Early the next morning, when the sky was just getting light, a completely silent black car stopped like a silent ghost in front of the inn.
Behind the curtains of the windows, pairs of eyes peeked through the narrow gaps, watching the scene on the street.
Selena Goldstein was still wearing her crisp Auror uniform, the patterns on the edge of her robe appearing particularly solemn. She scanned the quiet street with sharp eyes, confirming there were no abnormalities nearby.
Then Vid and his companions came out as well. After a brief exchange of words, Vid and his team got into the car.
Behind one of the windows, someone muttered:
"Really just left with them? That cripple didn't even make a fuss…"
"On American territory, what can those Brits do?" another person mocked, "They are still basking in the glory of the past, unable to see the changes in the world!"
...
The people in the car exchanged only brief eye contact without too much conversation.
Selena was the last to get in, closing the door with a loud "bang," and nodded to the driver.
The engine let out a low hum, and the black car smoothly drove away from the White Bridge Inn, merging into the gradually awakening morning traffic.
First, it headed towards the street where the Magic Congress was located, and as the number of surrounding vehicles increased, the black car nonchalantly made a turn, heading to the airport, while another identical vehicle turned towards the Magic Congress.
Inside the car, Selena turned around from the front passenger seat, and said directly:
"Regarding yesterday's attack, we conducted an overnight investigation, and the preliminary results are not ideal."
"The Tracking Spell shows that the person you saw disappeared without a trace after crossing two streets."
"But we didn't detect any traces of Apparition, he might be an Animagus who can transform, or perhaps he flew away using broomsticks or such tools."
"Most notably—we even retrieved surveillance footage from Muggle cameras around the scene, but not a single camera captured any suspicious figures, not even a vague silhouette."
Lupin nodded: "That's also a clue, at least that guy is quite familiar with Muggle methods."
"Right, so I am currently investigating Half-Blood and Muggle-born wizards in New York. But I think... it might be hard to find any useful clues," Selena said.
Lupin agreed: "There are too many people in New York, even in London, we wouldn't be able to identify that guy in a sea of people, perhaps the best way is to wait for them to take action next time."
Selena finally revealed a slight smile, perhaps because they were about to leave, she didn't keep a strictly professional face, but rather, her tone was somewhat softer:
"Thank you for understanding... This is a targeted operation with planning, the other side probably won't easily give up their intentions. After you return to the UK, you still need to maintain the highest level of vigilance."
Selena's words had just fallen, Moody let out a low growl filled with suppressed anger, his normal eye was wide open, and his Magic Eye kept swiveling, as if the Dark Wizard casting the curse was hiding in one of the nearby cars.
"Easily give up? Humph! Even if they do give up, I won't let it rest!"
He said viciously: "Even if I have to chase them to the ends of the earth, I will drag these rats from the gutters out into the open, just wait and see!"
Selena immediately said cautiously: "I fully support identifying such outlaws! But Mr. Moody, I think I need to reiterate—"
"The United States is not the battleground for your conflicts, if you act recklessly here, I will arrest you just the same!"
Moody sneered, about to refute, but Lupin quickly spoke up:
"Of course, we will definitely abide by the laws set by the Magic Congress. Also, thank you for everything you've done, Ms. Goldstein."
Selena stared at Moody for a while, then turned her head and said: "No need to thank me. When a Dark Wizard appears within my jurisdiction, it's my duty to respond!"
Lupin smiled and said: "But a strict administrator would have kept us here to cooperate in the investigation, which might have brought us greater danger and trouble."
"Yet, you took the risk and reached out to us, and that is truly commendable... "
Selena was slightly embarrassed by his praise, she waved her hand and said:
"It's good you understand... After you return to the UK, we can continue to stay in touch. I will keep you updated on the investigation progress, and if you discover any new leads, do remember to share them with us…"
Their conversation flowed naturally, dispersing the previously tense atmosphere inside the car.
Seeing such a approachable Selena, even the driver frequently glanced back in surprise, while Moody kept staring at the Aurors in the car, the passers-by outside, and the conditions on the road, alert for all kinds of potential sudden situations.
As for Vid, he remained silent since getting into the car, his eyes looking out at the fast-passing street scenery, while his mind was recalling Dumbledore's long, circular writings in the Friendship Book.
With the Friendship Book and Communication Pea existing for so long, if a skilled Alchemist had been studying it conscientiously, perhaps they had already found a way to eavesdrop on the information within.
Therefore, Vid did not write down important content on the parchment, nor mentioned that they would soon be returning to the UK, but merely chatted about the weather in the UK, the food at Hogwarts, and past activities they had at school.
Some topics might seem like ordinary chit-chat to outsiders, but for some with shared experiences, naturally, they would associated with the real messages he wanted to convey.
Though Vid was looking out the window, the fleeting scenes didn't really register in his mind; he was still pondering the meaning in Dumbledore's words.
The headmaster supported their immediate return... of course... but he mentioned... [needed to host a guest arriving at an unusual time]... what could that be?
...
In the room of the inn, Arthur Weasley looked at the time and got up, saying: "It's almost time... if we delay any further, we'll miss our flight."
"Then what are we waiting for, let's hurry up and go!"
Mrs. Weasley placed her hands on her hips and asked: "Fred and George, don't let us find out that you 'accidentally' left something behind at the inn..."
"Hey, Mom, thanks for the reminder—I almost forgot such an important thing!" one of the twins said loudly.
"Don't make me teach you a lesson on our way out, Fred!"
"I'm George, Mom!"
"Quiet… Ron, turn up your collar! Ginny, is your hat packed? Those new little gadgets? Good, let's all head out!"
Mrs. Weasley efficiently got her children ready to go out, and they soon met up with Harry, Michael, and others in the hallway.
A group of people quietly left, checked out, and then took the pre-booked taxi, also headed to the international airport.
...
In a car parked at the street corner, a pair of cold eyes watched the group leaving in a hurry.
Then, the person in the car picked up the phone: "They've left… looks like they are heading to the airport."
A moment later, a processed voice came through from the phone:
"The car heading to the Magic Congress has two Aurors… seems like Goldstein was convinced by Watkins to send them out of the country!"
"Should we intercept?" the person in the car asked: "Or… give them a parting gift on the plane?"