Hogwarts: Era of Darkness

"There is a great movement within both sides." I explained while taking sips from my morning coffee, sitting in our conference room. "People from both sides have been telling us the same thing: there is something going on, and they are preparing to clash."

"What about the Hermione girl and Krum?" Professor Lockhart asked, making Quincy and I exchange glances.

"No reports so far. The last time they contacted us was when they told Luna they were leaving for France. I am giving them a bit more time; if they never reconnect with us, it is what it is." I replied, remaining calm.

"Conrad is right." Quincy nodded, "We are doing fine without them, and we will do only a bit better with them. There is no change in our plans. We must focus on the fact that both sides know things are getting hot, especially on the Death Eater's side… There are dozens of young witches and wizards taking our bribes and deals. They are unlucky people who just graduated and were conscripted into the Death Eaters without question. They are eager to escape, fleeing like rats scurrying off from a sinking ship."

"The big families only enjoyed HIS rule while it wasn't affecting them negatively," Professor Slughorn sighed while explaining, "Until it was about their benefits. Now that their children and wealth are being pooled together and used wantonly, they are no longer so gung-ho about purity and all that, hm? It is sad to see…"

"It is, but I think it will change after this." Grindelwald interjected, slowly opening his eyes, "I don't think the Wizarding World will be the same after this and will no longer separate based on bloodlines."

"I do hope so." I agreed, nodding my head, "I would much rather see people being judged by their talents and actions than their origin."

I was about to continue when suddenly an owl flew against our window, knocking on it with its beak. It was surprising to see it because we rarely got them, but there were cells within our informants who had a few. They were trained to find this place and only used it when it was imperative to let us know as soon as possible. Letting him in and taking the letter from his claws, I unfurled it with haste, raising my eyebrows because it was a copy of our own newspaper.

"Look at this… fake." I mumbled, throwing it onto the table and letting them examine and check it while I began reading the second letter that was attached to it.

"They have the gall!" Lockhart snorted, feeling violated because it was his baby. He made the 'True Prophet,' and this issue was clearly not his work. "They must realize the sub-par writing! Bah, who uses words like this?! There is no spaz and finesse behind this… this... article, if I can even call it that!"

"The look is still matching." Slughorn added, making Quincy nod, looking away, glancing at me. "They copied the style very well."

"It is from Luna." After finishing the letter and giving it to Quincy, I began telling them, "She also realized it and sent a copy back. She is asking what to do…"

"This is an interesting move." Grindelwald smiled after looking at the paper once, "This is Albus's work."

"I thought so."

I couldn't help but agree because the fake True Prophet was describing how the Death Eaters were taking over Gringotts, more precisely, how the inner circle of Voldemort does it. Stealing from every family, loyal or not, chasing the goblins away while pocketing everybody's heirlooms and financing their war. It even had an image showcasing a handful of 'loot,' including the fake ring we left behind. I knew why; Dumbledore wanted Voldemort to know; they had his 'Horcrux' and even destroyed it. I thought he would blame us or the goblins when they found out, but this was an interesting move on his part. Was he aiming to cause chaos? Could be. Also... how did he do it? My first thought was the Invisibility Cloak; the more I thought about it, the more sure I became of my hunch.

"He is forcing the Dark Lord to collect his Horcruxes into one place." Grindelwald exclaimed after seeing my eyes moving and thinking. "I know this strategy; I once talked with him about something similar. We even used it against each other in the war. When your enemy hides something you want, you flush it out. Force them to act. This is his goal; I am sure about it."

"If HE gets paranoid, he may just do that…" Quincy hummed, making Herpo speak up within my mind.

"Voldemort's soul has been splintered into many fragments already. His thoughts must be disoriented, and he must have harsh, disoriented ideas. He will act on them without properly being able to think them through. Dumbledore is right about this. They can catch him and end him for good."

"No wonder there are significant movements on both sides!" Lockhart sighed, leaning back. "I am sure that the Death Eaters are preparing to strike heavily against Gringotts. I wrote something similar once... It could be them, masking the Dark Lord's actions to collect his extra lives while the Order is doing everything to track him and catch him with his pants down!"

“…”

"What?" He asked because we all looked at him, never expecting such profound thoughts to come from him. "I'm not stupid… Just vain..."

"No, you are not an idiot, Professor." I giggled, nodding at him, "We will roll with it! We are in contact with Snape; he will inform us of what is going on, and we will jump in when we can."

"We will?" Quincy asked, sitting up straight.

"Yes." I nodded my head. "It is an opportunity that we can't miss… If the Order strikes, we will do too. We can't let HIM survive it. HE. Must. Die."

…

….

……

"Were you told everything?" McGonagall asked, meeting with Neville in private and visiting his room at the headquarters of the Order.

"Yes, Professor. Professor Dumbledore and Moody have told me everything, and I also feel prepared for it. I have been studying for this since knowing how to walk, no?" He asked back, smiling at her, making the old witch look at him with warmth and motherly light twinkling in her eyes. "I am glad that I was included in it, but… Professor, did you think about what I said?"

"It is not the time to talk about it, Neville. What we are going to do is much more important. Focus on that, and don't let your thoughts distract you! Not now."

"I understand, but I need to know, Professor! I need to know so I can focus on what is expected of me."

"…" For a moment, she couldn't help but look deeply into his eyes, scanning his thoughts, albeit not to read them, but because she felt, no, she knew he was telling the truth. He was worried… not because of Lord Voldemort or to have his revenge for his parent's death; it was because he was concerned for all of them. For the Order. For everyone who was his friend and family since he was young. "I thought about it, yes, and I also talked with others. For now, know this: Professor Flitwick and I do agree with what you told us. There are more who think and feel the same way but have not yet decided to act upon it."

"Then–!"

"We will talk about this after the Dark Lord is defeated!" She repeated, putting her hand on his shoulder while gently squeezing it. "Neville, focus on the now. It is the most important… We will see if your fears are true when all is done and peace returns. You will have allies in us who will steer the Order onto the right path. I have known Albus for a long time, and I still trust him. I agree that our road has been rocky for a long time, throwing us off-course, but I also believe that he would correct it when he is faced with the facts. When he is reminded of it. Don't forget, he already defeated one Dark Lord."

"And kept his prized possession. He had the Elder Wand, which was Gellert Grindelwald's. Didn't he also keep everything that originally belonged to the Potters? Also… Now that I think about it…"

"Neville…"

"I understand." He stopped, sighing, shaking his head, "Okay. I will not say more, nor will I bring it up again, Professor. I trust you. I will do as you suggest, and I promise, my mind will focus on one thing: Defeating Tom Riddle!"

"Don't worry, we will protect you!"

"I don't want to be rude, Professor…" He smiled, but his confidence was oozing from his eyes, "In battle, there is no protection. I have faith in my abilities. The Dark Lord will fall."