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Chapter 68: An Invitation from the Curse Breaker
Birmingham, December 29.
Grace Road Stadium.
The Astray siblings' Christmas tour had completely sold out.
Among the audience, however, were quite a few… oddly dressed people. Some looked like relics straight out of the last century, while others gave off the impression of overly serious scholars who had somehow wandered out of the wrong institution.
Still, no one paid them much attention.
After all, Audrey Astray hadn't appeared on stage for five months. Getting a ticket was already a miracle—who had the time to care about what others were wearing?
During Audrey's absence, Rick had fully proven his talent. Now that the siblings were performing together again, the effect was far greater than either of them alone.
Just look at the crowd.
Even those without tickets had gathered outside the stadium in layers, hoping to catch even a faint echo of the music from within.
The concert began at 7 p.m.
Because preparations had been rushed, the stage design was… honestly terrible.
But no one cared.
They were here for the music—not the scenery.
Audrey opened the show with a solo performance of A Pot of Hot Love, a song well-known in the wizarding world.
The witches and wizards in the audience were instantly delighted.
She really is one of us… she hasn't forgotten.
The Muggles, on the other hand, were even more excited—they assumed it was a brand-new song.
A perfect opening.
It pleased both worlds and set the atmosphere ablaze within seconds.
For the first time in centuries, the wizarding world and the Muggle world felt… close.
---
The highlight of the night came when Audrey and Rick performed Magician together.
At one point, Audrey stepped into a large cabinet on stage—
—and less than a second later, she appeared behind the audience.
When she ran back through the crowd and leapt onto the stage—
The entire stadium exploded.
The wizards were stunned.
That's underage magic.
Several of them immediately made up their minds—if the Ministry of Magic came after Audrey, they would claim responsibility themselves.
They wouldn't let anything happen to her.
The Muggles, meanwhile, were completely shaken.
From entering the cabinet to reappearing behind them—it had taken less than a second.
No illusionist in the world could do that.
Was this… real magic?
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In the audience sat Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
She watched Audrey's blatant rule-breaking… and merely shook her head.
Just a performance.
Nothing worth making a fuss over.
Audrey knew her limits. What she used were only minor tricks, mixed carefully with stage illusion.
As long as nothing too obvious slipped through, Amelia Bones was willing to turn a blind eye.
Fan bias, after all, could be… dangerously powerful.
---
The concert was a massive success.
Even after Audrey and Rick returned backstage, the chants for an encore were deafening.
"Encore! Encore!"
Even the crowd outside joined in.
---
Audrey stepped into her dressing room.
As usual, she would rest for ten minutes before going back out for two final songs.
But the moment she opened the door—
She saw someone already inside.
A middle-aged woman—short, but elegant—was sitting there, smiling at her.
"Hello, Miss Astray."
She stood and extended her hand.
"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Terra Kara. I'm a Curse Breaker from Gringotts Wizarding Bank."
Audrey shook her hand—
—and immediately, her expression changed.
Whenever Audrey made that expression…
Something was wrong.
"Ms. Kara," Audrey said lightly, "what can I do for you?"
"We recently discovered an ancient site outside Gothenburg, in Sweden," Kara began. "We believe it to be the tomb of one of the attendants of Frigg, from Norse mythology."
She sighed.
"But the magic there is incredibly powerful. We've been unable to make any progress."
Audrey gestured toward the sofa.
"Please, have a seat."
They sat.
Audrey smiled faintly.
"I'm just a singer. Why would you come to me about curse-breaking?"
Kara replied smoothly,
"Because this involves ancient magic. Modern curse-breaking methods don't work on something so old."
She smiled warmly.
"But you, Miss Astray… have a deep understanding of Ancient Magic."
Audrey's eyes sharpened slightly.
"…Where did you hear that?"
"You used powerful Ancient Magic near Hogsmeade. There were witnesses," Kara said calmly.
"And historically, anyone who enters Hogwarts at sixteen… is someone entangled with Ancient Magic by fate."
She leaned forward slightly.
"With your help, we could unlock the protective magic of that ruin."
Audrey said nothing.
The room grew cold.
Kara lowered her gaze briefly, then spoke again.
"As you know, Frigg adored fine clothing and precious jewellery. Her attendants would have accumulated immense wealth over centuries."
Her confidence returned.
"We'll take only items of historical value. All gold and jewellery will belong to you."
"What do you think?"
Audrey stood up.
"I'm sorry, Ms. Kara. I refuse."
Kara frowned.
"…Why? Is it the payment?"
She paused, thinking.
"Very well. Gringotts can offer you five thousand Galleons after the job is done. The previous terms still stand."
Audrey smiled faintly.
"It's not about the money."
She looked straight at her.
"It's that I don't trust you."
Kara's expression hardened slightly.
"I didn't reveal anything suspicious."
"Ms. Goblin," Audrey said calmly, pointing to the door,
"you chose not to show your real face. After being targeted by Bode Grey, I'm not in the habit of trusting strangers."
"I have an encore soon. I need to rest."
The dismissal was clear.
For a moment, Kara said nothing.
Then—
Her appearance shifted.
Her elegant human form melted away, revealing her true self.
Tethys.
The same goblin who had recruited Alan Ash.
"Miss Astray," Tethys said calmly, without the slightest embarrassment,
"I apologise for not meeting you in my true form. Wizards tend to distrust goblins."
She walked to the door, then paused.
"My name is Tethys. I am a Curse Breaker for Gringotts."
"If you change your mind, you may find me in Diagon Alley."
"My offer still stands."
Then she left.
---
Audrey let out a breath and patted her chest.
That was close.
Gold, jewellery, and five thousand Galleons—
It had almost been irresistible.
Fortunately, during the handshake, she had sensed something—
Tethys's magic.
A natural-born Legilimens.
The moment she realised that, Audrey immediately switched forms and countered.
That was how she learned the truth.
It wasn't some mythical tomb of a goddess's attendant.
It was the burial site of an ancient Norse wizard.
And inside—
Ancient magic.
---
Inside the room, Audrey was still quietly congratulating herself for not falling into the trap—
Completely unaware—
That outside the lounge, within the folds of space—
A figure had been watching.
Grenda Glick.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"…Cautious," she murmured softly.
"Much better than I was back then."
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