Chapter 144: Expected Ambush
Phineas smiled and nodded.
"Exactly. And with this plan, you'll be more confident in capturing one alive. We still haven't located the reformist base camp. That's unacceptable."
The smiles on the wizards' faces disappeared at once. Several of those responsible for interrogations looked visibly uncomfortable.
They knew how seriously Phineas took this mission. Though they normally received generous treatment from the Black family, they had failed to deliver results this time. In their eyes, disappointing Phineas meant failing at their duty entirely.
Although Phineas was technically still a young wizard, the magical world, while claiming to value strength, also respected wealth and lineage—and the Black family held unmatched power in both.
Moreover, Phineas's loyal followers weren't just hired hands. They had been treated with trust and generosity, and they repaid it with sincere loyalty and respect.
Noticing their discomfort, Phineas leaned back in his chair and offered a slight smile.
"That's why I want results this time. Interrogate the vampires who come to attack. Also, collect notes on the ones bitten by werewolves and send them to the research center. I'm curious—what does happen to a vampire infected with lycanthropy?"
"Yes, sir."
"In that case, let's prepare to leave," Phineas said quietly, rising to his feet. Puff, ever at his side, followed immediately. While Lisa and the others had volunteered to escort him, Puff, as a house-elf, was not only responsible for Phineas's daily life but also his defense. Knowing a battle might be coming, she would not be far.
Following Phineas's orders, the wizards transformed into clouds of black mist and surged out of the castle gates, flying south—toward England, and toward the fixed location of the Portkey.
The dark clouds sweeping over Norway brought back chilling memories. Over a decade ago, the Death Eaters had swept across parts of Europe in similar fashion. While most of their terror had been focused on the United Kingdom, France and Norway had seen their share as well.
Now, as the black mist soared overhead, older wizards began to murmur: Had the Death Eaters returned? Had the Dark Lord somehow survived?
The Norwegian Ministry of Magic reacted immediately, contacting the British Ministry to clarify the situation. Since the Dark Lord had originated from Britain, any signs of his return would most likely be known there first.
Not far from the forest where Phineas's group had fought, in the snowy mountains of Scandinavia, Igor Karkaroff, Headmaster of Durmstrang, stood frozen in his office, staring out the window at the sky darkened by magical mist.
His right hand trembled as it pressed against the wrist of his left—where a mark once burned fiercely. Now, it was cold and dormant.
And yet, the sky told a different story.
Unless he had returned, Karkaroff's former comrades would never reveal themselves so openly.
But then, why wasn't the mark reacting? Had the Dark Lord discovered his betrayal? Had he already ordered Karkaroff's capture or execution?
Regardless of the answer, Karkaroff felt certain: if the Dark Lord had returned, he would be a dead man.
There was only one place he believed might protect him—Hogwarts. He would pack immediately and flee to Dumbledore, hoping the old Headmaster would grant asylum to a marked man who had turned witness.
He was not alone. Panic was spreading fast. The Norwegian Ministry had no way to contain the rumors—nor had they tried. After all, the spells being used by Phineas's group were undeniably the same as those once favored by the Dark Lord.
Throughout Europe, whispers grew into shouts: the Dark Lord had returned.
Meanwhile, Phineas knew nothing of the panic. And even if he had, he would've simply smiled. The return of the Dark Lord was inevitable. Even though Phineas had promised Dumbledore to reveal a Horcrux location each year, he knew the Dark Lord would rise again long before they were all found.
In fact, this time, Phineas had deliberately ordered his wizards to use those signature flying spells—without hiding themselves.
He wanted the vampires to know they were coming.
He wanted them to try and strike back.
This was a trap, baited with himself and his people.
Phineas was gambling that the reformist vampires wouldn't risk attacking with full force, not while the conservative faction—Jonathan's side—might take the chance to strike them from behind.
And so, he laid the bait.
But it seemed the vampires were more cautious than expected. Even with such an obvious target flying in broad daylight, they didn't dare strike.
Eventually, Phineas and his group arrived at the Portkey site.
As soon as they touched down, a shimmering semicircular barrier rose up around them—powerful forbidden magic, designed to block Apparition and Portkey travel.
Phineas suspected it might even block flight magic.
Sure enough, the vampires hadn't let the insult go unanswered. They hadn't attacked along the route because they had chosen to ambush the Portkey location instead.