227: The Use Of Severed Hand

After Voldemort's downfall, Death Eaters were either captured or on the run. 

For those who couldn't escape, they claimed they had been under the Imperius Curse—or they turned in other Death Eaters. 

Take Karkaroff, for example—he secured his freedom by snitching on his fellow Death Eaters. 

Lucius, on the other hand, insisted he had been under the Imperius Curse. 

The outcomes of these choices were vastly different. Karkaroff had undoubtedly earned the Death Eaters' hatred. 

Lucius, though not exactly honorable, could always claim he was merely lying low. That way, the Death Eaters were still willing to accept him. 

The ones who had gone into hiding remained just as fanatical as ever. 

Having received news of the Dark Lord, the most devoted believers had gone underground, waiting for their master's return. 

Bieber Jaster was one of them. Unfortunately for him, he had joined the Death Eaters in the worst possible year—the very year Voldemort fell. 

He hadn't even earned the Dark Mark. 

Yet he had joined voluntarily, and upon learning that Voldemort was still alive, he was more excited than ever. 

Working undercover in the security force gave him a tremendous advantage. 

He could already picture it—once he rescued young Barty, he would undoubtedly earn Voldemort's favor. 

The very thought sent shivers through his body.

He had finally found his opportunity. With Tommy leading most of the team away, only a handful of them remained to guard the manor. 

This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance, and Bieber immediately sent out the message. 

"Bieber, what are you doing?" 

Just as he released the owl, Lippy's voice rang out. 

Lippy gave him a knowing smirk. "I got my hands on some quality goods from Knockturn Alley—heard they came from Muggles." 

Lippy had already figured out Bieber's preferences—he liked cigarettes, especially the pure, wild-grown Muggle kind. 

Opening a box, Lippy skillfully tossed one to Bieber. 

Bieber caught it and pulled out a lighter to set it ablaze. 

A sharp, pungent smoke filled his lungs, making his eyes light up. 

His impression of Lippy instantly improved, and at the same time, an idea formed in his mind. 

"Geng, I've got a big business deal—interested?" 

Drakon Geng was Lippy's alias. 

Hearing Bieber's words, Lippy's expression flickered, but she kept his act up, asking casually, "What kind of deal?" 

Before he could react, a wand pressed against his waist. Her body stiffened as Bieber's sinister voice whispered in her ear— 

"The Dark Lord is about to return. I hope you're a smart man." Yeah, Lippy had infiltrated as a man.

A cold sweat dripped down Lippy's forehead as she put on a fearful expression and said, "Bieber, what are you doing?" 

"We're friends, Geng." Bieber sighed and said, "This manor will fall soon. I don't want you to die here." 

His tone was sincere as he continued, "Join us. The Dark Lord will soon reign over this world again." 

Lippy's heart skipped a beat. From Bieber's words, this seemed like more than just a group of rogue Death Eaters making a desperate move. 

At first, she had assumed it was merely an attempted resurgence by some fugitives, but Bieber's attitude filled her with unease. 

She pretended to struggle with the decision, then sighed after a moment, speaking helplessly, "Alright… at least let me finish this cigarette before taking me in." 

His (Her) response made Bieber smile. 

Bieber had already noticed that this chain-smoking man was not truly loyal to Johnny Silverhand. In fact, he had openly voiced his dissatisfaction with the Ministry of Magic several times. 

Bieber was ambitious. He had joined the Death Eaters not just for ideology but to carve out his own place of power in the wizarding world. 

For that, he needed his own people, and the heavy-smoking Drakon Geng was an excellent candidate. 

After spending time together, Bieber believed he understood Geng well. 

After agreeing to join, Bieber will take him to meet the others. 

… 

Outside Silverhand Manor, several loud cracks echoed through the night as multiple figures appeared via Apparition. 

Shrouded in black cloaks and wearing skull masks, they stood ominously in the darkness.

Death Eaters. 

Silverhand Manor was protected by Anti-Apparition Charms, preventing them from entering directly. 

Upon arriving outside the manor, they began walking toward it. 

At the entrance, the security team spotted them. 

"Halt!" 

The guards issued a warning, already drawing their wands and assuming battle stances. 

There were six security members inside the manor. If they acted together, even the Death Eaters would find them troublesome to deal with. 

Just as two security members got into position, a flash of red light burst behind them—both men collapsed simultaneously. 

Bieber and Lippy stepped forward, having ambushed the guards. 

"Who is he?" one of the masked Death Eaters demanded, his tone sharp as he eyed Lippy. 

Bieber remained calm. "He's my friend and our soon-to-be new recruit." 

The Death Eaters did not lower their guard. Their leader, a man with a commanding voice, barked, "You told an outsider about such an important operation?" 

Lippy felt annoyed but didn't show it. Instead, she grinned and said cheerfully, "Gentlemen, I'm not an outsider. To be precise, this plan was only made possible because of me." 

The leader hesitated, turning to look at Bieber.

Bieber nodded and said in a low voice, "Drakon is part of the security team. He helped me deal with the others, and most importantly, he is also disappointed in this rotten world." 

It was the last sentence that convinced the Death Eaters. They all maintained their faith because they believed Voldemort could change the world. 

Hearing that Lippy was also disillusioned with the wizarding world, their expressions softened slightly. 

"In that case, we'll believe him for now." 

The leading Death Eater barely acknowledged Bieber before turning toward the manor. 

Being dismissed so easily made Bieber clench his fists. 

A dark look flashed across his face—he had made the biggest contribution here, yet they treated him with such indifference. 

Lippy took note of the anger on Bieber's face and patted him on the shoulder before following the group inside. 

All of the security members in Silverhand Manor had been taken down by their ambush, leaving the estate completely defenseless. 

The Death Eaters entered as if it were their own home. 

Lippy noticed that the leader seemed very familiar with the layout. 

Guiding the group effortlessly, he walked through the garden without hesitation. 

He's been here before… Was he one of the guests?

Lippy was quick-witted. She knew the manor had hosted banquets before and had even once expressed envy to Oz.

Everyone who had entered this place before was of high status. Even just clinking glasses with someone at one of these banquets was enough to make a person walk with a straighter back when they left. 

But there was no need for envy now. 

Lippy grinned outwardly but scoffed internally. 

These clueless fools—after witnessing the grandeur of Johnny Silverhand's domain, they still dared to come here and provoke him. 

Once inside the manor, the group searched around until they finally found the entrance to the dungeon. 

Lippy watched them head in, hesitation appearing on her face. 

Tommy said there were enchantments placed here. Rushing in recklessly might end badly.

She pondered for a moment, then thought about how this undercover mission might change his fate. Gritting her teeth, she decided to follow. 

Torches lit up the dungeon, casting flickering shadows. 

One of the Death Eaters rolled up his left sleeve, revealing the Dark Mark on his arm. The mark slowly darkened. 

"He's nearby." 

Excitement spread among the group, and they hurried deeper into the dungeon. 

Inside, they found a man who was barely recognizable as human—beaten, broken, and on the verge of death. 

"Barty Crouch." 

A Death Eater stepped forward to confirm, though it was already clear—this was indeed young Barty.

The Dark Mark on their arms couldn't be faked. A wand was aimed at the chains. 

"Confringo!" 

The chains binding the prisoner shattered with an explosion. Two Death Eaters stepped forward to support him, ready to leave. 

But at that moment—A curtain of water cascaded down, sealing off their exit. They instantly realized they had walked into a trap. 

...

Hmm... Lippy's idea was good..

Seated in his study, John watched the entire scene unfold through a mirror, his expression filled with amusement. 

His gaze swept over the Death Eaters. "Too many people… We need fewer." 

With a casual snap of his fingers, the water curtain turned silver—thick like mercury—and instantly swallowed one of the Death Eaters whole. 

"Ack—Ahhhhh!!"

A bloodcurdling scream echoed as the man disappeared in an instant, sending a chill through the remaining Death Eaters. 

Bieber's face twisted in horror. As the mercury surged toward him, he hastily cast the Shield Charm. 

The liquid metal slammed into the shield, forcing him back several steps. 

"Blast it apart!" one of the Death Eaters shouted. The group fired off explosive curses in unison, targeting the silver liquid. 

The mercury was blown apart, transforming into a rain of countless tiny droplets. 

One unlucky Death Eater was hit—his body began to rot away at an alarming speed. 

"No! Help me!"

He reached out, desperately grabbing the leader Death Eater's cloak, but the leader reacted instantly, slashing the fabric apart. 

The abandoned Death Eater could only watch in horror as his body rotted away before his own eyes. Meanwhile, the leader's mask slipped off. 

"Oh, it's him." 

Seeing the man's face, John suddenly understood. "Doug the Locksmith—no wonder he seemed so familiar with this place." 

John had previously invited Doug the Locksmith to the estate for a gathering. Lucius had mentioned that Doug was a Death Eater, but John hadn't cared. 

He hadn't expected Doug to be this loyal to Voldemort. 

Now that his identity was exposed, Doug had no time for hesitation—the damned mercury was closing in again. 

Aside from him, only Bieber, Lippy, and the two tall, thin Death Eaters carrying Barty Jr. remained. 

Doug knew that if they didn't escape now, they were all going to die here. 

Gritting his teeth, he went all in. "Fiendfyre!" 

The cursed flames roared into the form of a massive brown bear, charging straight at the mercury. But the moment the fire left his wand, it spiraled out of control. 

Doug seized the opportunity to make a break for it along with the others. 

Just as he was about to exit the dungeon, his foot suddenly sank—Eh?

"Damn it." 

He cursed, realizing his foot was trapped in the ground. 

He turned, hoping for help—Shit!

But the others didn't even glance at him. 

They just ran.

The Fiendfyre and the endlessly surging mercury clashed violently, but Doug still couldn't free his leg. 

The raging flames and the mercury swallowed him whole. 

He didn't even have time to scream. 

The Death Eaters who had fled to the door were horrified to discover—It was locked. 

Unlocking spells were useless. 

"Are we really going to die here?" Bieber was filled with unwillingness. 

Just then, Barty Jr. suddenly muttered something. 

Then, as if embracing a martyr's fate, he tore himself free from those supporting him and leaped into the raging inferno behind them. 

Everyone was stunned. 

The moment Barty Jr. touched the mercury and Fiendfyre—.

Both extinguished instantly. 

But they were still trapped. 

If the rest of the security team returned, they were just as dead. 

Despair loomed over them, pressing down like a suffocating weight. 

Then— 

The door opened. 

A figure wearing a Death Eater mask pushed it open and said in a low voice, "Go!" 

Though the face was hidden, the platinum blonde hair was unmistakable. 

Recognizing their unexpected savior, the surviving Death Eaters wasted no time escaping. 

After they left, John appeared in the dungeon. 

He glanced at the extinguished flames, then at the only thing left behind. A severed hand. 

"Hmm... Wash it up, and it'll still be useful. I can trick someone else with it next time."

___________

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