Chapter 144: A Sudden Turn of Events
"Perhaps," Ryan mused, "the deeper a wizard's mastery and understanding of magic, the greater the increase in their power during their magical growth spurt."
Ryan felt his own magic was developing a bit too quickly. His house-elf bracelet was now only useful for Apparition, and the black gold armband he'd had such high hopes for was practically useless.
In the room that had been transformed into a magnificent palace, the group chatted for a while. It was mainly the "Hogwarts Senior Supergroup," represented by Dumbledore, holding an awards ceremony for the "Hogwarts Junior Brigade," represented by Ryan, lavishing praise upon the students. Julia and Nava served as the background characters, with the French and British Aurors making a friendly guest appearance.
The Aurors held their knives and forks, unsure whether to eat or not. They listened to the legends discuss "magical growth spurts" with utter bewilderment, at one point suspecting they might be fake wizards.
"No need to be so formal," Ryan said kindly, noticing their stiffness. "There's still a big show to watch tonight."
A big show? What big show?
As if sensing their confusion, Ryan helpfully explained, "As you all know, I'm a Seer, so it's perfectly reasonable for me to see things from the future, isn't it?"
"Just as Senior Ralvin and I came here specifically and encountered the first incident, shouldn't we wait and see what the second incident will be? We're all very curious to find out who this 'unrestrained outlaw' is."
The Aurors were deeply moved. Ryan could see that the eyes of those who understood were turning red with emotion. It made sense; an "unrestrained outlaw" and a second incident similar to the public display of magic from earlier... this was a walking, talking commendation! A pile of merit points just waiting to be claimed.
Filled with a sense of accomplishment from the Aurors' teary-eyed gazes, Ryan was rather pleased with himself.
Then, the Head of the French Auror Office roared, "Call for backup! Call for backup! Get back to the Ministry and call for backup!"
"Report to the Minister immediately! Tell him Mr. Ryan Welles's prophecy says there will be another breach of the Statute of Secrecy tonight!"
His voice was tragic and heart-wrenching. The only thing that seemed off was that it didn't sound like he was excited or thrilled, but rather... terrified? Shocked? A little bit desperate?
"Sir, there's no need for such a reaction. We are all here," Ryan said. "And forgive my bluntness, but if we can't handle it, then your entire Ministry of Magic combined would be nothing but a decoration."
The middle-aged man looked at Ryan very, very seriously. "I know that, sir. I would even say that without troubling the esteemed gentlemen, just based on the display of power you showed earlier, I am certain that our combined forces, both French and British, would be no match for you alone."
"But," he continued, "reality is reality, and a job is a job. If I report it, it becomes the Minister's problem. If I don't, it becomes mine."
Ryan thought, He makes a good point. A true professional.
After this little interlude, the distance between everyone shortened, and they became a bit more familiar with each other.
Happy times are always fleeting. In the blink of an eye, the city lights came on. The dazzling neon of the buildings and the headlights of the passing cars illuminated the Parisian night. Ryan periodically glanced out the window, looking for the time and perspective that matched the composition in his intel.
"By the way, Mr. Welles," Nava asked. It had been an afternoon of her displaying an immense passion for the common knowledge of the magical world, chatting with everyone present, trying her best to complete the picture of the wizarding world she was building in her mind. Although the Aurors from both Ministries didn't quite approve, they said nothing, as it wasn't their place to comment. Now, after listening to everyone's reverence for Ryan's prophecies all afternoon, she was intensely curious. "How does a Seer like you view the world?"
"For me, at least, a prophecy is just a glimpse of a corner of the future," Ryan said honestly, giving her an example from his own perspective.
"I don't know how other Seers view prophecies. For example, at Hogwarts, there's a Divination professor, Sybill Trelawney. Professor Trelawney is undoubtedly a true Seer, and her understanding of prophecy leans toward the idea that they are things that are destined to happen."
"Destined to happen? That sounds a bit absolute," Nava said. It immediately brought to mind the three Fates of Norse mythology, weaving destiny, where all was predetermined, leading to the twilight of the gods.
That is, in fact, the local Seer's interpretation, Ryan thought. He said, "Yes, different people have different views. Personally, I am not convinced that prophecies are destiny. That's why we are sitting here now, waiting for what is about to happen."
"Like helping Julia clean up her mess?"
Ryan nodded, his gaze turning to the window. At that moment, Dumbledore and the others also looked outside.
The light outside was tinged with a deep red, as if dozens of extra neon signs had been switched on. But there were no screams from the crowd, because people tend to notice things on the ground, like the werewolf from earlier.
Now, everyone followed Ryan's and Dumbledore's gazes up into the sky outside the window. Their eyes went past the Eiffel Tower, which was draped in a faint crimson glow. Countless black dots swarmed over the light.
A shadow had fallen over France, pressing down on the bewildered outlaws below, forcing them to burn themselves up in despair, to throw themselves into the fire like moths, seeking their own destruction.
"What is that?"
"Bats?"
"Vampires!"
"Notify the brothers to prepare for the arrest of vampires violating the Statute of Secrecy," the dedicated professionals said. This is all just another day at the office.
Dumbledore stared for a long time at the presence casting the shadow from above.
Gellert's face darkened, and the crackling sound of fire seemed to echo in the room.
And Ryan noticed that, for the first time since he had met Nicolas Flamel, the legend who had tied himself to myth and story had a look of utter disbelief in his eyes.
Ryan himself could hardly believe it. Because the shadow in the sky was neither scientific nor magical.
In all of recorded history, both Muggle and wizarding, there had never been a mention of a bat with a wingspan of over a hundred meters.
Not even the dragons were that big!
~~~
Get early access to 50+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Hollowborn