Upon seeing the newcomers, Head Auror Scrimgeour's expression immediately hardened, especially when his piercing gaze landed on the old woman.
"Mr. Edward Rosier, could you explain what this secret compartment is used for?" Scrimgeour asked with a stern face. "Is it related to the storage of illegal Dark artifacts?"
"Head Auror Scrimgeour, you are overthinking things," the elderly wizard said with a strained smile. "Please, both of you, sit down first. Sit down."
"Let us talk while we sit," he insisted, gesturing to the plush sofas in the center of the hall.
Scrimgeour was silent for a few seconds. After his gaze swept over the old woman once more, he finally walked to the sofa and sat down.
Edward and the old woman slowly sat opposite Scrimgeour. Their expressions, however, were completely different.
Edward looked incredibly anxious, carefully observing the Ministry officials. The old woman, on the other hand, looked entirely at ease, seemingly not putting the Ministry of Magic in her eyes at all.
Her gaze did not linger on Scrimgeour for long; instead, it settled heavily on Lyla for a considerable amount of time.
'Who… who is she?'
Lyla had a terrible premonition. 'It couldn't be... Vinda...' She gently shook her head beneath her hood, forcing herself not to think of such a terrifying possibility.
"Head Auror Scrimgeour, what brings you here today?" After a brief silence, Edward slowly asked. "Our branch of the Rosier family has always supported the Ministry's work."
"I am well aware of that," Scrimgeour said, enunciating each word carefully. "However, this mandated inspection includes all pure-blood families."
As he spoke, he gestured sharply toward the open fireplace. "And… the Rosier family does not seem to be as… cooperative as they claim."
"Those are merely private family heirlooms, hahaha," Edward gave a somewhat awkward, nervous laugh. "After all, every ancient family has its own secret vault, right?"
His excuse did not convince Scrimgeour in the slightest. Scrimgeour pursed his lips and said, "Then, Mr. Rosier, would you allow the Ministry of Magic to inspect the contents of this private vault?"
"That seems… highly inappropriate, does it not?" Edward paused. "Inside are the Rosier family's private—"
"Mr. Rosier, you must understand your position," Scrimgeour interrupted, his expression growing increasingly stern. "The Rosier family openly supported Gellert Grindelwald's terrible cause fifty years ago. Your continued existence as a noble house in Britain after his defeat is entirely due to the Ministry of Magic's mercy."
Known for his uncompromising toughness, Scrimgeour leaned forward. "If they are merely private items, we will naturally apologize for the intrusion. But if they are related to Dark artifacts…"
'The atmosphere… it feels a bit off!' Lyla felt the previously tense atmosphere suddenly turn hostile. Her eyes, hidden behind the silver mask, carefully scrutinized the two people sitting opposite her.
Edward's face was quite unpleasant, completely devoid of his previous fake smile. The old woman… she seemed only to be watching Scrimgeour with mild amusement.
Even so, the oppressive atmosphere made Lyla feel incredibly scared. She shrank back, letting herself be completely swallowed by the softness of the oversized sofa.
Edward was visibly backed into a corner by Scrimgeour's threats. He opened and closed his mouth a few times, but before he could argue back, the old woman beside him slowly spoke.
"Head Auror Scrimgeour, you seem to be overstating your authority," she said, her tone dripping with aristocratic elegance. Her face was lined with wrinkles, but she still retained the undeniable, commanding demeanor of her youth.
As she spoke, she nodded slightly. "Allow me to introduce myself… I am the head of the main Rosier family in France."
"Vinda Rosier."
'Vin-Vin-Vin-Vinda…' Lyla trembled violently as if she had just been electrocuted by a severing charm. Her vision went entirely black, and she knew nothing more.
"Madam Rosier, it has been a long time," Scrimgeour said sternly, completely unaware that his special consultant had just fainted from pure terror. "The last time I saw you was at your trial before the Wizengamot."
"Haha, I remember you as well, Mr. Scrimgeour… Oh, back then you were merely a junior Auror, weren't you?" Vinda smiled slightly. "I didn't expect that after so many years… you would only be promoted to Head of the Auror Office."
She offered a look of mocking pity. "It's a shame… I thought a man of your ambition would have become Minister for Magic, or at least the Head of Magical Law Enforcement by now."
As Scrimgeour's face flushed with anger, Vinda continued effortlessly. "The current Minister for Magic in Britain… seems to be a Cornelius Fudge, right?"
"What a perfectly suitable choice for British wizards."
Her thinly veiled insult made Scrimgeour take a deep breath before slowly replying, "It is Minister Fudge's direct order that we are here to inspect for Dark artifacts."
"Is that so?" Vinda drawled slowly. "And this matter has absolutely nothing to do with your great Albus Dumbledore?"
Scrimgeour was silent for a few seconds before answering stiffly, "The Ministry of Magic is the Ministry of Magic, and Headmaster Dumbledore is Headmaster Dumbledore."
"Of course, of course," Vinda nodded with a patronizing smile. "It's just that I remember this inspection also being an order from the Wizengamot, correct? And Albus Dumbledore just happens to be the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot."
Scrimgeour's face flushed dark red. He realized he was no match for this seasoned French aristocrat in a political debate.
"Alright, Madam Rosier. I am not here today to debate politics with you," Scrimgeour said, tapping the table impatiently. "I am here to investigate Dark artifacts."
"The contents of that secret compartment must be inspected by the Ministry of Magic."
"Head Auror Scrimgeour…" Edward was about to protest in a panic when Vinda interrupted him again.
"Mr. Scrimgeour, those heirlooms do not belong to my dear cousin; they are mine," Vinda said, curling her lips. "And I presume the British Ministry of Magic has absolutely no jurisdiction to investigate the private belongings of a French citizen?"
"..."
Her words completely silenced Scrimgeour. He pursed his lips, wanting to argue, but legally, she had him cornered.
"You might want me to prove that those items belong to me… But I am sorry, Mr. Scrimgeour," Vinda continued, completely controlling the conversation. "Those heirlooms have been passed down through the Rosier family for generations… I imagine there wouldn't have been receipts for purchases made centuries ago, right?"
Looking at Scrimgeour's furious face, Vinda smiled gracefully. She then turned her gaze to the silent, masked stranger sitting next to him.
"Mr. Scrimgeour, may I ask who this fascinating witch beside you is?"
Scrimgeour was silent for a few seconds, then said with an unpleasant expression, "She is Miss Hamier, a consultant officially sent by Hogwarts."
"Miss Hamier… it is a pleasure to meet you," Vinda nodded gently to the masked girl.
Vinda had been incredibly curious about this witch who had remained inexplicably silent throughout the entire confrontation. She was certain she had never seen a wizard wearing such a bizarre disguise before.
And a consultant from Hogwarts... was she the one who had effortlessly deciphered the runic matrix on that fireplace?
Vinda looked thoughtfully at the witch in front of her. Unfortunately, the girl remained as still and silent as an iceberg. Her wordless demeanor made Vinda feel a distinct sense of 'do not approach'.
'She is a bit tricky…' "Miss Hamier seems to dislike me more than I imagined," Vinda noted slowly. Respecting the girl's boundaries, she closed her mouth and began to think.
Next… only an incredibly awkward silence remained among the four of them.
"Hmm…"
After what felt like an eternity, Lyla finally regained consciousness. Blinking behind her mask, she saw the silent group and subconsciously shrank her neck.
'Did I just faint…? Could it be… that I caused some trouble while I was out?!'
'Did… did she recognize me?!'
Even with her mask securely on, Lyla didn't dare meet Vinda's gaze. 'What if she recognized my posture?!' Although Lyla was entirely wrapped in a black robe and a silver mask... if Vinda figured it out, what would happen?
'Then what awaits me is the Killing Curse, right?!'
'Or will she actually follow through and transfigure me into a literal parasite?!' Lyla nervously lowered her head, hurriedly beginning to silently recite Magic Array theories to keep from passing out a second time.
It felt like another fifty years had passed until a junior Auror finally walked into the hall. He stepped up to Scrimgeour and whispered, "Head Auror, the sweep is clear. Nothing suspicious was found."
"I understand," Scrimgeour nodded with a deeply unpleasant expression. He stood up and looked down at Vinda. "Then I will not disturb you any longer, Madam Rosier."
He turned to his terrified consultant. "Miss Hamier, let us go."
"Eek!" Lyla stood up with completely stiff legs, trembling as she followed Scrimgeour out of the hall as fast as she possibly could.
"Cousin Vinda…" Edward started to say once the Aurors were gone, but Vinda gently raised a hand to silence him.
"I have never heard of a 'Miss Hamier' before," Vinda said slowly, her eyes narrowing as she watched the girl's retreating back. "Have you ever heard of her?"
"No…"
"I see," Vinda paused, murmuring to herself. "I cannot shake the feeling she is somewhat familiar…"
As she spoke, she walked over to the opened fireplace. She looked at its hidden contents with a hint of deep nostalgia, then casually waved her wand to close the secret compartment.