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Chapter 710: Goodbye, Betsy!!
No matter what—
On the day the Hogwarts Express departed, Harry and the others carried out their plan to infiltrate the Ministry of Magic and retrieve the locket.
That morning, their expressions were grim.
Even though Hermione had prepared everything thoroughly, the tension was unavoidable.
"Robes… Polyjuice Potion… blood-replenishing potion… Decoy Detonators… Extendable Ears…"
Hermione checked her bag item by item. Then she shrank the bag and transformed it into a beaded bracelet around her wrist.
Harry and Ron exchanged a look.
It reminded them of the feeling of revising right before an exam.
Fortunately, Darren soon arrived to Apparate them.
After a dizzying spin, they appeared in a narrow alley.
Hermione checked the time.
"In three minutes, those Ministry employees should arrive. I hope they're coming in the normal way…"
Before she finished speaking, Darren suddenly raised his wand.
A flash of red light shot out.
A witch collapsed silently to the ground.
"She's early," Darren said calmly.
He gestured for Hermione to hurry.
Blushing slightly, Hermione took out the Polyjuice Potion.
A moment later, she stood there transformed into the witch.
She looked at Darren nervously.
"Has anyone else come yet?"
Darren frowned and shook his head.
"Not yet. Reg Cattermole hasn't appeared either."
"What should we do?" Hermione asked anxiously.
Darren smiled and pointed down the street.
"Isn't he coming now?"
A thin wizard was hurrying toward them.
It was Reg.
Hermione approached him awkwardly, forcing herself to stay calm.
Fortunately, Reg was distracted and worried himself.
They didn't stun him.
After all, he was planning to flee with his wife that very day. They only needed to delay him.
Darren quietly cast a Confundus Charm.
Reg immediately clutched his stomach, convinced he had eaten something bad, and began retching violently.
With no choice, he rushed off toward St Mungo's.
Ron quickly collected his hair.
Darren had already made Ron study Reg's file several times, so he was familiar with the man's appearance and manner.
Hermione had done the same with Mafalda Hopkirk.
As for Darren and Harry—
They could only rely on luck.
After circling the area twice, Darren finally obtained hair from two Ministry wizards—one well-dressed and refined, the other large and imposing.
"These two look like they hold decent positions," Darren said quietly.
"They might make things easier."
Then his tone grew serious.
"I hope everything goes smoothly today.
But if something goes wrong, I'll reveal myself so you can escape.
Don't interrupt me.
I have a bad feeling about this mission.
If the worst happens, I'll create a large explosion to draw attention. You leave immediately. Only if you're gone will I have the chance to escape in the chaos.
If you're captured… Hermione, you go with my brother and Ron.
Don't return to Grimmauld Place. It may already be compromised.
Go straight to the house I showed you. That place can hold off several Death Eaters on its own.
Wait there for me.
As long as I'm alive… I'll find you."
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
Hermione's eyes reddened.
None of them could argue.
They could only hope the operation would succeed.
---
They approached the Ministry entrance.
The old visitor's entrance had been replaced.
Now it looked like a public toilet.
Men on one side, women on the other.
Darren, Harry, and Ron entered the men's side.
A wizard inside looked surprised to see several people enter together, but only nodded politely.
"Nice weather today, Reg, isn't it?"
Ron answered stiffly,
"Yes… very nice clouds."
He hurried into a cubicle.
Harry followed, still incredulous.
"Through the toilet?"
Apparently, yes.
There was no water in the bowl.
When they pulled the flush chain—
The world spun.
A moment later, they shot out of a fireplace into the Ministry of Magic.
---
Darren stepped out and looked around.
The Ministry had changed.
The most striking difference was the statue in the Atrium.
Once, it had shown wizards standing alongside house-elves, goblins, and centaurs.
Now—
A towering wizard stood proudly above a mass of crushed Muggles.
The figures beneath looked twisted and pathetic, their faces blank and helpless.
The message was unmistakable.
The Ministry had changed its values.
"That's disgusting," Darren muttered.
"What did you say? Make way, please—oh! Mr. Yaxley, my apologies!"
A bright, confident voice sounded behind him.
Darren turned.
Standing there was Betsy Greengrass, her chin lifted, her expression proud and energetic.
She said the words of apology—
But there wasn't the slightest hint of regret in her tone.
"Come on, Mr. Yaxley, we're late," she said briskly.
It was clearly a respectful address.
Apparently, the identity Darren had taken belonged to someone important.
Darren smiled faintly and stepped aside.
"After you."