After eating their fill, the three sat chatting while digesting, and the conversation inevitably turned to You-Know-Who and the Death Eaters.
"They're just a bunch of venomous snakes hiding in corners, good for nothing but jumping out and biting you when you let your guard down." Hagrid clearly disdained You-Know-Who and his followers.
"But it seems to have been quiet lately. There hasn't been any news about Death Eaters in the papers for a long time," Alan noted, looking at Hagrid's indignant expression.
"Burp. Those damned fellows have gone into hiding again recently, but don't let your guard down. They're definitely brewing some new conspiracy. But we still have Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix, and I believe we will win this war," Hagrid said after letting out a massive burp.
"Doesn't the Ministry of Magic also fight them? Why did Dumbledore need to form an Order of the Phoenix?" Alan still had his doubts. For a private armed organization like the Order, wouldn't the Ministry be suspicious? Wars should be fought by regular armies. Alan had served in the military in his previous life, so he didn't see the necessity of private factions.
"The Dark Lord is very good at bewitching people. The Ministry of Magic cannot be fully trusted because there are many people who support the Dark Lord's ideals serving inside. No one knows if there are Death Eaters lurking in the ranks," Hagrid said. He suddenly leaned closer, whispering with a mysterious expression, "And many Aurors from the Ministry have also joined the Order. Just as Dumbledore said, we must use secrecy to counter secrecy."
Hagrid's eyebrows danced as he explained this to Alan with great enthusiasm, as if showing off a prize.
No, are you really just telling me this kind of information so casually?
Seeing Hagrid, who was now drinking too much and blabbering secrets, Alan felt a sudden wave of worry for the future of the resistance.
The two chatted at the Leaky Cauldron until very late. The bottle of redcurrant rum was drained to the bottom by Hagrid and Tom. Dazed with drink, Hagrid realized it was well past curfew and quickly said his goodbyes, preparing to return to the school.
"How are you planning to get back? The Floo Network at the Leaky Cauldron broke down a while ago. Those damned Death Eaters have the Ministry in a frenzy, and the Department of Magical Transportation simply can't spare anyone for repairs," the equally tipsy Tom reminded him.
By this time, most of the shops in Diagon Alley were closed, and the businesses providing Floo service were no longer operating.
"At this hour, I can go to Knockturn Alley. Borgin and Burkes can provide Floo service even this late. It's a shop specializing in Dark Arts items, mind you, and many of the goods inside are very dangerous."
Alan watched Hagrid stagger out, fearing he might pass out drunk on the roadside. Considering that Diagon Alley had been quiet lately and feeling a bit lightheaded and over-warm from the dragon liver, Alan offered to see him off. Tom was already slumped over the table, and Hagrid, his mind muddled by alcohol, agreed without much thought.
The two walked through Diagon Alley to Borgin and Burkes. The owner was busy elsewhere and wasn't at the counter. Alan looked around, finding the shop macabre yet fascinating. There were terrifying masks hanging on the walls, a glass eyeball that seemed to track his movements, and a shriveled human hand resting on a cushion in a glass case.
"Burp. Alan, you should go back quickly. Knockturn Alley isn't a safe place. Don't touch things randomly here; you don't know if there are any unknown curses on them." Hagrid let out a satisfied burp, patted Alan on the shoulder, and walked into the fireplace. He grabbed a handful of Floo powder, shouted "Hogsmeade," and vanished in a burst of green flame.
"Doesn't the owner fear someone stealing things?" Alan looked around the empty shop, but he didn't dare touch anything on the counter.
Walking out of Borgin and Burkes, Alan identified the direction and headed toward the exit. Suddenly, just as he was about to leave the alley where the shop was located, a blurry figure appeared out of thin air in front of him.
Alan recognized the crack of Apparition. He froze, realizing he had run into trouble. Reacting quickly, he lowered his body and leaned against a stone pillar. This small alley within Knockturn Alley connected to several side shops and was cluttered with protruding pillars, boxes, and wooden barrels. Alan crouched low and quickly extinguished his oil lamp to avoid being spotted.
The person in front seemed to be being chased. In his haste, he knocked over several wooden boxes. Perhaps due to sheer panic, he failed to notice Alan crouching by the roadside and rushed deeper into the alley.
Alan breathed a sigh of relief. Once he left this alley, he could depart safely. He didn't know if this person was friend or foe, so it was better to remain hidden.
Then, two black plumes of smoke descended from the air, revealing two figures clad in black robes and skull masks. No sooner had they appeared than one raised his wand and fired a dark spell at the fleeing man. The target, seeing his pursuers were hot on his heels, stopped running to avoid exposing his back. He flicked his wand, deflecting the incoming spell.
With a loud bang, a wooden barrel by the roadside was shattered, sending splinters flying. What followed was a violent exchange of magic, a cacophony of crashes and bangs.
The fleeing man was at one end of the alley while the two masked figures attacked from ten meters away. Alan was hiding just behind the pursuers. His face twisted in bitterness. What an unprovoked disaster. It seemed the recent calm had made him drop his guard. He shouldn't have been wandering out so late.
Even a fool could tell the two masked figures were Death Eaters. Alan didn't know if the lone man was an Auror or a member of the Order. He took several deep breaths to calm himself, calculating how to escape this mess.
The battle remained incredibly tense as the wizards exchanged both spells and insults.
"Snivellus, don't think I won't recognize you just because you're wearing a mask. I can smell your stench from hundreds of meters away." The flashes of magic illuminated the alley. The lone man had long black hair and a defiant expression, laughing loudly and cursing even as he held his ground.
"Sirius, you fool, you still have the breath to speak. Think of your last words; you won't escape this time," the one called Snivellus sneered, firing spells with lethal precision.
"Stop talking nonsense to him, just finish him off quickly. The Master is waiting for our report," the other Death Eater urged, stepping back and muttering long incantations, apparently preparing a powerful spell to end the fight once and for all.