The Chaotic Ministry of Magic

In cold Scotland, there was Butterbeer; in Central Europe, there was Vienna Coffee. It was not suitable for those trying to lose weight: piping-hot coffee topped with sweet chocolate syrup and chilled whipped cream, sprinkled with colorful rainbow sprinkles. It looked absolutely beautiful.

Drinking this first thing in the morning might have been a little too rich, but paired with apple strudel dusted with powdered sugar and fresh fruit, it was not so unbearable.

Before they had even reached Venice, Pomona had enjoyed room service. She could enjoy it while lying in bed, though the gentleman responsible for providing the service did not look very happy. He sat on the sofa outside the bedroom, reading that day's Daily Prophet.

The matter of Voldemort was a huge problem, and Pomona did not know how to solve it. All she could do was try her best not to let that evil spirit disturb their lives.

Coffee was supposed to refresh the mind, but everyone who had drunk it knew that it relaxed one's entire body and mind afterward.

Food could bring happiness. On this lazy, sunlit morning, she leafed through a travel magazine.

The night before, they had passed Gmunden on the northern shore of Lake Traunsee, where the ceramics were famous. Ort Castle, on an island farther out in the lake, had been built by Grand Duke Johann Orth, who disappeared in South America in 1891. A long wooden bridge connected it to the mainland.

Some said that because of a certain time-travel incident, he had been classified as one of those who had "never been born."

Pomona touched her stomach and suddenly asked in a burst of inspiration.

"Has Lily really been buried?"

"What?"

"My daughter, Lily Snape. Is she really gone?"

Severus turned his gaze back to the newspaper,