Chapter 66 – End of the Second Year (End of Volume II)
"Was this a wise decision?" Slughorn asked, sitting in the office of Snape while the Headmaster was looking out of the window, watching the full moon high up in the sky.
Their meeting happened right after Conrad had returned, unconscious, and they brought him into the Hospital Wing. Everything was sealed at once because Slughorn used a potion to force down his throat, making him drink it in his delirious state and retell everything that happened to him. Because Conrad's defenses were virtually null at that point, his mind recalled everything he went through, down to the most minute detail. Thanks to his improved bloodline and memory, he painted a much more vivid image than any of the two expected. When they no longer could learn anything new, they made sure he was healed to the best of their abilities and finally left, letting Quincy come in and leave the two to their own.
"It was. We already learned something we didn't know."
Of course, Snape wasn't talking about the Triwizard Tournament. That was already known to the participating countries' leaders since a year ago when it was decided to be brought back. It shook up the wizarding community's elite as since Voldemort took over Britain, his rule was viewed with mixed emotions. Some parts of other wizarding nations supported him, feeling their community needed someone like him. Someone with power, a vivid goal, and someone who isn't afraid to say what so many wizards and witches thought: They are special.
His greatest supporters rose up in the north and eastern parts of the European Continent, while his most significant opposition formed around the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, encompassing most of Central Europe's wizarding communities. Then there were those who remained watchful, refusing to state their stance, still feeling the scars from the era of Gellert Grindelwald. Many of those who openly oppose Voldemort's rule call him the second Grindelwald and accuse the fence-sitters of letting him do whatever he wants in Britain, something that would surely spread further away if not stopped... While others call the opposing voices the ones who want to instigate another bloody conflict.
"If we are not careful, this could turn into a second Global Wizarding War," Slughorn spoke up, breaking the silence, and Snape simply turned away from the window, walking back to his chair.
"Maybe it will. Maybe it is already happened. In the past 40 years, HE has been raising an army that HE used to take control of our world. Now, HE is looking out towards the continent and beyond, building an army from the younger generations. HIS plans are not made for a year... or five years. Or ten. They are made for generations. Sooner or later, HE will focus on expanding his rule over every facet of a wizard's life!"
"Well... I will not see that come to fruition... I am already old!" Slughorn chuckled, sighing a little afterward.
"It is best if nobody sees that, and we end it before it has a chance to bloom. That is why HE is so adamant in getting to Dumbledore!" Snape groaned, rubbing his forehead, "HE may have puppets, spies, and followers in other areas of the continent, but HE doesn't have allies."
"What about Karkaroff? Isn't that what we learned?"
"No, we knew about it for a long time by now. We have plans if he finally starts to act to ensure Karkaroff can't leave Durmstrang and its influence or risk losing it. Not everyone is on their side in their countries, either! The new thing we learned is that HE knows that Dumbledore IS in France."