Magic

"How did you find Fraser?" Louise asked in a voice full of grief.

Whoosh—

A powerful gust disrupted the trajectory of the sleeting rain as it fell to the ground. The doors and windows between the bedroom and balcony shook violently, and the biting cold struck against the warm barrier Amosta had created. Shivering from the chill, Louise trembled.

"Why don't we go inside and talk, Louise—"

Amosta did not answer the girl's question immediately. Speaking gently, he stepped forward, took her arm, and helped her up from the ground. Louise remained silent and did not resist.

The fireplace in the bedroom had somehow already been lit. The room was as warm as a hot spring, and Louise's delicate features, which had been scrunched up against the cold, gradually relaxed. Her terrible mood eased somewhat as well.

Amosta helped Louise onto a cushioned armchair beside the fireplace, then walked to the bedside table and brought over the breakfast the Aurors had prepared for her, setting it on the coffee table in front of her. But judging from Louise's indifferent expression, she seemed to have little appetite.

"If you don't want some hot pumpkin soup to warm your stomach, I can have someone bring you a cup of coffee to wake you up—"

Amosta said with a smile.

"Oh, no need. This is fine—"

Louise pressed her lips together, her expression finally softening a little. She lifted the porcelain bowl with her frost-stiffened fingers. After taking several mouthfuls of the piping-hot soup mixed with Draught of Living Death, her taut nerves relaxed considerably. Then hunger seized the opportunity to make itself known. Louise, who had only intended to humor Amosta, found her hand reaching uncontrollably toward the pumpkin pie and fried bacon on the plate.

Amosta wore a gentle smile and