-organized.

"Let's take inventory here," Shan Shan said, her tone businesslike.

"Okay, okay!" Dobby nodded hurriedly, put the small gray bag on the ground, then reached in and groped around, first pulling out a parchment gift list tied with a silver ribbon, which he respectfully handed to Sparkle.

"Here's the gift list, please take it."

Shanshan took the gift list and carefully unfolded it to examine it.

Dobby then began its performance—it reached into the bag again and started pulling things out one by one, calling out their names in a shrill voice while carefully examining the condition of each item: "—A bottle of aged Ogden Flame Whisky—Please check the cork and label—A silver tea set from the East with an automatic stirring function—Look how clear the patterns are—And, there's also a limited edition set of shorthand quills with memory function—"

It checked the items with exceptional care and slowness, as if afraid of missing any detail or damaging any precious gift.

Shanshan also carefully checked the gift list, occasionally reaching out to touch the items to confirm their authenticity.

Throughout the entire process, Dobby's heart was pounding. It didn't know when the "arrangement" would come, nor whether it could really muster the courage to carry out that terrible and secret mission in the unfamiliar mansion of another powerful wizard.

It could only follow orders and do its duty of "giving gifts" while anxiously watching its surroundings out of the corner of its eye, waiting for the opportunity to be alone.

Just then, a loud bang suddenly rang out outside.

The sudden, dull thud was like a heavy blow to Dobby's taut nerves. Both Dobby and Sparkle jumped in fright, and the gift list almost slipped from Sparkle's hands.

"What—what was that sound?" Dobby asked shrilly, his big eyes widening in fear.

Sparkle quickly regained her composure, but her face still showed surprise and uncertainty. "I don't know! Sparkle has to go out and see!" She shoved the gift list back into Dobby's hands, ordering urgently, "You! Stay in this room, don't wander around, don't touch anything! Understand?"

"Dobby understands! Dobby will definitely not wander off!" Dobby quickly assured him, but his heart was pounding wildly as he realized that this might be the "opportunity" his master had mentioned.

Without saying another word, Shan Shan quickly left the small storage room, closing the door behind her.

As soon as the door closed, Dobby sprang into action.

It knows that time is precious.

It swiftly pulled the cold, black box from a hidden fold in its worn-out pillowcase.

Its fingers trembled slightly with nervousness, but it still managed to fasten the clasp to its chest, making sure the tiny lens was facing outwards. After fastening it, it nervously touched the cool surface of the box with its slender fingers.

We can't hesitate any longer!

Dobby took a deep breath, feeling as if the cold, square box on his chest weighed a ton. Then, he gently pushed open the door to the storage room...

the other side.

Shanshan rushed out the back door, looking around warily.

The courtyard was quiet and deserted at night, but she quickly pinpointed the source of the loud noise: on the stone wall near the wall on the side of the mansion, there was a small patch of blackened stains, and a pungent smell of sulfur lingered in the air.

Is it some kind of explosion residue?

Just as she was feeling wary and suspicious, "Bang!"

A small, bright firework exploded in almost the same spot, startling Flash so much that she jumped back and covered her ears.

Immediately afterwards, a man's rude voice came from the street in the direction of the front door: "You little brat! I told you not to play here! Look what you've done!"

Flash immediately concealed herself and moved silently to the window near the front door, peering out through the gap in the curtains.

A man in an ordinary jacket with an angry expression was seen forcefully pulling at a little boy who was still holding a sparkler and looked dejected.

They looked like Muggles.

Sparkle made the judgment because any wizard could tell whose house it was from the nameplate on the door that Muggles couldn't see.

"Excuse me! Is anyone home?" the man continued calling towards the mansion, sounding both annoyed and embarrassed. "My child is so naughty; he hit your wall with fireworks! I'm so sorry!"

He called out a few times, but the "unanswered" mansion remained silent—Glitter remembered that house-elves could not contact Muggles on behalf of their masters without permission, especially this kind of trouble—and the man seemed even more annoyed and embarrassed.

He pulled out a small notebook and pen, and by the light of the streetlamp, he quickly began to write, muttering to himself, "—If you do this again, I'll confiscate all your allowance! What if you damage someone's house? Luckily, it doesn't look serious—"

After he finished writing, he slipped the note through the crack in the door, then forcefully pulled the sobbing boy away from the street, his continued reproaches still faintly audible.

After they had gone far away, Shan Shan quietly picked up the note.

The notice, written in crooked handwriting, explained the unexpected situation and included a phone number, indicating a willingness to take responsibility.

Flash placed the note on the table in the foyer, thinking it was purely a foolish accident by a Muggle.

She stopped thinking about it and quickly walked back into the mansion. Now she was more concerned about whether the Malfoy elf was behaving himself.

She pushed open the door to the small storage room and saw Dobby standing obediently in the same spot, still holding the gift list in his hand. However, he seemed a little more nervous than before, his big eyes blinking.

"They're just two clumsy Muggles," Flash explained, his tone softening. "Let's continue the count."

"Okay—okay!" Dobby nodded vigorously and quickly continued to take out the remaining gifts from the gray bag. However, in its lowered eyes, there was still lingering fear and a trace of exhaustion after completing the task.

In the surveillance room on the third floor of 312 Westminster, Lynch, through the specially made observation device, clearly saw Dobby's thin figure hurriedly walk out of the back door of Crouch's mansion, look around, and then, with a crisp "snap," Apparate and disappear into the night.

Lynch slowly straightened up, his face expressionless, and simply turned to the two people who had just returned and were standing by his side. At this moment, they still retained the appearance of the "Muggle father and son"—one face,

The ordinary-looking middle-aged man and the calm-faced little boy were clearly still under the influence of the compound decoction.

"Good acting, thank you for your hard work." Lin Qi's voice was steady, revealing no emotion, but the words themselves were a form of affirmation.

The "father" immediately clenched his right fist and pounded his chest, performing a simple and powerful salute. He replied in a well-trained voice that was completely different from his appearance: "At your service, sir!" The "little boy" also tried to straighten his body and made the same gesture. Although he was young, his posture showed a competence that did not match his age.

Lynch nodded slightly and said nothing more. He turned and walked towards the fireplace in the room, grabbing a handful of fly powder.

"Diagon Alley, Stone Tower Merchant Guild, President's Office."

Green flames engulfed his figure.

The next moment, he was standing in Reggie's empty and quiet office.

Without pausing, he used Apparition again, and with a slight cracking sound, left the Chamber of Commerce.

At almost the same time, his figure appeared in the shadow of the bushes outside the Malfoy estate where he had left.

The illusion spell silently enveloped him once again.

Having concealed his presence, Lynch, like a true ghost, silently infiltrated the mansion again along the most hidden path in his memory, avoiding all possible gazes, and descended all the way until he finally returned to the dimly lit underground storage room where gifts were piled up.

He dispelled the illusion spell, and at the same time, Lucius Malfoy's face was once again covered on his face like a mask.

He stood quietly in the shadows of the room, as if he had never left.

Not long after, a slight popping sound came from the storage room, and Dobby appeared in the room after completing his gift-giving mission.

It looked exhausted, with lingering fear in its large eyes. When its gaze adjusted to the dimness of the room and it saw its "master" standing quietly in the shadows, it shuddered and almost collapsed to the ground.

"Master—Master!" Dobby cried out, his voice distorted with fear.

Lucius ignored its fear, calmly extending his hand, his tone leaving no room for argument: "Things."

O

Dobby immediately frantically pulled the cold, black box from the hidden folds of the pillowcase, his hands trembling as he respectfully handed it to his "master."

Lucius took the box and put it inside his robe without even looking at it.

His gaze, like a cold, sharp awl, was fixed on Dobby. He emphasized again, his tone chilling: "Remember what I said before. Aside from delivering the gift, you did nothing and saw nothing that happened at the Crouch's tonight. Even if I ask you again, I'll give you the same answer. Understand?"

Dobby nodded his head like a woodpecker, his ears thumping: "Dobby understands! Dobby would rather die than tell!"

Dobby did nothing! Dobby just gave a gift!

"Very good." Lucius seemed satisfied. He didn't look at Dobby, who was almost exhausted, again. He turned around, opened the door to the storeroom, and walked out.

The heavy wooden door of the storage room closed silently behind Lin Qi in an instant.

He raised his hand and skillfully cast the Disillusionment Charm on himself. His figure quickly faded and distorted, eventually blending completely into the dim light of the corridor, like a shifting shadow.

He followed the path he remembered and quietly returned to the secluded room located in the wing of the banquet hall.

The door opened a crack as if pushed by an invisible hand, allowing him to pass through, and then quietly closed again after he entered.

Inside the room, the fireplace still flickered, casting Reggie's long, grey silhouette against the wall as he stood by the window.

Reggie, who had been standing motionless, seemed to sense the unseen visitor. He turned around, the shadow of his hood facing the doorway, and a hoarse, broken voice broke the silence: "Did it work?"

A faint ripple spread through the air, and Lin Qi's figure gradually appeared like the receding tide.

He regained his original appearance, a smile playing on his lips.

"Of course," he replied.

He walked to the center of the room, listened intently to the sounds outside, and then asked, "How is the banquet going?"

Reggie responded in a flat, monotone voice, "Perfect timing. Guests are gradually leaving." He paused, then added, a hint of cold sarcasm in his voice, "Clearly, Mr. Crouch still observes basic social etiquette. He didn't leave early."

Lynch's smile deepened, and he walked to another empty chair by the fireplace, saying casually, "Isn't what we're counting on him to follow the rules?"

If Crouch had left early and returned home, he would likely have stumbled upon Dobby's actions, or at least alerted him.

His methodical approach was a key element in the successful implementation of this plan.

The two stopped talking and sat down in their chairs.

Lin Qi was relaxed, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest, as if he were appreciating a silent piece of music.

Reggie remained as still as a frozen sculpture, only occasionally glancing at the closed door from under his hood.

The room fell silent again, filled with a quiet anticipation, save for the faint crackling of the fireplace flames, a stark contrast to the fading noise outside.

This tranquility did not last long.

After a while, clear footsteps came from outside the door, along with Lucius Malfoy's deliberately lowered voice...

A respectful voice said, "Minister, please come this way."

Then, the door was gently pushed open.

The real Lucius Malfoy entered first, his face bearing a perfect expression that blended obsequiousness and caution, as he stepped aside to make way.

Immediately following behind, Connelly-Forgina, looking slightly overweight, tipsy, and tired, appeared at the door.

Fouché seemed to have some idea of ​​who he was about to meet, but with a hint of the minister’s characteristic reserve and curiosity.

Lucius bowed and said, "Mr. Lynch, Mr. Reggie, Minister Fudge has arrived."

Inside the room, Lynch and Reggie had already stood up. Reggie's face was hidden under a gray hood, making it impossible to see his expression, while Lynch wore an impeccable, business-like smile.