Chapter 277

Krystel's emotional intelligence wasn't as low as Harry had expected; after an awkward silence, he spoke again: "By the way, the Tornadoes played pretty well last season."

【1】 Krystel's emotional intelligence wasn't as low as Harry had expected; after an awkward silence, he spoke again: "By the way, the Tornadoes played pretty well last season."

"They won the championship, right?" Ablafis chimed in, but his tone was stiff.

【2】 "They won the championship, right?" Ablafis chimed in, but his tone was stiff.

When the conversation turned to Quidditch, Harry nudged Ron, signaling that he could prepare to leave.

【3】 When the conversation turned to Quidditch, Harry nudged Ron, signaling that he could prepare to leave.

After walking a short distance, they found the exit of the tunnel blocked by a thin wooden panel. Harry poked at it, and instinct told him it was probably a painting.

【4】 After walking a short distance, they found the exit of the tunnel blocked by a thin wooden panel. Harry poked at it, and instinct told him it was probably a painting.

He then cast a Levitation Charm to slowly move it aside and emerged from the tunnel. It appeared to be the back room of the Hog's Head; the tunnel ran just behind the kitchen wall, which explained why they'd been able to hear everything so clearly.

【5】 He then cast a Levitation Charm to slowly move it aside and emerged from the tunnel. It appeared to be the back room of the Hog's Head; the tunnel ran just behind the kitchen wall, which explained why they'd been able to hear everything so clearly.

"What was that noise?" Ablafis walked over, then stared in shock, "Harry?"

【6】 "What was that noise?" Ablafis walked over, then stared in shock, "Harry?"

"What?" Krystel rounded the corner, "How did you get here?"

【7】 "What?" Krystel rounded the corner, "How did you get here?"

"We found a room at Hogwarts suitable for the Dumbledore's Army to meet—it happened to have a secret passage," Harry said. "The passage leads right here."

【8】 "We found a room at Hogwarts suitable for the Dumbledore's Army to meet—it happened to have a secret passage," Harry said. "The passage leads right here."

"That sounds a bit too convenient," Krystel said skeptically.

【9】 "That sounds a bit too convenient," Krystel said skeptically.

"I don't have any secret passages here," Ablafis said. "Unless you've discovered one of Hogwarts' secrets."

【10】 "I don't have any secret passages here," Ablafis said. "Unless you've discovered one of Hogwarts' secrets."

"What secret?" Ron asked, surprised.

【11】 "What secret?" Ron asked, surprised.

"Sometimes it generates passages on its own—if you entered that room," Ablafis said pointedly, revealing his deep familiarity with the Room of Requirement.

【12】 "Sometimes it generates passages on its own—if you entered that room," Ablafis said pointedly, revealing his deep familiarity with the Room of Requirement.

"Yes, we do plan to use it as the Dumbledore's Army's meeting place," Harry nodded. "That means Mr. Lyndenwan can now join us much more conveniently."

【13】 "Yes, we do plan to use it as the Dumbledore's Army's meeting place," Harry nodded. "That means Mr. Lyndenwan can now join us much more conveniently."

"Great, I'm fine with that," Krystel said. "And just call me Krystel."

【14】 "Great, I'm fine with that," Krystel said. "And just call me Krystel."

The two men, who had just killed the conversation, now found themselves speechless in front of Harry and Ron. After a brief silence, Ablafis offered to treat them to dinner.

【15】 The two men, who had just killed the conversation, now found themselves speechless in front of Harry and Ron. After a brief silence, Ablafis offered to treat them to dinner.

Harry had little faith in the food here; he made plans with Krystel to hold their first meeting next Saturday, then returned to school through the tunnel.

【16】 Harry had little faith in the food here; he made plans with Krystel to hold their first meeting next Saturday, then returned to school through the tunnel.

After leaving the Room of Requirement, Ron asked, "So, who are you planning to invite to the Dumbledore's Army? I remember some Hufflepuffs always bring it up."

【17】 After leaving the Room of Requirement, Ron asked, "So, who are you planning to invite to the Dumbledore's Army? I remember some Hufflepuffs always bring it up."

"Hufflepuff's dueling club is called the Defense Association—they just use 'Dumbledore's Army' as a nickname, not an official name—though I suspect the Daily Prophet got the idea from them," Harry explained. "What we're doing now is forming a real Dumbledore's Army, so the members must be truly capable, trustworthy, or at least appear to be."

【18】 "Hufflepuff's dueling club is called the Defense Association—they just use 'Dumbledore's Army' as a nickname, not an official name—though I suspect the Daily Prophet got the idea from them," Harry explained. "What we're doing now is forming a real Dumbledore's Army, so the members must be truly capable, trustworthy, or at least appear to be."

"The dueling clubs provide a solid foundation—I think we can link them together," Harry continued. "We can pick a few outstanding members from each house's club who are willing to fight for justice and invite them to join the Dumbledore's Army. For example, Ravenclaw's Guardians have seven members—why not start by inviting seven from each house for our first gathering?"

【19】 "The dueling clubs provide a solid foundation—I think we can link them together," Harry continued. "We can pick a few outstanding members from each house's club who are willing to fight for justice and invite them to join the Dumbledore's Army. For example, Ravenclaw's Guardians have seven members—why not start by inviting seven from each house for our first gathering?"

"I can already picture it," Ron sneered. "Gryffindors will fight over the spots, but Malfoy's going to be desperate—where's he going to find seven decent people?"

【20】 "I can already picture it," Ron sneered. "Gryffindors will fight over the spots, but Malfoy's going to be desperate—where's he going to find seven decent people?"

"Fine, let him bring whoever he can, and we'll give the extra spots to Gryffindor," Harry shrugged. "We don't need to rush—we can recruit more later. It'll make the club seem like it's growing and thriving."

【21】 "Fine, let him bring whoever he can, and we'll give the extra spots to Gryffindor," Harry shrugged. "We don't need to rush—we can recruit more later. It'll make the club seem like it's growing and thriving."

Back in the dormitory, Harry easily convinced Neville, who quickly drafted a list: as leader, Harry would be joined by himself and Ron, leaving five spots for Hermione, Colin, Lee Jordan, and the Weasley twins. Though Colin might not be the most skilled, his unwavering loyalty to Harry was invaluable.

【22】 Back in the dormitory, Harry easily convinced Neville, who quickly drafted a list: as leader, Harry would be joined by himself and Ron, leaving five spots for Hermione, Colin, Lee Jordan, and the Weasley twins. Though Colin might not be the most skilled, his unwavering loyalty to Harry was invaluable.

Neville promised to speak to each of them individually during his free time next week, which made Harry feel relieved—Neville had become a steady and reliable ally.

【23】 Neville promised to speak to each of them individually during his free time next week, which made Harry feel relieved—Neville had become a steady and reliable ally.

After dinner, Harry unsurprisingly ran into Cho Chang in the library; everything felt back on track, and Cho agreed to inform others in her house about the Dumbledore's Army. Though the Tiresian Mystics were defunct, former Guardians—excellent students—wouldn't refuse the chance to learn more.

【24】 After dinner, Harry unsurprisingly ran into Cho Chang in the library; everything felt back on track, and Cho agreed to inform others in her house about the Dumbledore's Army. Though the Tiresian Mystics were defunct, former Guardians—excellent students—wouldn't refuse the chance to learn more.

As for Slytherin, aside from Triggs, Harry couldn't think of a single suitable candidate to invite. Unless he changed his approach and brought in insincere aristocrats like Pansy and Malfoy—but that would only mock their Death Eater parents and yield no real benefit.

【25】 As for Slytherin, aside from Triggs, Harry couldn't think of a single suitable candidate to invite. Unless he changed his approach and brought in insincere aristocrats like Pansy and Malfoy—but that would only mock their Death Eater parents and yield no real benefit.

A quiet night slipped away amid endless homework; the next day, Eve came running to tell Harry that Malfoy wanted to keep their weekly Torchwood gatherings at seven p. . on Sundays. Harry had no objection, but before meeting young Malfoy, he needed to see his Death Eater father at one p. .

【26】 A quiet night slipped away amid endless homework; the next day, Eve came running to tell Harry that Malfoy wanted to keep their weekly Torchwood gatherings at seven p. . on Sundays. Harry had no objection, but before meeting young Malfoy, he needed to see his Death Eater father at one p. .

At eleven a. ., Sirius met Harry at the Leaky Cauldron and took him to Gilmere.

【27】 At eleven a. ., Sirius met Harry at the Leaky Cauldron and took him to Gilmere.

"Oh, Tonks, have you been here all this time? You haven't attended any Order meetings?" As they entered the back room, Harry spotted a witch with pink hair, then remembered that although Tonks was part of the Order, she'd never shown up to a single meeting.

【28】 "Oh, Tonks, have you been here all this time? You haven't attended any Order meetings?" As they entered the back room, Harry spotted a witch with pink hair, then remembered that although Tonks was part of the Order, she'd never shown up to a single meeting.

"I've been studying temporal theories—they're incredibly complex," Tonks looked worn out. "But honestly, the Order hasn't been doing anything anyway—just recycling the same empty talk over and over."

【29】 "I've been studying temporal theories—they're incredibly complex," Tonks looked worn out. "But honestly, the Order hasn't been doing anything anyway—just recycling the same empty talk over and over."

"Let's eat first, then we'll figure out what 'Hoffa' has been up to," Sirius said. "Do you think he should propose something new, or just sit back and listen?"

【30】 "Let's eat first, then we'll figure out what 'Hoffa' has been up to," Sirius said. "Do you think he should propose something new, or just sit back and listen?"

"I think it's a great opportunity to test him," Lupin suggested. "If Lucius has been hiding the diary, pretend you've made progress in your investigation and see if he tries to recruit you."

【31】 "I think it's a great opportunity to test him," Lupin suggested. "If Lucius has been hiding the diary, pretend you've made progress in your investigation and see if he tries to recruit you."

"More importantly, we need to quietly find out where they've hidden their Horcruxes," Sirius said. "The Order hasn't made progress, but their approach is sound."

【32】 "More importantly, we need to quietly find out where they've hidden their Horcruxes," Sirius said. "The Order hasn't made progress, but their approach is sound."

"How should I phrase it?" Harry pondered, as Lupin brought in a plate of fragrant fried meatballs, instantly catching his attention.

【33】 "How should I phrase it?" Harry pondered, as Lupin brought in a plate of fragrant fried meatballs, instantly catching his attention.

"Say you're investigating the 'last Horcrux' Malfoy mentioned," Sirius advised. "Then tell him you found the cave."

【34】 "Say you're investigating the 'last Horcrux' Malfoy mentioned," Sirius advised. "Then tell him you found the cave."

"But finding the cave won't help," Harry said, puzzled. "The locket's already in your possession."

【35】 "But finding the cave won't help," Harry said, puzzled. "The locket's already in your possession."

"True, but Lucius doesn't know that," Sirius said. "Meanwhile, we propose to the Order that we use the cave as bait to trap Hoffa. When Lucius goes there, the people sent to capture Hoffa can catch him instead."

【36】 "True, but Lucius doesn't know that," Sirius said. "Meanwhile, we propose to the Order that we use the cave as bait to trap Hoffa. When Lucius goes there, the people sent to capture Hoffa can catch him instead."

"I think it's more likely Bellatrix will go there," Lupin added, bringing another dish of baked cheese vegetables. "But if we use this trick, we must capture Bellatrix and not let her escape."

【37】 "I think it's more likely Bellatrix will go there," Lupin added, bringing another dish of baked cheese vegetables. "But if we use this trick, we must capture Bellatrix and not let her escape."

"Then Lucius will become suspicious, and Bellatrix won't leave without backup," Tonks interjected.

【38】 "Then Lucius will become suspicious, and Bellatrix won't leave without backup," Tonks interjected.

"So verbal probing is still the best approach—but the more we say, the more we reveal," Sirius concluded. "First, say as little as possible and wait for Lucius to slip up."

【39】 "So verbal probing is still the best approach—but the more we say, the more we reveal," Sirius concluded. "First, say as little as possible and wait for Lucius to slip up."

With the final dish of spinach pie served, they dropped the stressful topics and began sharing amusing stories about Albania.

【40】 With the final dish of spinach pie served, they dropped the stressful topics and began sharing amusing stories about Albania.

"The Minister of Magic here is very friendly toward Gilmere—he recently passed a new agricultural aid bill and seems interested in including our cannery in government procurement," Lupin said cheerfully. "But we need our own brand."

【41】 "The Minister of Magic here is very friendly toward Gilmere—he recently passed a new agricultural aid bill and seems interested in including our cannery in government procurement," Lupin said cheerfully. "But we need our own brand."

"So you didn't have one before?"

【42】 "So you didn't have one before?"

"No, we've been doing contract work for Prince's," Sirius said. "Having our own brand could bring more profit, but high returns always come with high risks."

【43】 "No, we've been doing contract work for Prince's," Sirius said. "Having our own brand could bring more profit, but high returns always come with high risks."

"The risk is our products might not sell—but it's fine, because with government orders from Albania, things become much easier," Lupin smiled.

【44】 "The risk is our products might not sell—but it's fine, because with government orders from Albania, things become much easier," Lupin smiled.

"But," Harry blinked, "that means you'll be at their mercy."

【45】 "But," Harry blinked, "that means you'll be at their mercy."

"So what? We can always go back to working for Prince's," Sirius shrugged. "Come on, Harry, help us pick a good name—do you think 'Wolfsbane' sounds better, or 'Moonshadow'?"

【46】 "So what? We can always go back to working for Prince's," Sirius shrugged. "Come on, Harry, help us pick a good name—do you think 'Wolfsbane' sounds better, or 'Moonshadow'?"

"I vote for Wolfsbane," Harry said.

【47】 "I vote for Wolfsbane," Harry said.

"I agree, that's better," Lupin nodded. "The only problem is we need more staff—even if we put every werewolf to work, we might still fall short."

【48】 "I agree, that's better," Lupin nodded. "The only problem is we need more staff—even if we put every werewolf to work, we might still fall short."

"Is there really that much demand for canned goods?" Harry asked, surprised—he'd always thought of them as occasional food.

【49】 "Is there really that much demand for canned goods?" Harry asked, surprised—he'd always thought of them as occasional food.

"Yes, because our orders aren't just from the Ministry," Lupin said. "Their Muggle government wants to buy our canned goods too."

【50】 "Yes, because our orders aren't just from the Ministry," Lupin said. "Their Muggle government wants to buy our canned goods too."

"What? Does that mean the ties between the two worlds' leadership are tighter than we thought?" Harry paused, stunned.

【51】 "What? Does that mean the ties between the two worlds' leadership are tighter than we thought?" Harry paused, stunned.

"To put it simply, Ramiz Aliya is both the Minister of Magic and the leader of the Muggle government," Tonks added. "Since Yanayev pioneered this model, many countries have adopted the one-leader-two-worlds approach."

【52】 "To put it simply, Ramiz Aliya is both the Minister of Magic and the leader of the Muggle government," Tonks added. "Since Yanayev pioneered this model, many countries have adopted the one-leader-two-worlds approach."