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Chapter 238 - Chapter 238: Tents, Yachts, Sunshine and Sea Breeze

"Kreacher!"

Regulus Black was in America. Today was his final day—the filming had wrapped completely, and post-production and publicity were once again left to the director. Regulus Black was heading back to watch the Quidditch tournament.

As for his own illegal entry, the Aquarius-class submarine had sailed straight into the Great Lakes region at the time. In the eyes of the Muggle world, this was practically a military invasion. Sara Maidaney, on the other hand, had legally arrived by ship, her passport stamped and signed accordingly.

However, since the Aquarius was now retracing the route taken by the golden-eyed girl in search of the ghost ship, Regulus Black had no choice but to smuggle himself and the golden-eyed girl back to Britain.

"My dearest master, Kreacher is at your service."

Kreacher always acted as though he hadn't seen Regulus in a long time.

"Do you know where the Quidditch tournament is being held? Take Sara and me there directly."

Regulus Black had already packed his belongings—souvenirs he bought in America, shrunk and neatly stored in a small suitcase. Sara Maidaney clutched her jewelry box tightly. Though Regulus had assured her it would never be lost, she still preferred to hold it herself.

"Of course, Master Regulus. Kreacher remembers where they went. I followed them there."

Kreacher, being a house-elf, used a magical system entirely different from wizards. He had followed Sirius Black all the way to the Quidditch match location before being summoned by Regulus to America.

"Very well, let's go then!"

Regulus Black took hold of Kreacher's hand, and with his other hand, he held onto Sara Maidaney.

With a whoosh, they appeared at the tournament grounds. The entire area had been sealed off with enchantments by the Ministry of Magic. Those without a Portkey couldn't get in—though house-elves were exempt from this restriction.

A local elderly Muggle had been assigned by the Ministry to work the reception area on the outskirts. Whenever he had doubts about the nature of this "costume gathering," an Auror nearby would simply hit him with an Obliviate.

One had to wonder what the Ministry was thinking. It would've been more practical to just put a puppet in charge of this post.

The local Muggles had no idea why these people were gathering here, but they'd all been hypnotically suggested to cooperate. They now moved cheerfully through the site, performing various services.

"Sara, look—this is how order works in the wizarding world. Even when those Aurors are just standing by casting Memory Charms, they refuse to lower themselves to doing reception work. That's the difference in status."

Regulus Black held Sara's small hand as they walked through the area where ordinary wizards were staying and arrived at a more luxurious section filled with tents.

"This is the place that old man mentioned, right?"

In front of Regulus lay a vacant grassy plot, where a wooden marker with a number lay toppled on the ground.

Although it wasn't officially publicized, the wizards' living quarters were divided between nobles and commoners. The difference lay in the plot size. However, since adult wizards could use the Undetectable Extension Charm to enlarge interiors, the external size or luxury didn't matter much. Otherwise, the two social classes would have been at each other's throats long ago.

Since they were in the noble section, Regulus wasn't going to lower his standards. A tent shaped like a luxurious yacht rose from the ground. The entire structure gently swayed as if the surrounding grass were the surface of the sea.

The entrance was at the stern. Once pulled open, the yacht-tent would stop swaying.

The interior was nothing like a typical tent; it mirrored the inside of a real yacht.

There were multiple guest rooms on both the left and right sides. A walkway ran along the outer deck. At the bow sat a small swimming pool, with lounge chairs and a liquor cabinet nearby. The surrounding illusion depicted an endless, empty sea, with warm sunshine shining down and a gentle sea breeze wafting through the air. As long as one didn't try to jump off and swim, it truly felt like being aboard an actual yacht. The illusion was executed to perfection.

"Hey, Regulus! Showing up this late? Just getting your tent set up?"

Lucius Malfoy strolled over to greet him, accompanied by his son Draco and his wife Narcissa.

"Hey, Narcissa. It's been a while—how have you been?"

Regulus Black ignored Lucius for the moment and embraced his cousin first.

"Hey! Draco, we're not at school now—just call me Regulus."

Regulus Black once again turned his gaze to Draco Malfoy, deliberately avoiding eye contact with Lucius Malfoy.

This was a blatant act of ignoring him, and Lucius Malfoy pretended not to notice it.

"Well, well! If it isn't Lucius! You've put on quite a bit of weight lately. Don't tell me Snape gave you some sort of tonic!"

Regulus Black made a thorough jab at the greasy-looking Lucius from every angle.

The two men gave each other a mock embrace, clearly putting in enough force to strangle each other if they could.

"Maybe you should take a look at the Malfoy tent. I've recently acquired a white peacock—placed it right by the entrance!"

Lucius released Regulus and pointed to a white castle-shaped tent not far away. An entire section had been cleared to make room for a garden, complete with a fountain at the center. A white peacock strolled leisurely through the small garden—it did have a proper aristocratic flair.

"The castle looks nice. Come see mine. All aboard, everyone. You'll only understand its essence once you step inside."

They entered the cabin from the stern. A single glance back felt like crossing into another world. Outside the stern door lay a grassy green lawn, with wizards in eccentric robes wandering about. But inside the cabin, looking out, was a vast stretch of blue ocean. The cabin doors were all open, revealing luxurious guest rooms inside. It was a completely different atmosphere from the rooms inside the castle. As they walked down the corridor toward the bow, they came upon a small swimming pool large enough to fit at least twenty people. Around it were rows of lounge chairs and sun umbrellas, each with its own minibar.

"Is the water by the boat real?"

Draco looked at the deep blue sea with uncertainty. If this was an illusion, it was too realistic.

"Of course it's not real. You can jump in and try—it'll send you straight outside the tent. But as long as you're on the boat, no one from outside can enter."

Draco looked up at the sun. It was warm and slightly glaring. He walked over to a lounge chair under an umbrella and sat down, mimicking Sarah Maidani's gesture to open the minibar. Inside were chilled fruit juices and soft drinks.

His body soaked in the warmth of the sun, and with a cold drink in hand, Draco felt reluctant to return to the Malfoy castle.

"I forgot to ask—who is this young lady?"

Lucius Malfoy noticed his son reclining in comfort, copying the others, and couldn't help but show some interest in Sarah Maidani.

"Sarah Maidani, a Muggle-born Squib currently under my protection. She's learning magic."

Regulus Black's words took Lucius by surprise. Why would you teach magic to a Squib? What's the point?

But he wouldn't say such things aloud—it would be far too rude. The arrogance of wizarding nobles ran deep in their bones. They might despise you with intensity, but they'd never say it. Still, you could feel that contempt clearly.

"To be honest, just judging by test scores, your son Draco can't compare to Sarah. She scored full marks across the board. She's already completed all seventh-year magical courses—in just one year. I taught her myself."

Regulus Black's words instantly dispelled Lucius's scorn. Completing seven years' worth of curriculum in one year—even if it was just theoretical and didn't include practical magic—that was fast. No, incredibly fast.

"What a pity! If only she weren't a Squib…"

She'd be another Hermione—wouldn't she?

Lucius Malfoy would never say such a thing aloud. After all, the one student Draco had never been able to outperform at school was Hermione.

Some speculate that Draco's first love was Hermione. His situation with her mirrored that of Snape and Lily—the reactions of both pairs were so alike, it was almost a perfect repetition.

"It really is a pity. If she weren't a Squib, she probably would've ended up in Ravenclaw. Then again, who knows? Maybe one day, she'll cast off that Squib label."

Regulus Black's voice grew softer and softer, to the point where Lucius wondered if he was just imagining things.

Cast off the Squib label? How could that be possible?

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