Homecoming from Hogwarts

The bright moonlight poured into the Seine, adding a bit of shimmering light to the river surface which was reflecting the bustling neon lights of this international romantic capital.

Muggle lovers walked out of the ancient Greek cross-shaped building, arm in arm, strolling along the riverside, bathed in the breeze that had not yet been infected by the chill of their first night.

They walked toward the steel tower that stood in the night, passing by a riverside park and a row of local-style coffee shops.

When passing by a building that was out of tune with the city style that was as dazzling as a pearl, the boy stopped first and cast a look of astonishment at it.

From the outside, it looks like an abandoned hotel.

The hotel's exterior walls have peeled off due to the ravages of time and appear mottled.

All the window sashes had been removed, and the window holes embedded in the crumbling walls looked like black skulls, which were frightening at first glance.

The boy looked away awkwardly, looking at a row of wooden fences rooted in the grass a few steps away, with a warning in eye-catching letters on them:

Dangerous building, no entry allowed, otherwise the consequences will be at your own risk!

The boy unconsciously tightened his grip on the girl's hand and took a few steps away in the opposite direction.

"Oh, don't worry, Charles, this building has been here since I was born, and there have never been any accidents in all these years!"

The girl seemed to be a local, and she explained to the boy with a smile.

"Were you born here?"

The boy smacked his lips and looked at his girlfriend in surprise.

"Maybe it will take even longer—"

The girl shrugged and said,
"I remember my father saying something similar—"

The boy glanced at the nearby iron tower, and looked around. As far as his sight could see, apart from this old building that still vaguely showed its former luxury, the surrounding area was full of bustling commercial streets.

"All right--"

The black-haired, black-eyed boy curled his lips.
"Rich French."

He stared at a dark window on the second floor of the abandoned building for a few more seconds, then shivered for no apparent reason.
"Let's go. This house makes me feel uncomfortable. Maybe it's haunted—"

"There are indeed similar rumors. Do you want to hear them?"

As the two of them strolled away, the girl's teasing laughter gradually dissipated in the wind.

"Don't forget to stay alert at all times, Sirius!"

A sudden growl behind him startled Sirius. He quickly stood up from his position leaning against the gilded window frame, turned his gaze, and glared at the wizard behind him with dissatisfaction.
"All the dignitaries from the entire European wizarding world are gathered here. Alastor, anyone who wants to attack here is crazy!"

"Our opponents are precisely a bunch of lunatics, Sirius."

Alastor tapped his cane on the ground and turned to look at the luxurious and elegant hall.

Under the brilliant light of a crystal chandelier that occupied one-tenth of the spacious banquet hall, well-dressed wizards and witches toasted each other.

“Tsk tsk—”

Alastor smacked his lips, his face covered with centipede-like scars twitched, and the blue magic eyes in his eye sockets were too lazy to move.
"But it was a boring occasion. The world was on fire, and the politicians were singing and dancing while saving the world!"

"So that's why Amosta and Dumbledore chose not to come--"

Sirius stretched and hummed a smile.

Before the final preparatory meeting of the joint forces is held tomorrow, the heads of the Ministry of Magic of all countries participating in the Mutual Defense Treaty will of course gather together to celebrate this great moment.

The person standing in the spotlight is Hope Dreghan, Vice President (Executive) of the International Confederation of Wizards.

This old man who is regarded as serious by the world may be in high spirits because of good things happening. He frequently raises his glass to Chairman Kohaug and Minister Bones of the Magical Congress of the United States of America around him.

The other seven vice-chairmen of the Federation are also doing their best to entertain dignitaries from various countries.

Looking around, in the magnificent banquet hall, the only ones who were out of tune with the harmonious atmosphere were Sirius and Alastor. They were not guests of the Federation, but attended the banquet as the guards of Minister Bones.

The only guards who could receive such an honor were Sirius and Alastor.

After all, Alastor has been designated as the operational commander of the upcoming joint force, and Sirius Black is the commander of the joint force.
By virtue of his glorious deeds of spending thirteen years in Azkaban, he also won a ticket to the banquet.

The Aurors brought by the heads of the Ministries of Magic of other countries were placed in the small hall next door.

"Such occasions must be very boring for you, right?"

After a while, Minister Bones finally found a chance to get rid of Vice Chairman Dregrn and the other Ministers who were trying to make friends with her. She walked over to Alastor and Sirius who were standing by the window, smiling and asking,
"Especially you, Sirius, I bet you can't wait to get back to Remus's -"

Sirius, wearing a dark green wizard robe, put his hands in his pockets, with a happy smile on his face, which seemed a bit rebellious in this occasion where everyone was wearing a mask.
"Remus and Tonks have been rehearsing their wedding these days, and I chose not to take leave precisely to avoid these troublesome things, Minister--"

"Ah, I thought you insisted on coming because you were worried about my safety--"

Minister Bones laughed, then looked at Alastor and said kindly,
"Perhaps you should join me in getting to know some of the wizards in this banquet hall, Alastor. You will inevitably have to deal with them in the future."

"No offense, Minister—"

Alastor shouted at the top of his voice.

"If being in charge of operations means I have to play cozy with politicians, I'd rather stay in the box for another year!"

Even Minister Bones was amused by Alastor's sudden words. She was about to say something, but she saw Alastor and Sirius frowning at the same time, looking behind them and retracting one hand into their sleeve.

Amelia turned around and saw a waiter walking towards her.

The three of them could tell from the waiter's gait with his brows lowered and shoulders hunched that this plain-looking waiter was trying his best not to attract unnecessary attention.

"I'm sorry to bother you, but are you Minister Bones of the British Ministry of Magic?"

Everyone here knows Amelia, who saved the British wizarding world from decline in times of crisis.

But the waiter still bowed in front of Amelia and asked a few more questions.

Amelia looked at the waiter for a moment, then nodded.
"Is there a problem?"

"Mr. Barna would like to speak to you, Minister Bones, it's upstairs--"

The waiter said.

"Bana?"

Amelia's raised eyebrows made her look more dignified. Her sharp eyes fell on the waiter.
"I didn't hear that it would attend this banquet?"

Sirius and Alastor behind Amelia suddenly looked alert.

They all came out from behind Minister Bones at the same time, and quietly came behind the waiter, ready to strike a thundering blow to the suspicious waiter at any time!
The waiter who had clearly noticed the two's actions seemed oblivious to everything. He just bowed again.

"You also need to bring Mr. Black and Mr. Moody. This is Vice President Brian's plan--"

"Amo."

Sirius blurted out in surprise, but immediately realized that it was inappropriate to call out Amosta's name and he shut his mouth again.

"Don't play tricks, boy!"

Alastor fixed his magic eyes firmly on the waiter and threatened in a low voice.

But the waiter refused to say any more and just bowed slightly.

Amelia narrowed her eyes and looked at the waiter deeply. Then, she looked around the still noisy banquet hall and hesitated for a few seconds.

"Let's go, take us to see Bana--" (End of this chapter)