Lockhart held Donna Avery in his arms, his face full of anxiety.
He hurried toward the castle. As he turned a corner, he ran headlong into Dantes.
"Oh, it's Earl Dantes!" he exclaimed.
Dantes glanced at Lockhart, then at the girl in his arms.
"Oh, it's the great writer, Mr. Lockhart. What happened to Miss Avery?"
"So her surname is Avery..." Lockhart muttered, then quickly recovered his senses and replied, "She suddenly fainted just now!"
"Is that so? Let me take a look."
Dantes leaned in, pretending to examine her carefully.
"It's nothing serious. She just fainted from excitement—I think she might be your fan!"
"Of course! There's no doubt about that. But the fact that she fainted because of me... how adorable! Still, I should find a place for her to rest."
Dantes pointed toward the west-side tower. "There are a few guest rooms on the fourth floor of that tower. You can take her there."
"Thank you so much, Earl!"
Lockhart took off running. But after a dozen meters, he suddenly looked back.
"Earl, could you tell me Miss Avery's full name? It's very important to me!"
"Of course. Her name is Donna. Donna Avery."
Dana twisted his neck. Dealing with these pure-blood lords was truly exhausting.
Still, today had been a productive day. Not only had he uncovered the Ministry of Magic official who had aided Old Avery, but he had also successfully brought Donna Avery and Gilderoy Lockhart together.
He licked his lips in satisfaction. Now only two things remained:
First, he needed to find Barty Crouch Sr. and probe whether he had been involved in the events of that year.
Second, he planned to give Donna Avery and Gilderoy Lockhart a strong "dose" of something—enough to bind them together completely.
Reaching the entrance of the tower, Dana called over a member of the Fire Serpent Party.
"BOS... Earl!" the man responded promptly.
"Go to the fourth floor and bring Mr. Lockhart and Miss Avery two cups of water. Add this." Dana handed over a small packet of powder.
"Yes!"
Drugging someone was no big deal for a Fire Serpent Party member from the lower ranks.
Dana strolled contentedly toward the main hall. He remembered that Barty Crouch Sr. had been drinking alone on the east side earlier.
Just then, the herald's voice rang out at the entrance:
"Albus Dumbledore, Principal of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, has arrived!"
Dana frowned slightly. Why was the old man here?
But then again, Lucius Malfoy was on the Hogwarts school board. It made sense that he would invite Dumbledore, the most respected wizard in Britain.
Dana quickened his pace and walked toward the entrance.
"Ah! You must be the First White Wizard—Principal Dumbledore! What an honor! I've heard of your great deeds even in the East. Without you, all of Europe—perhaps even the world—might've been ruled by Grindelwald!"
Dana was a master at striking subtly where it hurt.
Sure enough, Dumbledore's left eyebrow twitched slightly.
"Hello, Earl Dantes. I've been tied up with official duties lately. Please forgive my lateness."
"You're too modest! Your presence alone is an honor. Please, come in."
Dumbledore gave a slight nod and followed Dantes into the castle.
"Earl Dantes's collection is astonishing," Dumbledore remarked as he walked.
"If I'm not mistaken, that is Stonehenge?"
"Indeed. Your eyes are sharp, Principal."
"Heh. Living for over a hundred years—sharp eyesight is one of the few perks. But for the legendary Stonehenge, long lost to the British wizarding world, to end up in Earl Dantes's collection... now that is quite the surprise."
As Dumbledore spoke, his mind turned over uneasily.
He hadn't been able to see through Dana Emrys before, which he had once chalked up to a rare bloodline. But now he couldn't see through this Dak Dantes either. What was going on?
How could there be so many special bloodlines suddenly appearing?
In the past few decades, he hadn't encountered even one. But in the past six months, he had met two!
Dumbledore was about to speak further when Ollivander Avery came rushing over.
"Earl! Have you seen my niece?"
Dana nodded.
"Of course. I took her to the garden, and then she saw her idol."
"Gilderoy Lockhart?" Ollivander asked with a sinking feeling.
"Yes, that gentleman. Miss Avery fainted from overexcitement, so I had Mr. Lockhart take her to a guest room to rest."
Ollivander Avery's face changed drastically. Lockhart's reputation with women was... less than ideal.
He pleaded, "Earl, please assign someone to take me to the guest room!"
Dana shrugged. "There are too many guests today, and I don't have enough staff... How about this: I'll take you myself."
He looked at Dumbledore. "Principal, why don't you walk with us? I'd love to hear how my castle compares to Hogwarts."
Dana casually pointed at a nearby serving cart. A handful of candies floated over into a tray in front of Dumbledore.
"These are traditional Eastern candies. Please try some—I heard you have quite the sweet tooth."
"Earl Dantes has done his homework," Dumbledore said, smiling faintly.
"Since I've decided to settle in Britain, naturally I need to understand the British wizarding world thoroughly," Dana said.
He began walking toward the west side.
"Please, this way."
As the three walked, a small whisper began circulating—perhaps among the servants—about something exciting happening on the fourth floor of the west tower.
A small crowd of curious guests, both men and women, began drifting toward the same direction...
"Principal Dumbledore, what do you think of the décor?" Dana asked.
"It's excellent. It retains the historical charm while incorporating modern touches. The Earl clearly knows how to live well."
"Naturally. If you don't enjoy life, no amount of money is useful, wouldn't you agree?"
Ollivander Avery was trying to get a word in, but he couldn't interrupt their pleasant conversation. Not that he was in any state to chat—his mind was consumed with worry.
He had been hoping Donna would end up with Earl Dantes, which would greatly benefit the Avery family. But now it looked like Gilderoy Lockhart might steal that opportunity. The thought made him more nervous than a Niffler at a jewelry shop.
Meanwhile, Dana and Dumbledore strolled and chatted casually, pointing out interesting sights as they made their way up—four short flights that felt more like climbing a thousand-foot cliff to the increasingly desperate Avery.
Finally, they reached the fourth floor.
Dana pretended to ask the party member standing by the stairs:
"Which room is Mr. Gilderoy in?"
"The one at the end of the circular corridor."
Dana nodded. Turning to Old Avery, he said, "Mr. Avery, shall we?"
Ollivander Avery quickened his pace—but then realized Dantes had taken only two steps.
He awkwardly stopped, looking back at Dantes. His heels twitched involuntarily, betraying his anxiety.
"Don't rush, Mr. Avery. Miss Avery will be very safe with us."
Dana added with a faint smile, "Not only safe—she may very well find her true love."
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