The rain that had arrived before the height of summer still showed no sign of weakening.
The downpour had already flooded the streets, and rainwater was backing up into many Hogsmeade villagers' homes. Wrapped in raincoats, the villagers braved the storm and rushed into the streets, busy clearing the village's drains. Even Aberforth had no choice but to rush out with his wand and take remedial measures to keep his venerable establishment from collapsing in the torrential rain.
Amosta escorted Ludo to the door. After taking just two or three steps into the pounding rain, Ludo's back disappeared from Amosta's sight.
Amosta had not told Ludo what he needed his support for, but judging by Ludo's dazed, uneasy expression before he left, he seemed to have some idea of what Amosta intended to do.
The sky was as dark as nightfall.
The raging waves of the Black Lake battered the cliffs, their thunderous roar even drowning out the peals of thunder.
Then, in that world of howling winds and wailing rain, a figure appeared and swiftly came into focus in Amosta's eyes.
The visitor wore a rainproof cloak, his black high-top leather shoes splashing through the water on the ground. His sharp, lion-like gaze pierced the rain curtain from beneath his dim yellow eyes and settled on Amosta's faintly smiling face.
"I'm here, Breen."
"Ah, thank you for accepting my invitation. Was the journey smooth, Rufus?"
Rufus Scrimgeour, Head of the Auror Office—the commander of the Ministry of Magic's largest armed department under the Department of Magical Law Enforcement—wore a hard expression. He looked up at the bloodstained boar's head on the tavern sign, which even such heavy rain could not wash clean, and made no effort to hide his distaste for the place.
"Why here instead of Hogwarts? What,