[The Ministry of Magic Atrium]
Narcissa stood silently before a golden fireplace.
She wore a black evening gown, a black veil over her head, her entire figure shrouded in black.
In such attire, her cold, distant elegance was brought to its peak.
It set her in stark contrast to the busy crowd moving back and forth around her.
People instinctively kept their distance, unwilling to disturb the thoughts of such a noble lady.
In their eyes, Narcissa must be waiting for someone even more distinguished. That kind of composed, noble aura simply couldn't be faked by ordinary people.
In truth, if they had stepped just a little closer, they would have clearly sensed an emotion in her no different from their own.
Anxiety... or rather, tension.
At this moment, Narcissa was even more tense than the bustling crowd around her.
Because today was the day her husband, Lucius Malfoy, would be released.
There was no doubt this was Snape's doing.
A faint bitter smile appeared on Narcissa's face.
After such a long investigation, she had already come to understand that Snape and Link's relationship wasn't nearly as good as outsiders believed.
According to information from some within Hogwarts, Snape and Link had a falling-out over a year ago, and since then, the two had rarely interacted amicably in public.
She had no idea what methods Snape had used this time to persuade Link.
No matter what, though, the favor they owed this time was enormous.
It might take a lifetime to repay.
But as long as her husband could come out, that was enough.
For that, no matter the cost, she was willing to pay it.
Whoosh!
Just as Narcissa was thinking, a sudden burst sounded from the golden fireplace before her.
A small amount of ash, mixed with Floo powder, rose into the air.
Amid the swirling smoke, the figures of Snape and Draco gradually appeared.
Their hands were still tightly clasped together.
But the moment Snape saw Narcissa waiting by the fireplace, he calmly shook Draco's hand off.
The sudden change left Draco at a loss.
After the upheaval in his family, his personality had naturally shifted.
He was no longer as arrogant or naïve... he had become timid and cautious.
Faced with the grand atrium and the crowds moving around him, panic welled up, and he instinctively reached out to grab Snape's hand again... only to have it shaken off once more.
All of this was seen by Narcissa.
It eased the tightness in her brow slightly.
At the very least, Snape's bond with Draco hadn't changed. For their family, that was undoubtedly good news.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward and hugged Draco tightly.
"Oh! My little dragon! Have you been well?"
Now in his sixth year, Draco had already grown taller than his mother.
Being hugged like this in public made him instinctively shy.
His face flushed red as he struggled slightly, murmuring, "Mom! There are so many people watching!"
"All right, all right! My little dragon has grown up... truly, you've grown!"
Narcissa released him as she spoke, gently tracing his features with her hand. Draco looked strikingly like Lucius in his youth.
"That's enough. Save the sentimental talk for later."
Snape looked at the mother and son before him and spoke expressionlessly.
After saying that, he paid them no further attention and walked straight toward the magic elevator at the end of the hall.
Hearing this, a trace of dejection appeared on Draco's face.
He felt Snape had changed.
No longer the elder who used to favor him, but more like a stranger.
Was it Link Flamel's influence, or had he suffered some loss for helping plead for his father?
Smack!
Narcissa lightly slapped Draco's face.
The slight sting snapped him out of his self-pity.
Holding his cheek, he looked at Narcissa in confusion.
Only to see her shaking her head at him with a look of reproach.
"Let's go."
Narcissa spoke softly, taking Draco's arm as they followed after Snape.
Snape wasn't walking particularly fast, as if deliberately waiting for them. Only after they caught up did he quicken his pace and step through the security checkpoint first.
To be honest, there were quite a few checkpoints in the atrium.
Unfortunately, there were even more people trying to enter the Ministry.
So the three of them had no choice but to queue.
It wasn't until there was only one person ahead of them that they noticed something different about the checkpoint.
The staff here were no longer elderly, worn-out Ministry employees, but young people in uniform, full of energy.
"Take out your wand and state your purpose."
The young staff member behind the metal barrier spoke with a smile to the man ahead of them.
For some reason, although his smile was warm, Draco felt his voice was cold.
The middle-aged wizard ahead of them looked visibly impatient and nervous.
He pulled out a wand set with a sapphire and placed it on the counter, then said irritably, "I'm going to the Department of International Magical Cooperation and the Department of Magical Transportation!"
The staff member examined the wand, imprinting something akin to a Trace on it, while continuing in a flat tone, "Please answer my question precisely. What is your purpose?"
"What else could it be?"
The man grew more impatient. "I have a business issue in the United States that requires me to go there personally."
"I may also need assistance from the Department of International Magical Cooperation! That clear enough? Now can you let me through? I'm in a hurry!"
The young staff member's smile didn't change in the slightest despite the man's attitude. He simply nodded calmly.
"Of course. However, since your business is somewhat special, to prevent suspicion of illegal travel, your belongings will need to be inspected before entering the Ministry."
As he spoke, he stepped aside.
Two other upright staff members approached and began patting the middle-aged wizard down.
The man's expression changed drastically. He slapped their hands away.
"Damn it, don't touch me with your filthy hands! This is illegal! The law doesn't allow you to search citizens like this!"
The young staff member sighed.
"Refusing a security check can be considered obstruction of official duties. Take him away."
"What do you mean 'take him away'? What nonsense are you talking? Is this your service attitude? I'm going to file a complaint!"
Clearly provoked, the man cursed as he reached out to grab the staff member's collar.
But before his hand could reach...
Several gray-white beams struck him, turning him into a statue.
Draco couldn't help but let out a scream.
He quickly covered his mouth.
Because he realized the people around them in line didn't seem surprised at all.
Most of them even looked amused.
Soon, two Aurors in uniform stepped forward from behind the staff.
Expressionless, they lifted the petrified wizard and carried him off toward a room in the corner without a word.
Only then did Draco notice...
The atrium, especially around the checkpoint, was filled with Aurors.
Their expressions were cold, their gazes sharp, their right hands always hanging at their waists, ready to draw their wands at any moment.
This was not normal.
Since when were Aurors... actual armed forces... used for internal security at the Ministry?
And taking people away for a single wrong sentence?
Who gave them that authority?
Most importantly, faced with such treatment, everyone acted as if it were only natural... even taking pleasure in it.
Shouldn't people be protesting together?
That was how things usually worked in the British wizarding world!
"There's nothing strange about it."
Narcissa noticed Draco's unease and explained in a low voice, "Ever since the Ministry reformed last year, it's been in a wartime state."
"Under such conditions, they won't reason with anyone. And people don't oppose these measures either."
"After all, this new Ministry just repelled a Death Eater attack and saved countless lives and property. So be careful…"
"Next!"
The young staff member's voice cut her off.
His expression and tone hadn't changed much, but Draco could still hear a faint trace of pleasure.
Clearly, he had enjoyed arresting that man earlier.
Combined with Narcissa's explanation, it made Draco even more nervous.
This Ministry seemed like a place where they held absolute power.
Would they make things difficult for them?
Snape, however, didn't think as much as Draco.
Hearing the call, he stepped forward and placed his wand on the counter.
Then he said succinctly, "We're going to the Auror Command under the Department of Magical Law Enforcement to receive a prisoner being released."
"Sorry, the Ministry doesn't provide that service. I don't know who sent you, but if you knew anything about the reformed Ministry, you'd understand that anyone taken by the Aurors to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement faces only one outcome... execution."
The staff member spoke without even looking up as he inspected the wand.
At this, the surrounding crowd burst into laughter.
Ever since the Ministry had executed all participants in the last attack, "crime equals death" had become common knowledge in the British wizarding world.
Although such rule was harsh, it had greatly reduced crime, so most citizens were satisfied.
Hearing the laughter, Snape frowned.
He tapped the metal counter lightly and said with more emphasis, "Link Flamel sent us!"
"Ha! Chairman Flamel sent you?"
The staff member laughed. "You're the seventh person today to say that. But don't worry, what you've done isn't illegal."
"I was just reminding you kindly, so no need to be upset. That won't benefit you. If you insist on going, then go ahead. But first, you'll need to undergo a body search."
At this, Draco clenched his fists.
This was exactly what he feared.
Even if the staff member didn't seem to be targeting them deliberately...
A search itself was humiliation.
Especially for his mother, Narcissa.
He couldn't even imagine what it would look like for her to be searched.
It was an unbearable insult.
But clearly, no one cared about Draco's feelings.
As the staff member lowered his head to continue examining Snape's wand, the two officers stepped forward again, reaching toward Snape and Narcissa.
Neither of them looked pleased.
But for Lucius, they could only endure it.
Just then, the staff member spoke again.
"Wait."
He pulled the officers back and narrowed his eyes at Narcissa, studying her for a long moment before asking, "Are you Mrs. Narcissa Malfoy?"
Narcissa nodded nervously.
Snape frowned and said, "That's enough. You recognize me, don't you, Mr. Allen Taylor?"
"Haha... ha…"
The young staff member laughed awkwardly. "Professor Snape, you still remember me? What an honor! But please don't blame me."
"Chairman Flamel never said you'd come personally, and Mrs. Malfoy is so covered up. Besides, my memory isn't great... you always said back in school my brain was no better than a troll's, so it's normal I forget things, right?"
Snape's face darkened completely.
Allen Taylor.
A Gryffindor who had graduated three years ago.
One of the rare few from his year who had taken the advanced Potions NEWT class.
He had endured plenty of Snape's scolding back then.
And now, he was clearly taking revenge.
Snape even suspected Allen had recognized them from the start and was pretending not to, just to make things difficult.
Yet Snape couldn't lash out.
Because, as Allen himself had said...
His poor memory had been personally confirmed by Snape.
"Alright, no point standing here. Come with me... I'll take you to the Auror Command myself."
Having spent years under Snape, Allen had honed his ability to read expressions to perfection.
Seeing Snape's displeasure, he stopped talking and pulled the three of them through the checkpoint, skipping even the basic security procedures.
This only strengthened Snape's suspicion.
This man was definitely taking revenge.
He almost made a sarcastic remark, but seeing Narcissa and Draco following closely behind him, he held it in.
"Hey! Allen!"
At that moment, a cold voice rang out. "Leaving your post and waiving security checks... those are violations. Even if the visitor is Professor Snape."
Snape and the others turned to look.
A uniformed young woman stood nearby, staring at them coldly.
Not just her...
Even the others waiting in line were looking at them unfriendly.
Lina Evans.
A graduate from the same year as Allen Taylor.
But unlike him, she was from Slytherin.
Snape recognized her immediately.
His gaze grew colder.
Allen taking revenge was one thing... but what was this Slytherin doing?
He had been her Head of House.
"Of course, I know that. Feel free to report me to the Minister."
Allen said casually, quickening his pace and pulling the three of them into the elevator.
As the doors closed, he let out a breath and said to the still-stern Snape, "Don't be angry, Professor. Miss Evans isn't targeting you."
"She's a fanatical supporter of Chairman Flamel now. So she's always hostile toward anyone who opposes him."
As he spoke, he smiled at Draco and Narcissa.
Draco lowered his head even further.
"Honestly, you should thank me. Before you arrived, Lina and the others had already designed a whole set of procedures to punish you."
"The checkpoint search was just the first step. It would've gotten much worse afterward. If not for me, you'd probably still be at the checkpoint taking your clothes off."
"Taking clothes off?", Draco said in disbelief.
Even if they wouldn't be completely stripped, doing so in public would still mean trampling the Malfoy family's dignity into the dirt.
If that really happened, they might as well never show their faces again.
The mockery would last for years.
And more importantly, as Allen said, that was only the first step.
Even Draco understood... if they resisted, they would end up like that petrified wizard.
And if they didn't, even worse humiliation awaited.
"So you disrupted all their plans." Snape looked at Allen expressionlessly. "You betrayed them. You're not that loyal to Link, are you?"