King of Lightning [HP FANFIC]

Anduin saw that Dumbledore threw the question to him, and after a moment of reflection, he replied, "First, the most likely scenario is that this information is false. After all, it is information obtained from a student, and I cannot be sure if what he said is true. Even if it is true, it doesn't mean his elders weren't just bragging to him."

"Oh?" Dumbledore couldn't help but look at him again and continued, "Then why did you still pass the message on to us?"

"It's better to believe it than not. Even if the information isn't true, there won't be any impact, but if it is, and it puts my friends in danger, that would leave me with endless self-reproach", Anduin responded quickly.

"Hmm, cautious, resourceful. Anduin, you handled it very well". Dumbledore nodded, then said to the others, "Actually, I also received similar news from other sources, which is why I called this meeting to discuss it separately".

So that was that. Anduin thought, why did Dumbledore take it so seriously immediately without confirming it, right after he had given the information to Sirius? It seemed the headmaster also had some tricks up his sleeve. He wondered what kind of sources Dumbledore was referring to. Could he use magic for prophecy? Or did he have an informant among the Death Eaters?

The others beside him also wore expressions of sudden understanding.

"Then it seems the Death Eaters really might launch an attack around Christmas. We just don't know who the target is, whether they are planning a large-scale attack or an ambush on isolated individuals," said Edgar Bones, stroking his thick sideburns.

"The chances of attacking isolated individuals are small. With the holidays approaching, everyone is spending almost all their time with their families preparing for Christmas. They don't have much time to go out," said Gideon Prewett after a moment of thought.

"Then we must remind them to pay attention to personal protection during the holidays," said Mad-Eye Moody in a stern voice.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"If they are planning a large-scale attack, the most likely scenario is when people gather. Do you have any plans for gatherings during Christmas?" asked Emeline Vance in a gentle voice.

"Yes, Fabian and I plan to go to The Burrow before Christmas to celebrate it with my sister Molly and brother-in-law Arthur," said Gideon Prewett cheerfully.

At that moment, Sirius also said, "Lupin, Peter, Anduin, and I will attend the Potter family dinner."

Dumbledore added in a deep voice, "There are also the Longbottom and MacKinnon families; they are all large families, and the number of people gathered will not be small."

Mad-Eye Moody, hearing that these people were all happy and complete families, said speechlessly, "Ha, I will be celebrating Christmas alone at the Ministry of Magic. Seems I'm quite safe."

Anduin found it absurd that Mad-Eye Moody actually had a sense of humor, and he lowered his head, covering his mouth, silently laughing.

"What are you laughing at, kid? Living alone is much easier than for these guys with families," said Mad-Eye Moody, intentionally making a fierce expression when he saw Anduin dare to laugh at him.

"I actually agree. After all, I've lived alone for many years. Living alone isn't as bad as one might imagine." Anduin controlled his facial expression and instead agreed with Mad-Eye Moody.

When Mad-Eye Moody heard that, he felt embarrassed to have been fierce with him. He just clicked his lips awkwardly, then looked at Dumbledore and said, "Most people at the Ministry of Magic are on holiday for Christmas, including the Aurors. At the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes there might not even be anyone on duty. If no one monitors magical fluctuations in London, and if the Death Eaters really attack, it will be difficult for us to mobilize quickly."

Dumbledore thought about it, considering this troublesome issue. Christmas was indeed a special time. If people were suddenly attacked while happily celebrating, they might be caught off guard. And because of the Aurors' holiday, the Ministry of Magic would have a significant reduction in personnel. If they didn't react in time, there might be a situation where they couldn't provide timely support.

"This is really troublesome. Are we only able to defend passively? Why don't we strike first and go looking for trouble with those guys?" said Sirius impatiently upon hearing everyone's discussion.

Dumbledore could only soothe him, "Don't worry, Sirius, we will figure out a way. Provoking a conflict first will only tip the scales toward the Dark Lord, and then we will be even more passive. And I am not 100% confident in defeating that person right now."

Anduin was startled to hear that even Dumbledore wasn't confident in defeating Lord Voldemort. He wondered how strong Lord Voldemort really was now.

After some thought, Dumbledore said to everyone, "I will find a way to deal with this. Sirius, you take Anduin back first and prepare for a wonderful holiday. Fortunately, we are already prepared, just be ready to defend at any time. After all, bad things might not necessarily happen, right?"

Seeing Dumbledore say this, Sirius could only scratch his head in annoyance and led Anduin out of the basement.

The remaining five people continued to discuss countermeasures in the basement.

"Dumbledore, do you have a hunch?" Edgar Bones, as one of the founders of the Order of the Phoenix, knew Dumbledore very well and asked.

Dumbledore smiled when Bones asked and replied, "Yes, I received more information from another source. I am now almost certain that the Death Eaters will definitely launch an attack at Christmas, but I still have some concerns."

"What do you mean?" Mad-Eye Moody looked thoughtfully at Sirius as he left, as if he had thought of something.

Dumbledore glanced at Mad-Eye Moody and said, "Do you know why I only called a few of you here today? I suspect that someone in the Order of the Phoenix might be passing information to the Death Eaters. You know, the names and addresses of most of our members are kept secret, but the Death Eaters seem completely unconcerned about not being able to find our people."

Gideon Prewett asked confused, "You mean there's a traitor in our Order of the Phoenix?"

"So you sent Sirius away early too?" Edgar Bones seemed to have thought of something as well and asked.

"Could it be?" A guess had just surfaced in everyone's minds when Dumbledore interrupted them.

"I don't doubt Sirius's loyalty, but his personality is not suited for keeping secrets," said Dumbledore slowly.

"Do you have a suspect? I bet it's that Mundungus Fletcher fellow. He's idle all day, only caring about smuggling for money," said Mad-Eye Moody angrily after apparently thinking of someone.