Sagres's figure disappeared around the corner leading towards the Castle, as if his earlier grand pronouncements had been nothing more than a trivial part of his duties as a Professor.
He quickly entered through the Castle gates, rounded an inconspicuous corner in the corridor, and used the reflection in a windowpane to confirm that no one was following him.
The moment he was certain he was completely out of sight of the three Gryffindors, his straight back relaxed slightly.
"That was close. I almost became the first Professor in history to be taken down by a young student..."
He subconsciously raised a hand to adjust his collar, and a rare trace of lingering fear flashed through his usually calm and composed eyes.
"Safety is more important than curiosity..."
He silently repeated the warning he had just given Hermione, feeling that the same principle applied equally well to himself.
The next time he saw a student experimenting outside class, perhaps he should first find a safer observation distance.
Hiding behind a rock under a Disillusionment Charm to secretly observe something must never happen again.
...
Inside the safe house, the Bronze Feather meeting had already been underway for some time, with various pieces of intelligence being exchanged in a subdued atmosphere.
When it was Lupin's turn, he cleared his throat, his face showing the fatigue of days spent travelling.
"Regarding that Blood Moon Alliance stronghold," he began, his voice slightly hoarse, "after several weeks of investigation, I've finally worked out their main patterns of activity."
Sagres gave a slight nod, signalling for him to continue.
The attention of the others around the table also turned to Lupin.
"The situation is worse than I expected."
Lupin's brows were tightly furrowed.
"They've been extremely active recently, transporting large quantities of supplies into the stronghold. More troublingly, last weekend I personally saw two travelling Wizards who had been abducted and brought into their camp."
He paused, his expression grim.
"Their intentions are clear. They're preparing to conduct a transformation ritual on the next full moon, and the altar has already been built."
Everyone around the table frowned. Forced transformation into a werewolf and the deliberate spread of the curse were among the most despicable crimes in the magical world.
It meant condemning innocent people to a lifetime of suffering.
"But just yesterday, something unexpected happened."
Lupin continued, a trace of confusion and caution appearing in his eyes.
"While observing the outskirts of the stronghold, I discovered someone else secretly watching them. It was a young witch, highly agile, and her disguise skills were exceptionally sophisticated. She definitely wasn't an ordinary passer-by."
Nightingale immediately raised her head.
"Can you identify her? Was she from the Ministry of Magic or another organisation?"
"I can't be certain."
Lupin shook his head.
"She was very cautious. Judging by her methods of observation and her professional use of terrain, she was very likely someone with formal training, perhaps an Auror. We had a brief encounter, but both sides remained restrained. She appeared to recognise me, though she showed no hostility. Instead, she implied that she was also gathering evidence of the Blood Moon Alliance's crimes."
He turned to Sagres.
"She left behind a vague warning. She said the stronghold's defences are much stronger than they appear, especially during the full moon. I believe she may possess information that we don't. Should we attempt to contact her?"
At that moment, Swift, who had been sitting in the corner, interjected.
"I did hear some rumours. It seems the Department of Magical Law Enforcement at the British Ministry of Magic recently deployed a small task force on a secret operation. If the person you encountered was an Auror, then she was probably part of that group."
Sagres remained silent for a moment, his fingers gently tapping the table as he processed the information.
Cooperating with official Aurors could sometimes save a great deal of trouble, especially when dealing with the aftermath.
However, even if they chose not to cooperate, the Ministry of Magic would still have to clean up the mess.
"We cannot allow this ritual to take place."
His gaze swept over every member present.
"Before moonrise tonight, I will pay a visit to the Blood Moon Alliance stronghold and thoroughly awaken those who have immersed themselves in darkness."
He then turned to Lupin.
"Do you have any suggestions?"
Lupin considered the question for a moment before finally saying,
"I'll go with you. I'll rescue the captured Wizards and do my best to prevent any innocent people from being harmed."
"Very well."
Sagres nodded in agreement.
"However, I suggest that while rescuing the captives, you avoid directly attacking the werewolves. The Blood Moon Alliance brands its enemies, and that mark would be extremely troublesome for your future activities."
Lupin looked puzzled.
"I have no objection to that suggestion, but in that case, wouldn't you be marked by this brand you mentioned?"
"I was marked by them a long time ago," Sagres replied calmly.
"That's why I said my feud with them goes back a very long way."
...
The pale moon had already cast its cold light across the highlands of the North Yorkshire Moors.
Like two ghosts, Sagres and Lupin silently approached the Blood Moon Alliance stronghold.
It was an abandoned ancient stone circle situated on an elevated stretch of moorland, its rough stone pillars casting grotesque shadows beneath the moonlight.
At the centre of the stone circle stood an altar crudely constructed from black stones and bones, stained with dark red marks and giving off a bloody, putrid stench.
More than a dozen hunched figures wandered restlessly around the altar, while several abducted Wizards were chained to stone pillars nearby, their clothes tattered and their eyes filled with despair.
Farther out, several half-human, half-wolf figures patrolled the perimeter.
Clearly, they believed that on the eve of the full moon, in such a desolate place, there was nothing to fear.
Ordinary werewolves could not transform voluntarily; transformation was an uncontrollable curse.
However, powerful werewolves who fully embraced their bestial nature could learn to undergo a limited transformation even when it was not the full moon.
This ability was more akin to a skill acquired through prolonged practice and surrender to their animal instincts.
Using the shadows of the tall grass and scattered rocks, Sagres and Lupin slowly advanced.
Just as they were about to choose a point of entry, an extremely faint sound, like a pebble rolling across the ground, came from behind and to their right.
Both of them instantly raised their wands towards the source of the noise.
A figure in the shadows quickly raised both hands and lowered their voice.
"Don't move! I'm a friend!"
___
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