#50 - guess

Anduin saw Dumbledore pass the question to him, and after pondering for a moment, he replied, "First of all, the most likely scenario is that this news is false. After all, the information came from a student, and I can't be sure if what he said is true. Even if it is true, it's not certain that his elders weren't just bragging to him."

"Oh?" Dumbledore couldn't help but take another look, and continued, "Then why did you pass the message on to us?"

"After all, it's better to be safe than sorry. Even if the news is false, it won't have any impact. But if it's true, and my friends are put in danger because of it, I would be endlessly remorseful," Anduin quickly replied.

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

So that's how it is. Anduin thought, how could he have just given Sirius the information, and Dumbledore immediately took it seriously without even confirming it? It seems the headmaster does have something up his sleeve. I wonder what channels he's talking about. Does he have prophetic magic? Or does he have a mole among the Death Eaters?

The others around him also had expressions of sudden realization.

"Then it seems that the Death Eaters really might launch an attack around Christmas. I just don't know who the target is, whether they're planning a large-scale attack, or preparing to ambush individuals."

"Attacking individuals is unlikely. Now that the holidays are approaching, everyone is almost always with their families preparing for Christmas, there's not much time to go out," Gideon Prewett said after a moment of thought.

"Then we must remind them to pay attention to personal protection during the holidays!" Moody said sternly.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"If they are planning a large-scale attack, the most likely scenario is when people are gathered together. Do you have any plans to gather around Christmas?" Kingsley Shacklebolt said in a gentle and deep voice.

"Yes, Fabian and I are planning to go to the Burrow for Christmas, to spend Christmas with my sister Molly and brother-in-law Arthur," Gideon Prewett said in a light tone.

At this time, Sirius also said, "Lupin, Peter, and Anduin will all be attending the Potter family's dinner."

Dumbledore then said in a deep voice, "And the Longbottoms, the McKinnons, they are also large families, and the number of people gathering will not be small."

Hearing that these guys were all happy and complete families, Moody said speechlessly, "Ha, I'm spending Christmas alone at the Ministry of Magic, looks like I'm pretty safe."

Anduin couldn't help but feel absurd that Moody actually had a sense of humor, and he lowered his head, covering his mouth, laughing silently.

"What are you laughing at, kid? Living alone is much easier than these guys with families," Moody said, deliberately putting on a fierce expression when he saw Anduin daring to laugh at him.

"I do agree with that. After all, I'm an orphan, and living alone isn't as bad as you think," Anduin restrained his facial expressions and instead agreed with Moody.

Hearing Anduin say this, Moody felt embarrassed to be fierce with him, and could only smack his lips, then looked at Dumbledore, and said, "Most of the people at the Ministry of Magic are on vacation for Christmas, including the Aurors. The Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes may not even have anyone on duty. If no one is monitoring the magical fluctuations in London, then if there really is a Death Eater attack, it will be difficult for us to mobilize."

Dumbledore thought for a moment, also considering this troublesome problem. Christmas is indeed a special time. If people are suddenly attacked while happily spending Christmas, they are likely to be caught off guard. And the Aurors of the Ministry of Magic will have a sharp reduction in manpower due to the holidays. If the response is not timely, there may be a situation where they can't provide support in time.

"This is really troublesome. Are we just going to passively defend? We might as well strike first and go find trouble with those guys," Sirius said impatiently after hearing everyone's discussion.

Seeing this, Dumbledore could only appease him, "Don't worry, Sirius, we will figure out a way. Taking the lead in provoking a conflict will only cause the situation to lean towards the Dark Lord's side, which would make us even more passive, and I don't have a 100% certainty of defeating that person right now."

Hearing this, Anduin couldn't help but be shocked. Even Dumbledore isn't confident in defeating Voldemort? I wonder how strong Voldemort is right now.

After thinking for a while, Dumbledore said to everyone, "I will think of a way to deal with this. Sirius, take Anduin back first and prepare to have a wonderful holiday. Fortunately, we have made some preparations and are ready to defend at any time. After all, bad things may not necessarily happen, right?"

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

The remaining five people were still discussing countermeasures in the basement.

"Dumbledore, do you have any guesses?" Edgar Bones, as one of the founders of the Order of the Phoenix, knew Dumbledore very well, so he asked.

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

"You mean?"

Mad-Eye Moody glanced thoughtfully at Sirius, who had left, as if he had thought of something.

Dumbledore glanced at 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 may be informing the Death Eaters. You know, the names and addresses of most of our members are kept secret, but the Death Eaters don't seem to worry about not being able to find our people at all."

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

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

"Could it be?"

Just as a guess flashed through everyone's minds, Dumbledore interrupted.

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

"Do you have a suspected target? I bet it's that Mundungus Fletcher, that guy does nothing all day long, all he knows is smuggling for money," Mad-Eye Moody said angrily, as if he had thought of something.