It's only been a month since he last left Hogsmeade, and when Hoffa returned here, it was indeed occupied by wizards, as Aberforth claimed.

Everywhere you looked, people riding in trees, others standing on rooftops, some with wands, some with bows and arrows, and even Muggle machine guns.

It's just that the expressions of these wizards are a little tired and numb, and it is obvious that the battle with the Squib soldiers has greatly drained their spirits.

Aberforth shouted as he passed by to the wizards to change shifts, and the wizards who had been ordered were relieved and stepped back from their posts, while some of the young wizards who followed Hoffa nervously ascended to their posts.

When the young wizards returned, Aberforth said to Hoffa, "Don't look at them like this, but they are the last hope among wizards." If all of their magic were lost, I guess the wizarding world would be over. ”

"It's not going to be over. ”

Hoffa said firmly.

Aberforth was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing, and said, "Of course, of course it won't be over, Bach." This is the place where there are the most wizards in all of England, more than my brother, and of course, he has more people than me. Now, though, you're with us, not necessarily. We can definitely take Hogwarts back and recreate the wizarding era. ”

"It was Professor Dumbledore who asked me to come to you. ”

Hoffa said lightly: "He said that you have an extremely important task to give me, right?"

Aberforth waved his hand irritably, "Okay, okay, I know you're from the Order of the Phoenix, and my brother will fool others into giving him his life, you have to be on guard!"

"I'm not from the Order of the Phoenix, and I must repay Dumbledore for saving me. Now, leave the task to me. Hoffa said earnestly.

Aberforth glared at him, "What are you in a hurry, eat dinner first, take a rest, you know, I have a lot of young wizards here who want to see you." ”

Hoffa wanted to get into the mission as soon as possible, but Aberforth was so gracious that he couldn't refuse. I had to go to the pig's head bar with Aberforth. However, he did not meet the new wizard on the first floor, as Aberforth had arranged. He went alone to the basement of the pig's head bar and meditated in a room with a portrait of a young girl to accumulate magic and prepare for possible accidents.

While he was meditating, the girl in the mural looked at him intently, as if she was very curious about the quiet teenager. I had been meditating on the night when someone came knocking on the door.

"Mr. Bach, the banquet is about to begin. Someone outside the door said.

Hoffa opened his eyes from meditation.

"Just come. He replied.

The people outside the door got an affirmative answer and left happily.

Hoffa jumped out of bed and saw the girl in the painting looking at him all the time. So he calmly greeted the girl in the painting: "Hello, Ariana." ”

The girl in the painting blushed, and she turned her head shyly. Rubbing the corners of his clothes to peek at him.

But Hoffa had already left with his sword in hand.

When he reached the first floor of the Hog's Head Bar, the tables were full of food, and the young wizards greeted him when they saw Hoffa come out. Hoffa also reached out to greet them, with a warm smile on his face.

But the more this happens, the heavier the pressure he feels. Less than a few kilometers from the village is the closed Hogwarts, which is as dangerous as having a party under a burning powder keg.

Aberforth sat at the bar with a few adult wizards, and Hoffa, who didn't know anyone, sat next to Aberforth. At this moment, a man in a cowhide hat leaned sideways and held out his hand.

"Mr. Bach, I'm Teutton, a reporter for the Daily Prophet. ”

Hoffa was not interested in the profession of a journalist, but he felt that those who could still stick to the wizarding camp in the face of this wave of declining magic deserved respect. So he reached out and shook the man's hand.

"Mr. Bach, may I interview you?" asked Teuton.

"If you have anything to say, just say it here. ”

Teuton was overjoyed, pulled a small notebook out of his pocket, and asked, "How long do you think this strange magic decline will last?"

"I don't know. Hoffa said honestly.

He thought that if he came back from the future, the future must be certain. However, after the baptism of nightmares, he no longer thinks so. The future remains uncertain.

Teutonic asked, "Some wizards believe that the future is the world of Muggle technology, and we wizards should also keep up with the times and learn Muggle technology and Muggle philosophy." Gringotts, in particular, they think we should stop using gold galleons and go to Muggle banknotes, what do you think about that?"

Hoffa was silent, as if in a nightmare, and after he became Minister of Magic, many people came every day to ask for his opinion, how to see this and that. And he often expresses his opinion on some things and talks about them. But now, like the rest of what happens in his dreams, he wears of giving his opinion, giving his opinion. What's the point of these opinions? Giving them won't allow him to defeat Sylbie, nor will he see Aglaia.

"I don't understand anything, don't ask me. ”

Hoffa said.

Teuton was stunned, the pen in his hand didn't know what to remember, and he felt a little embarrassed. Fortunately, Aberforth came to play the round, and he pressed Hoffa's shoulder, and said to Teutton.

"The future is not a Teutonic to be analyzed, the future is a hope, are you right, Bach. ”

"It could also be a source of fear. ”

Hoffa said softly.

"Maybe. But I'm still going to be more optimistic, we've been through this kind of storm many times. In the sixteenth century, when the elves rebelled and killed many people, it would have been in Hogsmeade that the wizards had the last laugh when they defeated the elves. This time will be no different. ”

Aberforth exclaimed, "We will definitely take Hogwarts!"

His words sparked a small climax in the party, and the wizards raised their butterbeers in their hands and spoke in unison, sweeping away the gloom. Hoffa, on the other hand, only raised his glass, but did not drink or eat, and his abnormality surprised Aberforth.

"Why don't you eat it, Bach?" he asked, "and see if we have freshly fished this fish out of the lake." ”

Hoffa looked at the beautiful fried fish and omelets on the plate, and although the conditions were tough, the chef at the Hog's Head Bar put a lot of thought into preparing this banquet.

But such a thought seemed somewhat out of place in Hoffa's eyes. He had regained his memory at this moment, and he clearly remembered that in the nightmare, Miranda had taken him to an incomparably exquisite meal in front of the bone-eating scene that had been given to him. And that meal almost made him completely let his guard down, and finally became a slave to his desires.

At this moment, in the face of such carefully prepared food, Hoffa has no way to eat, and it is impossible to eat.

He pushed away the plate and the butterbeer, and said to the bartender in front of him, "Excuse me, do me a favor." ”

The bartender was very respectful of Hoffa, and immediately bent down and said, "Please command, sir." ”

"Bring me a piece of brown bread and a glass of water. ”

Hoffa said.

The bartender was surprised by such a request, but it was Hoffa who asked for it, and he went down anyway to prepare.

When the bar was served with brown bread and water, Aberforth's eyes were about to pop out.

"Bach, are you an ascetic? Why don't you eat what we have prepared. “

Aberforth was surprised.

"Thank you for your kindness, Aberforth, but I only like brown bread now. After saying that, he slowly tore open the black bread, put it in his mouth, and chewed and swallowed it with water.

"What happened?"

Aberforth asked with concern.

There were sawdust in the black bread, and it didn't look like it was delicious. Not to mention the fact that there was still a Ravenclaw sitting next to him, and he had never seen a haughty Ravenclaw eat such shoddy food.

Hoffa shook his head, there were some things that only he knew, and in the face of Aberforth's doubts, he just said, "Professor Dumbledore said that there was a task for me, but what kind of task is that?" ”

When Hoffa got down to business, Aberforth replied, "Three days ago, Albus told me that the wizarding world has reached a point of life and death, and what is needed most at this moment is unity. We need allies, enough allies to survive this crisis. To that end, he wants you to take a trip to Beauxbatons, France, and convince Headmaster Pierre of Beauxbatons to send troops to England to help retake Hogwarts. ”

Hoffa was slightly stunned, he was really told by Nicolamay that it was a mission for him to go to France.

"Why should I go to Beauxbatons. ”

Hoffa said in surprise: "Why didn't Professor Dumbledore go in person, I don't speak French very well, and I don't know anyone over there, if I go to France for help, wouldn't it be good to send some people who are proficient in French affairs?"

"Bach, how much do you know about yourself?" Aberforth asked.

"How much do I know about myself?" asked Hoffa.

"When Fatil was alive, he said more than once that you were just like his son. I think the people of the Drazes family in France think so too. You know, he himself graduated from Beauxbatons. ”

Aberforth's words caused Hoffa's body to collapse instantly, and he sat motionless in his seat, his mind buzzing. He picked up the glass in front of him and wanted to take a sip, but found that his hands were shaking, and even the warm water in the cup was burning hot.

"Excuse me, add some ice"

He whispered to the bartender.

The bartender added ice to Hoffa's cup, and he bit on the ice, squeaking and swallowing. Only then did I feel a little more comfortable in my stinging heart.

Aberforth didn't notice Hoffa's strangeness, he said: "Albus had a deep connection with Grindelwald when he was young, and during the previous Wizarding Civil War, Grindelwald beat France very hard. As a result, the French side was disgusted with the house and the U, and they did not like Albus very much.

But you're different, and even though Fatil is no longer there and his family is in near-total decline, the imprint is indelible for you. Everyone knows about your relationship with the Fatirs, and Beauxbatons has a deep connection to Ravenclaw, and I think they'll be happy to see you here. ”

Hoffa bit several pieces of ice in succession, and his face became more and more cold.

Aberforth whispered, "Beauxbatons are very xenophobic now, they only receive their own people. Hoffa, if there is anyone who is best suited for the job"

"Alright, needless to say. Let's go now. ”

Hoffa interrupted Aberforth.

He jumped out of his chair and couldn't sit down for a moment.

If he listens to it any longer, I'm afraid that the god of nightmares hasn't driven him crazy, and he will already go crazy.

Aberforth looked at Hoffa in surprise: "What, do you want to go now?"

"Let's go now. ”

Hoffa said categorically.

Hofa's workaholic attitude made Aberforth both grateful and guilty, and he took a letter from his pocket and handed it to Hofa, saying, "This is Albus's message." You hand him over to Headmaster Pierre, and, in any case, it is your task to get Beauxbatons' support. ”

"Understood. ”

Aberforth: "We'll be waiting for you here, but, you know, we're running out of time. The ability to secure the support of allies is crucial. ”

Hoffa put the letter in his pocket and asked bluntly, "How do I get there, do any of you take me to the apparition?"

Aberforth smiled bitterly: "No, Hoffa, now that the world's mana is seriously drained, I don't think even my brother can support such a long-distance apparition. ”

"So how do I get there, I don't know where Beauxbatons is. ”

Aberforth stood up, patted Hoffa on the shoulder, and said, "Follow me." ”

The two left the pig's head bar and came to the quiet deciduous forest behind the bar.

Here, Hoffa saw a black creature, sitting quietly on its knees in front of a manger eating something. There was no grass in the manger, but flesh dripping with blood. It has a pointed head, protruding bones on its back, and many spikes at its joints, making it look like a hideous black horse.

Thestrals?

Hoffa was surprised: "You want me to ride the Thestrals?"

"Yes, after the loss of mana, the loss of magical creatures is also serious, many of them are missing, there were originally many Thestrals here, but now there is only this one left. ”

Hoffa doesn't ink either, although Thestrals' hideous face is still full of thorns on its back, but as long as it can complete the task, Hoffa doesn't mind. Black bread can be eaten, and Thestrals can naturally be ridden.

He came to Thestrals' side and touched them on Thestrals' back.

Thestrals' heavy pupils stared at Hoffa, still eating in his mouth.

Hoffa rolled over and rode on the back of the Thestrals. It snorted a few times unhappily, and slowly stood up, its mouth still tossing and turning in the trough.

Aberforth stood beside Hoffa and said, "Thestrals knows the way, just tell it and it will take you where you want to go." Of course, it looks like this, and it certainly won't be too comfortable to sit on. Moreover, it is such a long distance trek, and the time will definitely not be short, Hoffa, fortunately for you. ”

"Needless to say, Aberforth. Until I get back, it's better not to approach Hogwarts, where the monsters are terrifying. Hoffa rode on Thestrals' back and admonished.

"Good. ”

Aberforth patted Thestrals on the neck and whispered a few words in its ear.

Thestrals immediately raised their sharp heads and spread their black wings. Since it had no reins, Hoffa wrapped his arms around its neck.

Then, the Thestrals, running wildly on the ground, flapped its wings, and its legs gradually left the ground and circled upward.

Hoffa watched the night beneath him, Aberforth and Hogsmeade villages slowly getting smaller. Hogwarts Castle in the distance appeared in the night, but at this moment the castle seemed to be covered with a veil of veil, and it was hazy and unreal.

Without waiting for Hofado to look at the castle, Thestrals led him all the way up into the dense clouds.

The vapor from the clouds drenched Hoffa's face and hair, and he hugged Thestrals' craggy neck, and a shiver rose from the bottom of his heart, causing him to close his eyes.

Leaving the vapour clouds, Hoffa entered higher heavens, where he could see the moon shining in the sky and the sparkling Milky Way. Due to the elevated height, the temperature of the air was very low, and soon a layer of hoarfrost condensed on Hoffa's face. And under his pursed lips, his heart began to beat surgingly, and some kind of golden light slowly flowed in his eyes.

He opened his mouth and exhaled a puff of white air, slowly loosened Thestrals' neck, opened his arms, and bathed in the icy night breeze.

Although Thestrals was not comfortable to ride and the weather was cold, he loved the feeling of gliding through the night sky. It was a throbbing he hadn't experienced in his dreams for decades, and it told him that he was alive and that there was hope.

(End of chapter)