Chapter 338: Nurmengard

Hearing the news of Lucius's death, everyone was more or less surprised.

The cause of death announced by the Ministry of Magic was the Dementor's Kiss.

Aside from the Dementors recruited by Voldemort, the Ministry of Magic actually still kept some Dementors for executions.

So not all Dementors had gone out of control.

It was just that Lucius had been kept perfectly fine during the time he was captured.

There hadn't been a single trial, so why was he executed so suddenly?

And after the news spread, there was no reaction at all from the Malfoy household.

The Ministry of Magic sent special personnel to notify the family to collect the body.

As a result, they couldn't even get through the door.

Draco and Narcissa had also completely lost contact.

In the end, they had no choice but to leave the body in the morgue first.

Tonks also investigated the Malfoy house, but there was no news at all for now.

And certainly no news of them betraying Voldemort.

As for Draco and Narcissa, who had fled abroad, they were now missing as well, and their whereabouts had not been tracked in Germany.

The investigation fell into a stalemate for a time.

They had no choice but to let it go for now.

However, John suddenly received a summons from Dumbledore a few days later.

In a dense forest at the foot of the Alps, Dumbledore stood on a charred piece of land riddled with holes, looking at the mountain range not far away, wondering what he was thinking.

With a 'pop,' John's figure appeared not far away.

He walked slowly to Dumbledore's side.

Looking at the devastation all around, he felt some confusion.

Because this place was exactly where they had fought Voldemort a few days ago.

"Headmaster, why did you suddenly call me back to this place?"

Just earlier, John had suddenly received a handwritten letter from Dumbledore.

He hoped John could come to the foot of the Alps immediately, the very place where the battle with Voldemort had occurred earlier.

This time, because time was tight, Dumbledore didn't specify the reason, only telling him to Apparate directly and not to worry about cross-border legal issues.

"You're here, John."

Dumbledore didn't answer John's question immediately, just greeting him as usual.

Today, he was rarely wearing a moon-white robe that looked much more formal.

His temperament had a bit more solemnity and gravity compared to his usual leisure.

He raised his hand and brushed it lightly over the charred ground.

Soon, the earth trembled slightly, and the traces of the previous battle were wiped away.

Snow and ice once again covered it with a thin layer of silvery-white frost.

"I have already heard Alastor's report on this operation."

"You did very well; you've impressed me, John."

Dumbledore smiled slightly, but John didn't feel happy because of Dumbledore's praise.

Instead, he became even more confused.

"Headmaster, what's wrong with you?"

"You look a bit off?"

Calling him over specifically couldn't just be to praise him a couple of times.

And this demeanor was completely different from the leisurely Dumbledore of the past.

Dumbledore was silent for a moment, looking again at the distant rolling snow peaks.

"I heard about the Malfoy matter; Draco and Narcissa went missing near here, right..."

The Headmaster still didn't answer John's question, instead suddenly bringing up the missing Draco and Narcissa.

"Nearby, there is a place I care about, so I want to investigate where they went."

"Will you accompany me, how about it?"

Regarding this inexplicable invitation, although John was confused, he didn't refuse.

He was indeed quite concerned about Draco's whereabouts.

After all, he was still bound by Professor Snape's vow.

He didn't know if getting lost or encountering danger would affect Professor Snape.

John nodded, taking a slight look around.

Pointing in the direction leading deep into the Alps not far away.

"The last time I saw them, it was over there."

Dumbledore looked in that direction without speaking, just following John as they walked.

After being covered by heavy snow for these past few days, there were no footprints left at all.

But they had plenty of means to track.

Dumbledore raised his wand and swept it slightly around.

Soon, he discovered a withered branch that looked like it had been broken by human trampling.

The Tracking Spell was activated.

A mass of yellow smoke slowly rose, condensing without dispersing in the cold wind, finally evolving into two blurry human figures, moving slowly toward the deep belly of the mountain range.

Judging by their physiques, it should be Draco and Narcissa.

Dumbledore and John exchanged a look, and seeing that ethereal smoke shadow, they quickened their pace to follow.

On the way, John couldn't help but chat with Dumbledore.

"Headmaster, what kind of place is that place you mentioned you care about?"

"Hmm, it's just... an old friend of mine's... temporary residence?"

Regarding John's question, Dumbledore smiled somewhat vaguely.

"If I could, I wouldn't want to introduce you to that person..."

"Ah? Why?" John asked strangely.

"Because... he is still atoning for his sins..."

This left John even more confused.

What the hell?

One moment an old friend, the next atonement.

Dumbledore didn't answer directly.

"I hope Draco and the others didn't stumble into that place..."

Obviously.

If Draco and Narcissa hadn't stumbled into the place Dumbledore mentioned, he wouldn't have intended to introduce John to that so-called old friend.

Such an old monster who had lived for a century, heaven knows how many strange people he had met when he was young.

Although John was curious, since Dumbledore wouldn't say, there was nothing he could do.

As they continued forward, every time they passed a certain distance, they would recast the Tracking Spell.

Finally, they arrived at the foot of a steep mountain wall.

Draco and Narcissa's traces also completely disappeared here.

"Did they fly up?"

John put one hand over his eyes like a telescope, looking at the towering mountain wall, and asked strangely.

"No, I don't think so."

Dumbledore slowly picked up a small silver knife left at the foot of the mountain wall.

On it was an embossed Malfoy family crest.

"They should have gone inside..."

"Oh? Went into your old friend's place, Headmaster?"

John raised his eyebrows slightly, asking with curiosity and inquiry.

"Sigh... yes."

Dumbledore sighed helplessly, looking at the mountain wall in front of him.

"I hope he hasn't done anything reckless..."

As Dumbledore waved his hand, a surge of magic rippled out.

The surface of the mountain wall rippled like water, and then a deep cave was revealed.

John looked at this scene with slight surprise.

This wasn't an Isolation Spell or an Illusion Spell; it looked like an ancient and exquisite "Gate Seal."

He had only seen similar records in the ancient magic books Mr. Claude had given him.

"Let's go, John, come with me to meet an old friend."

Dumbledore stepped into the cave first, and John followed closely behind.

As they entered, the cave entrance slowly disappeared.

After passing through a dark and narrow passage, the two walked out of the cave and arrived in a valley.

John saw at a glance the black ancient castle standing on the cliff of the valley not far away.

"Although it's not appropriate to say this, John."

"However, welcome to—Nurmengard." ===== CHAPTER 339 =====