Chapter 804
Departure
Chapter 804 Departure
The next morning, while it was still barely dawn, a completely black car, like a silent ghost, quietly pulled up in front of the hotel.
Behind the windows, which were covered by curtains, pairs of eyes peered through the narrow gaps at the street scene.
Salina Goldstein was still dressed in her impeccably tailored Auror uniform, the patterns along the edges of her robes exuding an air of solemnity. Her sharp gaze swept across the quiet street, confirming that nothing unusual was amiss nearby.
Immediately afterwards, the three of them, including Wade, came out. After a brief exchange, they got into the car.
Behind a window, someone muttered:
"He really went with them? That cripple didn't even make a scene..."
"What can those British do on American soil?" another person scoffed. "They're still living in their past glories and can't see how the world is changing!"
……
The people in the car didn't talk much, only exchanging brief glances.
Salina was the last to get on the bus. She slammed the door shut and nodded to the driver.
With a deep hum from the engine, the black sedan smoothly drove away from the White Bridge Hotel and merged into the gradually awakening traffic.
It first drove towards the street where the Magic Congress was located. As the number of vehicles around it gradually increased, the black sedan made an unintentional turn and headed towards the airport, while another car with the same appearance turned towards the Magic Congress.
Inside the car, Salina turned around from the passenger seat and got straight to the point:
"We investigated yesterday's attack overnight, and the preliminary results are not very good."
“The tracking spell shows that the person you witnessed disappeared instantly after crossing two streets.”
"But we didn't detect any Apparition. That guy might be a shapeshifting Animagus, or he might have flown away using a broom or something similar."
"The most unusual thing is that we even retrieved the surveillance camera footage from the Muggles around the scene, but not a single camera captured the figure of the suspicious person, not even a blurry outline."
Lupin nodded: "That's a clue, at least that guy knows a lot about Muggle methods."
“That’s right, so I’m currently investigating mixed-race and Muggle wizards in New York. But I think… it’s unlikely I’ll find any useful clues,” Salina said.
Lupin reiterated his understanding: "There are too many people in New York. Even in London, we wouldn't be able to find that guy's identity in the vast sea of people. Perhaps the best way is to wait for them to make their next move."
Salina finally revealed a faint smile. Perhaps because the group was about to leave, she no longer maintained a stern, businesslike expression, and instead spoke in a slightly softer voice:
"Thank you for your understanding... This was a premeditated and targeted operation, and the other side is unlikely to give up its intentions easily. You will still need to remain highly vigilant after you return to the UK."
As soon as Salina finished speaking, Moody let out a low growl, suppressing his anger. His normal eye widened, while his demonic eye darted around, as if the cursed dark wizard was hiding in one of the cars nearby.
"Give up easily? Hmph! Even if they give up, I won't let it go!"
He said viciously, "Even if I have to chase them to the ends of the earth, I will drag these rats out of the gutter. Just you wait and see!"
Salina immediately became alert and said, "I fully support your efforts to find those outlaws! But Mr. Moody, I think I need to reiterate—"
"America is not your battlefield. If you act recklessly here, I will arrest you just the same!"
Moody scoffed, about to retort, when Lupin quickly interjected:
“Of course, we will certainly abide by the laws set forth by the Magical Congress. And thank you for everything you have done, Ms. Goldstein.”
Salina stared at Moody for a moment before turning to say, "You're welcome. It's my duty to deal with dark wizards appearing in my jurisdiction!"
Lupin smiled and said, "A rule-abiding manager would have asked us to stay and cooperate with the investigation, but that might have brought us greater danger and trouble." "But you, risking your own safety, extended a helping hand to us; that's what's most commendable..."
Salina was a little embarrassed by his praise, and she waved her hand and said:
"I'm glad you understand... We can stay in touch after you return to England. I'll keep you updated on the investigation's progress, and if you have any new leads, please remember to share them with us..."
The two exchanged pleasantries naturally, which dispelled the previously oppressive atmosphere in the car.
Upon seeing the approachable Salina, even the driver was surprised and kept looking back. Moody, on the other hand, kept a close eye on the Aurors inside the car, the pedestrians outside, the situation on the road, and so on, keeping a watchful eye on all kinds of emergencies.
As for Wade, he remained silent ever since he got on the train, his eyes fixed on the street scenes rushing past the window, his mind replaying the long, thin, circled characters in Dumbledore's Book of Friends.
With the Book of Friends and the Communication Pea having been around for so long, a skilled alchemist might have already found a way to eavesdrop on their information if they studied them diligently.
Therefore, Wade did not write anything important on the parchment, nor did he mention that they would soon return to England. He simply chatted casually about the weather in England, the food at Hogwarts, and their previous activities at the school.
Some topics may seem like ordinary casual conversation to outsiders. But for certain people who share similar experiences, they can naturally connect them to what the other person really wants to say.
Although Wade was looking out the window, the fleeting scenery didn't really catch his eye; he was still pondering the meaning behind Dumbledore's words.
The principal supports their immediate return...of course...but he mentioned...[the need to receive a guest who arrived at an unusual time]...what is that?
……
In his hotel room, Arthur Weasley checked the time, stood up, and said, "It's almost time... any later and we'll miss our flight."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's set off!"
Mrs. Weasley, hands on her hips, asked, "Fred and George, don't let us find out you've 'accidentally' left something at the hotel..."
“Hey Mom, thanks for reminding me—I almost forgot about something so important!” one of the twins exclaimed.
"Don't make me teach you a lesson before we set off, Fred!"
"I'm George, Mom!"
"Shut up... Ron, turn your collar up! Ginny, is your hat on? What about all those new trinkets? Good, let's go!"
Mrs. Weasley efficiently got her children all ready and out the door, where they soon ran into Harry, Michael, and others in the hallway.
The group quietly left the house, checked out, and then took a pre-booked taxi to the international airport.
……
Inside a car parked on a street corner, a pair of indifferent eyes are watching a group of people hurrying away.
Then, the person in the car picked up their phone: "They left...it looks like they're heading to the airport."
A moment later, a processed voice came from the phone:
"There are two Aurors in the car heading to the Magical Congress... It seems Goldstein has been persuaded by Watkins to send them abroad!"
"Should we intercept them?" the person in the car asked. "Or... should we give them a farewell gift on the plane?"
One update tonight
(End of this chapter)