"Where is Snape?"
Rousseau glanced around the room. Besides the Flamels, there was only their house-elf, who was hugging Mrs. Flamel's leg and crying loudly.
He couldn't find Severus's figure.
"He went to find his friends and students. Yuma is with him." Girard said.
"Find someone to call him back immediately. Before the matter is thoroughly investigated, don't let any news reporters contact them!"
Just as Rousseau was making arrangements-
Severus was listening to Harry excitedly recount how he rode a broomstick with a group of black cats and defeated that goblin.
He even showed off the flying skateboard he had seized.
"The Ministry didn't confiscate this thing?" Severus was clearly surprised.
Lupin, standing nearby, glanced at Yuma by the door and leaned closer to Severus, speaking in a low voice.
"I didn't let Dudley hand this over to them. It's the same with Rosier's matter. I only told them he was under magical control, and the same for Sister Aimee. The Aurors asked me about these things, but I said I wouldn't say anything until you returned. So they still don't know who the leader of the intrusion into the Ministry was."
Unlike before when Severus was alone with the children, with Lupin around, these matters were handled much more appropriately.
Severus nodded. A faint, inexplicable smile appeared on his lips as he said softly,
"It was right not to tell. Now that they know I brought the Flamels back, they must be extremely anxious."
"Because we are British wizards?"
"Not just because we are British wizards. They are also afraid. Afraid that I succeeded in rescuing him from the very people they didn't want to see, based on my earlier suspicions."
Just as Severus's words fell, Yuma, who had been waiting outside the door, greeted someone.
Then, a team of Aurors entered the room.
"Mr. Snape, regarding the rescue of Mr. and Mrs. Flamel, the Ministry would like to understand some details from you."
Their attitude was polite, but the manner of their arrival suggested Severus didn't have the right to refuse.
Harry and the others looked over, their eyes filled with concern.
But Severus didn't mind at all. He understood perfectly what the French Ministry's politicians were worried about. This trip would hold no surprises, as Nicolas had already made his decision.
"You did great, Dudley. You were right to tell Lupin. Even if I were here facing such a situation, I would make the decision to save people without hesitation."
He stood up from his chair, patted Harry on the shoulder, then turned his gaze to Draco.
"You too, Draco. You took good care of Mrs. Rosier. That's not something an ordinary person your age could do."
Draco pretended to be reading a book, acting as if he didn't care about Severus's words, but his pale face was noticeably flushed.
"Then wait for me a moment…" Severus said, walking over to the team of Aurors, "When I get back, we can leave this place today."
Severus and the Flamels were certainly not criminals.
Therefore, the inquiry regarding them could never be treated like an interrogation.
If it were, once such news was released by the French news media, the French Ministry of Magic could be drowned in the condemnation of their own wizards!
Severus and the Flamels were ushered into a reception room.
There were no cold, chain-linked chairs here, only soft sofas, bright crystal chandeliers, and fresh fruit and petits fours on the coffee table.
It was less like an inquiry and more like a leisurely tea party.
The only participants in this tea party, besides Severus and the three others, were the Head of the Auror Office, Girard!
Other than that, there was no one else in the reception room; all other Aurors were stationed outside the door guarding it.
On the table in front of Girard lay a Quick-Quotes Quill and parchment. Clearly, their subsequent conversation would be recorded in its entirety.
At the moment, this formidable witch was still making small talk with Mrs. Flamel, her demeanor appearing relatively relaxed.
But Severus, sitting cross-legged and listening to their conversation, had already noticed that Girard's left hand, resting on her knee, was unconsciously gripping the edge of her robe.
Her grip on the robe was very tight, her knuckles even turning slightly white, revealing that her inner state was nothing like the calm she was projecting.
"Although we are all sincerely happy for your safe return, according to regulations and procedures, some questions must be asked and recorded."
Finally, Girard formally broached the main subject.
Nicolas nodded in understanding.
"Of course, that's necessary. This matter has attracted so much attention. Now that we're back, we naturally need to give everyone an explanation."
"How were you captured on the day you attended the Alchemists Association's gathering?" Girard inquired.
The Quick-Quotes Quill swiftly recorded the conversation on the parchment.
It was Nicolas's wife, Perenelle, who answered this question.
She was also very old, but she and Nicolas still had a very good relationship. The two sat closely together on the sofa.
"We received a letter. That letter was written by someone who had taken control of the head of the Muggle community hospital we fund. The letter informed us that a major accident had occurred at the hospital and that we needed to go to the scene immediately."
"So Nicolas and I hurried there, only to discover it was a trap once we arrived. They had set up an ambush there, and we were captured."
Girard chose this moment to ask appropriately,
"Did you recognize the wizards who captured you?"
Nicolas shook his head calmly.
"If you want me to describe their appearances, I can do so at any time. But they very clearly used various methods to conceal their true identities. We did not discover who they were."
"Not at all, from beginning to end?" Girard continued, frowning.
"Correct." Nicolas confirmed with a nod. He seemed able to guarantee the truth of his words.
Girard's frown didn't ease, but the hand that had been tightly gripping her robe relaxed considerably.
This answer was perhaps the best possible response for her and the Ministry.
But then she turned her gaze to Severus beside her.
"Regarding the identity of the culprits, do you have any further discoveries, Mr. Snape?"
Compared to her attitude yesterday afternoon, her tone now held a bit more respect.
Regardless of the answer Severus ultimately gave, the French Ministry of Magic could not conceal his feat of single-handedly rescuing the Flamels!
Severus met Girard's gaze and smiled.
"I apologize for the erroneous deduction I hastily made yesterday, Ms. Girard. You were right."
Since the French Ministry of Magic needed that answer, he would give them that answer.