The smoke from the explosion still hadn't dissipated, and the once-clean path was now littered with charred explosion marks and shattered stones, with a pungent stench filling the air.
The powerful curse, even when violently broken through, left behind traces of evil on the ground, a presence that even Muggles could vaguely feel as discomfort.
Upon seeing the scene, Mrs. Weasley immediately let out a gasp, her face turning pale as she asked:
"Oh, Merlin! What happened? Are you all okay? Is anyone hurt?... Oh dear! Alastor, how are you?"
Mr. Weasley was equally shocked and worried, speaking in a heavy tone:
"Alastor, Moody! Who did this?"
Fred and George immediately drew their magic wands and loudly asked, "Are the attackers still nearby?"
Harry's heart tightened at once. He quickly ran to their side, and upon seeing that they hadn't suffered life-threatening injuries, he sighed with relief, but was immediately overcome with intense anger and fear.
"Who was it?" the boy asked in a repressed tone, "Who dares to attack in broad daylight?"
"Coming for you again, Vid?"
Michael, stepping around the scorched marks, pondered, "This street is bustling, how did they precisely time the trap?"
"Perhaps someone leaked their whereabouts!"
Sirius's expression was terrifyingly grim, his gray eyes burning with anger. He strode over and asked:
"Mad-Eyed, Moonface, can you tell whose 'handiwork' it was?"
The voices of the crowd erupted in chaos, and Moody waved his uninjured hand dismissively, saying gruffly:
"I'm not dying! Stop making such a fuss!"
He seemed completely unwilling to explain, his attitude extremely tough.
"I have to know who the enemy is, Mad-Eyed," Sirius said in a dangerous tone.
"Ha!"
Moody sneered dismissively, patting Vid on the shoulder as he said:
"See this kid?"
Sirius glanced at Vid, then turned his gaze elsewhere, saying, "I see him... so what?"
"When someone is too dazzling and eye-catching, anything lurking in the shadows beneath could be an enemy! Even friends, family, or seemingly insignificant passersby!"
Moody's nostrils flared slightly, and his dangerous gaze swept over the guests who had been drawn by the sound of the explosion, saying:
"If you presumptuously lock onto a target, you may miss the real source of danger!"
"So... suspect everything! Be wary of everything! Sirius, that's what we must do!"
The atmosphere during the conversation between the two adults was such that the children, even though anxious, did not dare to speak up.
But hearing this, a few sharp-minded ones already directed their investigative gaze towards the strangers with various expressions.
The innkeeper adjusted his glasses and said:
"You guests were attacked outside my inn, and the White Bridge Inn bears an undeniable responsibility. As compensation, I can waive your fees for these days."
"What a sinister curse aura," the witch in the dark gray cloak squinted her eyes, examining the traces at the scene, and said in a low voice, "Which dark wizard... dares to set up such a thing around here?"
As everyone was discussing, a drowsy ordinary person, seemingly realizing that the 'Sandstorm' had stopped, opened the door and saw the post-explosion scene, and immediately widened his eyes in shock, screamed, and turned to run back inside.
"Swish! Swish! Swish!"
The nearby residents quickly drew the heavy curtains, and the people inside the shops hurriedly ran deeper into washrooms or behind counters.
Upon hearing the explosion, no ordinary Muggle ran out to watch, and even people a street away immediately turned and ran further away.
"Bang!"
Suddenly, the sound of beans popping in rapid succession, like gunshots, echoed from the nearest alleyway. The ordinary people screamed and ran faster, but the wizards could tell it was the sound of Apparition.
Everyone turned their heads to see Selena striding over with several Aurors.
She looked serious, her sharp eyes quickly scanning the explosion traces, magical residues, and the bloodstains on Moody, the faint dark magic aura causing her to frown in disgust.
"Lock down this area! Immediately analyze the residual magic! Check for any follow-up traps!"
Selena issued her orders to the Aurors in a clear and calm voice and quickly walked up to Moody and the others, her stern demeanor slightly easing compared to before.
"Mr. Moody, how's the injury? Do you need to go to the Magic Hospital?" Selena asked.
"Just a flesh wound, no need!" Moody impatiently replied.
Selena nodded, then turned her gaze to Vid. After confirming he was unharmed, she said, "If you don't mind, I'd like to know what happened here."
Moody sneered and said, "Simply put, it seems your regulations only restrict us foreign wizards, conveniently allowing dark wizards to target us?"
He squinted at Selena and the others, full of suspicion, not hesitating to voice his thoughts:
"I am now wondering... Miss Goldstein, what exactly is the stance of you Aurors? Can you really ensure... safety?"
Most of the other Aurors showed anger, but Selena remained calm:
"I understand your anger and suspicion, Mr. Moody. But if you want to find those who attacked you, you still need the power of the Magic Congress... I believe that venting or arguing about this is of no help, don't you think?"
"Hmph, you have a point!"
Moody said, his face sullen, "Let's go inside and talk... I guess you don't want to stand on the street being watched?"
"Please follow me." The innkeeper quickly said, "I will provide complimentary honey butter beer for everyone."
"No, thanks!"
Moody said with a continued gruff tone, "I wouldn't dare drink what you're offering now, who knows who's an accomplice of that masked person?"
Lupin's expression subtly relaxed.
He had been pondering how to politely refuse or subtly swap out the drinks offered by others, but even before he could say anything, Moody blocked it, which made Lupin appreciate the benefits of Moody's blunt approach.
"Masked person?"
While entering the inn, Selena also did not overlook the key point in Moody's words just now, signaling to her subordinates to make a record, and asked:
"What kind of masked person? Did you see any distinctive features?"
This time, Moody closed his mouth, leaving it to Lupin to recount the events:
"Here's what happened, today we were invited to visit Ms. Seraphina Picquery, and on our way back..."