Chapter 293

As the activities of Deng Buliduo's Army were drawing to a close, Harry called out to Zhang Qiu. His original intention was to find a place to talk to her more about Tang Tang Nade, but seeing that most people had already left, the two exchanged a glance and decided it would be better to just talk right there.

After bidding farewell to all the students and watching Kelaiste disappear into the secret passage, Harry glanced around and then whispered, "You noticed that Kelaiste might be in league with Tang Tang Nade, right?"

"I can only say that's a guess. Most importantly, I don't really understand what use the White House has in sending someone to this place."

"They have a partnership with the Ministry of Magic; perhaps they are preparing to cultivate me and Deng Buliduo's Army into a new deterrent," Harry said, rubbing his chin.

"A deterrent?" Zhang Qiu paused for a moment. "A wizarding deterrent, similar to nuclear deterrence? That's a very novel way of putting it."

"Haven't you heard of it?" This time it was Harry's turn to be surprised. "Your Master is so powerful, I thought you would have understood this long ago."

"Maybe it's because I'm used to it that I've turned a blind eye," Zhang Qiu shrugged. "But do you really think you can become that new deterrent? Or is it just that you want to rely on the Ministry of Magic's propaganda to scare others?"

"I think the latter makes up the majority," Harry nodded honestly.

"But that is the problem. If the Ministry of Magic knows you are bluffing, then the Soviets will likely know too—everyone knows the Ministry of Magic is as riddled with leaks as a sieve." Zhang Qiu sighed. "So, no one knows what Kelaiste's real purpose for coming here is."

"Can I ask Tang Tang Nade?" Harry kicked his toes in embarrassment. "I just feel that, didn't he help me all last year? He should be able to... you know."

"I asked around last time; after Iron Man succeeded, he bought all the rights to Marvel and is filming movies in full swing," Zhang Qiu said helplessly. "He's almost forgotten about the Wizarding World. I don't know if Hermione is still in contact with him."

"It's shameful to say," Harry sighed. "Every time I think of Hermione, it seems I'm planning to use her."

"It's okay, I'll talk to her," Zhang Qiu raised an eyebrow. "If Tang Tang Nade thinks he has already gotten a handle on Hermione, he is very wrong. I just need to invite her to take a photo at Cassandra's place—of course, at this stage, just taking a photo."

"That counts as a threat, right!" Harry couldn't help but feel a little scared.

"It's just a warning," Zhang Qiu said nonchalantly. "He needs to know that since he chose to enter the game, it's not that easy to quit."

Half an hour later, he returned to the common room. Luo En and Neville were sitting in the best spots in front of the fireplace, and almost everyone else had gone to bed. Luo En was writing something very, very long; Harry felt he was mostly likely writing a letter—his essays never exceeded twelve inches.

"Are you alright?" Neville kept stirring a cup of milk with a teaspoon. "We noticed Zhang Qiu stopped you."

"Ah, what could be wrong with that?" Harry shrugged. "It's not like Filch stopped me."

"Did you kiss?" Luo En stopped his pen and asked curiously.

"Why would we—" Harry felt both surprised and amused. "We were discussing the international situation."

"Right, discussing the international situation," Neville gave a knowing smile.

Harry didn't respond, so Neville's smile gradually changed. "Are you really discussing the international situation?"

"Yes, this time the Death Eaters' rumor-mongering has the shadow of the White House behind it. I'm considering whether we should find a way to pull the White House back to our side, or simply cast them aside and find a more reliable ally," Harry said seriously. "What do you think?"

"Then the more reliable ally you mentioned, does that refer to the Chinese?" Neville said dryly.

"Otherwise, why would I talk to Zhang Qiu?" Harry had never felt Neville was so dense.

After a brief silence, Harry turned to Luo En again. "What are you writing?"

"Writing a reply to Ailina," Luo En's tone was a bit guilty.

"That's right. Did she mention that, the Destiny Organization?" Harry sat naturally on the armchair next to him. "It's certain that Tang Tang Nade is one of the few in the Magical Congress who stands on our side. Ailina's actions can largely reflect his layout and plans."

Neville picked up the parchment that had already fallen to the floor and took a quick look.

"If the students of Ilvermorny can provide us with some support, even if it's just vocal support..."

"They chatted about a bunch of trivial matters," Neville said.

Harry felt listless. He sat silently, resting his chin on his hand, watching Luo En's pen move slower and slower until he put it down and sighed.

"You're pushing yourself too hard, mate," Luo En said. "The Order of the Phoenix and the Death Eaters are not everything in life."

"Of course, there's still homework," Harry took out his Transfiguration essay with a pessimistic expression.

"I think Luo En means you should pay more attention to the girls around you," Neville suggested objectively. "If you haven't kissed Zhang Qiu yet, you could try."

Harry scratched his head. He certainly liked Zhang Qiu, but in the scenes he imagined of them together, they should be pointing out the direction of the country together, confidently laying out plans to stir up the world's situation, not kissing or hugging.

They sat in silence for another twenty minutes. Harry quickly finished his Transfiguration homework, Luo En also finished his letter, and after Neville stirred his cup for a while, he finished his milk and went back to sleep.

"He made a bet with me," Luo En said as he went upstairs with Harry. "He said you two would definitely kiss tonight."

"Sigh," Harry pondered. "Perhaps she would be willing, but you know, the situation is too complicated. Neither of us is in the mood for kissing, or rather, we haven't even thought in that direction at all."

"But you've been at it since the first year—" Luo En said with some disappointment. "If I had known, I would have bet you wouldn't kiss, then I could have won a Sickle from Neville."

"What makes her feel puzzled is that she thinks Kelaiste should be working for the Magical Congress, but Deng Buliduo's Army clearly has nothing worth paying attention to; it's just a bunch of rabble bluffing," Harry shook his head. "I've been thinking about this."

"Wait, I don't quite understand. You said the Magical Congress sent Kelaiste to Deng Buliduo's Army, but the White House is helping the Death Eaters spread rumors. Aren't they the same thing?" Luo En said confusedly. "And Tang Tang Nade, who is he helping?"

"Strictly speaking, the White House and the Magical Congress are not the same thing, but for us, they can be treated as one," Harry suddenly had an idea. "Tang Tang Nade and Kelaiste might also be treated as one. Their situation in the Magical Congress is not very good at the moment; we need mutual benefit..."

Before going to sleep, Harry thought of a way, or rather, things were interconnected. If Pan Xi, with the support of Deng Buliduo's Army and Torchwood, humiliated Lucius severely, then this heavy blow from the student body toward the Death Eaters would also simultaneously land on that annoying William. The Magical Congress would easily notice: William, who relied on major noble families and used every trick in the book, actually lost to Kelaiste, who was just playing house with children. Then it would be only natural for them to reconsider their strategic focus.

And to maximize the effect of this move, besides skillfully guiding the psychology of Pan Xi and Draco, one must also keep a close eye on the movements of the Death Eaters. In other words, Harry could not be absent from the two meetings to be held on Sunday, so he wouldn't have much time to do his homework. And if he couldn't even finish his homework, kissing and such would have to be pushed even further back.

Before participating in the first meeting, Sirius told Harry a piece of information that had been overlooked by people: Credence once had a Maledictus friend, and her name was Nagini.

"The fate of a Maledictus is to eventually turn completely into an animal, but the animals that change this way will be more intelligent and human-like," Sirius said. "And that snake Voldemort used to make a Horcrux, she is also called Nagini."

"You mean, they are the same person?" Harry echoed while checking his attire.

"There is a high possibility, but I can't be sure," Sirius said hesitantly. "I'm considering whether to bring this up at the meeting. The advantage is that I can test the truth of this matter; the disadvantage is that if it's true, it might bring you risks. Because Nagini was originally a human, if the Death Eaters know this, they will naturally start to wonder if living people can also become Horcruxes."

"If you put it that way, I think I probably understand," Harry said thoughtfully. "Voldemort turned Nagini into a Horcrux after he was resurrected; perhaps it was because he wanted to try it out, or verify it. And it was precisely because he succeeded in turning Nagini that he finally understood, or finally believed, that I had also become his Horcrux."

"But he didn't tell the Death Eaters, right?" Sirius breathed a sigh of relief. "To some extent, you and Hofa are equivalent; both are secret trump cards that Voldemort kept for himself, independent of the Death Eater group."

"Then I have a legitimate reason to play Hofa," Harry laughed while drinking the Polyjuice Potion.

"Yes, no one is more qualified than you to play Hofa," Sirius said with a complex tone. "Alright, then we are ready to set off. Let's not mention Nagini's matter for now."

Through the fireplace, "Hofa" and "Regulus" arrived at the main venue located at Malfoy Manor. Then, Harry was surprised to see a new face: it was a middle-aged woman wearing a pink suit, with a stupid bow on top of her head.

"I didn't intend to say anything bad, I just said," Sirius said with a complex expression, "if she were an Animagus, her Animagus form would most likely be a toad."