The French Ministry of Magic is located underground at the Place de Furstemberg in Paris.
Compared to the British Ministry, this place features a glass do ceiling etched with the nas of magical creatures in French.
Natural light floods the interior, giving Severus a feeling reminiscent of the Herbology greenhouses at Hogwarts.
Under this do, witches and wizards of all kinds co and go. Compared to their British counterparts, French wizards dress more ticulously… their robes are more vibrant, and so witches even wear fashionable Muggle dresses.
This scene was sothing even Draco, who had traveled extensively with Lucius to various places in the Wizarding World, had never witnessed, let alone Harry.
Yuma led the way for them. Around them, wizards carrying caras occasionally dashed past, following reporters who were relentlessly questioning officials about pressing matters.
"The disappearance of the Flals has shaken the entire French press." Yuma explained, "France has never seen such a severe incident. The last ti sothing this major happened was eight years ago, right after the You-Know-Who fell… his followers in France caused quite a stir while searching for him!"
Hearing this, Lupin couldn't help but glance at Severus. However, Severus looked utterly indifferent, as if listening to so irrelevant side story.
"Did the French Aurors capture many Death Eaters back then?"
"That was a war that swept across half of Europe." Yuma replied, turning to look at him, "It was no less devastating than the havoc wreaked by the old Grindelwald's followers! We captured many, and so were even extradited to Britain."
Severus nodded.
He knew all too well the backgrounds of his forr comrades… they ca from all corners of the Wizarding World.
The most typical example was Karkaroff, who had now fled to beco the headmaster of a magical school in Northern Europe.
Under Yuma's guidance, they soon arrived at the French Auror Headquarters.
The Aurors here seed incredibly busy. The six fireplaces allocated to the departnt were in constant use… people flooed in and out every minute, and a steady stream of information poured in as Aurors conducted their investigations.
They were ushered into a spacious lounge furnished with delicate pastries and tea. House-elves replenished the treats whenever they ran low.
After settling them in, Yuma excused himself, likely to report to his superiors.
"Why would Nicolas Flal disappear? A wizard of his caliber shouldn't be easily abducted by just anyone!"
Lupin still found it hard to believe the news they'd gotten from Yuma, frowning as he spoke.
Harry, munching on a macaron, chid in curiously, "He's such a famous wizard, and he's lived for so long… he must be incredibly powerful, right? Whoever managed to subdue him must be formidable?"
Draco didn't offer an opinion. Since recovering from the shock of the ambush at the door, he had been stealing glances at Severus.
He knew very well that in such monts, even close family rarely acted instinctively to shield him.
"Wizards don't necessarily grow stronger just because they live longer." Severus corrected Harry, "No creature can withstand the erosion of ti. Even Nicolas Flal, who invented the Philosopher's Stone and used its Elixir of Life to extend his lifespan, couldn't prevent the natural decline of his aging body and magical power."
Harry couldn't help but feel a little confused when he heard this.
"Then how did he protect the Stone? Surely many people would want to steal it?"
"Just as potioneers can rely on their creations to solve problems magic alone cannot, a master alchemist who has lived for over six centuries undoubtedly has countless non-spell ans to protect himself."
Severus lectured Harry.
"But he was still kidnapped? So the kidnappers must be after his Philosopher's Stone?" Harry asked between bites of dessert.
"Anything involving Nicolas Flal is likely tied to the Stone." Lupin added, "The Philosopher's Stone is far too tempting… owning it ans infinite wealth and ti."
"Yuma ntioned that the Squib, Rosier, is directly connected to the case. The French Aurors must have uncovered sothing."
Severus turned and glanced at Draco.
"The Rosier family has a long history of bad deeds, and many dark wizards have co out of this family."
Draco curled his lips.
"I've never associated with any Rosiers! Rumor has it their children were supposed to be sent to Durmstrang!"
"Though Lucius once considered sending you to Durmstrang as well." Severus remarked, "Despite being a Hogwarts' governor."
While they rested and chatted, Yuma soon returned with an older witch.
The witch wore a wide-brimd pointed hat and a dark green cloak adorned with the emblem of the French Ministry of Magic, a combination of the French tricolor, a cockade, and a Phrygian cap.
Beneath the emblem was the Ministry's motto:
Incanté, Envouté, Conjuré. (Chard, Bewitched, Conjured.)
The witch was tall, about the sa age as McGonagall, and far from frail… her sturdy fra spoke of long years of rigorous training. Her voice was deep and commanding.
"I'm glad Antoine brought you back, Severus Snape."
Her deanor was brisk and decisive. The mont she entered, she strode straight to Severus and extended her hand.
"I am Laurence Girard, Director of the Auror Office."
Severus shook her hand.
"Pleasure to et you, Madam Girard."
"Antoine told what happened. I told him and his team that losing to the Head of House at Hogwarts is nothing to be ashad of. I apologize for the trouble they caused you, but the current situation in France also involves you."
Upon hearing her words, Severus couldn't help but frown slightly. He probed cautiously.
"You an the case involving Nicolas Flal's abduction?"
Girard had already taken a seat on a single sofa in the lounge and got straight to the point.
"Before Antoine noticed your group, Scrimgeour from Britain contacted us via Floo. Since you only arrived from Britain today, you must be aware of what's been happening there recently."
Severus glanced at Lupin, who returned the look. Both were weighing whether Girard was referring to Barty Crouch Jr. or Sirius.
"There have been Death Eaters breaking out of Azkaban, and they've regrouped." Severus said vaguely.
"That was the official statent your Ministry released earlier." Girard said sternly, "But today, the second dark wizard in history to successfully escape Azkaban has erged… Sirius Black! He's broken out as well!"
Hearing this from Girard, Lupin instinctively turned to look at Harry.
Harry, who had been casually sipping orange juice and enjoying the conversation, noticed Lupin's gaze and t his eyes in confusion, silently asking why he was being stared at.
Lupin shook his head slightly and said nothing.
anwhile, Severus maintained eye contact with Girard, feigning surprise.
"That is indeed shocking. For over two hundred years, no prisoner has ever escaped Azkaban… and now, within such a short span, two breakouts have been exposed."
"Dark wizards are mobilizing on a large scale," Girard said in a stern voice. "Certain factions in Britain and France have always been closely linked. Many French wizards willingly beca servants of the Dark Lord in the past. Scrimgeour suspects that the Death Eaters' recent activities in Britain are tied to their search for their master, and the abduction of Mr. Flal clearly involves mbers of the Rosier Family."
"These three incidents may be part of a coordinated plan. As such, they've proposed that if any evidence surfaces linking the French group to the two escaped Death Eaters in Britain, our Ministries will form a joint task force to investigate."
After listening, Severus's expression turned slightly odd.
He had no idea who in Britain had co up with this theory, but he was certain that Sirius's escape had nothing to do with Death Eater's activity. That mutt had likely been provoked into fleeing early after learning Severus had taken Harry away.
'But why was this witch telling all this?'
"So, what exactly are you suggesting?"
Girard fixed her gaze on Severus.
"We've confird that your encounter with the Rosier Squib was purely accidental… you only interacted with him after overhearing his surna and noticing he was in trouble. You have no connection to Flal's abduction. However, I'd like to know your exact purpose in seeking out Nicolas Flal."
There was no need to hide this. Severus had co with the endorsent of the current Supre Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards.
He retrieved Dumbledore's letter from his suitcase, showing Girard only the address on the envelope and the sender's na.
"Albus Dumbledore asked to deliver this letter to his old friend and check on him."
After verifying the na, Girard nodded. She studied Severus's eyes before finally revealing the true purpose of this eting.
"We've been briefed on recent events in Britain. I heard you, alongside another wizard and a Muggle, assisted our British counterparts in solving a werewolf case."
Severus didn't forget Lupin's presence.
"And Remus… he was undercover in that operation."
Girard shook Lupin's hand and nodded at him before continuing, "Given your recent firsthand experience in similar cases, your familiarity with those dark factions, and your current need to locate Nicolas Flal, I'd like to temporarily appoint you as an external consultant for our headquarters to assist in this investigation. What do you think?"
Severus didn't answer imdiately. Instead, he asked, "Are you short of people now?"
Girard nodded solemnly.
"Desperately so—especially skilled professionals. When you encountered Antoine, you must have noticed how ill-prepared his team was. Their field response and spell proficiency are severely lacking. So, if you're willing, we'd greatly appreciate your expertise. I'll contact Scrimgeour to formalize the arrangent."
Severus fell into brief contemplation.
His primary reason for seeking Flal was Dumbledore's suggestion that his old friend could help resolve certain magical issues.
While important, it wasn't urgent enough to warrant staying in France indefinitely if Flal wasn't found. There were other matters to attend to… Albania, for one, and the tasks he and Harry needed to complete beforehand.
Finally, he set a deadline.
"I can stay in Paris for five days—no more. If there's no progress by then, I must leave with my companions. During those five days, these two boys will remain at the Ministry under your protection."
Girard agreed almost imdiately.
"That won't be a problem. We'll accommodate all your needs!"
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