After waiting here for less than an hour, Aberforth came back with an ugly expression.
"I saw him in the Three Broomsticks, but he wasn't the only one, there was Barty Crouch Jr., the two Carlo brothers, the school doctor named Strange, and twenty-eight other purebloods. Professors from the family are gathered there, they must be holding some kind of party."
Jon sat on an empty barrel, his face dark and uncertain, and finally said.
"Let's wait and see when they go back and whether they go back together or separately."
Aberforth did not let Jon wait here. He took him to a guest room on the second floor of the tavern and asked him to rest here first. After all, no matter what the outcome of tonight was, he would definitely be tired from running around during the day tomorrow.
After setting up Jon, Aberforth closed the door an hour earlier than usual. At 11 o'clock, he drove the last drunk man out of the store. After that, he closed the store door and went to the three stores in person. Broom stalking near the bar.
He chose a position that was just right, so that he could see the group of Hogwarts wizards who were drinking and playing cards in the bar hall from the side, but those inside could not see him from this angle.
The weather was still very cold in early February, and the cold wind made his wrinkled face numb, but Aberforth stayed up until about two o'clock in the morning.
When he watched Dolokhov finish his last game of cards and turn around to go to the hotel on the second floor of the Three Broomsticks Bar, he couldn't help but clenched his fist angrily and punched the wall next to him.
Then he ignored his hands that had turned purple, turned around and left quickly towards his tavern.
Arriving on the second floor of the Pig Head Bar, he woke up Jon who was sleeping lightly.
"He stayed at the bar for the night."
"Is everyone else asleep?"
"No, except for him, the rest of the people are still playing cards in the hall."
Jon rubbed his face with cold hands and let out a breath.
He knew very well what it would mean if Dolohov stayed in the Three Broomsticks tonight. Little Barty, the Carlo brothers and sisters, and other professors from Hogwarts Castle were all there. Even with the invisibility cloak and the addition of Uncle Forth, Jon has no way to guarantee that he can deal with Dolohov in such an environment.
They were the only ones left there. After wearing the invisibility cloak, how were they supposed to enter the closed bar? Even if you find the right opportunity to sneak in, how can you sneak into the second floor while avoiding the Hogwarts professors on the first floor?
It's not that it can't succeed, but the risk is too great. If they choose to take the risk and tonight's operation fails, it will not only affect the matter of getting the students out of Hogwarts Castle tomorrow, but also Dumbledore's other actions. The plan is obviously and very likely to go wrong.
Jon lowered his head and was silent for a long time. In the end, he did not make up his mind to take this risk.
You can save people, but you can't put your own people at risk of sacrifice just to save people. If they are exposed tonight, Jon and Aberforth will definitely be able to escape, but the Ministry of Magic will definitely be on guard, and those affected will The scope is too great.
"It doesn't matter." Jon sat up from the bed and put on his robe. There wasn't much frustration or disappointment on his face. He said in a calm voice, "Since we can't take any tricks, let's take the frontal approach."
Aberforth sighed.
"You can't keep everyone safe."
"As long as we do our best, no matter what the outcome is, we will never regret it."
...
Thursday morning, on the Hogwarts carriage.
The student responsible for making breakfast today got up early and was busy in the kitchen.
The second-year students still need to teach the senior students for another year, and this morning, Neville and the four of them were helping to fry eggs in the kitchen.
They have begun to cook some food that does not require skills. Four people each have a pot, and half-boiled eggs are sizzling in it. The fourth-grade students, who are in charge of meals, are preparing breakfast sandwiches and grilled sausages.
"You fried them too tenderly, Ron. I just saw that the yolks in some fried eggs are still liquid." Lavender stared at Ron's finished results and lectured him.
Ron shrugged nonchalantly.
"I like to eat like this, but Percy doesn't like it. He prefers older omelettes. I hope he can taste my creations by then."
Neville said thoughtfully, staring at his pan.
"I wonder what Jon has been doing lately?"
Ron clicked his tongue.
"Maybe Jon has been assigned a great job. Not only does he not have to go to class every day, but he can also eat roasted elbow in the morning!"
"Jon wouldn't eat such greasy food so early in the morning." Justin muttered quietly.
While they were chatting, Neville was keenly aware that the door behind them was opened, so he turned his head, and when he saw the person, he couldn't help but slightly widen his eyes.
"Professor Dumbledore."
Hearing his voice, Ron and the three of them reacted at this time. When they turned around, they saw Dumbledore walking into the kitchen with a smile on his face.
"Roast elbow is certainly not suitable for breakfast, but fried eggs are great with sandwiches." He had obviously just heard the conversation between them and said with a smile, "Give me one of your creations first, Ron, and I will too." If you like something tender, Lavender, please help me go to Svent and ask for a sandwich and pumpkin juice. The grilled sausages are no match. As I get older, my appetite is not so good."
He naturally sat at an empty preparation table in the kitchen. Ron blushed and found the most decent one from among his works. He put it on an empty plate and brought it to Dumbledore. In front of Lido.
Lavender also trotted all the way to get a thick sandwich and warm pumpkin juice from the fourth grade student, and carefully handed it to Dumbledore.
In the past, Dumbledore would go to the restaurant to eat with the students. Occasionally when he was too busy at work, he would go to the kitchen to see if there was any leftover food. If he couldn't find it, he would cook it himself.
Today was the first time that Neville and the others had seen the principal get up so early and come directly to the kitchen for breakfast.
Neville asked while controlling the heat of the omelette and looking curiously at Dumbledore who was eating breakfast seriously.
"Do you have anything to do today? Professor."
Dumbledore cut Ron's omelette open with a knife and fork, and the egg yolk inside immediately flowed out. The old man replied softly.
"Today I'm going to meet two old friends."
