Observing the Minister for Magic still mechanically signing documents in incorrect locations, Lys frowned.
She wouldn't bother duplicating files for re-signing—she'd simply return them for archival.
Who would investigate anyway?
Just as Lys flicked her wand to collect those documents, the smiling wizard began inquiring about Lys and Fred.
Displeased by questions regarding Fred's identity, Lys deflected them dismissively.
The man displayed no dissatisfaction, as though merely making casual conversation.
He reminded Lys to monitor certain incoming individuals recently.
"I hear some foreign wizards have been foolishly attempting to challenge that one lately. You understand—that Lord. Exercise caution on your end as well, though I'm not concerned for that Lord's safety."
Here the wizard seemed to find his own words amusing:
"Listen to me speak—who could possibly threaten that Lord? I mean, if their arrival bears your department's authorization, Mrs. Lestrange might prove... rather sensitive."
Lys regarded him and nodded, accepting his well-intentioned warning. She'd intended to depart with the documents but paused.
"Do you... merely guard this Minister for Magic here?"
"Indeed, twenty-four hours."
"..." Lys hesitated. "Is there something you require my assistance with?"
The wizard appeared startled. He opened his mouth twice—he hadn't anticipated that during their first encounter, after minimal groundwork, this lord would prove so direct.
"Er, I... the situation is thus: I've maintained guard here extensively. Originally Mr. Lestrange intended arranging my friend's replacement, but... it appears my friend was eliminated by that mysterious hunter... cough, regardless, when I approached Mr. Lestrange again, I'd lost the opportunity to depart, thus forfeiting the chance to serve that Lord as you do—to become a Death Eater. I wondered—could you introduce me to Mr. Malfoy?"
Lys nodded. "I'll mention it to him."
Glancing once more at the seemingly benevolent wizard, she levitated the document stack and departed.
The man maintained his smiling demeanor, nodding as he observed Lys's exit. Only after the door sealed firmly did he betray traces of regret.
This lord proved excessively straightforward—evasion or circumlocution would only provoke her displeasure.
Now he harbored no expectations of connecting with Malfoy, hoping merely that this lord maintained no relationship with Mr. Lestrange...
Meanwhile, Lys contemplated:
Lestrange...?
Lys found opportunity to consult Lucius regarding that wizard.
"That wizard?" Lucius seemed familiar with him, his expression somewhat revolted. "He previously worked at some disreputable magical laboratory... er, why inquire about him?"
"Nothing significant. He approached me at the Ministry seeking introduction to you."
"Ah, avoid entanglements with him. This individual offended Lestrange. Those he recommended were all endorsed by Lestrange, yet they retreated. He claimed his introduced friend appeared to have been murdered."
Lucius flicked his documents aside: "What purpose does that serve? Lestrange will never trust him again. When someone replaces his surveillance position, that marks his complete worthlessness. Currently only his facade and slippery conduct retain any value."
Seated nearby, Lys roughly identified that wizard's friend—the wizard who conducted Obscurus experiments on young wizards, whom she'd terminated in the forest. She'd even examined his notes, which indeed revealed collaborative experimentation among several individuals...
"Understood, senior."
Lys prepared to leave, but Lucius hesitantly intercepted her, head bowed.
"Have you been... emotionally stable recently?"
Observing Lys's nod, Lucius swallowed hard: "Then regarding your brother... I must discuss something with you. I hope you can maintain emotional control."
When their conversation concluded, Lucius witnessed veins bulging across Lys's forehead and muscles tensing along her jaw. He tactfully withdrew from his study.
He thought he detected suppressed sobbing from within the study.
But upon closer attention, he seemed to hear nothing...
The following day at the Ministry of Magic, Lys carried those incorrectly signed documents through multiple Ministry departments.
Through idle gossip, she investigated those wizards the smiling man had mentioned who were attempting to challenge the Dark Lord.
"Tsk, merely a collection of young people desperate for recognition, creating disturbances across various nations under the Saints' banner."
Lys frowned at the wizard before her characterizing murder and arson as "disturbances." "They genuinely declared intentions to challenge the Dark Lord?"
"Ha! Despite considerable commotion, such matters likely constitute mere rhetoric. After all, the previous challenger perished merely glimpsing the Lord's visage—who would dare attempt it again? Hey! Fid, don't repeat what I'm telling you."
"The Hott family's collateral branch includes a young wizard studying abroad. Some foreign wizards have begun invoking our Lord's reputation for intimidation, naturally directing blame toward us, though the Lord remains indifferent."
He handed Lys the wanted posters he'd been holding. "Examine these wanted posters that arrived today—I possess firsthand intelligence. Many represent wizards from various families attempting to distance themselves, several of whom threatened to challenge the Lord. Ridiculous..."
The wizard glanced again at his office door, perplexed about when he'd secured it so thoroughly.
But he quickly dismissed the thought, returning attention to Lys: "Rosier, didn't you mention discovering Potter's traces at that location previously? How progresses the search? Can you apprehend them?"
Lys shook her head similarly. "That's precisely why I'm conversing with you—lacking leads. If not that location, I believe it would be somewhere comparable. Help me consider—what other places possess similar conditions?"
"Tsk, difficult to determine. Any of these forests remain possibilities, particularly Muggle forests. Potter's associates include a Mudblood, after all."
Lys sighed. Forests? No wonder so many Death Eaters had failed to locate Potter for such duration...
Duplicating the wanted posters, Lys waved dismissively at the Death Eater. "Sufficient conversation. I retain obligations."
The other clicked his tongue in displeasure and shook his head, as though attempting to dislodge something:
"Honestly, we barely began talking and you're departing. Such envy... I'm practically cultivating Jumping Toadstools confined to this accursed office. Genuinely wish I could still accompany Hott hunting Mudbloods. Truthfully, Rosier, those screams purify my soul."
Observing the wizard she'd subjected to a Confundus Charm shrug at her, Lys departed with the wanted posters.
The wizard within regarded the tightly sealed door, sensing he'd recently conversed with someone.
But examining the wanted posters and lists before him, he concluded he might have hallucinated from excessive boredom.
"Tonight I'll capture some Mudbloods for spending money..."
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