A magical journey that begins at Hogwarts

This is no joke. We have four hostages. If you don't believe me, we can kill one to show you.

Harry stared into Lucius's eyes, remained silent for a moment, and reluctantly placed the prophecy orb in Lucius's hand.

He didn't want to do it, but he had no choice. Even if there was only a one in ten thousand chance, he couldn't gamble with his friend's life.

The prophecy orb fell into Lucius's hands and became obscure again.

He didn't care about this change at all, after all, he wasn't a prophet.

"Congratulations on making the right decision," Lucius said smugly. "So... what should we do with you all next?"

“Kill them all!” Bella laughed. “But before that, I want to see how long Longbottom can hold out.”

“You can’t do that,” Harry exclaimed in alarm.

“Yes, that’s too cruel,” Lucius said meaningfully. “Bring Potter back; the Dark Lord would be happy to see him.”

As for the four of them... let's throw them into the veil; whether they survive or not depends on luck.

Although the chances are slim, they still exist. At least, those who studied this veil once believed that the living could survive in the world of the dead.

Let them contribute to the research work in the magical world; that way, no trace will be left behind.

"Behind the veil is the world of the dead?" Harry stared in astonishment, then angrily pointed his wand at Lucius.

“If I were you, I wouldn’t do that. They might not die, they just won’t be able to come back to this world,” Lucius chuckled. “It’s much better than total death, isn’t it?”

Harry stared at him coldly, contemplating whether to fight to the death.

He wasn't very confident, but he had to try; he couldn't just watch them get thrown into the veil!

"And what about her?" Antonin asked, pointing at Hermione. "What are you going to do with her? Don't tell me you're going to let her go?"

"she?"

Lucius's expression remained unchanged, but he was secretly groaning inwardly.

He genuinely wanted to let her go, but since Antonin had asked, he couldn't pretend to be confused, otherwise these Death Eaters would think he had ulterior motives and things would get difficult for him in the future.

"Take her with you, but be polite and don't hurt her."

The Dark Lord is very interested in the weapon in Miss Granger's possession; she might be a good bargaining chip.

Aaron, who was hiding in the shadows and carefully concealing his figure, twitched his lips slightly. He could tell that Lucius was indirectly protecting Hermione, but something about what he said seemed a little off.

However, it can't be said to be a bad thing. If nothing unexpected happens, she will still be able to exchange the Moon Drops for her freedom after meeting Voldemort.

As for the others... should we save them or not?

Aaron was particularly conflicted. He was just an observer right now, and there was no difference between using the crystal ball for divination and watching in person. As long as he didn't show up, it was as if he hadn't completely gotten involved.

He had warned them it was a trap and didn't want to get involved, but since he was already there, it was somewhat cruel to just watch them being sent into the world of the dead.

"Let's wait and see. Maybe the Order of the Phoenix can arrive at the crucial moment!" Aaron thought to himself, setting a bottom line for his actions.

They will not act unless their lives are in danger.

At this point, he wasn't so confident in Professor Snape anymore. Had he actually notified the Order of the Phoenix?

If not, once he got involved tonight, he wouldn't be able to escape unscathed.

But if they had been notified, they should have arrived long ago.

Even if we assume Snape was delayed due to personal grudges, it shouldn't have taken this long.

It doesn't matter if he gets drunk and celebrates; as long as the news reaches the Order of the Phoenix, Lupin, Moody, and the others will apparite over in the blink of an eye.

Neville was the first to be pushed onto the central platform. Looking at the curtain that moved without wind, he seemed to know what he was about to face. Although he was nervous, there was no fear on his face.

“Go in yourself!” Bellatrix said.

"Torn apart."

Harry promptly cast a spell on Bella, but the spell was easily deflected from her.

"Haha, my little darling, do you still want to try it?"

“Potter, don’t put up a fight now,” Lucius said with a pity, shaking his head. “Unless you want your men to die right now.”

“I think he needs a lesson he’ll never forget,” Bella said with a knowing smile, then pointed her wand at Neville. “Crucible!”

"what!"

Neville let out another terrible scream, his eyes bloodshot, sweat beading on his forehead, and he collapsed to the ground, trembling uncontrollably.

"Stop! This is my fault, and you should punish me too!" Harry shouted.

“Longbottom’s parents begged us for the same thing, but it was so boring.” Bella said with a smile, then used a levitation charm to levitate Neville in mid-air. “Your friend will have to pay a little price for what you just did.”

Chapter 498 The Brilliant Strategist Black Demon King and the Hostage in an Awkward Situation

Neville's body floated uncontrollably in mid-air, slowly approaching the curtain.

The Death Eaters watched this scene with great interest. In the more than ten years since Voldemort lost power, they would never have dared to play like this. Ron, Ginny, and Luna were all heartbroken, but there was nothing they could do now.

Harry gritted his teeth and gripped his wand tightly, while Hermione prepared to fire one last bullet, determined not to let Neville disappear before their very eyes.

"Stop with your petty schemes," Lucius said calmly. "If you dare to make any moves, Bella won't just use the Levitation Charm, she'll use the Killing Curse."

And don't forget, the other three are still in our hands. You don't want them to get away before Longbottom, do you?

“You’re a monster,” Harry yelled, glaring at him.

"It really hurts me to hear that, Potter."

No matter how much you hate me now, please remember, I gave them a chance to live. The unknown doesn't mean death, does it?

"What difference does that make?"

Lucius paused for a moment, then shook his head with a cold laugh. "How ignorant!"

To leave this world without pain is infinitely more blissful than to suffer excruciating torture and a death that feels worse than death.

If you don't believe me, go ask the Longbottoms of St. Mungo's. If they had a choice, they would definitely kneel down and beg Bella to treat them like that.

“You are not allowed to insult my parents,” Neville shouted angrily. “They are heroes. They didn’t reveal a single secret while they were being tortured.”

"They were quite stubborn; they didn't beg for mercy at all from beginning to end."

I'm curious whether their son has that kind of loyalty.

"Please curb your curiosity," Lucius said speechlessly. "Our master has other tasks to complete; we can't afford to waste our time torturing people."

"Another task," Bella scoffed, but her tone softened considerably. "The master's instructions were rather strange; perhaps that person..."

"Just follow the master's plan."

Bella stopped talking and turned her attention to Neville.

He drew closer and closer to the curtain, and looking at the curtain so close to him, he felt his thoughts being gradually swallowed up.

boom!

Neville suddenly fell to the ground. Having just recovered from the brink of death, he quickly got up and tried to keep as much distance as possible from the curtains.

“Who’s there?” Bella looked around and finally fixed her gaze on the stone chair near the door.

"Ugh!"

A sigh filled with helplessness clearly reached everyone's ears.

Aaron removed the illusion spell from his body and revealed himself to everyone with the prophecy book in hand.

Harry breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing him, and his tense expression relaxed somewhat.

Others might not know Aaron's record, but surely he did. The Death Eaters here were clearly more difficult to deal with than those that appeared in that cemetery last year, but there were relatively fewer of them. He was sure he would be fine.

Hermione lowered her head awkwardly, not daring to meet his gaze, and even the gun in her hand felt extremely hot.

“Hahaha…” Bella paused for a moment, then burst into maniacal laughter, “You really did come after all.”

"You know me?" Aaron frowned slightly, his heart suddenly skipping a beat.

He had no recollection of having any connection with this escaped convict, even though she was Sirius's cousin.

"It's our first meeting, but... the Dark Lord is incredibly cunning."

"A handsome sixteen-year-old boy might appear; let's keep an eye out." Bella said meaningfully, then suddenly raised her wand, and a layer of transparent ripples quickly spread in all directions.

"Anti-phantom teleportation spell?" Aaron pondered Bella's words, and then, sensing a slight obstruction in the space, his brows furrowed even deeper.

"Uncle Lucius, could you please give me an explanation?" Aaron asked Lucius, while also trying to buy some time for the Order of the Phoenix.

He had no choice but to act just now, otherwise Neville would have been finished. But now he seems to have inexplicably fallen into a pit, and if he wants to climb out safely, he has to rely on reinforcements.

"You should be able to guess that the Dark Lord arranged another task, which was specially prepared for you."

Aaron chuckled to himself, "Voldemort is really quite patient with me!"

“Another guy who dares to say his name.” Bella glared at him fiercely. “You…”

“I’m not like Harry Potter. In some ways, Gaius’s blood is even more noble than pureblood. If you’re going to insult me, you’d better not use things like ‘filthy bastard,’ that would be too rude.”

Bella's expression froze, her lips twitched slightly, and she didn't know how to retort.

"Aaron, the Dark Lord wants to see you."

You'd better cooperate and not make things difficult for us.

Most of the Death Eaters who gathered last year had wasted more than a decade, but those gathered here today are elite Death Eaters from Azkaban.

More than a decade of imprisonment left them no time to deal with other matters, but it deepened their understanding of dark magic.

Aaron glanced around, neither confirming nor denying the claim.

These people's magical power levels are at least on par with his, and even the weakest are close to high-ranking archmages. In particular, Bella, this madwoman, has already faintly stepped into the threshold of becoming a grand archmage.

However, strength is not the same as combat power. If he is determined to run away, these people cannot stop him.

But with six burdens here, plus the Anti-Illusionary Teleportation Charm, the situation becomes somewhat difficult; a forced breakout will definitely result in casualties.

Delaying time is key. As long as we can hold out until the Order of the Phoenix arrives, all problems will be solved. Professor Snape, you absolutely cannot let us down at this crucial moment!

"We'll talk about that later," Aaron waved his hand dismissively. "How did Voldemort know I was coming tonight?"

“In fact, even the Dark Lord isn’t sure,” Lucius chuckled. “Our main objective tonight is to predict the ball, and Porter has already secured that for us.”