Chapter 50
Chapter 50
Suer followed Amelia across the road and into the house diagonally opposite the Ellisons’.
“Do you know how to use Floo powder?”
Amelia went straight to the fireplace, picked up a glass jar containing silver powder, and looked back.
Suer shook his head.
He knew what Floo powder was and understood the principle, but he had never used it. He did not dare pretend otherwise. If he arrived in some deserted location, no one would hear him call for help.
“It’s simple.”
Amelia casually caused a great fire to spring up in the grate.
Suer’s eyes lit.
Nonverbal, wandless magic?
Amelia glanced at him without comment, the corner of her mouth rising.
“Throw in the powder. The flames will turn green. Then stand inside and say ‘the Ministry of Magic’ clearly and firmly.”
“This fireplace is connected to only one destination, so you needn’t worry about a wrong word sending you elsewhere.”
“There is still some danger, of course. In the worst case, you will become stuck halfway.”
“Keep your elbows tucked in and don’t panic. If you’re frightened, close your eyes.”
“I’ll go first. Watch carefully. I’ll wait for you at the other end.”
“Don’t worry. It’s easy.”
Suer nodded and watched without blinking.
Amelia scattered a handful of silver powder into the fire, stepped inside, and called,
“The Ministry of Magic!”
Green flames roared around her body, and she vanished.
Suer followed. He poured some silver powder into his palm and threw it into the grate.
The instant the powder touched the fire, the flames surged and changed from red to vivid green.
Suer cautiously extended one hand. Once he confirmed the flames caused no injury, he stepped inside.
“The Ministry of Magic.”
Green fire licked around his body. Suer opened his eyes wide and shouted the destination.
Travelling by Floo powder was peculiar. His body felt stretched into a noodle and dragged through a tunnel. Wind–or perhaps fire–roared beside his ears.
Green flames spun madly around him. Looking directly at them produced dizziness.
Suer closed his eyes briefly, forced himself to look beyond the fire, and glimpsed a chain of grates rushing past. Through one, he saw a family opening presents beside their hearth.
Several minutes passed.
Or perhaps only seconds.
The fireplace seemed to shove Suer. He stumbled forward several steps, and a pair of hands caught him.
Amelia smiled down at him.
“Are you all right? Floo powder feels strange the first time. You will become accustomed to it.”
“I’m fine. Thank you.”
Suer shook his head and stood straight.
They were inside a broad passage. The floor consisted of dark tiles polished to a mirror shine.
No–perhaps it was wood?
Wooden boards resembling stone?
The ceiling was peacock blue, inlaid with specks of gold that formed symbols drifting and changing overhead.
Magnificent gilded fireplaces lined both sides. Suer had emerged from one.
From time to time, green flames rose and a wizard appeared. Other hearths produced only a hand holding a parcel, which an attendant stepped forward to accept.
Apparently, Floo powder did more than transport people.
“Shall we go?” Amelia asked softly.
Suer nodded and followed her toward a glittering golden space at one end of the passage that appeared to be the main atrium.
Many wizards greeted Amelia along the way and gave Suer curious looks.
His newly discovered aunt seemed important at the Ministry.
The first thing Suer saw upon leaving the passage was a fountain. In the centre of its round pool stood a group of golden statues.
A noble-looking wizard held his wand high. Around him stood a witch, a goblin, a centaur, and a house-elf, their faces wearing exaggerated expressions of adoration.
An open space lay before the fountain. Wizards appeared and disappeared there with repeated cracks.
Several witches tossed coins casually into the pool as they passed.
Did the wizarding world have wishing fountains too?
Then Suer noticed a stained plaque.
All proceeds from the Fountain of Magical Brethren are donated to St Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries.
Understood.
A charitable fund.
Suer followed Amelia through a golden gate and into a small lobby where many wizards stood.
“Happy Christmas, Ms. Bones.”
A stubbly man smiled ingratiatingly at Amelia.
Since entering the Ministry, Amelia had changed. Her expression became severe, and Suer had not seen her smile at anyone.
The resemblance reminded him of Professor McGonagall.
She gave only a quiet sound of acknowledgement.
Very proud.
Ding.
The nearest lift sounded. The man rushed to press the button.
“Allow me. Level Two?”
Amelia gave him a cool glance.
“That will not be necessary, Mr. Scorne.”
“My pleasure, Ms. Bones.”
After pressing the number two, the man automatically withdrew.
Suer followed Amelia into the lift. As it began moving with a rumble, he saw the man stare at him in surprise through the metal grille.
“I must behave this way,” Amelia quietly explained. “Otherwise, people decide I am easy to persuade and ask me to reduce their relatives’ sentences.”
Suer nodded silently.
The lift moved quickly.
Another ding followed.
“Level Two: Department of Magical Law Enforcement, including the Improper Use of Magic Office, Auror Headquarters, and Wizengamot Administration Services.”
As the voice spoke, gears drew open the grille.
Suer followed Amelia down a long corridor lined with doors. Sunlight poured through one window.
“The windows are enchanted. Whatever the weather outside, they display the same weather here,” Amelia explained when she noticed his curiosity.
The same principle as the ceiling of the Great Hall, Suer concluded.
They rounded a corner and passed through two heavy oak doors into an open area divided into many cubicles.
A sign at one entrance bore a hurried inscription:
Auror Headquarters.
Suer glanced inside and saw a witch lounging on a chair, her feet on a desk buried beneath chaotic sweet wrappers.
He recognised her.
They continued past the final row of cubicles and stopped before a private office.
“We’re here,” Amelia said. “Would you rather wait outside or see my office?”
Suer looked at the sign:
Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
He shook his head.
“I’ll wait here. Please be quick. I want to get home to my sister.”