Chapter 26: Chapter 26 Blank diary
The next day, the Department of Magical Law Enforcement of the British Ministry of Magic received an anonymous letter.
The letter mentioned that a large number of illegal items related to dark magic were hidden in Malfoy Manor, specifically in a secret compartment under the fountain in the center of the courtyard.
Amelia Bones, the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, took the letter from her assistant, and her initially indifferent expression gradually turned into one of extreme astonishment.
"Rufus, take a look at this letter," she called out to Rufus Scrimgeour, the head of the Auror Office.
A man with tawny hair and gold-rimmed glasses walked over. He seemed to have a slight limp, but he walked with a confident stride.
"What's the matter, Amelia?" Scrimgeour glanced nonchalantly at the letter in Bones's hand and said casually, "A tip-off about Malfoy Manor? The Malfoy family is often reported, but we've never found any substantial evidence."
"No, Rufus, this time the letter is different." Bones shook her head slightly and handed the letter to Scrimgeour.
Scrimgeour took the letter with a doubtful look, and then his expression turned into one of surprise and suspicion.
"This letter contains detailed plans of Malfoy Manor? Only someone extremely close to the Malfoy family could draw such a clear blueprint." He frowned and wondered, "Who could have written this letter, and what is their purpose?"
"No matter what, this is a rare opportunity we can't miss." Amelia Bones quickly made a decision, "Arthur has a long-standing grudge against the Malfoys and should be quite familiar with them. You take him along and lead two squads of elite Aurors to thoroughly search Malfoy Manor."
Scrimgeour nodded decisively and turned to head to the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office to inform Arthur Weasley about the mission.
After Scrimgeour left, Bones took out a document from her drawer and began filling out a search warrant for Malfoy Manor.
At that moment, a tall man with pale blond hair neatly braided walked up to her desk.
"Let's hope so," Voldemort's voice carried a hint of satisfaction. "Prepare yourself; I'll teach you how to use the Dark Mark to contact him."
Just as Voldemort was about to instruct Quirrell on using the Dark Mark, the gates of Malfoy Manor suddenly opened.
A wizard, dressed in luxurious robes and with his face covered by a silk veil, slipped out of the manor.
After spending hours gathering the contraband, Lucius did not disappoint Voldemort. He brought the precious items to the meeting place.
"You must be the black market dealer from Knockturn Alley?" Lucius handed over a bag with a hint of arrogance. "It took me six hours to gather these treasures. Do you understand their value now?"
"If I weren't in a hurry to dispose of them, two thousand Galleons wouldn't be enough to buy even a fraction of these items!"
Quirrell stared at the veiled Lucius, shivering. He could feel Voldemort's growing anger.
'I knew the Malfoy family couldn't be trusted; they've always been opportunists!' Voldemort's voice cursed in Quirrell's mind.
Suppressing his fear, Quirrell took the bag and began inspecting it for the items Voldemort needed.
"Yes, everything I need is in here," Voldemort's voice, though angry, confirmed.
Quirrell sighed in relief, handed Lucius the two thousand Galleons they had dug up from a grave, and quickly left Malfoy Manor.
In a remote corner of Wiltshire, under Voldemort's direction, Quirrell pulled out a blank black diary from the bag with trembling hands.
Voldemort's anger faded, replaced by a sense of relief and joy.
4o