Stepping onto the platform, Lys immediately spotted Senna pushing Noah in his wheelchair. Without hesitation, she dashed toward them.
Noah, noticing his daughter with a large snake draped around her neck, quickly took her trunk and Gulp from her hands.
# Senna: "We need to go to the Ministry of Magic today. There was an incomplete signature on the inheritance paperwork last time, so we need to fix it."
Senna said.
Lys took the wand Senna handed her and cast several Cooling Charms on the three of them before nodding.
Mom's spellcasting skills are as poor as ever, Lys thought.
With Senna leading the way, the three of them Apparated into the reception hall of the Ministry of Magic.
At the entrance, the receptionist, who looked as disinterested as last time, yawned and tossed a form onto the desk. Lys stepped forward to fill out the visitation details and register their wands.
The receptionist raised an eyebrow as he glanced at the names on the form, then pointed toward one of the doors.
# Receptionist: "Straight ahead, take the elevator to the third floor."
Noah nodded politely before being pushed through the door by Senna.
As the door closed firmly behind them, Lys frowned and glanced back. She saw the receptionist fold a parchment with writing on it into a paper airplane and send it flying away.
When they stepped into the elevator, Lys was reminded of her suspicions from last year's Diagon Alley attack—delayed rescue efforts, sealed escape routes. It was hard not to suspect that the Ministry of Magic had already fallen into the hands of the pure-bloods.
If I want to take Mom and Dad abroad with proper identities, will I even succeed? Lys wondered.
For now, Walburga Black seemed to be keeping quiet about her existence, but would she really swallow her pride?
# Noah: "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Noah's voice interrupted her thoughts.
# Lys: "No, Dad. I just remembered something about my studies."
Lys smiled, fabricating an excuse.
Noah shook his head with a chuckle,
# Noah: "It's okay, my little star. Your excellence isn't defined by getting all O's. Don't worry about the expectations I had in the past."
Lys nodded and followed her parents into an office.
At the staff member's request, Lys began signing documents. However, as she signed, she realized something was off. Her memory was sharp, and she distinctly remembered signing one of these forms two years ago, complete with her mother's magical seal.
# Lys: "This document... I've already signed it before, and it has my mother's magical seal. Why do I need to sign it again?"
Lys questioned, holding up the paper.
The staff member, looking impatient, snapped,
# Staff Member: "Just sign it. You didn't include your middle name last time, so it's invalid."
Frowning at his rudeness, Lys said nothing more. She picked up the already-split quill and began signing each form, adding her magical seal at the end.
The staff member, puffing on a newly-lit pipe, gathered the documents and said,
# Staff Member: "All done. Now get out. I'm off the clock."
Lys waved her wand to dispel the smoke clouding the air and pushed Noah out of the office. Senna sniffed her hair in irritation before slamming the door shut behind them with a loud bang, startling Noah.
Noah took Senna's hand, maneuvering the wheelchair into the elevator while soothing her. He suggested they buy an owl later so Senna wouldn't have to keep visiting the owl post office. He also proposed a family trip to a beauty salon for some hair care.
Trailing behind, Lys kept her head down, lost in thought. Something felt off. She fiddled with the Ouroboros ring on her middle finger, trying to pinpoint the source of her unease.
A slippery, German-accented voice jolted her memory.
Noah suddenly stopped, and Lys realized they had gotten off on the wrong floor. Several figures standing in the corridor turned to look at them.
# Lys: "Dad, you pressed the wrong floor."
Lys said calmly, pulling Noah's wheelchair back.
# Lys: "If we want to have time to buy an owl, we should leave now, shouldn't we?"
As the elevator doors closed, cold sweat broke out on Lys's forehead. That man... the one who requested the Soul Stabilizer in my second year!
She recalled how she had later discovered that the group who tried to trap her mother in Diagon Alley during her fourth year were his subordinates. Even the lingering smoke from their spells was similar—a unique magic tracking method.
# Lys: "Mom, someone's targeting us. What should we do?"
Before Senna could respond, the elevator doors opened. Lys quickly adopted a neutral expression.
# Lys: "Mom, let's go buy an owl first."
She extended her hand toward Senna, using her magic to shield her mother.
# Lys: "Dad, hold on to Gulp."
# Lys: "Apparate!"
Lys unleashed her magic, taking her family to a corner of Diagon Alley.
However, before she could finish explaining her suspicions, the sound of Apparition echoed from around the corner.
The three fell silent as a tall man emerged. Lys raised her wand, her brow furrowed.
# ???: "No need to be nervous."
The man's thin, slippery voice carried a German accent. In his hand was a document Lys had just signed, her name written in elegant script: Starlis Ram Black.
# ???: "Miss Ram, you've been difficult to track down. I've been longing for that peculiar black potion of yours. Would you mind finding a quiet place to chat?"
The man ignored the wand pointed at him, his tone polite yet chilling.
# ???: "To show my sincerity, I'll let you choose the location."
He even bowed gracefully, but the silver mask on his face sent shivers down Lys's spine.
It was Noah who broke the tension.
# Noah: "If you don't mind something modest, you're welcome to our reading room. Senna, let's go."
He patted Senna's arm reassuringly.
The tall man positioned himself between Lys and Senna, his presence commanding.
# ???: "Forgive me, but I think it's best if you don't stand together."
Lys said nothing, quietly leading the way.
Four wizards, unmasked but silent, followed behind the man as they walked.
# ???: "I hope this isn't too forward, Miss Starlis, but your beauty is truly remarkable."
The man's cold, sticky gaze swept over Lys's slender figure before settling on her face, which was only slightly shorter than his.
Of course I look good! I cleaned up just for this trip to see Mom and Dad! Lys thought bitterly, gripping her wand tighter.
Stay calm. I can't win this fight.
The man's aura was a chaotic blend of magic, his unintentional energy enough for Lys to gauge that he was far beyond her level. And with four capable wizards backing him up, there was no chance of victory.
Absolutely no chance.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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