These words first left Girard stunned for a few seconds. Quickly, she realized what Severus might be apologizing for.
A torch-like light immediately ignited in her eyes. The previously tense and worried expression also became somewhat excited.
"Oh, it's nothing... I mean, it's alright, Mr. Snape. Everyone makes mistakes. What we need to do is correct them... What did you want to say? Or, have you discovered some new clue that overturns your previous speculation?"
Her changing expression was fully visible to Nicolas and Severus.
Severus didn't answer immediately. Instead, he exchanged a look with Nicolas.
Although they had already agreed beforehand on what to say at this moment, seeing Girard's reaction, Nicolas's expression still held clear disappointment.
No matter what, he was still a French wizard, with an absolute sense of belonging to this land.
Therefore, even though he had promised Grindelwald at Nurmengard to conceal certain things, deep down, he truly hoped the French Ministry of Magic could finally emerge from the shadows of the past, face reality, and accept what should be accepted.
However, judging by the current situation, for the Ministry to completely shake off these shadows, it would require all the older generation of wizards who lived through that turmoil to die out.
Severus saw the disappointment in Nicolas's eyes.
But for him personally, this matter held no cause for dissatisfaction.
Previously, the French Ministry's intention to play ostrich was when the Flamels hadn't been rescued yet. Their behavior was hindering the rescue and investigation, creating a fundamental conflict with Severus's own goal of finding Nicolas.
Now, both Flamels had been safely brought back. That group of old Alliance's members, after meeting Grindelwald, had completely lost their spirit and disbanded, returning to their homes.
So, if the French Ministry wanted to continue playing ostrich, what conflict remained with Severus?
"It was all done by the Death Eaters." Severus said seriously.
His earnest and grave expression was as if he had personally witnessed the Dark Lord ordering his followers to come to France, kidnap Nicolas Flamel, throw an Inferi party, and set off skull-shaped fireworks for good measure!
Girard's eyes, however, shone with delight. The Quick-Quotes Quill swiftly moved across the parchment, recording Severus's testimony.
"You, you are certain?"
"You've already captured Shafiq. Last night, such a large Dark Mark lit up the sky over Paris. And those Inferi… from what I know, the Dark Lord did indeed have the intention and preparations to create Inferi on a large scale!"
Severus wasn't lying. He just needed to state partial facts.
"The reason I was able to rescue the Flamels was also because I discovered another Death Eater I was familiar with among that group. His name is Flint, a British pure-blood wizard. Following the clues related to this person, I finally found their hidden base in the Jura mountains and discovered the Flamels."
He recounted the discovery and process logically and with evidence, making Girard's expression grow increasingly excited.
However, when Head of Auror Office turned to look at Nicolas, who had remained calm and silently watched her the whole time, she felt, for some reason, a shame rise within her.
Girard quickly suppressed this small anomaly in her heart. She began asking Severus and Nicolas for more specific details in depth.
Severus also began his account according to what he and Nicolas had agreed upon. Nicolas, however, clearly had little interest in speaking. He looked somewhat weary, lying back on the sofa, his eyelids drooping as if taking a nap.
Two hours later, the inquiry concluded.
Whether Girard truly believed it or was still playing ostrich, she finally kindly reminded the Flamels to rest well today before taking the fully recorded transcript to Minister of Magic Rousseau.
Severus turned to look at Nicolas, who had reopened his eyes after Girard left and was staring blankly at the door, lost in thought. Severus hesitated, wondering if he should say some words of comfort at this moment.
Then, Nicolas spoke first.
"Politics, truly the most indispensable and yet the most foolish invention in human history."
He sighed and shook his head. Mrs. Flamel beside him turned to look at him and said softly, "Haven't you already prepared yourself? It's been long enough. These matters have nothing to do with us in the future. We've also done enough."
This sounded like some decision the couple had made privately. Severus, familiar with the original plot, could vaguely guess what they intended to do next upon hearing this.
Nicolas looked at his wife and smiled.
"You're right. No matter what, it has nothing to do with us anymore. Enjoying each day we have now is enough."
Nicolas took his wife's hand and stood up from the sofa. He clearly didn't want to stay at the Ministry any longer. Moreover, many newspaper reporters had gathered outside, clamoring to interview the Flamels and get the first-hand story.
The Flamels detested such occasions. They just wanted to go home as quickly as possible.
Severus bid them a temporary farewell, agreeing to bring Harry and the others to the Flamel Residence for a visit at noon.
After the Flamels, despite several attempts by the Aurors to keep them, ultimately left through the fireplace in the reception room,
The swarming reporters from various major French newspapers all realized they had missed their best chance for first-hand news material!
A few reporters made a snap decision to leave the Ministry immediately, aiming to intercept Nicolas Flamel at his home.
The majority, however, surrounded Severus.
By now, they had clearly also received the news that the person who rescued the Flamels was Severus Snape.
This former Head of House in Hogwarts, who had recently made major waves in Britain, was absolutely prime first-hand material for extensive reporting!
Furthermore, reports about a British wizard outperforming a host of French Aurors in France to ultimately solve the kidnapping case and rescue Nicolas Flamel would naturally be more eye-catching.
These newspaper reporters certainly wouldn't pass up this excellent opportunity.
Soon, Severus was surrounded by them. Countless cameras, like an array of long and short guns, encircled him.
It took him a great deal of effort to get out of the reception room. Once in the corridor, he discovered that Harry and the others were also surrounded by a group of reporters. Their deeds of resisting the intruders within the Ministry were also a major news item, especially given Harry and Draco's age and nationality, which provided plenty to talk about.
After failing to push through the crowd for a while, Severus simply returned to the reception room.
He sat in the single armchair, surrounded by countless scrambling reporters.
"Mr. Snape! We heard you had a disagreement with the Aurors during the investigation of the case. Was Nicolas Flamel's retrieval ultimately due to you sticking to your guns, while the French Aurors were corrupt and incompetent?"
"Were you specifically invited from Britain by the Ministry to participate in this case? The Auror Office announced they would form a joint task force with British Aurors. Was this your initiative?"
"How do you think the French Aurors performed in this case? Are you disappointed in them?"
"We heard you had many interactions with British Aurors a month ago. What differences do you see between the Aurors of the two countries?"
"Mr. Snape..."
Almost none of the reporters cared about how Severus rescued Nicolas Flamel. They only cared about what kind of sensational scoop they could dig up.
The questions they asked were all designed to push Severus into the spotlight. No matter how he answered, these people could write a major exposi!
"Everyone, regarding the entire process of rescuing the Flamels, I have already given my account to the Head of the Auror Office, Ms. Girard. If you have questions about that, you can directly inquire with the Auror Office."
"As for your other questions, I will only say this: there isn't much difference between Auror and Auror, or between Ministry and Ministry."
"Right now, I believe your focus shouldn't be on my opinion of the French Aurors, but on the fact that the culprits who kidnapped the Flamels are still at large. Those villains had gotten away scot-free. If you truly care about what the public is worried about, then you should be digging for more information about the culprits."
His answer avoided all the dangerous questions, creating a moment of silence in the room. But the next second, someone reacted, asking rapidly with an excited expression,
"Are you saying your opinion of the French Aurors isn't worth our attention? Do you feel your true feelings would hurt the sentiments of French wizards?"
"Mr. Snape! By telling us to focus on the culprits, are you implying you have no expectations for the French Aurors to continue pursuing the real culprits? Do you want to mobilize the power of the people?"
However, while they were pressing their questions, Severus had already drawn his wand. The reporters blocking his path were all pushed aside by an invisible force, creating a clear path for him.
Severus walked quickly through the crowd, pulling Harry and the others out of the corridor along the way. Then, ignoring the reporters, he chose to leave directly using the Floo Network from the Ministry fireplace.
They hadn't truly visited those famous landmarks or the local wizarding commercial street since arriving in Paris.
Before going to the Flamel Residence at noon, they could use this free time to look around Paris.
Regarding the morning's interviews, Harry seemed quite excited. Even if the reporters asked some tricky questions, Lupin had stepped in to gloss over them. Draco, however, didn't seem as happy.
It wasn't that the reporters ignored him or didn't interview him, or that not being in the spotlight would have made him unhappy.
Draco was sulking precisely because he was too much in the spotlight.
A child from the Malfoy Family rescuing a Muggle was clearly also a news sensation. Many reporters asked him if his actions meant his father was abandoning the Malfoy Family's traditional pure-blood ideology.
Draco argued vehemently in front of the crowd, constantly emphasizing that the Malfoy Family would still adhere to pure-blood ideology, spurning any behavior that insulted blood purity. His personal rescue of the Muggle was entirely out of the pure-blood wizard's pity and concern for an inferior being!
However, how could a nine-year-old child possibly out-argue reporters who were so good at talking?
The more Draco spoke, the more excited the reporters became. In the end, they pushed the Malfoy young master to his limits. If Lupin hadn't stopped him, he might have started a fight with those reporters.
That's why he was so dejected now, hardly daring to imagine what his reputation would be like back in his original social circle in Britain if such news got out.
The children from the Goyle and Crabbe Families would probably never follow his lead again.
Harry also noticed Draco's bad mood. While strolling through the French wizarding commercial street, he looked at the young master and said, "Why do you care so much about what those reporters say? You weren't like this when Mrs. Rosier thanked you and invited you to her house for dinner."
"What do you know!" Draco said irritably. "Protecting a Muggle! Do you know how embarrassing it will be for me if this gets out!"
"People who find your actions embarrassing are all abnormal people." Harry said, mimicking Draco's posture by sticking his hands in his sleeves, and also imitating Severus's tone to educate him, "You can't just look at those who scold you. You need to look more at those who praise you. I'm sure if this news gets back to Britain, more people will praise you than look down on you!"
"Not a single pure-blood family will praise me!" Draco's face was full of gloom.
Harry just shrugged.
"The Weasleys definitely will. Mrs. Weasley would be happy to invite you to their house for pie!"
"Don't mention those paupers!" Draco glared at Harry, "They're traitors to pure bloods!"
Harry's eyebrows shot up.
"Don't you dare talk about my friend like that!"
"Your friend?" Draco didn't know why, but after hearing Harry's words, he subconsciously pursed his lips, "Birds of a feather flock together, as expected."
It had been days since he'd last said such mean things, but now he just couldn't help it.
Just as the two were about to start arguing, Severus and Lupin each grabbed them by the scruff of their necks, separating the feuding pair.
"Alright, alright," Severus said, clearly understanding why Draco had suddenly become hostile towards Harry, "Watch your language, Draco. I've emphasized the issue of manners to you many times."
Draco just snorted, turning his head away from Harry.
Harry waved his fists. If Lupin hadn't been holding him, he would have charged over.
"How about we go check out the broom shop?" Severus found a good place to distract them, "Let's go see the latest model broomsticks. Even if you're not old enough to own one yet, you both really like them, right?"