Tracking

"Are you planning to leave, Amelia?"

As Amelia and Sirius, transformed into a large black dog, walked out of Amosta's room and hurried toward the elevator, Eriel, who had blocked their way when they arrived, appeared before them again at just the right moment. His already upturned brows rose high.

"You came here just to have a late-night snack with Breen?"

"That's none of your business, Eriel—"

Amelia had developed a strong dislike for the people in the Department of Security. Her face was cold as she spoke.

Eriel shrugged. Seemingly unconcerned, he glanced at the tightly shut door of the room where Breen was staying, suspicion and hesitation flashing through his eyes.

"If you're worried Amosta might sneak away, why don't you go in and inspect the room, Eriel?"

Amelia had accurately caught the emotion in Eriel's eyes, and she showed him no mercy.

"Oh—"

For a moment, Eriel looked tempted. But then a bitter smile touched his lips, and he shook his head slightly.

"I think we'd better not provoke Mr. Breen again."

Amelia turned her face away, brushed past Eriel, and strode toward the elevator. After baring his teeth at Eriel, Sirius scampered after her.

The woman and dog quickly left the World Trade Building. After hurrying on for some distance, they darted into a dense grove of plane trees. Once they had confirmed that no Aurors were following them, Sirius returned to human form.

As the most advanced form of human Transfiguration, Animagus was mastered by few wizards in any magical civilization. Before meeting Sirius, Amelia had never encountered a wizard who had mastered this Transfiguration. She stared curiously at Sirius as he resumed his human form, then suddenly blinked.

"You used Animagus to escape from Azkaban?"

"That's right."

The intelligence of this young girl, who