Chapter 363: Draco's Full Confession

John was seized by Snape; his friends could only watch helplessly in the direction where the black mist dissipated.

Hermione's nails dug deep into her palms, blood beads seeping out between her fingers, yet she felt no pain.

She did not break down, but her mind was now filled with concern for John's safety.

If anything happened to John, how would she explain it to his parents?

And how would she face herself......

Voldemort, across the broken bridge, gazed at them from afar.

He even idly played with John's wand.

"What an exquisite wand~"

"It's a pity its owner has no chance to hold it again."

Harry gritted his teeth staring at Voldemort, eager to clash with him, but knew he currently lacked the strength.

They even needed the protection of the castle's defensive spell array to dare confront Voldemort across the broken bridge.

Voldemort also knew it was not wise to launch a full assault now; Hogwarts' defensive spells were not so easily broken.

Thus he did not engage Harry and the others in battle.

Yet this did not prevent him from enjoying their expressions of helpless fury.

Voldemort let out a wild laugh; before the laughter faded, he suddenly raised his hand and flung John's wand high into the air.

Then Voldemort waved his own wand, a scarlet spell slicing precisely toward John's wand.

Just as the spell was about to hit.

"The wand is flying!"

Titus suddenly waved his wand, shouting at John's wand hovering in midair.

Instantly, John's wand in midair abruptly changed trajectory, shooting straight toward Titus.

Voldemort's spell missed at once.

He narrowed his eyes toward the other side of the broken bridge, at the little chubby daredevil who dared to interrupt him.

Titus steadied his grip and caught John's wand.

Then, without showing weakness, he locked eyes with Voldemort's scarlet gaze.

"John won't go down that easily!"

"Headmaster Dumbledore will surely defeat you and then go rescue John!"

Titus clenched John's wand tightly and shouted loudly at Voldemort.

Ryan and Ethan also stood on Titus's flanks, likewise staring at Voldemort.

Although their wands trembled slightly, their eyes showed not a hint of retreat.

Voldemort swept a cold glance over them, though he didn't regard these brats as worth his attention.

Yet their fearless chatter about bonds and friendship, their foolish talk, greatly annoyed him.

It seemed his painstakingly built reign of terror was nothing but a joke to them.

It was also because they took the lead that Harry and the others finally snapped out of it.

They stood beside them, wands raised in unison.

"That's right, Voldemort!"

"We will surely defeat you and rescue John!"

Seeing their united front, Voldemort grew increasingly irritable.

His original good mood was completely scattered by this bunch of reckless kids.

Boom!!

At that moment, not far off, the battle between Dumbledore and Grindelwald seemed to have finally entered a white-hot phase.

Voldemort knew his moment to enter the fray had arrived.

He thus ceased paying attention to these ignorant brats and darted straight toward that side.

"Let off fireworks to alert the headmaster, to prevent him from being ambushed by Voldemort."

Harry immediately drew his wand and fired a dozen or so scarlet firework spells into the sky.

Then a green light flashed; the next second, a Dark Mark suddenly appeared in the sky.

Everyone froze, turning their heads to look at Draco, who had just broken free of his bonds.

It was likely because Professor Snape had left the scene, causing the binding on Draco to vanish.

Draco also noticed everyone's gaze and, as a matter of course, said:

"What are you looking at me for? You just set off fireworks; who knows Voldemort would show up? Of course you have to launch the Dark Mark."

Harry was momentarily startled, but immediately raised his wand, intending to rebind Draco.

However, at that moment Titus suddenly spoke.

"Wait wait wait."

Titus quickly moved to stop Harry's action.

Harry, though puzzled, still halted.

Titus then grabbed Draco and pulled him over, bringing Harry and the others along as well.

They continued until they reached the broken bridge before stopping; this spot was farthest from the onlooking students, allowing for a private conversation.

"Draco, come clean—was Grindelwald here to wreck the place or just to put on a show?"

As soon as Titus spoke, everyone fell silent.

Draco raised an eyebrow, not expecting this little chubby guy to be so perceptive.

Titus dared to speak up not only because he couldn't stand Voldemort's arrogance, but also because he had actually noticed some oddities.

Although he didn't know what Dumbledore and the others were really plotting, his intuition told him.

Grindelwald should not be a true villain.

Because the Malfoy family is still living in their house, and the Malfoy family is now clearly vassals of Grindelwald.

Such a subtle relationship is certainly not the posture that opposing sides should have.

Moreover, John's attitude toward Grindelwald had been indifferent these past days, and the letter from home also told him to relax first.

So he seriously doubts the true positions of Grindelwald and Draco.

Then if they are really our own people, putting on such a play must definitely have a purpose and preparation.

As for whether John's capture was part of the plan, he really isn't clear.

Facing Titus's questioning, this time Draco did not choose to continue concealing, but instead looked left and right, confirmed safety, and then slowly spoke.

"Actually I don't know Lord Grindelwald's plan either, but he is indeed putting on a show."

"I merely followed his instructions to lay the groundwork for his stage appearance."

Hearing his words, Harry and the others immediately showed surprise again; did Titus really hit the mark?

Moreover, Draco's long-standing odd behavior was all an act?

Then what is the purpose of the act?

It is on the tip of one's tongue.

Harry blurted it out immediately.

"Are you trying to lure Voldemort out?"

Draco nodded, then turned to look at Hermione, who was dazed but still forcing herself to stay alert, and continued speaking.

"Not only that, you don't need to worry about John either."

"Professor Snape is one of us; although I don't know their purpose, John should be fine."

Draco also revealed all the information he knew.

Because by now, it seems there's no need to conceal anything anymore.

Upon hearing this, Hermione's dazed eyes instantly lit up, and she fixed her gaze on Draco.

"Is that really true?!" Hermione asked immediately.

"Well, Professor Snape is actually a double agent; Voldemort thinks he's a spy among the Death Eaters, but in fact he has long since pledged allegiance to Dumbledore."

"Most of our intelligence on the Death Eaters actually comes from Professor Snape."

"They probably have some plan this time, but I'm not entirely sure either."

Hermione also finally came to her senses.

Just now, when Voldemort intended to execute John on the spot, it was indeed Professor Snape who stopped Voldemort.

That is to say, John is still safe for now.

After reaching this conclusion, the nerves that had been taut since just now suddenly relaxed, Hermione's legs went weak, and she almost collapsed to the ground.

Fortunately, Harry beside her timely held her up.

"Don't let up, Hermione." Harry steadied her shoulders and said seriously.

"We still don't know the exact situation, but Voldemort's threat remains imminent."

Hermione took a deep breath and nodded.

With this good news, everyone's morale was also lifted.

At this time, the Auror and professors stationed at Hogwarts also finally worked out a result.

They have been present from Grindelwald's appearance to Voldemort's appearance.

However, neither Grindelwald nor Voldemort are beings they can easily shake.

With Dumbledore holding the front line, their task is to guard Hogwarts against Death Eater intrusions while also seeking external support.

As for the battlefield where Dumbledore is, they simply cannot intervene.