"What's the deal with your ravens?"
"They're magical constructs—manifestations split from the original ravens that stay by each Senator's side. Only the Senators' ravens, and a few belonging to select members, are real. The rest are imitations and can't split again."
"And what are they used for?"
"Scouting and tracking. The original ravens of the Senators and certain Raven members also have a displacement effect. They can break through Anti-Apparition spells."
"Are any of your ravens nearby?"
"No. All the ravens in this area have been recalled by the Senator."
Leonard continued questioning him. Once he was done with the ravens, he shifted to their objective.
They had come to capture the Delacour family, who possessed Veela blood. Originally, the team had been led by Charles, a student of the Third Senator. But Charles had lost contact along with the Senator's raven, so they had followed after him.
"Veela… Delacour…"
The two pieces clicked together in Leonard's mind. He turned to Fleur.
"What's your name?"
Seeing him look at her, Fleur answered quickly, "Fleur. Fleur Delacour."
As expected.
The Beauxbatons champion from the Triwizard Tournament, a witch with Veela blood. She fit the description of a Bloodline Wizard perfectly.
"Why are you here?" Leonard asked.
"My father heard that a rare magical plant might have been discovered here. And since the scenery is beautiful, we came to travel and search for it at the same time."
That was a false lead.
Leonard understood immediately.
If there really had been some rare magical plant nearby, he would have dug it up long ago. Was his magical plant radar for decoration?
Clearly, it had been bait—set up to lure the Delacour family, who had originally intended to vacation.
He had more or less gotten what he wanted to know. Looking at Moen, still under the Imperius Curse, Leonard decided to make further use of him.
"Go meet your Senator," Leonard said. "Give him a little surprise."
He picked up a stone from the ground and transfigured it into a sharp dagger. After a moment's thought, he took out a crystal vial from his pocket, uncorked it, and poured the liquid over the blade.
The colorless fluid slid down the edge and dripped onto the grass. Wherever it touched, the grass withered instantly, releasing a sharp, acrid smell.
It was obviously highly toxic.
Behind him, Fleur hurriedly covered her sister's eyes, terror written all over her face.
What exactly did this boy do? Why was he carrying something this dangerous on him?
Leonard didn't bother explaining. He frowned as he watched the poison run down the blade.
This method of applying poison was inefficient. Most of it simply slid off the tip. Hardly any remained.
But he quickly came up with a better approach. Without a word or wand movement, he cast another Transfiguration Spell. The dagger's edges twisted and reshaped, growing jagged barbs with deep grooves running along both sides.
If that blade went in, pulling it back out wouldn't be easy.
He added a few more drops of poison. This time, the grooves held the liquid in place.
A crude poisoned dagger was complete.
"Here. Hide it under your sleeve. When you get there, tell your Senator the mission failed and the target escaped. When he gets angry, stab him. Understand?" Leonard instructed Moen step by step.
Wizards always looked down on Muggle methods. Even killing someone had to involve waving a wand. Leonard knew he had to spell it out if he wanted Moen to use the dagger properly.
In truth, magic was sometimes less reliable than a pistol shot from fifty meters away.
Killing, at its core, was simple. Human civilization had evolved countless weapons, but the human body had never stopped being fragile.
"Go on," Leonard said with a faint smile. "Drive this dagger into your Senator."
Then he suddenly remembered something.
"How did you shake off the paralysis earlier?"
"We were among the first beneficiaries of Bloodline Wizard research. Rayel and I both underwent experiments to gain the power of Magical Creatures. Our resistance to drugs is extremely high."
When he mentioned Rayel, a subtle shift passed over Moen's face. The Imperius Curse could not erase emotion. That was its cruelest aspect. Even knowing Leonard had killed his companion, he still had to obey.
He had to obey Leonard and go kill the Senator he respected most.
Leonard frowned again.
"Did your Third Senator also undergo that experimental enhancement?"
"No," Moen replied without hesitation.
"Oh?" Leonard looked at him. Moen met his gaze calmly.
"Why stop there?" Leonard asked.
A trace of struggle flashed across Moen's face, but he asked in return, "What would you like me to say?"
"Explain why all of you were enhanced by the experiment, but he wasn't." Interest flickered in Leonard's eyes.
Moen's body trembled slightly before he forced himself steady.
"Because he is a Bloodline Wizard. He's a half-blood giant."
"I see."
Leonard's expression shifted, his smile turning sharp.
"I didn't expect someone to resist the Imperius Curse, even a little. Is it because my skill isn't good enough? Or are you simply that strong-willed?"
Moen remained silent.
He had intended to hide the truth by giving a technically correct but incomplete answer. Leonard's earlier question had only been whether the Third Senator had undergone experimental enhancement. Answering "no" fulfilled the command.
If Leonard hadn't pressed further, Moen could have used sheer will to suppress the urge to elaborate and maintained that half-truth under the Imperius Curse.
But Leonard had caught the subtle change in his expression and asked the complete question.
Under the Imperius Curse's command, Moen could no longer resist giving the full answer.
That was one of the curse's limitations. It was difficult to detect, but against those with deep loyalty, their will could still create small cracks of resistance.