This Hogwarts is not normal

Chapter 1313 Price

Horcruxes have been ruled out, but there are still many possibilities left.

The Department of Mysteries is a top-secret agency of the British Ministry of Magic, primarily responsible for various important secret magical matters, including exploring inexplicable magical phenomena.

For Voldemort to personally intervene, this item must be no less valuable to him than a Horcrux.

While Vincent was lost in thought, Arthur and several staff members used magic to imprison Dolokhov on the ground and then shackled his hands and feet.

He couldn't even struggle to survive like an earthworm anymore, but he didn't care anymore. He just stared intently at Vincent, muttering curses under his breath.

“Damn mudblood…If you have the guts, kill me now…When the master shows up…you will all die…”

Arthur frowned and cast a powerful stun spell on him, rendering him unable to speak.

The corridor became quiet for a moment, but it didn't last long.

Arthur's magical communicator on his wrist rang; it was Fudge.

He looked at Vincent with a complicated expression, but did not answer the call immediately.

Given Fudge's personality, if he were to learn that Death Eaters had infiltrated the Ministry of Magic, he would likely forcefully recall all the Aurors who were out there rescuing people and dealing with the source of the curse, and completely seal off the Ministry of Magic.

Fudge was more concerned about the political implications of the invasion of the Ministry of Magic than the casualties among Muggles.

There's no need to guess how things will ultimately turn out.

"The Dark Lord Vincent Wayne spread a curse in an attempt to whitewash himself, but the curse went out of control, causing numerous innocent Muggles to be killed or injured."

If you conceal the information and don't report it...

Just as Arthur was caught in a dilemma, Vincent suddenly and gently separated his hands, and the shackles instantly shattered into pieces.

The staff were terrified and quickly raised their wands, but after a flash of red light, they all fainted.

“Uncle Arthur,” Vincent said, moving his stiff wrists, “the problem is solved. ‘The Dark Lord Vincent Wayne was feignedly arrested, but actually wanted something from the Department of Mysteries. Director Arthur Weasley tried to stop him but failed.’”

Arthur's eyes widened suddenly. "Vincent, do you know what you're doing? This will completely ruin your reputation! Even when the truth comes out, people will remember you knocking down a Ministry of Magic official and forcibly breaking into the Department of Mysteries today—"

“But by then,” Vincent interrupted him, “Voldemort’s plot had been thwarted, and London had been saved.”

Arthur's hand, gripping his wand, trembled. "But the price is too heavy."

Vincent looked him straight in the eye with his deep blue eyes. "What I'm going to do in the future doesn't require a clean reputation. Professor Dumbledore has done enough for the wizarding world, hasn't he? Yet there are still people who try every means to smear him."

Arthur closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

He recalled many things: Fred and George modifying Vincent's alchemical gadgets in their basement; Bill and Charlie's admiration when they talked about Vincent; Molly always preparing an extra pudding whenever Vincent came to visit...

And then there are the Muggles in London, the innocent victims tormented by the curse.

The magical communicator continued to ring. Arthur opened his eyes, resolutely removed it, and threw it on the ground.

The two exchanged a glance, and Arthur took out another Order of the Phoenix-specific magical communicator from the inner pocket of his robe and put it on.

Soon, a figure appeared on the projection screen.

“Dumbledore, it’s me, Arthur. I’m on the ninth floor of the Ministry of Magic. Voldemort has invaded the Department of Mysteries. Vincent is with me, and we need backup.”

"I understand. Guard the entrance and do not make any rash moves."

After the communication ended, Arthur turned off the projection screen and looked at Vincent with a complicated expression. "Even if we succeed, even if we stop Voldemort, Fudge will still pin everything on you."

“I know,” Vincent nodded.

"You may never be able to restore your reputation, and people will really think you are the Dark Lord."

Vincent smiled. "That's not important. What matters is the result. I know exactly what I'm doing right now."

Arthur sighed softly, "No matter what happens in the future, the Weasley family will always welcome you."

A few minutes later, Dumbledore arrived.

A burst of light appeared through the tightly closed black doors of the Department of Mysteries. He was wearing a deep purple velvet robe from the Christmas dinner, and his gaze swept over Vincent and Arthur, who had been waiting for a long time.

He noticed the faint mark on Vincent's wrist. "I have to say, your choices always give me a fright. You almost gave me a heart attack."

Vincent glanced down at his wrist. "Professor, this is the only way out. I have no other choice."

“Ah, yes.” A knowing glint flashed in Dumbledore’s eyes. “Volunteer prisoners are the hardest to imprison because they can choose to leave at any time. Congratulations, child, you have successfully broken the shackles that bound you.”

Arthur was completely confused; the conversation between the two was clearly implying something.

Vincent pointed to the large black door. "Voldemort is inside. The gatekeeper has been dealt with, but there should be quite a few guards inside."

Dumbledore's expression turned serious. "Tom has come in person, which means what he wants is extremely important to him. Do you know what he wants?"

Vincent shook his head. "I don't know, but I don't think it's a Horcrux."

Dumbledore looked at him for a long time, then let out a long sigh.

Your principal will always be your principal.

Kingsley's previous mission went too smoothly; Scrimgeour practically had to admit that the item he brought back from Gringotts was a Horcrux.

Dumbledore was already suspicious that Scrimgeour might know something, or that someone might have replaced him.

Tonight's events further confirmed his suspicions: the Auror office director who dared to openly defy Fudge was none other than Vincent, standing right in front of him.

Dumbledore's voice was soft: "You are becoming more and more like him, not in appearance or methods, but in your determination to bear all the consequences. He was the same way back then, believing that he could bear all the sins as long as he could achieve a higher goal."

“I am different from him,” Vincent said calmly. “He wants to rule, I want to coexist. He believes wizards are inherently superior, I believe all life is equal. The only thing we have in common is that we are both willing to pay the price for what we believe in.”

Dumbledore gently stroked the Elder Wand in his hand. "Vincent, you saw his fate. I don't want—"

“No, it won’t.” Vincent walked toward the tightly closed black door. “Professor, let’s go in.”

Dumbledore nodded slightly to Arthur. "The rest of the Order of the Phoenix are on their way, but time is of the essence. Arthur, you guard the entrance and make sure no more Death Eaters get in."

He stood before the black door. "Vincent, come in with me. Are you ready?"

Vincent reached out and placed his hand on the door. "I've been prepared for this for a long time, ever since I knew what I was going to face."

The black gate leading to the Department of Mysterious Matters slowly opened.

……

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