Elijah Watkins just stepped out of the door with a suitcase, and his previously somewhat serious expression immediately turned into a frown.
Two young assistants approached him, calling out: "Mr. Watkins..."
Watkins sighed and said: "No need to say it, I understand—I've heard all the Muggles in the area have run off, and there are still so many people in the buildings on both sides..."
The more he spoke, the more tired he felt, and he couldn't help but let out another long sigh, saying:
"Get ready for overtime! Today, we're dealing with a large-scale memory modification operation... We might even need to apply to Congress for more manpower support..."
The expressions of the two assistants were a bit strange, and they interrupted Watkins' increasingly disheartened words, saying:
"No, it's not like that..."
"Mr. Watkins, we conducted a check around and found that no Muggles witnessed the previous incident."
"What?!" Watkins widened his eyes: "Are you sure?"
"Of course!"
The assistant nodded affirmatively and said: "Those British Wizards cast a small range Atmospheric Charm before taking action, making the Muggles think it was a small-scale sandstorm whipped up by a whirlwind..."
"They're busy complaining about the weather now!"
The other assistant said playfully: "Of course, many people heard the explosion! But you know... this sort of thing is normal, nothing strange, no need to modify memories."
"Oh... oh... this is really..."
Elijah Watkins blinked slowly a few times, somewhat at a loss for the sudden happiness.
After a moment, his habitually worried face revealed undisguised surprise and appreciation for the first time, and even some emotion.
"Wow... these British Wizards are really different from those reckless ones! So meticulous that it leaves one speechless!"
"Yes!" The assistant also showed a bright smile: "It seems we won't need to work overtime, just make up an excuse for an underground pipeline burst, and with a little cover-up, it'll be a perfect wrap-up!"
"Yes, yes, this is great." Watkins said with a smile: "If every magic accident in the future can be resolved as neatly as this..."
Suddenly, Watkins' voice disappeared, and his previously relaxed brow furrowed again.
The two assistants looked at each other, puzzled.
Watkins waved them off to go work, then circled around the curse marks on the ground a couple of times, the more he looked, the tighter his brow furrowed.
Such a terrifying and obscure trap, if targeted at Watkins himself, he admitted that he wouldn't be able to avoid it at all, would certainly be in grave danger.
Among the people he knew, few could come through unscathed... they wouldn't even detect the anomaly beforehand.
Yet those people, not a bit of the curse's power touched them!
Although Alastor Moody was injured, there was no trace of Dark Magic on his wound, and using a Healing Spell and Magic Potion, he would soon recover completely.
And their handling of the trap was extremely proficient and efficient, able to neutralize the crisis immediately and still retain enough strength to deal with the following attacks (if any).
So... why are they so skilled?
This ability isn't something that comes from being smart enough or having strong magic; it certainly comes from experiencing countless battles to form such instinctual reactions.
Recalling Moody's body covered with scars, Watkins suddenly understood the weight of those scars.
He was suddenly horrified, his heart trembling!
Exactly! Just because this incident didn't cause a huge debacle doesn't mean they should let their guard down!
His previous thoughts weren't wrong! These guys are walking hurricanes, volcanoes ready to erupt!
If they stay any longer, they'll definitely cause greater turmoil!
Thinking of this, Watkins could hardly stay put, turning swiftly toward the inn.
"...it's instinct, of course!"
Watkins had just entered when he heard Moody impatiently say:
"That thing's malice and curse stench, I could smell it from afar! That's how I discovered it!"
Sitting across, Selena's brow was twitching, patiently saying:
"Then what about the characteristic of its magic power? What basis for judging the curse? Surely they can't all be instinct?"
Moody snorted and shifted in his seat, saying: "I've encountered similar methods in the past..."
...
On the other side, Arthur Weasley, who had ordered a beer, was sitting at the next table, listening intently. Since he was facing the door, he was the first to notice Watkins' return.
"Oh, Mr. Watkins!" Arthur Weasley stepped forward and said: "Is your aftermath work finished?"
"Yes."
Watkins gave a gentle smile, seemingly remembering something, and said:
"By the way, Mr. Weasley, if I remember correctly... you stated on the immigration records that you planned to return to the United Kingdom with your family tomorrow?"
Hearing this, Mr. Weasley hesitated and glanced at Vid and the others, and when he turned back, his tone carried inevitable concern and seriousness:
"That was the plan, but... you see, dear Elijah, Vid and the others have already been targeted by dangerous people!"
"In such a situation, how could we leave our companions and just go on our own?"
Hearing this, Watkins almost couldn't maintain his smile. He spoke in a concerned tone:
"I understand your loyalty to friendship, but your children are still very young..."
"We're not little!" Fred said angrily: "Stop treating us like children!"
"Exactly!"
The youngest, Ginny, quickly spoke up to support her family, stealing a glance at Harry:
"Tickets can be rescheduled! But until we ensure our friends are truly safe, we won't leave!"
Harry and his godfather, Sirius, would never leave Lupin and Vid in a dangerous situation.
If that's the case, Ginny wouldn't let herself appear like a deserter either.
Mrs. Weasley, however, hesitated for a moment, not wanting her children to be in danger.
But seeing the expressions on her husband and daughter, she eventually chose to support them silently.
Watkins' face briefly showed a trace of concern, but besides the bitterness, there was also a fleeting, hard-to-capture emotion.
He then turned his head, seemingly surprised, and said:
"With such things happening, Mr. Moody, do you still plan to stay in the United States? If you ask me, why not return to a safer environment sooner..."
Everyone was taken aback, all looking at him in surprise.
Lupin weighed his words and said: "Our original plan... was to return to Hogwarts with everyone, but given the current situation..."
He glanced at Selena.