Chapter 802
Hurricanes and Volcanoes
Chapter 802 Hurricanes and Volcanoes
Elijah Watkins had just stepped out the door with his suitcase when his previously serious expression immediately turned gloomy.
Two young assistants stepped forward and called out, "Mr. Watkins..."
Watkins sighed and said, "No need to say more, I understand—I heard all the Muggles around here have run away, and there are still so many people in the buildings on both sides..."
The more he talked, the more tired he felt. He couldn't help but let out another long sigh and said:
"Prepare for overtime! Today we're dealing with a massive memory correction operation...we might even need to request more manpower from Congress..."
The two assistants looked somewhat strange. They interrupted Watkins' increasingly disheartened words, saying:
“No, that’s not the case…”
“Mr. Watkins, we’ve investigated and found no Muggles who witnessed what just happened.”
"What?!" Watkins' eyes widened. "Are you sure?"
"Of course!"
The assistant nodded affirmatively and said, "Before they made their move, those British wizards cast a small-scale weather spell, making the Muggles think it was a whirlwind causing a small sandstorm..."
"They're busy complaining about the weather!"
Another assistant said in a cheerful tone, "Of course, many people heard the explosion! But you know... this kind of thing is normal, there's nothing strange about it, and there's no need to modify memories."
"Oh...oh...this is really..."
Elijah Watkins blinked a few times, somewhat bewildered by the sudden happiness.
A moment later, for the first time, his habitually sorrowful face revealed undisguised surprise and admiration, even a touch of emotion.
"Oh my... these British wizards are really different from those reckless fellows! They are so meticulous and thoughtful that it leaves you speechless!"
"Yes!" The assistant smiled broadly. "Looks like we don't need to work overtime. We just need to make up an excuse about an underground pipe bursting, cover it up a bit, and we can get away with it perfectly!"
“Yes, yes, that’s excellent,” Watkins said with a smile. “If every magical accident in the future could be handled as cleanly and efficiently as this one, then…”
Suddenly, Watkins' voice disappeared, and his brows, which had just relaxed, furrowed again.
The two assistants looked at each other, puzzled.
Watkins waved to them, signaling them to get to work, then circled the curse marks on the ground twice, his brow furrowing more and more as he looked at them.
Such a terrifying and well-hidden trap, if it were aimed at Watkins, he knew he would have no chance of escaping it, and would certainly be badly injured even if he didn't die.
Among the people he knew, very few were able to escape unscathed... and some couldn't even detect anything unusual beforehand.
However, those people did not allow the power of the curse to touch them at all!
Although Alastor Moody was injured, there were no traces of dark magic on his wounds, and with the use of healing spells and potions, he would soon be fully recovered.
Their magic for dealing with traps is also extremely skilled and efficient, enabling them to defuse crises immediately and retain enough strength to deal with any subsequent attacks (if any).
So... why are you so skilled at it?
This ability isn't something you can acquire simply by being smart enough or having high magical power; it must be the result of countless battles to develop an instinctive, alert reaction.
Thinking back to Moody's body covered in scars, Watkins suddenly understood the weight of each and every one of them.
He was suddenly horrified, and his heart trembled!
That's right! We can't let our guard down just because this incident didn't cause too much trouble! My previous thoughts were correct! These guys are walking hurricanes, volcanoes ready to erupt!
If they stay any longer, it will only cause a bigger disturbance!
Thinking of this, Watkins could hardly stay still for a moment, and turned around to walk quickly towards the hotel.
"...Intuition, of course!"
As Watkins entered, he heard Moody say impatiently:
"I could smell the malice and curse emanating from that thing from a mile away! That's how I discovered it!"
Sitting opposite her, Salina's forehead veins throbbed, and she patiently said:
"Then what about the characteristics of magic? What are the criteria for judging a curse? It can't all be based on intuition, can it?"
Moody snorted, shifted his posture, and said, "I've encountered similar tactics before..."
……
Meanwhile, Arthur Weasley, who had ordered a beer and was sitting at the next table, was listening intently. Because he was facing the door, he was the first to spot Watkins returning.
“Oh, Mr. Watkins!” Arthur Weasley stepped forward and said, “Have you finished your cleanup?”
"Yes."
Watkins gave a friendly smile, as if he had suddenly remembered something, and said:
"By the way, Mr. Weasley, if I remember correctly... you wrote on your immigration report that you and your family will be returning to the UK tomorrow?"
Upon hearing this, Mr. Weasley glanced hesitantly at Wade and the others, then turned back, his tone tinged with worry and seriousness:
"That was the original plan, but... as you can see, dear Elijah, Wade and the others have been targeted by dangerous individuals!"
"How could we possibly abandon our companions and run away at a time like this?"
Upon hearing this, Watkins almost lost his smile, and said in a concerned tone:
“I understand your loyalty to friendship, but your children are still very young…”
“We’re not little kids anymore!” Fred said angrily. “Stop treating us like children!”
"That's right!"
The youngest, Ginny, quickly chimed in to support her family, glancing rapidly at Harry before saying:
"Flights can be rescheduled! But we will not leave until our friends are truly safe!"
Harry and his godfather Sirius would never abandon Lupin and Wade in a dangerous situation and leave them behind.
In that case, Ginny wouldn't let herself look like a deserter.
Mrs. Weasley hesitated, not wanting her children to be in danger.
But seeing the expressions on her husband's and daughter's faces, she ultimately chose to offer her silent support.
A fleeting look of sorrow crossed Watkins' face, but beyond the bitterness, there seemed to be a faint, elusive emotion passing through it as well.
Then he turned his head, seemingly somewhat surprised, and said:
“After what’s happened, Mr. Moody, do you still plan to stay in the United States? If you ask me, it would be better to return to a safer environment as soon as possible…”
Upon hearing this, everyone looked at him in surprise.
Lupin hesitated before speaking, "Our original plan... was to return to Hogwarts with everyone, but given the current situation..."
He glanced at Salina.
(End of this chapter)