HP: The Duelist of Hogwarts - 382

Chapter 382: Next Arrangements

"Mom and Dad, this contains Polyjuice Potion. If you want to go out, use this. Before using it, add a strand of hair, and you'll transform into whoever the hair belongs to. As for the hair source, you can have Emerald find it. I've already instructed Emerald—she knows what to do."

"Sean, can't you just not go out?"

Compared to Martha, Yard, who knew what Voldemort was really about, obviously didn't want Sean leaving home to take risks.

"Dad, there are some things I must do. Besides, Grandfather is also out there fighting Voldemort. How could I leave him alone to face Voldemort and the Death Eaters by himself?"

Hearing this, Yard slowly nodded, then said helplessly, "It's a shame I don't know magic. Otherwise, you and Father wouldn't have to charge into battle. If I knew magic, I would definitely protect you both. I wouldn't have to let you, a child who hasn't even finished school, and Father, at such an old age, fight Voldemort."

Seeing Yard's expression, Sean opened his mouth, wanting to tell him about his research—that if successful, he could give his squib father the ability to use magic. But the words reached his lips, and Sean ultimately didn't speak them.

If the experiment succeeded, that would be wonderful. But if it failed, telling Yard now would only give him false hope. It's better to let him know nothing before the experiment.

"Alright, Dad. Stay home with Mother and Caesar. I'm going out."

"Okay, be careful."

"Don't worry."

With those words, Sean picked up the pre-prepared Polyjuice Potion and drank it down. Soon, under Yard's gaze, Sean transformed into a sunny, energetic young man in his early twenties. Under Yard's amazed eyes, Sean smiled, turned, and left home.

Sean arrived at Knockturn Alley.

Shortly after entering, before anyone could cause trouble, a black-robed wizard appeared to lead him. Turning left and right, they went straight to the depths of Knockturn Alley. Under that wizard's guidance, Sean entered a nearby house. The interior space was much larger than it appeared outside—clearly an Undetectable Extension Charm had been applied.

Closing the door, the black-robed wizard immediately bowed to Sean.

"Master, they're all upstairs, along with the three masked Aurors just captured."

"Good, thank you."

Sean's thanks clearly flattered the black-robed wizard. He immediately bowed low, repeatedly saying, "I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. For the Master, I'm willing to give everything."

"I look forward to it."

Going upstairs, Sean immediately saw Marlowe, Dawlish, and Howard waiting.

Seeing them, Sean nodded slightly. "Did you all receive the message?"

"Master, sooner or later I will tear off that impostor's mask for you and let those deluded fools know who the true Dark Lord is!"

Sean looked at Marlowe. He'd previously had Marlowe sign a contract and removed his control, but whether due to lingering magic or because long-term use of the Imperius Curse—one of the three Unforgivable Curses—had confused Marlowe's thinking and logic, Marlowe still believed Sean was the true Dark Lord. Sean didn't understand this, but aside from that, it didn't affect Marlowe's work for him.

Dawlish and Howard looked at Sean. These two relatively normal guys had figured out that Sean wasn't actually Voldemort himself—perhaps he was a genius wizard impersonating Voldemort, or perhaps he was one of Voldemort's fragments. Either way, they'd signed contracts, and their lives were in Sean's hands. Their only option was to help Sean win ultimately so they could continue living.

So when Sean arrived, the three subordinates showed him proper deference and quickly brought him before the three newly controlled masked Aurors.

"Dawlish! You traitor! The Minister won't forgive you!"

"That's right! How could you side with them? We'll never surrender!"

"Go ahead—kill us if you dare!"

Without hesitation, Sean flicked his wand. A cutting hex lashed out, shearing off the third man's hair clean at the scalp, transforming him instantly from a thick-haired young man into someone who looked prematurely bald.

Within seconds, all three fell silent, trembling as they looked at Sean.

"I don't want to waste words with you. Sign the contract, work for me, and you can live. Otherwise, die! Last chance—I'm giving you ten seconds. Think it over and answer me. Anyone who's late or says no will lose their head next time, not their hair! Now, let's begin. Ten... Nine... Eight..."

As the countdown began, the three masked Aurors grew nervous. They looked at each other, seeing nothing but panic in their companions' eyes.

"Six... Five... Forget it*—this is* too troublesome. One! It seems you're all very loyal to the Ministry and Fudge. I'll grant your wish."

Seeing Sean raise his wand, the three immediately screamed, "No, no, no! We'll sign! We'll sign right now!"

The wand stopped at the balding man's neck. A red line appeared on his skin's surface, beads of blood seeping from the wound, slowly dripping down his neck.

"Good. Then sign."

Sean produced the contract, untied them one by one, and had all three sign. The Aurors Fudge could completely control weren't many to begin with. Now, with Sean's constant recruiting, there were hardly any left loyal to the Minister.

After they signed the contracts, Sean collected them, then told Dawlish, "Continue according to our plan. Now you have quite a few people. When you return to the Ministry, remember to promote Barrett. He's already risen to the middle ranks. I want him in the Ministry's upper echelons within a year."

"Master, we'll work hard."

Nodding, Sean looked at Howard and Marlowe. "After today, Death Eaters may come here recruiting dark wizards. You now belong to Fudge, so they'll probably restrain themselves somewhat. Don't conflict with those Death Eaters. If someone recruits you, you can slightly implicate Fudge, let them fight each other. If you must choose, then choose the Death Eaters and become their subordinates. Understand?"

"Subordinate understands!"

"As you command, Master!"