Meanwhile, at the British Ministry of Magic, Tonks stepped out of the lift, clutching a stack of files. Her mind was a whirl of worry, and in her distraction, she collided with someone trying to enter the lift. Papers and parchments spilled across the floor.
"Watch where you're going, you clumsy—" Lucius Malfoy's sharp voice cut through the air, but he stopped mid-sentence, glancing over his shoulder. With a sneer, he shot Tonks a disdainful look and strode into the lift, muttering under his breath.
Tonks didn't spare him a glance. She scrambled to gather her scattered documents, but as she reached down, the papers suddenly came to life. They fluttered up to her hands with a graceful, almost playful dance, as if charmed by an unseen spell.
"Lovely to see you, Nymphadora Tonks. Even with a job at the Ministry, I'd hope you haven't forgotten the magic you learned."
The voice was warm, familiar, and tinged with amusement. Moonlight streamed through a misty, round window, casting a soft glow on a figure in a purple robe. Silver hair and a long beard shimmered in the ethereal light, giving the old man an almost mystical aura.
Tonks looked up, flustered. "Sorry, Professor Dumbledore, I'm just… a bit on edge. I'm only a trainee Auror, after all."
She spoke softly, her respect clear as she gazed at the Headmaster of Hogwarts, widely regarded as the greatest wizard of their time. A flicker of hope stirred in her chest.
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled behind his half-moon glasses. "No need to fret, my dear. When I first started as Transfiguration professor, I was just as nervous, always worrying I wasn't doing enough."
"It's not that," Tonks said, hesitating. "It's about that boy. He doesn't deserve to—"
Dumbledore gently raised a hand, cutting her off. "As it happens, I went straight to the Ministry from the orphanage the moment I heard about the incident. I don't believe it's necessary for the Ministry to be so harsh on a child who's never even been part of our world—let alone drag him before the Wizengamot."
From the lift, Lucius Malfoy's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Oh, come now. Riding a fire-breathing dragon to attack a Muggle village isn't serious enough for you?"
Dumbledore's expression remained calm, his gaze steady. "We both know that boy didn't do anything wrong. That abandoned village was home to nothing but smuggling dark wizards—no Muggles in sight. And he's one of Hogwarts' own, even if he hasn't started yet. As Headmaster, it's my duty to protect every student."
Lucius's eyes flashed with anger, but he said nothing, jabbing the lift button with unnecessary force. Tonks let out a relieved sigh, her gratitude shining as she looked at Dumbledore. "So you've already spoken with him? That's what this psychological evaluation is about, then…"
Her voice trailed off. She froze, heart sinking. Dumbledore's piercing blue eyes were fixed on the file in her hands, unblinking, intense. Oh no. She shouldn't have gone into that cramped room earlier tonight.
"May I see it?" Dumbledore's voice was low, almost trembling—shocked, perhaps, or… afraid? The calm he usually exuded seemed to waver, his eyes betraying a storm of emotions: confusion, fear, doubt.
Tonks glanced down at the portrait she'd been carrying. It showed a girl in a soft pink dress, standing in sunlight, a light shawl draped over her shoulders. Her golden hair was intricately braided, adorned with flowers and red berries she'd carefully picked, like a woodland sprite gathering clovers.
Dumbledore's hands shook as he took the portrait, as if the last of his strength had drained away. He whispered, barely audible, "Ariana…"
"Ariana…"
"Ariana! Open the door, it's your brother!"
The door of the quaint little cottage creaked open. A girl in pajamas stood there, her golden hair slightly mussed from sleep, her expression one of mild annoyance. Her pale blue eyes locked onto Adam's hand, still poised from knocking, and they glinted with a dangerous spark.
Adam's face lit up, and he quickly pulled his hand back. "Ariana—"
"Shut it!" she snapped, pulling a fist-sized red berry from her pocket and shoving it into his mouth with lightning speed. The world went quiet, and her scowl softened into exasperation.
[Received Ariana's gift: slight increase in magical power.]
Before she could relax, Adam, still holding the berry, slipped past her into the cottage. He made himself at home, brewing a cup of tea, grabbing delicate pastries from the cupboard, and lounging in an armchair, happily munching on the berry as if he owned the place.
Ariana sighed, wiping a smear of red juice from his mouth with a handkerchief, as if tending to a younger sibling. She sank into the other armchair, rubbing her temples. "How'd you even know I was back?"
"I didn't," Adam said through a mouthful of berry. "Got any more of these? A couple hundred, maybe? Then I might be able to drag your brother over to see you."
Ariana's eye twitched, her grip tightening on her teacup. "That was the only one I found… Wait, so you've been banging on my door for half an hour every time?"
Adam set down the now-clean berry pit, nodding seriously.
No wonder her neighbors had been giving her odd looks yesterday.
"You're gone for months without a single letter," Adam continued, lounging back. "I thought you'd gotten lost in the wilderness again, tangled up in your past or some obsession. I scoured that entire snow-covered mountain looking for you. Coming here was just me hoping for a bit of luck."
He lazily waved his hand, refilling his tea and pouring one for her. Ariana took a sip, the warmth spreading through her hands. Softly, she said, "Thanks…"
"No problem," Adam replied with a grin. "We're friends, aren't we? You were the first person I met in this strange otherworld. Can't just let you vanish on me. But you don't want your brother's wand sending your good pal here to join you, right? So maybe drop that blasted quest of yours—"
His words cut off as his cheeks were suddenly pinched and kneaded by a pair of hands. A gentle voice purred in his ear, "Oh? Doesn't my apprentice miss his teacher at all? I'm heartbroken."
A tall woman in a simple robe appeared beside the armchair, her silver-white hair tied back. Despite her plain attire, she radiated an otherworldly elegance, like the brightest star in a night sky. Her beautiful face smiled down at Adam, who looked thoroughly unimpressed as she continued to squish his cheeks.
"Sorry, Lady Elaine," Adam mumbled, pulling free and shielding his face. "I didn't know you were the one who took Ariana off on a trip."
Elaine's voice was soft and soothing, like a calming charm. "Enough bothering Ariana's rest. Come with me. Weren't you always pestering me to teach you magic?"
Adam's eyes lit up with cautious hope. "Will this magic let me take on Dumbledore?"
"Who's that?"
"Oh, just some ordinary wizard. Supposedly the greatest of our time, no big deal."