A Trip to Knockturn Alley

Since Hogwarts began its term, Skylar's life had become a simple, regular routine, as though precisely divided into three points.

During the day, he appeared at the Ministry of Magic on schedule, handling mountains of accumulated paperwork, attending meetings with senior officials such as Amelia, Scrimgeour, and Yaxley, and coordinating the assignments of Aurors, Hit Wizards, and reconnaissance teams. After work, he returned to Flower Dew Cottage to have dinner with Fleur, ending the day in a gentle, peaceful atmosphere. Occasionally, he would visit Ella Cottage under cover of night to inspect the maids' progress or receive intelligence scrolls delivered by House Elves from around the world.

Thus, the days passed without incident.

Time slipped by unnoticed, and late December quietly arrived. Festive decorations had begun to appear on London's streets, and the atmosphere of the Christmas holiday spread through both the wizarding world and the Muggle world.

That night, Ella Cottage's reception hall was brightly lit. The flames in the fireplace cast a warm yellow glow, stretching the shadows of seven figures long across the room.

The Seven Dragon Fangs had gathered before Skylar once more.

A full half year had passed since the last meeting attended by all seven.

They stood straight, their expressions varied, yet every one of them had restrained their usual sharpness and killing intent. Like a pack of dormant beasts, they waited silently for Skylar to speak.

Under Peter Pettigrew's guidance, Nymphadora, Madam Zabini, Night Cat, Eagle Eye, and Blood Mastiff had all successfully mastered Animagus transformation.

Their animal forms seemed to have been shaped by some unseen will, every one of them steeped in pure black.

Nymphadora transformed first.

She crouched on the ground, becoming a powerfully built black dog. Her fur was as dark as night, reflecting almost no light. Her back