A Young Wizard's Journey - Rising Phoenix

Trick or Trap

'They've got a bunch of the third years carrying stuff into the Forbidden Forest,' said Neville. 'We're not quite sure what they're moving.'

'Probably not good whatever it is,' said Y/N, glancing over his planning wall and moving a couple of the pins to reflect this new information. 'My guess is they're trying to bribe one of the creatures in there. A horde of most of those beasts would be dangerous.'

'They've also threatened to make Muggle Studies mandatory.'

'So that they can tell all the younger years what disgraces Muggles are too?' said Y/N nastily.

From what Neville said, all the subject had been since Alecto had taken over was how muggles were vastly inferior to Wizards.

Around two weeks had passed since Y/N's interview and he had rarely left the room since, mostly to attend a speech or announcement held by Snape under the guise of Klaus. But going out as Klaus was getting more and more risky.

To begin with, only the Slytherins had been prepared to report this mysterious exchange student. But now, many of the younger students were keen to as well, in the hopes that it could earn them some favour and allow them to bypass a punishment or two.

'They've authorised the Cruciatus curse as well,' said Neville. 'They're using it on anyone who they think has any connection to you or Harry.'

'Actual me, or Klaus me?'

'Actual. Klaus is just getting detentions at the moment, but they can't really prove that anyone knows them. They're just guessing.'

'Good,' said Y/N, finally turning back to Neville and joining him at the table. 'We need to keep them doing that. The moment they find out who I actually am, this is going to get a damn sight tougher. They still pressuring you and Ginny?'

'Every chance they get. Think Luna has been getting it too recently, but that's mostly because of Xenophilius.'

'Ah yes,' said Y/N, scooping up the nearby copy of the Qubbiler to see his own face super emposed under the title.

Y/N L/N – Wanted for fighting our new regime

'He's certainly making his allegiances pretty clear, wouldn't be surprised if they did something to shut him up soon. I just hope it's not permanent, whatever it is.'

'Doubt it, he's another source of media,' said Neville. 'They'll probably just try to bribe him, make him start reporting against you too, people trust his magazine to say what the Prophet won't. If he starts printing you're evil then people will be won over.'

'I hate that you're right...'

As Y/N trailed off, the door opened and Ginny came striding across the room looking rather smug.

'You had to go and bait him, didn't you?'

'Has he finally responded?' asked Y/N, raising an eyebrow.

Ginny took the copy of the Prophet she was holding and pushed it toward him.

There was his face once more, and now with a new reward.

'650,000 galleons,' said Y/N in disbelief.

Neville whistled.

'You know, I didn't think you'd be smiling when I told you that,' said Ginny.

'This is exactly what I wanted though,' said Y/N, shaking the paper, unable to hide his smirk, 'he's scared, and this proves it. I've just actively threatened him, if he wasn't scared, he wouldn't respond, or he'd take down the bounty and hunt for me himself. At least take away the dead or alive part, Harry's says he's wanted alive after all. No, he's scared of me, he wants someone else to do the dirty work for him.'