At Last, Face-to-Face

Hearing Sirius's faintly mocking words, Selena and Eriel, whose expressions were already grim, found it even harder to keep their composure.

Thrak Grevis was the head of the Department of Security, a bona fide member of MACUSA's upper ranks. For years, he had been renowned for his strict self-discipline and unwavering integrity.

The Department of Security's Aurors had all taken pride in having such a superior.

Yet the glaring evidence before them had undoubtedly ripped away Grevis's facade, proving that this highly decorated Auror was not as flawless as he had appeared before the world.

Amelia, however, felt fairly indifferent about it.

She did admire wizards like Grevis, but nowhere near as much as the Aurors who had followed him for years. Besides, some of the Department of Security chief's decisions over the past few days had disgusted Amelia.

"No one is flawless, Mr. Black—"

After a moment of silence, Selena looked at Sirius and said gloomily,

"Even Mr. Dumbledore and Mr. Breen are no exception. Neither are you, Mr. Black. I trust you haven't forgotten that you entered the United States by sneaking across the border."

Sirius curled his lip and shrugged with a smile, paying little attention to Selena's "condemnation."

The breeze stirred the curtains. Ominous blood-red moonlight filtered through the windows, casting rippling, ghostly shadows across the dim walls of the study.

Everyone in the room stared at the fireplace. Unbidden, an uneasy feeling rose in all their hearts. They seemed to vaguely foresee that the place they were about to enter would not be as peaceful as this villa.

"Should we—"

Hesitating, Eriel looked at Sirius.

"Have that magical phoenix summon our people here?"

"No need—"

Suppressing his contempt for Grevis, who had caused Amosta no small amount of trouble, Sirius regained an Auror's calm professionalism.