Raja leaned back in his chair, watchingSnapewith amusement. The man hadone of the worst poker faces in the world—his narrowed eyes, clenched jaw, and slight twitch told Raja he was seconds away from hexing him into oblivion.

"Spill it out, you devil. What's the task?"Snape hissed, arms crossed like an impatient teacher dealing with an exceptionally annoying student.

Raja'sevil smirk widenedas herubbed his hands together like a greedy merchantabout to close the biggest deal of his life.

"Nothing too complicated, dear Professor. You'll betray us, meet Voldemort, and inform him that I now have five of his precious Horcruxes. Oh, and let him know that I'm aware Harry is another Horcrux, and I plan to remove it tomorrow night."

The room erupted.

"WHAT?!"The collective scream could haveshattered glass.

Snape'spale face turned even paler.

Moodychoked on his drink.

Sirius looked like he was ready tothrow hands.

"Have you lost your mind?!"Lupin exclaimed.

All the Ladies started rubbing their temples infrustration.

Dumbledore, for once, lookedspeechless, which was a rare event.

Raja simplyraised a hand, signaling for calm. It took asolid minute of outraged shoutingbefore people quieted down.

"Think, people."Raja leaned forward, his voice dropping into a smooth, convincing tone."Voldemort will attack Hogwarts eventually. He wants the Elder Wand, and he knows it's with Dumbledore. We're not avoiding this fight. So why not prepare the best battlefield, set the nastiest traps, and turn this into a grand ambush?"

Everyonefell into deep thought.EvenDumbledore, thatparanoid old wizard, seemed to be mentallydesigning lethal obstaclesin his head.

Aftera long moment,the group exchanged glancesand slowlynodded in agreement.

"Alright, Prof. Snape,"Raja said,handing him a small golden coin."Take this, say exactly what I told you, and make sure you act like you're on the verge of breaking under pressure. Voldemort loves watching people suffer. Play the part well."

Snapesnatched the coin, grumbling,"I hate you."

Rajagrinned."Love you too, Professor."

With that, Snapeswished his cloak dramaticallyandleft the Forbidden Garden.

Rajaturned to the rest of the group, cracking his knuckles."Now, the rest of you have work to do."

"Sirius, Lupin,"Raja continued,"here's a sack of gold. I need you to throw the most extravagant noble party in wizarding history. Invite everyone—noble families, the Ministry, anyone important. Dobby will assist. Also, take this golden box. Follow the instructions inside."

Sirius' eyes gleamed."So... a grand party, tons of alcohol, and Ministry officials getting drunk? I love this plan."

Lupin sighed."This will be a mess."

Raja ignored him and turned toMoody.

Raja further explains that while Madam Bones and some Auroras attend the party"You'll be in charge of a smaller gathering at the Department of Magical Law Enforcement (DMLE). Keep the remaining personnel occupied. Here's another golden box. Follow the instructions exactly."

Moodynodded grimly, probablyalready setting up explosive contingency plans in his head.

That evening, during dinner, chaos erupted.

Out of nowhere,Professor Trelawney stood up abruptly, herentire body trembling.

"Oh, here we go,"Raja muttered,munching on a chicken leg.

Suddenly,her eyes rolled back, and shefloated mid-air, gasping for breath.

In adeep, eerie voice, she boomed:

"The shadows whisper their return...

The Dark One's wrath burns through the sky...

Blood will stain the castle halls...

The final sacrifice approaches...

DEATH... DEATH... DEATH!"

With apiercing scream, shecollapsed onto the floor.

Dead silence filled the Great Hall.

Then,pandemonium broke out.

Students screamed.Plates clattered.Some first-years started crying.

Dumbledoreimmediately stood up, hisbooming voice silencing the crowd.

"Everyone, return to your dormitories at once!"

Thenext morning, Dumbledoreaddressed the studentsduring breakfast.

"The Ministry has been informed," he stated. "Unfortunately, due to an urgent meeting, they will be unable to send Aurors. However, rest assured, Hogwarts is safe. There is nothing to fear."

Rajasnorted loudly.

Everyhead turned toward him.

Hestood up, stretched his arms, and grinned.

"Nothing to fear? My dear students, have you all lost your edge?"

Silence.

"We have trained. We have bled. We have faced countless challenges in the war simulations. For years, Hogwarts has been more than a school—it has been a battlefield where warriors are forged."

Studentsleaned forward, mesmerized.

"Do you think Merlin gave us magic to hide? To run? No. Magic is a gift, a weapon, a force that bends the world to our will. You've trained for this moment. You've dreamed of testing your limits. And now, fate has given you a chance."

Aripple of energy surged through the students.

"This is your trial. This is the moment where you prove your worth. Will you cower? Or will you rise and carve your names into history?"

"WE RISE!"The studentsroared in unison.

Rajasmirked, crossing his arms.

"Then let's show Voldemort and his minions what Hogwarts is made of."

Thehall erupted into cheers,students standing, clapping, and chanting.

Even theprofessors, though exasperated, couldn't help but feel the energy in the air.

Dumbledorerubbed his temples."Merlin help us... he's turned them into an army."

All the Professors has one thought in their mind"This lunatic might actually win this war."

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com