In response to Abernathy, a heavy silence fell over the scene. Yet, amidst the oppressive quiet, the wizards of the Pureblood Party standing before him began to raise their wands—one after another, until countless wands were held aloft.
Seeing this, Abernathy suddenly broke into a smile.
Turning his gaze to Carrow, who lay prostrate on the ground, his tone turned icy as he said:
"So, you want to see our Young Master? Then prove yourself worthy of that mark! The Pureblood Party has no need for the useless!"
Hearing Abernathy's words, Carrow, trembling but resolute, bit down hard and rose to his feet. He clenched his wand tightly in his right hand, his gaze fixed with madness on the scene behind Abernathy.
Abernathy, however, strolled forward leisurely, heading toward Rufus Scrimgeour and the Aurors standing behind him, their wands at the ready.
As Abernathy approached alone, Scrimgeour discreetly gestured to the Aurors behind him, signaling them to prepare for combat.
The tense atmosphere grew thicker, suffocating even the most seasoned Aurors. The sunlight above was shrouded by the black banners of the Pureblood Party, casting an eerie pall over the narrow street. For most present, this would be their first taste of large-scale wizard warfare.
Abernathy's footsteps echoed as he walked.
Stopping midway between the two factions, he inclined his head slightly toward Rufus Scrimgeour, then greeted him politely:
"Abernathy of the Pureblood Party, representing our new leader, the heir of the Grindelwald family—our Young Master—extends his regards to all present."
Scrimgeour glanced backward, his sharp gaze scanning for Cornelius Fudge. Though he was certain the Minister of Magic was observing the proceedings from some hidden vantage point, Fudge's shadow was nowhere to be found.
With a weary sigh, Scrimgeour stepped forward and addressed Abernathy in a calm, steady voice:
"Rufus Scrimgeour, Head of the Auror Office for the British Ministry of Magic. I order you to leave this place immediately!"
Abernathy smiled faintly, undeterred.
"Of course, we could do that," he said, his tone dismissive. "But I must take back our own people. You know who I mean, don't you?"
Scrimgeour replied firmly, his voice unwavering:
"I brought him back to assist in an investigation. If he is proven innocent, we will release him. Until then, the Ministry guarantees his safety."
Abernathy's smile faded as he stared at Scrimgeour with an expression devoid of emotion.
"Rufus Scrimgeour," he said coldly, "history will remember your name. Today, you chose war."
While Abernathy and Scrimgeour faced off outside the Ministry of Magic, several owls arrived at Hogwarts, delivering letters.
Cedric Diggory opened the letter from his father with a puzzled expression. It was unusual for his father to write at this time.
But as Cedric read the letter, his hands trembled, and the parchment slipped from his fingers. The words on the letter burned into his mind:
Cedric, my son, you must be wondering why I'm writing to you now.
You've always been my pride—so talented, kind, and loyal.
Today, London is shrouded in black banners—the mark of the Pureblood Party. What I thought was a relic of history has returned, and it's marching on the Ministry of Magic.
Though I am not an Auror, as a member of the Ministry, I stand with my colleagues.
As war looms, my only regret is leaving you behind. I don't know if I will have the chance again, so I write now to tell you this:
I love you, Cedric. You will always be my pride.
If we win, I will write again to tell you I am safe. Until then, be strong.
Cedric stood frozen, his mind reeling. For the first time, he realized how close war could come.
"No," he muttered. "I must go to London. To the Ministry."
Determined, Cedric bolted from his dormitory, ignoring the startled looks of passing Hufflepuff students. His thoughts were consumed with a single goal: he had to see his father.
Unsure how to get to London, Cedric made up his mind—he would go to Professor Dumbledore. Surely, the headmaster wouldn't stand idly by.
As he passed Wentworth's dormitory, he hesitated, then decided to say goodbye to his best friend. He didn't know if he'd ever return.
Bursting into Wentworth's room, Cedric gave him a tight embrace before blurting:
"Wentworth, I'm going to the Ministry of Magic. If I don't come back, remember this: you had a great friend—Cedric Diggory!"
Wentworth stared at him, bewildered.
"What? What's going on? Tell me clearly!"
Cedric, unable to shake off Wentworth's grip, hastily recounted the events in London.
Elsewhere in Hogwarts, Ilona, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor and a hidden Pureblood Party member, read a letter from Abernathy. After finishing, she snapped her fingers, and the letter disintegrated into ash, which floated neatly into the bin.
The letter detailed Abernathy's plans.
Ilona gazed out of her window, murmuring to herself:
"Abernathy, while I agree with your plan, this must be discussed with our Young Master. Even if it's for his sake."
After some deliberation, Ilona decided to reveal the situation to Wentworth. Even if it meant exposing her true identity, Wentworth had to know what was happening in London.
Quickening her pace, she headed toward Wentworth's dormitory. As she approached, she overheard Cedric's voice:
"That's what's happening in London right now."
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