Interview

The Ministry of Magic's main hall had dark wooden floors polished bright enough to reflect like mirrors, while glittering golden symbols were set into the peacock-blue ceiling. The lobby and reception area were packed with people.

Wizard reporters had set up their cameras around the Fountain of Magical Brethren, craning their necks toward the elevators on the other side as they waited. Several Armed Aurors separated them, leaving a passageway and keeping them outside it. John Bassa, the newly appointed Department Head of the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes, had been assigned to receive the guests. He stood wearily and helplessly at the entrance, saying, "Ladies and gentlemen, quiet... Don't push... Mind your safety."

Suddenly, applause and cheers erupted from the crowd. The Auror hurriedly turned around and saw Allen Harris, the Wizarding World's currently most celebrated new Savior, stepping out of the elevator with Hermione Granger and Penelope Clearwater.

The Auror immediately heightened his vigilance and straightened his posture even more.

A bad-tempered, short man held up a large black camera, hopping about as he took pictures. Every time the flash flared dazzlingly, streams of purple smoke billowed from the camera. He was not the only one; all the reporters frantically kept pressing their shutters, and clouds of thick smoke drifted through the air.

Hermione Granger, dressed as a Hogwarts student, and Penelope Clearwater, wearing an Auror uniform, trailed half a step behind Allen. After returning to the present, Allen had not changed back into modern fashion. Just as Voldemort and Dumbledore wore robes, he continued to wear that ancient-style wizard's robe, waving to the media reporters excited by their appearance.

The reporters fired off questions all at once, jostling and shouting as each hoped Allen would choose their question. Allen answered every question about what lay beyond