Arc IV: Part XIII

After the news of Clair's tomb desacralization along with the disappearance of her corps traveled out of Grimstone and its outskirts, Patil was immediately called back to Liverpool's central for explanations and consultations about the ongoing case. The situation had escalated so fast that Kingsley deployed an anti-tracking charm around himself, to avoid facing Rufus before getting the time necessary in order to sort through the jumbled mess of contradictory information that had piled up since the beginning of the current investigation.

Kingsley let out a long exhausted sigh as he leaned back on the bench he sat on, consumed by his thoughts, his head pained by the multitude of hypotheses that collided in his mind…Since the day they met with the university's chancellor, every piece of information he gathered oriented them straight to Claire Docherty before their certitudes were confirmed by the primary school robbery and the desecration of her tomb…His cover had been discovered, the culprit has been surveilling him and caught fear after Kinsley and Patil shifted their attention toward Claire. Regardless of crashing her car months before Kian's murder, Claire was linked to it in some way…And someone is desperately trying to erase her existence.

Suddenly, Kingsley pulled back from his thoughts to reality after a football hit his face, catching him off guard. He blinked his eyes, rubbing his face while a schoolgirl ran to him, looking worried, "I'm sorry sir! I hope I didn't hurt you!", the girl timidly said.

"I'm fine…But be careful with that", Kingsley replied, glaring at the short redhead girl, no older than ten years old.

"I will…Um…It's not the first time I see you around town, sir. Would you be the inspector who came from the city?", She asked, picking up her football.

"Correct…At least one of them. What are you doing here? You must have been warned about what recently happened in the village…It's not safe to be alone", Kingsley said.

The girl shrugged her shoulders and started dribbling her ball between her legs. "I'm not alone if you're here…Unless you'll let me be kidnaped without intervening! Would you?", she said, mockingly.

Kingsley sighed and whispered to himself, "I wish whoever is behind all this would try something while I'm around", then he nodded his head at the girl's feet and said, "Nice trainers…Are they the latest trendy?". The girl looked down surprisedly and cursed, after losing focus and receiving the ball's rebound in the face. Kingsley chuckled and carried on, "Earlier today, I saw another girl of your age wearing the same trainers and uniform from a public Londoner school… Here in Merseyside, during the summer holidays"

"Oh! That must be my sister! We like to keep our uniform during the holidays. We like wearing matching clothes, it makes our gran happy!", The girl replied before her smile disappeared and her eyes widened in surprise when in a split second, the end of Kingsley's wand appeared between her eyes.

"Last warning from a particularly angry and frustrated auror who hasn't slept in two days", Kingsley coldly said, "Reveal yourself immediately!"

The girl held his gaze for a moment and when Kingsley arched an eyebrow, she finally rolled her eyes and sighed. Then, she closed her eyes and contorted her face in concentration, before her hair shortened progressively to stop slightly above her shoulders and turned pink, she grew a few inches taller, while her face remained the same except for the freckles that disappeared.

Kingsley lowered his wand and leaned back against the bench, "A metamorphmagus…Interesting, I've never seen one until now.", he said.

The girl blinked her eyes open and took a deep breath before asking, "Did the uniform really give me away?"

Kingsley chuckled softly. "Your explanation as to why two girls wear the same school uniform out of context makes sense and could have exonerated you of any blame, but it was just one of many details more revealing and suspicious…Like your posture, gesture,s and way you walk, and scent. Try not wearing perfume if you want to tail someone", he said.

The girl frowned her browns, "Did you really notice all that so fast?", she asked in disbelief.

"Unless you can't scan your surroundings in a few seconds, you wouldn't qualify to be an Auror. Anyways, who are you?", Kingsley asked.

The girl startled and immediately straightened her posture like a small soldier standing at attention, "I am Dora Tonks, auror trainee, sir!

Kingsley shook his head negatively, "Too young and there are no trainees currently in the office", he said.

Tonks dismissed his words with a shrug and replied, "There is one now in front of you. You'll have to deal with it!"

Kingsley glanced at her up and down, surprised, then firmly said "No", before standing up and walking away.

Tonks hasted to chase after him before blocking his path, outstretching her arms, "Not so fast!", she protested.

Kingsley stopped and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Hear me out! I am currently working on an important and dangerous case…So, I hope you understand that I can't have you around, nor take care of you", he said before pulling out his wand and waving it to summon the Knight Bus.

A second later, the purple triple-decker bus instantly appeared at the corner of the park and headed towards them, his height dangerously balancing from right to left as it approached.

Tonks glanced at the bus and said with a voice tinged with nervousness, "Why did you call it?!"

"I'm sending you back to the Ministry of Magic or home, depending on your preference" Kingsley replied, nodding at the driver while gently pushing her to board the bus.

Tonks angrily pushed away his hand, and said, "What about my summer work experience?"

"The office will assign you another Auror. Now, get on the bus!", Kingsley commanded, pointing a finger at the triple-decker.

Tonks chuckled defiantly. "I doubt you understand the situation you're in…I'm staying here and will follow you everywhere like your shadow, whether you like it or not!", she said with a confident tone.

Kingsley raised an eyebrow, and asked with a voice laced with amusement, "Are you certain?"

Tonks nodded, "I am!", she firmly said before reaching into her pocket and retrieving a scroll. "This is an official order signed by Cornelius Oswald Fudge, our Ministry of Magic -your boss-, and Rufus Scrimgeour, the head of the Auror office-another boss of yours-. It states that Nymphadora Andromeda Tonks…", she pointed her thumb at herself, "…will carry out her work experience in the Auror office under the supervision of the senior Auror, Kingsley Schaklebolt, you, " She said, pointing a finger at Kingsley.

"I understand, but—" Kingsley said.

Tonks ignored him and continued reading from the scroll. "Miss Tonks will assist and observe her supervisor in his daily duties and all fieldwork. Miss Tonks will write a report detailing her experiences and submit it to Hogwarts by September 1st," she concluded, rolling up the scroll and looking at him sternly. "However -since my arrival- I have spent my days sitting on my ass and being ignored by everyone, while you were supposed to welcome me. Yet, I only met you today and have nothing to write in my report."

"I'm sorry, but we'll have to try another time," Kingsley said, urging Tonks to board the bus as the driver honked, expressing his impatience.

Tonks hopped onto the bus and shouted, "FINE!" She continued, her voice filled with determination, "Why don't we take this matter to Mr. Fudge and Mr. Scrimgeour? So you can personally explain how a corpse vanished right under your nose, despite the time and resources wasted on this investigation… You'll also take the opportunity to showcase ALL the progress you've made so far, which is absolutely nothing!"

Before the bus doors could close, Kingsley grabbed Tonks' arm, pulled her off the bus, and signaled the driver to depart. Tonks gave him a wicked smile and asked, "Shall I take this as a change of heart?"

Kingsley stared at her in silence, and Tonks held his gaze, challenging him with a sneer. Then, Kingsley chuckled softly, placed his hands on Tonks' shoulders, and smiled at her before disapparating, taking her along.

They apparated a short distance away from the hospital's parking lot, concealed behind the dense trees that lined the road. Kingsley released Tonks' shoulders with a contemptuous sneer as she swayed apart to vomit onto a nearby bush.

"Aren't you familiar with apparition, trainee Tonks?" Kingsley teased, casually leaning against a tree.

Tonks glared at him, quickly wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. "I've apparated plenty of times, yet never so abruptly!" she retorted.

Kingsley shrugged, an enigmatic smile briefly crossing his face. "Danger always arises when you least expect it… Make sure to mention that in your report," he advised.

Tonks tapped a finger against her temple. "It's already cemented up here," she replied, "What are we doing here?"

"Follow me," Kingsley commanded, gesturing for her to trail behind him.

They swiftly crossed the road and sought cover behind a parked car. Kingsley motioned towards the hospital's entrance and parking area. "I need you to assess the surroundings and devise a plan for us to infiltrate the hospital. But remember, you're prohibited from using your abilities," he instructed Tonks.

"Why can't I transform? It's like asking a bird not to fly," Tonks questioned, her forehead creasing with a frown.

"I want to observe your brain at work, not your magic skills... Aurors are investigators above all else," Kingsley replied, setting a five-minute time limit for her.

Tonks nodded, surveying the area, and silently studying it. Kingsley observed as she whispered to herself and occasionally cast a furtive glance at him. With time ticking away, he cleared his throat to grab her attention and Tonks turned to him, "Okay…I have an idea."

"Go on… Tell me," Kingsley said.

"We create chaos inside!" Tonks declared.

"How do you propose we do that?" Kingsley asked, intrigued.

"See those new cars parked near the entrance? They most likely have anti-theft alarms… So, If we trigger them simultaneously, the noise should draw out the people in the entrance hall and keep them distracted outside," Tonks explained.

Kingsley nodded. "Not a bad idea, although it may not lure everyone outside. Some might ignore the commotion and remain inside," he cautioned.

"That's when we trigger the fire alarm… They'll have no other choice than to evacuate the building! When they do, we'll blend in with the crowd and act surprised, asking, 'What's going on? Is there a fire?' Before sneaking inside unnoticed," Tonks suggested.

Kingsley nodded again. "All right... We can give it a try." Then, as he noticed Tonks reaching for her wand, he raised an eyebrow.

"What?" Tonks asked, her brows furrowing.

"I must remind you that you're still underage," Kingsley stated.

Tonks frowned. "But this isn't for fun! It's schoolwork! And I'm under the supervision of an Auror!"

"I'm afraid it doesn't fall under the exceptions list…. Furthermore, Aurors are required to enforce the law and carry out their missions strictly within those boundaries. Failing to do so would render any evidence and arrests we make inadmissible in court and make us nothing more than renegade mercenaries," Kingsley explained.

Tonks rolled her eyes and whispered, "This is ridiculous and boring..."

Before she could make a move to initiate her plan, Kingsley firmly grabbed her arm and retorted, "If you're seeking entertainment, try professional Quidditch or a job at the circus…They're always short on clowns"

She looked at him, surprised, and then nodded. "Sorry," she said.

"Alright, get to it then," Kingsley instructed.

Tonks crouched down and maneuvered around the car, taking cover behind another vehicle, this time facing the hospital entrance. After a moment, she gave a thumbs up to Kingsley, who pointed his wand at the cars. In an instant, all the cars' lights switched on, followed immediately by blaring sirens. As planned by Tonks, numerous people burst out of the hospital, searching for the source of the deafening noise.

Soon after, the fire alarm joined the cacophony, and they seized the opportunity to slip into the entrance. Tonks swiftly entered the hall and turned to Kingsley, wearing a satisfied smile. "Mission accomplished! Don't linger outside! Come in!" she urged him.

Kingsley let out a sigh, then instructed her, "Raise your head a bit and look to your right."

Tonks complied and furrowed her brow before sighing, "Crap…"

From the doorway, Kingsley fixed her with a stern gaze. "As I suspect, you must already know that the device not only records everything happening in this room at this very moment but also transmits the footage to another room for monitoring. Furthermore, it stores all the recorded data on tapes... Hence, your intrusion has already been detected, documented, and your face will soon be identified, particularly considering the recent events in this town and the muggle police's current irritation…. However, you should consider yourself lucky that we are in a muggle location…Because if I had asked you to infiltrate a wizarding home, you'll most likely have been severely cursed the moment you would have stepped foot inside, or worst, in case it would have been the home of an unidentified dark wizard."

Tonks stared at him, her jaw slightly agape, as he stepped inside the hall and disabled the camera before shutting the hospital doors behind them. Then Kingsley gestured for her to follow him down the hallway, and she silently trailed behind him.

After a moment, Kingsley pushed open the doors to the mortuary. He pointed towards the filing cabinets lining the walls and summoned Kian's file. After a brief consultation of the first page, he returned the file to its drawer and proceeded directly to the body coolers before stopping beside Kian's cooler, motioning for Tonks to approach. She confidently joined him, but her expression turned to one of horror when Kingsley opened the cooler containing Kian's body.

"What's wrong? Why are you shifting your gaze away?" Kingsley asked with a curious voice.

Tonks stepped back, taking a deep breath. "What happened to him?" she asked.

"He was subjected to hours of torture... Please don't cover your nose; don't disrespect the victim", Kingsley scolded her with a cold voice.

Tonks glanced at him, confusion evident in her eyes. "Why are you showing me this?" she asked.

"Isn't becoming an Auror after Hogwarts your ambition?" Kingsley asked.

Tonks appeared puzzled. "Yes, but... what does this have to do with any of it?" she asked.

"If that's the path you choose, this is the reality you will inevitably face. Sooner or later, what happened to this man will -if you're fortunate- happen to you. If you're less fortunate, you'll witness it happening to others, friends, or loved ones," Kingsley explained.

"I will prevent it from happening!" Tonks retorted; her voice filled with anger.

Kingsley shook his head. "And how exactly would you do that?" he challenged.

"I will hunt and catch the dark wizards before they got the chance to hurt anyone or commit any crime," Tonks retorted.

Kingsley chuckled. "So, you ambition to become a tyrant," he said.

"For arresting criminals?" Tonks questioned.

"You cannot label someone a criminal until that person commits a crime… Otherwise, on what basis would you act?" Kingsley asked, his tone growing more aggressive, a side of him unfamiliar to himself, contrasting with his usual calm demeanor.

A moment of silence hung in the air before Kingsley spoke again. "An Auror can probably act just in time before a dark wizard could harm innocent people or even dismantle an entire criminal organization…Yet the very beginning of any investigation will always begin, without failure, with the discovery of a Kian Andrews. Every single Auror you'll cross paths with is burdened with regret and frustration…We all carry back home the bitterness of arriving too late to save the first victim"

As the last vestiges of daylight faded into obscurity, the portkey, bestowed upon Sirius and Xenia their arrival, setting them down gently on the ancient walls of the Akershus citadel. From their perch high above the glittering expanse of Oslo's bay, they beheld a breathtaking vista that stirred their souls and filled their hearts with the strong call to sail in seek of adventure.

As they made their way through the winding pathways of the citadel, they came upon a crowd of revelers, joyously enjoying the pleasures of the night. Laughter and music filled the air, intermingling with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the salty tang of the sea.

Bewitched by the festive atmosphere of their surroundings, Sirius and Xenia made their way towards the city plaza, where they met the peculiarity of the Rådhuset twin towers, towering like two grand guardians above the fountains in the middle of the families and couples, strolling arm in arm, enjoying the serenity of the night and the soothing sound of cascading water.

Sirius lifted his gaze towards the towering bricks above, their deep, fiery hue igniting an odd feeling within him. Then, as he peered upwards, his eyes chanced upon a curious sight... A Raven, with feathers as black as coal, perched atop the bricks, gazed down upon them with a knowing piercing stare.

Suddenly, as their gaze met, the Raven swooped down towards Sirius and Xenia, its wings beating the air with an almost supernatural force. It hovered above their heads for a fleeting moment before guiding their gaze towards the docks, where a small Scandinavian ship lay moored. They watched as the Raven landed gracefully upon the ship, a faint glint in its eyes as if to beckon them towards it.

Leaving the serenity of the city hall behind, they set off towards the docks, invisible to the eyes of the bustling throngs of muggles and they made their way towards the small Scandinavian ship, its sturdy hull poised and ready to set sail upon the tumultuous sea.

As they boarded the vessel, they were met with the sight of a grand sofa, its soft cushions beckoning them to sink into its embrace. Positioned facing the ship's bow, they watched as a veil of light began to shimmer above them, its ethereal glow shielding them from the relentless downpour that had suddenly begun to drench the world around them.

From the summit of the mast, the raven let out a croak, heralding the departure of the ship from the bustling docks. Slowly, it began to navigate through the bay, its prow carving a path through the foamy waves.

As the vessel drifted further away from the city, the undulating sea crashed against the veil that shielded its passengers from the salty spray. The Acker bridge was quickly left behind, and soon after, the Kavringen Lighthouse faded into the distance, the last flicker of light that they would see for what seemed like an eternity.

As the ship approached a tiny island on the horizon, it gradually grew in size until it became a tangible presence on the vast expanse of the sea. And there, in the midst of this aqueous expanse, stood a majestic castle, grandly arranged along a long axis like a theatrical stage. Each successive plan revealed a new aspect of the castle, inviting the eyes of Sirius and Xenia to follow the outbuilding walls that bordered the forecourt, leading them deeper into this mesmerizing spectacle.

Before the castle's forecourt, a lush expanse of verdant gardens lay outstretched, cascading gracefully across the rolling terrain and tapering towards the tranquil waters of an artificial lake. The manicured lawns and intricately landscaped flowerbeds completed the estate's opulence, with each petal and blade of grass showcasing the careful artistry and meticulous attention to detail that had gone into their creation.

But it was the castle itself that truly commanded one's attention. Its imposing facades, towering above the gardens in a magnificent display of architectural harmony, were a masterwork of craftsmanship and design. The seamless fusion of the Doric and Ionic orders, each column and cornice carefully positioned to achieve a symmetrical balance, lent the building a sense of steadfast grandeur and permanence.

The multitude of pilasters that adorned the facades, each as sturdy and imposing as a mountain peak, seemed to stretch upwards towards the heavens, their polished marble surfaces gleaming in the sunlight. They were a testament to the castle's resolute durability, standing steadfast and unyielding against the ravages that would come from time and unforgiving weather of the north sea.

At the heart of the castle, however, lay its greatest treasure - a magnificent dome whose polished surface shone like a beacon in the night. Its intricate lattice of wrought ironwork, each filament crafted with the utmost care and precision, cast intricate shadows upon the walls below, creating a mesmerizing play of light and shadow that seemed to dance upon the air.

As their ship came close, the dome seemed to take on a life of its own, rotating majestically atop the castle's spire with mesmerizing grace. The light of the stars, refracted and scattered by the dome's polished surface, cast a spellbinding aura that enveloped the entire estate in an otherworldly glow.

As the ship's sails slackened and the vessel slowed, the Raven took flight from its perch atop the mast, soaring towards the colossal Dome that swathed the island in its protective magical embrace. The bird's coal wings beat a steady rhythm as it closed the distance, and as it brushed against the shimmering surface of the structure… The Raven was suffused with light, and in the blink of an eye, it had transmuted into a luminous ribbon that snaked out to envelop the vessel. The Ribbon of Light drew the ship towards the island, propelling it through the heart of the Dome, granting them access… The ship drifted deeper into the Dome's core towards the castle, its movements unhurried and precise, until they came to rest parallel to the smooth, paved shoreline.

Sirius and Xenia disembarked the ship and beheld the magnificent castle. She gave him an amazed glance and said, "It's hard to admit but It surpasses Koldovstoretz… Is Hogwarts equally impressive?"

"Hogwarts beauty resides in its soul, rather than extravagant opulence" Sirius replied with pride, then asked, "Before we proceed any further, shall we review the plan once again?"

"No need to…Let's do this," Xenia answered, as a long red carpet unfurled from the castle's gates to their feet.

As they approached the castle's entrance, they were welcomed by a young man in a bowtie behind a lectern. Sirius presented their invitation, and he observed the man's smile gradually fade as he read the card… The young man's eyes flicked back and forth between the two of them.

Sirius smiled and nudged Xenia discreetly, who was already rummaging in her purse for her wand. "I'm aware it's a last-minute arrangement. Although, I hope it won't be an issue…Would it?" he kindly said.

The man's face paled, before blushing and stammering, "Oh! No...no...no…no.. But, would you mind waiting a second, sir? I need to inform my supervisor."

Sirius shrugged. "Take your time," he said.

"Thank you, sir!" The young man replied before hurrying towards the castle gates. He cast a furtive glance at them before disappearing inside.

Once the man was out of sight, Sirius turned to Xenia and inquired, "On a scale from one to ten, how much do you trust Kalyna?"

Xenia appeared surprised and shouted, "Twenty!" She then gazed towards the docks where their ship had departed and added, "Okay, perhaps a solid seven… But she would never betray me."

"Well… I'm not willing to take that risk! Let's get out of this while we still can," Sirius said, the moment the castle gates opened wide, and two men rushed out. One of them was the Lobby boy, who stood anxiously behind a much older man.

The man stood at the castle's gates with a look of great surprise, his countenance familiar yet enigmatic… His height was shorter than the lobby boy, his greyish hair combed neatly to the side, and his face so impeccably shaved it shone like a polished gem. The old man reached for his smoking pocket and swiftly put on his monocle before gasping loudly and turning angrily to the boy behind him. "Merlin's beard! You idiotic troll! You left them alone outside? HIM?!"

Sirius narrowed his eyes, studying the man before him, until they suddenly widened as he recognized him. He quickly whispered to Xenia, just as the man hurried towards them. "I think I know that guy." Xenia seized his arm and whispered inquisitively, "From where? Who is it?"

"It was in..." Sirius began but was interrupted as the man approached and seized his hand, shaking it vigorously before gallantly kissing Xenia's hand.

"Master Black! Please accept our sincere apologies for this inconvenience. It is not our usual practice to seek excuses, yet we were caught off guard by your unexpected arrival...Had we been informed, I would have personally met you at the docks or arranged a special portkey to bring you directly here," the man expressed.

"We literally just arrived less than a minute ago, and this one," Sirius nodded towards Xenia, "...made a last-minute decision... Otherwise, we would have informed you much earlier," he explained.

"I still believe we should have prepared a more fitting welcome for you," the man replied, straightening his posture and introducing himself. "Master Black, I am Artyon Sidorov, the establishment's manager. I am at your service."

"A pleasure to meet you, Master Sidorov," Sirius responded, outstretching a hand toward Artyon. "And this is Xenia Volkov, a dear friend."

"It is a delight to make your acquaintance, my Lady," Artyon replied, bowing courteously.

"The pleasure is all mine," Xenia responded, maintaining an equally polite demeanor.

As another ship docked nearby, Artyon stepped aside and gestured for them to follow him. "Word had it that you were somewhere in Eastern Europe, and everyone was anticipating your arrival in St. Petersburg... But never did we imagine you'll appear in Norway! Not that I'm complaining, of course…Far from that!"

As they walked behind Artyon on the luxurious red carpet, Sirius leaned in towards Xenia, his voice barely above a whisper. "Do you remember what I said? Do you still believe your plan was the right one?"

Xenia's response came out as a sharp hiss, her frustration barely concealed as she retorted, "We haven't even stepped inside yet, so shut the fuck up and keep walking."

Ascending the grand marble staircase, Artyon courteously gestured for them to proceed ahead, holding back a gossamer curtain that concealed the interior from view. As they stepped into the opulent hall, both Sirius and Xenia let out low whistles of amazement.

The great hall of the castle was a vast oval chamber, adorned with intricate stucco embellishments and majestic pilasters, adorned with Corinthian capitals, that held aloft a soaring ceiling. As he wandered through the space, Sirius moved with a carefree gait, his footsteps tracing a haphazard path across the polished stone floor.

His gaze was drawn upwards, towards a magnificent fresco that stretched across the ceiling, depicting a tumultuous battle in the skies above. A cloudy blue expanse served as the backdrop, offering the illusion of a boundless opening to the heavens themselves. High above, fierce eagles clashed in a titanic struggle, their wings beating furiously against the air as they sought to claim victory over their opponent. The scene was one of raw power and untamed majesty, a perfect embodiment of the grandeur and glory of the castle itself.

Artyon perceived the interest of Sirius and stopped his walk, smiling. "Behold the palace of the sun," he proclaimed with pride, pointing a finger toward the lofty ceiling. "What you see before you is a grand and unified composition, executed in a heroic and solemn style, with warm hues aiming at igniting the soul. One hundred and eighty figures adorn the fresco, with Apollo and the goddess Aurora reigning supreme in the center, illuminating the world with their radiant light."

The fresco had captured Sirius's attention, and he found himself oblivious to the many guests conversing in the lobby, and the diligent house elves, attired in tuxedos, were in full-service mode, scurrying about to cater to the needs of the gathering. The artists, consumed by a passion for allegory, had sought to outdo one another by incorporating characters and deities representing the passage of time - months, days, and the four seasons - into their work. Through a magical fusion of black and white and color, the art took on a life of its own, conjuring up a magnificent spectacle that seemed to spring forth from the heavens, casting a brilliant light upon the moving figures.

"Wondrous," Sirius breathed in amazement, his gaze locked on the fresco. The house elves continued to scurry around him, bearing trays laden with delicacies for the eager guests assembled in the hall.

Sirius remained rooted in the center of the room, his thoughts engulfing him in a solitary dance until Xenia's abrupt poke jolted him from his reverie. He finally lowered his gaze, and to his surprise, beheld a lift landing silently beside Artyon, who extended a gracious invitation to embark.

Without hesitation, they stepped inside the lift, and Artyon deftly sealed the cage before initiating their ascent. Slowly but surely, they rose up through the edifice, traversing several floors, and navigating seemingly endless hallways until the lift finally ground to a halt. Artyon unfastened the cage and strode out first, holding the door open for his companions.

Before them lay an opulent lounge, bathed in warm light emanating from a human-sized fireplace. Two black Chesterfield sofas, separated by a crystal coffee table, beckoned invitingly, their plush cushions inviting repose. As they strolled across the light grey wooden floor, they marveled at their surroundings, taking in every detail of the elegantly concealed wall behind the imposing desk and its lofty armchair.

Artyon rushed to the curtain, his heart pounding with anticipation, and pulled it open. Suddenly, Sirius whispered, "I was wrong, this looks like a trap."

"Oh? You think?" Xenia's voice dripped with anger as she dug her hand into her purse.

"Sorry..." Sirius muttered, immediately hushing as Artyon stepped aside to reveal a magnificent bay window that stretched across the entire wall, offering a breathtaking view of the castle gardens, the sea, and the distant city.

Artyon maintained his impeccable posture, clasping his hands behind his back as he spoke, "In accordance with your father's instructions, we have always kept this suite in pristine condition and ready to accommodate his presence. I personally oversee the maintenance, and no one is granted access without my presence."

Sirius's hand loosened its grip inside his pocket as he furrowed his brow. "You mentioned my father's instructions. Did he visit here frequently?"

Artyon nodded affirmatively. "Indeed, quite often until four years ago. He would come two or three times a month."

"Why?" Sirius inquired with a demanding tone.

Artyon chuckled softly. "What could be more natural than conducting inspections and spending time in an establishment one owns?"

A blank expression crossed Sirius's face as he contemplated Artyon's response. "Of course," he murmured.

Glancing at his pocket watch, Artyon informed them, "Sir, the main event of the evening will commence in less than an hour and the staff must be eagerly awaiting my instructions. Is there anything else I can assist you with before I return to the Lobby?"

Xenia spoke up, "Yes! Is it still possible to upgrade our seats?"

Artyon beamed with delight. "Oh, that has already been taken care of! This event celebrates Norway and Sweden's qualification for the knockout phase of the Quidditch World Cup, and I have arranged for you to be seated in the first row, between the Ministers for Magic of both countries."

Sirius and Xenia exchanged a brief glance before Sirius cleared his throat. "Actually, we would prefer a more private seating arrangement. I am not here on official business," he stated, placing his hand on Xenia's hip.

Artyon's face brightened with comprehension. "Ah! In that case, I will move you to the private lodge! Is there anything else I can do?"

"That will be all. Thank you," Sirius responded.

Artyon bowed to them and made his way back to the lift, disappearing from sight. Sirius and Xenia were left standing there, staring dumbly at the wall in front of them. The silence that followed was awkward, but Xenia broke it with a smile and a warning. "Sirius, you're two seconds away from losing your hand."

Startled, Sirius quickly removed his hand from her hip and apologized, studying his surroundings.

Xenia collapsed onto one of the couches and propped her feet up on the crystal coffee table situated between them. She let out a boisterous laugh before grabbing the champagne bottle from the ice bucket and popping it open. "You're such an asshole!" she exclaimed, taking a swig from the bottle. "I won't pay for this...but well played! Even though I was suspicious as to how confident you seemed to be, I never imagined it would be this huge… I didn't think anyone could be such a good liar."

Sirius shook his head and gazed down at the desk. "I had no idea any of this existed...I've never been interested in my family's business. This is truly an unbelievable coincidence…" he explained, grabbing a framed picture from the desk and hurling it across the room in frustration.

The picture narrowly missed Xenia, who jumped back in surprise as it shouted, "WATCH OUT!" She gasped and grabbed the frame, admiring the image within. "Ooh...Who are these beauties?" she asked.

"My cousins... Narcissa and Bellatrix," Sirius replied, delicately returning Regulus' picture to its place on the desk.

Xenia winced in disgust. "The Death Eaters?" she asked.

"Only Bellatrix is confirmed to be a death eater... The doubt remains alive concerning Narcissa," Sirius said, sighing and leaning his head against the bay window.

Xenia snapped her fingers. "All right! I believe you! Your plan led us to YOUR castle, where everybody works for YOU! There's no need for a plan anymore! All you have to do is ask for the guest list, and we'll pick up Zoran's guy... Or better yet, send your security details to do the job. Are you listening?"

Sirius sighed, his eyes scanning the room. "Black, Silver, Emerald Green...My family's icons are everywhere in this place...I felt uneasy the moment I saw that raven. It was a bad omen from the beginning!"

"Maybe in England, but in Scandinavia, they're seen as protectors and light bringers," Xenia replied with a shrug.

Sirius scowled and grabbed another picture from the desk. "He has a family picture, with himself, my mother, Regulus, and the FUCKING HOUSE ELF!" he exclaimed.

Xenia rolled her eyes, stood up, and walked to meet him near the window. "Sirius, there are worse things in life than suddenly discovering that you're wealthier than you thought and own a palace, which also happens to be where you're planning to kidnap someone…So, let's stay focused. Can you do that?" She placed her hands on his cheeks. "When all this is over… We'll do something about your daddy issues… Maybe I can get my dad to give you a big hug and say how much he's proud of you. Would you like that?"

Sirius pushed her away. "Piss off!" he said, walking away and locking himself in the washroom. He sighed in exasperation, discovering that the place's extravagance was no different from the rest of the suite.

As soon as he had turned the key and the latch clicked into place, the room filled with a thick, enveloping steam, rising up from a large, dark tub that gleamed like a polished onyx. Tiny bubbles danced on the surface, a frothy layer atop the water's heat. Sirius strode to the sink and thrust his face into the rushing flow of cold water, bracing himself against the shock of it. He raised his eyes to meet his own reflection in the mirror, its surface misted over by the steam.

Gazing at the sharp features of his face, he could not help but be reminded of his father, the strong and stern man whose likeness he bore. Sirius felt the tug of his own name, the weight of its history, and the burden of expectation that came with it. It seemed to follow him everywhere, even in this quiet, private place, where he had hoped to escape it for just a moment.

Yet, as much as he tried breaking free from the chains tying him to his past, he knew that he could never truly escape…His name was a part of him, branding his faith, as indelible as the mark of his father's features on his own face… With a heavy sigh, Sirius turned away from the mirror and sank his face down into the cold water that filled the sink, letting the ice-cold grant him a moment of respite.

As soon as he exited the washroom, Xenia brandished a photograph in front of his face. "Look what I found on your father's nightstand! It's a picture of you when you were a baby! See, he still thought of you… But apparently liked it more when you were too young to talk. Who would blame him? Not me!" she said.

Sirius snatched the photo from her and glimpsed at his father sitting by a window with a toddler on his lap. The baby was giggling uncontrollably, trying to grab the camera with his small hands.

"That can't be me nor my brother in the picture, since my father looks too old… It must be my little cousin Drago, Narcissa's son...With Regulus gone and me serving a life sentence in Azkaban, my father probably had no choice but to make him his heir," Sirius explained with a grin. "I would have loved to see his face when he realized that his wealth would be inherited by another British pureblood family. But what other option did he have? Use it to end the world's hunger? Aid those in need? Save pandas from extinction?" He then returned the photograph to Xenia.

Xenia pursed her lips and asked, "Can't you just pretend it's you in the picture and stop being such a crybaby?"

Notes:

Hello everyone!

I was looking forward to posting this chapter and can't wait to post the next chapters. To those who read the previous version of this story before I decided to rewrite it, I decided to change the hotel to a castle from Kyiv to Oslo because:
- I wanted the first book to take Sirius to different European countries and regions on both sides of the iron curtain. So, After France, West and East Germany, Romania, short moments in Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia (former Czech Republic and Slovakia), I had to take him somewhere else. - Visiting Oslo and taking a ferry on the Oslofjord (a small boat that takes people from the museums to the city, not one of those horrible cruise ships) gave me the idea of a magical island lost in the sea (taking some geographical liberties). Then, the idea evolved into what's in the chapter.

As for the castle, I did some research and took inspiration from the 'Vaux-le-Vicomte' in France. I chose it not only because of its beautiful architecture and domain but also due to its association with 'Nicolas Fouquet', the Superintendent of Finances of France during the reign of King Louis XIV.

In 1661, Fouquet was arrested under false allegations and sentenced to life imprisonment after a celebration in the castle, with the king as the guest of honor... I encourage you to read about him and his trial on his Wikipedia page or watch a documentary on YouTube. Anyway, both Fouquet and Sirius share a common point, as they were unjustly imprisoned for life under false accusations. Therefore, I believed that drawing inspiration from that castle would be a good symbol.