Everyone in the house glared at Tony with resentful eyes for this obscenely wealthy approach. The number of micro-robots he released wasn't small. Who knew how many Galleons he'd tossed in!
But seeing it was somewhat effective, everyone turned their attention from Tony back to the surveillance.
Because the micro-robots could only hide on this person's body, everyone could only watch Britain's map. A conspicuous little red dot slowly moving. Occasionally making long-distance jumps.
Until the red dot stayed at a point on London's edge for 10 minutes without moving, Tony didn't choose to touch that tracking robot. Instead mobilized nearby robots. Had Friday control them to approach that point. Carefully scout from the perimeter.
The screen switched. From the original map to a gloomy forest. Following the robot's perspective, flying forward. Soon passed through the forest. What came into view—an ordinary three-story building. With a large tulip garden. Looked just like an ordinary wizard's house.
The robot found an open window. Slowly entered inside.
Inside indeed was a wizard's residence. Placed many, many moving magical photos. All the same person in the photos. Handsome blond wizard. Constantly showing smiles. White teeth flashing almost blinded everyone's eyes.
"Gilderoy Lockhart!" Dumbledore recognized him instantly.
"That novelist?" Tony asked, surprised. "Looks pretty good. Just seems a bit dumb."
"Look around more. Confirm it. From what I know, Lockhart shouldn't be involved here." Dumbledore said with a stern face.
Tony pursed his lips. Following Dumbledore's request, started wandering the house. First floor quickly finished. Just an ordinary wizard house. No suspicious points found.
Went to the second floor. A long corridor. All doors closed. The robot crawled through small gaps under the doors. Only then discovered differences.
Each room housed one person. After Gemini's identification, all the Malfoy Manor people were here.
But didn't see the ring suspected to be Voldemort. According to everyone's discussion, the person must be on the third floor. Tony tried. The third floor had protective spells. Anyone touching would trigger an alarm. After scrapping two mosquito robots, gave up exploring the third floor. Instead followed someone downstairs. Listening to their conversation, there was also a basement here.
Entered through a small door beside the first-floor kitchen. The dim basement—couldn't see anything.
Tony adjusted the camera. Opened night shooting mode. Only then did everyone see the basement clearly.
Originally should be a place storing food and drinks. Now those foods and drinks were knocked to the ground. In the furthest corner, someone was chained with iron. Not far away lay a broken wand.
That person's head hung low against the wall. Dirty all over. Completely unrecognizable. Could only barely tell—blond hair.
"This couldn't be Lockhart, right?" Gemini said hesitantly.
Tony silently pulled up Lockhart's magical photo from the first floor. Put them together for comparison.
"Should be him. No mistake." Tony confirmed.
"So he was invaded? But why's he tied here?" Dumbledore frowned.
Soon, everyone knew why he was here.
A wizard wearing Lockhart's clothes entered the basement. Plucked several hairs from Lockhart's head. Tossed them into the bottle in his hand. Soon, that potion turned violet. The wizard drank a mouthful. With muscle twitching, he became the same as the person in the magical photo.
The fake Lockhart yanked the person on the ground up. Forced him to show his face. Tony and others couldn't help gasping. Lockhart's face was almost destroyed. Crisscrossed with various hideous scars. If they hadn't confirmed through body comparison before, really couldn't believe this was the radiant Lockhart!
The fake Lockhart sneered. Used Legilimency on Gilderoy. Got nothing. Gilderoy's dead-hearted appearance completely unable to let him smoothly get what he wanted. He dropped Gilderoy. Shrilly chanted a curse that made Gemini shudder.
The Cruciatus Curse.
Gilderoy on the ground suddenly convulsed. Let out a shrill scream.
The basement door burst open. "Croft! Easy! Too loud! Dare disturb the Master, you'll lie with him!"
Done speaking, the basement door closed again.
Croft looked at the closed door resentfully. Turned. Vented anger on Lockhart.
Sealed his voice. Continuously tortured with the Cruciatus. Until he was dying. Only then did Croft pull out a potion. Brutally poured it down. After using Legilimency again, left satisfied.
Tony silently watched the wizard curled in the corner on the monitor. The wand in his hand involuntarily sparked.
"We have to save him!" Steve said decisively.
Tony stood up. "You're right, big guy. First time I think you really know how to talk!"
"Can basically confirm that third floor is Voldemort. Should we plan first? Avoid alerting them?" Dumbledore said hesitantly.
Tony looked at him disdainfully. "Though that novelist isn't your person, you saw him tortured like that. Still want to keep watching?"
Dumbledore smiled bitterly. "I didn't mean that. I just..."
Tony rudely interrupted. "Don't want to know your meaning. We can handle this ourselves. After all, we're strangers. Absolutely won't be recognized! Hawkeye! Stop eating! Research how to infiltrate!"
Barton looked at Tony blankly. "Need to say? Not being seen is the best infiltration. Just a Dark wizard? Do we need a special plan? Can he get Thanos-level treatment?"
Tony thought about it. Made sense. "Then prepare. After we reach position, Hawkeye saves the person. After rescue, notify me. I'll cleanse the ground first. Others go up after! Start signing up now. Who's going?"
"Me!"
"Me!"
Everyone signed up. Even Harry raised his hand. Then Gemini rolled her eyes. Slapped it down. "What are you going for? Delivering yourself?"
Harry sheepishly withdrew his hand. Stood in the corner with Dudley, heads down. Being young means no rights.
Everyone started preparing. Taking their weapons. Sun Aihua discussed ground-cleansing experience with Tony. The two hit it off.
Dumbledore hesitated a long time. Until everyone was about to leave. Finally made up his mind. "I'll send you there."
"What, not waiting for your plan?" Tony said mockingly.
This time even Grindelwald said nothing to Tony. Just silently stood behind Dumbledore.
"I trust your abilities. Just a Voldemort soul fragment. Since we've decided to act, leave no future trouble." Speaking here, Dumbledore's face showed a moment of ruthlessness. Completely different from his usual appearance.
Tony narrowed his eyes. Seems this old man hid well. Who'd think—Dumbledore was once close friends with a generation's Dark Lord. Birds of a feather. Someone who could befriend a Dark Lord—could he be simple?
Without more words, Dumbledore directly summoned Fawkes. Took everyone. Apparated near Lockhart's house.
After Barton recovered from Apparition dizziness, immediately started moving.
Could only say—worthy of a top agent. Just moved a bit. Disappeared into the crowd. Without magic detection, really couldn't find where he hid.
Tony also started deploying. Had Friday use micro-robots to quietly place various shells and explosives he brought in every corner of the house. Sun Aihua also silently stepped on his Flying Sword. Flew into the sky. The night sky perfectly concealed the gathering dark clouds.
Soon, Barton's voice came through Tony's earpiece.
"Person rescued. We've left the house range. Can start ground cleansing!"
Tony grinned. Tapped his chest. Gold-red armor covered his body. Deafening rock music instantly echoed through the sky.
"Party time!" Tony yelled. Activated the explosive device.
Before the people in the house could do anything, a huge explosion sounded. The entire house became burning ruins.
Several figures staggered out via Apparition. Before they could do anything, Sun Aihua in the sky was already ready.
Lightning bolts indiscriminately struck down at that spot. Like a lightning rain. Beat the ruined house into a deep pit.
Until Sun Aihua came down from the sky satisfied, that place couldn't be recognized anymore. A huge pit appeared. Wisps of smoke rising.
Tony rolled his eyes. Opened his faceplate. "Your power's too much. What's there to do? Forget live captures. Not even a human shape left!"
Sun Aihua scratched his head. "Didn't say we needed live captures before coming. Wasn't I thinking—eliminate completely?"
"Forget it. Go see if anything's left." Tony waved his hand. About to go forward. Steve grabbed him.
"Let me go. Can't come just to stand guard. I have my shield. If something happens, I can still block." Steve spoke. Gripped his shield. Jumped into the deep pit.
Rummaging through ashes for a while, Steve's sharp eyes saw something glowing.
Steve took a long rod from his belt. Swept that ash area. A cracked stone appeared.
Dug again. The stone fully exposed. A ring. Steve didn't dare touch it. Turned and shouted: "Who can come look? Is this the ring you mentioned?"
Dumbledore and Gemini rushed over. Gemini carefully examined it. Compared with Harry's description in her mind. "No mistake. This is it!"
Dumbledore carefully scrutinized the ring. Gaze focused on the cracked stone.
After a while, he couldn't help reaching out. Wanted to pick up the ring.
"Albus!"
Grindelwald's sharp shout woke Dumbledore.
"Huh? I was?" Dumbledore was dazed for a moment. Sweat instantly came down. Staggered back a step. Almost fell.
Grindelwald also jumped into the pit. Supported Dumbledore. "What are you doing? Can't you see the obvious Dark magic traces on that ring?"
Dumbledore smiled bitterly. "Sorry. Good thing you're here. Otherwise I'd really be tempted. Really getting old."
"I want to see what exactly tempted you!" Grindelwald angrily stepped forward. He recognized that stone at once.
Immediately froze in place. Didn't speak. Expression complex, looking at the stone. "Didn't expect it'd be here."
Grindelwald drew his wand. Listlessly waved a few times. The ring emitted a shrill scream. A black smoke floated out. About to escape. Sun Aihua's quick palm thunder struck. The black smoke dissipated.
At Grindelwald's signal, Gemini carefully picked up the ring wearing dragonhide gloves. Lightly pressed. The cracked stone fell out.
"This is the legendary Resurrection Stone?" Gemini examined the stone in her hand. Even held it up to the moon in the sky.
Tony landed beside Gemini. Curiously looked at the stone. "This is the Resurrection Stone from the fairy tale? Can really resurrect people?"
Gemini shook her head. "Harry used it before. But what was summoned were just shadows. Others couldn't see them. Worse than virtual portraits. Completely useless."
Tony immediately lost interest. Started following behind Steve. Watching Steve sweep around with the rod.
Dumbledore looked at the stone with complex expression. Suddenly relaxed. Smiled at Grindelwald. "Gellert, thank you. If not for you, maybe I'd really fall for it today."
"Hmph, just a broken stone. Need to be like this? This old, what can't you let go?" Grindelwald said awkwardly. Eyes also revealed sadness. Really couldn't blame Dumbledore. Could only say—back then they were too young. The regrets left were too heavy.
After cleaning this area, confirming nothing valuable remained, everyone started returning.
Picked up Barton and Lockhart waiting in the forest. Fawkes brought everyone back in batches.
After reaching Privet Drive, Dumbledore had Fawkes go to Hogwarts once. Brought Snape over. Lockhart's injuries were complex. Just using Sun Aihua's methods—too slow to heal. Could only have them work together.
Fortunately, after years of competing, Snape and Sun Aihua cooperated well. On the third day after returning, Lockhart woke up. And regained consciousness.
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