Chapter 139: Three Americans

Harry stepped out from his hiding place wearing the Invisibility Cloak and quietly ascended the stairs.

Indeed, a small silver-gray cat was pacing back and forth on the eighth-floor corridor; it seemed merely to be strolling, but judging by the outcome, Pei Xu had likely used the cat's form to secretly set a trap.

After leaving paw prints on the stairs, Pei Xu leapt nimbly down the staircase and vanished moments later.

Harry approached and crouched to touch the newly laid trap. The stairs looked no different from usual; the Doctor said this was an intricate magical script array, but Harry felt no trace of magical flow—as if it were merely an ordinary flight of steps.

After all, Pei Xu was from the White House; mastering advanced techniques was only natural. Harry sighed softly and stood up to leave, when suddenly he spotted Fat Lady—he understood: Pei Xu had placed the trap here precisely because it avoided Fat Lady's line of sight.

"Let's go, Doctor," Harry returned to the TARDIS. "We'll go back a little earlier and see what Colin actually captured."

"That was exactly my plan," the Doctor said, watching the control panel. "Because Neville also chose to return here."

"Yes, I discussed Colin's case with him," Harry recalled his second-year deductions. "We both agreed Colin was attacked because he photographed something."

Amid a screeching brake sound, Harry slipped out from the broom cupboard in the locker room. He could hear the roaring crowd on the pitch—the match was about to begin.

Harry and the Doctor saw Neville; they knew this was third-year Neville, since second-year Neville had said he hadn't come to watch the match.

The second-year Harry currently racing across the pitch was entirely absorbed in tactics and the game, unaware of Neville in the stands.

The three time travelers sat silently near Colin, observing his movements and the direction of his gaze.

"Perhaps that's what he photographed," the Doctor reminded him.

Harry saw it: not far away, Pei Xu in human form was speaking with someone.

He wore Hufflepuff robes—clever, since Hufflepuffs were the most numerous, and even they couldn't recognize all their own classmates, let alone students from other houses.

The man speaking with Pei Xu was Professor Hopper, who taught Ancient Runes and had greatly aided Harry in his second year. But now it seemed he, too, was likely tied to the White House.

Using the Invisibility Cloak's advantage, Harry crept closer, trying to catch fragments of their conversation.

"Harry's progress is proceeding as planned," Professor Hopper stated calmly. "Donald's appearance has accelerated Dumbledore's timetable. Currently, the Red side still clings to traditional dueling, failing to grasp the present situation."

"The Black side is already ahead," Pei Xu whispered. "They have a plan, but we haven't uncovered what it is. Can we somehow hint to Dumbledore? At the very least, Hogwarts must not be drawn in—if children are sent to the battlefield, the situation will spiral completely out of control."

"Donald actually offered a decent idea," Hopper stroked his chin. "Let's try getting the Chinese to intervene. They're masters at muddling through—if we can confine the war to the Order of the Phoenix and the Death Eaters…"

"But the problem is Yanayev's deployment points aren't here," Pei Xu's tone grew urgent. "On the Black side, we can at most insert one William—he told me Azkaban is full of Soviets."

"That also means they're few in number," Professor Hopper dismissed. "Without commanding Muggles, the Death Eaters can't organize effective offensives. Hogwarts is impregnable."

"I don't think they'll choose to attack Hogwarts," Pei Xu shook his head. "Yanayev's vision is broader. The Death Eaters could just as easily strike the Ministry of Magic—even if they find the Department of Mysteries too difficult, they could target Downing Street or even Buckingham Palace. After all, the Minister is still a cabinet member."

"By the way, have we clarified the Ministry's composition?" Hopper asked, concerned.

"My clearance doesn't allow me to access such files," Pei Xu shook his head.

"Dumbledore is aging far faster than we imagined—he may not last more than one or two years, at most five."

As Hopper spoke, Harry's heart pounded—he thought the revered Professor Dumbledore was near death.

"In five years at most, he won't be able to contain Voldemort," Hopper continued, and Harry exhaled in relief. "We'd better find a way while he still has the strength…"

The Doctor suddenly moved, startling Harry. He turned to see Donald hurrying over.

"Stop talking," Donald said irritably. "Someone might see you."

"What?" Pei Xu tensed.

"Relax—I'm a professor, chatting with a student—what's the harm?" Hopper dismissed.

"Colin just took a photo in this direction," Donald said meaningfully. "And he's Harry's biggest fan—this photo's main subject is almost certainly Harry."

"Which means he'll likely show it to Harry after developing it—and Harry might remember me!" Pei Xu panicked.

"Well, so what?" Hopper asked.

"Whether or not Pei Xu was exposed last year, this jeopardizes your cover," Donald patted his shoulder. "We need to eliminate the evidence before he speaks."

"I don't want to attack a student," Hopper frowned.

"We can fake it as the Chamber of Secrets case—just petrify Colin and burn his camera," Donald paused, then, like a prophet, precisely uttered the conclusion Harry had struggled to reach.

"The monster in the Chamber is a Basilisk—they'll assume Colin saw it through the camera."

"If that's the case, it's barely acceptable," Hopper scratched his head. "I can set up a magical field…"

"It's not entirely bad—we can turn it to our advantage," Pei Xu said. "While the Red side is fixated on the Chamber, we can negotiate further with the Black side, show them an opportunity—an irreplaceable one."

"Yes, lure them into attacking Hogwarts early," Hopper picked up. "Hogwarts is absolutely defensible—even no students will be hurt. The Death Eaters' meager forces can't overcome the school's stone golems."

"It's probably not that simple," Pei Xu shook his head. "Let the higher-ups handle it—I have no better ideas."

Harry watched helplessly as the three parted ways. He had once admired them all—yet now he realized they were all tied to the White House.

The Doctor said nothing, leading Harry toward the TARDIS. In a low thicket, they spotted Neville returning—he'd likely overheard the three Americans' conversation.

"I think I understand now," the Doctor said sadly as soon as they reentered the TARDIS. "This decision was made last year… so the entire plan, the cost it demands, may exceed our imagination."

"What do you mean?" Harry felt a growing unease.

"Next year, we'll lure Voldemort and Dumbledore out of Britain, then defeat him using the Time-Space Array," the Doctor said. "That's the general plan—but clearly, the Death Eaters might turn it to their advantage, striking Hogwarts while Dumbledore is away."

"But isn't that fine? Professor Hopper said the Death Eaters can't even beat stone golems."

"The Death Eaters all attended Hogwarts, Harry," the Doctor said. "They know the school has ancient, powerful protective magics—but once they choose to storm it…"

"Oh," Harry realized, and felt a pang of despair. "That means they're certain of victory."

"Our plan isn't perfect," the Doctor sighed. "But as that child said, it's an irreplaceable opportunity—for us, and for Voldemort alike."

"Then it comes down to who prepares better—and who is more determined," the Doctor stood abruptly. "Come on—Neville in March has already been seen. Now let's see where Neville in April went."

Harry watched the Doctor fiddling with the control lever, gently stroking the small tube Ollivander had given him.

Could this small device truly defeat Voldemort? Last time, it was his mother's sacrifice that defeated him—who would sacrifice this time?

What did the Soviet deployment mean? What were Yanayev's goals? How would the White House turn the tables? These questions tormented Harry—he felt strange, alien elements had been woven into his destiny with Voldemort.

"Can I… hmm?" Harry suddenly realized: during time travel, the Limitation of Inspiration Charm had vanished.

"Superior intellect is humanity's greatest treasure!" He recited the incantation without hesitation.

The Doctor said to lure Voldemort out of Britain—the Soviets had setups on both ends—Cui Ge analyzed the Soviets' desire for influence over Hogwarts—the NATO and EU restrained the Soviets—the British already resented the EU…

Yanayev wanted to ignite a great war in the magical world, using the Statute of Secrecy to carve out a pro-Soviet Britain.

A conclusion leapt into his mind: he would begin dismantling NATO by triggering Britain's exit from the EU.

As Harry was still absorbed in this revelation, the TARDIS braked. Through the large screen on the control panel, he saw without surprise that Neville stood in the bathroom, struggling to hiss at the faucet.