Amost had composed himself and was sipping his tea, awaiting the children to make their statement, but silence had lingered.
The fear of the Dark Lord was more profound for these pure-blood descendants, born into noble families, than what children from ordinary wizarding families could understand. They couldn't dismissively speak out against the Dark Lord.
"How?"
Amostha, who had never received an answer, said with a bit of disappointment.
"Can't anyone think of a solution? Or should we wait until the Dark Lord is old and die, and then come to our target. Or should we give up this unrealistic target and pursue a more achievable ideal?"
The scene of heated emotions dissipated like a dream, leaving a feeling of awkwardness on the faces of the children who had pledged their allegiance and followed him. Amosha could see it from their expressions.
"We are not afraid to fight the Dark Lord, Mr... Huh, to fight against the Dark Lord..."
Amostha leaned back on the couch, his face once again softening, and he spoke in a light-hearted tone.
“But you know, that's exactly what the Dark Lord has always demanded of his Death Eaters to do. Abandon emotions, abandon your own will, abandon the dignity of being human, for his own cruel dreams.”
Amostha was pleased to see the extreme reluctance in the eyes of these children. If there was someone here who really wanted to try, like Barty Crouch Sr., willing to 'kill to prove the truth', then he really had to consider whether he needed to 'clean up the house'.
The spectral emerald flames radiated a chilling aura around, and the chains hanging from the ceiling clicked creakily, sounding like the sound of a ghoul grinding its teeth while hiding in old furniture. The shadows of these chains cast upon these students, and Draco saw that a shadow of a rope was hanging around the neck of Norton on the opposite side, swaying like it was going to hang him, and Norton's face indeed looked pale.
Amostha looked at these children with great expectation in his eyes.
"Your courage has given me great comfort, Blaise,"
"I want to tell you--"
Amostha said with a tone of admiration.
"I also believe that there is nothing to fear from the Dark Lord, I don't think I will lose to him. Besides, we can take advantage of Dumbledore, he has always strongly opposed the Dark Lord. If I team up with Dumbledore, I'm sure the Dark Lord won't be able to do anything. And you all--"
After Amostha left the classroom, the youngest Astoria suddenly stood up, looking more composed than the few boys present. After all, her parents were not Death Eaters, although they did acknowledge some of Voldemort's views.
The Ministry of Magic is unwilling to admit that Voldemort has returned, which means I can't rely on their power to fight against Voldemort's forces. Dumbledore's side is left with only a few weak and sick individuals, unable to match the sharp Death Eaters. Perhaps, after training you for so long, you finally look decent enough. Perhaps you can help me deal with Voldemort's Death Eaters. Is that it?"
"Are you really planning to oppose the Dark Lord? You--you know, he's called the most evil wizard in history, and many wizards who opposed him didn't have a good ending."
Amostha paused for a moment in his speech, then stood up from his seat, looking down at these children with a calm expression.
"If they turn themselves in, they will have a chance for redemption, but if they persist in their resistance and stick to their guns, then maybe they won't even have a chance to enter Azkaban."
"He wants to make everyone his slave, Miss Granger..."
"This is not the first time it's happened. His father tested his abilities by having a duel with him, and indeed, his strength did shock his father."
For a long time, Draco had harbored complex emotions towards his father, fear and admiration.
Amostha waved his hand to dissipate the spell, restoring the gym class room to its original state, and bright sunlight once again bathed these innocent children.
Professor Blaine's cold voice resounded in Draco's ears, shocking him with a snap, and his words sent shivers down Draco's spine.
"I intend to oppose Voldemort, that's easy to understand, isn't it? I can't let him hog all the limelight on his own, but I'm now facing a dilemma.
Amostha smiled.
"I have been teaching you how to arm yourselves, haven't I? I can guarantee that I have taught you the magic that a small witch or wizard of your age can master. To be honest, if it were me at your age, I might not have been able to defeat your duel team. At least we would need to wait until you're in advanced classes before teaching more complex magic."
Amostha continued.
"I will indeed oppose the Dark Lord. I'm not too fond of the current Ministry of Magic, nor am I particularly impressed with the current state of the magical world. I plan to make some changes, but certainly not the kind that Voldemort hopes to see - a world filled with fear and murder. I will ensure that Voldemort is utterly defeated one day and has no chance of ever returning."
"Will you assist me in dealing with the Death Eaters who are as loyal to the Dark Lord as ever?"
"And his followers."
Draco's mouth opened and closed, but he didn't know what to say. He suddenly felt a bit of sympathy for his father.
"I hope you understand that you should be more independent. You should have your own aspirations, your own dreams, not sacrifice your precious life, or the precious wealth I mean the love you possess, to carry out someone else's cruel beliefs."
"It seems that you are unwilling to turn against your own family and kin in order to carry out my ideal?"
"I believe that with my training, you won't be much different from the Death Eaters of the Dark Lord. As long as you unite and move forward bravely, of course, there will be difficulties. Some of you will need to face your own family members directly. But I believe that you are willing to abandon your absurd family ties for our common ideal, aren't you?"
"I'll just be straightforward..."
Draco felt his legs go weak just thinking about it - how could he do something so cruel and unjust!
A suffocating silence, some of the Slytherin students here looking pale with fear, but Blaine's cold voice did not cease.
Blaise's face was pale, and he spoke breathlessly.
Astoria's breathing was slightly hurried, and she looked at Blaine's bright eyes.
Draco's face turned white as snow, he knew what Blaine was saying.
"We are willing to follow you, no matter who stands in our way."
To fight against their own father.
Draco's gray eyes twitched slightly, and cold sweat dripped down his forehead.
He yearned to surpass his father. He knew that his father seemed to have been among the first to follow Voldemort, deeply trusted by him. Today, appearing here before Professor Blaine, had a bit to do with his desire to exceed his father -- to follow a new legend and become part of the core.
But to kill one's own father in order to achieve one's ambitions?
Fear stemmed from the strict education he received from a young age, while admiration came from his father's exceptional magical prowess, his commendable intelligence, and his wise gaze. Furthermore, he couldn't help but have heard about some of his father's past experiences—the 'struggle' under Voldemort to restore the pure-blood glory.
Draco twitched uneasily in his seat, and at that moment, he was not the only one who dodged Amostha's gaze.
"Professor Blane!"
"As for what you say, you want to gain power from me--"
Draco, Norton, Blaise.
Amostha saw their fists unclench, their palms trembling slightly. Their pupils contracted to the smallest, and their eyes revealed fear.
Amostha smiled as he said,
"I'm sorry, I don't like to be subservient to others. When it comes to death and submission, I would choose death without hesitation. By the way, remember to finish the food on the table before you leave. Waste is shameful."
(The end of this chapter)
