Night deepened, and the streetlights came on one after another.
Stern had not encountered a single guest buying ice cream for half an hour. The empty streets were so quiet that it sent a chill through his heart.
No normal vendor would still be doing business at a time like this, so neither could Stern.
He turned off the flashing colored lights atop the truck, shut off the music that had made him want to vomit from hearing it, and slowly packed up his things.
When he looked back, Headmaster Fontana stood beneath a tree some distance away. His expression was impossible to make out in the shadows.
Stern took a deep breath, as though he had made some sort of decision.
He turned and walked toward Headmaster Fontana. Looking at the old man in Muggle clothes and thinking of how he had followed and protected him all day, even Stern's long-hardened heart could not help but soften.
But Stern quickly forced himself to calm down.
"Mr. Fontana..."
Standing only a few steps away from the old man, Stern lowered his head and helplessly wiped his hands on his apron. When he raised his head again, his eyes were slightly red, as though he were restraining himself from showing too much emotion.
"I'm very grateful for your concern, truly... But sir, could you give me a little more time? I... I don't want you to see those messy personal matters of mine..."
He pleaded in a low voice, then added, "I swear, once everything has been dealt with, I'll definitely... definitely come find you and tell you everything..."
The next time I go out, I absolutely can't let past successes make me careless again. No matter what, I have to keep up my disguise!
Stern thought bitterly.
On the surface,