Harry Potter with Technology System

Ch320- It Is a Trap!

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“Business in Knockturn Alley? Sounds lucrative.” Harry asked, interested.

Mundungus glanced around the alley, his unease obvious. Finally, he leaned in, lowering his voice. “I’ve got some information, alright, but... it’s a bit dangerous, if you get my drift.”

Harry let out a low chuckle and, without a word, reached into his pocket, producing a small bag heavy with Galleons. He held it out, jingling it slightly, watching as Mundungus’ eyes lit up at the unmistakable sound of gold. Mundungus reached for it, only for Harry to pull it back just out of reach.

“Information first, Mr. Fletcher,” Harry said smoothly, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

Mundungus’ hand twitched, then fell back to his side as he shot Harry a grin that didn’t reach his eyes. “Fair enough, fair enough,” he muttered, glancing around once more as if expecting someone to leap out from the shadows. “Alright, listen close. Bellatrix Lestrange—she’s holed up at Crows. The pub, you know the one we met?”

Harry nodded, staying silent as he urged Mundungus to continue.

“Only,” Mundungus leaned in further, glancing over his shoulder, “she’s not exactly... alone, if you catch my meaning. You might want to be a bit careful.”

Handing over the pouch, Harry gave Mundungus a thin, satisfied smile. “Good,” he said casually, almost as if speaking to himself, “So long as I can find her. Others are there too? Well, about time we all reunited.”

Mundungus's eyes widened slightly, surprised by Harry’s apparent ease with the situation, but before he could react further, Harry had already turned away, striding in the direction of the pub Mundungus had mentioned.

Harry didn’t actually intend to go anywhere near Crows, especially not while it was crawling with Death Eaters. His goal was simple: test Mundungus. He suspected Dung was a double-dealer, eager to sell information to the highest bidder or to anyone who might offer him safety from the Ministry—or worse, from the Death Eaters. If Dung was truly the informant that had almost cost him his last mission, then it was possible the shady man would rush off to sell Harry's whereabouts to the Order or maybe even alert the Aurors about Bellatrix’s supposed gathering. Either way, Harry needed to be out of sight and just close enough to observe what Dung would do next.

Once he’d walked a good distance away from Mundungus, Harry doubled back, staying well out of sight until he slipped into the shadows of Knockturn Alley. He retraced his steps until he returned to the alley where Avery was waiting. There was an edge to Avery’s posture as he paced back and forth near the grimy brick wall, casting nervous glances toward every passerby who wandered too close.

“Avery,” Harry called softly, stepping out of the shadows. Avery startled, turning quickly to face him, eyes wide and anxious.

“Sir,” he stammered, his hand twitching toward his pocket as if ready to reach for his wand. Realizing who it was, he relaxed only slightly. “I thought you’d gone to… check things out.”

“Oh, I am,” Harry replied, his expression cool. “But there’s a slight change of plans. I’ll be observing things from a distance first. Bellatrix is hardly the type to let her guard down, and I don’t intend to walk into a room full of her fanatics without some backup.” He narrowed his gaze at Avery. “You’re certain about the details of this gathering?”

Avery swallowed hard, nodding vigorously. “Yes, absolutely. Bellatrix told the group there would be no interruptions. She was confident they would be left alone to conduct… well, whatever it is she’s planning. Apparently, they’re getting desperate.”

Harry looked at him for a moment, calculating the truth behind his words. “And yet, she chose Crows, which is hardly the most discreet location,” he noted dryly. “Either she’s overconfident, or she’s waiting for someone specific.”

Avery shifted uncomfortably. “All I know, Sir, is that she’s calling the old loyals, trying to pull anyone with even a trace of loyalty to the Dark Lord. She’s convinced she can bring him back somehow. Says there’s… well, there’s ‘ancient magic’ at play.”

“Ancient magic,” Harry repeated, suppressing a scoff. “That’s vague enough to be anything.”

Seeing him stammer, Harry gave Avery a hard look. “Get lost,” he instructed coldly. Avery’s relief was almost palpable as he nodded and quickly scurried away, casting one last glance over his shoulder. Harry stayed in his hidden corner of the alley, surveying the area. Soon, the ripple of movement as Aurors began to fill Knockturn Alley in numbers that hadn’t been seen since the days of the First Wizarding War. His suspicions about Mundungus were now well-founded, but it didn’t matter.

A small contingent of Aurors moved through the narrow streets, wands at the ready, their eyes set in hard, uncompromising lines. This wasn’t a standard patrol; they were too coordinated, careful stances of Aurors spreading out, securing various points along the cramped alleyways. The Aurors’ presence wasn’t subtle—prepared to cover the exits and capture anything or anyone that might slip through. There were a lot of them, more than he had expected, and their grim efficiency left little room for error.

With the Ministry still in disarray after Fudge’s death, the Aurors had been left to operate under Amelia Bones' orders, and their response was notably more heavy-handed than it had been in the past.

Harry spotted familiar faces emerging from the shadows of Knockturn Alley. Dumbledore was at the head, his expression unreadable but intense. Behind him, Amelia Bones led a formidable group of Aurors, with Kingsley Shacklebolt keeping pace next to her. Mad-Eye Moody followed close to Dumbledore, his magical eye spinning in all directions, sweeping the alleys for any trace of movement. Their arrival wasn’t subtle; they intended to be seen and heard, broadcasting the Ministry’s authority in these dark corners.

Harry slipped deeper into the shadows, observing the scene unfold. He knew that any interference would likely ruin his advantage; Dumbledore and the Ministry were notoriously difficult to fool once they had their sights set on a target. Still, he couldn’t help but scoff to himself, thinking how easily the old man had managed to draw this much firepower here, all on the heels of Bellatrix’s reappearance.

As the Aurors spread out, Moody barked orders in his usual gruff style. “Secure the exits, keep your wands at the ready, and watch each other’s backs! We’re dealing with Lestrange and her lot—this is no stroll through Diagon!” His magical eye spun to the back of his head, searching for any threats, while his regular eye fixed on Kingsley with a piercing glare. “And no mercy! If you catch sight of her, don’t bother with niceties.” Although Dumbledore frowned at that, he didn't say anything. 

Kingsley nodded, calmly following behind Amelia, as he took his position by a side entrance, where a few Aurors were already checking for hidden paths and spells.

As the Aurors neared the gate, an explosion suddenly tore through the quiet, hurling several Aurors backward, limbs flailing as they hit the cobblestones. A sharp cry rang out from the rear as someone shouted, "Ambush!" Instantly, the Aurors drew their wands, forming a rough defensive line even as curses began to fly from the shadows.

Bellatrix’s crew emerged from the dark corners of Knockturn Alley like specters, spells sparking as they surged forward. Flashes of light illuminated twisted grins, masked faces, and the unmistakable figure of Bellatrix Lestrange herself, who strode forward with a wild glint in her eyes. She didn’t waste any time, her wand slicing through the air as she hurled a streak of red light toward the center of the Aurors’ formation.

"Protego!" barked Kingsley, deflecting a curse, his shield charm glowing as it absorbed the hit. Beside him, Amelia Bones retaliated with a powerful Stunning Spell, aiming at one of Bellatrix’s followers who barely managed to dodge in time.

"Come on, you Ministry rats!" Bellatrix sneered, her voice ringing out over the clash. She laughed, a chilling sound, as another curse exploded nearby, sending two Aurors diving out of the way. Moody lunged forward, firing a spell that crackled as it hit its mark, sending one of Bellatrix's loyalists crashing against the wall.

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