Regulus Black continued moving between Hogwarts and the film studios in America.
Meanwhile, Dumbledore and Voldemort were each making preparations for the looming war.
Over time, even under Dumbledore's close surveillance, Voldemort still managed to assemble his own army. Lacking manpower, his influence in the Ministry of Magic was almost nonexistent. He had only Lucius Malfoy and Dolores Umbridge on his side, though the latter had been missing for quite a while. The Ministry claimed she was negotiating with the centaurs and had been left in their tribe to "experience centaur culture."
In reality, Dolores Umbridge—the "spear witch"—was spending her days relentlessly pursued by a young centaur after their constant trysts, only to chase him back across the Forbidden Forest with her spear in hand. The entire centaur tribe now referred to them as "the little couple."
Life was like forced passion: if you cannot resist, then just lie down and enjoy it.
As for the vampires, the old ones who had aligned with Lucius Malfoy struggled for a long time before managing to gather together a handful of ancient relics and scattered members. At least three vampire clans could now make a show of support. But to the Black Joker, they were worthless trash.
The Dark Poker could erase them at any time.
Among the werewolves, Fenrir Greyback had finally recovered from his slump and begun rallying his kin at the Gaunt family's old manor, preparing for the war to come.
Still, one-third of the werewolves neither joined nor planned to join him. They had always opposed Fenrir. He deliberately allowed them to exist, reasoning that if he failed and gave his life to the cause, they would remain as the last bloodline of the werewolves. Unfortunately, his ideals and faith could not be inherited. Yet Fenrir believed that as long as werewolves remained in their current plight, others like him would inevitably rise again.
As for the fallen wizards, Voldemort had no choice but to extend his recruitment abroad. Within Britain there were no more talents to be found. Only by going overseas could he gather fresh forces, and foreign regions had not yet been infiltrated by rival powers.
In Germany and France, groups of young people eagerly responded to his recruitment drive, bringing even more young wizards with them.
Voldemort was stunned. He had never realized that outside Britain there were so many fallen wizards, and all of them were young. When discovered, they were in the midst of wicked sacrificial rituals across Germany, hunting down inherently evil Muggles to sacrifice to their dark gods.
Though these so-called dark gods did not resemble evil beings at all, and could not be found in any known mythology, their design still carried the air of authentic mythological deities.
It made little difference. Voldemort was satisfied as long as he had recruits. He even spread propaganda among them, claiming Hogwarts was a place of evil and that Dumbledore was a dictator.
"Down with Dumbledore, liberate Hogwarts!"
"Down with Dumbledore, liberate Hogwarts!"
"Down with Dumbledore, liberate Hogwarts!"
The young wizards brandished their wands and shouted their slogans with fiery passion.
"Lucius! Tell me, where did these brats come from? Was the European continent experiencing a wizard baby boom a few years back?"
Handsome Harry Potter had stirred up the enthusiasm of the young wizards, but he still couldn't hide his doubt at their sudden appearance.
"As far as I know," Lucius Malfoy replied with a mocking smile, "during those years, European wizards were desperate to preserve their bloodlines, so they coupled with many Muggle women. That's why so many young people were left behind. Their magical aptitude is poor, most are below third-tier in spellcraft, but they make perfect cannon fodder."
Harry Potter frowned. "And they're all male wizards. Could it be that some spell was used to cause this?"
"From what I've learned, the female half-blood wizards were taken back by their families, while these hotheaded fools were cast out. They prettied it up as 'letting them train to establish their own families.'"
Lucius covered his mouth to stifle another laugh.
"Isn't that a fine excuse? Those with the strength to establish their own family will naturally find support. Those without it will just have to scrape by."
Harry Potter also laughed. Recruiting these idiots had cost him everything.
He had mortgaged the Gaunt estate and its land, and with the wealth Lucius provided, he finally managed to secure their allegiance.
The Ministry of Magic was out of the question, but with these numbers, a fight at Hogwarts was at least possible.
On the other side, Dumbledore had been monitoring Harry Potter's situation closely. Though he often left the Headmaster's office, he would return secretly and each time observe the changes in Harry's soul.
If Voldemort could sense the silver slime being watched, then naturally Dumbledore could shield his own observation.
Every night, whenever Dumbledore left Hogwarts, Voldemort would seize control of Harry's soul. Watching Harry bow and bend, while Voldemort stretched proudly within his body, filled Dumbledore with deep concern.
"Regulus, tell me—how can I save this child, Harry Potter?"
Dumbledore held Regulus Black's latest report. It contained only grim news of Voldemort's recruitment, which had already drawn in nearly a quarter of the wizarding world.
"I've already arranged for witches to bear descendants for both the Potter and Riddle families. This matter will soon pass."
Regulus Black's "pregnancy curse" was always effective. He had long since drawn Harry Potter's blood but had not acted until now. The timing was perfect—if not now, when?
"You… You're always like this. But I trust your judgment."
Dumbledore thought he would feel anger or frustration, but instead he suddenly understood the meaning behind it.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, may I have a vial of your blood? To my knowledge, you have no children. A wizard admired and revered by all, leaving no descendants—is that truly wise?"
Regulus looked at him solemnly.
"I'm far too old. Forget it."
Dumbledore almost laughed. That Regulus Black would dare ask him this!
"Do you really believe you will never die? Let me be frank—give me your blood and Fawkes' bond, that will suffice. Your brother can serve as witness."
Regulus regarded him with the look of a man speaking to the doomed.
"Then why don't you ask for my Elder Wand? I know you've been collecting the Deathly Hallows and Voldemort's Horcruxes."
Dumbledore's words were startling, but clearly deduced from careful details.
"It isn't time yet. The Elder Wand is destined to fall into Harry Potter's hands. I'll take it after him."
Regulus glanced at the wand lying on Dumbledore's desk and gave an answer Dumbledore did not want to hear. It meant only one thing: Dumbledore would die, and the wand would eventually belong to Harry—or rather, Voldemort.
"Headmaster! Bad news! A large number of Death Eaters are outside the school, testing the defenses of the protective barrier!"
Professor McGonagall burst in, cutting their conversation short.
Dumbledore cast a long, searching look at Regulus Black, then retrieved a sealed scroll from a hidden compartment. He slit his arm and let a vial fill with blood.
"Dumbledore, what are you doing?" McGonagall exclaimed.
"Come. Let us see who dares invade Hogwarts."
Handing both items to Regulus Black, Dumbledore walked out like a warrior heading to the battlefield.
The Battle of Hogwarts had begun.
Want to read the chapters in Advance? Join my Patreon
https://patreon.com/Glimmer09