Chapter 34
Sirius and Xenia appeared in a narrow alleyway between two buildings, just as a woman closed her window. Sirius let go of her arm and followed her to the main street, where even if it was still very early in the morning, a few vehicles were on the road. Xenia motioned for him to follow her to what looked like a music store from where they were standing. They crossed the street and went to the corner where the shop was. Xenia put her hands on the store window where several violins were displayed and squinted to get a better look inside. She laughed and rushed to open the door, which from the sound Sirius heard, locked from the inside so Xenia started banging her fist on it.
"I saw you! I still can see you from here; you're hiding behind the piano!" Xenia shouted.
"I'm not here!" said another girl's voice, "Shit!"
"Come on, open the door! Aren't we friends?" Xenia asked as she stopped pounding on the door to give the finger to a man walking behind them, who whistled at her.
"No! Go away! My parents will be home soon! My mom has five classes to give this morning!" The girl said.
"Your parents love me! "Xenia said.
"My mother hates you! And the last time you were here, you almost set the piano on fire and threw up in a guitar!" The girl said.
"Kalyna! I promise you that nothing bad will happen this time, it's urgent! Maksim and István have disappeared!" Xenia said.
"Why would that be my problem?" Kalyna asked.
"Listen! I don't have time to negotiate with you; come here and open the door, we'll have a quick talk, and then I'll leave! Otherwise, I'll blow the door off and make a scene!" Xenia threatened.
They waited for a moment, and then Sirius saw a woman approaching the door, opening it before turning her back on them and going to lean against the counter on which a violin was placed. Xenia entered first and ran to the violin and picked it up before starting to scratch the violin's strings with the bow. Kalyna jumped on her and snatched the violin from her hands.
"DON'T TOUCH IT! YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO PLAY! YOU'LL RUIN THE STRINGS! GIVE ME THAT TOO!" Kalyna screamed at Xenia, trying to take the foil from her, which Xenia was now using as a foil against her.
Kalyna was a ballerina-like girl with long curly red hair and big brown glasses, wearing a blue apron over her dress and gloves. She finally took the foil from Xenia's hands, who started to pout, and returned it with the violin to its case. Looking meanly at Xenia. The girl pretended to give up but stole the other girls' glasses and jumped on the counter where Kalyna couldn't reach her.
"Give me back my glasses! My head hurts when I'm not wearing them!" Kalyna said, trying to grab Xenia's legs as she danced on the counter to get her down.
"How many fingers am I holding up?" Xenia asked.
"That's not funny! Get down now!" Kalyna ordered her.
Meanwhile, Sirius wandered around the store, among the violins, cellos, and the smell of wood, which he found both pleasant and relaxing. Finally, he arrived at the piano behind which Kalyna had hidden when she saw them come in front of the family store. He sat down on the stool and slowly raised the wood that protected the keyboard. This instrument had a special place in his heart, reminding him of what he would consider being the only peaceful memories at 12 Grimmauld place. During his childhood and part of his adolescence, his uncle Alphard used to give him lessons. They didn't talk much; they just played together. He caressed the sharps and naturals with his fingertips, took a long breath before playing a C and then an F followed by a B, slowly stringing the notes together, letting them ring in the store, covering the voices of the two girls who were bickering until they went silent. Sirius continued to play slowly, after a short moment he felt a presence to his right, that didn't bother him.
"Forgive me for making myself comfortable Kalyna, I am being cautious. Don't worry." Sirius said calmly.
"Wagner... excellent choice. You're talented but a little rusty...Do you mind?" Kalyna said before sitting down to his left and accompanying him. Her fingers began to wander easily over the keyboard.
"Xenia didn't have the courtesy to introduce us. My name is Sirius; nice to meet you." Sirius said.
"Kalyna Tkachenko," Kalyna said. "What brings you here, so far from home and at such an early hour Sirius?"
"As Xenia said, we are looking for two missing men. She seems to think there's a way you can help us." Sirius said.
"You know István and Maksim?" Kalyna asked.
"No. I just heard their names for the first time." Sirius said.
"I see...Then, I'm a little disappointed." Kalyna said.
"Disappointed? Why is that?" Sirius asked.
"Well...From the stories I've heard about you and what I've read in the press, I imagined you as the man who leads the way and calls the shots..." Kalyna said.
"Then come back after a fight to hug me with his big strong arms after eating all the good food I would have lovingly cooked for him?" Xenia asked, joining them by the piano, carrying an oboe.
"...Not another candidate following Xenia like a poodle in the hope of reaching the horrible slimy thing that beats in her chest." Kalyna said." Put down that oboe!"
"I'm neither, to tell the truth... But it came to my ear that people needed help, probably in danger; I didn't think much of it." Sirius said.
"Oh...that makes you a hero then," Kalyna said.
"I hope I'm not one!" Sirius said.
"That was a compliment," Kalyna said.
"I know...However, they say to be a hero, first, you have to be dead and buried." Sirius said.
"But your grave will be in the heart of the living." Kalyna said." So, if not a hero, what do you like to be?"
"I don't know... I Just want to be an honest man, perhaps? After all, one becomes a hero by chance, while being honest is an everyday job." Sirius said.
"Are you guys going to kiss?" Xenia asked.
Kalyna stopped playing and turned her gaze towards Xenia.
"Why not? Unless you want him too?" Kalyna said.
"How many times will I have to apologize? Explain myself to you?" Xenia asked. "It happened six years ago!"
"It still hurts!" Kalyna said.
"You know it wasn't my fault!" Xenia said.
"Oh, sure! It is never your fault!" Kalyna said. "You were the last one I expected that from; I thought I could trust you with everything! That you were my friend! "
"Considering I was the only kid to always show up to your birthday parties, then took care of you later at Durmstrang when your stuff was stolen, I think I've proven that enough," Xenia said.
Kalyna looked away. "I thought your father had forbidden you to leave the reserve." She said.
"How do you know that?" Xenia asked.
"István, Maksim and a kid came here four days ago. We had lunch in a restaurant in the neighborhood, spent the afternoon together before they left in the early evening." Kalyna said.
"Four days ago...it was on the way to pick the package up. It was on the way back that something happened," Xenia said.
"That's all I know. They didn't seem to be in a hurry, as if they were on vacation." Kalyna said.
"Did they..." Xenia said.
"Did they ask me to lend it to them? Of course, they did; why do you think they came to visit me if not because I had something they were interested in. Like you, if you are here, it is only because you need me." Kalyna said.
"It's not fair! I've written to you many times, but you never reply!" Xenia said.
"What did they ask you for, Kalyna?" Sirius asked.
"My family makes some unique magical instruments that produce some exceptional magic," Kalyna said as she stood up, then went to get the violin she had taken from Xenia's hands earlier from its case. Then returned to sit on a chair near the piano.
She began to play a soft melody. Sirius blinked, and from one second to the next he found himself in another setting. The music store and its instruments had disappeared, and he was now on a deserted island; the violins, cellos and harps had been replaced by palm trees. The parquet floor had switched to fine, warm beach sand in which Sirius' toes were sinking. In front of him was a blue, calm sea that pleased his eyes. He forgot all about the store, made a move to get up and go swimming but stopped as he felt something cold on his throat. He blinked again, and the store was back around him. Kalyna was standing next to him, her left hand on Sirius' shoulder, her right holding a dagger to his throat.
"A king of magic, that is both beautiful and dangerous," Kalyna said as she pulled away the dagger from Sirius' throat.
"An illusion through sound...I have never seen this before..." Sirius said.
"That's because we jealously guard its secrets in our family," Kalyna said as she sat back down next to him. "They asked me to join them and to use it to make it easier to transport the package."
"And why did you refuse? I thought you would have been happy to spend some time alone with Itsván..." Xenia said.
"Yes, I would have liked it, alone; why should I be ashamed of it? But not with Maksim and that...Gnome!" Kalyna said.
"And since then? Have you heard from them?" Sirius asked.
"No... Sorry." Kalyna said.
"I didn't expect you to know anything actually," Xenia said, having regained her seriousness.
"Then why did you come?" Kalyna asked.
"Mainly because I don't know how my father will react when he finds out I escaped from the reserve, and I guess I only have a few hours before I will be confined there forever. So, I wanted to take this opportunity to see you. Because I miss you and say what you want, I know you do too." Xenia said.
"And secondly..." Xenia said.
"You want an invitation," Kalyna said.
"Yes, please. I'll owe you one; it's very serious, Kalyna...Back at the reserve, they already expecting the worst." Xenia said.
The two women looked at each other in silence before Kalyna sighed and took out a gold card from her tabby's pocket. Xenia smiled as she reached out to Kalyna to receive the card, only for Kalyna to hand it to Sirius instead.
"You're invited, except, of course, if Sirius here doesn't want you to be his date," Kalyna said to Xenia, raising her eyebrows up and down.
"And why would he refuse? We are already partners on this mission." Xenia said.
"Maybe because he'd rather have a nice, pretty girl like Kalyna on his arm than a girl who's been insulting him for no reason since they met and an hour ago punched him in the gut," Sirius said as he looked at the card on which his full name had just been written in black ink.
"Thank you, Sirius, that's very flattering, but I'm already invited," Kalyna said.
"Oh...Er..where exactly am I invited and to what?" Sirius asked.
"To my concerto.! Tonight, there will be a private party where important political figures, celebrities and the big "businessmen and women" of the country's magical community will be gathered." Kalyna said.
"Zoran won't be there, he doesn't waste his time for such things, but he will be represented by someone from his organization," Xenia said. "Someone high enough to know about the ambush and the details, one of his generals."
"Go on..." Sirius said.
"We find him, kidnap him and make him spill the beans. Easy." Xenia said.
Sirius nodded." On such short notice, I can't think of a better plan. If someone like that is going to be there, we must seize the opportunity. However, based on what Dragan told me, Zoran is a very powerful person, right?" Sirius asked.
"Powerful is not enough to describe him." Xenia said." But I'm not afraid of him. If he ever touches..."
"What I want you to understand, Xenia is that if this Zoran guy is so dangerous, I don't think he'd trust a position that high up in his organization to someone who can be kidnapped so easily, let alone confess," Sirius said.
"You have a better idea?" Xenia asked, crossing her arms.
"Any idea would be better than just kidnapping and interrogating him... No... we'll have to be more subtle. At what time is your concerto, Kayna?" Sirius asked.
"8 pm," Kayna said.
"That gives us all day to come up with a good plan..." Sirius said, scratching his chin. " Xenia, you'll stay here...Kayna has a reason to be there because it's her concerto, and I'll find a reason...After all, doesn't matter if I like it or not, I'm both a lord and a celebrity...And this is a private reception for politicians and celebrities..." Sirius said.
"And I'm just a farm-girl, right? A commoner?" Xenia asked.
"Yes," Kayna said.
" You also are, in case you didn't know!" Xenia said.
"No, I grew in the capital, I'm a civilized and elegant girl," Kyana said.
"Shut up, both of you!" Sirius scolded them as they started to argue again, "Unlike you, I take this Zoran guy very seriously; there's a good chance he knows you've left the reserve and will try to take as his hostage to blackmail your father."
"It's not up to you. I will be there whether you want me to or not... I'll dress up, find a way in, do what I must do, and you can always put your opinion on paper. I'll gladly wipe my ass with it." Xenia said.
"You ..." Sirius said.
"Could you lend me a dress for the party Kayna? I can't go like this." Xenia asked, ignoring Sirius.
"Sure...But we will have to go back to my place first." Kayna said." It will have to wait until my mom and dad arrive; I can't leave before." She added, tossing her a key chain. "You guys can wait there for the day..."
"Thanks..." Xenia said, catching Kanya's keys." Let's go, Sirius." She said before leaving the shop.
Sirius stayed seated in front of the piano next to Kayna.
"Sirius, I understand...You are right to be worried. But her mind is already made, and there is nothing you could do about it... So, if you want it to go smoothly, you'll have to trust her and plays as a team." Kayna said.
"I know...It's just that following my experience, things can go just fine or horribly wrong in a matter of seconds. I don't want to make this case harder than it already is." Sirius said.
"I know...But, keep in mind that I also will be there...And as you had experienced earlier, I have some useful skills in hand if needed." Kayna said.
"Thank you," Sirius said, standing up. "I hope I'll get the chance to enjoy some of your performance tonight before we get down to business," Sirius said.
"No worries! I'll be glad to play for you anytime." Kayna said.
"Maybe after some practice, I could accompany you on the piano," Sirius said.
"It would be my pleasure," Kayna said.
Kingsley walked slowly, being very careful where he put his feet at every step he made. There was nothing to report, but he refused to believe it; the few meters that separated the small gate and the house's front door must have been loaded with traps. Kingsley quickly silenced the perimeter to avoid alarming the neighbours and then sent his Patronus into the house before putting away his wand and raising his arms in the air. A few moments later, the front door in front of him opened with a bang, and the man he had come to find was standing in front of him, looking at him severely. Leaning on his cane, wearing slippers even on his wooden leg, his magic eye fuzzing in its place before stopping to stare at Kingsley. Then, finally, Alastor Moody grunted and motioned for him to follow him inside the house. Kingsley lowered his arms and followed him inside, taking care to close the front door behind him without making any more noise.
Moody's house was precisely as he had imagined it. Sober, nothing but the essentials. He had the impression that the man did not possess anything he could not leave behind if he had to flee. No personal objects he would miss if were to be destroyed if a fight broke out in the living room. Alastor Moody had his back to him and was facing a cabinet on which bottles of scotch were placed next to glasses; he filled a drink for himself.
"So, how is retirement treating you?" Kingsley asked.
Moody growled before answering." Bored...I have nothing to do all day, kid...Do you know how boring it is to spend your day sitting at home with nothing else in your hands other than your balls? I got myself a cat last week...CAT COME HERE! ...Go figure where he is hiding...I think he is scared of me. Anyway, do you want a drink?"
"Er...Sir, it's half past eight in the morning." Kingsley said.
"Oh, right... "Moody said wryly, corking the bottle from which he had poured himself, before sitting down in the middle of the couch, leaving no room for Kingsley, who had to stand in front of him, like a schoolboy, called to the blackboard to tell a poem in front of the class. "...I heard you got a promotion recently, congratulations," he added.
"Thank you. I guess you're wondering what I'm doing here..." Kingsley said.
"No... you're stuck in a case, and you're freaking out...I can't think of any other reason. Because, if this is just a courtesy visit, I recommend you run right now." Moody said.
Kingsley didn't waste any more time; he took out the sample and put it on the coffee table in front of the ex-Auror.
"I'm currently working on a joint investigation with a Muggle detective...Long story... The information I've managed to gather so far indicates that the murderer is a skilled wizard, and I suspect the use of a powerful potion. Most likely dark magic...I need to have this sample analyzed to identify the potion used before I can go any further." Kingsley said.
"So do it, problem solved," Moody said.
"The idiot at St. Mungo's refused; he had good arguments...Even if he's a dick..." Kingsley said.
"Get to the point," Moody said.
"I have been told that Severus Snape, the Potions Master at Hogwarts, is qualified for this task. But, unfortunately, to convince him to do so, I must first obtain an interview with Professor Dumbledore." Kingsley said.
"And you want me to put you in touch with him," Moody said.
"Yes... Please. "Kingsley said.
"And whose idea was it? Who told you to ask Severus Snape? And what makes you think he'll keep his mouth shut? Because let's face it...If St. Mungo refused to do the job, it's because you don't have a warrant; if you don't have a warrant, it's, in my opinion, because this sample was obtained illegally. Am I wrong?" Moody asked.
"No, you are right... About who whispered Snape's to my ear, I can't tell, It is an informant who wishes to remain anonymous". Kingsley said.
"So, you dragged your ass to disturb me so early, to ask me to be an accomplice to a crime after a long and impeccable career. A long career in which I gave an eye, a leg and was left disfigured." Moody said, pointing to his broken nose.
"Sir, I know it sounds insulting, but Scrimgeour has given me an ultimatum. He wants it done by Friday! So, I'm forced to drift from the way..." Kingsley said before Moody interrupted him by holding up a finger.
"Shut up!" Moody ordered." What do you mean by an ultimatum? What kind of troll shit is that? Has someone been kidnapped? Did the killer threaten to do it again?" Moody asked.
"No... He just left the body...No one is reported missing, and if he ever contacted us in any way, we could find a way to track him down... But that would be stupid; it wouldn't fit the profile." Kingsley said.
"Yet Rufus asks you to resolve the case as soon as possible. You said something about working with a muggle." Moody said.
"Yes... I just had to confirm that it wasn't a wizard murder so Fudge could reassure the Muggle prime minister about Voldemort's disappearance... But when I got there, I came to the conclusion that it was a wizard related crime, so, I stayed to investigate." Kingsley said.
"I see...Very suspicious...I won't put you in direct contact with Dumbledore, but I can ask him for you...However, I don't guarantee anything." Moody said.
"Thank you...Really...I..." Kingsley said.
"Don't get excited...What does Dumbledore gain from this?" Moody asked.
"Er...Nothing, actually, my gratitude?" Kingsley said.
"Your gratitude...All right. One day he or I will come knocking at your door. Early in the morning on a Sunday, we'll see on that day what your gratitude is worth." Moody said.
"Deal!" Kingsley said.
"Great, now get the hell out of my house," Moody said.
Later that afternoon, Sirius had already put on a suit for the evening. A tie loosened around his collar, he was leaning on the balcony of Kalyna's apartment, waiting to head to the hotel where the reception would take place. He took advantage of being alone while Xenia was getting ready, and Kalyna was doing a last rehearsal in the living room to take out his mirror and call Red. He didn't have to wait more than two seconds to see his face on the mirror being replaced by his friends' face.
"Sirius! Finally! We've been hesitating all day to call you!" Red said.
"Sorry... I had a hectic day." Sirius said." How did Dragan take the news?"
"Badly...He is furious, but only at you and Xenia. He's not mad at Joan and me." Red replied.
"Well...he's right..." Sirius said before Red interrupted him.
"Did you shave?" Red asked as he tried to see what Sirius was wearing. "Are you wearing a suit too?"
"Yes...that's why I contacted you. I think Xenia and I are on to something tonight; we're going to attend a party where we' might have a good chance to find out more. We've spent all day coming up with a plan, but things could go wrong, so I wanted to warn you." Sirius said.
"You...you're going on a date with the veela?!" Red asked, his eyes wide open.
"No... Did you even hear what I just said? And she's not a veela; she's just hot." Sirius said.
"So, you admit she's hot," Red said with a sly smile.
Sirius sighed." Red, I swear you're a pain in the ass..."
"hahaha...I'm just kidding, don't get upset about it!" Red said. "Okay...Party...Dangerous mission...It can go wrong, right?
"Yes...One of Zoran's guys will be at the reception; we'll try to get some information from him. It will be in a hotel in the center of Kyiv, they told me the name, but it's a Russian word, too complicated; I can't pronounce it, but apparently, everyone knows where it is." Sirius said.
"Do you want me to pass this information on to Dragan?" Red asked.
"Fuck no!" Sirius said. "He'd show up at the door, and God knows what he'd do. No, I just want you to know where I'll be and tell Ludovik instead; if things go wrong, I'll find a way to call Balasko for backup." Sirius said.
"Right...To be honest, I'd rather have Dragan staying here at the reserve no matter what." Red said.
"Why?" Sirius asked.
"I've been making a lot of progress in my job... But, you see, ever since I got here, I've been wondering how they could deploy magic powerful enough to contain dragons and direct their traffic..." Red said.
"And what did you find?" Sirius asked.
"Well...the ward protecting the entire reserve from the outside, the one that is run by the Romanian and Ukrainian ministries, is made of magical energy. Like an impenetrable barrier. Okay?" Red said.
"Yeah, go on..." Sirius said.
"The ones inside, on the other hand, are built differently... They are not quite wards but charms that repel dragons. When a dragon gets too close, he smells something so repulsive it makes him so disgusted that he is forced to move away from it. Very clever, isn't it?" Red said.
"Yeah, I guess...but what does that have to do with you not wanting Dragan to wander away from the Reserve?" Sirius asked.
"Are you alone where you are, or is Xenia close by?" Red asked.
"She's inside, in the bedroom getting ready...Tell me!" Sirius said after checking behind him.
"The wards have been willingly altered! Someone inside the reserve did it!" Red said.
"What?! Are you sure?" Sirius asked.
"One hundred per cent sure! Think about it for a moment! Don't you think it's suspicious that the team was intercepted? Rare dragon specimen or not, the route they took is the kind of "top secret" information, right? You don't just stumble upon a team of dragonologists carrying a dragon! This is the kind of heist that you prepare for in advance, not like walking into a grocery store and threatening the cashier." Red said.
"You're right...To tell you the truth, I kind of suspected it." Sirius said.
"Unfortunately, Sirius, I'm not done," Red said. "The big ward is also compromised...It's still functional, but I discreetly took a sample on the first day when you were asleep, and Xenia wasn't paying attention...At first, it was for a personal project, but upon closer examination, I found some flaws in its structure."
"So that means Zoran has people inside the ministries working for him, willingly or not..." Sirius said.
"And he's in a good position to launch an invasion," Red said, finishing Sirius' sentence.
"Damn...what a mess..." Sirius said.
"Yeah...Joan and I thought of something." Red said.
"What?" Sirius asked.
"We thought it would be a good idea for you to get in touch with Remus and try to get Dumbledore to come to the reserve...The guy discovered the twelve virtues of dragon blood. He could pretend to be on an academic visit. His presence here would discourage anyone from doing anything until we find the spy and gets all the wards back up and running. Maybe he could reinforce the wards himself." Red said.
"That's not a bad idea...but I'd like to keep the Dumbledore card as a last resort, so when we get Zoran out of his lair the asshole would find himself face to face with Dumbledore by surprise," Sirius said. "The guy is very smart, from what I understood. If we ask Dumbledore to come and help us, the old guy will accept and come, but Zoran will reorganize his game and make sure he achieves his goal by getting around the obstacle that Dumbledore would represent." Sirius said.
"What do we do then?" Red asked.
"We make sure that tonight's mission goes as smoothly as possible; let's not rush it; I think we'll end up regretting it," Sirius said.
"Ok...I'll brief Ludovik and ask for his opinion too...He has his contacts in the Romanian ministry and in the criminal world; he'll surely know what to do." Red said.
"Yes...Do that...Tell him everything you told me. By the way, where is Joan?" Sirius asked.
"Dragan gave him his permission to use their library; that gives him a valid reason to be there and spy on our behalf," Red said.
"Well...I see you guys are doing just fine without me... But still, be very careful. You may be a potential target for the spy...Especially you in fact, it's not in his best interests if you start fixing what he sabotaged; he'll probably want to eliminate you." Sirius said.
"WHAT?! You tell me that now? How do you want me to close my eyes and sleep tonight?!" Red said, his voice shaking.
"You can always sleep in Joan's bed and cuddle with him in search of comfort " Sirius suggested.
"Fuck you! I hope you get captured tonight and tortured by the Russian mafia, or Xenia knees you in the balls." Red said.
"Sincerely? I think both scenarios are possible." Sirius said, laughing.
"Yeah...That's right...Jokes aside, be very careful tonight, Sirius." Red said seriously.
"I will...Be also very careful on your end, Red." Sirius said.
"Count on us... Good luck, Sirius." Red said.
"You too, Red," Sirius said before hanging up.
The sun had set during their conversation. The streetlights were lit in the street below him, and in the distance, he had a magnificent view of Kyiv Monastery of the Caves and its golden domes. He didn't realize it, but Kalyna had finished playing and had left the living room for her room. He took off his forearms from the iron balcony guardrail when he heard Xenia's voice calling him and went inside. Inside he had to catch himself so he wouldn't stumble when he saw Xenia standing in the middle of the living room under the chandelier. She was wearing a long light blue dress featuring a plunging neckline, a thigh-high slit, and embellished straps. Her long blonde braid slid forward over her shoulder.
"Kalyna already left; she said she wanted to feel the scenery or something...If you're ready, we should go too." Xenia said, shoving her wand into a tiny purse.
"Yeah, let's go," Sirius said.
Xenia looked him up and down, giving Sirius the impression, he was being judged before she walked towards to face him, folding his shirt collar properly, and straightening his tie.
"Sometimes I envy you, you guys only have to wear the same suit, and there you go...Only, you could have done something for your hair." Xenia said before tightening the knot in his tie and walking away towards the door.
25 Old Broad Street, tower 42. It had been very easy for Kingsley to trace the famous foundation that funded the university. He was sitting upright in his chair in a waiting room on the top floor, in front of a secretary dressed in a suit who glared at him as she slowly and noisily chewed gum. Kingsley could feel his resentment; it was already past nine o'clock in the evening; in normal circumstances, she should have been home by now.
"I'm sorry again...but I have to catch a flight first thing in the morning," Kingsley said.
"Mr. Layton will see you now." She said to him as she pointed to the door on her right.
"Thank you... "Kingsley said before heading for the door.
He entered the office. It was a large rectangular room with a pool table to the right, a long sofa with two chairs on either side to the left. In front of him was a noble wooden desk behind which sat a man in an English suit. The man stood up as Kingsley approached his desk and shook his hand firmly with a smile before sitting back down.
"Welcome, I am David Layton, the director of the Daffodil Foundation." Mr. Layton said.
"Thank you for seeing me so late, Mr. Layton...Lovely view, by the way." Kingsley said as he nodded towards the large bay window, which gave a magnificent view of London.
"Thank you...Don't worry, my day isn't over yet; I still have to meet an associate in an hour. Anyway, what can I do for you?" Mr. Layton asked.
"You've probably heard of me or rather my films. I am currently in the early stages of producing a series of documentaries to showcase all the brave men and women who work day and night to make the world a better place. Kingsley said.
"Very well...I'm listening." Mr. Layton said.
"I have travelled extensively throughout the United Kingdom, and everywhere I have been, I have found people to praise the work of the foundation you preside," Kingsley said.
"I am delighted to hear it. Tell me more about your project." Mr. Layton.
"Can I be candid with you?" Kingsley asked.
"Please do." Mr. Layton said.
"After ten years in the business, I have quickly amassed a fortune. However, I have never forgotten my humble origins. I could open a school or give money to a hospital, but it wouldn't help if you ask me." Kingsley said.
"I'm sure it would help a lot of people, sir." Mr. Layton said.
"A lot...maybe...but not everyone! So, what we need is to wake up the masses! Shake up the minds! To push the world towards collective awareness!" Kingsley said.
"Yes, I couldn't agree more." Mr. Layton said.
"Glad to hear it...Sir, I am not here to ask you to participate financially in my documentary's production or ask for any privilege to facilitate any administrative procedures...I will not allow myself to insult you. ...I came to ask you to tell me your story." Kingsley said.
"My story?" Mr. Layton said.
"Yes! I want to know how your foundation was born! The stories of the people who one day said 'STOP', this injustice can't go on! I want emotion! I want my documentary to directly touch the hearts of the viewers! I want them to go home and the next day, while brushing their teeth, shout in front of their mirrors, "I MUST DO SOMETHING". I want you to allow me to tell your tale." Kingsley said.
"Oh...I see...Yes...Of course!" Mr. Layton said as he looked from right to left at his desk before standing up and walking to the left wall. Inviting him to join him next to a blackboard.
Kingsley rose from his chair and joined him, then the other man put his index finger on the frame of an old photograph, showing six young men.
"The Daffodil Foundation was founded in the year 1950 by, from right to left, Lord Seleucus Selwing, Lord Abraxas Malfoy, Lord Theodore Nott, Lord Raghnall Rosier, Lord Alun Avery and Ceginus Lestrange. For thirty-five years now..." Mr Layton said seriously before being interrupted by Kingsley.
"You're joking?!"
"I beg your pardon?" Mr. Layton said.
Kingsley stared at the man for a long, silent, before nimbly pulling out his wand and wiping the mans' memory. Layton blinked briefly before asking slowly.
"Who...are you?"
"I'm Mike Sir, I've been asked to come and remind you of your appointment," Kingsley said politely.
"Oh, dear! I completely forgot!" Mr. Layton said, slapping his forehead before rushing out of his office, leaving Kingsley alone inside.
Kingsley made a copy of the photograph, folded it, and put it in a pocket inside his jacket, quickly searched all the drawers in the office before disappearing.
Hello guys! I hope you're having a good weekend! I think I've never written a chap this fast. Two days! I hope you are liking this story so far, please read and review!