"Sir, if we can't get close to the tanks, can we use detection spells from afar?"
Kingsley approached Scrimgeour, asking in a low voice, "That might be the only place with clear traces. We need to conduct a thorough inspection."
Before Scrimgeour could speak, Bode shook his head and said, "No, absolutely not... If you use spells, you'll disturb them."
Kingsley frowned. "But..."
"Kingsley." Scrimgeour interrupted him. "Not getting close to these things is also for your protection—just inspect the outside areas."
"...Yes," Kingsley replied.
He saw that although Scrimgeour had brought skilled Aurors to investigate, he didn't seem intent on making them find a result.
In fact, the scope of their search was extremely limited—only a small section from the Brain Room to the circular room outside.
Both rooms were empty. The intruder had destroyed any traces very cleanly, and the search quickly ended.
As for the area outside the Department of Mysteries, that path led directly to Courtroom Ten underground.
The Ministry of Magic had recently been re-examining some cases with irregular procedures, and they were constantly catching Wizards who were smuggling, stealing, or violating the Statute of Secrecy. Even Courtroom Ten, which had been sealed for years, was reactivated.
On the day the Department of Mysteries was breached, Courtroom Ten was hearing an old case involving two prominent figures in the Wizarding World, and there were many Wizards coming and going.
So, although they all knew the intruder had used this opportunity to slip into the Department of Mysteries, they couldn't identify the person based on their route or the timing.
The Aurors quickly finished their work, and the final result was—no result.
Bode didn't seem surprised. He frowned, his face drawn, and nodded distractedly, then stared blankly at the brains floating in the tanks.
"Ding—"
The elevator chimed again. A simply dressed, brown-haired man holding a wooden box hurried in. Seeing so many people in the Brain Room, he froze.
Bode instantly "came alive." He rushed forward, lowering his voice to ask, "Did you get it?"
The brown-haired man nodded.
Bode couldn't help but show a hint of joy. He turned to Scrimgeour and the others, saying, "Thank you, Mr. Scrimgeour. Since the investigation is over, you can leave now."
Scrimgeour's stern gaze lingered on the two of them for a moment.
"Let's go!"
He turned to leave first, and the Aurors followed suit. As soon as they exited the circular hall, the black door behind them immediately shut.
"What's going on?" a young Auror said, puzzled and annoyed. "No wonder no one likes these guys—are Unspeakables all freaks?"
"Alright, let's go."
Everyone took the elevator directly up to the second floor of the Ministry of Magic. The Auror headquarters were on this floor, and unlike the gloomy underground, it was bright with sunlight and bustling.
The Aurors returned to their cubicles, diving into their busy work. As for the investigation in the Department of Mysteries underground, they had all signed non-disclosure agreements, forbidding them from revealing anything to anyone.
Kingsley lagged a step behind. After the others left, he asked Scrimgeour, "Sir, do you know the intruder's identity?"
Scrimgeour narrowed his eyes at him. "Are you doubting me?"
Kingsley smiled politely, remaining silent.
Scrimgeour then shifted his gaze and said, "The first time I came into contact with the Department of Mysteries, my superior told me something, and now I'll pass it on to you—"
"With the Department of Mysteries, do not inquire, do not approach, do not covet."
"Anyone who tries to use that place to scheme something for themselves will ultimately reap what they sow."
Scrimgeour left, and Kingsley remained silent, pondering that statement.
No proverb comes into being out of thin air; behind it must lie countless bloody and painful lessons, which is why, apart from the Unspeakables dedicated to magic, other Wizards avoid the Department of Mysteries as if it were the plague.
What Kingsley was curious about now was—did that intruder know this?
If he did, and he still broke in, what was his purpose?
...
Watching the last Auror leave the Department of Mysteries, Bode slammed the door shut with a bang, then pulled his companion into the Brain Room.
He reached out to take the wooden box, then hesitated.
"You didn't open it, did you?" he pressed. "Did you open it?"
"No," the brown-haired Wizard said. "I've been holding it since I took it from Vault 716. I haven't opened it, and I haven't let anyone else touch it."
"Good," Bode sighed in relief.
The two carefully opened the wooden box and saw a few black seeds inside. Upon contact with the air, the seeds began to faintly turn red.
The two Wizards worked together, prying open several marble floor tiles, then buried the seeds by hand. As they filled in the last handful of earth, the seeds had already turned a dazzling red.
Putting the floor tiles back, everything was restored to its original state. Bode wiped the sweat from his forehead caused by nervousness and said, "Alright, that should do it."
The brown-haired Wizard asked worriedly, "Will the intruder really come back?"
"Definitely," Bode sighed. "Greed is the original sin... No matter what that person gained from here, they will definitely return."
...
Mabel, wrapped in her cloak, huddled in a corner, fighting the urge to flee immediately, her eyes constantly scanning the people on the street.
She had quietly followed Ryan Trocar to Diagon Alley, knowing he was there to buy textbooks. She hoped it would be an opportunity to see the young wizard who had saved them before.
But Mabel hadn't expected Diagon Alley to be so crowded!
It was packed, shoulder to shoulder, with a dense, dark mass of people as far as the eye could see.
And the wizards' attire was all very similar. Aside from a few individualistic types, most preferred black Wizard Robes. While there were different embellishments, at a glance, everyone seemed to be wearing the exact same thing, blurring even their heights and builds.
Mabel had grown up in a dungeon and, after escaping, had always stayed in remote places. She had never seen such a dense crowd before.
Even with her powerful and terrifying abilities, she felt intimidated and overwhelmed by this noisy, crowded place. In her panic, she accidentally lost Ryan Trocar again, completely disoriented.
Mabel stood trembling in the middle of the street, like a fledgling abandoned by its parents. She only managed to catch her breath once she leaned against a wall.
She rested against the wall for a moment, then casually turned her head and saw her own black-and-white photo on the brick wall.
—It was a wanted poster.
"Hey, kid!" The shop assistant from a nearby store came out and kindly asked, "Are you sick? Can I do anything for you?"
Mabel jumped in fright, not daring to let him see her face. She quickly pulled down her hood and ran!
She ran aimlessly for a while, and only when she saw no one chasing her did she slowly stop, hiding in a corner to observe her surroundings.
The girl's physique was poor; the run made her chest ache as if it would explode. She squatted on the ground, breathing with difficulty, trying to alleviate the pain.
Several wisps of black mist emanated from her body, spreading a short distance along the floor. Just as they were about to touch a passerby, they swiftly retracted.
"Don't do anything bad!" Mabel muttered to herself. "If I get caught, I'm done for!"
She looked up at the sky, feeling that the weather had grown even gloomier.
Wade... where could she find him?
...
Wade wasn't hiding. He saw Lupin appear at the bookstore entrance. The group said goodbye to the newly introduced professor and walked out together.
Michael noticed Lupin's expression wasn't right and asked, "What's wrong? You look awful."
"Who was that person just now?" Lupin asked, his face grim.
"He's the new Hogwarts professor," Harry said. "He said his name is Ryan Trocar."
Lupin paused. "The Defense Against the Dark Arts professor?"
"Yes."
Lupin was silent for a moment.
Actually, he had previously received a letter from Dumbledore, asking if he would consider teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts at the school.
Lupin had been tempted for a moment but ultimately declined.
While Wade and Aslan's Magic Workshop had a good working relationship, it didn't mean Lupin could just abandon his responsibilities. He had plenty of work to do normally.
Sirius was still tracking Peter Pettigrew and the other two, and Lupin worried about him.
Now, they had discovered another group targeting young wizards—even if the Ministry of Magic believed the matter was closed, both Dumbledore and Lupin, who had only recently become involved, felt it wasn't that simple.
Lupin had too many concerns to abandon everything and retreat into the ivory tower of the school.
It seemed that after he refused, Dumbledore had invited that person inside to be the professor... Although the man appeared distinguished, Lupin couldn't bring himself to like him.
Perhaps it was the mutual perception between dangerous creatures; he vaguely felt—that guy was somewhat like a Vampire.
Having been ambushed by such a creature before, Lupin had a very poor impression of Vampires.
But he couldn't be certain, because based on appearance alone... there had always been a rumor among Hogwarts students that Potions Professor Snape was actually a Vampire.
And, since he was someone Dumbledore invited...
"Is there something wrong with him?"
When Lupin heard Wade ask this, he hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and said, "I just have an uncomfortable feeling—have you bought everything?"
"No, but we're planning to buy the rest at a Muggle department store," Harry said with a smile.
"Is that so..." Lupin felt a touch of curiosity upon hearing this. He said, "Then let's go. It's getting late."
"The weather's terrible today!" Michael looked up at the sky and said gloomily, "It feels like it's about to rain, and I can't even breathe properly."
As they walked towards the entrance of Diagon Alley, they saw many people who had already bought the new Communication Peas, talking to others as they walked, looking as if they were talking to themselves, some even suddenly bursting into laughter.
"How convenient," Michael said. "Perhaps the Book of Friends will soon be replaced by the Communication Pea."
"No way," Harry shook his head. "The Book of Friends is much cheaper and can send pictures. Communication Peas can't do that."
"Speaking of which... Wade, your Christmas gift this year isn't going to be giving everyone a Communication Pea, is it?"
Michael raised an eyebrow at Wade, saying, "Put some thought into it for once, and prepare a special gift, okay? Actually, I'd prefer some snacks made by your Magic Golem."
Wade glanced at him, noticing that Michael was speaking in a joking tone, but his eyes were very serious.
On the surface, he was asking for a gift, but he was actually telling Wade—don't give Communication Peas this time.
Magic Golems weren't cheap, but since Wade made them himself, the cost wasn't too high.
Communication Peas were much more expensive. Because so many people wanted them, Aslan's Magic Workshop had to start limiting purchases, so reselling them would fetch a large sum of Galleons. Such an item wasn't suitable as a gift exchanged between students.
"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm," Harry nodded vigorously, not giving it much thought. "It really is delicious... And the ribs and chicken drumsticks are excellent too, Wade. Your Magic Golem must have a secret recipe, right?"
Wade chuckled. "Well, there'll definitely be a snack pack in the gifts, but of course, I've prepared other things..."
He looked at Michael, emphasizing, "Not Communication Peas."
"That's good then," Michael smiled. "I'm looking forward to seeing what surprises you have for everyone."
As the group passed a pet shop, they suddenly heard a Wizard nearby shout, "What did you say? Is that true?!"
Passersby all looked at him, but the Wizard paid no mind, simply pressing his left ear, his face pale, cold sweat instantly breaking out on his forehead.
"That's impossible... Are you kidding me?"
He stammered, trembling.
Those curious for gossip didn't get an answer, but their steps unconsciously halted.
Because someone's newly bought Communication Pea was relaying a message, someone's Book of Friends in their pocket began to heat up, and others stared in shock as silvery-white Patronuses ran towards them.
One by one, people on the street stopped, responding to the sudden urgent communication.
A moment later, everyone's expressions synchronized eerily—pale, fearful, disbelieving.
*Bang!*
*Bang!*
*Bang!*
Explosive loud noises rang out consecutively. Many Wizards instantly Apparated out of Diagon Alley, while others rushed towards the Floo Network office.
Wade watched this scene strangely, suddenly feeling as if he'd stumbled into The Truman Show, as if everyone around him had simultaneously received instructions from a director.
"What's happening?"
Lupin hadn't even finished speaking when he suddenly raised a hand to press his ear. The three young Wizards watched him anxiously.
A moment later, Lupin looked up. He swallowed, a hint of disbelief in his eyes.
"Sirius said... news came from Nurmengard... that person... has escaped!"
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