With the Ministry of Magic's help, post-disaster reconstruction in London proceeded smoothly.
"Come on! Catch me if you can!"
"If you've got the guts, stop running!..."
"Catch me and I'll give you a paper pinwheel! Nyah nyah nyah~"
Along the Thames River, groups of children ran wildly through the streets.
When the sun reached its zenith, several girls about a head taller than the children came to the riverbank and led the groups of children home...
The laughter and cheers in the streets gradually faded into silence...
Seated before a cold glass table, Cypher silently watched the scene unfold and tried to raise the teacup from the small stove to his lips.
But he found that his limbs had once again slipped beyond his control. He could only close his eyes gently and let out a quiet sigh.
The Ministry of Magic was now freely using Obliviate and the Imperius Curse among the Muggle population.
All children under twelve had their memories altered to make them orphans, then were raised entirely by Squib girls under fourteen.
As for those over twelve, their memories were all altered to make them soldiers, and they were sent to enlist...
A year ago, Dumbledore had plotted against him once more, using the excuse of "for the greater good" to send him into Hogwarts' dark side.
There, he had found a way to fuse the power of the soul with magic and elevate them both.
But the price was...
Helena Ravenclaw's true spirit had sacrificed itself so he could escape the dark world beneath Hogwarts.
Iris Fergus had no choice but to remain in the spirit world to fill the hellish breach beneath the British Ministry of Magic.
"Cypher... I understand how you feel. After all, he is enduring the same pain as well..."
When