Hearing Ilona's words, Cedric froze momentarily, only to feel an icy chill seep through his body as the gravity of her statement dawned on him. His entire frame stiffened in fear.
At this moment, Cedric dared not act rashly and simply followed Ilona, as though he were a puppet under her control.
Yet, as they neared the boundary of Hogwarts, Cedric's inner turmoil grew.
The Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts was part of the Pureblood Party!
He had to alert the school, no matter the cost.
Just as Cedric resolved to risk his life by using the Sonorus Charm to shout this revelation, Ilona's next words stopped him cold:
"Wentworth is the new leader of the Pureblood Party!"
Cedric froze in place, utterly shocked by what he had heard. At this moment, the two of them crossed beyond Hogwarts' protective boundaries.
Ilona leaned in close, her voice soft but menacing as she whispered in Cedric's ear:
"Now, I offer you two choices. First, join the Pureblood Party. I will take you to London, rescue your father, and put an end to this war, saving countless lives. Second, I kill you right here and now and report that you died in the chaos of battle. Choose wisely."
With that, Ilona straightened up, watching the young wizard intently.
Cedric's heart was in turmoil. If Ilona had only threatened his life, he might have steeled himself to resist. But now, with the lives of his father and countless wizards in London at stake, Cedric, still young and inexperienced, found himself overwhelmed.
However, to Ilona's surprise, Cedric raised his head almost immediately, meeting her gaze as he declared:
"I choose to join the Pureblood Party!"
Before Ilona could smile in satisfaction, Cedric added firmly:
"But I will not participate in your crimes! If it comes to it, I would rather face the Killing Curse or Cruciatus than betray my principles!"
Despite the youthful tremor in his voice, his words were filled with courage.
Ilona regarded Cedric with unexpected approval and nodded slightly.
"As expected of someone the young master values," she said. "Now, hand it over."
Cedric was confused. "What are you talking about?"
Ilona gestured toward Cedric's chest.
"The pendant Wentworth gave you! It holds the key to ending this war."
After a moment's hesitation, Cedric handed the pendant to Ilona.
Ilona gazed at the pendant with a look of nostalgia, murmuring under her breath, "Cedric, the Pureblood Party isn't some band of marauding Dark wizards. We are not like the Death Eaters. Our methods may sometimes seem extreme, but they are all for a greater cause. One day, you'll understand."
Cedric, however, didn't believe a word she said. Still, seeing how deeply Ilona revered the pendant, he couldn't help but ask, "What's so special about it?"
Ilona seemed to snap out of her reverie, putting the pendant away before answering:
"The earliest members of the Pureblood Party were followers of Gellert Grindelwald. As their numbers grew, they formed what became the Pureblood Party. Though I hold some authority in the party, even I cannot command its more rebellious members."
She paused before continuing:
"But this pendant can. It is a symbol of Grindelwald himself."
With that, Ilona grabbed Cedric's hand, and the two vanished from the outskirts of Hogwarts.
Meanwhile, back at the negotiations between Abernathy and Rufus Scrimgeour, talks had completely broken down. Both leaders returned to their respective sides.
"Prepare for battle," Scrimgeour ordered the assembled Aurors. "Remember, we do not use Unforgivable Curses first. But if the enemy uses them, you are authorized to retaliate."
Scrimgeour's words prompted nervous gulps among many Aurors.
One wizard, unable to bear the mounting tension, finally blurted out in fear:
"Sir, they only want a few wizards! Couldn't we just hand them over quietly? Why risk the lives of so many Aurors for a few Dark wizards?"
Before he could finish, Scrimgeour flicked his wand, and the wizard crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
Scrimgeour's icy gaze swept over the Aurors. "This man is no longer an Auror of the British Ministry of Magic! I warn you all—anyone who speaks such cowardice before the battle will face Azkaban afterward!"
The Aurors straightened, the last traces of hesitation extinguished as they steeled themselves for the fight ahead.
Across the battlefield, Abernathy returned to the Pureblood Party ranks with a smirk.
"Aurors," he mused. "Such a nostalgic title."
Carrow approached eagerly, wand in hand. "Abernathy, can we attack now? I can't wait any longer!"
Abernathy nodded but pulled Carrow back just as he raised his wand.
Turning to the assembled Pureblood Party members, Abernathy declared, "You may use any spells necessary to incapacitate the Aurors, but Unforgivable Curses are forbidden!"
Carrow balked. "Why?! A few Killing Curses, and they'd crumble in no time!"
Abernathy fixed Carrow with a steely gaze.
"If we avoid Unforgivable Curses, the Aurors cannot justify using them first. Even in a spell duel, they are no match for us."
"But…"
Abernathy gripped Carrow's shoulder tightly, his voice low and firm.
"We must ensure that the Pureblood Party has a future. Do you understand? We need to leave behind seeds for the next generation!"
Carrow fell silent, his gaze drifting to the ranks of elderly Pureblood Party members, wands raised with unshaken resolve despite their white hair. The sight filled him with a bitter determination.
Lifting his wand high, Carrow shouted, "For the greater good!"
With that, he charged fearlessly into battle.
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