The Dagger Revealed

"Amelia, what are you doing in Mr. Graves's office?"

Kicking open the half-closed office door, Selena's brows immediately sharpened at the sight of Amelia's panicked face. She and the Aurors behind her instantly drew their wands. But they were not aiming at Amelia—they were aiming at the handsome, deep-set middle-aged wizard beside her. Quite a few also pointed their wands at the beautiful large bird perched on the lampstand.

"Don't be rash, Selena!"

Amelia cried out. She rushed in front of Sirius and spread her arms to shield him.

"We can explain!"

"I'm waiting for an explanation!"

Selena's gaze remained icy, and her wand did not waver.

"You don't look like you came to report an issue to Mr. Graves, do you? And you, sir—who are you? What did that thing you just shouted mean?"

"If I remember correctly—"

An Auror behind Selena stared hard at Sirius's face. His eyes bulged with shock as he said uncertainly,

"He's Sirius Black, a descendant of the ancient Black family in the British wizarding world—the only wizard ever to escape Azkaban and the Dementors. I saw his face in The Daily Prophet. I remember the paper saying that Black later became an Auror too, serving in the Auror Office of the British Ministry of Magic!"

Sirius Black, descendant of the Black family, Auror—those words made Selena lower the tip of her wand slightly, but her voice remained stern.

"Then, Mr. Black, did you come to New York under orders from the British Ministry of Magic? When did you enter the country? If possible, I would like to inspect your entry application receipt and your wand permit."

Sirius's expression darkened severely, as if he could see another prison beckoning to him. After several seconds of silence, he shrugged and said in a dull voice,