Next, Jaina gave the two of them a brief explanation of the mission.
In simple terms, about a month ago, a black dragon had suddenly appeared over Liverpool, England.
The creature had destroyed more than ten buildings, killed over twenty people, injured more than eighty others, and reduced several entire streets to rubble.
According to reports, the Muggle Prime Minister had been furious—furious enough that military deployment had nearly been considered.
The Ministry of Magic had mobilized more than half of its Aurors, Hit Wizards, and support personnel to deal with the aftermath.
Specifically, they had sealed communications, organized emergency rescue operations, performed large-scale memory modification, and repaired damaged structures.
The dead, however, could not be brought back.
In the end, the incident had been officially blamed on a natural gas explosion.
The Muggle side of things had been manageable.
The real problem was the dragon itself.
According to Jaina, the Ministry's response had been somewhat slow. By the time the Aurors arrived, local police had already engaged the creature.
Unfortunately, ordinary firearms proved almost useless.
The bullets could not penetrate the dragon's scales.
In the end, it had been the combined magic of dozens of Aurors that finally drove the beast away.
"Muggles have never seen dragons," Jaina explained.
"So their reaction was understandable."
"But even the Ministry was confused."
"At first they assumed it was a runaway Hebridean Black, or perhaps a smuggled Hungarian Horntail."
She shook her head.
"But neither explanation fit."
"Even the largest Hebridean Black on record is nowhere near this size."
Jaina opened a folder and handed them several photographs.
"The creature was over twenty meters long."
"Its wingspan exceeded fifteen meters."
"According to the records kept by the MacFusty family—the clan responsible for caring for Hebridean Blacks—the largest dragon ever documented was significantly smaller."
She paused.
"Most importantly…"
"The creature's forelimbs were separate from its wings."
The room fell silent.
Then Lewis slowly looked up.
"In other words…"
"That wasn't a fire-dragon."
"It was a true dragon."
"And true dragons have never existed in this world."
Ciri immediately understood.
"So that's why you think it came from another universe."
"Exactly."
Jaina nodded.
"If it really is an extradimensional creature, then it falls under our jurisdiction, not just the Ministry's."
"If it comes from one of our home worlds—or if it can provide clues about interdimensional travel—we need to make contact before anyone else does."
"That's why I invited you."
Lewis grinned.
"Having allies in government really is convenient."
"Otherwise we'd have to sneak around the Ministry just to get close to the dragon."
Jaina smirked.
"That's exactly right."
"Which is why I expect excellent performance from both of you."
"If this mission goes well, my career advances."
"And that benefits all of us."
"Fair enough."
Lewis nodded.
Then a thought occurred to him.
"Speaking of career advancement…"
"I happen to have a connection that could help you."
"Oh?"
Jaina looked intrigued.
"Tell me more."
She had long since learned not to underestimate Lewis.
At fourteen years old, a child in Azeroth would barely qualify as an apprentice mage.
Yet Lewis's accomplishments had already surpassed those of many masters.
When he said he had something useful, she listened.
"It concerns the Malfoy family."
Lewis briefly recounted his recent encounter with Lucius.
"I'm holding leverage over them."
"The sort of leverage that would place the entire family at the top of Voldemort's kill list if it ever became public."
Jaina's eyes widened.
"That could be extremely valuable."
She immediately grasped the implications.
"The Malfoys remain one of the most influential pure-blood families in Britain."
"Even though their ties to Voldemort damaged their reputation, their influence among traditional wizarding circles remains enormous."
"If I could gain their support, it would significantly strengthen my position within the Ministry."
She looked at Lewis with renewed admiration.
"You never cease to surprise me."
"You quietly accomplish things most adults couldn't manage."
Lewis waved dismissively.
"It's nothing special."
"I'm simply following the political currents."
"Political currents?"
Jaina raised an eyebrow.
Lewis smiled.
"There's only one issue that truly matters in Britain's future."
"Voldemort's return."
The room grew noticeably quieter.
"I'm willing to bet he returns within two years."
"Dumbledore believes it too."
"When that happens, the entire wizarding world will focus on one question."
"How do we defeat Voldemort?"
"Anyone who can answer that question—or even appear capable of answering it—will gain tremendous support."
Jaina fell silent.
A trace of nostalgia crossed her face.
"I never met Voldemort personally."
"But when I first arrived in this world, I built my career hunting Death Eaters."
"I still remember the fear they inspired."
"And how quickly my promotions came afterward."
She gave a dry laugh.
"All I did was eliminate a handful of Death Eaters."
"That alone transformed me from an unknown newcomer into one of the Ministry's rising stars."
She leaned back.
"If killing a few Death Eaters can do that…"
"Then defeating Voldemort himself would probably be enough to make someone Minister for Magic."
"Exactly."
Lewis snapped his fingers.
"That's the point."
Jaina sighed in relief.
"I'm glad you told me."
"I was actually considering transferring departments for broader administrative experience."
She shook her head.
"That would have been a mistake."
"The Department of Magical Law Enforcement controls the Aurors."
"When Voldemort returns, it will become the front line."
"And the front line is where promotions and influence will be won."
What followed was an extended discussion about politics, strategy, and how best to exploit both the Malfoys and the coming war.
Listening from the side, Ciri eventually buried her face in her hands.
"You two are terrifying."
From Cornelius Fudge to Rufus Scrimgeour to Kingsley Shacklebolt—and even further into the future with Hermione Granger's eventual rise—British wizarding politics revolved around Voldemort.
Every major political figure either rose because of the conflict or was defined by their role within it.
Opposing Voldemort was the ultimate form of political legitimacy.
Jaina clearly understood that now.
Lewis suddenly recalled a line from A Song of Ice and Fire:
Chaos is a ladder.
While Dumbledore worried about Voldemort's return, there were people elsewhere already thinking about how to climb that ladder.
Not because they supported Voldemort.
Quite the opposite.
They were simply planning how best to use him as a stepping stone.
If Voldemort ever learned that, he would probably explode with rage.
Time passed quickly.
Then suddenly Jaina slapped her forehead.
"Oh no!"
She looked genuinely annoyed with herself.
"We've been talking so long that I completely forgot something important."
Lewis blinked.
"What is it?"
Jaina smiled mysteriously.
"The people joining this dragon hunt."
"You already know them."
Her smile widened.
"And I suspect you'll be very surprised to see who the Ministry assigned to this mission."
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