Kingsley Shacklebolt repeatedly waved his wand, using the magic he had mastered to reconstruct, as thoroughly as possible, every magical trace that had appeared in the Time Hall.
He even followed Snape's example and tried every repair spell he knew, hoping to see whether Vizet might return that way.
Although he had only met Vizet a handful of times, he had long pieced together Vizet's importance in the Magical World from newspaper and magazine reports, conversations among retired Aurors, and Dumbledore's assessment.
In fact, it was not just the Magical World. Even among the Muggle world's higher-ups, the Wizard most frequently mentioned was Vizet.
The number of times Vizet was mentioned even seemed poised to surpass Dumbledore's.
If someone like that vanished because of an accident, it would undoubtedly be a loss for the entire world.
He could already imagine how difficult it would be for him to find the words when he truly had to face Dumbledore and recount this accident.
Unfortunately, every attempt was futile. Kingsley Shacklebolt could only sigh, lower his wand, and turn to Old Barty Crouch.
"Mr. Crouch, I believe you have seen the result as well... The magical traces found in the Time Hall match Snape's earlier account."
He paused, then added with profound regret, "The power of time is far too great. It erased everything completely; there is no way to undo it!"
Old Barty Crouch nodded expressionlessly and said curtly to Snape, "In that case, you may leave."
"Is that so?" Snape raised an eyebrow, making no effort to conceal the mockery in his voice. "I thought... you might do something else."
"For example... take me somewhere of yours and lock me up. The lower floors seem quite suitable—those ready-made interrogation rooms, one after another."
Kingsley Shacklebolt cut in. "Professor Snape, everything