The Butcher of Hogsmeade

"Everything you need is in the room. If you need anything else, just let me know. I'm usually in the manager's room on the first floor." Mrs. Figg opened the door, handed the key to Shen Hou, and whispered a reminder, "Be careful. Apart from you, all the other residents in the apartment are Muggles. Don't reveal any magic in front of them."

"Thank you, Mrs. Figg." Shen Hou nodded his thanks and watched her go down the stairs.

"Let's go inside and take a look. Don't crowd here and attract attention." Gideon pushed Shen Hou and his brother through the door and quickly closed it.

Inside the door was a typical Muggle single apartment, furnished with 1980s furniture and accessories in a 1980s building. Narrow doors and windows, low ceilings, and thick walls spoke of the historical weight of the Victorian Golden Age.

"Mrs. Figg doesn't look like a wizard at all; she looks exactly like a Muggle," Shen Hou said as he looked around the room. "You know, I've met so many wizards, even Arthur, who likes Muggles the most, is actually quite different from Muggles in many ways, not to mention those wizards who even wear Muggle clothes wrong."

Gideon shook his head: "No, Mrs. Figg is not a wizard, she's a Squib, but don't mention the word in front of her."

"A dud? What does that mean?" Shen Hou heard a new term.

"It's a general term used by wizards to refer to a certain type of person," Gideon explained. "They can see magical creatures and perceive most phenomena caused by magical reactions, but they themselves have no magic power and cannot use any magic."

"Sounds like a 'disabled person' in the magic world?" Shen Hou said cautiously.

"That's true, which is why they don't like hearing the word 'Squib'," Gideon said. "Many Squibs would rather stay away from the wizarding world and live with Muggles; for them, watching others use magic while they can't is a painful thing."

"Is Mrs. Figg also an employee of the Ministry of Magic?"

"No, she... is more like our collaborator. Compared to most Squibs, she has a great mindset because she can rely on both sides. Her identity can help us handle a lot of things, and it just so happens that she can help you now."

"I understand, she looks like a Muggle, which does help her avoid being noticed," Shen Hou said. "Thank you for your help in arranging this; the accommodation is very good."

"You should be prepared that the public outcry could last a long time," Gideon warned. "By the way, you need to go back to the Ministry of Magic tomorrow to cancel your sick leave. Also, Professor Dumbledore wants to see you tonight, right here; if you agree, he'll bring a few other people with him."

"Of course, why not? I'm counting on him to help me solve my current problems. I can't count on that Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement; I'd be incredibly grateful if he didn't continue to screw me over," Shen Hou said with a wry smile. "Besides Dumbledore, who else would come?"

"We two will definitely come; we'll take turns resting tonight. As for the others, we're not sure yet; we'll find out later. But don't worry, anyone brought by Dumbledore means they're trustworthy."

The day passed slowly, and Shen Hou was bored. He began to wonder if he should return to his old habit from when he was "in prison" and find some history books to pass the time. Ever since he had the idea of ​​"transmigration to another world", he had been very curious about the history of this "other Earth" beneath his feet.

The history of the Muggle world seems to be similar to that of my home planet Earth, and even some future events—such as the love affair and marriage of "Yinreng of Great Britain"—can be verified. Does the existence of wizards have no impact on the course of history in this world?

What are the differences between this Earth beneath our feet and the Earth back home? Even if they are parallel universes, how can they be this similar? This world suddenly had a magical civilization, and it's not like it's completely isolated from Muggle society, yet there's absolutely no impact on it?

Shen Hou's thoughts began to wander, but he was not yet aware that he was touching upon the underlying logic of this world.

After a "long" wait, the sun finally set and the stars filled the sky.

The first group of guests were, unsurprisingly, the Prewitt brothers, who knew the place well and came up on their own. The second group of guests were brought up by Mrs. Figg, and they were also acquaintances of Shen Hou: James and Sirius, who had fought alongside him in Hogsmeade. Both of them were only in their early twenties, and if we don't consider that Shen Hou was actually born more than twenty years later, then they could be considered Shen Hou's peers.

As the two young people went upstairs, they were met with muttered complaints from Mrs. Figg, because their Apparitions had gone astray and they almost appeared on the sidewalk. The loud explosions attracted the attention of the Muggles, and Mrs. Figg eventually stepped in and helped them get away with it by saying that the apartment building's plumbing was under maintenance.

Dumbledore and Alastor were among the last guests to arrive.

"Time is tight, I think we should skip the small talk!" Alastor interrupted the group's chat as soon as he entered.

"As you wish, my friend." Dumbledore naturally took control of the conversation, and no one objected. "We have an action plan, which was first proposed by Sirius, and most of us think it's worth a try, but we need your opinion, Mr. Shen."

"Action plan?" Shen Hou looked at Sirius; this guy had just been talking to him at length about casting spells without a staff, and had even snatched a triangular bayonet to play with, asking a bunch of questions about the details of killing the Death Eaters in the Battle of Diagon Alley, and talking a lot of nonsense, but hadn't mentioned a single word about the so-called "action plan".

"This is a plan proposed by Mr. Blake; let him explain it himself."

"That's right, it was my idea. I guarantee it's a brilliant plan that will not only teach the Death Eaters a lesson but also help you solve your current troubles." Sirius's tone was serious; but for some reason, Shen Hou always heard it sound like he was bragging and exaggerating.

Alastor snorted in dissatisfaction: "Get to the point."

"Alright, alright, the key point is really just one sentence: take the initiative!" Sirius sat up straight, looking directly at Shen Hou. "Barty has played you like an open card, and now everyone can guess what the Death Eaters will do next. If they don't kill you, the Dark Lord probably won't have the face to show his face in public. In that case, why don't we take this opportunity to take the initiative, use you as bait, lure the Death Eaters to our predetermined battlefield, and give them a good beating?"

Looking at Sirius Black, who couldn't hide his excitement, Shen Hou found it hard to describe his own feelings.

"Using me as bait to fish? I reckon Mr. Barty Crouch was thinking the same thing as you when he was proclaiming himself a war hero."

"Uh... how can they be the same..." Sirius looked embarrassed.

“Mr. Crouch obviously won’t ask for your opinion. He’s a commander on the battlefield, and he only needs soldiers who obey orders, not like-minded collaborators,” James interjected at the opportune moment. “We are different. We will never let you face the Death Eaters unprepared.”