"HP: Too Late, System!"Chapter 378: Surely We Won't Have to Block the Vatican's Door Again
Isabella perked up at the mention of her name. "I can chart a route that avoids both the Ministry and Vatican's usual patrols," she promised. "But the heart of the Apennines is treacherous—chaotic magical currents, ancient traps everywhere. You'll have to be extremely careful."
Douglas turned to Lupin. "Remus, what do you think?"
Lupin answered without a second's hesitation. "I'm coming with you, Douglas. Whatever they need—potions, battle experience, or just someone to listen—I'll do everything I can. And if the Vatican really is conducting experiments this vile, we have to stop them."
Douglas nodded, unsurprised by his friend's resolve.
He rose and walked to the window, gazing out at the magically projected panorama of Rome—and perhaps, farther still. There, Capitoline Hill and the distant Vatican glowed with a solemn, golden majesty.
But beneath that sacred light, he knew, lurked countless shadows and secrets.
He turned back, a glint of knowing amusement in his eyes, his tone tinged with mischief. "Lorenzo, you said Minister Alberti is taking a 'strategically ambiguous' stance on my arrival.
So tell me—has he also ambiguously hinted that if I were to cause the Vatican a bit of trouble, he'd be more than pleased?"
Lorenzo's lips twitched, a wry, conspiratorial smile breaking through. "The Minister's only hope is that order in Italy's magical world is maintained, and all magical beings can—well, survive reasonably within the International Statute of Secrecy.
As for the Vatican… if some of their excesses were to be curbed, I think the Minister would be quietly delighted."
Douglas caught every nuance in that diplomatic double-speak. As long as things didn't get as out of hand as last time, the Ministry could turn a blind eye. After all, he couldn't very well go blocking the Vatican's doors every time, could he?
"Perfect. Isabella, please prepare a detailed mountain map—mark every known danger zone and possible supply point. Lorenzo, the faster you get me that intel, the better. We leave tomorrow at the latest."
Just then, a shrill magical alarm split the quiet of the conference room!
Lorenzo's face blanched. He shot to his feet, meeting Douglas's eyes in alarm.
Isabella's hand flew to her wand on instinct.
Douglas rolled his eyes. "Honestly, are you two always this jumpy? This is your office, in the Ministry. Next time, change that awful alarm tone."
His dry remark left them both a little sheepish. They'd been so drawn in by the conversation, they'd forgotten this wasn't the front lines—it was the heart of the Ministry.
Lorenzo opened the door, doing his best to sound calm as he returned to his desk. "Yes? Who is it?"
A thin, slightly shrill voice called from the hallway. "Deputy Director Dino, it's Piero from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. The Minister requests your presence immediately. Also… Professor Holmes and Mr. Lupin, if it's convenient, the Minister would like to see you both as well."
The four exchanged knowing glances.
So Minister Alberti wasn't planning to stay ambiguous for long. It seemed the cards were about to be laid on the table.
Lorenzo's expression tightened, but he kept his composure as he called back, "Understood, Piero. We'll be there right away."
Douglas arched an eyebrow, murmuring, "I thought you said only a handful of people knew. What's Piero's deal?"
Lorenzo lowered his voice. "Looks like the Minister wants to keep us on a short leash. Piero's his right hand for… delicate matters. So he definitely knows. We'll need to tread carefully."
Isabella frowned. "Piero's got a nose sharper than a Niffler, and he's got a real prejudice against werewolves. If the Minister sent him, it's not a friendly gesture."
But Douglas remained calm—almost amused. "No need to worry. If the Minister wants to see us, let's see what he has to say. Who knows? Maybe he'll surprise us."
Lupin drew a deep breath and nodded. Whatever lay ahead, he knew he'd face it with Douglas by his side.
They stepped out to find a thin wizard in a perfectly pressed, dark Ministry robe waiting for them. His hair was slicked back with oil, gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose. Behind the lenses, his eyes were hawk-sharp, taking silent stock of each person as they emerged.
This was Piero.
When his gaze landed on Lupin, he adjusted his glasses, eyes narrowing behind the gold rims. His nostrils flared, as if he'd caught a whiff of something unpleasant, though he quickly buried it beneath a professional smile.
Those predatory eyes raked over Lupin—from his slightly worn but tidy clothes to his gentle, weary face.
The moment he realized this was the rumored companion of Douglas Holmes—the first werewolf said to be cured—his expression darkened.
His nostrils twitched again, open disgust and suspicion flickering in his gaze, as though Lupin's very existence was an affront.
That kind of prejudice ran deep; even talk of a cure couldn't budge it.
"Deputy Director Dino," Piero's voice was just as Lorenzo had described—thin, clipped, and coldly official. "The Minister is waiting."
He turned to Douglas, forcing a professional smile. "You must be Professor Holmes. Your reputation precedes you."
Then his gaze swept back to Lupin, this time with open scrutiny. "And you would be… Mr. Lupin, correct? The Minister specifically requested your presence as well."
Lupin could feel the judgment and distrust in that stare—barely concealed revulsion. He'd seen it all before.
He simply met Piero's gaze, calm and steady. "Yes. I'm Remus Lupin."
Piero's mouth twitched downward—so quickly it might have been imagined.
"Very well," he said briskly. "Please follow me. We mustn't keep the Minister waiting."
He turned on his heel, his thin silhouette stiff under the magical lights.
Lorenzo shot Douglas a worried glance as they followed.
But Douglas remained unflappable, even finding the mood to quietly tease Lupin: "Seems our Mr. Lupin is becoming quite the celebrity at the Italian Ministry."
Lupin managed a wry smile, but said nothing.
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