Chapter 258: Horfa

"You've definitely thought of some terrible idea—terrible indeed," Lupin said. "I don't recommend it."

"I think it's not bad at all—mainly because I've got four organizations to meet with, east and west," Sirius extended his fingers one by one. "The Death Eaters, the Order of the Phoenix, my own gang, and Lupin's Gilneas."

"But what do you even discuss at these meetings?" Harry asked curiously.

"The Death Eaters last gathered and had a big argument—they all seem lost," Sirius summarized. "The Order had a fight too. Moody and Doge insisted we must destroy every Horcrux, but Snape and some of the younger faction believe we should prioritize taking down the Death Eaters."

"Even if we destroy the Horcruxes, the Death Eaters can still keep causing harm," Harry offered his opinion. "But conversely, even if we eliminate most of the Death Eaters, if just one escapes and secretly revives Voldemort, his destructive power alone outweighs everyone else's."

"Good grief, Harry, you've been to the Ministry and learned how to play both sides," Sirius couldn't help laughing.

"So you need to weigh both sides' decisions, figure out your own position, convey it to your gang members, and then ask Gilneas to cooperate—is that right?" Harry summarized.

"No, we discuss economic development, infrastructure, and public welfare," Lupin said. "Bigfoot's just here for the free meals."

"What I mean is, I think Harry could give me some good advice," Sirius said. "I lack a proper advisor—I'm not saying Moonface isn't adequate, but I want someone who knows the truth, can be trusted, and has time to help me plan properly."

"But I don't even know anything! Oh, so…" Harry's eyes widened in shock. "You plan to take me to the Death Eaters' meeting? Aren't you afraid I'll get hit with a dozen curses the moment I walk in?"

"One option is to tell them you're Harry, and that you alone know where the painting is hidden," Sirius mused. "But then, it's certainly not safe."

"Another option is to say you're my successor—but that might draw too much attention, and you might not even get into the main chamber…" Sirius mused.

"You could simply say he's the mysterious seventh Horcrux holder, Voldemort's childhood friend from the orphanage, a casual move the Dark Lord made amid his busy schedule," Lupin offered a highly feasible suggestion, then immediately clapped a hand over his mouth in regret.

"Perfect—I love how you say something's terrible one moment and then help devise it the next," Sirius laughed, slapping his thigh, then grew serious. "Most importantly, the Death Eaters all consider themselves nobility—even when they argued fiercely last time, none cast curses on each other. I believe your safety is guaranteed, and we can add an extra layer of protection."

"You'll need to drink the Polyjuice Potion," he said.

Harry hesitated. He was, of course, curious about the Death Eaters' meeting—in fact, since the first time he'd slipped on his Invisibility Cloak to eavesdrop on Malfoy's self-investigation, he'd grown fond of the feeling.

"Alright, but I need to call Ivy, so she doesn't worry."

"I'll move the TARDIS to the barn and hide it," Tonks brushed bread crumbs off her hands.

"I'll find a kind middle-aged man," Lupin sighed. "Try to make the Polyjuice Potion taste better."

Before departure, Sirius brought a bottle of brownish liquid. Harry took a sip—it tasted vaguely like coffee, bitter yet with a faint aroma. Perhaps this was the taste of kindness, he thought without reason.

In the mirror appeared a weathered face, eyelids lowered, lips slightly curled, half-gray stubble and wrinkles around the eyes revealing age. Perhaps because the hair came from a werewolf, Harry easily summoned a cruel, menacing expression.

"Remember, your name is Horfa Bach, Voldemort's childhood companion from the orphanage, who's lived in continental Europe ever since," Sirius laid out the backstory. "You understand, like Dumbledore and Doge."

"Doge?"

"Ephraim Doge—Dumbledore's childhood friend. Though his abilities couldn't aid Dumbledore, he was the most loyal and trustworthy, and now one of the Order's elder members," Sirius said. "I checked the orphanage records and found only this one missing name. Now you are him."

"So I'm supposed to have taken over the duty of guarding the Horcruxes after graduation, lived in hiding in France ever since, and only returned now to gather the Horcruxes and revive Voldemort?" Harry helped flesh out the story.

"Excellent—I almost believe it myself. That's settled," Sirius said. "Get ready. We're leaving."

They didn't Apparate directly to the meeting site. Instead, they first went to Sirius's office in Northern Ireland, then used its fireplace to travel to Malfoy Manor.

"After you return, your first thought is to visit the orphanage to find a contact—and you find the person I placed there. Then you stay here with me until Voldemort is successfully revived," Sirius carefully refined the details. "So you'll come with me."

"Understood." Harry pulled up the hood of his black robe and stepped into the fireplace.

As flames surged, Harry blinked and found himself in Malfoy Manor. The décor leaned heavily medieval; Malfoy had drawn the curtains, leaving the room cold and dim, unlike Tang Dun's bright halls.

"Welcome, Regulus," a voice beside him said. "Who's behind you?"

Sirius didn't even glance at him—he walked straight past.

Harry noticed that the receptionist was a larger version of Goyle, who offered a friendly smile, then immediately strode after Sirius. The big Goyle made no move to stop him.

Sirius smoothly pushed open the meeting hall's door, pulled out a chair, and sat down elegantly. Harry noticed two or three people already seated at the table.

"Sit anywhere, Horfa," he said.

"Friend, forgive my ignorance—would you mind introducing yourself?" Lucius said slowly.

"Hello, I'm Horfa Bach, holder of the seventh Horcrux," Harry said flatly.

"Oh? But according to our current information, there should be only six Horcruxes," Lucius stared at him intently.

"You're mistaken," Harry said confidently. According to the backstory, he was the one who knew Voldemort best—just as Ron knew Harry. "Tom told me at graduation that he planned to make seven Horcruxes."

"Don't you dare say that name!" Bellatrix suddenly shrieked. "Only I may call him Tom—only I!"

Harry frowned. In his imagination, Horfa had lived peacefully in France, far from conflict—he shouldn't start a fight over this. So he said: "I don't know why you think that, but I've followed Tom since childhood. I was right beside him when he chose the name Voldemort."

"You don't get to call him that either!" Bellatrix protested. "You must refer to him only as the Dark Lord—nothing else!"

"Shut up, you shrew," Harry slammed his hand on the table. He felt he needed to be firm. "Now I see—you're all just power-hungry. No one truly wants to revive Tom."

"He told me to come to France only in the most desperate circumstances," Harry added to his backstory, feigning anger. "Now it's clear these are those circumstances. I'm here solely to revive him—I have no interest in your petty power games!"

"Horfa is the purest Death Eater," Sirius interjected, playing along. "He doesn't care about blood purity or noble clans—he's loyal only to the Dark Lord himself."

"I'm here for three things: collect the Horcruxes, destroy the painting, revive Tom," Harry emphasized collecting the Horcruxes. "Then I return to Annecy."

"By the way, do you really believe that theory?" Antonin sneered, revealing yellow teeth. "Can gathering the Horcruxes truly revive the Dark Lord?"

"Less talk," Sirius coldly glared at him. "The Dark Lord doesn't trust you—he wouldn't give you even one Horcrux."

"Based on my investigations, Horcruxes don't revive—they ensure the main soul's immortality. In that case, more Horcruxes are better, and the more hidden, the better," Lucius spoke up. "But now, the Dark Lord's main soul isn't destroyed—only sealed inside the painting. The downside of scattered Horcruxes becomes clear. I believe Bellatrix, you've secretly tried the revival ritual already—and it didn't work, correct?"

Bellatrix's face turned grim.

"Everyone's heard Grindelwald's suggestion: gather the Horcruxes and destroy the painting to revive the Dark Lord," Lucius continued. "Perhaps he meant destroying the painting destroys the main soul, then combining the scattered Horcruxes to form a new main soul."

Sirius and Harry nodded in deep agreement. They only wanted to gather the Horcruxes—not revive the Dark Lord.

"Perhaps there are other methods—but Grindelwald suggested destroying the painting only to use us to avenge Dumbledore," Lucius said, his gaze sweeping over everyone. "If we use another method, we face one unavoidable question: who will revive the Dark Lord?"

"I believe this is a sensitive issue no one wishes to discuss. So let's follow Grindelwald's suggestion," Lucius concluded calmly.