A Sudden Downturn

When Skylar arrived at Ella Cottage, it was already noon, with the sun high overhead.

After leaving the Ministry of Magic, he had received the Sleeping Dragon Society's distinctive summons and rushed over in a panic, not even stopping for lunch. Barely a day had passed since the war began—counting from the moment Skylar received Karkaroff's letter—and he already felt stretched impossibly thin. Ignoring his physical and mental exhaustion, as well as the gnawing hunger in his stomach, he pushed open the door and stepped inside.

The house, usually filled with the maids' chatter, laughter, and light footsteps, now felt unusually empty and quiet. The flames still danced in the fireplace, but without people gathered around it, they lacked their usual warmth and liveliness.

Just the day before, all Seven Maidens had departed for the Northern European front, each burdened with vital duties and unlikely to return anytime soon.

In theory, Sarf was still here, but the busy witch was like a fleeting shadow, rushing back and forth between Avalon Island and the mirror Chamber of Secrets on the fifth floor. On one side, she tended to the newly established Runespoor breeding grounds; on the other, she assisted Daphne and Luna in training the Sleeping Dragon Society's young wizards in practical battlefield experience.

Not to mention that the Dark Laboratory and Coiling Dragon Dungeon within Suitcase Space also required her personal attention from time to time, so she could inspect whether the seals and restraints remained secure and prevent those terrifying dark experimental subjects from escaping and causing a catastrophe.

Only two people now remained to hold down Ella Cottage.

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On one side of the long table, Madam Zabini sat with her back as straight as