The owl from the Hogsmeade Post Office flew steadily, carrying the letter directly to Arya's location.
Dumbledore waited calmly in the Castle, confident that Harry had performed his task flawlessly, even if Ron had lost fifty points in the process. Despite the deduction, Ron felt a surge of pride. He had contributed to the fight against Lord Voldemort, and that mattered far more than house points.
On the second floor of Merlin's Vault, Dana sat curled on the sofa, clutching a letter—a copy of the one Dumbledore had sent to Arya. Snape had informed him immediately, enabling him to rush to Hogsmeade and intercept the owl just after Harry had mailed the letter.
A precise sequence of actions followed: removing the self-combustion charm from the letter, making a copy, reapplying the charm, casting a tracking spell on the owl, and subtly altering its memory. Each step flowed seamlessly.
Dana read the letter again, a cold sneer creeping across his face.
Dumbledore, you've still tipped off Arya…
The message had been clear:
Arya:
Hide! You are in great danger now! Do not expose yourself to anyone! Wait for Lord Voldemort's return, then re-infiltrate his side.
Dumbledore
Though Dumbledore hadn't revealed everything, his warning had inevitably positioned Arya against him. Dana's lips curled in contempt.
Do you think you've left room to maneuver, Dumbledore?
The owl had paused mid-flight. Dana, sensing the bird's location through the tracking spell, realized it was in London.
Is Arya really that bold? After my previous warning, she dares return to Britain?
Dana focused sharply, scrying the future from the owl's path. The location became clear—it was one of the Fire Serpent Party's gathering points in London, though outwardly it appeared to be the apartment of Dantes's attendant. The young man who received the letter looked nearly thirty, and Dana almost wouldn't have recognized him if the owl hadn't been flawless in its navigation. Arya had changed entirely from the person she once was.
After reading the letter, it automatically burned to ashes. A flash of struggle crossed her face, but soon determination settled in.
"Rudy Mont, are you here?"
A voice called. Arya turned:
"What's wrong, Jones?"
"Are you still patrolling the London suburbs tonight?"
"Yes. Martin was supposed to patrol today, but he had an urgent matter and swapped shifts with me."
"Kingsley Shacklebolt asked me to tell you that patrol starts half an hour earlier today."
"Understood."
Dana ended the future scrying. Rudy Mont? The name rang a bell.
Ah, yes—a colleague from France who had greatly contributed to capturing Barty Crouch Sr. Arya had taken on Rudy Mont's identity to infiltrate the Fire Serpent Party. Dana's heart raced.
He transformed into Dak Dantes and hurried to Dantes Castle.
"Kreacher!"
The old house-elf was always on standby.
"Hiss!"
"Master!"
"Have Jack Murray bring me Rudy Mont's profile."
"Yes!"
Ten minutes later, Jack Murray appeared, bowing deeply.
"Lord Dantes! Here's the information you requested!"
Dantes took the file, glancing at Jack before opening it.
"Lord Dantes, are you going to promote Rudy Mont? That would be excellent! He's very capable, and if he takes on more responsibility, the Fire Serpent Party will benefit greatly!" Jack Murray said eagerly.
Dantes did not reply immediately. He read the report carefully. The file documented Rudy Mont's journey from France to Britain.
In France, Rudy Mont had lived a humble life, performing odd jobs and, when times were tough, earning money in the Muggle world using magic. During this period, he met Jean Martin, who would later become a supervisor at Dantes Castle. Rudy Mont joined as a maintenance worker, diligently performing every task and earning the respect of those around him.
When Ewoyn visited Pessac to recruit party members, Rudy Mont resonated deeply with Lord Dantes's ideology. During lectures, he displayed rapid comprehension, progressing quickly. By the end of the course, he had become a committed communist wizard. He joined the Fire Serpent Party, helping recruit low-level wizards around Pessac and cleverly repelling French Ministry operations against wizards illegally residing in France.
Eventually, Rudy Mont was transferred to Britain, joining the Ministry of Magic Auror Office. He became a hit wizard, quickly establishing his reputation and playing a pivotal role in capturing Barty Crouch. The Auror Office had already scheduled his assessment, and he was expected to become an Auror by the end of April.
Dantes set the file down, fingers lightly tapping the armrest.
"Jack, your thoughts on Rudy Mont?"
"A good comrade, Lord Dantes! Absolutely top-notch. He would never betray the revolution. Even if Ewoyn turned, Rudy Mont's loyalty would remain unshakable. Comrade Nikolai Vavilov believes that if he were born in the Soviet Union, he would at least be a regional secretary."
"Understood. You may leave."
"Yes, Lord Dantes!"
Jack Murray departed. Dantes pondered Rudy Mont's profile. His enemy had become a capable subordinate—and willingly so.
Two voices argued in his mind: one urged immediate apprehension of Arya, seeking revenge to achieve peace of mind. The other advocated patience, stabilizing Arya first, recognizing her potential usefulness to the Fire Serpent Party. Acting rashly could harm party unity and damage his prestige.
After careful deliberation, the two voices merged. First, handle matters officially. Rudy Mont's merits would be recognized, with corresponding rewards. If he proved capable, a promotion would follow. But any hint of disloyalty would be dealt with ruthlessly—Dana would ensure he experienced the full fall from favor.
Dantes leaned back in his chair, mind sharpening with strategies. This was a delicate balance: rewarding loyalty without compromising vigilance, respecting merit while guarding against betrayal. Rudy Mont's abilities were clear, but in the world of wizards and revolutions, even the strongest comrade could become an unpredictable variable.
In the quiet of Dantes Castle, plans began to form. Rudy Mont would be tested, monitored, and guided. Arya would remain a piece on the board, her movements under careful scrutiny. And Dana—ever calculating—would wait, patient yet vigilant, ensuring that the Fire Serpent Party remained unshakable, no matter how skilled the enemy turned ally.
The owl, the letters, and the shifting loyalties were only the beginning. In the war of wits and magic, trust was a rare commodity—and Dana intended to measure it carefully, extracting maximum advantage from every turn, every action, every decision.
Rudy Mont's profile was more than a record of past deeds; it was a map of potential, a test of loyalty, and a key piece in Dana's grand strategy. How Arya, Rudy, and the Fire Serpent Party moved next would determine the next stage of this intricate game.
Dantes rose, the weight of leadership pressing on his shoulders. Every detail mattered. Every choice had consequences. And as the city of London lay under shadow, the game had only begun.
For more chapters
patreon.com/Liamlivingstone