Walking through Knockturn Alley, Lucien stopped at the sound and looked toward its source.
There was a little alley diagonally ahead of him-no, a dead end.
Its entrance was narrow, the walls on either side almost squeezing together. No light reached inside, and from outside, he could only make out a few figures crowded at the far end.
Lucien activated his Eye of Magic Sight slightly. His vision sharpened abruptly, revealing the details inside the alley even from a distance.
A little white-haired girl stood against the wall, with several people closing in on her.
The girl looked quite young. She held up a wand, but her grip was awkward and trembled slightly, like someone whose arm had yet to grow used to its weight-a novice who had only recently acquired her wand.
Lucien glanced at her face. He did not recognize her, so she probably was not a Hogwarts student.
But she has a wand... Hmm, perhaps she's starting school this year and has just picked one out?
As these thoughts flashed through his mind, he had already turned and started toward the alley.
Young witches and wizards always seemed to wander into places like Knockturn Alley by mistake. Last year it had been Harry; this year, a little girl.
Without slowing down, Lucien noticed the young witch's wand hand twitch again. This time, it was not out of fear or nerves. She was trying to cast a spell.
The outline of her body suddenly distorted slightly, as though she had been enveloped in hot steam.
Behind his mask, Lucien raised an eyebrow in surprise. Apparition?
But the distortion vanished completely a moment later, so quickly that it might have been an illusion.
Inside the alley.
"These sweets are delicious. Are you sure you don't want to try one?"