Chapter 90 - Radio Silence (2/2)
”Impossible! You are more likely to be polyjuiced!” Sara countered.
Alastor sputters and huffs as Percius rolls his eyes and says, ”We are trained, Auror's, Moody, give us at least some credit.”
Muttering under his breath about insubordination, Alastor clears his throat and removes a small rolled-up parchment and carefully places it onto the floor. Pointing his wand at the shrunken map, he says, ”Engorgio!” The map quickly grows and returns to its regular size. The map once filled with countless red spots now only shows the odd red mark or two.
Glancing up from the map, Alastor asks, ”And how did it go tonight, Prewett? Same as before?”
Shaking his head regretfully, Gideon replies, ”The Death Eater's aren't taking any chances. At the single sight of any suspicious shadow, they flee and hide.”
”No, it's more than that,” Percius observed. ”It's as though they have been ordered to lay low.”
”Wouldn't that mean they are planning something big?” Fabian naturally concluded.
”Not necessarily,” Percius retorted. ”Rather, I think that we dwelt them too much of a harsh blow last December, and now, they are waiting to see the snake's tail.”
”Yes, but we've kept low as well,” Sara interrupted with a frown. ”It is no surprise that the Death Eater's movements have lessened with each passing day, but notwithstanding there still is the odd muggle attack or two. However, all serious attacks have ceased. And those random attacks that occur serve more as a reminder of their existent than a purpose.”
”Then are the Death Eater's waiting for us to make the first mistake?” Fabian drily pointed out, what was everyone's mind. ”Or rather, show our tail?”
”Yes, but not us,” Alphard solemnly muttered after a moment. His response caused everyone to turn their heads towards him. Alphard glances up and wryly says, ”I am a Black by birth and by nature, I tend to hear things.”
”Go on,” Alastor said with evident interest in his eyes.
”After last December, I was surprisingly contacted by my brother-in-law, Orion Black. With a rather simple request of warning if you will. That is to keep my eyes and ears close to the ground, but more importantly to dissociate myself from the likes of Tom Marvolo Riddle and his supporters. It would seem that after the revelations of last December, Abraxas Malfoy took it quite to heart at being so thoroughly duped that not only did he entirely pull back from the said venture but pulled more than a few pureblood families along with him.”
Alphard paused as if carefully word his next statement. ”The families that still remain as supporters of Riddle are less than before. While several families have fully opted out and are now sitting back on the fence as neutral parties.”
Seeing the frowning faces at Alphard's words, Gideon furrows his brows. ”This is what we wanted, is it not?”
”Yes, but the current situation though not necessarily perilous, it is rather tricky,” Percius softly murmured.
Seeing the rest of their grimacing faces, Gideon knows he is missing something, but before he can ask, Percius continues, ”If the purebloods have retreated it is not strictly because of their coming to their senses, but rather having a powerful leader to gather around for which to lead them. And thus, creating the birth of a new faction led by Abraxas Malfoy.”
”As if that evil whelp needed more power,” Sara cursed under her breath.
”It certainly does not help that Abraxas Malfoy is far more likely to become a troublesome obstruction, due to his political power and connections in the social sphere,” Percius declared. ”But what is simply far more frightening is that should Abraxas change his mind-.” The silence grew heavy as the unspoken thought and words were conveyed, war.
”Either way, it is not in our favor,” Fabian mused out loud as finally an appropriate amount of fear and worry dawned on Gideon's face.