United Kingdom, London, headquarters of the Anglo-German Magical Alliance, former British Ministry of Magic, the Magical Immigration Department's dedicated Floo Network. One fireplace after another flared with emerald-green flames, then went out again, and strangely dressed wizards stepped out of the fire.
There were men and women among them. Some wore jet-black wizarding robes, some dark green robes, some modern clothing similar to that of Muggles, while others were wrapped in thick, warm down jackets—
Though they were dressed differently, without exception, nearly all of them looked deeply troubled.
Their expressions revealed heaviness and exhaustion. Deep lines of stress were etched into their foreheads, their brows tightly furrowed, and a trace of anxiety and unease showed in their eyes.
After stepping out of the fireplaces, they exchanged few words. They merely glanced at one another with the same misery, then, as though walking to the gallows, entered the Magical Immigration Department's private conference room one by one.
The first official—
Doniel Klosterman, the current head of the Klosterman Family from Finland, entered. Weariness and worry flickered in his eyes, and the corners of his mouth drooped slightly, as though burdened by heavy responsibility. His eyes looked somewhat aged, as if he had already endured too many challenges and troubles.
He chose a seat farthest from the chairperson's seat and sat down.
Next came the second official, Irina Smirnova. Though she looked somewhat better than Doniel Klosterman when she entered the conference room, her brows were still tightly drawn together. Her eyes revealed helplessness and confusion, as though the problem they faced could not be easily resolved.
Likewise, Irina Smirnova chose a seat far from the chairperson's seat and sat down.
Then came the third official, Balázs Locke Hoffmannde, the head of Germany's oldest wizarding family. He too entered with a